A Fall From Grace. Mail Order Bride Western Page 52

  Oh god. She cut that thought right off. What was she thinking? She certainly would never sleep with a man like him, and not in Vegas. If she thought a wedding here was cheesy, that was the ultimate cheese. No, she tended to gravitate towards the level headed, commitment minded type. What was the point otherwise?

  “You look like you’re here on vacation Julia,” Travis said, her name like butter on his tongue. His gaze was unnerving. He looked at her like she wasn’t wearing any clothing. The glimmer in his eyes told her he liked what he saw.

  “I… I am… I’m with a stagette.” She pointed over to where Barb and the other girls were dancing away together on the club’s floor.

  “I see… you poor girl. I could show you a much better time…”

  “Oh.” Julia was struck dumb. What was she to say to that? The way he spoke, as if the words were honey on his tongue, she got the impression he wasn’t talking about going to see a show or walk down the strip.

  “What will it be Julia? Experience Vegas as it was meant to be… or stay with bridezilla over there?”

  She was about to object that Barb wasn’t a bridezilla but then she understood he was joking. His eyes glinted with mirth but there was something else there as well. Taking another sip of her drink she stared into his face for a moment before she realized what it was. Desire. He wanted her.

  Julia’s hand shook. The ice in her drink knocked together and she quickly set it down on the bar. Her legs suddenly felt too weak to hold her up. How could a man that looked like he did, desire her?

  “Yes.” She said it without thinking. She didn’t specify whether she meant yes she wanted to go with him or yes she wanted to stay here. He knew what she meant.

  Travis reached out and took Julia’s hand. His fingers were warm and solid against her own. A surge of electricity shot up her arm at the contact. He pulled her into him and kissed Julia soundly. His mouth was warm and wet and tasted of the sharp tang of whisky. Travis’s strong hands roamed over the bare skin of her back, the skin her dress did not cover, caressing Julia in a manner which promised more to come.

  He pulled away, his dark eyes flashing. It took her a moment to catch her breath, to still the rapid pounding of her heart. Her blood surged hot and wild underneath her skin. God, she wanted this man. His large, capable hands had caressed her in such a way that she knew he was very skilled. Skilled beyond her limited knowledge. Instead of making her nervous, the thought detonated an explosion of lust in Julia’s belly. The fire spread, consuming her, the force of her need a driving, painful thing.

  “Did you like that Julia?” Travis bent his head to her ear. His voice was silky smooth, his expression straight. He could have been asking her about the weather for all she could tell.

  “Y… yes…” she stammered.

  “And you would like to experience more… more of a Vegas, am I right?”

  “Yes, you’re… you’re right.” She blushed just saying it, her delicate pale skin lighting up.

  “Alright then, let’s go.” Travis took Julia’s hand again but this time he led her swiftly and deftly through the club out the side entrance, onto the street. She blinked into the darkness of the warm night. The pounding music of the club seemed to be embedded in her brain. All the drinks she had consumed made her shaky and more than a little dizzy.

  Travis gripped her, pulling her in against him. He wrapped a strong, supporting arm around her waist and propelled her forward to a line of Taxis. Opening the door, he glanced at her, as if to say that if she wanted to turn back now was the time. She said nothing, only looked into the velvet blackness of his eyes. He nodded once then helped her into the back of the car.

  A second later he slipped in beside her and told the driver where to take them. Was she going to his condo? His hotel? She knew nothing about him. God, he could be a murderer for all she knew. Perhaps this was the last time she was going to be seen alive.

  Julia glanced around in panic.

  “Relax Julia. I told you I was going to show you the best of what Vegas has to offer, and I will. I promise I will drop you at your hotel tomorrow, alive and well.”

  She actually giggled. She felt her panic fade, replaced by the heady desire his eyes promised her. Tomorrow. He had said tomorrow. She supposed it would be dawn in a couple hours. She closed her eyes, images of what he would do to her in those hours flashing behind her closed lids. Her heart again pounded in her chest, the ache from the club was back, spreading up her legs, pooling in the pit of her stomach.

