Wicked Garden Read online

  third floor fell on me? Or if I tripped over the four-inch foundation crack in the basement and split my head open?”

  “See?” Eden jabbed a finger in his sternum. “That’s exactly what I mean. We haven’t discussed a damn thing about any of your initial findings. I’m sure the other companies reports made you aware of the safety concerns—”

  Billy pressed her palm flat to his chest. “I haven’t read the other reports.”

  She blinked. “What?”

  “I haven’t looked at them. They’re still in Bob’s office.”

  “Why?”

  “Because they don’t matter. Those reports are their opinions, not mine. I didn’t want my judgment skewed beforehand.” Billy brought her wrist to his mouth, kissing the soft skin until her breath hitched. “I’m sorry. I blew it, all right? I should’ve informed you first. So, in the future, I’ll give you a heads up before I start poking around.”

  “Good.”

  “When and where can I see you tonight?”

  Eden disentangled herself and grabbed a piece of paper. “Here’s my address. Come by after seven.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  Chapter Four

  As Billy sped through Eden’s neighborhood, he scarcely noticed the architectural details—the Victorian painted ladies, the quaint brick bungalows or the structural designs inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright.

  He parked in front of the detached garage, nearly vaulting the evergreen hedge separating the sidewalk from the driveway. After passing through the arbor twined with yellow roses, he paused at the steps. A white envelope was tacked to the front door, fluttering in the evening breeze.

  Disappointment clenched his gut as he strode across the spacious porch and snatched the envelope. The note read:

  Since you’re so adept at sneaking around my building, you have five minutes to find me. If you succeed, you get to be in charge tonight. If you fail, be prepared to surrender to my every whim. Ring the doorbell and the timer starts.

  A thrill shot through him that buttoned-up, professional Eden hadn’t neglected her playful side. He set his watch, swung open the door, poked the doorbell and stepped across the threshold.

  Billy’s gaze darted up the staircase but he started his search in the living room. She wasn’t hiding behind the velvet drapes or in the coat closet. In the dining room, the space under the antique trestle table remained empty. The mahogany china cabinet was too small to crawl inside, even for a sprite like Eden.

  He dashed through the doorway to a kitchen painted in tones of lavender and purple. When he paused in front of a bright red half-bath tucked underneath the staircase, he realized Eden hadn’t shed her funky bohemian side.

  Damn. Two and a half minutes had passed.

  Billy took the stairs at a dead run.

  Upstairs he faced seven doors—all closed. The first one revealed a small linen closet. The second and third, empty bedrooms. The fourth room displayed a four-poster canopy bed and was sumptuously decorated in lace, velvet and silk.

  Behind the fifth door he found a large pink and black bathroom, complete with a claw foot tub. Door number six led to an attic. Billy flicked on the light switch and barreled up the wooden stairs. Boxes covered the wide-planked floor. No Eden. He raced down the stairs.

  He turned the crystal doorknob, pushed open the heavy oak door to the last room, and found Eden sprawled on a weight bench. A Stairmaster stood in one corner, a TV/DVD combo in the other. A purple yoga mat was spread on the carpet.

  Somehow he ripped his gaze away from her to check the time.

  Four minutes, forty-five seconds. He’d made it. His triumphant smile increased when he got his first complete look at the sexy outfit Eden was almost wearing. Red bustier. Red garters hooked to shimmery black stockings. Black fuck-me stilettos.

  Instantly, his dick stirred to life.

  Her cherry-colored mouth curved into a secretive feminine smile. “I was beginning to wonder if you’d gotten lost.”

  “Just losing my mind when I think of you.” He stalked toward her. “You were lounging here the whole time?”

  “Mmm.” One finger stroked her plumped cleavage. “You cut it close.” She tossed the timer to the floor. “Ten seconds left, by my calculations.”

  “Fifteen seconds by mine,” he corrected. “But I am the winner. I can do whatever I want, right?”

  “Within reason.”

  “I’d never do anything to hurt you when I’ve thought about nothing but touching you all day.” Billy crouched in front of her, his hands glided up the outside of her stocking-clad legs, over lace-covered narrow hips and rib cage. His thumbs brushed the generous swell of her breasts, purposely avoiding her nipples, lingering across the graceful sweep of her collarbone. He palmed her shoulders, lightly trailing his fingers down her arms to clasp her small hands.

  He tugged her to her feet, angling his head to draw in the fragrant scent of her hair. “Kiss me.”

  Her lips parted and she latched onto his tie, hauling his mouth to hers. Not a sweet, welcoming kiss; Eden inhaled him with a tongue thrusting, clash of lips and teeth.

  A heartfelt groan had him gathering her silken hair in his fists.

