Beholden (The Beguiling Bachelors Book 2) Read online

  He opened the refrigerator and freezer simultaneously, surveying their contents – a six pack of Diet Coke, a carton of Hagen Daz Dark Chocolate and Almond flavored ice cream and three tiny cartons of Yoplait. Randall shut the doors wordlessly and returned to the living room where Sloane remained standing frozen, uncertain what to do with this imposing man stealing every inch of available air.

  I need to get rid of this insufferable man. He is taking over my space , damn him. I need to get this back under control.

  “Meet with your approval?” She sniped at him sarcastically. It was obvious that she was seething at his unwanted invasion

  “Yeah, it’s a nice place to live, but a little under-stocked if you are planning to hibernate until winter.” He completely ignored her anger, moving about confidently.

  Why must he always know just the right snappy reply?

  “Screw you, Randall. How I live is none of your damn business.”

  Now that he had scoped out the environs, he turned his steely gaze to Sloane. She felt a rare blush rise into her cheeks, but she refused to look away. She watched his eyes widen as he scanned her body, lingering momentarily on the skin bared by the short crop top, boring through the sports bra to visualize her tightening nipples. His eyes moved up to her pinking chest, long neck and finally her bare face.

  “Jeez, Sloane, even looking like this you are fucking stunning.” She wasn’t sure if he was talking to her or to himself, but he seemed slightly shell-shocked.

  “Oh, cut the crap, Randall. I just came back from spin class and we both know I am a mess.”

  “If you say so. I think perhaps we should remedy that, and also the fact that there is absolutely no food in this house. Get showered and dressed, I am taking you out to lunch.”

  “Lunch, what are you talking about? Go back to the office, Randall.”

  “We have business to discuss, and a date to plan for the weekend,” Randall told her in a clipped no-nonsense voice. “ I am hungry, you don’t have enough food to feed a gerbil, and I am taking you out. Go, Sloane. Get dressed or in ten minutes I will drag you out of here looking like that.”

  That was all the threat Sloane needed, since it was obvious Randall meant it. He was going to take her out to lunch and she was anxious, scared, and curious. She ran for the shower, recognizing that she was excited about doing something for the first time in two weeks.

  She took the fastest shower on record, pulling her hair into a tight bun since she had no time to wash and dry it. She dried off, quickly applied two coats of mascara to her already long lashes and a tinted moisturizer with an SPF in case they sat outside. It would have to do.

  She made a mad dash from bath to bedroom hoping Randall was not looking down the hall, and grabbed the first sundress in her crowded closet. The green striped dress was perfect, cut low like a tank top, fitted tight to the waist and then falling softly above the knees. She actually showed a tiny amount of cleavage in this dress, along with a large expanse of chest and back and a fair amount of leg. It was a lot of pale, pale skin. Grabbing a tiny cardigan to cover some of the bareness and a low-heeled Kate Spade sandal, she was ready to face a summer day, Randall, and whatever else was beyond her doors.

  She was dressed in only twenty minutes, possibly the fastest on record for her, and she saw that he was impressed when he checked his watch. Only then did she realize that Randall had been freely wandering in her space. She wondered if he had snooped in her things, what he was thinking, what her condo told him about her.

  “Better. You look beautiful.”

  She was moved by the compliment, although she had heard it before. Somehow, coming from Randall, it was more sincere, more meaningful. It was unnerving.

  “Where are we going anyway?” She pressed for an answer to cover her confusion.

  “Well, I thought we could grab something in Water Tower Place or the Bloomingdales building, then find you a dress for Saturday night. You never bothered with a dress, right? Where would you prefer? How about we eat in the lobby at the Peninsula to discuss it?”

  “Are you crazy? You are not taking me dress shopping.”

  “Oh yeah, I am, Sloane. A very exclusive, very expensive dress. Today, we celebrate. All week we celebrate. You, me and Maria. This afternoon we shop, tonight we all meet for dinner and we celebrate.”

