My Prerogative Read online

  I gave a brief thanks to caller ID, and dialed.

  “Hello, Kelsey.” His voice was warm, almost affectionate.

  “Are you busy tonight?” I asked.

  “Not with anything special.”

  “Would you like to see a show?”

  He hesitated and I could almost hear his brain shifting gears. He thought I was asking him on a date. “I meant, would you like me to put on a show just for you?”

  “I’d like that very much,” he said, his voice deeper than it had been.

  Adrenaline rushed through me and I bounced on my toes.

  “Be here at ten,” I said, then hung up before I could change my mind.

  16

  All primped and pretty, I strolled through my apartment dimming lights and lighting candles as I sang along with Nickel-back’s “Animals.” Hard-hitting and raunchy, it was the perfect song for what I had in mind.

  My heart pounded as I plumped the pillows on my bed and made sure the condoms were within easy reach. Then I went back to the kitchen and stared at the bottle of Stoli. It was there, right in front of me, but the urge to drink had fled.

  I was standing there, leaning against the kitchen counter when the buzzer sounded and my pussy clenched. I pressed the button that would let Harlan into the building and went to unlock the door. I stood there, listening for his footsteps, and opened the door before he could knock.

  “Hi there,” I said.

  More than six feet of solid muscle stuffed into jeans and a navy blue T-shirt filled my doorway. Harlan stared at me and my heart went pitter-pat while my hormones danced a jig to the beat.

  His eyes were blue. Bright blue. And they roamed over me with an intensity that was almost disconcerting.

  Unable to hold his gaze, I let my own run over him. It was my first real good look at him, and I was trying hard not to drool.

  His hair was darker than it had looked outside, but it was so thick and rich my fingers itched with the need to touch. Dark skin stretched over features that were strong, raw, and masculine. The light scent of spice that clung to him told me he’d shaved recently, but stubble still rode his jawline, and probably always would. Muscles that were not built in the gym rippled with the slightest of motion and every construction worker fantasy I’d ever had flashed through my brain.

  Harlan was no pretty boy, but he was panty-dropping hot.

  Without saying a word I stepped back and waved him in, closing the door behind him. “Would you like a drink?”

  He glanced at the bottle and glass clearly visible on the kitchen counter. “No, thank you.”

  Nice manners too.

  Squashing my nerves I reached out and took his hand. “I’m glad you came.”

  A small smile lifted the corners of his lips and I got a strange swoopy feeling in my stomach. “I am too,” he said simply.

  “Follow me?”

  He nodded and I led him into my bedroom.

  The strategically arrayed candles cast a flickering light over the bed, but left the corners of the room in shadow, giving it a cavelike feel that I found comforting and erotic at the same time. The darkness surrounded us and welcomed the side of me that I only let strangers see.

  Turning to Harlan, I reached up and put my hands on his shoulders, pressing him back until he sat in the chair I’d positioned at the foot of my bed. “Your seat, sir,” I said with a saucy wink.

  His lips twitched and his eyes sparkled. “Thank you, ma’am.”

  Reaching down, I covered his hands with my own. “Watching only, Harlan. Until the show’s over.”

  “And then?”

  His question hung between us as I started to sway to the music. “And then you’ll fuck me until I can’t walk tomorrow.”

  Moving back, my eyes slid closed and I ran my hands over my body. They glided smoothly over my hips, belly, and breasts as I started to move. I’d imagined giving him a lap dance, and I wanted it to last.

  “Open your eyes,” he said.

  I did, and looked right at him, cocking a brow in question.

  His eyes gleamed out of the shadows. “I want you to know who you’re dancing for.”

  The heat in his gaze fired up my blood, and it rushed through my veins. I kept my gaze on his as I reached for the hem of the satin camisole I’d put on just for him. Lifting it slowly I pulled until it was over my head, and I was naked from the waist up.

