by Sara Rider
They walked along the gravel road back to their cabin in silence. The dusky sky and rustling of squirrels and other critters hidden in the woods around them provided enough atmosphere that it wasn’t necessary to speak. There was a comfortableness to the quiet moments between them that he wasn’t used to. One that gave him the chance to appreciate the small things he might have otherwise missed. Like the way she scuffed her feet when she walked and sighed every time she looked up at the moon rising over the water.
They reached the front door of their cabin a few minutes later and he stood back while she keyed in the lock code. “You’re in a good mood tonight.”
She spared him a quick glance over the shoulder. “That was nice. No one gave me a hard time or bombarded me with fifty thousand questions. And the food was amazing.”
“Are you saying I get a little credit?”
She turned to face him, back pressed against the door. “I’m saying you get all the credit. I actually enjoyed myself this evening. No interrogation and I got to eat a decent steak.”
He reached around her and gripped the handle, enclosing her against the doorframe. “Decent, huh?”
“Could’ve used a bit more salt, but that’s not your fault. No matter how much Grandma Jean swears she’s fit as a racehorse, her doctor is adamant that she needs to lower her sodium.”
He laughed. “Just so you know, Jean tried to bribe me into adding extra salt by offering me the ‘buy-one-get-one-free’ annual subscription to Senior’s Yoga Monthly.”
“Are you planning to stash them under your mattress for a late night fix?”
Jesus. How did he not know she had that kind of mouth on her? He liked her snarky side. The one that was ready to play. Ready to push back. “Spoken like someone who knows, Clem.”
Her eyes widened. Her lashes were long and thick, and completely mesmerizing when they fluttered against her lids. “I swear, I only read it for the articles.”
With a small chuckle, he turned the handle and followed her in. They were alone, finally. At some point they were going to have to talk about that damn kiss. He just needed to figure out what he wanted to say first.
“I think I saw a Carcassonne box under the coffee table. Up for a chance to redeem yourself tonight?”
“Is that some kind of torture device?”
“Some people think so.”
“All right, I just need to grab a shower first.” He had no idea what Carcassonne was, but her eager smile would have had him saying yes to a root canal right now. As soon as he cleared the smell of lake water from his skin.
He couldn’t stop Eli’s words from replaying in his head as he stripped off his clothes inside the small bathroom and stepped inside the shower. His friend meant well, but he didn’t understand. Eli had been through his share of woman. Hell, he’d even been an ass to some of his one-night stands when he was younger, but he’d never been outright cruel. Cruelty was all Jake had ever known. His parents’ acidic relationship was held together only by greed. Silent treatments. Petty arguments. He’d carried all of that into his relationship with Kelly. He refused to do the same with Clem.
Except he didn’t feel like someone capable of acting that way when he was around her. He felt like someone capable of good. Someone thoughtful. Someone happy.
He shampooed his hair and scrubbed his skin with the white bar of soap, but he didn’t have any more clarity by the time he finished his shower. What he did have was another problem. As he wrapped his towel around himself, he realized he’d forgotten to bring a change of clothes with him. The bedroom door was right next to the bathroom. He could slip inside to grab his clothes in half a second.
He secured the towel at his waist and stepped into the bedroom. Clem’s voice made him pause just inside the door.
“His lips brushed against her temple, a feather-light kiss that ignited her core. ‘Take off your shirt,’ he commanded.”
He stilled, heat burning a trail through his body. What the hell did he just hear?
“She popped the buttons open one by one, powerless against that dominant voice.” She sat cross-legged on the bed, back toward him. “She hated everything about him, but her aching nipples didn’t care. They were desperate for his mouth. He slipped his hand up her skirt, smiling wickedly when he discovered just how wet—”
He shut the door behind him. She scrambled off the bed and mumbled something about the acoustics, but he didn’t care. The only thing he cared about was hearing the next words to come out of her sweet mouth. He stepped behind her, slipping his hand along her waist and drawing her into him.