  “Oh my God, you did it?” Sloane asked, leaving her mouth hanging open. “You sold the company?” The play of emotions was priceless, causing Randall to give her an indulgent grin. Sloane went from incredulous to uncertain, then to acknowledging the possibility of the sale. Finally, a broad smile broke across her face, lighting her eyes and bringing hope back into them for the first time in months.

  “I did nothing, but Maria is a genius and should have papers for you to sign by dinner.“ Randall could not keep the pride and exhilaration from his voice. “She did an amazing job for you. I really shouldn’t have stolen her thunder, but she was in meetings all day and I just couldn’t wait to tell you.”

  Sloane could not stop herself from dancing a little jig where she stood. He laughed and then reached to twirl her. She allowed the moment to propel her right into Randall’s waiting arms. Without thinking, as a gesture of thanks, she went to give him a quick peck on the cheek. Instead, she planted a big, noisy kiss on his lips.

  Randall responded instantly to both her energy and her affection, changing the tenor of the kiss and quickly infusing it with passion. His arms wrapped around her waist, his large hands cupped her round behind and pulled her taut against his rapidly growing erection. He kissed her back with heat and passion, spinning her around until her feet lifted a good foot off the floor.

  “I am so excited. I am so excited,” she bubbled, looking into his sea-blue eyes, passion momentarily giving way to celebration.

  “Well,” he responded in a husky voice, placing her back on her feet, again wrapping his hands around her. Resting his large palms on her butt, he drew her against his lower body and his obvious desire. “I seem to be getting excited too.”

  With that, Randall flashed her a wicked smile, hesitated briefly, then dropped his face down to meet Sloane’s, his lips softly cajoling hers into a kiss that deepened and turned hungry. He nipped at her lower lip until she opened her mouth to him, allowing his tongue to explore further. His big hands seared heat into her skin through the thin dress as he pulled her taut against him.

  Their bodies and mouths were locked together. Sloane could feel his powerful thighs pressed against hers and the strength in his arms around her. Her small breasts were flattened against his suit coat and she reveled in the feel of the fabric against her bare skin and the power of his solid body.

  Like something out of a movie, he lifted her into his arms in one fluid movement and his long legs traversed the length of the hallway. He juggled her slightly to free up a hand to open the bedroom door but never released her from the kiss. She shook her head at the first doorway, and pointed across the hall. Randall marched into the room, and although they were alone, he kicked the door shut behind them.

  Randall stood Sloane carefully on her feet beside the bed. She had lost a shoe in her dancing stumble and now kicked off the other. She hardly reached Randall’s chin without the aid of the high heels and suddenly felt small and vulnerable.

  Randal had released her in order to place his hands on her bare upper arms and guide her down to the bed. He followed, dropping to one knee, leaving one foot on the floor so he was half standing as he awkwardly yanked off the suit coat and tugged on his tie. Soon he was pulling his beautiful dress shirt over his head like a t-shirt and following her down to the bed to lay the warm skin of his muscled torso on her small body. His mouth took hers relentlessly in slow, drugging kisses.

  Sloane ran her tongue over Randall’s entire mouth, tasting coffee and him. She felt one of his hands pulling off her little sweater then running up and down, up and down along her skin from hand to shoulder. His fingers were rough, his hand was the size of a bear pa
w but his touch was gentle and sensuous. He moved his mouth from her lips to her neck, planting little kisses. The abrasive sweetness of his tongue trailed from her mouth to her ear then down across her exposed collarbone to that little hint of cleavage at the top of her dress. Sloane felt sweet desire spiral in her veins and hot moisture in her core, almost lifting her off the bed with want. Randall’s strong body held her firmly in place.

  Randall’s clothed leg was lying heavy between Sloane’s slender ones. Her dress had ridden high on her thigh, exposing her long limbs. His left hand was caressing her leg, kneading the muscle lightly as he moved up from her knee to her hipbone in a lazy pattern. The movement was driving her crazy. She thought she would scream, or worse, beg, when finally he slid his hand across her lace-covered abdomen to the hot, wet core of her.

