Page 19

19

P aisley

I pace back and forth.

I look down at my outfit. It’s blue jeans and a T-shirt. Nothing fancy or sexy. I go over to my closet and open it. Maybe I should change. Is he expecting me to be waiting in my underwear? Or in a sexy outfit? Maybe I should get into my pajamas or wear a trench coat for the great reveal.

I shake my head and laugh to myself.

I’m not doing any of that. It’s not me.

I don’t have sexy underwear. I came to this island for work. I never expected this to happen. I mean, I hoped I’d get some action at some point, but not this soon and not with someone like Arctic.

My hands get clammy at the thought of him in my apartment. Of him coming over for sex.

What am I doing?

I’ve only ever been with one man. It’s been a long time. I can’t do this.

I must. Maggie is right; I don’t want to have regrets, and I’ll definitely end up with regrets if I turn him down.

His final message to me was to expect him sometime after ten. After ten could be anytime between one minute past ten and sunrise. That’s a whole lot of hours.

I may as well do something to keep my mind occupied.

After looking at myself in the mirror for the ten millionth time, I decide once and for all that I’m fine in what I have on. I’m not changing again. This will have to do. Then I sit down on my bed and try to distract myself by reading a book, but I can’t focus. I go through to the living room and switch on the television. It’s a romantic comedy, so I switch channels until I find an action movie. It’s one of the first “Alien” movies.

Now, this is more like it.

I don’t think I’ve watched more than ten minutes when I hear something. I sit up on the sofa, the remote clutched in my hand.

What was it?

I turn the volume down on the television and hear it again. Someone is knocking on my window. It’s barely audible, but definitely a knock. I’m not sure how I heard it over the movie. My phone dings.

It’s him.

It has to be.

This is it. My heart races. My mind, too. What if I’m making a mistake?

I take a deep breath and look through the blinds, and sure enough, there he is. His face is illuminated by the moonlight. I pull open the blinds and open the window, slowly revealing the silhouette of a man waiting outside. It’s dark out, so I can just make out his features as he looks up at me with those piercing blue eyes.

“Can I come in?” he asks in a low voice.

“Sorry,” I whisper. “Yes, of course.”

I move away, and Arctic climbs through. He gives a signal to someone outside, closes the window, and I lower the blind.

He’s here.

This is it!

Arctic is dressed in black jeans and a long-sleeve hoodie, which he pulls off his head. His hair is still perfect underneath.

I’ve only ever seen him in a suit and tie. This is an interesting change. He’s just as sexy. I think this man could wear a paper bag and still look good.

“The window…really? You weren’t lying when you said we needed to be discreet.” I never expected him to climb through my window.

“You will lose your job if we are caught,” he says. “You need to be very clear on that particular fact. It doesn’t matter how discreet we are; we might still get caught.”

“I’ll get fired. What about you?” I ask. “Will it be a smack on the wrist?”

“I would probably lose my place in the Tribute program.”

“Does that upset you?”

He shakes his head. “It’s worth the risk to me. More Tributes will be sent next year. This program already has the makings of a success. I’d be okay.” He gets a look of concern. “If we are caught and you are sent back to the Mainland, I will make sure that your contract is paid out in full. It’s important that you know there would be no financial risk to you.”

“That’s nice of you.” I fold my arms across my chest.

His mouth twitches. “You had a few conditions for this arrangement.”

“I’m not sure that this—”

Arctic pulls his top over his head. “It’s hot in here,” he mutters.

He’s wearing a white T-shirt beneath the garment. It looks so good on him that I instantly forget what I was saying.

Then he steps into my space, looking down at me. My brain cells literally fall over dead one at a time, like racing dominoes. My mouth falls open, so I close it again.

Suddenly, I can’t remember why this is a bad idea. I can’t remember a single condition, either.

I lick my lips.

“Let me have it, Paisley. What are your conditions?”

I look away to clear my head. “I don’t think I should report to you if I’m sleeping with you.” I lock eyes with him.

“If you’re reporting to me, there’s a good reason for us to see each other regularly, therefore it makes sense to keep things as they are.”

“So that we can have sex during working hours, you mean?” That’s a terrible idea.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. I won’t use my position to control you in any way. This is all up to you. You’re the one in the driver’s seat.”

“Okay, fine. I can see how you staying my boss could help us sneak around. Once we’re done, you will need to change my reporting structure. I wouldn’t be comfortable reporting to you anymore.”

“Agreed. What else?”

“No sleepovers.”

“That’s a given; we’re fucking.”

“Okay, okay.” I put my hands up. “I’ve never done anything like this before.”

“No romantic bullshit. We leave all that at the door.”

“Agreed.” I nod. “What about kissing? Isn’t kissing intimate?”

He shrugs. “I like kissing. I plan on kissing you all over, Paisley.”

