by Joachim Jean
A groan escaped from his throat as his passion became evident to her.
Sexual heat consumed her. Nina stepped back from Clint and took his hand. “Dessert first,” she announced.
He smiled at her and moved toward the stairs, keeping hold of her hand, pulling her along behind him.
Nina thought of all the things she should say—the excuses about her imperfect body, what breast feeding does to one’s breasts, how eight more years of gravity pulls things down…but she held her tongue. After all, this was Clint. He knew all that, and she saw by the heat of his gaze that he didn’t care. She was his lady, and he wanted to make love to her.
So, she shut her mouth, smiled, and followed him upstairs.
Chapter Three
Climbing the steep staircase gave Nina time to think. Anxiety and excitement blended in her blood. She’d never been in his bedroom. There was a bathroom on the first floor, so she’d had no reason to go upstairs before.
The room was spacious, with double windows overlooking the garden. It was still quite light outside, providing no darkness to hide Nina’s body or her furrowed brow. Clint took her over to the window.
“Every morning, when I got out of bed, I’d watch you in the garden. I watched you every day, talking to the tomatoes, weeding, spreading fertilizer with little result. But there you were, resolute, not giving up…and beautiful in those tight, blue shorts and halter top.”
“You watched me garden?”
“Every morning.”
“Why?”
“I’d stand here, admiring your determination, and also…waiting for your flimsy top to fall off or open up or something. I get a good view from up here.”
Nina laughed.
“You laugh. Every day…disappointment.” He chuckled.
Nina looked at him and cocked an eyebrow.
He took her in his arms and kissed her passionately then moved his lips to her neck, nuzzling her. “I’ve had the hots for you since we first met. I wanted to wipe that mint chip off your chest so bad…to touch those…and now…”
Desire swept through Nina’s body like wildfire. She had assumed being wanted by a man was over for her, especially a younger one. Successful men her age wanted young women with perfect bodies, to make them feel alive. She had given up on ever hearing declarations like Clint’s, or giving herself over to passion again, and was deliriously happy to find she’d been wrong. She closed her eyes and moved closer.
She didn’t feel his hand search for the zipper on her sundress, find it, and ease it down. She sensed his actions when air touched her exposed skin. The bodice loosened then Clint’s hand was on her back, stroking her smooth flesh.
“No bra. Oh, God! Nina…perfect,” he murmured.
She smiled as he eased one strap down then the other, watching the dress fall to the floor. She finished unbuttoning his shirt before reaching for the waistband of his shorts. But he was there first. They dropped to the floor as Nina eased the shirt off his shoulders.
“Let me look at you,” he said, standing back and gazing at her half naked body. “Better than my dreams. You’re beautiful.”
Nina blushed at his compliment as his hands came up to caress and gently massage her breasts, his mouth again on her neck. She moaned and turned her face away.
“Look at me. You’re lovely,” he whispered.
Nina pulled him close, resting her face against his warm chest. Her hand explored his muscles through the soft, dark hair as she took deep breaths.
Clint wound his arms around her in a vise-like grip and picked her up, carrying her to the bed. When he got there, he kissed her as he eased her down on her back, joining her quickly, lying on his side where he could see and touch her as he pleased. She reached out to trail her fingers across his shoulder and down his pecs. His mouth captured her peak. She closed her eyes, made a little noise in her throat, sighing as her pleasure mounted.
When she opened her eyes again, she caught her breath. “You’re magnificent,” she said, her gaze focused on his torso.
“Flattery will get you everywhere.” He released her breast and moved down to ease her panties off.
Suddenly shy, Nina covered herself with her hands. She hadn’t been naked in front of anyone except Henry in twenty-five years.
“Don’t hide, gorgeous. Let me look at you.”
She tugged lightly on the waistband of his boxers. Clint took the hint and shed them. Her eyes grew wide as she stared at his shaft, fully ready to rock and roll. He’s bigger than Henry. Is he too big? She swallowed and reached out to touch him.
