Gisele looked across the table at Micah. His lips were still a bit swollen from the fight, and one eye was puffy, but if he was in pain he didn’t show it. She cringed to think of him in the ring with some brute pounding on him. Relief washed through her as she, once again, realized that he didn’t have any serious injuries.
That was the thing about hooking up with a fighter: there would be another fight, and another. Gisele wasn’t sure she could tolerate that. She’d seen her share of violence, but hadn’t developed a taste for it. The prospect of caring about a man with a passion for it was unnerving.
Gisele was inclined to turn away, shut Micah out before things got out of hand. She hadn’t done that, but still questioned the prudence of seeing him again. Against her better judgment, she’d agreed to go to the fight, hoping it might be the final deterrent.
It hadn’t worked like that. Seeing Micah in the ring, posturing for the crowd, gave him a herolike stature in her mind. Her reactions weren’t aligned with reason, as the emotions that overcame her weren’t of her choosing.
Instead of killing her desire to be with Micah, watching him fight had increased her attraction to him. Gisele couldn’t put aside her craving for Micah, and staring at him now, she flashed back to how he had looked in the ring. Sweating and dancing around his opponent, he was a sight to behold.
Gisele’s body betrayed her, because as much as she was aware that Micah was bad news, she wanted him anyway. She admitted it. The question was: what was she going to do about it? At the moment, she was on a special date with him. Not exactly the way to end things.
Yet there was no way to look at Micah, take in the view of his buff body, all toned muscle, and not want to touch. He wore a polo shirt, opened at the neck, with a gold chain gleaming against his collarbone. Gisele wanted to put her palm on his bare skin and lick the strand of chain all the way up to his jaw, and then nibble on those sexy silver studs in his ears.
When Gisele imagined what he’d taste like, how he’d smell, her body responded. Her pulse sped at the look in Micah’s eyes. He wanted her too; she was sure of that. And that made him all the more irresistible.
Gisele glanced away, lest she give herself away too soon. Micah had done all the right things without seeming to try. His casual demeanor and confidence appeared effortless. Even his borderline arrogance was seductive.
If only Gisele was attracted to the right man, one who could take her away from the life that seemed to swallow her up, and give her a more normal one. Yet she wasn’t certain what normal really was. It wasn’t anything she’d had, so she was unable to make any comparison.
Maybe if Micah had been the ass that she’d expected him to be, it would be easy. But damn it, he wasn’t. Providing her with a bodyguard was chivalrous, and driving her out to the lake in the blue Mustang was romantic.
Gisele was riddled with doubt about having the strength to withdraw from Micah’s attentions. The problem was that she wasn’t the woman she wished she was. No matter how much she strove to break her addiction to the bad boys, she couldn’t seem to do it.
Her history had revealed a proclivity for thrills. In her defense, she’d been raised in an environment laced with threat and intrigue. How could she be expected to grow into a well-adjusted woman? Even thinking that, she knew it was only an excuse.
Micah was physically imposing, solidly built. Even his stance, and his don’t-mess-with-me attitude, was a warning to others. But for Gisele, it was different. In his presence, she felt safe and protected, never threatened.
The way Micah spoke to her, his sexy little touches, conveyed that sense of protection. He made her feel desired, and she was willing to fall into his powerful embrace. Gisele longed to be near Micah, and wanted him to wrap his arms around her.
When Gisele looked up, Micah was staring at her. His expression was warm, even patient, and she marveled at his tenderness, a characteristic in contradiction to the force he possessed. She had lapsed into silence, lost in her own doubt and hesitations. Under his piercing gaze, she was pulled back to the present, with a decision to make.
Micah’s suggestion of going to the hotel was an offer. It was an opportunity to spend another evening with him, for more than dinner and casual conversation. If Gisele intended to flee from her innermost desires, now was the time.
That moment passed the instant Gisele said, “Yes, I’d love to have a drink at the hotel.”
