Stupid Cupid Read online

  She hadn’t said anything, just made herself a copy and gave it back to him. All week, she’d been calmly efficient if a bit tentative. There were times he wanted to tell her to snap out of it—that he wasn’t going to bite her. And others when he wanted to do just that—grab her close and bite softly on that turned up, stubborn chin of hers before kissing her senseless.

  Vince had never really been attracted to someone like her before and he couldn’t explain it. Maybe it was the quiet intelligence behind her questions, or that way she had of cocking her head to one side and looking at him through a tangle of hair. Just once, last Wednesday, he stepped back from bending over his sketches and knocked into her. When he steadied her with his hand, he got a fist full of the silkiest curls he’d ever touched. It took all his control not to slide his fingers against her scalp and—.

  He grimaced and cut his thinking short. The biggest project of his life was waiting completion and here he was mooning over his assistant. Like any gauche teenager.

  Wow! A parking spot right in front of her house. He pulled in and unloaded his groceries. Still no sign of Leena or her sister. A nice-looking woman, with red waist length curls, had waved to him earlier from the house to the right. Other than that, no sign of any life. He supposed the cats were around somewhere, too. He chuckled as he remembered their names—Puff ‘n Stuff.

  He met the sister, Carly, a couple of times during the week, when he stopped by with some things. A cute teenager, she hadn’t said much the first time, but asked a lot of personal questions the next. Like was he married, did he have a girlfriend, did he like cats? He put it down to her age and answered, no, no, and yes.

  The two enormous cats lay sprawled on the kitchen floor. Neither deigned to do more than raise their heads to look at him. He stepped over them gingerly, put his beer and milk in the fridge and noted how empty the shelves were. The pantry door stood ajar making it easy to figure out where to store his cereal.

  Trying to get a response from the cats was like dragging a truck with a rope. Impossible. They simply flicked the ends of their tails and ignored him. He wandered back to his rooms and settled down with his laptop, jotting down ideas for his team’s ad campaign. Each team had three people, and each was to come up with an ad for the two new cars to be launched. His job, in addition to his ad, would be to give a killer presentation that tied it all into one long-term ad campaign.

  Doors slammed above him then footsteps thundered down the stairs. The murmur of voices passed his door but he ignored them. Let Leena come find him if she liked. He wouldn’t seek out her distracting presence.

  At six, he took a break and stretched. It was slow going and he just wasn’t inspired. Maybe he should go for a run. Or better yet, grab a beer and watch the game for a while.

  Vince walked into the kitchen wondering if they’d left again. He hadn’t heard anyone in the house for a while. The damn cat—one of them anyway—lay across the doorway and he stumbled so as not to step on it. Stifling a curse he hopped into the room and stopped short.

  Leena sat with her head on the breakfast table, her pose one of utter dejection. A smothered sob confirmed she was crying. What the hell?

  “Er … sorry. I’ll come back.” He tried to back out in haste not wanting any of her hassles. But she raised her head and looked at him. Sucker that he was, he couldn’t leave after seeing those tear-drenched eyes. He sighed and stopped his retreat. “What’s wrong?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize—nothing—I mean—just a bad day.” She fumbled in her bag for something and pulled out a ragged tissue and wiped her eyes. “Please get what you need. I was leaving anyway.”

  He moved to block her headlong rush out of the room. “Leena, tell me what’s wrong. Maybe I can help. Maybe I can’t, but you might feel better if you talked to someone.”

  All Vince wanted to do was take her in his arms and hold her close. Wanted to make all the bad stuff go away, make her smile again. That desire hit him with the force of a defensive-back’s tackle and he almost reeled. Whoa! How did this woman make him feel like this?

  “I can’t. I mean—you can’t help.”

  Her doleful sniff wrung his heart. “Come here.” Almost propelled by a force outside him, he reached for her slowly. She gazed at him with wide eyes but didn’t back away. Vince pulled her close and cradled her head against his chest. He needed this like he needed a bout of the flu right now. But he couldn’t help himself.

