Sweet To You (Fire and Icing) Read online

  She saluted the couple as she prepared to bolt, tripping over the sandals piled next to her and nearly falling before she righted herself, snatched her shoes, and fled across the sand without a backward glance, her cheeks flaming.

  Maddie wasn’t surprised to hear the woman break out into laughter behind her—the kind of laughter that left no doubt you were being laughed at not with—but it still hurt. The thought that Jamison might be chuckling along hurt even more.

  In fact, it hurt so much that when she arrived back at the campsite and saw Dawn and her new friend, Helen, busting out the whiskey and Coke, Maddie didn’t hesitate to accept a red Solo cup of her own. She downed the first drink quickly, and when Jamison came walking up from the ocean ten minutes later—alone, she couldn’t help but notice—she was pouring her second.

  By the time the organizers lit the bonfire and everyone had gathered around to continue drinking, chatting, and flirting, Maddie was feeling no pain, and by the time the fire died down and most of the campers had retreated to their tents or the shadows for some privacy, she was ready to rumble.

  This night had been far too tame, and Maddie was determined to do something about it—ASAP.

  “Skinny dipping,” she announced, standing up and pointing one arm at the ocean. “The time has come.”

  Shelley, the only member of their group who hadn’t already gone to bed, giggled from her perch on a piece of driftwood, graying Harry Potter beside her. “Oh no, the whiskey strikes again.”

  “It’s not the whiskey,” Maddie said, every word crisp and clear despite the fact that her blood felt hot and her head was buzzing. “It’s my destiny.”

  “You could drown,” a serious male voice said from the darkness behind her.

  Maddie turned to discover Jamison standing in the shadows at the edge of the fire’s dying glow. “Are you spying on me?” she asked in an accusing tone, though she was secretly pleased that he wasn’t off sucking face with that scrawny, mean-laughing blonde.

  “I’m watching out for you,” Jamison said. “And I’m not above restraining you if you try to do something stupid.”

  “Restraining me?” Maddie laughed as she crossed the sand to where Jamison stood with his arms crossed, looking sexier than ever with hard shadows emphasizing his high cheekbones and strong jaw. “That sounds kinky.”

  Jamison gazed down at her for a long beat before saying in a quiet voice. “It could be, if that’s what you’re into.”

  “I’m not sure what I’m into,” Maddie said, crediting the whiskey for the fact that Jamison’s unexpected proposition hadn’t stolen the words right out of her mouth. “But I’ve always thought I might like getting tied up. Or blindfolded. Or tied up and blindfolded. Where do you stand on bondage?”

  Jamison muttered something beneath his breath that sounded like a curse. “You’re drunk,” he said, his voice tight. “I think you should go to bed and we can continue this conversation tomorrow when you’re sober.”

  “Ah, but I might not have the guts when I’m sober,” Maddie said, body humming with desire as she reached out, letting her fingers trail down Jamison’s rock hard chest, feeling the outline of his muscles through his thin tee shirt.

  The man was built like a Roman gladiator, and Maddie couldn’t help thinking she’d like to see him dressed in a gladiator’s loincloth and nothing else.

  “That should tell you something right there,” Jamison said in a condescending tone that made Maddie’s nose wrinkle.

  “Yeah, it does,” she said, blood running even hotter. “It tells me that I’m a drag.” She pressed her hand to his pectoral muscle, sighing as she let her nails dig lightly into the firm flesh. “When I’m sober all I think about is all the reasons I can’t play with you.”

  “You play with me.” Jamison’s hand covered her own, pressing her palm closer to his chest, sending a rush of awareness zinging through Maddie’s already buzzing body. “You’ve been playing with me for months, looking at me like you want to eat me alive then making a run for it before I can get a damned word in.”

  “I’ve never eaten anyone—alive or dead, so…” Maddie trailed off, not sure what else to say. She hadn’t realized her attraction was so embarrassingly obvious.

  “You know what I mean.” He stepped closer, his hands dropping to her hips. “Things haven’t been the same since that day in the bakery. I can’t stop thinking about you…in ways I’ve never thought about you before.”

