Текст книги "Reckless Nights"

Автор книги: Karen Erickson

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Текущая страница: 4 (всего у книги 6 страниц)

“Okay good. Well, congrats again,” Reagan said with a nervous laugh. “Have fun tonight.”

“You too, sweet cheeks.” Natalie ended the call before Reagan could say another word, and she set the phone back on the coffee table, turning to see Declan watching her with an expectant expression on his face, standing behind the table laden with food. He’d found two chairs and set them at the table. So domesticated and cute, she could hardly stand it.

“What happened to your friend?” he asked conversationally.

“She won twenty-five thousand dollars.” Reagan shook her head, glancing around the room to see if she could spot the belt that went with her robe. How could she sit and eat breakfast with her robe hanging open?

“That’s awesome. Good for her. Is she okay with you being here with me?” When Reagan took a while to answer, he asked, “Are you okay?”

She met his gaze, saw the worry there and the concern. How could he doubt that she wasn’t okay with being with him? More like she should be asking him if he was fine with her being here with him. There were probably a hundred things he needed to do. Or wanted to do.

Hell, she didn’t know. This entire morning after thing was super confusing.

“She’s fine. Distracted by someone else, she won’t tell me who,” Reagan said, going to the table and gazing down at the contents that filled it. “Did you order the entire breakfast menu or what?”

“Maybe. I didn’t know what you might like, so I got it all.” He shrugged, looking the slightest bit embarrassed. It was a good look for him, as were all the looks she’d seen him wear. “And you didn’t answer my question.”

“I’m more than okay being here with you,” she said softly, loving the way his expression seemed to ease into relief, like he’d been tensely waiting for her answer. Like he cared. “I just hope you’re okay with it.”

“Beyond okay with it.” He went to the chair she stood closest to and pulled it out for her. “Have a seat. I’m sure you’re starving.”

“I need to find my belt first,” she said, glancing around the floor. God, where did it go? “I can’t eat breakfast with my robe open.”

“Why not?” The grin he sent her was wicked. “You’ll drive me crazy, but I think it’ll be worth it. Or you could…I don’t know, eat breakfast completely naked.”

She laughed and sat, letting him scoot the chair in for her. “No way. I might drop a piece of bacon on me or something, and that could get awkward.”

Chuckling, he sat in his chair, which was so close to hers their arms almost bumped. “Just leave the robe open, then. Tease me,” he said, his deep voice washing over her, making her warm. Making her weak.

“Okay,” she said. When he spoke to her in that voice, she’d do just about anything for him.

Anything.

Chapter Six

As he sat across from Reagan, Declan knew without a doubt he was in all sorts of trouble. Trouble with a capital T. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her, going all warm and gooey inside—warm and gooey? What the ever loving fuck?—when she laughed. Going hard as steel when she reached out a foot and brushed it against his leg.

Her foot on his leg, that was all it took and he wanted her again. He wanted her always. He’d had her any which way since last night and it wasn’t enough. He told himself when she was in the shower he’d lay off. Give her a moment to recover and make her want him more. Make him want her more. Then what did he do?

The moment he saw her in that robe, her hair wet and slicked back, her skin rosy from the warm water, looking sexy and beautiful and fucking edible? He’d knelt before her like he worshiped her body and licked her into yet another orgasm. All while the room service kid waited in the hall to deliver their food.

He restrained himself during breakfast, letting her eat, and he tried his best to eat as well, but he quickly lost his appetite. His appetite for food, he should stress. Watching her as she nibbled on a strawberry, the robe gaping open and giving him a view of his favorite spot on her body, the rarely touched valley of soft, creamy skin between her full breasts, drove him wild with lust. He told himself to get over it.

That didn’t work out so well.

After they ate, he convinced her they needed a nap, so they went back to bed. Where they proceeded to go at each other like wild, crazed teenagers ruled by their hormones. Which he sort of felt like when he was alone with Reagan—ruled by his hormones, by his cock. Owned by his body and the ever-growing need to have her, to possess her, to make her his.

Mine. The word pounded an incessant beat in his head, in his blood, in his soul. Stupid. Crazy. He’d lusted for plenty of women and never went nuts like he did for Reagan. Though it was more than just her body that drove him insane. He also liked her. Liked talking to her, liked learning about her, liked when she offered her opinion. She was smart, she had personality, she had a mouth and wasn’t afraid to use it.

