GRUDGE MATCH (Love Challenge) (4 page)

             
“Sorry, just focused on a new project.”  His eyes reluctantly turned away from Holly and her unconsciously sexy movements. 

             
Anna Beth turned to see what Mason was obsessing over.  “Mhm, I see that.”  Tapping her index finger across her full bottom lip, she said, “That Holly.  She could really have done something with her life.  Look at her.  She’s skin and bones, big circles around her eyes and still unmarried.  She’s an old maid.”

Anna Beth’s harsh
laugh inflamed Mason instantly, like trusses two inches shorter than ordered.  “She busts her ass all day and night in this place.  She’s beautiful.”  His voice rose as the insults hit him in the solar plexus.  He restrained more violent words from flying into Anna Beth’s face, barely, and said instead, “Holly’s made this place great again and nearly a staple of the Four Rivers Community.  As far as her married status, she could have married anyone at any time.  The fact she hasn’t has made me extremely grateful.”  Picking up his coffee, he marched straight to Holly, who stared at him owl-eyed and slack jawed, obviously having heard him.

             
“We have to talk,” he said coming around the counter, grasping Holly by the elbow and steering her toward the tiny office at the back of the building.  Recovering from her shock, Holly began to protest, trying to dig her heels in and back-pedal.  “Walk or I’m going to carry you and fuck you over your desk when we get there.  All that squirming is making me crazy.”  A low growl of frustration answered him.  He grinned, loving her piss and vinegar.  She would never be boring.  She worked as hard as he did and played as hard too.  God knew he loved that-an equal.

             
She kept the door from slamming closed behind them and drawing attention to them.  “Why would you defend me from Anna Beth?”

Mason held Holly, her back to his chest and walked her to her desk where it bumped her hip.
  His hands roaming her stiff shoulders and neck then slid down the sides of her spine and across her hips where he pulled her tighter against his hard length.  “Because it was the right thing to do,” he whispered into her ear, before beginning to nibble until she shivered.  Then he moved to the other ear.  One hand roamed down, inside the front of her jeans to reach her core.  He thumbed her clit and pressed two fingers into her weeping center. 

Holly bucked, rocked and whimpered, not
forming coherent words.  Her head leaned back and rested on his shoulder.  His free hand worked its way beneath her t-shirt and began to worry her nipples. He rubbed, pinched, and pulled an orgasm from her in moments, her body still primed from the night before.  Holding her upright, her body shaking, he withdrew his hand from her jeans and pulled her back with him around the desk to sit in a chair, arranging her on his lap. 

Breathing hard
still, she said, “You are not out of the dog house.”  He pushed her up to remove her jeans and panties while she fumbled with his zipper to free his aching cock.  He pulled her down on his lap facing out, penetrating her wet heat with a groan. 

Steadily rocking beneath her, he said,
“I know.  I’m sorry I couldn’t stay this morning.  I had an early meeting with Eagle Development.  They are considering me for their contractor in a five year project.”   Holly’s body relaxed further against him, her head tilted to allow him access to her neck.  His tongue flicked out for a taste.  He felt the trembling of her inner muscles as she neared her climax.  He pumped into her harder and faster until her release fisted him and he let himself empty into her amazing body.

“So you weren’t being a jack ass on purpose?”
 

“Not on purpose, it comes naturally.”

“Rogue.”

“I like the way you say rogue. “ He turned her toward him for a deep kiss, her lips
opened.  Taking his time, he stroked her tongue with his, exploring her mouth completely.  Nipping her lower lip, he leaned back.  Her lips swollen from his kisses made him think, mine.  “We have more to talk about.”

“
What are you doing?”  Her brows drew together, she shook her head.  “What am I doing?”  She scrambled off his lap.  “I didn’t expect anything beyond last night.”

“You can’t just leave like
this.  You haven’t gotten to see how I might pleasure you as dominant.  I may be able to please you with my new found super power,” he teased, trying to help her dress.

“Super power?”  Her right
brow rose, “What’s that?”

“You’ll just have to play along.
  I’m supposed to show my teacher what I learned in class in a practical application.  Right?”  He smiled down at her after tidying his clothes.

             
Her eyes held a combination of arousal, wariness, play and something he couldn’t name, but touched him deep down.  His sense of play was tugging at her responsible soul.  She could use more play in her life.  She could use him in her life.

“All right.  How about tomorrow?”

“Can’t wait that long.  How about tonight at eleven-thirty when you’ve finished closing?”

Taking a deep breath, Holly said, “Okay,” her breath escaping in a rush.

Chuckling, Mason kissed her again quickly this time.  “Sounds perfect.  “I’ll pick you up here.”

“Sure.”

Off-balance was a great place for Holly.  Mason needed to keep her on her toes.  He put his cheek against hers and caressed her softly.  He liked the feel of her soft skin against his face.  He wanted her to feel wanted and a little anxious too. 

Leaving the office, Holly put Mason’s lunch order in a box and silently gave it to him and took his money.
 

Anna Beth walked by Mason as he was leaving, so he held the door for her.
  “Say thank you, Anna Beth,” she said to him as she whisked by, looking smug.

“I
hate being played, but thank you.”

“Looks like you broke the ice nicely.”

Mason fought the heat rising in his cheeks.

“That’s about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”  She clapped her hands.  “Glad to help.”

Mason couldn’t be mad at Anna Beth taking advantage of his distraction.  The result was he had another night with Holly and she wasn’t giving him the cold shoulder anymore.  He had a few loose ends to tie up at the job site and then he needed to get ready for Holly.  He rubbed his hands together and grinned as he made a mental list for the hardware store. 

