The Switch Read online

  Beth drew him closer, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her leg slid up and down his before finally embracing his hip, in an echo of their tongues’ dance.

  Sean sighed happily and leaned against her, until the wet tile pressed her closer. She stretched up until her nether lips cradled his cock. He moaned and lifted her up, then slid her down onto him.

  “Oh yes, darling,” she purred as he kissed her throat. “Damn but you feel good.”

  He rocked against her easily and slowly, memorizing the feel of her.

  “Oh yes, oh my god yes,” she breathed as his hands kneaded her ass. “You are fine.”

  She climaxed sweetly, her body rippling around him. He continued to thrust to the same slow steady beat and felt her reach for another orgasm.

  “Good girl,” he praised, somehow keeping his breathing as regular as his thrusts. “Let’s see how many climaxes you can have before breakfast.”

  She found three more before his body finally arrived at one. He came heavily in deep shuddering spurts, that tugged at his heart while they pulled the last drops from deep in his balls.

  Beth blinked up at him afterwards, then licked her lips daintily.

  “You really are fine, lover,” she purred. He blushed, his legs barely able to support them, and let her slide down.

  Dressed at last, Beth looked over at Sean, where he sat peeling a banana. The remains of breakfast were scattered across the table. “That looks good, darling. Can I have some?”

  “Sure.” He started to reach out to her but she jumped out of her seat and came over to him.

  “Now how can I sit on your lap, Sean, when you’re up against the table like that?” Beth teased him.

  He pushed back his chair and stood up. She cocked her head inquiringly but he caught her wrist. He towed her over to a big chair by the window and sat down, pulling her down into his lap. She promptly snuggled against him and he winced as her weight pressed him harder into the chair. But those marks would only be around for a few days to remind him of her.

  He fed her pieces of banana, savoring the sweet warm weight of her while he could. She rested comfortably against him, watching his face and the Vegas skyline. Sean listened to his heart pound against her warmth.

  “Did you enjoy last night, Sean? Are you comfortable with everything that happened?” Beth asked quietly and twisted her head up to see his face.

  “Comfortable? Are you kidding? Beth, that was the most fantastic night of my life! And you were great, better than any fantasy I’d ever had of being used hard and well by a beautiful woman.”

  She smiled at his emphatic response and he kissed her hard on the mouth. Then his lips trailed over her face as he tried to convince her of his sincerity.

  “Darling, I couldn’t ask for anything more. But the best part was when you looked at me…” He stopped, overcome by the memory.

  “What do you mean?”

  “When you had the scarves on me and the ribbons… And the vibrator tickling my ass. I stood up and you looked at me like I was the greatest thing you’d ever seen. As if you couldn’t wait to touch me.” He paused, choking on emotion. “Sweetheart, I’d do anything to have you look at me like that again. I’d like it to happen often.” His eyes met hers earnestly.

  Beth searched his eyes and then closed her own for a moment. Had he frightened her?

  “Let’s go spend some vanilla time together,” she said and stood up.

  “Honey?“ Hell, what had he said? Six years a widower, twelve years celibate, and now lunging at the first woman in his bed? Cool down, Lindstrom, and think with your head for a change.

  “We’re only together for a weekend, remember? And neither of us is ready for a replay of last night. So let’s just hang out together.” Her eyes were deep and still, implacable.

  He had committed to only a weekend. His hold loosened on her and she stood up.

  Beth tossed a leather jacket at him from the closet. He caught it and pulled it on, his mouth quirking at yet another display of her moneyed tastes. He was wearing designer jeans and an incredibly soft turtleneck sweater, both of which outlined every muscle. She’d called the sweater’s wool alpaca and said it came from South America, an exotic item from an exotic lady.

  The red silk thong underneath reminded of its twin from the night before. Red, damnit. Red silk where nobody would see. She’d wanted him to remember passion, even while he looked as respectable as a banker.

