Dirty Lessons Read online

  “Why?”

  “I just do.” Please don’t turn me down.

  “That’s not good enough.” He took my hand. “What’s brought this on?”

  “Midlife crisis?”

  “You’re too young for that.”

  “I don’t feel very young.”

  “Tell me why you want this with me?”

  “Is it so outrageous to think that I’d like to have some fun before I...” Did I really need to tell him I wanted a love like CC had found? “I spent years studying, working, trying to be the best at what I do.”

  “It sounds like you’ve achieved that.” He squeezed my hand. “I saw the article in the local magazine. You’re the top pediatrician in D.C. Impressive.”

  “Thank you, but in gaining that title, I’ve given up so much.” I didn’t regret my life or my choices but now that I entered a new decade I wanted different experiences.

  “This just seems backward to me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You weren’t into my games in high school, and now you’re an educated doctor who could have any man she wants and you want to screw around with me? I’m missing something.”

  “I don’t want just any man. I need to get this out of my system.”

  “No.”

  “You’re turning me down?” Was this payback from when we were younger? Did I damage his ego that much? “Why?”

  “Don’t get me wrong.” He ran his finger over my shoulder and down my arm. “I want to have sex with you. It’s all I thought about after the party last night.”

  “What’s the problem?”

  “You’re best friends with my future sister-in-law. You don’t think this has disaster written all over it?”

  “No one would have to know what we’re doing.” This was becoming a challenge and I never backed down from one of those. “I didn’t think it would take this much persuading on my part.”

  “You don’t have a very high opinion of me, do you?”

  “Of course I do, that’s why I’m asking...” What am I doing? “You know what, never mind. It was inappropriate to ask you. There has to be an easier way to gain some sexual experience, unwind, and live a little.”

  “I’m in.”

  “What?”

  “I’d be a fool to turn down such a beautiful woman.” When he inched closer to me, I became lost in his clear blue eyes. “With such an intriguing offer.”

  “We have a deal?” Was he really agreeing to this?

  “Any good business person will tell you we have to seal the deal first.”

  “Like with a handshake?”

  “Hmm.” When he threaded his bottom lip through his teeth, I thought I’d explode right there. He dropped his gaze to my mouth. “I’m thinking something a little more intimate than that.”

  “You are?” I sucked in a quick breath as a raw heat flowed through body parts I hadn’t thought about in years. What had I gotten myself into? Could I even handle a man like him?

  “I am.” He tucked my hair behind my ear before cupping my cheek in his hand. “I’d like to be much more intimate than this but I can be patient.” He tilted his head as he stared into my eyes, his fingers circling my jaw. “For now.”

  “Miles–”

  His full, kissable lips cut off any protest I was about to make over kissing in such a public place. My body leaned into his, molded really, like a perfect fit. I didn’t have to do much. He did it all with one long, slow, sensual connection. Intimate, yes. Dangerous, absolutely. Forbidden? Yes, well, forbidden didn’t begin to describe what I just agreed to.

  ***

  Miles

  After I dropped Kirsten off I went home, but I was far too aroused to stay there. The little bookworm who wouldn’t give me the time of day in high school wanted to get down and dirty with me more than a decade later. That was unexpected. During dinner I had decided I wanted to see her again. A second date. I hadn’t had a second date in a long time. I wanted to try traditional for a change but she threw me for a loop when she asked me to give her some experience. Where the hell did that come from? I’d still planned on being a little more conventional than I was used to but I didn’t see any reason why I couldn’t give her what she asked for.

  How much experience did she want? I guess the better question would be, just how inexperienced was she? Fuck! Driving around D.C. at midnight wasn’t helping. I needed to see her. She lived in a posh neighborhood a few blocks from me. Convenient. I’d actually run through this area during my morning workouts. I had no idea she was so close. Why would I? I hadn’t given her much thought at all over the years. And now she was all that I thought about.

