Feels Like Home

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  During the night they’d relaxed and sought their own familiar sleeping positions. She lay on her back, gazing up at the beamed ceiling, and he was sprawled on his stomach, the pillow bunched under his head, and his eyes closed. She listened to his even breathing and remembered how that breathing changed when he was loving her. She’d have plenty of memories to keep her warm after this week ended.

  “I can hear you thinking over there.” Rafe’s voice was rough with sleep, but tender, too.

  She rolled to face him. “I couldn’t tell if you were awake.”

  “I’m awake, and I have a blasted erection, which makes no sense after the night we had. I should be limp as a shredded bike tire, but I’m…not.” With his morning stubble and the gleam of lust in his dark eyes, he looked even more like a bad boy.

  “Yeah, but mornings are supposed to be a guy’s best time, aren’t they?”

  His lips curved in a bad-boy smile. “I tried like hell to give you my best last night.”

  “And I have no complaints.” She stroked his bristly cheek. “But since I’m still here, there’s no reason for you to suffer.”

  “Noble of you, Nurse Meg.”

  “I’m only happy to serve. Roll over so I can check your condition.”

  “Oh, boy.” He rolled to his back and displayed his stiff penis. “Doctor was always my favorite game.”

  “Mmm. You do seem to have a condition. Major swelling going on.” She tapped his shaft with her finger. “Does that hurt?”

  “Only when you stop.”

  “I suggest covering it with a latex membrane to contain the swelling.”

  “What a coincidence.” He leaned over and snagged a condom packet from the floor. “I happen to have that very thing lying around.”

  “Lucky for you.” She ripped open the packet.

  “Tell me about it, Nurse Meg.”

  “Now lie still while I apply the latex.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “You may be a bit uncomfortable at first…”

  “No kidding.” He gritted his teeth as she slowly rolled on the condom. “Could you possibly speed it up a little?”

  “I like to take my time with my patients.”

  “That’s all well and good, but…ahh…whatever you’re doing with your pinky fingers is not helping.”

  She struggled not to laugh. “Am I doing something with my pinky fingers? Oh, dear, the swelling seems to be getting worse. And your breathing is very irregular. I think you need some mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.” Straddling him carefully so that she didn’t touch his cock at all, she leaned down and kissed him on the mouth, with plenty of tongue.

  He moaned and grasped her hips, trying to position her where he wanted her.

  She wiggled free and sat down firmly on his thighs. Shaking her finger at him, she gave him a stern glance. “You’re taking liberties, sir.”

  “And you’re taking forever, Nurse Meg.” He gestured toward his condom-covered penis. “Are you going to reduce the swelling like you promised, or not?”

  “Oh, all right.” Sighing dramatically, she rose to her hands and knees. “Let’s try some deep-tissue massage.”

  “Yeah, let’s. The deeper the better.” He bracketed her hips with both hands.

  “Don’t be hasty, now.” Her little game was catching up with her. After so much foreplay, she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Her heart raced as she settled herself over the very tip of his rigid cock. But she couldn’t resist teasing him by taking him in a millimeter at a time.

  With a low growl he tightened his grip. “Enough’s enough.” He thrust upward, filling her in one swift movement.

  She gasped with pleasure. “Sir!”

  “Ah.” He lowered his hips and pulled her down with him. “I feel better already.”

  Her body hummed with delight as the length and breadth of him touched her in all the right places. “I suppose we could try some patient-directed therapy.”

  His dark eyes glittered. “Such as?”

  Leaning forward, she nibbled at his mouth. “Tell me how you want it, big boy.”

  His instructions were low and intense. “I want you to ride me, Nurse Meg. Ride me hard and fast.”

  Heat rocketed through her, igniting fires in every sensitive spot. “If you think you’re up to it.”

  “I’ll take my chances.”

  “Then here we go.” She started off gradually, getting her bearings, finding her rhythm, but in seconds the power of being in control tempted her to pump faster.

  He rose to meet her, his thighs slapping her bottom with each stroke. The mattress shivered and shook as they came together in a wild frenzy of need.

  He gasped for breath. “Meg…I can’t wait…” With a groan, he drove into her and came.

  She absorbed the spasms of his release and tightened the muscles holding him deep within her. She was close, so close. And then she felt his thumb press hard against her clit and she erupted, her climax dancing and twirling in time with his.

  As the waves of pleasure subsided, she sank down onto his chest. They were both slick with sweat, and she rubbed back and forth to savor the feel of his moist chest hair lightly scratching her breasts.

  He wrapped his arms around her and sighed. “I could stay in this bed with you all day, Nurse Meg.”

  “I must have a good bedside manner, then.” She rested her cheek against his muscled shoulder.

