Chapter One
Darcy Evans pulled her front door open and let her eyes rake over the handsome blond haired man leaning against the door frame. Her heart seemed to bounce around in her rib cage and her loneliness dissolved instantly. His brilliant blue eyes sparkled down at her as a slow smile showed off that cute dimple on his left cheek. Perfect white teeth peeked out from behind the sensuous lips that played a starring role in many of her fantasies.
She smiled back, soaking in his presence. It was pathetic how much she’d missed him this past week. She should have gone out for drinks with her friends or something. Anything that would signify that she actually had a life outside of the kitchen and this incredible, seductive man.
He pulled a bouquet of pink flowers from behind his back.
“Happy Birthday.”
He remembered! Oh yes, he really was perfect. Her own father couldn’t be bothered to remember the day his daughter was born, but Aiden…Aiden came from a family that celebrated important events.
“Thank you!” She accepted the bouquet and cuddled the flowers to her chest. Lilies. She inhaled deeply, letting the intoxicatingly sweet scent wash over her. He stepped across the threshold, looking every bit the successful surgeon in his coal gray suit, and she raised her cheek for his kiss.
Aiden Sinclair had been her friend since they’d shared a wall two apartments ago. They’d been lovers for the last three blissful months and for the past week he’d been in Houston for a medical conference. Even though he’d called her throughout the week, there was nothing quite like being in his arms, feeling his touch, his kiss.
He strode into her living room and she followed, admiring his easy movements. Some men would look restricted, uptight in a suit…but not him. His long legs gave him a sexy swagger. Sometimes she envisioned him as a heart stealing, treasure plundering pirate…maybe he was in a past life.
As usual, he looked completely at home and that familiar fantasy took over…the one where he came home to her every night. She could see him standing in the foyer, flipping through mail, or shaving, first thing in the morning. It was a dangerous fantasy, one that would be so easy to wish for. But she had no business wishing for such things, they’d only been together for three months… and four days, but who was counting.
She grimaced.
She was counting.
Aiden stopped next to the black and white cat on the arm of the sofa. Green-gold eyes squinted open and stared up at him. He gave Cookie a long stroke and then scratched under her chin. Cookie looked up at Darcy as if to say “Haha…I’m getting all the love.” It was pathetic to be jealous of a feline. Really, it was…but she knew what it felt like to be petted and caressed by those masterful hands.
He pulled a small fuzzy mouse from his pocket and placed it between the cat’s front paws. “A little something to keep you occupied,” he said and straightened.
Yep, definitely perfect. She bit her tongue to keep from shouting “marry me now!”
He turned and gave her one of his trademark smiles. For a moment she wondered if she’d spoken out loud, but then he whispered “I have a surprise for you too,”and her insides went to mush.
“I like surprises,” she purred, letting her fingers walk up his chest. At six feet tall, Aiden was God’s gift to womankind. Golden blond hair, bright turquoise eyes, and a come- hither-smile that had women crawling over each other to get to him. Whether he was in a suit, scrubs, or nothing but skin, he was breathtaking. Trapping her hand under his, he made a sound somewhere between a growl and a groan. It reverberated through her blood, all the way to her toes. How could this man turn her on so quickly? So often?
Wrapping his hands around her rib cage, his thumbs grazed the side of her breasts and she fought for self control so she wouldn’t push herself into his hands. She needed to play hard to get, at least occasionally.
The truth was she was putty in his hands. And he knew it.
“So,” she said, tearing herself away from him and his dreamy eyes. She strode into the kitchen, letting her hips sway. “What’s my surprise?” she asked, knowing he’d follow her.
She stopped at the sink and pulled out a vase from the cabinet below. He was just an inch behind her, she could feel his heat, smell his scent… raw masculinity mixed with the freshness of shaving cream.
He clamped his hands around her hips and pulled her ass against his erection.
“No surprise there, big boy.”
“You’ll get your surprise soon enough.” A strong hand ran down her thigh, past the hem of her skirt to the naked flesh of her leg. Slowly, seductively, he drew his hand upward, pulling the fabric up with it. It was far too easy to succumb to the touch she thought of every day and dreamed of every night.
So she swatted his hand away and pushed him over to a nearby chair.
“Let me finish this,” she murmured, taking the lilies out of the wrapping and then slowly, precisely cutting off the stems before slipping each one into the vase. She knew his eyes were following her every movement. And he was probably willing her to hurry up. She was planning on it.
Never had she met a man who was so attentive. Who wanted her so much. Sometimes when Aiden looked at her, her knees actually went weak. She’d always thought that was a made up reaction, something for the movies. But with him, it was real. And fierce.
“So how was your trip?” she asked as she filled the vase with water.
