He resumed shuffling through the pages, and she watched. Could she see herself not only getting married, but having kids? Soon? She didn’t know. That was so mindboggling compared to how she had pictured her life.
“Rick?”
“Hmm?”
Rachael sorted through their conversation. Did she miss something? “Are you trying to ask me something?”
“I’m just making conversation.” A flush worked its way up his neck, and she was fascinated, watching his discomfort grow. He turned another page over and glanced at her. “Is something wrong?”
“No,” she murmured, picking up her water. She took a long drink and stood, staring out the back door. Her heart was already his, but was she willing to change everything she had ever believed about herself. For him? Change her present, her future?
She jumped when she felt his hands close on her shoulders. “Did I upset you, talking about all of that?”
Leaning back against him, she twisted her head, kissing the top of his hand. “I’m not upset. Maybe overwhelmed. Like I said, I’ve never given it much thought. I’ve never met someone who made me want to consider those things before. Marriage, kids? It’s all new territory for me.”
“Think about it. Later. But for now, we have something else to discuss.” He leaned down and kissed the side of her neck, his hands sliding down her arms and wrapping possessively around her stomach.
“We do?” she asked, crossing her arms over his.
“Mhm. Well, truthfully, less talking and more making up for lost time,” he continued. She tilted her head to the side as he worked his way up to her ear, nibbling and tickling.
“Very much so,” she agreed.
Rick hummed his mutual agreement and she turned her face toward him, searching for and finding his kiss. He brushed softly, his lips grazing hers, and she twisted in his arms, wrapping her hands over his shoulders. Sliding his hands down to cup her behind, he lifted her against himself and moved across the room, settling her on the hard granite kitchen counter. She snuggled against his chest as he deepened the kiss, his tongue probing the corners of her mouth. Entwining her tongue with his, she sighed into his mouth, teasing her fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck. Tugging her to the edge of the counter, he groaned, pressing intimately against her. She wiggled against him and felt deliciously naughty, sitting on her parents’ counter. His arousal was straining against his jeans and she rubbed against him, enjoying the hiss of painful pleasure.
“You have no idea how much I want you,” Rick rasped into her ear before reclaiming her lips. The kiss drew more heated, more demanding, and they were soon both panting.
He pulled back fractionally and swept her with his gaze. He slid his hands up her thighs, sliding between her shorts and skin. The teasing movements continued before he drew away and examined her shorts, unbuttoning and sliding down the zipper. Breathless, she watched his intentional movements. Grasping her waist with one hand, he lifted her slightly and tugged at the shorts with the other. Rachael giggled as he fussed with them, eventually succeeding. “You could have asked me to help,” she teased.
Growling, he grasped her underwear and tugged them down swiftly. Discarding them on the floor, his hands moved back up, grazing her legs possessively as he neared where she wanted him. She hooked her ankles behind him, encouraging him closer so she could reach his waist, his jeans. Making quick work of his button and fly, she took pleasure in finding his scalding hot, firm erection and the feel of him pressing into her hand. He kissed her deeply, both relearning the other.
Rachael gasped for breath. Filling her lungs, she met his eyes. “I want you.”
With a tortured groan, he pulled out of her caress and scooped her up, carrying her up the stairs and into her room. He kicked the door closed behind them before depositing her gently on the bed. She pulled her top over her head, and unclasped her bra, anxious to feel him against her skin. He matched her movements and they were soon fully exposed to each other. Rick took a deep breath and climbed onto the bed with her. “You don’t know what you do to me.”
“I know what you do to me.” She pulled him closer, devouring him. She ran her fingers up his biceps, reveling in the conflicting strength and compassion he represented. Breaking their kiss, they stared at each other.
“I’ve never felt this way before,” she admitted. “I have never needed to be with someone so much. Never felt so complete, so right when we’re together. This is all new to me.”
He stared and she could see him making connections. They didn’t say the words, but Rachael could read them in his eyes; she hoped he could read them in hers. He stroked her face and lay next to her, watching her in awe, touching her. They met halfway in a sweet kiss. It was a first-kiss kind of kiss. A new kiss. A kiss that spoke of things to come. Of promises to be made. It was a kiss of new love.
Rick pulled her securely to himself, and she held him just as tightly, wanting to be as close as possible. She wanted this man. She wanted his body. She wanted his heart. She wanted his future.
Sliding his hand up her thigh, Rick grasped her hip and buried his face in her neck. Trusting him wholly, she closed her eyes, and gave him all the control. She needed nothing more than him.
He rolled her onto her back and kissed her deeply, his hand skimming and teasing the damp curls at her core. He swiped one finger deeper, parting and searching, finding an entry and easing in. She moaned into his mouth.
“What do you want, Rachael?”
“More,” she whispered. “You. Just you.”
His thumb worried her sensitive bud while he worked in and out of her, stretching and teasing. The tension grew, and she moved her body against him, straining for more.
She sensed him withdrawing and held him closer. “What? What’s wrong?”
“Shit. I don’t have anything with me,” he said, pressing his forehead to hers. “I meant to stop on the way over. Damn it! Do you . . . ?”
