Alice Carpenter

by McKay's Heroine (lit)

  She framed his face with her palms and brushed her lips against his. "I love you," she whispered softly.

  Jarrod’s eyes widened in surprise. She had never told him she loved him. Several weeks ago when he told her that he loved her, she’d been silent. Not another word had been spoken on the subject. Until now.

  "Nikki . . ."

  "No. I’m not confused. I’m not mixed up. I love you. I’ve loved you since before you kissed me for the first time. I just didn’t want to admit I was that vulnerable. I didn’t want to be in love."

  "Why now?" It felt like her hands on his face were burning his skin.

  She smiled slowly, her face lit up. "Because you know all there is to know about me and you still love me. Because I finally feel free. I don’t have to have nightmares about him coming back to find Lainey and I. I don’t have to worry about him finding me with a husband and kids and doing to them what he did to my mom, Lainey, and me."

  Her smile deepened. "Because I can’t resist you any longer. Because I want to make love with you until I’m too tired to move. Because I don’t think I could bear to live without you and your love. And Briana, I love her too. Kiss me." Her voice was husky and sent a chill down his spine.

  Slowly, he brought her face closer until their lips touched. He pulled back and looked into her eyes. "There is one other thing you haven’t told me." At her confused look he added, "Richie."

  "You haven’t told me about Briana’s mother, either."

  "Do you want to go first or shall I? We might as well get everything out in the open tonight."

  Nikki went first about Richie. When she’d finished, he told her about Chloe. They were both silent for several minutes after Jarrod had finished.

  She chuckled and Jarrod looked at her questioningly. "They’d be a perfect couple, wouldn’t they?" She laughed again.

  Jarrod smiled. "Yeah, they would. Now, where were we before we started this conversation?"

  He leaned forward to kiss her and her stomach growled. He straightened and smiled. "When’s the last time you ate?"

  She leaned back in his arms, tilted her head to the side and said, "Well, I drank wine for dinner and skipped lunch, so that would leave breakfast."

  His eyebrows shot up. "And what exactly did you have for breakfast?"

  "Well . . ."

  "With your memory you can do better than that. Don’t avoid the issue," he scolded lightly.

  "I drank half a glass of milk when I swallowed my vitamins this morning."

  "That’s it?" Jarrod shook his head in amazement. He repositioned his arms and stood up with Nikki held close to his chest. He walked into the dining area and set her on one of the stools.

  "Sit here and I’ll fix you something to eat." Quickly and with no wasted movement, he grilled a cheese sandwich, heated a can of soup, and poured a glass of milk.

  "Eat all this." He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. "I need to call Erika and see if she can stay overnight with Bri."

  Chapter 18

  Nikki’s eyebrows shot up in surprise and she almost choked on her soup.

  "Unless you’d rather I didn’t." He gazed steadily at her. "What do you want me to do?" He leaned against the door frame to wait for a reply. The pose should have looked casual, but it wasn’t. His face was tense as he waited for her response.

  She swallowed the mouthful of soup and took a big drink of milk to clear her throat. With a steady look, she said in a low voice, "Call Erika."

  Flames of passion leapt in his eyes. He swallowed heavily, nodded once. "Can I use the phone in your office?"

  When Nikki nodded, he walked down the hallway and into the crowded office. Nikki would have to start to think about real office space soon. She and Erika were almost in each other’s laps as it was.

  She heard the murmur of his voice as she wolfed down her sandwich and soup. With a sigh, she finished the glass of milk and leaned back on the stool. Her stomach felt much better since she put something in it.

  Now she just needed something for her headache. An entire bottle of wine consumed on an empty stomach had not been one of her better ideas. She went down the hallway to the bathroom to find the Tylenol. She swallowed them with water, washed her face, brushed her teeth, and hair then went to find Jarrod.

  She paused at the doorway to her office and saw Jarrod down on one knee. He picked up papers that were scattered all over the floor back into some kind of order.

  "Problems?"

  He brought up his head sharply. "I bumped the stack and it was like an avalanche. Sorry." His cheeks were tinged with red.

