An Accidental Love Affair

by Davida Ann Samenski

  “So, what’s it going to be?”

  She reached over, retrieving an object from the bedside table. She opened his hand, laying the shell on his palm. “I found this on the beach in North Carolina right before you came back to me.”

  “I remember seeing it. This is the shell you wrote about in the story.”

  She nodded. “See the heart shape in the middle of it? That represents my heart, and the shell is me.”

  “Go on.”

  “Seashells get broken by the crash of the waves on the beach or feet stomping them into the sand. They’re still pretty when they’re broken, but think of how exquisite they are when they’re whole. Do you understand me so far?” He shook his head. “I guess what I’m trying to say is you’re holding me in your hand.” She closed his fingers around the shell.

  Reece was quiet as he sat on his haunches, studying his closed fist. “This shell survived the crashing waves and crushing feet.” He looked up at her. “It and you are a lot stronger than you think. I will protect you both as best as I can.”

  She slid down on her knees to him. “I gladly accept your proposal, Mr. Woodhouse.”

  He leaned away, studying her. “I have a condition for you, too, Miss DeLancey.”

  “What is it?”

  “Don’t run away from me anymore.”

  “Where would I go that you couldn’t find me? I think you had a tracker injected into my bloodstream when I was knocked out.”

  He clasped her neck. “I’m serious, Nicole. You have the power to break me too.”

  She quieted instantly, biting her lip. “I don’t want to run anymore, but I can’t promise I won’t panic when something hurts me.”

  “Panic all you like. Throw wine bottles at my head if it makes you feel better; just don’t run.”

  She nodded. “I promise, Colin.”

  He tucked her hair back behind her ears. “Good, because for a while there I was considering getting you fitted with concrete tennis shoes.”

  She giggled. “Now that’s hardcore.”

  He shifted, pulling her on to his lap. “Speaking of hardcore . . .” He waggled his eyebrows at her.

  She pressed forward, rocking against him. “Well, I am still tingly.”

  He began nibbling the underside of her jaw. “I bet I can make you more so.” And he did just that.

  Chapter 14

  He lifted her from his lap and stood, helping her to her feet. He cupped her cheeks in his palms, kissing her tenderly as his fingers massaged the back of her head. He nudged her backward, the backs of her knees hitting the bed. He kept pushing until she was lying flat with him atop her.

  “You are so beautiful.”

  She closed her eyes. “No, I’m not. I may be slightly cute, but that’s about as far as I’ll go.”

  “Open your eyes. Look at me, Nicole.” When she did, he touched her face in reverence. “I don’t see you that way. I see much more than these arching eyebrows,” he said as he traced them with his thumb. “Or these eyelashes dipped in red wine.” He bent his head, kissing each eye. “Or the silky canvas of your cheeks with their tinge of a natural rose blush.” He kissed across her cheek to the tip of her nose and on to the other side.

  “It’s not your face or your body I’m speaking of. I’m talking about your soul. You have such an innate goodness in you that it shines through. That’s what makes you beautiful. It was one of the first things I noticed about you.”

  She turned her head, kissing his palm. “I must admit I noticed your face first, then your ass, then your . . .”

  He chuckled. “I’m pouring my heart out to you, and you’re making jokes.”

  She grinned at him. “I don’t need the sappy words, Colin. I know how you feel about me.”

  He shook his head. “I’m not saying them to convince you of my worth but to convince you of your own. You’ve never believed you were good enough for me.”

  “I know you’ve been good for me, Colin, but I feel like I’ve only brought you down. I make you miserable. One day you’re going to wake up and realize it. Then you’ll be gone again, and I’ll be on another roller coaster ride with ups and downs and . . .”

  He put his hand across her mouth. “Slow down. Relax. You’re getting all discombobulated again.”

