Angels in Seashore Cove (Love and Laugh in Seashore Cove Book 2)

by Maggie Van Well

  If the cloud belonged to Dianna…Angie shuddered at the thought.

  She focused on Jack, twisting her hands as she waited to learn their fate. She knew the second he had the answer. His eyes popped open wide, making her stomach drop.

  “It’s bad, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah.” Slowly, he lowered his hand. “Very bad.”

  ***

  Dianna was just about to hit Send when Sean’s hand gripped her wrist. “Are you sure you’re okay? You had a lot of wine.”

  “I’m fine.” She kept her eyes on her cell, and the screen went black. Dark and lonely. Just like her.

  By the time he pulled into her driveway, she was fighting back tears.

  “Thanks for the ride. Have fun tonight.” Please, God, don’t let him hear the hurt in her voice, because she could sure hear it.

  “Dianna, are you mad at me?”

  Well, apparently, God wasn’t listening to prayers tonight. “No, of course not. Go have fun.”

  Before he could say anything more she had her door open and was halfway up the walkway when he called out to her again.

  Gathering every ounce of courage she could find (and maybe a little bit of the liquid courage too) she faced him with what she hoped was an exacerbated face. “Honestly, Sean, I know you have better things to do right now than to harass me.”

  Sean studied her as he made his way around his car. Dianna met his gaze, determined not to show him how she was burning up inside. Even as he stood not a foot in front of her, she refused to let her guard down. It must’ve worked because after a moment of intense scrutiny, he offered her that sexy grin.

  “I know what your problem is. You’re jealous.”

  Oh, no. Why, Sean, why do you have to choose today to go back to your old teasing ways? She rolled her eyes. “In your dreams.”

  “Come on. Admit you want me.”

  She forced out a laugh. “Fuck you.”

  He closed his eyes and groaned. “Oh, baby, talk dirty to me.”

  Sean closed his eyes, puckered his lips and leaned in. And for the first time ever when playing this silly game, Dianna didn’t stop him.

  His lips settled on hers, warm but exaggeratingly puckered, which wasn’t exactly erotic. That did nothing to stop her knees from threatening to buckle the second they made contact. Electricity rocketed through her body. And in the split second it took for Sean to realize he was actually kissing her, she found herself wishing for more.

  But he did realize it, and he jerked back with such force she wondered if the kiss burned him.

  Her stomach dropped as he stared at her, his jaw hanging open, his eyes wide. His face reflected shock.

  “You didn’t stop me.”

  The horror in his voice nearly had her giving in to her body’s demand to run. But she stood there, frozen, unable to speak.

  “Why didn’t you stop me?”

  Answer him, stupid! There are a million excuses for what just happened. He moved too fast for you to stop him, or, he took you off guard. Anything, but just standing there and saying nothing.

  He waited for a response.

  “I—”

  Try as she might, she couldn’t get the words out, so Dianna did another first she’d never done before.

  She ran.

  Which was the worst thing she could’ve done.

  As she pushed her front door open, she scolded herself for being so weak. Why hadn’t she made up some excuse? Why hadn’t she laughed it off and mocked him for making such a big deal over a stupid kiss?

  As she made a beeline for her room, she consoled herself. Maybe all was not lost. Maybe she could call him tomorrow and still laugh the whole thing off. Say she was as shocked as he was and that she left him standing there because she was embarrassed with herself for getting tipsy.

  Yes. That will work. And she truly believed that.

  Until she heard the front door slam.

  Damn it! She should’ve known Sean would be hot on her heels.

  “Dianna!”

  Well that wasn’t a happy voice. She sank to her bed and buried her face in her hands. She had to focus. She could still save this situation.

  But when Sean stormed into her room, she knew he wasn’t going to make it easy. His eyes blazed as he stopped at her doorway.

  She jumped up. “Sean, I—”

  “No,” he growled out as he marched over, cupped her head with both hands and landed his lips on hers.

  Every cell, every fiber burst into flames of desire. For nearly thirty years, she assumed kissing Sean would be awkward or uncomfortable. It was neither of those things. Instead, his touch made her feel like her body had woken up after a very long sleep.

  Dianna nearly buckled from the impact of his kiss. She’d thought he was angry, but by the way his mouth slid over hers as his tongue plunged between her lips, she had to be wrong. His taste, his smell, his touch, everything about him was old and new at the same time.

  His kiss was so sudden she lost her balance against the bed frame and fell backwards onto the mattress.

  Sean followed her down, his long body lying alongside hers. She stared up into his eyes as he ran his hand over her T-shirt from her stomach, between her breasts, to cradle her neck.

  He shifted next to her, and his erection poked her thigh. His breath came fast and his voice, when he spoke, was low and husky. “Why aren’t you stopping me?”

