Naked Games Read online

  He chuckled. “Exactly.”

  They didn’t say another word as Dean stepped through the doorway to his bedroom. When he flipped on the table lamp, Catherine knew she was about to get her hands on paradise. The notion sent her libido into a spin.

  11

  “Wow, this room is . . . big.” Two of Catherine’s bedrooms would fit in Dean’s room, with space left over. It surprised her to see that it was all done in jewel tones too. “I sort of feel like I’ve stepped into a sheikh’s palace.”

  He put her on her feet next to the bed. “Been to many palaces, have you?”

  “No, but I’m pretty sure they look a lot like this.” Her gaze wandered around the room and landed on a water fountain. Actually, it was a rain curtain. It drizzled down in perfect slim streaming lines, only to be caught in a pool below. On another wall, she noticed an entertainment system big enough to make her eyes bulge. The plasma widescreen alone would cost a pretty penny. “That’s cool,” she said.

  “Thanks. I made the entertainment cabinet myself. Took some doing; the mahogany was pricey.”

  “You’re wonderfully talented.” She turned toward him and caught sight of him leaning against the bedpost, and about fainted. He was sinfully sexy and he was all hers. At least for this one night. Catherine was determined to make the most of it.

  The bed, she noticed, was an enormous, four-poster canopy style. All dark wood and draped in a gauzy white cotton fabric. It seemed to be its own little bit of heaven. “You do like to have plenty of room, huh?”

  “Oh, yeah,” he murmured.

  Catherine noticed another thing. Off to one side stood an easel, and there were pictures strewn all over the place. She crossed the room and picked one up off the floor. It was a sketch of a landscape. “This is really good, but why are they tossed about like this?”

  “It’s just something I mess around with. It’s no big deal.”

  Catherine shook her head. “I definitely disagree. I wish I had this sort of talent. Heck, I can’t even draw a stick figure.”

  “Catherine,” Dean growled.

  Her name and nothing more, but it was enough to elevate her temperature. Catherine placed the sketch on the easel before turning around to face him. He was watching her, much like an eagle watched its prey. A slight smile crossed over his face, and her knees went weak. “You’re very sexy,” she blurted out.

  He crooked a finger toward her. “Come here,” he softly ordered.

  Catherine couldn’t move. Nerves kept her feet rooted to the spot. She glanced down at the floor and saw several sketches, and that’s when it hit her. What did she really know about the man? Well, besides the fact he was her sister’s future brother-in-law and he thought she was a scheming liar. She thought of his questions in the kitchen and realized that while he’d gotten to know her a little better, he was still very much a mystery to her. She hadn’t even known he was an artist until now.

  “You know so much about me,” Catherine said, putting her thoughts into words.

  “I wouldn’t say that. I know some things, yeah.” When his eyes traveled the length of her, Catherine felt seared clear to her bones. The look of arousal in his gaze was unmistakable.

  Still uncertain, Catherine crossed her arms over her chest and said, “But I don’t really know anything about you. You’re very adept at keeping the focus on me, I’ve noticed.”

  He shrugged. “That’s because you’re far more interesting.” He paused before adding, “This conversation would be better with you over here, by the way.”

  She firmed up her resolve. “I want to know more about you.”

  He straightened away from the bedpost and held a hand out to her. “I’ll tell you whatever you want to know. Later. For now, I want you to come over here, Catherine.” His voice was soft, but it was a command all the same.

  Catherine narrowed her eyes. “Later? You promise?”

  He nodded. “I’m an open book, sweetheart.”

  Catherine wasn’t so sure about that. It dawned on her that whenever the conversation came back around to him, he always managed to get it back on her somehow. Still, he’d promised, and Catherine intended to see to it that he kept it. She dropped her arms to her sides and crossed the room.

  Once she was within a few feet of him, Dean wrapped one arm around her and pulled her close. “I think I could come up with something much more stimulating to do than talk about me right now, don’t you?”

