“Which part?” He undid the first button, then the second, until suddenly her dress was open to the waist.
“The part about teasing my nipples.”
He slid his hand in the opening, cupping her firm bare flesh. “You’re not wearing a bra.”
“I figured that when you said not to wear panties, you meant I shouldn’t wear a bra either.”
Oh God. He’d forgotten about the panties, though how he could have, he’d never know. “Are you naked under this?”
“Uh-huh.” She punctuated with a nod and a smile.
“You make me nuts, you know.”
“Ditto.” Then she laid flat on the grass and spread the opening of her dress.
She had the most beautiful breasts he’d ever seen. They weren’t large, but they were high and firm beneath his fingers. She’d carried two children, yet remained perfect. He dipped his head and took a nipple in his mouth. She arched into him, stroking the back of his neck as she held him to her. She tasted of strawberries or some other sweet fruit. He cupped her other breast with his hand and played with the nipple as he sucked her. She wriggled, moving closer into him.
“Lord, that’s good,” she sighed. Then she reached down and undid the rest of her buttons. All the way to the hem.
He looked down the length of her as the dress fell open. The slight roundness of her belly, the soft thatch of hair at the juncture of her thighs, and legs, endless legs. He remembered them wrapped around his head.
“Take off your shirt,” she murmured. “I want to feel your skin against mine.”
He sat up, jerked at the buttons. Damn, he should have worn a T-shirt. So much easier. She helped him push it off his arms, then tossed it to the other side of the blanket.
He came down on her, glided a hand along her thigh. Her skin was so soft, so smooth against his. Then he took her lips, played with her tongue, angled for a deeper, sweeter penetration of her mouth.
He’d show her how good they could be together. He’d make her need him.
Her leg slid along his, her thigh to his hip. She caressed his back and sides with long strokes. “You feel so good, Jace. Make me feel good.”
Make love to me, Jace.
Taylor trapped the plea inside. He’d thought she’d changed her mind. He couldn’t know how badly she wanted this. Too badly to consider backing out. Badly enough to lie and sneak.
“I’ll make you feel better than you’ve ever felt, Taylor.”
He worked his way down her body, from her throat, to her breasts, across her belly to the place he’d been before.
He parted her with his fingers, sliding across her clitoris. She closed her eyes. “Make it better than the other day.” Which was a tall order. A huge order.
He pushed two fingers inside her, then put his tongue to her, working in and out, hitting all her sensitive spots at once. She rose on her elbows.
“I want to watch you.”
Under the moonlit sky, the sight of him between her thighs was the most erotic she’d ever known. He touched her with total concentration, igniting a fire in her body, playing her like a sexual prodigy. She reached the peak, exploded and fell over the edge before she’d even known she was starting the climb. Her orgasm rushed over her like a hot, wild wind. She knew she cried out, she knew Jace held her down, stretching the pleasure peak out until she couldn’t move, couldn’t speak.
He crawled up her body, resting his hips between her legs and rocking gently against that same spot so that she couldn’t completely come down from the orgasm.
“Was that better?”
“The best,” she whispered. “Now I want you inside me.”
He reached to his back pocket, came back with a condom packet, then slid off her body to his side. He was quick, practiced, the jeans popping easily, the wrapper tossed aside, and the condom in place. She felt a momentary twinge. But then she’d never minded his bad boy image before. She hadn’t thought too much about how many women he’d had.
Or how long he stayed with them. Jace grew bored quickly.
“Come here.” He pulled her on top.
She straddled his hips. With the feel of him between her legs and his hard cock slipping slightly inside her, she stopped caring about anything else. She wanted him. She wanted Jace.
She rose above him. He slid in so easily, filled her so deeply. “Oh God, Jace.”
“Fuck me, Taylor. Please.”
He put his hands at her waist and guided her movements, his hips rising to meet hers, driving home.