“Yeah, baby,” he murmured as he glided his hands down her chest, over the smooth skin of her belly to her thighs. Clint lowered his lips to her neck, kissing and whispering. “Open for me, honey.” His thumb pressed against her inner thigh.
Nina had been totally faithful in her marriage and hadn’t slept with anyone but Henry. Even after his death, she had shunned most other men, mourning him, and retreating into herself. Henry was smaller than Clint, shorter and slimmer. Clint was a big man, over six feet, broad and muscular. It thrilled her to close her fingers over his arms and flatten her palms against his pecs. While she and Henry had had a good sex life, she suspected he couldn’t compare to Clint as a lover.
When he slid his fingers up, she stiffened. Shyness engulfed her again, and she clamped her thighs together.
“Trust me, baby. I won’t hurt you. I promise.”
His lips caressed her neck as his hands massaged her breasts, pinching the nipples then closing over the entire mound. She filled his large hands, which made her smile. But how could she compare to women so much younger, the women he must be used to?
She took several deep breaths and let them out slowly. The breathing relaxed her enough to allow her to part her legs. Clint slipped a finger to her core, and she flinched.
“Too much?”
She shook her head. He hadn’t hurt her. She was embarrassed.
“Nina, sweetheart, relax. Let me love you, honey.”
His soothing words calmed her, even as his seductive touch wound her up. Need took hold of her body.
Clint smoothed her hair and pushed up. “Is this too soon?”
With his hair flopping over his forehead, his eyes ablaze with lust, and a flush in his cheeks, he looked more handsome than ever. Nina grabbed his neck and pulled him down. Right before their lips met, she mumbled, “Do it. Now.”
Given the green light, Clint ravaged her mouth with his. He squeezed her breast with one hand then dipped his other between her legs. She tightened then relaxed as he stroked her, circling his fingers around her most sensitive spot. If he had lit a match to gasoline, he wouldn’t have gotten as explosive a reaction as he got when his fingers touched her hot, wet flesh. She groaned, and her hips bucked. He slipped a large digit inside her. Her hips undulated with the rhythm of his hand.
He focused on her body, kissing her between her breasts and capturing her mouth and possessing it with his tongue. Nina sighed as he licked the hollow of her throat before making a path down to her breasts.
“Oh, baby. Smokin’,” he muttered.
She reached down, closing her hand around his erection, and he jumped. When she slid her hand up and down, he stopped her wrist with a tight grip.
“Honey, wait. Are you ready?” he breathed.
“Ohhh…yes,” she murmured, her lids heavy.
Again, he pushed up, this time to grab a condom. Covering himself quickly, he placed a hand on each knee and parted her legs. He sat back on his haunches for a moment and stared.
Nina was beyond turned on. She squirmed restlessly, trying to ignore the heat flowing to her cheeks under his scrutiny.
“You’re beautiful everywhere,” he said, easing into position while looking at her. Clint rubbed himself up and down on her core to spread some of her lubrication before entering. He took his time, his gaze fastened on her face. It pleased her that he wasn’t rushing.
Nina couldn’t believe how go
od it felt to have him inside her. She and Henry had stopped having sex two years before he died. She’d forgotten how wonderful it was to be loved by a man. She wound her legs around him and let him do the work.
“So hot. Damn.” He closed his eyes as he pumped into her.
Clint made passionate love to Nina, arousing feelings long dormant. Her body responded, her desire building slowly at first, then increasing with the steady rhythm of his thrusts. His hands smoothed over her velvet skin to grasp her thighs. Heat flared up in her.
“I want you,” she breathed, sliding her fingers down his side.
“No rush, honey. I want you to be totally satisfied.”
She kissed his shoulder and her hands got lost in his hair as she moaned into his neck. When he picked his head up, her lips found his. Then, she shifted her head to gaze into his eyes.
He took her and gave himself. She grasped his muscles, and her thumbs caressed his skin. Exquisite, powerful sensations flew through her body. Every slow, deep thrust brought new pleasure. Sighs escaped her throat.