  Taking the steps to her trendy house two at a time, I rang the bell, eager to see her. If she wanted unorthodox, she was about to get it. The outside light came on and then she peered through the large windows in the vestibule.

  “Miles?” She moved away from the window and opened the door. “What are you doing here?”

  “Were you asleep?” She’d taken off that black, strapless dress she’d worn to dinner. What a shame. I wanted to peel her out of it. Although she did look enticing in the yellow tank top and tiny shorts she had on now.

  “I was in bed but I couldn’t fall asleep.”

  “Why not?” I stepped inside the house without being asked but I didn’t think she would object.

  “I couldn’t settle down.” She shut the door and followed me into the hall. “I’ve been thinking about you.”

  “What am I doing when you think about me?” I tugged her to me, pressing my chest against hers.

  “It’s probably inappropriate for me to say.” She ran her palm along my jaw.

  “Lesson number one, sweetheart.” I slithered my hands underneath her shirt. “I like inappropriate.”

  “Lesson?”

  “I’ve been thinking about our arrangement.” I brushed my mouth along her neck, kissing her smooth, hot skin. “We need to lower your inhibitions. Just how inexperienced are you?” It didn’t matter to me but I wanted to know what I was dealing with. How far I could push. “You’ve had sex before, right?”

  “I...” She arched in my arms when I swiped my thumbs over her aroused nipples. “That’s kind of intimate.”

  “That’s kind of the point.” Clasping her breasts in my hands, I continued to kiss her neck. “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “I’ve had sex before.” She gripped the back of my head, seeking out my lips. “I had one serious relationship, the only guy I’ve ever been with, but it ended four years ago and I haven’t been with anyone since.”

  “And you want to be with me?” I pressed my lips to hers, kissing her slow, savoring the connection as I thought about all the ways this could go. There was only one way I saw it going tonight. Backing her into the vestibule wall, I placed my hand by her face. “I want to be with you right now.”

  She nodded as she wrapped her arms around my neck. “I was embarrassed over what I asked at the lounge, but I don’t want to be. I want to be bolder and daring. I want you to show me.”

  “I’ll show you anything you want.” I kissed her. “You don’t need to be embarrassed.”

  “Do you want to go to my room?”

  “Your room?” I tugged the tank over her head, stepping back to take in her amazing breasts and abs. “Why would we go there?”

  “You’re taking my clothes off.” She swallowed hard but maintained eye contact as I shimmied those tiny shorts down her legs, helping her out of them. “I thought we were going to have sex.”

  “We are.” I reached into my pocket and took out the condom I’d placed there before leaving my house. “If that’s what you want.” I ripped open the packet.

  “I do.” She took my hand and tried to lead me down the hall. “My room is at the top of the stairs.”

  “Lesson number two.” I stopped walking to admire her firm backside before bringing her back to me. “We don’t need a bed.” I pushed her into the wall. “We c
an do it right here.”

  “Oh.” Her eyes widened when I unbuckled my belt. “Right here, then?”

  “Right here.” I lowered my zipper and quickly sheathed myself in the condom. “Come here.” I lifted her up. “A bed, missionary, that’s all too common. You asked me for nontraditional.”

  “I meant the dating part.” She gripped my biceps as I pinned her against the wall. “But this works.”

  “We’re about to seal that deal.” I thrust my hips forward, easing my way inside her. Fuck! She’s so tight.

  “Miles.” She held onto me as I pushed deeper, supporting her backside with my arm as I pressed my other against the wall.

  Taking her was effortless. Natural. A perfect fit. I’d waited years for this moment. Those feelings may have stayed dormant for over a decade but now that we were together, I had to have more. I needed to get to know her and if this game she wanted to play was the way, I’d oblige her wishes.

  “Can I kiss you?” Her plea was breathless, unsure.

  “You can do anything you want, sweetheart.” I swept my lips along her jaw. “I’m all yours.”

  “Really.” She bit her lip. “I like the sound of that.”