  When he didn’t immediately look down, I brought a hand up and sucked on my fingertip, then trailed it down over my neck and chest until I was circling a rigid nipple. His gaze followed my finger and a shiver ran through me when he licked his lips. I stepped closer, hips still swiveling in a slow bump and grind, my hands cupping both of my breasts.

  I tugged on the bejeweled hoops in my nipples and gasped at the sensation that shot to my groin. “Do you like my jewelry?” I asked.

  “Very nice,” he said. “Almost as pretty as the rosy nipples they adorn.”

  I dipped forward, then moved back again and let my hands drop to my thighs. Bending my knees I exaggerated the bump and grind, lifting my skirt slowly, then dropping it. Spinning around, I looked over my shoulder as I gave him my back. I did the same move as before, bending sharply at the waist and flashing some ass before I straightened.

  A low growl rumbled through the room and my sex clenched. I’d barely started my teasing and already the tension in the room was getting to us both. With little fuss, I slipped my hands beneath the elastic of my skirt and pushed it to the floor. It was time to really turn up the heat.

  I sat on the bed directly in front of him and slid my ass back until I was leaning against the pillows. Looking directly into his eyes, I let my hand cup and fondle my breasts, fingers pulling at my nipples until I was panting. Then my hands drifted across my soft belly and over my trimmed patch of curls. Bending my knees up, I spread my legs wide for him.

  I was completely naked and open to him, and he was fully dressed, sitting as still as a statue. My gaze ran hungrily over the bulge at his crotch and I licked my lips. “Will you open your pants for me? Let me see how much you like my show?”

  He didn’t hesitate, undoing his belt and jeans smoothly and pushing them down his hips until his cock was free. Long and thick with a clear ridge riding up the underside to the shiny head, it bounced lightly against his belly. Oh, yeah, he enjoyed the sight of my wet pussy framed only by my bare legs.

  The sight of his hand wrapped around his shaft, as his eyes fairly glowed with desire, had my pulse pounding. It was a hard choice: Did I want to watch him stroke his cock in that almost absentminded way, or did I want him to concentrate on watching me?

  Sliding a hand between my thighs I watched as his gaze followed my every movement. My juices flowed faster and I slipped a finger between my pussy lips and into my hole. A second finger quickly joined the first and I fucked myself while he watched.

  His own hand picked up speed, matching mine and making the head of his cock an angry deep purple as trickles of liquid squeezed out the tiny hole.

  Another low growl echoed through the room when I pulled my hands away from my pussy and reached under the pillow. “Don’t worry, baby,” I said softly as I pulled out my pink jelly cock from its hiding place. “I’m not done yet.”

  I fondled the phallus, my eyes locked with his as I licked up and down the fake cock, wetting it and teasing him at the same time. Desire burned in his gaze and seared my soul.

  This guy was dangerous, the heat between us fast becoming addictive.

  Placing it between my thighs I spread my slick pussy lips with my fingers and played the toy around my clit. Slipping the fake cock into my sex, I began to thrust it, slow and steady, while frigging my clit with a fingertip at the same time.

  A moan escaped as my inner muscles tightened and my hips started to push against my hands. I frigged my clit harder and fucked myself shamelessly. Moans filled the air and I couldn’t tell if they were Harlan’s or mine. I closed my eyes, really getting into the w
ay it felt, not just putting on a show anymore.

  “Look at me!” he growled, a tightly leashed tiger in my bedroom.

  My eyes snapped open and I stared at him. Hunger flared bright in his blue eyes, the flames calling to me. Urging me to touch and be touched, to let myself get burned. I groaned and bit my lip. Oh, how I wanted him. I wanted that big thick cock of his shoved so deep inside me that I screamed.

  “Come for me, Harlan,” I begged.

  His gaze snapped to mine and his mouth opened soundlessly.

  “Please,” I said again, panting as everything inside me tightened. “Come for me. I want to see you.”

  At that his body jerked, his hand squeezed and pumped faster as a low groan echoed through the room and jets of liquid burst forth. The sight of him coming sent me over the edge, and my own hips pushed harder against my hands shoving the vibrator deep inside my hole as my insides spasmed and pleasure overtook me.

