CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
IVY HADN’T KNOWN that kissing a man could be just as intoxicating as overindulging in alcohol. Nolan was mating with her mouth in a way some would consider outrageously indecent. He was sucking on it one minute and licking it all over the next. His tongue was branding her mouth in ways she didn’t know was possible until now. He was definitely taking the term locked lips to a whole other level.
And she was trying to keep up as need intensified within her—a need he was stroking masterfully. When he suddenly released her mouth, she dropped her head against his bare chest and pulled in a deep breath. “I want to taste you all over, Ivy,” he said hotly against the underside of her ear. His words caused a moan to sound in her throat.
He stood with her in his arms, placing her on her feet and before she could draw in a full breath, he pulled her sundress over her head leaving her standing before him in her bra and panties. At that moment she was glad she’d purchased the matching bra and pantie set. But why had he undressed her when they weren’t going all the way?
As if he read her thoughts he leaned close, so close the hair on his chest touched the bare parts of hers, and he whispered, “I don’t want any clothes to hinder me when I lick you all over.”
His words caused every nerve ending in her body to vibrate in a way that rocked her to the core. He intended to lick her all over? And as if to answer that question he used the tip of his tongue to lick the side of her face. And then that same tongue traveled over her collarbone to lap her there. Throwing her head back to give him better access, she moaned deep in her throat, loving the feel of his tongue gliding over her skin.
She felt weak in the knees and grabbed hold of him at the waist as if he were her lifeline. At the moment he was definitely her pleasure-line. His ability to arouse her to such a degree in some ways mystified her because no man had ever done so before. Damien had complained because they’d dated months before she would agree to sleep with him. And when she thought of what they did, she realized he hadn’t really tried to arouse her like this. When he was through, regardless of whether he gave her pleasure or not, he fell asleep. She had a feeling that Nolan was more than willing and able to withhold his until the woman he was with got hers. Even now, she wondered what did he get out of licking her all over? What was in it for him? Did he think that driving her to the edge would have her begging for him to go further? For them to engage in intercourse? She hoped that wasn’t the case because she had no intention about changing her mind about that.
“Your brow is bunching,” he said, using his fingertips to gently caress above her eyes. “You’re thinking too much, Ivy.”
She loved the feel of his hands on her skin. “Am I?”
“Yes, and I’m about to make sure you’re not thinking at all.”
* * *
SHE MIGHT NOT know it but she was ready for him, Nolan thought. Her scent had begun overtaking his nostrils in the most delectable way. She wanted him just as much as he wanted her.
Reaching around her back, he unlocked her bra, and when it dropped to the floor between them he glanced at her exposed breasts. Beautiful. Full. Plump. Tight. And the darkened nipples resembled hardened pebbles ready for his mouth. Ready to be sucked.
Holding her by the waist, he bent down and eased a nipple into his mouth and began sucking in earnest. The little purr that sounded from her throat made him deepen the suction. He knew she liked it when her hand gripped the back of his head to hold him there to her breast. A needless gesture on her part since he didn’t plan on going anywhere. And when he did, it would be to latch onto its twin. But for now he wanted to concentrate on this one, the first one to become victim to his greedy mouth.
When he’d got his fill of nipple number one, he moved to nipple number two, ready to bestow a similar brand of Nolan Madaris torment. He was definitely a breast man and he was enjoying loving on hers. She didn’t know it but those purring sounds she was making stirred his libido.
He was very much aware that in the end she would get her pleasure and would assume he wouldn’t get his. That was not true. For now his pleasure would be in knowing he had satisfied her. They had agreed to continue to see each other as part of their plan. In the meantime, he wanted to give her time to realize that regardless of their plan to outsmart the two people determined to dominate their lives, she would have to revisit her decision that they not make love. Eventually they would. And when that time came, it would be her decision.
The sexual chemistry they’d intentionally stirred between them was as real as it could get. He looked into her eyes and he wanted her. He touched her and he wanted her. He kissed her and he wanted her. And he wanted it to be the same for her. He wanted her to want him as much as he wanted her. As per their plan they would still break up in the end and go their separate ways, but not before satisfying their sexual hungers to the fullest.
“Nolan...”
He heard her call his name and lifted his mouth from her breast, leaving both nipples wet and swollen. He looked into her eyes and saw how they’d darkened. He saw the need in them. Need that he knew she was beginning to feel. Now to taste another part of her.
Lowering down on his haunches, he licked around her navel before easing her panties down her legs. He drew in sharply, inhaling her luscious scent through his nostrils. He doubted she had any idea how much he wanted to taste her here. And he wanted his tongue to go deep.
Taking her hand he led her back to the sofa. Stretching out on the sofa, he said, “I want you to straddle me.” He knew she had no idea what position he intended to put her in, but she would find soon out.
“You’re still wearing your pants,” she said, looking even more confused.
“I know. This isn’t about me. I want to pleasure you, Ivy.”
“But what about you?”
“Drowning you in pleasure will give me pleasure as well.”
