“No.”
“Me either.”
“We got too old for parking, I guess.”
“I suppose.” As he rounded a turn, the city spread out beneath them, toasted to a burnished brown in the midday sun. “But I miss that intensity. I miss obsessing over whether I’d be allowed to put my hand under your blouse.”
“You obsessed over that?”
“For hours. I almost flunked trig because of it.”
“You were never in danger of flunking trig.” She’d admired his body, but she’d respected his brain, too.
“Well, I damn near got a B on the final then.”
That made her smile. “Because of obsessing about my boobs.”
“You have no idea the daydreams I had in class—daydreams about unhooking your bra and then wondering if you’d let me touch you.”
Her nipples tightened. “I always wanted you to touch me. I fantasized about it all the time.”
“Girls do that, too?”
“I did. I used to lie in bed at night and imagine it. Sometimes I’d touch myself and pretend it was you.”
He made a noise low in his throat. “I wish I’d known that.”
“I couldn’t tell you! I was afraid you’d think I was easy.”
“Not easy. Generous.”
She wanted to be generous now, unless it involved ending up on her back in a truck bed full of construction equipment. “Semantics. One person’s generous is another person’s easy. Girls that age are always walking a fine line. And then, when I finally decided to be really generous, you—”
“Yeah, I know.” He reached over and took her hand. “I’m sorry, Katie. I had no idea what was at stake.”
That simple gesture of holding her hand affected her more than anything else he’d said or done since they’d come face-to-face at the radio station. He used to take her hand like that years ago, and her world would click into focus.
It was happening now, too. There was a connection between them, whether she chose to acknowledge it or not. He’d been her first love, and that would never change.
After squeezing her hand, he released it and pulled over to the low rock wall that bordered the road. Beyond the wall the ground sloped down toward the city that fanned out beneath them. The Fourth of July fireworks display was staged from this spot because the show could be seen all over town.
At night the sparkle of city lights stretching into the distance could knock your eyes out. She wondered how many people came up for the view. She and Jess had been too busy to notice a view.
“Nobody up here,” Jess said.
“Nope.” Her heart thumped faster as she tried to imagine what he had in mind.
In the old days the routine had been obvious—climb in the backseat, start kissing until they were frantic. Then he’d unbutton her blouse or put his hand under her sweater. She would have let him do more than fondle her breasts, but he hadn’t pushed beyond that.
And yet he’d been hard and ready for more. As they’d kissed and pressed their bodies together, she’d known that. In those days she hadn’t had the courage to offer to help him out, and he hadn’t asked.
She turned to look at him and discovered that he’d taken off his sunglasses and was looking right back at her. He’d left the engine running, but the air conditioner couldn’t touch the heat they were generating.
“So we’re back here at last,” he said.
“Uh-huh.” She took a steadying breath. “Now that I’m older and wiser, I realize those sessions must have been painful for you.”
“Aw, I didn’t care. Besides, you didn’t get to come either.”
“No. I…I didn’t know much about female orgasms then.”
“And you thought I did?” He shook his head slowly. “My God, Katie. If I’d decided to go for it, you could have been in for a major disappointment.”
“Maybe not. Sometimes it happens even when people have no idea what they’re doing.”
“That would have been me. No idea. A clueless idiot who would have come before you were even halfway there.”
“I know, but I still wish…” The scent of sagebrush always reminded her of that night. It had felt magical, until Jess had turned her down. “I think it would have been worth taking the chance.”
“You know, it was my ignorance as much as the backseat issue that made me say no. I had some stupid idea that we’d have real sex someday and by then I’d know what to do to make it good for you.”
“But, Jess.” She didn’t want to laugh, but it was funny. “How were you supposed to learn?”
“That was a catch-22.” He grinned sheepishly. “I was hoping books would help, but it turns out you need hands-on experience.”
Which he now had. She was jealous of those other women, even though she had no right to be. “But you really thought there would be a time when we would—”
“Absolutely. I pictured us in a king-size bed with candles on the bedside table. You in a white lacy outfit.”
“And you? What would you be wearing?” She could see a pair of black knit bikini briefs. Mmm.
He blinked. “Nothing, I guess. I wasn’t imagining what I would wear. Guys don’t really care about that.”
“You wearing nothing works for me.” Did it ever.
“Anyway, I had a very clear picture of how it would be.”
“And it never happened.”
“Not then, it didn’t.” He unsnapped his seat belt.
Heat sizzled through her veins. But there were practical matters to think of. “Unfortunately I don’t see any king-size bed around here and I didn’t happen to bring a white lacy outfit along.”
“Oh, this isn’t it. This is a warm-up.” He put the truck in neutral, set the emergency brake and left the engine running and the air on. Then he reached for his door handle. “You might want to unsnap your seat belt.”
Despite her skepticism, her heart started drumming at the thought that he was about to make his move. “If you think you’re going to fit on my side of the cab, you didn’t learn much in trig, after all.”
“I’m not climbing in with you.” He opened the door. “But I am coming around to your side.”
“I don’t get it.”
He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at her. “You will.”