  Just like the night he gave her a massage, and then the evening he’d wined and dined her before his mother interrupted his seduction, here was Dianna’s chance to put an end to this madness. All she had to say was stop and she knew without any doubt that’s what Sean would do.

  But she didn’t want him to stop. Ever.

  “I don’t want you to.”

  He stared at her, his eyes darkening to a royal blue. Then he sat up and yanked his T-shirt over his head. Sean returned to her, taking her hand and placing it against his pounding chest. Dianna had seen him without his shirt a million times, but never through the eyes of someone who’d been invited to touch and explore. His skin was tight and smooth except for the clusters of coarse hair.

  Sean moved his lips to just below her ear. Dianna craned her head to the side, offering him her neck, wanting him to suck on the tender skin until gooseflesh erupted over her body. He didn’t disappoint her. Neither did his fingers as he worked them under her T-shirt to rest just under her bra.

  Dianna pushed him away and jumped up from the bed.

  Sean immediately followed, the sound of his heavy breathing exciting her. “Princess, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I just want all my clothes gone and you’re going too slow.” Before, she’d always experienced a moment of shyness at someone else seeing her naked. Not with Sean. She wanted him to see, wanted him to touch. Everywhere.

  Sean stood next to her, his gaze intense as he watched her pull the t-shirt over her head. With what she hoped was a sexy grin, Dianna gripped the front clasp of her bra and unhooked it, slowly parting the two halves until her breasts sprung free.

  Sean’s eyes lowered to her naked flesh, his throat bobbing in a deep gulp, but he remained still.

  Loving this newfound power, she slipped her thumbs into the waistbands of her yoga pants and panties. With her eyes on his, she eased the garments down her thighs, past her knees until they hit the floor.

  “So.” Damn, when had she learned to sound so lusty? Even to her own ears her voice dripped sex. “Are you going to join me or what?”

  Sean stayed frozen, and for a horrifying second, Dianna thought things had gotten too real for him, and her heart seized.

  Had it just occurred to him where they were headed? Was the idea of making love to her too weird for him? But then he shook his head and jerked into action, ridding himself of the rest of his clothes.

  Seeing him stand before her naked was both surreal and intoxicating. He was even more beautiful than she’d ever imagined. Not to mention she learned something new about him that she’
d always suspected. Sean was packing heat between those muscular thighs and damned if he didn’t know how to flaunt it.

  With their clothes gone, he wasted no time in laying her back down. His lips claimed hers again while his hands sought and explored her breasts, rolling his thumb and forefinger around her nipples, gently pinching the sensitive skin.

  Her breathing grew tortured, and deep groans escaped her throat. Then his lips took over for his fingers and she cried out when his tongue swept over the puckered flesh.

  The sensations swirling through her body were new and powerful. But more than anything, she wanted to make him feel as glorious as he made her feel.

  Boldly, she traveled her hand down his chest, caressing his abs before venturing lower. The second her hand encircled him, Sean stopped his onslaught on her breasts and pulled in a harsh breath. His skin was smooth, contrasting with the rigid hardness. She explored its length, loving how she made him squirm.

  “I guess you like that, don’t you?” She nipped at his chin.

  “A little too much,” he said, his voice gruff, as he pushed her hand away.

  She choked out her protest, but even before she knew what he was doing, Sean’s head was between her thighs. Her immediate cry of surprise and pleasure filled the quiet room. Dianna had experienced oral sex a few times, but the tremors of delight that shot from her core and spread throughout her body were nothing like she’d ever felt before.

  One more new thing she learned about Sean. He had a very talented tongue. Within minutes she felt the first strings of her approaching orgasm.

  Her body stiffened, anticipating its explosion. Then Sean slowed to a taunting and teasing pace that bordered on cruel.

  Dianna dug her fingers into his hair, rocking her hips against his lips, hoping to find her release. But he apparently knew that tactic and managed to keep her just on the edge.

  “Sean, please!”

  “You always know what I want to hear.” With that, he sent her over the moon.

  Dianna cupped his head, having no control over her cries of pleasure as the cresting waves crashed home.

  Before she had time to recover from the intensity of her climax, Sean was beside her again, his lips capturing hers, his tongue sweeping between them. No man had ever kissed her so passionately, so thoroughly before and it made her slightly dizzy.

  Then Sean pulled away. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he lowered his head into his hands, breathing so heavy it bordered on alarming. Dianna sat up, placing a hand on his back. His body trembled violently.

  Oh God, had she broken him?

  “Sean, what is it?”

  “I don’t know,” he answered, his breath coming in between raspy gasps. “I’ve never felt this way before.”

  What way? Disgusted? Horrified?

  “What do you mean?”

  He sat up straighter and turned to her. “I feel like I can’t control myself and…I’m afraid.”

  “Of me?”

  “Of hurting you.”

  At his softly spoken words, Dianna’s heart melted. At first she’d thought he meant emotionally, but realized he was scared of being too rough with her. What she felt for him at that moment was so strong, it almost made her gasp.

