by Opal Carew
After about a half hour, she murmured softly in her sleep, then shifted restlessly. Her hand bumped against his chest, then she murmured again and her fingers moved along her side.
“Crystal?”
She didn’t answer. Since she still seemed to be asleep, he lifted the covers to see what was going on. Her fingers worked at the hooks on the basque as she tried—unsuccessfully—to unfasten them.
Without thinking, he unfastened the long row of hooks. As the white fabric parted, exposing more of her silky flesh, the cadence of his heartbeat increased.
Oh, this was really not a good idea.
Still, he couldn’t stop himself. Finally, he unfastened the last hook. She pulled the basque from her body and sighed. At the first glimpse of her naked breasts—round and perfect—he pulled the sheet up again. Along her side, however, he felt the indentation on her skin where the basque had been digging into her. He stroked the skin and she sighed, then leaned back against him.
He couldn’t stop thinking about those lovely breasts as he stroked her skin, wishing she would turn around and snuggle against him, yet at the same time praying she wouldn’t. Because if she did, it would be sweet torture.
Her breathing settled again, and she seemed to be deep in sleep. He dozed off, then awoke to a movement against him. He wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but his grogginess told him he had been fast asleep.
Crystal had turned toward him and settled her head against his chest. He could feel her soft breasts pressed against him through the fabric of his shirt. She nuzzled his chest, then he felt the movement of her fingers. He almost jumped when he realized she was unfastening his shirt buttons.
Oh, God, she probably thought he was Brent.
With great strength of will, he stilled her hands.
“Crystal…” He didn’t really know what to say, especially since he didn’t want to remind her of Brent’s abandonment, so he simply trailed off.
He felt her soft cheek brush against his partially bared chest.
“Yes, Evan?” She continued to unfasten his shirt.
“I, uh … what are you doing?” Man, that was lame.
Four
“I’ve gotten makeup all over your white shirt.” Crystal gazed at the sculpted muscles of Evan’s chest as she pushed his shirt over his shoulders.
She couldn’t help but grin at his reaction. He was trying so hard to be the gentleman and not take advantage of the situation. Maybe he wouldn’t, but she certainly intended to.
Her heart still ached at the fact that Brent had walked out on her, but right here, right now, she was with a man who wanted her. He had told her so. And then he’d taken care of her in her hour of need.
She tugged his shirt off his arms, then pushed it away. He was a great guy, and he wanted to be with her. And right now, she needed to feel wanted.
She glided her hands down his solid chest, then along the waistband of his pants. When she unfastened the button, he grabbed her hands.
“Crystal, that’s probably not a good idea. You—”
She drew her hands free and pushed against his chest until he rolled onto his back, then she prowled over him.
“That’s funny. I think it’s a great idea.”
She rose onto her knees and his eyes widened as his gaze fastened on her naked breasts. His look of avid admiration boosted her confidence. She slid backward and rested on his thighs as she drew down his zipper. The impressive bulge filling his black boxers encouraged her even more. She shifted to the side and pulled his tuxedo pants down to his knees, then stroked over his hard, long erection, anticipating drawing it out and seeing it for the first time. Her nipples swelled and her insides ached with desire.
He kicked away the pants, then arched up against her hand.
“Crystal, we really shouldn’t be doing this.”
She squeezed the bulge, then reached inside and wrapped her hand around his engorged cock.
“Who says?”
“I—” He groaned as she stroked his length.
She reached for his hands and pressed them to her breasts. He held them reverently as he stared at her in awe. She arched against him, pressing his palms tight to her. Finally, he closed his fingers around her soft mounds. She released his hands and wrapped her fingers around his cock again. He caressed her, sending tingles dancing through her body.
“Oh, Evan, that feels wonderful.”
She drew out his cock, so long and hard, and stared at it. The bulbous head looked as though it would fill her mouth nicely, and the thick ridge around the head would drag against her inner walls as he drew back after he thrust deep inside her. The thought sent her head spinning. She leaned forward and licked his tip. He groaned. One of his hands glided through her hair as the other continued to stroke her breast.