  Eden broke her mouth free, nibbling over his jawbone up to whisper, “The bed’s in the other room.”

  “We don’t need a bed. I want to look at you. Stand right here.” Billy expected her to protest, but she placed her feet on the carpet where he’d indicated. “Beautiful. Close your eyes.”

  Her long lashes drifted shut.

  Billy circled her, dusting his fingertips over her petal soft skin. Standing behind her, he let his breath waft across her damp nape until she shivered. “Did you wear this outfit to tease me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hold still while I take it off.” He sank to his knees, running his palms up the back of her muscled calves, across that expanse of fabulous thigh. The gap between garter and stocking held his fascination and he bent to taste it.

  Eden gasped. Her gasp morphed into a full-blown moan when his tongue licked a wet path up to the sweet curve of her hip. He explored that exquisitely sensitive skin, using feathery strokes on the outside of her legs.

  “Unhook the garters,” he said gruffly.

  She fumbled with the stockings until they were free of the clasps.

  The sight of Eden bending over, smooth ass pushed out, the line of her spine flat, made him adjust his erection. He’d take her that way, cock grinding into her sweet, hot pussy as his fingers dug into those curvy hips.

  “Turn around and sit on the bench.”

  “Can I open my eyes?”

  “Yes.” Billy fell to his knees. “Let’s get those sexy shoes off.”

  She lifted her leg, placing the toe of her black pump on his shoulder. Cupping her ankle, he removed her shoe and slid off the stocking, licking, nibbling and kissing each portion of newly bared skin. He repeated the agonizingly slow process on the other leg. Once finished, he scrutinized her, noting her ragged breathing as he placed his hands on her knees.

  He tugged at the bustier. “Take it off.”

  “The zipper is in the back, so if you’re expecting a sexy striptease—”

  Billy blocked up her dissent with his mouth. He fed on her sweetness, groaning at the press of her lace-covered breasts to his chest. He hungered for this hot-blooded woman moaning in his arms and wouldn’t be satisfied until he memorized the distinctive taste of her as she climaxed against his tongue.

  Reaching behind her, he yanked on the zipper. The bodice fell and he tossed it aside. He blazed a trail of wet, hot kisses to the tops of her breasts.

  “These are perfect. I want to take hours learning how you like to be touched here. But for now…” He sucked as much of that soft flesh into his mouth as he possibly could. Feasting on her breasts until the pink tips bloomed a darker rose.

  She cried out, arching her back, straining against him.

  His cock swelled from her throaty growls. He leapt to
his feet and eased her back onto the inclined bench seat.

  Billy unknotted the tie and threw it behind him. He made short work of his dress shirt, shoes and socks. He only unbuttoned the top button of his slacks. Again he slipped his hands up her body, savoring every sexy inch. “What’s really going through that sharp mind, gorgeous?”

  Her eyes turned liquid, a soft hue that bespoke of raw passion. “I’ve thought of this since I was seventeen.”

  “Tell me what you want.”

  “I want you to put your mouth on me.”

  Smiling, he bent and kissed her knee.

  “Smart-ass,” she hissed.

  “You weren’t very explicit.”

  She propped herself up on her elbows, eyes gleaming. “I want your mouth sucking between my legs until I come.”

  He stared at her and grinned. “That’s the hottest thing I’ve ever heard.”

  “And I want it right now.”

  He hooked his fingers inside her red lace panties, dragging them down her long legs and carelessly tossed them over his shoulder. “You asked for it. Remember that when you’re begging me to let you come.”

  Chapter Five

  “I can take it,” Eden said boldly, even when the sparkle in his eye sent shivers to her core.

  Billy gently nudged her and she lowered her back flat, staring at the ivory ceiling. Perched on the end of the weight bench, he placed his hands on her knees. “Wider. Show me what I’ve won. Show me what’s mine tonight.”

  A wave of desire washed over her. She stretched her legs, letting her heels rest on the metal rungs of the bench. Her eyes closed when his hot flesh moved into the space she’d created between her thighs.

  His finger slid through the wetness of her pussy, stopping to trace the triangle of curls. “So pretty. So pink.” One hand stroked her thigh. His mouth came into play, kissing her hipbones, the sensitive line of skin below her navel. A warm tongue skated across each rib as he made a thorough journey up her body.

  His thumb flicked across that pouting bundle of nerves at her center, gliding down to rest in her slick opening. He repeated the path up and down her wet slit, gradually increasing the rhythm so it was a constant stroking.

  Eden began to thrash. Even the fake leather bench seat was too much stimulus on her skin. She wanted his mouth everywhere—on her lips, on her breasts, on her aching sex. Finally that wayward mouth reached her nipples, using the tiniest amount of tongue on tips. “Please, Billy.”

