Kissed by the Sun Page 8

  She came hard and fast, pushing against Ben’s hand, her breast shoved into Dan’s mouth.

  “No more!” she cried. “More.” She sighed.

  Dan chuckled. “Which is it, little warrior?”

  Ben laughed. “Do you want us to stop?”

  She sat up and smacked him on the chest. “Don’t you dare!”

  Both men dissolved into laughter.

  Ben rolled her over and gave her bottom a tap with his open palm.

  She stretched out, cupping the side of her head in her open hand.

  Ben nuzzled the back of her neck, playing with her curly hair. With his other hand, he stroked her between her legs.

  Dan buried his head between her breasts, laving them with his tongue.

  Carlee arched her back, feeling that great tide of longing as it built inside her again.

  “Carlee, I want to be inside you, now,” Dan whispered in her ear.

  He tongued her nipple.

  She felt a zing of pleasure snake down her back.

  “I’ll watch,” Ben told them.

  Carlee’s clit throbbed, her body responding to Dan’s need and Ben’s desire to view it all.

  Dan slid his body upward, until his head was on level with hers. She grabbed hold of his cock, placing the tip against her clit, rubbing the head of his stiff dick against her little pearl of moist flesh. He pushed insider her, filling her, her gasp of pleasure echoing through the room.

  Ben stayed behind her, stroking her breasts, leaning over her shoulder to watch Dan make love to her. He threw his arm across Carlee and Dan, forcing them closer. Dan started with long, slow strokes, building a fire inside Carlee. She matched him, stroke for stroke, her body responding to his rhythm.

  “Faster!” she cried.

  He placed a finger against her lips.

  “Please,” she whimpered.

  She ground her pelvis against him, but Dan continued with slow, even strokes, making sure to slide the tip of his cock against her clit.

  He stopped.

  She cried out. “No!”

  “Easy,” he crooned, turning her so that she faced Ben.

  They switched, with Ben inserting his cock inside her. He settled there, leaning his forehead against hers.

  “Carlee,” he murmured, kissing her forehead. “You’re so tight, so hot so…wet.”

  Dan reached over and fondled her breasts, rolling her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. He kissed her shoulders, her neck, holding back her mass of curls to nip her skin gently with his teeth.

  “I love your breasts, little warrior,” Dan murmured.

  Ben pumped into her. Dan reached over again to stroke her labia, fingering her clit while Ben moved inside her.

  She lost her breath again. When she came, it felt like a flood of white, hot light filled her, sending her over the precipice of need and desire.

  She let go of a sigh then settled against Dan.

  Ben curled an arm around her waist.

  They all fell asleep with Carlee nestled between them the only sound her soft little snore.

  * * * *

  Carlee woke a little while later.

  She brushed the hair from her eyes, only to discover she was alone in the bed.

  Then she heard noise coming from the kitchen, the sound of pots banging—and Dan and Ben’s voices.

  She rolled over and noticed her clothing hanging on the back of the closet door.

  Climbing out of the bed, she grabbed her jeans and t-shirt and dressed quickly.

  Then she made her way down the hallway.

  She stopped near the entrance to the kitchen.

  Dan was busy making breakfast—it looked as though he cooked a mountain of scrambled eggs.

  She screwed up her face but her stomach rumbled when she smelled the odor of toasting bread.

  Licking her lips, she mustered her courage and walked into the kitchen.

  Dan glanced her way, his face solemn.

  She blew out a breath. “Well, I guess this is the part where it becomes awkward and strained.”

  Dan put down his spatula. A lock of dark hair brushed his shoulder.

  Her heart did a little flip in her chest.

  “No, little warrior, it doesn’t.” He walked over to her. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he drew her forward, kissing the breath from her body.

  She shut her eyes, savoring the feel of his lips.

  When she opened them, Ben stood on the other side of the room, watching every move.

  Carlee walked over to him.

  Ben placed an arm around her waist and tugged her forward. He placed a kiss on top of her head.

