Tempted by Trouble

chapter SIX


His gaze riveted her to the spot. Not even the footsteps stomping down the hall were enough motivation to back away. She swallowed, praying that the spell would break and she’d get back her mind and have her heart safely returned.

Sweet Lord, when he slammed his mouth back against her lips, his hands gripping her upper arms and he growled, nipping her lip, she didn’t give a hoot.

“We’re not done. Not by far,” he murmured.

He squeezed her shoulders and set her back. “Why don’t you review the lab sheets? I’m going to see what’s going on. Remember, don’t say a peep or come out. I need to get rid of him.”

The door closed behind him. Carolina’s brain was intoxicated by his body and his cologne that perpetually infused the entire area. She concentrated on walking the ten feet toward his desk, hardly conscious of anything but the swollen contours of her lips, the clenching and throbbing of her heart all the way down between her legs.

The leather chair was her goal of the moment. She sighed and sank down into the soft seat. She swiveled back and forth, pressing her fingertips against her brow. She closed her eyes, imagining Matt. Her mind had a bad sense of humor and kept undressing him and putting him in all sorts of erotic poses and saying sinfully naughty things non-stop filtering through her imagination.

She sat, crossing her legs tightly, pressing her knees together as spasms were unleashed between her legs. The string of digits printed on the sample receded if she didn’t keep reminding herself to read the white label and type the identification number on the lab chain of custody.

Matt’s voice sounded muffled in the hall, just feet from the door. She recognized the voice of Miller and wondered what Matt would say if his family found out about these samples. Locked in a closet and from what he said, she gathered his family didn’t know his intent or suspicions, not one of them. A deep laugh followed by a loud goodbye and then silence.

She didn’t stop typing just backspaced for each typo. Her fingers froze, each stroke orchestrated by a deep inhalation, and several pauses. Her neck and shoulders tightened.

Damn it. Punching a key took too much effort. She banged the keyboard in frustration and exhaled hard enough to scatter a neat stack of papers along the desktop.

He quietly opened the door and put a finger to his lips. He silently approached the desk. His body moved gracefully, resembling a stalking predator and his gaze collided with hers. She shuddered, half expecting a deep growl to pervade the space, and chill bumps broke on her flesh.

He was at the side of the desk, no words, watching her, his full lips pressed together.

“Hey, what are your thoughts on reading out the ID numbers from each sample?” she whispered, staring up into his deep dark eyes. “I think this process will go faster than me trying to read, type, and recheck each number.”

“I’m not doing much except watching and that is a torturous act, I can assure you.”

Blood shot up to her face. The crinkling plastic grated on her nerves. Or maybe it was his shadow that kept coming closer that dislodged her focus. Their arms brushed once and she flinched. She pressed the balls of her feet into the carpet. She willed herself to concentrate on the computer screen, and not a damn thing more.

He brought her each tissue sample, then called out the sample identification on each label. She typed in the information on the lab sheets, glancing up to catch her breath. Their fingers touched as he took the samples and put them into a cold storage box. The jittery electrical tingle pierced her focus, and she gulped.

“Why did you become a vet … for large animals?” His breath caressed her neck, roiling her already molten center.

She stopped typing. “Why?” she repeated, assembling her thoughts. “Uhh … I volunteered at the zoo in high school. Like any kid, I was impressionable.”

He tilted his head, listening to her words as she continued. “Seeing sick animals in captivity, sometimes injured, unable to do much for themselves. I assisted some very caring vets.”

He twirled some of her hair between his fingers. “Tell me more.”

“I also observed some very uncaring vets and that bothered me. I don’t know; I guess I fell in love with the idea of helping the animals.”

“In the abstract only?”

“In the beginning. Isn’t that what happens? You don’t know much except what a career looks like. I mean, I wasn’t practicing medicine just helping. Same thing with any decision. You never know for sure what it is you’re agreeing to … just what you imagine or hope or fear.”

He moved away from her side of the desk, seeming to contemplate her words. He stopped before a set of windows overlooking the pasture. “We weren’t given much a choice around here. Going to college meant coming back with a skillset for purposes of ranching. I didn’t imagine another life. Do you?”

“Unfortunately, yes, I do. It’s what keeps me up at night. I don’t want to settle for the easy route. Easy life, easy decisions, do what my family expects. All they see is me getting married and pregnant. Some days that seems so farfetched. Then other days, it seems like a good idea. What I want is to make my imagining stick. I admire your conviction and tenacity in realizing your life goal.”

His brows raised and without responding, he lifted a computer bag, taking out a laptop that he set up on the side of the desk. She turned back to her screen. “I’m ready for the next sample.”

