Page 76 of A Taste of Trouble

“Inspired?”

“Yep.” He set the water and the bag of pretzels on the nightstand then kneeled on the rumpled sheets. The camera looked expensive, a digital SLR. Bringing the camera up to his eye, he clicked away as Liv squirmed and covered her face.

“Hands away from your face,” he demanded.

“No way.”

“You're beautiful.” He brushed a few strands of hair from her sweat-dampened forehead. “You've never been more beautiful.” He knew just how to get her to cave; that panty-creaming smile was her own form of kryptonite. “Please. When I'm done, you can erase all but one.”

“Promise?” She eyed him doubtfully, but he nodded his reassurance.

She sat up on the bed, clutching the soft sheet to her breasts, her bare back exposed.

“Perfect, stay right there.” He signaled her with his hand and backed away, putting distance between them. His finger moved quickly over the button as he instructed her like she was a model. “Turn around so your back is to me.”

Liv obeyed. He approached to fix the sheets, positioning them just high enough to show the t

op indent of her bottom. He positioned her face up and to the side. The heat of his body disappeared and then the click of the camera in rapid succession broke the silence between them. Despite her initial protest, she felt sexy, camera worthy. Oddly enough, he made her feel like a beautiful model—a sleepy-eyed, unkempt model, but a model no less.

Warmth surrounded her when Jake returned and ran his finger down her exposed back, igniting shivers that sparked through her body. Her nipples hardened. Whispering in her ear, he said, “You are the sexiest woman I have ever laid eyes on. Your body makes me think dirty thoughts.”

“Oh really?” She couldn't get enough of this sexy man, couldn't get enough of him inside her. He gently pushed her down against the mattress. As she fell away, his hand grabbed the sheet and pulled it from her body, exposing her breasts.

He dropped the sheet just above her pubic bone and raised the camera to capture her naked body. Even though the camera separated them, she felt his eyes on her, studying, admiring. Without hesitation, she glided her hands up and down her body, tracing her belly button, cupping her breasts, licking her lips.

She slowly brought her hands down her chest, over her stomach, then slid them under the sheet. Jake still held the camera to his face as she pleasured herself, but it had been a while since she heard a click.

Her head fell back as she rubbed her index finger over her clit. The cool fabric of the sheet fluttered over her body as one of Jake's hands pulled it away. The other still held the camera up to his eye.

Knowing that Jake was watching, it didn't take long for her to reach her peak. When her body spasmed, she heard the click of the camera. Then another. With each click of the shutter, her orgasm rose higher. She bit her bottom lip while her finger still moved feverishly across her swollen nub.

Before she even had a chance to come down from her climax, Jake scooped her up from the bed. He captured her lips and stole the breath from her body. She wrapped her arms around his and let him ravage her. She wanted him inside her. She wanted him moving in a steady rhythm over her.

Pulling away, he ripped off his T-shirt and threw it to the ground.

Her mouth watered at the sight of him even though she had seen his body many times. He pulled down his track pants, exposing his length. She gripped it, intoxicated by the feel of his smooth skin.

He placed his camera on the night table then reached inside the drawer and pulled out a condom. He groaned when she pressed her tongue against him.

In no time he was sheathed, and in one sweet movement he was inside her. His mouth came down on hers, and their lips mingled. His arms bracketed her head, keeping her in place as he pumped in a steady rhythm.

This time, they watched each other, their eyes locked in some kind of dare. A race to see who could let themselves go first. Something in his eyes was different tonight. More than just the fact that he'd revealed his vulnerability. He was gentle. Appreciative. Savoring. As if this was the last time they would ever be together.

Liv knew there would be no turning back from this encounter. She had been standing on a precipice for the last two weeks, holding on tight to her heart, afraid to let it go, afraid to leave it in his hands. She had laid bare what little she had left protected. But now, staring into the green depths of his eyes, Liv knew she would be safe with him.

Pressure continued to build inside her stomach, coiling tighter and tighter. His mouth found her neck and he suckled gently, his lips and the scrape of his teeth taking her over the edge. He followed not a minute later, quietly whispering her name as he shook with release.

This was nothing like the all-consuming, vigorous, hungry sex sessions they'd had in the past.

But somehow it made her want him even more.

Chapter Twenty

Jake scanned the ballroom and let out a sigh of relief. He and his team had worked on this book launch party for months. His job was done. At least concerning the launch. There was still that pesky mission to have Liv meet up with his boss.

High tables were scattered around the room, draped in embellished white cloth. Small votive candles flickered in the middle of the tables to promote an intimate setting. They gave off a spicy scent that wafted throughout the room. An elaborate buffet of hors d'oeuvres sat to the right—seafood, breads, and cheeses were only a few of the items that covered the twenty-foot table.

The entrance had been designed as an archway, silver trees on either side, a white carpet leading into the ballroom. The theme matched perfectly with the historical fairy tale romance book being promoted.

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