Seaside Whispers: Matt Lacroux (Love in Bloom: Seaside Summers)

by Melissa Foster

  “You make me want to jump in the backseat and skip work.” Her confession came fast and breathless.

  “You make me want to take you back to my bed and skip everything else until we have to come back and pick up Hagen,” he whispered, and then he kissed her—hard.

  His mouth was hot, wet velvet, and she wanted it all over her—on her neck, her breasts, between her legs where heat pooled and need swelled. His hands moved over her hips to her ass, and he held her as he had last night, deliciously, perfectly, enticingly tight. His hips ground sensually against her, and he groaned into their kiss. The raw need of that sound shattered what little restraint she had. Her knee rode up his thigh and his hand moved beneath her skirt.

  “Oh God,” she whispered as his hand pushed beneath her panties and his fingertips found her wet heat. “Matt,” she panted out. Oh God. There. Oh. Yes. There!

  He claimed her in another kiss, touching her with deft precision. She wanted him inside her. Now.

  “Matt,” she pleaded.

  He pushed his fingers inside her and she lost it. She bit down on his shoulder to silence her cries as her inner muscles clenched around his magical fingers over and over again. She heard a keening sound and realized it was coming from her. She was so far gone. Her body tingled and burned, swelled and throbbed. She needed more of him. The unexpected orgasm was a gift from the gods, but it wasn’t nearly enough.

  “What time do you have to be at work?” he asked against her neck.

  Work? Oh right. Work. Um… “Nine thirty.”

  He withdrew his fingers and she gasped with the loss. He dragged her to the passenger side of the car, threw open the door, and nudged her inside. He ducked in and kissed her hard. “It’s only five after eight.”

  MATT SPED THROUGH every green light on the way to the cottage. The stars were aligning in his and Mira’s favor. Thank fucking God, because Mira was palming him through his pants as he drove and he was on the verge of losing it.

  They scrambled out of the car and ran like horny teenagers to the back door, kissing and groping along the way. Stumbling up the back steps, Matt trapped her against the door and kissed her deeply as he fumbled with the keys.

  “Hurry,” she pleaded.

  He shoved the key in the lock and pushed the door open, pulling her inside with him. And then his mouth and hands were on her. They tore at each other’s clothes. Her dress and his shirt sailed to the floor in a heap. He made quick work of stripping off his pants and fumbled with the front clasp on her bra. When it finally sprang free, he let out a loud groan at the sight of her in nothing more than a pair of pink lace panties.

  “Christ, sunshine. I’m going to devour you.”

  He filled his palms with her perfect breasts and sucked one taut peak as he teased her other nipple with his fingers, earning a needy whimper. She tugged at his briefs, and he grabbed her hands and pressed them against the door, taking her in another passionate kiss.

  “I need to taste you.” Tearing off her panties, his eyes raked over her sweet curves, her smooth, silky skin, and the sexy tuft of curls hiding his next meal.

  Her cheeks flushed, and she moved her hands over her stomach.

  He pushed out of his briefs and laced his fingers with hers. “None of that, baby. You’re mine. All of you. I want to see, and taste, and touch every luscious inch.”

  He rocked against her mound. Her eyelids grew seductively heavy, and her breathing quickened. When he angled his hips, pressing the root of his cock against all that sweet, wet heat, they both moaned.

  “You feel so good,” he said against her mouth. “I bet you’ll taste like heaven.”

  He kissed her roughly, unable to slow his greed, and moved down her body, kissing each breast, laving his tongue over her nipples. She writhed and moaned, clawing at his skin as he blazed a path down the center of her body. He kissed the smooth expanse of skin above her damp curls, breathing in her feminine scent, and grazed his teeth over her inner thighs, coaxing her legs open wider. He pressed a kiss to the cleft of her swollen sex and slicked his tongue along her wetness, taking his first taste of her sweet desire. The pit of his stomach ached with his need for more of her. He gripped her hips and brought his mouth to her again, licking and sucking and plunging his tongue deep inside her. She rocked against his mouth, fisting her hands in his hair and holding him against her.

