Never Too Much Page 19

  She still wore her shorts.

  Ben nodded at them. “Take ’em off.”

  She kept her gaze glued to him while she did as he asked. They bumped elbows and shoulders, tangled their legs, and it took a little acrobatic work but finally they were both naked. Breathing hard, Ben moved on top of her and growled with the sheer pleasure of feeling her small, silky body beneath him. He closed his eyes and absorbed the feel of her, where she belonged. Heaven.

  “No fair, Ben.”

  Her grumbling tone barely penetrated his fog of need. “How’s that?”

  “I want to look at you, too.”

  God, he hurt. “How about showing a little mercy, here, sweetheart? I promise when we’re done, you can look at me all you want.”

  “All right, but I’ll hold you to that.”

  How the hell could she string so many words together?

  She touched his nipple, and Ben inhaled sharply. “What about birth control?”

  Ben’s sluggish brain refused to work. He had to concentrate hard. “Yeah. Rubbers. Got ’em in my wallet.” He ruthlessly brought himself under control. Never in his life had he forgotten birth control. More than most men, he understood his responsibilities. He would never compromise a woman that way, and Sierra wasn’t just any woman. He stopped and drew several deep breaths.

  “Ben,” she complained, her hands busy on his chest, his shoulders. “Why are you waiting?”

  “I don’t want to rush things.” He wanted to blow her mind with pleasure, to overwhelm her with his finesse, to hook her for good.

  When he finished with her, she wouldn’t have him out of her system at all. Hell no. She’d be addicted.

  He heard her long sigh, then: “Ben.”

  Eyes closed, nostrils flaring, he said, “What?”

  “Rush things.”

  He blinked at her insistent tone, smiled despite himself, and smoothed his hand over her rounded hip. “So demanding.”

  Snagging up his jeans, he located his wallet, but his muscles were so tight he felt awkward and accidentally dumped it. Jesus, where had his finesse gone?

  He ignored the scattered bills and credit cards and grabbed for a condom. He got it on in record time and settled over Sierra again. She moved against him, making his breath catch.

  “Damn, I’m on the ragged edge here, Sierra. I want to be careful with you, I really do. But I’ve waited too long, wanted you too much, and more than anything I’m dying to get inside you.”

  Her arms looped around his neck. “It’s where I want you to be.”

  Damn. “You don’t understand. One fast tumble isn’t even going to take the edge off.”

  Sierra stroked her hands down his back to his bare buttocks. She lightly stroked him with her nails. “I’ve got all night.”

  Ben’s flagging control shattered. Seeing her through a haze of need, he reached between their bodies and slid his fingers between her thighs until her swollen sex was slick and open. Sierra moaned and squirmed. She was so wet, both from her recent climax and from renewed desire, that Ben knew sinking into her would be damn sweet.

  He watched her face and slowly pushed two fingers into her, opening her more, preparing her.

  She twisted beneath him, sexy little sounds coming from deep in her throat. “Ben, please.”

  He withdrew his fingers to touch her swollen clitoris and she bowed so hard, she nearly dislodged him. Her breath came fast and hard and she held him so tight, he knew she was ready. He directed the head of his cock inside, felt her open around him, felt the wet heat closing on him, her clenching muscles pulling at him.

  Sierra’s eyes closed on a gasp; his jaw locked in acute pleasure.

  Steadily pushing forward, Ben sank into her until they were fully joined, his whole length buried deep. Sierra caught her breath and held it; he growled.

  Their heartbeats galloped together.

  “Ah . . . God.” Her fingers tangled in his hair, and she whimpered.

  Ben couldn’t take it. “Damn it.” He levered up on stiffened arms, withdrew and drove hard into her again. She raised her arms above her head, wanton, vulnerable, and she sobbed, a sound of mind-numbing excitement. She was slick, her muscles grabbing hold of him, squeezing. He pulled almost all the way out, felt her try to follow, and drove back in.

  She wrapped her legs high around his waist and that opened her even more, sent him deeper inside her. He hammered into her, his gaze fierce on her face, his jaw locked, his muscles sweating and clenching and quivering.

