Sweet Seduction

Deb Curwen

SWEET SEDUCTION

BY DEB CURWEN

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Sweet Seduction

The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal, and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

SWEET SEDUCTION Copyright (c) 2006 by Deb Curwen Cover art and design (c) 2006 by Deborah L.Taylor All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form without permission, except as provided by the U.S. Copyright Law. Printed and bound in the United States of America. For information, you can find us on the web at www.VenusPress.com

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“Why so sad, pretty lady?” Tess Newman tensed, not in the least interested in addressing the man now standing next to her table. No matter how handsome or tall he might be. She had first noticed him from a distance when he entered the restaurant. Something about the way he carried himself caught the corner of her eye, but immersed in her own thoughts, she had just as quickly dismissed him from her mind. Until now. She glanced up to find he easily stood several inches above six feet, while the expert cut of his jacket accentuated the width of his wide shoulders. And damn if his eyes didn’t match the color of her favorite gem, sapphire. He stared down at her and patiently waited for her response. She deliberately took a slow sip from her wine glass and set it carefully on the white linen before giving him her full attention. “I’m waiting for someone, not that it’s any of your business.” He didn’t take offense. On the contrary, he smiled, revealing even, white teeth and a slight dimple in the left corner of his mouth. “Let me guess. He’s late.” “You find that amusing?” “I find it appalling. A gentleman never keeps a woman waiting, especially one as beautiful as you.” Tess shot him an annoyed look. “Did you read that in a book somewhere or did you come up with those pearls of wisdom all on your own?” He grinned. “He really has pissed you off. Guess that makes me an easy target, though I’m not complaining.” She offered no apology. “Why would you? You set yourself up by coming over here uninvited.” He shrugged. “I’ve been known to get away with a lot worse.” His matter-of-fact statement emitted a short gasp from her. “You certainly have a strange way of earning my trust.” 4

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He glanced around the room then back at her again with a hopeful expression. ”All eyes are on the gorgeous redhead, wondering will she or won’t she invite the poor guy to join her.” Curious, Tess performed her own quick assessment and noted several patrons were definitely looking in their direction. “A simple yes or no, pretty lady. How long are you going to keep us all in suspense?” Something in the tone of his voice touched a chord inside Tess. It was almost as though he read her thoughts, sensed her loneliness and frustration. She glanced at her watch. 7:48 p.m. He’d kept her waiting over 45 minutes. After he promised to be on time. So much for promises. But after two glasses of wine, she decided, what the hell? She tossed her head back and reigned in her irritation. A useless emotion, especially when the situation had just taken on an interesting slant. Why waste a perfectly good dinner reservation at one of the best restaurants in the city? She’d always felt a peculiar sadness for people dining alone and tonight she didn’t want to be one of those people. She gazed up at the handsome stranger again and wondered at the sudden jolt beneath her rib cage. Excitement? Fear? Daring herself to explore the possibilities, she extended an invitation to him with a sweep of her hand and bestowed her warmest smile. “Why not? It’s Tuesday and I’m feeling reckless.” She couldn’t resist adding, “Thanks to my husband.” A guarded look washed over the man’s features and his hand stalled on the back of the chair. Still, he sat down opposite her and wasted no time motioning for the waiter. When he returned his attention to her, his eyes now held avid curiosity. “Lovers’ quarrel?” She silently applauded his conclusion. “Something like that.” “Nothing fatal, I hope.” “I’m not ready to throw him to the wolves just yet.” “Good news for him, but sounds as though he needs a serious wake up call.” Tess considered sharing some secrets, but took the opposite route. “How about we simply change the subject? I really don’t care to discuss my marriage.” He took her request in stride. “I can respect that. But if you see him before I do, give me ample warning to dive under the table.” The image his words conjured up made her laugh. Somehow, she couldn’t see this macho stranger quaking beneath the tablecloth. She raised her wine glass and took another 5