Until she swallowed his cockhead whole. He groaned, and his hand slipped from her breast. She licked in a spiral over him, then sucked. His fingers forked through her hair. She took him deep in her mouth, his cock pressing into her throat. She glided away, a restless need rising in her.
She grasped his cock tightly and sat up.
“I want you, Evan.” She pushed herself onto her knees and pressed his cock to her opening. The silk of her panties acted as a barrier between them. She stared deep into his eyes. “I want you.”
He nodded, as if hypnotized.
“Do we need a condom?” she asked.
“I’ve … uh … been tested recently,” he said hesitantly, clearly still uncertain about going ahead with this.
She nodded. “I was tested when I started dating Brent.” She ignored the pain lancing through her at the thought of her absent fiancé. “I haven’t been with anyone since. And I’m on the pill.”
He nodded, so she hooked the fingers of her free hand around the crotch of her panties and pulled it aside, then pressed his cockhead to her opening, already slick from her desire to feel him inside her. As soon as she felt his hot, hard flesh against her naked folds, she sank down on him. She sucked in a deep breath, then groaned—an echo to his guttural murmur—as his hard, thick cock pushed into her, filling her deeply. Finally, she sat flush against his hips, his erection fully immersed in her.
Oh, God, he felt so good inside her.
Then she simply stared at him. And he stared at her. Yearning filled his eyes. She felt wanted. Needed. Desired.
“Oh, God, Evan. I want you so much.”
His eyes glittered, and just like that, the uncertainty left his face. A low growl rumbled from him and he rolled her over in one swift motion. His groin pinned her to the bed, his cock still filling her. With his hands planted on either side of her head, he smiled down at her.
“Well, now…” He grinned as he drew back, his cock dragging against her inner passage and sending excruciatingly delightful pleasure dancing through her. “As it turns out, I want you, too.”
At his sharp forward thrust, she gasped. She wrapped her hands around his broad, muscular shoulders. Damn, but she’d never realized how extremely well sculpted his body was.
He drew back and thrust into her again. She tightened around him, pleasure building inside her.
“Oh, Evan.”
It felt incredible having his huge cock filling her. The wild sensations made her head swim.
“What is it, Crystal? Do you like this?” He drew back, then thrust forward again.
She nodded, incapable of expressing herself in words.
He drew back again, then hovered there, his cockhead barely inside her, in danger of slipping free. Oh, God, she wanted him back inside her. Deep. His hard length filling her.
He leaned in close and murmured in her ear.
“I want you to talk to me. Tell me what you want.”
“I…” She hesitated, trying to articulate what she wanted but failing. She simply needed him inside her.
His gazed locked with hers, and she stared into the forest green depths and concentrated.
“Tell me what you want, love.”
Love. Her heart melted.
Fiery desire filled his eyes, but with an overriding tenderness.
“I … I want you to make love to me.”
He nodded in encouragement, but she sensed he didn’t want sweet words right now.
“I want you to grind that big cock of yours into me. To drive it in deep. I want you to fuck me so hard, I’ll scream your name at the top of my lungs.”
His mouth turned up in a broad grin, then he nuzzled her neck.
“Now, was that so hard?”
Before she could answer, he drove deep inside her and she gasped. Then he kept on thrusting, filling her, drawing back, then filling her again. She clung to him as pleasure swept through her, then washed her over the edge of forever.
“Oh, God, Evan. Oh…” She sucked in air, then moaned. “Oh, Evan. You’re making me…” She gasped again.
“I’m making you what, love? Tell me.” His intense gaze held hers as he continued to plunge into her.
Pleasure quivered through her, tickling her senses. She could barely think straight.
“Come. Oh, God, you’re making me…” Joy swelled through her. “Ah … come!” The last word broke into a long moan as an orgasm erupted through her.
