Never Too Much Page 20

  “We’re not in your motel!”

  He shrugged, and being that he was naked, it was quite distracting. “There are perks to being the owner.”

  When she started to reply to that, he held up one finger to hush her and said into the phone, “Yeah, this is Ben Badwin.” He grinned his teasing grin, making Sierra grind her teeth. “Well, good morning to you too.”

  Who had answered? One of the waitresses who no doubt wanted him? Which of the waitresses didn’t want him?

  “Could you get someone to run a pot of coffee and doughnuts across the street to me? Yeah, at the landscaping place. That’d be great. Thanks.” He hung up.

  Sierra felt hot with embarrassment and fury. “I can’t believe you just did that.”

  He eyed her as he went past to the living room. “If you’re not going to accommodate my first hunger, we might as well feed my second. And for that I suppose I’ll need pants.” He shook out his jeans and then stepped into them, but didn’t bother with the zipper or snap. His shirt and briefs were still on the floor.

  Somehow his wallet had gotten dumped so he scooped everything up and put it all back. He handed a ten to Sierra.

  She looked at it. Though she should have been coming out of it a little, she still felt caught off guard. She imagined waking up naked in bed with Ben could rattle any woman. “Uh . . .”

  “That’s for the coffee and doughnuts—a tip. Not to pay for last night.” He winked, and with his black hair mussed and his jaw dark with stubble, he looked like a pirate. “Course, if anyone got paid for last night it’d have to be me, right?”

  She wadded up the bill and threw it at him, which only made him laugh. A tap sounded at her door and Ben went to answer it.

  Naked beneath an oversized tee, Sierra hung back, peeking around the corner. She saw Ben open the door with a warm greeting. “You’re a lifesaver, Cathy.”

  “Anything for you Ben, you know that.”

  Sierra scowled, watching the little hussy with grim annoyance.

  “Anything, huh?” Ben flicked the end of her nose. “Be careful or your beau might be after my ass.”

  She gave him a coy come-hither look. “Honey, your ass is so fine, he wouldn’t dare.”

  Laughing, Ben balanced the tray on one palm and handed her the ten. “Here ya go, sweets.”

  “Wow, thanks.” She folded the bill and stuck it in her pocket.

  “Do me a favor and tell Horace I’ll be over there in a couple of hours, okay?”

  “Will do.” She turned away and Ben closed the door.

  Sierra stepped out in front of him, steaming mad. “Are you sleeping with her?”

  He looked surprised by the question—and amused. “Naw. I don’t fool around with my employees.” Edging around her, he headed for the bedroom. Sierra followed in a furious stomp.

  “You were coming on to her, Ben. I’m not blind.”

  “Wrong. We were just teasing. It didn’t mean anything.” His cavalier attitude set her teeth on edge, but then he set the tray at the bottom of her bed and shucked off his jeans without a care. Sierra tried to turn away, and he caught her arm. He tugged her close and fingered the hem of her T-shirt. “Let’s get this off you, okay?”

  Indignant, she clutched at the shirt. “Damn it, Ben. I’m serious.”

  Keeping his voice low and rough, he said, “Yeah, me too. I seriously want you naked in bed with me.”

  Sierra slapped at his hands, but he was in a teasing, playful mood despite her annoyance, and she was no match against his good humor.

  He won the tug of war over her shirt, and the next thing she knew, she stood naked before him.

  “Damn, you look good in the buff.” His gaze touched on her everywhere, nearly tactile in intent, especially when he lingered at her belly. He stroked her abdomen with the backs of his fingers. “I thought you looked cute as hell in your work clothes too, but naked . . .” He whistled low.

  Sierra was profoundly grateful that he hadn’t turned on a light. Not that she was shy about her body; she had no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed. But she wasn’t used to being openly admired either, certainly not in a sexual way, and most definitely not by a man like Ben. The dim light and lengthy shadows lent some privacy from his concentrated scrutiny.

  He loosely held her hips and tracked his gaze up her body to her face. Even in the shadows, Sierra saw the flame in his dark eyes. “Now, if you’re going to give me hell, at least let’s do it with a little caffeine in our systems, okay?”

