The Switch Page 13

  “You’ve heard of it!” he breathed, before resuming his story. “Yeah, Adam was a great guy. He left the business to me, along with his life insurance and a small house in West Seattle. My wife died almost two months later, leaving me to raise Mike. That’s when her folks filed the first lawsuit and I got a hardship discharge.”

  Beth frowned, surprised that a family member would attack Sean.

  Sean went on, more slowly now as he reached the more private topics.

  “Tiffany’s dad threw her out when she got pregnant with Mike and wouldn’t have anything to do with her, or Mike, afterwards. I notified him, of course, when Tiffany died.”

  “Of course,” Beth agreed.

  “When he heard that Tiffany was gone, he filed suit for sole custody of Mike. Said that I wasn’t fit to raise a son and that he could do better, being a lay minister and so on. And Mike was pretty wild then. Tiffany couldn’t give him as much attention as he needed, with her strokes and paralysis and so on. I swear he knew every cop within ten miles.”

  He sipped his drink as he looked back, old agonies cutting deep into his face.

  “I couldn’t counter the lawsuit very well, not as a Ranger who had to be free to deploy at any time. I had friends who’d watch Mike while I was gone but the judge wasn’t impressed by that. He gave me two weeks to make better arrangements so I left the Army and came here.”

  He stopped, seemingly embarrassed by his long speech. Beth patted his leg gently in reassurance. He gathered himself to go on.

  “It’s been a very good business for me. It pays enough to support the two of us and the hours are pretty much whatever I want. I’ve been able to spend all the time I want with Mike.” Sean smiled, his eyes lost in happier memories.

  “And Mike’s grandfather dropped the lawsuit,” Beth concluded.

  “Not until Mike turned eighteen this year,” Sean snorted. “The old fool even refused to see Mike if he couldn’t have custody. He’s missing out on a grandson, just because of stubborn pride.”

  Beth sipped her club soda, fighting the urge to rescue him. Dear heaven, the pain he must have known in his life. She wanted to hug him and assure him that he wouldn’t be hurt again. She felt his body’s heat flowing into her.

  “What about you? What do you do when you’re not browsing in bookstores?” Sean asked, pulling himself out of his reverie with an appreciable snap.

  “Well, I was a currency trader for three years after I graduated from Harvard. Now I help the Treasury oversee that business.” She kept the conversation to her work, as he had, rather than mention any hobbies.

  “Currency trading? Is that like commodities trading? Where you bet on what the price of the stuff will be?” He shifted on the leather seat uneasily, probably trying to relieve his pants’ tightness.

  Beth chuckled at his situation. His description of her career was a little simplistic, but essentially correct.

  “Yes, it’s a lot like that. My first boss called it high-stakes gambling. I enjoyed it for a while but now I like having a different view.”

  Sean started to ask other questions but she put her finger to his mouth. She needed to touch him, if only the minimum contact allowed by a public place.

  “Let’s dance. It’d be a shame to miss out on a good band.”

  Sean opened his mouth to say something but stopped, his eyes wide and almost frightened before he controlled himself. How many times had he danced with a woman?

  He led her to the dance floor with an elegant courtesy that pleased her. Beth would bet that his mother had taught him manners, along with morals. She immediately moved into his arms and they began to sway with the music.

  Beth slid closer to Sean until her nipples brushed his chest and his leg was between hers. She could feel his erection and she leaned against it, enjoying how her body’s slow dance movements caressed him. Her nipples were quite hard and she turned her face into his chest, tucking herself neatly under his chin. She stood eye-to-eye with most men but she felt like a little girl in Sean’s arms. She purred as his hands stroked her back and ass.

  The music changed and Beth blinked, looking at her watch.

  “We’d better get going,” she said regretfully.

  “Whatever you say, ma’am,” Sean said. “Although I could have stayed here a while longer.”

  Beth chuckled at that, enjoying how he’d changed his mind about dancing. “But wouldn’t you rather go someplace private? Hmmm?”

  She laughed at the look on his face as he steered her back to their booth, so they could retrieve their belongings.