“Clem.”
Her sharp intake of breath caused her back to press against his chest. “Yes?”
“Take off your shirt.”
13
Take off your shirt.
The whispered words rang so loud in Clem’s ears, they nearly knocked her off balance. His firm grip on her belly was the only thing keeping her upright while her knees trembled. His erection pressed into her back, leaving no doubt about his intentions, and she couldn’t seem to stop herself from leaning into him.
She must have taken too long, because his hands stilled against her waist. “No?”
“Yes,” she whispered back. “Definitely yes.”
He exhaled and flicked open the top button of her shirt, brushing his lips along her temple. Butterflies kicked up in her stomach.
She fumbled with the bottom buttons until the shirt hung loosely at her sides. His big hands grazed her breasts as he pulled it off her shoulders, stirring her nipples into tight, aching peaks and sending thunderous pulses of heat to her core. His mouth trailed kisses to her neck while his hands traced up her ribs to cup her breasts over her bra. His fingertips brushed over her nipples, making her hypersensitive to the barest hint of friction from the black lace.
“I’ve been trying so damn hard to resist you, but I can’t. Everything about you turns me on, Clem. Your voice, your body, your smile. Everything about you brings me to my knees.”
Her entire body trembled. She needed more. She needed his mouth on her. “Please, Jake.”
He nipped her earlobe before turning her to face him. There was a hunger in his eyes she’d never seen before. It was intoxicating. He cupped her cheeks and pulled her toward him until their lips met in the most sensual, brain-melting kiss she’d ever experienced. His lips were soft, but commanding, like they were drinking her in. His tongue slid against hers, opening her to him. This was better than any kiss she’d experienced before. This was pure addiction.
Goosebumps prickled her skin as he slipped her bra straps down her shoulders and tugged at the cups until her breasts spilled out. He broke the kiss, pressing his lips to the column of her neck and working his way down along her collarbone, like he was memorizing the smallest details of her body. Worshipping her. Stoking her arousal until her nipples were throbbing with need.
“More, please,” she moaned.
“What do you need?” He voice was calm, unhurried. He licked the curve of her collarbone, like he was completely in control of himself while she was falling apart from the slightest touch.
“You,” she managed to say. “Your mouth.”
“Is that what happens next in your book?”
A shiver rolled down her body. “Yes.”
He dipped his head and pulled one tight pink peak into his mouth. The relief was so sweet, she buried her hands in his hair, clinging to him while he flicked and circled her nipple with his tongue. He sucked her next, enveloping her nipple with that delicious heat until she cried out.
He pulled off too soon, leaving her breathless as he lavished her other breast with the same attention.
“What comes next?” He asked between flicks of the tongue.
She’d never been super-confident in bed but none of her previous rules or inhibitions made sense right now. Raw, undiluted need was the only thing driving her. She grabbed his hand and brought it to the edge of her shorts, urging his fingers inside. He looke
d at her with a smile so wicked, so full of lust, it made her head spin.
He popped open the button of her fly and slipped his hands inside her panties. She was so wet, there was no resistance. His fingers slicked through her seam, finding her entrance instantly.
“This for me, Clem?”
God, she loved the way he said her name. Like it was the sexiest thing in the world instead of a joke. She nodded and squeezed her eyes shut as he spread her wetness around her most sensitive parts. She couldn’t stop herself from bucking against his hand, her entire body begging while her words failed.
He sank a thick finger insider her and pressed his thumb to her clit, finally giving her what she needed. She moaned and clung to his shoulders while her knees gave out. He worked her like a master and kissed her until the sensations were too much. She exploded against him, crying out as the pent up ecstasy unleashed like a hurricane inside her.
He gave her a few moments to catch her breath and let the aftershocks settle before letting her go. He pushed her shorts down her legs, leaving her in nothing but her black panties with her matching bra barely clinging to her body.
He buried his face in her hair and whispered, “Now what, babe? Does he drop to his knees and use his mouth?”
