Business not as usual, p.16
Business Not As Usual, page 16
“I was thinking about how much I love Larenz Tate,” she said.
“Yeah, I can understand that. He played this role masterfully. I remember the first time I met him. He—”
“Whoa! Hold up.” Dreamy placed her feet on the floor and sat up. “You’ve met him? Larenz Tate?”
Karter turned his amused gaze to her. “Yeah, a couple of times. He’s a nice guy. Maybe I’ll introduce you one day.”
“Seriously? If you do, I’ll be forever in your debt.”
A slow smile spread across Karter’s lips. “Is that right?” he said, his deep voice dropping an octave as his gaze volleyed from her eyes to her mouth, and back to her eyes again.
“Yup. You make that happen, and you can ask anything of me.”
“Those are strong words. You don’t know what I might ask of you.”
“I said anything. That’s how much I love him.”
“Hmm . . . I’m not sure how I feel about that.”
Dreamy gasped when Karter slid his arm under her and lifted her onto his lap. He was a big guy, and she assumed he was as strong and powerful as he looked, but he had just proven how strong he really was.
Heat rushed through her body while she straddled his thighs and felt his hardness between her legs. His large hands cradled her butt cheeks, only intensifying the precarious position she was in.
“What are we doing?” she asked breathlessly, her heart beating a little faster. Their mouths were mere inches from each other, and it was taking a will of steel to not grind against him.
“I’m going to show you why you should choose me over him. I’m way more interesting than Larenz.”
Dreamy gave an unladylike snort. “More interesting than Larenz Tate? I don’t think so.”
Karter narrowed his eyes and squeezed her butt while decreasing the distance between their mouths. “Why is that so hard to believe? I own several companies. I’m extremely resourceful. I plan exciting first dates, and I’m better looking than he is. Oh, and I’m definitely taller. More than that, though, I can have you screaming my name within minutes of getting you naked.”
Heat soared through Dreamy’s body, and it was as if someone had turned the heat up to a hundred degrees. She wanted him to prove that last part, but she also wasn’t ready to stop their banter.
“I’m not going to concede that any of that is true,” she breathed, her pulse amping up at just thinking about him getting her naked and making her scream. “Besides, it’s probably not a good idea to stroke your oversize ego and make your head any bigger than it already is.”
“Too late,” he said, rotating his hips beneath her, and Dreamy moaned at the feel of his erection pressing against her core.
With her willpower snapped, she cupped his face between her hands and covered his mouth with hers as she ground her body against him. Forget bantering. She wanted this man more than she wanted her next pair of high-heel shoes.
But first, she wanted him to make her scream.
Chapter Nineteen
Don’t do it! It’s too soon!
That irritating voice of reason from earlier shouted inside Karter’s head again, but he was too far gone to listen. The feel of Dreamy’s body on top of him, grinding against his shaft, had his brain going haywire.
He wanted this too much. He wanted her too much to stop.
It had been a while since he’d been with a woman, and if Dreamy kept moving the way she was moving, their little interlude was going to be over way before it got good. He was as hard as granite, and with the rocking of her hips, he was growing harder by the second.
“Karter.” She moaned against his mouth. That single word held so much passion and desire.
Dreamy moved her hands to the back of his head, and their kiss grew hungrier with each lap of their tongues. Karter didn’t want to slow things down, but he needed to make sure they were on the same page. By the way she was grinding against him, it was safe to say they wanted the same thing. No doubt she could feel how turned on he was and knew the effect she was having on him.
“Dreamy.”
“Don’t stop,” she breathed. “Don’t stop.”
Karter repositioned his hands, moving them from her butt to her hips, determined to gain some type of control. Pulling his mouth from hers, he peppered feathery kisses against her cheek, and worked his way down the length of her scented neck. Sliding his hands beneath his shirt that she was wearing, Karter marveled at how soft her skin was as he explored every dip and valley of her womanly curves.
She didn’t want to stop, and he wanted more.
Safe to say we’re on the same page.
“I need you out of this shirt,” he said.
Dreamy sat back slightly, removed her cell phone from the breast pocket, and dropped it in the seat next to them. Without having to unbutton the shirt, Karter helped lift it over her head, then tossed the garment to the floor.
Damn. What a sight.
He slowly raked his eyes over her dark skin and full breasts. “You’re absolutely beautiful,” he said.
She gave him a timid smile. “Thank you.”
Dreamy had a body that demanded attention even when it was covered in clothes. But knowing what she was working with beneath her colorful attire had his shaft hard enough to punch a hole through his pants.
Her breasts were more than a handful, and Karter planned to pay them the attention they deserved. Lowering his head, he swiped his tongue across one pert nipple, and she hissed then moaned when he squeezed the other between his finger and thumb.
Oh yeah, he was going to have fun with her enticing body. He still planned to make good on her screaming his name before she was completely naked. Right now, all that was left was her thong, but soon, it would join the shirt on the floor.
