Seduced (The Lottery Winners Book 8) Read online

  He stood there in the doorway, his gaze moving up and down her figure. She’d changed out of her work clothes and into a pair of low riding sweats and a soft flannel shirt. No bra. No socks. Even worse, her hair was piled haphazardly on top of her head.

  “Why aren’t you in bed?”

  Her mouth fell open and she glared up at him. “Because you knocked on the door!” she replied, her tone implying that his question was ridiculous. “And you wouldn’t go away when I refused to answer!”

  He laughed softly, leaning a shoulder against the doorframe. “Oh, so I was right. You’re mad at me for leaving town.”

  Julia glared at him and opened the door wider, allowing the dogs to sniff. Maybe they’d trip him, she thought maliciously.

  He pushed his way in and closed the door behind him before bending down to greet each of the dogs in turn. Julia knew the exact moment that he saw the box and stiffened, ready to block his path to the illicit box.

  “Seriously? Tell me you didn’t!” but he walked over to her coffee table to peer inside the pizza box anyway. When he saw more than half the pizza gone, he spun around. “Julia! What the hell?”

  She crossed her arms over her chest defensively and glared right back at him. “You were gone and I had to eat! Jose is good,” she said, referring to the chef that took over whenever Tony went out of town, “but…well, he’s not as good as you. Besides, he’s always wiped out at the end of the day! So I didn’t ask him to cook anything for me and I’m not apologizing!” She walked over to him and poked him in the chest. “Want to know what else?”

  “Probably not,” he grumbled, hands fisted on his hips as his eyes narrowed.

  “Beer!” she spat, saying the word like it was an epithet. “Yep! Beer! I had pizza and beer while you were out of town!” She could see the amusement in his eyes and that only ramped up her resentment.

  “I didn’t leave to make you miserable, Julia. I left because you had a decision to make and you looked like hell.”

  That hurt! She’d been trying to keep it together but she’d clearly missed the mark. “Great!” she snapped, throwing her hands up in the air. “Just what every woman wants to hear from a gor…”

  She froze as she realized what she was going to say.

  “Finish that statement, Julia.” He walked closer. “I dare you.”

  She swallowed, and shook her head. “Never mind.”

  He laughed softly, but then spied something over her shoulder and walked around her. Julia watched for a moment, before realizing what he was going for and leapt in front of him. “Go away, Tony,” she gasped, blocking his way.

  Did he go away? Nope! “Not happening, beautiful. I want to know what you were reading when you should be in bed, sleeping.”

  “I don’t have to sleep, Tony and…” she caught his hand, trying to stop him from lifting the book out of the folds of her blanket.

  It was pointless. Tony was stronger, bigger, had a longer reach. Not to mention, he was more determined. He easily put an arm around her waist and pulled her to his side, bending her backwards precariously as he picked up the book. She was in no danger from this position since he held her carefully, but she also couldn’t reach the book since he lifted it higher. When she wore heels while working at the restaurant, the top of her head came up to his nose. But in bare feet, she barely came up to his chin and he used his superior height to his advantage.

  “The Pirate’s Prisoner,” he read the title aloud, looking down into her eyes. “Interesting.”

  She glared up at him, ignoring the thrill of her chest pressed against the side of his body. “Give me the book and leave me alone.”

  He twisted around so that he was sitting on the sofa, her on his lap and the book behind her. But she couldn’t twist around and snatch it out of his hands because his arm was effectively pinning her in place.

  “Julia, I thought you were more grounded than this.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with a bit of romance.”

  “Definitely not.”

  At that moment, Julia realized their positions. She was plastered up against Tony, feeling every part of his body against every part of hers. After the past few days, Julia was hyper aware of him.

  He seemed to go very still at that moment as well, looking deeply into her eyes. The amusement faded from his eyes and…

  Julia felt his arms tighten on her back, bringing her slowly closer. And closer. It was almost as if he were giving her the opportunity to tell him to go to hell and get out of her apartment.

