Gideon stopped breathing for a moment until he felt the button slipped free.
“Diana,” her name rasped from his lips when her palm slipped inside, pushing the zipper aside. He was hot, heavy and tautly aroused. It wasn’t something he could hide.
“You’re magnificent,” Diana breathed softly, leaning up and dropping kisses on his chest, her palm sliding over his boxers, along the rigid length of his erection.
Gideon groaned, her soft hair drifting over his chest while her fingers pushed the sides of his jeans out of the way. He moved quickly, taking her by the shoulders and pulling her over him. His hands framed her face, raining hot kisses over her throat and mouth, drawing her breath into him and sharing it again in a long, slow kiss. Her body wriggled against him, pushing down hard against his erection.
He tried again, tipped her to the side and sitting up long enough to kick his jeans off. He sat for a long minute, drinking in the feminine curves lying at his side. His palm went to her knee, stroking over her thigh to the edge of the pale blue panties. Her eyes were closed when his fingers trailed around the leg opening. His fingers caught the soft coils of pale blond peeking out the sides. He felt her freeze when his palm slid over the flat plane of her stomach, fingers caressing through the soft coils to the damp, fragrant center.
Diana felt her nails in her palms. Sensations shot through her as quickly as the lightening streaked across the sky. His mouth captured her breast, his tongue curling around a nipple and teeth nipping gently at the same time his fingers found the hot, flowing warmth of her.
“Gideon!” Diana breathed his name, her hands opening, long fingers spearing the hair at the back of his head, holding him to her breast, her body arching against his hand. Seeking. Demanding and hungry with need. Some instinct inside her knew there was so much more. One knee rose, providing room for him to explore, drawing his fingers teasingly down between the swollen petals and hot little nub pulsing against his hand.
“I love the feel of you,” Gideon whispered against her breast, trailing his tongue hotly to her throat. “Soft and hot…and mine…”
“Your hands…oh, yes, please…you have such wonderful hands…” Diana felt her hips move against him, meeting the persistent stroking. She sucked in her breath when she felt him slide one finger inside her, and then another while his thumb drew moisture through the damp thicket to that mysterious little nub begging for his attention.
Gideon somehow managed to get rid of both their briefs. He’d never had a woman come so deliciously alive under his touch. He was captivated, mesmerized and wondered if his self-control was going to shatter like crystal. She was tight, small and hot against his fingers. He rolled to his back, pulling her over him and giving her the control he sensed she needed. His moan was soft when she took what was offered, sliding off him and sitting, naked, perched on her knees.
Diana inhaled deeply, her hand moving to the pulsing, strong male. Gideon was a willing subject, she thought, staring for a long minute before bending forward and kissing the soft center of him. Her other palm rested on his stomach and she felt his breathing stop when she drew her tongue around the ridge.
“Diana…I’m really not in control at the moment,” Gideon groaned again, a pillow dragged over his face when he felt the hot trail of her tongue along the length of him.
She raised the pillow, peering at him with an innocence he’d never seen before. Diana stretched out over him, her knees sliding to either side.
“But there will be other moments…” She breathed, capturing his mouth with hers as her hips rotated and stroked along the length of him. They were exploring moves, uncertain and learning all at the same time.
“A lot more moments, honey, I promise you that,” Gideon’s hands moved over her hips, onto her behind, lifting her gently and moving himself to the soft, welcoming opening. It took every ounce of control left to him, moving slowly into the taut, hot center. He felt her body tense, saw her eyes open and glimpsed a brief moment of panic. He stopped moving, his palms stroking tenderly over the sheen of moisture on her back and face. One palm slid to her breast, caressing and teasing.
Her hips began moving on their own. Slowly rotating. Slowly drawing him inside a little with each move. She was small and tight but inviting him inside with each new movement. His palm slid over the moisture covering her, found its way between them to stroke the tiny button damp with desire.
