Just One More Temptation (The Sterling Family Book 4)

After telling the story of her mother’s murder, Fallon needed to get lost in Noah and he was there, his big strong arms wrapping around her and positioning her more securely in his lap. Her sex sat on his hard cock and one rock had a wave of pleasure rolling through her.

Desperate for an escape from the memories, she focused on Noah. Sliding her hands between their bodies, she pulled up the shirt he wore and pressed her palms against his warm, hard stomach. The difference between her softer body and his rock-hard one was arousing and she ran her hands up his chest until she covered his nipples, pausing long enough to rub each one between her thumb and forefinger.

A low rumble escaped from deep inside him and before she knew it, he’d risen from the sofa with her in his arms. She locked her ankles around his back while he walked them to the bedroom, all the while kissing her and nipping at her jaw.

He deposited her on the mattress and stared down at her, his gaze almost feral, and said, “Naked. Now.” The barked two-word command seemed to be the only words he could manage as his hands went to his pants button and he began to follow his own orders.

Not wanting to wait a moment to join him, Fallon quickly removed the skirt and panties. Socks next. Her shoes she’d already left by the front entrance. Naked from the bottom down, with one hand she pulled off her shirt and met him as an equal.

His gloriously naked body had her sex turning wet with need and she reached out to encircle his cock with her hand. She slid her palm over the hot, hard flesh and she let out a moan of need.

She slid off the bed and sunk to her knees on the plush carpeted floor. His heavy-lidded gaze never left hers as she licked the head of his erection, eliciting a full-body shudder from Noah. Then she replaced her hand with her mouth, pulling him between her lips as deep as she could manage.

His hand came to rest on top of her head, his body stiff as she gazed up at him, looking for a sign. Of what, she didn’t know, but when his eyes warmed from hazel green to a deeper brown, she licked underneath of his shaft, swirling her tongue around the top and tasting the precum at the tip.

“Fuck,” he ground out, only to shift his hips and begin a slow and steady thrusting motion.

She felt him hold back, not going as deep as she assumed he both needed and wanted. Reaching a hand down, she tried to pinch his thigh as a sign but the taut skin was hard and tight.

He glanced at her. “Do you want more, sweet girl?”

She nodded.

“You’re sure you can take more?”

Again, she treated him to a small bob of her head.

Her agreement worked like a release valve and he went from slow and measured to faster, never taking his gaze from hers, obviously judging how much she could handle. And she was determined to take what he gave.

His movements picked up and soon she was at his mercy, his cock hitting the back of her mouth with every repeat thrust. Her eyes watered and she gagged a few times, at which point he’d slow down, check on her, and return to where they’d been.

With one hand, she braced herself on his thigh, with the other, she cupped his balls and tugged lightly. His hips moved faster and his thrusts became less smooth, more jerky until he stiffened and came with a loud groan, followed by her name on his lips.

She swallowed what she could and somehow rose and stumbled to the bathroom to fix herself. Next thing she knew, he’d joined her in the bathroom, hefted her over his shoulder so she squealed, and flopped her down on the bed.

He came over her and thrust deep. The man had stamina because he was rock hard and ready to go again, taking her hard and sending her soaring before she had a chance to catch her breath.

A long time later, Noah held her in his arms. Her thoughts were quiet, her breathing now slow and steady. And as she drifted off, she realized she felt safe with him and after tonight, closer than ever before.

* * *

Fallon woke to the sun streaming through the blinds, the covers kicked low so they covered only her bare bottom. With a sigh, she stretched, feeling the delicious pull of rarely used muscles as she slowly came awake and began to process her thoughts.

Noah lay beside her and she turned her head to find him watching her. “C’mere,” he said, and she scooted closer.

He propped himself up against the pillows and she nested in the crook of his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

“Morning,” he rumbled, once he had her positioned where he wanted her.

She couldn’t help but smile. “Morning.” She lay her head on his chest, soaking in his warmth.

“What’s on your agenda for today?” he asked, twirling her hair in his finger.

“Well, I have to be at work around noon, but we have help now, so I feel a little more flexible and less panicked. I would like to check on Clara. Other than that, not much. How about you?”

“I am going to take advantage of my free morning before I have to go get the twins and catch up on some paperwork.”

“And after?”

“I thought if the forecast is still on the warmer side, I’d ask the girls if they want to go to the zoo. Give Dakota some time to spout her little-known facts about certain species,” he said with a chuckle.

She smiled, then splayed her hand on his chest. “You’re such a good dad.”

“It wasn’t easy at first,” he murmured. “But you know what they say, parenting doesn’t come with a manual. You get thrown into the deep end and you have no choice but to swim because that baby relies on you for everything.”

“Or in your case, babies, plural.”

He let out a chuckle. “True. But then they become little people with personalities, and it’s easier to know what might make them happy.”

“Like the zoo.”

“Like the zoo,” he agreed. He grew quiet and she left him to his thoughts but the silence became prolonged.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked.

He lifted the other shoulder. “Just that these are the things their mother is missing out on. Taking them to the zoo. Going ice skating in Central Park closer to the holidays. And if she’s missing out, so are the girls.”

Fallon sighed. “I can’t say I know what it’s like to be a mom.” Though she hoped to one day. “But I imagine she’s torn between a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to follow her dreams, and the twins. I’ve never met her but Dakota and Dylan are very well-adjusted kids. That’s due to your joint parenting. Everyone will be fine,” she assured him.

“Anyone ever tell you you’re pretty wise for someone so young?”noveldrama

“My brothers call me a wise-ass, does that count?”