  Beth joined him, settling her own jacket around her shoulders. He purred to himself as he saw how much they looked like a matched set. Where did that thought come from? Damnit, did he want to rearrange his life for a woman again?

  Beth calmed down slightly once they were out of the room. She even slipped her hand into his in the elevator and leaned against him. He kissed the top of her head, and followed her out when the doors opened.

  They walked through the casino quickly, barely noticing the scattered gamblers. She led the way outside and waited for the light to change. Sean pulled her against him, putting himself between her and the traffic. Beth glanced up at him but said nothing about his protectiveness.

  They crossed the street and walked up, past towering palm trees, into another casino, full of tropical plants and running water. They moved more slowly through this place, stopping often to compare it to where they were staying.

  Beth was more relaxed now, talking easily of small things like the use of different color carpets to guide gamblers through the casino. They found a small set of shops that Sean eyed cautiously, wary of womankind’s well-known urge to shop. The jewelry looked very expensive but no prices were visible. Still, he’d go in there with her if she wanted, even if a single item could easily cost as much as his pickup truck. Hell, most of the items probably cost more than his old pickup.

  Beth moved past the shops without pausing and he allowed himself to start breathing again. He was even more relieved when they emerged outside.

  An incredible swimming pool lay on one side, edged with bright umbrellas and centered on water flowing from rocks. It looked like someplace where you could play out fantasies for hours. They stood in silence for a while, studying it. Sean felt Beth’s hand caress his hip and he kissed the top of her head.

  “Do you want to sit down here?” he asked.

  “No, let’s go on further and see the white tigers. I’ve never seen them before.”

  “Okay, honey,” Sean said easily and moved on with her. They strolled down the path and found the entrance. Sean paid the admission fee, stopping Beth’s protest with a finger across her lips.

  “Let me pay for this one, darling.”

  She shook her head at him then smiled ruefully. He dropped a quick kiss on her mouth, thankful that she was willing to accept his money.

  The white tigers and their companions were scattered along the winding paths, screened by chain link fence, with few other people braving the brisk autumn air. Soon Sean and Beth found themselves alone at the end of a cul-de-sac watching three young tigers sleep.

  “They are so adorable, aren’t they?” Beth murmured as one tiger rolled over on his tree branch, somehow managing to stay on. “They remind me of children.”

  Children. Permanent relationships have to consider children. Did he want more? His heart pounded and he couldn’t speak, seeing her eyes soften as she watched the tigers. She’d look like that with her own baby.

  He wanted her to look at his child that way. Jesus. He closed his eyes against terror. He’d been interested in dating, especially fucking, but not marriage.

  “Yeah, they’re sure cute,” he managed to say, hoping he didn’t sound as stunned as he felt. Mercifully, Beth paid more attention to the tigers than him.

  Finally, she put her hand on his elbow and started to stroll on. Sean stayed silent, watching her rather than the exotic animals behind the high fences. What the hell was he going to do?

  She was quieter than usual; was she sad that this was their last day? Surely not. Her world was so mu
ch bigger and brighter than his, with lots of handsome young men begging her for a chance to worship at her feet.

  He bit back a snarl at the thought.

  They returned to the jewelry store but this time Beth stopped to glance at the display. Sean looked for the prices this time, considering what her toys had cost. What would it feel like, to buy something just because it felt good and you could afford it?

  What the hell could he offer that might make her stay with him? He had money but not as much as the men she was used to. He tried to think of things he could do, put them together in a pretty speech.

  Beth and Sean wandered silently through the casino with their arms around each other. They barely made it back to their casino in time to meet the limousine.

  Sean raised an eyebrow at the two neat suitcases, shaken by the butler having packed them. But the butler had probably made a lot of other things possible this weekend.

  In comparison, the private jet was nothing worth mentioning, just the same plane they’d flown down in. Sean followed Beth up the stairs and buckled in silently. Then he looked around the cabin, trying to memorize every detail for the long nights ahead. It had been a great weekend but there would be other chances with other women, women who would fit into his world. Yeah, right.