As if that was the answer he expected, Micah stood and walked around to pull Gisele’s chair out for her. As she stood, his warmth engulfed her, and she leaned against him. With his hands on her arms, Micah buried his nose in her hair and breathed her in. “Let’s go, then,” he said.
It was dark outside, but lovely. The grounds and buildings were well lit. The weather was warm, and there was no breeze. As they strolled down the walkway, Micah took her hand, making Gisele’s pulse race. His hand was large, his skin rough, and the way it wrapped around hers made her feel extraordinarily feminine.
The circular drive at the Hilton wound around a built-in garden with four palm trees reaching into the sky. The entrance radiated amber light, providing a welcoming tone for guests. Micah stood in the shadows with her before going inside. He turned to face her, and traced his thumb along her jaw. Gisele held her breath, wondering if he would kiss her, and closed her eyes in anticipation.
She felt his lips brush her cheek, his nose rub against her temple. Then Micah dug his hands in her hair and leaned close. His warm breath caressed her as she looked into his eyes. Gently, he brushed his lips over hers, making her sigh.
Then Micah wrapped his arm around her waist and guided her inside. Gisele’s body tingled from just that brief encounter, and whetted her appetite for so much more. The feel of Micah’s lips against hers, his closeness, had her on fire.
When Gisele stepped into the air-conditioned lobby, cool air enveloped her. The bright lights shining against the marble floors blinded her. She blinked, then noticed the enormous bouquet on a table in the entryway, the flowers’ perfume filling the room.
Micah turned to a valet. “Where’s the bar?”
The valet nodded toward the hall on the right and gave directions. Micah kept his arm around Gisele as they navigated the corner and the lounge came into view. The open-air cocktail bar was thickly carpeted, with gold floor-to-ceiling drapes. A modern chandelier that glittered like a sunny day hung from a recessed circular area above.
A server guided them to a table by windows that weren’t windows at all. The panes rolled back into the walls, leaving the inside open to the outdoors. Just beyond the room were abundant green plants and trees, reminding Gisele of a magic garden.
“I still marvel at places like this,” Gisele said, as she took her seat. “This resort area is like an oasis. It’s so green you’d think we were on the East Coast instead of in the middle of a desert.”
Micah sat across from her at the small table. “It is quite the phenomenon.”
After a perusal of the cocktail menu, Gisele ordered a specialty drink of vodka infused with vanilla. It was shaken with a blend of peach and rosemary puree, then topped with champagne. Micah ordered a malt scotch with a snack. “I’m hungry already,” he said.
The night air flowed in from the garden, warming the cool interior. A few lights were strategically placed to show off the greenery to best advantage, illuminating the darkness. Classical music played in the background, and the few other patrons spoke in subdued tones.
The drinks were served promptly, along with Micah’s shrimp cocktail. He lifted a shrimp from the edge of the glass. “Would you like one?”
Gisele laughed. “We just ate dinner, remember?”
“Tell my stomach that.” Micah dipped the end of the delicacy in red sauce and consumed it in one bite, leaving only the tiny tail. He tossed that onto the plate and reached for another.
Gisele took a sip of her drink. “Mmm, you have to taste this.” She handed it across the table and Micah wrapped his hand around it. After one gulp, he said, “That is good.”
“So you can drink alcohol?” Gisele said. “I mean, if you’re fighting, don’t you have to stick to a regimen?”
“Don’t remind me,” Micah said. “I do, and it’s a bitch. But after a fight, I get a break. Tonight I can eat what I want, drink what I want.”
The way Micah said it made Gisele’s skin warm. “And do what you want?”
The flame of desire in Micah’s brown eyes was the only answer Gisele required. She had no doubt the he would do exactly as he wished. She didn’t know him that well, but she knew that much. A flicker of self-doubt cast a shadow over her good mood, but was gone as quickly as it came.