  She didn’t have time to respond before his mouth was once again covering hers. The kiss was rough and demanding, forcing her lips apart. He didn’t bother to wait for her to open them in her own time. He took possession of the soft interior in a way that had her body swaying against his rock-hard chest. Catherine gave in to the need coursing through her and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  She sank into his kiss, giving in to the sweet demands her feminine core was suddenly making on her. For once in her life, Catherine didn’t want to think about her next move. She wanted Dean to take the choice from her altogether. And he seemed all too happy to do so.

  When he sucked at her lower lip and probed her mouth with his insistent tongue, Catherine’s pussy throbbed. Without warning, Dean bent low and lifted her into his arms, carrying her as if she weighed no more than a child. He placed her on top of the soft downy blankets with such gentle care that Catherine felt her heart melting. He was so big, so strong, and yet he was tender. He came down beside her and propped his head up on his elbow, staring down at her with such reverence that it shook her.

  “Why are you looking at me that way?” Catherine asked, putting thought to words.

  He touched a finger to her jaw and murmured, “How am I looking at you?”

  She locked gazes with him, her jaw firming as she tried to explain the way his eyes seemed to see right into her soul. “You stare at me, and it’s as if you can see my every thought. It’s disconcerting.”

  “You’re beautiful, Catherine. I’m the type of person who likes to stop and savor when I see something beautiful. Is that so wrong?”

  Her cheeks burned at the praise. “See, there you go again, making me all nervous and jittery with your compliments.”

  He frowned down at her, as if truly bewildered. “Why can’t you see the truth? The first time I saw your picture on Gracie’s computer I thought you were sexy as hell. Even then I had a feeling I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off you. At the bar, you danced like a siren, so alluring and kissable. I was spinning out of control watching you move. Hell, it was all I could do to bide my time until I could be alone with you.” His penetrating gaze pinned her in place, as he asked, “In many ways you’re very innocent, aren’t you?”

  She blinked, trying to digest everything he’d said. She chose to ignore the praise, because she couldn’t believe it. No one had ever said things like that to her before. “I have been with men, Dean.”

  “Still, I have a feeling you’re too innocent for a guy like me.”

  “A guy like you?”

  “In the bedroom, I like variety,” he murmured. “Do you understand?”

  She wondered at that. “No, I don’t. Not really.”

  “You know, handcuffs, paddles, even some role-playing.” He winked. “That sort of thing.”

  “Oh,” she said, as X-rated images zipped through her head at the speed of light.

  He chuckled. “I take it you’ve never done any of that?”

  She shook her head, feeling very much like a country bumpkin. “I did say I wasn’t the adventurous type, remember?”

  “See?” He wagged his eyebrows. “Now I want to dirty you up a little.”

  She laughed. “You’re the teacher and I’m the student, is that it?”

  He tapped her nose. “You’d look hot in one of those little plaid skirts.”

  “I can see I’m going to have to tread carefully around you,” she teased. “Otherwise you’ll corrupt me.”

  “A little corruption can be fun,” he whispered, then he was
there again, taking his lips on a sensual journey over her mouth and cheeks. When he kissed his way down over her chin to her neck, Catherine groaned—and promptly surrendered.

  Dean had had his fair share of women. Beautiful woman who’d left him gasping and willing to please and be pleased. But there was something about Catherine that set her apart. He couldn’t seem to resist her. The predator in him had recognized her vulnerability; it seemed to taunt him to swoop down and snatch her up.

  The instant she had walked into Wade and Gracie’s home, Dean should’ve known his days were numbered. Her shiny red hair and lush curves had him impatient to find out for himself whether she was as soft to the touch as she appeared. Dean had always hated women who were too thin. He liked something to hold on to, something to play with, and Catherine had exactly what he craved.

  “You do realize that now that I have you here, I won’t be letting you go anytime soon,” he whispered.

  Her gaze narrowed. “What do you mean?”

  “This won’t be a one-nighter.” Dean could see Catherine’s willful thoughts in the expressive features of her beautiful face. “I know we both thought so at first, but I’ve changed my mind. I’m not going to let you simply walk away from me when morning arrives.”

