Temporarily Yours (A Shillings Agency Novel) (Entangled Brazen) (6 page)

And worse yet—why wasn’t he kissing her anymore?

Reaching past her, he turned on the shower, and the steam crept out from behind the shower curtain instantly. “Like I said, I’d like to stay with you. I want to spend the next couple of days giving you mind-blowing orgasms every night, if you’ll let me.”

“With an offer like that, you make it impossible to refuse.”

And God help her, she didn’t want to. Not when his naked body was against hers as the steam from the shower curled around them.

He appealed to her in an irresistible way. And, really, why was she resisting at all? It’s not like she wanted a long-term relationship in her life, and this situation was perfect.

Simple. Easy. Painless.

Why not take what he had to offer?

Chapter Nine

When Kayla stood up on tiptoes and kissed him, her tongue brushing against his parted lips, Cooper knew their relationship ruse was a done deal. For better or for worse, they were doing this. He closed his arms around her, shoving down the blanket she’d wrapped around her shoulders earlier, until she stood in front of him as naked as he was.

Then he lifted her up over the tub and into the shower, not breaking contact with her mouth the whole way, even as he climbed in with her. When she hit the wall, he slid his hands under her ass and lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist and surged against him, rubbing his cock between her legs. Desire pooled in his gut, fueled with a bout of desperation.

She dug her nails into his shoulders, pulling him tighter against her chest. The water cascaded over them, rolling down her neck and over her pink nipples. Fuck, that was a sight for sore eyes, right there.

One he never wanted to forget.

“Put me down,” she demanded.

She wiggled in his arms, and he did as she requested. When he dropped her legs from his waist, she put her hands on his chest and backed him into the shower stream. He let her, because why the hell not? Whatever she had planned was sure to be beneficial to them both. She stood up on tiptoe, brushing her hard nipples against him teasingly, and she kissed him again.

He hissed in a deep breath as she slid her hand between their bodies and brushed her fingers against his cock. “You’re going to kill me,” he muttered, his jaw tight.

She grinned. “Perhaps. But I promise that you’ll enjoy every second of it.”

“I never doubted it.”

The water ran down her forehead and made her long lashes spiky, drawing attention to her heated gaze. He gripped her waist, pulling her closer so he could touch her, but she slapped his hold off. “I’m in charge.”

“We’ll see about that,” he said, his hold on her tight and his cock hurting from how hard he was. “But I’ll allow it…for now.”

She trailed her fingers down the thin line of hair that led to his cock. “Something tells me you like to be in charge at all times. Am I right?”

He flexed his jaw. “You’re right.”

“Hm. We’ll have to fix that.” She closed her hand over his shaft. “Sometimes it’s nice to let go.”

She released her hold on him and maneuvered him out of the shower stream. Then she picked up a washcloth and squirted some soap on it. He stood completely still and let her do what she wanted. She ran the washcloth over his chest then scrubbed his hard nipples. He hissed again and clenched his fists tighter, need building in his gut.

Yep. She was going to fucking kill him.

When she spun him around to face the wall, he glanced at her in confusion. He’d rather be watching
her
, damn it. “Kayla.”

“Shh.” Behind him, she trailed her fingers over his hard stomach, letting her wrist brush his cock, but nothing more. “Hands up on the wall.”

Incredulous, he shot her a look over his shoulder. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

She pursed her lips and didn’t say anything. As a matter of fact, she stared him the fuck down. Finally, after an internal struggle with himself, he turned back around and placed his hands on the wall. Leaning in, she washed his back, then moved the soapy washcloth over his ass. She cupped the muscles there as she rubbed her wet breasts against him.

That was
enough
.

He turned around, sweeping her into his arms and regaining control. She’d had her fun—now it was his turn to play. His mouth swooped down on hers, refusing to be told no. He cupped her ass and started to lift her against the wall, but she pulled free and shook her head.

“I’m not done yet,” she breathed.

“Kayla…” He dropped his forehead to hers. “If you don’t stop this torment soon, payback will be a bitch.”

“Then I guess I better earn it, huh?” Sinking to her knees, she looked up at him through her lashes. “Don’t move if you want to be inside of my mouth.”

He stared down at her, his cock begging for what she was about to do. He didn’t move a muscle. “Fuck yeah, I want it.”

With the washcloth, she rubbed his balls, taking her sweet time. By the time she was finished, he was panting erratically and his eyes were shut, and he was ready to beg.

