by Karen Foley
“Holly,” he finally said in a strangled voice. “What are you doing here?”
“Shane.” Her blood began a slow, languorous churning through her veins. “I—I was just coming downstairs to say hello. I needed to get away, to be alone. That is—not completely alone, just away from my parents. You don’t need to leave—I mean, I don’t mind you staying. You should stay. I want you to stay.”
God, she was babbling like an idiot, but was it any surprise? The way he looked, combined with the expression in his eyes, made it difficult for her to think straight. Wearing nothing but a pair of shorts low on his hips, he was all thrusting shoulders and muscle-banded abdomen. But where Holly remembered acres of smooth, tanned skin, Shane’s torso was now marred with a dozen or more scars, still vivid and raw, and the faded smudging of bruises.
Emotion swelled in her chest. She swallowed hard and schooled her features, unwilling to let him see how his injuries affected her. A strip of pale flesh rode just above his waistband, and her fingers itched to explore the narrow strip of dark hair that began just beneath his navel and disappeared beneath the fabric of his shorts. The room seemed suddenly too small and too warm.
He took a step into the room, his eyes fastened on her. He gave no indication that he’d even heard her. His breathing was uneven, and every muscle in his body seemed tightly coiled. “How are you?” His voice was hoarse. “I mean, are you okay?”
She struggled to think coherently, when all she wanted to do was launch herself into his arms. She swallowed hard. “I’m fine. What about you? I’ve thought about you so much.”
“God, Holly.”
His anguished voice seemed to reach into her most secret places. Her heart began to thump hard, until she could feel her blood vibrating in her temples, in her fingertips, throughout her body, until the throbbing sensation finally centered in the warm, damp place between her thighs.
In the next instant she was in his arms, her hands clutching his broad shoulders as he hugged her tightly against his chest. Holly buried her face against his neck and breathed in his scent, relishing the feel of his strong hands against her back.
“Oh, Shane,” she breathed, and drew back just enough to look into his eyes.
“I’m sorry,” he groaned, in the instant before he lowered his head and claimed her mouth with his.
HOLLY’S MOUTH WAS SOFT and lush and hot, exactly the way he remembered. Her body was slim and supple and his hands slid downward to cup her bottom and press her hips against where he was already hard for her.
She was here. Warm and alive and in his arms, kissing him back with a fierceness that caused every cell in his body to stand at attention. Even now, with her tongue in his mouth and her sweet ass cradled in his palms, he could scarcely believe she was real. How many times had he fantasized about this very thing? He knew he should push her away; set her aside and put some distance between them, but he was incapable of breaking the delicious contact.Every fantasy he’d ever had of Holly Durant—and he’d had more than his share—was playing out in front of him, and he wasn’t about to do anything to ruin it. His brain had blinked off the instant he’d caught sight of her wearing a pair of miniscule panties and a bra that did nothing to conceal the most insanely perfect pair of breasts he had ever seen. And now she was kissing him as if her very life depended on it.
He should be used to her sensual attacks; she’d stalked him from the time she was fifteen years old, but he found his ability to resist her had evaporated beneath the silken heat of her mouth on his and her hands on his skin.
He couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think straight.
Desire slammed into him, fierce and hard, and his blood hummed in his veins. Sweet Christ, she was the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen. She tasted like sweet berries, and her fragrance teased his senses, and only the zipper on his shorts kept his rampant hard-on from surging forward.
The microscopic part of his brain that still functioned was firing warning shots across his bow. He was all wrong for her. He could never give her what she needed. He didn’t deserve her. Even if she didn’t have the good sense to realize it, he did. He dragged his mouth from hers and sucked in air.
“Holly,” he finally managed, his voice sounding strained and thick, even to his own ears. “We can’t do this.”
But she only pressed closer, her eyes soft and hazy as she gazed up at him. “Yes, we can,” she contradicted him softly, and she pressed a moist kiss against the skin beneath his collarbone. Sensation shuddered through him.