  “Yes. There,” she pleaded. “Oh Lord. There.”

  He couldn’t get enough of her. Using the door for leverage, he grabbed her firm, round ass and lifted, guiding her legs over his shoulders and angling her slick heat so he could take more of her. He sucked her clit into his mouth, licked a path to her center, then repeated the sublime rhythm until her breathing quickened and her thighs tightened around his head. He covered her sex with his mouth and thrust his tongue in deep. She cried out so loud it echoed off the walls. He stayed with her, licking and sucking, fucking her with his tongue through the very last quiver.

  She fell limply back against the door, and he gathered her into his arms and kissed her hard and deep, until the taste of her arousal covered both their tongues.

  “Gorgeous,” he said between kisses. “Delicious.” He grabbed her ass and held tight. “Mine.”

  He carried her into the bedroom and laid her on the center of the bed. Her skin was flushed, her eyes so full of emotion he felt himself disappearing into them as he came down over her. Her legs opened for him, inviting him in. His mouth covered hers hungrily. He loved the feel of her smooth thighs cradling him, her juices coating the head of his cock. Aw hell.

  “Condom,” he said between kisses, and retrieved one from the bedside table.

  He tore it open with his teeth and quickly sheathed his thick length. She watched with wide eyes and licked her lips. Holy hell she was so beautiful, so feminine, and yet he could see the fierce temptress in her eyes. The desire to be wicked and naughty, which they didn’t have time for now, was overwhelming. But soon he’d give her wicked. He’d give her naughty. He’d give her anything her big, sexy heart desired.

  Perched above her, he paused, taking in her gorgeous features, the trusting, wanting look in her eyes. In these few quiet seconds he realized she was shaking. He kissed her softly.

  “Baby, what is it?”

  She shook her head. “I’m okay.”

  “Okay is not good enough. Do you want to stop?” Stopping was the last thing he wanted to do, but there was nothing he wouldn’t do for Mira.

  “No!” She wrapped her arms around him. “I’m just nervous. It’s been a long time.”

  “For me, too,” he admitted. “I haven’t been with another woman since I met you.”

  Her brows knitted, and a small smile curved her lips. “Really? That’s almost a year.”

  “Yes, really.”

  “No wonder your hands are so strong.” Laughter burst from her lips. “Sorry. I can’t help it. I’m nervous, and I have you beat. I haven’t done this since I got pregnant with Hagen, so go slow, because I may have closed back up by now.” She laughed again, which made him laugh, too.

  “That’s not exactly a bad thing.” He kissed her softly. “No battery-operated boyfriend?”

  Her cheeks flamed.

  “Ah, now the truth comes out. That makes you even hotter.”

  She closed her eyes and he ran a finger down her cheek. “Open your eyes, sunshine.”

  When she did, she looked adorably embarrassed and excruciatingly sexy.

  “I would have been surprised if you didn’t,” he reassured her. He laced their fingers together and moved them beside her head. “Now I know you’re not opposed to playing around in the bedroom.”

  He waggled his brows to ease her embarrassment, but when he gazed into her eyes, the passion he saw sent teasing out the door. He lowered his mouth to hers, and she rose up to meet him, her legs circling his waist so naturally, so eagerly, as he pushed into her tight heat, the immense pleasure stole the air from his lungs. He filled her completely, like their bod
ies were made for each other. He’d been dreaming of this very second for so long, but nothing—nothing—compared to burying himself deep inside the woman he adored while she gazed up from beneath him. He slowed their kiss to focus on the incredible pleasure.

  “I’ve waited so long to be with you. I’d have waited forever.” His admission came honestly and easily, and the sweet sigh that escaped her lips told him she was right there with him.