Gisele feared that Micah might decide to just take her home when they finished their drinks. After all, she’d been mostly trouble since he’d met her. But if that was the case, he wouldn’t have asked her on a date. And he certainly wouldn’t have driven out to the lake unless he wanted to be alone.
Micah devoured the last of the shrimp and washed it down with a gulp of scotch. Then he leaned back in his chair and stretched his legs out to one side. His shirt hugged his muscled chest, and his biceps flexed as he moved.
Gisele’s gaze drifted down, and she longed to rake her palm over his flat abdomen. Then she looked back at his face, noting the swelling around his eye. “Does it hurt?”
“What?”
“Your eye.”
Micah didn’t react, or acknowledge any discomfort if he had it. “No, it’s nothing.” His piercing look made Gisele’s cheeks warm. “Looking at you makes the pain go away.”
Since no appropriate response came to mind, Gisele broke away from his gaze and took another sip of her drink. She was a bit nervous for no good reason, so she took the last sip, draining her glass. When she looked up, Micah was still looking at her.
When Micah took her hand and raked her fingertips over his lips, Gisele’s blood simmered. She needed this man, wanted him beyond all reason, and she hoped he wasn’t just teasing her. Still holding her hand, Micah pressed her knuckles to his cheek, the intimate gesture increasing her arousal.
“We can check out the lake,” Micah said in a seductive voice. “It must look even better at night.”
Gisele stood and laced her arm through his. Micah led her out the open doorway, along the sidewalk toward the lake. The evening lured her with its comfortable warmth and extraordinary beauty. The palm trees rose to the height of the buildings, opening their fronds to the sky. The darkness overhead was blocked out by the brightness of the resort.
They walked down the path of a grassy hill, to a strip of sand along the edge of the lake. The lights reflected in patterns on the water, and beyond the resort grounds the desert extended, seemingly infinite. Micah stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Gisele leaned into him. “It’s so beautiful.”
Micah buried his nose in her hair. “You’re so beautiful.” He held her tighter and Gisele melted into him. She turned in his arms and, looking into his dark eyes, her heart shuddered. Micah gently touched his lips to hers, igniting her passion.
Gisele moaned softly and parted her lips. With his hands lost in her hair, Micah pulled her into the kiss. He held her close, mesmerizing her with the sweet rhythm of kissing. He brushed his tongue back against hers, then stroked her lips, the roof of her mouth, and over her teeth.
The kiss was all-consuming, and the world fell away. There was only Micah, only his lips, and the heat of his body pressed to hers. As he suckled, devouring Gisele with his sexy mouth, she swooned from his kiss.
Gisele could feel Micah’s touches and caresses, oblivious to all else. The kiss didn’t end, only intensified. He kissed her until her lips were bruised and swollen, and she couldn’t breathe. Micah sifted his fingertips through her long hair and down her arm, radiating pleasure through every inch of her body.
Micah drew back for a moment to let her catch her breath, and buried his face in the crook of her neck. He sucked at her delicate skin, then licked and nibbled his way up. With the tip of his tongue, he traced the curve of her ear, then with her earlobe between his teeth he gently tugged.
Gisele’s body screamed to physically connect with him. She wanted his hands on her, wanted to feel his tongue on her skin. Trembling, she dug her fingernails in his silky hair, scratching his scalp. Micah growled and, with one hand on the back of her head, pressed her into a deep kiss.
His taste, male scent, and muscled body made Gisele a little crazy. She pressed against his chest, her nipples stiff and achy. Being with Micah was what she wanted, and she let him know it. He responded in kind, sliding his palm along her spine and down her leg.
Micah didn’t touch Gisele where she needed it most. He was teasing and tempting her, fanning the flames of the internal blaze that was already out of control. She wanted him to take her, to touch her everywhere, and not to stop…to please not stop.
One kiss lead to another, until Gisele’s lips were so swollen it hurt to kiss back. Yet she still did; she didn’t care. Micah lashed his tongue against hers, holding so tight to a handful of her hair that she felt a sharp pain. Yet she wanted more. It was impossible to get enough.
