Chapter One
All Jasmine could think about was sex. Not just any kind of sex--sweaty, hot, hard, can't-say-my-name-much-less-walk kind of sex.
She couldn't stop glancing at Reese Bryant, who was sitting at the other end of the couch. She had to keep reminding herself he was her friend. She had known that their monthly ritual of movies and food was going to be too much for her and had been avoiding it for months. In such close proximity to Reese, she couldn't deny it. Every inch of her skin tingled in awareness.
Her eyes covertly tracked the movement of his strong, dark hand as it carried the fork loaded with peppered shrimp from the carton to his mouth. Leaning forward, he set the carton on the glass-topped end table and reclined back on the couch. His contented groan filled her ears as he slid his tongue across his full lower lip, lapping up all the traces of the escaping juices from the food. It was making her insane.
Jasmine shuddered, imagining his tongue on her body. What she really wanted was to slide her tongue all over that delicious hard well-toned dark chocolate chest. Wanted to lick, suck, and softly bite it as he groaned for mercy. She whimpered, and Reese looked at her strangely.
"What's wrong, Jazz? You seem flushed. Are you sick?" His smooth baritone filled the silence as he lifted his hand from the back of the couch. He ran one finger softly down her cheek.
She slapped his hand away, afraid of him touching her--afraid she would rip his clothes off and take him.
"Hmm. Not sick, just ornery."
Jasmine stared at him.
"Hey. What's wrong with you? You're acting strange. Tough day at work?"
"No. I'm fine," she muttered.
His hazel eyes gazed at her intensely. Her heart raced as she scrutinized his familiar, rugged face--his straight nose, chiseled cheekbones, full kissable lips, and softly curling hair. She let out a soft breath as the fight scene on the television distracted him.
Yeah, right. I'm fine. I'm just sitting here, thinking of my friend as a hot fudge sundae that I'd like to gobble up and go back for more. Damn the girls for putting ideas in my head.
Her mouth moved as she mimicked them. 'Girl, get him out of your system. You've been friends for years. You're always in each other's houses. The only thing you're not doing is sharing a bed. Tell him you want hot sex. Do it.' Cursing softly, Jasmine sank lower onto the couch.
Reese glanced at her curiously. She smiled wanly. He returned his attention to the movie.
Just look at him, sitting there like a giant chocolate bar ready to be devoured. Wetness pooled between her legs, soaking her panties. She couldn't tear her gaze from his jeans, which outlined every delicious detail of his heavy sex.
Jasmine jerked her gaze away from temptation. Her eyes landed on his smooth, sculptured chest, looking delicious in his loose, unbuttoned shirt.
God, ever since I saw him in that towel, I can't get the image out of my head. His upper body is a woman's fantasy--a chest filled with ridges that make you want to weep for mercy. What little that towel hid has me wishing I'd taken it off him. Why can't I get it out of my mind? Damn him. I just want to eat him up.
"Ha!" The sound of her voice startled her, and she felt Reese staring at her.
Ignoring him, Jasmine kept her attention on the movie. She felt itchy from his searching, intense gaze. She breathed a sigh of relief when she felt his eyes shift back to the movie.
I can't enjoy the damn movie. I don't understand why I can't stop thinking about him. Snap out of it. He is your friend. You share almost everything. Except sex! Oh, there's the problem. But I can have sex with him.
Oh, stop it! Get that out of your mind. Sex! There it goes again! What would I say?
"I want you--naked, sweaty, on the floor, the wall, or anywhere I can get you." The words were out before Jasmine even realized she'd spoken aloud.
She looked into his shocked face, horrified. "Please tell me I did not say that out loud." Her cheeks flushed in mortification.
A roughish grin spread over his face as Reese replied, "Yes, you did."
"I didn't mean it. I'm in a huge nightmare. Forget I said it." Jasmine covered her eyes, bending her head forward.
"No, I won't forget it." His voice deepened, sounding even sexier.
"You always had a mean streak in you. I don't know why you can't give me a break and do something I say for once," she rambled through her splayed fingers.
Reese reached over, lifted her hands from her eyes, then put them over her mouth, gazing at her. She was startled by the desire she saw etched on his face.