  Their mouths came together hard and urgent, mirroring their bodies as they fell into sync. She made sexy little noises, and her nails carved memories of this moment into his back as they rocked and thrust, pouring months of anticipation into their lovemaking. He slid his hands beneath her ass, lifting and angling, allowing him to take her deeper. Their bodies grew slick with sweat as they loved their way through the passion, clawing and pleading, chasing the rainbow. Heat streaked along Matt’s limbs, bloomed in his chest like wildfire, and stroked between his legs, coaxing him to the verge of release. He held on to Mira’s shoulders, driving in deeper, harder, time and time again. Her soft curves pressed against him, and her tight body engulfed his hard length. There was no way he’d last much longer. Her body shifted, guiding his efforts so he stroked over that magical spot that made her gasp, and her head tipped back.

  “That’s it, baby.” He sealed his mouth over the base of her neck, the way he’d learned would get her there.

  “Oh God, yessss,” she cried out.

  He slowed their pace, wanting to draw out her pleasure, withdrawing slowly, only to tighten his grip and drive in with all his might, repeating the tease until she finally cried out his name. As she clawed at his flesh, her inner muscles convulsed. A wave of passion crashed over him, sucking him under, drowning him in pleasure until the world spun away and the only thought he could hold on to was Mira, Mira, Mira.

  Chapter Thirteen

  MIRA WONDERED HOW she’d made it through the workday Thursday without anyone pointing at her and saying, “Hey! You look all sexed up!” It was a ridiculous thought, but she’d sworn the scent of sex and Matt had permeated her skin, wafting around her like the soft scent of perfume even after they showered. She also felt more alive than she had in years, and when she looked in the mirror, the radiant afterglow of their lovemaking shone in her cheeks and gleamed in her eyes. She’d chickened out about talking to Neil, waiting instead until Friday, and having almost as hard of a time. When she finally got up the courage to speak to him about the co-op, she half expected him to call her out on the fact that Matt had driven her to work the day before and she’d arrived exactly at nine thirty. She was usually at least half an hour early, as she made a point of being today.

  She drew in a deep breath and headed for his office. He was hunkered down over the desk working on the inventory ledger. She hoped Matt was right about Neil not fighting them on looking into the co-op idea.

  “Neil?”

  He cocked his head, his cheeks lifting with his kind smile. Most people aged from year to year, but Mira swore he’d gotten younger in the past year, more relaxed at least.

  “Do you have a second to talk?” Her pulse was racing, but she couldn’t tell if it was because of their impending conversation or the tryst she’d had with Matt.

  “Of course.” He waved to the chair beside his desk and leaned back.

  She settled into the chair, telling herself to stop being silly about Matt. They were adults, and people expected them to have sex. Maybe not frantic, rush-to-beat-the-clock sex, but still…

  “Was Hagen excited about his camping trip?” Neil asked.

  He was always asking after Hagen, who had left earlier in the afternoon with her brothers. “Yes. He’s excited to use his new equipment. Drake called when they picked him up from camp, and Hagen told him that they should call day camp, ‘play time,’ because they don’t do any real camping.”

  “He’s a smart cookie.”

  “He is.” Talking about her son eased her nerves. “Matt said you were okay with us checking into the co-op idea?”

  His smile widened so unexpectedly, she didn’t know what to make of it. “Did he?”

  “Um…” Didn’t he? “Yes?”

  Neil laughed. “My son doesn’t waste any time, does he?”

  Oh God! You could tell we had sex yesterday!

  When she didn’t respond right away—because she couldn’t get past that thought—he said, “Out of all my children, he comes across as the most patient, doesn’t he?”

  Now she was thoroughly confused. What exactly were they talking about?

  “He’s very patient,” she agreed, growing increasingly more nervous.

  “Usually. But once he makes his mind up about something, patience isn’t his strong suit. I suppose that’s how Bea and I raised our children—to follow their hearts and their heads and not to let anything stand in their way. Matty’s finally figured it out.”

  “I’m sorry, but are we still talking about the co-op?”

  The slow shake of his head made hers spin. “The co-op. The book deal he’s taken on. Coming home. You and Hagen. Isn’t it all in part of the same picture?”

