Bachelor's Bait (9 page)

He was taken off guard when Sophie applied pressure to his chest, pushing him to his back. She came over him, straddling his hips.

She cradled his cock between her legs, moving just slowly enough to drive him out of his mind.

“You’re killing me, Soph. If you want a ride, lift up and do it properly.”

She gave him a wicked grin that said she liked tormenting him too much. She slowed her motions even more.

He closed his eyes and tried to ignore how good the heat of her pussy felt as she gave his dick the sexiest massage in history. He spread his legs and bent his knees, trying to give himself more leverage and her more room. He lifted his hips against her, forcing a deeper stroke, a longer rub.

Sophie leaned forward slightly. The new position brought her clit into the line of fire. She closed her eyes, but his gaze never left her face. Her sensuous assault teased every single one of his senses. He could smell her arousal, feel how hot and wet she was for him. Her rosy nipples had his mouth watering for a taste while her quick moans fueled his hunger. He imagined her face looked just like this whenever she gave herself pleasure. Marc vowed he would ask her to masturbate for him. He longed to watch her self-induced orgasms. If the look of almost-pain on her face was anything to go by, he suspected she was fairly close to that point right now.

They’d indulged in quick, passionate fucking earlier. Now Sophie was looking for a slow, sexy ride. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold off. He’d done the dry-humping routine as a teenager but he’d never tried this wet-humping game Sophie was initiating him into.

Whatever it was, it was fucking hot. And yet…

His fingers tightened on her hips and before he could think about his actions, he reversed their positions. Sophie tumbled to her back as Marc crawled over her. Her legs parted, welcoming him. If she was annoyed at losing control, her face didn’t show it. Instead, she raised her arms and pulled him down on top of her.

“I want to come on your breasts.”

She smiled. “Okay.”

“But first…” He moved lower, placing an innocent kiss on her clit. Her eyes started to drift shut once more, but he shook his head. “No. Watch me.”

Her gaze found his just as he pressed his tongue inside her pussy.

“Oh God,” she cried. Her hands tangled in his sheets as he tongue-fucked her. He’d only had a taste of her in his office that day, but his mouth had watered for more ever since.

Sophie’s breathing accelerated and he sensed she wanted to look away, but her gaze held steady. He opened her legs even farther, using his hands rather than words to position her. He wanted her completely open to him.

He glanced up as he nipped her clit, applying just enough pressure to make it sting. Sophie didn’t complain, didn’t try to shove him away. Her hungry look solidified some suspicions that had formed after their brief sexual foray in his office. She liked to play and she was ready to push some limits.

Marc decided to see just how far she was willing to go. He moved lower, pressing his tongue around the rim of her anus. Sophie gasped, but once again she didn’t pull away, didn’t close her eyes. He licked the rosette until it was nice and wet, then he pushed a single finger in to the first knuckle.

“You said anal play was one of the kinky things you’ve tried.”

She nodded.

“How far did you go?”

Her cheeks flushed and he grinned, loving the innocence that tinted her naughtiness.

“Just a finger.”

“One finger?”

She nodded again.

“No toys? No cocks?”

She shook her head.

He pushed his finger deeper, watching her face carefully to make sure he didn’t cause her any pain. He wouldn’t venture farther than this tonight. Not without lube.

Once his finger was buried to the hilt, he pressed his mouth back to her pussy, shoving his tongue into the wet cavern as deep as it would go. Over and over he pushed his tongue inside, moving it in unison with the finger in her ass.

When he sensed she was getting close, he pushed the button guaranteed to drive her over the edge. He rubbed her clit roughly with his free hand, loving the way Sophie’s body went stiff just a split second before the trembling began. She came with her whole body and it was a beautiful thing to watch.

Marc rose up on his knees and took his cock in his hand, stroking strong and hard as Sophie shivered in the aftermath of her orgasm, then he pulled his finger free of her body.

As she came to her senses, she reached out, ready to take over his hand job.

He shook his head. “No. Lift up your tits. Hold them for me.”

She cupped her breasts, pushing the fleshy globes together then pinching her nipples. The image of her playing with herself had the desired effect. He bent closer, propping himself up with one hand as his other gripped and stroked his cock harder, faster, the head occasionally caressing soft flesh.

Sophie continued to play with herself, giving him the ultimate peep show.

“Holy shit, Sophie.” His voice was too deep, his words sounding more like a growl. “Can’t hold back.”

