“Oh!” she gasped, arching her back as he took her into his mouth. She writhed against him as weeks of repressed desire burst forth.
His hand slid between her thighs, and he groaned at her moist readiness. But he wanted more, and he stroked her intimately until her breath came in short panting cries that fell on his ears like the sweetest music.
She twisted against the pressure of his fingers, and he knew she was close. But he wanted the last moment of ecstasy to belong to both of them, and he took his hand away. “Tell me,” he whispered in her ear. “Tell me what you want.”
“I want—I want you inside me,” she panted. “Fill me, Zach, please!”
He quickly put on the condom. Then he moved over her, gazed into her flushed face for a heartbeat and drove home. “Diana!” He hardly recognized his own choked cry as her rich satin warmth received him. Never had a woman excited him as this one did. Never.
She rose to meet him, and in that moment of joining he surrendered himself completely to her, to the primitive need that carried him beyond all pretense of control into a world of pure sensation. Then he forgot everything but the glorious pressure building within as his relentless rhythm carried them both higher and higher.
The world narrowed to only this, and he thought he might die from the exquisite pleasure as they trembled on the verge of cataclysmic release. She called his name, and with one sure thrust he tumbled both of them over the edge and catapulted them down, down into oblivion.
For long moments they lay in the ebbing waves of the aftershock, unable to move or speak. His head rested on her shoulder, his face turned away from her. Gradually his breathing returned to normal.
“Zach?”
He stirred. “Zach who?” he mumbled lazily, kissing her shoulder.
“Is that how they do things in California?”
He lifted his head and propped his cheek on his fist so he could look at her. “Funny, but I was about to ask if that’s how they do things in Illinois. You pack quite a wallop.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, you’re welcome. You’re very welcome.” He combed his fingers through her lustrous hair. “This fatal attraction is all your fault, you know. You could have shaved your head.”
“That would have taken care of your problem, but not mine.”
“That’s what you think. Even bald you’d have me running after you.”
“I’m glad.” She smiled up at him. “We were terrific, weren’t we?”
“I’m not sure that’s a strong enough word.”
“Maybe because we denied ourselves for so long.”
“You think so?” He shook his head. “I don’t quite buy that, but in a little while we can test your theory. If the second time is a total washout, you’ve got a case.”
“The second time?”
“Hmm-mmm.” He traced the delicate curve of her eyebrow with one finger. “Of course, I’d be more than willing to continue the testing for, say, a third time. Maybe even a fourth, or a fifth, or—”
“Zach!”
“Is there a legal limit in Illinois?” His palm brushed in a circular motion over her breast.
“I heard the number ten somewhere,” she said as her breathing accelerated under his touch.
“What a shame to have a quota,” he murmured as his light caress changed to a sensuous massage. “But then, who’s counting?” He accepted the invitation in her silver eyes and lowered his lips to hers.
* * *
The lamp glowed all night on the bedside table. Once Diana reached to turn it off, but Zach stopped her, saying he loved waking up from his catnaps and looking at her, then watching as he roused her with kisses until they were entwined in a passionate embrace once more.
Dawn found them staring dreamily into each other’s eyes.
“It’s morning,” she announced softly.
“Can’t be. Someone’s shining their headlights in the window, and you only think it’s morning.”
“And I suppose that’s a particularly melodious cricket, and not a sparrow chirping outside the window.”
“Now I know how Cinderella felt at midnight. I don’t want our time to be over.”
“Neither do I.” She sighed. “It’s been a wonderful night. I’ll never forget it.”
“What do you think Jenny would take to have a slumber party on a regular basis, say, three or four times a week?”
Diana laughed. “Jenny would do it for nothing. It’s her mother you’d have to bribe.”
“Oh? Is she pretty?”
She pushed up on one elbow. “How dare you say such a thing, Zach Wainwright, after all we’ve—”
“Shush.” He pulled her hard against him. “Just testing your jealousy reflex. It works great. And to silence your fears, I haven’t the slightest interest in another woman.”
