Lip Service - GOOGLE Read online

  I shake my head. “Look, don’t take it personally. I can’t come with a guy. I’ve never been able to.”

  “Then you’ve been with the wrong guys.”

  “And there goes your big ego again.”

  “Hey, big ego, big di—”

  I throw his clothes at him, then quickly pull on my bra and sheer shirt. “Salt water works best when cleaning your nipple.”

  He studies me for several taut seconds while I pretend to fiddle with my tools as if I’m packing them up. Finally, he says, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  He dresses quickly then quietly stands beside me, unmoving and resolute, until I have no choice but to turn to face him. “We didn’t use protection,” he says, and my eyes widen.

  Holy fuck. That hadn’t even occurred to me until now.

  I’ve never had sex without protection. Never.

  Clearly Hunter’s power over me is even greater than I thought.

  “I’m clean and I’m on the pill,” I say, unable to keep the apprehension out of my voice. That woman Amy, I remember. He’d just had sex with her when we’d met. He probably has sex with one woman after the other. He probably—

  “I’m clean, too, Dani. I’ve never been with a woman and not worn a condom before.”

  I exhale in relief then clear my throat. “Well…good. So, we’re good. This won’t happen again and we’ll keep things professional from here on out. The only thing we need to worry about is my brother. Agreed?”

  Like an idiot, I actually stick out my hand to shake his. He just looks at it, then folds the brochure I’d handed him and shoves it into his front pocket. When he finally does take my hand, however, he doesn’t shake it; he pulls me closer, and tenderly kisses my temple before whispering in my ear. “We’re not done, Dani. I’m going to have you again. And I’m going to show you just what your body is capable of.”

  Chapter Seven

  Hunter

  I like Dani Cross.

  I mean, after what we did in her shop a few days ago, it’s obvious I’m attracted to her, but I like her, too. I wish I was with her instead of at dinner with a prospective new talent agent, even if it is the gorgeous Lila Strong. Ambient music plays overhead while idle gossip can be heard from nearby tables.

  Lila and I have been hooking up for years. What began as a one-night stand in college developed into an actual friendship of sorts, the kind of friendship where I often find myself balls deep inside her at the end of any given night.

  Our meet ups have become more spaced apart ever since she left New York to recruit talent in Tampa, but now she’s back nibbling on the carrot I’m dangling in front of her: a top-level position at Kiss Talent.

  “Have you given any more thought to my proposal?”

  She smiles, looking so damn elegant. She’s a human shark, with teeth and claws that are fiercer than anyone else in this game. That’s why I want her. “I could have told you on the phone, but…”

  “Shit. You’re turning me down.”

  “Quite the opposite, Hunter. I’m in.”

  “You’re in?” I question, brows furrowed. “You’re coming back to New York?”

  “The movers are already packing up my apartment,” she confirms.

  “Holy shit,” I say loudly before leaning across the table with a sly smirk. “This is why Hunter Kiss is the king. I always win.”

  She rolls her eyes and flips her long blonde hair over one shoulder. “Maybe we can both win tonight.”

  I cock a brow.

  “I mean, once I start working at Kiss, I assume we won’t be rolling around in the sheets anymore.”

  “I think that would be best.”

  “Well then…” She reaches across the table and takes my hand. “Before I sign on the dotted line, why don’t we engage in one final hurrah?”

  * * *

  Lila’s broken through so many glass ceilings because of her confidence, wit, and penchant for taking what she wants when she wants it. Taking the key from my hand, she unlocks the door to my penthouse and leads the way inside.

  Like I said, we go way back.

  The penthouse is dark this late at night, and I flip on the kitchen light so I can make us both a strong drink. She tosses her hair over one shoulder as she jumps onto the counter surface, kicking her long, tan legs over the edge.

  She’s a total vixen and although she might have contemplated settling down at one point, that’s been long off her radar. Now, she’s all about her career. Just like me.

  At least, just like I used to be.

