Hardwired For Ecstasy Read online

  “I don’t care about any of that. In the end, that means nothing.” She touched his chest. “What’s in there is the only thing that matters. All the money and possessions in the world won’t make someone a good person. A person who doesn’t lie or cheat.”

  They stared into each other’s eyes for long moments. Gone was Emma’s self-consciousness at wearing nothing but an open robe in front of Atticus. He was still fully dressed, but that made this even sexier. It would be so damn easy to fall for him. He was gorgeous, and what he’d just done for her—both physically and mentally—touched her more than anything she’d experienced with Leland.

  She wanted him. Right now. She needed to feel him inside her, and she wanted to give herself entirely to him, without reservation. Emma shrugged off the robe and let it fall, then stepped closer to unbutton his shirt. He watched her, a slight smile on his face, while she removed the shirt and then undid his pants. She pulled them down, leaving the boxers for now, then helped him out of his shoes and socks.

  When she stood again, he asked if she wanted him to remove his own underwear.

  “No. I want to do it. Where are the condoms?”

  He pointed toward the nightstand, and she walked over to retrieve one from the box. She placed it on the armchair, then pulled down his boxers to reveal a thick, red dick, slick with pre-cum. She licked her lips before she could stop the gesture, and he chuckled.

  “Maybe later.”

  She grinned up at him. “You have something against blowjobs?”

  “Good lord, no. It’s just that if I don’t fuck that hot, wet pussy of yours soon, I’m going to lose my damn mind.”

  She put on his condom, although her fingers trembled now, and then she glanced toward the bed, but he sat in the chair and held out his arms. “Come here, beautiful.”

  Emma had never had sex like that, with her on top, but she didn’t want to say anything this time. Instead, she crawled onto his lap and laughed when she realized he could see her backside in the mirror.

  “What? I want to watch this.”

  “I love that image. It’s decadent.”

  He grabbed her face and kissed her, hard and rough. She moaned into his open mouth, then reached between them and stroked his sheathed cock. He grasped her hair and tugged on it just hard enough to excite her, then released her mouth and took her left nipple into his mouth.

  “Oh, God!”

  She couldn’t take it any longer. Emma lifted her hips slightly and guided her pussy over his dick. He stopped sucking her nipple to help her, then cried out in pleasure as he filled her. He grasped her hips and moved her up and down, and all Emma could do was ride him. It was the most exquisite thing she’d ever felt, and each thrust massaged her clit in exactly the right way. She came again easily, and giggled as the realization of what was happening filled her senses.

  “Well that’s a first. Never had a woman laugh at me during sex.”

  She kissed him, grabbing his face the way he’d done to her. She had never been this happy. He fucked her like a runaway train, and they both laughed as he tried to keep kissing her at the same time. She released his mouth and laid her head against his, moaning softly as the contractions from her orgasm went on and on.

  “Oh, Emma … baby … you should see how fucking sexy you look from the back.”

  Emma glanced over her shoulder, mesmerized by the sight. She watched him move her up and down while the delicious sensations inside her body went on and on.

  “Emma, I’m going to come.”

  He bucked into her and groaned loudly, then held her close, stroking her hair. She let out a shaky sigh and kissed his neck. “That was incredible.”

  “Best ever. I mean it. Twenty minutes. Then round two.”

  She giggled. “Round two? Are you sure? You’re pretty old.”

  He let out a surprised sound, then lifted her off and had her over his knees before she could do so much as yell. “Old? Old? Did you really call me old?”

  Emma was laughing so hard she couldn’t answer him. When he smacked her ass, she liked it so much she couldn’t even work up a protest. He lifted her up again and cradled her in his arms.

  “What am I going to do with you?”

  “Anything you want.”

  He groaned. “Don’t say that. I’ll hold you to it.”

  “I mean it. I’m yours.”

  He gazed into her eyes and shook his head slowly. “How did I get so lucky to find you?”

