He could stare for hours at this amazing woman standing naked in his bathroom. But he wanted her warm and relaxed, so he held out his hand and guided her into the tub, grateful he’d selected a condo that had an oversize tub with the whirlpool jets. He often had his own sore muscles to deal with after a game, and while they had the whirlpools in the locker room, those aching muscles tended to stay that way, so he wanted his own tub. He was a pretty big guy, so a bathtub like this had been on his must list.

  “This tub rocks, Trick,” she said, settling into the water up to her neck. “And jets, too? I might never leave.”

  He turned on the jets and the water bubbled up all around her.

  Stella leaned back and closed her eyes. “Oh, yeah. That’s it, Trick. Never leaving. Go over to my apartment and move my stuff in here.”

  He laughed, but the thought of her staying here appealed. Seeing her makeup and things on his counter, her underwear and bras in some of his drawers? Yeah, he kind of liked the idea. He’d lived alone for a long time now, and had enjoyed his life as a bachelor. There had never been a woman who had ever tipped his radar in the way Stella had. She challenged him, wasn’t a clinger, and he couldn’t deny the chemistry they had.

  But was that enough to want a long-term relationship? Hell, she didn’t want any kind of relationship.

  “Trick. Trick.”

  He looked over to see her watching him. “Yeah?”

  “Are you intending to be my bathtub bodyguard all night or are you going to get naked and get in here with me?”

  He liked the sound of that. With a curve to his lips, he drew his shirt over his head and popped the button on his pants.

  “Now this is bath-time entertainment.” She leaned back in the tub and looked up at him.

  Her nipples reacted to the cooler air by puckering, giving him his own version of bath-time entertainment.

  She raised her knees and wrapped her arms around them, making room for him. It didn’t take long for him to shed the rest of his clothes. Or to get hard.

  “I like the looks of that,” Stella said, eyeing his cock.

  He slid into the tub, facing her, then drew her close. She wrapped her legs around his hips, sliding her sweet, hot pussy along his dick. He could so easily slip into her, fuck her like this in the warm tub. But that would be careless, and he wasn’t a careless man.

  But he could do something to relax her even more. He skimmed his fingers along her back, just rubbing her skin at first, then pressing in more, testing each muscle, using some strength to massage where she was tight.

  She laid her head against his chest and he felt her entire body go lax.

  “Mmm. That feels good.”

  Exactly where he wanted her, floating along on a cloud of boneless nirvana. He mapped her body inch by inch, dissolving her tension, enjoying the way she undulated against him, even if it cost him every ounce of his self-control.

  “You keep touching me like that, we’re going to have a problem,” she murmured against his shoulder.

  “Yeah?” He kissed the side of her neck and let his hands do a slow slide down her back. “What kind of problem?”

  She rocked against his dick again. “That kind of problem.”

  He closed his eyes and let the sensation wash over him. It was torture and bliss coupled together, but he had patience and could wait. Right now this was about her.

  He used his feet to push himself back against the tub, taking her with him, then turned her around so her back was against his chest. Steam rose off their bodies, enveloping them in a cocoon of heat. Desire sizzled around him as he cupped Stella’s breasts under the water, the soft feel of her in his hands making his balls tighten. Her breath caught, her nipples hardening as he teased them with his fingers, knowing just how and where to touch her to evoke those moans he loved to hear.

  She arched her back. “Trick. Where are you going with this?”

  He slid one hand over her ribs and belly, then between her legs to cup her sex. “South.”

  She shifted, rising up to sling each of her legs over his, widening, giving him access. “Good spot. Touch me and make me come. I’ve had a hard day and I want you to make me scream.”

  She tilted her head back and he leaned in to kiss her, at the same time sliding his fingers inside her. Here she was hotter than the water surrounding them, her body welcoming his fingers by squeezing him, pulsing around him. He ached to be inside her, his dick arcing against her butt in search of her.

  He could wait for his needs. Right now it was all about Stella’s pleasure, coaxing her body to respond by sliding his hand over her plump lips, then tucking his fingers back inside, feeling her clench around him. He took his time, not wanting to rush things. He wanted to build this up slow and easy for her, making each second count.

  Her skin was like silk under the water, her body rippling against his as he took his time, making gentle motions with his hands, his fingers gliding in and out of her. And each time he tucked back inside of her, she clenched, gripping him, sucking him in like a vortex, demanding more.

  He knew when the time was right to increase the pressure of his hand, to slide his fingers over the tight knot of her clit. When she rose against him, when her moans grew louder, when he felt her entire body tense and shudder against him, he knew she was almost there.

  He kissed her shoulder, took a little nibble of her flesh there.

  “Trick. Dammit, Trick. I need . . .”

  “Shhh,” he said. “I know what you need. I’ll get you there.”

  He shoved his fingers in her, no longer gentle. He knew her body now as well as he knew his own, felt the spasms and pressed down harder with the heel of his hand, rocking it with just the right tempo until she shattered.

  “Oh, yes. Oh, God, yes.”

  He loved the sound of her coming, the feel of her body as she let go. He wrapped an arm around her and held tight to her, licking the side of her neck and lapping up those goose bumps with his tongue as she shivered against him while she came.

  When she quieted against him, he held her, kissed her throat, and ached for her.

  She finally turned to face him, tracing his jaw with her fingertip. “That was an epic orgasm. Thank you.”

  She kissed him and wrapped her legs around him, sliding her sex against his throbbing cock.

  His fingers dove into her hair and he was lost in her taste, the scent of sex blooming around them.

  She pulled back. “Stand up.”

  He arched a brow. “You ready to get out of the tub?”

  “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.

  EIGHT

  Stella hadn’t meant to spend the night. She usually didn’t, preferring sex to 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 lain 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.