“Hold still and keep watching.” Her breasts quivered as her breathing picked up speed. “Allow me to add to your viewing pleasure. Let’s start here.” She slowly sucked on her finger.
His cock twitched. Guaranteed that whatever she had in mind would challenge him to keep his cool. Mesmerized, he followed the path of her wet finger as she flicked each tight nipple. Then she stroked down her rib cage, over her flat belly and began circling her clit.
He stifled a groan as her hot channel tightened. “Keep that up and I’ll come.”
“I intend to keep it up. You won’t come. I will.”
“I wouldn’t take bets on that, ma’am.” He clenched his jaw but he couldn’t make himself look away, even though watching her drove him crazy.
She gasped for air. “Hold on to me. I’m letting go of the post.”
“Why?”
“To keep you...from coming.” As she continued to touch herself, she slipped her thumb and forefinger around the base of his cock and squeezed.
He gulped at the sensation, which somehow lessened his urge to erupt. Then she loosened her grip and the pressure returned, taunting him with its power. Even though he hadn’t moved at all, he was moments away from a climax. So was she. He could tell by her breathing and the faster motion of her finger.
When her first spasm hit, he thought he was a goner, until she squeezed him again, tighter this time. Her soft cry when she came was not much louder than a cricket’s chirp. But ah, how her tremors surrounded and stroked every inch he’d buried deep inside her! It pushed the air from his lungs and made him shudder in reaction.
As her body quieted, she dragged in a breath and let go of his cock. “Your turn,” she whispered.
Thank God for that. He figured he had about five seconds, tops. By now he couldn’t tear his gaze away from the action as he pumped rapidly and his heart kept up a furious beat. The pace made her earrings tinkle like wind chimes. She was so wet, so hot, so...ready for another orgasm?
She drew in a sharp breath as if the sudden twinge had taken her by surprise.
He slowed and looked into her eyes, silently asking the question.
She shook her head. “Don’t wait for me. I usually can’t come in this position. That’s why I...”
“I’m waiting.” He didn’t know how, but he’d do it and he’d give her a good ride in the process. Clamping down on the orgasm he’d expected to have very soon, he held her gaze and stroked more deliberately. “Maybe you should watch this time.”
Her eyes widened.
“Go ahead. I dare you.”
Grasping his shoulders, she looked down and her breath hitched.
Although he felt like thrusting fast and hard, he held back and created an easy motion that matched the rhythmic chirp of the crickets. “Like what you see?”
“Yeah.”
He smiled at her breathless answer. “You know you’re gonna come.”
“Uh-huh.”
He felt her heat up, felt the climax building, his and hers. Sex didn’t always have to be wild and urgent. It could be like this—slow and rich, like warm syrup. There. Her fingers dug into his shoulders and she shuddered. Once more, maybe twice and she’d let go.
It only took once. When she came, her undulating channel and her muted wail of joy triggered his release. His breath hissed out between his teeth as he plunged deep, surrendering at last to wave upon wave of pleasure.
As he drifted in the aftermath of great sex, the creak of a door hinge penetrated his languid state.
“Dennis!” a woman called. “What are you doing out there?”
Grady put his mouth next to Sapphire’s ear. “Stay very still.”
She nodded.
“Thought I heard something,” the guy named Dennis called back. “Don’t want those skunks setting up house under the porch again. Think I’ll look around.”
From the corner of his eye, Grady saw the beam of a flashlight sweep the neighbor’s yard. If Dennis decided to aim it in their direction, he’d discover two people locked together in an obviously sexual embrace. It was the risk they’d taken, after all.
“Sapphire and Amethyst’s porch light is out,” Dennis called to his wife. “Wonder if they know.”
“You could go tell them, but the commercial’s almost over. You’ll miss the next part.”
“I’ll tell them tomorrow. Don’t see anything out here.” He mounted the porch steps. The door hinge creaked again.
Sapphire started to giggle.