“Typical conference. A bunch of boring doctors and hotel food. I could have really used my personal chef,” he said. He often called her his personal chef since she was a personal chef for the rich and famous. Aiden wasn’t rich, although he was a doctor and famous with the little old ladies at the hospital. But he did love her food and Darcy loved to feed him.
“Is that your way of saying you missed me?” she teased.
“Of course I missed you. I missed your biscuits. Your smile. And a few other things.”
Aiden winked at her as she turned from the sink, her focus on him now. He gave her a naughty grin, wanting her undivided attention tonight. She was playing with him. Making him want her. Miss her, even though only a handful of space separated them. She coked her head and gave him a secret smile, small but effective. His cock tightened painfully in his pants.
He wanted that shiny lipstick on his skin. Her pale pink lips locked on his cock. To wake up in the morning and have the glittering tattoos remind him of what an awesome night they’d shared.
Her brown eyes sparkled as she ran her fingers through the chocolate colored strands of her hair, twisting it to the side.
His hands itched to take over the job. She wound it up into a bun on the top of her head, showing off the delectable column of her neck.
He couldn’t wait to get his lips on her, to taste her skin. It was always warm, soft, and delicately scented. She used different lotions each day and he found himself daydreaming between surgeries. Would she smell of honeysuckle, roses or something spicier? Thoughts of Darcy were distracting especially when he was supposed to be concentrating on other things, like work. Or driving. Or lifting an extra twenty pounds on the bench press.
He had it bad.
Darcy had finally become the butterfly he’d known was fluttering under the surface all these years. Her new found confidence was sexy as hell. She showed off her skin now instead of covering it up. She made eye contact with people. She smiled more.
Three months ago he’d seen that spark in her eyes come to life and known she was ready for a relationship. She was ready to stop denying their chemistry.
Thank God for that.
He leaned forward as if asking for permission to get closer. Her gaze was drawn to the soft blue tie against the dark gray shirt. From there she studied the sharp line of the perfectly pressed collar against the freshly shaved skin of his neck. She couldn’t wait to kiss and lick there. And upwards to his earlobe and over to each sexy side burn. Her nipples tightened beneath the soft lace of her bra.
She was aching to get out of her clothes. To be naked against him, flesh against flesh with only a fine sheen of sweat separating them. She smiled and drew him to her with a flick of her finger.
In two steps he was across the kitchen, wrapping his arms around her. His lips came down hard on hers, shocking her with his intensity. She tipped her head back giving him better access, offering herself to him.
He teased and taunted her with the tip of his tongue. It was a game he often played. She knew he wasn’t just asking for entrance. He was priming her, seducing her. But she had her own tools for seduction.
She reached between them and cupped his erection with her hand. He was already fabulously hard and she enjoyed the feel of him beneath the soft fabric of his pants.
“I want you.” The fierce need in his voice sent a shiver of delight over her skin. Secret parts that she’d long neglected now clenched with need. He nibbled his way down her jaw and a sigh escaped her lips as she melted against him. Removing her hand, she pressed her hips against the hard ridge between them. “You must want me too,” he said against her skin.
“Never,” she whispered, teasing him just like he teased her. He ran his fingers through her hair and tightened his fist, pulling her head back.
“I don’t believe that, gorgeous. You were waiting for me at the door.” He stared down at her with intense blue eyes that reminded her of the ocean. Getting lost in the waves. Floating for hours on end. She licked her lips. “I’d hardly finished knocking.”
“Hmm uh.” She had been waiting for him. Anxiously. Needing him. His warm smile, strong hands…
“Take it back.” His whisper was rough.
Trying now to giggle, she shook her head. “Never.” They were so close she could make out every fleck of color in his beautiful eyes.
Her hardened nipples brushed against his chest and she silently willed him to touch her there. “Tell me.”
Again, she fought off a laugh, loving this game, delighting in the desperation in his voice.
“I can feel it, even if you won’t tell me the truth.” He let go of her hair and slid both hands down her sides. Hoping against hope that he’d somehow heard her silent plea, she sucked in her stomach and tried not to laugh as his fingers tickled her sides.
No such luck.
“You should never lie to your doctor,” he scolded, even though the only time she’d ever been his patient was in the bedroom. “I can see those sweet little nipples beading beneath your bra. They’re begging for my lips Darcy, admit it.”
He was staring straight down the front of her dress, looking smug. Knowing the effect his words had on her. How they made her nipples ache for him. How her insides went warm and mushy, and lower…her body clenched with need. Flooded with desire.
“Then there’s the catch in your breath whenever I get close,” he murmured, his lips a few inches below her left ear. The temperature in the kitchen spiked. “You can’t denyit. Or the way you tremble when I do this.” His thumbs grazed the curve of her breast. “Or this.” He moved down to circle her pelvic bone, effectively stoking the fire that lay beneath.
His touch was so teasing. Almost innocent. With the potential to be so very naughty. Her breasts swelled, aching and heavy. Her pussy became wetter every instant.