"Jazz, stop. You said it, and if you would let me reply: I agree."
Her eyes widened as Reese slowly let go of her hands.
She stared at him, dumbfounded. What do I do now? She breathed in and out quickly. Fear choked her.
"Jazz, are you hyperventilating on me? Say something. Come on, don't lose it on me. I've been waiting for this for two years."
"Why? When?" she croaked.
"When what?" he asked. Jasmine stared at him. He stared back at her with a look that dared her to say it, and she never backed down from a dare.
"When do you want to do it?"
"It? You can do better than that. Tell me what you want, and I might answer you," Reese arrogantly replied.
"Sex! All right? Sex! There. I said it! You are so frustrating. Happy now?"
Smugly, he replied, "Yes, I am. Now."
"Now what? You want to torture me some more?"
He looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh. You mean, 'now'?" She was looking into his heated hazel eyes. Only, they were no longer hazel, but had liquefied into a steaming topaz. The desire she saw in them took her breath away. Shaking her head, she slid along the couch, backing away from him. Nodding, he followed her. Recovering from her surprise, she stopped backing up and stood her ground.
"Stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like I'm an ice cream cone you can't wait to lick up and down."
"I don't want to lick you up and down."
Jasmine released a quick breath.
"I want to eat you whole."
She inhaled sharply. His eyes followed the movement of her agitated breathing. He looked at her, a fine sheen of sweat coating his face. Jasmine followed the trickle of sweat traveling down his face as it disappeared below his shirt. Her palms dampened as her breathing accelerated.
"I want you hot," she said.
"How hot do you want it?" Reese growled.
"Steaming ... a raging inferno."
"I can do that. But are you sure you can handle it?" The arrogance was even more obvious in his tone.
Jasmine looked at him with a challenge in her eyes. "Don't worry about me. Worry about yourself." She looked deeply into his eyes. They were familiar, but she felt as if she was really seeing him for the first time.
"You should worry, Jasmine. I'm going to burn you up."
"I don't want to lose you as my friend," she said, trying to slow things down. "If we do this, I feel that I will."
He muttered under his breath. "What?" she asked.
"Not 'if', but 'when', Jasmine. 'When' we do this," he repeated.
"Okay. 'When' we do this, it's only between us, in this room, together. I don't want any misunderstandings. My brothers aren't to know. No one is to know. It's between you and me. And after this is done I don't want to lose your friendship."
Reese contemplated what she asked. He couldn't believe, after the long wait, she was finally going to be his. He couldn't tell her the truth; she wasn't ready for it. He couldn't think, with the scent of her arousal filling him. He wanted to devour her, and would agree to anything to have her.
Reese chose the safest answer his desire-fuddled brain could come up with. "You won't lose me, Jasmine."
She interrupted him. "I feel like I already am. Why aren't you calling me Jazz?"
He let his hungry gaze roam, taking in her smooth mocha complexion, chocolate brown eyes, high sculptured cheeks, and luscious mouth, which was begging for him to taste it. Reese resisted reaching over and biting her lush lips.
His gaze lowered, then his mouth watered as he took in her bountiful breasts rising below her snug T-shirt. His eyes traced down her jean-clad, lush hips to the groove between her legs. Reese wet his dry lips, looking at her long legs, imagining how they would wrap around him as he drove deep within her hot, wet canal.
Finally, he raised his gaze to lock with hers. "Because I'm going to be deep inside you while you beg and scream my name for mercy. I see you as Jasmine, a sexy woman, not just Jazz, my friend. Our being friends won't change. I'll call you Jazz outside, but in here, every time we're together, you're Jasmine. The woman I want, the one whose nails I want to sink deep into my back as I take you every way and any way we can think of."
"Every time? There will only be this once."
"No. Once won't be enough. Hell, even ten times may not be enough. I want you for as long as it takes for both of us to be satisfied. If you only want this one time, then forget it. We can try and pretend this didn't happen. But if you're ready for fulfillment of anything and everything you or I can imagine, then tell me yes."
Stark silence followed. Watching the indecision on her face caused a knot of unease deep in his stomach. Reese hoped she would give him a chance to show her how good it could be between them. He barely heard her whispered answer over the roaring in his ears.