  She sighed at the weight of his huge hand resting upon her as his fingers worked the edge of her panties. He was teasing, not moving too much but enough to entice her. She moaned softly, trying again to lift her hips to meet his teasing fingers, begging for more. In response, Randall tugged at the lace, pulling it lower as his head returned higher to capture her mouth in a heart-stopping kiss.

  Rolling his large frame off Sloane, Randall fumbled with his belt, then the button on his trousers. Sloane reached over and her delicate fingers made quick work of the button and zipper before she slid her hand, cool and slender, into his briefs to feel the hot, pulsing length of him. His erection, already thick and straining, leaped to life, searing her hand, inviting her to stroke him more.

  He kicked off his pants while she helped roll them down his leg, clumsy but effective. She was naked and open to him under the skirt of her bunched dress when she felt him move between her thighs. They were both too aroused to bother removing her dress.

  Randall fumbled for protection, then pushed the pants onto the floor and out of the way.

  “Hurry,” she mumbled against his mouth as her hips rose high, in invitation.

  Randall clearly needed no more enticement than that. Sloane felt him plunge into her in a single, searing thrust. She gasped at the movement in obvious surprise, and Randall stayed still, seated deep inside her small body.

  “Holy shit, you are so tight,” he commented between little nipping kisses along her jawline. “Did I hurt you? Are you alright?”

  “Mm mm,” Sloane replied with a languorous smile, then with repeated sighs of “Oh, yes,” as Randall began to move inside her. He pulled his considerable length out until just the tip of him was teasing her, hovering there a long moment. Then he slid in again, hard and fast or frustratingly slow. He alternated the movements until her body sensed a rhythm and began to move with his. She was lifting her hips high, trying to prevent him from pulling out, working to keep him deep inside her. Just when she thought she would go mad from the slow teasing penetration, Randall would piston into Sloane hard and fast, leaving her panting and on the edge.

  Sloane wrapped her long legs around Randall, holding him securely against her as Randall plunged into her forcefully and rapidly. She was rising to meet him thrust for thrust. Until he suddenly stopped.

  “Noooo,” Sloane cried. “Don’t stop.” Her body reached for his, begging him to resume the slow rub and heat.

  “Oh, don’t worry babe. I am not going anywhere.” He took a few deep shuddering breaths and slowed down the pace. She felt his hands stroking her skin from shoulder to hip and sensed his fingers moving between them. He leaned up just enough to get his large hand comfortably against her belly, fingers dipping lower, then lower still, seeking the tiny nub between her lips and finding it with certainty.

  “You are very good at this,” she teased between gasping breaths.

  “Practice,” was his cocky response before teasing the small tight bud more, feeling her losing further control of her breath, watching ecstasy move across her face. Sloane had always prided herself on being in charge, even in bed. Now, with Randall, she knew she was losing control, knew he could see it but she didn’t give a damn. The pleasure was breathtaking. Sloane felt an intense orgasm rising inside her, just out of reach.

  Just when she would have gone over the edge into welcome oblivion, Randall eased up on his touch. Her eyes flew open, perplexed, her body straining for release.

  “Not yet Sloane, not yet. I am in no hurry, and I want you to really experience this. Enjoy every moment, every touch. This is my gift to you. This is me taking care of you, Babe. Let me take very good care of you.”

  Sloane thought she would find it hard to lay back and let this man control their pace and their movements, but it took only a moment of resistance before she gave in. Instantly, realizing her arousal was increasing even more than she imagined possible, she was free to just feel without thought. He removed the hand that had been toying with her and tugged the straps of her dress off her shoulders, then holding both of her hands in his large one, he gently raised them over her head. With her arms raised and straps down, Randall was able to use his teeth to loosen the front of the dress and pull it below her breasts, baring them first to his eyes, then to his seeking lips.

