First and Ten Read online

  “Did I say something wrong?”

  “No, it’s just this is Tuesday night. A time when we de-stress.”

  “We.” She smiled and reached her hand to his. Curling her fingers around his, she stroked her thumb over the top of his hand. “When did my Tuesday Treat become a duo?”

  “I have a confession,” he said as he locked eyes with her. “Last week was the first time in I don’t know how long when I could block out the world and be with someone.”

  No longer able to control himself, he cradled her face in his hand and leaned in close. Claiming her lips, he hoped he was claiming more. This week had been excruciating, but he needed it. Each day, he’d been assaulted with memories of Danika Albright that brought him to the point he wanted to break his own rules. He wanted to know more about her. He wanted to feel her skin against his. Most importantly, he wanted to taste her. His tongue swept along her lip and she opened, satisfying him in a way he’d never known possible. Danika was more than he could have ever imagined a woman could be, lust may be the driving force, but he could see love on the horizon.

  Chapter Five

  With eyes closed, Danika fell into a kiss that with each passing second moved up in the best of all time list. Her lips pulsed as his warm hands cradled her face, as if she were a fine piece of China. In contrast was the force behind his lips. Jerome was strength and finesse in one delectable package.

  “My apologies,” Jack said when they broke their embrace. Dani tucked her head away from the man she first met at her tenth birthday party cruise. “Your dinner is ready. I wouldn’t want it getting cold.”

  Dani and Rome separated enough for them to clear the bowls and put their dinner out. She was still covering her mouth to stifle her embarrassed laugh. Before them, a beautifully plated dish sat in the middle of the plate. Chicken stuffed with crabmeat. Not a combination she would have ever thought worked, but she knew the chef and there was no way it wouldn’t. A side of pan seared asparagus with a cream sauce drizzled artistically over it tempted her more until she saw the redskin mashed potatoes. If nothing else, Rome wasn’t going to treat her like some salad eating girl.

  “What was your meeting about in the city?” she asked after she swallowed a forkful of potatoes.

  “My son,” he said as he cut into his chicken. “DeMonte.”

  “You have a picture?”

  “No.” Dani noticed his face stayed down as he took a bite.

  “Alright, new rules, no kid or Dad talk on Tuesday.”

  “Fair enough.” Rome’s eyes perked up again. “Any other rules?”

  “Hmm… Let’s see, my phone is off, is yours?”

  “Yes, I remembered your rule. If I hadn’t, it would have been going off a few times by now I’m sure.”

  “Tell me about it,” Dani said, letting out a bit of a sigh. It didn’t matter how many times she told her clients she wasn’t available on Tuesday evening, when she turned on her phone at the end of the night her voicemail was almost full. They aren’t that needy any other day. Or at least not that she noticed.

  “Fashion emergencies are that important?” he questioned.

  “I have some very clingy clients. I’m thinking of hanging out a shingle as a life coach.”

  “What are your qualifications?” he asked while spearing his asparagus. “Shouldn’t a life coach have achieved something?”

  “Why not slap me next time? At least the bruise will heal.”

  “I didn’t mean it that way,” he backpedaled. “The motivational speakers we bring in are fortune five-hundreds and stuff.”

  Dani crossed her arms.

  “Damn, I went from an earth shattering kiss to digging myself out of a hole.”

  “Earth shattering?” Dani questioned. It was good, the best she’d ever had, but earth shattering?

  “You’ve never kissed yourself.”

  Rome scooted his chair closer and pulled her onto his lap. Stroking back her hair, he cupped her head and brought her lips to his. This time, the kiss would not be stopped and he took full advantage. Dani couldn’t stop herself from melting against him. His fingers pulled at her hair and when their embrace broke, he trailed kisses down her neck. Chills shot down her center, perking her nipples and warming her core. Gently, he brought her back so they were nose to nose.

