Pleasure Exchange Read online

  His jaw clenched. His heart pounded. And he couldn’t deny it any longer.

  He wanted that. He longed for that. All of that. The wife, the kids, the love, the trust, and the comfort. And he wanted it with Cat. She’d broken through his barriers, touched him down deep, and brought warmth to his darkest corners.

  He was tired of being a coward. Afraid to put himself out there. Afraid of getting hurt. He was tired of being alone…of being lonely. Tired of looking in from the outside, watching and wishing he had a family of his own.

  He’d gotten more than he’d bargained for when he agreed to Cat’s plan, allowing her to step in for his lab rat so he could salvage his project. During his experiment he’d totally lost himself in her…body and soul. How could he not, really? She was loving, caring, and perfect in every way, and he’d gone and fallen in love with her. And maybe…just maybe with the good Lord willing, he had what it took to keep her around.

  Feeling edgy and restless, Sam paced. Perspiration dotted his forehead as he clenched and unclenched his fists, sorting through things with his mind.

  He wanted Cat. Forever.

  Deep in his gut he knew that living without her wasn’t living at all.

  So what the hell was he going to do about it?

  Worry rushed through him. He drew a shaky breath. What if she didn’t feel the same way?

  What if she did?

  It was time for him to step out of his comfort zone, push past his fears, and find out if they could have a future together.

  Sam glanced at the clock and knew he was early, but he had to go to her. He jogged the short distance between their condos and lifted his hand to knock when the door suddenly opened. A surprised Jen stood there.

  “Hi.” He looked past her shoulder. “Is Cat here?”

  Jen nodded. “She’s in the shower.” She opened the door wider and gestured for him to enter. “She asked me to lock up on my way out, so will you do that for me?”

  “Sure.”

  Sam shut the door and set the lock. He listened to the rush of water as he made his way down the hall. With the bathroom door ajar he could see her reflection in the mirror. His body reacted with urgent demands and his heart filled with emotions at the mere sight of her. Everything in him screamed possession, urging him to scoop her up, carry her away, and keep her to himself forever. He closed his eyes briefly. The depth of his desire for her completely threw him. No one had ever rocked his world like Cat Nichols.

  The water turned off. Cat pulled back her clear plastic curtain and draped a towel around her body. Feeling like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, Sam took a couple of steps back.

  “Jen, is that you? I thought you’d already left.”

  He cleared his throat and called out to her. “It’s me.”

  “Oh?” He heard a rustle before she joined him in the hall. A single white towel knotted around her breasts was the only thing keeping his eyes from devouring her gorgeous body.

  Her cheeks were flushed from the hot water, her wet hair clung to her shoulders and back. Water droplets dripped down her neck and soaked into the plush towel.

  “Sam, how did you get in?” Cat glanced down the hall, searching for Jen.

  “Jen let me in and then left.”

  Cat nodded in understanding, wiped water from her face, and blinked her beautiful green eyes. “You’re early.”

  It took entirely too much work to keep his glance from traveling down to examine her long, sleek, sexy legs. “I wanted to catch you before you ate dinner.”

  Cat smiled. “Dinner sounds fabulous. I’m starving.”

  Dinner was an excuse and he damn well knew it. He wanted to spend every waking second with her. He produced a vial with the serum. “The serum is supposed to increase all senses, including taste, so I thought we’d test that at the same time.” It was a small lie, but he needed to see how she felt before he blurted out his feelings and told her exactly how much he wanted her. This was all so new to him.

  “Of course. Just give me a minute to get ready and then I’ll take it.”

  Chapter 9

  Less than a half an hour later Sam escorted Cat to the research room. He pushed open the door to let her in. “How are you feeling?” Narrowing his eyes, he examined her.

  Cat held out her hand. “Shaky from hunger. I thought we were going to grab a bite to eat.”

  “We are.” He nodded to the center of the room.