“Not even if she could provide regular sex?”
“To coin a phrase, I seek quality, not quantity. Somehow I’ll survive until the next slumber party. What time do you have to pick up the girls?”
“Ten.”
He glanced at the clock by the bed. “Then there’s time.”
“For what?” she asked, batting her eyelashes.
“For this,” he growled in mock ferocity, rolling on top of her. “I must have my way with you.”
“And I with you, gorgeous man.” She lifted her lips for his kiss, and they began their familiar sensuous journey once more.
Later they agreed that they would shower in their respective bathrooms, in order to accomplish the task without luring each other back into bed. Zach finished first, and rubbing his damp hair with a towel, he strolled casually into her room while she was putting on her underwear.
She glanced at him and fought the tug of desire that would be very dangerous to succumb to, considering the short time they had left before the girls had to be picked up. “Where’s your shirt?” she teased. “No fair flaunting your muscles.”
“What about you, parading around in those little lacy items?”
“I am not parading. You didn’t have to come waltzing in here, you know.”
“Yes, I did. I wanted to see what I missed.” He hung the towel around his neck and held on to it with both hands, she suspected to keep from reaching for her. “I didn’t have the experience of seeing that stuff on you last night.”
She straightened her bra strap and glanced at him, one eyebrow raised. “Do I pass muster?”
“How come you look sexy no matter what you wear? You could probably put on a gunnysack and my hands would itch to touch what’s underneath. Yes, dammit, you pass muster, so well I’m all hot and bothered again.”
She laughed and walked to her closet. “You’re wonderful for my ego. But I’ll put on some slacks so we can both control ourselves.”
“How about shorts?”
“Oh, I don’t —”
“Why not? The paper says it will warm up again today. I think they’re wrong, though. The heat wave came through last night.”
“Perhaps they’re referring to the weather?”
“Oh. Weather.” He grinned at her.
“I have half a mind to wear shorts, now that you mention it.” She looked at his cutoffs and back at the slacks in her hand. “They would be cooler, wouldn’t they?”
“Cooler for you, warmer for me. I’m an idiot to suggest this, because I’ll probably spend the day staring at your beautiful legs and imagining them wrapped around—”
“Zach, you’d better not.”
“I won’t. I promise. Have you got some shorts?”
“No. I’d have to borrow a pair of Laurie’s, but I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. And they should fit. I’m really tempted.”
“Then do it. I’m a fan of yielding to temptation.”
“No kidding.” She rolled her eyes. “Okay.” She hung her slacks back in her closet and reached for her robe.
“What’s that for?”
“I can’t run around the house in my underwear.”
&nbs
p; “Why not? No one’s here but me.”
She looked at him for a minute. “You’re right. Excuse me.” She brushed past him and ran lightly up the stairs.
Breakfast was a lighthearted meal as they shared the cooking and clean-up chores amid jokes and laughter. Diana’s body felt tingly and alive. No doubt about it, Zach was good for her. In spite of her former resolve, she began considering that they might, if they were very careful, enjoy each other occasionally while the girls were in school. Who would know?
She decided not to tell Zach just yet, though. Better to surprise him after the girls were home again and she felt satisfied that her daughters didn’t suspect what had happened in their absence.
“If you’ll feed Beethoven, I’ll pick up Allison and Laurie,” she said, twisting the faucet knob hard to the right.
“Still drips, I see.”
“I have it on a list of chores for my handyman.”
“I’ll be honest with you. I don’t know how much I’ll have to learn before I can fix that faucet.”
She walked to him and wound her arms around his neck. “Ask me if I care if you fix it or not,” she said, nuzzling his cheek.
He gathered her into his arms. “Are you suggesting that as long as I keep you satisfied in bed you’ll overlook a little dripping faucet?”
“Something like that.”
“You’ve got a deal.” He captured her lips in a searing kiss that soon had them breathing hard. With a deep sigh, he pushed her away from him. “You’d better go.”
