Gamble of a Lifetime Read online

  “Please,” she moaned, allowing her innermost desires to take hold. “Please.” She closed her eyes and gave herself up to the sensations of the moment. Her clit throbbed with the unbearable need to feel his fingers separate her folds and massage her aching nub.

  Finally his mouth surrounded her nipple, the strong pull of his lips drawing deeply. His hard suckling sent tremor after tremor between her thighs. Had she not been braced between him and the wall she would have slid to the floor in a puddle of desire. He lifted his head and regret shot through her even as the erotic sensations continued to assault her body. She looked at her breast, wet and reddened from his attention.

  “I was correct. Nothing the chef could concoct would be as delectable as this.” He cupped one breast and lowered his head to place a soft kiss on the tip of her nipple. “Nothing.”

  His hand traced a path from her breast to her hip where it lingered a moment before moving lower to cup her bottom. A gentle squeeze and she shifted to nestle her pelvis more snugly against him. The hard press of his erection brought a thrill of heat coursing through her, a heat so overpowering it threatened to send her over the edge before he even entered her. But she wanted more. Tonight was Halloween. A night made for adventure—and mischief.

  With a few evidently well practiced moves, his hand tunneled beneath the ruffles of her taffeta skirt. The scorching touch of his palm massaging her heated cheek sent a new wave of yearning to her burning pussy. She offered her lips, quivering in anticipation. He didn’t disappoint her. His mouth slanted down onto hers and his hips swayed in the same rhythm as his lips—a slow smoldering waltz.

  She wound her arms around his broad shoulders and marveled as her hands pressed over hard planes of sinewy muscle. He may masquerade as a riverboat gambler, but Ashton Claymore made his living through bodily labor. This body had not been manufactured in a gym, like Max’s. This body had earned every inch of its sleek musculature.

  In the next moment Ashton’s tongue joined in the dance and led hers in a sultry tango, swirling and dipping until she thought she’d never breathe again. His other arm held her locked to his chest, so close she could feel the pounding of his heartbeat in her own breast. When he entwined his tongue around hers and coaxed it back into the hot recesses of his mouth her entire body went up in flames. He closed his lips and sucked, first gently then with a vigor that had her clinging to him and begging for more.

  His fingers slid under the band of her lacy black thong, tracing the string between her cheeks. He released her tongue and slid his lips to nibble on her sensitive earlobe. “I find your lack of adequate undergarments most distracting—and most enticing.” His ragged breathing confirmed his heightened awareness of her. “It seems like forever since I have touched a woman and all others are forgotten memories now that I have touched you.” His fingers slipped up and down the thin band of her thong, stroking her cheeks and delving between them.

  Her heated skin thrummed with a need to feel more of him, to have more of him. Without her voicing this need, he seemed to know instinctively how to please her. Shifting his pelvis, he drew his finger across the lace at her hip and followed it to the silky thatch at the apex of her thighs. She thought she would disintegrate from his teasing. “Hmm, that’s nice.”

  “I think so, but I believe we will both like this even more.” He stretched his touch lower, finding her swollen clit.

  “Oh, yeah.” She could scarcely breathe. “Keep doing that.” She buried her face in his shoulder, against the smooth fabric of his jacket. The sharp scent of sandalwood greeted her—sandalwood, smoke and bourbon. Inhaling deeply, she hoped to ingrain his distinct scent forever in her mind.

  “I plan to, just as I plan to explore every inch of your dewy folds.” His fingers played with her, sliding into her wet channel and spreading her moisture along the cleft of her folds. She rubbed her naked breasts, already heavy with desire, against the smooth brocade of his vest. Spasms of delight whipped through her, exciting every nerve ending before they centered and shot like lightning straight to her inner core.

  “I believe we can dispense with these.” Ashton skimmed his thumbs under the lacy bands of the thong and eased the fabric down her thighs. She shimmied and the thong slipped to her ankles.

  Once free of it, she reached for his zipper but found a row of buttons. Of course. His costume would be authentic. Her fingers tunneled through the layers of his garments until they connected with her goal—stiff, hot and thick.