  Cat glanced at the dinner table. It was beautifully set for two. She smiled. “Once again you surprise me with the details, Sam. Everything looks great.”

  His chest puffed up, clearly thrilled by her approval and appreciation. “That’s because you deserve only the best.” Her smile widened and made his heart rise to his throat. “Come on. Let’s eat before you pass out on me.”

  They sat across from one another at a table full of fresh fruit, cheese, and breads.

  Sam cocked a brow. “Champagne?”

  “I’d love some.” Cat grabbed a plump red grape and popped it in her mouth. She licked her lips and moaned a sweet sexy bedroom moan. Sam watched, captivated. The thoughts of popping something else between those luscious lips made his body vibrate, nearly causing him to spill the damn champagne. After he managed to pour two glasses, he handed her one.

  Cat took a small sip and crinkled her nose. “The bubbles tickle.” She reached for a piece of cheese and bread and nibbled them. “God, everything tastes so good.”

  Sam smiled, picked up a strawberry, and put it in her mouth. She moaned in delight, taking great pleasure in her food. Watching her made him wild with the need to make love to her, to push inside her tight sheath and remain there forever.

  “It’s the enhancer, Cat.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “It’s already beginning to heighten your senses.” Not to mention his own.

  She shrugged and wiggled in her chair. “Maybe it’s just because I’m starving.” She opened her mouth, inviting him to feed her. “More.” There was a note of amusement in her sweet voice.

  Sam shifted his chair closer, until his legs pressed against hers. Heat flared between them as their thighs collided. He reached out and stroked her cheek. Using small circular motions he brushed the pad of his thumb over her skin, all the while his body language indicating that he was imagining it was another part of her body he was caressing. Her eyes blazed with desire as they locked with his.

  He brought a slice of fresh orange to her mouth and held it just out of her reach.

  She whimpered, flicked her tongue out, and drew it into her mouth. Eyes closed, her head lolled to the side. A sigh of pleasure filled the room. The erotic vision before him fueled his desire, causing his body to go up in flames.

  He had to taste, to have her, to make love to her and have her want him on the same emotional level.

  His lips crashed down on hers. Her lids flew open. She gasped in surprise. He drew her orange-soaked tongue into his mouth for a more thorough taste. She leaned into him, deepening the kiss, pressing her lips hungrily into his. Urgent hands moved over her curves, unable to get enough of her. Unable to get her deep enough under his skin.

  “Sam,” she whispered through muffled kisses.

  “Yeah?”

  She inched back, her smile coy, the gleam in her eyes turning wicked. “I know a better way to test my sense of taste.” Unbridled desire laced her voice.

  He felt so crazed with lust, desire, and need he couldn’t comprehend what she was trying to tell him.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I think I want to kiss you.”

  “Cat. We are kissing.”

  She shook her head. “Not there.” Cat stood, pushed her chair away and positioned herself between his open thighs.

  He gulped and began trembling from head to toe as her glance traveled down his body and settled on his cock.

  “What are you doing, Cat?”

  “Well, I’ve been dying to taste you again since yesterday, so I thought we could t
est my sense of taste this way.”

  “Test your what?” he asked, confused.

  She chuckled. “The experiment, Sam. The serum. My heightened senses.”

  “Right,” he forced that one word out and nodded in agreement, knowing his need to be with her had nothing to do with the experiment.

  Her movements were sensual, seductive as she dropped to her knees, leaned back on her heels, and worked his jeans past his legs. With her mouth only inches from his cock, she blew out a breath. His engorged phallus jolted in anticipation as the heat of her breath whispered over his thighs. She sheathed his hard cock in her hand, her fingers idly stroking, the same way one would caress a pet.

  As she licked her lips, he made quick work of his shirt. “Very impressive, Sam. I should have told you that yesterday.”

  A rumble of pleasure sounded low in his throat. He could feel her hot mouth so close to his cock. Man, it felt so damn good. He jerked his hips forward, his dick brushing her lips.