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swallow before clarifying the situation. “He won’t come now. He knows my temper only too well.” She ran her tongue across her bottom lip and angled her head at him. “So do you come with a name?” He merely grinned. The simple gesture combined with his penetrating stare left her breathless, though she conceded it could possibly be the Cabernet giving her such a heady feeling. Before he could respond, the waiter appeared and the man smoothly ordered another glass of wine for the lady and a bourbon and water for himself. Tess liked the sound of his voice. Definitely a man’s voice. Strong, decisive, sexy. And she allowed herself a moment of fantasy to wonder how his mouth would feel and taste against her own. She also noticed his hands, big with long, slender fingers. And a wide gold band on his left hand. She glanced up in time to find him watching her. Their eyes met and held over the flickering candlelight and suddenly the fantasy seemed to take on a life of its own. Intuition told her here was a man who could definitely make a woman forget who or where she was with that hypnotic stare. Coupled with the overall appeal of his masculinity, his formidable presence increased tenfold. “Rick.” Caught off guard, she blinked. “Excuse me?” “You asked my name. It’s Rick.” Tess surprised herself by sighing. “Unless that ring is a ruse of some sort, you’re as married as I am.” He fingered the object in question. “Guilty as charged.” “Interesting choice of words.” “Do you want me to leave?” Before she could decide, the waiter returned and they waited silently while he set their drinks on the table. Tess politely thanked the young man and watched him walk away. Absently, she fingered the stem of the fine crystal to ponder Rick’s question. Did she want him to leave? Surprisingly, she didn’t and she told him so. “What about your wife? She’s not joining you tonight?” Rick shook his head. “I never know what my wife is doing from one moment to the next. She’s unpredictable that way.” “You make it sound like a bad thing.” 6

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“Not at all. In fact, sometimes I find it rather sexy.” “Maybe you should tell her.” “I didn’t get the chance.” Tess commiserated and echoed his words. “Lovers’ quarrel?” “It seems to be going around. And I take full responsibility.” “Very noble of you. So what did you do, if I may be so bold?” “Let’s just say, I was a complete ass.” Rick drained his bourbon in one shot and flashed her another one of his heart-stopping grins. “But aren’t all husbands at one time or another?” “Then what are you doing here? Why aren’t you with your wife, trying to work things out?” “The night is young.” “And yet you’re here with me.” He leaned back in his chair and took another moment to study her, almost as though trying to commit her to memory. “I can’t think of any place I’d rather be.” He couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of her and Tess returned the favor. Thick, raven hair swept a high forehead above those amazing eyes and his chiseled nose and cheekbones only enhanced his classic good looks. He had a lover’s mouth, fulllipped with a hint of humor teasing each corner. Definitely a mouth to inspire long, sensual kisses in all her favorite places. Tess couldn’t deny her wayward thoughts sent a thrilling rush of heat to the center of her thighs. She shifted in her chair and wondered what her companion would think if he knew the extent of the effect he had on her? She adjusted one strap of her cocktail dress, suddenly feeling exposed in the low cut satin. Her husband loved the dress. He said black made her look downright lethal, especially when she swept her hair high on top of her head. She had worn it for him tonight, never dreaming the evening would take such an unexpected turn. “You haven’t asked my name.” He paused for the briefest of seconds, then surprised her. “I know your name, Tess.” He smiled before glancing over his shoulder and back. “I made it a point to find out when I first came in the door. Seems you and your husband are regulars here.” “You knew I was married and yet you still came over? Aren’t you the presumptuous one?” 7