  “Oh, Lauren, your touch is heaven itself.” His groan of satisfaction was loud enough to attract onlookers but she didn’t care. As she stroked and fondled his stiff erection, her only thought was to feel it inside her—slow and tender at first, then hard and pounding deep within her.

  She groped and found her little pouch where it had twisted to the side on her belt and removed a condom. Better take care of business before she lost her head entirely. She held up the packet. “May I?”

  His puzzled look rather surprised her but he nodded. She tore the packet with her teeth and slowly rolled the condom down his shaft. When the condom was secured, she allowed herself the pleasure of caressing his balls until he groaned with satisfaction. His mesmerizing eyes never left hers, and she noted a amused look of understanding when she finished her task. “A most ingenious invention.” He positioned her against the wall and lifted her leg to his hip. “I hope you will excuse my enthusiasm, but it has been a very long time and if I don’t have you right this minute, I fear I will burst.”

  Ashton rocked his hips forward, rubbing his cock against her belly, silently signaling for her next move. She hopped and wrapped her legs around him as his long fingers cupped her bottom for support. “Put me inside you,” he groaned.

  Trembling with a need she hadn’t felt in ages, Lauren reached and grasped his swollen cock, reveling in its thickness and length. She explored the tip with her thumb, rubbing the tiny drop of moisture over the velvety head.

  But the time for teasing had passed. She guided him to her pussy, placing the head at her opening. In one swift move he thrust deeply to his hilt, filling her so completely she let out a small cry. She clenched him, milking him with her inner walls as a fire so bright, so hot, engulfed her, she almost came on his first stroke. Tightening her legs around his hips, she encircled his broad shoulders and held on for dear life.

  A strangled moan tore from his throat. “My God, Lauren.” He rested his forehead against hers but remained motionless while her muscles clenched and unclenched around his cock. Small beads of sweat formed on his brow as he accepted the full pleasure of her gift. She continued the motion until desperation welled up within her and she thought she would dissolve if he didn’t move.

  “Please, Ashton!” She released her inner muscles but he remained buried deep within her. “Now!”

  As if waking from a dream, he lifted his head. Hovering in the deep shadows as they were, his expression was hidden from her, but his ragged breathing told her all she needed to know. His hips shifted as he oh-so-slowly withdrew his cock so only the head remained inside her. She savored the exquisite sense of loss for a moment before he swiftly thrust back inside her dripping pussy.

  “I fear I can no longer restrain my passions. It has been too long and you are a temptress beyond reason.” He buried his face in the crook of her neck as he drew back, then thrust himself deeply within her. He pressed her solidly against the riverboat cabin and adjusted his hands to spread her thighs wider and angle her to receive him more deeply.

  His hard thrusts came one upon the next, fast and unrelenting. She answered them with her own escalating passion and tightened her hold on his wide shoulders. Her lips found the soft lobe of his ear and she sucked it into her mouth.

  A tremor ran the length of his back. “What spell do you hold on me?” His hoarse words were barely audible between his jagged breaths.

  His hot breath, his long fingers wedged between her heated cheeks and his powerful, unrelenting thrusts worked their o
wn magic as they threw her into an orgasm so sharp she bucked and cried out at the intensity. With one hard thrust, Ashton ground his pelvis against her mound. The spasms of his climax heightened her awareness of her own, sending wave after wave of delicious sensations streaming through her blood. She drifted on a river of shimmering pleasure and dreams, numb to all but her own fulfillment.

  When she returned to reality, Ashton was slumped against her, pinning her to the cabin wall, his face again buried in the crook of her neck. As his breathing slowed, his hands released his grip on her thighs and she slipped her legs from his hips. Still too wobbly to stand on her stilettos, she was grateful as his hands spanned her waist to hold her steady.

  “As I said, you are indeed quite the temptress.” He smoothed her ruffled skirt back into place and she adjusted the neckline of her dress. His hands brushed her mound and he appeared to have some difficulty removing the condom.