In so many different and exciting ways.

He caught a glimpse of skin and he was enthralled. He tasted her lips and he wanted nothing more than to kiss her again. And again. Until he was sliding deep inside her and she was gasping his name, clawing at his back like a wild thing incapable of speaking.

He could relate. He did relate. If she seemed lost, then so was he. Ten times worse.

She fell asleep soon after that particularly hot encounter after their late breakfast and so he held her in his arms and dozed, his hand on her hip like he owned her, her head resting on his shoulder and curvy body tucked close to his as if they were a perfect fit.

They sort of were. That should scare the hell out of him, right?

It didn’t. And that should scare the hell out of him even more.

They never left the hotel suite the entire day and he felt sort of bad about that, but she reassured him she was exactly where she wanted to be, so he didn’t push it. They got room service again for dinner—sushi this time, made by the world famous chef who worked at the Japanese restaurant located in the hotel. They devoured it, feeding each other with their chopsticks, drinking beer and laughing and talking about everything and nothing.

It felt good. It felt normal and so fucking right. He was relaxed. On top of the world. And when Reagan suggested they take a bath together in that giant sunken tub that sat in front of a wall of windows overlooking a most excellent view of the city, he jumped on it.

Naked in a tub full of hot water with the woman he was more and more insanely attracted to as every minute passed? Hell yes.

The water was full of bubbles from the fragrant bubble bath Reagan had liberally poured in when she first started to run the water, and she sank beneath them before he got a good look at that gorgeous naked body of hers. He followed after her, surprised at how comfortably they fit in the giant tub together. He was a solid six-foot and she wasn’t what he would call short.

Though he did enjoy the way their legs tangled together. Her skin was soft and slippery from the water, her foot sliding along his calf in a teasing manner that had every nerve inside his body finely tuned straight toward her.

“Feels good, huh?” She leaned her head back against the edge of the tub, a smile of satisfaction curling her lush lips. Lips that were still swollen from his kisses since he flat out couldn’t keep his mouth off of her.

“Yeah, it does.” He lifted his foot and let it brush against her calf, which made her smile.

She glanced behind her toward the windows, studying the city spread out below. “Gorgeous night.”

“Yeah, it is.”

“Beautiful view,” she added.

He never tore his gaze from her. “The best I’ve ever seen.” He’d used this line on her before, but hell, it was apt.

Reagan slid him a look, her lips curved in this sexy, closed-lipped smile that had his cock hard. She could glare at him and his cock would be hard. Didn’t matter. “You’re such a flatterer.”

“Just stating the truth.” Her hair was piled on top of her head, little wavy tendrils curling about her flushed cheeks. The foamy bubbles floated around her breasts, offering teasing glimpses, and he’d never seen her look better. All natural and beautiful and scrubbed clean. She was…

Perfect.

Would he ever tire of this particular view? Of this woman? It was probably too soon to say, but…he didn’t think so. And that realization hit him like a blow to his head, leaving his ears ringing and his brain awhirl with way too many possibilities.

Every one of those possibilities dealing with the woman sitting across from him, completely innocent to the turmoil going on in his head.

Not necessarily a bad turmoil, but definitely overwhelming.

What the hell are you doing, man? You don’t know this girl. You met her only twenty-four hours ago and you’re already thinking of forever and shit? This isn’t a movie. Not even a movie set, where you’ve made promises like this before with your leading actress, only to dump her on her ass when filming finished.

Right. He’d done that time and again. To the point where he had a reputation in Hollywood of becoming involved with his leading ladies and the last couple of actresses who worked with him right before he went to rehab were on guard from the moment filming started. Wary and throwing down the challenge from the very beginning. Back then, he’d never been one to back down from a challenge, especially one involving a woman.

They still fell for him. Every single time. It became his own personal challenge. A real shitty challenge, one he was ashamed to admit now, but he used to love getting a woman to fall head over heels for him. And then dumping her so fast her head would spin.