  Maddie swallowed, dizzied by an even more intense wave of desire. Her nipples were already pulled tight inside her bra and her entire body ached for Jamison to touch more of her, all of her. She wanted his mouth on hers and his hands everywhere, until they were as tangled up as he’d been with that woman this afternoon.

  Which reminded her…

  Her eyes narrowed as she pushed his hands firmly from her hips. “You did a pretty good job of not thinking about me while you were slobbering all over Blondie a few hours ago.”

  “You told me to stay away from you,” he said, with a non-apologetic chuckle. “I was just trying to get my mind off my troubles.”

  “I am not your trouble,” Maddie said, nose in the air as she circled around him and moved down the beach, looking for the perfect place to enter the water. “I’m not your anything.”

  “Where are you going?” Jamison fell in beside her, following her as she drifted further and further from the fire, until they reached a stretch of beach far enough from the others that there was little risk of being observed.

  “I’m going skinny dipping.” Maddie stretched her arms over her head, fingers wiggling, already anticipating how nice the cold water was going feel on her heated skin.

  “I’m not letting you get into the water drunk,” Jamison said. “You’ll drown and I’ll never forgive myself. Not to mention your brother and sister will kill me.”

  Maddie laughed. “I’m not going to drown. I lived on an island for six years. I swim like a fish.”

  “You certainly drink like one,” Jamison mumbled. “I can’t believe you’re still standing after all that whiskey.”

  “Believe it,” Maddie said, reaching for the bottom of her tee shirt and pulling it over her head, a thrill racing through her as she tossed it away.

  This was what she loved about whiskey. It made her feel ten feet tall and bullet proof, capable of behaving in wild, delicious ways the normal Maddie would never dream of.

  “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but stop taking your clothes off, Mad,” Jamison said, a pained note in his voice. “Right now. I’m serious. If you get in the water, I am coming in there after you.”

  “I see,” Maddie said, stepping out of her shorts before going for the hook on her bra and popping it free. “Well I guess you’ll have to come after me, then.”

  She dropped her bra to the ground, a rush sweeping across her skin as she met Jamison’s eyes. Even in the moonlight, she could see the hunger in his expression. He wanted her, as badly as she wanted him—maybe even more.

  The realization made her feel even more invincible. Invincible and seductive. She backed toward the water, beckoning Jamison to her with one crooked finger.

  “Come and swim with me, Jamison,” she said, running a hand through her hair. “I dare you.”

  And then she turned and strolled into the water, secretly hoping Jamison would dare more than a swim.

  A whole lot more…

  Chapter Three

  Jamison went still—paralyzed by the sight of Maddie Whitehouse running into the waves in nothing but a pair of G-string panties, her killer curves on display in a way Jamison had never seen before, a way that made his already aching body throb with the need to have her in his arms, to have her full breasts pressed flat against his chest and her ass in his hands and her body his for the taking.

  In the months since their almost-kiss he’d had several fantasies that involved a naked Maddie propositioning him, but those were fantasies. He’d never dreamed it would happen in real life,
let alone on a deserted stretch of beach in blue moonlight that made his childhood friend look like a sex goddess rising from the waves.

  She was beautiful. Mesmerizing.

  She was also going to get herself killed. Maddie might be a strong swimmer, but she’d also drunk an impressive amount of whiskey. As a friend, he was obligated to go in after her and make sure she didn’t drown.

  Or so he told himself. His heart was in the right place, but there was nothing friendly about the hunger pumping through his veins as he stripped off his tee shirt and jeans and followed Maddie into the ocean, his cock so hard it pulsed with a heartbeat of its own. For a moment, the chilly water threatened to defuse the situation, but then Maddie turned to face him and Jamison’s flagging erection rallied with the enthusiasm of a long-benched player being called onto the field.

