Waltz This Way

by Dakota Cassidy

  “Oh, but I did. Now I have a confession. I peeked while you were sleeping. Pretty impressive backend ya got there, lady.”

  Mel buried her face in his shoulder, her cheeks hot. “It is not. It’s flabby.”

  “How about you let me be the judge of that? It couldn’t be that bad because I’m back for seconds. And let’s not forget, I’ve been waiting for that flabby ass of yours to be naked for more than a month’s worth of make-out sessions. Clearly, I like you, flabby and otherwise. So how about you let me prove that to you?”

  Mel let him lead her to his bedroom, stepping over the shoes he kicked off. He opened his arms, and she went willingly, burrowing against the crisp material of his shirt with a sigh. His chest pressed against her cheek, allowing her to hear his heartbeat, rapid and sure.

  Tilting her head up, Drew caressed her lips with his, tentatively touching them before pulling away. His hands roamed in soothing circles across her back and down along the slope of her hips, pulling her closer and closer.

  She sighed when his tongue slipped into her mouth, rasping against hers, tasting like the mint he’d used after dinner. His groan of encouragement when she wrapped her arms around his neck made her back arch, pushing her breasts into the muscles of his chest.

  His hands found the zipper on the back of her dress, sliding it down her spine while his lips devoured hers. The contact of his hands on her hot flesh made her gasp in hungry need to feel all of him.

  When he slid her dress off, leaving her in a white lace bra and low-waist panties, Drew smiled his approval. “Were you planning to have your way with me, Ms. Cherkasov?”

  Mel rolled her eyes at him, planting a finger on his chest. “I was thinking no such thing. Underwear is underwear. Why is something sexy a presumption that sex will occur? Maybe I just like nice underwear.”

  “I gotta tell ya, I like your version of ‘no presumption of sex’ underwear,” he muttered, thick and low while she unbuttoned his shirt, pushing it aside to feel the heat of his skin.

  Her fingers fumbled when she reached for his zipper, dragging it down, the sound sharp in her ears. As her hands made the connection to his hard abs and lean hips, she sucked in a breath.

  Every inch of Drew was as good, if not better, than the last time she’d touched him. His firm flesh beneath his boxer-briefs made her fingers shake when she dragged them over his thick thighs.

  Drew unsnapped her bra with ease, letting it fall off her shoulders, then hooked his thumbs into the scrap of panties she’d totally lied about choosing because they were just underwear, and slipped them off her.

  And then they were naked, and it was all she could do not to cover herself from his scrutiny. It was as exciting as it was embarrassing, but Drew changed that with just one word. A word that was low and husky, matching the clear desire in his eyes.

  “Perfect,” he said before dragging her with him to the edge of the bed. He pulled her body flush to his face, taking a deep breath, inhaling her flesh and wrapping his arms around her waist.

  Mel’s hands went to his hair, raking her fingers though it, arching into the stubble that had formed on his cheeks and was now tickling her skin. Drew’s lips were hot, consuming her flesh as he groaned, kissing his way along her hipbone.

  Mel’s gasp was sharp when he slid his palms up between her inner thighs, grazing the tender flesh. She gripped his shoulders to keep her knees from collapsing beneath her when his breath whispered over her swollen, aching flesh.

  He slithered his tongue inside her, spreading her lips to caress her clit with long strokes.

  Mel rocked against him, shuddering against his hard embrace, lifting herself on her toes to savor the lap of his tongue, hot and wet.

  Drew’s hands cupped her ass, kneading it, drawing her against his mouth with force. When the first sharp sting of orgasm wound tight in her belly, Mel’s breathing came in harsh gasps. She whimpered the words, “Please, don’t stop,” in a cry of anguish.

  Drew complied, whispering his tongue along the lips of her sex, dragging it back and forth until he evoked a deep growl that began in her chest and came out a howl of pleasure. Her hips gyrated, her hands when to his wrists, clinging to them as his fingers tugged at her hard nipples.

  She ground against him, pushing her body until completion came hard and fast in a crash of light and sound.

  The aftermath of her climax left her falling boneless against the shelter of his strong body, allowing him to encompass her in his embrace.