Come shot from the tip of his cock, decorating Sophie’s breasts with shiny droplets. She stilled, capturing every sticky strand.

Marc gasped for air, feeling lightheaded from a lack of oxygen and the force of his climax. He thought the night couldn’t get any better—until Sophie reached down to drag one finger through the come on her breast. She swirled it around her nipples, making them shine, then lifted the digit and stuck it in her mouth, sucking it clean.

“Shower?” she suggested.

He was wrong. The night had just gotten a
lot
better.

* * * * *

Sophie opened her eyes slowly, taking a moment to study her surroundings. She hadn’t had the opportunity to see much of Marc’s house last night.

She grinned. Besides the foyer floor, shower and this bed, she hadn’t seen
any
of his home. His bedroom, now well-lit by the sunshine streaming through the two windows, was surprisingly comfortable. There was a pile of unfolded laundry sitting on a chair and his hamper looked as though it was in danger of exploding, but she supposed that was to be expected, given how busy he’d been the past few weeks.

She stretched lazily then winced. She’d gotten quite a workout last night. Marc had been insatiable. Of course, she had too. After their sexy shower, he’d wakened her in the middle of the night, taking her so gently she could have cried at the beauty of it. In one night, he’d given her passionate sex, raunchy play and then, just when she’d thought she had him figured out, he’d toned it down, making love to her as if she was the most precious thing on earth.

What a date.

Footsteps approached. She glanced toward the doorway in time to watch Marc walk in with a tray.

She smiled. “Breakfast in bed?”

“A promise is a promise.”

She sat up, propping pillows along the headboard as Marc carefully set the tray over her lap. Sophie laughed when she spotted the apron he wore.

“
Grill or be grilled
. Is that lawyer humor?”

Marc shrugged. “I think it’s sibling humor. My sister gave it to me for my birthday one year.”

Sophie looked at the mountain of food on the plate in front of her and her eyes went wide. “I hope to hell you’re planning to eat some of this with me. Otherwise, I think you can count on leftovers for lunch.”

Marc stripped off the apron—he was naked underneath—and crawled back into bed. “There wasn’t room on the tray for another plate.” He picked up a fork and scooped up a pile of scrambled eggs. He directed the utensil to her mouth, so she took the bite. Then he helped himself to some.

“These are delicious,” she said as she picked up a slice of crispy bacon. “You know how to cook.”

Marc grabbed a piece of toast from the plate. “I’m thirty-five years old and I’ve never been married. Believe me, there’s not enough takeout in the world to keep a man going that long.”

Sophie could appreciate that truth. Growing up, her mother had made the family meals. Right after her death, Sophie and her father had gone through months of the Chinese-pizza-subs rotation, ordering out every night. Eventually, Sophie realized she was going to have to take charge in the kitchen or risk turning into an egg roll.

She picked up the orange juice and took a sip. “Hey, is there champagne in here?”

“Wine and dine, remember?”

She took another drink. “I love mimosas. Do you usually keep champagne in the house?” Marc didn’t seem like a champagne drinker, so the idea that he had a bottle sort of screamed
player
.

He shook his head. “My sister gave me the bottle for Christmas. Told me to share it with someone I love on New Year’s.”

Sophie put the glass back on the tray. “Um, hate to break it to you, Marc, but you missed the holiday. New Year’s was about seven months ago.”

He polished off the last of the bacon. “I ended up going out with some friends over New Year’s. Put the bottle in my wine rack and forgot all about it until this morning.”

Sophie tried to batten down the girlie part of her that latched onto his sister’s instructions.
Share it with someone you love.

Play it cool, Soph.

“Well, it’s perfect with OJ, so I’m glad you remembered it.”

Marc studied her face. She wished she had inherited her father’s knack for unreadable expressions. Her lawyer lover was too astute.

Marc gestured toward the tray. “You finished?”

She nodded. He put the tray on the floor by the bed.

“Sophie. I know it’s way too soon in our relationship to talk about love and all that shit, but—”

“Shit?”

He grinned. “You know what I mean. The thing is, I’ve been around the block a few times. You don’t make that trip without learning some things.”

Sophie swallowed heavily, wondering where he heading with this conversation.

“When I look at you…I see perfection. I’m a cocky know-it-all who doesn’t have a romantic bone in his body and I have no idea where this relationship is headed, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to fall for you.”