  As I moved inside her, our mouths connected in a desperate tangle. Seeking out her tongue, I slowed my pace inside her. She tasted of mint. Like she’d recently brushed her teeth. The more I kissed her, the more I needed. I realized I shouldn’t have taken her so fast. She was a woman who needed to be savored, worshipped even. There would be time for that. But now...

  “Miles.” She tightened her hold on my hips with her legs as she squeezed my shoulders. “I think...” She looked at me with uncertainty through her hooded, hazel gaze. “Ah...”

  “That’s right, let go.” I pumped harder, knowing I wasn’t far behind her. “I can make this happen night after night.”

  “Yes.”

  When she clenched around my shaft, I could take no more. As my name tumbled from her lips, I came hard. My legs shook with my release while my heart pounded fast inside my chest. Slowly, I removed her from my waist, supporting her shaky frame with my arms as I propped her against me, holding her tight.

  She smiled, trying to catch her breath.

  “I’m glad I couldn’t sleep.” I cupped her jaw in my hand and kissed her. “I’m sure I’ll have no problem now.”

  “That was, well, it was definitely a first for me.”

  “Sex against the wall?”

  “That and the, um...” She covered her face with her hand. “The climax.”

  “What?” I pried her hand away from her eyes. “You’ve never?”

  “Not during intercourse.”

  Pride flowed through my already inflated ego. Not only had the hottest, most intelligent woman in D.C. propositioned me tonight, but I made her orgasm with very little effort. Imagine what I could do when I really took my time.

  “I’ve got news for you.”

  “What’s that?” Her breathing had returned to normal and now she looked as if she hung on my every word.

  “This was only the beginning.”

  Chapter Four

  Kirsten

  I jumped out of bed when the doorbell echoed through the house. I grabbed my phone off the nightstand to find several texts from CC letting me know she was on her way.

  Dress shopping! I overslept. I never did that. Come to think of it, I hadn’t slept that good in years. After Miles left, I came up to bed. The last thing I remembered was the image of his stunning smile as I closed my eyes and drifted off. Why hadn’t I asked him to stay? Because I was afraid that would be too intimate. I couldn’t confuse the situation. He showed up, we had sex, and he left. I asked for it. He gave it to me.

  The doorbell rang again.

  “Oh, yes, I’m coming.” I ran down the stairs and into the vestibule to find CC and Rayne waiting for me. “Sorry.” I opened the door. “I just got up.”

  “I can see that,” CC said as she came inside. “Did I mess up the time?”

  “No, I don’t know what happened.” I motioned them to follow me toward the kitchen, passing the very wall Miles had taken me against not but ten hours ago. My stomach rolled and my knees buckled. It was all so hazy, like a dream. Focus!

  “Didn’t you have dinner with Miles last night?” CC asked.

  “What?” I turned on the light in the kitchen. “Yeah, I did.”

  “Is he still here?” Rayne smirked. “Is that why you’re still in bed?”

  “No, he isn’t still here,” I said.

  “But he was here.” Rayne fist bumped me. “Sweet.”

  “Kirsten!” CC put her hand in her hip. “Did you sleep with my future brother-in-law?”

  “Ah, well.” I wouldn’t exactly call it sleeping. “Help yourself to some coffee. I’ll go get ready.”

  “You didn’t answer my question.” CC pressed for a response. “What happened last night?”

  I bit my thumb nail, something I did when I tried to get myself out of a problem. If I said it out loud, it made it real. Miles and I weren’t real. We were... I wasn’t sure what we were.

  “Maybe you need me to go first,” Rayne said. “I have slept with your future brother-in-law.”

  “You slept with Miles?” CC looked horrified. “When?”

  Oh, no! My excitement butterflies turned into nausea. Why hadn’t anyone mentioned that before?

  “Are you crazy?” Rayne looked at me. “Not that I wouldn’t sleep with Miles because he’s really hot and let’s face it, he’s the most sensible Clark brother. The voice of reason.”

  The gatekeeper.