  She now felt so flustered, Sierra considered dumping the coffee on his head. When she folded her arms under her breasts, tapped her bare foot, and glared, Ben sighed. “You’re jealous over nothing, you know.”

  At his assumption, she gasped so hard she choked herself and felt doubly foolish. “I am not jealous, Ben Badwin.”

  “Right. Not jealous. Just pissed. Got it.” Ben turned away, but not before she saw his small smile. He stretched out on the bed with his back propped on the wall, his ankles crossed, then patted the mattress next to his hip. “Care to join me?”

  Sierra couldn’t quite get her feet to move. The man was gloriously naked, semiaroused, and so appealing her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. Though he was naturally dark, she noted a lingering tan on his upper body and legs. Obviously he didn’t cavort naked in the sun because his hips were paler, a stark contrast for the dark hair surrounding his penis.

  She’d seen unclothed men before. Not that she had a lot of money to spend on entertainment, but she’d been to the movies, and she’d bought magazines on occasion. It was simply that most men didn’t look like Ben, and most men didn’t affect her as he did.

  While she stared at him, he hardened more until he was fully erect, his penis long and hard, jutting upward. Sierra felt her mouth fall open, felt her heartbeat speed up until it felt as though she’d been running, she was so breathless. That part of him had been inside her and had brought her so much pleasure.

  Ben made a low sound and her gaze flew to his face. He grinned at her, but his expression was strained. “I feel like a feast set before a starving woman.” He reached down and touched himself lightly. “I’m starting to get used to a perpetual boner around you, but much more of that avid staring and I might just embarrass myself.”

  A faint buzzing sounded in her ears. She stared at him, unsure what to do, but knowing what she wanted to do. She wanted to devour him. Sex. That’s all she could take from him and with Griff looming about, this might be the only time she could take it.

  He again patted the bed beside him. “Come on, sweetheart. It’ll be okay. Have a little trust.”

  His coaxing voice did her in. Nearly numb, Sierra went around to the other side of the bed and slid beneath the sheets. She pulled them high, covering her nudity. Then she just sat there. For the life of her, she couldn’t think of a single thing to say.

  Ben fixed her a cup of coffee and offered it to her, waiting until she’d finally slipped one hand from beneath the sheet and accepted it.

  After she’d taken a cautious sip, he turned toward her. “First things first. Cathy is one of the few employees who doesn’t try to coerce me into bed.”

  Feeling more in control now, Sierra slanted him a look. No way could Ben be that dense. “I saw her, Ben. She was flirting and so were you.”

  He shrugged. “There’s flirting, and then there’s flirting. The thing is, she’s not serious about it and neither am I.”

  Needing something to do, Sierra reached for a doughnut from the tray and sank her teeth into it, studiously ignoring Ben and his lame excuses. She didn’t want him. She didn’t, at least not for anything permanent or serious, so what did it matter to her if he slept with every woman he hired? It didn’t. It couldn’t.

  But then again, damn it, it did.

  “She’s engaged, you know, happily so.” Ben caught her chin and brought her face around. His dark eyes appeared very sincere, as if her trust mattered to him. “I’ve met her fiancé. A nice guy.
They’re in love, so when she teases with me, it doesn’t mean a damn thing and we both know it.”

  Sierra considered that. When she’d been younger, she’d flirted and guys had flirted back. But that seemed a lifetime ago. She couldn’t even recall the last time she’d noticed a man’s interest. Excluding Ben, of course. “How can you tell the difference?”

  To her consternation, Ben reached over and dipped beneath the sheet to touch her nipple with his middle finger. His expression was so concentrated, so intent as he circled her nipple and watched it draw tight, she felt chills race up her spine, followed by a wave of heat.

  “I can tell.” He captured and held her gaze. “It’s in the eyes, in the way things are said. In the body language.” That teasing finger slid down over her ribs to her navel, taking the sheet away from her breasts.

  Sierra held coffee in one hand, a doughnut in the other, and she could do nothing to stop him. She didn’t want to stop him.