  “Dani,” he said as their lips brushed again and she couldn’t stop herself from going in for a deep kiss. She needed to taste more of him. Her lips were swollen and burned against his. “I know I’m not as good of a kisser as you are—”

  Caressing his lips with a few soft kisses she silenced him. “I’ve never been called earth shattering.”

  “You haven’t been kissing the right men,” he said as his hand rubbed up and down her side.

  “Truer words...” she breathed.

  “You know, we have quite a while before dessert.” His thumb stroked her cheek.

  “That is true.” Dani looked over at their half eaten plates, then to the empty stateroom. “Gosh, whatever could we do to fill the time?”

  “No phones, two subjects off limits, seems like sex is the only thing that makes sense.”

  Dani smiled wide. “That’s an option.”

  “Admit it, it would be the best Tuesday Treat ever.”

  “Maybe,” she teased as she slid off his lap and stood up behind him, then whispered in his ear, “But ever means it would only be a one-time thing.”

  Danika licked, then bit Jerome’s neck as if he needed encouragement. Why he saw a future with her he didn’t know, but he hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind all day. Actually all week. Between working out, strategizing with his attorney, and living in general. It wasn’t just during his downtime she monopolized his thoughts. He had to focus to not think of her. A kiss too close had him yearning for her lips, and now, after tasting them, all he wanted was to explore every bit of her. Get lost inside her body and discover a woman who wasn’t after him for his money or his ability on a football field. Such a rare creature would need to be cherished. Worse yet, she couldn’t be bent over a table…at least not on a boat with a half dozen people aboard whose only purpose was to serve them.

  “How about we go out on the deck?” she suggested.

  “It’s pretty cold out there.”

  Dani reached for his hand, it was massive between her two. He rose and let her lead him to the sliding doors. “Are you afraid you won’t be able to keep me warm?”

  Right as she reached the doors, he stopped and tugged her against his body. A seductive smile crossed her lips as she pressed herself against his hardened cock. Even in his loose pants he couldn’t hide it away. At least it wasn’t straining against a constricting fabric, but it was getting a bit uncomfortable at the moment.

  “Um, you know, you haven’t told me what you thought of my outfit,” he said and Dani chilled against him. “Or should I have asked before you turned off your phone.”

  She stepped away from him and gave him an unsure look. He wished it was because she was actually examining his outfit, instead she pushed her way out on the deck and walked out with her arms tight to her chest. Abandoning him in the dining area, Rome tried to figure out what had shifted so quickly.

  “Dani,” he called, only to notice the wind had picked up quite a bit. They were at least ten miles away from the shoreline and he made out random lights from the buildings glowing in such a way that the city skyline cut through the dark vale on the horizon. “Danika,” he yelled, this time and she turned her head to the side. Her dark hair whipped up behind her creating curls and waves.

  “I’m not a subtle woman, sorry, I can’t be. If I was I wouldn’t be me.” She turned to face him. A few of the lights that circled the ship illuminated her face, setting off her blue eyes even in the dark. “I find strong men attractive…sexy…how you can command a room and take over. Why can’t I be respected for acting the same way?”

  “Did you hit your head or something?” he asked, because he couldn’t understand
why she went from hot and bothered, to pissed and insecure.

  “Look, I know the game. All the proper ways for a woman to behave, but contrary to popular believe, women like sex as much as men.”

  “You did hit your head. Should I get Jack to turn the boat around?”

  Dani stepped toward him with her hand between her chest, “Why is it wrong for me to come on to you? Why can’t I tell you I want you to bend me over that railing and go all Titanic on me as you plow me so hard when you come, you go all Leo and yell about being the King of Chicago or something.”

  Rome wasn’t a hundred percent sure why Dani was having a sexual stroke. He figured it had something to do with some asshole complaining when she explained a fantasy. Either way, he figured he could silence her and hopefully find out the real fantasy she wanted to explore.

  “I don’t have a condom with me,” he confessed as he put his hands in his pant pockets. “You pull me out here or I rub myself for one more second against your body and well…one of two things would happen.”