  Until a certain dark-haired angel barreled into my life, leaving me distracted and yearning for something more. Something that hasn’t been satisfied by our fast and hard coupling at Skyn. No, that small sample has simply fed my hunger for more and fueled my absolute determination to give her the orgasm that has eluded her all her life.

  But the extent of my hunger is giving me pause and I wonder if it’s a good indication that I should simply walk away. From her. From her body. From her passion and fierceness and vibrancy. Hell, maybe even from her brother, if it comes down to it.

  Retreat to fight another day, and all that. I never had to do it before, but maybe where Dani Cross is concerned, self-protection should be paramount. Hell, I barely knew her before I let her pierce my fucking nipple. What does that say about her ability to drive me out of my fucking mind?

  Shifting and wincing at the sudden sensitivity of my nipple scratching against my shirt, I toss a few rocks of ice into two tumbler glasses and fill them halfway with straight whiskey; it’s Lila’s preferred drink. She likes her drinks just as strong as her men and I like my drinks equally strong.

  I pass her a drink and lean against the opposite counter. “Are you going to miss Tampa?”

  “I’m going to miss the salty sea,” she chuckles, “but I’m sure there will be enough salty ass men here once they realize I’m coming back. Their tears will probably be enough to fill an entire man-made ocean.”

  “You’re a ballsmasher, for sure.”

  She takes a gulp of whiskey—not a sip, a damn gulp. “I’m a woman in a man’s world. I have to be something, anything other than weak.”

  “You’re certainly not weak,” I point out and take a sip of whiskey. “You know you scare the shit out of Luke, right?”

  “That boy?” She cocks her head. “He’s such a damn sweetheart, and I’m going to enjoy making him uncomfortable.”

  I laugh and set my whiskey down on the marble counter. “Just remember, you’re not in competition with anyone at Kiss. Anyone else in this industry is fair game.”

  “What about you?” She reaches forward, gripping my tie with a show of strength and pulling me close to her, between her legs. “Are you fair game?”

  I don’t know how to answer that. Technically I am, and of course there’s a part of me that thinks I’d be a fool to turn down what she’s offering me. The other part of me is occupied with thoughts of Dani, and despite my musings about retreat and self-protection just moments ago, part of me is already strategizing about when I can see her next and how fast I can deliver on my parting promise to rock her world. “You can’t handle this game,” I say with a cocky smirk.

  “Really? I’ve handled it plenty before.” She pulls my face closer to hers so that our lips are a mere inch apart. Her icy blue eyes bore into mine just before she slides off the counter and turns so her back is to me. She looks at me over her shoulder, bends over slightly, runs one hand underneath her short black skirt, slides her black panties down her legs, wraps them around her finger and twirls them in the air before throwing them at my face. She hooks her finger over her shoulder, gesturing that I should follow her as she makes her way toward my bedroom.

  I reach backwards for my glass and finish the whiskey in one go before following her.

  When I step inside the dark space, she’s on the bed wearing nothing, completely bare underneath a thin satin sheet that outlines every curve of her body, but my eyes are focused on her
breasts where the dark material hangs down just slightly over her chest.

  “That was quick,” I say, closing the door behind me as I loosen my tie and begin unbuttoning my white shirt. “You must really be itching to sign this contract.”

  Her lips curl into a devious smile. “I’m itching for something.”

  “Yeah?” With my shirt unbuttoned, I leave it on and rip the sheets off her naked body with one strong flick of my wrist. She’s undeniably sexy.

  I crawl over her until I’m staring down into her eyes. She reaches a hand up to caress my cheek softly, but she’s not a make love kind of person. She wants to fuck.

  I slide one hand down to her bare hip and plant a short kiss against her lips before nuzzling her neck and ear. And then I freeze in place, force my eyes shut and try to shake away thoughts of Dani.

  Why the hell am I thinking about her when I have this bombshell vixen underneath me?