She exhaled a shaky breath, fortifying herself against the new wave of arousal spiking in her already sensitive heat. “No,” she responded tremulously.
“No?” A hint of humor laced his voice. “Then what?”
She bit her lip, forcing herself to meet his gaze dead-on. “She uses hers.”
His eyes widened and she took advantage of his split-second pause to sink to her knees in front of him. The towel at his waist came off with the slightest tug, revealing his huge, hard length. He was so gorgeous, with lean muscles and chiseled abs, it was hard to believe he was real. The faintest hint of a tan line from his shorts was the only imperfection on his naturally golden skin.
She braced one hand on his muscular thigh and circled his cock with the other. His size was almost intimidating but she was too eager to let that stop her. She swirled her tongue around the head, exploring him. His strangled moan spurred her on. She licked down the underside of his erection and back before taking him in her mouth. His fingers locked in her curls as she bobbed down his length, taking him as deep as she could and using her palm to make up the difference.
Every sound, every movement, every labored breath encouraged her to take him faster. Tighter. She could feel him getting close but he tugged at her hair. “Not like this, babe.”
She dropped back on her ankles. “But—”
“We’re going off-script. I need to be inside you.”
With his hand on her elbow, she climbed to her feet. He met her with another scorching kiss. She circled his neck, locking her body against his. He carried her to the bed and laid her against the soft duvet, then slid down her body, out of her grasp.
“Condoms?”
“My bag. In the closet,” she managed to say in spite of her painfully dry throat.
She stared shamelessly at his perfect ass as he rifled for a condom, too consumed with lust to restrain herself.
“Remind me to thank your sisters later,” he said, turning around with a shiny foil packet in hand.
His backside was amazing, but it had nothing on the sheer deliciousness of the front, especially when he stroked his cock with his own hand as he walked toward her. The sight shattered every one of her remaining brain cells, leaving her breathless and desperate for him.
“Take your panties off,” he commanded, circling the head of his cock before sliding his fist down to the base again.
There was no way to say no to the man when he looked at her that way. Like he was going to rip her panties off with his teeth if she didn’t comply. She dragged the black lace down her legs, then unhooked her bra and tossed it aside. She was so wet, her thighs felt slick.
He crawled onto the bed and she opened her legs for him, forgetting all traces of shyness. He flashed her a wicked grin in response, one that made a wave of heat roll across her skin.
“Don’t make me wait.” She reached for his shoulder, wanting to drag his body against hers but he backed just out of reach.
“I already warned you I’m a selfish man, Clem.” He sank down and buried his face between her thighs. Her back arched sharply, unprepared for the intensity of the sensation. He didn’t tease this time, focusing entirely on her clit until her body erupted with a second orgasm.
He hadn’t even penetrated her yet, and this was already the best sex of her life. She’d never been worshipped like this before. He was cherishing her body like she was a priceless work of art. Like he was addicted to the taste of her skin. She rose up on her elbows and tried to catch her breath, but the sight of him rolling the condom over his length only made the void between her legs ache more.
He crawled over her and poised his cock at her entrance.
“Hurry. Please.”
“This is all I can give you. You need to understand that before we do this. Just sex. Nothing else.”
The harsh words cut through the fog clouding her brain. He’d made his stance on relationships clear this morning. “I’m a grown woman, Jake. Give me what I need.”
He thrust inside her, filling her with so much relief she forgot about everything else. She greedily ran her hands over every part of his body she could reach—his arms, his back, his ass—while he surged inside her.
He threaded one hand in her hair, taking her hard and fast, exactly like she wanted it. Needed it. Another wave of ecstasy was building inside her. He captured her cry with his mouth, coming with a fierce growl at the same time.
He didn’t stop kissing her as she came down from her high, but the press of his lips against hers became softer. Sweeter. Her whole body felt boneless and relaxed in a way she couldn’t remember experiencing before.