  She’d waded in far enough for the waves to lap against the underside of her breasts, making it impossible for him to keep his eyes off the pale, round orbs. She was a D-cup at least, maybe a double D, and Jamison knew she’d feel perfectly full and heavy in his hands. He could already imagine the weight of her resting in his palms, her nipples tightening as he brushed his thumbs across her tips, making her moan his name.

  Lately, he’d been fantasizing about Maddie calling out his name with disturbing frequency. No amount of logical thinking could seem to stop the younger Whitehouse sister from dancing, semi-clothed, through his thoughts and popping up in his most lurid dreams.

  Maddie was one of his best friends. They’d been so close growing up she practically felt like family, and he didn’t want to risk losing her over a fling they both might come to regret. Not to mention that he had only recently recovered from the awkwardness inspired by the idiotic decision to make out with her sister, Naomi—his brother Jake’s ex-girlfriend—when they were teenagers.

  The smartest call would be to stay far away from Maddie, her full lips, sparkling blue eyes, and irresistibly lovely breasts until the focus of his attraction shifted elsewhere.

  But that was the trouble with irresistible things, they were so…irresistible.

  Jamison waded deeper into the water, not stopping until he was close enough to Maddie to see that her nipples were pulled into tight buds and her lips parted in a silent invitation he knew he wouldn’t be able to refuse.

  Still, he tried. “You’re drunk, and I don’t want to do something you’ll regret, but if you keep looking at me like that I’m going to kiss you.”

  Maddie’s lips pushed into a pout. “Just kiss me?” She stepped closer, lifting her damp fingers to slide his St. Florian’s medal over his shoulder and trace a path down the center of his chest. “I’m practically naked, Jamison. Oh wait,” she continued, bobbing in the water as she reached down. A moment later her hand emerged with her soaking wet underwear, which she tossed out to sea with a flick of her wrist, sending more blood rushing to Jamison’s already aching length.

  “Now, I’m all naked,” she said in a voice so sexy it felt like a tongue licking its way from Jamison’s stomach to his cock. “All naked and ready and willing. Don’t you want to try to lure me into your smolder-web?”

  He swallowed hard, fighting to keep his hands to himself as she shifted closer and the waves swirled between his legs.

  “I mean, considering your reputation, I expected more,” Maddie continued, tilting her head back to hold his gaze. “Don’t you want to touch me?”

  Jamison bit his lip. “I want to do more than touch you.”

  “You want to do me?” Maddie asked, somehow managing to make the expression sound sweet.

  “It wouldn’t be like that, and you know it.” Jamison winced as Maddie moved even closer, so close he could feel her heat against his skin and her breasts were mere inches from brushing his chest. He was seconds from losing control, but he had to try to get through to her. He didn’t want to take advantage, or do anything she would regret when the whiskey wore off.

  “This isn’t some casual thing,” he continued, voice ragged from fighting how much he wanted to touch her, unable to remember the last time he’d been this turned on. “You’re my friend. I care about you. This could ruin our friendship. Forever.”

  “So you don’t find me attractive, is that what you’re saying?” Maddie asked, hurt flashing in her eyes. “Is that it? Because if it is, just say so, Jamison and I’ll—”

  Jamison reached out, capturing her around the waist and pulling her against him, moaning when the soft curve of her stomach connected with where he was as hard as the shells beneath their feet. “Does that feel like I don’t find you attractive?” he asked, heart racing as Maddie leaned into him, her breasts pressing against his chest.

  Her mouth was so close he could feel her breath feather across his lips when she sighed and her arms twined around his neck.

  “I want you so much it’s killing me,” he said, pulling her closer, groaning when her leg looped around his waist and his cock responded with enough enthusiasm to make his balls ache. “But this is a bad idea, Maddie. A bad, fucking idea.”

  “Speak for yourself,” she said. “I think fucking is a great idea.” She rocked her hips forward, grinding against him, and Jamison forgot about childhood friendships, and logic, and every other woman he’d ever held in his arms.

  He crushed his lips to Maddie’s, his tongue swirling through her mouth as if he were determined to devour her from the neck down. She tasted like heaven, a mix of whiskey and Coke and a salty, sexy taste that was all woman, all Maddie, and more intoxicating than any alcoholic beverage.