“You okay?” he asked, breathlessly, pushing up on his elbows to look at her.
Their eyes connected while he continued to move, and she couldn’t look away. Behind his fierce desire she saw more. Could it be love? Sweat broke out between their bodies, making them glide together easily.
She nodded.
His mouth came down on hers in a hard kiss, consuming her then letting her go. Her hips undulated with his as the heat in her rose higher and higher, becoming almost unbearable, pushing her up and up until she went over the edge. Nina groaned loudly as release claimed her, bliss racing through her all the way to her toes.
He followed shortly afterward, burying his face in her neck, making several loud grunts followed by a long sigh. Sweat dripped off his forehead onto the pillow.
They lay in each other’s arms quietly. He placed soft kisses on her neck while she ran her fingernails gently over his back. Contentment washed over Nina. She closed her eyes to focus on the delicious feel of his body on hers, the hair on his chest tickling her breasts. He finally rolled off to her right side and made a pit stop to the bathroom.
When he slipped back into bed, he moved a lock of hair off her face and stroked her while his gaze searched hers.
Nina placed her palm on his cheek and smiled. “You’re a multi-talented man.”
“Oh?” He raised his eyebrows.
“Writes brilliant plays. Great lover.” She snuggled into this shoulder.
“I told you…it’s a collaboration,” he said, grinning.
“For the play?”
“For everything,” he whispered in her ear.
Nina closed her eyes and rested her arms on the pillow above her head.
He eyed her breasts.
“Don’t do that unless you intend to start something…meaning we’ll never get dinner.”
She laughed and put her arms down again. He pulled her to his chest for a huge hug, holding her close.
“No one’s ever believed in me before. Not like you do.”
She rolled over and stared into his eyes. “It’s easy. You’re brilliant.”
“You say. You mean everything to me.”
“And you…to me,” she confessed.
“That was mind-blowing sex…”
“Earth shattering.”
“The ultimate experience.”
“Beyond the pale.”
“Defying description.”
“Okay, I give up. I concede. You’re the wordsmith.”
“Food. Need strength for an encore.” Clint got off the bed and tossed a clean T-shirt to Nina before slipping on his shorts. “On you, it’s a dress. It’s all you need. Not necessary to get dressed again…if you know what I mean.” He grinned.
“Looks like a two dessert night.”
“You’re a quick study,” he said, taking her hand.
“I’m good with my favorite subjects. And you’re such a good teacher.” She flashed him a wicked grin, making him laugh.
“Honey, I didn’t have to teach you anything,” he said, as they descended the stairs.
****
When Clint and Nina reached the kitchen, he ushered her to a tall stool while he assembled the ingredients for dinner.
“Finish the champagne?”
“You’ve kept it on ice?”
“Hate to waste it. And it’s more like on slush.”
“The bubbly was to make you pliable,” he confessed, refilling the flutes.
“Pliable?”
“To make my seduction easier.”
“You planned to seduce me?”
“Seems silly, now.”
“I think it’s charming,” she said, giving him a kiss.
“I thought it would take a full bottle. But only two glasses did the trick.” He chuckled.
While they were sipping, Clint crumbled gorgonzola cheese on thick slices of peasant bread. “Heating this on the grill as an appetizer. Then, pasta pesto with grilled sausage, salad…and, of course, dessert! This was my seduction dinner. I figured after a bottle of champagne, and gourmet meal, you’d fall into bed with me.”
“This wasn’t necessary. I mean…I was easy. Fouled you up, I guess.” She shook her head and laughed.
“Fell into bed without the dinner!” He grinned.
Nina took another sip, enjoying the effect of the cold drink. “I was a pushover.”
“An amazing pushover, please! All the more reason to cook for you.”
“No argument.”
“Hungry?”
“Ravenous…” she said, shooting him a wicked grin.