Him. Begging. He didn’t fucking beg, for Christ’s sakes.

Dropping the washcloth, she pulled him forward into the water again. Once all traces of soap were gone, she ran her fingers over his cock. Then she flicked her tongue against the head, cupping his balls with her hands, and sucked him in so deeply he almost died.

He froze, his hands entwined in her wet locks. “
Kayla
.”

“I know.” She ran her tongue up his cock, from the bottom to the tip, and he groaned. The noise sounded way too tortured for his liking. She was trying to break him…and succeeding. “But it hurts so good, doesn’t it, Cooper?”

Her pink tongue darted out against his cock, driving him insane. Her eyes met his, and then she licked him again, this time running her tongue up his whole length. His voice raspy and rough, he said, “Do that again.”

She did, and then she flicked her tongue over him, this time closing her fingers around him and squeezing. Swirling her tongue over the head of his cock, she took him deep into her mouth, sucking gently, and he almost came right then and there.

His thighs trembled and he collapsed against the shower wall, inviting the cold tile against his back. Maybe it would help him keep his head. But then she moaned and took him in even deeper. Without giving her a warning, he picked her up and set her on her feet, leaving about a foot between them.

When she took a step toward him, her eyes on his cock, he held a hand out. “No. I’m
not
coming in your mouth, damn it. When I come, I’ll be buried so deep in your pussy that you’ll forget what it feels like to
not
have me inside of you.”

She bit down on that lusciously swollen bottom lip of hers. “God, yes.”

“And you’ll be screaming that, too.” He spun her around, his hands roaming over her full breasts, and then he pressed her forward against the cool tile wall. Just like she’d done to him. “Now it’s
my
turn to play, sweetheart.”

He slapped her ass lightly, then nibbled on her neck. She cried out and squeezed her legs together. “Oh my God.”

He slapped her ass again, then spun her around to face him. Next, he framed her face with his hands and kissed her, devouring her mouth hungrily. She gripped his forearms as she returned his kiss.

Her tongue danced with his and a soft cry escaped her. He grabbed the washcloth she’d used earlier and slid it over her shoulder, slow and gentle. He squeezed her nipples through the fabric, tugging on them until she whimpered. Then he ripped his lips from hers and washed her stomach, his fingers dipping close to her clit, but not touching her. She needed to wait for that a little while longer after those tricks she’d played earlier.

Payback was a bitch.

He nibbled on her neck and ran the washcloth over her wet curls, then traced the curve of her ass. Man, he loved that ass of hers.

“
Now
,” she demanded, lifting her leg so he could wash it. “Please.”

He washed her inner thigh, slowly inching up to her pussy. Dropping her leg, he lifted her other one. “Not yet.”

Lowering his head, he closed his mouth around her nipple and scraped his teeth against it. She cradled the back of his head, pulling him closer. He dropped to his knees and nibbled at her hip, dipping the washcloth between her legs. Loving the way she looked from down here, all soapy wet and glistening.

He saw her knees tremble and she spread her legs more. Every touch, every caress, sent her closer to the edge—he knew it.

He rubbed his thumb against her clit, massaging her in slow circles, and her knees gave out. He saved her from hitting the floor with his free arm, supporting her weight since she couldn’t at the moment. When she regained her footing, he stood and rinsed her off, then slammed his fist down on the shower knob, shutting off the water.

He picked her up and deposited her in front of the sink—and the mirror. Reaching past her, he grabbed a condom off the counter and rolled it on, his gaze locked with hers. “I’m going to fuck you, and I want you to watch the whole time.”

She bit down hard on her lip and whimpered. She tried to hide it, but he heard it.

“But first…” He dropped to his knees in front of her and licked her, closing his eyes as he did. Her pussy tasted so fucking sweet. He gripped her hips and swirled his tongue against her clit, pressing deeper. Harder. She let out a cry, her hands digging into his scalp.

He lifted her hips a little more and increased the pressure with each swirl of his tongue, and then she went still, one word bursting out of her lips like a prayer. “Cooper.”

She wasn’t allowed to crash. She needed to keep soaring.

He stood, spun her so she was bent forward sprawled across the sink, and then slammed inside of her. Their gazes locked in the mirror, her flushed cheeks and swollen lips nearly sending him over the edge. He cupped her breasts, his thumb tweaking her nipples, as he moved inside of her with a desperation he’d never felt before.

Fuck, she was hot.