  Her plump breasts shivered from his thrusts, her nipples puckered and flushed dark, still wet from his mouth. He could smell her, the combined scent that was uniquely Sierra and the spicy aroma of her arousal. He felt cocooned in sensuality and heat and something more, something he’d never experienced with any other woman. This was Sierra, and goddammit, it was different.

  Her eyes went blank as she stared up at him and Ben knew she was ready to come. Keeping his thrusts steady, all his concentration now on her pleasure, he watched her lips part in a silent cry, her body straining. “Come on, sweetheart,” he urged, thrusting, withdrawing, thrusting again. “Come for me.”

  She called out his name, caught on the waves of sensation—pleasure that he’d given her.

  It was enough. It was too much.

  Ben closed his eyes and groaned out his own release. It seemed she wrung him out, the tension going on and on until he didn’t think he could move again, until he was too drained to hold himself up. He dropped down onto Sierra and heard her small huff as she took his weight. He knew he needed to say something good, something endearing. But the only words that came to his mind were too profound.

  I love you.

  Don’t ever leave me.

  Damn. His brain throbbed in the aftermath. She wasn’t ready to hear that. She still thought in temporary terms.

  Ben squeezed his eyes shut and forced himself to think logically. What did he usually say to women afterward? Something about it being nice, about it being special. Something sincere but noncommittal. He joked or teased, lightening the mood.

  But that didn’t feel right, to use catch phrases for Sierra. She was special, and she went a far sight beyond nice. He couldn’t make light of it. Making love to her was . . . well, mind blowing.

  God, he’d blown his own mind, not hers. Pathetic.

  Ben argued with himself for several more minutes before the silence stretched out to an uncomfortable degree. He didn’t want to hurt her, ever, so he’d just have to think of something.

  “Sierra.” He lifted his head and saw her eyes were closed, her body utterly still, her breathing deep and calm. He had to kiss her open mouth, had to touch her small ear. “Sweetheart?”

  Her reply was a snuffling snore as she settled more comfortably into the sofa cushions.

  Eyes widening in surprise, Ben said again, “Sierra?”

  She stirred but didn’t awaken. Ben chuckled to himself, grateful for the reprieve so he could figure himself out before he had to make any declarations to her.

  Carefully, not wanting to awaken her, he separated their bodies. She’d wanted to make love all night, but she obviously wasn’t up for that. Hell, Ben thought, she wasn’t even conscious. He pressed a soft kiss to her temple.

  How much of an emotional burden had she been carrying all alone? Why the hell hadn’t Kent run her ex off for her? It seemed that for every advancement he made with Sierra, more questions arose.

  She stirred against him, making Ben’s heart pound. He considered his options and came to a quick decision. He hadn’t liked the idea of leaving her alone to begin with, and now, if he could keep her asleep, he wouldn’t have to.

  When he stood, one of her slim legs slid off the side of the couch to put her in an inelegant but visually stimulating sprawl. He glanced at her nude length, but his eyes were drawn again and again to the damp auburn curls between her thighs, to her tender, swollen pink sex. So tempting.

  Oh man, he wanted to touch her. He
wanted to taste her.

  Better not. At least not yet. She’d hoped to get him out of her system, so it was up to Ben to prove to her that she couldn’t. If he took advantage of her now . . . no, she wouldn’t like that.

  She was so stubborn, so set on her course, he’d have to work hard to show her that he wasn’t a temporary craze, that he wasn’t a man she “could get out of her system.”

  Ben scooped her slight, dead weight into his arms and carried her to the twin bed. She must have been some time without sleep, given she didn’t move from where he laid her. He literally had to put the pillow beneath her head.

  He went into the bathroom to dispose of the condom. He shook his head at himself; if it hadn’t been for Sierra’s reminder, would he have taken her without protection? What if she’d gotten pregnant?