  Rome cocked his head to the side happy to see Dani nibbling on her lip as her face flushed before him. Oh yeah, he had her and he might just skip dessert, or at least have a taste out here on the deck. Shaking his head, he refocused.

  “Dani, you can tell me anything you want me to do to you. Hell, you can tell me what you want to do to me, actually. I’d really like to hear that,” he said as he stepped closer, but not enough to touch…nope, he couldn’t control that throb in his groin for much longer. “I like women that are forward, it saves time, cuts back on guessing and allows me to pleasure you the way you deserve.”

  “The suit is nice, but it doesn’t do your body justice.” Her fingers curled around each other as she rocked back on her heels. Strong, yet fragile. God he wanted to hold her after he buried himself deep inside and brought out every ounce of her power. He shouldn’t have kissed her. He realized that now because the moment her lips moved to say more, he cupped her face in his hands and they fell into a kiss of control.

  Each wanting it, each needing it, and each wanting the other to have it. Yes, they could do very little to control themselves as their mouths fused, then broke and fused again. He lifted her at her hips and carried her to a deck chair with her arms wrapped around his neck. He dropped to his knees before her and bunched her long skirt up at her thighs. Inching his fingers up her thighs he locked his digits around the satin of her panties. Dani bit down on his bottom lip and arched her eyebrow at him. Challenging, yet timid. How could one woman be everything in one package?

  “You were right.”

  “About what?” he questioned.

  “Yacht tours with you are different.” Her toes pointed as her legs moved slowly up and down. She was like a kid trying to pick out what sweet treat she wanted, but not wanting to seem too anxious.

  “Looks like I’m being served dessert early,” he purred as he leaned in close to kiss her one last time. “You okay with me having it out here?” he asked as he tugged her panties down swiftly, making her squeal a bit and cover her lips with the tips of her fingers.

  When he ducked under her skirt, the sweet scent of her body hit him and the tip of his cock tingled. His fingers tightened around her thick thighs as he steadied himself, afraid he’d come just from the taste of her. He needed to pace himself or he’d end up opening himself up to another damn paternity suit. If only he could control his damn cock as well as he’d trained his emotions.

  A swish sounded right as his lips made contact to her soft folds and she smacked his head. Fuck him. For a millisecond he tasted her and wanted more. Like he gave two shits that someone came out on the deck. Dani went from a lounging position to scooting back against the chair so her pussy was no longer visible.

  With a flip to her skirt, he popped his head out and then arranged her skirt back over her legs. “There goes his tip,” Rome growled, then turned to look down the side of the boat where Jack was carrying a silver platter, two drinks and a set of chocolate desserts. “He’s a friend of your dad’s isn’t he?”

  “More of a business owner my father uses regularly.” The flush on Dani’s cheeks wasn’t from the cool weather or the brief moment his lips had touched a set of hers. Nope, pure embarrassment as she leaned over and placed her hands on her knees. “You know the worst thing about being at Navy Pier?”

  “What’s that?”

  “Too many people around for you to continue in your truck.”

  “How soon can we turn toward shore?” Rome asked as he pushed up from his kneeling position and stood to face Jack.

  “You have another forty-five minutes in the tour.”

  “Bet your wife would like it if you got off early, but still got paid the same.”

  “I’ll talk to the captain. I’m sure we can make it back to the docks in about fifteen minutes or so.”

  “Something tells me I’m not the only fast one on the boat. Everyone gets an extra hundred if we get there in less than ten.”

  “Very good, sir.”

  Jack tried to keep his walk even until Rome called out, “nine minutes and forty-three seconds.” Then it turned into a scamper. Soon, the yacht was clipping along Lake Michigan and Dani had to brace herself against Rome. Double win in his mind.

  “We might need to go inside or that chocolate cake will never get eaten,” she called above the roar of the boat and wind.

  “This cake?” he questioned as he picked up the confection with his hands because a fork could easily turn into a weapon when they hit a swell. He held it to her lips then quickly took a bite himself. “Oh yeah, we need to eat this cake. It’s amazing.”