Her mind blanked. Condoms were not really something she had anticipated needing in the guest room of her parents’ house. She shook her head, frustrated.
His fingers were still teasing and tempting, and her senses were keyed up. But it wasn’t just the physical connection she needed to share with him. Closing her eyes, she made a decision with her heart that she had never allowed herself to consider until this moment. She knew what it meant, what it could mean, what could happen. But she trusted him completely. This man.
Gazing into his eyes, she found the love she knew would be there. “Rick. I still want you. I want this.”
“You know I want you.” He stared at her longingly.
“I’m on the pill and I have always used protection. I have never tested positive for any STD. You?”
“No, I’m clean, baby. But are you sure? We don’t have to . . .”
“I have never been so sure.” She took a deep breath then bared her soul, giving him everything. “I love you.”
He closed his eyes and stopped moving. “What did you say?”
“I love you, Rick. You’re the only one I want to be with. I love you. And I’m not just saying it because we’re here together in this room. I’m saying it because I have never wanted to share my future with anyone. Until you.” The emotion filled her eyes, her lips trembling as she said it. But she didn’t care. She was with him, and she was finally saying the words aloud.
With heartbreaking tenderness, he wiped a tear from her cheek. “I love you, too.”
“This is crazy, right? I mean, how is it even possible?”
He smiled and kissed her, eyes suspiciously bright. “I don’t know. But I’m not letting you get away.”
Rachael wrapped her arms around him, embracing him tightly, their hearts beating against each other.
“Are you sure?” he asked again.
“Yes, if you’re okay with it. I trust you and I love you.”
Capturing her mouth with abandon, he drank her in. She met his passion, pouring all of herself into the moment.
Settling between her thighs, he held himself still over her. He stared down into her eyes with so much love it made her cry again.
“I love you,” she repeated in a whisper.
“Jesus, I love you,” he said, pushing into her. He pulled back and moved in deeper. She grasped his shoulders and wrapped her legs around him as he surged in all the way.
“Yes,” he groaned. She sighed with pleasure, and he watched her face as they moved together. Buried deeply in her, he rocked slowly, his coarse hair massaging her clit, over and over. The flames rose, the heat built, burning her, carrying her to the edge. They moved together in awe of each other. Nothing had ever felt so good, so perfect.
“Rick,” she gasped as he kept moving, the pressure crescendoing. Unable to hold back, she cried out, her body bursting around him, brilliantly exploding into a million stars. And still he kept moving, pushing firmly against the clutching pulses of her orgasm. He drove deeper and deeper, and she felt him tighten, thicken further. He pulled back one last time and slammed home, the shuddering release racking his body. She wrapped around him tightly, her body, her heart, filled with him. He collapsed, and they stared at each other.
Rick pressed his lips to hers then stared down at her in wonder. “You’re mine.”
“I am. And you’re mine.”
35
They lay together completely entwined, still connected. Rick kissed her hand and trailed small kisses up her arm and across her chest.
“I never want to leave this moment, this spot,” Rachael purred.
“Then don’t. We’ll stay here,” he replied, licking and biting her neck, “forever.”
“What happens now?” she asked.
He paused his kisses and turned thoughtful eyes toward her. “We stay together.”
“I know that, silly.” She laughed, running her fingers through his soft brown hair.
“I mean it, Rachael. I want you to stay with me.”
“Stay with you?”
He stared into her eyes. “I know it sounds crazy, but I want you to think about it. I want you with me. Move in with me.”
“Rick, I can’t just move in with you.”
He gathered his thoughts. “Look, if you were renting a place and I was in the middle of a lease, then I might not have suggested it so soon. But you’re living with your parents. I only have two months left on my current lease. The timing couldn’t be better. It seems like the perfect opportunity to feel it out. Try it.”
“You are insane.”
His crooked smile warmed her. “Probably.”
“What if you hate living with me? I’m selfish and messy. I can’t cook. I hate cleaning. I work all the time. I have my routines. And the dogs! I can’t leave Olive and Martini.”
“Of course you can’t leave Olive and Martini. You know, I happen to be good with animals. Kind of comes with the territory. And the rest we’ll figure it out.”
Stunned, she stared at him, trying to make sense of this. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Completely. I love you and I want you to be with me. Move in with me?”
He dipped his head down and kissed her witless, a decadent gift intended to persuade. He lifted his head and smiled at her breathlessness. “Say yes.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know, Rick.”
Rick groaned and pulled out of her, rolling to lie on his side. He leaned up on his elbow and watched her. “What is worrying you?”
“What will my parents think?”
“That’s what you’re concerned about? Your parents?”
“I don’t know. What about your parents? Won’t they think it’s odd?”
He laughed. “Rachael, I’m a grown man. That’s not really a consideration. Besides, I haven’t talked to my parents since Easter. They don’t care.”
What on earth was happening? Rachael saw the sincerity in his eyes. He really wanted this. But did she? Could she actually live with him? She had never lived with anyone before. It was too soon. She needed time.
