Hold Me Until Morning Read online

  Had she just brushed her teeth?

  He bent his head and looked at her from the light of his cell. Her hair looked perfect. All smooth and bouncy. Not like she’d spent half the night with it wrapped around his fist.

  “What?” She pulled back from him and raked her fingers through her hair. “Something wrong?”

  “No.” There was nothing wrong, but something wasn’t quite right. He couldn’t nail it down, though. He tugged her back to his side, and was about to throw his cell onto the nightstand and get down to business when he caught sight of the page he’d been reading. “Hey, you didn’t tell me you’d won an award.”

  She glanced at his cell. “You didn’t ask. Anyway, I guess I thought you already knew.”

  He never read the tabloids that Ella loved so much. How would he know Paris had won the Viewers Award for Most Popular Actress for her performance in the Christmas episodes of Sunset Heights?

  “You’ll be up for the Oscars next.”

  “Huh. I need to be in movies for that.”

  He remembered something she’d told him yesterday. “That’s next on your list, right?”

  She didn’t answer right away. Then she wriggled against him and wrapped her arm around his waist. “Maybe.”

  “That’d make my gran’s day. She’s always said you should get into movies.”

  Paris sat up and stared at him. “Your gran said that?” She sounded amazed. “She’s still going then?”

  He laughed and pulled her back into his arms. “Yeah, and don’t let her hear you say anything like that. She’s still handy with a frying pan.”

  “She used to scare the crap out of me.”

  He wound her hair around his fingers and rubbed his jaw across the top of her head. He’d never had a conversation with a girl in his bed at five in the morning before. Definitely never when he had a hard-on. Despite that discomfort, this was kind of nice.

  “You know that’s all a front. She’s a kitten.”

  “Hmm.” Paris didn’t sound convinced. “You’re just biased. Even kittens have sharp claws.”

  “Aw, babe. Did she ever scratch you?” He tugged on her hair. She slapped his stomach.

  “No. I don’t think she ever even noticed me.”

  “Sure she did. Why’d you think she’s so hooked on your soap? She tells everyone who’ll listen how you used to hang out in her kitchen as a kid.”

  “Oh, God.” She buried her face against his chest. “I’m surprised she hasn’t been cornered by the paparazzi.”

  “She was a few years ago.” He snorted as he remembered how his gran had dealt with the poor bastard. “Guy sued her for assault. We’re talking about a thirty-year-old in prime condition being flattened by a little old lady. Me and my brothers had a quiet word with him. He was happy to drop all charges.”

  She looked up at him. “Your gran flattened him?” She sounded as though she didn’t know whether to believe him or not.

  “Sure she did. With the help of a toaster. No one ever bothered her again.”

  Paris giggled and drew circles on his chest. “You’re so full of it.”

  “It’s true. I just pointed out to the guy how it’d look for his career if it got out that a seventy-year-old on a disability pension had almost knocked him out. He reconsidered his options.”

  “I bet he did.” Paris pressed a kiss to his nipple, and then gave it a gentle suck. He tangled his fingers in her hair and kept her there.

  “Why did you put clothes on?” He slipped his hand into her boxers and palmed her butt.

  “Didn’t feel right, wandering around naked.” She licked him and then pulled back to frown up at him. “Is this the first time you’ve spent the whole night with a girl?”

  “Don’t believe everything your brother tells you.” Shit. Why had he brought Scott into it? He was the last person he wanted to think about when he was in bed with Paris. He hoped she wasn’t going to freak out.

  “Don’t evade the question.” She gave his nipple a tweak.

  “Hey, watch it. Don’t damage the goods.” He squeezed her butt and she squealed in mock outrage. He grinned at her. What did it matter if he told her the truth? “And yeah, this is the first time I’ve spent the whole night with a girl. It wasn’t so bad after all.”

  “Sweet-talker.” She shimmied until she was straddling him. The soft cotton of her boxers brushed his thighs as she angled herself over the length of his dick. “It wasn’t bad at all.”