  Drew sprawled her across his lap, his cock pressing insistently against her thigh. Clinging to his neck, she sighed as he rocked her, giving her the time to recuperate. His lips lay against the top of her head, and Mel closed her eyes, relishing the intimate contact.

  But her hands itched for other things. They itched to discover Drew and find what pleased him. She slid off his lap in a sinuous movement, slithering down between his legs to spread his thighs wide.

  His stare gleamed from above her, his eyes dark with need—one she intended to fulfill. Mel let her hands explore the crisp hair on his thighs, dragging her fingers through it, luxuriating in the ripple of his muscles beneath her palm.

  She leaned forward, pressing her hot cheek to his abdomen, kissing his heated skin then resting her head there while she examined what lay between his thighs.

  He was long and thick, the skin stretching across his cock smooth and lightly veined. Her fingers were compelled to skim the satiny flesh, and he jolted when she enveloped him in her grasp.

  Mel made a long, drawn-out pass up and then down his shaft before placing her lips on it, tasting him. Drew leaned back on his elbows with a groan, cupping her chin, tracing the outline of her lips when she finally took his length into her mouth.

  His gasp was raw, his hips jutting upward, reaching, driving between her lips. His fingers found the back of her head, threading them into her hair, directing her as she pleasured him.

  Then Drew’s hands were on her shoulders, pushing her away.

  “Damn, Mel,” he gritted, dragging her back to meet his gaze. “That’s so hot. Your lips are like silk. I can’t take anymore.”

  Mel didn’t have the time to respond before he placed both of his hands on either side of her face and pulled her into a kiss that left no air in her lungs. In their tangle of limbs, he somehow managed to locate condoms in the nightstand drawer, and Drew slipped one on just before he slid back to the edge of the bed, picked her up, and impaled her on his cock.

  The movement was so swift, so intoxicating, Mel bit back a scream before placing her mouth on his again to drive her tongue into it, clenching his hair in fistfuls of the silky strands.

  Drew reciprocated by placing his hands on her waist, forcing her hips downward. The heat of his cock, the sinful stretch of her wet passage, the scent of desire made her heart crash and her head swirl.

  But then Drew slowed his thrusts, easing the tension, whispering into her mouth, “Christ, woman. I can’t get enough of you. If we don’t slow down, I’ll come right now.”

  Mel’s breath wheezed in and out of her lungs, raspy and heavy.

  Drew’s erotic words made this crazy, white-hot need only deepen.

  “I’m trying,” she said between clenched teeth.

  Drew stilled her, holding her hips in place with hands of steel until she settled. His cock, so hard and pulsing, was a temptation she had to bite her lip not to indulge in. Instead, Mel took deep breaths, willing her body to calm.

  He ran his hands along her back, massaging the muscles with a gentle caress, tracing the underside of her breasts, tweaking her rigid nipples until they stung with desperate need. He followed the outline of her body, lightly trailing her skin until she shivered from his now gentle touch.

  She did the same, clenching his arms, learning each curve of his biceps, every sprinkling of hair on his forearms.

  Drew slipped a finger between their bodies, spreading her aching lips and stroking her clit with his forefinger, making Mel lean back, b
racing her hands on his thighs as he stoked the embers of the flame building in her belly.

  His lips found her breasts, licking at her nipples, drawing them into his mouth.

  Mel’s moan was harsh and her hips began to rock once more, undulating their need. Drew’s thrusts became more forceful when he splayed his hand between her breasts, driving his cock upward.

  Perspiration dotted her forehead as she strained to take all of him, savoring every nerve-shattering inch of his shaft. That swell of sharp heat hit her again, beginning deep in the pit of her belly and careening toward out of control.

  Drew hissed her name just before his head fell back on his shoulders and he grunted. Mel followed, whimpering at the sting of electric currents setting her veins on fire.

  The coil of orgasm sprung loose, and Mel couldn’t hold back her scream of completion. She drove downward on Drew’s lap, crashing against him until she found what she sought. It ripped through her body with flashes of light and the sweet bliss of surrender.

