Vivian Arend - Turn It On

Ryan pulled into a parking spot and turned his full attention on her.

“All our stops for the rest of the night are within walking distance. Let me know when you’re getting tired.”

Chinese spring rolls and pork dumplings were followed by a bowl of Thai sweet and sour soup. They shared an enormous Greek salad then wandered across the street to an Italian restaurant to enjoy a slab of lasagna big enough for a family. In between courses they strolled, arm in arm along the boardwalk, the crash of the ocean and the wind blowing over the sea adding to the magic of the evening.

Ryan shared stories from his military background involving his travels to other countries. The gentler stories, Max was sure, as they were all about the children and the villages, the communities where he’d been stationed before resigning. He was fascinating to listen to, and she found herself staring at his animated face as he described the settings with great detail.

Three hours passed in a blur. Eventually they sat on a bench overlooking the ocean. As the lights sparkled on the water Maxine sighed, far more relaxed and content than she’d been in ages. Had she ever had an evening like this where none of the conversation involved extended family? He hadn’t monopolized the conversation, but when he asked about her, he asked about her, not the clan.

It was strange, unfamiliar and very, very nice.

“It’s been a wonderful evening, Ryan. Thank you so much.” One strong arm slipped around her and she snuggled in a little closer to the warmth of his body as the breezes cooled. Oh yes, this was very nice as well. She stared into the waves and wondered if she had the nerve to ask him inside when he dropped her off. Not for a cup of coffee, but for more of those dynamite kisses and wherever else it might lead. Her breasts felt heavy and she squeezed her legs together to stop the ache between them. She’d never had sex on a first date. The woodsy scent of his skin floated past and she took a deep breath. She’d never wanted to have sex on a first date before. Would he think she was too forward? Too easy? Indecision rocked her.

“You’ve got one more envelope to open.”

She was sure she’d finished them. “Ryan, I couldn’t eat another bite if I tried. The cheesecake was fabulous but a few spoonfuls more than I should have enjoyed.”

He laughed and handed her one last slim paper. She slipped it open. “Porch swing.” She twisted in his arms. “What kind of food is that?”

Ryan tugged her to her feet. “It’s another location. I made an amazing discovery this afternoon when I checked outside your house.” His smile melted her defenses and heated her body. “There’s a bottle of wine waiting for us to enjoy as well.”

Maxine’s heartbeat increased in tempo. Maybe she wouldn’t have to say anything at all. If she only had the nerve to let herself do what she really wanted to do. She glanced into his dark eyes. Oh yeah, he was something she’d like to do, she was sure of it.

He slowly removed the cork from the wine, using the time to breathe deeply and calm his overactive body and mind. Spending the whole evening in Maxine’s presence triggered the desire to do much more than simply sit on the giant porch swing and share a glass of wine as they admired the view of the lake. Ryan was pretty sure the wine would taste far better if he got to lap it off her skin, especially the warm scoop of her belly. And lower.

The dinner invitation had been an impulse. He’d puzzled over it as he walked away from her earlier. Yeah, she was hot enough to ignite a missile, but the timing sucked. Maybe after they’d finished working for each other, maybe after shit settled with his brother, he’d arrange to meet on a nonprofessional basis. But with her taste still in his mouth, the look in her big eyes egging him on, he’d spoken without thinking.

He’d considered the situation the whole drive to the nursing home before coming to a decision. Fine. They’d go out, have a simple meal together. He’d drop her off at the end of the evening and that would be all—at least for now.

Sometime during the visit with his brother, he’d changed his mind. There in the small room, with a relative he barely knew, the message of the past months smashed into him with the weight of an anvil. Life was short. There was no reason for him not to reach out and clasp hold of something special.

Maxine Turner was something very special.

She sat curled up in the corner of the swing leaning on a pillow. She had her long legs tucked under her while she focused on the lake. Her rich auburn hair draped over her shoulders and her eyes sparkled. His body tightened and he longed to stroke her skin to see if it was as soft as it looked. After handing her a glass of wine, he settled in the opposite corner to admire her better.

“The view is spectacular, isn’t it?” Max spoke quietly.

He sat mesmerized by the sight of her. The arousal pounding through his blood shouted for him to hurry up, while his instincts warned him to move with caution. They both fell silent, sipping their wine and staring at the dark lake reflecting twinkling lights from a distant house.

“When I was little I always wanted to sleep on the swing. We’d come for family dinners, and there would be major chaos, with the cousins and aunts and uncles everywhere. I’d get tired of the noise after a bit and come here and curl up with a book. In my imagination I was on a pirate ship and this was my hammock, but no matter how much I begged at the end of the evening, Mom and Dad always insisted it was time to come home and sleep in my proper bed.”

She played with a curl as she spoke, seeming not very much older than the child she would have been all those years ago. She took a deep breath, and his gaze was riveted by the sight of one open button too many, the curve of her breast visible under the light fabric of her blouse. He was suddenly very aware she was no child, and his body tightened with desire.

He put his wine glass away and took hers from her fingers. She stared at him, puzzled, until he reached for her and pulled her into his arms. He cradled her, nestling her body into his and adjusting until they were half-reclining, half-leaning on each other. Her head rested against his chest, the warmth of her body sizzling into him but he kept his touch gentle. The swing swayed and she sighed, a long, low sound of pleasure. Her body relaxed against his and he stroked her arm slowly until her breathing settled as well.