  He paused, hands braced on the edge of the sink, staring blindly into the basin. He adored women, and God knew he enjoyed sex, but he didn’t let either rule his common sense. He never took chances, never forgot himself. He hated his father for what he’d done, how his mother and Noah had both paid for his irresponsibility. At a very young age, he’d vowed that he’d be different, that there’d be no similarities between himself and the bastard who’d fathered him.

  Yet with Sierra, he’d nearly forgotten himself. If she hadn’t stopped him, he’d have slid into her with no barriers, just flesh on flesh—and God, it would have been good. Ben shuddered just thinking about it. He’d never had sex without a rubber, but he’d love to feel Sierra and only Sierra.

  Would it really be so bad if she got pregnant?

  Appalled at his own thoughts, Ben jerked upright. He was rushing things again, damn it, when Sierra didn’t even want him around. Yet.

  He shook his head, anxious to get beside her again. He washed up, even borrowing Sierra’s toothbrush without remorse. He loved her, he fully intended to sway her into loving him back, so sharing a toothbrush was no big deal.

  When he finished cleaning up, he went through the living room and kitchen, checking to make sure the new window locks were secure and bolting her front door. He slept light, so he left her bedroom window wide open and positioned the box fan to bring in some of the cooler night air. Without air-conditioning, the small building was stuffy and far too warm—but he’d be sleeping with Sierra, so he considered that discomfort only a small price to pay.

  After turning out the light, Ben slid into bed naked beside her. It was a close fit so he spooned her, hugging her into his arms, loving the feel of her round bottom against his groin. He cupped a breast possessively, kissed her ear with absent-minded affection, and stared into the darkness.

  He had a lot to think about—her ex-husband, her safety, his own incredible reaction to her and the fact that he’d fallen in love with a woman who fought him every chance she got—a woman who claimed she wanted to get him out of her system. Ben snorted at her silliness. He wasn’t going anywhere and she’d just have to accept it.

  But all that aside, he was here with her now—he gave her a squeeze to prove it to himself—and so he’d sleep, and hold her, and most of all, he’d love her.

  Tomorrow he’d begin to work things out.

  Somehow.

  Chapter Eleven

  Sierra stretched with a groan, and stilled when she felt the hard, hot, hairy body against her back. Her eyes rounded with shock and she went on one elbow to look behind her, and found Ben smiling at her in the dim morning light.

  “Hey, sleepyhead.” His arms tightened, toppling her off her elbow and landing her across his chest.

  Utterly dumbfounded, she reared up to stare at him some more. He looked . . . wonderful. His sinfully dark eyes were heavy lidded, his jaw dark with beard shadow, his black hair rumpled. One side of his mouth kicked up and he stroked a hand down her back to her bottom. His palm covered her and he squeezed.

  “Ben!”

  His smile widened, sleepy and suggestive and oh so sexy. “Do you always look like this in the morning?”

  Sierra blinked, trying to absorb the memories that came crashing back to her sleep-fogged brain. It wasn’t easy, considering Ben was in her bed. And evidently, he’d . . . slept with her.

  Damn, had she gotten him out of her system or not? As she wondered about that, his large rough hand lazily stroked her bottom cheek, making her shiver and giving her an answer. Not.

  “It was a simple question, Sierra.”

  Her eyes nearly crossed. “What question?”

  His fingers pressed between her cheeks, touching her sex from behind. “Do you always look like this in the morning?”

  She could barely catch her breath. Her body automatically tightened, her back arched. “Probably,” she squeaked. Then, feeling self-conscious, she shook her head. “How bad do I look?”

  He fondled her upper thigh, squeezed. In a throaty rumble, he said, “You look entirely edible.”

  Oh God. “I have to pee.”

  In self-preservation, Sierra slid off the bed, realized what she’d said, and looked back at Ben in absolute horror. Sex had fried her brain!

  He smiled in male indulgence. “Go on. I’ll wait here.”

  Sierra fled. The bathroom was right around the wall, and she darted inside, then accidentally slammed the door behind her. Dropping against it, she stared blankly at the far wall. Gray predawn light filtered in through the small window. She was naked and had slept with Ben. All night.