“I am so glad it was you, Jace. Nobody else. Just you.” She leaned down and took his lips, sealing her mouth to his in rhythm to their grinding hips.
Then suddenly she needed more, something she hadn’t realized was so important. “I want you on top. Please, Jace. Make me come with your body on mine.”
He held her ribs, then rolled them until he was above her. She opened her eyes to meet his glittering gaze.
“Say it again. Say it’s only me.” He slid out, then drove back in, hitting a spot high and deep that made her gasp.
“Only you, Jace.”
Then he pulled her leg to his waist, intensified the angle of his thrusts and pushed her until she screamed. He shouted her name, pulsing inside her, then let his arms collapse.
She took his full weight, breathing hard, hugging him close. She wrapped both legs around his hips and both arms around his neck. “Don’t move, please don’t move. Stay like this, please.”
Stay like this with me forever.
* * * * *
Jace knew he was crushing her, but she wouldn’t let him go, her grip on him tight and all-consuming.
She’d screamed, she’d begged, she’d whispered he was the only one, only him. At least that’s how he heard it.
I am so glad it was you, Jace. Nobody else. Just you.
Isn’t that what her words meant? Only you. Just you. Nobody else. Shit. He didn’t know what she meant. Could have been nothing more than she was glad she picked someone who knew his way around a woman’s body.
Shit.
He eased off slightly, holding himself on his elbows to let her breathe. Why was he ruining what they’d done together?
“You okay down there?”
Her eyes still closed, she smiled. “I’m more than okay. What time is it?”
He pulled out and rolled off.
“Hey.”
“Sorry, my arms were breaking.” Something was breaking, and it wasn’t his arms. He angled his watch to the light. “It’s a little past nine-thirty.”
“I was late getting here. I’m sorry.”
He turned to peel off the damn condom. What was he supposed to do with it except litter? He tossed it in the lake with a plop.
Was it good for you, Taylor? Jesus. That was a female line. He’d knew it had been good for her. But was it good enough?
“You’re mad.”
He pulled up his pants, wishing he’d taken them all the way off to feel her skin against every inch, and flopped back down beside her. “How could I be mad, Taylor? That was the best.”
She was gorgeous in the moonlight. A slight breeze caressing her hair, her skin all dewy and sweet, her dress rumpled around her sides and thighs, her body bare and beautiful.
“It was the best,” she agreed.
Can we do it again? Soon?
Christ, if he said it, he’d sound like an adolescent.
“You better go.” Before he begged. “You don’t want to be late picking up the boys.”
She rose to her knees, straightening her dress, buttoning up. Then she stood, looked at him. “Thank you, Jace.”
Rising to her, he closed his eyes, waiting, aching. Say it won’t be the last time. Please.
But she didn’t utter a word.
He opened his eyes to find her backing away. He wanted her to stay just a little longer. But ten o’clock was closing in fast. If she left now, she’d make it back to his parents’ with five minutes to spare. Maybe. She turned at t
he side of her van, lingered a moment, then climbed in. Leaning over, she checked her makeup and hair in the rearview mirror. Fixing herself, wiping away the traces of his lovemaking.
Then she closed the door, the dome light went off, and he couldn’t see her anymore as she backed out and turned the minivan around.
His heart ached as her taillights disappeared at the bend in the road.
Chapter Seven
Taylor had left Jace standing on the blanket with the moonlight through the trees flickering over his hard face. Shirtless, his pants over his hips but undone.
She’d wanted so badly to go back, to beg for one more time. How could she give up something as wonderful as what they’d done?
But she had to. She couldn’t fall in love with him. What they’d shared tonight was as much as she could ask for. One glorious week.
She pulled off to the side of the road in a dark spot, snapped on her bra, then rolled on her panties. She couldn’t pick up Brian and Jamey naked underneath the dress.
Her body was more than satisfied. Yet something didn’t feel right. Something was missing. Something terribly important. Maybe if she’d had fifteen minutes more to lie in his arms. Afterglow. Instead, this felt like aftermath.