He didn’t want to do that anymore. He wanted a woman—Reagan—to fall for him simply for who he was, not because he convinced her to do it. Not because he was the big jackoff Hollywood actor. And Reagan, though she didn’t deny knowing who he was or the fact that she was a huge fan, did seem to really like him. He fucking loved that.

But what would happen when she found out the truth about how much of a dog he really used to be? The stories were out there. He’d been a legend, not the kind anyone could proudly claim, either. More like the embarrassing sort, the asshole out there fucking around with women’s bodies, minds and hearts, only to leave them pissed or worse, hurting.

Yeah, Reagan would be smart to run as fast and as far from him as she could.

“What’s got you so lost in thought?” She kicked her leg through the water, the bubbles bobbling with the movement just before she thrust her foot right between his legs. He grabbed her ankle just in time, curling his fingers around the bottom of her foot, tickling her heel and making her jerk against his hold.

“I was thinking about what an asshole I used to be,” he said truthfully.

She raised a brow at that brutally honest answer. “I’ve heard,” she drawled.

Surprise filled him, but really, he shouldn’t be shocked. The tabloids and gossip sites loved to paint him in the most unflattering light possible.

“Really? Yet you’re still here with me?” He rubbed his other hand over his chest, uncomfortable with the fact that she knew. Damn it, he hated his reputation and how it followed him everywhere. How was he ever going to be taken seriously in the business if they all viewed him as some sort of rogue player out to get in every female’s panties?

By straightening up your act and proving you can be a serious, one-woman man. And this sexy woman sitting with you in the tub could fit the bill.

Yeah. His conscious had a point.

“I believe everyone deserves a second chance,” she said, her voice as soft as her eyes. She shrugged those pretty shoulders, and hell if he didn’t want to kiss them. Nibble on her skin and drive her crazy until she turned into him and begged him to fuck her. “That may make me naïve, but so be it. You’ve made mistakes. You’ve owned up to them to me. You fixed yourself and now you’re on the right track.”

She made it sound so simple. He’d like to believe it really could be that simple. He was clean now, he studied his craft and he earned that movie role, damn it. He was anxious for Monday to come. He couldn’t wait to start work.

But Hollywood wasn’t that simple. They would all be waiting in judgment, ready to slam him at every chance they could. Waiting for him to slip up, fuck up, look the fool.

Hell.

“You’re very sweet to say that,” he finally said, wishing they could change the subject, which he had the power to do. He could switch up the focus to sex, no problem.

It was easier that way.

“I mean it,” she said earnestly, sincerity shining in her all-too-expressive gaze.

He cupped the back of her foot, his fingers drifting, caressing her skin. She jerked in his grip, but he held firm, smoothing his thumb across the back of her ankle, pulling the slightest bit so her heel bumped against his erection. Her eyes widened and her expression immediately turned sultry.

There was his girl.

“And I mean it when I say thanks. But enough talk about me being given second chances.” He brought her foot up, out of the water, and dropped a kiss to the tip of her big toe. “Come here, baby. Let’s see how slick and wet you are.”

Giggling, she moved toward him without hesitation, her body cutting through the bubbles, moving through the water. “You’re dirty,” she murmured when she came in arm’s reach.

He grabbed her, pulling her to him. Her body was slippery and sleek, her long legs going round his waist as she straddled him, and it took everything within him not to thrust deep inside her body. “I’m clean as they come,” he said innocently. “Sitting in a bath with you, for Christ’s sake.”

She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I mean your talk about how slick and wet I am. There’s double meaning there, you filthy man.”

“You like me filthy,” he said against her lips, letting one hand drift across her belly, making it shiver beneath his touch. “And I’m being truthful. You’re slick and wet here.” He gently tickled her stomach before he reached further, his fingers finding her between her thighs. “And you’re definitely slick and wet here.”

Her breath hitched in her throat. “That’s exactly what I’m talking about.”

“And you have a problem with that?” He stroked her, played with her, loving how she wore her pleasure so plainly on her face. She enjoyed his touch, seemed to revel in it. Had he ever been with a woman so responsive before?

He didn’t think so.

“N-no,” she stuttered, her hips working against his hand, her body’s rhythmic movements making the water ripple and splash. “God, Declan.” She sounded like she was in agony, and he thrust two fingers deep in her tight channel, pumping in and out, curling his fingers in just the right angle to have her gasping.