Chapter Four

“So what’s your new found super power?”
Holly’s curiosity must have acted up in response to Mason’s playful side.  He hoped her day had been pure torture intended to torment the impatient.  He didn’t think he would endure another second when he finally was able to leave the office.  His raging body hadn’t settled since he’d left the pizzeria. 

“Power of focus.”

Smiling down at her, he opened his arm to let her step into her house “Shall we go inside?” He would have preferred to be in his own home, but he recognized Holly’s need for comfort and support familiar surroundings offered.  Tonight he was going to draw out her own likes, dislikes, her pleasures and he planned to sear his presence into her heart.

Holly eyed Mason’s duffle bag
slung over his shoulder.  Let her wonder what was in there.  “Are you planning to stay?” she indicated the duffle. 

“A few basic necessities for tonight.” H
e watched as her eyes widened and dilated with arousal.  With no warning, she dove for the bag.  She managed to grip one strap, but wasn’t able to wrest it from his hold.  Mason raised the duffle out of her reach and laughed at her attempt.  “You’ll get to see what’s in here.  You won’t have to wait too long.”

* * *

His sense of play was in full force and that alone should have scared her, but she loved this new, exciting Mason.  This is what she had searched for in others and longed for in their prior exchanges.  Not just a lover, but a playmate-a friend. 

Leading her to her bedroom, he placed the bag beside the bed on the side he’d slept in the night before.  He walked to Holly and pulled her in for a quick kiss.  When she tried to deepen the kiss, he pulled back and guided Holly to the bathroom. 

“Today, you’re going to practice receiving.”

“Receiving?” she echoed in confusion. 
Her puzzled facial expression, one of his favorites, made his gut tighten in anticipation. 

“We’ll start with a shower.”  He slipped her dirty work shirt over her head, turned her around to free her breasts from her
lacy pink bra, she loved sexy underwear.  She may have had to work as hard as the next person, but she liked being a woman and enjoyed lacy, frilly underclothes at every possible turn.   Slowly running his fingers along the crease line beneath her breasts left by the bra, he eased the tender flesh.  Moving to her button and zip at the top of her jeans, he came back around after placing a kiss to her back and knelt in front of her as he removed her shoes, one at a time.  Her stomach quivered and her heart pounded.  He paid particular attention to the balls of her feet and ankles, then slid her jeans and panties to the floor for her to step out of the last of her clothes.  Turning away, he started the shower and when he turned back, she stepped up to undress him he held her hands in front of him. 

“Just watch,” he made quick work of his clothes and felt his chest swell as her eyes studied him with avid interest.  His cock twitched as he took in every inch of her
nakedness.  “You’re beautiful.  Amazing.”  Desire colored his voice as his eyes skimmed over her tight pink nipples, and the flush of need that spread high on her cheekbones. 

In the shower,
he washed her hair, taking extra time to work his hands on her scalp, enjoying the feel of her body relaxing.  He took her bath sponge and lathered it with her favorite soap, the vanilla and cream scent she always used.  Thoroughly enjoying herself, she had a turn to wash his glorious body.

* * *

Once they were clean and dried, Mason took out a small bottle of oil from his bag, led her to the bed and began to massage her shoulders.  What knots resisted the shower were no match for his touch.  Not until he had each muscle group worked to relaxation did he move to the next.  Her skin was soft and warm.  His body throbbed with need, but he wanted to show her he could wait for what he wanted and put her needs first.  After failing ten years ago, he had found his new mission.  She needed to know what he felt wasn’t all about sex.  A slow smile climbed his face as he continued to rub, push and pull the muscles of her fine body while avoiding any of her more sensitive spots.  He would savor those later.  Rolling her over to her back, he massaged the front of her body.  Working from her toes up, he skipped her breasts and worked the muscles above them just below her clavicle. 

Arousal
flushed her face when he brushed his lips over hers in a light kiss.  When she rose up to maintain contact, he backed away, moved his head to her breasts and kissed one puckered nipple before picking up the leather straps from the floor.  He pulled her hands over her head and tied her wrists to the headboard.  There wasn’t a good way to tie her ankles, he’d work on that next time.  For tonight, he had plenty to work with.  He loved that she had a bed fitted out with bondage.  Damn, that was hot.  The sight of her bound and splayed before him made his cock throb, his heart beat painfully against his chest and most cognitive abilities dribbled out his ear. 

He took a moment to enjoy the sight of every naughty fantasy
he had ever had laying before him panting in excitement.  She lifted her chin, her eyes challenged him.  He loved her sense of fair play and intended to exploit that trait in detail.  Next time.  Tonight, she’d submit.

“I want to hear all your sighs, moans and screams.  You will tell me what you like, what you want, what pleasures you.  After that, we’ll work through all your fantasies and push the envelope of any sexual barriers you have.”

“All in one night?” spoken in a tone both incredulous and amused. 

Her raised eyebrow didn’t slow him down. 

“Got to start somewhere.”

             
“Okay.”

             
“You will answer my questions honestly, no matter if they embarrass you.  Your pleasure will depend on honest answers.”

             
Her beautifully stiff nipples tightened more as he spoke, her hips shifted restlessly.  Taking a deep controlling breath to calm himself, he covered her body.   A fine sheen of sweat on her upper lip, her eyes wide open, he settled his hips between hers, making himself at home.  He nearly came right there, he gripped his cock hard to stop himself from coming all over her stomach.  He focused on his plan for her, beginning with a kiss.