  “Oh God, Cat.” He took short, panting breaths.

  His juices pearled on the top. Her long golden locks fell forward, shadowing her face as she dipped her head. Her tongue slid over his engorged tip, tasting his essence. The silky sweep of her lashes against his skin made him throb. His body tightened and he nearly shot off in her mouth.

  She breathed a kiss over his flesh, taking great pleasure in his size and texture. He took deep fortifying breaths and gathered her hair in his palms, pulling it from her face as she slowly drew the length of him into her throat. Her pretty pink tongue swirled around his head, pushing him to the edge of oblivion. Fire pitched through him, sending his blood pressure soaring.

  Sweat trickled down his neck as he became lost in the pleasure of her expert mouth. Her velvet tongue worked harder as she switched tactics. Small, urgent, short flicks around his tip evolved into long determined strokes down his length.

  Her tongue played around his heavy sac, forcing it to draw tight inside his body as pleasure forked through him. She pulled one ball into her mouth and suckled, drawing an orgasm from his dick. Sweet Jesus, that was all he could take. He gripped her head to ease her off his cock. He was going to come.

  “Cat…” he growled between clenched teeth. His muscles began to clench. “Cat…the bed…now. I want to be inside you when I come.”

  She glanced up at him, her gaze revealing her every emotion. When their glances met something special, unique passed between them. The warmth and emotion in her eyes spoke volumes. She felt the same way about him.

  He felt a tug in his gut.

  Maybe it was higher.

  And a little to the left.

  He lowered his voice. “Sweetheart, let me make love to you on the bed.”

  Cat smiled up at him and gave an erotic whimper. Her soft feminine features pulled at his heart as a bolt of emotionally charged energy arced between them.

  She glanced at the bed. “I’ve never had sex on silk sheets before.”

  His jaw slackened open, clearly appalled. “Then Cat, my love, you haven’t been treated properly. Tonight I’m going to rectify that.”

  Sam was right. No man had ever treated her so properly. Not only did Sam care about her pleasures, but he was eager for them as well. Her heart tightened in her chest as she met his glance. She gazed deep into his eyes and met longing. There was something different in the way he looked at her. Was it possible he saw her as something more than a lab rat?

  She stood, took a small step back, and removed her clothes. Gaze riveted, Sam’s mouth curved enticingly as he watched her step from her jeans and slowly inch down her panties. She shivered as a chill prowled through her.

  “Cat…” His soft voice pulled her in. “I want you so much.”

  Sam made a swift move and put his arms around her, firing her blood. She shimmied closer, tangled her arms around his neck, and locked her legs around his hips as he picked her up and carried her to the bed, sprawling her across a splash of silk sheets.

  The silk felt cool against her heated flesh. He leaned over her. His gaze held her captive as he pressed his lips over hers. His kiss was full of passion, tenderness, emotion. “I need to taste you again, Cat.”

  Her heart pounded and her breath stalled. Her pussy muscles began to undulate and clench at his promising words.

  Positioning himself between her spread legs, he leaned in close. With a feathery light caress he pulled open her swollen folds. She shuddered as he inhaled her aroused scent.

  He looked at her with such desire she thought she’d melt all over the sheets. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered, his voice harsh, rough. He pushed one finger inside her drenched pussy, the pad of his thumb nudging her clitoris. Rhythmically, he eased in and out of her quivering channel. She moaned and pitched forward.

  He growled at her responsiveness. “Your responses make me wild.”

  He pulled his finger all the way out, cupped her backside, and lifted her ass off the bed. He brought his mouth close to her pussy and inhaled. His nostrils flared. “You smell so good.” His warm breath heated her nether lips to the boiling point.

  “Please, Sam…” she begged. With that he answered her urgent plea and sank his mouth into her heat, feasting on her.

  She arched right off the bed. “Oh Sam!”