  She jumped a little when Travis leaned in, nuzzling her neck, his warm breath and the stubble of his jaw burning her sensitive skin. “That’s right Julia,” he whispered in her ear. She leaned into his mouth, craved the feel of it on her body. Was she really doing this? Was she really in the back of a cab with a man she had known for all of half an hour? She was going to his place, she was sure. He was going to strip her naked and make her scream and writhe in pleasure. She knew it was crazy but she had never wanted anything more in her life.

  For once, just this night, Julia was going to take a risk. She was going to live… besides, what happened in Vegas stayed in Vegas, right?

  Chapter 3

  The cab pulled up in front of a tall condo complex. It was a nice building, illuminated with overhead lights. It had a gently sloping sidewalk and flowers adorning the front of it.

  Travis helped her from the cab then paid the driver. Julia watched the tail lights fade into the dark. She had a sudden urge to run after it but then Travis placed his hands on her hips and turned her to face him.

  “You won’t forget this night Julia,” he whispered thickly. Bending down his lips covered hers, plundering her mouth, taking her breath away. She arched into him, set her hands on his chest. He was all muscle, hard and warm even through his clothing. Julia swayed a little when he broke off the kiss then giggled nervously.

  “How drunk are you?” Travis asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “Oh… very.”

  He laughed. “Don’t worry. I have something that will sober you up.” It could have been sinister, what he said, but it wasn’t. It was a promise, gentle and thrilling. “Do you trust me Julia?” Travis whispered.

  She leaned further into him, pressing the curves of her pelvis and breasts into his body. He didn’t make a sound but she felt his heart beat quicken under her fingers. The knowledge that she affected him as well wasn’t lost on her. It gave her a feeling of power. She became, for one of the first times in her life, keenly aware of her own sexuality.

  In one swift move Travis swept her up into his strong arms. He carried her into the building and down a long hallway. He didn’t set her down when he punched a number into the keypad on the door he stopped in front of, just shifted her and swung it open when the pad beeped and the door lock disengaged.

  Julia glanced around the entrance of Travis’s home. It was dark but she could tell it was neatly kept. She could make out the shapes of furniture in the living room, a TV in one corner. Appliances glowed in the kitchen which faced the large living area. There was a dark hallway that went by the kitchen and Travis took her down that. He pushed open the second door on the right and clicked on the light.

  Julia blinked, her eyes protesting against the harsh light. Travis fixed it immediately, hitting the switch to dim it. The room looked quite ordinary. A large king size bed stood in the middle surrounded by a nightstand and a dresser off to the side. There was a large mirrored closet to the right. There was nothing strange, no trappings of torture, no bonds or chains, no weapons. Noting to indicate she was in any danger.

  Julia breathed a sigh of relief. Travis set her down and leaned into her. His eyes flashed when he looked into her face.

  “Don’t think you’re safe yet Julia,” he whispered. It sent a shiver racing up her back, a shiver of pure, heady desire.

  Travis took a step over to the nightstand and pulled out a candle from the bottom drawer and a pack of matches. He lit it quickly and placed it on top the stan
d. In another stride he had shut the light off. Julia stared at him, his raw masculine body outlined by the shimmering candlelight. He was probably the most frighteningly handsome man she had ever met. She closed her eyes for a second, imaging what he would look like naked. Like a god. Blinking, she realized she didn’t have to imagine. She was going to find out. Her palms started to sweat and a hot molten heat pooled in between her legs.

  “Julia,” Travis said thickly. “I want you to stand in front of that mirror.” He pointed to the floor length mirror on the closet door. “I want you to take off your dress… slowly. I want you to look at yourself.”

  “Al… alright.” She wished she could do something other than stammer. He never ceased to surprise her with the things he said. Yet what had she expected? To fall into bed? For it all to be over in ten seconds? No. Certainly not. She knew instinctively that Travis wasn’t that kind of man. No, he was the kind that would bring her to the depths and breadths of pleasure. He would show her sex like she had never known it before.

