By the Book j-6

by N. J. Walters

  Heat rushed through her veins, and this time it wasn’t due to embarrassment. No, Jonah brought out another side of her, a side she hadn’t thought existed. He made her feel sexual and sensual and she wanted to revel in it, not miss a single moment of the entire experience.

  “So soft.” He stroked his fingers over her slick folds, up one side and down the other.

  “So wet.” The pad of his thumb brushed her clit and she almost came off the bed. Sweet sensations rocked through her, making her moan.

  Jonah peered up at her and smiled. “So damn responsive.”

  Amanda didn’t know what to say. She’d never responded so quickly and easily before. This man certainly knew how to flip her switch. Her entire body was humming with desire. She arched her hips upward, wanting him to touch her again.

  Jonah didn’t disappoint. Burying his face between her thighs, he tasted her most sensitive flesh. He licked and suckled and teased. His tongue flicked her clit and then circled it, a sensual torture of sorts, which he always stopped just before she found fulfillment.

  She hooked her legs over his shoulders and squeezed him tight. She wanted to scream at him, to tell him she needed more, but when she opened her mouth all that came out was a low cry of pleasure.

  He pushed one finger deep into her core. Her inner muscles clenched and relaxed rhythmically as he inserted a second finger, stretching her wide.

  “You’re tight.” She could see the beads of sweat on his forehead and knew he was close to the breaking point. He pulled his fingers almost all the way out and thrust them back in again.

  “It’s been a while,” she managed to gasp out.

  This time when he pulled his fingers toward her entrance, he widened them, stretching her even more. “I can’t wait, sugar. Not this time.”

  Wait? She didn’t want him to wait. “Now!” She undulated her hips, and groaned. His fingers twisted inside her as he slowly removed them. Sitting back on his heels, he grabbed one of the condoms from the bedside table, ripped the packet open and rolled the latex barrier over his thick length.

  Supporting his weight on his arms, he levered himself over her. He lifted her hips and positioned the head of his cock at her slit. He pushed and slid just inside her opening.

  Amanda gasped at the invasion. Her inner muscles stretched and pulsed, finally relaxing around the crown of his shaft.

  Jonah leaned down until their lips were almost touching. His hair fluttered down around his face and brushed her cheeks. “Hold on.”

  She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as he gave one quick thrust, burying himself to the hilt. She cried out as he stretched her to the limits. But beyond the overwhelming shock of being filled so completely by him was pleasure. Hot molten pleasure. Her core pulsed hard around his shaft. He was part of her now. So deep inside her she didn’t know where she ended and he began.

  Amanda closed her eyes, allowing herself just to feel the sensations buffeting her.

  Jonah held himself still as her body adjusted to the overwhelming physical and emotional overload. She could feel his cock pulsing inside her, and the steady beat pushed her closer to the edge. His breathing was getting faster and shallower, just as hers was. Both of their bodies were slick with perspiration and need.

  She opened her eyes and was once again staggered by the intensity of his gaze.

  Sliding his hands beneath her hips, he began to rock against her. His erection slipped in and out of her body, stretching her anew each time he plunged deep inside.

  Planting her feet on the mattress, she captured the rhythm, meeting him thrust for thrust. Her fingers slid on his slick shoulders, but she held on, digging her fingernails into his skin.

  Jonah’s hips pistoned faster and faster. Amanda could feel every cell in her body tighten and knew she was close. “Harder!” she cried. She wanted to come, but she never wanted this to end.

  Shoving his arms beneath her, he sat back and pulled her up so that she was sitting on his lap. The motion drove him deeper. Her inner muscles began to spasm around him.

  “Jonah!” She cried his name as he leaned down and sucked a turgid nipple into his mouth. She cried out again as she came in a rush of liquid heat.

  His arms banded around her and he thrust twice more before tipping back his head and letting out a yell of release. She felt his shaft pulsing within her, felt his heat and knew he was coming. The rippling of his shaft triggered another round of spasms deep within her core and she lost herself in the heat and the pleasure.

  Every bone in her body had turned to mush. Her head was resting on Jonah’s shoulder. She had no memory of even putting it there. Both of them were breathing heavily, their arms wrapped around each other.

  Jonah was the first to move. He lowered her back down to the bed and carefully withdrew. She gasped as her inner muscles spasmed around him, trying to keep him inside her. Jonah groaned and pulled away. “I’ll be right back.” He kissed the tip of her nose before he rolled off the bed and padded to the bathroom.

  She knew she should pull the sheet over herself, and she would, just as soon as she found the energy. She heard the sound of water running in the distance and then Jonah returned with a damp cloth in hand.

  Sitting beside her, he ran the cloth over her face and down her neck, being careful of her injuries. From there, he let the cloth caress her torso as he worked his way down to between her legs. She should be embarrassed, but that seemed silly after what they’d just done. The cool cloth felt good against her swollen flesh.

  When he was satisfied, he tossed the cloth on the bedside table and crawled back into bed with her. He tugged the covers over them and pulled her into his arms.

  “What about supper?” She was hungry, but exhausted.