  Like he’d come home after a long, hungry stint away, his body relaxed around hers, curving around her in protection. His fingers rifled through her curls as he made soothing noises. She didn’t move away, but his hug seemed to have set her off again because she cried for a few more minutes before giving a couple of choking sobs. Her arms crept around him and he couldn’t deny the sense of rightness about holding her like this, comforting her.

  He soon became aware of the softness of the body he held; the curve of her waist where his hand rested; the spicy-flowery scent of her hair. Her warm breath tickled his skin where his polo neck T-shirt lay open. Yielding breasts pressed against his chest and the stirring in his pants told him he was headed for full mast.

  Three

  Leena’s awareness of the strong, hard body curved around her grew every second. Slowly, like the delicious feeling of wakefulness after a long night’s sleep, her body awoke to the nuances of his muscled chest, so comforting. The solid feel of his arms around her. How long had it been since she’d been held like this? Like there was someone to share the burden with her, someone to take care of her.

  Dangerous territory her mind warned. But her heart, savoring the feeling of being cared for, refused to listen. She held her body still, afraid to breathe too hard, afraid to move, in case it broke the spell. Her arms began to ache with the strain of holding them lightly against his broad back.

  Vince spoke into her hair, his breath warming her scalp. “You okay?”

  She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Relishing the sensual awakening of her own body in reaction to his, she moved infinitesimally closer and stifled a gasp. He was aroused! A most impressive bulge nudged her stomach.

  “See? I told you you’d feel better if you told me about it,” his deep drawl rumbled through the chest so close to her face.

  Of course it felt better. Especially with the evidence of his want so clear. Telling him only—. Telling him?

  Damn, I haven’t told him yet.

  And when he found out, she doubted their little interlude would continue. She pulled back with a sigh about the same time he stirred. Looking up into his face was her first mistake. Her second was looking into his eyes. More green than hazel, his gaze captured hers, full of hot desire and illicit temptation. Witch or not, she was still human and no human gal could resist that look. Not when she hadn’t had sex in over five years.

  Primal instinct took over and she rose on tiptoe even as he bent his head. Their lips met; his warm and firm, moving with slight pressure over hers. A wave of lassitude swept over her; she sagged against him. Little shards of sensation that began in her face shot down her neck and chest. The big hand on her waist slid up and his fingers brushed the outer curve of her breast. More warmth turning into heat spread through her torso and limbs until they all honed in on her secret core. Moisture seeped in blatant response to his coaxing mouth and clever hands.

  Never had a kiss affected her quite like this. The thought bounced around somewhere in a coherent corner of her mind. What would happen if he used his tongue?

  As if he heard her, Vince flicked the tip of his tongue over the part of her lips. She opened to him as naturally as a flower to the morning dew. With a little grunt of satisfaction, he entered her mouth. Her senses swam, every nerve ending singing in response to the rhythm he set. She met him stroke for stroke, bolder than she’d ever been in her life.

  Leena’s aching calves reminded her she was on tiptoe and she tried to find a more comfortable position. Still in tune with her, still kissin
g her, Vince walked backward and sank into a chair, pulling her sideways onto his lap.

  Utter bliss. She cuddled closer, running her fingers through his wavy brown hair. She luxuriated in the feel of his broad shoulders beneath her hands. At last he pulled back from the kiss, leaving her bereft. But only for a second. In the next instant, he buried his face in the curve of her neck and brushed his thumbs over her nipples. Leena couldn’t stop the shudder that raced through her as she arched her back so her breasts pressed into him.

  Wanton? Oh yes! Never had losing control felt so good. Never had the rewards for being bad been quite so fantastic. It seemed like a fantasy coming true. After a week of working with him and lusting after him, what a prize!