Grady wasn’t sure how loud those giggles would get and so he disengaged himself from her, tossed the condom in the bushes and hustled them toward the front door.
Sure enough, her giggles got louder. “Did you just throw the condom in the bushes?”
“Shh. I’ll get it in the morning.”
“Okay. Sure.” She was still laughing as they stumbled into the living room, both of their robes hanging half on and half off their bodies. “That was hysterical.”
He grinned. “Glad you had fun.”
“I had a blast. That position’s always been a tricky one for orgasms.”
“You weren’t doing it with me.”
“True.” She gazed at him, a smile playing over her well-kissed mouth. “I think I hear your cat.”
He had, too, and was trying to ignore the meowing. But in Gandalf’s shoes, he wouldn’t like being closed in a small space, either. “The tuna worked pretty well. Any left?”
“I only gave him half the can. He shouldn’t have a steady diet of the stuff, but I can give him the other half to get him through the night.”
“And us.”
“Yep.” She stifled a yawn.
“I saw that.”
“Sorry. I didn’t sleep well last night.”
“Me, either. What do you say we feed the cat and turn in?”
“To sleep?”
He laughed. “Knowing this could damage my reputation as a stud, I’ll admit that one more climax and I’ll be done for the night.”
“Your reputation is safe with me.”
“Thanks.” But is my heart? He wouldn’t ask the question now, but soon. He was afraid she’d already stolen it when he wasn’t looking.
9
SAPPHIRE DIDN’T NORMALLY sleep naked, but she did that night because a nightgown seemed silly when it would come off once Grady returned. He’d taken the rest of the tuna into the bathroom and was in there giving Gandalf his instructions, namely that the cat was to stay quiet the rest of the night. When he switched off the bathroom light and walked into the darkened bedroom, she was aroused in a lazy, relaxed way she’d never felt with other men.
The whisper of his footsteps on the carpet signaled her body to flush and moisten. The sound of his breathing caused her nipples to grow taut. The snap of latex sent a message to her core and the sweet ache returned. She was ready.
“Once more,” he murmured as he climbed into bed and gathered her into his arms.
“Once more,” she echoed, and opened her thighs.
“Nothing fancy.” He entered her with one firm thrust.
She sighed with pleasure. “I don’t need fancy.”
“We’ll call it sleepy sex.”
“Sleepy sex. I love it.”
Leaning down, he kissed her gently. “I hope you do.” And he began to move.
She knew him now—the friction of his cock, the rhythm of his strokes, the press of his fingers as he lifted her hips to drive deeper. Her body knew him, too, and her response came quickly. Wrapping her arms around his strong back, she arched upward with a moan as her orgasm flowed over her.
He pushed home once more and shuddered in her arms. “So good,” he said, gasping for breath. “So damn good.”
“Yeah.” She hugged him close and smiled in the darkness. Sleepy sex. She was a fan.
He’d thought to bring in the wastebasket from the bathroom so he didn’t have to leave the bed to dispose of the condom. That preplanning also made her smile. As she nestled agains
t his muscled body and drifted off to sleep, she felt more content than she had in months, maybe years.
Sometime during the night she woke up still enclosed in his arms, her back against his warm chest and her bottom nudged against his currently inactive package. She lay there staring into the darkness, her contentment replaced with anxiety. What the hell was she doing inviting him to spend the week with her? Was she insane?
One night, considering the situation with Gandalf, was understandable. That would be resolved tomorrow, though. Gandalf was a temporary visitor and she’d never intended for the cat to occupy her bathroom for a week. He deserved more freedom than that.
Once the shelter vet gave him a clean bill of health, the Art Barn was a logical alternative for him until they knew whether he had a family in the area. He’d be fine in the office at night, especially if he was allowed to roam the entire barn during the day. He’d make friends with the artists. At the end of the week Grady could decide if he wanted to take Gandalf home to Cody.