Nolan knew Ivy could feel how aroused he was. There was no way she hadn’t noticed the huge erection poking hard against the zipper of his slacks.
“Come here, Ivy,” he said in a soft tone, tugging on her hand.
She did and, following his instructions, she straddled his body. She stared down at him when he took a firm grip of her hips. There was something about the way she was looking at him that had desire throbbing through his veins and was nearly pushing him over the edge of madness. But he intended to hang on to his sanity because the woman whose gaze was holding his hostage deserved it.
There was something about Ivy that had got to him, had managed to get under his skin although he never wanted it to happen and had vowed that it wouldn’t. She was all wrong for him. She was not his choice. But then no woman was. He would know that woman when he saw her, when he met her. It was his decision to make. His and his alone.
At that moment his great-grandmother’s words about his mistake with Andrea came back to haunt him. He pushed thoughts of his past from his mind and went back to concentrating on the present. He didn’t want to ponder why it meant so much to him to pleasure Ivy. Why he had to get under her skin like she’d got under his. He wanted her to feel the same rush of desire that was clawing at his insides, even after tomorrow. He wanted to give her something to remember him by. And remember him she would; he intended to make sure of it.
“First, lean down and give me a kiss, baby.”
He saw the flash of surprise in her eyes. Baby? Why had he called her that? A slip he hadn’t meant to make and could only blame it on the moment.
She didn’t say anything but leaned down, giving him her mouth. He took it in his and when she released a deep moan, he slid his tongue inside and some serious mating began. She always participated and her doing so sent frissons of intense fire up his spine. Like what was happening to him now.
He released her mouth, drew in a much-needed breath and watched her lick her lips. “Scoot forward.”
When she looked at him as if not understanding his meaning, he said, “Scoot up and over my mouth with your vee, Ivy.”
When she hesitated he wondered if she’d ever had oral sex performed on her before. If not this would definitely be an experience he couldn’t wait to share with her. Using his hands, he urged her hips forward, gliding her body upward. He kissed parts of her, namely her stomach as it passed over his mouth. “Right here is good,” he said, planting her knees beside his face. Looking up, he saw what he wanted. “Beautiful,” he breathed in a guttural tone, staring at the luscious sight of her right above his face.
He removed his hands from her hips and used his fingers to touch her, tracing a slow trail over her feminine mound and feeling himself getting harder as he did so. He heard her purr and the sound stirred raw carnal energy within him. When he couldn’t handle the temptation any longer, he inserted fingers inside her and began stroking her.
“Nolan...”
“Umm.”
“I—I never...”
“You never what, Ivy?”
“Did this before.”
The words seemed forced from her lips. That made him dislike her ex even more. Did the bastard not try different ways to pleasure her?
“That’s okay. You’re doing it now.” And she was doing it with him and that made it even more special. Stroking her clit was making her wetter, making her heated scent that much more pronounced.
“I can’t believe you’re doing this,” she said in a choppy voice, as if it was hard to get her words out.
He had news for her. She hadn’t seen or felt anything yet. This was an appetizer. It was time for the dessert. He slowly removed his fingers from inside her and licked them for a sample of her taste. He growled in response to her delicious flavor.
Not willing to wait any longer, he returned his hands to her hips and spread her thighs. “Ease down to my mouth, Ivy,” he said, licking his lips in anticipation. He had his tongue ready and he felt the strength in its need. When her feminine mound was mere inches from touching his tongue, he couldn’t wait. He pressed her hips and brought her closer to his mouth and on contact, his tongue pierced inside her.
And then it was on.
* * *
“NOLAN!” IVY SCREAMED as she tightly gripped the arm of the sofa. What was he doing to her? How could he make her feel this way? It was as if a million sensations had broken loose right there, where his mouth was devouring her.
His tongue was stroking her sensitive flesh into a frenzy that she was feeling in every part of her body. He had taken over her clit like he was declaring ownership, making her fully aware she was capable of feeling things she never thought she could. And was it her imagination or was his tongue going deeper inside her with her every moan?
When the sensation bombarding her intensified, she begged, “No more. I can’t take any more.” Then in the same breath she pleaded, “More. More. Oh, yes, more.”
He gave her the more she wanted and he gave it to her in a way that had her bucking against his mouth like that’s what she was supposed to do and she was unable to help herself. Breathing hard, she closed her eyes as arousal coiled deep in her core.
Suddenly, sensations of gigantic proportions ripped through her, in every part of her body as an orgasm slammed through her, making her scream at the top of her lungs, bucking farther onto his mouth. That seemed to be what he wanted and his grip tightened on her hips, forcing her thighs even farther apart.
“Nolan!”
Her breath caught on a surge of ecstatic pleasure so intense it seemed her body shattered into a million pieces. Her hands tightened on the arm of the sofa and she held on as if it was her life support. Quivers assaulted her body with a force that had her screaming again.
