Playing House

CHAPTER 1: Sarah –––––––– Sarah grabbed the takeout and grocery bags from her car and walked into the house. “Hey, boys. Can’t pet you. Got my hands full here.” She tried to push past her two dogs, but that was no easy feat. Tank was a Belgian Malinois, a retired military dog, and Sweetie was a pit-bull mix. One of them alone could block the doorway but both together, wiggling and wagging their tails could push her back into the garage. “You need help?” hollered Nick from the living room. “No. I got it.” She squeezed between the two monsters and opened the laundry room door, stepping into the main part of the house. Nick sat on the couch, glancing up from his laptop. “Wow. You got a lot of food. Want some help putting it away.” “No. Thanks.” She headed into the kitchen. She was the luckiest woman alive. Not only was he gorgeous—black hair, brown eyes and a body she drooled over—but he was the most helpful man she’d ever met, never skimping on doing more than his share of housework. She dropped everything on the counter and began putting away the groceries. She slipped the dessert she’d gotten from her friend, Maggie, in the back of the refrigerator. She couldn’t have him chowing down on it now. She may need that sugary safety net to assuage his temper after she told him she’d volunteered them to watch Maggie’s three children this weekend. Nick loved kids. He probably wouldn’t mind babysitting but she should’ve asked him first. It’d been a spur of the moment thing and Maggie had been so excited. She couldn’t back out now. She grabbed the takeout bags, opening the premade salad and dumping it into a bowl. “You ready to eat?” “Always,” he answered. She jumped, her heart pounding. “You scared me.” “I see that.” Nick stood in the doorway, looking sexy as always—hair a little too long and mussed, dark eyes roaming over her. His worn jeans hugged his body, letting her know that he was semi-aroused and making her heart race for an entirely different reason than surprise. Would she ever quit turning into a quivering mess of desire when he looked at her? She hoped not, but she didn’t have to let him know how he affected her. It was good for him to have to work for it. “I got salad and Thai food.” “Salad and Thai food? What kind of combination is that?” “Salad is good for us and Thai...that sounded good to me. Since you wouldn’t tell me what you were hungry for when I called...” As soon as the words left her lips, she knew her mistake and her blood began to hum in anticipation. “Oh, you know what I’m hungry for.” He prowled closer. “What I’m always hungry for.” She moved to the other side of the table. They both knew how this would end but the game was always fun. “I meant to eat.” “Me too.” His grin widened and his eyes darkened as they rested on the juncture between her thighs. “For dinner. Eat for dinner.” Suddenly, she wasn’t so hungry. “Dinner can wait.” He stalked her. “The food will get cold.” She made sure to keep a table or a chair between them. The man was arrogance personified. She couldn’t make her surrender too easy on him. “Microwaves are a wonderful invention.” “Yes, they are but—” “Stop running from me.” He stepped closer and she moved away. “You know, I’ll catch you.” “I don’t know anything of the sort.” “I always win.” “There’s a first time for everything.” She had to admit she wasn’t exactly a loser in these games. “There is, but it won’t be tonight.” “It might be.” She kept circling the table, keeping pace with his steps. “Let’s bet.” His wicked grin made her knees and everything else melt. “Anything and everything. I want you naked and doing my bidding all night.” “Ha.” Hell, she’d do that anytime he asked, after she’d made him earn it. “That’s not going to happen.” “I think it will. Bet me on who wins this game.” “I don’t think so.” She smiled as Tank wandered into the room. “I have reinforcements.” “Please. We worked out our differences a long time ago. He’s on my side.” Nick stopped at the counter and grabbed two dog cookies from the container. “No fair. You’re bribing him.” His hot gaze roamed over her, making her shiver. “I’ll bribe you too if it’ll work.” “It won’t.” Tank trotted to the counter and Nick handed him a cookie. This was her chance. She raced out of the kitchen. “Shit.” She heard a cookie drop and then Nick was in the living room, only a few steps behind her. She headed for their bedroom. “That’s the right direction.” He ran after her. “Don’t you dare lock that door.” “Oh, I am so going to lock the door.” She flew into the room, flinging the door shut but he slammed into it before she could lock it. She grabbed the handle, trying to keep him from opening it. To lock it, she’d have to let go with one hand and that wasn’t going to work. She was barely keeping him out as it was. “Stop.” “That is not going to happen.” Her fingers clamped around the knob but it was no use. He was bigger and stronger than she was. “You’re cheating.” She laughed as the door slid open a crack. She threw her weight against it but he pushed her backward anyway. “How is this cheating?” “You’re bigger than me.” Her feet scrambled on the floor, trying in vain to keep him out. “I am that. And