“Diana?” Gideon let her lead them. Small palms were pressing on his chest, her head back and eyes closed as she gradually seated him completely inside. He went still for a few seconds, groaning when her hips took control. He watched her stomach muscles move and felt himself squeezed and caressed in what looked like belly dancing movements. Part of her pressed against his fingers, the taut ring of muscles surrounding him caressing and taunting him with each move she made.
“Gideon!” Suddenly Diana’s eyes slammed wide, her breathing ragged and her body reacting to the new explosive sensation. She slammed down against him, inviting and hot as her release swept over him like a wild tide, taking him along for the ride.
A deeply husky, masculine voice filled the room, his hands on her hips, holding her in place as he surged over and over into her, chaotic and indescribable emotions drowning him willingly. He heard himself call her name, melting to a soft whisper as the roaring of his own voice faded like the thunder in the distance.
Diana felt every muscle and bone she owned, and they had never felt more alive. The sweet scent of them now filled the room, surrounding them in the aftermath. Only a slight protest left her lips when she was tipped to the side, blankets pulled over them as they now lay face to face.
Languid, pale lashes opened, blinking in the semi-darkness of the noon hour. She brought her hand up, brushing some damp dark hair from his forehead. His eyes were closed but she knew he wasn’t asleep.
“Are you alive in there?”
“Barely,” Gideon replied, his palm on her waist. “Are you alright? I was…”
“I have never felt better in my life,” she whispered honestly. “I had no idea…no…that was delicious,” she murmured with a pleased mew.
“We cavemen aim to please,” Gideon teased softly, his hand up and taking hers to his lips. His curiosity got the better of him. “Diana…why were you in therapy?”
“It’s the…they said I was incapable of sexual and sensual responses like normal people. Something to do with my mother dying at a young age, they claimed. Then you have two ex-husbands telling you how frigid you are…how inhibited and…and reserved…how you lack any kind of…of warmth or…or desire…why they get believed and you don’t, I don’t know…but after a while, you believe them. There has to be something wrong with you…those people are professionals…”
“There is not one single thing wrong with you, Diana,” Gideon framed her face, forcing their eyes to meet. “Do you hear me? Let me guess…the therapist was chosen by your father?” He only swore softly when she nodded. “And you’re no longer going to see them, right?”
“I quit after two visits. All they did was repeat things I’d heard from…from my last husband,” she whispered softly. “I…I was afraid, Gideon…I was so afraid it would happen again…that you would be angry and…and…our friendship was…is…so very important to me.”
“Did he rape you?” Gideon fought to keep the seething anger inside.
“I was his wife…he said…I don’t know…”
“Diana,” his mouth whispered against hers.
“I had no idea until you kissed me…it felt so different…so…amazing…”
“You are amazing,” he said simply. Gideon pulled her against him, his kiss slow and thorough. Her body melted against him, her arms up and circling his neck, fingers tangling in his hair and their kiss long and mystical.
“I think…it’s all of your friends…there’s an aura around them,” Diana said whimsically, trailing her fingers over his throat.
“Our…friends…do have an amazing au
ra surrounding them. But we’re going to make our own magic, my sweet…” And he proceeded to prove it to her.
A long time later, Diana stirred, listening to the sounds of his even breathing and the soft rain outside, she slid from the tangle of blankets. A slight wince at the protesting newly uncovered muscles as she found the discarded shirt on the floor and closed the bathroom door for a long, hot shower.
Bare toes clung to the stairs, fingers running through the freshly shampooed hair with a long, happy sigh. After some rummaging in the fridge, she cut up several apples, added slices of cheese and toasted an English muffin.
With a gesture of belonging, she powered up the desk top computer and found the online radio she was familiar with using. Soft international music filled the lower level. She opened the patio door, inhaling deeply as the rain continued to fall, she was grateful to the large covered area. Diana spread a quilt on the floor and began the yoga sequence she had been practicing for several years now. She lost herself in her moves and poses, eyes closed and savoring the peace that filled her.