  He mumbled something against her neck and she focused on the sensation of his warm breath on her skin. Then with something like a sigh, he drew back a bit until she could see his face. The look he gave called to her, like a moth to a flame. The open hunger, the sheer confidence that his desire was returned was a heady combination. It may have been five years since she’d experienced this, but she hadn’t forgotten the feelings; the rush of desire. She caught his look and returned it, emboldened by the feel of his erection against her and his slightly ragged breathing.

  “This wasn’t what I planned when I tried to comfort you,” he said.

  “I know.” And she did know that.

  “But it’s happened and I don’t know what to do.”

  “I would have thought you’d know. Don’t tell me you need instruction?” She listened to herself as if in a dream. Where was she getting the courage to say all this?

  He chuckled. “No thanks. I’m well-versed in what comes next. What I don’t know is if you are.”

  Did he think she was that inexperienced? Embarrassed, she tried to pull back but Vince held her fast, his hands linking behind her back. “I don’t mean what you’re thinking. I meant are you ready for the next step?”

  She nodded, mute, not trusting her voice. The next step. Did he mean more kissing, more—. Oh, that next step. Was she ready? She met his gaze and knew in that instant she’d be a fool to turn down what she knew would be the best sex of her life.

  “Tell me,” he ordered in a soft voice, never taking his gaze off her.

  “I’m,” she cleared her throat. Great, she sounded like a frog telling him to have sex with her. “I’m ready.”

  “No regrets?” His eyes bored into hers.

  “None.” Well, she may have some but she suspected they would have to do with not being able to do this again.

  Vince leaned back in the chair, bringing her toward him with his hold. “Take off your shirt.”

  “What?” Startled she dropped her hands from his shoulders.

  “Unbutton your shirt for me.” His voice dropped a notch with the demand.

  Hesitant, yet driven by a demon she could not name, her hands moved to her top button and she undid the first, then the next. Vince brought one hand to her face and traced a gentle line over her cheek with his thumb. The gentle caress spurred her on.

  Still holding his hot gaze, she undid the third one and his finger traced a line over her lips. She flicked out her tongue and caught the tip of his index finger. His eyes went from hot to molten green in an instant. Gratified by his response, Leena undid the fourth button knowing her breasts and her bra would be visible. She glanced down, glad she’d worn one of her lacy black bras. When she looked up again, his eyes had dropped to her chest.

  With a boldness she didn’t know she possessed, she quickly unbuttoned her shirt all the way and pulled the ends open. She couldn’t see his look, but his breathing quickened. He slid the material off her shoulders, caressing the bare skin he exposed. Leena felt that touch in every nerve ending, all the way to the center between her legs. She wanted to clamp them together to stop the tingling.

  “Now the bra. Unhook it.” His rough whisper compelled her response.

  Not allowing herself to think, she slid the front hook apart and her breasts sprang free. She sensed rather than heard his swift intake of breath. God, it felt good to rouse this man, to make him want her.

  “Beautiful. Just like I knew they’d be.”

  He’d been thinking about her breasts?

  Giving her no time to process the remark, his hands grabbed hers and moved them under her breasts. With his fingers beneath hers, he made her cup them and lift them up. Like an offering to him. The sensation of her own hands and his on her flesh sent shivers down her spine. She shifted on his lap and he removed one hand to slide it under her thigh and tug it over his hips. With all her focus on the flick of his thumb over her nipple, she automatically straddled him, her free hand sliding under his tee to warm itself on the smooth skin of his back.

  She barely registered his fingers sliding under the elastic waistband of her pants and over her tush. How could she when he hefted her breast higher, capturing the tip in his mouth, his teeth worrying the aureole gently? She moaned as she arched further into his mouth, wanting more than this teasing touch. He took the hint and closed his lips around her lightly. She wanted more, she wanted hard. So she pushed against him and this time he took her fully into his mouth, suckling deep. She almost sobbed from the relief and the sensations that washed over her.