Pride filled him. It was so easy to make her come. Almost too fucking easy. His cock twitched, eager to get inside her, and he withdrew his fingers from her body, making her glare at him. He started to laugh, which made her glare harder.

“Rude man,” she muttered as she unwound her legs from around his waist, but he grabbed hold of her, so she couldn’t get away.

“I want to be inside you when you come,” he said, reaching behind him to feel for the wrapped condom he’d left by the tub’s ledge. His hand landed on it and he curled his fingers, waving the little square package in the air for Reagan to see. “Gotta suit up first.”

She moved into him, her slick breasts rubbing against his chest, her mouth hovering just above his. He could feel her grind her pussy against his cock and he growled, grasping hold of her hips in order to control her movements, but she was one step ahead of him.

“You always get to call the shots,” she murmured with a sexy little pout. “I want to ride you.”

He loved that image, so he couldn’t protest. “Your wish is my command. But I need to get the condom on first.”

She helped him, her deft hands sheathing his cock and teasing him all at the same time. He was a quivering mass of throbbing flesh by the time she was finished, and by the look of the satisfied grin on her face, she knew she’d just driven him out of his mind.

The little tease.

“You are a bad girl,” he chastised as he drew her back into his arms. The water was somehow still warm, slipping and sliding against their bodies as they adjusted their position, and he glanced around, figuring the outer edge of the tub was going to be a sloppy, wet mess by the time they were finished.

“You make me a bad girl.” She ducked her head, as if trying to hide her sudden embarrassment. “I don’t normally act like this.”

“Act like what?” He reached for her, his fingers beneath her chin so he could tip her face up. Their gazes met and he saw the troubled glimmer there, accompanied by a hint of shyness.

“Like a brazen hussy.” She laughed, the sound weak. “Or worse, like some cheap slut. I hope you don’t think…”

He pressed his finger against her plump lips, silencing her. “I don’t think of you as a cheap slut.” He was almost pissed she would say such a thing. “You’re the farthest thing from that. What we’ve shared the past twenty-four hours has been…”

“Amazing?” she added for him hopefully when he removed his finger from her mouth. “Out of this world?”

“Yes. All of the above,” he whispered, leaning in to kiss her. He couldn’t get enough of her pretty lips. Her taste drove him crazy. “Filming starts next week, and it’s a six-week shoot. Maybe after that we could…see each other again? If you want to, because I want to.” He clamped his lips shut, knowing he was rambling. But damn it, she made him nervous. What they shared made him nervous—in a good way.

She stilled, her hands grasping his shoulders tight. He withdrew from her slightly so their gazes could meet and she stared at him as if couldn’t believe what he just said. “You want to see me after you finish shooting your movie?”

“Yeah.” He cleared his throat, hoping he wouldn’t screw everything up. “I don’t want this to end.”

He couldn’t believe what he just said either. He was never one to show all his cards. Didn’t like to show his feelings. Had always believed he was the type who really didn’t have them, thanks to every shitty relationship he’d ever had.

“Neither do I,” she said, just as she eased her body over his, sliding down his cock until he was completely embedded inside her tight, damp heat. “God, me either, Declan.”

No more words were spoken. He gripped her hips and drove himself into her, his gaze locked on her as she bounced above him. Her breasts bobbed in his face and he feasted on her nipples, licking and sucking them until she cried out. The water splashed, their bodies moved in unison, and when they came within seconds of each other, he’d never felt so complete.

Or so confused.

Chapter Seven

He’d bought her clothes. Declan was so sweet, so thoughtful. She’d woken up late in the morning, sad that she was leaving Las Vegas in a matter of hours, and she’d come out into the living room of the suite to find Declan sitting on the couch, reading a script, a bag from one of the hotel boutiques sitting on the coffee table.

“For you,” he said when he lifted his gaze from his script to look at her, wearing a tiny smile and looking mighty pleased with himself.

A pair of jeans priced way too much and a cute blue and white striped T-shirt that had no business being close to one hundred dollars sat nestled within the bag, wrapped in tissue and both exactly her size. How he knew, she wasn’t sure, but she was so thankful. She hugged and kissed him, then took a shower, in which he joined her for and proceeded to drive her out of her mind with pleasure by pressing her upper body against the glass while he took her from behind.