  “Some of the women have been very serious in their efforts.” He trailed his finger back up her body, then touched her chin. “But as I said, I don’t sleep with employees.”

  It took her a moment to gather her breath. “How . . . discriminating of you.”

  “Yeah.” Ben set his mug aside on the nightstand and flipped on the light, temporarily blinding her. “Now, I want to talk to you.”

  Sierra didn’t like the way that sounded. She’d hoped to make love with him again, but despite all his teasing and touches and hot looks, he didn’t seem receptive to that idea. “I should be getting ready for work.”

  “There’s time.” He reached over and relieved her of her cup as well. He even took her last bite of doughnut from her, and set the tray on the floor. When he leaned back into the bed, he was all business.

  The irony of it struck her, but she wasn’t amused. She was too aroused and edgy and anxious for that. “I can’t believe I’m in bed with you, and all you want to do is talk.”

  He sighed. “All I want to do? Not likely. But we have important stuff to discuss.” He stroked the side of her throat. “When we’re done talking, you can have at my poor body to your heart’s content. Deal?”

  She couldn’t let him sway her with sensual promises. “We have nothing to talk about.”

  He groaned with his own measure of frustration. “Give over, Sierra. Things are different now and you know it. I have the right to ask a few questions.”

  “Because we slept together?”

  “There’s that.” His normally teasing air was far too grave to put her at ease. “But there’s also your ex-husband and the fact that I walked into something yesterday.”

  Her heart skipped a beat. “It’s not your concern, Ben.” Sierra had no doubt that if Griffin decided to ruin her business, he could. He could also do damage to Ben’s motel. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if that happened.

  “Bullshit.” The word was harshly muttered, but his hand was gentle when he cupped her chin. “You’ve asked me to trust you, Sierra, and I do. Believe me, I know you’re smart and I know you’re more than capable of handling most situations.”

  “All situations.”

  His tone dropped, his brows gathered together. “I want to know what was going on yesterday, and I want to know if that bastard’s ever hurt you.”

  Oh no. Sierra started to slide away, ready to leave the bed and the awful temptation Ben offered. She couldn’t rely on him, couldn’t confide in him. It was difficult enough having Kent at risk, but Ben . . . No, she wouldn’t do that. It would only complicate her life, not make it easier.

  Before she could apply action to intent, Ben caught her upper arms, halting her escape. He hauled her half over him, her face close to his. “Goddamn it, Sierra—”

  Pain shuddered through her arms from where he gripped her, and she stiffened in surprise. In an instant, his hold gentled and he lowered her to her back, looming over her, his expression now carved in granite. “What is it?”

  She couldn’t tell him that Griff had manhandled her last night, that he’d bruised her arms with his casual cruelty. Not only did it shame her to admit to the type of man she’d married, but she didn’t want Ben’s pity. She absolutely didn’t want his interference. She wanted sex, damn it.

  She turned her head away.

  Silence pulsed in the air between them. Ben’s hands slid over her shoulders, her upper arms, caressing, searching—and she felt the awful stillness that came over him. “Jesus.”

  Sierra didn’t need to look to know what he’d seen. She bruised easily, and Griff had deliberately squeezed her, wanting to mark her.

  Ben’s fingertips touched feather light over the bruises. He didn’t physically hurt her, but emotionally she felt shattered. Sounding very grim, Ben asked, “He did this to you?”

  It wasn’t easy to swallow down the choking emotions and affect a nonchalant tone. Sierra wasn’t at all sure she succeeded. “It’s nothing.”

  As if he could heal the bruises with his touch, his fingers continued to gently coast over her. Tension radiated off him, and his voice went hoarse. “Meaning he’s done similar things so many times you don’t let it bother you anymore?”

  Sierra forced herself to look at Ben. He sounded harsh with rage, but his eyes were nearly black and soft with concern. “Meaning it’s none of your business.”

  She’d made her voice firm, detached, and she half-expected Ben to be angry at her direct rejection.

  Instead, he leaned down and pressed a light, apologetic kiss to her mouth. “Sorry, sweetheart. Not this time.”