  "That’s okay." Nikki knelt to help him. After several moments she looked at him. He sat cross-legged on the floor, intent on the papers in his hand.

  "What?" She held out her hand for the papers.

  She felt a blush steal over her own cheeks as he handed the papers over and saw what he’d been looking at. They were the samples of the logo she’d designed for McKay Construction weeks ago.

  Fascinated, Jarrod watched the blood rise to her cheeks. Why was she so embarrassed?

  "Well, um, I was kind of bored a couple of weeks ago and I played around with the computer. That’s what I came up with." She grabbed the empty folder and stuffed the papers inside.

  He held out his hand for the folder. "Can I see them again?" She hesitated, then slowly handed him the folder.

  "Thank you." He leafed through the samples again. "Were you going to show them to me?" Jarrod looked at her still pink cheeks.

  Nikki ducked her head down and shrugged her shoulders. She sorted papers on the floor and mumbled without looking up, "I’d kind of forgotten them."

  "That doesn’t answer my question." Jarrod looked at her steadily, but she wouldn’t meet his gaze.

  "No. In all likelihood I wouldn’t have. You hadn’t asked for my input or mentioned that you wanted to redesign the logo and stationery. You weren’t a client, so figured I shouldn’t butt in."

  "In other words, you were afraid I wouldn’t like them."

  Nikki’s head shot up and she stared at him.

  "Am I right?"

  She nodded, her cheeks bright red now. With her head lowered again, she sorted more papers.

  "I like them." She paused, but wouldn’t look at him. "Can I have them?" She nodded but didn’t look up. "Thank you. I want to show them to my board of directors."

  "What if they don’t like them?"

  "I’m sure they will. My family happens to be my unofficial board of directors. They’ve helped me out financially when times were tough, or worked for me when I needed help so they all have shares in the business."

  She nodded again and finished with the papers in silence. When all the papers were back in their appropriate folders, Jarrod held out his hand. Slowly, Nikki put her hand in his and he pulled her to her feet. "Erika said she’d stay with Bri."

  He turned out the light and led her down the hall toward the kitchen. Surprised he hadn’t led her directly to the bedroom, Nikki was silent.

  Jarrod set the folder on the counter and smiled into her eyes. "How’s the headache?"

  Surprised, Nikki touched her forehead reflexively. "It’s almost gone."

  "That’s good. Why don’t you find something soft and mellow for us to listen to while I clean up." She opened her mouth to argue and he gave her a long, drugging, open-mouthed kiss. "Don’t argue."

  He smiled as she turned around and walked slowly into the living room. She obviously wasn’t used to someone who helped out. She’d get used to it. He’d make sure of it.

  Saxophone music drifted softly through the house as he finished with the dishes. He dried his hands and walked into the living room.

  Nikki stood by the window as she looked outside. Jarrod stood stock still, he didn’t want to believe she had changed her mind again.

  She turned and walked slowly toward him. She wore the same tank top, with no bra, and shorts as when he’d arrived. His gaze focused on her breasts and his heart raced as h
e saw the hardened nipples press against the soft fabric of her shirt.

  "Dance with me." Her throaty whisper made him shudder. He took her in his arms and pressed her close to his body.

  They swayed to the music, but didn’t bother to move their feet. Jarrod felt her hard nipples press into his chest and his jeans got tighter.

  Nikki felt him grow harder and hotter and pressed closer. She lifted her face to his. He met her lips with his own. The kiss was hot and hungry. He slid his hands down her back to her hips and pressed them closer to his. He groaned when she moved against him and deepened the kiss.

  Reality hit him like a ton of bricks. He hadn’t brought any protection with him. With another groan, he pulled his mouth away from hers.

  She looked up at him, she knew her eyes were dilated with passion. With another groan, he buried his face in her neck.

  "Jarrod?" Her voice was huskier than normal. "Is something wrong?"

  "I didn’t bring any protection with me. I was worried when you didn’t answer your phone. It never crossed my mind that I might need it tonight so I didn’t stop by the store."

