Way to Her Heart

by Melanie Schuster

  Chapter 7

  His hands slid down to cup her butt, and he lifted her easily as her legs went around his waist. Their mouths opened as one and their tongues started the sensual thrust and stroke that began the dance. The heat rose as Lucas walked with her into the living room. He went to the sofa and lowered their bodies so that he was lying on a pile of throw pillows with her slim body on top of his. Their mouths were still connected as his hands became acquainted with her body. He was touching her everywhere as the kiss gradually ended. Sherri’s hands were equally busy until she lifted her head and looked at him quizzically.

  “How did we end up here?”

  “I didn’t know how to get to your bedroom,” he admitted.

  “I can show you,” she murmured. “Let’s go.”

  Moments later they had gone up the stairs and entered her pretty bedroom with the taupe walls and champagne-colored duvet and curtains. The only light in the room was the moonlight filtering in through the sheers. It was more than enough for him to see their surroundings. There were peach and coral pillows on the king-size bed and window seat that matched a small velvet armchair and matching ottoman in the corner. The room was feminine and sexy, but it could have been a hunting cabin with a cot and Lucas wouldn’t have cared. He was where he’d wanted to be for a long time and his total focus was on Sherri. Interior decoration was nowhere on his radar at the moment. All he cared about was the sexy woman who was taking off her sandals while he watched.

  Her belt came next. He was fascinated by the slow precise way she undid the buckle before gracefully removing it. He pulled his own shirt free of his jeans and unbuttoned it while she did the same to hers.

  She stopped before removing her linen shirt and gave him a self-deprecating grin. “I have to warn you about something,” she said softly.

  He met her eyes.

  “I don’t own any fancy underwear,” she confessed. “It’s all basic white cotton.” She opened her blouse to reveal a plain white bra. A few seconds later, the matching bikini panties came into view as she divested herself of her shorts. It looked as cute as hell to Lucas; he’d had a lot of experience with the Victoria’s Secret crowd and none of them had looked as sexy as she did right now.

  His shirt fell to the floor and his jeans and boxers joined it as he held out his hand to Sherri. “You look perfect to me. Come here and let me show you just how gorgeous you are.”

  She put her long, slim hand into his and sighed as he pulled her into his arms. They held each other tightly until she gasped with surprise when she realized that he’d unhooked her bra and it was dangling from his fingertips.

  “Wow. You’re good.”

  “You have no idea,” he growled, lifting her up once again. He managed to pull back the duvet and placed her on the huge firm bed. Before he joined her he reached in the pocket of his jeans and pulled out the condoms he’d taken to carrying at all times.

  They reached for each other at the same time, each one touching the other the way they’d wanted, exploring the feel of each other’s bodies. He bent his head to her breasts, taking one in his mouth, tasting her hardened nipple for the first time. Her fingers slid into his thick, wavy hair and she held him in place, sighing with pleasure while Lucas demonstrated his dexterity again by removing her panties in one smooth motion. His fingers eagerly explored her femininity, finding her wet. She moaned softly, and he turned his attention to her other breast, lavishing the tender tip with his tongue, then applying a firm suction that made her sounds of pleasure louder.

  When he felt the moisture between her legs start to flow, the movements of his fingers became more deliberate. He stroked her over and over until her hips began to move and he felt her inner walls tighten. His mouth started traveling down her body, licking and tasting every inch of her. When he knew she was starting to climax, his mouth replaced his fingers and he held her hips while he treated her to the most intimate kiss possible, using his tongue and his lips to coax her to a series of orgasms that made her cry out in release. He couldn’t stop tasting her, drinking her, devouring everything that made her a woman. She tasted like strawberries. All he knew at that moment was that he wanted to do this to her as often as possible. Giving her pleasure was the only thing he wanted.