Her arms hung loose around his neck, and she arched her back, giving him better access to her breasts as she whimpered and continued rocking against him. Karter sucked, squeezed, and teased her nipples. Her erotic sounds of pleasure grew louder and more animated with each lap of his tongue, urging him on, making him want to give her as much pleasure as possible.
Wanting to feel more of her, he slid his hand down the front of her body. The little strip of material she was using as panties wasn’t much of a barrier to get to what he wanted. He pushed the material to the side and slid his thumb over her clit, adding just enough pressure to make her moans even more intense.
He slid a finger inside of her and then another. “Damn. You’re so hot and wet for me.”
Dreamy fisted his shirt and held on tight as she rode his hand. “Oh, yes,” she breathed. Her head lolled back, and her labored breathing met his ears. “Ka-Karter.” She whimpered, her moves growing jerkier as he increased the pace. “I—I . . .”
“Come for me, baby,” he crooned, covering her mouth with his as he glided his fingers in and out of her.
Dreamy moaned against his lips, but then ripped her mouth from his. She screamed his name and tightened around his fingers as her release came fast and hard.
“Ohmigod, ohmigod, ohmigod,” she murmured over and over again and slumped against him while gasping for air.
Karter placed a lingering kiss against her cheek, then repositioned his hands, moving them to the bottom of her thighs as he prepared to stand. “Let’s take part two to the bedroom.”
* * *
• • •
Pleasantly worn out, Dreamy laid her head against Karter’s shoulder as he carried her to the other side of the massive basement. She should be embarrassed by her state of dress, or lack thereof, but at the moment, she didn’t care. True to his word, he made her scream his name.
Another first.
In her limited sexual experience, Dreamy had never screamed a man’s name. Ever. Until tonight. Until Karter.
“Okay, I choose you,” she said, still trying to catch her breath after that powerful orgasm. “I don’t need to meet Larenz.”
Karter laughed and strolled into the guest bedroom, closing the door with his foot. “Good to know. You’ve made the right decision.”
He laid her in the center of the bed and climbed in beside her. When he lowered his head to kiss her, it was slow, tender, and oh so sweet. If this man was trying to make her fall more in like with him, it was working. Dreamy had never been with a man who made her feel so cherished and desired. Sure, Brandon started out that way, but it quickly changed to comfortable and familiar.
Her arm slid around Karter’s neck as he nipped at her lower lip, then her top one. She was under no illusion that he was perfect, but she had a feeling that what she was experiencing with him, would be a norm.
“I’m feeling a little underdressed here,” she said against his mouth before pulling back slightly. She was very comfortable in her skin, but it was starting to feel a little strange that she was mostly naked while he still had on his clothes. “And you’re a little overdressed.”
“You think so?” Karter stood and turned on the bedside lamp, giving the room a romantic vibe. “I can remedy that.” After locking the bedroom door, he started unbuckling his pants. “You sure about this?” he asked, digging through his pocket and setting his wallet and cell phone on the bedside table. “Because if you’re not, I—”
“Take off your clothes,” she said. “And do it slowly.”
The fantasy Dreamy had during the meeting the other day immediately came to mind. Never in a million years did she think she’d be here with him . . . watching him strip.
Karter’s signature crooked grin made an appearance as he shook out of his dress shirt and let it fall to the floor. Next went his white T-shirt, leaving the top half of his body on full display.
If Dreamy thought he looked hot with clothes on, seeing him shirtless stole her breath. Wide chest. Thick biceps. And a six-pack that she’d seen on men only in magazines. The man was built like a damn truck. She marveled at the way his corded muscles contracted with each move he made.
She didn’t take her eyes off him as she started to pull the covers up over her legs.
“Don’t even think about covering that amazing body,” Karter said. His baritone had lowered to a deep, groveling bass. “I want to see you, all of you, while I’m shedding my clothes. Unless of course you want me to stop.”
“Don’t you dare. Take it off, baby!” She giggled. “I’ve always wanted to say that.”
Laughing, Karter toed off his shoes and unfastened his pants, letting them puddle on the floor.
Wow. This just keeps getting better.
Bracing a hand against the wall, he removed his black socks and added them to the pile of clothes. All the while, Dreamy barely pulled her gaze away from the black boxer briefs and how thick his shaft looked inside of them. But the moment he slid them down his legs, her heart beat a little faster. The throbbing pulse between her thighs was suddenly unbearable, and she couldn’t wait to have him inside of her.
“Is this better?” he asked, and crawled onto the bed, coming toward her like a tiger on the prowl.
“Oh, yeah. Much, much better,” she said on a breath seconds before his mouth covered hers.
As their kiss deepened, her arms tightened around his neck. Between his intoxicating scent and the way his body felt against hers, she could barely think straight. She savored his taste—a combination of chocolate and liquor—while they devoured each other’s mouths.
Man, he was a good kisser.
So far, the man could seem to do no wrong in her book. All he did was make her want him even more. Wanting to feel more of him, she slid her hand between their bodies. When she found what she was looking for, Dreamy worked her hand up and down his shaft, rubbing, squeezing, tugging on him until she had him groaning her name.