“Touch me,” she begged when his fingers stalled at her hips. Really touch me.
“Say it.” His eyes met hers and she noticed an emotion she’d never seen there before. He was always so confident. Easy to get along with. He almost seemed unsure. Like he needed to hear her say the words to prove how she felt. And at the same time, his jaw hardened, reminding her of how much he liked to be in control. Everything submissive and feminine in her softened, ready to hand over the control he sought.
“I missed you.”
Immediately his hands slid up and cupped both breasts. Thank God for surgeons and their talented hands. She moaned as he rolled the pebbled peaks between his fingers. “I do believe you like that,” he murmured, watching her.
He tugged harder then. A sweet pleasure/pain radiated from the hard tips and she pushed herself into his hands.
“You know what I love?” he asked, his face once again buried against the tender skin of her throat. Her heart did a little flip even as the little voice in her mined cried not me.
“What?” Jeez, she sounded breathless, like she’d just run up the stairs to her condo instead of taking the elevator.
“The little sounds you make when I play with your nipples.”
His words set off something inside her. Invisible, yearning, powerful. Cupping his face between her hands she kissed him like she wanted to crawl inside him, merge with him. Over and over she skimmed his lips with hers. Tempting him with her tongue. Torturing him with her teeth. Making it all better with deep, soul consuming kisses that left her panting for breath. But it wasn’t enough.
He quickly slid his hands behind her, cupping her ass. His fingers massaged the twin globes, driving her wild. Inside she grew moist both from anticipation and the pleasure his palms caused. What she wouldn’t give for a few hours alone with this man, this strong talented man, massaging her most secret erogenous zones.
She wrapped a leg around him, slowly, shamelessly grinding against his erection. He groaned against her lips and hauled her up against him fully. She loved it when he made those desperate sounds and went all macho and possessive on her. In her world men dominated the horizon and rarely showed her the time of day. But with Aiden, she was his sole focus. And he made sure she knew it.
She wrapped her legs around him, holding on tight as their tongues danced back and forth.
Soon she was out of breath, needed to gasp for air but couldn’t seem to pull away. Aiden took a few steps back. Abruptly he sat down and through her foggy lust filled haze she was thankful he had the presence of mind to keep them from falling. As he unzipped her dress, his lips traveled down along her jaw. And then further south as he pushed the black silk material down around her waist. Her breasts were encased in black lace and he made a sound low in his throat that she knew instinctively was appreciation. His eyes were focused, on fire…for her. His breathing, deep and erratic.
God, she couldn’t wait to feel him inside her.
Aiden took love making to a whole new plain. He gave every bit of himself, took every measure to please her. He was tireless.
When she’d first lost her virginity two years ago she’d wondered what all the fuss was about. And she hadn’t been at all sad that she’d waited.
For years she’d suffered with psoriasis. And because of it she hadn’t let anyone close. Ever. No shorts. No swimming. No sex. Thank God for modern medicine. Now she lived in shorts, swim suits, and had definitely learned a thing or two about sex. Thanks to Aiden.
He played with one nipple as he gently nibbled the other through the delicate fabric. She laced her fingers behind his neck and let her hair fall back as she enjoyed the sparks of sensation he created.
Stopping the sweet torture on her nipples, he fiddled with his pants. As he did, his fingers brushed against her pussy. A few breaths later and she heard him murmur his satisfaction.
She barely caught a glimpse of him before he’d pulled the skirt of her dress up and ran his fingers between her silk covered lips. He pulled the fabric out of the way with one finger and then returned to slide the back of his hand against her clit.
He was such a tease. Her body knew he was just playing with her, making her squirm and want him more. But she couldn’t stop the little shudders of pleasure that coursed through her with each brush of his hand.
“I think you’ve been missing me,” he said as he slid a finger through the wet folds. She tipped her pelvis forward trying to increase the pressure but he was faster and quickly pulled his hand away. She whimpered.
“Uh, uhh, uh my sexy little woman. Not until I think you’re ready.”
“I’m ready. More than ready.” To prove her point she wrapped her hand around his cock and stroked him up and down.
He sucked in a sharp breath and slid a finger inside her. She relaxed back and opened herself to his exploration. He curled his finger forward just enough to tease her. But it wasn’t–
“Enough!” She needed more. Much more.
He laughed. “Want something else?”
“Something bigger,” she agreed, frazzled and needy and very near the end of conscious thought.
He wrapped his hands around her hips and lifted her. She reached between them and guided the tip of his cock to her pussy. He stared into her eyes for what seemed like hours, but couldn’t have been more than milliseconds.
“Happy birthday…” Aiden said just before his cock plunged into her. “To you. Happy birthday to you.”
He pulled out, his hands clamping her hips as he lifted her and Darcy moaned her protest.
