"No. I'm ready to suck your cock and make you come."
He wasn't about to turn down an invitation like that.
She slid off of him and he stood, water dripping off his body. He looked down and Stella moved to the edge of the tub, finding a spot on the ledge to sit.
"Now, come closer and bring that fine cock of yours with you."
Seeing her naked, her body flushed from the hot bath and her even hotter orgasm, made his cock lurch upward.
She reached for him with her hands, circling his shaft with both of them.
She looked up at him. "The things you do to me make me hot, Trick. And wet. You make me come like no one else ever has."
He had to admit he liked hearing that. His lips curved. "Good. And I like your hands on me. Keep doing that."
She stroked him, starting at the base and curving her hands over him, all the way to the tip, where she teased her thumb over the crest. And when she leaned forward and flicked her tongue over the head, he could have exploded right then. Touching her and having his fingers inside her had primed him. He was ready right now, but he wanted to enjoy every second of Stella's hands and mouth on him, so he intended to delay his orgasm.
Until she took him in her mouth, swallowed him whole.
"Fuck," he said, leaning forward to palm the wall.
The heat of her mouth unraveled him, the way she wrapped her fingers around the base of his cock. Her mouth was wicked temptation, crushing him, making him want to erupt. He looked down at her, watching her cheeks hollow as she gave him pressure, her head tilted back so he could see her eyes while she blew his goddamned mind.
She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, and she was ripping him apart with every flick of her tongue. And when she slid his cock from her lips, only to stroke him, lift his shaft, and take his ball sac in her mouth, he thought he'd fucking die from the pleasure.
He sifted his fingers through her hair. "You're killing me, Stella."
She rolled his balls around in her mouth, then let go, gave him a devilish smile, and took his cock again, this time relentless as she sucked him hard, giving him no mercy, her head bobbing back and forth over his shaft.
He'd held back long enough. "I'm going to come."
It was all the warning he could give because his orgasm rocketed through him. He felt the first spurt like a bolt of lightning, and then an explosion of hot pleasure as he emptied into her hot mouth, uncaring now for anything but his own needs.
Stella stayed with him the entire time, her nails digging into his ass as she held on to him while he shuddered through one hell of an orgasm that left his legs shaking.
She released him and he dropped down to kneel in front of her, taking her mouth in a deep kiss that told her how goddamn much he appreciated what she'd done for him. Then he pulled her back into the tub with him and she wrapped her legs around his hips again.
"This is where I like you," he said.
"Is that right? All wet and pruny from the bath?"
"No. Wrapped around me, my cock close to you."
She laughed. "It is a good position. We should try it sometime when we're having sex."
"Making a mental note."
"The water's getting a little cold, though, so we should probably get out."
"Okay." He stood and helped her out of the tub, reaching for a couple of bath towels. He pulled one around her, diving into it with her.
"Now this I like," she said. "You and me all cozy together in a warm bathroom. Thank you again for bringing me here."
"It was my pleasure."
She flashed a grin. "Yes. I definitely saw your pleasure. Felt it, too."
He took her hand and wrapped it around his cock. "Keep talking like that and you're going to feel it again."
She stroked him, hardening him.
"Promise?"
He dropped the towel and lifted her, her legs going around him as he moved them into the bedroom. Where he had condoms. And access to her body without water getting in the way.
He laid her on the bed and she shifted back along the headboard, her body a naked smorgasbord of everything he wanted.
But her gaze zeroed in on his cock. "Now, about that condom we didn't have access to earlier . . ."
Funny how their minds always seemed to be in tune. "I was just thinking the same thing."
"Good, because I'm aching to feel you inside me. And since you're hard, why don't you put one on?"
He didn't have to be told twice. He grabbed the condom box out of the nightstand and pulled a packet out, watching as Stella slid her hand between her legs. His gaze rocketed there and he was frozen to the spot. What was it about a woman touching herself that was such a turn-on to a man? He'd like to see her get herself off. He could take his dick in his own hand and jack off watching her make herself come. He wanted to know how she did it. Did she do it fast, or was it a slow and leisurely pace? He knew he could get her there, but a woman's body was always full of secrets. Sweet, hot, soft secrets just waiting to be uncovered.
"Sucking you made me hot."
"Watching you touch yourself is making me hard." He fisted his cock and squeezed, sliding it through his hand, using his thumb to curl over the head. "I want to see how you make yourself come."
"Do you? Well, aren't you the voyeur?"
"Yeah. So do it for me. Show me."
"Are you going to do the same?"
"Yes."
She slid her fingers over her sex, slick with her excitement. "Come closer. I want to see you."
He moved to the side of the bed, next to her. She snaked her fingers over her nipples, plucking them until they stood tight and erect. "I think about you sucking them when I do this," she said.
"And I think about your mouth on me when I do this." He stroked, slow and easy, his touch not feathery light like hers, but firm. Droplets formed at the head and he used his thumb to brush them over the crest.
She moaned, lifted her hips, and used her fingers to brush over her sex, her motions faster now, her fingers parting her sweet, plump lips. She knew her body so well, just like he knew his. She was delaying her gratification and he knew it. He could get himself off in a minute if he wanted to, but this was show-and-tell. They weren't alone and in a hurry to release tension.
