by Janie Mason
“That I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And I hope that’s what you want, too.”
What was she supposed to say? This was a total one-eighty.
“Heidi?” Rafe said again. He looked into her eyes, and she could see that he bared his soul.
“Yes?” she managed a whisper.
“Will you marry me?”
The tension that had tied her in knots evaporated in a heartbeat, and she melted into his arms.
“Yes.”
And what began as a sweet, celebratory kiss soon turned passionate. When Heidi would have turned the tables to fully plunder Rafe’s mouth, she felt a pull on her wrist. He swept her up into the air, her arm taut across her chest from the metal cuffs.
“This time we’re going to do this right,” he said as he headed toward the hallway.
“I may not be all that experienced, but I didn’t realize we’d done something wrong last time,” she teased.
“I’m talking about the living room floor. This time I mean to make love to you in a nice, soft bed.”
Heidi liked hearing him call what they were about to do making love.
Rafe shouldered open her bedroom door and laid her on top of the down comforter, his hands pressing into the mattress at her sides.
“I’ve spent an excruciating week trying to forget how damned good it felt to be inside you.” He lowered his head to nibble at her collarbone.
“I tried to forget, too, but I couldn’t. I want to feel you inside me again, Rafe.”
“There’s one more thing I need to do first,” he said, holding himself up on his knees and straddling her. “After all, you did fulfill your part of the bargain.”
Rafe pulled a small key out of his jeans pocket. He was her every fantasy incarnate, towering over her, dark and sexy. Heidi boldly fingered the bulge beneath his fly with her free hand, proof-positive that this was really happening.
“Jesus, Heidi,” he said, trying to steady the tiny silver key with shaking fingers. “Once these cuffs are gone you’d better watch out.” He rushed to fit the key in the lock and then dropped the handcuffs on the floor.
“By the way, you can make me your prisoner anytime you like,” he said, pulling her over to lie on top of him, “but let’s leave handcuffs out of it.” Rafe smiled, and she felt him lowering the zipper at the back of her dress.
Heidi pulled the short skirt up her thighs in order to straddle his torso. Sitting up, she slid her arms out of the armholes and let the top fall to her waist.
“I like this black bra,” he said, his voice a baritone purr. “I can see your nipples through the lace.” Rafe cupped her breasts and thumbed her hardened nipples.
Heidi was silent, not wanting to break the erotic trance she’d slipped into. She squeezed his shoulders and leaned into his big hands, wanting to feel them on her forever. With a quick flick, Rafe released the front clasp of her bra and pulled the lace away from her breasts.
“I’ve wanted to taste you for so long,” he said. His palms eased her toward him and he drew one of her nipples into his mouth.
Heidi closed her eyes, lost in the erotic sensation. When he shifted to nibble the tip of her other breast, she couldn’t help but thread her fingers through his hair and press him to her.
“More. Don’t stop,” she whispered. “That feels so good.” Instinctively, Heidi began rocking her pelvis against his. As his mouth tugged at her sensitized breast, she rode him, longing for something more but incapable of anything but sentience.
“Yes, yes,” she said, sensation climbing as he switched breasts again and began to toy with her moistened nipple between his thumb and fingers. The combination of his feasting on her breasts and the pulsing pressure of him against her sex drove her over the edge. Her climax was hard and powerful, leaving all previous thought of reciprocation in the dust. There was nothing but pleasure, and years of it to look forward to.
“You are so beautiful.”
She was returning to full consciousness. If Rafe had said anything else before that moment, she’d missed it. Heidi lay spent across his chest, wondering if it was possible to be orgasmed into a coma. And she still had her panties on.
She took a deep breath, ran her hand over Rafe’s pecs and pushed herself back up to a sitting position.
“When you said watch out, you weren’t kidding,” she said with a satisfied grin.
His eyes were dark and glistening; he was ready. But Rafe’s smile told her he was willing to move at her pace.
“So far, I’ve had all the fun,” she said.
“Now, you couldn’t be more wrong about that,” Rafe insisted.
