When he came downstairs again twenty minutes later, Sarah was sitting on a quilt that was spread across the floor. She was leaning on a pillow propped against the couch and writing in her journal. He wished he could read what she was writing. He knew by her blush that it was about him. He thought the quilt on the floor was a good sign. He couldn’t help the smirk that came to his lips when he saw it or the way his eyes penetrated her as she innocently looked up at him. She closed her journal and popped up off the floor to greet him with a smile.
He wrapped his arms around her and pressed his lips against hers. Her stunning green eyes fluttered closed as he consumed her. He could feel tension building in her breath, and it matched his. His hands slid down the curve of her butt. What was she wearing? He pulled away from the kiss and stepped back to get a better look. The little black tank clung to her curves, leaving nothing to the imagination, and the tiny white shorts…
Oh god, they should be illegal, Will thought, taking a gulping breath. She wore those on purpose.
“You look…” He paused, trying to curb his words to girl-appropriate language. “Hot!” He peeled his hands off her hips and took another step back. He needed to slow himself down. He turned away from her so he could think. “So what do you want to watch?”
She chuckled like she could read his mind. “I don’t want anything depressing. I’ve seen just about everything here, so you can pick, if you like. They’re under the TV.”
“Let’s see what you have.” He walked to the cabinet and opened it. There were four rows filled with movies. He opened a second cabinet and it was filled as well. “Watch movies much?”
“We don’t have streaming—no Internet or cable—so we use DVDs. Every movie any of us buys ends up here because there’s not much to do at night except watch movies, drink, or play cards.”
He could think of some other activities. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to refocus. “There’s quite a library. Hmm. The Summer Killing, Push, The Last Diamond…How about The Coven?”
“No, not tonight. We used to watch that one every Friday in the dorms. I have it memorized. How about The Demigod or Love Twice? Love Twice is romantic.”
He shook his head. “Not happening. That would be weird. I don’t watch my own films. What about Reckless?”
“There’s no romance in that one. I like romantic comedies. I’m sure you can find a good date-night movie, and I’ll make some popcorn,” she said, whimsically spinning and dancing her way to the kitchen.
“How about a horror movie?” he called across the room.
“No way, not at the cabin. Some young couple always ends up getting axed in their bed in a cabin.”
While they’re having sex, he added in his head.
“I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight,” she yelled back.
“That works for me,” he muttered, too quiet for her to hear. “That’s a lot of noes. I’m just going to pick one.” He chose one he knew well so he wouldn’t have to pay attention to the film.
When Sarah returned with the popcorn in a big red bowl and two bottles of beer, the movie was just starting. The storm was picking up again outside, and the fire crackled in the hearth. The movie was fast-paced and scary in the beginning. Sarah adhered to his side like duct tape and clinched her nails into his arm as the first three victims met their deaths. The movie was a thriller with a romantic thread, but the first half hour was mostly a killing spree.
He leaned closer to her and whispered in her ear. “I thought you’ve seen all the movies here. Haven’t you seen this before?” She smelled of cherry blossoms and vanilla—definitely dessert. He nipped her ear.
She turned her face toward him, but kept her eyes glued on the screen. “I have, just not for a while.” She scrunched her eyes together and pulled his arm onto her lap as blood splattered on the wall of a dark alley on the TV.
This was definitely the right movie, he decided. He moved his arm behind her and drew her in protectively as he ticked off the on-screen killings in his head—five down, two to go. He didn’t even have to look at the screen. He could tell by the sound effects and by the way Sarah tensed. He sipped his beer and popped a couple of pieces of popcorn into his mouth. It was much better watching Sarah than the film. More slashing noises, and she buried her face in his chest. He tucked two fingers into the waistband of her shorts as he waited for the killing to end and for her to relax. But when the hero’s love interest crouched, hiding just a foot from the killer, there was a loud crack of thunder.
Kaboom!
The walls shook and the cabin went black—pitch-black, except for the hearth.
Sarah crashed her body into his, and he took full advantage. He drew her onto his lap, and as his hands lingered on her ass, his lips covered hers. Her lips were soft and inviting, and the kiss quickly turned hungry. Her hands ran into his hair, while his hands tugged at her thighs, pulling her closer. She was warm and mesmerizing, and he wanted her so badly it hurt. Right there, right now. There was no way he was going to rush this, though. He wanted it to last forever.
He broke off the kiss, pulling back to catch his breath, and she groaned in disappointment. He touched his forehead to hers and stared into her eyes. Her face pleaded with him not to stop, and her breathing was as shallow as his. He didn’t want to stop.
He kissed her long and slow, taking his time to explore every aspect of her very sexy mouth. She tugged at his T-shirt, so with one hand, he reached back and dragged it over his head. Her hands fell to his newly exposed abdomen and smoothed over every inch of his tanned skin. When her fingers started to fumble with the button on his shorts, he knew he needed to take drastic measures to slow them down.
He covered her hand with his to stop her. “Sarah, do you have any candles?” He knew the question sounded obscure, but it was the only thing he could come up with.
She stiffened in his arms.