"Yes."
The knot evaporated under a blast of heat blowing through him, warming his blood. His penis stood to attention, rejoicing, while his mind urged him to do this right. Gazing deep into her heated, chocolate brown gaze, the desire burning there made his body harden to a painful intensity. Reese slid the rest of the way toward her, watching her reaction.
Jasmine studied him; the friend she wanted was now going to be her lover.
She drew him to her and ran her tongue along the seam of his lips. Startled, he opened his mouth. Jasmine's tongue stroked deeply. Wet, hard and hot, tangling in his mouth, seeking a partner to join in her hungry assault. He didn't respond. She sucked hard on his tongue.
Suddenly, his arms banded around her as he kissed her back with equal hunger. Growling, he sucked on her tongue. She whimpered softly as he devoured her, deepening the kiss. Tongues clashing, they strained against each other, trying to get closer. Jasmine rose to her knees on the couch then above him and straddled his lap. She rotated her hot core against his tight jeans, feeling every inch of his erection against where she was aching for relief.
Reese growled. "It's not enough. Off! Take your shirt off."
She grabbed the bottom of her shirt, but he pushed her hands away, pulling the shirt over her head himself. Jasmine's hair tumbled out of her loose ponytail, falling forward to surround her face.
Smoldering topaz eyes stared at her as he lifted her hair, lightly running it along his chiseled cheek. "I want you to run this all over my body. Later."
He lowered his face to her bountiful, firm breasts. Reese watched her as he kissed her pebble-hard nipples. Her skin burned. He stroked her with his tongue. She inhaled, then yelped as he gently bit and scrapped his teeth across her throbbing nipples.
"Please suck me. I want to feel your lips on me," she begged.
"Shh ... I'm in charge now," he growled.
"My turn next time."
Jasmine's womb contracted as he started a strong suction on her nipple. He drew it into his wet, hot mouth, rolling it with his tongue. His teeth grazed the sensitive nub; he nibbled on it, lapping at it until it glistened with wetness. Pursing his lips, he blew a stream of air along the moist nipple, and she shuddered at the feel of it. It was sensory overload. A whimper rippled from her as he repeated the process on the other breast.
He alternated back and forth, repeating the process--nibble, lick, and bite, over and over again. She ground herself against him slowly, then faster, trying to get closer to relief from the sweet agony. His licking along her body was driving her insane, and the delicious heat was rushing to consume her.
"Reese."
He drew back, just as she was about to go over the edge.
"Not yet. Shh. Look at me. Let me feel how wet you are."
Her gaze steady, she appraised him, while she uncurled her full, firm frame sensuously from his lap. He reclined against the couch, watching her move with a seductive grace he had never seen her use before.
She was just the right height to fit his six-foot frame, he subconsciously registered. Reese studied the erotic movements of her hips as she backed away from him and shimmied out of her jeans. Her hair fell in curly waves around her face as she bent over. Looking up, she locked her gaze on his, then straightened slowly, bare except for a scrap of red lace panties. His body throbbed, demanding release.
"I never thought about what you had hidden under all your clothes, Jasmine. Leave them on. Come, let me touch you."
Jasmine walked toward him. Reese ran his hand up the interminable length of her mocha-toned leg. He lightly parted her thighs, drawing her to him until she was in perfect alignment with his mouth. Reese inhaled her fragrance, savoring the sweet musky smell of her arousal.
She trembled. He looked up the length of her body until his eyes locked with hers. Then, he slowly leaned forward until his mouth was almost pressed up against her throbbing center. He blew a gentle gust of hot air against her.
Jasmine's eyes fluttered closed as she leaned forward into him, rubbing. Leaning away, he stopped and waited for her to open her eyes. When she was looking at him, Reese shook his head, then repeated his actions until he felt her body ripple.
"Reese."
Enjoying the sound of his name on her lips, he continued his carnal assault, using his tongue to lick along her throbbing core through her panties. He watched as her eyes closed, her keening wail of his name filling his ears. The last shreds of his control shattered. He bunched her panties in his fist and ripped them from her.
Jasmine's startled eyes flew open. Her face was etched harshly with desire.