Gideon vaguely heard the soft music playing below, his hand patting over the large bed but coming up empty. Strong, muscled arms stretched high and long over his head before tossing the blankets aside and stepping to the floor. He inhaled deeply, looked down and groaned softly. He could smell her on him.
The woman made him feel like he was eighteen, hormone rampant.
He took a hot shower and found his clothes lying on the chair in a neat pile. Bare feet padded down the stairs, another inward groan when he saw Diana wearing one of his shirts, sleeves rolled to the elbows and nothing beneath it. How did he know that for certain? Because she was stretching to some yoga poses and the full globes of her behind were very evident and sweetly familiar.
Making the executive decision to simply enjoy the bounty, Gideon perched on one of the kitchen stools, eating from the platter she had prepared. He poured a large glass of juice, adding ice to her glass of water. Her poses were strong and precise, her eyes closed and movements fluid. He knew nothing about yoga but he decided he completely enjoyed watching her do it.
He watched her feet draw together, her body bent in half for a long minute before she inhaled deeply and turned to face him, her smile welcoming.
“I hope I didn’t wake you,” Diana slid onto another stool, draining the glass of water in a long swallow.
“You haunt my dreams, city girl,” he admitted softly, crooking a finger at her and brushing her mouth with his. “It’s still storming outside.”
“Very true,” Diana leaned her elbow on the counter top. “I guess we have to find some…kind of indoor sports to entertain us. I could teach you some yoga?” She said with a pair of teasing eyes aimed at him.
“Hmm…city girl stuff,” Gideon murmured, carrying her wrist to his lips. “You make me feel like a kid, Diana…and I have no control at all.”
Diana moved to stand between his knees, her hands toying with the neckline of his tee shirt. “Oh, I don’t know about that…I thought you demonstrated amazing control…and patience,” her arms slid around his neck. “Thank you for that, Gideon Adams.”
He swallowed the soft groan, her mouth taking his on a long, sensual ride.
Diana stepped back, lifted a slice of apple and held it to his lips.
“Time for food, caveman,” she teased softly. Giggling when he gobbled up the apple and made a wild grab for her. Anticipating his moves, telegraphed easily in his eyes, she was around the counter, one finger raised and wagging. “No, no…no dessert until after dinner.” His laughter was deep and reassuring.
“It doesn’t help knowing there’s nothing under that shirt….which, by the way, never looked that good on me,” he complimented, chuckling when she curtseyed prettily.
“Thank you, sir,” Diana pulled her phone from her case, along with her drawing pad. “Hi, June, it’s Diana. I have the jeep and I’m up in the hills at Gideon’s house. Please let Bella know so she doesn’t worry…thanks a lot.”
Chapter Twelve
Gideon wasn’t much for TV so he went to his computer, reading through some correspondence, checking his stocks and looking over the syllabus he was preparing for his first teaching excursion. He wasn’t completely convinced it was where he wanted to go, partially because he wasn’t sure his message would thrive over the profit above all else message already beat into their heads by society.
He was staring into the darkness when he felt the soft hands on his shoulders.
“Problem?” Diana didn’t resist when he pulled her onto his lap.
“Philosophical…and only time will tell. Can greed ever lose out to the well-being of the all?” He said thoughtfully.
“Ohh…that’s a tough one…I think with some, it will resonate. Smart people know that a greed only society can’t thrive, not in a sense that all are equal,” Diana kissed him softly. “I’m sorry I’m not much help. You’re battling virtually all things around you on that…but I also believe if you can change a few…and those few can change a few more…eventually it happens.”
“You are damned good for a guy’s ego, city girl,” Gideon stood up with her in his arms.
“Feeling eighteen again?” She asked with a giggle, clinging to his neck until he lowered her to the bed, his body heavy and welcome against hers.