  “The best. There’s no one I’d rather have tend to my swelling issues.” He stroked her back. “Then again, the more I’m around you, the more swelling issues I seem to have, so it’s possible you’re both the cause and the cure.”

  “That works out rather neatly, don’t you think?”

  “It does, especially if we could escape to a deserted island right now.”

  “That does sound appealing. But there’s this wedding on Saturday.”

  He sighed again. “I know.”

  “And in addition to the bride and groom, and the minister, of course, we’re the other two most significant members of the wedding party.”

  “And maybe the most important thing to remember is this—if Wyatt hadn’t decided to marry Olivia, chances are we would never have met.”

  “Oh.” She lifted her head and met his gaze. “That’s too terrible to contemplate.”

  “Yeah.” He tunneled his fingers through her hair. “I wouldn’t have known what I was missing, but I would have missed so much.” He drew her toward him. “Your chin has a touch of whisker burn from your mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.”

  “I don’t care.”

  “Good, because I want to kiss you once more before we climb out of this bed and get on with our day.”

  “Please do.”

  His lips found hers in the sweetest, most tender kiss he’d given her yet. She barely felt the prickle of his beard. It was the sort of loving kiss that she wished could go on much longer than it did.

  When he pulled back, he looked into her eyes with the same sweet tenderness. “You’re amazing,” he said. “Thank you for giving me such an unforgettable night.”

  “I won’t forget it, either,” she said softly. “But I’m hoping for another invitation tonight.”

  “Consider yourself invited. It’ll be the last time we’re up here alone. My dad will be in a bedroom in your wing after that.”

  And maybe his mother, although she decided not to mention that possibility. “Then we’ll just have to enjoy our priva
cy while we have it. And now, I’m heading back down to my own room.” She extricated herself from his arms and climbed out of bed.

  “I’m getting up, too.” He left the bed and disposed of the condom.

  Stooping, she gathered her clothes. “I should probably put these on before I go out in the hall, but I’d rather not.”

  “I dare you to streak back to your room.”

  She laughed. “It would probably be a very private streak. Judging from the way everyone looked at us last night when they found out about the necklace, they’re convinced we spent the night together. They won’t venture up here until they know we’re both decent.” She bundled her clothes together and decided streaking was the way to go.

  He picked up his shirt from the floor. “Are you okay with everyone knowing?”

  She glanced at him. “I’m okay with it. Are you?”

  “Meg, I’m damned proud that you considered me worthy of being your lover. I don’t care who knows it.”

  She smiled with relief. “That makes two of us, then. See you downstairs, cowboy.” She opened the door, looked both ways and scurried back to her room.

  Once she was there, she remembered leaving her necklace in his bathroom. Streaking once was one thing. Doing it twice was plain unnecessary because she was now in possession of the white terry bathrobe she’d packed.

  Pulling it on, she tied the sash and started back down the hall just as Rafe walked out of his bedroom in all his naked glory. He spied her and paused, a smile spreading over his whiskered face.

  She was mesmerized. At close quarters, while she’d been involved in either lovemaking or conversation with him, she hadn’t been able to gauge the full impact of his athletic body. But when she had both daylight and perspective, she was struck by how magnificent he truly was. Michelangelo must have had someone like Rafe in mind when he sculpted David.

  Well, except for the naughty bits. She’d always thought David could have used a little more abundance in that department. Rafe outshone him there.

  He chuckled. “So, are you planning to stand there all morning?”

  “I will if you will. It’s a great view.”

  “Flattery will get you everywhere, lady.”

  “I’m just telling the truth.” She walked toward him. “That desert island is sounding better and better. You wouldn’t ever have to get dressed as far as I’m concerned.”

  “No fair.” Once she was within reach, he drew her into his arms and tugged at the belt of her robe. “I want my naked nurse back.”

  “I hear people bustling around downstairs.” But when he opened her robe and pulled her close, she didn’t object. She’d been admiring him from afar, and now she could enjoy the pleasure of feeling all those delicious lines and angles against her body.

  “What people?” He leaned down and nuzzled behind her ear. “Aren’t we the only two in the world?”

  “’Fraid not.” She cupped his firm buttocks and wanted him again. But the house was waking up, and although she didn’t mind everyone knowing she’d spent the night with Rafe, she didn’t want the family to think she couldn’t tear herself away from him this morning.

  “Too bad.” He stroked her breast. “Your nipples are puckering up like they do when you want me.”

  “I do want you.”

  “Aha!”

  “But I’m not going to act on it.”

  He continued to caress her. “So why did you come back?”

  “For my necklace.”

  He chuckled. “What a great excuse.” He started maneuvering her toward the bathroom. “Let’s go get it, and while we’re in there, we can—”

  “Nope.” She finally found the willpower to wriggle out of his arms and retie her robe. “You’re quite tempting, Rafe Locke, but it’s time for us to make an appearance.”