"I'll buy you another pair," he growled, as he sank his tongue deeply into her creaming center.
She screamed his name. With a slow lick, he drew out of her with a long, slow stroke. Going deep again, he changed rhythm--fast, then slow--as he savored her shudders and whimpers. When her legs started to buckle, he locked his arms around her soft thighs, holding her up for his taking. Rolling his tongue over her stiff clitoris, he alternated between deep and shallow strokes into her slick moist core. Unable to take any more, she came, screaming.
Spasms racked Jasmine, colors of red and orange bursting brilliantly behind her tightly closed lids. She was reborn in a blaze of light. Weak, she felt him draw her into his strong arms as she collapsed.
Tenderness filled her as she enjoyed the sensation of his rough fingers stoking down the side of her face. The gentle brush of his fingertips overwhelmed her.
Jasmine's heart pounded in her chest, and fear clenched her stomach. Frantically, her thoughts raced. He can't control me. This is just sex, nothing more. Enjoy the pleasure he can give you. Forget about the emotions and just live in the moment.
Shaking off her misgivings, Jasmine blearily opened her eyes. "I hope that's not all you've got."
"No. I'm not done yet," he replied, moving his mouth to hers.
The sensation of his wet tongue stroking across hers made her body contract again. She could taste her essence on his lips. A roaring sensation filled her as she devoured the salty sweet tang of herself from his mouth. It tasted like the sweetest honey.
Kissing him wildly, she sucked in every drop. Unrestrained.
"Reese!" she exclaimed as he lifted her, his muscles rippling against her thighs. She cuddled into his chest as he made his way to the bedroom. "I'm too heavy for you. Put me down."
"You're not heavy."
"Okay. Hmmm..." She ran her tongue across the parts of his chest she could reach, sucking gently. His arms contracted under her legs.
He adjusted her body until she was pressed against the ridge in his jeans, with her legs wrapped around his waist. His heavy weight pressed her into the wall as he ate her mouth.
"Unless you want me to take you right here, you better stop that until we reach the bedroom."
"Yes. Please."
Reese caught her tongue with his and sucked it into his mouth, scorching her as he hurried the rest of the way to the bedroom. Still kissing her, he lowered her to the bed, then blanketed her with his body. She ran her hands along his hot, firm sides, wrapping her legs around him.
"Take off your clothes," Jasmine whimpered as he kissed under her jaw.
Jasmine fought to get his shirt off without losing contact. He rubbed against her throbbing core as she finally ripped the shirt free. He sank against her body, and she gasped as their naked flesh met. His heat beat at her like a fierce gale wind. Reese sucked on her tongue urgently. Jasmine pushed at his pants, trying to get them off.
Abruptly, he withdrew from her. Jasmine reached out to grab him, but he stood, pulling out a condom as he shucked off his jeans and briefs in one movement. He rolled the condom on his straining erection as he covered her again. Her lungs filled with his sweet scent as their naked bodies reconnected.
He drew back, positioning himself at her opening, then stroked into her, hard and deep. Although slick from her previous release, Jasmine felt pleasantly stretched. The sensation of being filled was overwhelming. Throwing her head back, she grabbed his sweat-drenched back as he moved, stroking within her.
Jasmine's nails dug into him, while his hot breath burned her face. Reese kissed along her neck, face, and finally settled into her mouth. His tongue matched his thrusts, alternating between short and deep. Holding on tightly, she met him on each one. Ragged puffs of air blew into her mouth.
"Reese!" Jasmine cried as he raised her hips higher around him and went even deeper.
Reese's thrusts became frenzied as he stroked faster and faster. She tightened around him, feeling his hardness fill her up. Suddenly, he stopped. She whimpered urgently and tried to get him to move.
"Jasmine!" The urgency in his voice made her open her eyes to look at him.
He stroked deep, hard, and twisted. The ripples of pleasure tore through her. Her body was burning.
"Yes! Oh God, Reese. Please."
Reese continued to fill her, more and more. She couldn't take it. A scream tore out of her throat, burning as she felt the blaze of her orgasm rip through her. Reese joined her as shudders continued to rock her. Aftershocks rippled through Jasmine as he collapsed on her, his body trembling.