He was giving her a taste of her own medicine, and that made her a little nervous and a lot aroused. But whatever he did, she was determined not to melt into a puddle of need and gratitude as she had so often in the past.
As he walked around the front of the truck, he turned, glanced at her and grinned. The breeze ruffled his dark hair and the sun dusted his skin with gold. In that moment she was lost. Jess. He’d never stopped being the man of her dreams, not for one second in the thirteen years they’d been apart.
And she thought she could maintain her distance. What a joke.
JESS WAS AMAZING HIMSELF, driving up to “A” Mountain with Katie. And on Monday afternoon, no less. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d taken a long lunch hour, let alone one that included sex. Down below him in the heart of the city, earthmovers would be growling away as his crew proceeded with the excavation work. He’d left Gabe in charge.
He trusted Gabe, but that wasn’t the point. No matter how much he trusted Gabe, he wasn’t in the habit of abandoning the job so that he could take care of personal business. Very personal business.
Yet here he was, with the sun beating down on his head and the tang of sun-roasted sagebrush in the air. A small lizard scurried over the rock wall and down into the desert below, and a cactus wren squawked from its perch on a cholla cactus growing about ten yards down the slope.
Otherwise the hillside was quiet, with only the faint hum of traffic drifting up on a breeze. Noise would carry on the clear desert air, though. That was another good reason to keep the truck running, so the sound of the engine would muffle any erotic noises that might come from the interior of that cab.
By the time he opened the passenger door, he was so excited
he had trouble getting his breath. He left it angled so that the door would partially shield them. Maybe she’d refuse what he asked. He didn’t think so, but she had the power to do that if she chose to.
She started to climb out of the truck.
“No, I want you to stay there. Just turn toward me.”
Silently she faced him. As he looked into her eyes, he saw anticipation and a liberal dose of lust. That was a good beginning.
“You have a little bit of mustard on the corner of your mouth.” His heart racing, he leaned down to lick it off with a slow swipe of his tongue.
She didn’t move a muscle. “Thank you.”
“Glad to help out. Welcome back to ‘A’ Mountain.” Then he cupped the back of her head and kissed her.
She surrendered to the kiss with a little sigh of pleasure that sent blood straight to his groin. That felt familiar. It had always happened starting with that first kiss up here on the mountain. Back in those days he’d taken the torture for granted, considering it the price he had to pay for kissing Katie.
Today was no different in that respect. He would get no relief up here. But he had big plans for Katie. Kissing her until she started breathing fast was the first step.
Turned out that didn’t take very long. Clutching his shoulders, she telegraphed an eagerness that drove him crazy. Soon they were both gulping for air as she angled her head so he could thrust his tongue deep into her mouth. This was a woman who loved to be kissed, and he was happy to oblige.
With his knees braced on the edge of the door frame he had the perfect position to go on kissing her forever. That wouldn’t be a bad idea, but it wasn’t his ultimate goal. As he continued to splay his fingers over the back of her head to hold her steady for his kiss, with his other hand he began pushing her skirt up…and up a little more.
Her breath caught and she pulled her mouth away. Her voice was unsteady, her breath warm on his face. “Did I say you could do that?”
“You’re the one who took off her panties.” He slipped his hand between her thighs. So close. “Are you going to tell me no?”
She swallowed. “I…”
“Don’t tell me no,” he murmured, stroking her soft curls with one knuckle. “Move closer. Tell me yes.”
“This is a mistake.”
The blood pounded in his ears. “You don’t really think so.”
“I do. But I still want…this.” With a moan she slid toward him on the leather seat and opened her thighs.
Anticipation made him dizzy. Leaning forward, he nibbled on her lower lip. “Tell me what feels good.” Slowly he began to explore. Ah, she was so wet. So incredibly ready.
She mumbled something he couldn’t hear.
“What, Katie?” He slipped two fingers deep as he brushed his mouth over hers. “Tell me.”
“Good. Very…good.”
Not precise, but he could work with it. Curving his fingers slightly, he probed for her G-spot, all the while placing butterfly kisses on her mouth, her throat, her cheeks. Her groan of pleasure told him he’d found what he was searching for. He rubbed gently and her muscles tightened.
He increased the pressure and the speed of his strokes. “Come for me.”
“Jess.” Tipping her head back, she gasped. Then she began to quiver.
“That’s it.” He kissed her throat. Then he nipped her skin lightly with his teeth. “Come, Katie. Now.”
“Oh, yes…yes…” Her body arched. Then she cried out as her climax roared through her.
If he’d had a condom, he would have wrenched open his jeans and taken her right there, right where she was balanced on the edge of the seat. If he needed more leverage, he’d loop her ankles around his neck. Her head could rest on the console, and he would keep thrusting until they were both delirious with sensation.
But that wasn’t going to happen today, for many reasons. Maybe someday they’d try it, after they’d rolled around on a real mattress first. In the meantime, he had more to accomplish here.
As the shudders from her orgasm lessened, he inched slowly downward until he was kneeling on the pavement.
