Running for Love (The Armstrongs Book 10) Read online

  “Why don’t you jump in? I’d love to join you, but I can’t get this cast wet.”

  Vivian looked at him and then the water, biting the corner of her lip. “I don’t have my suit with me…”

  “So? Ever heard of skinny dipping? There’s no one here to see you.” Except me, off course. And I won’t mind.

  “There’s you.” Vivian blushed furiously, which made her look all the more sexy. The prospect of seeing her naked shot straight to his groin, making him hard within moments.

  “I’m gonna go to the kitchen and grab us something to drink. Get in and cool off. I won’t be watching.” Yet. Rock turned away and lingered in the kitchen for as long as his self-control allowed, before he returned to the pool with two cans of soda in his backpack.

  Vivian was in the water, crawling languidly, and he sat down and admired her for the longest while. She seemed oblivious to his presence, and he stayed quiet, letting his eyes rake over her backside. When she noticed him and waved with a smile on her face, he decided it was time to have some fun.

  “Feel good?” he asked softly.

  “Fantastic.” She swung her wet hair out of her face. “But I should get out now. I feel bad that you can’t come inside.”

  “Don’t. Roll over. Float on your back to cool down before leaving the water. It relaxes your muscles after the exercise.” Rock didn’t really expect her to comply, but hey, a guy could try. Much to his surprise, she seemed oblivious to her lack of swimsuit and rolled over in the water.

  His heart had a hard time deciding whether it wanted to stop beating in his chest or do double-speed at the sight of her oh-so-sexy body. She floated with closed eyes and a happy expression on her face in the water. Rock pushed to his feet, using his crutches to walk to the edge of the pool, his eyes never leaving her lush form.

  He wanted nothing more than to dive in after her, paying homage to her beauty, but he couldn’t do that with a cast on his ankle. He could only stand on the sidelines and watch her with lust eating away at his insides.

  She must have heard his steps, because she opened her eyes and fixated her piercing blue gaze on him. The moment she deciphered the lust burning in his eyes and remembered her nudity, her entire body flushed in the brightest red.

  Good lord, he had to get his hands on that woman. She knew he watched her, but didn’t roll over or cover herself. It couldn’t get hotter than that. Rocks entire body hardened and his erection throbbed painfully against his zipper.

  Chapter 17

  Vivian had always loved the water, but swimming naked…this was a first. She’d never been the risk taker in the family, always too afraid of the consequences, but here she was, floating on her back while the hottest man she’d ever known stared holes into her body.

  His gaze branded her skin, and despite the cool water, she was burning up. She held his gaze and then slowly rolled over and headed for the edge, never taking her eyes from his.

  When she reached the stairs, she froze, the reality of her nudity suddenly becoming too much to bear. What now? Getting out of the pool and baring herself to his gaze seemed much more intimate than simply giving him a peep show while she floated feet away from him.

  Rock seemed to sense her dilemma and waved at her, with an irresistable grin on his face, and a come-hither motion. Cold shivers and hot flames racked her body while she hung suspended halfway up the ladder, covered from his intense stare by the wall of the pool.

  One step up and he’d get a close look at her bare breasts with the peaking nipples. And she couldn’t even pretend it was from the cold, because the fire in his eyes said he knew the truth.

  He took a step back and held up a fluffy white bathrobe. “Come on out,” he said with a low and husky voice.

  Vivian felt the tingles pooling between her thighs and the wish – no, the need – to have his hands touching that very spot to ease the ache. Surely he didn’t expect her to come all the way out, naked as the day she was born. So that he could watch? Or did he? When he waved the bathrobe at her again, she had her answer.

  She debated her options for half a minute, his eyes never leaving hers, until she reluctantly admitted that his demand turned her on the way no other man ever had with just a few words.

  “That’s not fair,” was all she could press out of her dried up mouth, fantasies of Rock ravaging her forming in her mind.

  His irresistible grin intensified. “If you’re in a fair play then your planning was wrong. So, are you coming to get this fluffy bathrobe or not?”