Small noises in the air created a lullaby. The wind stirred the trees, leaves rustling, branches rubbing on each other. The sound of cars and the city faded to nothing, and the quiet of the country surrounded them. They lay quietly and Ryan realized it was a long time since he’d known peace like this.

Maxine stirred in his arms, rolling to face him. Her eyes were bright and she snuggled closer, her torso melting into his as she wrapped her arms around his neck and drew their mouths together.

The kiss started gentle yet the desire was there underneath. Tongues caressed, lips and teeth feasting on skin soon heated to boiling. Ryan loved how she tasted, loved how she felt under his hands that had taken a life of their own and now explored the full curves of her body. He stroked the swell of her breasts and she moaned, pressing into his touch. He didn’t stop, continuing the journey down her waist, over her hip, circling the flesh of her ass before returning up her body once more. All the while he kissed her, feasting on the flavor and softness of her mouth.

She combed her fingers through his hair and tugged, wiggling upward until his lips met her neck. She dropped her head back, offering him a clear path down the pale skin, the pulse in her throat beating time with the pulse in his body. He rolled her, pleased to find the swing had an extra-wide seat to allow the room they needed. Ryan nibbled and licked his way down her throat, pressing her sweater and blouse to the side to allow him access to her collarbone. He unhooked one button after another, slowly revealing the creamy swells of her breasts above the pale yellow of her bra. She quivered under him, a small whimper escaping her throat that made his blood race. He dropped kisses over her heart, enjoying the scorching heat of her skin under his lips.

Ryan lowered his face to the valley between her breasts and breathed deeply. As much as he wanted to consume her completely, as much as he wanted to continue nibbling the length of her whole body, he needed to proceed carefully. She’d responded enthusiastically to his touch, to his kiss, but from hints she’d let slip during their dinner conversation, and her current full-body blush, he knew she wasn’t very experienced. She needed more than a rush to the bedroom.

Yet he had no intention of letting her get away. He knew how to take his time, make it good for both of them. He rose over her, staring into her passion-darkened eyes. “I want you, Maxine.” He kissed her lips tenderly. Her tongue teased his and the pressure built.

Damn, if he was inside her in ten seconds it wouldn’t be soon enough.

Pulling away, his desire reflected back from her eyes. “I’m going to make love to you, Maxine. I’m going to remove every stitch of your clothing and touch every inch of your skin. I’m going to spend hours learning what your body needs, learning what you enjoy and then hours more giving it to you.”

Her eyes widened, her face flushed crimson, her mouth open in a circle of awe as he spoke. Her tongue slipped out to moisten her bottom lip, and he nipped at the plump wet surface, the burst of her flavor sending his arousal even higher. He lowered his torso on top of her slowly, his rigid cock pressing against her yielding body. Their lips were mere inches apart and she continued to stare at him, her eyes showing desire and panic in equal proportions.

The porch boards creaked to their left. “Maxy? Are you out here?”

Fuck.

Maxine squirmed under him, pushing at his chest until he sat back, his body hard and aching. “It’s my brother.” She scrambled to button her blouse. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why he’s—”

“Maxy? Where are you? Are you okay?”

This was not fucking happening. Ryan dragged a hand through his hair and tried to calm his body down before he did something stupid, like pick Maxine up and carry her into the house under her brother’s nose.

“We’re over on the swing.” She turned her wide eyes on Ryan, her lips swollen from his kisses, her breathing erratic. “I have no idea what he’s doing here,” she whispered.

Maxwell rounded the corner. “Why are you…?” He spotted Ryan and his forward momentum ceased, his gaze snapping back and forth between them. Ryan guessed their disheveled condition encouraged Maxine’s brother to assume the worst.

Of course, if he’d been half an hour later, he might have been right.

He glared at them, his disapproval clear. “I tried calling, but got no answer. I was worried when I didn’t hear from you.”

Beside him on the swing, Maxine tensed. “I’m not twelve anymore, Junior. I’m fine. Ryan and I went out for dinner.”

“Ryan? With Claymore Security?”

There was no way around it. Ryan stood and held out his hand. “That’s me. I take it you’re Maxwell.”

Maxwell shook his hand, his body language relaxing off high alert. “Call me Junior. You’ll find everyone in our family has a nickname.”

Ryan nodded politely then turned back to Maxine. She stood beside the swing, her fingers twisting together, her bottom lip tight between her teeth. Her hair jumbled around her shoulders, all the gentle curves of her body calling to him as his cock throbbed. “You want to—”

“Come on, I’ll take you home,” Maxwell announced.

She sighed and shook her head. “This is my home. I’m staying here, you know I’ve moved back in.”

“It’s not ready yet.”

“I’m not having this conversation with you again. The house is fine and I live here. What are you doing anyway? Shouldn’t you be with Natasha and the baby?”

“I had to drop off some boxes with Uncle Maxum, and when I called home, Tasha said you weren’t there. So I thought I’d stop by on my way and check to see you were all right.”

“I’m fine. So…good night.”

The air crackled with tension. Maxine’s eyes shone brightly, her skin flushed with embarrassment. While both embarrassment and arousal suited her, personally he enjoyed the arousal better.

Maxwell looked pointedly at Ryan, his gaze steady. “I’ll walk you to your car.”