To hell with doing what was right. Nothing could prevent him from reaching for Holly, not even the sound of his cane as it clattered, unheeded, onto the floor. The warning shots had come too late; he’d just taken a direct hit and he was going down.
4
HOLLY GASPED SOFTLY as Shane bent his head and his lips covered hers, but he didn’t just kiss her; he consumed her. His mouth plundered hers, hot and sweet, and she welcomed the erotic slide of his tongue against her own. He shifted so that his hard thigh intruded between hers, and Holly gave a soft moan of need as she felt the unmistakable thrust of his arousal. Immediately, he pulled back, his hands jerking away from her body.
“What? Did I hurt you? Jesus, I almost forgot about your arm—”“No, my arm is fine,” she assured him breathlessly, reaching for him. “Please don’t stop.” Grasping his hand, she drew it back to cover her breast. Beneath his fingers, her nipple tightened, jutting against his callused palm. “Now kiss me again.”
This time, Shane drew her into his arms with a gentleness that was almost reverent. But his kiss was no less heated as he explored her mouth with a slow thoroughness that caused a sharp stab of arousal low in her abdomen. One hand moved to the front clasp of her bra, and with a quick flick the garment fell open. He cupped her breast and teased her nipple, rolling it between his fingers. Holly shuddered lightly when he dragged his mouth along the line of her neck and lower, to the soft skin of her breast, before drawing the distended tip into his mouth. The slippery hot sensation of his tongue flicking against her sensitized flesh was almost more than she could stand, and she moaned again, arching against him. This time, Shane didn’t pull away. Slipping one hand beneath her panties, he curved his fingers over her bottom and stroked her pliant flesh.
“Jesus, you’re so soft,” he murmured against her lips. “I’ve never forgotten how goddamned soft your skin is.”
He’d never forgotten.
Any misgivings Holly had vanished as she melted against him with a sigh. “I want you to touch me,” she breathed. “Everywhere.”
Shane groaned and took her mouth again, spearing his tongue against hers as his hands roamed over her back, his fingers tracing the curves and dips of her spine. He turned her up against the wall, pinning her there with the weight of his body. Slowly, he eased the straps of her bra down her arms until it slid free. His mouth was fused to hers and his hands explored her freely, cupping and caressing her breasts before splaying across her back and downward, to tease the soft crease of her buttocks. Holly felt a little stunned by his actions and light-headed with pleasure.
“Damn,” he breathed against her lips. “I want to sweep you up and carry you over to that bed. But I can’t.”
In answer, Holly stepped out of his arms but didn’t release his hands. Not wanting to do anything that might ruin the moment and make him have any second thoughts, she drew him toward the bed.
“I don’t need to be carried,” she assured him. “I just need you to join me.” When she reached the mattress, she sat down and then reclined back on the coverlet, her fingers still entwined with Shane’s. He didn’t require any further encouragement, but came over her like a big, sleek cat, bracing his hands on either side of her as he bent to kiss her once more.
Holly tunneled her fingers through his short hair, reveling in the velvety-rough texture. He smelled good, like coconut suntan lotion. He slanted his mouth across her lips for better access, mating his tongue with hers until Holly shifted re
stlessly beneath him, wanting more. She gave a squeak of surprise and clutched at him with her good arm when he eased one hand beneath her and hefted her more fully onto the mattress.
“Much better,” he said against her mouth, as he lowered himself alongside her, bracing his weight on one elbow and using his free hand to leisurely stroke and explore her body. He covered one breast, his long fingers kneading the firm flesh before plucking at the nipple. The combination of his tongue in her mouth and his hand on her breast sent a rush of heat and moisture to her core, and she arched helplessly against him.
There hadn’t been anyone serious in her life since the night she’d spent with him at the lake house. No one made her feel the way he did; hot and achy and trembling with need. And she knew instinctively that no man could bring her the pleasure that Shane did. From the start, it seemed he knew just how to touch her so that she felt crazed with lust.
“Oh, man,” Shane rasped, pulling back slightly, “you are so incredibly sexy.”
