Sweet Seduction Read online

  When he lifted his finger, indicating he wanted her to turn around, she was in motion before she could consider her actions. She didn’t worry about him seeing what she considered her flabby ass or that she was jumping through his hoops without question. He asked and she gave. It felt as natural as breathing.

  Once her back was turned, she glanced over her shoulder at him. He was staring at her ass. And she suddenly didn’t hate it as much as she always had.

  When his eyes met hers again, she saw something she hadn’t seen since he’d left. Something she was beginning to think she’d never see again.

  Love.

  He loved her. Suddenly she remembered what it had felt like to be loved by him all those years ago. She’d locked the memory away because it had hurt too badly. He’d been away so long.

  He stepped closer and she turned, accepting his embrace, falling into his arms. “I love you too,” she said against his chest, her voice breaking slightly.

  “I’m sorry I worried you,” he whispered against the top of her head.

  Sydney swallowed back the tears. She refused to cry, to ruin this moment with weakness. “I was so afraid you’d be killed, so afraid every time you left that you’d never come back, that I’d never see you again.”

  “I know.”

  There was nothing else to say. Instead, they just stood there, clinging tightly as twelve years of emotions—fear, anger, regret, sadness, loneliness—ebbed and flowed between them.

  And then, just like that, Sydney let it go. She was in love with this man and he was right. The past was over. It was time to move forward. She could waste a bunch of time fighting the inevitable or she could admit that right here, right now, with him was exactly where she wanted to be.

  Chas must’ve noticed the change in her. He released her, his hands reaching out to cup her face. He kissed her, the touch gentle at first—in direct opposition to the hard kisses he’d been giving her since he stepped off the plane—then it became deeper, more forceful.

  He twisted her face this way and that, his tongue stroking hers then exploring her mouth. She struggled to catch a breath, then decided breathing was overrated when his hands moved to her hair, his fingers tangling and tugging until her scalp tingled.

  Her breasts rubbed against the soft cotton of his t-shirt and she became greedy. She reached for the hem, raising it until they were forced to break the kiss—just for a split second—to pull the shirt off. Then he was kissing her again as she savored the feeling of skin against skin, the hair of his chest tickling her sensitive nipples.

  She ran her fingers over his back, teasing him with light scratches. She’d never felt the need to mark a man, but she couldn’t resist leaving evidence on Chas’ body. She wanted him to remember this moment when he said goodbye tomorrow morning and headed off to work.

  He hissed when she scratched harder, but he didn’t move away from her, didn’t tug free of her arms. Instead, he pulled her hair harder, bending her head back so he could devour her mouth. He took full possession of her lips, her air, her.

  She groaned when he cupped her breast with one hand, firmly pinching her nipple.

  “Harder,” she urged.

  Chas didn’t hesitate to give her what she wanted. In some ways, she thought her arousal, her need for roughness, was feeding his own desire.

  After so many years of going through the motions, of feeling numb, she felt as if Chas’ strong touch was bringing her back to life.

  When he bent his head to suck on her nipple, she threw her head back, her fingers digging into his hard, muscular shoulders.

  “God, Chas.”

  He didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. He told her exactly what he was feeling through his actions, his harder sucking, the way his teeth nipped the sensitive bud, sending sparks to every erogenous zone in her body.

  “Need you. Now.”

  Her vocabulary had shrunk until she struggled to form complete sentences. Too much more of this and she’d forget her own damn name. She reached for his jeans, intent on stripping him out of the denim that was keeping her from her treasure.

  He pushed her hands away as she fought with the button. “Let me.”

  It was probably a smart call on his part. With her shaking hands, she’d likely injure the thick erection pressing against the stiff denim.

  Chas quickly and efficiently toed off his shoes, then tugged off his jeans. He went commando. Something she liked very, very much.

  Sydney reached for him but again he gripped her wrist, holding her at bay.