harder. Much, much harder. Painfully hard.” He gave one more shove and then stepped into the room and pull her into his arms. “Hello.” He kissed her. His lips were soft and sweet, his hands roaming over her back and ass. She sighed as his mouth lifted from hers, her body boneless, wet and eager for him. “Hi.” “I missed you.” He kissed her again, this one a little longer and deeper. “I was only gone a few hours.” She’d gone to therapy today and then the store. “Don’t care. I missed you.” His lips trailed down her throat and she tipped her head, giving him better access. The man had the mouth of a magician. Everywhere he kissed lit a fire. It didn’t matter where his lips touched—her nose, her knuckles—all paths linked to her p***y. “And just so you know.” He cupped her ass. “I win.” “You cheated.” “How? How did I cheat?” He lifted her and strode across the room. “You used your strength.” “That’s not cheating.” He tossed her on the bed and pulled off his shirt. “Is too.” This game wasn’t done yet. She rolled over and scrambled across the bed, dropping to the floor. He smirked at her, his broad muscular chest now bare and making her mouth water. She couldn’t wait to run her hands all over all that smooth, hot skin. “Nice try, but you’re not getting away.” He pulled off his belt. She forced her eyes away from him and took a small step toward the bathroom. “I don’t think so.” He stepped to the side, blocking that path. It was exactly what she’d wanted him to do. She grabbed a pillow, flung it at him and ran for the bedroom door. “Hey!” In a second, she was in the living room and heading for the garage, Nick right behind her. “Now, who’s the cheater?” His arm snaked around her waist, pulling her back flush against his front. “I see you’re going to make me work for it tonight.” His lips trailed kisses down her neck as his hands cupped her breasts. “Of course.” She tipped her head and arched her back, pressing into his touch. His hands drifted to the bottom of her shirt teasing along the skin above her pants. He grabbed the shirt and lifted. She raised her arms and he pulled it off, tossing it on the floor. He unhooked her bra, kissing along her back and then down. She let the bra hang loose as he knelt behind her cupping her ass. He kissed the small of her back, grinning against her skin. “Wait right there.” He stood. “Where are you going?” Now that he’d caught her, she was eager to get on with the f*****g. “You’ll see.” He took another step toward the kitchen and stopped. “I don’t trust you.” “What?” She really hadn’t thought about running again, jumping him maybe but escaping? Nope. “Me?” “Yeah. You.” He grabbed her hand—“you’re coming with me”—and dragged her into the kitchen. He spun a chair away from the table. “What do you want with that?” Images of her straddling him or leaning over it while he f****d her from behind filled her head and made her p***y melt. They’d both be fun and she couldn’t wait to do one of them and then later the other. “You’ll see.” He picked up the chair and nudged her with his shoulder, keeping her hand in his. “Go. Back to the living room.” “Yes, Sir.” “That’s a game for another time.” His voice was thick with desire. “Yes, it is. So is professor.” She grinned at him. He groaned. “We need to do that again. It’s been a while since the dirty professor has gotten any action.” “Yes, it has.” She did miss her professor. He put the chair down and then sat. “Now, come here I want to see your bra and panties.” She frowned at him, having no idea where he was going with this. “You can’t exactly miss the bra.” The only thing keeping it up was her hand. “And I saw it the other night at the Viewing, but I want to see it up close.” Ah, that was the game. Her legs quivered. This was going to end a lot differently than that first meeting. “No touching.” “Okay.” The sparkle in his eyes told her she was missing something. She moved closer, facing him and holding the loose bra against her chest. “Move your hands.” “It’s too loose.” “Not my problem.” “Ah. There’s the d**k from that day. I knew he was around here somewhere.” He’d been a jerk but such a hot and sexy one that she’d still agreed to spend six nights with him. She was so glad she had. She’d planned on a few evenings of great s*x and instead had found the love of her life. “And here’s the d**k you’re going to get to know very well.” He grabbed one of her hands, placing it on his c**k. She burst out laughing. “Hey, that does not help a man’s ego.” He dropped his hold on her hand. “Oh, please.” She cupped her bra to her breasts. “Your ego is made of armor; it never even dents.” “When you’re good, you’re good.” She rolled her eyes, but he was very good and they both knew it. “Now, move your hands.” “Okay.” She reached behind her to re-hook her bra. “Stop. No refastening of clothes.” “Who says?” “I do and...” He grabbed a paper from the coffee table. “It’s in our contract.” “Is it?” That paper was a flyer for a credit card. “It is. You agreed.” He tried not to smirk. “To everything I said.” She snorted. “Did I?” “Yep.” He lost his battle and one part of his mouth tipped upward. “Doesn’t sound like me.” “Don’t know about that. We just met, but you did