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He didn’t look the least bit guilty. “Can I help it if I felt the need to come to a woman’s rescue? You looked as though you needed a friend.” She accepted his explanation. Even liked the sound of it. “If you really want to rescue me, you could order dinner. I’m starving.” That made him laugh aloud and he immediately summoned the waiter again. “I can’t have you starving to death on me. Who knows where the night might lead?” Tess arched one eyebrow. “I understated myself. You’re not presumptuous. You’re downright arrogant.” He proved it by reaching across the table to lay his hand on hers. “And you like it. Otherwise, you’d be gone by now.” “Are you always so sure of yourself?” “When I want something.” The deliberate challenge had Tess blushing, prompting Rick to emit a devilish chuckle. “Does that spook you?” “Should it?” “In all honesty, I get the impression this isn’t your thing.” “Define this.” Before Rick could respond, the waiter arrived to take their orders and refill their drinks. When he left, the dimple at the corner of Rick’s mouth deepened and his tone took on a decidedly husky timbre. “I think you know what this is. Or what it could lead to.” Not for the first time, she saw Rick’s gaze drop to the cut of her dress. He didn’t try to hide his gaze as it lingered on the swell of her breasts. She couldn’t deny his obvious attraction and it worked wonders for her sense of vanity. “I think you’re intentionally trying to spook me. I’d go so far as to say you’re wondering if I’m faithful to my husband.” Rick didn’t miss a beat. “Are you?” Just as quickly, he recognized the impropriety of it and apologized. “It’s none of my business.” “Then why did you ask?” “Because you’re one sexy lady and I don’t mind admitting you’re the kind of woman who could tempt a man to cheat on his wife.” “If that’s intended as a compliment, I think I’ll pass in favor of being true to my sisterhood.” She laughed to let him know she wasn’t ready to direct him to the gates of hell. But she couldn’t resist asking, “What about you? Have you ever cheated on your wife?” 8

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Her question had a strange effect on him. He hesitated and released a sigh. “I happen to love my wife very much. It’s just...sometimes...being married...relationships lose their spontaneity. You know, life gets in the way, you start taking each other for granted. Before you know it, the spark that made you fall in love in the first place gets tossed in the back of the closet like an old shoe box.” Tess nodded as though in complete understanding with his less than eloquent analysis of marriage. She leaned forward on her elbows and dipped her head to inquire softly, “Just how big is this closet?” Rick frowned, for about a tenth of a second. That’s how long it took for her meaning to sink in. He threw his head back and laughed. “Sounds exactly like something my wife would say.” He scratched the side of his nose and nodded in return. “Basically, what you’re saying is, open the damn door and clean out the closet.” She grinned. Not only was he astute, he had a sense of humor. “I hope you’re hungry. Here comes our dinner.” Over the next hour, Tess and Rick enjoyed some of Charleston’s most popular lowcountry cuisine along with engaging conversation, laughter, and anecdotes about their lives, while sharing chocolate mousse cake and a full bottle of Cabernet. By the time Tess drained the last of her wine, she wondered if she would have the presence of mind to find the elevator. She said as much to an enlightened Rick. “You’re staying here tonight?” She felt her cheeks flush and her inhibitions weaken. “Yes I am.” “Intriguing.” She deliberately locked her gaze with his. “It could be.” Rick didn’t disappoint her. “That sounds like an invitation of a different sort.” No response was necessary. Tess pushed her chair back and stood. Retrieving her evening bag, she held out one hand, which Rick was only too happy to accept. **** When Rick inserted the card into the security lock and gently pushed the door open, neither one made a move to go inside. Tess felt his heat, sensed the need in his body in such close proximity with hers. His hands slid down the length of her arms and drew her back against the hard wall of his chest. “Are you sure you want to go through with this?” His whispered taunt fanned the inside of her ear, causing goose bumps to invade every inch of her flesh. “Just say the word and I’ll walk away.” 9