  Julia walked awkwardly over to the mirror. She stood there staring at herself. It was quite dark in that corner of the room. The drinks she had consumed earlier gave her a courage she wouldn’t had had sober. She reached up and undid the zipper at the top of her dress. Slowly she eased the straps over her shoulders and down her breasts. She had chosen not to wear a bra because her breasts were firm and on the small side and because, in her vanity, she hadn’t wanted ugly straps sticking out of her dress.

  “Continue,” Travis said huskily, voice raw and all male.

  Julia glanced at him, saw the naked desire and appreciation on his features. Never had a man looked at her like that, as if she were a queen, the only woman in the world, and boundlessly beautiful.

  Hands trembling, Julia worked the tight fabric lower, over her belly and down her hips. With a swish the dress hit the floor and she stepped from it, still wearing her pumps. She stood completely, gloriously naked in front of the mirror. She didn’t glance at Travis. Instead she looked at her reflection. The darkness and shimmering candlelight turned her into something she had never seen before. Long creamy legs turned into gently curved hips. Her stomach was flat and muscled from hours of yoga. Her torso was long, topped by pert breasts that were really not as small as she sometimes thought. Her nipples stood out, reflecting the state of her arousal.

  Travis took a step forward. Julia felt no urge to cover herself. He was aroused. She could see his jeans straining, smell the musk of male desire covering him. His arousal stirred her further, fed the terrible need that was growing in her.

  “What do you taste like Julia?” It was the last thing she expected him to ask.

  “I…. don’t know…” There was a pulsing that began in her core at his question.

  “I want you to taste yourself Julia. I want to you taste yourself and tell me.”

  Oh god. She would never have done such a thing in the past. At his command the ache in her grew to a roar. She slowly moved her hand, ran her fingers over her hips, down to the juncture of her thighs. Her skin was smooth as velvet. She parted her flesh, felt the pooling moisture. Julia looked at Travis, whose mouth had parted slightly. His eyes blazed with a barely controlled passion.

  Julia put her finger in her mouth. She closed her eyes as she tasted the sensuality of her own musk. Travis’s breathing grew ragged. She slowly opened her eyes and gazed at this man. This raw, huge man who was entirely male. She realized she could bring him to his knees.

  “I would tell you what I taste like Travis,” Julia whispered. Was that really her voice, husky and shivery with sensuality? “But I want you to find out for yourself. I want your mouth on me Travis.” Had she really said that? Julia couldn’t believe her boldness.

  Travis let out a primal groan, deep in his throat. Julia’s blood boiled at the sound. Smoothly she kicked off one pump, then the other and walked over to the bed. She lay down, propping her feet against the edge. Slowly, tantalizingly, she let her legs fall open. Travis stared at her completely dumfounded, frozen to the spot. Julia realized the hunted and become the hunter in that moment.

  “I want your mouth on me Travis,” Julia said again. She trailed her own fingers over her swollen flesh, then over to the buds of her breasts.

  “Yes Julia,” Travis finally replied, voice thick. “Oh yes.” He knelt before her, sliding her long legs over his shoulders. Julia closed her eyes. The shimmering light played over her body, over Travis’s face. She could still see his expression behind closed lids.

  Travis’s mouth was warm, exquisitely warm and tender, when he kissed the inside of her thigh. Julia moaned at the contact. The need within her was so great she wanted to beg for him to release her, to put his mouth on her core and take her. Yet she wasn’t ready to give up the ounce of control she now had over him. She knew her surrender was not going to be so easy.

  Travis trailed gentle kisses up one thigh, then over the other. Julia buried her fingers in his hair, guided him to where she wanted him. “Please Travis,” she whispered. “Please, I need you.”

  He let out a gentle laugh, his breath tickling her. When he finally lowered his mouth to her core, Julia jacked off the bed. She cried out, gripping his face to her. She opened herself fully, closed her eyes and let his glorious mouth worship her.

  His tongue explored her folds, lapped at her, took her in.

