Looks like Trouble to Me (Bad Boys Need Love, Too #1) Read online

  “A surprise, huh? I thought you hated surprises. Every time I’ve tried to plan a surprise birthday party for you, you’ve pitched a fit.”

  “I know. Jace seems to inspire a different part of me. One that’s freer.” She grinned. “We’re having fun.”

  “How long have you known him?” Tanya asked. “Must be sorta new or you would have told me. A month?”

  “Just a few days. But we’ve grown deep already. He likes to move fast.”

  “A few days?” Tanya’s eyebrows rose. “That’s hardly enough time to get to know the color of your boyfriend’s eyes.”

  “Oh, I know it sounds fast, but trust me - he means what he says,” Zoé said defensively.

  “And what’s that? What did he say that he means?” Tanya walked around to the cab of the truck. “Hop in. I’ll drive you to the parking lot.”

  Zoé opened the door and slid into the dusty passenger seat. “Oh, he told me he had plans for me and he intended to follow through with his plans.”

  “What kind of plans?” Tanya said, fishing in the glove box for her keys. She stuck them in the ignition and turned on the Ford.

  Lots of sex. “I don’t know. Just plans,” Zoé said with a huff. “Since when do I tell you how to live your life?”

  “Whoa, babe, where’s this coming from?” Tanya said. She pulled the truck out of the garden greenhouse area and headed toward the parking lot on the other side. “I’m only asking questions.”

  “Sorry,” Zoé said. “It’s moving kind of fast, you’re right. It seems a little too good to be true, actually.”

  “What’s he do?”

  “He works on yachts. And takes photos. Works for Nat Geo sometimes.”

  “Sounds impressive.” Tanya pulled alongside Zoé’s Jeep. “Have you kissed yet? You always were a sucker for a good kisser.”

  “Not that I’ve had that many,” Zoé said. “But yes, we kissed.” The flush in her cheeks grew hotter.

  “You’ve had sex!” Tanya said, scrutinizing her. “You, the girl who insists on a few dates before you do it! You’ve had sex!” she said again. “How was it?”

  Zoé turned to look at her friend. “Oh my God, that’s how.” She couldn’t stop her face from splitting into a grin.

  “Holy shit, girlfriend,” Tanya spluttered. Her eyes narrowed. “The only other guy you’ve done that with was Billy. That didn’t turn out so well. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

  “Not sure at all, to tell the truth.” Zoé bit her lip. “He’s got a lot of mysteries floating about him.”

  “What kind of mysteries?”

  “He seems to be in some sort of trouble and he won’t tell me what it is. I’m giving him a chance to tell me in his own time. It’s all new, you know? I don’t want to rush things.”

  Tanya burst out laughing. “You don’t want to rush things? Sounds like things are flying. Is he the one who’s pushing things along?”

  “Oh, no,” Zoé said. “It’s mutual,” she said, wanting to assure her friend that she knew what she was doing. “I feel like an…” Addict. “Never mind.”

  Tanya frowned. “What kind of mysteries?”

  “We were hanging out the other day and he got a call from some girl named Lila. Said he’d be home as quick as he could and he left.”

  “That sounds very suspicious. Could be he has a woman at home and he’s using you as a plaything.”

  “That’s what I thought, too. But he seems so sincere! I really want to believe he’s the real deal. I don’t trust myself since Billy. What a mistake!”

  “He sounds like a womanizer -- another Billy boy. That’s what womanizers do.” Tanya tapped the steering wheel. “Draw a line in the sand. Set some boundaries. He doesn’t get to pass Go until he reveals himself. Honesty is the foundation of any good relationship, you know that.”

  “I’ve certainly heard that,” Zoé said dejectedly. “Can’t say I’ve experienced it. Billy told me nothing but lies. ‘I think this is the real deal, Zoé,’” she said in a low voice. “‘I can’t believe how lucky I am, Zoé.’ Those are probably his signature statements to get into bed with a woman. After he got into my pants, he was history.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m talking about, honey. All guys know how to make a move on a woman to get what they want.”

  “You sound cynical.”