“Yes.”
They still clung to each other, reluctant to finally end their wonderful interlude.
She gazed into his clear blue eyes and gave up her plan to surprise him. “I wasn’t going to say this yet, but if everything seems to be normal around here and we’ve succeeded in keeping our relationship a secret from the girls, I think once in a while, when the two of them are at school…”
His wide smile made her heart sing. “You read my thoughts. Now I won’t have to be devious and seduce you into that decision.”
“You would have done that?”
“Absolutely. I’m not about to wait for Jenny to plan another slumber party before I make love to you again.”
She smiled at him. “I’m shocked.”
“No, you’re not. You’re excited. I can see it in your eyes. You wouldn’t want a trained lapdog you could order around, even if you think you would.”
“You’re right.”
“So go get those young ladies, and we’ll cope with the rest of the weekend. But on Monday morning…”
“Yes,” she said breathlessly.
“Mmm.” His gaze swept over her. “You’d better leave, pronto.”
“Okay.” She stepped out of his arms and walked unsteadily to the door. “See you soon,” she said, pushing open the screen. An excited bark greeted her. “And speaking of trained lapdogs, Beethoven looks hungry.”
“I’ll try to come out of my fog long enough to feed the little sucker. And the chickens, right?”
“If you don’t mind.” She blew him a kiss from the door and skipped out to the garage. Once she was in the car, she flipped on the radio to the rock station and sang loudly all the way to Jenny’s house.
Allison and Laurie piled into the car, bleary-eyed from lack of sleep, and slumped in the back seat. “Did you have a good time?” Diana asked brightly.
“Great,” the girls said in unison and closed their eyes.
“I still don’t understand why they call these gatherings slumber parties,” Diana said. “Obviously nobody sleeps.”
“You’re not supposed to sleep at a slumber party,” Allison explained.
“I see.” Diana’s thoughts returned to Zach and their night together. Adults had the same sort of language contradiction as teenagers, after all. She and Zach hadn’t exactly slept together, had they? A thrill of excitement coursed through her as she dreamed about Monday, when the girls would be in school. Was the excitement tinged with guilt? Maybe a little. “How’re you feeling, Allison?” she asked, concentrating on her mother role.
“Fine.”
“No more cramps?”
“Nope.”
Laurie stirred from her daze. “How come you turned on our station without us even asking?”
“I find the music cheerful.”
“Cheerful? You always said it sounded like two tomcats in a barrel.”
“Maybe I’ve changed my mind.”
“Oh.” Laurie gave her mother a puzzled look and curled back against the seat.
When they pulled into the drive, the girls straggled out, but they stopped to stare when Diana opened the door.
“Mom, you’ve got on shorts,” Allison said in amazement.
“And they look vaguely familiar,” Laurie added.
“You’re right. I heard today would be very warm, and I thought you wouldn’t mind.”
“Of course I don’t. I told you a long time ago you should borrow a pair. You said they were undignified for a widow with two nearly grown daughters.”
“Maybe I changed my mind about that, too.”
Allison shook her head. “Weird.”
“You said it,” Laurie agreed. “Leave for one night, and she freaks out on you.”
“Girls, I really don’t think this is such a drastic—”
Beethoven leaped down the porch steps, barking his greeting and drowning out her protest.
“Hey, Beethoven!” Allison called, putting down her overnight case and pillow and crouching to hug the wriggling dog. “Did you miss us, boy?” She glanced up at Diana. “Did he wander through the house last night, looking for me? Laurie says he usually does that when I’m gone.”
“No.” Diana swallowed nervously.
“Really?” asked Laurie, bending to pet the dog. “He stayed curled up on your rug all night?”
Her palms began to feel damp. “No, as a matter of fact, we—I—decided to let Beethoven sleep outside last night.”
“Outside?” the girls chorused.
“You don’t have to look at me as if I’m some ax murderer. Beethoven’s a dog. It was warm last night, and I’m sure he enjoyed the fresh air.”