  “I know it is,” she grumbled. “It’s my favorite.”

  “This is?” Rome teased as he took the second piece and started walking backward toward the door to the dining room. Dani followed, her pace quickening as he held the two pieces of cake above his head until she crashed into him with a great wrap up tackle. Looking down into her cool blue eyes, he couldn’t resist offering her a bite of cake.

  With a jolt, the yacht hit a swell and they both fell against the glass door. The cake he had at her lips smashed into her face and fell down her shirt.

  “Please say some of that fell inside your sweater?” he purred, imagining licking the butter cream icing from her body with bits of chocolate.

  Dani’s tongue licked at the cake covering her lips as she burst into a fit of laughter and slid to the deck. Sitting with her knees bent, she gathered herself as she wiped more of the cake from her face, then looked up at him still standing above her.

  “The rest of that piece is mine you know,” she stated as her eyes locked on his other hand still pulling a Statue of Liberty with his piece of cake.

  “I’ll fight you for it,” he laughed at the woman who wasn’t freaking out because she was covered in chocolate cake. Her sweater may be ruined and she was finding the humor in the situation. The boat was slowing and the door opened with Jack taking in the visual of the two fumbling lovers.

  “Will you be needing a box for the rest of your cake, sir?” he asked.

  “That’d be awesome,” Dani laughed, still using her finger to clear her face of icing. “And a handful of napkins.”

  “Right away. We’re pulling into dock now.”

  “Tell the captain I’ve never been on a more calming cruise,” Dani chuckled and extended her hand for Rome to help her up.

  Dani had to admit, laughing was the best relaxation method she’d found to date. She and Rome would intermingle laughs between kisses as they stumbled toward his car. A passerby might think they were intoxicated. Maybe they were, just not by the little bit of alcohol they’d drank. No, it was a mixture of lust and chocolate. Although she’d wiped her face mostly clean, Rome was able to find his own bits of sugar still lingering as he trailed kisses down her neck to her chest. They were practically undressing each other by the time they fell against his SUV.

  The sounds of people coming and going emphasized the poi
nt she made on the boat. Navy Pier was too damn busy.

  “My house is only fifteen minutes from here,” he said as he opened her door.

  “I’ve got a hundred bucks that says you can get there in ten,” she challenged while taking the two fresh pieces of cake Jack had boxed up for them. The door slammed shut and he raced to his side.

  Speed kills had a whole new meaning as Rome cut through traffic and she understood how big his vehicle was compared to hers. The rush of adrenaline mixed with her already aroused body and she had to close her eyes as if she were on a rollercoaster to control herself. Her eyes snapped open when Rome turned the vehicle off. Looking out her window she saw she was in a tight garage as she slowly opened the door to not hit the wall.

  Rome stood at the back of the vehicle and scooped her up in his arms. Her feet didn’t touch the ground as he carried her up the steps to his brownstone all the while licking her neck. The sound of metal on glass made a clink when he tossed his keys into a bowl by the front door before they fell into his foyer. Although she assumed the steps led to the bedroom, neither of them had the patience at the moment.

  Pinned against the wall, he claimed her lips as heat rushed to her core. The dampness would have pooled if she’d been smart enough to gather her panties on the boat. Instead, they were there for all her embarrassment that might hit sometime next week. Now, all she could focus on was the wet arousal trickling down her thigh and the fact Rome had grasped her leg and wrapped it around his waist.

  “We need to go upstairs,” he gasped while removing her shirt, sending crumbs of cake flying. Pushing aside the cup from her bra, he took her breast into his mouth, teasing the nipple as he sucked hard.

  “Oh God, we do,” she moaned with one leg locked around his waist and the other extended to a tiptoe. One of his hands glided between them and his fingers entered her. She bucked her head back and arched into the invading digits as they thrust and swirled.

  “Jerome, I know you’re in there,” a woman yelled while violently pounding on the front door.