Evan groaned and drove deep into her. She could feel him pulse inside her. They clung to each other, riding the waves of bliss together.
Finally, his body relaxed and she sighed in contentment. He nuzzled her neck, then rolled to her side, gazing at her with glittering eyes. She smiled, then he captured her lips in a sweet, lingering kiss.
She snuggled against him and lay in silence, not willing to threaten their afterglow with words that might drag them abruptly back to reality.
* * *
Evan couldn’t believe it. Crystal’s soft body was pressed tightly against him, both of them still hot and slick from their passionate lovemaking. He didn’t want this moment to end. He drew his arm tighter around her, reveling in her warmth and the delicate scent of vanilla in her hair.
The sound of a cell phone ring tone—the “Wedding March”—broke the silence. Crystal tensed in his arms, probably at the reminder that this was her wedding day and her groom had abandoned her.
He snatched up the pink cell phone from the bedside table.
“Hello, Renee,” he said.
“How’s she doing?” Renee asked.
“Okay, considering.”
He glanced down at Crystal, and she nodded and reached for the phone.
“Hi, Renee.” Crystal drew away from him and sat up, tucking the sheet around her body. “Uh, no, not here.” She paused. “No, really, I’m fine going out somewhere.” She glanced at Evan. “Yeah, we’ll find it.”
Crystal hung up. “She wants to meet with us. She suggested coffee at a bistro a couple of streets over. Is that okay with you?”
“Of course.” Except that it meant they both had to leave this bed.
She stood up, pulling the sheet with her, and shuffled to one of the suitcases on a stand against the wall. She pulled out some clothes, then headed into the bathroom. Just before she closed the door, she stuck her head into the room again.
“Go ahead and grab some clothes from Brent’s suitcase.”
Once she closed the door, Evan stood up and approached the dark gray suitcase. He rifled through it and pulled out a pair of jeans and a striped blue cotton shirt. He didn’t like the idea of wearing Brent’s clothes, but he couldn’t go out in his tuxedo.
Ten minutes later, they walked along the street in the late afternoon sunlight.
“There it is,” Crystal said, pointing to the blue-and-white sign indicating the Blue Heron Bistro.
He opened the door for her, and she stepped inside. Renee waved at them from a table by the window. They sat down and Crystal took a sip of the iced tea Renee had waiting for her.
“How are you doing, honey?” Renee asked, gazing at her with concern.
Crystal shrugged. She couldn’t lie and say she was fine. Even if she could, Renee would see right through her. Renee patted Crystal’s hand. It was amazing how such a small gesture from her big sister made her feel so cared for.
Renee glanced at Evan. “So, have you been keeping our girl entertained?”
Crystal felt Evan stiffen beside her, and she stifled a giggle. “He’s been wonderful.”
Renee glanced at her and raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
Their gazes locked, and Crystal knew Renee had figured out exactly what had happened between them.
“That’s great,” Renee continued. “So listen, about the trip.”
Crystal’s chest constricted. She didn’t want to think about her honeymoon. The one she was supposed to go on with the man who loved her, but who obviously didn’t love her or he wouldn’t have betrayed her. But at the same time, the thought of losing her dream trip sent her gut churning.
“I think you should still go,” Renee said.
“How can I go on my honeymoon now?”
“Well, you’re not thinking of giving up the trip you’ve been looking forward to for so long just because of that jerk, are you?”
Crystal stared at her hands. Damn it.
“Anyway, getting away from everything would be the best thing for you right now.”
Crystal shook her head. “I don’t want to go alone.”
“I don’t think you should go alone.” Renee opened her purse and pulled out a piece of paper and unfolded it. “I rebooked the two tickets for this evening. I thought it would be better if you left right away. Why wait?”
Renee was a travel agent and had handled all the arrangements. Crystal took the paper and glanced at the flight information.
She gazed at her sister. “Are you going to go with me?” How had her sister arranged to take off two weeks from work on such short notice?