The lights at the Jackson house were blazing when she pulled into the driveway. Evelyn would have let the kids stay up since it was Friday, no school tomorrow and because Taylor wasn’t going to be late. She checked her lipstick once more and smoothed her hair. She found a blade of grass and pulled it out.
Closing her eyes, she breathed deeply and smelled Jace’s clean scent all over again. He said she drove him nuts. Well, he drove her crazy. She’d done things no mother of two growing boys should do with her brother-in-law. And she could never ask for it again.
The kids were bouncing off the walls when she walked in. Evelyn had been feeding them sodas and cookies again.
Taylor smiled brightly. “Hey, guys, were you good for Nana and Grandpa?”
“Like little lambs.” Evelyn beamed.
“Yeah, right,” Taylor scoffed. Her little hooligans? “Time to go, get your things.” Which meant bags of toys, video games, a couple of battle tanks. Arthur bent on one knee helping.
“How did it go?” Evelyn asked as they watched the kids pick up their stuff.
“Fine. Like I said, it was a checkup. He’s doing fine.” Was she supposed to meet Brian’s teacher or Jamey’s? Lord.
“Bri’s a good boy. He’ll be fine.”
Brian. “Yeah. He’s going to be fine.”
“Jace taking them out sometimes really helps,” Evelyn added.
Her heart stuttered, then slammed in her chest. “Yeah. Jace has been great.” Her mouth dried up, and she couldn’t look at Evelyn. Why did her mother-in-law bring Jace up now?
The boys bounced over to her, and she ruffled each head. “Kiss Nana and Grand-pa goodbye.”
Arthur gave them each his usual bear hug.
“Thanks for having them. We’ll see you on Sunday.”
The kids scampered out to the car.
“That’s a pretty dress, Taylor,” Evelyn called.
Taylor looked over her shoulder. Evelyn smiled. Not her usual big smile, a small one. Almost sad.
“Thanks.” It was all Taylor could think of to say.
First that bit about Jace and the boys, then a comment on her dress.
Liars and sneaks. They always came to a bad end.
* * * * *
On Saturday, she took the boys hiking in the county park.
“Am I still in trouble at school, Mom?”
“No, Brian. Why would you think that?” Taylor swung out the stick she’d found along the path, pushing up the short hill while Jamey scampered ahead looking for arrowheads.
“If I’m not in trouble, why’d you have to meet my teacher?”
Lord. She was a bad, bad mother. She hadn’t told him the lie, couldn’t bear repeating it, but obviously Evelyn had mentioned where she was going.
“It was a checkup. You weren’t worried, were you?” She put her hand on his head as they walked. “I’m sorry, Bri.”
“Was it Mr. Henderson?”
“Yes.” For a split second, she couldn’t remember a single name. Henderson was as good as any.
“But I saw Mr. Henderson at school on Friday. Nana said he was out of town, and that’s why you had to meet him so late.”
Brian wasn’t questioning her or doubting her. But he was a brooder. And he’d been brooding over what his teacher was going to tell her about him. She’d been very foolish. And selfish.
She bent down, taking her son’s arms. “He said you were a wonderful student. He wanted me to know how proud of you he is.”
He blinked sad, brown eyes. Sometimes her little guy seemed much older and much younger than his ten years. “Truth?”
“I wouldn’t lie about a thing like that, Bri. Not ever.” She was filled with lies and ached with guilt. “Give me a hug,” she whispered, almost crying when his arms went around her neck.
Then suddenly all better, like little boys could be in the blink of an eye, he rushed after his brother.
Taylor told herself the lies were over. But she couldn’t stop the rush of warmth that came with a sudden image of Jace.
* * * * *
Later in the afternoon, Jace stopped by to take the boys out for pizza. They’d climbed all over him like monkeys, and he appeared to enjoy every minute of it. She’d always appreciated how good he was with the boys. They missed their dad, but Jace did a good job filling the void. Today, her heart ached watching them. She wanted to beg to go along, but it was a guy thing. Moms weren’t allowed. That had never bothered her before.