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Tess gave him his answer when she leaned further into him. A low hum caught in the back of her throat as she felt the unmistakable bulge pressing into her backside. If she wanted to escape, now was her chance. But the pull of Rick’s masculinity, his scent, the absolute power he held over her senses and emotions made it impossible to do anything but concede. Too much wine? Her head said yes, but her heart and body betrayed her and she had neither the desire nor the energy to fight either one of them. “I don’t want you to go.” Her admission was barely audible between them, but Rick sensed, if not heard her surrender and he sealed their fate by leading her into the room. Neither one hurried, each one wanting to prolong and savor each delicious moment before consummating a need that had started the moment Rick approached her table earlier in the evening. Still, it seemed an eternity before she heard the soft click of the door behind her. She and Rick were alone. And she knew the moment she turned around, she would be in his arms. But he surprised her. Instead, he moved past her into the bedroom and turned off the only lamp burning. He pulled the curtains aside just enough to let the moonlight peek through, casting a sensual ambience for passion that would soon be ignited. When he turned back to face her, she drew in a strangled breath to see such naked desire on his face. Desire meant for her and her alone. She didn’t move, could hardly breathe, and as she watched in fascination, Rick closed the short distance between them. He didn’t reach for her. Instead, almost as if in slow motion, he removed his jacket and tie, tossed them on a nearby chair, all the while his hypnotic eyes never leaving her face. She felt suspended in time, wondered if she could possibly be dreaming. But it didn’t feel like a dream. Not when every inch of skin, every pore, every nerve tingled with an intensity so strong she felt she would shatter into a million pieces if he so much as touched her. And then he did. One long finger traced the curve of her cheek, outlined her mouth with feather-like softness. And when he spoke, his husky murmur made her ears roar and her heart beat four times its normal rate. “I’m going to make love to you, Tess. I’ve been dying to get my hands on you from the first moment I saw you tonight.” This time, he turned her around slowly until again her back was against him. “I’ve imagined what you would look like with your hair tumbling around your shoulders.” With a lover’s hands, he slid his fingers up the back of her neck and into her hair until they discovered the tiny clasps holding her style in place. 10

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Threading the strands through his fingers, he parted one side, then bent his head to rain warm, wet kisses on the skin of her neck. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are? How irresistible I find you?” His hands descended on her waist and eased across her abdomen, boldly molding her breasts in his palms and pushing them upward until they plumped together like overripe melons. When he found her nipple, he pinched it through the material with just enough pressure to elicit a whimper of naked longing in her voice. “Do you like that, baby?” Tess could barely speak and had Rick not had such a strong hold on her, she knew her legs wouldn’t allow her to stand much longer. Never in her life had she felt such unbridled passion for a man, or such wanton need emanating from the depths of her soul. She turned around and stared up at him, her lips already parting as her hands reached up to pull his face closer to hers. “Hmm. The lady wants to be kissed.” He grinned, more than willing to oblige her, but not before he paid homage to her eyelids, her temples, the tip of her nose. When his mouth finally claimed hers, Tess let him, kissing him back with everything she had, while her fingers feverishly worked to unbutton his shirt and pull it from his pants. The taut skin of his torso came alive beneath her fingers and she didn’t imagine his swift intake of breath when she brazenly unbuckled his belt and unzipped him. His hands closed over hers. “Slow down, baby. We’ve got the whole night ahead of us. Let’s not waste a moment of it.” She almost cried her frustration. “I want you, Rick. God help me, but I need you now. I want to touch you. Please...” Her pleas didn’t go unrewarded. He pulled the collar of her dress open and bent his head, sucking one bare nipple deep into the cavern of his mouth, taking turns twirling his tongue around the tip and nipping at it with his teeth. Tess reveled in the delicious assault and guided his head to the other breast for fear it wouldn’t get the same attention. She never knew she could be so greedy and despite his earlier demand to slow down, her hand dropped to skim the hair tapering down his belly and beneath his shorts. His cock pulsed beneath her touch and she groaned in frustration to feel cotton rather than skin, and even more so when he pulled her hand away and imprisoned both her hands behind her back. His sapphire eyes glowed brilliantly above her and an almost feral growl escaped his lips when he nipped at her lower lip. “You’ll have every inch of me inside you in due 11