He withdrew and thrust forward again, groaning when her pussy clenched down on him. She was coming, and he was right there with her. He reached around her and pressed his thumb against her clit, applying a light pressure, and drove home inside her.

“
Oh my God
,” she cried out.

His whole body gave way, and his cock jerked as he came. He buried his face in her neck, his arms tight around her. The pleasure shattered him into a million fucking pieces, and he collapsed against her back, making sure to put his weight on the sink instead of on her.

“Fuck.”

He held her tight, closing his eyes and resting his cheek against her back. He couldn’t help but realize that for the first time ever…

He didn’t want to let a woman go.

Chapter Ten

Later that afternoon, Kayla looked out the window of Cooper’s Escalade, tapping her fingers on the door. “When you meet my mom, make sure you’re charming. Like, full blast. If you do that, there’s an eighty-nine-point-nine percent chance that you’ll distract her from asking you too many questions. And she might just fall for this whole thing, too. Maybe.”

He laughed. “Is that so? That’s an
awfully
precise number.”

She shrugged. “I’m that good. And when you meet her, give her the dimples. They worked on me. Also, there’s a seventy-three percent chance that—”

“Sweetheart? You’re babbling again.”

Her cheeks heated. He was right. She was. “I’m sorry. I just want this to go as smoothly as possible.” She turned to him. “There’s a seventy-three percent chance that my dad will hate you.”

“You had to get that statistic out, didn’t you?”

“Oh my God, yes.”

He grinned and turned down the road that led to the restaurant where the rehearsal dinner was being held. “I think I can handle those odds. I’ll manage to win over your mom, which will win over your dad. So don’t worry.”

“I didn’t doubt you could do that,” she said dryly. “Your charm is legendary already.”

And they would need that charm in the face of her family’s pending wrath. They hadn’t made it to her parents’ house before the dinner party. As a matter of fact, they’d been running behind ever since he’d seduced her into another round of sex this morning.

And
man
, what a round it had been.

She hoped there would be a lot more of that after they got through this party and returned to the hotel.

It would be her reward for good behavior.

“Well…” He bent down to peer through the windshield toward the restaurant. “Let’s go over some more details real quick. When’s your birthday?”

“May third.” She looked back at him. “Yours?”

“December sixth.” He turned into the parking lot. “Are we into PDA?”

She hesitated. “Hand holding and soft kisses. No tongue.”

“Damn. I guess I’ll have to behave myself until later, then.”

“When we’re alone, all bets are off.” She skimmed her fingers over his thigh, creeping toward his cock but not touching him there. “But you already knew that.”

“I did,” he said, his voice a little raspy. “Are you allergic to anything?”

“Peanuts.”

“Me too.” He shot her a surprised look. “Looks like our fictional kids are fucked.”

She laughed. “Guess so. But you’re moving way too fast for this fictional relationship.”

“Touché. Favorite food?”

“Steak and potatoes.” She sighed as they pulled into the parking spot. She really didn’t want to go inside. Didn’t want to start this whole charade.

They were
so
going to fail.

In fact, she’d bet they had a ninety-four-point-six percent chance of failing—and that was being generous.

Why couldn’t she be allowed to just enjoy her sister’s wedding in peace? Without a date, people would bombard her with questions about when she was going to settle down. Yet with a date, she ran the risk of having people bombard her with the very same questions.

She was damned if she did. And damned if she didn’t.

She checked her hair one more time. Lowering the visor, she asked, “Your favorite food?”

“Lobster and scallops.” He unclicked his seatbelt. “Are we going with my real profession, or are we making up a more prestigious one?”

Surprised, she looked at him, her hand half-way to her face. “Private security and past Marine? It doesn’t get any better than that in my family. They’re big on military and service men.”

“All right. So we’re telling the truth? That I couldn’t cut it in the Marines?”

She reached out and squeezed his thigh, but he still didn’t look at her. “There’s no shame in leaving the Corps. Most of your co-workers at your new job will be the same as you. Private security primarily is made up of former military. And private security is okay with my family too. I’m sure of it.” She hesitated, debating her next question about his time stationed abroad. “What happened over there anyway?”

He pressed his lips together. “Nothing. You ready to go in?”

No, she wasn’t. She’d rather sit here and talk about his life some more, and about what had happened when he’d been overseas, but she knew he was done. The topic was closed, and she had to respect that.

She had a sinking suspicion he was running from something, or someone, as if he felt he owed a debt and he had to sacrifice his own happiness to pay it. But she wasn’t going to push it. Now was not the time. Not after he was trying so hard to make tonight with her family easy for her.