  She took a deep breath. “We used to visit Busch Gardens every summer, and my dad and I would ride the Loch Ness Monster. I always wanted to sit in the front because it was scary and exhilarating. I’d be petrified and excited all at once, going through the twists and turns and the loops. I never wanted the ride to end, but at the same time, I couldn’t wait for it to be over, so I could put my feet on the ground again.”

  “And you think our life together is going to be like that roller coaster?”

  “I want the excitement and the thrills, but I don’t want my life to be a roller coaster.”

  “Life is a roller coaster, Nicole, with its ups and downs, twists and turns, and its loop-dee-loops. Life needs to be exciting. Otherwise, it’s not worthwhile.”

  “The one thing that petrifies me, is that coaster car flying off the tracks to crash and burn.”

  “We’re not going to crash and burn, baby.”

  “How do you know?”

  He bracketed her face between his hands. “I know because I believe in us. Alone, we’re good, but together, we’re spectacular. You make me a better person, Nicole—a better man, a better actor, and a better friend. You make me a better everything.”

  “Is this the part where I’m supposed to tell you how you’ve changed my life?”

  His smile was one-sided. “It would be nice.”

  She ran her hands up and down his arms. “If it wasn’t for you, I’d probably still be wallowing in self-doubt, afraid to make a move because of the fear of rejection. Because of you, I’m the best writer I can be. You pushed me passed my procrastination and into a bright future in publishing.”

  “Is that all?”

  “No. I’m the woman I am because of you. You’ve awakened this sexual goddess inside me who demands to be satisfied and loved. I used to go with the flow, settling for what I thought I deserved. You changed all of that. I’m a better me because of you.”

  “So you see, Miss DeLancey, we are perfect for each other.”

  She nodded. “I know we are. but I get scared sometimes.”

  He pushed the hair from her face. “I’m scared all of the time, baby. You have the power to destroy me.”

  “You have that power too.”

  “We should use our powers for good instead of evil, huh?” He glanced down the front of her, licking his lips.

  “Speaking of evil, you can wipe that grin off your face right now.”

  “This is not an evil grin,” he said. “This is a ‘I’m hungry for what’s on the buffet’ grin.”

  She giggled. “My body is not a buffet.”

  He was busy trying to get her naked. “Who says?” His hands skimmed underneath the bottom of her shirt, bunching it upward over her stomach and breasts. He tugged it over her head, tossing it to the floor. He sat back on his haunches, admiring the view. One finger traced down the center of her chest. “You see, this is the fruit plate, with two perfectly ripe honeydew melons,” he whispered as he leaned forward, kissing the plumpness of her breasts around the edge of her bra. “First you must remove the skin.” He pushed the fabric down, exposing her to his gaze. “Ah, my favorite. Honeydew with a cherry on top,” he murmured as he flicked her nipple with his tongue.”

  Nicole moaned, laughing as he fondled her with his mouth and hands, relieving her of her final piece of clothing. “What’s next on the menu?”

  He peered up from her breast. “Ahh, now we move on to the appetizer.” He slid down, his mouth and teeth nipping at her tors
o. “I love baby-back ribs,” he swore as he scraped his teeth along her ribcage, and with his eyes open, watched her reaction. Nicole’s eyes had closed while her hands remained clasped in the bedspread.

  Reece moved lower in his quest. “Ahh, my favorite part of the meal,” he said as he dipped his tongue, swirling it around her navel.

  “Fish stew?” she asked.

  He chuckled. “No, try again.”

  “Bearded clam?” She squirmed on the bed, trying to force him to drop lower. “Shuck me, suck me, eat me raw.”

  He paused in his seduction, once again surprised by the things that rolled off her tongue. He shook his head, spreading her legs to view her glistening center. “Cherry pie. I’m a man who likes his dessert first.” He dipped in, taking a swipe at the luscious fare on offer. “I will never crave anything as much as the taste of you.”

  She arched her hips off the bed, offering herself up completely. “I want to taste you too.”