She grabbed his shoulders and pushed herself onto him, loving how each inch filled her. The walls of her pussy clamped around him.
“Happy birthday, Dear sweet Darcy…” His strong arms lifted her up and down. His cock sliding in and out. “Happy birthday to you,” he said brushing his lips against hers.
She smiled and then ran her tongue along his lips loving the way he tenderly nibbled on it. Nibbling was her Achilles heel. She had plenty of soft spots and he was learning them all. Last week he’d nibbled on the spot between her neck and shoulder and she’d about dissolved into a puddle right there in the restaurant lounge.
He continued his nibbling down her jaw to her neck where he licked little patterns along her skin. She tried to be patient. Really she did. But she was at the brink. So close she could taste it. She raked her nails across his back urging him up the mountain toward fulfillment and ecstasy.
“Oh hell, I’ve missed you too damn much.”
Again, his words ignited her and together they pumped against each other. She wrapped her legs through the chair for leverage so she could thrust harder. His fingers bruised her hips as he helped her keep the frenzied rhythm.
Her thighs screamed with pain, begging her to stop. But she couldn’t, not until she found that wonderful release. She leaned back as far as she dared, trying to improve the angle. Strong hands moved to support her back. Her panties created a delicious friction but she knew she couldn’t keep the marathon up forever. She wasn’t some athlete or wonder woman.
Reaching between them she fingered her clit, rubbing round and round until that blissful warmth started to rush through her. It filled her like a blinding light from the tips of her toes to the roots of her hair.
Panting, she waited for Aiden to join her in release but he quickly lifted her off his lap and she stumbled back. His cock stood at attention, glistening. He was breathing hard, staring at her like he was going crazy with want. Still wearing his suit, he looked incredibly erotic. Like passion had overtaken him and there hadn’t even been time to undress.
“What’s wrong?” she asked while trying to drag air into her lungs.
“Nothing, gorgeous.”
“You didn’t come,” she said stating the obvious, not caring that she sounded confused and slightly accusatory. Not caring about the possible consequences.
“But I will. Don’t forget I have a surprise for you,” he said and began to undo his tie. “Why don’t you go get comfortable and I’ll pour us some wine.”
The sexy little raise of his eye brow prompted her to do his bidding, her stomach fluttering with excitement. She practically skipped from the room, eager for her surprise. She hung her dress up but tossed her bra and panties in the hamper. Comfortable he’d said.
She pulled the black and white satin babydoll and matching panties from her lingerie chest. Aiden had bought the ensemble for her about a month ago. She smiled, thinking of his thoughtfulness. He was always showering her with compliments and gifts. Sometimes she wondered how she’d gotten so lucky.
When she remembered all the times she’d dreamed of the future, of a life without such a debilitating condition, being able to wear such a sensual outfit… she’d cried more tears than any woman should have to cry. She was thankful that part of her life was under control and she could continue looking forward.
Forward to evenings like tonight, she thought with another smile as she tugged the scrap of satin over her head and tied the little matching bows on each shoulder.
“I should have brought birthday cake,” Aiden called.
“No, you shouldn’t have,” she called back as she jerked the thong up her legs and over her hips.
“A great bottle of wine will have to do then,” he said as he placed the goblets on her side table. She heard the soft strain of jazz in the air as she stepped into her bedroom and let the giddiness rush through her. Damn, it felt like her first time. Only better. It always did with him.
“I did manage to scrounge up some cheese and pâté.” He gave her a grin that should have been illegal. “Or maybe I should just forget about the food and have you for a snack.” Two steps and they were toe to toe.
He’d discarded his jacket and tie. The top button of his shirt was open, giving her a tantalizing view. She’d kiss that spot later.
“You’re so soft,” he murmured, running his hand down her back to cup her ass.
“And you’re so hard.” He had tucked his cock back into his slacks, but she could still feel it. With shaking hands she reached up to undo the rest of his shirt buttons.
“It’s all your fault, gorgeous.” What was? She stared at him, frowning. Oh, yeah. Him being hard.
“When are you going to tell me what my surprise is?” She put on her cutest pouty face. With the last four buttons undone, he stepped back.
“Not yet. You’re so cute when you beg though.” He handed her a glass of Merlot and held the other to his lips.
“Is that right?” She savored the fruity taste and then crawled onto the bed. “Maybe I should beg a little more.”
“Maybe you should.” He held a pâté covered cracker between them. She took it between her teeth and waited for him to do the same.
The cracker crumbled between them, melting on her tongue. She savored the flavors and the look in his eyes. He made her feel beautiful, desirable. She smiled at him and he smiled back.
Together they finished off the cheese and crackers. Aiden refilled her goblet and then approached the edge of the bed.
“Here’s the first part of your surprise.” He let a black blindfold dangle from his fingers.