  “Lay on the bed, Syd. I’m going to fuck you seven ways to Sunday. I’m going to take your mouth, your pussy and maybe even your ass before this night is over. But if you touch me right now, I’m a goner. I’ve wanted you too badly for too long. So you’re going to have to let me run the show this time. Okay?”

  She nodded and started to tell him he’d been running the show since he got off the plane. Instead, she lay down on the center of the bed, and then reached for him.

  He straddled her, covering her with his big, hard body. He made her feel tiny, delicate. Dropping to his elbows, he kissed her once more.

  His chest rubbed against her breasts, his cock nudged her stomach. She wanted him inside her. She tried to grasp his cock, determined to guide him where she wanted, but Chas was far stronger and determined to remain in control.

  He gripped both her wrists and dragged them above her head. Shifting so that he could hold both with one of his hands, he pressed them firmly against the mattress. “Do that again and I’ll tie you up.”

  It was the most delicious threat she’d ever heard. And one she was sorely tempted to take him up on. Her face must have given her away because Chas’ expression darkened.

  “Not this time, Syd. Rest assured, one night very soon, I’m going to strap you spread eagle to this bed and I’m going to take you hard. You’ll be my captive, mine to control, to use however I want.”

  She licked her lips. “If you’re trying to scare me, you’re failing miserably.”

  For the first time in a long time, he grinned and she saw shades of the safe, “just friends” Chas she’d always known. Then, as quick as that, he disappeared once again and she was left with this dominant stranger who seemed to understand her desires better than she did.

  “Are you on the Pill?”

  She nodded. “I don’t want anything between us. I don’t need it. If you don’t.”

  He ran one finger along her neck, the delicate touch making her shiver. “I’m clean. Just had a physical last month.”

  She knew he wouldn’t even ask to forgo the condom if there was a concern. “Chas.” It was all she could say. Her body ached. He wasn’t the only one who needed this badly.

  He kissed her cheek, then shifted, pressing her legs apart as he knelt between them. He ran his finger along her slit, lifting the juices he’d gathered there to his lips to taste.

  She flushed, amazed by the sheer sensuality, the unbridled passion in him. He wasn’t holding anything back. It made her want to give him the same.

  Then he grasped his cock, ran his hand along the thick flesh twice before placing the head at her entrance. They’d been here before, so many years ago. He’d been her first. But that had been a different Chas and a younger Sydney, another lifetime.

  Tonight felt like her first time again. Everything new, unfamiliar, exciting.

  He pressed in slowly, giving her time to adjust to every delicious inch. He felt bigger, harder than she remembered. When he was seated to the hilt, he immediately started the retreat, then the return.

  His thrusts were slow and steady at first, the lines on his face betraying how hard that was for him. He was trying to make it good for her. She cupped his cheek.

  “Don’t hold back, Chas. I’m close. I swear. We have all night to make it last.”

  She hoped her words would comfort him, allow him to relax, but she felt him struggling to remain in control. Apparently this dominant streak of his ran deep.


  Pity for him. She didn’t always feel the need to play fair.

  She reached down and found his balls, letting them fill her palm.

  Chas hissed and narrowed his eyes. “Move your hand, Sydney.”

  She pretended to misunderstand. “Okay.” She stroked his balls, then added the slightest bit of pressure.

  His jaw was clenched tight and for just a moment, he stopped moving. Then he bent down and took her earlobe between his teeth, biting at the tiny bit of flesh. It was a quick, sharp pain that he soothed with his tongue.

  “I’m going to make you pay for this,” he said through gritted teeth when she squeezed his balls a little tighter.

  “I can’t wait.”

  He grabbed her wrist, dragging it and the other above her head once more. He used his grip there to steady him as he relinquished all semblance of control. He pounded inside her pussy in a motion that was rough and deep. She didn’t shy away from the almost-brutal thrusting. She couldn’t. It felt too good. She lifted her hips to add her own friction to the fucking.