Clint moved around the kitchen with confidence, stopping on the way to the refrigerator to kiss Nina, touch her face, or cup a breast. She sat back, watching him create his culinary masterpiece. He was wooing her, courting her…it took her back to her twenties when she was eagerly sought after, being a sexy and stunning young actress.
The table was set on the deck with colorful print cloth placemats. Fresh flowers smiled from a crystal vase next to a short, fat candle in hurricane glass to keep the wind from extinguishing the flame. Clint brought the grilled bread topped with the melted cheese out on a platter, and they sat down to eat. Every dish had been cooked to perfection.
“Amending earlier statement—writes brilliant plays, makes fabulous love, and cooks like a chef. Everything is heavenly…delicious.” She wiped her mouth with her napkin.
“Glad you like it. It’s seduction dinner number thirty. We’ll see if it works for round two.”
“You have doubts?”
“With women, I never know. I’ve been wrong before.”
“Not this time, Iron Chef,” she said, her eyes glistening.
He grinned at her, and her heart melted. His smile was a little lopsided, his brown hair in disarray from making love and the gentle breeze on the deck. His amber eyes glowed gold in the dusky light, dancing with the flame of the candle. She ran her thumb over his smooth cheek.
His big hand covered hers, their fingers interlacing. Her gaze dropped to his chest, which was shirtless on the warm summer night, and her fingertips tingled at the idea of touching him.
He noticed her staring, and a grin spread over his face. “Thinking about dessert again?”
Nina blushed to be caught in the act.
“Before we go upstairs for ‘seconds,’ I have another dessert for you.”
When Clint went into the kitchen, she looked up at the night sky, finding a star and making a wish. The smell of freshly cut grass mingled with the scent of flowers growing in Clint’s garden. Crickets and frogs created a symphony while fireflies provided a twinkling light show. He was as good a gardener as she was bad, growing the cucumbers and tomatoes for their salad.
He returned with one hand behind his back. “Before we adjourn for our…um…other treat, let’s have this.” He whipped out a bowl with two huge scoops of ice cream and two spoons.
Nina started laughing. “I can’t
believe it—mint chip!”
“That’s right. From The Creamery, too.”
He led her over to the rocking chair on the corner of the deck. He situated her on his lap while she held the bowl. They fed each other the frozen delight, licking off the spoon and each other’s lips.
The cold, sweet dessert shared between them started a new fire inside Nina. She put her hand on his chest and slid it up and down, caressing him. Her fingers gripped his bicep and moved with the solid muscle underneath. Gazing up into his eyes, she saw her desire was returned.
“Prescription for loneliness—go next door, take one Clint…twice, and call me in the morning,” she said.
He looked into her eyes, smiling back at her. “So, I’m just what the doctor ordered, eh?”
“Oh, you are…you so are, sweetheart.”
He stood up with her in his arms, stopped at the table for her to deposit the bowl and spoon, and walked toward the stairs, switching out the kitchen lights on the way.
****
The sun peeked into Clint’s bedroom at six thirty. Nina stirred, rolling over. She was pleased to come up against his naked body, his back facing her. He was sound asleep. Nina, accustomed to getting up early, relished his presence, scooting up next to him. He rolled over and flipped his arm over her without fully waking. She molded herself into spoon position with him behind her and eased his arm over her tighter so they were right up against each other.
With a soft sigh, she closed her eyes and drifted in and out of sleep.
By six forty-five, Nina knew she couldn’t lie still anymore. Her mind drifted back to their night of lovemaking. Goose bumps appeared on her arm as she recalled his tender, passionate touch. After dinner, she and Clint had made love two more times, ending in the wee hours of the morning. Now, she was satisfied but tired and a little sore. Still, she couldn’t stop grinning as she planted a soft kiss on his shoulder while he slept.
Finally, Nina swung her legs over the side of the bed and pushed up. She took a brief shower, and after rummaging around in his closet, she found a man’s, short sleeve, button-down shirt. Refreshed, she descended the stairs and put together the ingredients for breakfast—eggs, cheese, and chives for omelets along with the thick bread they’d enjoyed the night before for toast.