  But she couldn’t. The words wouldn’t come because…because she needed him. Powerfully! She’d been dreaming about him doing this with her for so long. And since she’d already decided to submit her resignation, she wanted this.

  There were so many reasons, very good reasons, why she should tell him no. But every one of those reasons were obliterated when his lips touched hers. Gently at first. Experimenting. Tasting. Feeling.

  But then his arms tightened again. She vaguely heard her book hit the floor as one hand dove into her hair, his palm cradling her head. That’s when she abandoned all resistance and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down to her and showing him what she needed.

  And boy did she need!

  With a whimper, she pressed herself against him and immediately felt reciprocating desire. Her fingers wove into his hair, slid down his ears and caressed the warm skin on his neck. In response, his hand slid underneath her flannel shirt, smoothing over her skin. The heat in his hand caused her to whimper but she didn’t want him to stop. She needed so much more from him.

  “Don’t stop!” she whispered, clinging to him, afraid he might realize what he was doing and come to his senses. If he stopped, she might just explode.

  “Not stopping,” he groaned a moment before his hands slid around her back to her stomach before moving upward. With a hiss, she arched into his hand, gasping for breath as he touched her. The rough pad of his thumb rubbed against her already hard nipple and she cried out. A moment later, he lifted her up so that she was straddling his hips and the flannel shirt was whipped off over her head and dumped onto the floor.

  “Julia!” he groaned a moment before his hands against her back pulled her closer. His mouth latched onto her nipple and she could barely breathe. But she could move. Frantic now, her hips rocked against his, feeling his erection against her groin. Pressing, rocking, shifting, she couldn’t find what she needed. His tongue lashed her nipple, his teeth scraped against the tender skin but she needed so much more.

  Reaching down, she pulled his sweater up and over, tossing it onto the floor next to her shirt. She had barely seconds to admire his muscular chest before he leaned forward and started teasing her breasts again, sucking hard, teasing and making her scream out.

  So she reached down, fumbling with the button and zipper of his jeans. When she finally released his erection, she heard him hiss as her fingers wrapped around that shaft, squeezing and exploring.

  He stood her up and stripped off her pants and underwear before bringing her right back to his lap, his fingers moving over her body, gripping her bottom as he shifted her so she was offering him her breast once more.

  After careful attention to each peak, he shook his head. “No time!” he roared and lifted her up once more, but only high enough that he could reach into his back pocket to get his wallet. He grabbed one of the condoms and tore it open, but she snatched it from him and started to roll it down his impressive length. But her fingers were shaking too hard and she couldn’t get it all the way down fast enough.

  “Let me,” he ordered and pushed her hands away, rolling it down the rest of the way, then pulled her closer, his strong hands lifting her up even as her thighs tightened around his hips. He positioned her at the tip, then looked up at her. “Julia,” he groaned as he guided her down over his shaft.

  “Too slow,” she cried out and wiggled, trying to take him faster, needing him to fill her up, to make her whole. And hopefully s
oothe this aching need that had been eating at her for…years!

  “Good!” she sighed, shifting and moving against him. Wiggling, she was finally able to take all of him into her body and she paused, savoring the sensation for a long moment. She could feel his hands sliding up and down her back, his lips nuzzling her neck. Everything was amazing. More amazing than all of her dreams combined.

  “Julia,” he groaned, his breathing just as heavy and frantic as hers. “If you don’t start moving, this is going to be over before it really gets started.”

  She laughed, feeling exhilarated suddenly. Looking at him, she shifted, rolling her hips, taking the length of him deep into her body. Their eyes met, watching each other as she rocked against him. His hands were on her bottom, pulling her up and guiding her. But this was her show. She’d wanted this for so long and she wasn’t going to be rushed.