Jasmine couldn't seem to catch her breath. Stroking along his sweat-soaked hair lightly as Reese rested against her, Jasmine marveled how she wanted him all over again. After a long while, he drew back, still joined with her.
"My turn." Her voice sounded hoarse.
"I'm not done yet," he said, laughing. She started to laugh as he kissed her, but it quickly changed to sounds of pleasure.
Disoriented, Jasmine woke, glancing at the pale blue walls in front of her while her naked back was cradled against a hard body. A strong, muscular arm pinned her to the bed. Sighing, she shifted and saw Reese sleeping beside her. Still asleep, he rolled onto his back, and the Aztec-designed sheet pooled beside his naked body.
She chuckled as he snorted and started to snore. Jasmine put her hand under her chin, raising herself as she continued to watch him. Warmth flooded her as she looked at his beautiful face, relaxed in slumber. His strong hands that had touched her with such passion were stretched away from his body. Her eyes wandered lower to rest on his thick, long member.
Jasmine licked her lips, remembering the taste of him. A smile stretched across her face, recalling that he couldn't control himself enough to let her taste him at her leisure. Her body clenched, remembering being dragged onto his thick shaft and riding him into completion. Wetness pooled between her thighs. She shifted. He didn't stir. The poor guy was worn out.
Shaking her head, Jasmine laughed smugly. She wanted him so much. No, she craved him and the pleasure he could give her. She wanted to spend the morning reading the paper over breakfast. Jasmine reached out to touch him, then, realizing where her thoughts were leading, balled her hand into a fist before she actually made contact.
Trying to be quiet, Jasmine rolled off the bed quickly and hurried to the bathroom, shutting the door. Breathing deeply, she looked in the mirror and, shocked, observed the wanton stranger she saw there. With tangled hair, swollen lips, and marks on her neck and breasts, she looked totally ravished.
Trembling, she pushed her hair away from her face, shaking her head in denial.
Jasmine observed her determined face in the mirror. Then, turning, she started the shower and stepped in. The hot water poured over her, clearing her mind. She jumped when the curtain was pulled back. Startled, she met Reese's gaze as he stepped into the shower.
Without saying a word, he backed her up against the cool tiles. Shifting, he lifted her, and she instinctively wrapped her legs around him. He sank into her deeply. Already wet for him, her body sucked him in. He moved against her in urgent demand. Jasmine could do nothing but hold on for the ride. It was hard, hot, and quick. She peaked brutally, shaking with the force of her pleasure. Reese's shout burned her ears as he reached his own release.
Weak, they slid to the floor of the shower. Jasmine's lungs burned as she tried to catch her breath. His weight pressed into her. Icy water rained onto her face, making her stir. She pushed at him. Groaning, Reese kissed her, then shifted off her body.
Laughing, Jasmine swatted him. "You almost drowned me."
"What a way to go." Chuckling, he stood and helped her up. "You going to feed me?"
Stepping out of the shower, she glanced at him. "Yeah, I'll feed you. You've got ten minutes. I don't want to be late for work."
According to her schedule, she could either stay home on Saturday or go in. She didn't have anything pressing, but needed the space from him. It was an excuse he wouldn't question, since he usually went in on Saturdays too.
"We'll damn. If you're thinking about work, I didn't do that right. Come here."
He tried to pull her back into the shower, but Jasmine dodged his moves.
"Uh-uh. I have to get to work."
"Okay. I promise to behave if you give me a kiss first."
Reese grinned as Jasmine narrowed her eyes at him. She smiled sweetly. Oh, oh, his mind screamed as she came closer and went to kiss him. He tingled in anticipation. But Jasmine stopped before she reached his lips.
Reese groaned in response, then cursed when she dropped to her knees. She cupped his balls, stroking him, then took his revived penis into her hands and kissed it from the top of the crown to the sac below. He reached for her. She shook her head.
Ruefully, Reese watched her firm ass bob as she sauntered out of the bathroom. Stepping back into the shower, he turned the knobs all the way to the right. Reese sucked in a breath as ice-cold water pelted him. His thoughts centered on all the different ways he would have her.
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