“Well, let’s say I’ve been satisfied more than you have. But humor me a bit more. There’s something else that I want,” she said.
“And what’s that?”
“I want to see you totally naked.” And just to be a tease, Heidi ran the tip of her tongue along her top lip.
“Hot damn, Heidi,” he replied, “Any more requests like that and you’re gonna find yourself flat on your back.”
Heidi slid over onto the bed. “I hope so.”
Rafe sat up and whipped his T-shirt over his head. Memories of his chest hadn’t done the real thing justice. She reached out, but he rolled off the mattress, evading her searching fingers. Her eyes were fixed on his groin as he unzipped his fly. When he shucked his jeans and briefs and joined her on the bed, she sought him out with her hands. This time, however, her quarry was slightly lower on his anatomy. As she grasped his erection, Rafe growled in pleasure.
“Ahhh, yeah.”
Heidi was thrilled by his sighs and encouraged enough to continue her adventurous foreplay. She slid her fist down the length of his shaft, filled with awe at the warm softness encasing hot steel. A wordless moan signaled his satisfaction, and Heidi continued to stroke him. She trailed kisses across the breadth of his chest and then followed the pattern of dark hair tapering down over his abs. And then, wanting to gift him with as much pleasure as she had received, Heidi softly kissed the head of his penis.
“I’m afraid that’s going to have to wait for later,” Rafe said as he shifted away and flipped her onto her back. “I’m too close right now, and don’t want to take this trip all by myself.” In seconds he had her naked, dropping her dress and panties on the floor and reaching for his wallet.
Rafe rolled on a condom and positioned himself between her already parted thighs.
“I love to touch you here,” he said, stroking her sex. Rafe circled her clitoris, massaging her with her own wet heat.
Heidi arched her back, surprised that she could be so aroused again. “I want you inside me,” she gasped, and was soon rewarded when she felt the tip of his penis glide over her.
“You’re so tight,” he said as he slowly entered and then groaned in satisfaction. “It’s like you were made just to pleasure me.”
“And you were made for me.” Heidi ran the pads of her fingers back and forth over his back, finding satisfaction in each thrust, retreat, thrust, retreat.
“Wrap your legs around my waist,” he whispered between kisses. She did and felt him drive even deeper.
Then faster. Heidi kept pace with him, speeding, racing, breathing, higher and higher, until together, they rocketed to a climax that surpassed all their wildest dreams.
—
“What exactly did you say to Sean?” Heidi asked him later. She was resting her head on Rafe’s biceps and twirling her fingertip in a swirl of hair on his heart.
“I told him you were marrying me,” Rafe said.
Heidi’s head popped up to check his expression. “You didn’t.”
“Well, not in so many words, but it was implied.” He quickly changed the subject. “Are you reconsidering? I know my lifestyle isn’t all that exciting.”
She hadn’t intended to let him off the hook so easily. She’d thought to make him sweat a little about being so presumptuous but, when she heard this, Heidi decided to pursue the topic. “As opp
osed to my lifestyle?”
“Well, yeah,” he said. “You’re always telling me about this wild thing Gigi did or some new club, or—”
“Yeah, but that’s Gigi. She’s the one having the wild adventures.”
“I assumed you were talking about both of you,” he said, propping himself up on an elbow to face her.
“No, way. Think about it. Why would I have gotten Attila if I was never going to be home?” Heidi couldn’t believe he’d had such a misconception about her personal life. Maybe his assumption stemmed from the fact that he’d never had time for fun in his young adulthood. He probably thought she was doing all the things he’d never had a chance to.
“I don’t want to make it sound like I never go out,” she explained, “but a typical night for me is renting a movie and cracking open a pint of Ben and Jerry’s.”
Rafe dropped his chin, shook his head and chuckled. “God, for a guy who thought he had all the answers, I didn’t know much.”
“Speaking of having all the answers,” she said smiling, “now that we have a new understanding, you’re going to have to cool it with the I-know-what’s-best-for-you attitude.”