  “You will when the time is right, but for now, let me feast on you.” His tongue flicked her, his fingers sliding in to work her to a deeper frenzy. She was clutching his head, her nails scraping against his scalp as he brought her closer to fulfillment.

  “Colin, please, I need you inside me,” she cried, trying to haul him up, away from his feasting.

  He forced her hands to the bed, continuing to make love to her with his mouth. “Give me what I want, baby. Bathe me in your nectar.” His tongue pushed hard against her sensitive flesh. She came apart under his skillful mouth, screaming out her pleasure, rocking her body in spasms.

  Reece continued to fondle her as she recovered. He was rock hard, but he ignored his own desires to continue feasting.

  He trailed kisses along her thighs, nipping the back of her knees and down until he held her feet in his hands. “You have the prettiest feet,” he swore as he kissed the arch of her foot and nibbled her toes.

  Nicole barely had the strength, but she leaned up on her elbows to watch. “You’ve gone in the wrong direction, Mr. Woodhouse.”

  “On the contrary, Miss DeLancey, I’m traveling in a most pleasurable direction,” he answered as he began his way back up north. “Although I may need to make a pit stop,” he said as he once again neared the apex of her thighs.

  Nicole sat up completely, pulling him toward her. “I want to kiss you all over, feasting on you.” She arched a brow at him. “Fair is fair.”

  His hands slid under her buttocks as he leaned forward. “I’m not done yet. Would you have me starve?”

  “Would you have me beg?” she whispered, nibbling the underside of his jaw, trailing bites up to his ear. “Please sir, I want you naked on top of me. What must I do to make it so?”

  He smiled. In a deft move, he lifted her, flipping her onto her stomach. “I said I wasn’t finished, Miss Impatience. You’ll get your turn, but I’m going to continue licking you all over.”

  Nicole closed her eyes as she felt his tongue trace along her spine, scraping his teeth on her back and driving her mad with want. She squirmed, bucking her hips in a way she knew he’d take advantage of. He pulled her hips toward him, fondling her buttocks.

  “I need to pay my respects to these pink mounds of delight. I never should have abused them this morning.” He ran his tongue over her cheeks. “They taste like spun sugar.”

  Nicole giggled into her arms, leaning on her elbows and pushing backward. “Mr. Woodhouse, your freaky side is showing.”

  Reece leaned forward as his tongue traced the underside of her bottom. “You have no idea how freaky I can be.”

  “I have a feeling I’m about to find out,” she moaned as his tongue moved back to the center of her, giving her pleasure from a whole new angle.

  Reece brought her to completion quickly, joining her on the bed and pulling her back against him. “Are you ready for me, Nicole?” he asked as he lifted her leg to slide in close, hooking her leg over his hip.

  “I’ve been waiting forever for you, Colin,” she gasped, feeling the tip of him probing for entry.

  “Wait no longer, baby,” he said, thrusting forward.

  Nicole cried out at being stretched so completely. “Don’t stop, give me everything you have.”

  He nipped her shoulder. “Touch yourself, baby. I want to watch you pleasure yourself.”

  Nicole didn’t hesitate, reaching down and sliding her fingers through her slick folds. He’d never asked this of her before, but she was willing to do whatever he wished. She couldn’t believe how arousing it was to fondle her sensitive flesh as he made love to her. “I’ll never last long this way.”

  He chuckled. “That’s what I want to hear,” he said, his thrusts growing forceful. “I’m not long for this myself,” he groaned, covering her hand as his own finger joined in the melee.

  Nicole arched against their joined hands with the climax crashing over her and her body clasping hard around him. She felt him thrust once more, freezing as his own orgasm came upon him.

  “Crash and burn,” she mumbled against his arm.

  “Maybe so, baby, but I’d rather burn with you than lie cold without you.”

  ~ ~ ~

  The bedroom door opened, and Reece quickly covered them both. No need for everyone to see what they’d been doing all morning.