  “A little maybe. I’ve been rushed before, too. While it felt great at first, it always ended in disaster.”

  “Are you telling me you have a boring connection with Tony?”

  “Oh, no, not at all. Tony and I have a solid connection. We met after one of my disasters and he seemed perfect. Solid, predictable, honest and safe.”

  “Don’t you ever miss the thrill of a passionate connection?” Zoé asked. “The excitement?”

  “Not really,” Tanya said, rubbing the steering wheel. “Well, sometimes. But I wouldn’t trade Tony for all the excitement in the world. I like the predictability. I like that I can count on him. That’s what mattered to me in the end.” She glanced at the clock on the dash. “I’ve got to scoot, Zoé.”

  Zoé nodded and pulled the door handle, swinging the truck door wide. “Yeah, me, too.”

  “All I’m saying is -- be safe. Check him out. You don’t want to get in over your head.”

  Too late for that, Zoé thought. She smiled at Tanya. “Thanks, T. I’ll be fine.” She shut the door, leaning on the passenger window frame. “Good luck with the garden design.”

  Her mind churned as she drove home, tossing about the things Tanya said until she’d worked herself into a froth, determined to set things straight when Jace arrived this evening. Tanya’s right. He’s probably using me, like Billy.

  At precisely six fifteen, Jace arrived.

  She opened the door and greeted him coldly.

  “Hi,” he said, grinning widely. He looked at her face and faltered. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong. Come in.” She turned and headed into the living room.

  He strode in behind her. “Seems like something’s wrong.”

  “It’s nothing.” She pushed aside some pillows and sat on the sofa.

  He sat in a chair opposite her.

  “Can I get you anything?”

  “Yeah, you can tell me what’s wrong. Earlier today you were excited to see me. What happened between then and now?”

  She stared at his handsome face. I’m being unreasonable. Give him a chance to explain. She opened her mouth and closed it, pressing it into a tight line. No. Make him explain.

  “What the fuck is wrong, Zoé?” he said, his voice as sharp as an ax.

  The intensity of his outburst surprised her. “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me. What the fuck is wrong? You’re acting like I did something wrong but you’re the only one who knows what it is.”

  “I am not,” she retorted.

  “Don’t bullshit me, Zoé. I don’t play that way.”

  She looked at him, alarmed. “Someone has a temper.”

  “I don’t like to be played with. Now tell me what’s going on. Now.”

  Her mouth fell open. No-one’s ever talked this way to me. “You tell me,” she challenged. “I want to hear about your trouble. I want to know who Lila is and why you had to rush home to her,” she said in a sarcastic tone, tiny knives of jealousy stabbing her insides.

  “Are you jealous?” he asked, incredulous.

  “No!” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “You’re jealous. You’re convinced I’m stepping out on you. You think I demanded exclusive rights while I’m playing around.”

  “Are you?”

  “No.”

  The word hit her with such force, she jerked. “You look like a wrathful god,” she said in a whisper, stunned by his beauty even while enraged.

  “That’s because I’m pissed.” He puffed out his cheeks and blew out his breath. “I told you,” he said in clipped tones, “I’m not going to tear open my soul
until I’m ready.”

  “You’re not reassuring me,” she said, her voice louder than she intended.

  “That’s because there’s nothing to reassure you about,” he said, his voice matching hers.

  “Prove it.”

  “You have to trust me. I can’t.”

  “Can’t or won’t?” She flipped her head, tossing her hair behind her shoulder.

  “Won’t.”

  His green gaze crashed into her, making her feel small and stupid with her accusations. “How can I trust you? This you and me thing is going awfully fast.” She gestured back and forth between them.

  “And you said you liked it.” He looked almost menacing. His jaw worked back and forth, muscles ticking. “Don’t make this more complicated than it is.”

  His words lashed at her, like whips. She pressed back into the sofa.

  He inhaled deeply, letting it out slowly through pursed lips. “I’m sorry,” he said in a softer tone. “Please tell me what’s wrong. I’ve had a shitty couple of days and all I wanted to do is be here and forget about them -- with you.”

  She let out a deep breath. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing you, too, Jace.”