Holly’s breath was coming in short pants, and the expression in his eyes as he followed the path of his hand across her skin made her feel wanton. Her center throbbed, and she knew if he touched her there, she would be slick and hot. As if he could read her thoughts, he smoothed his hand across her stomach and then hooked his thumbs in the waistband of her panties and slid them down her legs. He sifted his fingers through the springy curls at the juncture of thighs. Her legs were pressed together, but all it took was a simple nudge of his hand for them to fall open.
Holly’s breath hissed in when Shane bent his head to suckle her breast at the same instant he cupped her intimately, holding her in the warm palm of his hand. But it wasn’t enough, and Holly shifted restlessly to gain more of the delicious contact.
“Is this what you want?” he murmured against her skin, just before he parted her slick folds with his fingers.
Holly made a strangled sound of pleasure and threaded her fingers through his scalp, holding his head to her breast. Pleasure lashed through her as he drew his fingers over her moisture, teasing but never touching the small rise of flesh that throbbed for his touch. If she’d had a little more courage, she might have dragged his hand to where she needed it the most, but she found herself embarrassed by the strength of her own arousal.
“Oh, yeah,” Shane breathed, “this is definitely what you want.” Holly’s breath hissed inward and her hips bucked as he finally stroked her clit and then eased a finger inside her.
“Oh, God,” she moaned, shocked at how needy her voice sounded and how greedily her flesh clutched at him. She’d fantasized about this for so long and part of her had wondered if her memories of their one night together had been colored by the alcohol they’d both consumed. Maybe they hadn’t been as great together as she remembered. Maybe she’d built it up in her mind into something it wasn’t.
But now, with Shane’s body pressed against hers, and his voice murmuring husky words of encouragement in her ear, she knew her memory hadn’t failed her. If anything, this experience was even more intense than their first encounter. This time, there was no darkness to conceal them, and no question that they both knew exactly what they were doing.
“Tell me what you want,” he urged, and thrust his finger deeper. “Say the words.”
“You know what I want.” What she’d always wanted. Him.
Her voice sounded strained and hoarse. She raised her hips, lifting herself into the pleasure he provided.
“Tell me anyway.” His voice was low and commanding, and so sexy that Holly couldn’t refuse. “I want to hear it.”
“I want you.”
He made a sound of satisfaction deep in his throat and quickened the movements of his hand. “How do you want me?”
Any way I can get you. “Inside me. Now.”
In answer, Shane withdrew from her and stood up, balancing awkwardly on his good leg as he made quick work of his shorts. Holly was glad she was already lying down, because the sight of a naked, rampantly aroused Shane caused her legs to feel a little wobbly and her mouth to go dry. She hadn’t gotten a good look at him during their previous encounter in the boathouse, and although she’d known he was impressive, she hadn’t realized just how gorgeous he was. Everywhere.
He didn’t give her time to admire him, however. Instead, he caught her knees in his hands and bent her legs backwards, exposing her to his gaze. Holly should have felt embarrassed, but she was way past that point. Holding her legs wide, he stepped between them. His face was taut with desire, his gaze fixed on her.
“Wait!” she exclaimed, reaching down to cover herself with one hand and prevent him from making any contact with her. “I don’t have any protection, do you?”
If she weren’t feeling so desperate, Holly might have laughed at the expression of dismay on his face.
“No. I didn’t exactly plan—” he began, frustrated.
“It’s okay,” she said. “If I know my brother, he keeps a stash in his room.”
“Second drawer of the dresser, in the back,” Shane confirmed with a crooked smile, releasing Holly’s legs. “At least, that’s where he used to hide them.”
“It’ll be quicker if I go,” she said, and without giving him a chance to argue, she bounced off the bed and shot him a seductive smile. “Don’t start without me.”
SHANE SAT DOWN on the bed and raked a hand over his hair. What the hell was he doing? He should stand up and walk out of the room and not look back. He shouldn’t even think of screwing around with Holly Durant—but holy God, he’d never seen anything as amazing as Holly bounding back into the room, triumphantly holding four condoms in one hand, her breasts bouncing gently and the long muscles in her taut thighs flexing. Any thoughts of retreat vanished.