  “No regrets, little warrior,” Ben murmured.

  “Never,” she replied, but her stomach did a strange little flip.

  Doubt crept in but she pushed it aside. This situation was temporary—until the police figured out who attacked her.

  She told Ben and Dan that one bout of lovemaking would get the urge out of their systems. Rubbing the delicate skin near the corner of her eye, she felt a familiar twitch. Carlee wondered just how long she could lie to herself, and to them.

  One time with Ben and Dan was better than any fantasy she ever had.

  She felt a stirring in her loins.

  Crap! She’d have to get them both back in her bed… soon.

  “Well, what’s for breakfast besides—” She glanced at the pan of eggs on the stove. “That?” She pointed at the skillet.

  Dan raised a brow. “You don’t like eggs?” He mounded them into a bowl and placed them on the table.

  She looked at them, her stomach lurching. “No, not particularly.”

  Her eyes strayed to the toast lying on a plate. “But I’ll have toast.”

  Ben shook his head. “You just can’t have toast for breakfast.” He frowned, assessing her appearance. “You’re too damned skinny, woman.”

  She laughed, snatching a piece of toasted bread from the plate, smearing it with jelly. “I am not.”

  Ben reached out and licked a bit of jelly from the corner of her mouth.

  She dropped the bread, the side of her mouth buzzing from the touch of his lips.

  Ben picked up the toast and placed it in the trash, his mouth split into a wide grin.

  “Sit,” he told her. “I’ll handle the toast.”

  Frowning, she read the label. “This isn’t organic orange juice, is it?”

  Ben shrugged. “Does it matter?”

  She pursed her lips. “It’s better for you.”

  Dan rolled his eyes as he sat down and dug into his plate piled high with eggs. “We’ve got a real health nut on our hands.” He aimed his fork at Ben.

  She munched on a fresh piece of toast, slathered liberally with jelly, courtesy of Ben. “What’s wrong with eating healthy?”

  Ben sat at the table, placing his own plate filled with eggs in front of him. “Nothing, but I just want to know one thing.”

  “What?” she asked around a mouthful of toast.

  He buttered a piece of toast and asked. “You grew up on a poultry farm, so why don’t you eat eggs?”

  She chewed and swallowed. Brushing the crumbs from her hands, she replied. “I uh, never developed a taste for them.”

  He shook his head. “Surrounded by all that food! All the time.” He jabbed a piece of egg onto the tines of his fork. “Dan and I would have gladly eaten eggs, chickens, turkeys, whatever it was your family raised, and we wouldn’t have—” He frowned and placed a hand on her arm. “Why are you so pale?” he asked.

  Dan angled his head. “That’s exactly what you looked like that day in the poultry store. Your face got all pasty.”

  She plunked the toast down on her plate. “I-I’m fine.”

  Ben leaned back in his chair, wiping his hands on a napkin. “No, you’re not. You’re white as a sheet.”

  She dabbed her mouth with her napkin. “All right. If you must know—”

  She swallowed. Hard.

  “G
o on.” Dan told her.

  “Forget it,” she mumbled.

  “Oh no, no, no, no, no!” Ben sat forward again. He jabbed another piece of egg onto his fork and placed it in his mouth. “You’re not getting away with that,” he said around a bite. “What were you going to say?”

  Carlee gagged.

  “What the hell?” He plunked his fork down on the table. “What is wrong with you?”

  She put her hand over her mouth.

  When she felt her stomach settle, she replied. “I-I don’t eat eggs, or chicken or meat or…or anything with a face.”

  The room became quiet.

  Dan raised a brow. “Do you mean to tell me that you grew up on that poultry farm, and yet, you never touched one piece of chicken or turkey?”

  She nodded.

  Ben shook his head. “You must have driven your family crazy.”

  She placed her chin in the palm of her hand. “To say the least.”

  Dan snapped his brows together. “That’s why you nearly fainted at the poultry store that day we saw you there.” He pushed his plate aside, folding his arms on the table. “When we asked about that turducken.”