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time, my love. But your needs come first. I want to feel my tongue inside your pussy. I want to lick you, and eat you, and taste your sweetness when you come inside my mouth.” With each word that fell from his lips, Rick proved himself a master of conjuring up erotic images that robbed Tess of coherent thought. “Stop, Rick,” she pleaded, almost in tears. “Please, stop.” He uttered a wicked chuckle, knowing full well what she really meant. “Stop? You want me to stop what? Kissing you?” He teased her with butterfly licks to her mouth, while his palms now roamed over her hips and cupped her ass in his large hands. The searing contact of his hard cock pressing between her silk clad thighs made her gasp out loud. “You want me to stop telling you how much I want you?” “You know damn well what I want. Please, Rick. Please.” The words sounded strangled to her ears, but desperation made it easy to beg. Rick laughed again, the husky sound full of confidence and victory. “Tell me, Tess. Tell me what you want.” This time he didn’t stop her when she boldly released his cock from his pants and let him see the urgency in her gaze. Hear the hunger in her voice. “I don’t want to make love. I don’t want to slow down. I want you to fuck me. Now. Hard.” She barely got the words out before Rick lifted her around the waist and swiftly laid her on the bed. He disposed of her heels and stockings, tossing them aside like an afterthought. Her dress had ridden high on her hips and his eyes darted back and forth between her bared breasts to the wispy panel of her panties. He took full advantage of her desire-induced weakness and promptly ripped her panties from her with one snap of his wrist. “I’ll fuck you, baby. I’ll fuck you all night, but first I want that beautiful pussy of yours.” With both hands clamping around her hips, he pulled her toward the edge of the bed and sank both knees to the floor. “Open your legs wide for me, Tess.” Tess barely had time to process her feverish excitement before she saw Rick’s dark head disappear between her thighs. At the first flicker of his tongue against her heated skin, she nearly bucked off the bed. But his hands retained their possessive hold on her while his tongue, teeth, and mouth ravished the insides of her thighs, his tongue teasing her like a paintbrush gone wild until she almost screamed for him to stop tormenting her and ease her pain. 12

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When his tongue plunged into her pussy, this time she did cry out, her hands fisting in the crumpled bedcovers as she arched her hips and gyrated in perfect unison with the demands of Rick’s artistry. He sucked, and licked, and blew wisps of air all around the tender folds of her flesh before again burying his mouth deep inside her to feast on the juices of her sheath. Tess’ neck arched, her eyes closed and her mouth fell open as she abandoned all inhibitions and gave herself up to the sweetest, most intense climax she had ever known. She barely recognized the soft cries of passion coming from her own throat as she felt herself float down from the greatest heights before settling back against the covers in stunned rapture. Rick didn’t give her time to recover before his body rose up and blanketed hers while his mouth swooped down to possess hers with a soul-shattering kiss. She tasted herself and the bourbon on his lips, a combination that seemed to inflame her need for him all the more. “You want me to fuck you, pretty lady?” His hands buried in her hair, while he continued to rain kisses all over her face and neck. Despite the amount of wine she had consumed, and the weightlessness of her body, Tess wanted more, much more, and she pushed at Rick’s chest with deliberate intention. “Yes, damn you. Fuck me now. I need to feel you inside me.” Rick laughed. “Greedy little thing, aren’t you?” He easily slid from the bed, kicked off his shoes and pulled off his shorts and slacks in record time. Tess eyed his huge cock, his size and thickness both thrilling and mesmerizing, but before she could get her hands on him, Rick pulled her off the bed and turned her over, flipping her dress to her waist and grabbing her ass with both hands. She instinctively opened her legs and braced herself on her elbows in breathless anticipation of his entry. She was wet and wild for him, but nothing could prepare her for the ultimate ecstasy of his possession. He rammed into her and she screamed to feel him touch the very core of her being. When he pulled back to tease and play with her, she reached back and grabbed his thighs, forcing him to pick up the pace again and letting him know in no uncertain terms to show her no mercy. Rick was only too happy to oblige. In total control, he pulled out and spun Tess around again, this time lifting her until her legs wound around his waist and expertly steering her until her back was against the bedroom wall. Giving in to her unbridled response, he fucked her again and again, deeper and harder with each thrust, until finally 13