“Let’s do this.” She opened the door and stepped out, her foot slipping on a patch of ice upon contact. Laughter and music trickled through the cracked door of the restaurant. Her parents had rented a hall out for the pre-wedding party. A few distant cousins huddled outside of the door, smoking and chatting. Normally, Kayla would be the responsible one. The one who took care of them all if they drank too much, making sure they all got into bed okay and didn’t puke all over themselves.

But not this time.

This time, she was going to forget about them and enjoy her sister’s wedding with Cooper at her side. She’d dance. She’d laugh. Maybe she’d even get a little drunk herself. Then, when she was done here, she would go home with Cooper and have crazy-ass orgasms all night long.

Take that, world
.

Cooper came up to her side and slid his hand into hers. “What are the odds we’ll fail?”

She hesitated. Maybe she should sugarcoat it for the sake of optimism and all that universe crap. “Fifty-fifty.”

“Liar,” he said under his breath. “Give it to me straight.”

“Ninety-four-point-six, I’d say.” She stole a peek at him. “How’d you know I was lying?”

“You blushed.” He rubbed his jaw, his gaze on the restaurant door. “Do we love each other? How long have we been together?”

Kayla couldn’t stop focusing on that word.
Love
. Coming from him, it sounded…hell, she didn’t know. But it hit her hard for some reason. “Uh, yeah. We love each other. We should say it a few times, I guess. Get used to it. Lay it on me, big man.”

He stopped walking, cupped her face, and met her eyes. “I…I…I can’t. I’ve never said it to a woman other than my mother before, and when I do, I want it to be real. If I ever say I love someone, I’ll mean it. I can’t pretend that. But I’ll make sure they can
see
we’re in love.”

The way he was looking at her felt an awful lot like love, so that could totally work. And knowing he’d never told anyone that he loved them before kind of made her happy.

What the hell was up with that? It wasn’t as if he was ever going to say it to her.

They wouldn’t know each other long enough to progress that far.

And for the first time, his upcoming move overseas didn’t make her happy. It made her feel…
restless
. Itchy. She cleared her throat and forced a smile, covering his hand with hers. “As long as you can say it with your eyes, it works for me.”

He wrinkled his brow. “Like this?” He gave her a smoldering look that would rival Ian Somerhalder.
Hot damn
. “How’s that?”

Freaking breathtaking. But that wasn’t
love
that his eyes were screaming at her. No, they were saying,
fuck me now
. And she wanted to oh so badly.

“Keep staring at me like that and I’ll be sneaking you into the bathroom for a quickie.” She quickly lowered her eyes. “But that kind of look’s not what I meant. I was talking about the way you were watching me before. All warm, tender and sweet. As if you really cared about me.”

“Sweet and tender?” He blinked in confusion. “I didn’t realize I was looking at you that way. Maybe it was a trick of the lighting.”

Her pulse kicked up a notch. “Oh.”

“Yeah.” He shook his head slightly and dropped his hand, seeming to be as confused as she felt right now. He stepped back from her and dragged a hand through his hair. “I’ll try to recreate it, though.”

“All right. Here we go.”

He weaved his fingers through hers and led her inside. As soon as their feet crossed the threshold of the restaurant, her mother pounced on them with open arms. She must have been watching for their arrival. Buried in layers of red curly hair, and the familiar scent of Chanel perfume, her mother hugged Kayla tightly. She returned the embrace with the hand that wasn’t still entwined with Cooper’s.

For some reason, she didn’t want to let go of him yet. “Hi, Mom.”

“Sweetheart, we missed you at Christmas.” Pulling back, she gazed at Cooper over Kayla’s head, her mouth curved in a smile. “But now that I’ve met your infamous boyfriend, I can totally see why you stayed home. I would have, too.”

Kayla’s cheeks heated. Leave it to her mother to speak her mind without any censure. Very un-Southern of her. “Mom, this is Cooper Shillings. Cooper, my mother, Holly. I’m sure my dad will be along soon, too.”

“Mrs. Moriarity, I’m happy to finally get to meet you.” Cooper shook her hand. “I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you.”

Her mom beamed up at him, holding his hand with both of hers. “And I’ve heard almost nothing about you.” She quickly cut her eyes at Kayla, but her warm expression was firmly in place when she returned her gaze to Cooper. “I’m so pleased to meet you and so happy you could clear time in your schedule to join Kayla. Will you be staying for the whole weekend and the wedding?”