He could watch her for hours, the moves of her body, the splay of her fingers across her sex. It made him ache, but she was perfection. The heady scent of her permeated his senses and he gripped his cock in a tight vise, his strokes intensifying in time to hers.
She squeezed her breast at the same time her fingers disappeared between her legs. "I'm going to come."
So was he. He lifted his cock, prepared to pepper his belly.
"Oh, no." She smoothed her hand over her breast. "I want to see your come spurt out of you. Right here on my chest."
He let out a groan and moved close to the bed, palming the mattress as his strokes increased, his attention focused on her hand between her legs. "Does it feel good, babe?"
She panted out her answer. "Yes. Oh, yes."
"Then come for me. And when you go, I'll go."
A fine sheen of perspiration coated her skin as she quickened her pace, the sounds she made a sweet agony as he held back, waiting for her.
And when her hips arched off the bed and she let out a wail of satisfaction with her orgasm, her gaze met his and he released, his come spurting over her breast, coating her. He rubbed the head of his dick over her, needing that connection, needing to feel her skin against him while he poured over her.
Stella looked up at him and smiled, then circled her fingers over her breast where his fluid had accumulated.
"Now I need a shower."
He laughed. "Yeah, me, too. You made me sweat."
He took her hand and hauled her off the bed, leading her into the bathroom. He turned on the shower and both of them hopped in for a quick wash and rinse. They dried off and climbed back into bed.
"Feeling a little more relaxed now?"
She yawned. "I can barely keep my eyes open."
She lay with her head on his shoulder, her hand resting on his chest.
"Good. Go to sleep."
"I really should go back to my own place."
He looked down at her. "Why?"
She shrugged, yawned again. "I don't know. Keep things light between us. If I stay over, it's too much like a relationship. And I don't do those."
He wanted to say something to her about wanting a relationship with her, but figured maybe now wasn't the right time. She was tired, and that was a conversation to have when she was more clear-headed.
Besides, her breathing grew deeper, and when he looked down at her again, she was asleep.
Okay, definitely not the time for that conversation. He pulled the covers over them both and reached to turn off the light.
He liked having her in his bed. In his life. He wanted to keep it that way, see where things went between them. But Stella always having one foot out the door didn't make for a relationship.
Taking up with her again had opened his eyes. He wanted this woman in his life, and not just on a casual basis. But he needed to know if he was the only one thinking this way. If Stella just wanted sex from him, he was going to have to take a step back.
Which meant they were going to have to figure things out.
And sooner rather than later.
Chapter Eight
Stella hadn't meant to spend the night. She usually didn't, preferring sex just be sex and nothing more. It didn't set up expectations that way.
Though this was Trick, and he knew the way things were between them, so she supposed she could relax about that.
She'd just been wiped last night after a grueling day of rehearsals, a few drinks with her best friend, and the awesome addition of outstanding sex. She hadn't been able to muster up the energy to get dressed and go home.
Admittedly, having Trick's body to cuddle against hadn't been all that bad. In fact, it had been pretty damn good. Her apartment was notoriously freezing in the winter, and with the weather turning abruptly cold, she typically went to bed in sweatpants, socks, and a long-sleeved shirt. Her heating bills were expensive and she couldn't afford to crank the temp high enough to make it warm, so she had to rely on extra blankets and clothes to see her through a cold night.
Last night she had slept blissfully naked with Trick's hot body acting like a blast furnace to ward off the chill.
Not that there had been a chill. His place was cozy and comfortably warm, and when she'd slid out of bed early in the morning to go to the bathroom, her teeth hadn't been chattering.
A woman could get used to such luxuries. Plus the sight of a gorgeous, naked man when she came back to bed. She'd laid there for a while, but couldn't go back to sleep, so she figured she should get dressed and go back to her place. But a quick peek out of the window told her it had snowed last night.
Ugh. Maybe coffee first. Then she'd muster up the energy to leave.
She found her underwear and pulled on one of Trick's sweatshirts, which was utterly oversized and fell to her thighs. Awesome. She added her socks and went into the kitchen to brew a cup of coffee using his Keurig. The smell was glorious. She added cream and leaned against the breakfast bar, surveying his domain.
For a simple guy, he sure lived well. His apartment was gorgeous, with dark wood floors, a decent-sized kitchen with kick-ass appliances and modern furniture in the living room, plus a great view of the city. He had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and, for a single guy--or even a couple with no kids--it was perfect.
Not that Stella was thinking of Trick being part of a couple, or of her being part of a couple with him. But if in her wildest fantasies she entertained the idea, she could definitely live here. It was close to the subway and she could be at the Theater District in no time at all.
Not that the thought had occurred to her or anything.
Okay, maybe the thought occurred to her. She took another couple sips of coffee and wandered over to the windows. Fresh snow coated the rooftops and down below, making everything look clean and giving the city a bright shine. From inside the warmth of Trick's apartment, it felt like Christmas. She turned around and slid into one of Trick's comfortable chairs.
The problem was, indoors it wasn't the holidays at all. He had no decorations. Nothing. Not even a wreath on the door, or a candle on any of the tables.