  “What’s wrong, Hunter?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I caress her bare thigh while nibbling against one earlobe. My palm begins to skate up her side, and my cock swells in my slacks, but there’s no sense of urgency. Of excitement.

  “Stop,” she commands and pushes a strong hand against my chest so that we’re eye-to-eye. “You’re not into this. You thinking of someone else?” When I don’t say anything, it seems to confirm her suspicions. “Wow. I never thought I’d see the day you were hung up on a woman.”

  “It’s not like that.” I roll onto my back, opting to stare at the ceiling instead of at her.

  She shifts onto her side and props her head against her palm. “Then tell me what’s it like.”

  “I barely know the girl.”

  “So there is a girl.” She purses her lips and nods. “Hunter Kiss is caught up in feelings. Who would have thought?” When I glower at her, she laughs. “This is a good thing, Hunter. You can’t go your entire life being afraid of getting close to a woman.”

  “Seriously?” I arch one brow as I glower at her. “Says the girl who’s never made it past the third date, not since—”

  “That’s a choice,” she snaps before I can say his name.

  “And mine’s not?”

  “I’m more in love with my work than I could ever be with someone else. You on the other hand, I know there’s a part of you that wants to settle down but you’re too afraid to let someone in.”

  “I want you to let me in.”

  “If that’s true, I’m still open for the taking.” She smiles faintly. “Literally open.”

  I stare at her. I tell myself to move. To take her. I don’t and understanding lights her eyes.

  “Do you want to me to leave?”

  I shake my head. “Nope. I’ll sleep on the couch and drive you to the airport for your flight.”

  “Sounds good.”

  I stand up and kiss her cheek. “Goodnight, Lila.”

  “Night, Hunter. Wait a minute. Turn around.”

  I do as commanded, unsure what’s about to go down. She pushes one side of my open shirt aside and she breaks out into a contagious laugh. “You got a nipple piercing!”

  I look down and grimace at the metal bar stuck through my left nipple. “Another story for another night.”

  I exit my bedroom and close the door behind me, and even then I can still hear her laughing.

  Chapter Eight

  Dani

  I slide the glass door open and carry two glasses of ice water outside where Chad’s waiting. He’s so damn tall, always has been. Even though he’s younger than me, he surpassed me in height when he was only twelve years old and from then on, he just continued to grow and grow. We don’t really look alike, especially because he’s clean cut and I’m anything but, so most people usually don’t take us for siblings.

  When I step onto the patio, he turns and grabs the glass of water. “Thanks, sis.”

  “You’re welcome.” I take a seat at the patio table and he sits across from me. “So, when are you going to let me give you a tattoo?” Like Hunter, my brother is deathly terrified of needles.

  He leans back in his chair and laughs, brushing his finger under his nose. “I think that’s probably going to be a while.”

  “How is it you’re not afraid of any of those men on the field, but you’re afraid of a tiny needle?”

  “Because when I’m out on the field, I’m protected by my boys.”

  “Right, the brotherhood.”

  “Something like that.” He sighs. “Listen, I know you have your reservations about me signing with Kiss.”

  “That’s an understatement.”

  “Well, I just want you to know, I trust you. So if you don’t trust Hunter…”

  “What? You’re just going to leave your future in my hands?” I say it with a smile, but to my surprise, he just shrugs.

  “Like I said, I trust you, Dani. More than anyone. This is the opportunity of a lifetime, but if you think it’s somehow wrong…” He leans back in his chair and crosses his arms over each other. “If you think it’s the wrong road to travel, then maybe you’re right.”

  “Are you serious?”

  When he nods, I struggle with joy. I can sway him to make a safer choice. But then again, I’ve always known that. Chad and I have always been close. He’s relied on me. I've always been the one there for him, practically raising him at times. And usually, I’m perfectly fine with that. But now I’m torn, and that makes me feel insecure about whether I’m making decisions that are best for Chad or best for me.

  I comb one hand through my hair. “Chad,” I say and pinch nervously at the bridge of my nose. “I think we should set up an official meeting with you and Hunter.”