  All night.

  And he wanted to get sexual again this morning. Her heart began racing and already a funny stirring made her belly tingle and her breasts feel full and sensitive. Damn, damn, damn.

  Vaguely, she remembered thinking she’d get her fill of him, sate herself on his body, and then be done with him. It was the safe thing to do.

  Logically, she’d expected him to be ready to walk. Regardless of anything he’d said, she knew her biggest lure for Ben had to be that she didn’t fall at his feet as most women probably did. That thought made her scowl because she had seen his effect on women. They all wanted him—hell, they’d probably all had him.

  She still wouldn’t fall at his feet, but she’d intended to make last night one that would last her a lifetime and would appease his need for conquest.

  Instead, he’d had sex with her only once and then slept with her. Sierra closed her eyes on a moan. Ben had been naked next to her all night long. The thought was enough to boggle her already fractured mind.

  Well, there was no going back now, so she’d just have to make sure that no one knew they’d spent the night together. If Griff found out, she didn’t know what he might do. But Ben had worked too hard on his business and had been far too nice to her to be forced to pay for her mistakes.

  What time was it? Would Kent be showing up soon?

  Filled with a new urgency, Sierra hurriedly used the bathroom, splashed her face, combed her hair and gargled. When she started to open the door, she hesitated. She didn’t have a single stitch on. He’d already noticed that, of course, so modesty now would be moot, not to mention silly. But still . . .

  Ben tapped on the door. “Can I have a turn?”

  Dumbly, Sierra opened the door and stared at him some more. They hadn’t turned a single light on yet, but she didn’t need much light to appreciate how good he looked.

  She stood eye level to his chest—and wow, he had such a great chest. Somewhat hairy, but not overly. Muscular and wide. Great pecs. She remembered how his chest hair had abraded her nipples when he’d moved over her the night before, deep and steady and hot . . . She shivered.

  He had a really great abdomen too, hard and flat, with a happy little trail of silky hair leading down to his . . . her face heated with both embarrassment and interest.

  He was hard.

  Ben tapped her mouth shut. “Morning wood. It happens all the time.”

  Sierra forced her wide eyes up to his face—but she did so slowly, savoring the sight of him.

  Gloriously naked, tall and strong and . . . perfect, he sto
od there in her doorway smiling. She loved his smile. She loved his body. She sighed in something of a lustful trance.

  Ben stepped around her, patted her butt, and being outrageous, said, “How about you go arrange yourself on the bed? Maybe lay back with your pretty legs open. No sheets, okay? I’ll be right there. And Sierra? Think about what I’m going to do to you.”

  “Do to me?”

  “Yep. After we talk.” He closed the door in her face.

  Sierra stood there for a long moment, speechless, before stomping away. Wait for him naked? Not likely. She groped around in her dresser drawer until she located a large tee. The sleeves fell to her elbows and the hem landed just above her knees. After crawling into the bed, she pulled the sheet to her chin. She checked the clock, saw it was only five-thirty, and realized she had an hour and a half before she needed to be up, two hours before Kent would arrive to go to work with her.

  True to Ben’s word, she’d slept last night. Or more like she’d passed out. She barely remembered anything beyond the incredible wash of numbing pleasure. Experiencing an orgasm while Ben filled her up and touched her everywhere, was a part of her, went beyond mere pleasure.

  She knew it was selfish of her, but she wanted more. Maybe they could use the rest of the morning to overindulge, then she’d be through with him.

  Ben reappeared. He looked at her curled in the bed with the sheet covering her, shook his head, and said, “Spoilsport.”

  And he walked away!

  Alarmed, Sierra scurried out of the bed to follow him. Since he was here, she didn’t want him to leave. Not yet. Not when she knew exactly what he could do and how much she’d like it.

  But he’d only gone to her phone. Here at the front of her home, the bright outdoor lights coming through the kitchen and living room window offered more illumination, but since they were closed and locked, this part of the house was very warm.

  “What are you doing?”

  He picked up the phone and dialed. “Ordering room service.”