  The chauffeur was standing by the limousine and held the door for them to enter. Sean hesitated but recovered quickly, following her inside as if he rode in limos every day.

  He openly studied the interior as the driver pulled out onto the road, his eyes finding every high-tech gadget. Beth ran her hand up his leg, deliberately distracting him, and rubbed his crotch seam, following it as it rose to meet the zipper.

  Sean caught his breath and stared at her. She caressed his jaw, then moved in for a kiss. Their hands fed on each other as much as their mouths did, seeking skin to fondle and heat.

  Sean made a wordless sound when his fingers cupped her breast. Her nipple tightened under the touch, stabbing his hand directly. He unbuttoned her shirt and Beth arched her back, silently encouraging him to look his fill. He cupped her breasts, rubbing his thumbs over the velvety nipples.

  “No bra?”

  “No underthings,” Beth corrected.

  “Shit.” He closed his eyes for a moment and she waited eagerly. Then he bent his head to her throat.

  “Oh yes, that’s very nice,” she approved, tilting her head back to open for him. His hands moved over her and Beth gasped, startled by how much he remembered of Wednesday’s explorations. She moaned when he moved his mouth further down, tasting and teasing her until she was on fire.

  “Please, Sean, do it!” she begged.

  “No, not until we’re someplace private.” His eyes were fierce with the effort to control his own hunger.

  She nodded slowly. There were hours yet to come when they could play all they wanted. Then she could bend his self-control to suit her.

  Sean watched her acquiescence, then kissed her on the mouth, backing away from the previous urgency but still keeping her excited with hands and mouth.

  That kiss lasted for a very long time. Finally there was a polite tap on the window and Sean lifted his head from Beth’s breast. His blush was visible even in the dim light.

  She stroked his back for a moment longer and then sat up, buttoning her blouse up quickly. Sean’s condition appeared more respectable than hers after he fastened his shirt. At least he looked respectable above the waist; behind his zipper was another matter.

  Sean came out of the limousine and froze, staring at the small private jet in front of him. Beth patted his ass.

  “Come on, darling,” she urged, smiling at his shock.

  “Currency trading must have paid very well,” Sean got out.

  Beth laughed out loud, pleased at having surprised him.

  “Oh it did, Sean, it truly did.”

  Moments later, they were aboard the jet and taking their seats. Beth glanced around, satisfied by what she saw. The plane was even more luxurious, with its rare woods and fine upholstery, than she had requested. The steward offered drinks but she motioned him away. Once they were in the air, Beth unbuckled her seat belt and stood up.

  “Let’s go explore the rest of this plane, darling.”

  She headed back, holding hands with him, and found the stateroom easily. A small display next to the door showed cruising speed and altitude.

  Beth stepped inside and ran her hand over the silk coverlet on the enormous bed, its various shades of gold glowing against the wood paneling. That color combination was why she’d picked this particular jet: it should frame Sean’s magnificent body like an altarcloth. She looked back at him as he braced himself in the doorway, eyes hot
but body still leashed.

  “Come on in, lover, and close the door. Don’t you want to join the mile high club?”

  Sean’s eyes blazed and he kicked the door shut. He dived onto the bed, pulling her down with him. Beth laughed and caught his head in her hands as he leaned over her.

  “You big beautiful Viking, you,” she purred and arched against him. He caught her mouth with his and came down on top of her. Their tongues danced and dueled together as they relearned each other’s taste. Beth caressed his neck, enjoying the strong cord of muscle and bone below those sensitive points.

  Sean changed his angle and kissed her face, attending to her forehead, her cheeks. His tongue circled and explored her ears until she shivered and purred under the onslaught. He went lower still to mark the pulse points on her neck, exciting the sensitive points until she begged for mercy. Whatever else he did or didn’t know, he was a genius at foreplay.

  He rubbed her breasts through the thin silk, tugging at her nipples as they hardened. Then he licked them until the silk became a wet circle marking her body’s need for him. Beth watched him, twisting restlessly as she tried to catch her breath.