  He frowns. “Really?”

  “Yes. I think it would be the best thing to do. And after you guys have your meeting, we will discuss it in more detail.” I force a smile, but I’m nervous as hell. Nervous that no matter how good everything might seem, it could easily fall apart without notice. “And if you trust Hunter, and decide that this is what you want, then…” I close my eyes and nod. “It’s your decision to make, is what I’m trying to say, and I’ll support whatever that decision is.”

  Chad swallows hard even as a mixture of hope and excitement overcome his expression. “You really are the best sister I could have ever asked for.”

  “I know,” I smirk.

  “Whatever, right?”

  “Huh?”

  “You said you’d support whatever my decision is,” he points out with a sly grin and I know he’s cruising toward trouble.

  “Right,” I nod.

  “Even if that decision is dropping out of school, not signing the contract, and then settling on an alternate life as a male stripper in Vegas?”

  “Chad? Shut up.”

  Chapter Nine

  Dani

  “Hi.” I greet the friendly looking lady at the front desk of Hunter’s agency. “I’m here to see Hunter Kiss.”

  “Do you have an appointment?”

  “Um…” I glance at the nameplate on her desk. “Trisha, right? I'm Dani Cross, Chad's sister.”

  “Ah. Nice to meet you, Ms. Cross. Hunter is in a meeting now, but why don’t I pop in and—”

  Something in Trisha’s expression, something both curious and excited, spooks me.

  “You know what? That’s okay? No need to bother him. I’ll make an appointment and come back another time.” What am I doing? I’ve lost my damn mind. I start backing out, trying not to show my sudden panic. I didn’t need to see Hunter. Didn’t need to tell him I’d given Chad my blessing to talk with him.

  But I’d wanted to see him. And how pathetic is that?

  I almost make it to the door when I hear a familiar voice.

  “Hey Trisha…” Hunter calls as he makes his way into the room. Shit. I move faster.

  “Dani?”

  Crap. Too late.

  “Oh, uh, Hunter...hi. I was just in the, uh, neighborhood and…” I stop talking. In th
e neighborhood?

  His devilish smile confirms my worst fear. He knows I’m full of bullshit. He knows I'm here to see him. He knows I want more of him.

  “I’m sorry, Hunter, I need to get going, but I'll call you soon, okay?”

  But Hunter is having none of that. With a smirk on his handsome face, he strides up to me, grabs my arm and pulls me into a nearby office, which I assume is his.

  “So, what really brings you by?”

  I take a deep breath. “Um, Chad, of course. I’ve decided that I’m going to step aside and let him meet with you one-on-one without my interference.”

  Surprise flickers across his face before he grins. “That was going to happen anyway, but I’m glad you’ve come around.” He’s so damn cocky, so damn sure of himself. I want to strip him of his ego, and his clothes…

  I pace toward him, slowly and deliberately like I’m closing in on my prey. “I’m still going to make sure you do right by my brother.”

  “You’re so damn sexy when you’re playing the tough girl.”

  “You have no instinct for survival, do you?”

  He shrugs. “It’s a good thing, with you around, that I like a little pain with my pleasure. Don’t you?”

  My eyes widen as I suddenly imagine him with his own personal toy chest: handcuffs, whips, floggers…

  He shakes his head as if he knows where my mind has gone. “We’ll have to revisit that conversation another time. Speaking of pain though, I almost ripped this damn piercing out of my nipple this morning in the shower.”

  I frowned. “You need to be more careful about that.”

  “I hate being careful.” He finally reaches for me, his breath hot against my neck as he backs me up against the wall. “You should know that more than anyone.” He reaches down, palms my hips, and spins us around until my back is pressed against the glass of the floor-to-ceiling windows.

  “What are you doing?” I ask, breathy and needy as his hungry eyes stare into mine. “We can’t.”

  “This is my office, and we can do whatever the hell we want.”