agree.” His dark eyes danced with humor. “Hmm. I don’t remember that. I think I need to read it to see what I agreed to.” “You can read it later. Trust me on this one.” She raised her brow and he shrugged. “Okay.” Her brain wanted to argue, but her n*****s were hard and her body wanted his hands on her. Sometimes, she had to let her body win. She dropped her hands to her sides. The bra stayed in place but gaped around her breasts. “Come closer.” The humor in his eyes had been replaced by lust. She moved forward, not even thinking about disobeying his command. “Closer.” “No touching, remember?” She had to stay in the game. They’d just met. She hadn’t even agreed to sleep with him, but her body wasn’t playing. It knew what pleasure those hands and lips could bring. “I remember.” He crooked his finger and she stepped closer, stopping right in front of his legs. “Bend down.” His eyes were locked on her chest. “You can see the bra from here.” “Not the inside.” “The inside?” That was new. “I want to see the stitching. Make sure it’s well made.” His eyes lifted to hers. They were dark and hot. “I don’t want anything marring that perfect skin if I’m going to be in charge of it for six weeks.” “In charge. I know I didn’t agree to that.” She liked to be in control—to tease him and make him beg—and she also liked it when he was in charge. “But you did. You agreed to be in charge of my body and I’m in charge of yours.” “Oh. That could work.” Deliciously well. She shivered as she leaned forward, letting the bra gape, her p***y humming at the heated gleam in his eyes. “May I?” His eyes met hers as he held out his hand. “I won’t touch you.” “Yes.” She couldn’t deny him anything. He hooked his finger in the cloth between her breasts and pulled downward. She inhaled deeply, causing his finger to brush gently across her skin. His eyes darkened as he removed the bra, letting it fall to the floor. Her n*****s puckered in anticipation as his gaze burned, hot and heavy on her breasts. He moved closer, his lips a fraction away from her painful peaks. Peaks that needed the soothing of his tongue and mouth. “Beautiful.” His hot breath teased over her skin and then he straightened. “Now, your underwear.” It took everything she had not to grab his head and pull him to her chest but their games were better the longer they played. “Okay, but remember, no touching.” He forced his eyes upward, a slight smirk on his handsome lips. “How could I forget?” She nodded and unbuttoned her jeans. She swore she could feel the heat from his gaze as his eyes locked onto her fingers. His nostrils flared as she unzipped her pants, sliding them slowly down before stopping when they were right above her p***y. “Keep going.” His voice was a rough whisper, his breath hot against her abdomen. “No. You can see my underwear.” He looked up at her, the muscle in his cheek throbbing. He was growing tired of the game and that made it so much more fun. She loved teasing him until he lost control. “I can only see part. I want to see all of them. How they fit your ass and”—his eyes gleamed—“how they cradle your pussy.” Her breath hitched and she cleared her throat, pushing down her desire. “That’s a problem.” “Why?” His brow raised. “I still have my shoes on.” It was time to test his limits. His eyes dropped to her feet and back to her face, a hint of confusion in his gaze. “Then take them off.” “I would but I have to”—she bit her lower lip, making sure he could see her teeth and her tongue dart out to lick away the sting—“ask you a favor.” “Of course, what is it?” His gaze sharpened, sensing the trap, but he played along. “Do you mind if I touch you? Only to support myself while I take off my shoes.” “Not at all.” His wicked grin sent a flood of moisture between her legs. “Remember. No touching.” This was probably going to put an end to their game, but that was okay. They could always play later. “Doesn’t seem fair, but okay.” He sent her a playful glare. She touched his shoulder, leaning forward and putting her breasts right in front of his face as she lifted her leg. The muscles under her hand tightened but he didn’t move. Drat the man. “Now, the other one.” She shifted, gasping slightly as her breast grazed his cheek, his five o’clock shadow scraping against her n****e. “All done.” She hesitated for a moment, waiting for him to lose control, to grab her or at least kiss her breast. “Glad to be of assistance.” He leaned back in the chair, pulling away from her hand and smirking up at her. “Now, let me see those underwear.” She glared at him as she slid her pants down. “Nice, very nice.” His hot, dark gaze followed her hands. Nice, her ass. She kicked the pants out of the way, leaving her legs spread slightly. The light green of her panties was darker in the crotch from her wetness. His smirk disappeared as his face tightened with lust. He cleared his throat. “Did you spill something?” “What?” She feigned shock. “Where?” He nodded. His eyes glued to her p***y. “Hmm. You’re right. They are wet.” She put her hand between her legs, running her finger over the satin of her panties and sighing. “Yes, they are.” His voice was raspy with need. “Not sure what caused