His brow crinkled, and Heidi plowed on before he could speak. “Like demolishing my front steps.”
“They needed to be replaced,” he mumbled in a weak defense.
“But it should have been my call.” Heidi issued him credit for the sheepish expression on his face.
“Okay, but it was the only way I could think of to keep an eye on you.”
“That’s just it,” she said, poking a finger in his chest. “You didn’t need to keep an eye on me.” She had to make him understand.
“Sorry. But don’t most women like having a man take care of them?”
It was obvious to Heidi he was getting frustrated. Time to change her tack or one of them would end up saying something stupid.
“Rafe, just listen to me for a minute. You’ve taken care of your mother and sisters for years, and for the first time you’re on your own.” His lips parted as if he was going to respond, but Heidi gently laid her fingers across them. “Please,” she said, “hear me out.”
He nodded, and she shifted her hand to stroke the stubble on his cheek.
“I had more responsibility heaped on me at an early age than any kid should. When my mom took off, it was sink or swim, and although Harmon was here, I basically ran this place. Do you understand what I’m saying? I’m used to making my own decisions. That’s not why I need you in my life.” She waited, hoping Rafe understood her need to be a full partner in their relationship.
“Okay, I hear what you’re saying, and I agree,” he said.
So far, so good. Neither of us is yelling, she thought.
“Now hear me out. Until a few weeks ago, I’d always felt responsible for others. That’s made me the kind of person I am. But understand—I’m not confusing my love for you with a protective nature. I’m not looking for someone who’ll defer all decisions to me. If I was, we’d be in serious trouble.” He gave her a knowing grin.
“Then again, I will always look out for those I love,” he continued, sliding his hand down her arm and linking fingers. “I can’t promise that I won’t try to protect you. Just bear with me, know that it’s coming from my love for you.”
Heidi smiled, liking that reasoning. She may have to call him to carpet now and again, but she knew their love was worth any compromising that might come up.
Rafe continued, his warm tone wrapping around her heart. “Someday I may make a decision you don’t agree with. But don’t get angry. Call me on it.”
“Like telling my date I’m getting married?” she interrupted, unable to resist.
“Or borrowing handcuffs and locking someone to a sofa?” he added, with just the right combination of sarcasm and teasing.
Heidi’s smugness dissolved and she sheepishly nibbled her bottom lip. “I guess I’m guilty of doing it, too, huh?”
Rafe pulled her back into his arms and began stroking her bottom. “Yes,” he said, nibbling her neck, “but if you marry me, I promise not to hold it against you.” He reached between her legs to where she was already burning for him again.
Heidi smiled even as she felt his erection against her thigh. “You’re already breaking that promise,” she replied, feeling him adjust his lower body to press against her mound. Then Heidi sighed in ecstasy as he quickly sheathed himself and entered her.
“And that’s the one vow I hope you’ll to continue to break, for the rest of our lives.”
About the Author
Janie Mason was born and raised in Central Ohio. Although they weren’t high school sweethearts, she married a hometown boy. She and her husband have two teenage children and live in Columbus. Janie is a member of Central Ohio Fiction Writers and wishes to thank her fellow COFW authors for sharing their knowledge of writing and their passion for good romances. To learn more about Janie Mason, please visit www.janiemason.com.
They told themselves it was only for a month…
A Month From Miami
© 2008 Barbara Meyers
Perrish, Florida was supposed to be just an eye-blink for Kaylee Walsh on her way to a glamorous new life in Miami-minus her sleazy ex-boyfriend. She’s not about to let a little car trouble or an empty wallet throw a monkey wrench into her plans. Not even when there’s a handsome mechanic on the other end of that wrench.
Rick Braddock knows better than to give a second glance to a woman with big-city dreams. But getting Kaylee back on the road means car repairs she can’t afford. So he offers a trade. His services for hers. As a babysitter and housekeeper, that is.