  She raised her chin and squared her shoulders, while she observed the growing bulge in his pants. Two could play at that game. Getting out of the pool naked and walking toward him – a piece of cake. Then she’d gracefully take the bathrobe, cover herself and disappear into the changing room.

  Her skin prickled with need as she climbed up the ladder, exposing inch after inch of her naked body to his heated glare. She emerged from the pool, droplets running down her skin, fully aware of his appreciation for her.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, his voice thick with lust.

  Vivian swayed her hips as she walked the ten steps to where he stood beside the sun lounger, holding out the bathrobe. Just as she’d reached him, he dropped the robe to the ground and wrapped his strong arms around her.

  “I changed my mind,” he said with one of his charming, breathtaking grins. “I’d rather dry your skin with my own hands.”

  Vivian felt another surge of lust hitting her body and a moaning sound escaped her throat. Her mind was dizzy with desire and she didn’t care anymore about the bathrobe or her nakedness, as long as Rock’s hands raked over her body.

  He flopped down onto the sun lounger with amazing versatility, taking her with him. She came to lay on top of him, her back against his chest and shuddered in reaction to the soft caress of his hands on her hips.

  Rock nuzzled her hair to the side, nibbling on the sensitive skin beneath her ear and nipping the place where her neck and shoulder met. His trimmed beard scratched her skin in a way that she could only describe as … thrilling.

  “Oh God, Rock…” Vivian moaned, biting her lip. She couldn’t start begging when he’d barely touched her. “…please.”

  “Please what?” His wandering hands stopped for a moment and the shocking emptiness fluttered her eyes open. He’d turned her to the side to lock eyes with her and any logic swam away as she dove deep into his soul.

  “What do you want me to do? Tell me what you like,” he demanded.

  Vivian bit her lip. She wasn’t used to talking dirty. She already missed his hands on her body, but the determination in his eyes told her she wouldn’t get what she wanted if she didn’t say it aloud.

  Now would be the perfect time to get up and leave. She had barely finished that thought when the realization of its ridiculousness attacked her. There was no way she ever could, or even wanted, get up and walk away from him. This man had not only stoked the desire in her body, but he’d clawed his way deep into her heart.

  “Please…touch my breasts,” she whispered.

  His hands returned to her torso, cupping her waist, stroking her hips, until they finally reached up, each hand claiming one of her breasts. Oh my God! Her eyes fluttered shut the very moment his thumbs started toying with her nipples. Shockwaves of pleasure built up inside her and she pressed her back against his chest, moaning his name. She was so close to coming, just by his hands on her breasts.

  “Vivian. You’re gorgeous,” he whispered into her ear, further stoking the fire that consumed her. She gave herself up to the sensations he was creating in her body, unable to move, think or speak.

  Trembles followed the path of his hands sliding down her stomach, and while she hated that he’d stopped fondling her breasts, her pulse ratcheted up a few million notches at the prospect of where his hands would turn next. They came to rest on her thighs, toying with them, teasing her, taking her arousal to unbearable levels.

  “Rock, please I
can’t take it anymore,” she begged him, but he seemed to not have heard, because his hands continued to move in circles across her thighs and her lower her stomach, carefully avoiding the one place she needed them.

  “You can. And you will, because today, we’re doing this slow.”

  Vivian swallowed at the promise of sweet torture. Slow was the last thing she wanted right now. She needed him to take the edge off her yearning. Hard and fast. Maybe then slow would be bearable.

  Her legs parted slightly, and she nudged his hands to her core, until he relented and brushed his thumb over her aching clit, just to move it away the next moment again. Cold air hit her core and shivers rushed up her spine.

  “Rock,” she moaned, arching her hips in a silent plea for him to touch her where she needed it most.

  “Tell me what you want,” he murmured into her ear, breathing hard. His hot breath caressed the sensitive skin on her neck.

  “Make me come with your hands,” she whispered, blushing upon her dirty demand.