  “So close,” she said. “So close.” Stars started to flash, almost blinding her, though her eyes were wide open.

  Chas groaned and she felt him straining to hold back. The stubborn man wouldn’t come until she did.

  She was almost there, but she knew he was closer. Pulling away from his grip, she reached down and touched her clit, determined to put her considerate lover out of his misery. She rubbed her clit firmly, matching the pace of his cock as it thrust in and out.

  Her pussy clenched and her back arched with her orgasm a second before she felt Chas’ cock explode, hot jets of come filling her.

  He collapsed next to her, and then wrapped his arm around her shoulders to pull her against his chest.

  “Never again,” he said once their breathing had returned to normal.

  She frowned. “What?” Surely she hadn’t pissed him off that much. So much that he wouldn’t have sex with her again?

  “You’re never going to have to find your own pleasure again. I swear it.”

  She lifted her head, grinning. “That’s a pretty big promise to make. You sure you’re up to it?”

  He pushed her onto her back. She was amazed by his stamina. She felt like rubber, certain she could sleep for the next twelve hours straight without moving a muscle. Meanwhile, Chas was there, his cock still soft but definitely starting to make a comeback.

  “I think it’s time for you to see what you’ve signed on for, Syd.” He reached for the vibrator he’d tossed to the mattress earlier.

  She lifted her hands defensively. “Wait. I was kidding.”

  “I know you were. But I’m not. I’m not going to be an easy lover. I’m going to ask you for things I’m sure you’ve never done before. I’m going to take what I want and then I’m going to demand more.”

  “And what makes you so sure I’m going to agree to all that?”

  Chas’ face softened, his blue eyes twinkling, reminding her that deep down inside, he was still her sweet, considerate friend. “You’re not going to give it to me. You’re going to beg me to give it to you.”

  “Arrogant much?”

  He gave her a platonic kiss that was in direct contrast to the situation. After all, he was straddling her naked body wielding her largest—and favorite—vibrator.

  “The military is very good at instilling confidence.”

  “It would appear you learned that lesson well.”

  “I’m a very good student. And an even better teacher. Open your legs.”

  Sydney knew for a fact her personal record for orgasms in a single night was three. And Chas set that record. No one had come close to breaking it. Ever.

  It looked like tonight was the night.

  She gave him a sexy smile that he returned. Then she parted her thighs, ready for another trip to paradise.

  Chas ran his fingers along her slit, then stopped to toy with her clit. He knew just how to touch her, how to fire off a whole new round of arousal and need.

  She was squirming within seconds. Her heart raced in anticipation of what he would do when he held up the vibrator. It was no small toy, though Chas certainly didn’t need to worry about any comparisons.

  Even so, he said, “Takes a lot to satisfy you these days, doesn’t it?”

  She laughed. “If you’re waiting for me to say you ruined me for all other men—”

  Her joke died on her lips when he pressed the vibrator inside her. He didn’t hesitate, didn’t tease her. Just pushed the toy straight to the hilt in one glorious thrust.

  She gasped, trying to suck in some much-needed air.

  “I’m pretty sure I didn’t ruin you for anything back then, but I’m definitely going to make sure you never want to look at another man after tonight.”

  Sydney wasn’t sure how to respond. The truth was she’d been about to tell Chas he had ruined her that very first night they were together.

  He didn’t wait for a response. He didn’t seem to want one. Instead, he turned the vibrator on low and started moving it in and out of her pussy. It was a gentle rocking motion that was nowhere near enough for her. If anything, it was almost an annoyance.

  She made a few grateful sounds, not wanting him to think she didn’t appreciate his efforts, but soon, when he continued the slow pace, she found her mind wandering to other things—like what she had in her refrigerator to make them for a late dinner. They’d said they would pick up a pizza and beer, but that plan had been forgotten when Chas started fondling her in the truck.