  “I’m the lucky one.”

  He gathered her closer and held her for long moments. Emma never wanted to leave this chair. When they finally stood, he took off the condom and went into the bathroom. After he returned and she used it, he led her to the bed where they lay on top of the comforter.

  Atticus curled up with her in his arms. “Sleep with me for a while.”

  Emma snuggled against him, more contented than she’d ever been after sex. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  All the things Leland had done and said that she’d thought of as special or romantic paled in comparison to this one perfect evening. Atticus was charming, funny, and he’d made her feel like the sexiest goddess on the planet. And he’d done that without showing off or making sure she knew how much money he’d spent, or telling her countless times how grateful she should be for his attentions.

  She’d never realized it before, but now that she had someone to compare him with, Leland Clough was a self-centered prick who had kept her in her place with guilt. He never let her forget how expensive the hotel suite was or how much he’d spent on dinner.

  He’d constantly told her that because of his background and education, he was wiser than she was and she should listen to his advice. Never mind that she had a graduate degree and he did not. That had never counted for anything in his eyes.

  Leland also had constantly given her mixed signals about her body, something that had hurt her deeply. When she’d tell him he’d hurt her, he’d turn it around so that she became the one who had said the wrong thing. Every single time. Looking back, she had to seriously question her sanity in staying with a man who one moment called her curves sexy, and the next told her it wouldn’t hurt her to try to lose a few pounds.

  She rolled over and gazed down into Atticus’s sleeping face. He had two master’s degrees and owned a company worth billions of dollars. He designed devices on the cutting edge of technology every day of his life, and he was trying to save the planet. He gave regularly to charities and helped support the Storm Troopers.

  And yet not once in the weeks she’d known him had he put her down because of her size, her education, or her background. In fact, he admired her intelligence and her skills, and he obviously enjoyed her body.

  He was perfect, and she suddenly understood why scores of women threw themselves at him. But he wasn’t with them. He was with her. And she intended to keep him in her life, and stay in his bed, for as long as he would have her.

  Atticus was the man she’d always dreamed of being with.

  Chapter Eleven

  Atticus woke in the dark. The music was off, and he had no clue how long he’d slept. Emma was no longer in the bed, and he had a split second of panic when he wondered whether she’d gone back home.

  He crawled out of bed and turned on the light. The robe she’d worn was still on the floor, and the musky scent of her perfume mixed with the smell of sex hung in the air. She wasn’t in the bathroom, so he went into the hallway, frowning. Someone was singing. When he realized it was Emma, he smiled. At least she was still here.

  He tiptoed into the bedroom where Emma had placed her clothes and bag last evening, stopping to listen. She was in the bathroom with the door partially open, and he didn’t want to invade her privacy, but the soft sounds of splashing water told him she must be in the bathtub. It was sunken, with plenty of room for two, so he stepped inside the room.

  “You have a very pretty singing voice.”

  “Oh!” She whirled around, clearly embarrassed. “I
couldn’t wake you. You were out pretty deep, and I felt … sticky.”

  He chuckled softly. “I can’t imagine why. I’m sorry I didn’t wake up. How long have you been in here?”

  “Only about ten minutes.”

  He shrugged off his robe. “Good. That means the water is still warm.” She’d added too much bath soap, but the extra bubbles would be fun, so he didn’t mind. He stepped into the tub and sat against the opposite side. “What were you singing?”

  Her expression grew wistful. “A German folk tune my mother used to sing to me at night when I was very young. But I’m not sure you could tell that’s what language I was singing.”

  “It sounded like German to me.”

  “Thank you. I’m never sure if I remember the pronunciation the right way.”

  “Will you teach it to me?”

  She gave him a look that took his breath away. This woman was amazed by any amount of attention he showed her, which made him wonder what that prick Leland had convinced her was romantic or charming. Certainly nothing he’d label as either.

  “Sure.”

