Page 22 of Be Our Ghost (The Duchess Hotel #2)

Sixteen

At most, Knox had hoped for a good-night kiss from Charlie. Even if he’d spent weeks fantasizing about her, he had no desire to rush her into anything. Hell, he was just grateful she’d agreed to go out with him in the first place.

But if this was what she wanted, then he wasn’t about to say no.

Once they got inside her apartment, he set the bag of groceries on the counter, and they took turns washing the sticky marshmallow residue off their hands.

Then she led him into her bedroom and turned on the lamp resting atop her nightstand.

To his surprise, the teetering stacks of books had vanished.

“What happened to all your spicy novels?” he asked. “You didn’t give them away, did you?”

“Nope. I just boxed them up and put them in the garage. It was getting too hard to walk. But I’ll never give up on romance. How could I when you’re standing here beside me?”

Not two weeks ago, he’d told Charlie that romance wasn’t for him. That he was done holding out hope for a happy ending. But her unwavering faith made him think he’d been dead wrong. “You just might make a believer out of me.”

“Good, because that’s what I was hoping for.” With an impish smile, she unbuttoned his flannel shirt, eased it off his shoulders, and let it fall to the floor.

When she ran her hands under his T-shirt, he gave a ragged groan.

Her fingers were soft and delicate, tracing patterns across his chest. He pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside, exposing the colorful tattoos adorning his shoulders and upper arms. She gazed at them in awe, running gentle fingers over each one before placing a kiss on his right shoulder, embellished with a detailed design of a pine forest set against a mountain range.

“This tattoo is so elaborate,” she said. “I feel like I could live in this forest.”

He skimmed his fingers through her soft blond hair. “Do you have any?”

“Tattoos? Not a chance. I’m too scared of needles.”

“So, if I took off your shirt, I wouldn’t see any hidden ink?” He started unbuttoning her blouse. “No tiny tattoo of a butterfly or a heart?”

“Nothing. But feel free to have a look.” She slipped the blouse off her shoulders. Underneath it, she wore a lacy pink bra that barely covered her breasts.

He brushed his thumb against one nipple and was gratified when it hardened into a tight little peak.

His desire grew as she unzipped her jeans and slid them off her hips, revealing pale pink panties with a row of tiny red hearts around the waistband.

The sight of her, stripped down to almost nothing, was so sexy it took his breath away.

He wanted to capture this image in his mind, to remember it forever, in case he never got this chance with her again.

The design on her panties made him smile. “These look familiar.”

She glared at him in mock indignation. “What are you talking about? When did you ever get a look at my underwear?”

“When you brought me into your bedroom the first time. You had left them on your bed, next to your pillow.”

A soft blush stole over her cheeks. “Oh…I was hoping you didn’t notice them.”

“I noticed them, all right. Very cute and sexy.” He took off his jeans and kicked them aside. When she smoothed her fingers over the bulge in his boxers, he sucked in a tight breath. Her touch felt so good it would take all his willpower not to go off like a rocket.

“Before we go any further, I want you to know I have condoms in my nightstand.” She gave him a sheepish smile. “I bought a new box yesterday. Just in case.”

“A whole box, eh? I’m glad you were thinking ahead.” He had a couple in his wallet, but he wasn’t sure how old they were.

She threw back the covers and lay down on one side of the bed.

When she crooked her finger, beckoning him to follow, he settled in beside her.

How many nights had he spent dreaming about her?

How many times, after she’d stopped by the bar, had his mind drifted, envisioning what he’d do to her if he ever got the opportunity?

He pulled her closer, savoring the feel of her bare skin against his, and kissed her again.

Long, passionate kisses, their bodies pressed together, his hands stroking the soft skin of her back.

He could make out the faint scent of the lavender in her shampoo, barely noticeable under the stronger aroma of woodsmoke.

When she let out another of those impatient whimpers, he flipped her onto her back and positioned himself above her. Pushing aside the lacy cups of her bra, he sucked on her nipples. She gave a cry of pleasure and wove her fingers through his hair.

“Take off my bra. Please ,” she begged. “It’s just getting in the way.”

He unclasped it and flung it as far as he could. “You okay to keep going?”

“Oh my God, yes. Touch me everywhere .”

That was all the encouragement he needed.