  “Dean, I—”

  He swallowed her words with a quick, hard kiss. Dean didn’t want to listen to her protests. He wasn’t even sure why he’d brought it up. Besides, the time for words was over. Instead, he intended to hear her cries of pleasure soon. A hell of a lot of pleasure. He wanted Catherine to forget the fact that he didn’t trust her. That he may never be able to give her anything more than a few hot moments between the sheets.

  Using one hand, Dean began to inch down the side zipper on her dress. He looked into her anxious eyes and growled, “I’m tempted to rip this flimsy thing right down the middle.”

  Catherine stiffened. “Don’t even think it. Gracie bought if for me.”

  He came down to within a breath of her lips. “As it happens, I like revealing you a little at a time.” Dean swept his tongue across Catherine’s soft lips. She parted them on a sigh, and he knew it was an invitation to taste her deeper. As he slipped his tongue inside, Dean tasted a hint of chocolate along with a generous amount of Catherine. Her arms came around his neck, pulling him closer. God, she was so damn sweet and tempting, and he wanted more of her.

  He lifted an inch. “I want my tongue on other parts of your sexy body, sweetheart.”

  She licked her lips a few times. “You do?” she finally asked.

  He grinned at the breathless way she spoke. “I want to lick your pretty breasts. To taste and tease your nipples into stiff little peaks.”

  “God, Dean,” she moaned, closing her eyes tight. It was as if she thought that would hold back the need.

  “After I’ve had my fill, I’ll move lower. Take your pussy into my mouth and feast on your tangy juice.”

  “You’re making me crazy!”

  “Good,” he growled. “I want you so crazy that you’ll beg me to fuck you.”

  He moved the zipper the last few inches south until finally Dean had her dress open. He saw a hint of red satin, but it wasn’t enough. Within seconds, he was tugging it over her head and tossing it onto the end of the bed. He leaned back and looked at her from head to toe. Her bra and panties were a deep shade of red. The color suited the creamy shade of her skin. Between her breasts he spied several freckles that he ached to taste.

  “So damn pretty,” he murmured, then he dipped his head and licked a fiery path down the valley between her luscious breasts. Dean knew a sense of pride when her body bowed for him. She was so sexy. So eager. Her hands came up and clutched at his hair, pulling hard enough to sting. She brought his mouth more fully against her heated flesh, and Dean obliged by kissing each cute little freckle.

  “Dean, please,” Catherine softly pleaded.

  “Your skin is as soft as silk, sweetheart.” With a mere flick of his fingers the front closure on her bra snapped open, causing her full breasts to jiggle a little. “Jesus, I feel like a kid with a present.” Seeing the mauve shade of her fat nipples in the soft light for the first time was enough to send him over the edge. “A truly lovely present,” he gritted out as his cock responded to the sight.

  “That’s wonderful but, Dean?”

  “Yeah?” He asked, only partly paying attention. He kept getting distracted by the tempting trail of freckles littering her breasts and stomach.

  Catherine took hold of his chin and he was forced to look into her eyes. “Can you please stop staring at me and touch me before I explode?”

  “Mmm, so demanding,” he whispered as he lowered his head and sucked one perfect raspberry nipple into his mouth with ravenous haste.

  “Oh, God, yes,” Catherine replied in a husky little murmur. The sound sent fire licking through Dean’s veins.

  12

  Dean nibbled at the precious swell of one breast, his need of her uncontrollable. As he moved over her body, crushing her to the mattress beneath, he used his knee to spread her legs wide, then wider still, and he felt her legs lift and wrap around his waist. “That’s it,” he praised her as he pushed his aching erection against her soft little mound, letting her feel what she did to him.

  “Take off your clothes,” she gently demanded.

  “Soon,” he promised, then using both his hands, Dean cuddled and shaped her perfect tits, squeezing one while tasting the other. Catherine writhed shamelessly beneath him. He groaned his approval and released her nipple with an audible pop before moving to the other hard peak. He licked and sucked on her, knowing he could live forever and still need more of her. Dean skated down her body, using his tongue to feel his way, until he was level with her navel. His eyes glazed over when he caught sight of a small gold hoop.