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her cries of release rent the air like the last chords of a Tchaikovsky symphony. Her pleasure intensified his own release. Only, this time it was Tess’ mouth that swooped to claim his with a kiss so sweet and pure, it not only took his breath away, he knew she owned him body and soul. **** Lying in Rick’s arms, Tess drew patterns with her fingertips in the hairs dusting his chest. Relaxed and sated, she could barely move, much less care about conversation and possible recriminations. Unfortunately, she knew the precise moment when her lover wanted to speak. “What are we going to do about your husband?” The question took her by surprise, but she merely grinned before lifting up and placing a lingering kiss on his startled mouth. “Why this fascination about my husband?” Rick frowned. “Because he’s a fool to deprive himself of nights like these.” He linked his fingers with hers and placed a seductive kiss on each knuckle. “Making love with you is unforgettable. You’re unforgettable. Shame on him for losing sight of that.” Tess instinctively defended the man she had married almost twelve years ago. “You’re talking about someone I happen to love with all my heart. He’s everything to me and after tonight, I’d say he’s totally forgiven.” Sapphire eyes blinked twice at her before Rick growled playfully and rolled her to her back, tickling her in the process. “So I’m forgiven, am I?” Tess laughed and squirmed at the same time. “Yes, but only if you stop tickling me.” He stopped so abruptly, it made Tess laugh even harder. “After what you just did for me, or I should say for us, how could you even imagine I could stay mad at you?” He sighed and kissed the tip of her nose. “Why do you put up with me? I wasn’t kidding earlier when I said I’ve been a real ass. I’ve been neglecting you shamelessly and...” “Stop.” She reached up and brushed an errant lock of hair from his forehead, smoothing one eyebrow with her fingertip. She loved touching him, had always loved every inch, every angle, every nuance of his face. “I shouldn’t have made you feel guilty. It’s just that I’ve missed you. This last trip took you away longer than usual. I’ve been feeling very lonely and very sorry for myself.” “Not to mention very horny.” 14

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They both laughed, but it was a good, healthy, satisfied laugh. “That too, though may I say, Mr. Newman, you took care of that little problem with success.” “It was my pleasure, Mrs. Newman.” He bent his head and kissed her again, taking time to savor and enjoy every inch of her luscious mouth. “I do have one question, though.” Rick chuckled. “Only one?” “Why were you so late?” “Is that a whine I hear in your voice?” “Not a whine, but five more minutes and I might have called a taxi.” He shook his head. “Not a chance. You knew exactly what you wanted tonight. And I’m the only one who could give it to you.” Tess totally agreed, but couldn’t resist teasing him. “You really think you’re that good, don’t you?” “Baby, I’m not good, I’m amazing. No, correction. We’re amazing. Together.” He rolled to his back again and pulled her along until she lay on top of him, her hair brushing his chest like fine silk. “And don’t think it escaped my notice that you wore my favorite dress tonight.” “I’m still wearing your favorite dress. You never took it off of me, remember?” “I always said you were lethal in black.” He kissed the top of her head, while his hand inched down to caress her breast in his palm. He let out a long, pained grunt. “Damn, you’re making me hard again. But it’s getting late. Don’t you think we should be getting home? It’s a school night and the kids have to get up early...” This time a heartfelt sound came from one very hungry wife. Tess sat up and straddled Rick’s muscled thighs. She surprised him by pulling her husband’s favorite dress over her head. “Baby, if you think I’m going to waste a night alone with my husband in a hotel room, think again. Mom has the kids and she knows where to find us if something were to happen.” “I’ve always loved your mom.” Tess giggled. “Tonight belongs to you and me. And I have every intention of making the most of every second.” A suddenly rejuvenated Rick eyed his wife’s naked body with a great deal of lust. Tweaking her nipples between his fingertips, he grinned at the kittenish mewls erupting from her throat. “Does this mean the spark is back?” 15

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Tess pushed her hands through her hair in an age, old gesture of a woman flirting with her man. “It was never gone. It just needed to come out of that damn closet.” Rick laughed. “I think the question now is, what are we going to do about my wife?” Tess lifted her hips and shot him a look of feline satisfaction. “Seeing as it’s my turn now, why don’t you just lie back and enjoy the ride?” Watching his beautiful wife settle herself quite nicely on his fully cooperating cock, Rick did just that.

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