by Lynn Turner
It’s still early, he reminded himself. He sat just inches away from her and accepted the wine list from their server.
The sun had just begun to set when their drinks arrived, and the two shared an easy rapport. He discovered she hated running, his favorite workout of all, but she enjoyed Pilates and yoga. He told her of his passion for the outdoors, and that he owned a boat out on Whidbey Island.
“I love the water,” she was saying as their server presented a trio of amuse bouche.
“Compliments of the chef,” he said. After detailing the ingredients and a courteous, “Enjoy,” they were left alone again.
“Wow.” She admired the beautiful arrangement of miniature hors d’oeuvres. “I don’t remember which is which, but everything looks delicious.”
“Here.” Finn chose a tiny savory tart with a single sprig of thyme as garnish. “I think this is the mushroom one.”
She made no move to take the morsel. Instead, she leaned toward him and parted her lips. He was happy to oblige, watching her take the entire bite into her mouth, closing her eyes on an, “Mmmmm.”
It was the most erotic thing he’d ever seen.
“Oh my God,” she said, licking her lower lip. “I’m sorry you didn’t get to taste that one!”
“Oh, I’m fine. It was worth it just to watch you eat it.”
Her throaty laugh forced her head back, and she gave him a playful smack on his shoulder. “No really. You got the short end on this one. Sooo good!”
She was so beautiful when she laughed. He marveled at how animated she was, and the million different expressions she made when she talked about her interests or something she didn’t like. They chatted contentedly until the sunset demanded their undivided attention. They watched in comfortable silence, sipping their drinks until the beautiful scenery before them transformed into a cloak of midnight blue. The window became a mirror then, and they could see a few of the other patrons dining in their finery. Finn caught her gaze when it returned to their table.
“Do you want to know something?” she asked after a moment.
I want to know everything. “What’s that?”
“I had no idea where we were going tonight. I didn’t have anything to wear but my work clothes and I was worried that I’d be underdressed.”
He eyed her in disbelief. He couldn’t imagine that anyone as stylish as Emanuela would have nothing to wear.
“I had a couple of hours to find something…appropriate…and I—” She looked away.
He instantly understood. “You wore that for me.”
The color that warmed her face again confirmed his assertion, and he felt the invisible restraints that kept him from touching her slipping away. She could have chosen any dress to match the understated elegance he’d become accustomed to, but she hadn’t. The knowledge that she’d worn that dress, the sexy tousled hair and bedroom eyes just for him brought back the same feelings he had when he first laid eyes on her.
He reached for her chair, pulling it closer to him. She gasped in surprise, and he resisted the urge to pull her into his lap. His hand cupped her chin, his thumb brushing her bottom lip.
“Emanuela,” he said, his voice suddenly deeper, waiting for her to meet his eyes.
She looked up at him, and he lowered his face to hers. He took his time, sampling the wine from her lips in soft brushes. Her lips were softer than he could have imagined. Sweeter. The more he tasted, the stronger his thirst became. Her tongue flicked his lower lip and he moaned, sweeping his tongue into her mouth, drinking her up. His lips trailed her chin, the smooth curve of her throat, drawing from her an uneven sigh. They were lost in sensation, unconscious of their surroundings until a low, deliberate clinking sound dragged them apart.
He smirked. Her cheeks flamed. They straightened in their seats to allow their server to set their first courses on the table. He detailed the dishes before them, then left them alone again.
They grilled each other about favorites, firsts and failures—about beloved pets, best friends and stupid mistakes they made in college. Through it all, Finn couldn’t keep his lips off Emanuela, bending to press a kiss to a shoulder here, a wrist there. She didn’t seem to mind.
They were no less than stuffed before they departed, both high on the newness of whatever this was they were feeling and not wanting the night to end. He helped her back into her coat, turning her to face him so he could do up her buttons. It was the most innocent act, but felt so intimate. He looked at her the entire time, his quick fingers pulling each button through its hole. She gave him a beguiling smile in response, and he reached for her hand.
It was only nine o’clock, and it was clear and tame for a spring Seattle night. They made the short drive back to Emanuela’s hotel, both quietly anxious at the thought that their time together was coming to an end. They felt keenly aware of their physical connection. It hadn’t wavered the entire evening, even when they were engrossed in each other’s conversation and with the incredible food.
Finn circled the parking lot and turned into a space, not ready to drop her off yet. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done. I’ll always be grateful to you for giving Sy and I our start.”
She rewarded him with another smile. “I wish I could take credit, but you two threw me for a loop. I expected to come here and make you an offer you couldn’t refuse.” She winced at her horrible impression, and then sobered. “You surprised me, which is hard to do in my line of work.”
He nodded in appreciation for what she said, but he needed to get something off his chest before he lost the moment. He reached for her hand, releasing the tension he felt on a sigh. She brought his hand to her mouth for a kiss.
He looked into her eyes. “I had such an amazing time with you tonight, that all of the events of the last two days matter little to me if you go back to New York and out of my life again.”