“Give me some time to think about it, okay? Let’s take care of my sister and get her settled, then see if you still want this.”
Rick chuckled and kissed her nose. “If I still want this? I can tell you that answer is not going to change. You’ve been on my mind since you walked into my office with Olive. You have taken over my heart, my life. Is it wrong to want you in my home, too? But take your time, baby. I’m not going anywhere.”
Holy cow. How did you say no to that?
She shook her head and slid to the edge of her bed.
“Where are you going?”
“I left some clothes in the kitchen. Going to snag them before it advertises to Carlie and Kim what we’ve been up to.”
He leaned back and closed his eyes. She ran down to the kitchen; her conscience required that she clean the granite counter. If her mom freaked out about dishes on the wrong rack, she could just imagine her reaction to her bare ass on the counter. She laughed before grabbing a couple of waters and her clothes. Olive and Martini were sleeping on the sofa and she smiled at their sweet smushy faces as she passed them. When she returned to the room, he was nearly asleep.
“Come here,” Rick drowsily demanded, holding up the edge of the blanket.
She scooted against him. He wrapped his arm around her hip, tucking her against his chest. She laid her head on his bent arm and leaned into him, smelling his soap, his cool cologne, his sweat mixed with hers, and feeling his breath in her ear.
“I could get used to this,” she murmured.
“That’s the plan, baby. That’s the plan.”
Unbelievably happy and content, she dozed off and dreamed of the future.
* * *
A knock on the door woke her a short while later. “Rach? You in there?”
She stretched and yawned, mumbling, “Be down in a few.”
Rick was no longer there. Where did he go? Did he leave?
Frowning, she rolled off the bed and pulled on her discarded clothes. Checking her reflection, she noted she was flushed, but otherwise presentable enough.
Going down the stairs, she rolled her shoulders and stretched her neck. A tiny bit sore, but otherwise good. Her head didn’t bother her anymore, which made everything easier.
Rick and Kim were sitting on the sofa, reviewing apartment leaflets. Carlie was in the kitchen on the phone. They all looked up as she entered the living room. “You okay?” Kim asked.
Rachael blushed and nodded, grumbling about not sleeping much last night. “Just wait till you’re a few years older,” she teased them.
“Funny. I just assumed the two of you were getting it on,” Kim said, looking from her to Rick.
Ignoring her, Rachael passed through to the kitchen. Carlie covered the mouth piece. “Mom and Dad.”
Oh. She gave her sister some privacy and stepped out onto the patio. Martini and Olive were out, and they raced to meet her on the deck steps. Sinking down to sit on the top step, Rachael scratched their ears and considered Rick’s proposition. Could they? Should they?
The door opened behind her and she looked up as he sat down on the step next to her.
“You left me.” She squinted up at him.
“Came downstairs and picked up a little. You girls were slobs last night.”
She blushed and leaned against him.
He wrapped an arm around her and pressed his lips to her temple. “Say it again, please.”
“I love you.”
He smiled with deep masculine satisfaction. “I love you.” He kissed her softly.
“How long have they been here?”
“About half an hour.”
“Any luck?”
He nodded. “She found a couple she likes. One is only a few blocks from here.”
Wow. “That would be perfect. Close enough to have us all nearby, but still private. She definitely needs her own space.” Rachael imagined what would happen if Carlie and Mom were ever to live in the same house again. World War III
. No doubt about it.
“I heard back from Nancy’s son,” he added. “We can get her stuff in about an hour. Guess they had to do some convincing to get Brent to leave long enough to allow her to move out. He, uh, doesn’t want her to leave.”
“This is all so hard to believe. Everything is changing in the blink of an eye.”
“Are you talking about them or us?”
She smiled weakly. “A little of both, I guess.”
They sat in companionable silence and watched the dogs.
“Thank you,” she finally said.
“For what?”
“For organizing this. Getting her out of there.”
He shrugged. “If you have the ability to help someone, you should.”
“It means a lot to me.”
“I’m glad. But that’s not why I did it.”
“I know, but it still means a lot to me. You’re a good person.”
He grinned. “I try.”
Smiling back at him, she kissed him lingeringly, loving the feel of his arms around her, his body supporting hers.
Pushing herself up reluctantly, she held a hand out to him. “Hungry?”
“Starving,” he practically growled.
“Food?”
“Not what I was thinking of, but food would be a close second,” he conceded.
Laughing, she tugged him up and together they led the dogs in and collected Kim and Carlie. Her sister looked completely wrung out. She could imagine how the conversation went with their parents. Rachael hugged Carlie and, with Rick in tow, walked her to the door. “Let’s go get some food, okay?”
She sniffed and nodded. “I could eat.”
Rachael smiled. “The day you’re not hungry is the day I really begin to worry about you. You’re going to be just fine.”
“You’re one to talk.”
36
The four of them crowded into a booth at their favorite sports bar. For all her bluster, Carlie barely touched her food. Rachael and Kim kept a steady stream of conversation flowing, and even Rick dropped a line or two, but Carlie sank further and further into an unreachable place.
Animal Attraction Page 21