They tell themselves it’s only for a month. But as they settle into comfortably domestic days and intensely intimate nights, Rick realizes what a treasure he’s discovered in Kaylee. And for Kaylee, the lure of Miami is losing its shine.
Then Rick discovers a fortune in stolen gems hidden in her gas tank. Is Kaylee the woman he thought she was—or is she taking him for a ride?
Enjoy the following excerpt for A Month From Miami:
Rick’s gaze clashed with Kaylee’s once again as they held hands across the table during Molly’s pre-dinner blessing. His hand, where it held hers, felt unnaturally warmed, like an electrical charge was transmitting itself from her fingertips to his.
The scent of hot food rose up from the meat and potato dish and the bowl of onions and green beans to tickle his nostrils. By the time Molly finished thanking God for apples, lemons, green beans and potatoes, Rick’s mouth was watering. His stomach growled, his lunchtime sandwich a distant memory.
Kaylee had also emptied a can of peaches into a bowl and sprinkled them with cinnamon. Apparently Molly had informed her that she did not share her father’s love of green beans.
He took generous helpings from every bowl on the table, including two slices of bread which he topped with margarine. He concentrated on his meal, vaguely wondering why he was so hungry and why everything tasted so good. Probably because he didn’t have to cook it himself. He had the same feeling when his parents arrived for their semi-annual visits and his mother took over the cooking for a week.
He spooned up the last bite of meat and potatoes from his plate and reached for the bowl. “This is good,” he told Kaylee, sliding a glance in her direction.
“Daddy, you’re not supposed to talk with your mouth full.” Molly crossed her arms and frowned at him, her delicate brows furrowing in disapproval.
“Well, excuuuuse me,” Rick drawled in a semi-imitation of the comedian, Steve Martin. He poked her in the ribs. “You must be a bad influence on me.”
Molly giggled and uncrossed her arms. “What’s a bad influence?” She speared a peach slice and popped it in her mouth.
Rick’s gaze flickered in Kaylee’s direction. “Somebody who makes you do things you know you shouldn’t do,” he answered. Or someone who makes you feel things you’d rather not feel? his subconscious asked.
Rick cleared
his throat and gazed down at the enormous second helping he’d piled on his plate without realizing it. Somehow the small mountain of food echoed his sentiments about Kaylee. As if he’d taken on more than he could handle.
Absently, he picked up his fork and dug in. He’d met her yesterday, he scolded himself. How was it she’d gotten under his skin in less than twenty-four hours? Could it have something to do with seeing her sprawled on the floor in her pajamas last night? Or being squeezed into such close proximity with her in the bathroom? Holding her injured foot in his hand? Or maybe it was the way she’d wandered into the kitchen this morning in her brilliant fuchsia robe with sleepy eyes and rumpled hair.
Rick jabbed at the chunks of ground beef and potato, shoving them into his mouth and chewing, his agitation threatening to get the better of him.
“Daddy?” Molly patted his arm insistently. “Daddy!”
Rick jerked himself out of his wandering thoughts and looked at his daughter. “What?”
“I said can I be ’scused?”
Rick’s glance automatically went to Molly’s plate, which for once, was clean.
“Yes. And it’s ‘can I be excused’.”
“Well, excuuuuse me,” Molly said with a giggle, darting out of reach when Rick tried to playfully swat her behind as she passed by with her empty plate.
His grin faded as he caught Kaylee watching him from across the table, her chin propped in her hand, her empty plate pushed to one side.
Molly skipped into the living room and turned on the television. Vaguely Rick wondered what children had done for after-dinner entertainment before the Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon came along.
He sat back from the table. “What?” he demanded of Kaylee.
He seemed to have startled her out of her own thoughts. “Hmm?” Kaylee shook her head which sent the tendrils of curling hair around her ears and temples flying. “Nothing. Sorry.”
She stood and began clearing the table.
Rick stood as well. He put his hand on her arm, then dropped it quickly as that same surge of warmth leaped from her skin to his. “I didn’t expect you to cook and clean house, too. I’m sorry if I didn’t make that clear.”