  When it passed, Mel sank against Drew’s thighs, only to have his strong arms scoop her up and fold her into them. As she settled against him, her breathing eased in time with Drew’s.

  He cradled her to his chest once more before nudging her. “Hey, I’m old. I think my legs are cramping.”

  Mel chuckled, slinging her leg over and off him. “Are you calling me fat?”

  “I’d rather wear a dress,” he joked, taking a sip of her lips before leaving her to discard the condom.

  Mel sank back to the bed, taking a moment to gather her thoughts after the most amazing sex ever. The myriad emotions running rampant in her body, as well as her heart, frightened her and comforted her in a fell swoop of confusion.

  Drew tugged at her hand, pulling her up to him. “Wow, right?”

  “It had a wow factor,” she admitted with a giggle.

  “It had all kinds of factors,” he said against the top of her head.

  Mel slipped her arms under his, loving the heat of his skin on hers. “It did, indeed.”

  Drew began to sway to the music that drifted in from the living room. Norah Jones’s raspy “Come Away With Me” filtered to her ears, tender and gentle.

  This moment, timeless, safe in the cocoon they’d created, left her in a state of awed wonder.

  It was the exact moment Mel knew she’d fallen in love with Drew, and there was no going back.

  Chapter 16

  Dear Divorce Journal,

  Well and fuck. I went and did it, and then it went and did me. Yes, dear journal, I fell in love, and for about two whole minutes, okay, maybe it was more like two hours, I had a boyfriend. Then he turned into a total shit. Do I have a total shit magnet stuck on me somewhere I’m unaware of? Maybe it’s one of those computer chip implants that seeks out total shits. Either way, Drew McPhee is a total shit. Oh, and piss on love.

  A hard body molded to her back, and Mel sighed with deep contentment.

  Drew wrapped his arm around her waist, nuzzling her neck.

  “You’re awake.”

  She felt the smile of his lips against her neck. “I had no choice with your hot, stinky breath on my neck,” she teased.

  He cupped her breasts, rolling her nipples between his fingers until he made her moan. “Not so, Dancer. I’ve been up for two hours and I brushed my teeth.”

  “And I see you’re all suited up,” she giggled, reaching behind her to find he’d already put a condom on.

  “Always be prepared. It’s my motto.”

  “Isn’t that the Boy Scouts’ motto?”

  “I don’t care whose motto it is. I couldn’t stand to look at you naked anymore because I need to be inside you. Now, bend to my will, woman.”

  Her eyes popped open, panic-stricken. “What time is it? Nate—is he due home?”

  Drew splayed his hand over her abdomen, slipping a finger between her thighs. “Relax. He won’t be home for another two hours. Grandma makes chocolate chip pancakes on Saturday mornings. Nobody wants to go home.”

  Mel breathed a sigh that shuddered on its way out as Drew stroked her clit. Her arm went around his neck and she arched into him with a sensuous stretch.

  “I want to go to Grandma’s if we’re talking chocolate chip pancakes.”

  He pressed his hot cock against her ass. “And miss this?”

  Mel let her eyes slide shut. Oh, this man and his decadent lips and work-rough hands. She didn’t think she’d ever get enough of him.

  Her response was breathy. “It is pancakes. I’m not sure you can measure up,” she challenged.

  Lifting her thigh to wrap it around his hip, he drove upward into her in a single, fluid motion, dragging a throaty groan from her lips.

  “Are you questioning my prowess?” he teased, nibbling at her neck while his fingers dipped in and out of her swollen lips.

  Mel pushed back at him, grinding her ass into him, wanting nothing more than to be as close as humanly possible without morphing into him. “I would never do such a thing,” she said on a giggle that turned into an “oh” of intense pleasure as Drew manipulated her body to his will.

  “Good thing, because I don’t think pancakes can make you scream quite the way I do,” he said on a long groan as their bodies blended.

  “You’ve never seen me eat a pancake,” she murmured, her lips pressed against his forearm to keep the scream of pleasure she wanted to yelp to a minimum.