  She gave another fake moan, then tried to recall if she had a frozen pizza in the freezer. Or maybe she had enough leftovers from the pork barbeque she’d brought home from the restaurant last night.

  “Yes,” she murmured, dismissing the barbeque idea. She was out of sandwich rolls.

  Her thoughts were interrupted when Chas stopped moving.

  Sydney’s gaze lifted to his.

  “How long were you going to pretend you liked that?”

  She wasn’t sure how to respond to his question. “Um…”

  Chas pulled the vibrator out and tossed it to the mattress. “You failed the test.”

  “That was a test?”

  “I’m not here for some one-night stand with you, Sydney. I’m in this for the long haul. Which means I expect you to always be honest with me about your feelings and your needs. What were you thinking about just then?”

  She bit her lower lip, debated lying. It would be pointless. Chas knew her too well. “Dinner,” she answered at last.

  “What are we having?” His question was sardonic.

  “I haven’t decided yet.”

  “Let me know when you figure it out.”

  Sydney struggled to decide if Chas was pissed off. She didn’t think he was, but his brows were furrowed, his expression far-too-serious.

  “In the meantime…” He gripped her arm and tugged her to a sitting position.

  “Chas?”

  He didn’t offer any explanation, just kept moving her where he wanted her. He was as strong as an ox.

  Before she knew what was happening, he was perched at the edge of the mattress and she was facedown over his lap. She reared up just as he placed the first smack on her bare ass.

  “Are you freaking kidding me?” Her temper flared. What the hell did he think he was doing?

  “Don’t ever lie about what you want from me, Sydney.” He spanked her again. They were no more than taps, so pain wasn’t an issue. Given his strength, he wasn’t spanking her nearly as hard as he could.

  She continued to try to escape, but he had a firm grip on her shoulder, pressing her head down as he peppered her ass with his light blows. When it became obvious she wouldn’t be able to rise, she struck out with her fingernails, scratching his leg.

  He simply added more of the annoying swats to her ass.

  Bending forward as much as she was able, she tried to bite him, reaching out for whatever she could grab to sink he
r teeth into.

  Chas anticipated her intent, wrapping his hand in her hair to hold her mouth away from his leg. The damn tug on her hair sent a different sort of heat through her. She never realized how hot it was to have her hair pulled. Sensation shot through her, her arousal becoming painful once more.

  She stilled, trying to take deep breaths, hoping to find some way to shake off her sudden desire. God, she was annoyed as hell at his heavy-handedness, but so hot for him she could hardly see straight.

  He was fucking with her head. And she couldn’t decide if she liked that idea or hated it.

  Once she was calmer, he released her hair, his hand returning to her upper back. He had no intention of allowing her to rise, even though he’d stopped spanking her—if she could even call his light swats a spanking.

  “You hold all the cards here, Syd.”

  “Not from where I’m standing…or should I say sprawled out?”

  He stroked her back and from his soft touch, she sensed he was amused though she couldn’t see his face.

  “I want to make you happy—in bed and out. But you have to meet me halfway. By being honest. And open-minded.”

  “I don’t have a problem with honesty.”

  Chas ran one finger along her spine, the delicate stroke causing her to shiver. “Then why didn’t you tell me you didn’t like the way I was using the vibrator on you? Why did you make all those fake ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ like you just couldn’t get enough?”

  She’d spent too many years faking orgasms simply because that seemed like the easier and more expedient way to get rid of the inept jackasses she’d foolishly taken to bed. But she didn’t want Chas to leave.

  “I didn’t want you to think I didn’t appreciate your efforts.”

  He snorted. “Jesus. I don’t think my ego is that fragile.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  She really was. The man had been back a day and a half and she’d felt tipsy and off-balance every moment since he’d walked off that plane. She just couldn’t quite get her head wrapped around everything that was happening.

  She started to push up, but Chas still held her down. She’d thought her apology would help.

  “Chas.”

  “Not so fast. We haven’t had a chance to really explore all our options for this position.”