“No. I had something else in mind.” Renee glanced toward Evan. “Um, do you think you could give us a minute?”
“Sure.” Evan stood up. “I’ll go out for a walk.”
Once he was gone, Renee turned her gaze back to Crystal. “Look, it’s clear that you two have some major chemistry going on. What’s wrong with getting away from the everyday routine and seeing where this thing between you goes?”
“Well, maybe because I was supposed to get married today,” Crystal said in a dry tone.
“But you didn’t. And your fiancé turned out to be a rat fink, so don’t let some misplaced sense of propriety get in the way of finding true happiness.”
Crystal shifted uncomfortably. “Renee, you’re getting carried away.”
Renee drummed her fingers on the table. “Maybe, but sometimes you really need a push, and I don’t want to see you ignore this chance.” She leaned forward. “Honey, forget happily-ever-after. Just think about having a wild, sexy time with a great-looking guy who thinks the world of you. That’s enough for now.”
Her heart constricted. “But … he said he loved me.”
“In the hotel suite?”
“No, before the wedding. When we went for a walk. If I ask him to go away with me, maybe he’ll read too much into it. Maybe he’ll assume I’m ready for happily-ever-after with him.”
“Now look who’s getting carried away. He knows what just happened, too. He knows you need time to sort things out. Don’t push him away because he told you how he feels about you. It’s so rare to find a guy who will express his feelings.”
Crystal sat back in her chair. The thought of spending the next two weeks moping around her apartment filled her with dread, and she really didn’t want to give up her trip. The idea of enjoying those beautiful white beaches and azure water with Evan at her side made her heart thrum. Actually, thinking of making love with him on the soft white sand—or in the big king-size bed in the luxury villa—made her heart thump even faster.
Evan was a self-employed consultant and had a great deal of flexibility in his schedule. He could probably take the time off.
Oh, God, she was actually consi
dering this.
Five
“Renee thinks I should still go on my honeymoon trip,” Crystal said as she walked beside Evan on their way back to the hotel.
“So she mentioned. And it’s a good idea. Getting away for a while would be good for you.”
They stopped at the curb, waiting for the light to turn green so they could cross the street.
“Yeah, that’s what she thinks, too. And I don’t really want to go back to San Diego and hang around at home.” People at the office would hear about what had happened pretty quickly, since she had invited a few of her work friends to the wedding.
And at some point, she’d run into Brent again. Maybe he’d even stop by to explain what had happened or to see how she was doing, and she wasn’t ready to face that anytime soon.
Evan nodded. “You need to get away from your usual environment entirely. Is Renee going with you?”
The light turned green and they started across the road.
“No, actually, she suggested I…” She hesitated, unsure how to ask him.
“What did she suggest?”
“She suggested that I invite you.”
His expression didn’t change. “Really. And what did you say?”
They approached the hotel entrance and the doorman opened the door for them. As they crossed the lobby, she sent him a sidelong glance.
“I told her that I didn’t want to give you the wrong impression.”
“And that would be?”
“That I’m ready to move forward with a relationship. Especially after … what you said … before the wedding.”
They stepped into a waiting elevator and the doors closed with just the two of them inside.
“That I love you,” Evan said.
It was the first time they had talked about his proclamation of love since he’d made it. They hadn’t really dealt with it then, and now things had changed. Drastically. But that didn’t mean she could just accept his love and move forward. She needed time to figure things out.
He took her hand and turned to face her. “Crystal, I understand that you just had your whole world pulled out from under you. You need time to adjust. To think things through.” His fingertips stroked the back of her hand, sending tingles through her. “Of course, I hope that you’ll consider giving me a chance, but I know that will take time.” He smiled. “And if you decide to invite me, I’ll be happy to go. Thrilled, in fact. But I won’t assume that means anything more than that you’d like a friend along. Someone to help you get through this.” He squeezed her hand. “I’d like to be that friend.”