  He tugged at her boxers. They were cute, but her bare ass was better. “What about you? Is this the first time you’ve spent all night with a guy?”

  It might’ve been, for all he knew.

  She wobbled as she pulled off her boxers and tossed them aside. “I slept with Hudson six times. So last night wasn’t my first time.” She leered at him, and he laughed.

  Until her words actually penetrated his brain.

  She’d mentioned Hudson yesterday. In fact, Hudson was the reason she’d gone for two years without sex.

  It had to be the same guy Scott had told him about. The one who’d broken her heart. How else would she remember how many times she’d slept with the bastard?

  “Six times?” Shit, he hadn’t meant to say that out loud. “How long were you with him, half a week?” He hadn’t meant to voice that thought, either.

  “Three months.” Paris sat back on his thighs and pulled her top over her head. He forgot about Hudson-the-bastard and cupped her breasts. She fit him so perfectly. She threw back her hair like she was in a shampoo commercial and ran her hands along his arms. “We dated for two months before we did it. Was kind of a let down in the end, actually.”

  He didn’t want to talk about her ex, and he definitely didn’t want to think about her having sex with some other guy, but the way she said it…

  No way. She hadn’t meant what it sounded like she meant. He wasn’t going to ask.

  “You’ve had sex more than six times, right?”

  She dug her nails into his biceps. “Well, duh,” she said. “Of course I have. Eight times now, and if you can shut up for five minutes I’m looking at number nine here.”

  He wasn’t sure why her revelation shocked him, except it’d never occurred to him she’d been so— What was the word he was looking for?

  He didn’t know. He just knew he was only the second guy she’d ever had sex with.

  “Hello, Cooooper?” She dragged out his name and waggled her fingers in front of his face. “Still with me?”

  He grinned at her. It felt good knowing she’d only had one other guy in her bed. “Looks like it.” He slid his hands along her body and gripped her hips, pushing her downwards. “What do you think?”

  She arched her back, thrusting out her tits, and resisted his attempt to rub her clit along the length of his erection.

  “I think I want to try something different.”

  He was always up for something different. “Like what?” He hoped she didn’t take too long about it. He wanted to be inside her again. Just thinking about how good that felt caused his cock to thicken even more.

  She licked her lips and wriggled down his thighs. “I’ve never given head,” she said, and stared at him as though she expected him to do something about it.

  He cleared his throat and fought the urge to grab her head and push her between his legs. He fisted his hands and dug them into the mattress before the sight of her parted lips made him forget she wasn’t nearly as experienced as he’d always assumed.

  “Don’t let me stop you.” He sounded hoarse. He was amazed he could speak at all. Never in his wildest fantasies had Paris ever said anything like that to him.

  No. She’d just gone down on him without a second’s hesitation.

  Paris didn’t go down on him. She just looked. And then she bit her lip.

  Christ, that was hot. He dug his fingers further into the mattress, his muscles screaming with the effort of not touching her.

  Then she trailed the tip of her finger along
the underside of his cock and he let out a strangled groan.

  She snatched her finger back. “Did that hurt?”

  He choked back a laugh. “Not in the way you think. You’re killing me here. Don’t stop.”

  Her smile damn near took his breath away. Combined with her big green eyes and the way her hair tumbled over her shoulders, she was kind of unreal, like an artist had arranged her so she looked like a painting. She definitely didn’t look as though they’d spent a sweaty night together.

  “There’s just one thing.” Her voice was a breathy whisper as she continued to trace her finger over him. He tried to concentrate on what she was saying. It was the hardest thing he’d ever done in his life. “I don’t see how anyone could do a deep throat on you. At least, not without suffocating.”

  He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. It didn’t help the visions pounding through his mind. No way was he going to argue with her. He had the feeling all she’d need to do was lick him and he’d blow.