  “Allow me.” She accomplished the task but kept her fingers on his cock. Though it was no longer swollen, she couldn’t resist just one more touch of his hot, wet flesh.

  After a long minute his hand covered her. “If you continue that, we will spend the entire evening right here in the shadow of this staircase and, while I appreciate the fine workmanship, I’d rather pursue our activities in a less public setting.”

  A warm glow spread through her at his words. She gently squeezed his balls and released them. Though she knew he couldn’t see her smile, she grinned from ear to ear. He could charm the panties off a saint. “Maybe we should take a little breather for a few minutes. The night is young and I don’t want to wear you out this early.”

  “As you wish, m’dear.” The answering smile in his voice rang loudly in her ears. “Although I must assure you there is no danger of wearing me out.”

  She smoothed her skirt as he adjusted his clothing. She did a quick scan of the deck for her thong, but looking for a tiny piece of black lace in the dark shadows was clearly a lost cause.

  Ashton extended his palm, indicating she should precede him. He kept his hand on the small of her back and guided her down the main promenade of the deck, skirting past dancing, drinking and sexually engaged merrymakers. The candles and muted lighting provided ample shadows for those who wished to engage in some semi-private carnal adventures, but Lauren’s attention was drawn to those couples who gravitated to the areas of the deck washed in bright moonlight.

  They passed the vampire and vampiress she’d seen on the dock. The woman knelt before her companion, fondling and massaging his balls with both her hands while sliding his engorged cock in and out of her mouth. He didn’t move but clutched the boat’s railing, bracing his back as if to keep from toppling over, and stared blankly up at the heavens. Lauren halted, stopping Ashton’s long strides.

  Neither the vampire nor his mate noticed they had an audience. The vampiress moved her lips down the side of his cock, her tongue flicking along the length of him.

  Lauren stood transfixed, waiting for the woman’s mouth to reach his balls, to suck them in and lave them with her tongue. Her clit tingled and she rubbed her ass against her handsome escort, standing directly behind her.

  “So you enjoy a bit of voyeurism, Miss Lauren?”

  She leaned back and smiled up at him. “You never know when you’ll learn something new.”

  Ashton placed his aroused cock against her back and together they watched the couple. A small circle of onlookers gathered and began to cheer the couple on. The vampiress sucked in the man’s testicle and Lauren savored the sharp stab in her clit. She loved the sense of giving and power that came with that act, the feeling of pleasuring her lover until he groaned for mercy. She slipped her hand low and fumbled with her skirt to burrow her fingers between her dripping folds.

  Ashton’s hand followed hers. “Please. Allow me.”

  He slid his fingers deftly between the folds of her pussy, finding her aroused clit. Capturing it between his thumb and forefinger, he pinched it. She was already excited from sex with Ashton, and now the erotic show playing out before her brought on another orgasm. It came swift and hard. Lights exploded in her head. As if from a distance she watched a few people in the gathering shift their attention from the vampires to her. Several applauded and nodded their approval when her climax overtook her.

  “I admire a woman who isn’t afraid to ask for what she wants.” Ashton’s hoarse growl brought her back to earth as he withdrew his fingers and smoothed her skirt into place. “Although I’d prefer to be a more…active participant.”

  She squeezed her legs together, drawing out the last little spasms. “That works for me.” She returned her attention to the vampires. The woman now stood next to her partner, who had already refastened his zipper. He draped his arm around her and they turned to look out over the rippling water.

  “Apparently we missed the, um, climax of the show.” Ashton traced his tongue in a line from her ear to the base of her throat.

  She laughed and stepped away. “You do have a way with words. Come on.” She laced her fingers with his. “We’re on a riverboat. You’re a gambler. Let’s go gamble.”

  “A capital idea, m’dear.” They strolled down the deck, pointing to couples engaged in sex and commenting on the techniques. Lauren noted several she would like to try and, to her delight, Ashton concurred.

  As fascinating as the sexual escapades were, Lauren was interested in finding out more about Ashton.