  He finally relented and began to kiss his way back up to her mouth while she trembled all over from the sweet torture. He rolled over onto his back and brought her on top of him, holding her close. As the rapid beating of her heart gradually slowed, she rubbed her face against his chest while her hand moved up and down against his hot skin. It was her turn to learn his body, to learn what brought him pleasure. She brought her hand down to his manhood, exploring his huge erection. Her hand slid up and down, cupping him gently yet firmly. He reached for a condom and she took it from him, rolling it on. Now it was time for them to become one.

  Lucas held her hips and guided her on top. She gripped his shoulders as he entered her body, gasping aloud as he gradually filled her to the brim. It took them a moment to find the right rhythm and after that their passion took over and the real mating began. One push turned into another and another, and they rocked back and forth in a heated frenzy. Lucas was taken over by Sherri in a way he’d never experienced with another woman. She was hot and sweet. He felt the explosion coming before he was ready to finish. He held her smooth hips as she moved against him, and he groaned her name aloud. When she tightened on his manhood, their voices mingled in a shattering climax that sent waves of satisfaction over both of them. This time they collapsed, wet with fulfillment and totally happy. It was a long time before either one of them could speak.

  “Did I hurt you?” He stroked her hair as she slowly rubbed her face against his chest.

  “Absolutely not.” Sherri sighed. “That was amazing, Lucas.”

  “You’re amazing, sweetheart.”

  She gave a soft, sleepy laugh. “I love the way you say that word. When you call me that I think I really am your sweetheart.”

  “You are,” he answered, but she didn’t hear him; she had drifted into sleep.

  * * *

  After the loving was a classic opportunity for embarrassment, regrets and the time-dishonored walk of shame, but none of those things happened. After sleeping in each other’s arms, Sherri was awakened by Lucas with a repeat performance that left her more than satisfied. They showered together, shared grilled cheese sandwiches and finished the rest of their wine. They saw no reason to not go back to bed. This time was more romantic—Sherri had lit some candles and Lucas put on some sexy jazz. They talked and made love until sleep claimed them again.

  He had to leave early the following day because he was working the early shift at Seven-Seventeen. Before he left, he fixed breakfast for Sherri and brought it to her in bed. He kissed her goodbye and told her he would call her later. She felt well-rested and relaxed. The profound sense of well-being made her smile.

  It had been a long time since she’d been with a man. Trevor’s obnoxious behavior after finding out that she was pregnant had soured her on men, even though she’d denied the idea when her friends brought it up. She’d always told them that she was waiting for Sydney to get older before she tried the dating scene again, but it was a half-truth. She had truly loved Trevor, or at least that was what she’d thought at the time. Finding herself pregnant and alone as she began her internship had been devastating and difficult.

  There had been times when she didn’t think she was going to be able to accomplish her goals and still have a healthy, happy baby, but she had. The fact that her parents had turned their backs on her when she refused to abort her child or give it up for adoption could have crushed her spirit permanently, but with the loving support and assistance of her friends and their mothers, she’d made it through the toughest part of her life so far. Doing without male companionship wasn’t a sacrifice at all. She felt fulfilled with Sydney. Her life was balanced between caring for her child and her medical practice, and she was satisfied. No matter what Alex
is and Emily said about the need for her to have a social life and a sex life, Sherri was happy with the way things were. At least she had been until Lucas had entered her life.

  Just the thought of him made her glow inside and out. He was good to look at; that was undeniable. The way his green eyes lit up when he smiled always made a little thrill race down her spine. He was also sexy as hell. She’d known that from the first time he held her hand, and last night had only served to underscore everything she’d sensed about his prowess. Trevor had been her first and only lover, and compared to Lucas he’d been like a teenager fumbling around in the backseat of his father’s car. There was absolutely no way to compare the experience she’d shared with Lucas to what she’d had with the man who’d fathered her child—no way in this world.

  Lucas was kind and thoughtful and he treated her daughter like a little princess. He was the type of man who’d make a wonderful family man if he ever decided to settle down. There wasn’t anything about him that she didn’t like, from his easy conversation to the genuine warmth of his personality. They might have just moved into the friends-with-benefits stage, but his presence in her life was a wonderful, albeit surprising change in her life and she was going to enjoy it for as long as it lasted.