  As he latched onto her nipple with his teeth, he slid two fingers deep inside her pussy.

  The sensation of his hungry mouth suckling her breast, his long fingers pumping in and out, his thumb rubbing her clit, sent her careening into space. She pressed up to meet his demanding fingers, clutching his strong shoulders, shudders racking her from scalp to toes as he milked even the tiniest spasm.

  After her sex quit pulsing, Eden opened her eyes, mortified by being so quick on the trigger.

  But Billy’s intense gaze indicated he hadn’t minded her speedy trip to climax. His hand slid from between her thighs, smoothed a wet line up her belly, which he followed with this tongue. “Beautiful,” he growled against her flushed skin.

  Eden dove her hands into his thick hair. Her impatient palms tracked the iron contours of his broad shoulders, down his powerfully muscled back. She tugged at the wool fabric of his suit pants. “I want you,” she murmured against his mouth.

  “No.” Billy pressed into a push-up position, using the bar above her head as leverage. “I want to look in your eyes when I make you come this time.” With that declaration, he stepped back, circled her ankles and planted her feet on his shoulders.

  She struggled to sit up. “What are you doing?”

  “Putting my mouth on you.” His tongue swirled a path up the inside of her thigh. “Stay like that,” he warned, “watch me taste you.”

  “B-but, it’s too soon, I-I can’t possibly—”

  “You can,” he said, licking a wide swath over the center of her, “you will.” His thumbs spread her folds apart, dragging his mouth up and down the dripping furrow. In a breathless second, he jammed his hot, wiggling tongue inside her pussy as high as it would reach.

  “Oh. My. God.” The muscles below her belly button rippled as his mouth worked magic. Soft hair brushed the inside of her thighs making them tremble anew.

  “Jesus, you taste like some dark exotic fruit,” he groaned, lapping at the moisture pouring from her sex. Billy’s head lifted, his mouth glistened with her juices. “Keep your eyes on mine.” Again his nimble tongue connected with her clit, drawing a series of figure eights.

  Blood rushed to the swollen membranes as that elusive point pulsed. The steel bar dug into her lower back as her legs tensed, her nipples beaded, a zing of white-hot heat shot straight to her core.

  When the vibrations started, Billy trained his eyes on her face, and his callused fingers tweaked her nipple.

  Eden moaned as orgasm number two flooded her. She watched Billy’s heavy-lidded eyes as the climax he’d wrought emblazoned a mark on her.

  The delicious throbbing slowed. Stopped. He scattered kisses along the tops of her thighs. Replete, she flopped back on the hard bench with a gusty sigh.

  Billy’s mouth meandered up her torso, tasting the dips and valleys of her sated flesh until he reached her lips. His gentle breath swept her mouth open and his tongue plunged inside, sharing his heat and her musky tang. He lifted her from the bench and settled her on the yoga mat.

  Eden stretched, coiling around him with the languor of a sun-warmed snake. After endless, glorious minutes of Billy’s loving caresses and reverent touches, he pulled away. She opened her eyes lazily. “What?”

  “You are amazing.”

  “But I haven’t done anything besides let you have your wicked way with me.”

  Smiling, he twined a damp curl around his finger. “Would you believe me if I said that was my biggest fantasy?”

  “No.” To prove her point, she slid a bare thigh up his leg until it connected with the hard ridge of his erection. “I’d say my biggest fantasy involves ripping those pants to shreds.” She reached for the zipper, but he blocked her move. A warning flashed in the back of her mind.

  “Before you scorch my hair with that dirty look, I’m not going anywhere.” Billy pinned her arms above her head. “Leave them there.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you haven’t called mercy yet.” His wicked mouth wended between her aching breasts. He lapped at the generous curves until she writhed beneath him. He coated his middle finger with her juices, slipping it down to rest on the rosy bloom of her anus.

  She froze, half in fear, half in excitement, automatically contracting that muscle.

  “Has any man ever fucked you here?”

  “No.”

  He looked her square in the eye, his questing finger stayed in place. “Since I blew taking your virginity ten years ago, will you let me take this one? Let me be the first man to put my cock in your ass?”

  Eden’s mouth went as dry as the Badlands. She’d been curious about that particular act, but hadn’t trusted other lovers to initiate her into the dark pleasure of anal sex. But Billy had figured out her secret desire and offered to make it come true.

  She nodded.

  Billy growled, clamped his lips to hers, snaring her attention in a drawn out, tongue numbing kiss. Her body arched closer to his, lost in passion flaring between them.

  When he finally, slowly breached that untried area, the sensation was so acute she gasped in his mouth.