  Her own hands roved over his back and her hips started a rhythm all their own. It was only when Vince released her breast and began kissing his way over to the other one that she realized his fingers had slid all the way to her moist entrance. His palm firm against her bottom, he followed the dance of her hips. He clamped down on her nipple and at the same time, slid a finger up her slick passage.

  The way his hand pressed down on her brought her firm against his own bulging desire. He parted her folds ever so gently and she squirmed, wanting more. Just as he’d known her desires before, he seemed to sense them now. His tongue circled her nipple and two fingers stroked, now deep, now shallow, almost slipping out in the wet evidence of her own desire. She bucked her hips against him, clutching his shoulders. Vince stroked faster.

  He let her nipple go and growled, “That’s it, baby. Show me what you want.”

  And she did. With no other thought but the need to do as he asked, she tightened her thighs around him. “Vince…” she panted.

  “Let go, babe. I’m here to catch you.”

  No one had ever said that to her before. All her being narrowed to the area between her legs as he found the crest of her craving and rubbed. Secure in the knowledge he was there, she stepped off the mountain and cried out at the incredible sensation of free falling. When thought returned, he was guiding her back to earth, his lips on hers, one arm wrapped around her body, holding her tight and close.

  Vince couldn’t remember the last time he’d made out like this. He liked his sex, long, hard and with an edge. But for the longest time, he’d lapsed into the mundane. A date, a kiss, a roll in the bed. Even the last long relationship he had for almost a year—a record for him as Eric would say—had gotten boring toward the end. But this! This brought back the old excitement, the sheer joy of having a woman wrapped around him, wanting him with every fiber of her being, wanting him now and always. He pushed that last thought away. What a strange thought during his best sex in years. And they had only just begun.

  Her hair tickled his nose as she burrowed her face into his neck and he tried to stifle his sneeze but couldn’t. He did manage to turn his face away from her.

  “Damn. Excuse me,” he mumbled.

  “Bless you.” Her breath slid along his neck, sending little tentacles of sensation wandering down his chest and to his groin.

  He smoothed her hair down on top of her head and she sat up. The movement brought their hips aligned closer. And of course his throbbing sex responded with all the vigor a man could hope for. Vince framed her head in his hands, pushing her curls flat.

  “Sorry, your hair—.”

  “I know,” she interrupted. “If I thought it would lay back down I would cut it.”


  “Don’t. It suits you.” Besides making his libido twitch every time she let it down.

  Leena dislodged his hands and gathered her hair in a knot at the back of her head. One twist and it settled in a bundle low on her neck. Better this way. When they were in bed, however, he wanted to see it spread over his pillow. But right now he cared for nothing except taking this to its natural conclusion.

  Linking his fingers with hers, he brought his face close. That dreamy look in her eyes, the mark of a woman sated, made him want to make it happen again and again. This time however, her mouth reached for him, her lips feathering over his until he captured them in a hard kiss. The warm, honeyed taste called to him, heady, inviting him to take more and more.

  They broke the kiss to allow her to pull his T-shirt over his head. The soft swell of her breasts pressed into his chest and the lace of her bra scratched a nipple. More than anything, he wanted to shuck his clothes and lower her slowly onto him, already knowing how he would slip and slide in all that wetness.

  He fought to control the storm raging inside, wanting her as ready as he was. Leena rode the rising crest of his desire with him, her hands searching over his stomach, tugging at the elastic waistband of his gym shorts. Needing some leverage to raise up so she could slip them off, he braced an elbow against the table. Giving silent thanks for all the push-ups he did, Vince raised his hips and almost lost his balance as a door slammed and a voice called out for Leena.

  Damn! He threw a desperate glance at the open kitchen door. No way would either of them get to it before her sister came in. And then, as he watched, the door slowly closed shut. His jaw dropped. What a lucky breeze to show up at this moment. Somewhere in the back of his mind, a thought fought to make its way to his consciousness. No wind ever shut a door with such deliberation. The soft click of the latch galvanized him just as Leena scrambled off his lap.