It is hot in here. I want to fan myself but refrain.

“I can kiss and keep my emotions out of it. Can you?” He lifts a brow.

Since I want to be kissed all over, I nod. “Sure. No problem. I was worried about you since I’m such a great kisser. Guys get hooked easily,” I tease.

He laughs, stepping forward and taking my face in his hands, turning serious in an instant. He leans in, his eyes never leaving mine as he presses his lips against mine. The kiss is slow and possessive, a claim on me that I can’t help but respond to. I melt into him, feeling his body press against mine. I moan.

As he pulls away, he whispers, “What else?” swiping his thumb over my lower lip ever so softly. It tingles.

“I can’t think when you’re touching me.”

He smiles, letting me go. “And now?” He frowns, catching my expression. “What is it?”

I’m nervous.

“Ummm…there’s something I need to mention before we continue.” I bite my lip. “And you’re not going to like it.” I have to come clean before we do this. I think there might be a part of me that wants him to push me away.

“Why don’t I like the sound of this?” He pulls in a big breath.

I sigh. Here goes nothing. “I told my friend Maggie about your proposal. She knows what happened in the closet.” I see his eyes narrow and darken as I talk. “She’s my friend, and I trust her,” I quickly add.

“You hardly know her.” He squeezes the back of his neck and paces away. “You’ve increased our risk exponentially.” He turns back to face me.

“Tough shit!” I tell him, folding my arms. “I needed to confide in someone. For the record, she talked me into doing this. I haven’t known her long, but I know she’s good people. You’re just going to have to trust me.” I shrug. “I didn’t have to tell you, but I did.”

“I also told someone.”

“So we’re even, then.”

“Hardly. I had to tell my head of security. There was no way around it since I need a full security detail whenever I leave the castle. But my head of security also happens to be my best friend. I trust him with my life.”

“Steel.” I lift my brows.

“Yep.” He nods.

“I think he had us taped when he found us in the closet looking guilty as sin.”

Arctic smiles. “You’re probably right about that. Can’t get much past him. Anything else you need to add?” he asks.

I shake my head. My breathing hitches as he walks toward me…more like stalks toward me.

He takes my face in both his hands. “If that’s the case, then I think we need to stop talking now.”

I swallow thickly. “That’s probably a good idea.”

He takes my hand in his and leads me to the bedroom.

“I’m nervous,” I tell him.

“Me, too.” He turns to face me.

The admission makes me feel a little better. He grips my waist in his big hand. I feel the heat of it through the cotton of my shirt.

He might be nervous but there is no hesitation. No holding back. He possesses me with his mouth. He brands me.

I put my arms around his neck. I’m making these desperate little noises right from the get-go. Try as I might, I can’t stop. I feel alive. Every nerve and every synapse is firing and all at once.

His kiss.

His lips.

His mouth.

Him.

I’ve never wanted another man more than I want Arctic. I cling to him with everything in me. I moan, and he eats up the sound. His tongue plundering…seeking…demanding.

I am taking and giving. I’m risking it all for this…for him, and I don’t care.

“Paisley,” Arctic moans against my mouth. Then he is lifting my shirt. He does it slowly. Giving me time to accept or reject the move. I let him. I’m lifting my arms to make it easier for him. Our eye contact is broken for a brief moment when the fabric comes between us. Then we kiss like there is no tomorrow, stumbling to the bed.

He cups one of my breasts, his thumb rubbing over my nipple, which hardens up beneath his touch. I moan and arch against him.

He pulls back a little, looking at me, really looking. We’re both breathing hard.

“You have the most amazing eyes,” he murmurs. “And I love your freckles.” He leans down and kisses a more prominent one on my shoulder.

This feels intimate, even though it’s not.

“I’ve always hated them,” I admit.

“You’re beautiful.” He threads his fingers into my hair. “All of you.”

Then he is kissing my neck. No, it’s more than kissing. I feel his teeth, his tongue, his mouth. I moan as he works his way down, sucking on a nipple through my bra. Arctic pulls back, his eyes boring into me. He is, hands-down, the most intense person I have ever met.

“Fucking beautiful,” he husks out before giving the same attention to my other breast. He must sense that I’m a little apprehensive about being completely naked because he doesn’t try to take off my bra.

Then he moves down, kissing my stomach. He undoes the clasp on my jeans. “This okay?”

“Yes.”

He pulls down the zipper, then he’s sliding my jeans down my legs, leaving my cotton underwear right where it is.

He moves back up and kisses me again. Taking his time. Savoring me, just as he promised.

I’m glad we left kissing on the table. He’s a great kisser. It puts me at ease and turns me on. I moan and then moan again much harder when his hand cups my sex. He doesn’t move, just leaves it there, his thumb pressing down on my clit. I’ve never needed friction so badly. I want to rock against him. I want to beg, but I hold back.