  Then he skimmed his hands up to her breasts, tweaking her nipples, she tried to pull back, the sensation too strong. He wouldn’t allow that. Pulling her closer, his mouth latched onto her nipple and the warm suction shattered what little control she had. Holding her hips, Tony rolled them over, twisting so that she was on her back and he was over her, one foot on the floor as he thrust into her again and again. Her legs tightened around his hips as pleasure lit up her body. Lightning. Sparkles. Pleasure so intense, she could barely breathe for a long moment.

  She felt him come to his own orgasm as well, but all she could do was hold on as she rode that wave of incredible pleasure.

  When she opened her eyes, his face buried against her neck and he was still inside of her. And it felt…perfect.

  Her arms loosened and he lifted his head, looking at her. “Don’t say a word,” he warned softly. “Not a damn word.” He stood up, discarded the condom into the trash. Julia watched him silently, amazed by his incredible body, by why that body had done to her. He stood at the end of the couch and stripped his jeans the rest of the way off. “Not a damn word, Julia,” and he bent down, lifting her into his arms as he carried her into her bedroom.

  There, he laid her down on the bed, tossing another condom beside them. “This time, we’re doing that all over again, but slower.” He lowered himself down so that his arms were braced on either side of her head. “By the time I’m finished, I’m going to know what every inch of you tastes like,” he promised, his eyes darkening with desire.

  Julia shivered, her body already heating, more than ready for him to follow through as he kissed her. Making her head spin. His hands were everywhere and his mouth followed. When he spread her legs, his mouth slowly, unerringly moved lower while Julia held her breath. When he finally reached that special point, she knew that she was in trouble because Tony was in no hurry. But she was!

  “Tony!” she sobbed when he took her right to the edge for a third time but stopped just before she lost control.

  “You need something?” he asked, sliding his finger and out of her wet heat.

  “Yes!” she screamed, arching upwards, urging his fingers to move higher.

  “Tell me,” he urged.

  “Just…move higher?” she shouted.

  “Show me.”

  Julia released the sheets that were now a rumpled mess, grabbed his head and led his mouth back to where she needed it. And thankfully, this time, he gave her exactly what she needed. Julia couldn’t believe how amazing it was to finally climax, especially as his mouth helped her climb right back up that peak.

  But before he allowed her to climax again, he donned a condom, pulled her to the edge of her bed and thrust into her. Holding her hands away from her body, he moved in and out, thrusting as he watched her features. “Tell me,” he ordered.

  “Higher,” she sobbed, trying to pull her hands away. She had no inhibitions now. All she had were feelings, need, and desperate desire.

  “Like this?” he asked, leaning forward so he was rubbing that spot more effectively.

  “Yes! Just like that!” she came back, arching into him until… “Yes! Oh yes! Yes! Please don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop!”

  Tony watched, trying so hard to control his own climax in order to make hers better, but watching her like this, hearing her voice quiver as she called out just like she’d done in his dreams so many times as another orgasm pulsed through her body, he couldn’t hold back, his control vanished and he tumbled over as well.

  He collapsed on top of her after that, but shifted to the side so that he wasn’t smothering her. He didn’t pull out though. Feeling her warmth wrapped around him, her body still sending small tremors back at him, felt too good.

  In the end, he knew that he had to be careful about pregnancy and pulled out, walking quickly to the bathroom to get rid of the condom. By the time he came back, she was sound asleep, curled up on her side. But one arm was out, her hand reaching for him.

  Tony considered tucking her in and heading out, letting her have a good night’s sleep. She obviously needed it.

  He made a few phone calls to ensure that everything was ready for the night’s dinner. Then he curled up next to her, pulling the sheets and blankets up over them. For a long time, he listened to her breath, staring up at the ceiling. The shadows from the headlights down below danced across the wall and he knew that he should get up and close the blinds. But he didn’t want to leave the bed. He didn’t want to leave her.

  Which brought up a new dilemma. What was he going to do with Julia? He wanted this. He wanted this badly. But his past….he couldn’t risk hurting her. As a child hiding under the bed as he listened to his mother’s screams, he’d vowed that he would never hit a woman. Never!