  When I came back to reality the first thing I noticed was the silence. The music had turned off.

  Taking a deep breath and laughing softly I opened my eyes to see Harlan watching me, an unusual expression on his face.

  17

  Wow,” I said.

  “Yeah.” Harlan nodded. “Wow.”

  Unsure of how exactly to proceed, I gently removed my vibrator and put it on the bottom shelf of the nightstand. The tissue box there caught my eye and I pulled a few out. Two steps and I was at the end of the bed, on my knees in front of Harlan. “Let me clean you up,” I said softly.

  He held out his hand and I wiped it clean with one tissue, and then kissed the palm. It was the first kiss between us, and our gazes locked.

  Tearing my gaze from his, I looked straight ahead and skimmed a tissue over his cock. Little pieces began to stick to him and without thinking about it, I spit on the bundle of tissue in my hand, and proceeded to wipe him clean.

  Then I realized what I’d done.

  Horrified, I froze, eyes squeezed shut. I’d been so comfortable with him, so into the connection between us, that I hadn’t thought twice about what I was doing.

  Well, the best way to deal with shit was straight-on.

  I opened my eyes and glanced up to see what Harlan had thought of my uncouth behavior. His lips had split into a wide grin and his belly was starting to shake from holding back his laughter.

  Relaxing, I grinned up at him. “What? Didn’t your mother ever spit on a tissue and wipe your face?”

  “I am so not thinking of my mother right now.”

  As if to prove this, his cock started to swell. Amazing. I’d basically spit on him, and he was getting hard again. I was in love.

  My gaze dropped to his groin and my hand reached out to touch again. “Yummy.”

  He pushed my hands away and zipped up his jeans. “That’s enough, little girl.”

  I heard the playful note in his voice and my smile grew bigger. “Don’t tell me you’re shy?”

  “Not shy, darlin’. Just not sure you’re ready for me yet.”

  Surprised laughter jumped from my lips and I stood up, hands planted on my still naked hips. “Oh, really?”

  “Yes, really.” He stood too, towering over me. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

  My heart did a slow roll and thump at the promise in his eyes. Wow.

  Really.

  I swallowed and stepped back to put some space between us.

  Harlan buckled his belt while I tried not to run and lock myself in the bathroom.

  When his shirt was tucked in again, he looked down at me. His expression gentled and he lowered his head. My breath caught in my throat and I froze when his lips brushed over mine tenderly.

  “Thank you,” he whispered.

  “Um. You’re welcome,” I said when he straightened again.

  “Can I stay?”

  That shocked me.

  What shocked me even more than his asking to stay was the way my own head bobbed up and down in answer to his request.

  I was used to kicking men out once I came, and he was the one who’d pulled away and done up his pants when things had started looking up again. Why did he want to stay?

  Why was I letting him?

  He put his hands on my shoulders and moved me backward to the edge of the bed. Lifting the sheet, he waved me in, then let it cover me before stretching out on the bed beside me and gathering me in his arms, spoon style.

  “Harlan?”

  “Shhh,” he murmured. “Go to sleep.”

  There was a tall, dark, and delicious man in my bed, and I didn’t know what to do with him. He’d completely thrown me for a loop.

  Closing my eyes, I breathed deep, inhaling the slight spice scent of him. Warmth surrounded me and my muscles turned to mush, dragging me into a serene slumber.

  She had green eyes. Not hazel, not gray ... green. A deep shade—hunter green. Yeah, that was it. And it suited her. Intense, dark, and very unique.

  Harlan lay there and wondered at the events of the night and the emotions that were already growing within him. He closed his eyes and inhaled the heady scent of the woman in his arms. Peaches and sex. That’s what she smelled like.

  His dick twitched in his pants and he bit back a smile. He was definitely hooked.

  Kelsey was all woman, not afraid to show it. Her invitation to come over had been unexpected, and surprising. He’d have bet money she was perfectly happy keeping him at a distance, but there was no way he was going to be happy with that now.