  He flicked it with his index finger. “What have we here?”

  She peeked down at him, a slight blush covering her cheeks. “Mary made me do it.”

  “Remind me to thank her then,” he uttered in a gruff voice as he let his tongue dip into the sweet indentation, toying playfully at the delicate jewel.

  “Oh, Dean, that feels . . . oh, God.” Her voice quivered. “I-I need you. Please, quit teasing me this way!”

  Dean lifted his head at her restless tone. “I want this to last, Catherine,” he explained. “I want your pleasure to go on and on. No way in hell am I going to rush this first time with you.”

  She groaned, her frustration evident. Dean was unaccountably charmed by her not-so-ladylike pout.

  He slowly slipped his hand down her body, committing her curves to memory. When he reached the warm skin of her thigh it was his turn to groan. He skimmed beneath the stretchy, red material of her panties, pleased when he noticed she was already so hot and wet, but it wasn’t enough. He wanted to feel her with nothing in his way. He wanted her soaked and eager to take him into her body.

  Dean lifted up so he was kneeling between her widespread thighs, and took no time in getting rid of the last bit of silk separating him from paradise. He stared down at the perfection of her luscious body and wanted to praise God for such a work of art. The neatly trimmed tuft of red curls covering her hidden treasures was the sweetest sight indeed. “I want to kiss you here.”

  “I need your touch there so badly, Dean.”

  Dean’s cock grew painfully hard at Catherine’s hungry tone. She craved something adventurous tonight. He knew it was at least half the reason she’d agreed to come home with him. Dean was content to indulge her. In return, he would take a large helping of the sweet dessert he’d craved ever since first seeing her picture.

  Without another word between them, Dean left the bed, his body temperature spiking into the red zone when she whimpered, clearly unhappy that he was no longer lying on top of her. He was tempted to lie back down between her long, shapely legs and sip her honeyed heat, but Dean had a way of doing things, and he wouldn’t be denied.

  “Stand up for me, little C
atherine.”

  She hesitated for a brief moment, then she rose from the bed, her body as fluid and graceful as a dancer. Dean stepped forward, so he was within touching distance, and then murmured, “I want you to undress me.”

  Catherine’s expressive green eyes stared up at him, the desire he witnessed there nearly sending him to his knees. As Dean’s words seemed to register, Catherine’s face changed. Now she looked every inch a virgin. It was amazing that one minute she could look like a sly, sexy kitten that had just caught a mouse, then the next so uncertain.

  He took hold of her wrist and brought it to his chest. “Start here, sweetheart.”

  She nodded, and Dean watched her swallow a few times. When the fingers of her right hand stroked slowly over his pectorals, back and forth, her eyes drawn by some imaginary force to the path her hand made over his body, Dean felt his muscles jump beneath his shirt, and he wished her to get on with it.

  He wanted her.

  Yesterday.

  Catherine appeared to have no such intentions though. She seemed intent on massaging his chest and shoulders. Finally, her fingers drifted lower over his abdomen, and Dean flung his head back on a groan. Desire and pain mingled and pushed him precariously close to the edge of control. He was strung as tight as a rubber band, and all she had done was touch him. Over his clothes!

  “Mmm, you have the body of a god, Dean,” Catherine whispered. “My first impression was that you looked dangerous.”

  Dean’s pride came roaring to life in a flash, but the latter description of him didn’t sit right. “Dangerous?”

  Catherine licked her lips and sighed so loud even Dean heard it. “Yeah, but not in a serial killer way.”

  “Then in what way am I dangerous?”

  “In a big-bad-wolf sort of way, I suppose.” She shrugged as she continued to tease her fingers over his chest. “Not that I’m opposed to wolves. I just don’t quite know what to do with one.”

  Dean chuckled at the odd conversation they were having. “Well, if you undress me, then you’ll be able to pet me. That’s a good start, right?”