He at least needed a Christmas tree. Maybe one set off in the corner between the living room and entry area. There was plenty of space for one. Not a super huge tree, but a moderate-sized one would definitely fit there.
She was projecting and she knew it, but she had no room in her apartment for a real tree, so she had a tiny one-foot fake tree on her kitchen pass-through. It was the best she could do to bring the holiday into her place.
But here? Trick could do so much decorating, which had always been one of her favorite things about the holiday. She remembered all the Christmases she and Greta had shared with their parents.
She paused, drank her coffee, and thought about her mom and dad. Dad was always so busy with work that he never took the time to come out here to visit, had never once seen her dance. Work was always more important. Her mom had flown out a couple of times.
It wasn't the same.
"You look deep in thought."
She lifted her gaze to see Trick coming in, wearing a pair of low-slung workout pants and no shirt, his feet bare. His hair was sleep mussed and he looked absolutely gorgeous.
Yeah, she could get used to seeing him dressed like that every morning.
"I put a cup out for you."
"Thanks." He brewed a cup of coffee and came over to sit next to her. "So what were you thinking about?"
"My parents."
"Yeah? What about them?"
She shouldn't get into it with him, was surprised she'd even brought it up. "Oh, nothing."
He laid his cup down and grasped her hand. "Tell me."
She took a deep breath.
"I miss my parents. It's the holidays, you know."
"Yeah, I know. Where do they live?"
"Portland, Oregon."
"So why don't you fly back and see them over the holiday break? You get a rehearsal break, right?"
She nodded. "It's a really busy time of year, both for flying and for me. Such a hassle. Besides, Greta's going to come up here and look for a place."
"Okay. So have your parents come out here and spend Christmas with you."
She laughed. "My dad wouldn't take the time. He barely takes Christmas Day off work."
"He's come out for your performances before, hasn't he?"
"No."
He gave her an incredulous look. "Never?"
"Never. He owns a transportation company. He's always at work, always has been at work. I imagine he always will be at work until he dies. That's just what he does. Work is his life."
"I'm sorry."
She shrugged. "I'm used to it. He made his choices and we all live with it. My mom has seen me dance, when he allows her to get away. She works for his company, too, so it's hard for her to get the time off."
He looked offended. She liked that.
"Well, that sucks."
"Tell me about it." Tired of thinking about her parents, she shook off the melancholy and smiled at him. "Tell me about your family."
"My dad died five years ago. It's just my mom now, and she lives in Milwaukee."
She laid her hand over his. "I'm sorry, Trick."
"Me, too. He was a great guy. Loved hockey and always encouraged me. He put me on skates as soon as I was old enough to balance myself and I took to the ice like I'd been born there. He and I used to skate together, play hockey together, and he never missed one of my games. He either watched me on TV or he'd come to whatever games he could. I wouldn't be where I am today without him. I miss him a lot."
Hearing him talk about his dad made her sad, wistful, and just a wee bit jealous that he'd had that kind of relatio
nship with a parent. "He sounds like he was a wonderful man. You should be thankful to have had a parent like him."
"I am. My mom is pretty awesome, too. You'd like her. She's funny and mouthy--like you."
Stella arched a brow. "You think I'm mouthy?"
"I know you are."
"Huh." She got up and brewed another cup of coffee, then made her way back over to sit beside him. "Is your mom coming out here for Christmas, or are you heading to Milwaukee?"
"She's actually going to my sister's in Cleveland."
"So . . . you have a sister, too. How did I not know this?"
"Because we never talked about our families before."
That was true. She'd never wanted to dig deep into family with Trick before. That was too personal. She wasn't sure why she was doing it now. "Younger or older?"
"Older. Brenna's married to a great guy, Paul, and I have a five-year-old niece named Arabella."
Stella grinned. "Cute name."
"Yeah, she's cute all right. She's the princess of the family. And you'll like this--she's taking ballet lessons."
"I do like that. I'll bet she's adorable."
"She might have her uncle Trick wrapped around her little finger."
Stella laughed. She could well imagine that. "So you like kids."
He cocked his head to the side. "I love kids. Do you?"
"Very much. Though I can't seem to convince Greta to settle down and have any. And I can't see myself having any in the near future."
He sipped his coffee. "Is that right? Why?"
"Well, first, my career. And second, I don't see myself settling down any time soon."
"I see."
That had been a very cryptic I see. She wondered what he meant by that, though she shouldn't care. And they were teetering on some very precarious cliffs, topic wise, discussing family and, good God, kids. She hadn't even thought about having kids since . . .
Well. Since that last disaster of a relationship, after which she'd decided she'd never have a relationship again.
Still, she was comfortable with Trick. And that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Maybe . . . just maybe . . .
She got up and looked around. "You need a Christmas tree."
"I do?"
"Yes." She pointed. "Over there."
"Okay."
She'd expected more of an objection. Men typically didn't like women invading their space, making suggestions. "Seriously?"
"Yeah. I've never had one here and I figure it's about time, so let's go get one today. I don't have all the bells and whistles that go with a tree, so you'll have to help me pick all that out, too."