  She held up a hand. “Please! I’m nauseous just thinking about it.” She shrugged. “I’ve been a vegetarian all my life.”

  Ben rose and took his plate and Dan’s to the sink.

  “What are you doing?” She watched as he deposited the scrambled eggs in the garbage. Her eyes widened. “Oh, no! Please don’t do that.” She glanced at Dan. “Eat them.”

  “Oh yeah, sure, riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. Like I’m going to enjoy eating eggs in front of you while you gag.”

  She pursed her lips. “I’m sorry.”

  “So, what do you eat, if I may ask?” Dan leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Well…tofu and beans and wheat berries and…”

  “Wheat berries?” Ben said from his position by the sink. “What in hell are wheat berries?” He dried his hands on a towel, turning to face her.

  “Un-cracked wheat kernels. They’re delicious,” she replied.

  He screwed up his face.

  “Well, make a list of what you want to eat, and we’ll get it at that little market down the road.”

  Her eyes widened. “Really?”

  Ben walked over and placed a pad and paper in front of her. “Write down everything you want.”

  She scribbled.

  They watched.

  Ben snatched the pad from her hands. “What the heck is Tofu Frutee Frozen Dessert?”

  “Exactly what it says. It’s ice cream made from tofu.”

  Dan groaned. He hung his head in his hands. “I will not go into that market asking for Tofu Frutee Frozen Desert.”

  She laughed. “Why? Is the big, tough, macho guy afraid of…tofu?” Carlee winked. “If you are, I’ll just go myself.”

  She rose from his lap, only to collide with Ben.

  Her nose brushed his chest. She looked up to see him scowl. “Don’t you ever smile?” she quipped. “Or is that frown permanent?” She batted her eyes. “You were smiling earlier, when you made love to me.” She glanced at Dan’s surly face. “You both did.”

  She brushed her fingers across Ben’s chest. Then she dipped them lower, between his legs.

  He placed a hand over hers. “Cut it out.”

  She reached up and ran a finger over his jaw. “Smile.”

  He snapped his brows together.

  She reached for his groin, stroking his balls.

  A corner of his mouth lifted.

  “Enough.” He leaned down and kissed her.

  Dan pulled her back into his lap. “Finish the list, little warrior.”

  She wiggled her bottom against him.

  “Quickly.” His sharp intake of breath made her realize she had hit her mark.

  She completed her shopping list. Dan ripped the page from the pad then shifted her off his lap. “I’m only doing this because I’m crazy about…,” he mumbled.

  Carlee’s mouth hung open. “What did you say?”

  Her heart pounded in her chest.

  Dan looked over at her, two bright spots of red glowed on his high, sculpted cheeks. “I uh…” He looked over at Ben.

  He shrugged in a helpless gesture.

  “I said I must be crazy to be doing this.”

  Standing on her tiptoes, she brushed a kiss across his mouth. “I know what you said, Dan Swift.”

  He shrugged into his jacket, making a quick exit.

  He came back in.

  Snatching Carlee’s list from the table, he walked out again.

  She just smiled.

  Chapter Twelve

  Carlee followed Ben out of the kitchen, her heart swelling with happiness. How could she get the two of them to admit that they cared for her?

  She was not about to back down from that challenge.

  “Dan said he was crazy about me.” She tugged on the waistband of Ben’s jeans. “Why can’t you say it, too?”

  He stopped abruptly. Carlee careened into his broad back.

  It was a nice back…wide, muscular. He had such a nice ass, too. Tight. Round. She liked how he looked in a pair of jeans.

  Ben turned around. Folding his arms across his chest, he replied. “He did not say that.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You’re both stubborn.”

  She loved his frown. Reaching up, she smoothed the deep creases between his brooding, dark eyes. “You really have to learn to smile. If you don’t, you’ll get permanent wrinkles there.” She grinned when his scowl deepened.

  “You’re like a dog with a bone, aren’t you? You’re just not going to let this go.”