After her mother released his hand, he replied, “I do believe so, yes. I report for my new job on Monday, but I’ll be here until then. Refresh my memory, what day is the wedding?”

“Saturday,” Kayla offered quickly. Then she smiled at her mom, her heart racing. Already they were running into issues. He
should
have known when the wedding was, if he was really her boyfriend. “I hadn’t told him since he wasn’t coming originally. Besides, you know how men are with weddings.”

“Right,” Cooper agreed, taking Kayla’s hand, his fingers flexing. “So, yes, I’ll be here for the wedding, as long as the last minute addition doesn’t cause any problems for you. I know you’ve been busy making everything perfect for this weekend. Kayla told me how hard you work to make everyone happy, and you always succeed.”

“Aw, well aren’t you sweet?” Her mom melted. Literally melted into a puddle. “Of course I don’t mind adding another person, dear. I’m thrilled to have you here.”

“Excellent,” he said, smiling.

“Come, let’s introduce you to everyone else.” Her mother met Cooper’s eyes and offered a sympathetic expression. “But first Kayla’s father is waiting to meet you, too. I apologize in advance.”

Cooper shot Kayla an unreadable look as Kayla’s mom headed across the room, towing a nervous looking Cooper behind her. “Should I be scared?” he whispered.

Kayla grimaced and nodded.

Her sister, Susan, rushed up to the group. Her brown hair was pulled back in an impeccable bun, and her blue eyes were latched on Cooper with surprise. “It’s true? You brought your boyfriend with you! I thought you made him up to get Mom off your back.”

“I’m right here,” her mom said, not even bothering to act offended.

“I know, but even you have to admit it was dodgy that she wouldn’t even tell us her boyfriend’s name.” She turned to Cooper. “Said she wanted everything about him to be a surprise for when we met him. Go figure.”

“Well, I uh,” Kayla fumbled, “I did.”

“I see that
now
. But I also know how Mom is about digging into our personal life.”

“Again, Susan. I’m right here,” her mom interjected. “Besides, there’s nothing wrong with my desire to see my children happily married. It’s only natural. But now that we have Cooper—”

“
Mom
!” Kayla closed her eyes in mortification. Thank God this relationship wasn’t real, or this conversation would be even more awkward than it already was. “Stop it.”

“What? Marriage is something that every new couple should discuss up front.” Her mom smiled at Cooper. “It’s good to know where you stand early on, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Absolutely, Mrs. Moriarity.” He threw his hand over her shoulders. “Marriage is a very serious topic that one should never take lightly, and it’s something we’ve discussed several times. We both know where we stand.”

She smiled even bigger. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“Stop torturing them, Mom.” Susan hugged Kayla tightly, and Kayla held her close. When the hug ended, Susan motioned her fiancé, Max, over. “Cooper, it’s great to meet you.”

Cooper stepped forward, both dimples in full force just like Kayla had asked for. “It’s lovely to meet you, too, Susan. Kayla and I are so happy for you and Max.”

Kayla nodded. “
So
happy. I can’t wait to see your dress, too. I mean, the picture you emailed was nice but I’m sure it’s even more beautiful in person.”

“I’ll show it to you tomorrow when you come to dinner,” Susan promised, grinning at them both. “Oh, here’s Max.”

“Kayla, you’re here!” Max hugged Kayla, then turned to Cooper. His blond hair was longer than she remembered, and he was clean-shaven. He was a little shorter than Cooper, but not much, and he wore a black suit. He looked happily in love. “Hello, I’m Max.”

“Cooper Shillings.” Cooper shook his hand, inclining his head. “I’m the boyfriend who everyone thought was fake, apparently.”

Max laughed. “Well, welcome to the family. Glad to see you’re real.”

“Thank you for having me.”

Her mother clapped her hands and sighed, looking way too happy to have both the sisters and their men here together. “Susan and Max, you two have to mingle, since it’s your wedding party. Off you go now.”

Kayla kept Susan close. “But we just saw each other.”

“You’ll see each other again,” her mom said primly.

Susan smiled at Kayla and smoothed her satin dress. The red was quite a lovely color on her. “We’ll have more time tomorrow. There’s a reason we took the day off before the wedding to relax.” She counted off on her fingers. “Rehearsal dinner tonight, small family gathering at home tomorrow. A bit unorthodox, given that most rehearsal dinners are the night before. But it’s my day and this is the way I wanted it.”