20. Valerie

20

VALERIE

Desire, thick and heady, consumes me from the inside out when I register Carter’s growled words just before his strong lips capture mine.

I’ve never wanted anyone this badly

No. This isn’t want.

This is need.

I haven’t been with anyone since that night at the resort. I’d told myself it was because I was busy. I was in the middle of figuring out how to quit my job and what to do with the rest of my life. Otherwise, I would’ve totally enjoyed a casual fling here and there whenever I had a particular itch I couldn’t scratch on my own.

But as Carter’s strong mouth ravishes me and his calloused hands knead and caress my hips and ass, leaving fiery handprints in their wake, I admit that was all a lie.

It wasn’t that I was too busy to hook up with someone—it was that the only person I wanted to hook up with was a stranger I’d left behind after our one mind-blowing night together.

More than once, I’d regretted not giving Carter my number before I snuck out of his room.

The chemistry between us wasn’t easy to find, but I’d convinced myself I wasn’t in the right place to pursue any lasting relationship. And given the fireworks that sparked between us that night, I knew there was no way I wouldn’t try to make him my boyfriend.

But the cosmos… fate… God … whatever force influences people’s lives clearly had an interest in the two of us. What other explanation could there be for us meeting at that resort, but then also running into each other after I blew up my life and moved to Dallas to live with my dad?

Not to mention, the odds that Carter would need a nanny and I had the work experience to recommend me for the job?

These are the thoughts I ponder in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep, but I never let myself think about them in the daylight.

But now, I’m forced to admit that this thing between Carter and me is impossible to ignore. Some external force keeps forcing us together, and after months of trying to dismiss it, I give up. I don’t want to ignore it anymore. And based on the way Carter is kissing me, neither does he.

I release a tiny squeal when he lifts me by my waist. My legs wrap around him as he walks us into the living room. He turns and sits on the couch. I shift my legs so I’m straddling him. Our lips remain glued together.

Nips, moans, growls, and wanton caresses ensue. My fingers are in his hair, squeezing his biceps, and running down his arms. I feel his erection between my legs as I roll my hips. The pleasurable pressure makes me wet.

Carter finally breaks the kiss with a groan, “Fuck, Valerie.”

I grin seductively. “Not yet.” I roll my hips again, loving that I have the power to affect a man as impressive as Carter Jones like this. It’s intoxicating.

His lips move to my neck.

My toes curl as his teeth gently graze the sensitive flesh. “I want you, Val. I want you so bad I can’t fucking think when you’re around me.”

My stomach flutters. “Me either.”

His hand trails down my back, toying with the zipper of my dress. Between kisses, he asks, “May I?”

I nod, but nerves threaten to pull me from the lustful haze that descended the moment his lips touched mine. I breathe in through my nostrils and try to keep my hands steady. I don’t want Carter to feel them tremble. He might change his mind if he does. And I really don’t want that to happen.

Long fingers find the delicate zipper and gently guide it down. He kisses my neck. Once the zipper reaches the bottom, he slides the sleeves over my shoulders. I shimmy the material down to free my arms, resisting the urge to cover my bare breasts as the top of the dress gathers at my hips.

Dark brown eyes focus on my breasts with another growl. “You’re so fucking perfect.” His hands slide up the side of my ribs as he continues to admire my naked torso.

“Am I?” The insecure question is barely more than a whisper.

His eyes meet mine. There’s no mistaking the fiery desire swirling in his irises. “Valerie, you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”

My mouth lifts in a timid smile. “Well, that’s obviously not true.” He’s been around models and actresses for goodness sake. I’ve seen the pictures. I have nothing on those women.

A hand snakes up and rests against the back of my neck. “Are you calling me a liar?”

Not exactly.

“No,” I say slowly. “Just that?—”

Carter cuts me off with a hard kiss. He pulls back before I can lose myself in the kiss and growls, “Let’s get one thing straight, Valerie Palmer. I’ve been wrapped up in you since we had dinner on that pier. There’s been no one else since, and as long as you’re in my life, there never will be.”

Well… shit.

My heartbeat races as equal parts denial and delight course through my entire body.

Carter is a professional athlete. He’s gorgeous and surprisingly down to earth. I don’t know the number of women who pursue him, but I imagine it’s a lot. If he’s telling the truth and hasn’t been with anyone else since we slept together, that would be incredible…

When has Carter ever lied to you?

The answer is never.

In addition to being incredibly good-looking, Carter Jones is genuine. He is hardworking and a dedicated father. He’s reliable. He wouldn’t lie to me.