that.” She raised her hand to her mouth but he still stared at her p***y. “Maybe I should taste it and see.” His eyes shot to her face. She slowly slipped her finger between her lips. “Mmm. Not sure what this is.” He groaned. It was desperate and needy. “I know.” “How would you know what I spilled on my panties?” “Trust me, I know.” “Maybe you should taste to be sure.” “That’s an excellent idea.” He reached for her but she stepped back. “From my finger.” His eyes narrowed as he watched the slow descent of her hand—down her chest, between her breasts, over her abdomen and finally between her legs. “It’d be better if you went beneath the underwear.” “You think?” Her finger slid back and forth, rubbing her panties along her p***y. Her breath hitched as she increased the pressure. If he didn’t get moving, she’d come while he watched. “I do. Take off your underwear.” “Oh, I don’t have to do that.” Her hand slid into her panties. “I can—” “Take them off.” He snapped, his control frazzling. “If you think that’s best.” She pulled her hand from her underwear and rubbed circles along her clit. “I do. Now.” His arms shook as his hands clenched the sides of the chair. She shimmied them down her hips, making sure to add an extra wiggle for his viewing pleasure. She kicked them aside and skimmed her hand up her inner thigh and to her p***y. She was slick with need and desire as her finger played between her folds. “Enough.” Her hand stilled. “I get to taste.” “I wanted to make sure I had enough for you to identify it.” “It’s plenty.” He grabbed her wrist and opened his mouth, licking and sucking the juices from her finger. Her p***y clenched wanting that tongue and mouth on it. He pulled her hand away from his face, frowning. “What’s wrong?” Now, she sensed a trap. “Not sure. I need another taste.” “Okay, by me.” She started to move her hand but he tightened his grip. “I think your finger altered the flavor.” His eyes gleamed wickedly. “I should taste it directly from the source.” “Really?” Her body trembled in anticipation, knowing exactly where this was leading. “Yes. “But you’re not allowed to touch me.” “Hold yourself open and I’ll use my tongue.” “That’s still touching.” “No, it isn’t. Touching is with hands.” He waved at her. “No.” So, that’d been his plan all along. “You can touch someone with your tongue or foot or—” “Breasts.” He tapped his cheek. “I wasn’t told I couldn’t touch.” “Okay.” He tipped his head, conceding the point. “But I disagree that touching with the tongue is actually touching. When people kiss, French kiss, they don’t call it touching. Right?” “No, but—” “And when you eat an ice cream cone, you lick it, not touch it.” “Yes, but I don’t use the word touch to describe holding a cone with my hands either.” Her brain screeched to a halt as his look of triumph. “Good point. I guess using my hands isn’t touching either then.” “That’s not what I meant.” “That’s what I heard.” He shrugged. “Come on. You can’t argue that you don’t touch with your hands.” “Watch me. I can argue any point.” “I believe that.” Some of her favorite moments of foreplay were their verbal bantering. “But I’ll give you the hands but not the tongue.” “Really?” He laughed. “That did not come out right because I plan on giving you both.” His gaze raked over her body. She squeezed her legs together, trying to ease some of the ache so they could keep playing. His handsome lips curved upward in a smirk. “I think you need to let me show you what I mean and then you decide if I’m touching you or not.” “Hmm.” Right now, she was so horny she was going to jump him. “I promise, if you think my tongue is the same as my hand or finger, you can stop me.” She took a deep breath, forcing her mind back to the game and not the pleasure that was coming her way. “I’m not sure about this.” “Trust me.” She laughed. “Oh, now I know I’m in trouble.” “You will be if you don’t...” She pulled the folds of her p***y open for him. “Just a little taste. Only enough so I can decide if touching with your tongue is the same as touching with your finger.” He inhaled deeply as he lowered his face, his hot breath wafting over her and making her shiver. The tip of his tongue slid gently over her folds before circling her clit. Her legs trembled and her belly clenched. “I think, I should use my lips too.” His hot breath teased her sensitive flesh. “Yes.” She tangled one hand in his thick, dark hair as he licked, up and down, slow and steady. He probed at her opening and then his mouth covered her clit, sucking. Her fingers dug into his scalp as her hips bucked against his face. She was so close. All she needed was a little more and she’d come. He grabbed her ass and pulled her closer as he dropped to his knees, devouring her. All she could do was hang on as his tongue teased her clit and his fingers slid inside her stroking. “Oh...Nick...” He lifted her leg, placing it on the chair behind him and opening her wider. His one hand cradled her ass, his strength the only thing keeping her upright as he curled his fingers, finding her g-spot at the same time he suckled her clit. She moaned as pleasure shot through her, making her hips buck against his face as she broke apart.