  But it was in his blood. He didn’t know how to stop himself if he ever got in a rage like his father had fallen into. His arms tightened around Julia as he thought about putting that fear in her eyes.

  No, he couldn’t do that. Better to just tell her outright. Better to explain that there was no future for them than to hurt her.

  Chapter 9

  Julia pressed the button that would start the “happy juice” production, then leaned on her elbows as she watched the coffee percolate. She felt strangely happy and relaxed, and yet, tense, waiting for Tony to wake up. He was still asleep at the moment so she could continue to live in her happy fantasy that they were a couple. That he would walk out of her bedroom and pull her into his arms to kiss her.

  Grimacing, she knew that wouldn’t happen, but…wouldn’t that be nice?

  Reality was probably more along the lines of Tony grabbing his clothes, giving her a quick peck on the cheek, and telling her, “I’ll call you,” before rushing out of her apartment. He’d say something about an important meeting or a work issue.

  She knew the drill because…well, she’d pulled it on her last boyfriend. They’d been dating for months and Julia had finally given in to the need for affection. But by the following morning, she’d remembered that the guy wasn’t Tony and it wouldn’t work. That had been over a year ago. Or was it two? She couldn’t remember anything before last night.

  The coffee maker gurgled and she grabbed a mug from the shelf above her head, pouring the steaming, fresh coffee into the enormous mug. Taking her first sip, she padded over towards the window seat where she’d stacked up pillows and a soft blanket. She’d taken the dogs out when she’d first woken up and threw the balls for them, wearing them out so that now they were all laying on their pillow beds, exhausted and sound asleep.

  OB roused himself enough to come over and climb onto her lap, but fell asleep again as soon as he was comfortable. Absently, she scratched his ears as she stared out the window. This was her favorite place to read or just stare out at the people passing by. Most of the residents in the park across the street were paired up and most of them had kids, several had dogs, which barked and jumped around, eagerly smelling anything within range of their leashes. At night, it was a perfect spot to watch Ms. Scarlett and her grey haired posse try to get into mischief. It was also where she’d chuckle as Emerson or one of his
deputies stopped the elderly mischief makers and drove them back to the senior center.

  Snuggling into the pillows, she pulled the blanket up over her feet, scratching OB’s ears and watching the world go by while she waited for Tony to stir.

  Twenty minutes later, she heard movement and smiled, thinking about how many times she’d fantasized about him being with her in the morning. Of course, during those fantasies, she was in bed with him and he rolled over to make love to her again. Most of the time, she was still asleep and he would kiss her awake, his hands moving over her body that had so recently been sated.

  Her head leaned back against the wall as she tried to banish that image in her mind and replace it with a bit more reality. But reality sucked!

  When Julia heard the shower shut off, she walked over to the small kitchen and pulled down a second cup. He probably wouldn’t drink it, but she liked the gesture of pouring coffee for him.

  Moments later, he appeared in the doorway, obviously looking for her. “You didn’t leave,” he observed, his voice still rough from sleep.

  She lifted the coffee mug and set it on the breakfast bar for him, a silent offering which she knew he would refuse.

  “Your sweater is on the floor, over there,” she whispered, her eyes pleading with him to…what? To make love to her again? To hurry up and leave so she could get on with crying? She wasn’t sure what she wanted, but her eyes moved over his bare chest, and she thought about how she hadn’t had enough time to explore that large expanse of skin, to find all the places that would arouse him to that heated, frantic need she’d felt in him last night.

  He took the mug and sipped the coffee. “If you keep staring at my chest like that, I’m going to take you up on that offer,” he told her.

  Julia looked up at him, startled. And even more surprised when he came over to her, standing less than an inch away.

  “Tony,” she whispered, biting her lip so she wouldn’t embarrass herself by begging him to make love to her again.