  No way either of them would be.

  The way she’d taken charge from the minute she’d opened the door until he’d tucked her in had impressed him. It was silly to be disappointed in her show.

  No, not her show. She was beautiful and watching her would always be amazing, but he’d been hoping for a bit more of . . . her. There were definitely more layers to her than she showed. He sensed a certain wildness within her, and he wanted to get to know her better, not just her body.

  The intelligence in her gaze and the sense of humor that was never far from the surface proved he was right. She had more to offer than the pure “come and get me, big boy” persona she carried around like a shield.

  A shield.

  Oh yeah, she definitely used her raw sexuality to protect herself. Not that it was an act; she truly was a sexual creature and didn’t just behave like one for effect. Of that he had no doubt. But she did seem to hide behind it.

  As much as it was a shield protecting her, it was also holding her back. He sensed the untamed need in her that wanted to get out. She was naughty and wild and dirty . . . but she wasn’t letting completely loose.

  The thought of her being completely open with him robbed the breath from his lungs. She would be such an untamed beauty. She’d have no match.

  Slipping from the bed, he stood at the edge and looked down at his sleeping beauty. He memorized the way the lock of hair caressed her cheek, the way her lips parted slightly in sleep, the curve of her shoulder and the swell of breast that was visible at the edge of the bedsheet.

  Brushing a fingertip over her soft skin, he turned and set about blowing out the candles in the room before leaving. Determination settled heavy in his gut. He was going to make it happen. He was going to bring forth the true and complete Kelsey, and make her his.

  Five minutes later he was in his own loft, standing in front of a blank canvas. He didn’t sketch out the image in his mind first; he didn’t need to. He just focused on his mind’s eyes and let the brush flow over the canvas.

  18

  Sometimes, between dreaming and waking, I find the ultimate pleasure. A sure hand that knows exactly where to touch me, how to touch me, and the whispered words that make my heart, and my pussy, swell.

  In that perfect time between sleep and wakefulness a hand creeps between thighs—my hand. In search of pleasure, but in no hurry. I don’t spread my lips crudely and begin diddling right away. I just sneak a hand down there and let it lie against my core.

  Aft
er those first few minutes, which give me comfort, my fingers begin to roll side to side. Arousal uncurls slowly in my belly as my pussy lips thicken and my clit stirs to wakefulness beneath them . . . and my mind floats on the same fantasy every time.

  It’s not my hand down there. Instead, I’m waking up next to the man who shares my life. The one who knows just how to touch me, how to reach me.

  The one who accepts me and all I am.

  Only that morning it was Harlan in my fantasy. It was Harlan’s hand between my thighs. I jerked up in bed, slapping a hand to my forehead.

  What the hell?

  With a grumble I crawled out of bed and stomped to the bathroom. I didn’t bother turning the light on, I just twisted the taps until the water was running and climbed in. I bit back a shriek at the initial icy blast, but it did the trick. I was awake, and no longer thinking Harlan was my dream man.

  Crap!

  I turned the hot water up and steamed myself clean before turning the shower off and toweling myself dry. I should be in a great mood. I’d had a damn good time putting on the show for Harlan, and a good night’s sleep. But I wasn’t. My insides were all jittery and adrenaline was pumping through my veins. I didn’t have a clue what the hell I’d started.

  Dry, and still naked, I went to the kitchen and grabbed an energy drink from the fridge. Resisting the urge to add a shot of vodka to it to calm myself, I stared at the clock.

  It was early. Not even nine o’clock yet.

  God, I couldn’t even remember the last time I was asleep before midnight. Harlan was a pretty potent guy, he hadn’t even touched me and I’d been putty in his hands.

  You’re not ready for me, he’d said. What the hell had he meant by that?

  I snatched up the phone and dialed before I thought twice.

  Dee answered on the second ring. “Kelsey?”

  “Hey, sweetie,” I said, keeping my voice light.