  “And while we’re on the subject.” She faced CC. “I’ve definitely thought about Jameson on more than one occasion.”

  “What woman hasn’t?” CC shrugged. “He’s very sexy.”

  “But he’s like my brother so that would be gross. I used to crush on him when Sam was still around but Jameson quickly took on the role of my protector which is why we probably shouldn’t be talking about this at all.”

  “Max?” I asked.

  “Oh, hell, no,” CC said. “Jameson doesn’t know that.”

  “And he never should,” Rayne said. “We do it from time to time. It’s no big deal. He lives all the way in England. We’re not committed to one another.”

  “Which is exactly why Jameson would freak out.” CC sat down. “Why did you tell me?”

  “Because I was trying to help Kirsten.” Rayne pointed at me. “You can tell CC that you’re doing Miles. I saw the way you looked at him at the party the other night.”

  “I saw the way he looked at her,” CC said. “So?”

  “So, what?” I didn’t have much experience when it came to boyfriends or sexual encounters. Was I supposed to talk about them? Would Miles want me to tell them? I bit my thumb nail again, chipping the nail polish from it. “I had dinner with Miles. It was a great night and I’ll probably see him again.”

  “Probably?” CC waited for my response.

  “I liked being around him.” I liked him inside me. The fluttering in my stomach was back and it seemed to travel lower. “I’m going to shower while you two discuss Max.” I hoped Rayne would keep the attention off me. “You were down by the gazebo with him Friday night. Did I notice the exact shade of lipstick you were wearing smeared on his collar?”

  “Maybe.” Rayne pointed to the counter. “Can I have a muffin?”

  “Help yourself.”

  “The gazebo?” CC shook her head. “I don’t want to know.”

  “Discuss amongst yourselves.” I laughed at the old Saturday Night Live reference as I headed up the back staircase and to my bathroom. “I won’t be long.”

  As I turned on the shower, my phone buzzed with a text. My heart rate increased when I saw it was from Miles.

  I want to see you again.

  My fingers shook as I replied.

  When?

  I answered too quickly. Maybe I should have waited a few minutes? An hour? Would I come o
ff too desperate now?

  Tonight

  Was he as desperate as I was? I took a deep breath as the steam filled the bathroom. I sent him a response.

  Where?

  The message bubbles appeared, and then he simply responded with two delicious words.

  My bed...

  ***

  That evening, I found myself knocking on Miles’ door. He didn’t live far from me. Maybe that would be convenient. Maybe it would be a disaster. I’d always been so focused, so decisive when it came to my life. These past few days were a whirlwind. It wasn’t me at all. I’d give myself tonight with him, and tomorrow I’d go back to work after one hell of a weekend. A weekend I’d never thought would have been possible when I went to the party on Friday night.

  Miles opened the door wearing nothing but a pair of faded jeans. His bare chest was damp and his hair was wet. The fresh soap permeated between us but all I could focus on was the elaborate tattoo sprawled down the right side of his ribcage. It was a dagger with the word strength written inside the blade. He’d left his shirt on last night so I hadn’t been privy to such surprising artwork on his muscular body. The man was spectacular.

  “I’m late.” I let my eyes wander down his abs, noting he hadn’t buckled his belt or buttoned those well-fitting jeans.

  “No, you’re early.” He widened the door. “That’s why I’m not dressed.”

  When I stepped inside, he took my hand and pressed me against the door he’d just closed. Lowering his gaze to my mouth, he leaned forward. “I don’t think my lack of clothes will be a problem.” He tangled his fingers in my hair, kissing me slow and deep. When he stopped, I had to hold onto him for support. “You okay?” His smug grin indicated he was aware of the affect he had on me.

  “When I said I was late,” I whispered into his ear. “I meant I missed the shower.” Trailing my fingers down his chest, I stopped just above his unbuttoned pants.

  “Did I inspire you last night?”

  “Yes.” I circled my fingertips along the dusting of hair that disappeared into his jeans. “I’d like some more inspiration.”