“Oh, poor Beethoven,” Allison crooned, scratching the dog’s floppy ears. “I bet you were lonesome, all alone in the dark.”
“Yeah, Mom,” Laurie added. “I don’t think that’s such a great idea. Beethoven’s not used to sleeping outside. He might get sick, or maybe a bigger dog would get into the yard, or—”
“For heaven’s sake!” Diana tried to hide her growing dismay with anger. Had she seriously expected to conceal anything from two inquisitive adolescents? “Sleeping out here didn’t hurt him a bit. Look at him. He’s perky as ever.”
“Because now he knows we’re home to take good care of him,” Allison said, her blue eyes accusatory.
“That’s enough,” Diana warned.
With a sigh Allison stood and picked up her pillow and overnight case.
Laurie started up the porch steps, but paused to glance at the table beside the porch swing. “What’s that?”
Diana followed the direction of Laurie’s gaze and saw the half-full wine bottle still sitting on the table. Her heart began to race. “I guess I left it out there.”
“When?” Allison said, picking up the scent of something interesting. “Did you have a party or something?”
“No. Zach and I sat on the swing and drank a glass of wine with our sandwiches, that’s all.”
“For dinner?” Laurie’s gray eyes widened. “Sandwiches for dinner?”
“Why not?”
Allison took up the cry. “We’ve never had sandwiches for dinner.”
“And then you didn’t even finish cleaning up,” Laurie said, looking at her mother in amazement.
“Yeah,” Allison piped up. “And you always tell us to clean everything up, or we’ll get ants.”
Laurie shook her head and made a clucking sound with her teeth, and in that moment Dian
a thought her daughter sounded at least forty years old. “Rock music, shorts, Beethoven out all night, wine bottles left on the porch.” She gave her mother a strange smile. “What in the world went on here last night?”
Ten
Diana felt the blood rush from her face. They knew. Good God, they knew. “I—”
“Hey, Al, Laurie! How’s it going?” Zach, looking like a blond Adonis in his snug T-shirt and white cutoffs, stepped out onto the porch.
“Fine,” answered Allison, but Diana could have sworn her daughter gave him a strange look.
“I guess we can’t leave you two alone anymore,” Laurie said, and Diana thought her heart had stopped beating. “We come home and find wine on the porch, Mom in shorts, Beethoven out all night…”
Zach glanced quickly at Diana. “Guess we need you girls around to keep us in line,” he said with a grin that Diana could tell was forced. Had the girls noticed?
“That’s for sure,” Allison agreed, glancing from Zach to Diana. She turned to her sister. “Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m taking a nap.”
“Sounds good,” Laurie replied with an exaggerated yawn. “See everybody later.” She climbed the remaining steps and crossed the porch, passing Zach without a glance in his direction.
Allison hurried after her. “Wait up!” She headed for the screen door Laurie held open. Diana heard them speak to each other in muted tones once they’d escaped inside the house. She strained to hear what they were saying, although she dreaded knowing what it might be. Were they discussing their mother’s betrayal? Were they trying to decide what to tell Jenny, now that all her suspicions had come true?
Zach sauntered down the steps, and his hair gleamed brown and gold in the sunshine. He appeared relaxed, but one look in his blue eyes and she knew he was nervous.
“What was that all about?” he asked casually.
“You know damn well what it was about,” Diana said, her voice low and intense. “They suspect something. I fielded their questions pretty well until Laurie spotted the wine bottle. Why didn’t you take it in last night?”
“Why didn’t you? I seem to remember having my hands full of plates and glasses.”
“But the wine bottle was the most —” She caught herself and sighed. After all, she hadn’t carried anything into the house last night. She’d been too emotionally involved in their situation. “You’re right. I should have picked it up. But you fed Beethoven on the porch this morning. Didn’t you see the bottle? God, it was like a red flag to those girls. They know I never drink wine anymore.”
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