  “Just do whatever you want. It’ll be”—fucking insane—“great.”

  She wrapped her hand around the base of his cock and licked her lips. She looked as though she was about to feast on him. Or at least he hoped. Except, she didn’t do anything else.

  “Problem?” He ground the word between his teeth.

  “I’m just thinking where to start.”

  Sweat trickled along the back of his neck. He’d already had her twice last night. He shouldn’t be so near to losing it just because she was staring at him with awe on her face.

  He couldn’t stop himself. He grabbed her hand and tightened her grip around him. “Don’t think, babe. Just wrap those pretty lips around my dick and suck me into your mouth.”

  He half expected her to argue. Instead, she braced her weight on one hand, bent over him, and her wet mouth encased his throbbing head. Every instinct urged him to thrust into that sexy mouth of hers, but he managed to pull back. She’s not used to doing this.

  Bright lights flashed in front of his eyes and he forked his fingers through her hair, holding her head.

  Her tongue pressed against him. Her head bobbed against his hand. For a second his grip became brutal and then a flash of sanity whipped through him.

  He pulled her upward and she blinked her impossibly long lashes at him. Where the hell are the condoms? He couldn’t drag his gaze away from her to grab one.

  With his other hand still wrapped over hers, he pumped himself a couple of times. Christ, it’d never felt this good before. She looked down at him and gasped. Killing him. It was fucking hot, knowing that she watched.

  Can’t hold on…

  His release was hard and fast, and he collapsed back onto the pillows, still clutching onto her.

  Chapter Nine

  Paris gasped for breath. She was crushed against Cooper’s chest, his hand hard around her head. Not that she wanted him to let her go. God, she could stay there all day doing things to his body.

  Watching him come.

  Even though he’d pulled her with him as he’d fallen back onto the bed, he hadn’t pulled her right on top of his…business. For which she was grateful. She lifted her head. His eyes were shut, and he was breathing heavily through his open mouth.

  A satisfied glow spread through her, even though she was still wound up tight inside. He looked absolutely adorable. She ran her fingertip along his nose and he opened his eyes a crack.

  “How was I?” She traced the outline of his lips, and his unshaven jaw grazed her fingers. It was slightly weird how she didn’t mind talking to him about sex. She’d never been able to talk to Hudson this way. Not that he would’ve wanted her to. She pushed him out of her mind. It was surprisingly easy.

  “Huh?” Cooper sounded drunk. A delicious shudder inched through her.

  “How was my first blow job?”

  He gave a defeated groan, which made her all warm and wet and needy.

  “You’re a natural.”

  She wriggled until the side of his thigh fit between her legs. The pressure against her clit was sweet torture. “You’re a pretty good director.”

  His fingers played in her hair. There was a satisfied smile on his face. “I just pointed you in the right direction.”

  She rubbed her knuckles over his jaw. “Told you I was a quick learner.”

  He made a sound of agreement, and then began to frown. “Shit.” He pulled his fingers from her hair and started to sit up, still frowning down at himself. She bit her lip to stop herself from giggling, since she was sure he wouldn’t appreciate it, and picked up her discarded pj top.

  “Here.” She waved it at him, and he looked at it as if he had no idea what it was. “It’s okay. I’ve lots of others.”

  He grunted by way of thanks—at least she thought it was thanks—and took her top. While he cleaned up another thought hit her.

  I can’t say that to him.

  But this was Cooper, and it appeared the filter between her brain and mouth had gone on vacation.

  “That’s the second time you’ve come in front of me.”

  He froze. “What?” There was a wary note in his voice, and he didn’t look at her.

  “Am I the first girl you’ve done that with?” She angled herself across him again, pressing her aching nipples tight against his chest. “I mean, that would be awesome.”

  He dropped her top onto the floor and wrapped his arm around her. “Not talking about it.”