  “In a bit.” He tucked the sheet over her shoulders. “Rest for a while. We’ll eat later.”

  Chapter Ten

  Amanda sat at her desk and stared out the window. Her life had changed so much in the past week. For a woman who’d grown up with nothing, she’d come a long way. Her childhood was filled with memories of upheaval and moves. Every time she’d start to settle, something would happen and she’d be relocated to a new home, a new family.

  She’d hated the constant lack of security.

  Even Seymour had taken her home away from her by selling the building she’d lived in. She didn’t blame him for that. After all, her inheritance from him was responsible for this new start in her life. Jamesville was beginning to feel more like home with each passing day and she was starting to make a place for herself in the community.

  Because she was constantly buying supplies for the renovations, people were beginning to recognize and greet her wherever she went. She gave a rueful laugh. “I sure am good for the local economy.”

  She’d spent the best part of one morning with Cyndi at the hardware store, the two of them picking out the paint for all the walls in the house. They’d capped off their morning with lunch at Jessie’s, the local diner. Cyndi had probed carefully about Amanda’s relationship with Jonah, but hadn’t pressed. She had, however, warned Amanda to be careful with her heart.

  Amanda wasn’t quite certain about the state of her heart. She tried not to think too hard about what was happening with her and Jonah, but just to enjoy it. It was difficult though. She didn’t make attachments easily, but Jonah had slipped past her guard and into her life. It was amazing how fast she’d gotten into the habit of wondering what Jonah would think about this or that, or wanting to share some small tidbit of her day with him.

  To a woman used to being on her own, it was somewhat unnerving.

  Thankfully, the rest of her life was falling into place. The repairs to the house were on schedule. The electrical work was all but completed and drywall had been either repaired or replaced altogether. As promised, both Cyndi and Shamus had come over to help. Walls had been primed and painted and shelves built.

  Leaning back in her chair, she watched a robin land on the porch railing just beyond the
window. It perched for a moment before flying off again. The bird reminded her of Jonah’s sister—full of life, but unable to settle. She’d run into Elizabeth while out grocery shopping and had stopped to chat. The other woman was a little shy, a bit nervous, but very friendly. Amanda liked her.

  That thought brought her back to the open file on her computer. The list for Elizabeth’s books had been finalized and prices agreed upon. With the go-ahead from her client, Amanda had listed the books on her website. She’d already had a nibble or two on several of the more collectable books in the grouping and hoped to soon have some good news for her very first local client.

  Closing out the file, Amanda pushed her chair back from the desk and stared at her shop. Standing, she made a slow circle around the new home of By the Book, a sense of satisfaction filling her.

  She’d painted the room a deep forest green, which contrasted nicely with the pale hardwood floors and the pine shelves Shamus had built for her. Three walls were covered from ceiling to floor with empty shelves just waiting to be filled. The fourth wall held several wood and glass cabinets that had belonged to Seymour. They had sturdy locks and she would use them to house some of her more collectable books. The more valuable books were kept locked in the safe.

  Even the structure of the house had changed. It had been Jonah’s suggestion to take out one of the windows in the new shop and add a door. That way, By the Book had an entrance separate from the rest of the house. Amanda had painted the door red and planned to have a sign made to place just above it.

  Running her finger over her desk, Amanda tried not to think about Jonah. It would be easier to make herself stop breathing than it would be for her to stop thinking about him.

  After the first time they’d made love, she’d expected him to have supper and then leave. But he’d stayed that night and every night since. They’d fallen into a routine of sorts as the days progressed, both of them working around the house. Sometime during the day, Jonah went to his place for a couple of hours to pick up clothes and to see his sister and niece. But other than that, they’d spent every waking hour together. At night, after they made love, she’d fall asleep with his arm curled around her.

  That surprised her. She hadn’t expected him to spend all his nights with her. After all, they were just having an affair. It wasn’t as if they were in love or anything. She ignored the way that thought made her stomach clench and her heart pound.

  Turning away from the desk, she walked to the new door and peered out. Situated on the far end of the house, it opened out onto the front veranda. She stared out and watched a car drive down the street. Her life was moving on exactly as she wanted, except for one small detail.

  She’d allowed herself to fall in love with Jonah.

  It had happened so quickly she hadn’t had time to erect any barriers around her heart.

  Jonah had settled there and there was no getting him out. For better or worse, she was in love with the man. And she would never tell him.

  He had made it more than clear from the beginning he wasn’t in this for the long haul. He hadn’t misled her. She’d misled herself by thinking she’d be able to keep her emotions out of their relationship.

  Sighing, she turned away from the door.

  “That’s a heavy sigh.” Jonah stood in the doorway, leaning against the jamb.

  She shrugged and wandered over to the four boxes she’d lugged in from the other room. It was time to get the shelves loaded and her business open.

  Jonah pushed away from the doorway and sauntered across the room. “I just finished the last of the work and everything is operational and up to code. The panel box for the electrical system is now in the utility closet in the kitchen. It’s more convenient there.”