  After her breakfast she decided to take a long bubble bath before going to get Sydney from Alexis’s house. Once the bedroom had been returned to its normal pristine condition, she got dressed and took a good look in the mirror at the finished result. Even to her own critical eye, she looked good. There was something to be said for sharing a night of lovemaking with a handsome man. Emily and Alexis had been right about one thing for sure—she’d been denying herself for too long and that was a mistake she wasn’t going to make again.

  She opened the front door, and to her surprise there stood Alexis, her finger poised to push the doorbell. Sydney was standing next to her, holding Sookie’s and Honeybee’s leashes. All three of them were giving her big happy smiles and they looked totally adorable, like a greeting card.

  “Hello, ladies. I was just coming to get Sydney. Did you have fun yesterday? Were you a good girl?”

  “Yes, I was, Mommy. We had a lot of fun. We’re going outside,” she added as she and the dogs came in the front door and took off for the dining room to get out on the deck.

  Alexis also entered the condo, but she paused to give Sherri a pretty gift bag and a smug smile. “I think it’s time for a little girl talk, don’t you?”

  Sherri had to laugh as she bowed to the inevitable. “Come on in the kitchen and I’ll make you some coffee. I was wondering when you’d ferret your way all up in my business.”

  “And you know this,” Alexis said. “It’s a BFF prerogative.”

  Chapter 8

  Lucas had to endure a Q&A from Jared the morning after his night with Sherri. He was in the back office at Seven-Seventeen going over invoices when his older brother came in and gave him a once-over before sitting down across from him.

  “I don’t have to ask if you had a good time with Sherri. I can see it all over your face.”

  “Yes, I did. She’s everything, Jared. She’s the one.”

  “That’s good to hear because Sydney is planning the wedding and I’d hate for her to be disappointed.”

  Lucas let out a shout of laughter. “She won’t be. She’s something else, isn’t she?”

  “She told us about her plan to get her mommy married off to you. That little girl has all the planning and precision of a corporate raider or something,” he said, shaking his head. “If I ever have a small country to invade or a government to overthrow, she’s the first one I’m going to consult. But she’s totally serious, Lucas. Are you ready for this?”

  Lucas leaned back in his big swivel chair and laced his fingers together behind his head. “Ready, willing and able, big brother. I’m not playing around with Sherri—I want to marry her. I haven’t asked her yet because I don’t want her to think I’m crazy, but as far as I’m concerned it’s a done deal. Meeting Sherri was like finding the other half of my soul, man. I don’t have to tell you—the same thing happened to you when you met Alexis so you know where I’m coming from.”

  “It’s a family characteristic.” Jared laughed. “It happened to Dad, it happened to me and now it’s your turn. And the next time it’ll be Damon, once he opens his mind to something other than being the perfect dad. So how does Sherri feel about all this?”

  Lucas sat up and put his arms on the desk. His face took on the unmistakable look of a man who was completely in charge of his destiny. “She’s going to love it, every bit of it. I’m trying to take my time so she won’t feel overwhelmed, but by the end of summer, it’ll be a done deal.”

  “Go for it, man. It’ll be nice to have her in the family. And Sydney might have a little cousin on the way by then, too,” he added with a grin.

  Lucas raised his eyebrows and lifted his hand to give Jared a high five. He repeated his brother’s words with a grin. “Go for it.”

  “Just think, next year this time it could be you getting ready for fatherhood. Can you handle that?” he asked in a teasing tone of voice.

  “Bring it on,” Lucas replied with a cocky grin. “I’m ready for anything and everything as long as I’ve got Sherri and Sydney.”

  * * *

  Alexis refused the coffee Sherri offered and asked for lemonade instead. Her eyes were lit up with mischief as Sherri opened the gift bag and took out three exquisite bras with matching panties. Her face turned a deep pink as Alexis burst into laughter.

  “These were supposed to be for your birthday, but I have a feeling that you need them now. Once you cross over into the sexy side you need to have something other than those schoolgirl undies you love so much.”