  He held out his arms. “Not now. Now I want to bathe you.” As soon as he said it, his dick twitched, and then he realized the damn condoms were in his room. He stood. “I’ll be right back. Please don’t move.”

  He ignored the water dripping all over the floor and sprinted back to his room to grab the condoms and a bottle of lube, just in case she wasn’t averse to some back door action. As a last thought, he grabbed his favorite paddle out of the armoire where he kept his toys, then snatched the waterproof vibrator off the shelf as well. Since she had liked being spanked, maybe she wouldn’t mind some toys?

  When he returned, he placed the items on the floor next to the tub so she could see them, then climbed in again. He moved behind her and picked up the sponge she’d been using. Her head was still turned toward the edge of the tub.

  “See anything interesting?” he asked.

  “Um, yes.”

  He couldn’t help chuckling again. Atticus rubbed the sponge over her arms and legs, although his desire to touch other places was strong. But he wanted to take his time so she’d enjoy this.

  “What do you plan on doing with that paddle?”

  He washed her nipples and underneath her breasts, slowly. “One guess.”

  She moaned softly and relaxed further against his body. “And the vibrator?”

  “It’s waterproof.”

  “Is it now?”

  The desire in her voice sent his own spiraling out of control. This woman would be his undoing, and the fact that he didn’t mind it told him he’d finally found what he’d been searching for all these years.

  Atticus moved the sponge between her legs. She spread them wider, moaning softly as he washed her pussy. With his free hand he kneaded her breast. His cock was rock hard again, and he wanted to be inside her in the worst way.

  He let the sponge float along the currents from the jets and picked up the vibrator. Turning it on, he first massaged under her breasts, hefting them high with his free hand. Her moans grew louder, so he brushed the toy over her nipples. She let out a shuddering gasp.

  “What do you think?”

  “Don’t stop,” she whispered. “Please.”

  “I won’t, love. Not until you beg me to.”

  He moved the vibrator between her legs and teased her pussy lips and clit with it, lightly touching, until she writhed against him and kept trying to push his hand closer.

  “Patience, beautiful. I want you so hot for me you can’t stand it.”

  “I’m already there, Atticus.”

  He nearly came at the tone in her voice, and he was nearing his own limit for patience. He pushed harder against her clit with the vibrator, but then asked her to kneel. He wanted to reach all of her.

  She moved to the side of the tub and got on her knees, resting her arms and head on the tiled edge. Her breasts floated just under the surface, but he concentrated on positioning the toy against her clit again. He moved it until her moans told him he’d found the right spot and rhythm, then slowly he inserted a finger into her ass.

  “Oh God…”

  Atticus smiled. He had no idea if Leland had introduced her to anal, so he was thrilled she didn’t mind his finger in there.

  “I’m going to come…”

  He nuzzled her neck. “Go right ahead, gorgeous. I’m going to keep playing, if that’s all right.”

  She groaned in response, so he continued what he was doing with the toy and removed his finger, replacing it with two. She pushed back against him, wanting more, and it was all he could do not to simply fuck her in the ass right then and there. The hell with the condom.

  He felt her orgasm, so he concentrated on prolonging that. When the contractions began to subside, he placed the vibrator on the floor next to the tub and rose up out of the water. “Don’t move.”

  “Okay.”

  He donned a condom, with some difficulty, and then moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her body. “May I fuck you in the ass?”

  “Oh … yes. Yes. Okay.”

  “Have you done that?”

  “Yes.”

  Uh-oh. Her voice had changed too much. He turned her toward him. “But you didn’t like it.”

  “It hurt a bit.” She bit her lip. “Actually, it hurt a lot.”

  That stupid mother-fucking son of a bitch. Atticus kissed her tenderly, then picked up the bottle of lube. “It won’t this time. I promise. Rise up on your knees completely for a second, sweetheart.”

  She did, and then he slid two fingers inside her asshole after slathering them in lube. “How does that feel?”

  “Wonderful.”