He brought new meaning to orgasms. The man flat-out rocked her world. And for whatever wild and crazy reason, she seemed to rock his world too.

It was awesome.

Now she was getting ready to go back to her hotel room where she could grab her luggage and they could head on to the airport.

She was sad, so incredibly sad that the weekend was coming to an end.

Slowly she prepared, putting on her clothes—including a new bra that was stashed in the very bottom of the bag, made of beautiful silk and lace with matching panties. She twisted her hair into a bun and secured it to the top of her head. Staring at herself in the mirror, she tried to see what Declan saw.

There was nothing special about her. While he was a spectacular human being with some of the most perfect features she’d ever had the pleasure to stare at, she, on the other hand, was average. Almost boring. Yet he looked at her as if she hung the moon and the stars. Touched her as if she were the most beautiful, revered thing in his life. And when he brought her such delicious pleasure, kissed and fucked her until she was transcended to another place and time, for the love of God…wow.

She wasn’t sure she deserved to have this man in her life, even for such a brief time.

Shoving the beautiful red dress that changed everything into the shopping bag her new clothes came in, she grabbed it and her small purse and headed out into the living room where he waited patiently for her. He wore a snug black T-shirt that lovingly clung to his muscled chest and jeans that showcased his most excellent legs. Worn Converses on his feet completed the casual but perfectly styled ensemble. She wanted to jump him.

Of course. When did she not want to jump him?

“Thank you for the presents,” she said yet again, hoping she wasn’t overdoing it with the compliments, but she couldn’t help herself. She was so incredibly grateful for everything he’d done for her this weekend.

Everything.

“You look better than I ever could in those clothes,” he joked, dropping a kiss on the tip of her nose. “And you’re welcome.”

“Did you mean what you said earlier?” She winced the minute the words fell from her lips, but she had to know if he was serious. The conversation they had earlier about their seeing each other again once he was done filming his movie wouldn’t leave her. They’d been in the tub, Declan holding her close and telling her how he didn’t want her out of his life.

He wanted her more in it.

“About seeing you again? Yes. Definitely.” He smoothed his hand over her hair, his fingers tangling in the strands and she clung to him, giving him a hug, pressing her head to his chest and listening to the steady beat of his heart. The sound reassured her, soothed her.

Could she believe him? She wanted to. But she’ll go back home in her life and he’ll go back home to his. He’ll start working on his movie, twelve– to sixteen-hour days of intensive filming for the next six weeks. And she’ll go back to the emergency room working her twelve– to sixteen-hour days, five days a week, for the rest of her life.

He’d forget about her and she’d never, ever forget about him. But soon he’d become a fond memory. A thought of what if.

No regrets, she told herself. Enjoy the moment. What happens in Vegas…

She didn’t want to leave in Vegas. She wanted to bring it home and make it real.

Stupid.

“The car is ready for you,” he said. He’d arranged a car to take her back to her hotel. It would then wait for her until she and her friends needed to go to the airport.

“Thank you,” she murmured, trying to swallow past the lump in her throat. She closed her eyes, telling herself to get a grip, and he squeezed hold of her shoulders, his grip tight and reassuring.

Slowly she withdrew from him, offering him a smile as she pulled out of his arms. “I don’t know what to say,” she admitted, earning a soft chuckle from him.

He touched her cheek. “I don’t either. And I’m an actor. We’re taught how to ad lib in any situation.”

Reagan leaned into his palm and then turned her head, dropping a quick kiss to his skin. “You’ll call me?”

“When I can.” He took a deep breath. “This movie role…it’s going to consume me. And I’ll need to stay in the moment, you know?”

She did know. This role was more important to him than any other in his career. It was a dark and gritty character, and he didn’t want to be distracted. She got it. She was a distraction.

“Six weeks,” he continued. “Wait for me for six weeks. And then I’ll be knocking on your front door, begging you to let me in.”

Her smile felt false. And so did his words. Or maybe that was her insecurities taking over and making her think he sounded untrue. Whatever the case, she wasn’t going to pin all her hopes on that happening.

“Six weeks,” she said in agreement, gasping when he grasped hold of her and hugged her so tight she almost couldn’t breathe. “I’ll be counting down the days.”