He brushed his lips against hers one last time, then slipped out of bed to clean up in the bathroom. Still naked, she crawled under the covers, fearing she would break the spell he’d just cast on her if she got out of bed to hunt for her pajamas.
He came back into the room a second later and lied down beside her. Until that moment, she hadn’t realized she was holding on to the worry he wouldn’t come back. He grabbed the edge of the blanket to pull it over them, then hesitated.
“Fuck. I’m sorry.”
Her body stiffened, bracing for the sting of his next words. “For what?”
“For not stopping to tell you how fucking beautiful you are.”
Oh.
He pulled her back into his chest, spooning her against his warm body, and brushed her unruly hair behind her ear. “Goodnight, Clem.”
She closed her eyes and settled against him, wondering how the hell she was going to protect her heart now.
The first thing Jake noticed when he woke was the smell of coconut. He hadn’t even opened his eyes yet, but the sweet, tropical scent had him convinced he was going to find himself on a Hawaiian beach. He inhaled deeply, trying to soak in the aroma, and ended up with a face-full of soft hair tickling his skin. Clem.
Fuck. What had he done?
He prepared himself to feel the knife of regret stab him in the chest, but it didn’t come. He couldn’t explain it, but he didn’t feel guilty. Not like all those times he’d woken up looking for the nearest exit after going home with some random woman whenever he and Kelly were on a break. Right now, he just felt…good. Her body was soft and warm against his.
And naked. Shit.
He’d lost control last night. The minute he heard her sultry voice uttering those words, he’d snapped. And he was about to do it again.
He slid his hand up her arm to her shoulder and urged her to turn around. She mumbled, still half-asleep, but complied.
“Good morning.”
Her eyes opened slowly but her full lips wasted no time pulling into a brilliant smile. “Morning.”
Would she let him kiss her again?
&nb
sp; He didn’t get the chance to find out. She rolled out of his arms and stood up with her back toward him, stretching her arms above her head and giving him and unobstructed view of her lush curves and smooth, pale skin. She was a work of art. And her lack of inhibition heightened the effect on him a million times over.
He got out of bed and yanked on a pair of boxers. “Look, about last night—”
“You don’t have to say anything. It was just sex, we’re two consenting adults and all that jazz.” She rubbed her belly without a trace of awkwardness. “Mmm. I hope there’s bacon again this morning.”
It felt like his brain hit a speed bump. Last night was a hell of a lot more than just sex. He’d never felt so twisted upside down by a woman before, and all she could think about was breakfast. What the hell was going on? “Okay. It’s good that we can be mature about this. But I still think we should talk about it—”
She tilted her head to the side and drew eyebrows together. “Oh, sorry. You’re right. You were really good. A-plus performance.”
Christ, he’d had a lot of different reactions from women the morning after a roll in the sheets, but this was the first time he’d gotten a literal thumbs up from a woman. “Are you trying to soothe my ego?”
“Yep. Is it working?”
He laughed in spite of himself. “Not really.”
She shrugged with a grin. “Sorry. We both knew what this was when we got into it last night, and I’m not really the type to fawn all over a guy the next day like a lovesick fool. I hope that’s okay.”
“No, that’s great. I’m glad we’re on the same wavelength.”
“Perfect. I’m going to grab a shower.” She headed to the door, then turned. “Unless you want one first?”
What he wanted was to drag her back onto the mattress for round two, but he just shook his head instead. “Go ahead. I’m going to go for a quick run.”
It took him longer than he’d like to admit to realize he was standing next to the bed like a shell-shocked idiot after watching her saunter out of the room. He’d expected an uncomfortable morning-after conversation, but apparently he was the only one whose mind and body were engaged in an all-out war over whether to chastise or congratulate himself for his lack of self-control last night. Clem was acting like she’d been utterly unaffected by the explosive chemistry between them. It was the reaction he’d hoped for. No awkwardness. No tears. No bitterness. So why the hell did it bother him so much?