In his fervor, Micah lifted her up, and Gisele wrapped her legs around his waist. She hugged his shoulders, and Micah licked along the column of her neck. “I’ll get a room for us,” he said in a guttural voice. Gisele agreed, but was reluctant to let him go, even long enough to go into the hotel.
When Gisele let her feet drop back to the sand, Micah scooped her into his arms and carried her along the path back, heading back to the lobby. She leaned against his chest, resting her head under his chin. He carried her to the back entrance and kissed her again before releasing her.
Gisele hung back while Micah got the key to a room. The lobby was quiet, so there was no distraction from her date. She waited only minutes, her body tingling with need, and her emotions running wild. Then Micah was back, and in one swift motion, he guided her into the elevator.
Before the doors were fully closed, Micah pressed her against the wall with her hands over her head and kissed her with abandon. The flurry of kisses over her chest, neck, and cheeks was tantalizing, and she closed her eyes as pleasure flowed through her. Then he cupped her jaw and kissed her with such passion, Gisele felt weak.
Their room was several floors up, overlooking the lake. When they entered the suite, Gisele caught a glimpse of the lights shimmering over the water, illuminating the space. Micah stood behind her and reached underneath her tank top to cup her breasts.
Gisele whimpered and arched her back, shoving against his palms. Deftly, Micah undid her bra and cupped her bare breasts. Arousal shot through her, radiating to her clit. Tight and achy, she moaned in response to his touch, then reached back to press her palm against his heat.
Micah turned her around and yanked off her top, along with her bra. Desperate to be close, Gisele kicked off her boots and stripped off her socks. Micah pulled his shirt off, and, already barefoot, slid down his jeans.
Then he undid the top button of her white pants and peeled them down so she could kick them off. Micah dropped to his knees to press his lips to the strip of lace covering her sex, and Gisele raked her fingers through his hair.
Hooking his thumbs in the elastic of her panties, Micah pulled them down to her ankles, seemingly spellbound with her nakedness. His gaze was as electrifying as his touch. He looked at her breasts, then lifted them in his palms and licked her nipples.
Gisele needed him to keep going, desperate for satisfaction. Yet Micah taunted her with his tongue, rolling it over the swell of her breasts and flicking it over the distended tips. “Oh, God.” The gasp escaped her lips and Micah responded by gently biting her nipples.
Panting softly, Gisele prayed he would do more. Then Micah took one nipple in his mouth and sucked. It felt so good. Her tiny whimper encouraged him, and Micah paid attention to her other nipple. He sucked hard, making her moan louder.
With one thumb he tweaked a nipple while he sucked the other, then reversed it. Gisele didn’t know how much more she could take. On shaky knees, she clung to his shoulders while he took his fill. Then, as if knowing her predicament, Micah stood up and carried her into the bedroom.
With Gisele still in his arms, he pulled back the covers and set her on the cool sheets. Micah stroked her skin with his fingertips; from her neck to her feet he traced the outline of her body, making her tingle. She was so ready for him, and without missing a beat, Micah kneeled between her legs and pressed his mouth to her pussy.
Gisele panted faster between her moans. Micah’s mouth was amazing. He pressed his lips to her outer lips and let her thighs fall open. Grasping her ankles, he propped her legs over his shoulders to gain better access. He raked his tongue over her wet slit, causing her to cry out.
Holding her ass in his palms, Micah sucked at her pussy, driving her crazy. Gisele squirmed under his ministrations, very close to letting go. He played her so well, kissing and sucking until she nearly came unglued.
At just the right instant, Micah changed his rhythm, nipping gently at her inner thighs to torture her. Then he slipped two fingers into her pussy to finger-fuck her. Gisele’s continuous whine echoed in the small room, and her body shook.