  “I can’t tell. You seem cold as ice.”

  “Sounds about right.” She nodded vigorously. “You heard me say I like a good cold one,” she said, in an attempt at levity.

  He didn’t smile. Continued to look at her with a hard, stony gaze.

  She sighed. “I had a talk with a friend today. She warned me to find out more about you. She convinced me you’re using me. We hardly know each other, remember?”

  Jace shook his head slowly. “I see. Your friend wants to vet me, too. Give me her number. I’ll give her a call…not.” He gripped the arms of the chair, the chiseled muscles of his forearms bunching, making the knife blade tattoo writhe across his skin. “Jesus, Zoé. Don’t you trust yourself to know what’s right?”

  “I guess I don’t. I ended up with Billy O’Reilly, didn’t I? What does that tell you about the way I make choices?”

  His demeanor softened, gazing at her with his heart melting emerald eyes. “It makes you someone looking for something and you made a wrong turn. I think you wanted this.” He pointed to her and him. Then he stood.

  She shrank back even further into the cushiony couch.

  He took a step toward her. “I think you really like the way I make you feel, yeah?” he said in a low, rich voice.

  The sounds stirred her insides, making her feel crazy strange. She gazed at his powerful arms, ripped with muscle.

  “I think the way I make you feel scares the shit out of you, am I right?” he said, taking another step. “Because you can’t control it.”

  She glanced at his hips, swinging her eyes back up to his face.

  “Checking to see if I’m hard for you?” He took another step, until he stood directly in front of her. “Tell me what you see.”

  “Yes.”

  “Yes, what?” He placed his arms on both sides of her.

  “Yes, I see you’re hard.”

  “And who is this hardness for? Who makes me stiff with desire?”

  “I do.”

  “Are you wet for me?”

  Damn it.

  “Are you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Yes, what?”

  “Yes, I’m wet for you.”

  “Are you hungry for anyone else?”

  Her heart pounded in her chest. “No-one else. I’m only hungry for you.”

  “Exclusive rights, right, baby?” He leaned closer.

  Her legs seemed to spread apart of their own accord. “Yes.”

  “I think you want me, am I right?”

  “I do want you,” she said. She licked her lips nervously, tipping her head back to look at him.

  “And I want you. You’re the only thing that’s kept me going the last couple days.” He placed his hands on the back of the sofa, one on each side of her head, brought his mouth close to hers. “The only thing,” he said into her mouth. “That’s kept me going.” He sucked softly on her lips, bringing his knee up between her legs.

  She ground against it, incensed at her body’s response to him.

  “You want this, don’t you, baby?”

  “Yes, I want this.”

  “Are you scared?” He pushed aside her hair and nibbled her neck.

  “A little,” she said, closing her eyes.

  “Of me?” He kissed her jaw tenderly.

  “Of what I don’t know about you.”

  “I don’t want to tell you yet,” he said, making circles into her core with his knee.

  She moaned. “Okay,” she said. Why am I giving in so easily? she thought, her body betraying her with need and want. It’s the sex. This is the sex talking.

  He leaned down to her ear. “I’m not going to tell you until I’m ready, got it?” His voice came out all sexy and silky, thrumming into her head.

  “Yes,” she whispered. “Got it.”

  “Good,” he said. “All day I’ve dreamed of fucking you. Fucking you and fucking you and fucking you.” He continued his knee circles.

  She held her breath, waiting for him to say more.

  He continued to stand, looming over her as she sank deeper into the sofa. “And last night, too. Last night was fucking intense. But I got through it, baby. I got through it thinking of you.” He bent forward and pulled her shirt up, cupping her breasts. “What does that make you?”

  “I don’t know,” she said, breathing fast. “What does it make me?”

  “It makes you the only person who really matters to me. It makes you my touchstone. It makes you the one person who’s going to get me through the shit I’m in.” His fingers stroked the lace and satin of her bra. “This shirt’s got to go. Lift your arms.”

  She complied, lifting her arms over her head, her hair falling along the back of the couch.

  He brushed her tender skin with his palms as he drew the shirt up, tossing it to the floor.