  "I’m protected." Jarrod jerked his head up sharply. "I’m on the pill. I, uh . . ." She lowered her eyes. "I haven’t been with anyone since Richie and I’ve been tested several times since then. It just seemed like the thing to do to keep taking the pills. I like to have my cycle regular, plus my period isn’t as painful when I’m on the pill."

  Jarrod sighed in relief and pulled her closer. "I’ve only been with one woman since Chloe and I always used a condom. I’ve been tested several times since my divorce so we should be safe." He paused, to give her one last chance to back out. "Unless you’ve changed your mind."

  She looked up into his eyes. "No. I haven’t changed my mind. Have you?"

  "No," he whispered hoarsely and bent to kiss her again. She opened her mouth to his and they both moaned in satisfaction.

  He stroked the side of her breast with his long fingers as his tongue probed her mouth. When she groaned into his mouth, he slipped his hand between their bodies to cup her breast. The nipple was already hard as he rolled it between his thumb and finger. She moaned again and pressed harder against him.

  He picked her up easily and slowly walked to her bedroom. He slid her body slowly along his as he set her on her feet beside the bed.

  They gazed into each other’s eyes, their chests rising and falling rapidly. Nikki’s eyes were wide, her lips felt swollen, and her nipples made peaks in her shirt. Jarrod’s face was set and his groin throbbed; she could feel it.

  Slowly, Nikki brought her hands up to Jarrod’s chest and started to unbutton his shirt. He hissed as her short nails scraped lightly against his skin. She yanked the tails out of his pants, undid the last button and stroked his hard chest lightly with her fingertips.

  He shrugged out of the shirt impatiently and dropped it carelessly on the floor. "Your turn," his voice was rough with suppressed passion. She lifted her arms over her head so he could pull the tank top off.

  He dropped it on the floor and stared at her bare breasts. He’d known she didn’t have a bra on and it had driven him crazy all evening. Her breasts were large and firm, creamy white skin with rosy, hard nipples. He cupped them in his hands and massaged them gently. She leaned into his hands and moaned when he rubbed the nipples.

  "So beautiful," he whispered hoarsely. "I’ve had dreams about this." He lowered his head and sucked one nipple. First gently and then harder. He felt her knees start to grow weak; he wrapped one large arm around her waist to support her.

  He switched to the other nipple to give it the same attention. By this time she held on to his shoulders and dug her nails into his skin. He lifted his head, breathing hard, and gazed into her eyes.

  "I think we’re both overdressed." He stepped away to kick off his shoes. His hand reached for the fly of his jeans when she stopped him.

  "Let me." She unbuttoned each button slowly, carefully. He sucked in a breath as her fingers brushed repeatedly against his throbbing erection.

  She slid her hands inside his jeans along his buttocks and worked his jeans off. He stepped out of the jeans. She slowly rubbed her bare breasts along the front of his thighs and chest as she stood.

  He moaned and pulled her back into his embrace to devour her mouth. She stroked his bottom and pulled him closer to her. He pulled away from her and fumbled for the waistband of her shorts.

  He slid the shorts slowly down her legs and helped her out of them. Slowly, he stood, stroking her legs with his hands as he rose. With a brief pause to rest his hands on her bikini panties he stared into her eyes. "I love you." His voice was so deep and rough it could be classified as guttural.

  "I love you too." Her voice was breathless and a little shaky. She bit her lower lip as he slid his fingers under the elastic band of her panties and slowly pulled them down and off. He kissed his way back up her inner thighs, then paused at the juncture momentarily to use his tongue to pleasure her.

  Her knees buckled and he wrapped his arms around her to hold her steady. She moaned and pulled his head closer. She gasped when he stopped and stood up. ‘I want you, right now," he rasped.

  "Yes, right now." She slipped her fingers into the waistband of his briefs and slowly pulled them down over his throbbing erection and down his legs. She repeated his erotic torture; she kissed her way up his inner thighs to his erection. She wrapped her fingers around the base and used her mouth to return the pleasure he’d given her.

  He sucked in a sharp breath and pulled her up. "If you do that, this’ll be over before it starts."

  He laid her gently on the bed and he slid between her thighs. "Do you want me as much as I want you?"