  Drew pumped upward, his shaft pulsing hot and hard in her. His lips pressed to her ear. “Christ, Mel. Every time I think I have a handle on being inside you, it’s all I can do not to come.”

  Mel’s heart fluttered in her chest at his words. That a man like Drew admitted she had the power to undo him made her feel sexy and wanton. She raised both arms, draping them around the back of his neck and pulling him hard to her.

  No more words were necessary when they picked up where they left off after a long night of lovemaking. Mel’s head thrashed against the pillow when Drew’s thrusts became harder.

  Drew’s arms tightened around her in response and his harsh breaths quickened until they both reached satisfaction.

  Mel flopped against him, sated, sore, and replete.

  Drew brushed her hair out of her face and smiled down at her.

  “You want coffee?”

  She smiled back. “Does it taste like chocolate chip pancakes?”

  “You know, we could always go to my Mom’s…”

  Mel stretched. “In my slinky dress and heels? Is that considered appropriate attire for breakfast?”

  “Point.”

  “I just don’t want Nate to get the wrong impression. I know he’s very perceptive, but to see me in something like the outfit I had on last night is like throwing the fact that I spent the night in his face.”

  She was coming to treasure her time with Nate—in class and out.

  The last thing she wanted to do was upset him.

  Drew’s smile lit up his face. “I like that you always think about Nate. Coffee it is. Throw on my shirt and meet me in the kitchen. We’ll talk about Nate if I can keep my hands off you for more than twenty seconds.” He planted a lingering kiss on her lips.

  She watched as he got off the bed; his well-muscled body naked, rippling and firm in the sunlight streaming through the windows made her heart clench again. He threw on a pair of sweats and winked at her before leaving the bedroom.

  Oh, God. She was in love. She knew it. It was a much different love than the one she’d experienced with Stan. The connection she shared with Drew had more depth to it—it entailed a give-and-take, and she was relieved to find, it was barren of any hero-worship.

  Yes, Drew was compelling and sexy and smart, but she didn’t crave his approval in the way she had Stan’s. She enjoyed it, even reveled in his heated words, but it wasn’t the basis for their relationship, and she was finally seeing the difference between being involved with a man who was her equal and one who was her idol.

  And it was hot and
invigorating and a revelation all at the same time.

  Top that with a possible job offer from Celebrity Ballroom, something she hadn’t had time to dwell on since Jackie had told her about it last night, and things were looking good.

  Mel slid out of the bed, throwing on Drew’s shirt from last night, taking a deep sniff of the remnants of his cologne. She made her way to the kitchen, smiling to herself when she caught sight of the waterfall painting.

  Drew held out a cup of steaming coffee in a chipped dark green mug.

  She reached for it, but he pulled it back and grinned his heart-stopping grin. “Not before this,” he said, leaning down to give her a thorough kissing.

  Mel sighed into his mouth, then snatched the coffee from his hand, almost dripping it on the floor. She set it on the counter and jumped up onto it to settle back against the cabinet.

  “So, Nate,” he began, pushing his way between her legs to put his hands on her waist.

  Mel’s smile was fond when she eyed him over the rim of her coffee cup. “He’s such a great kid and a superb dancer.”

  Drew hauled her close to him, and her legs automatically wrapped around his waist. “He is a great kid and, like you said, a perceptive one. I don’t want to have to be careful about how I feel about you, Mel.”

  Her heart skipped a beat. “Meaning?”

  Drew’s hands cupped her face. “Meaning, I want him to know we’re involved.”

  “Ohhh. Is that what we are?” she asked when his lips found hers again.

  “Well, if last night wasn’t enough to convince you we’re involved, maybe you need more convincing?”

  “I’m always down with more convincing, but let’s be serious. Because it’s Nate, and I would never want to jeopardize his feelings. He has enough to deal with…”

  She almost hated to mention Sherry’s name. They hadn’t spoken of her since the night she’d argued in Sherry’s favor, and while she didn’t want to rock the boat, she certainly wouldn’t walk on eggshells about her either. Sherry was Nate’s mother—alcoholic or not—and the kind of struggle she brought would need to be addressed if her issues were ongoing like Drew had said.