“You are?”

Marc moved closer, cupping her face in his hands. His expression was far too serious for the fun-loving man she’d gotten to know. “Yeah. I’m warning you. I’m going to fall in love with you, Sophie. If you aren’t looking for a relationship, a boyfriend, I’d like you to tell me now before things go too far.”

Leave it to Marc to lay all the cards on the table. Then she recalled Stephanie’s warning. “Actually, I’ve already been accused of falling for
you
. Might be nice not to make the trip alone.”

A huge smile covered his face. Sophie couldn’t resist leaning closer to kiss him. He accepted her embrace then deepened it. They’d spent hours last night just kissing and yet, Sophie still wanted more.

“Anybody ever tell you how sexy you look in the morning?” he murmured against her lips.

She shook her head, her hand instinctively reaching up to touch her hair. She’d fallen asleep with wet hair after their shower last night. There was no way she looked like anything less than a disaster. “Perjury is a crime.”

“Didn’t realize I was under oath.” Marc grasped her hand, pulling it away from her hair. “But even if I was, I’d still say the same.”

“And you think you’re not romantic.”

He laughed as she sighed softly. Damn. Suddenly the idea of falling for Marc seemed like an understatement. Stephanie was right. She was ass over tit and showing no signs of straightening herself out.

Marc pushed her to her back, climbing over her. She opened her legs for him, the reaction coming so naturally already.

He belonged there. She belonged
here
.

It was time Sophie put aside all her feelings of doubt and did something that didn’t come naturally to her.

She took a leap of faith.

Chapter Six

Sophie walked into Books and Brew feeling like a million bucks.

“You’re late,” Stephanie called out from behind the bar.

“I don’t care. You’re lucky I’m here at all.”

Jayne’s head popped up from behind a bookshelf. “Hot damn. You had sex.”

Sophie grinned and nodded. “I did and it was incredible, amazing, un-fucking-believable.”

Elias, one of their regulars, looked up from the newspaper he was reading and grinned. “Good for you, Sophie,” he said, before returning his attention to local happenings.

Sophie looked over and noticed Stephanie texting. She rolled her eyes. “Jeez. Calling Jordan down again?”

Stephanie looked at her with one eyebrow raised. “She’ll kill me if I don’t.”

Sophie placed her purse behind the bar and grabbed an apron. Nothing could bring her down today. She was on cloud nine, flying a hundred feet above the ground.

Jordan appeared at the bottom of the stairs and made a beeline for the bar. “I want to hear
all
about the sex, but first—you did it!”

Sophie frowned, confused. “I know I did it. I thought that’s why you were rushing down here. To hear the dirty details.”

“No,” Jordan said, laughing. “Not Marc. The
fundraiser
. You raised the funds! We hit the goal!”

Sophie’s jaw dropped. She’d suspected last night that they had done well, but in her heart, she knew they were still short. Jordan, ever the bookkeeper, had offered to stay late to count the money. Sophie had expected bad news, so she’d decided to escape with Marc and postpone hearing the dire results until today. “How? I was sort of counting in my head, Jordan. I know I’m not great at math but I’m not
that
bad. We didn’t hit it.”

“Gabriel was true to his word. He matched what we made, but you’re right, it still wasn’t enough. So he made some phone calls. He didn’t have any luck. Then, first thing this morning, Rich Gregory called to say someone had stepped forward and covered the remaining shortfall. The center is saved!”

“Who?”

Jordan shrugged. “We don’t know. Rich said the donation was made anonymously. Besides, who cares who? You did it!”

Stephanie and Jayne had come over as Jordan shared the good news. They exchanged hugs and high-fives. “I can’t believe it,” Sophie said over and over.

“So enough of that. I want to hear about last night. Was he worth the money you paid?” Stephanie asked with a wink.

Sophie snorted. “Real nice, Steph. It’s not like I was hiring him to be some sort of paid escort.”

Jayne leaned closer. “Was it romantic? Marc strikes me as a candlelight-and-roses kind of guy.”

Stephanie sighed dramatically. “Real life is not like those goddamn regency romance novels you read, Jayne.”

Jayne held up her hand in talk-to-it fashion while keeping her attention focused on Sophie.

Sophie smiled. “He definitely has romantic tendencies. He brought me breakfast in bed this morning.”

Jayne smirked at Stephanie. “See.”