  “You taste… like the sweetest honey Julia,” Travis whispered, looking up. He ran his tongue over his lips and the action almost pushed Julia over the edge. “Not yet. No not yet. I’m going to make you scream first Julia. Yes, you’ll scream and writhe under me, and then I’ll let you come.”

  “Travis… yes…” Julia brought his face back to her. He found her bud and circled it, gently at first, then maddeningly. Julia’s legs began to tremble. Travis slipped his hands under her hips, cupped the cures of her bottom. He moved his mouth and reached over, exploring her tender flesh with his finger. She could have cried out when the warmth of his mouth left her but soon his hand started another sweet torture. He plied her, teased her, made her want to beg him to finish her. Julia’s whole body was on fire, straining at the brink of something she had never experienced before.

  “Travis… I want you inside of me…”

  “Not yet Julia… but soon. Soon.” His voice held a promise that made Julia’s body convulse.

  Travis bent his head over her again, his mouth gently lapping her. She could no longer contain her moans of pleasure. Her feet dug into his shoulders. He sucked at her bud, gently circling it with his tongue.

  “Travis, oh god, Travis, it feels so good,” Julia moaned.

  “This is just the beginning Julia,” he whispered. “Come for me Julia, come apart for me.”

  Julia closed her eyes, focused on the building pleasure. A numbness crept up her legs, turning to a tingle in her thighs. Travis massaged her gently, torturing her, bringing her closer and closer to shattering. His mouth moved lower, his tongue plunging inside.

  “Travis, oh my god.” Julia writhed on the bed, her hands tearing at the blankets. Travis’s tongue circled her bud, his hand moved up, entering her, moving rhythmically with his mouth. White hot heat burst in Julia’s core and radiated out through her entire body. She could see nothing, feel nothing, knew nothing, but the exquisite pleasure washing over her.

  When it was over, a delicious soreness remained in place of the blinding climax that had taken her. Travis lifted his face. Julia saw the depth of his own need reflected in his eyes. He moved over her, placing kisses on her flat stomach. His mouth captured one of her breasts and he nipped gently at her erect nipple. She cried out again, raising her hips to meet his clad ones, the pain and pleasure of his suckling her almost more than she could bear.

  Julia placed her hands on either side of his face, pulled him upwards. She claimed his mouth, tasted the warm musk of herself. Her core started to pound again, a fresh need for him already overcoming her.

  “Travis… I want you… more t
han before.”

  He laughed, breaking away from her. “I have what you need Julia. Lay there, I’ll be back shortly.”

  She was puzzled when he disappeared but he was back shortly, a bag of ice in his hand.

  “You’re so hot Julia… but patience. The night isn’t made for sleeping.” He pulled out an ice cube and held it, dripping in his fingers.

  Julia lay back, awaiting this new form of torture. She wanted him with a fierce need but she would let him teach her, let him show her.

  “Do you know how beautiful you are Julia, in the candlelight, the flush of pleasure still on you?”

  Julia smiled shyly and kept her eyes closed. She had never heard anyone talk that way before, could never have imagined that not only was the night not over, it was just beginning.

  Travis trailed the ice cube over her stomach, letting it melt in her belly button. Julia gasped, her fingers touching the trail of water that had melted over her inflamed flesh. Travis circled the ice high, up her chest, to her breast. She moaned when he circled her nipple, numbing it almost painfully before he moved on to the other. When he had brought it to an aching peak, he again circled the ice lower, down over her stomach again, over her pelvis, across her swollen flesh, to her thigh. He made an icy trail up her leg and down.

  Instead of cooling her down, the ice only revived her senses, made her nerves tingle and cry out for his touch.

  Reaching out, she grabbed Travis’s hand. She opened her eyes. “I think it’s time you got undressed,” she said. “It’s only fair that way.”

  His eyes widened and he let out a deep laugh. Julia liked the sound of it and she smiled.

  “How would you like me to undress?” Travis stood, his large frame looming over the bed. Desire swept over Julia, almost knocking her over when she attempted to sit up.

  “I would like to undress you.”

  “Oh. What else would you like to do?”