  She nodded. “Uh huh.”

  “You choose to hear what you want to hear.”

  “I know what I heard. He said he’s crazy about me.” She took a step toward Ben. Running a hand across the t-shirt that spanned the broad angles and planes of his chest, she asked. “Are you?”

  “What?”

  She tugged on the front waistband of his jeans, dragging him closer. “Crazy about me?”

  He nodded.

  Carlee poked him in the chest. “See? I knew you would admit it. I—”

  “I must be crazy to be having this conversation with you.”

  He turned on his heel and strode down the hallway. She ran after him, undaunted.

  “You’re afraid, that’s what you are, Ben Strong. You’re a coward.”

  When he turned around this time, he looked positively furious.

  She walked down the hall and stood with him, toe-to-toe. “Was making love to me what you always imagined it would be?”

  Her heart raced. She could feel its quick beat.

  He ran a hand through his hair, a frustrated look on his face. “Okay, you asked for it, Carlee. Making love to you was a mi—”

  Her lower lip trembled. She placed a finger against his mouth. “Please don’t say it was a mistake.”

  He reached for her hand, taking it in his own. Ben gave her fingers a squeeze. “If you would let me finish.”

  She pursed her lips to stop their trembling.

  “Making love to you was only a small expression of how I feel about you.” He turned on his heel and trekked down the hall.

  She stood there, her mouth hanging open.

  She ran after him.

  He stopped at a closed door.

  “You can’t just drop a bombshell on me like that and leave me standing here.”

  He reached for the doorknob. So did she.

  Carlee felt her temper soar. “You and Dan are the most frustrating men I’ve ever known!” She balled her hands into fists and dropped them to her sides. “Ben—” She put her hand on top of his. “Don’t walk away. Stay and talk. Please.”

  “Nope.” He shook his head.

  “Why not?” She stamped her foot in anger.

  He looked down at it, then back up at her. “Because I’d like to use the bathroom.”

/>   “I…oh.” She stepped back. “I-I didn’t realize.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Well then I guess what we’ll do from this day forward is this: I’ll inform you of every time I need to pee. Will that be okay?”

  “You don’t have to be so, so, damned…annoying.” She huffed.

  “I’ll work on my shortcomings.” He opened the bathroom door. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

  She folded her arms across her chest. “I’m not budging from this doorway.”

  CLICK!

  Carlee banged her open palm against the door. “Oh right, like I’d follow you in there.”

  She swore she heard a snort or some such noise come from inside the bathroom.

  A few minutes went by. She heard the toilet flush and the sound of water running.

  The door swung open.

  She stuck her tongue out at him. “I told you I wasn’t budging.”

  He studied her for several seconds.

  Without warning, he lunged. Carlee yelped when his arm circled her waist, lifting her feet from the floor. He carried her tucked against his side.

  She smiled up at him. “Did you and Dan plan all this ahead of time? He carries me like a sack of flour, and you carry me like football?”

  Ben pushed open her bedroom door, kicked it closed with the heel of one foot, then walked to the other side of the room and tossed her on the bed. She bounced once, laughing all the while.

  He placed one knee on the bed. The mattress dipped from his weight. Covering her with his big body, she could feel the heat of his skin. He smelled delicious, like musky citrus.

  Yum.

  Ben yanked up her t-shirt. Covering her right breast with his mouth, he kissed and sucked her nipple. He did the same to the other one.

  Carlee could barely catch her breath.

  “You’re the most infuriating woman, Carlee Davis.”

  She sighed pleasurably. “I know. It’s my only failing.”

  Ben nipped her right breast, scraping his teeth gently across her flesh.

  She couldn’t get close enough; she wanted more, so much more…

  While he feasted on her breasts, he unsnapped her jeans, pushing them down her legs. She lay on the bed, her legs dangling over the side, her thong and jeans draped around her ankles.

  He slid his tongue down her body, his mouth trailing a fiery path along her abdomen. At the start of her mound, he tongued her, licking his way down her labia.