  “Honestly? No pain?”

  “No pain. I’m telling the truth.”

  He removed his fingers. “Emma, if this hurts at all I want you to stop me. Promise?”

  She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes wet. “I promise. Thank you.”

  He kissed her again, then asked her to get back into the same position she was in earlier when he’d used the vibrator on her. She did, and then he pushed his dick into her ass, as slowly as possible. He whispered in her ear, telling her she was sexy and beautiful, and he kept his free hand wrapped around her body to help gauge her reaction.

  Once he was inside as far as he dared to go, he asked again if she was all right.

  “Yes. I’m just … I’m just amazed it feels so good.”

  Her voice shook, and he knew she was crying. He held her close and fucked her slowly at first, dying inside, but determined to make this fun for her. He finally felt her body completely relax, and then moved his hand to her clit, massaging it gently as he increased the depth and speed of his thrusts.

  When she moaned, he moved inside further and rubbed harder, hoping to make her come again. It didn’t take long. She cried out in pleasure and surprise as another climax ripped through her, sending shockwaves to his dick in turn. He couldn’t have held off his own orgasm if he’d tried. He let go, his cries joining hers, and then held her close as their breathing slowly returned to normal.

  The water in the tub was getting cold, so he withdrew, wincing as he did so, and took off the condom. He dried her off, then left the vibrator but brought the box of condoms with him as they made their way back to his room. Jonas and Carol would take care of everything. They were used to him having sex in various rooms of this apartment, and cleaning up afterwards.

  Once they were back in his bed, he pulled the covers over both of them and curled up behind her, wrapping his arms around her lush, warm body. “Emma, that was … I don’t even have words.”

  “Amazing. Wonderful. Incredible. When can we do it again?”

  He chuckled, kissing her neck. “In the morning, love. I need some serious sleep now.”

  “Me, too.”

  Thank goodness. His dick was sore for the first time in a long time, but it had been so worth it. He never wanted her to leave this apartment. This
evening had exceeded every expectation he’d had, and he couldn’t wait to see what tomorrow would bring.

  Emma was everything he’d ever dreamed of finding. Brains plus beauty, wrapped up in a lush, curvy body and a heart of gold. What more could any man want? She made him feel twenty years younger, and he’d been surprised but delighted by how uninhibited she became with a little coaxing. There was fire in her, buried deep within. He wanted to unleash it and help her explore all her sexual fantasies.

  He only hoped those fantasies included having him by her side, because now that he’d made love to her, and held while she slept, there was no chance he’d be able to let her go. Never. He wanted her, and Atticus always got what he wanted.

  Chapter Twelve

  Emma kept waiting for the punch line during the next two weeks. She was certain she’d walked into a cosmic joke, because no one was this perfect. No man was this attentive and kind, nor did any human make love the way Atticus did. It couldn’t be real. Surely any day now he’d dump her, realizing he’d made a horrible mistake. Or he’d show her a dark side. Or she’d wake up and find out she’d dreamed the entire past five weeks.

  But none of those things happened. Instead, he paid more attention to her, and delighted in finding new, inventive ways to have fun with her, in every room of his apartment. His sexual appetites were insatiable, and the more time she spent with him, the more her own desire increased.

  It was as if he’d flipped a switch that first night when he’d made her watch while she masturbated, and now, she was no longer shy around him and couldn’t get enough. She attributed it to him making her feel like the sexiest woman alive, each and every time he so much as kissed her.

  They attended several hockey games, and she even taught Atticus the German folk song he’d caught her singing in the tub that first night they’d made love. She still spent several days a week working closely with him on the project, and he was thrilled with her progress so far.

  Six weeks after she’d started working for Yates Industries, Emma worked alone for several days on her project because Atticus was tied up in meetings. She had reached a point in the design where she needed to know how users of GPS systems on the surface had liked specific features of those systems. There was no point in including features that people had hated, or that hadn’t worked the way they’d expected them to.