He chuckled and they settled back into their own thoughts, leaving Fallon to realize he’d confided in her about his fears for the girls. Oh, he’d mentioned it before, but she’d heard the deeper worry behind the words and was grateful she could be here to soothe his concerns, something Ezra had never let her do.

He’d pat her on the head and minimize her own worries but he never confided in her about his deepest feelings. Noah’s ability to tap into his emotions and be vulnerable made him more of a stand-up guy than anyone she’d known in the past. Definitely more than her ex. Noah Powers was his own man and she appreciated everything about him.

They must have dozed back to sleep because she woke again, this time to the ringing of her cell phone in the other room.

“I’ll grab it.” Noah levered his big body up and strode out of room, unabashedly nude.

She took the time to admire the view.

“Like what you see?” he asked with a smirk on his handsome face. Even with bedhead and a scruff of beard on his face, he was the best-looking man she’d ever seen.

“I take the Fifth. Your ego is big enough.”

He tossed the phone onto the bed and she picked it up and glanced at the screen. She didn’t recognize the number but the message left made her freeze.

“What’s wrong?”

“It was the police. The gallery was vandalized,” she said, already scrambling out of bed, her mind on the valuable, irreplaceable artwork inside.

“Jump in the shower, I’ll be right there. Then I’ll take you over.”

Shivering and numb, she did as Noah suggested, taking a quick shower, then ceding the bathroom to him. All the while she was grateful that however bad this was, she wouldn’t have to face it alone.

* * *

Noah drove them to the gallery and parked in a spot across the street. Yellow police tape prevented them from entering. Fallon approached the officer on duty and explained she worked there.

He let them walk inside.

“Oh my God!” Fallon placed a hand over her open mouth, horror dripping from her words as she took in the scene.

Noah wrapped an arm around her waist and led her to one of the barstools set up in the corner. She sat down, her breathing heavy, as she obviously tried to come to terms with the destruction.

“Oliver!” she exclaimed, and jumped out of her seat.

Noah turned and caught sight of Clara’s son walking toward them.

“Fallon. How did you know to be here?” he asked, folding his arms across his chest.

“I’m on the emergency list. Where’s Clara?”

“Right here,” her boss said, as she slowly made her way from the back room.

Even from a distance, Noah could see the dark circles under her eyes and the wan appearance of her skin. Even Noah realized the older woman had gone downhill fast.

“Clara, come sit.” Fallon rushed over and with the aid of her walker, helped Clara to sit. “Why didn’t you send Oliver? You need to be in bed!”

“She insisted on coming,” Oliver said.

“Fallon, look at the destruction.” Tears were in the other woman’s eyes.

Fallon rubbed her back. “Was anything stolen?”

“The police asked me to take inventory and do a list. I assured him we’d get that done as soon as possible. But at a glance, it doesn’t appear that way.”

Noah narrowed his gaze. “That’s odd.”

“Is it?” Oliver asked. “Today’s youth is callous and lacks appreciation for the finer things.”

Clara remained silent and Fallon glanced away but not before Noah noticed her hand curl into a fist at his elitist words and snooty tone.

Fallon clasped Clara’s hand. “Everything is insured. It’s going to be okay.”

“Frankly, I think my mother’s had it. This gallery is a burden to her in her fragile state. I can help you shut down—”

“Oliver!” Clara managed to snap at her son. “That is not happening. Fallon is more than capable of putting things to rights here, seeing what was destroyed or taken, and contacting the artists. I will call the insurance company when I get home. I told you this gallery means everything to me. You will not discuss taking it away from me again.”

With a good old-fashioned harrumph, he stormed off in the direction of the office and Noah wanted to applaud the effort it took for Clara to stand up to her son.

“Ms. Morganville, can I get you something? A cup of tea?” Noah offered, and Fallon treated him to a grateful smile.

She shook her head. “Oliver has been bringing me tea constantly. I think I could float away.” She shook her head and managed a laugh. “And please, call me Clara.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said.

“Fallon, we’re going to have to close down while we get the place fixed up and find out how soon we can get more inventory.”

Fallon nodded. “I know. I’ll take care of everything. If you’re up to it, just handle the insurance since it’s in your name. After that, you rest. I’ve got things handled here.”

“Thank you, darling girl. I can trust you have my best interests at heart.” With a smile, Clara pushed herself out of the seat.

Noah jumped up but let her have her dignity as she stood. He was there should she fall. Then, Fallon made small talk so she could accompany Clara to the back office.

By the time she reemerged, Oliver had a hand under his mother’s elbow and was escorting her outside to his car.

Fallon stood by Noah, watching the duo. She sighed. “I don’t understand how she’s so sick so suddenly.”

“Did you talk to her about seeing a specialist?” he asked.

“Every time I do, it seems like Oliver shows up, reassuring me he’s taking care of his mother.” She frowned and sighed, glancing around the gallery. “Oh, my painting was damaged!” Fallon exclaimed. “I should have pulled it off the wall since I had every intention of surprising the girls with it.” Frustrated tears filled her gaze.

“Hey. There’s nothing we can do here, so let’s go. The longer you stay looking at the vandalism, the more upset you’ll get.”

“Okay.” She treated him to a smile he knew was forced. “You can take me home and go pick up the girls from your parents.”

He raised an eyebrow. “First, my parents are bringing them home to me, and second, I’m not sending you home alone when you’re upset. I can guarantee the girls will be happy to take your mind off the break-in, at least for a little while.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tight. “Thank you. I really didn’t want to be by myself.”

With a brighter look in her eyes, they shut the lights and walked out, checking in with the officers outside before they left.