“Babe,” he said, palming her butt as she stroked him faster and harder.
Karter cursed under his breath and gasped for air as he tightened his hold on her. “Damn, that feels good,” he said. “Too good, and if I let you keep doing that, you’re going to make me come before I’m buried inside of you.”
Before Dreamy could respond, Karter eased out of her grasp and had her flat on her back before she could blink. He lowered his head and placed a kiss on her lips, then slowly traced a sensuous path down her neck, lingering at her shoulder blade before going lower.
Everywhere his lips touched, her body heated, and she squirmed and squeezed her thighs together as the sensational ache between them grew more demanding. She almost came undone when he cupped one of her breasts seconds before his tongue swiped over her sensitive nipple, sending a wave of desire plowing through her body.
“Karter . . . that feels . . .” A moan ripped through her before she could get the words out and he moved on, paying the same homage to the other breast.
Goodness, this man.
Dreamy didn’t know how much more she could take as she arched into him. She wanted him inside of her, but the way he licked and sucked and teased her nipples almost made it hard to breathe, let alone think straight.
“God, you smell so good and taste even better,” he mumbled against her breast. “I’m torn between taking this slow or—”
“We can go slow next time but right now, I want you.”
“I want you, too, baby.”
He kissed her, then reached over to the bedside table. Fumbling with his wallet, he pulled out a foil package. No surprise that he was prepared. He came across as a man who was always prepared for anything.
“This is nice and all, but it has to go,” he said of her thong, and made quick work of sliding it down her legs, taking the fuzzy socks with it. “Now, where was I?”
Karter hovered above her and reclaimed her lips, kissing her passionately as he nudged her legs apart. When the tip of his penis teased at her entrance, it was all she could do not to come right then. Her heart was beating so fast and hard, she was sure it would beat right out of her chest. The man had her so turned on, there was no way she’d last much longer. And when he eased into her, all thoughts ceased.
Oh yes. Yes. Yes, her mind chanted as they moved together, their bodies in perfect sync as Karter set the pace and slowly picked up speed. He seemed to go deeper and harder as he drove in and out of her, and Dreamy’s control slipped more with each thrust.
Pleasure swirled inside of her, increasing in intensity like a tropical storm hitting the coast, and her nails dug into his back as she struggled to hang on.
“Karter,” she whimpered, her head thrashing back and forth against the pillow as the pressure inside of her increased. She was close. She was so . . . A spine-tingling orgasm roared through her body, sending her world spinning out of control.
Karter was right behind her, groaning her name as he pounded in and out of her like a man possessed before his release took him over the edge of control.
He collapsed on top of her, and his breath was warm against her neck as he panted loudly. “Man, that was . . . incredible.” When he started to lift off her, Dreamy held him close.
“Don’t move. Not yet.” They lay there bound together, each struggling to catch their breaths.
Yeah, that was definitely incredible . . . and intense, Dreamy thought as her breathing slowly went back to normal.
Karter eventually rolled off her and pulled her to his side, placing a kiss on her sweat-slicked forehead. Lying on his chest with her arm across his stomach, Dreamy couldn’t think of any place she’d rather be.
“So,” Karter started, his voice piercing the quietness in the room, “you still in love with Larenz Tate?”
“Who?” Dreamy feigned ignorance, and smiled when Karter started laughing.
Later for Larenz. There was a new man filling her fantasies, and his name was Karter Redford.
Chapter Twenty
Stuffy my ass.
At the restaurant, Karter had referred to himself as a stuffy old workaholic. Dreamy understood why he might’ve added the “old” part since he was a few years older than her, and maybe even the workaholic title. However, she wasn’t sure why he referred to himself as stuffy. From what she’d just experienced with him, there was nothing stuffy about the man. Better adjectives would include exciting, creative, generous, and attentive, and she could come up with a host of others if she weren’t exhausted.
Two more rounds of the most incredible sex she’d ever experienced, and she didn’t think she’d ever be able to move. The intense connection that she felt for him defied logic, and she was so glad she’d said yes to dinner. Otherwise, she might’ve missed out on this incredible man.
Too spent to do much else, Dreamy lay there staring up at the wood ceiling while Karter was in the bathroom disposing of the condom. Considering it was almost two in the morning, it was safe to say that she wasn’t going home tonight. Though she had texted Jordyn a few hours ago, telling her not to wait up, she should probably tell her that she’d see her in the morning.
She just had to drag herself out of bed and find her phone. Maybe later, she thought, and her eyes drifted closed. Seconds later, they reopened when Karter exited the bathroom.
“Do you mind grabbing my phone before you get back into bed?” she asked.
“Sure. Do you need anything else?”
“No, that’s it.”
He went back to the bathroom and emerged wearing a white terry cloth robe, then left the room. When he returned, not only did he have her cell, but he also had the shirt she’d been wearing as well as bottles of water.
He handed her the phone, and Dreamy saw that she had a couple of text messages. One from Jordyn checking to make sure she was all right, and the other from . . . Brandon?