  Alarmed by the determination in his tone, Sierra tried to sit up but Ben sprawled over her until his warm hard chest covered her breasts and one hairy muscular thigh pinned down her legs.

  She inhaled sharply at the touch of all that hard, hot male flesh against her. Her arms, her bruises, her ex were forgotten—until Ben spoke.

  “This time,” he whispered, “I’m making it my business.”

  Strain etched her features as Sierra stared at him. Her face was nearly white, her eyes liquid. “Get off.”

  Ben hardened his resolve. He had to reach her. “I’m not hurting you.” He brushed a kiss to her jaw, to the side of her neck, under her chin where he’d already learned she was sensitive. Her pulse raced and he touched his tongue to her, leaving a damp spot against her throat.

  He wanted to cherish her, and to do that he had to soften her first. Sierra never gave to him easily—she made him work for it.

  And there only seemed to be one way around her reserve. Still placing those small, delicate kisses on all her sensitive spots, he whispered, “I’d never hurt you, sweetheart. You have to know that.”

  “Of course I know it, but . . .”

  Her voice shivered with new awareness. Bless her, Sierra was so easy to arouse.

  At least for him.

  Trailing damp kisses over her shoulder to her arm, Ben soothed the ugly bruises with his mouth and wished like hell he could get hold of the man who’d done this to her. He’d take him apart, piece by piece. It wasn’t easy, tamping down his rage, but Ben knew she needed something entirely different from him now.

  Sierra shivered, and Ben asked, “Do you know what I want to do to you?”

  “No.” Her breath quickened. “Maybe.” She squirmed, lifting into him. Since she no longer tried to shove him away, Ben moved a little to her side and rested his hand on her flat belly. His fingertips just touched her pubic hair.

  Her breath caught and held.

  “I want to kiss you everywhere.”

  Her eyes closed. “Yes.”

  She wasn’t the only one turned on. Though grim resolve motivated him, no way could Ben touch her and kiss her without going a little crazy himself. She was so precious to him, so stubborn and quick-witted and independent. He could only reach her through sex, so he’d give her the best goddamned fucking she could imagine.

  “Here?” He drifted his hand back up her body to her breast, circled her nipple, again a
nd again.

  With her bottom lip caught between her teeth, Sierra nodded.

  “Do you like it when I suck on your nipples, sweetheart? Does it make you hot?”

  Breathlessly, she replied, “You know it does.”

  “Then I will.” Ben continued to lazily circle her until her nipple was flushed dark, puckered tight. “In a little while.”

  She groaned in impatience, making him smile. If he had to keep her aroused to make her agreeable, then he had no problem with that.

  “What about here?” He kissed her parted lips, not a deep kiss, but a light, teasing kiss.

  “Yes.” Her mouth lifted into his, trying to catch him. Ben licked her bottom lip, nipped it with his teeth and just when she started to complain, he lightly pinched the nipple he’d been taunting. She groaned in pleasure.

  “Does that feel good?” He kept the pressure just right, tugging a bit, rolling.

  “Yes.” She brought her arms up to hold him, and Ben saw the wince of discomfort from her bruising. His jaw locked until she pleaded, “Kiss me, Ben.”

  Despite his fury, he smiled and leaned down to her. “Whatever you want, Sierra.” While kissing her long and slow and deep, he continued to toy with her nipple. Their tongues mated, their breath mingled.

  He released her breast to caress her hip. “I want to kiss you here, too,” he said against her mouth. “Your skin is so damn soft, it drives me crazy. And here.” He touched the inside of her thigh, drawing small invisible circles, moving closer and closer to her vulva.

  She moaned sweetly.

  Keeping the touch light, he traced her triangle of hair. “And here.”

  “Ben.”

  With his hand cupped between her thighs, he lifted up to watch her face. Her eyes were heavy and warm, her cheeks flushed. “Will you open your legs for me?”

  She did so immediately, her thighs parting to give him better access.

  He kept her pinned with his gaze as he parted the lips of her sex and worked his middle finger slowly inside her. Her internal muscles clamped down on him, as if to hold him captive.

  “I care about you, Sierra.”