“I’m not going to drop hot wax on you or anything—unless you want that,” he said with a slight laugh. That thought wasn’t helping. “You’re straddling my lap, and I’m sure you look incredible—you feel incredible—but I can’t even see your face because it’s so dark in here.” It was true. There was some light from the fire, but it wasn’t enough to catch all her expressions.
She nodded and climbed off his lap, muttering, “I’m not against hot wax. I’m really a pretty open-minded person.”
Her comment made him chuckle, and getting her off his lap allowed him to think again. He didn’t know what was wrong with him. He had been with more than his share of women and had never felt like this. All he wanted to do was please her. Love really did make a difference.
His eyes followed her as she reached up for the long lighter that he had used to start the hearth fire, and her top rose, exposing the small of her back. Straining on her tiptoes to spy the wicks, she began to light the candles that lined the length of the mantle. The glow from the fire and the candles hugged her perfect silhouette, and she was only able to light three of the candles before Will’s arms wrapped around her from behind. He pulled at her tank until it was freed from the tangles of her body as his lips skimmed the back of her neck. His fingers glided under the strap of her pink lace bra, and he nudged it off her shoulder to give him better access to her soft, supple skin. He kissed with soft whisper kisses as his hands explored her bare flesh. When his hands covered her perfect lace-veiled breasts, she responded with quiet, throaty moans. Her soft noises drove him to unhook her bra with his teeth—his teeth, that was a first. His lips grazed her ear and hair, while his hands slid under her bra and the lace dropped to the floor. He cupped her full but very real breasts, earning him a full-body shudder from Sarah. She arched back against him as he tormented her, and he thought he was going to lose his mind. That’s when he looked up and noticed her perfect form reflected in the window next to the fireplace. Lightening flashed every few seconds, but when the window was dark, he could see her beautiful figure entwined with his.
With one hand
still on her breast, the other meandered down to the button on those flawless shorts. His fingers made quick work of the button and zipper before they slipped under the fabric. His hand splayed across her stomach, and he pulled her back against him. She needed to know what she was doing to him. Then his hand plunged lower and his finger sank into her. She ground her back against him as he teased her. Like a silent film, her image flickered on the window, tantalizing him with glimpses of her face. She looked so sweet, so innocent, as if she had never been touched before. He toyed with her until she could take no more. When her body quivered and slumped against him, he kissed the back of her neck thoroughly and whispered in her ear.
“You’re so beautiful.” And she was. He had never been with anyone who had exhibited the radiance that she possessed. Pure beauty poured out of her.
He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the quilt on the floor. As he laid her out below him, he stared into her emerald eyes, and she smiled up at him with a look of embarrassment.
“I love you, Sarah,” he said, and her smile brightened, but she didn’t say a word. “What? You’re speechless? That good, huh?”
She nodded and wet her lips, and the look of embarrassment returned. He leaned down and kissed it away. After a long minute, he pushed back to look into her eyes again. She was so damn cute. He kissed the tip of her nose as her hands feathered lightly across his chest and then down to the button on his shorts again. When he felt his zipper give way, he quickly gathered her hands in one of his and pinned them above her head.
“Would you just let me enjoy you for a while?” His mouth found one of her breasts, and he took his time playing with it before moving to the next. When he finally released her hands, they tangled in his hair, and he leisurely kissed his way down her soft skin to those white shorts still hanging loosely on her hips. He pulled the shorts off in a single yank, then hooked his fingers into her tiny panties and slid them down her legs. He stared, taking in the splendor before him, knowing this was the visual that would stick in his brain—the one he would never forget. Oh hell! He wasn’t going to be able to tease her the way he had wanted. He couldn’t wait any longer. He grabbed what he needed from his pocket and shrugged off his shorts and boxer briefs. He planted one long, wet kiss below her navel before trailing kisses back up to her lips. His mouth devoured hers.
He broke the kiss and stared into her eyes one last time, and she whispered, “I love you, Will.” Her words solidified his desire. And when he pushed into her, the look on Sarah’s face and the noise that escaped her throat told him all he needed to know. This was exactly how it was meant to be. Perfect.
Her legs curled around him, and he moved slowly at first. He just wanted to get the feel of her. Oh god, she was tight. She arched up against him at just the right moment, as if they had spent hours working out their rhythm. He balanced himself on one arm and brushed the hair out of her eyes. He could stare at her forever and never tire. Her eyes were hooded, and the sweet little noises she was making told him he was hitting her in all the right spots.
He traced his finger over her collarbone and down her side, lingering on her breast. Her lips parted and the breathy sound that came out practically stopped his heart. When his mouth followed the same path as his hand, her fingers clawed at his back. He sucked and teased as she matched his now more fervent rhythm. She knew exactly how to push his buttons. She touched him in places he didn’t even know were erogenous. He struggled to stay in control, but he knew she was close. He could feel the little tremors inside her. He shifted to get better leverage, switching arms. When he grasped her tiny ass in his hand and pulled it to meet him, he felt her surrender. Her body shuddered, and he thought he heard his name. He was too far gone to know for sure. He buried his face in her neck and followed her over the edge.