  Leaning down, he brushed a kiss across her cheek. “I even added a light switch at the top of the basement stairs in case you have to go down there for any reason.”

  She’d told him how much she hated going down into the basement and he’d moved the panel box and added the light switch without her even having to ask. He did things like that without thinking about it. It was no wonder she’d fallen in love with him. She reminded herself for the hundredth time that he wasn’t staying. “That’s great. Just leave me the bill and I’ll be sure you get paid immediately. I really appreciate you doing this so quickly.”

  Jonah frowned, his brows drawing together. “You don’t think I’m going to charge you for this, do you? Not now.”

  It was her turn to frown. “What do you mean? Of course I’m going to pay you. That was our deal.” Jonah had done so much more this past week than just the electrical work.

  He’d helped Shamus repair the drywall, and had helped install the new door to her store.

  Besides that, he’d painted and generally helped out, doing anything that needed doing.

  “That deal was made before I was sharing your bed.” He stood with his hands on his hips, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

  His glib answer made her see red and she took a deep breath to calm her temper before she replied. “One has nothing to do with the other. I don’t trade sex for work. I contracted you to do a job and I’ll pay the bill.” She might feel differently if they were an actual couple, but they were having an affair, not building a lasting relationship. Jonah had made it more than clear from the beginning that this was just about sex. Not to pay him for the work would cheapen their lovemaking and turn it into something else entirely.

  “Damn it, Amanda. I didn’t say anything about trading sex for work.” He raked his hand through his hair. She tried not to notice how rugged and handsome he looked wearing work boots, jeans and a long-sleeved cotton T-shirt in a rich green that matched his eye color to perfection.

  She crossed her arms over her chest to keep from reaching out to touch him. “Then there is no reason for you not to take the money, is there?” She had to remember that their relationship was purely a physical one and not a deep emotional connection. If she didn’t she was going to be hurt when it came to an end. She swallowed hard. Who was she kidding? It was going to break her heart when he finally left. All her life, she’d been the one to leave first. Since she already knew she wanted to be with him for as long as possible, she knew he’d be the one to call an end to this affair. This time, she would be the one left behind. Although she supposed it didn’t matter. The results were the same—

  she’d be alone once again.

  “You are one stubborn woman, you know that?” He put his hands on his hips and glared at her, his frustration palpable.

  “Yeah, I know.” She tightened her arms around herself. Is this where he called it quits and decided he’d had enough of her? She wouldn’t beg him to stay. She had too much pride for that. But, oh, how she wanted their relationship to continue, even if it was just for a while longer.

  And how sad was that? She straightened her spine. She was an independent woman and didn’t need a man to be happy. She didn’t need anyone. She had her business and a few good friends. Her life was full, with or without Jonah in it.

  Huffing out a breath, he reached out and clamped his hands over her shoulders, pulling her close to him. “Come here.” His voice was gruff, but his touch was gentle as he pressed her head against his chest. “I’ll send you the damn bill.”

  “Promise?”

  “Yeah.” He pressed his lips against the top of her head and Amanda let out a sigh.

  “Listen, I’ve got to go. I got a call about another job.” He pulled away and glanced down at his watch. “I should be back in time for supper.”

  “You’re coming back?” He’d stayed with her all week, but there had been no new threats and the job here was done. She’d expected him to pack up the few belongings he had here and leave. Had been preparing herself for it.

  His lips formed a thin line. “Of course I’m coming back.” He dropped his arms back by his sides and took a step away. “Unless you don’t want me to.”

  Frustration filled her. S
he was no good at relationships. She couldn’t tell what Jonah wanted. Was he glad she was giving him an out or did he want to stay? Part of her wanted to push him away before she fell even more deeply in love with him than she already was. Another part of her wanted to hold on tight and hope he’d eventually come to love her back. Confusion filled her and she couldn’t think straight, so she threw his own words back at him. “You said this was just an affair. I thought you’d want to get back to your own life.”

  “Yeah. Sure.” He turned and walked away. “I’ll be out of your way in a few minutes.”

  Her chest ached and her stomach lurched. Had she hurt his feelings? Did he want to stay? Hope rose from a deep dark place inside her as she hurried after him. “You’re not in the way, Jonah. If anything, I’ve disrupted your life totally. You have a family. Friends.

  Yet you spend all your time with me.”

  He stopped and turned so abruptly, she plowed right into him. He caught her before she fell onto her butt. “You haven’t disrupted anything. I want to be here with you.”

  Amanda didn’t even stop to question why her heart leapt with joy at his words. This relationship could only end in heartbreak, but she didn’t care. She wanted to be with Jonah for as long as it lasted. “I’m glad you’ve been here. And not just because of the break-in.” She stared at his chest until he caught her chin in his hand and raised it until she was looking at him.

  “Supper?”

  She knew that if he came back for supper, he’d stay the night. Maybe it was weak of her, but she wanted him. She loved spending time with him, making love with him and having his big body curl around hers late at night. The more she got to know Jonah, the more she found to love about him. “Somewhere between six and six-thirty. Just let me know if you’re going to be late.”