I have my legs splayed. In this moment, I feel zero inhibitions. I have never felt so desired.

“Please,” I finally whisper against his mouth, and his finger moves, brushing against my clit through the fabric; my hips shoot off the bed.

Then he breaks the kiss and starts moving back down, taking his time, too. He kisses my neck, my breasts, every damned freckle I have. I hate them even more right now because I know where I want him.

He looks at my panty-clad pussy for a few moments.

“This is going to make my day…my whole fucking week,” he says, then he kisses me through my cotton panties.

I groan.

I want to rip my underwear right off of myself. I will, too, if he doesn’t hurry this up.

He opens his mouth and presses his lips against my clit, using just the right pressure. His mouth is hot and firm. My back bows.

He moves away, and when his mouth returns, there’s nothing in the way. He’s pulled my panties to the side. I grind out his name like a warning and a prayer all rolled into one.

He suckles on my clit.

Suckles. Me.

I make this godawful moaning noise. Like I’m about to die…because I think I am.

He makes a sound of enjoyment. It vibrates to my core as he suckles on me again.

I make that same moaning, dying noise because I am dying. At least, it feels that way. Both my hands are shoved into his hair. I’ve never felt anything like this. So raw. So full. So damned empty.

My back bows some more. My eyes are wide. I’m panting, and he’s hardly touched me. Two little sucks, and I’m about to come.

“Open your thighs wider,” he instructs.

“O-okay,” I stammer. My voice is shrill. I do as he asks.

Now I’m watching him between my legs. Mesmerized. He’s literally eating me out. His head is moving up and down as he licks my slit. His gorgeous blue eyes lift and lock on mine as he closes his mouth over my clit. He’s looking me in the eye. It’s intense!

Oh! My!

I cry out, sounding agonized. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Pleasure is everywhere. It’s rushing through me, pooling right there, where he is so focused. He moves down to my entrance. His tongue is relentless. It’s hot, and it pushes deep.

Oh! Lordie lord!

He’s tongue-fucking me. That’s what this is. It’s good. So, so good.

I groan even harder. My throat actually hurts. I grip his hair tighter. I want to ride his face. I do ride his face. I can feel that I’m being too rough, but I can’t help it. My eyes roll back for a moment when he suckles on my clit yet again. My head falls back. I’m panting like a crazy person.

How can that be a thing? I didn’t know it was a thing. It is! A scream wants to break free. He sucks and sucks and sucks. I don’t think anyone has done this to me before. Not like this. I think it’s my new favorite thing.

My back bows again. The pleasure is building up inside me. I give a strangled cry as he goes back to licking because I want more sucking. I was about to come.

“Please,” I beg. “Please, oh please.” His glorious mouth closes over my clit again. Hot. So hot. Just the right amount of pressure.

I realize that not only am I holding his head in both my hands, pulling his hair while I’m at it, but my hips are moving, too. I’m jerking against his face. I yell as he slides his finger inside me.

“Yes!” I yell. “Oh, god, yes!” My eyes are wide. “Yes! Arctic! Right there. Yes…” I say with each thrust. He’s crooking his finger. He’s getting me…there. “Ooooooooh.” My voice is deep and punchy.

My breathing is ragged and harsh. So damned harsh. There’s a coiling sensation deep inside me. I’ve had orgasms. Plenty of orgasms. This is going to be different. This is going to be epic, just like I knew it would be. My eyes are beginning to roll back again.

His finger thrusts deeper, moving quicker. There is a moment of calm. Everything feels suspended. Time seems to stop for a moment as everything in me relaxes. My heart feels like it has stopped. I grit my teeth for what is about to happen.

Everything tightens back up, and all at once. My back lifts off the bed. A rush of blinding pleasure is tearing through me. Sheer ecstasy. I groan so hard my throat feels raw.

My muscles vibrate. My eyes are squeezed tightly shut.

Holy shit!

Arctic keeps me there. He makes me come harder than ever before. Makes me stay up there for longer than I ever thought possible. Only once every drop of pleasure has been thoroughly wrung from me does he let me come down slowly.

I feel like a boneless heap of flesh. I’m breathing like I just ran two back-to-back marathons. My body is vibrating from head to toe.

I have his hair fisted in my hands. Shit! It takes me a few moments to get my fingers to loosen. Both my legs are over his shoulders. I don’t remember them being there.

He lifts his head, licking his lips. I wanted to muss up his perfect hair, and I just did. He’s fucking beautiful. His eyes look brighter.

Then he’s crawling up me and taking back my mouth. I taste myself on him. Salty and musky.

“You ready for more, Paisley?” Arctic goes up on his knees, the mattress dipping from his weight. In one move, he pulls his shirt from his body. I’m met with ink and bronzed skin and muscle. So much muscle.

I nod, unable to speak.

I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.