  Sherri was examining the pretty garments with awe, exclaiming over the sexy cut of the thongs and fingering the soft bras in mocha, peach and black. She stopped long enough to refute Alexis’s last statement.

  “They’re not schoolgirl—they’re practical. An intern who’s also a new mother can’t afford a drawer full of Vicky’s Secret. They’re inexpensive and easy to machine wash, which is all I require in underwear,” Sherri argued.

  “Not anymore. You did a lot more than go to a jazz concert, didn’t you? So now you’re going to need a drawer full of pretty things so you can show off for your man,” Alexis gloated.

  Sherri tried to play coy but she knew it was fruitless. She thanked Alexis for the gift and tried to distract her by offering her toast. “Did you bring me some jam? You know I can’t eat the store-bought kind anymore.”

  “Yes, we brought you some. We made grape jam and apple butter, and Sydney was totally in heaven. She’s an excellent little helper, as you already know. And yes, I’d like some toast but that doesn’t get you off the hook. I need details, woman. You can’t lie to me—I’ve known you too long for that.”

  Sherri got out the bread and butter while Alexis was demanding information. As she placed two slices of the special English muffin bread she favored in the toaster, she finally answered her friend.

  “Everything was wonderful, Lexie. The drive to Charleston, the festival, lunch, the concert—everything was just perfect. And yes, we spent the night together and it was, it was...” She paused while she tried to think of the right words to use. “It was sublime,” she said finally. The toast popped up at the same time as if to underscore her statement, and she had to stifle a giggle. She buttered the toast and put the slices on a plate. Alexis was too busy clapping her hands to take it from her so Sherri opened the jar of apple butter and spread some on a piece. She was about to take a bite when Alexis snagged it from her fingers.

  “I knew it,” Alexis said, gesturing with her prize. “As soon as you opened the door, I knew. You look like a different person, Sherri. You and Lucas make such a great couple,” she gushed. “This is what Emily and I have wanted for you, girl. Tell me everything and don’t leave out a single detail. Well, some really private details you can ke
ep to yourself, but I want the highlights at least.”

  “Slow your roll, chick. Nobody said anything about being a couple, not really. Friends with benefits—isn’t that what they call it these days?”

  Alexis rolled her eyes and helped herself to the second piece of toast. “Can I have some more lemonade? And do you have any cantaloupe? I can’t seem to stop eating it. And don’t be ridiculous—of course you’re a couple. Tell me everything that happened and I’ll prove it to you,” she added as she slid off the tall stool by the work island and went to the refrigerator to find fruit.

  Sherri’s expression turned dreamy-eyed as she described the trip to Charleston and the parts of the night she felt comfortable sharing. “It was...amazing, Lexie. I can’t even explain how amazing it was.” She sighed.

  Alexis came back to the work island with a bowl of cantaloupe chunks she’d scavenged from the fridge. She gave Sherri a quick but heartfelt hug. “You don’t have to explain. I’ve got a VanBuren of my own, remember?”

  “Yes, but you two are a couple, a for-real married couple. It’s hardly the same thing. Lucas is sweet and sexy and just wonderful, but he hasn’t said anything about wanting to be my man or anything like that.” She was about to keep going but the doorbell rang.

  She came back to the kitchen with a big orchid in a beautiful peach color and a slightly dazed expression. Alexis’s eyes brightened with merriment.

  “That’s really pretty. Is it from anyone we know?”

  “It’s from Lucas. And there’s a giant ficus in the living room, which was way too big for me to move. It’s beautiful,” she said with a little sigh.

  Alexis took note of Sherri’s bemused state and said gently, “I know it’s been way too long for you to remember clearly, but this is how couples behave. As a matter of fact, I remember getting a beauty of a plant from Jared the morning after. He brought me red roses on our first date, and he sent me a huge plant the next morning. And I remember that you were very impressed and you teased me about finding my soul mate. It looks like you’ve found yours, too.”