“Jess.” Her voice quivered. “You’re not seriously going to—”
“Yes.” He glanced up into her flushed face. “Yes, I am.” Before she could protest any more, he’d cupped her bottom in both hands and propped his shoulders under her knees.
She grabbed the dash and the back of the seat as her center of gravity shifted. “I don’t think—” Then she whimpered as his tongue made contact.
“Don’t think. Don’t think at all.” And he settled in.
11
KATIE WASN’T SURE EXACTLY when she’d lost control of the situation, but one thing was for sure—propped on the edge of the truck seat with Jess’s head between her thighs was not the best position for regaining that control. It was an excellent position for enjoying another orgasm, though.
She didn’t know where Jess had learned how to do this, didn’t want to know. All that mattered was this moment. Frigid air swirled around them as the air conditioner struggled to keep up with the double assault of hot bodies and hot air from outside. The cooling breeze had little effect on Katie.
The fire burning inside her raged through her blood and singed her skin. She moaned and writhed in Jess’s arms. That mouth. That talented, incredible mouth. All her attention became riveted on the spot where his mouth touched her. The pleasure grew, spiraling deeper with every stroke of his tongue, every movement of his lips.
The first climax had burst upon her quickly, but this one built more slowly, more powerfully. She rode the crest of it, her breathing shallow and quick, her skin moist with sweat, her vagina drenched with excitement.
Almost there…almost…now. Her groan of ecstasy rose from deep in her chest as her body surged upward. Oh, glorious. Glorious! She rocked from the force of it.
He held her steady as the waves crashed over her. The imprint of his fingers became part of her, part of the climax. She wondered if his strong grasp would leave a mark and almost hoped it would. This…this was what she’d been longing for and never found—total immersion, total absorption in the wonder of release.
Her recovery was gradual, eased by his gentle kisses along the inside of her thighs. Limp as a rag doll, she allowed him to slide an arm under her knees and another around her shoulders so that he could lift and settle her back into the seat. Eyes closed, she leaned back and gasped for breath.
Vaguely she realized he’d adjusted her skirt and fastened her seat belt. Then he closed the passenger door. Moments later she heard his door open and a rustle as he climbed into the driver’s seat.
“Let me know when you’re ready to leave.” His voice held no urgency.
Keeping her eyes closed, she ran her tongue over her lips. “How about never?”
“Fine with me.”
“I…” She swallowed and tried again. “I liked that.”
He chuckled. “Good to know.”
“A lot.”
“Anytime.”
Anytime. Now there was a concept. “Really?”
“Pretty much. All I need is a little advance notice.”
Slowly she opened her eyes. With her head still propped against the headrest, she turned to look at him. “You mean…I could just call you up and…ask for this?”
He smiled. “Why not?”
“Because I could become a real pest.”
His smile broadened. “You think?”
“Absolutely. This is way better than chocolate.” She paused. “And I really crave chocolate. I could wear you out.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
“Okay, but I’m warning you.” She let her eyelids drift closed. “Mmm, what a feeling. I have no stress. Nada. A constant dose of you giving me oral sex and I would live to be a hundred and fifty, like those people in Tibet. I’ll bet it’s not goat’s milk at all. They just can’t say what it is, but I’ll bet it’s oral sex.”
“There’s more to my routine, y
ou know.”
She opened her eyes again. “You can’t top this, buster.”
“I’d like to try.”
Her euphoria began to wear off as she realized she was in a vulnerable position. He thought he could make her even loopier with a complete program. Judging from what had happened this afternoon, he could be right.
That could be very bad. She’d already boosted his ego way too much. If she let him have the ultimate experience, full-body sex, she could end up groveling at his feet. He was the one who was supposed to be groveling. That was the plan she and Cheryl had cooked up.
Unfortunately she wanted the ultimate experience. She craved the ultimate experience. If she said the word, he’d be only too happy to give her that tonight. What was a girl supposed to do?
“Don’t overthink it,” he said. “Maybe I should leave the ball in your court.” He reached across her and opened the glove compartment.
“What do you mean?” She fought not to grab him. All she had to do was catch a whiff of his cologne and she wanted to rip his clothes off.
He handed her a card. “How about you come over to my place tonight if you feel like getting together? Just call my cell and I’ll give you directions.”
“I don’t know.” Giving her the decision might look like a concession, but she didn’t think it was. Ultimately she’d end up at his place, on his turf. That would work to his advantage.
“I’ll show you my yellow rosebush.”
Well, damn it, she was curious about his yellow rosebush—and his house and whether he had a king-size bed. “We’ll see.” She gazed at the card, which of course advertised Harkins Construction.
She was insane to consider going over to his house. He was the enemy, the man who was willing to tear down her grandmother’s house to build a parking garage. But he was also the man who had just given her two out-of-this-world orgasms.
Maybe she could go over to his house, help herself to one round of oral sex and leave. That would be demonstrating that she was a bad girl only out for some fun, wouldn’t it?
“You don’t have to decide anything now,” he said.
She thought about the guest she’d lined up for her show tonight. “Are you planning to listen to my program?”
Talking About Sex... Page 11