  She shivered as his fingertips softly slid back down, tracing her contours.

  He drew one finger under her bra strap and tugged it over her shoulder. “You’re mind-blowingly gorgeous, Zoé.” He did the same on the other side. He cupped her shoulders with his hands and dragged his palms down to her wrists, circling them with thumb and forefinger. “Sit forward, baby. This lacy bit of sexy has got to go. It keeps me from you.” He pulled gently on her arms.

  She leaned forward, resting her forehead on his leg.

  He unclasped her bra and slid it off, giving it a toss.

  She grasped his hard thigh, marveling at his strength.

  His hands moved up to her breasts and held them, fingering the nipples with his thumbs and forefingers. “You’ve got beautiful breasts, baby.”

  “Thank you,” she said, her head still leaning against his thigh, her hair falling around her face. She brought her palm up and stroked the fabric covering his cock. She found the zipper slider and tugged. Her fingers wriggled in the opening, burrowing beneath his boxers until they found warm flesh.

  He hissed, squeezing her nipples hard.

  She tugged, pulling him free of his jeans, until his erection pointed in her direction. “You’ve got a beautiful cock, Jace.”

  “You like it, baby? It’s all yours.”

  She licked the soft head, tentative at first, unsure of herself. He smelled like soap and musk.

  “Suck it, baby. I like to be sucked, hard, then soft.”

  Her mind recoiled, his words reminding her that he’d slid into another woman’s mouth - maybe countless other women. Any man this gorgeous has had lots of women. She tipped her head to look at him, her eyes pleading and moist. “I want to be the only woman in your life.”

  “Only you, Zoé Dubois,” he said. He fingered strands of her hair. “Use your mouth to play with me.”

  She opened wide and let him slide in until the head collided with the back of her throat. She gagged a little, embarras
sed at her ineptitude. She didn’t think of herself as an expert when it came to giving a guy head. She’d refused with most of her boyfriends.

  “Easy, baby. Relax the muscles in the back of your throat. Think of me as a big piece of juicy steak.”

  The image made her laugh. “Steak? I’ll choke. You’ll have to give me the Heimlich maneuver.”

  “Okay, your milkshake,” he said, adding his own laugh. “Juicy.” He rubbed her head with his palms, massaging her scalp with his sensuous fingertips, making her want to purr. “So juicy and succulent you want to swallow me.”

  She pictured swallowing a milkshake and found that it helped. Her throat muscles relaxed around him until he touched the back of her throat without triggering the gag reflex. She released him, let him enter again, and released, stroking him with her hand at the base.

  “Oh, God, baby, that’s intense.”

  Encouraged, she let her tongue lick from base to head, lovingly lapping at his throbbing heat. Hungry to feel his skin, she yanked his pants down, taking the boxers, too. Her fingers caressed his chiseled muscles, dancing along the coarse hairs. They roamed and explored, pushing into the moist crease at the apex between legs, fingering his balls. She tipped her head to the side and looked up at him.

  The returning smile she received touched her heart.

  “All for you,” he said.

  She took him in her mouth and sucked, careful to keep her teeth away, letting the slippery inside of her cheeks caress him.

  “You’re going to make me come.” Jace’s legs trembled slightly as he rocked into her mouth. “Are you ready for this? Can I come in your sweet mouth?”

  Am I ready for this? She took a deep breath, slid him out and whispered, “Yes. Come in my mouth.”

  “Okay, suck me hard, baby. Swallow me. Take all of me inside you.” His legs shook even harder as he convulsed.

  She sensed him gentling his thrusts to keep from ramming down her throat. She held tightly to his erection, sucking, licking, relaxing her throat and letting him go as deep as she could manage.

  “I’m going to come, baby. Oh, fuck.” He let out a long, low groan. “Fuck,” he groaned, letting loose a pumping stream of fluid.

  At first, the mouthful of slippery juice overwhelmed her. She struggled to swallow, blinking and tearing. Some of it leaked from her mouth, hot and viscous. She wiped it with the back of her hand. She managed to consume the rest, surprised it tasted salty and wild, like him.