  Her kiss was delicious. It made him hungry to take his exploration further, to see if the rest of her skin was as addictive as her sweet, hot mouth.

  “Jamison.” She moaned his name, her fingers threading through his hair as he shifted his attention to her breasts, cupping her in his hands as he teased his tongue across her tightened flesh.

  Her breasts were a revelation, things of such beauty Jamison couldn’t get enough of them. Couldn’t get enough of her softness and the sweet smell of her skin, of the way she arched into him, offering her body to him with complete trust, complete abandon.

  He swirled and sucked and nipped at her until her breath came in desperate pants and the mewls escaping from the back of her throat began to sound more pained than pleasured. Only then did he bring his mouth back to hers for another bruising kiss as he ran his palm down her stomach, over the curls between her legs, to push two fingers inside her.

  “Maddie,” he breathed against her lips, hand trembling as he felt her slick heat coating his fingers. Even with the ocean swirling around their legs, he could feel how wet and ready she was, how much she wanted him.

  “Yes,” she said, fingernails digging into his shoulders. “Yes, Jamison. Now.”

  Without another word, Jamison lifted her into his arms. Her legs parted, wrapping around his hips with a desperation that matched his own. And then she was rocking into him, her body fitting against his as if they had been custom made to give each other pleasure. He felt her core pressing against the head of his engorged length and then, a moment later, she shifted, driving her hips down until he was completely encased in her tight, wet, heat.

  “God, Maddie.” Jamison moaned, arms tightening around her, feeling like he couldn’t get her close enough. “You feel so good.”

  “So do you,” she breathed, eyes meeting his, holding his gaze as he gripped her hips. “I didn’t think…”

  “You didn’t think what?” Jamison asked, marveling at how right it felt to be inside Maddie, to be so intimately connected to a woman he’d considered purely friend material until a few short months ago.

  “Nothing.” She gave a slight shake of her head. “I don’t want to think.” She leaned in, capturing his lips, destroying his ability to concentrate on words as she circled her hips, grinding against him.

  Jamison let her set the pace, matching her thrust for thrust until they’d established a slow, sensuous rhythm that mimicked the rise and fall of
the waves. The water flowing in and out between them made it impossible to move too fast, a fact Jamison relished as tension built in a slow, steady burn at the base of his spine.

  Still, it wasn’t long before Maddie moaned into his mouth and pulled away from their kiss with a ragged breath. Her head fell back, her features contorting with pleasure as she neared the edge.

  She was even more beautiful like this, wild and abandoned. It was almost more than Jamison could take.

  He circled his hips faster, the desire building inside him nearing the breaking point when Maddie dug her nails into his shoulders and came with a soft cry. He felt her body gripping his cock in waves that threatened to send him over the edge along with her, but he fought the need to come, waiting until Maddie’s orgasm began to ebb before giving in and allowing pleasure to sweep him under.

  He cried her name as he pulled out, pressing his aching length against her soft belly as he came in fierce jerks, clenching his jaw as he fought to keep from making too much noise. Even with the waves crashing onto the shore, he knew there was a chance someone might hear if he gave in to the urge to roar Maddie’s name to the stars blinking in the sky above their heads.

  “You didn’t have to pull out,” she said a moment later, breath still coming fast as she pressed a kiss to his neck. “I’m on the pill.”

  “I didn’t know.” He hugged her closer, not feeling the slightest urge to pull away from his partner the way he usually did once the main event was over. “I figured better safe than sorry.”

  “Thoughtful,” she murmured, bringing her lips back to his and kissing him with her next words. “That was…amazing.”

  “It was,” he said, brushing the damp ends of her hair over her shoulder, clearing the way for his hand to cup her breast in his palm. “I can’t wait to make you come again.”

  Maddie’s breath rushed out as his thumb swept over her nipple. “Give me a few minutes to recover. I haven’t come that hard in years.”