The tremors began dissipating and she became conscious that he was sliding her down his body. Shifting positions, he had her facing him. Her thigh was thrown on the material of his slacks, her hand on his stomach and her nose buried in the hair on his chest. He smelled good and she was getting used to indulging in the scent of him.
He touched her chin and lifted her face to look into her eyes and she wondered what he was thinking. She was about to ask when he lowered his head to kiss her again. When he finally released her mouth, he tightened his hold on her, cuddled her into his body and held her. Neither of them said anything. It was as if they were incapable of speech at the moment. She lay in his arms, satisfied to be in his embrace and trying to get her breathing under control.
Ivy shifted her leg and the hard erection she felt against his zipper was a stark reminder he had pleasured her but hadn’t sought pleasure for himself. She didn’t know of too many men with that kind of control. Nor that kind of consideration. She thought about that for a minute before lifting her gaze to find him staring at her.
She swallowed and said, “I—I could...”
As if he knew what she was trying to say, what offer she was about to make, he placed a finger to her lips and said, “I wanted to pleasure you, Ivy. Don’t be concerned about me.”
And then as if to make sure there would be no further discussion about what he’d said, he lowered his head and slanted his mouth over hers.
* * *
NOLAN SIPPED A cup of coffee as he stood at the kitchen windows and watched the sunrise. It would be another beautiful day on Tiki Island, and at some point today, he would be leaving. So would Ivy.
Drawing in a deep breath, he recalled everything that happened last night. In vivid detail. He remembered kissing her. Tasting her. And wanting to keep on kissing and tasting her. He recalled the way his heart kept pounding every time he’d tasted her, and how desire clawed at him the entire time.
Even after they’d parted last night, when he’d gone to his bed and she’d gone to hers, he hadn’t been able to sleep. Instead memories had kept him awake. Those same memories had sent spikes of heat bursting inside his gut through most of the night. Desire had somehow become synonymous with Ivy and he didn’t want to think what that could mean.
A part of him knew she’d wanted to pleasure him as well, but he’d stopped her from doing so. He had wanted her to so much and would not have been able to stop himself from being pushed over the edge with the intent of taking her with him. Had that happened, there was no way they wouldn’t have fallen over the edge and had intercourse. He’d meant what he’d told her a few nights ago. He would not take advantage of the situation that her grandmother and Mama Laverne had placed them in.
So here he was, the morning after, and still nursing a hard-on and a desire for her that went beyond anything he’d ever had to deal with. And knowing her taste wasn’t making things easier. It was as if the very essence of her was now branded on his tongue. He hadn’t meant for that to happen and a part of him was glad they were going their separate ways. He needed the distance to regroup. He had enjoyed Ivy’s company but he needed to pull himself together before they began “seeing” each other again. He caught the scent of her perfume in the air and knew she was headed his way.
“Good morning, Nolan.”
He turned and his greeting died on his lips when he saw her. She was standing there looking just like she had that first day when she’d walked through the kitchen door from the bay. Her curly hair was around her shoulders, her glasses were back on her face and she was wearing cutoff jeans and a top. He also saw the packed luggage at her feet.
“Good morning, Ivy,” he forced himself to say. “Leaving already?”
“Yes, I thought I’d get an early start.”
He nodded. “At least let me fix you breakfast before you go.”
“No, thanks,” she said quickly. “I’ll stop and grab something. Thanks for the offer, though.”
“You’re welcome. At least let me pour you a cup of coffee.”
“Thanks.”
He poured the coffee and was aware of the moment she came to stand beside him. When he handed her the cup he couldn’t help but stare into her face. A face he now thought of as the most beautiful he’d ever seen. “I enjoyed your company this week, Ivy,” he said, really meaning it. He hadn’t expected to so much. Had honestly thought she would be a nuisance but she ended up being a good companion. Someone he enjoyed talking to, playing games with, sharing meals with and doing outside activities with.
She looked at him over the rim of her coffee cup and a smile touched her lips. That smile made his stomach clench. She lowered the cup and said, “And I enjoyed yours.”
Their gazes held and he could feel those vibes she had doubted they had.
“I better go now,” she said.
“I’ll walk you out.”
“Thanks, but I prefer that you didn’t. Too many crazy ideas going through my head right now.”
He understood because a lot of crazy ideas were going through his head as well. “I’m going to be busy for a while once I get back to the office. I’ll call you but not right away.”
She nodded. “No problem because I’ll be busy as well.”
He took a step closer to her, fighting the temptation to reach out and touch her. To kiss her. “But make no mistake about it, Ivy. I will see you again. I am committed to following through on our plan.” There, he’d said it. He’d connected things back to “their plan.” Yet he knew what happened last night, what he’d done to her, and what they’d shared, had not been a part of their plan. It was about what they’d wanted, desired and needed.
“Yes, sticking with our plan is important.” She placed her coffee cup on the counter. “Thanks for the coffee. Thanks for everything, Nolan. And I mean everything.”
She swiftly crossed the room to her luggage and, without looking back, rolled it behind her as she quickly left the cottage.