  “So do you work for Sara and Darrel frequently or is this your first time?” Lauren couldn’t imagine missing this man at her friends’ other parties, but she’d been so enamored with Max she could very well have overlooked him.

  “Sara and Darrel? I don’t work for anyone.” He kept her hand tucked in the crook of his arm as they ascended two flights of stairs to the main gaming casino on the uppermost deck.

  “But saving me from Max… I thought you were…”

  He eyed her speculatively. “I see. Actually, I came with the riverboat. Ah, I believe we’ve found an excellent place to lose our money.” Ashton opened the door to a large, richly appointed room decorated with red velvet drapes and gold-flocked wallpaper, jammed with gaming tables, dealers and card players. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings and each corner sported a well stocked bar. With the shouts of winners, the ringing of the slot machines and the tinkling of piano keys, the noise was deafening—just the thing to keep a party lively.

  So the riverboat owners provided their own security. Not surprising in this day and age. She smiled up at Ashton, anticipation fluttering through her stomach. Tonight could only get better—as long as this dashing rogue was by her side. The taste she’d had only served to fuel her appetite to explore every facet of him.

  Her gaze shifted to a sign with an arrow marked “restrooms” and she suddenly became aware of a need a tad more immediate than the one she was currently pursuing. The several flutes of champagne she’d consumed were making their presence known in a most alarming way. The slick fluid that clung between her thighs threatened to dribble down her legs.

  “Why don’t you go in and find a card game to amuse yourself for a few minutes? I’ll be right back.”

  His face clouded and eyes that a moment before had been openly amused turned narrow.

  “Off in search of greener pastures?”

  “No, no.” Was that a little show of jealousy? How nice. She gave him a wink and what she hoped was a disarming smile. “If you must know I have to use the little saloon girl’s room. I’ll be right back.”

  He arched his eyebrows then bowed. “By all means, Miss Lauren, forgive my indelicate inquiry. I’ll await your return by the blackjack table.”

  Her heart leapt at his hungry look. With a quick finger wave, she hurried in the direction the sign pointed. Before turning the corner she glanced back to see him disappear into the salon.

  Finding the restroom proved to be a challenge, but she located it despite several dark passageways and many twists and turns. Upon lea
ving, she took a moment to regain her bearings. She needed to turn right, then left, pass by a steep staircase and then take the second left back to the casino.

  A faint shuffle sounded behind her. She glanced over her shoulder into the dim hallway. Nothing. They sure could use a few more lights over here. Maybe it was only the rustle of her taffeta skirt. Picking up her pace, she hurried to the first turn. Why on earth would they put the restrooms in such an out of the way place? Her heart thudded in her chest. This was silly. She rounded the second turn. She was perfectly safe on—

  Heavy footsteps hit the floor behind her. She lifted her skirts, ready to dash. A meaty hand grabbed a hunk of her hair, stopping her retreat and pulling her hard against a familiar muscled body.

  “Where the hell do you think you’re going, bitch?”

  “Max!”

  “I told you it would never be over between us but you didn’t listen,” he hissed into her ear. “No one will ever have you but me. You didn’t let that bastard touch you, did you?” He yanked her hair, making her wince with pain. With her back pressed to his front, he lowered his mouth to her ear. She could feel the hard ridge of his erection growing, hear the excitement in his heavy breathing. “Did you?”

  Powerless against his superior strength, she glanced around for a weapon, anything to give her a slight advantage, but the narrow causeway was empty of anything useful. Maybe she could brazen it out.

  “Let me go! You gave up your right to question me when you fucked that waitress.”

  “And she was a damn good fuck, but that’s no reason to think you can leave me. And now you’re going to pay for it.” He tightened his hold on her hair and shoved his other powerful hand down the front of her dress, grabbing her breast and squeezing it until she yelped in pain. Fear coursed through her veins. Max had always had a dangerous air about him. Once it had thrilled her. Now it only scared her. The scent of his excitement reached her nostrils. His labored breathing sounded like thunder in her ears. She struggled against him, grasping at anything.