  “You are so hot, Cat.”

  The room began to spin as Sam seared her clit with his tongue. His fingers moved back inside her needy fissure to play with her oversensitized G-spot. Her head whipped to the side; her throat went dry. She licked her lips and took deep gulping breaths as the pressure of an orgasm mounted.

  “Come for me, baby. Let me taste you again.”

  His words, his voice, and the tenderness in his eyes pushed her over the edge. He sucked harder on her clit, drawing it into his mouth, playing with it.

  She opened her mouth in a silent gasp as stars danced before her eyes. She thrust forward; her body convulsed. Powerful emotions surged through her as a wave of liquid heat rushed to his mouth. Every nerve in her body vibrated and burned from sensory overload, but she couldn’t tell whether it was from the serum or from being with the man she loved.

  He climbed up her body and lightly, lovingly brushed his lips over hers. He grabbed a condom from the side table and slipped it on. Nestling back between her legs, his cock probed her opening as his gaze bore into the depths of her soul. He brushed her hair from her face. Her heart jumped. His intimate touch was different. Less physical, more emotional.

  She touched his cheek, her need for him completely overwhelming her. “Sam, make love to me.”

  “My pleasure.” He closed his mouth over hers, swallowing her gasp as he plunged into her. She held him tight, hugging him as his lovemaking stirred all her emotions. God, he felt so wonderful. She’d never experienced such raw, intense need in her life.

  He pumped, she arched, and all rational thought dissolved. Balancing on his arms, his muscles tightened and flexed. Together they established a rhythm. His heat reached out to her, curling around her, warming her from the inside out.

  His voice was low, rough. “You are so hot and tight, Cat. I won’t last.”

  “I’m already there again, Sam,” she whispered, running her fingers though his hair, pulling, tugging, needing all of him, yet not able to get him close enough.

  She drew him to her. “Hold me.” He slipped his arms under her shoulders and pressed his chest against hers as another orgasm washed over her.

  Their bodies fused as one as her sex muscles clenched around his cock. “Baby, I feel your hot juices.” Sam thrust harder, driving her deeper into the mattress. “Oh God, Cat.” His cock pulsed and throbbed in the depths of her core as he came inside her channel.

  He rolled onto his side. Never breaking contact, he brought her with him. She cuddled into a wall of muscle and felt the rapid rise and fall of his chest. He stroked her cheek, brushing her hair from her forehead. When he touched her like that, like he really meant it, her world turned upside down.

>   They held each other for a long moment, as if their very lives depended on it. Without even thinking about it their fingers searched each other out and linked together.

  She drew a deep breath and said calmly, “Sam, I think we have a problem.”

  “A problem?”

  She shook her head. “You see, I was so busy making love to you, I forgot to gauge my responses.”

  “That’s not good, Cat.”

  “Nope, not good at all.”

  “What does that mean?” he questioned in a soft tone.

  She frowned. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to run the experiment again.”

  He shook his head in mock exasperation. “Where are you ever going to find another stud like me at this time of night?”

  Cat couldn’t help but to smile. “It’s impossible. So that really only leaves one solution.”

  “Only one?” he asked, no longer able to keep the grin from his handsome face.

  “Only one.” She crushed her body against his, her hard nipples giving him a silent message.

  He blew out an exaggerated breath. “Well hell, the things I have to do in the name of science.”

  Chapter 10

  They were both quiet, lost in their own thoughts during the ride back to their condo complex. Sam took that time to reflect on the night’s events and the emotions Cat had pulled from him. He cradled her hand in his, needing the physical contact at all times.

  He parked his vehicle and turned in his seat. His heart galloped as he gazed at her. He couldn’t let this night end. Not yet. Not ever. He needed to be around her. To spend the night. To fall asleep locked in each other’s embrace. He gently stroked her face, wanting to tell her how he felt but needing to hear her say it first.

  “Nightcap?” His voice was rough with emotions.