That all made perfect sense, unlike asking Grady to leave Ben and Molly’s guest room and move in with her. If that wasn’t an invitation to begin a relationship, she didn’t know what was. Great sex and a shared love of blueberry-cheesecake ice cream had addled her brain. It wasn’t the first time that kind of thing had happened, but she liked to think she’d learned from her mistakes. Apparently not.
“What’s up?” Grady’s drowsy voice rumbled in her ear.
“Nothing. Go back to sleep.”
“Can’t. You’re all tense.”
“Sorry.” She took a deep breath and started through one of her relaxation techniques.
“Is it a project? Sometimes I can’t sleep if I’m thinking about a design.”
Why did he have to be so considerate? It tempted her to think of him as an exception to the rule, but they were only a couple of days into this. Fatal flaws took weeks or months to show themselves.
She sighed. “It’s not a project.” It’s you. But how could she admit all her misgivings after the fact? That was plain mean on a personal level. She also had an obligation to the shelter and her upcoming event. Causing problems with the star of the show wasn’t a great way to proceed.
Besides, he’d done nothing to deserve that kind of rejection. Yet. Past experience told her that he would disillusion her sooner or later, and she’d rather skip that part, thank you very much. But if she said any of that now, she’d sound paranoid.
Gently, he urged her to turn toward him. “I’ve wanted to ask you this but I’ve put it off.”
“Don’t ask me.” Panic constricted her chest. “Let’s just go back to sleep.”
“You’re trembling like a leaf. What are you afraid of?”
“You!” She hadn’t meant to say it but he’d pushed her.
“Me? I’m the biggest pussycat you’ll ever meet!”
“Not you, exactly. Artists in general.”
“Good grief.” He chuckled. “We’re the least scary group in the world. We make love, not war. You should know. You’re one of us.”
“Oh, Grady.” She cradled his face, scruffy with the beard he’d shave off in the morning, probably with her razor. “Artists can make war, too, only they make war on the spirit. I’ve learned that the hard way, and I—”
“Hang on, Sapphire. Who are we talking about? If someone’s been crushing your artistic spirit, I want names and locations. I’m a welder. I have muscle mass.”
She smiled at that. She wanted him to be her defender, her knight in shining armor, but others had claimed that position and shown themselves to be unworthy. She’d lost the ability to believe in knights and flashing swords.
Drawing in a breath, she took stock. She’d started the conversation and she couldn’t leave it dangling. Besides, they were supposed to go to dinner at her parents’ house and all sorts of personal info could pop up during that encounter. “I have a weakness for creative guys.”
He caught her hands and nibbled on her fingers. “My good luck.”
“The first one was Gregory. I fell madly in love with him when we were in high school. He turned out to be gay.”
“Sapphire, I’m so sorry, but obviously, I don’t have that issue.”
“Then there was Jeremy, who seemed to mean well and was insanely talented but so undependable. He couldn’t remember appointments, my birthday or when the rent was due. He was more child than man. Living with him was exhausting and I ended up caretaking instead of doing my work. He cried when I broke up with him and I felt awful, but he wasn’t an adult.”
“You don’t need someone like that.”
“I figured that out and moved on to Edgar, also a talented artist. Neat and focused. But ultimately, so jealous of my talent that he started undermining me and came damn near to destroying my confidence.”
“Dear God.” Grady stroked her hair. “That’s criminal. Where is he now? I’d be happy to rearrange his face for you.”
“I don’t know and I wouldn’t tell you if I did. I don’t want you arrested for assaulting someone who’s not worth it.”
His voice was low and dangerous. “I could be in and out without leaving a trace. Thunder Mountain boys know things.”
“I still wouldn’t tell you where he is.” But it worried her that he cared that much. She didn’t want him to become invested.
“I could ask Rosie. She knows every blessed thing that goes on in this town.”
“Don’t ask her. I decided long ago to let sleeping dogs lie.”