  He gave her a sad smile. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

  “I’m thrilled that you’re trying. Knowing you want me after all the sex we’ve had is…well, it’s just very exciting.”

  “For me, too. I’m glad you still want me.”

  “I do.” She took a deep breath. “And I would count it a huge favor if you’d go into the bathroom and bring out the necklace.”

  “Sure.” He walked into the bathroom, giving her a tantalizing view of his tight buns in motion. Just inside the door he glanced over his shoulder. “Caught you looking.”

  “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “Good point. I’d do the same in your place.” He continued into the bathroom and quickly returned holding her necklace. “So how about taking off your bathrobe before you walk back to your room? I wouldn’t mind having that image to sustain me through the day.”

  She hesitated. She didn’t think anyone would come upstairs unannounced, but she couldn’t be positive.

  “Come on, my uninhibited lover.” He held out the necklace. “Need this for courage?”

  “Maybe.” She took it from his hand and settled it around her neck. The silver was cool against her hot skin, and she couldn’t deny she felt different when she wore it.

  A woman who wore a necklace this beautiful would have poise to spare. She’d accept the challenge of walking away naked from a man who wanted to admire her from behind. She’d revel in the power of her body to captivate him and hold him hostage to her whims.

  “Take off the robe, Meg,” he urged softly. “Take it off and walk away from me, knowing that I’ll be devouring the sight of your bare ass every step of the way. I’ll watch you go, and I’ll want you desperately. If you turn to look before you go in, you’ll see how much.”

  She lifted her chin and met his hot glance. “I’ll do it.”

  “Is it on your list?”

  “It is now.” Untying her robe, she let it fall open and relished the way his eyes darkened in response. Slowly, keeping her gaze locked with his, she drew the robe off her shoulders and let it slide down.

  Before it hit the floor, she grabbed the collar and held on. “See you downstairs, cowboy.”

  His throat moved as he swallowed. “You bet.”

  She took her time turning around, and then she strolled down the hall dragging the robe behind her as if it were a mink coat. She’d never been a runway model, but she’d seen the suggestive way they walked, and she was a good mimic.

  Her heart thudded wildly as she put herself boldly on display for the man she’d loved so thoroughly the night before. She’d dared much with him, but always in the heat of passion. This deliberately provocative move was strictly solo, and it required a sexual confidence she hadn’t thought she possessed.

  At her doorway, she turned.

  Rafe’s soft laughter drifted toward her, and he gestured toward his rigid cock. “See?”

  Gratifying indeed. “Hold that thought.”

  “Don’t worry. I won’t forget that visual for a long, long time. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take a very cold shower.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Believe me, it was worth it. See you later, sweet cheeks.”

  “Which cheeks are you referring to?”

  He laughed again. “I think you know.” And then he was gone.

  Moments later she heard the noise of the shower. Looping her robe over her arm, she walked into her bedroom. Strange, but she didn’t feel like the same person who had left it yesterday.

  15

  DESPITE MISSING OUT ON another romp with Meg, Rafe was in a fantastic mood as he finished dressing in some of his new
clothes. He liked the way they fit, and damned if he didn’t feel a little more like a cowboy this morning.

  Maybe cowboys had better sex. He wasn’t opposed to making use of the fantasy this week, especially because it included having great sex with a woman he liked very much. He had several more days to be with her and find out if the magic continued. Assuming it did, he’d build more time into his schedule to be with her. And then…then they’d see.

  He still had a thriving business in San Francisco and he wasn’t about to let go of that. But if she was as captivated by their relationship as he was, she might be willing to make some concessions. After all, she was the one who’d already decided moving was an option.

  Keeping that possibility under wraps seemed to be the best idea. No sense in stirring up opposition to the plan before he’d decided if it had value. He had one more unobstructed day with Meg. He hoped they could go riding. With that in mind, he tucked a condom in his jeans pocket. Never hurt to be prepared.

  His cell phone lay on the dresser. He felt a little guilty for not paying more attention to his clients in the past couple of days. But hey, if any of them had lucked out and found a hot partner like he had, they’d do the same.

  Maybe he should turn on the phone, though, and see how many messages had stacked up. He’d take a quick inventory and then go downstairs and have breakfast with Meg. Skipping breakfast had been a mistake yesterday, and he tried not to make the same mistake twice.

  Fortunately, he didn’t have a ton of work-related emails, but he had two missed calls from his father and finally the guy had decided to leave a message. He probably hadn’t expected Rafe to turn off his phone because he so rarely did that. Rafe keyed in the message function.

  Probably something about his dad’s flight on Thursday. Maybe the landing time had changed by two minutes. Harlan Locke was a stickler for details, and his plane travel always turned into an elaborate schematic that probably drove his secretary around the bend.