  Finally, the seat belt sign clicked off and Beth unfastened hers impatiently. She stood up and held her hand out to Sean.

  “Come on, Sean, let’s go back and lie down.”

  Sean’s breath caught and he followed her quickly. Beth kicked off her shoes in the stateroom and lay down on the bed. Sean followed her lead and was rewarded when she came straight into his arms. He cuddled her, building memories in this refuge against the outside world. Her breath warmed his heart and he nuzzled her hair, catching her scent and holding it.

  They lay like that for a long time, holding each other like two children afraid of the dark. Then she kissed his shoulder and rested her head against his arm. His mouth traveled through the heavy black silk of her hair. She turned to meet his kiss.

  They kissed for a long time, trading touches and sighs like the air they needed to live. Contentment built into a smoldering flame and Sean left her lips to explore her face. He caressed her with his nose and tongue as much as his mouth.

  Beth murmured something, maybe in Japanese, and opened herself to him, kissing him whenever his mouth came near. She slid her hand under his sweater and stroked his waist, in sweet echo of his caresses. His hand slid down her hip and back again, so that his fingers tucked themselves comfortably into the small of her back. At some point, first one sweater and then another’s sweater became too hot and had to be eased off with many kisses and murmurs of appreciation for the skin revealed.

  Sean forgot who touched whom as he sank further into the welcome of her passion. He explored her body and tried to memorize every aspect with every sense he possessed, so he would still remember her on the long cold nights to come. She was still his to enjoy and to pleasure, until the clock struck ten.

  Beth encouraged him with throaty little whispers that sent shivers running through him, rippling her body to beg for his caresses, and filling the air with the heady delight of her musk. Her skin was softer than her silk scarf, ivory behind the rose of her arousal, as she fondled him. He opened himself up for her bold touch and she purred, cupping his balls as if they were the greatest prize in the world. He groaned and stretched, watching her with heavy-lidded eyes, as she fondled him. She leaned down to kiss him and his hand came up to guide her home to his mouth.

  They found many excuses to linger and pause on the slow climb to the top, both showing reluctance to end this moment. But finally the time came when he rolled a condom down his shaft, while Beth watched avidly.

  “You’re so beautiful,” she murmured. He looked up at her quizzically, as he finished adjusting the latex.

  “Women are beautiful. Sunsets are beautiful. I’m not,” he corrected her.

  “Yes, you are,” she said, her eyes bright with a suspicious wetness. “I hate losing the sight of you for one instant to that latex, let alone the touch of you. But,” she swallowed and went on more brightly. “On the other hand, seeing the latex means that party time is here.”

  She slid her fingers up his straining cock, playing him like a fiddle.

  He choked but soon laughed. “Maybe I am beautiful, if it makes you touch me like that.” He bit off the last word as her thumb rolled over his cock’s head and circled the shaft.

  “Oh hell, woman!” he growled and pulled her on to him. She came willingly and he rolled, settling her under him. She smoothed his head and smiled as his mouth found her again.

  They kissed desperately this time and urgency built. He raised himself over her and entered her, watching every smallest twitch of her body as she accepted him. Christ, he felt like he’d come home.

  He thrust hard and soon lost the errant thought in a haze of hormones. Their lovemaking was fierce now and wild. His climax seized him like lion taking a gazelle, leaving him spent afterwards as small tremblers continued to course through him.

  How could he leave her? Giving up moments like this was hell. Never hearing her laugh again or talking to her about books felt like loneliness.

  A soft tap on the door sounded as he was trying to find words to what he wanted.

  “We’d better get up and get dressed,” Beth said quietly. She sat up abruptly and started to find her clothes without another word.

  She’d never said she wanted to stay. Time to keep the bargain they’d made, build a life without her.