  He suckled her hard enough to pull much of her breast into his mouth. Beth choked at the hot, wet cavern he created and closed her eyes. She tugged at the bottom of his sweater, anxious to feel skin.

  Sean straightened up, pulled the sweater over his head and tossed it aside.

  “Shirt too,” Beth panted as she sat up, peeling her jacket off with more haste than art.

  “Okay but not yours.”

  “What?”

  “Everything else but not your shirt.” Sean paused to glare at her. “Understand?”

  Just a red silk shirt? Her eyes lit at the possibilities. “Yes, sir.”

  She began to shed the rest of her attire as quickly as possible. A big arm wrapped around her and pulled her back across him and lying on the bed, just as she toed off her last shoe.

  “Sean!” she protested laughing. “My trousers!”

  “I’ll show you how to take off trousers.” He shoved his hand inside the waistband and down between her legs, forcing his way until his finger met her clit. She jumped and giggled, wriggling as he fingered her into a frenzy.

  When he had her writhing on top of him and almost incoherent, he quickly pulled his hand out and unbuttoned her trousers. Two seconds later, her trousers were on the opposite side of the stateroom with his clothes. A quick roll put her under him on the big bed and he grinned in triumph.

  “Is that how they taught you to wrestle in high school?” Beth gasped.

  Sean laughed. “No, but it sure would have been nice to know how back then.”

  “Care to show me a few more wrestling moves?” she invited.

  “Sure thing, ma’am,” Sean agreed. “But maybe we should start with some cowboy moves, like how to ride a bucking bronc.”

  “I don’t see any horses in here.” Beth tried to be obtuse but her dancing eyes gave her away. “Maybe we should ask the pilot to land and fetch us some.”

  “Like hell! I’m sure we can find us some. Just have to know where to look, like here perhaps.” He fondled her breast.

  “Surely not there,” Beth choked and gasped in earnest when his head dropped down to follow his hand. Her breasts quickly remembered all he had done before and became one giant, throbbing ache.

  “Condoms in the nightstand,” she moaned, just before his hand found her clit again and destroyed any pretense of conversation.

  “Good girl,” he praised, then brought her off hard and fast. Twice.

  Beth opened her eyes, trying to recover. When was he going to put himself into her? His hand was nice but she wanted that big cock.

  She found him standing by the bed, rolling on a condom with rather more skill than he’d shown before. Sweet baby, had he been practicing? Still, she liked his focus on the basics. Get her satiated and relaxed enough to take a cock of his size, then sheathe himself quickly before entering. Considerate to the end, that was Sean.

  He blushed, then shrugged when he caught her watching. She smiled up at him, letting her genuine fondness show through as he knelt between her legs.

  “Lift my legs up with your arms, darling, until they reach your shoulders.”

  “Can you do that?”

  “I didn’t learn yoga just to make conversation.”

  He grinned back at her and followed her suggestion. He pushed into her quickly this time, watching her face. Beth sighed as he reached even deeper than before.

  “Very nice,” she praised, settling herself around him for a welcoming wriggle. His eyes widened and he hissed at the sensation. “But I think we need one thing more.”

  “What?”

  “What’s the highest you’ve ever ridden a bucking bronc? Six thousand, eight thousand, maybe ten thousand feet? Think we can do better now?”

  He caught the reference immediately and looked over his shoulder at the instrument panel.

  “Welcome to the Mile High Club, cowboy,” Beth purred.

  “You are a wicked woman, ma’am,” Sean drawled, his eyes alight. “Guess this cowboy will just have to show you how to ride a bucking bronc, no matter where it is.” He circled his hips, pressing deeper inside her. Her eyes half-closed.

  “Better teach me well, cowboy,” Beth managed before he rode her in earnest. He dropped all pretense as soon as he started moving, thrusting into her as if heaven could only be found somewhere deep inside her.

  The thought slid away from her as his body demanded her full attention. She watched the muscles rippling in his strong belly as his hips thrust and released. The strong shoulders and arms, beaded with sweat as they strained above her. The lovely forearms, with the elegant twisting veins standing out in fine relief, so close to her. The beautiful mouth, tight now in concentration, as he fought his instincts for a few minutes longer.