He couldn’t help the depth of emotion that colored his voice, but she didn’t look away, which was encouraging. He didn’t know what to call his feelings for her, but it would hurt if she behaved with another the way she’d been with him tonight. He sensed that she felt the same, watching her part her lips and then shut them again, swallowing hard. Her lack of words didn’t matter though, because he could see every emotion she wrestled in the warm brown depths of her eyes. He drew in a single ragged breath before he crushed her to him for a kiss.
Gone were the soft, tentative kisses they shared earlier. Any trepidation was forgotten and replaced by hunger. He cursed, trying to get her seatbelt unfastened, but she had already managed to slide her hands under his lightweight sweater. He jerked at the touch of her cool, soft hands on his skin, her fingers running through the mat of curls on his chest.
She was relentless, feasting on his lips, jaw, cheeks, and neck. He groaned at her open mouth on his ear, her hot tongue flicking his lobe before sucking it into her mouth. He pulled her hands away, leaning back to look at her. A feverish flush of color highlighted her cheekbones, her breathing fractured.
He freed her of her seatbelt, making short work of her coat, bending his head to the lovely display at her neckline. He licked the valley between her breasts, grazing her nipples through her dress with his teeth. She moaned, arching her back, pushing her soft flesh into him.
He raised his head, seeing her look of absolute awe. His dark eyes dragged over her form possessively before he hauled her onto his hard thighs and molded her breasts with his hands.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said, against her lips.
He made love to her mouth, his restrained passion from earlier now free. Nothing mattered but the urgent, desperate plea from their bodies to be submerged in each other. His hand skimmed her thigh beneath the hem of her dress and he tore his mouth from hers with a stifled growl. “Emanuela.”
His voice was hoarse with the effort to control his lust. He halted their movements, holding her by her waist and waiting for her to come through her sensual haze. She looked at him again
and gasped, and he knew the hardened expression he wore when he first saw her that evening had returned.
“Take me to your room,” he said.
She shuddered against him, his big hands gripping her waist and removing her from his lap. After taking a moment to collect herself, she opened the door and climbed out. The cool night air did nothing to calm their heated bodies. He rounded the rear of the car to join her, taking her hand in his and silently making the short journey to her hotel room.
Chapter Seven
Only a heartbeat passed, just enough time to flick on the light in the foyer so a soft glow flooded the room before she was in his arms again. Finn’s hands moved inside of her coat, skimming her waist, seizing her hips to press her lower body to his as he kissed her. Her soft moans joined his, creating an electric hum between them.
“Wait.” He pulled away.
She made an anguished sound, opening her eyes with obvious reluctance.
God, he wanted her. But he also wanted to show her that whatever he felt went beyond the need to satisfy a sexual craving. He didn’t know what it was, how to convey it—and she’d already slipped a trim thigh between his legs to rub him through his pants.
He groaned, stepping back to escape her sinful attack, tugging her along with him to the bed. He sat at its edge, pulling her between his thighs. He read the emotions in her eyes. Excitement. Anticipation. Doubt.
“C’mere,” he said.
He drew her to him and just held her, one arm behind her back and the other beneath her hips, pressing his face to her chest. He dragged her scent into his lungs for a minute, feeling her trembling warmth like live wire in his arms.
She felt so good. Like coming home.
Her hands tangled in his hair, unconsciously teasing the curls at his nape. Even that slight touch made him moan, and he moved his neck to rub against her soft fingers. Their deep breaths slowed in synchrony, and he loosened his hold without releasing her. He lifted his head to look up at her moonlit face.
“This is insane,” he said.
“I know.” She stared back at him.
“I would have given my other leg for this.”
She giggled. “For a hug?”
“Mmhmm.” He tightened his hands on her waist. “I think anything else might kill me.”
Honesty darkened the humor in his tone, and she shivered despite the warmth in the room. She dropped her hands to move her palms up his thighs, and the need to get closer to her grew stronger, pounding a rhythm into his ears.
“Before I kill you,” she teased, looking down at his left leg, “I need to know that it won’t hurt. Are you…is that okay?”
His soft laugh drew her eyes back to his. “That’s not where it hurts.”
She lifted her hand to give him a playful smack, but he caught it, bringing it to his chest.
“Here,” he said. “Put me out of my misery.”
****
She lifted her hands to his face, letting her thumbs brush his ears and he groaned. He leaned in and she closed her eyes. His lips were firm, his tongue bold as it filled her mouth, the sweet taste of him laced with whiskey. His hands were everywhere at once, kneading her breasts, stroking her waist, gripping her ass. The pads of his fingers created a delicious ache, and she broke their kiss to cry out. He pushed the hem of her dress up the satin skin of her thighs and the scent of her wafted into his nostrils. The fabric bunched at her waist, and her naked flesh was revealed to his hungry gaze.
“You smell so good, Emanuela.”
His hot breath tickled her and she shivered, the pulse within her sending another rush of moisture at the rich timbre of his voice.
“You were naked under here all evening,” he said.
“Panty lines.”
Her wetness had seeped to her thighs, and he bent his head to taste her for the first time, humming his satisfaction. She whimpered in anticipation, her legs trembling as he licked his way up her thighs. Her hands gripped his hair and she pressed closer.