The rest of their work sped by. Neither of them talked much after they settled into a rhythm of documenting each sample. Matt added the type of testing for each sample into his spreadsheet by copying the information from the chain of custody forms onto a jump drive.

They finished in less than two hours, ending up with five printed laboratory forms of samples to be processed and two taped-up shipping boxes, complete with printed labels and shipping forms.

“You made this seem so easy,” he said, admiration in his voice.

Carolina glanced up at him. Just like the first time, her answer was forgotten in the smoldering stare that greeted her. He looked absolutely feral and she followed a primal instinct.

This time, it was her mouth that came crashing down on his. She hungrily kissed him, her tongue searching like a lost soul. She let him move her until her bottom was pushed up against the edge of his desk. Matt’s hand roamed over her hips, blazing a trail as he went. Her fingers dug into his arms, trailing upward until she had his hair twined between her fingers.

“Baby, there’s no stopping me this time so don’t even try.” He ground his mouth against her teeth and lips, and plunged his tongue into her mouth. She sucked the tip, showing him she was as aroused as he was. Without warning, he lifted and pushed her up on the desk. Matt groaned just as his hot, demanding hands slid to her thighs, pushing and lifting her skirt. He opened her legs wide, and then scooted her toward the edge of the desk.

“You’re unbelievable. I want to feel you. All of you.” Then he moved into the narrow V-shape between her legs. The hardness of his body provoked a hunger to let him have his way. Now. Grinding his crotch between her legs, he made her gasp and whimper his name.

“That’s it, baby. Give it to me.” Carolina offered up her full mouth which he reclaimed. And with him all she had to do was let, giving into what they both craved. The idea of her naked and open to him ignited her. The feel of his hands on her breasts, kneading and rubbing her nipples was too tempting to resist. Matt’s fingers were at the buttons of her shirt and she wasn’t about to protest.

“Need help?” She moved her over his, pushing her chest forward, teasing him with her erect nipples. “I want your mouth on me.”

Ever since their first kiss, she’d been haunted by every word he’d said. Nights were filled with visions and dreams of him. She’d been ready for hours, breathing half-breathes, and now it was though he was on a rescue mission. Without their clothing on, this was her TNT moment; one she’d fantasized about since first meeting him “My God, Carolina, I can’t control myself around you.” The buttons on her shirt weren’t cooperating. His fingers pulled her shirt and fumbled on her buttons. He slowed as if he had woken from a dream.

“It’s no use,” she panted. “Matt, pretending won’t work. We couldn’t make it a day together.”

The space between her legs throbbed so powerfully she was as near to that secret place as she’d ever been. If he touched her, she’d snap like a fully spring-loaded trap. Heaven help his cock. Should she warn him? She bit her lip. Nothing doing.

“Damn, when you look at me like that, baby, it’s all that I can do to exercise some restraint and not come at you with everything I’ve got.”

“How am I looking at you?”

“Sugar, like you want me to f*ck you here and now. I need to get a condom.”

“Cowboy, you’re out of excuses. I’m on the pill.”

His eyebrows rose. “Modern girl scout. Ever ready.”

“Don’t give me that look. I’ve been on the pill since I was in middle school for cramps.”

She placed her hands over his and helped him unbutton the next button, revealing a line of cleavage that dipped down for four inches before disappearing into satin lace bra cups.

“Considering I’m helping you take off my shirt. I don’t think either one of us is thinking about playing doctor, azucar.”

“You’re the one who’s sweet to taste,” he growled.

The dark commanding tone of his voice saturated her body, stealing her concentration. She stared so hard at his mouth wondering what he’d feel like sucking her skin.

“Then what’s keeping you from giving me a lick.”

Matt’s lips curved into a devilish smile. “I intend to baby, up one side and down the other.” His fingers took flight as he finished unbuttoning her shirt. Demanding her response, his mouth slammed down on her lips, knocking the wind out of her lungs. His eager roughness only made her want him more. She slid her tongue around his mouth, exploring and tempting him.

“Mmm,” she whispered against his mouth.

Leaning back, she relished him nibbling a path down from her lips, his sandpaper jaw scraping her cheek. Sensations overtook her body, electrical jolts fired as his mouth captured her neck. Sweltering lips touched her throat and he sucked a point on her skin — a magic keyhole unlocking her. This wasn’t simply pleasure, this was madness, and she gave into him by throwing her head back, giving him better access. Greedy with hunger, her hands were at his waist, searching for one thing.