  Randall latched his mouth hungrily around Sloane’s breast, tonguing her nipple to a tight pebble and sending a zing of heat rocketing through her body. She pushed against his mouth, as his teeth scraped across her nipple. Her lower body responded lifting in a futile attempt to entice him deeper. He was playing her body like a Stradivarius. Her back arched reaching for more, pushing her breast against him, filling his mouth, loving the scratch of his beard against her tender skin. Just when she felt she would die from pleasure, he released her, kissing her mouth tenderly. After a long gaze into her eyes, assuring they were connected emotionally and not just physically, he sank his head and locked his lips around her other nipple.

  He nibbled at her skin, at her pebble-hard nipple, as she writhed beneath him, hands still held above her head. She could only twist from side to side, reveling in the blissful torture as her arousal and need grew.

  “Want more, Hon?” He asked her, grinning like an arrogant fool before moving to kiss her mouth. He sucked her bottom lip, then released it and bit lightly before allowing his tongue to roam freely in her moist mouth. “I want to give you more. I want to give you more than you have ever experienced, more than you can imagine.”

  Sloane was lost in a fog of passion. She could not think straight. She could not think at all. She wanted him to thrust into her hard and fast and to claim her. She wanted to feel his mouth on her breasts but also feel his tongue along her skin and in her mouth. She was desperate for his fingers to return to playing with her, craving his touch. He was slowly driving her mad – deliciously, excitingly mad. She wanted all of him, everywhere.

  Randall moved his mouth again, leaving hers to trail his tongue along her jaw, along her collarbone. All the while, Randall held himself away from her body, barely entering her tight passage, teasing, pulling back when she tried to move him deeper. His arms were beginning to shake from holding his weight above her. He shifted his body gaining more leverage while still pinning her arms with one hand, using the other hand to stimulate her with his magic fingers.

  When Sloane thought she could take no more, when she felt ready to burst into a thousand pieces, she recognized that Randall was going over the edge too. He began pumping into her repeatedly, his long, slow strokes gaining speed in their joint desperation. Randall found a new rhythm as he lifted and lowered his hips hard and fast, driving into her, demanding her response.

  She was taking tiny useless breaths interspersed with “yes, oh yes”. She felt him hold deep inside her, his breathing shallow and labored. She eyed the sweat shining on his skin, admired his rock hard abs and massive chest, watched his body joining with hers in a dance as old as time. Mesmerized by the look and feel of him above her and inside her, she completely lost control, pulsing around the length and girth of him. Sloane felt him expanding to fill her even more as her body continued squeezing around him until he exploded in his own orgasm
just scant seconds later. They lay panting, joined together in the aftermath of their lovemaking, kissing softly, Randall caressing her skin.

  Spent, Randall dropped all his weight onto Sloane, crushing her into the mattress in a way she found remarkably satisfying. She was sated, fulfilled in a way she had never been before, in a way she had never previously imagined possible. Randall had dragged things out, almost made her beg for him.

  She recognized with a jolt that she would have begged, and would not have minded it. He still held her hands above her head, even now retaining the upper hand although she had stopped resisting long ago.

  They lay like that for several minutes, catching their breath, kissing each other slowly and sweetly until Randall finally rolled off her. He retained his hold on her hands, lowering them so she could relax her shoulders but still leaving her unable to run her hands over his tempting body. She wanted to touch him, longed to run her hands over those broad shoulders, wide chest and tight waist. She wanted to feel the ripple of hard muscle under his warm, sweaty skin. She wanted to kiss every inch of him. She was longing for him already, need spiraling through her, although she was completely sated.

  He pulled her with him as he rolled, reaching for the zipper holding her dress in place, sliding it down and moving away from her long enough to remove the wrinkled mess. As soon as she was divested of the clothes, he embraced her against him again with a sigh.

  “Oh, this is so good. I wanted to feel your skin, but I just couldn’t take the time to take off your dress. Sorry about the wrinkles,” he said, with a brief look of apology in his eyes.

  “Mmmm,” was her lethargic response. Randall was sensuously tickling her palm where he again held both her hands. She wriggled them now and he released her as if he had forgot he still held them. She rolled her tired shoulders as he lightly massaged them. Finally, she wrapped both arms around his broad back and slid her hands all over his bunched muscles from shoulder to rounded ass.