After all the activity, the boys had tumbled into bed almost as soon as they got home. Jace hadn’t even come inside, simply watched them from his truck as they barreled into the house, then he drove away. They hadn’t exchanged a word about last night.
She went to bed at midnight, but sleep wouldn’t come. Had Jace gone to Saddle-n-Spurs after he dropped off the boys? Had he met a woman, taken her home?
She was going crazy in the dark. She had to stop thinking about him. Rolling over, she tucked the pillow beneath her cheek. A dog barked in a neighbor’s yard. A car passed in the street. She rolled again, this time lying flat on her back.
When she closed her eyes, the soft breeze through the window caressed her face like Jace’s fingers. She kicked the covers off and imagined his touch between her legs. Oh God.
The digital clock flipped to twelve-thirty. The portable phone lay on the night table. She grabbed it and hugged it to her chest. She wouldn’t call. It was over. It had to be over.
She’d called him a hundred times. For this and that. She’d never worried or hesitated before. Before, she didn’t carry the memory of him inside her.
She’d promised herself she wouldn’t make love with him again. She’d promised she wouldn’t lie to her boys. And now she was in danger of breaking that less-than-twelve-hour-old promise.
When she pushed the talk button, the numbers lit up. Biting her lip, she hesitated. She dialed the first three, hung up. But she couldn’t put the phone back on the night-stand. This time she dialed all the numbers and let it ring.
* * * * *
He jumped on the phone when it rang, praying it was her.
“Jace?”
“Yeah.” He’d chased her, begged her, cajoled her, waited for her, and now she was calling him. Sooner than he’d hoped. His heart was so high in his throat, he almost couldn’t speak.
“I wanted to thank you for last night.”
“You did thank me. And it was my pleasure.” Pleasure that had lasted only until she’d asked the time. That one act on her part had ridden him like a sore that wouldn’t heal. “It’s late. Where are the boys?”
“They’re asleep.”
Duh. “Where are you?”
“In bed.”
Silence. He could hear her breathing. A deep inhale, then a l
ong sigh. Why had she called?
“What are you wearing?” He almost hated himself for asking, but he had to know.
“A T-shirt.”
“And?” Panties? Or was she bare?
“That’s all.” Then finally, she added, “No panties.”
Ah, Christ. He wanted—needed—to be there, beside her in her bed. Touching her. Making her come with his fingers, his tongue, and his cock.
“Touch yourself for me, Taylor.”
“Jace. This is crazy. It’s not why I called.”
“Isn’t it?”
She exhaled. He felt it all the way to his cock.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called. I just wanted to—”
“Wanted to what, Taylor? Tell me that one more time would be okay? Just one more?” He was angry and hard, wanting more than just her voice over the phone.
She sighed. “I’ve rationalized that it was okay if it was only on the phone.”
He squeezed his eyes tightly shut against the ache in his heart. One more time would never be enough. The phone wasn’t enough. He had to face that he wanted nothing less than forever with her.
“It won’t be just this once, will it, Taylor.” Not a question, a solid fact. She’d call and tear his heart apart every time.
“We have to stop.”
“No. You have to stop. You called me.” He prayed she’d never stop. He would always sew his heart back together in the morning.
“I won’t do it again, I swear.”
“You were the one who said it had to end after last night. You. Not me. What is it you really want?” His eyeballs ached, praying she wanted the same things he did. Time. Together.
“I don’t know, Jace. I really don’t. First, I just thought I wanted sex.”
And now she wanted more, more, more. His mind screamed for her to say the words. His gut rolled and twisted, and then he took a chance. “What we did was more than sex.”
“Yes. It was.”
God, yes. But how much more?
“It can only end badly,” she whispered. “Your parents.”
“Screw my parents.”
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