Then her fingers found him. Hard, erect. Syllables spilled from her lips, an unstoppable yearning to trace the length of his erection pushing upward. This was exactly what she’d experienced the other night. Exquisite torment. She ran her hand along the length of him, down one side and up the other edge. His breath changed to short rapid exchanges.

Air cooled her fiery skin the moment he freed her from her shirt. “Carolina, you’re beautiful.” There was no need for conversation, she didn’t want words — she wanted his mouth on her body. The expression on his face pushed her to tease him by tracing the top edge of her bra. Matt groaned softly as his gaze followed her, hot enough to incinerate. Was this how it felt to be so close to exploding? This moment didn’t involve plans. There was no need to consider what lay beyond this room and this man’s body. Tender, hungry, and hot. Pulling the plug on thinking, she didn’t care about today or tomorrow. All she wanted to give into him and see for herself what if was like to know the other side of desire.

He tugged her straps down. “One question. Front or back?”

“Let me.” She unsnapped the hook at the front, letting the lacy lingerie fall away from her body.

Matt’s eyes fastened onto her fingers and snapped back to her breasts, his eyes darkening as he blew out a breath, “Sugar, you certainly never disappoint.”

The air circled around her breasts. Waves of pleasure spread over her chest causing her nipples to pucker, sending tingling chills all over her body. Arousal hit her hard causing the muscles between her legs to clench, making her * pulse and throb.

His hands cupped her breasts. “You blow my mind.”

“There’s no turning back.”

A shock wave raced through her body, and she bit her bottom lip. Seeing his large, strong fingers spread over her breasts while feeling the sensation of him thumbing her nipples took her sizzling desire into a full-blown wildfire, threatening to tear apart any trace of self-control she possessed.

“You’re like a birthday present all wrapped up.”

“I’ve never felt like this. Kiss me.”

“You’re driving me berserk as well.”

When he leaned over, she was ready to taste him, have him trail his tongue over her body, plunging and devouring her. The way his mouth found hers had her opening to him, holding nothing back. Her tongue greeted his and she thrilled, shivering in hearing him growl.

Under his touch, she was coming undone, pushing her breasts against his hands, seeking relief only he could deliver. And then he rubbed the tight peaks of her nipples sending spasms of racing pleasure over her body, and she moaned wanting more. Instinct demanded a response and she slipped her hands under his shirt, touching the smooth striated flesh of his torso and chest and back. A moan escaped from her as she ran her hands upward over the muscular plane of his stomach.

Matt moved against her, fierce and predatory, taking possession of her mouth as if he’d read her mind. This was everything she’d imagined a man like Matt delivered. From the measured suck of her lip to the gentle gnaw on her mouth, coupled with his hands on her breasts, twirling her nipples between his fingers, he had her reeling. There was no escaping where this was going; she pulled closer to him as he cupped each breast, pouring a groan into her mouth. Their hips bumped, his erection tormenting her into grinding against him as she scooted all the way to the edge. In a swept of his arm he sent the contents from the surface of his desk and leaned back with her.

Matt’s hands held around her shoulders, cradling her until she lay flat. He braced himself over her; his cock was hard and he rubbed against her as if he were trying to erase her panties. “Lift your legs.” Complying, she wrapped her thighs around his waist. Desire melted within her sex, so entirely her * was fully erect, engorged and ready for him. Giving into her need, she fingered his waistband, and then eased her hand down inside his pants. The moment she touched him, he sucked in his breath. Never had she been so undone by a man; she had to take hold of him. The erect head of him grazed her fingers only before she gripped his shaft, smooth and velvety and hard as steel.

Down the hall, the front door slammed shut. Voices rumbled at the front near Miller’s office. Several male voices echoed down the hall.

She moved to cover her chest. “My God, it’s like Grand Central Station.”

“What are you doing?”

“What if they come down here? Neither you nor me are in any position to receive visitors.”

His body arched upward and he held himself off of her, their hips still pressing against each other. Sprawled across her boss’s desk without a shirt was a new experience, and so was being so close to fulfillment. Her head fell back and she gazed up at Matt. Their eyes met. His mouth brushed against her lips, lingering and tasting, his breath mixed with hers.

The voices outside the door, another type of mixture, made of highs whoops and low laughs.

It was consuming to be here with him, nearly naked, their passion flaring, hot and exciting as his tongue delved into her mouth. He shivered and she knew he was near the edge as well. Their only hope was to be find relief in each other’s body, and if not fully unclothed in some romantic hideaway, then f*cking on top of a desk would be a step in the right direction. At that moment, overpowering lust carried her away. Carolina didn’t care how they managed to join their bodies; her one need was to be filled with his hard cock.