  “Here’s the scarf, Sean. Keep it in remembrance.” She held it out. His gut clenched; this scrap of black and gold silk was all he’d have of her tomorrow.

  “Thanks.” He tucked it into his pants pocket, hiding it like everything else that had captured his heart except Mike.

  The same limo and driver, J. Birch according to his nametag, met them at the airport. But this time, Sean and Beth sat at opposite ends of the back seat, as separate as their universes.

  He shoved his hands in his pockets, angry with himself for being dissatisfied with his world. It was a good life, with a fine son and good friends. More than enough money too, even if not as much as she was used to.

  And no one who lit up like a firecracker when he walked into the room, as she had on Saturday night.

  The scarf smoothed his fingertips. He squeezed it into a ball and made up his mind. Damnit, he couldn’t let her go.

  “Do you like children, Beth?” Sean asked, beginning to campaign.

  “I love children and I’d like to have some of my own,” Beth admitted, turning to face him. He gently brushed a lock of hair away from her mouth.

  “I’d like more children, too. But I’d like most of all to have a good marriage.” He watched her cautiously. “A good loving, committed relationship with the woman I adore.” He took a deep breath and then laid all his cards on the table. “I love you, Beth. I know that now. I want to build a long-term relationship with you.”

  Beth’s jaw dropped and she stared at him.

  “Sean, darling, you don’t know me,” Beth protested. “We haven’t even known each other a week. Okay, so we had some great sex but that’s not everything.”

  “No, it’s not a guarantee but it’s a damn good start, Beth. I’m willing to take the chance and work on it with you.”

  Beth started to speak but the rest of his speech kept tumbling out. Maybe he couldn’t keep her in comfort but he could at least show her he cared by being with her.

  “I’d be glad to move to Washington, DC to be with you. I can’t do it until Mike graduates but then I’d move immediately. And in the meantime, I’d fly out every chance I could to be with you. And there’s email to help us keep in touch.”

  “Sean, please calm down.” She patted his knee like a maiden aunt. “We’ve had a great time playing together but that’s all. You need to look for someone around here, someone who’ll fit in your world and be a great wife for you.�
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  “Is it the money?” He hated asking, feared hearing that the problem was something he couldn’t counter, but he needed to know for sure.

  “What?” Beth stared at him. “No, of course not! I earned my money by myself and I honor people who do the same.” She was so emphatic that he believed her. She’d never lied to him and she wouldn’t start now.

  Sean tried to imagine what she objected to. If it wasn’t his money, then what did she want? “What do you mean by fit in my world?”

  “Sean, you can get involved with the local scene. Maybe pay a fem domme to spank you or tie you up. Keep it as private as you like. Not everyone tells their spouse so you don’t have to. You can even find a nice vanilla wife, who’ll adore you…” Her voice tightened and she broke off, blinking rapidly and her eyes suspiciously bright.

  Sean frowned at her, trying hard to understand. Why was she talking about his sexual tastes? He tried to bring the conversation back to basics.

  “I hid everything I thought and felt from Tiffany and I’m not doing anything like that again. I can tell you anything and I’d trust you with everything. It’s a good start on a marriage, Beth. So will you let me see you again?”

  “That would be very unwise, Sean.” Tears choked her voice and she hunted for a tissue in the limousine’s capacious cabinets.

  Oh Christ, was she going to cry? What the hell did he do now? He tried again, more cautiously.

  “Why not? What do you want, Beth? I’ll give it to you. I swear I’ll go out and get it. Anything you want, just name it.”

  “Sean!” Beth wailed and stopped. Driven by an instinct beyond thought, he reached out for her. She came easily, not seeking him but not fighting him either. She lay against him, shaking but silent, and he clumsily patted her back. He had no idea what to say.

  He’d kill any man who’d do this to her but the fault was his. He was the one who had upset this dangerous lady. He felt like the lowest scum in the universe.