He dipped one hand beneath her minuscule panties and slid a finger inside her, surprised at how drenched she was.

She writhed underneath him, letting out little gasps that made him crave her all the more.

God, but she was beautiful—her eyes closed, her soft pink lips slightly parted, her entire body responding to his touch.

He kept going, drawing little circles inside her, increasing the pressure as her cries grew louder.

She urged him on, bucking her hips and grinding against his touch, until she arched her back and moaned his name.

As she relaxed beneath him, coming down from her orgasm, he was tempted to give her another one, but she took hold of his wrist and moved his hand aside.

She locked eyes with him. “Give me a sec to recover. That felt so good I almost forgot to breathe.”

Talk about an ego boost. “Take your time.”

After a few minutes, she sat up to face him. “I don’t want to keep you waiting. If you want to have sex, I’ll just grab a condom.”

She wasn’t getting off that easily. “What I really want to do is spread your legs and taste you until you make more of those delightful little noises. If that’s something you’d be into.”

“I would, but…are you sure that’s what you want?”

What kind of a question was that? Whoever Charlie had been with before must not have given a shit about her pleasure. “Of course. Slide your body over to the edge of the bed.”

She scooted down, and he got off the bed and knelt before her. After easing off her panties, he ran his hands along her thighs and parted her legs. “Just a warning—you might get a little beard burn.”

“I’m fine with that. But if we’re giving out warnings, I can’t always climax this way.”

“Challenge accepted, sweetheart.”

Gripping her ass, he inhaled her sweetness and dove in, licking and tasting, keeping her firmly in his grasp, even as she squirmed underneath him.

By now, his dick was aching for release, but he focused entirely on her pleasure, taking pride as she moaned and begged him to keep going.

And when she shuddered all over and let out the biggest cry of all, he didn’t stop until her cries faded to tiny whimpers of pleasure and she murmured his name like a caress.

* * *

No one had ever made Charlie feel this good. Usually, she faked an orgasm so her partner could move on to the main attraction.

With Knox, that wasn’t an issue.

After she stopped trembling and caught her breath again, she sat up to face him. And damn if he didn’t have the most self-satisfied grin on his face.

With a sly smile, she looked down at his boxers, which did nothing to hide his erection. “Do you want me to return the favor? Because I’d be glad to.”

“Another time. Let’s put one of those condoms to good use.”

“Ooh, yes. Just in the nightstand drawer. Next to…” She stopped cold, remembering what was in there.

He stood and opened the drawer. As he rummaged around in it, his smile widened. No doubt he’d discovered her vibrator. “Very interesting. I’m thinking we should explore that toy later.” After bringing out a condom, he took off his boxers.

Whoa . Though Knox was a big guy—over six feet tall, brawny, and sturdily built—she’d never imagined his…

equipment…would match his size. She leaned closer and ran her fingers along his rigid length, smoothing them over the tip.

She was still tempted to take him into her mouth, even though she had no idea how she’d fit all of him in there.

He pulled away. “Behave, you naughty pixie. I’m never going to last if you do that. Now, stop teasing me and lie down on the bed.”

She loved it when he used his bossy voice. “What if I don’t behave?”

“Then I might have to put you over my knee and spank your cute little ass. Would you like that?”

Oddly enough, she would. “Um…maybe? Like, if you didn’t spank too hard?”

He groaned. “Enough. We’ll put it on the to-do list. For now, I want you on your back, legs open, and ready for me. Got it?”

“Absolutely.” Bossy Knox was pushing all her buttons. She did as he said, resting her head against the pillows, her whole body revved up and ready for more.

“Good girl,” he murmured. “I like seeing you that way.”

Goose bumps prickled along her arms. And I like being this way.

After putting on the condom, he came back into bed. He nudged her legs open a little wider and slid himself inside her. Despite the tight fit, it felt so good.

With a cry of delight, she pulled him closer. “Yes, Knox. Yes .”

“Fuck, you feel amazing,” he said. “Gotta warn you, this might be kind of quick.”

“That’s okay.” She’d already had two orgasms, which were two more than she usually had with a partner.

She burrowed her face in his shoulder and inhaled the scent of campfire on his skin. This was like her woodsman fantasy come to life, except better because they were in her comfy bed rather than out in the forest, where wild animals could attack them.