  "Yes." The word was barely audible. She slid a hand between their bodies to grasp him in her hand. She guided him to her, gave a throaty moan as he entered her. He hissed out a breath and then was still. She could feel him throbbing inside her.

  "Jarrod?" Her voice was breathless. "Jarrod, please."

  "Give me a minute, honey, it’s been a long time." He paused for a moment longer then started to move slowly. With a moan, Nikki wrapped her legs around his waist to get him closer. Jarrod could feel the pulse start, knew it was too late to stop, and hoped she was with him. He thrust harder, then arched and moaned as he came. He knew she hadn’t joined him.

  He wiped the sweat from his forehead with an unsteady hand. "I’m so sorry. I just couldn’t wait. Give me a few minutes and I’ll make it up to you." When he looked into her eyes, he was aghast to find them filled with tears.

  "Oh, God, baby, don’t cry." He rolled over onto his back and took her with him. "I’ll make it up to you, I promise. I’ve never lied to you, I’ll make it up to you." He stroked her back gently and held her close.

  He took her face gently between his palms he kissed away the tears. "I know you’re disappointed and I’m sorry. Frankly, I’m disappointed too. I’d imagined our first time a little differently. I wanted this to be perfect for you." He started to rub her back and bottom with his slightly rough hands.

  Still aroused, she shuddered and he rolled them over onto their sides. He separated their bodies and scooted down to suckle her breasts. When she moaned and moved against him, he trailed kisses down to her center. He pushed her onto her back then slid one finger inside her dampness as he licked and sucked her hard nub.

  She arched against him and whispered his name. He removed his finger and slid in two, increased the pace, and felt her body start to convulse. She sucked in a breath and arched her back off the bed as she came.

  When she collapsed against the bed, Jarrod lay back down beside her. He held her close and whispered in her ear, "I love you."

  She shuddered and opened her eyes. "I love you too. Thank you." She ran her fingers down his face and traced his lips. He kissed the fingertips, put her hand on his chest, and wrapped his arms tightly around her.

  They lay there quietly until Nikki started to trace abstract patterns on
his chest with her fingernail. "You’d better be careful. You might get more than you had in mind." His voice rumbled deep in his chest, he was already hard.

  She looked up at him and smiled wickedly. "I thought I’d start out slowly and see if you were ‘up’ to it."

  He growled playfully and rolled on top to pin her to the bed. "I’ll show you who’s up to it."

  The second time was longer and slower. He made sure he was inside her when she cried out with pleasure and came. He paused until she opened her glazed eyes to look at him. "Aren’t you . . ."

  "We’re not through yet." He moved inside her and she gasped. He brought her slowly back up and took her over the edge again, then he followed seconds later.

  She went limp and closed her eyes. He rolled onto his back with her cradled on his chest so she wouldn’t have to take his weight, still deep inside her. "Go to sleep, darlin’, you’re going to need your rest."

  She opened her eyes to mere slits. "Sure of yourself, aren’t you?"

  "I’m sure of what you do to me." He stroked her hair and pressed her cheek to his chest. "Good night, love."

  "Good night," she murmured, already half asleep.

  * * * * *

  They woke up early and made love. The shower they took together aroused them both so they made love in the shower. Jarrod wanted to be back before Briana woke up so he skipped breakfast. He grabbed the folder of logo samples off the kitchen counter and headed for the door.

  The kiss at the front door lingered so long, they almost made love there. Jarrod glanced at his watch and swore. "I’ve got to go. Are you free for lunch?" When she nodded, he continued, "Meet me at my house at noon."

  At her raised eyebrows, he grinned wickedly. "We’d shock Erika if we had lunch here."

  She smiled as he left. She blew him a kiss after he’d gotten in the Jeep and waved, watched him drive away, then wandered back to her bedroom.

  The sight of the rumpled sheets made her smile again as she quickly made the bed. She swallowed her pills with some milk then went into her office to work. She’d worked steadily for over two hours when Erika walked in.

  After several teasing comments about her employer’s late night and flushed face, Erika got to work.