He growled, snatching her to him by her hips, burying his face between her thighs. His tongue plunged deep, curling up, his nose rubbing her clit in small circles.
“Mmmmmm.” She bit down on the soft fullness of her lower lip.
He continued to stroke her with his tongue, lifting a smooth leg over his shoulder and planting a hand on her thigh. She hissed each time she inhaled, releasing her breaths on ragged sighs. Pressure mounted inside of her and she couldn’t speak. He sucked her clit into his mouth, applying more pressure with his tongue. She tensed around him for several seconds before she convulsed, holding him prisoner by his hair. Her keening cries ripped from her throat, and he continued to lick her until her movements slowed against his mouth.
“Oh my God.” She slumped against him.
His laugh came then, but hoarse with need for her. “I’m hurt. All that effort and you still don’t remember my name.”
“It’s okay.” She steadied herself. “You can try again.”
****
He groaned, eager to accept the challenge. His hands glided over her hips, upward along her waist and across her exquisite shoulders to the zipper. He pulled it down, licking his lips at each inch of her glorious, naked back revealed to him.
His open mouth moved along her skin and she sighed, shimmying to allow her dress to fall to the floor. His languid gaze touched her everywhere, his mouth agape at the sight of her naked in front of him. His hands roamed her body for a moment, traveling over her breasts and the smooth plane of her stomach. She bent to help him out of his pants, kissing his thigh above the prosthetic before tugging them off.
“You’re incredible,” he said.
His fingers delved into her hair and raked her scalp, and she moaned long and deep. He gently tilted her head back and covered her mouth with his, stealing her breath as their tongues met and met again. Minutes passed before he released her, both of them panting and breathless. He bent and lifted her by her hips with ease, her legs wrapping around his waist.
“Ungh, Emanuela.” He trembled at the feel of her soft hand wrapping around him and guiding him into her warmth. “You’re so beautiful. You’re gonna get sick of me telling you that.”
“Doubt it,” she said, wiggling a little for good measure.
Her teasing earned her a solid smack on the ass and she yelped. Finn grinned and sat down again with her in his lap. He whispered in her ear and she complied eagerly, swirling her hips in a slow rhythm. His hands roamed over her, the slow burn at this angle torturing him with pleasure. He caught her wild little animal sounds with his tongue, swallowing them down until they needed to break for air again. He looked at her dewy face, heard her fractured breathing and knew that she was close.
What if I just… He bent his head to take a pebbled nipple into his mouth and bit her.
“Fu-Finn!”
“Jesus.” A new surge of wetness coated him. His excitement tripled at his discovery and his voice dripped sex. “You like that, baby?”
“Yes!”
He waited until she got back into her rhythm, clinging to his shoulders, before he assaulted her again. He bit her over and over; attentive to her breasts, her waist, her neck. The exquisite pain threw her off her rhythm once more and she clenched around him, releasing a sound like nothing he’d ever heard before as she rode him in earnest. Her need broke something in him and he thrust hard and deep. Slick flesh slapped together until release crippled her and she stilled, her rapid contractions pulling him deeper until white flashed before his eyes.
His release washed over him in waves and he growled into her neck, his sharp teeth piercing her shoulder. She sighed his name again, weak and trembling. He grinned at her, watching her try to catch her breath.
“What?”
He traced along the bruise he left on her shoulder with his finger, his grin growing to an all-out leer. “If all I had to do was bite you to get you to call me Finn, I’d have done it sooner.”
****
They to
ok turns using the bathroom, Finn first, so he could remove his leg and get comfortable while Emanuela showered. She wasn’t withdrawn or shy when she emerged, which was encouraging. The sight of his artificial limb propped against the nightstand didn’t seem to startle her, and he’d settled beneath the sheets to avoid any awkwardness. She slipped in and snuggled against his side. He angled his body toward her, propping his head on one hand and tracing her cheek with the other.
“You’re so…proper,” he said. “Watching you come apart is so sexy.”
Her face flushed. “I like watching you too. I like how you say my name. The whole thing, EMANYOU-ELL-A!”
“You wound me.”
Her honeyed laugh sent a jolt through him. An ache filled the space in his heart, the one left vulnerable after so many months of uncertainty where he felt like she’d gotten away from him. He had felt something similar every time Simon hugged her and he couldn’t, and every time she called him “Doctor Kane” in that reserved, businesslike way. The sound of her merriment rang in his ears and he wished he had more time with her to hear it again and again.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked, fingering the curls at his forehead.
He narrowed his eyes. He wasn’t sure he understood what he was thinking himself, especially if she was anywhere near him. Whatever faculties he possessed were paralyzed in her presence and his thoughts got muddled. He decided he would try.
“You slay me,” he said. “I don’t know what this is, but it feels right. It’s like I’ve known you for years. But it feels new and exciting too.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. None of this is making any sense.”
“No, I get it.” She blinked, thinking for a moment. “It’s surreal, isn’t it? We hardly know each other apart from—” Her eyes trailed along his chest and she looked away as her face heated again. “But I already feel so comfortable with you.”
“Don’t I make you uncomfortable, Miss Monroe?”