Holding her outer lips apart with his thumbs, Micah swirled his tongue around her tight clit. She was so close it burned. He flicked his tongue over her most sensitive spot and Gisele tensed, ready to explode.
“You’re mine, honey. Come for me.” Micah’s deep voice commanded her, and Gisele complied. His mouth and tongue consumed her, and Gisele cried out as the delicious release swamped her. Heat flooded her core, and her clit tensed until it hurt, just before she was filled with the welcome relief of climax.
Gisele felt like a rag doll against the sheets, resting with her eyes closed. Micah hovered over her, kissing her breasts and across her collarbone. Then he rose up onto his knees, and she stared at the bulge in his briefs. Reaching up, she cupped his erection and squeezed. “I want to see you,” she said.
Micah slid the briefs down to his knees, exposing his gorgeous cock. It was as big as Gisele had imagined. She ran her palm along the velvety skin, so hot to the touch, then smeared her fingertips in the pre-cum seeping out the top.
“Fuck…Gisele.” The look in Micah’s eyes was feral, and his muscles flexed as he moved over her. She fisted his cock then cupped his balls. When he leaned away as if to search for a condom, Gisele caught his arm.
“We don’t need it,” she whispered.
Micah hesitated. “You’re sure?”
“I’m protected.” Gisele had no concern about Micah. To fight he had to be healthy, and he certainly was that. “I want to feel you inside me.”
Micah sat on the edge of the bed with his feet on the floor. He pulled Gisele up so she could straddle his lap. She held his cock in both hands and pressed it against her belly. His heat ignited her arousal anew. The one thing she wanted was to feel him inside her.
Micah kissed her roughly, then sucked her stiff nipples. With his hands on her waist, he lifted her up, and Gisele guided his shaft into her. The bulbous tip dipped into her wet pussy and she gasped at the feel. Slowly, she slid over Micah until he was plunged deep.
His hot cock stretched her in the way she craved, and Gisele clenched her inner muscles, tightening around his heat. Holding on to his shoulders, she slid over his cock, rising up on her knees then lowering back down.
At first, Gisele was slow and methodical, relishing the feel of Micah and wanting it to last. The intensity escalated by the second, and soon Micah had his hands on her hips speeding her movements. Then he rocked up into her with each stroke, adding to the momentum.
Faster and faster, harder and harder, Micah fucked her, as Gisele’s panting and whimpering grew louder. Then his deep groan drowned her out as he thrust into her hard. Without warning, Gisele shattered in his arms, just as Micah exploded into her.
The feel of Micah pulsing powerfully inside her spiraled Gisele’s orgasm to a higher plateau. Her release was long and delicious, with no quick end. When Micah flopped back onto the bed with Gisele still straddling him, her whole body glowed. Every muscle was relaxed, and every nerve ending hummed.
Gisele fell forward onto his hard chest, and Micah wrapped his arms around her. His chest still heaved with deep breathing, and his skin was still hot to the touch. He stroked her hair and her spine until she closed her eyes.
If much time passed, Gisele wasn’t aware of it. Micah slid her off so she was on her back. With his weight held on his forearms, he kissed her, long and sweetly. Then he kissed her again and again. “I want more,” he said, the words coming from deep in his throat.
Gisele felt his cock against her abdomen; it was swollen and hard. He was ready for her again, and she was so ready for him. Micah wasn’t like any man she’d had before, in so many ways. Gisele knew she was in big trouble, but didn’t care. She was with him now, and that was all that mattered.
Micah was on top this time, kissing and licking her neck while he eased into her. The stretch as his thick cock stroked into her was the center of her world. He was too damn good, too impossibly right to be wrong for her. Gisele arched into him, taking him deeper, all inhibition gone.
A tiny voice nagged at her that she was doing it again, picking the wrong guy. Throwing caution to the wind, Gisele thrust in rhythm with Micah, melting into him. He was heaven on earth, a delicious sin like no other, and she wasn’t about to give him up.