  “I will babe…as often as you want. You are absolutely stunning when you’re aroused like now.” Then he finally, oh finally, slid his fingers down her wet folds and plunged inside her.

  She writhed on his lap as his talented fingers explored her moist secrets, finding those sensitive spots that made her moan in pleasure and caused shivers to race up and down her spine. Moments later, she struggled to hold back the orgasm that was threatening to steal her sanity.

  “Give over to me. Let me feel you come all over my hands.” Rock whispered in her ear as he sensed her struggle.

  Those naughty words broke the dam and she screamed his name as an ecstasy like nothing she’d ever experienced before crashed over her. He kept playing her body like a finely tuned instrument, causing her to move from one orgasm and straight into another. She clenched his arms tightly, her nails digging into his forearms as a pleasure so intense she almost passed out, rushed through her.

  When her shudders and the convulsions of her sex finally subsided, she was powerless to do anything but recline against him. Rock kissed the top of her head and then reached for the robe lying on the ground to gently cover her with it. Vivian snuggled closer into him and floated in the aftermath of her passion.

  “Oh my god, that was mind-numbing. I thought I would die,” she murmured and smiled at the soft squeeze of his strong arms around her torso.

  Chapter 18

  Rock closed his eyes as Vivian relaxed against his chest, the smell of her arousal and the feel of her in his arms almost enough to push him over the edge. If he didn’t carry that stupid cast on his ankle, he’d sweep her up in his arms and carry her to his bed.

  He knew it wasn’t possible and disappointment settled in his bones. He didn’t want to ravish her beside the pool, because he wanted their first time to be special. Slow. Gentle. Breathtaking.

  It was best to go inside. He might still be able to convince her to stay, although he feared the interruption might make her realize she should leave. After all she had to work the next day.

  “Hungry, sweetheart?” he asked, kissing the top of her head.

  “Actually, yes.” She stretched out on top of him and the shift of pressure hardened his body again. He needed to get his release or he was doomed to spend the night in the tub filled with ice cubes.

  Vivian stood up and helped him to retrieve his crutches, before she slipped into the fluffy bathrobe and tightened the belt.

  “You should stay naked,” he said and enjoyed the way she flushed. The spark of desire in her eyes told him she wasn’t entirely opposed to the idea. It was a naughty thought to have her walk through his house stark naked while he was fully dressed. He groaned. Food could wait.

  Vivian turned around, her eyes dark with desire and slowly opened her bathrobe. He gasped at her beauty and his hardening erection threatened to burst his zipper. Unfortunately his hands were occupied with those damned crutches or he would have used them to send soft shivers of delight across her skin.

  She seemed to know exactly what he was thinking, because she took a step back out of his reach and licked her lips. That goddamn sexy woman. He needed to get inside her fast, or risk embarrassing himself like a schoolboy.

  “Where do you want me?” she said, her voice a husky whisper and he almost toppled over.

  “My bedroom,” he said, swallowing hard. “Upstairs, first door on the left.”

  She swayed her hips seductively and he could swear, his zipper would explode any second. Then she turned around and walked up the stairs, one elegant, agonizingly slow step after another. The bathrobe slipped down her shoulders and came to a halt about mid-back when she bent her elbows. His mouth went dry.

  He’d practiced walking up and down the stairs, but between his insane arousal and the seductive woman walking three steps in front of him, he had to pause several times and steady his balance. He cursed his ankle at the same time he gave thanks for the accident that had caused it.

  As she entered his bedroom, she straightened her elbows and the bathrobe slid to the floor, leaving him gaping at her naked backside.

  “Oh my god, you’re simply gorgeous,” he whispered, frozen in place, staring at her.

  Then, she oh-so-slowly turned around and again his patience was tested. She looked at him from lowered eyelids and as his eyes ravished her body, it flushed with anticipation and the smell of her arousal filled the air.

  He took a few steps toward her, backing her up against the bed, and then he tossed his crutches to the floor, grabbing her shoulders and taking her mouth in a rough and needy kiss.