  The book deal? She and Hagen were part of the book deal picture? No, the book deal was Matt’s fallback position. He really wanted the position of dean, and when he’d realized he couldn’t have it, he’d decided to take door number two.

  I’m door number two.

  That went down hard, battling with Matt’s confession from earlier that morning. I’ve waited so long to be with you. I’d have waited forever. Could he have meant waited for sex with her? Just sex? That didn’t sit right in her mind or her heart.

  “I don’t know about all that,” she finally managed. “But I know he wants to help with the co-op, to try to save the business you’ve worked so hard to build.”

  “Yes. Yes, he suddenly does, doesn’t he?” Neil said with a sagacious smile.

  Suddenly? She was reading too much into all of this, she was sure of it. But Neil hadn’t been inclined to even talk about this topic before, and now he was, which made her wonder if he was…matchmaking? Rooting for them as a couple? No, surely not. He must have simply come to his senses after talking to Matt and realized how much was at stake if he left the business as it currently stood.

  “So, you’ve changed your mind, then?” she asked cautiously.

  “I think it’s worth exploring. We can figure out how far to take it as things progress.”

  Yesterday’s mind-blowing sex had definitely rattled her brain, because she was interpreting every word out of his mouth as having to do with her and Matt. The bell on the door jingled, and Mira was thankful for the distraction.

  “Thanks, Neil. I’m excited to see where we end up.” She pushed from the chair and she was so flummoxed that in her head what she’d said also sounded like she was talking about her and Matt. “With the co-op, I mean,” she clarified.

  She turned to leave and smacked into Matt’s chest.

  “Hey there,” Matt said, wrapping his arm around her waist.

  “Sorry,” she said quickly. Her insides were melting and trying to flee at once. She never got flustered, but between the thoughts about being door number two, the weird conversation with his father, and the feel and now-familiar scent of Matt waking up all of her hormones, she was a hot mess.

  Matt gave her a quick kiss and said, “Don’t be.”

  His father smiled as her skin burned off her bones. She was sure it would slough off her body any second.

  “We were just talking about the co-op,” his father said as he patted Matt on the back.

  “It’s a great idea,” Matt said. “Isn’t it?”

  “The best one I’ve heard in years,” Neil said as he headed into the store.

  Mira realized Neil hadn’t asked her any questions, like how the co-op might work, or what companies she was thinking of looking into as potential business partners. Maybe he’d been talking about her and Matt after all.

  MATT HAD THOUGHT long and hard over w
here to take Mira for the weekend before finally settling on his cottage in Nantucket. He’d thought about taking her to Boston, but he knew Hagen wanted to see a library there, and he wouldn’t feel right going without him. He also didn’t want to go too far in case Hagen needed them to return at the spur of the moment, but he wanted to take her someplace special and memorable. He hadn’t spent much time at his cottage, and he’d never been with a woman on Nantucket, making it the perfect weekend getaway to begin building memories with Mira.

  The ferry ride was fun, and passed too quickly. When they arrived at his quaint water-view cottage, Matt paid the driver and hitched the bags over his shoulder. The look of sheer bliss and appreciation on Mira’s face as she took in the quaint cottage told him he’d made the right decision. An abundance of pink and white roses climbed over the white picket fence, up the sides of the house, and along an arbor surrounding the front porch. Splashes of weathered cedar shingles and white trim peeked through the mass of pretty blooms and lush greenery.

  “This is gorgeous,” Mira said as they followed the seashell walkway up to the front door. “How did you manage to rent this on such short notice? I would think the entire island would be booked all summer long.”

  He draped an arm over her shoulder as they walked to the side of the house and took in the view of the water. A sandy path cut through a deep expanse of dune grass separating the cottage from the private beach. Just beyond, the water glistened like glass. Boats decorated the water, and for the first time since Matt had bought the cottage, he wondered what it might be like to spend more time here. They were walking distance from town, but Matt had phoned ahead and purchased two bikes, which he’d had delivered and stored in his shed in case Mira wanted to explore the outer reaches of the island.