  She slid her leg over him and shifted until his thigh pressed against her sensitive clit. How long did it take a guy to be ready for sex again after he’d come? These were things she should know, but she didn’t really have a clue.

  “Not really fair,” she told him. “Seeing as you know exactly how many times I’ve had sex, and you’re the first to sample my oral technique.”

  “Feel free to practice your oral technique on me anytime.”

  “I might take you up on that.” She’d definitely take him up on that. What would it be like for him to actually come inside her mouth?

  The thought of it made her all shivery. Strange how she’d never wanted to try that before, either.

  His body shook in a silent laugh. She loved the way he did that. Before she could let him know she wasn’t joking, he rolled over, taking her with him, until she was flat on her back.

  “Oh, that didn’t take long.” She wound her arms around his neck. This would make three times in one night. Four times in one day, if you counted their stop off in the forest. Which she did. Was he always this horny?

  Then again, until a couple of days ago she’d no idea she was so keen on it either.

  “I’m still recovering.” His dimple flashed. “But that doesn’t mean you’re going without.”

  She threaded her fingers through his hair. “I don’t mind waiting. This is nice, with you on top of me.” It was more than nice. She loved having his naked body pressing against her, whether they were having sex or not. He was just so lickable and hard and he made her laugh.

  “It’s very nice.” He seemed to think that comment funny, although she couldn’t imagine why. “But I’m going to show you my oral technique now.”

  Some of her warm fuzzies faded. “That’s okay. You really don’t need to.” Hudson had gone down on her a couple of times, and it had just been awkward and messy and kind of embarrassing. Especially since he’d considered himself an expert in the art.

  When Cooper ignored her subtle hint and started inching down her body, his legs parting hers, she grabbed his hair. “Really, it’s fine.” She loved him touching her there. But she really didn’t want him prodding about with his tongue making her all sore and twitchy.

  He looked up from where he’d been trailing hot kisses across her stomach—which she had to admit she liked. But he was getting closer to his target, and she had to distract him without him realizing what she was doing.

  “Don’t you want me to?”

  He didn’t sound mad, but he did sound disbelieving. Then
again, she guessed most girls loved that kind of thing. She knew Hudson thought she was strange because she didn’t come like a firecracker as soon as he stuck his tongue inside her.

  “It’s not that.” She pressed her biceps against her breasts so they went all perky. Cooper glanced at them. Mission accomplished. “I just want you up here so I can kiss you.” She gave his hair another encouraging tug.

  He looked up at her face. “Haven’t you ever done this before?”

  Obviously he wasn’t going to give in without an explanation. “Sure.” She gave him one of Lola’s sultry smiles. He frowned in confusion, which wasn’t the reaction she was going for. Maybe she should ditch the act and just tell him the truth. “I don’t really feel like it, that’s all.”

  He stroked his fingers over her ribs and along her waist. It was distracting…and wonderful. Goose bumps erupted and liquid heat stirred between her thighs.

  “You don’t feel like it, or you don’t like it?”

  God, why was he making such a big thing out of this? She didn’t mind talking about sex with him, but she didn’t want to tell him the thought of having a guy put his head between her legs made her want to gag.

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” She gave him another Lola smile. It was the only way she could stop herself from going red and pulling a pillow over her face.

  Cooper kept on stroking her, only now he was caressing her boobs as well. It was hard to stay all tensed up when he was slowly driving her out of her mind.

  “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll answer your question, if you promise to tell me the truth about this.”

  Her question? What was he talking about?

  And then she remembered. Now, that was tempting. But was having Cooper possibly tell her she was the first girl he’d come in front of worth the excruciating embarrassment of confessing to him?

  Then again, she hadn’t won the Viewers Award for nothing. She could tell him it just didn’t turn her on. That wasn’t a lie, and she wouldn’t feel like an idiot afterwards.

  “Okay. It’s a deal.”

  He eyed her for a moment, as though he was suspicious of her speedy agreement. Or maybe he was having second thoughts.