  But his eyes trapped her. Those incredible blue eyes, half-veiled by long golden lashes, blazed down at her and held her. She caught fire from his need and became achingly conscious of just how much she wanted this man. Cream gushed forth, welcoming him, as her body transformed itself into an instrument focused solely on carnal satisfaction.

  “That’s it, honey,” he grunted. “Come for me. Fuck, honey, come!”

  She obeyed him, her hand dropping to rub herself and her eyes locked on his as the first pulses rolled through her body. Fierce satisfaction lit his face.

  “Fuck!” he shouted, then again as he freed himself into orgasm. She locked herself around him, relishing his climax as if it was her own.

  He collapsed afterwards, but managed to roll so that they lay side by side, his cock still throbbing inside her.

  “Got any other wrestling moves, cowboy?” Beth managed. Best to keep this light.

  “All the wrestling moves you want.” To her shock, he stirred inside her. Dear heavens, he wasn’t joking.

  Hours later, Beth saw that the cruising altitude was falling. She leaned up on one elbow and looked down at Sean. His white skin glowed against the gold silk and she twined a lock of his hair around her finger. That golden pelt on his chest even looked magnificent when it was sweaty.

  Sean’s eyes opened slowly and he watched her for a moment then gently caressed her throat. Beth tilted her head, opening her neck to his touch.

  “Ten minutes until landing, Ms. Nakamura,” said a disembodied voice.

  Beth closed her eyes. “Damn,” she murmured.

  Sean kissed the nape of her neck and then sat up.

  The steward imperturbably helped them strap in, calmly ignoring their barely respectable condition. Sean flushed a little at the conclusions that the steward had obviously drawn but stayed quiet.

  Beth patted his leg after the steward left.

  “Look out the window. Recognize where we are?”

  Sean leaned over her and gazed out. Blazing lights danced in the darkness beyond. A single beam of light pointed straight up to the sky. He studied the in
credible sight and then sat back in his seat.

  “Las Vegas?”

  Beth nodded.

  “You flew us to Las Vegas for the weekend?” Sean’s voice squeaked a little in astonishment.

  “Sure did. It seemed like a good place to have fun with a beautiful man,” she purred and stroked his arm. She smiled at his gasp but remained silent while they landed, letting Sean watch the sights.

  Another limousine was waiting when the jet taxied to a stop. The chauffeur touched his hat and held the door for them to enter, which Sean didn’t quite flinch at. They drove down the Strip and Beth opened the sunroof so Sean could see all the neon lights. Sean stayed silent, keeping his thoughts to himself.

  The limousine turned off the Strip and down a large curving drive, before coming to a stop under a large portico. A uniformed bellman rushed forward to open the door and two men in suits, both slender and fit, followed him.

  “Welcome back, Ms. Nakamura,” said the taller of the two men, dressed in a gray suit with a very expensive tie. “This is your butler, Gianni Caraballo.”

  Gianni bowed, looking composed and elegant in his formal black suit.

  “It’s a pleasure to see you again,” Beth said politely. “Sean, this is Paul Graziano, our host here. Paul, this is Sean Lindstrom, my guest.”

  Another round of handshakes followed before the men focused again on Beth, leaving Sean isolated on the periphery.

  The two men kept up a steady stream of chatter as they led Beth and Sean to a private elevator, which deposited the party in an elegant foyer with only a few doors visible. The entire group moved out of the foyer and down a long corridor leading to a single door. Graziano opened the door and ushered Beth and Sean in.

  Beth looked around at the suite. It was huge and incredibly opulent, with gold brocade and marble. Another hotel’s lights gleamed outside the windows, with the desert sands and a mountain range shining beyond. Beth noticed that Sean had frozen beside her, when he saw the room, but she said nothing to him.

  Gianni Caraballo, the butler, gave them a brief tour of the suite, emphasizing the amenities in its living room, master bedroom and bathroom. He assured Beth that the suitcases had been unpacked and everything was exactly as she had ordered.