“Me too, baby. Me too,” he whispered fiercely into her hair.

The mood was somber in the car over to the airport. Three very quiet, almost immobile women sat in the back of a sleek Lincoln Town Car, shoulder to shoulder, their gazes fixed on absolutely nothing.

“You know, Noah had a car arranged for us to go to the airport,” Natalie suddenly said, startling Reagan.

“Who’s Noah?” Reagan asked.

Natalie rolled her eyes. “You weren’t the only one who got some this weekend.”

Andrea laughed and shook her head. “Luke arranged for a car too. But when you texted letting us know that you already had arrangements, he cancelled.”

Reagan sent Andrea a questioning look. “Luke? Don’t tell me…”

Andrea blushed to the roots of her hair and nodded, her teeth sinking into her lower lip. “Luke Nelson. Football player.”

“Wait a minute. I recognize that name. He’s a pro football player?” Reagan asked incredulously.

“Yeah, the Seattle Seahawks,” Andrea said, a tiny smile appearing, her eyes filling with a dreamy haze that Reagan recognized.

She’d worn that dreamy haze herself all weekend long.

Reagan reached over and shoved her friend in the shoulder. “Get the hell out.”

“Well, my hot weekend date was Noah Wilde,” Natalie said casually, examining her fingernails the entire time she said it.

“What?” Andrea shrieked. “Wilde and Wicked used to be, like, my favorite band!”

“Yeah, yeah.” Natalie rolled her eyes. “That was a total one-shot deal, though. We had fun. Lots of fun. But…he’s not serious.”

“Neither is Luke,” Andrea said sadly.

“Neither is Declan,” Reagan added.

They remained quiet for a moment, lamenting their gains…and their losses. Vegas was a gamble, and where people usually came to lose their money, Reagan realized she and her friends all seemed to have lost their hearts.

“You do realize no one will ever, ever believe us in a million years,” Andrea said forlornly. “Not that I want to blab our business to everyone we know, but come on. Look at who we spent our weekend in Vegas with. A famous actor, pro athlete and musician? Who will believe that?”

Right. It sounded completely unbelievable. Because it sort of was. All orchestrated by their very own fairy godfather, James. In fact…

“Has anyone spoken to James lately?” Reagan asked, whipping out her phone so she could send him a text. But what would she say?

Thanks for hooking me up with the sexiest man alive. We had the best sex ever!

Yeah. That would be kind of weird.

In the end, all three of them sent him separate thank you texts, figuring they at least needed to give credit where credit was due. And one by one, he sent them each a text in return, and attached to the texts, photos, all of them candid, not one of the women aware that James had even taken the pictures.

There was one of Andrea and Luke in a secluded corner at Friday night’s party, his hand on her barely covered butt, their gazes locked on each other and no one else. But you could definitely recognize Luke—and recognize the star struck expression on Andrea’s face.

Natalie and Noah Wilde were laughing as they stood facing each other, drinks in hand and looking as if they were having the time of their lives. Reagan had never seen her friend so happy, so alive. Noah was sexy in that magnetic, rock-and-roll style that had all the women going crazy over him.

And the one of Reagan and Declan…it sent a wistful yearning knotted in her stomach. She realized immediately when the photo was taken. They’d just come back inside from the patio, walking together, Declan’s hand on her lower back as he glanced down at her. She looked in a daze and he looked…love struck?

The lump in her throat was hard to swallow past, but she managed.

“Proof,” Natalie said, staring at the photo on her phone as if she couldn’t quite believe that was her standing next to Noah Wilde.

Reagan could relate.

“Yes. He sent us proof,” Andrea agreed, bringing her phone up to her chest so she could literally clutch it. She closed her eyes and sighed, the phone still close to her heart. Any other time, Reagan would’ve made fun of her, but not now. Not when she felt like doing the exact same thing. “This was the best weekend of my life.”

“Mine too,” Natalie and Reagan said together.

“No regrets?” Andrea opened her eyes and stared at her friends, imploring them with her gaze.

“No regrets,” Reagan murmured, staring at her phone, tracing Declan’s profile with the very edge of her fingernail.

Absolutely, one-hundred percent, no regrets.