Stephanie never went down without a fight. “I saw you two when you left here. Twenty bucks says you never made it out of the truck before you jumped each other.”

Technically, Stephanie was wrong. Sophie had definitely gotten out of the truck before Marc had shoved her against it and kissed her so hard her eyes rolled into the back of her head. “We made it out of the truck.”

“Mmm-hmm,” Stephanie hummed. “
How far
out of the truck?”

“We had sex on the floor right inside his front door.”

Jordan laughed. “Jesus. I bet that was hot.”

Sophie couldn’t contain her glee. “It was the hottest sexual experience of my life. I’ve never had a guy want me that badly.”

“And the sex was
that
good?” Jordan asked.

Sophie sighed. “Heaven on earth.”

Jayne shook her head. “Damn. That’s three of you getting laid now. I’m starting to feel like the odd guy out.”

Sophie wrapped her arm around Jayne’s shoulders. “Your day is coming, Jayne. I promise.”

Jayne crossed her arms. “Yeah, well. I hope it comes while I’m still young enough to try some of the more interesting poses in the
Kama Sutra
.”

Stephanie’s gaze jerked to Jayne. “Since when do you read the
Kama Sutra
?”

Jayne blushed. “Uh…a friend loaned it to me.”

“What friend?” Stephanie asked.

“None of your business.” Jayne turned and walked back to the box of new books she’d been shelving when Sophie walked in.

Sophie’s brows rose at Jayne’s unexpected spunkiness.

“Who the hell gave her the
Kama Sutra
?” Stephanie repeated.

Jordan and Sophie both shrugged.

“Oh shit. Elias asked for another drink ten minutes ago.” Stephanie swiftly walked behind the bar to pour Elias his usual Scotch.

Sophie followed. “I’ll take it to him.”

Picking up the glass, she crossed the room. “Hi, Elias.”

“Hello, Sophie. It sounds like you had a good night.”

Sophie grinned. “It was the best night of my life.”

“High praise. Marc Garrett is a very lucky man.”

Sophie started to reply, but something outside caught her eye. “Crap,” she muttered as she absentmindedly placed Elias’ drink on the table before him.

“Something wrong?”

“My dad’s limo just pulled up out front.”

Elias followed her gaze to the front windows. “I see.”

Sophie glanced back at Elias. He’d been Books and Brew’s most faithful customer since they’d opened the doors. He’d also become a friend. “I can tell by your tone you know what’s going on. With the community center?”

Elias nodded. “Jayne filled me in on the details. Preying on my sympathy as part of her plea to get me to participate in that auction last night.”

Sophie had been shocked when she’d seen Elias’ name on the list of eligible bachelors—until she’d heard it was Jayne who’d convinced him. Elias seemed to have a soft spot for her shy friend. She also knew for a fact that Jayne was harboring a huge crush on the science professor as well. “As I recall, yours was one of the highest bids of the night.” Unfortunately, Jayne wasn’t the winner.

Elias shook his head. “Don’t remind me. My ‘date’ has already called twice to confirm the details. Something tells me I’m in for a long night.”

Sophie smiled. “You’re a good sport.” She glanced back toward the door nervously, just in time to see her father step out of the limo. Her first instinct was to flee, to run out the back door.

“Be brave, Sophie.”

“What?” she asked, looking at Elias once more.

“You’ve already done the hard part. You fought Goliath and won. Don’t belittle that victory by hiding now.”

Much as she hated to admit it, Elias was right. The bell above the door jingled, announcing Dad’s arrival. She stood up straighter as she turned to face him.

Dad crossed the room, nodding a silent hello to Elias. The greeting was returned.

“Sophie. Could I have a moment of your time?” Dad asked.

She nodded, hoping her legs—which suddenly felt like Jell-O—would support her. She followed Dad to a quiet table in the corner. It was only as she took her seat that she realized he’d called her “Sophie”.

“Rich Gregory called me this morning,” Dad started.

Sophie didn’t reply. Sounded as if the chairman had spent most of his morning on the telephone.

“He said that you’d raised the funds to save the center.”

She tried to read his voice or his face. Hell, she’d take
any
hint as to how he was handling the news that she’d defeated him, but—as always—her father was impassive. “The fundraiser last night surpassed all of our expectations.”

“Yes,” her father said. “I read about your bachelor auction in the paper this morning. I have to say, Sophie, I’m a bit disappointed and more than a little hurt.”