  “I found them,” Lindsey called. “And wouldn’t you know it, they’re at it again. I swear they’re like rabbits.” She closed the door, wandering back down the hall.

  Nicole opened her eyes. “Was that my sister? What the hell is she doing here?”

  Reece chuckled, hugging her close. “I suspect she’s here to help you get ready.”

  She peered over her shoulder at him. “Help me get ready for what?”

  He shook his head. “You’ll see.”

  “What do you mean?” She rolled over. “What are you up to?”

  He brushed the hair back from her face. “I told you already. I have plans for you. I don’t want them ruined.”

  She frowned. “Haven’t you learned your lesson by now?”

  “What do you mean?”

  She gave him a pointed stare. “Think about the last surprise you sprang on me.”

  He grimaced. “Well, this time you know there’s a happy surprise awaiting you, but you have to cooperate. Is it possible for you to do that?” She stuck her tongue out at him. He grinned. “I’ve warned you about that, Miss DeLancey.”

  She giggled, trying to cover her head to escape, but he pulled her close, rolling her atop him. “What am I supposed to do now?”

  He lay back with his hands behind his head. “You figure it out.”

  Nicole ran her hands down his torso, her nails scraping against his stomach. “I suppose you want me to pay a certain part of your anatomy some lip service?”

  He grinned. “I do.”

  She leaned forward, tonguing his nipple. “Is this what you mean?”

  “No, keep searching.”

  She scooted backward, her breasts grazing across his stomach as her mouth traced down the center of his torso to his navel. “Is this where you wanted a kiss?” She nipped his skin.

  Reece bucked his hips. “You’re getting warmer.”

  She moved lower, taking him in her hand. “Oh, is this what you want kissed?”

  “Oh yeah,” he moaned as she took him in her mouth.

  She stroked him with her tongue, up and down and around the tip, nipping him occasionally with her teeth.

  Her mouth was like magic as she suckled, working a spell all over him. Her hands stroked his thighs as he rode her mouth. He soon felt the tightening begin.

  He grasped her shoulders, hauling her upward, over his taut stomach until he had them aligned perfectly. He sat up straight, pushing her down and impaling her. They moaned as they co
nnected.

  “I’ve made it to the center of the Coley pop,” he swore as he moved them together. Nicole held on to his shoulders with her head thrown back and his mouth at her neck. “Kiss me, woman,” he moaned. She met his mouth with their tongues mating as wildly as their bodies. He reached between them, his thumb pressing against her button of delight. She screamed, bucking wildly as she climaxed around him and sending him over the edge into oblivion.

  They were so completely enthralled with each other, they failed to realize the door had drifted open. Their actions were on view for anyone coming down the hall; which happened to be her father.

  “You should always make certain of your privacy before engaging in sexual practices. We wouldn’t want any more trysts landing you on the front page,” he said as he shut the door completely, making sure the latch clicked.

  Nicole’s eyes widened, her muscles clamping around Reece’s exhausted erection. “My daddy saw me having sex!” she cried, panicking. “My daddy saw me having sex!” She buried her face in his chest.

  Reece hugged her close. “We never seem to catch a break, do we?” He was laughing.

  She hit his shoulder with her fist. “It’s not funny, Colin.”

  He realized she was on the verge of tears. He leaned away, cupping her cheeks. “Relax, baby. It’s not like he thought you were a virgin. Accidents happen, as we well know.”

  “That was my father.”

  “Would you have preferred it to be mine? I’m sure he’d love to know that.”

  She knew she was being silly, beginning to laugh at the ridiculous situations she found herself in. “I don’t want anyone to see us having sex. I’m tired of being considered the porn queen of the family.”

  “Nicole, you write romance novels with love scenes that range from sweet to downright raunchy. You are the porn queen of your family.”

  “I am not. I’m a good girl.”

  He grinned, bucking his hips against her. “Yes, you certainly are.”