Hours later, the two lay listening to the rain sheet against the windowpanes. Will had gone back and taken his time to tease Sarah the way he had wanted. He was proud of the responses he had coaxed from her. He had more than enough experience to read a woman’s body, and Sarah’s was transparent to him. He didn’t even have to think about what he was doing. It was all so natural, and his ego soared knowing he was able to push her over the edge three more times.
They had settled side by side, and Sarah lay nestled against him. They could hear the thunder moving farther away from the cabin, and lightning no longer lit up the room with flashes of light. The fire had died down, and the embers in the hearth glowed orange. The room was quiet except for their breathing and the occasional distant thunder.
Being with Sarah was more amazing than he ever could have imagined, and he had a good imagination. He closed his eyes, savoring the feeling of her fingers carelessly strumming back and forth across his chest. He was so relaxed it didn’t even tickle. He relished the softness of her touching skin, knowing that this woman in his arms was the only one he would ever want.
“What are you thinking, beautiful?”
“I was just thinking how lucky I am,” she answered. “How lucky it was that I was on that website three months ago at the same time as you. How lucky I am that I went to the airport this morning. I was thinking that God must have something pretty special in store for us, to overcome such odds.”
“I think you’re right,” he said with a chuckle, “something pretty special.” He drew her in closer and kissed her forehead. They lay listening to the rare crackling of the fire, enjoying the comfort of each other’s arms while contemplating what the future held.
“Sarah, would you consider moving to LA when you’re done with school?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about moving away from here before.” She paused. “I think I could do anything if I was with you. And I would have to find a job out there too.”
“When does your internship start?” asked Will.
“Next Monday. Why?”
“I hoped you could come back to LA and spend some more time with me before you started it. I have to be back for costume fittings on Friday, but preproduction for the film doesn’t start for two weeks. I have other commitments in LA and I won’t be able to make it back here, but it would have been great if we could have had another week or two together.”
“Damn, I would have liked that.”
“Once preproduction starts, I’ll be pretty busy with training for my stunts and going over my lines, but we’ll find time. I’ll fly you out, even if it is just for a weekend,” Will said.
“I’ll pay my own way, but a weekend? That just doesn’t sound long enough.”
He smirked at her “pay my own way” comment. She sure wasn’t like most women. “You’ll be working hard on your internship, and before you know it, school will be starting.”
“Somehow, all that doesn’t seem as important anymore,” she confessed.
“I’m not going to get in the way of you finishing your degree. We’ll make it work. Besides, I won’t have a life anyway, once filming starts, for at least three months. By that time, it will be Christmas. What do you want for Christmas?”
“You,” she answered as she ran her fingers along the stubble on his jawline and leaned up to kiss his lips.
“I think that can be arranged,” he whispered against her lips before kissing them.
“Do you have any more, um…?” she stammered, pulling back.
“A couple.” He pursed his lips, raising an eyebrow at her greediness. “I borrowed them from Jeff. They were in his dresser, and he said I could use anything I needed. I didn’t bring any. I didn’t want to assume that you would…want to, and I wanted to take it slow. I tried to force myself to take it slow, but they were right there, and I just can’t control how I feel about you,” he confessed without shame.
“Jeff is going to be mad, but holy wow, it was definitely worth it.” She swallowed loudly and started to giggle.
Will laughed. “I’m glad to hear it was worth it. Do you want to go to bed?” Will stood up and offered his hand to help Sarah up.
She scrunched her eyes. “I don’t think I can walk.”
God, she’s gorgeous, he thought.
“Come on.” He bent down, grasped her hand, and lifted her to her feet. After she was standing, he picked up the quilt and wrapped it around her. He grabbed a candle off the mantel and extinguished the other two before they headed upstairs, laughing about Jeff and Jess’s reaction when they couldn’t find their box of condoms.
They made love again before falling asleep, and Will made sure Sarah thought it was worth it.
Will and Sarah stayed in bed until early afternoon. Finally, the need to replenish supplies and growling stomachs forced them out of bed. Sarah teased him that he’d swallowed a bear, his stomach made such a loud noise.
“Hungry much? How did you work up such an appetite?”
He just smiled at her as he slipped on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. The air in the cabin was much more bearable than the previous day. It definitely felt cooler. The humidity had blown out with the rain, and the sun shone brightly, high in the sky. Sarah and Will decided to go into town to get some supplies after they ate. Since the electricity was still out and could be out for days, according to Sarah, it was important to stock up before the stores ran out. The refrigerator would stay cold as long as they didn’t open it too often, but it would be better if they bought ice. Since the cabin had a well with a pump that ran on electricity, they needed water, and they knew they should pick up some gas to fill the boat and the Jet Skis too. Will loaded the two big red plastic gas cans into the back, propping them up and securing them with a large black bungee cord before getting into the vehicle.
In town, they parked by the gas pumps and worked together to fill the five-gallon cans. Will wore his sunglasses and baseball cap to cover his face, hoping no one would recognize him. Sarah said she knew the family that owned the store. She had known them since she was a little girl, and they treated her like family. Besides, there were no other cars, so the store was probably empty.
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