“We’re in luck.” She grinned, and pushed him down onto the mattress. Before Shane realized her intent, she straddled his hips. “There’s a whole box of them, although God knows how long they’ve been there. Let’s hope they haven’t expired.”Even if they had, Shane realized he’d take the risk. He wanted Holly more than he’d ever wanted anything in his life.
Reaching up, he covered her breasts with his hands, enjoying the weight of them in his palms. She sighed and rocked her hips against his, rubbing herself along his shaft until he had to grit his teeth against the exquisite sensation. But when she reached down and took him in her hand, he groaned out loud. The sight of her slender fingers wrapped around his swollen flesh was incredibly erotic. He let her stroke him for several long seconds, until she slid her thumb across the crest where it glistened with moisture.
“Easy,” he grunted. “I’m not going to last if you keep that up.”
He took the condoms from her, tossing the extras aside and tearing one free from the wrapper. Holding his cock in one hand, he sheathed himself with fingers that visibly trembled. Glancing at Holly’s face, he saw her eyes were fixed on him and her face looked flushed. Her nipples thrust outward, and she continued to rock softly against him.
With his hands on her waist, Shane urged her up and fitted himself against her opening. Slowly, she eased herself down onto him and the sensation of her wet silk gripping him was so intense that Shane’s back teeth ached with the effort not to thrust hard and fast into her. Her face was a study in concentration, as if she, too, was finding it difficult to control her response. She caught her lower lip between her teeth and used her uninjured arm to brace herself against his chest. Late afternoon sun slanted through the skylights over the bed and picked out the blue highlights in her black hair. She’d closed her eyes and her lashes lay thick and dark against her flushed cheeks.
Shane wanted to look at her endlessly.
Then she began to move, sliding back and forth, rocking against him until he could no longer think. He moved his hands over her body, sliding them across the smoothness of her stomach and up over her breasts to trace the fragile line of her collarbones. Cupping the nape of her neck, he drew her down and slanted a deep, hard kiss across her mouth, thrusting
his tongue against hers and matching the movement with his hips.
Holly groaned and angled her hips to increase the friction, the inner walls of her channel fisting hotly around him. Chase slid his hands to her bottom, cupping the perfect mounds of her cheeks as he drove himself upward. Holly used her thigh muscles to leverage herself back and forth along his cock, and her breasts teased his chest with each movement.
Reaching between their bodies, Shane found the slippery rise of her clitoris and swirled his finger over it, swallowing her soft gasps. Her movement quickened and she made an inarticulate sound of pleasure deep in her throat. Shane felt her muscles begin to contract, pulling him deeper. Her flesh clenched tightly around him, squeezing and milking him as spasms wracked her body. White-hot bolts of pure lust jack-knifed through him. He thrust deeper, intense pleasure gathering in the base of his cock and exploding outward. With a hoarse cry, he stiffened and wave after wave of release crashed over him, leaving him weak and shaking.
Slowly, he became aware that Holly lay boneless on top of him, her slender thighs still bracketing his own. She turned her face into his neck and her breath fanned his overheated skin.
“Wow,” she breathed. “That was…unbelievable.”
Silently, Shane agreed. Sex with Holly was off the charts. He should feel guilty about what they’d just done. She was his best friend’s sister, the only daughter of a man he both esteemed and admired, and she outranked him. All good reasons why he should never have touched her in the first place. But he found he couldn’t feel any regrets for something that he’d dreamed about doing for the past three years, since their last encounter. Even longer than that, if he was honest with himself.
He’d wanted Holly Durant since before she’d followed him into her father’s wine cellar and kissed the hell out of him seven years ago. He’d been infatuated with her since the day she’d first walked into Benjamin’s Drugstore as a giggling fifteen-year-old and had innocently sipped a drink while watching him work the counter.