I tell my insecure doubt to take a hike, and the trembling in my hands ceases. Only the desire and lust I feel for the man underneath me remain.

I cup the sides of Carter’s face and tilt his head up, softly pressing my lips against his before whispering, “Sounds good to me.”

He smiles broadly and kisses me back.

I unbutton his shirt as we make out. When I reach the bottom, I push the dress shirt off his muscular arms, leaning back to take in the view.

My eyes drink in every inch of his sculpted body. My fingers trail the dips and ridges. Carter Jones is a chiseled work of art. And tonight, he’s mine .

“See something you like?” His voice is deep and sexy.

“You’re perfect,” I return his earlier compliment.

“Thank you.” He kisses me, then demonstrates his leg strength when he stands and carries me effortlessly towards the bedroom.

Anticipation builds, but it isn’t debilitating. I’m excited for what’s to come. And eager. So, so eager.

Carter places me on my bare feet by the end of the bed and guides the dress over my hips, leaving me in nothing but my dark green thong when it falls to the floor. His eyes flash.

With a coy grin, I unbuckle his belt. He takes over and removes his trousers, revealing sexy black briefs that hug his muscular ass and thighs. He’s so hot.

Carter steps out of his pants and tosses them on the floor. Then, he moves forward, gently guiding me onto the mattress. I fall on my back and scoot towards the headboard. He crawls on hands and knees, his muscles shifting with each move, as he pursues me like a lion stalking his prey. I’ll be whatever he wants as long as he makes the move and pounces.

I reach the headboard.

Carter stops by my ankles. Taking one in his massive hand, he kisses the skin above my ankle bone then begins to pepper kisses up my calf and inner thigh. I inhale sharply when he nibbles on a patch of sensitive skin. “Carter!”

He smiles against my leg but doesn’t stop. My breathing turns into pants as he reaches up and slides the strap of my thong down. I lift my hips to help as he removes my last piece of clothing.

My core tightens when he lies between my legs. His hands wrap around the back of my knees, hooking my legs over his shoulders before he leans forward and presses his mouth against my center.

“Carter!” My hips buck off the bed, but his firm grip holds my legs in place.

The bulky linebacker’s tongue continues to lick my center. His teeth nip the sensitive flesh. Heat coils low in my stomach as sparks fly over my entire body, making the hair on my arms stand.

“You’re going to kill me,” I pant.

He hums. The feel of his lips vibrating against me makes me shiver with want.

“That’s enough.” I try to grab his shoulders and pull him up, but there’s no moving a man of his size without his consent. “I’m good. Come up here.”

Carter looks up and a strand of brown hair falls over his eye, giving him a devilish, yet boyish, look. “Did you come?”

Oh my god.

My cheeks flame at the direct question. “No,” I murmur.

“Then I’m not done yet.” He resumes his efforts. This time, his right hand slides out beneath my knee and joins in the effort.

It only takes a couple of strokes before my entire body is engulfed in heat. My center is dripping wet. I want to be embarrassed that I’m making such a mess, but Carter’s relentless sucks, nibbles, and strokes numb me to everything else but the feel of his scruffy face and perfect lips ravishing me in a way I’ve never experienced.

Guys have gone down on me before, but never like this. I never felt comfortable enough to allow someone to be so close to the most intimate part of me.

And yet, with Carter, things are different.

He’s different.

Tension builds. My orgasm coils in my core, ready to snap. “Carter!” I gasp. I can’t seem to think of anything else to say. “I’m close.”

“Good,” he growls, increasing his efforts. His finger slips inside and strokes my walls in perfect rhythm and I come undone. “Come for me, baby.”

“Ah!” My orgasm crashes over me in mind-blowing wave after mind-blowing wave. Stars explode behind my closed eyelids, and my body feels light as a feather.

Carter doesn’t lean back until my body goes limp. Only then does he pull his mouth from my center and crawl his way up until he hovers over my body on his elbows.

I open my eyes and see him gazing down at me with a self-satisfied smile. “How do you feel?”

I reach up and brush the strand of hair off his forehead. “Great.” The word comes out breathlessly.

His grin widens. “Good.” He dips down and captures my mouth in another kiss. I taste myself on his lips, reigniting my lust. I groan when he draws back.

Carter chuckles. “Don’t worry, Valerie.” He reaches over to pick up his discarded pants from the floor and takes a condom out of the back pocket. With a panty-melting smirk, he adds, “We’re just getting started.”