He combed her hair away from her face. “Is that it, then? Your collection of slimy artists?”
“One more. Cal. Women loved him. I loved him. I didn’t figure out until months into the relationship that he was sleeping with every attractive woman who gave him a second glance. When I confronted him, he claimed that such behavior fueled his creativity. He said artists couldn’t be held to the same conventional standard as other people.”
“That’s bullshit.”
She sighed. “I know, but Cal was the final straw.”
He didn’t say anything for a while. When he finally spoke, his tone was wary. “So what’s this all about, then?”
“This?”
“You, me, getting naked. This.”
“We’re attracted to each other.”
“Yeah, and?”
“At first I decided not to give in to that attraction, but...”
“But you did.” He reached over and switched on the bedside lamp. “Even though Cal was the final straw.” He turned back to her, a question in his brown eyes. “Does that mean you’re reevaluating?”
Her stomach hurt. She couldn’t lie to him, but because he’d asked the question, he probably wouldn’t like the answer.
His expression closed down. “You’re not reevaluating.”
“No.” She swallowed. “I just—”
“Wanted some good sex.” He turned away and swung his legs over the edge of the bed.
“Didn’t you?”
“You know I did. But I didn’t realize my days were numbered.” He stood and pulled on the robe.
“Grady, we don’t even live in the same town.”
He pulled the robe across his chest as best he could and tied the sash with an angry jerk of his wrist. “And that’s an issue we’d have to deal with. Maybe we’re not destined to have more than a few nights of wild sex. But it never occurred to me that you’d already decided that’s all we’d have. Now I know.” He started for the door.
“Where are you going?”
“To eat ice cream. Double-chocolate fudge brownie is my second favorite.” He left the room.
Flopping back on the pillow, she stared at the ceiling. She’d certainly made a mess of that, hadn’t she? She could have kept her big mouth shut and they’d still be cuddled in this bed.
But now she knew something more about him, too. While she’d ruled out getting seriously involved, he hadn’t. He’d thought that was a possibility, even if it might be a remote one. He hadn�
�t seen their geographic distance as being an insurmountable barrier. If they’d continued to get along this week, they would have had this confrontation eventually.
The freezer door opened and then the silverware drawer rattled. He must have the ice cream and a spoon. By now it was too cold to sit out on the porch. The scrape of a chair told her he’d stayed at the kitchen table. She didn’t like to think of him in there brooding.
She climbed out of bed and put on her robe. She’d wounded him, and even though that had never been her goal, she needed to say she was sorry.
He glanced up when she walked into the kitchen. “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself.” She couldn’t read his expression, which was probably his intent. She got a spoon out of the drawer and sat across from him. “Can I have a bite?”
“You bet. Your ice cream.” He shoved the carton across the table.
“Thanks.” She took a spoonful and pushed it back over.
He sent it sailing back. “You keep it for a while. I ate too fast. Brain freeze.”
She probably shouldn’t laugh at a time like this, but it was funny.
“I know, right?” He rubbed his bristly chin. “I’ve been eating ice cream by myself since I was two. You’d think I’d have the hang of it by now.”
“Maybe you wanted to freeze your brain for a while.”
“Maybe.”
“Grady, I’m really sorry if I misled you. I didn’t mean to.” She did her best not to stare at him but he was extremely stare-worthy, with his tousled hair, roguish beard and the swath of muscled chest the robe couldn’t cover.
“See, the way you’re looking at me right now is part of the problem. That look gets me hot.”
“Sorry.” She dropped her gaze from the hunk across the table to the hunks of chocolate in the ice cream.
“But the thing is, I like getting hot when there’s a chance I can do something about it.”
She glanced up. “Oh?”
“Could be that brain freeze helps a person think better, because I’ve been doing some of that.” He blew out a breath. “I have to take some responsibility for the situation. You gave me no reason to think you wanted more than sex from me. Just the opposite. I could tell you wanted to avoid anything mushy.”
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