It was the first time in ages she heard a tinge of the man her father used to be, before the loss of her mother, before work had consumed him and turned him into an emotionless shell of his former self.

She resisted the urge to apologize. For years she’d tried to please her dad. Agreeing to go on the dates he set up for her, serving as his hostess at parties, playing the role of a dutiful daughter. She’d done it all even as he’d slipped further and further away from her with each passing day. “I told you I would do everything in my power to save the center. I didn’t do any of this behind your back.”

“I know. That’s not what I meant—I’m upset that you didn’t think to include me as one of the bachelors. It’s not as easy as you might think for a man my age to meet available women. God knows I’m not about to try one of those online dating service things.”

Sophie’s jaw dropped as shock hit. She glanced around the bar, trying to decide if she was actually awake.

“Close your mouth, Soph, or you’ll catch flies.”

She laughed, the sound bursting out of her before she could call it back. Marc had said the exact same thing to her once.

“You would have participated in the auction?”

Dad nodded. “I would have.”

“But why? Why would you take part in something that would hurt you financially? What happened to ‘it’s not personal, it’s business’?”

Dad reached out and took her hand. She swallowed heavily, trying to dislodge the lump created by the sweet gesture. “I was wrong. I felt terrible after our disagreement. I walked over to the mantel and forced myself to look at those pictures. Did you know I haven’t looked at them once since your mother died?”

Sophie frowned. “Then why leave them there? You’ve remodeled the whole house. Why keep the pictures if they bothered you so much?”

Dad shrugged. “I couldn’t do it. Couldn’t put them away. But when I stood there remembering those days, I realized I’ve put
you
away. Tucked you over to one side because it hurt too much to…” He squeezed his eyes shut and rubbed his brow. When he looked at her again, he seemed to have composed himself. “Please tell me it’s not too late for me to make things right with you again. I miss you, Sophie.”

As she looked into the eyes of her beloved father, a light went on. “You were the anonymous donor, weren’t you?”

Her father gave her a noncommittal smile.

Sophie was torn between laughter and tears. Her beloved daddy was back—and he’d saved the community center for her.

There was so much they needed to say to each other, but Marc walked into Books and Brew before she could speak. The look of concern on his face when he saw her sequestered in the corner with her dad was immediate. She raised her hand to wave and smiled so he’d know everything was okay.

“You know Marc Garrett?” Dad asked.

Sophie nodded. “Yes.” She wasn’t sure how much more to say.

“I think I understand now.
He
was your source. That’s how you knew so many details about the center’s financial troubles that day you came by the house.”

She bit her lip, unwilling to risk unleashing her dad’s anger on Marc.

“Are the two of you dating?” he asked.

She wasn’t sure “dating” was a word she could use. Truth was, they’d yet to go out on a proper date, though he had certainly wined and dined her. Still, it was an easier explanation than admitting to her father they’d spent hours last night fucking each other into oblivion. “Yes. We are.”

Dad smiled. “He’s a good match for you. I couldn’t have found a better suitor myself.”

Sophie tilted her head, wondering if she’d heard him correctly. “Really? You’ve been setting me up with rich, snotty guys for years. You can’t seriously sit here and say you’re okay with me dating a dirt-poor free-aid attorney.”

Dad’s smile dimmed but before he could say anything, Marc approached the table.

“Hi, Soph,” he said cautiously. “Mr. Kennedy.”

Dad stood up and proffered his hand, which Marc shook. “Call me Jasper. I understand you’re dating my little girl.”

Marc glanced down at her. Sophie felt her face flush as the familiar twinge of fear crept through her. Their relationship was still too new, too fragile in her mind. How long would it take for her to believe it was all real?

“That’s right,” Marc said, smiling warmly. He held out his hand and she took it, rising. “Sophie’s my girlfriend.”

Sophie giggled at the way he stressed
girlfriend
, as he if was trying the word on for size. She noticed her father studying her face carefully. She wasn’t sure what he saw reflected there, but whatever it was seemed to set his mind at ease.

“I’m glad to hear it. Any chance you’ll eventually open up a West Coast branch of your father’s firm? I suspect the Garrett name would find success in any city.”

“The Garrett name?” Sophie asked, feeling slightly uneasy.

Dad looked at her quizzically. “The Garrett law firm is one of the most prestigious and profitable organizations on the East Coast.”