“I was never this lucky when I was eighteen,” he murmured, opening the buttons down the front of the shirt and spreading the sides wide. “You’re beautiful…so perfect for me…”
Diana dropped her dress over her clean, dry underwear, cinched the belt and went in search of her boots while Gideon was in the shower. She put the coffee on and smiled into the bright sunshine of morning. She found the egg cups and poached several eggs, toasted muffins and was crunching happily when she heard his boots on the stairs.
“You don’t have to do this, you know,” Diana tried again, peeking up through half closed lashes.
“You want your things out of the studio,” Gideon stated firmly. “And I don’t want you going there alone. I thought we were in agreement on this? Plus the SUV is bigger inside than your jeep.”
“Oh, sure, throw logic at me,” Diana mumbled petulantly.
Gideon perched on a stool, taking a big bite out of one of the muffins. “You’re trying to keep me away from your father.”
Diana raised her hand, one finger up. “That’s a good guess.”
“Which accounts for why we’re awake and moving at six in the morning.”
“Another good guess,” she admitted grudgingly. Inspiration struck and she dug inside her case for the phone, searching and pressing the right button. “Lewis? It’s Diana…are the residents still off site?”
“For another two days, miss,” Lewis assured her with a chuckle.
“Oh, excellent! I’ll be there in an hour or so to clean out some more things from the studio. Please don’t let Marie know.”
“Not a word from these lips, miss. I’ll be available to help you.”
“Thank you, Lewis. Bye.” Diana hurriedly finished her muffin, jumped to the floor and gripped Gideon’s fingers. “Okay, we have a clear morning. Let’s go.”
“Let me…” Gideon quickly finished his toast, grabbed his keys and travel mug. “Alright, alright…”
“And I really need to return the jeep to the lodge. It’s not mine.”
“We’ll get to that later.”
“You can follow me,” she dug out the keys and swerved to the jeep. “Pick me up in the parking lot!”
Gideon was growling as he followed her down the driveway. He was relieved there was little traffic in their way, half listening to the news as he drove. He only winced once when she parked the jeep and ran into the lodge with skirt flying and keys jangling.
“There! That was simple,” Diana climbed into the SUV, mumbling and straightening the scoop neckline of her dress.
“So which car is yours?” Gideon looked around the parking lot, offering up a small prayer and groaning whe
n she pointed. “Now why does that not surprise me?”
“It’s a very nice car,” she said with a slight frown at his reaction to the sapphire blue sports car. “Doesn’t have much trunk space, though. That’s why I was using the jeep.”
Gideon reserved his opinion. He knew the imported SUV he drove wasn’t standard choice, either. He gestured to the GPS on the dash.
“Where are we going, Diana?”
“Oh…head across ninety,” she said, tapping in the address and leaning against the window. “I love mornings…”
“Mornings with you are interesting,” he admitted, memories of her five AM wake up caresses very fresh in his mind.
“Much better than an alarm clock, don’t you think?” Diana asked with a soft laugh, their fingers twined as he drove. A light fog was rising off Lake Washington around the wide expanse of bridge. She was relaxed, watching the familiar homes along the winding road off the highway and toward the center.
Gideon was positive the houses were getting bigger and bigger with each curve they rounded. When he came to the large, wrought iron gate he glanced over at Diana. He tapped in the number she pantomimed with her fingers, winking at him when the gate swung wide.
“I fell for a waitress,” Gideon said softly, holding her hand tightly. She was nervous. Her hands always turned to ice when she was nervous.
“That’s Lewis,” Diana nodded to the older man holding several cartons. “Follow the drive to the left, around the back of the house.”
“Good morning, Miss Diana,” Lewis tipped his hat at Gideon as he crossed in front of the car. “Lewis, sir.”
“Gideon Adams. Thank you,” he took the cartons and followed Diana to the brightly colored cottage surrounded by flowers. “Magnificent gardens.”
“It was a wonderful place to sit and paint,” Diana walked backwards, smiling at the hundreds of flowers spread out through the yard.
Coincidences: #3 Diana & Anya Page 9