  He captured her moans in his mouth and his entire being prickled when she pressed her soft breast against his chest. It was too much. He’d wanted slow and gentle. But slow had to wait.

  When he came up for air, he grinned down at her and then gave her a little push, making her fall backwards onto the lush bed. He tore off his clothes and followed her down, placing his weight on his elbows.

  His hands cupped her breasts, beading the sensitive nipples between his thumbs and forefingers while he showered her with kisses on her face, her neck and her collarbone.

  “Rock, you’re driving me out of my mind,” she complained, as desperate to be joined with him, as he was.

  “Hmm… you feel so good.” It was true, never had skin against skin felt so wonderful. Deliciously sinful. Her skin was soft like silk and oh so responsive. Her nipples stood like taut peaks and the barely visible hairs on her body stood on end in the wake of his touch. “… and you taste even better.” Rock licked the sweetness from her skin, and moved down to taste the unique aroma of her arousal.

  When he couldn’t hold back another second, he grabbed a condom from the nightstand, slipped it over, and settled himself right up against her. He used a finger to tip her chin up and held her gaze while he pushed himself inside of her. “God, Vivian. You are incredible. We’ll have to do slow later.”

  “I never said I wanted slow,” she murmured, thrusting her hips into him.

  He was buried to the hilt inside her warm, wet and wonderfully tight channel. After giving her a few seconds to accommodate his entire length, he shifted his weight slightly to take pressure of his broken ankle and then thrust into her. Hard and fast strokes. One more powerful than the previous. She squeaked noises of delight with each thrust and a short time later, he felt her body tighten beneath him.

  Her eyes darkened to almost black, causing the need in him, to topple over the edge into bliss together with her. He paused for a moment, beads of sweat glistening on her skin.

  “Come with me this time,” he murmured.

  Vivian nodded and on his next powerful thrust, she climaxed, screaming his name and digging her nails into his back, while he felt the earthshattering release of the accumulated sexual tension of the last few days. For a moment he thought he would die, right there in her arms.

  Long after she’d stopped convulsing around his cock, sucking him dry, he held himself still inside of he
r, savoring the tightness around him until his arms finally gave out. He settled onto the mattress, moving his weight to the side so that he wouldn’t crush her and keeping their bodies intimately joined together.

  “Stay with me, please,” he whispered and tugged a strand of hair behind her ear.

  Vivian moved with the laziness of a truly sated woman and looked at him with her amazing blue eyes. Would he ever stop feeling a surge of warmth at looking into those eyes?

  “I have to work tomorrow,” she hedged.

  “Please. Spend the night with me. I’ll drive you home early in the morning,” he begged. He could see logic and desire fighting in her eyes and finally she relented. “Okay. But we need to get up real early tomorrow morning.”

  “No problem; I’m an early riser,” he said with a deep chuckle.

  “I’m not,” Vivian pouted and he kissed that seductive mouth of hers. Which was a mistake – or maybe it wasn’t – because his shaft rose again. She noticed and arched her core into him.

  “This time we’ll take it slow.” He promised her sweet torture. “I want to explore every single inch of your body and make you come many, more times.” His dirty talk sent a sexy rosy shimmer to her skin. After he’d loved her three more times, she drifted to sleep in his arms.

  His heart was bursting with love for the petite woman in his arms. She looked so relaxed and peaceful. When he was finally able to take his eyes of her beautiful body, he covered her with a blanked and slipped out of bed and hobbled into the hallway to call his housekeeper.

  He asked her to come in extra early the next morning and make breakfast for them. Just when he was about to hang up, he had an idea. An idea that would let the wonderful woman he loved sleep an extra hour.

  “Alexa, could you please buy three sets of business attire?”

  “Is this for Miss Vivian? Just so I know the size?” his housekeeper asked.

  “Yes.” Rock didn’t have to explain anything.

  “Perfect, Rock. I’ll be there tomorrow morning.”