  She placed a hand on his cheek and smiled softly. “It’s me, Sean. And I know you will never hurt me.”

  She leaned in and gently brushed her lips over his, taking the time to enjoy their sweet taste, the soft texture. She continued with feather-light kisses as she settled him back against the sheets, only now chancing a swift swipe inside with her tongue. Sean’s breathing grew rapid again, but not to the point of distressing like before.

  After a few more kisses, he rolled her onto her back, positioning his erection against the juncture between her legs. “You always know what I want to hear,” he repeated, then surged forward with a gentle, yet firm push.

  Dianna winced at the sudden burning between her thighs, digging her nails into his shoulders as she lifted her pelvis to meet his thrust. Sean let out a gasp that seemed to steal his breath.

  After a sharp twinge, the pain subsided and she was able to focus on Sean’s slow rhythm.

  His mouth took hers again as his one hand settled in her hair while the other molded itself around her breast. Dianna rocked her hips with his as her fingers danced down his back, to his waist and then finally settled on his ass. She gripped the tight skin, the feeling of intrusion subsiding enough so she began to experience pleasure.

  Sean’s cadence sped up unexpectedly and she flinched. He immediately slowed down, but she could tell by his pinched expression and tension in his shoulders that he was struggling to hold back.

  She took his earlobe between her teeth before she whispered, “It’s okay, baby, you can let go.”

  Without further permission, he plunged faster, his groans muffled as he buried his face in her neck again. Dianna felt the familiar delightful pressure begin to build, though she doubted she would reach a second orgasm. But just as those thoughts entered in her mind, Sean shoved his hand between their bodies and settled his thumb against the tiny nub at her core.

  His tempo slowed, as if giving her a chance to catch up. Dianna closed her eyes and focused on the wonderfully new sensations spiraling through her body. Soon she was meeting his thrusts, echoing his moans of pleasure.

  When her orgasm started, Sean seemed to lose any last bit of control. He thrust at a wild pace as he sucked on the delicate skin at her neck to the point of being painful. But Dianna held on, riding the flood of pleasure with him until she was completely exhausted.

  Sean’s whole body stiffened, his face contorting into the most beautiful mask of pleasure she’d ever seen. “God, Princess!” His warmth filled her, and he let out one last gasp before he collapsed on top of her.

  Dianna held him while their panting lessened and their breathing returned to normal.

  Tears filled her eyes, so overwhelmed at the indescribable intimacy they’d just shared. She’d experienced a few sexual encounters in her life, ending in wonderful delight, but she never imagined finally making love would be like this. Before, her dalliances had been purely physical. She assumed having sex would be the same.

  God, how could she have been so wrong?

  “Are you okay?” He hadn’t budged since he landed on top of her, but his voice in her ear was so sweet, almost vulnerable.

  “Yes.”

  “Did I hurt you?”

  “Nothing I couldn’t handle.” So this was pillow talk. Huh, she’d expected it to be a bit more—significant. “Sean, look at me.”

  He didn’t move at first, but a few seconds later he lifted his head, staring into her eyes as he stroked the stray strand of hair from her forehead. “What is it, Princess?”

  Wow, that was the third time he’d used his favorite term of endearment for her. He’d never done that before. It was almost as if he was afraid to use her real name.

  “That was…” Was what? How could she possibly describe what she was feeling? “It was so…”

  “I know. I feel it too.”

  Her hands stroking his back, she asked, “Is it always this way?”

  He looked away, and then rolled off her completely. The sudden sense of loss nearly stole her breath. She didn’t know why, but she felt like he had mentally rolled away from her as well.

  “It is with the right person.”

  “And I’m the right person?” She held her breath, unexpectedly wishing for, oh, so many things. Unrealistic things.

  Like Sean suddenly declaring his undying love and the inability to live without her.

  He was silent for a few moments, then he pulled in a long breath. “Well, we definitely have chemistry.”

  Not what she was hoping for, but she did kind of put him on the spot. She never should have asked him that question. She’d pushed too far.

  Why was she pushing at all? What exactly did she think was going to happen after being together like this? God, what had she done? How could
they ever go back to being just friends now?

  Could she go back?

  Dianna rubbed her eyes, her head starting to throb from all these emotions and silly unspoken questions. Before she couldn’t get enough of Sean, now she just wanted him to leave so she could sort through her confusing thoughts without any spectators.

  “It’s so late, and I have a cake to make in the morning.” Which wasn’t a lie, she did have some baking to do, but it wasn’t like she had to get up at the crack of dawn.

  She thought he’d jump at the chance to hightail it out of there. Instead, he scooted close, pulling her back against his chest. “Go to sleep, Princess.”

  A light grew in the darkness she’d fallen into. Maybe her fears were unfounded. Yes, they’d had sex, but didn’t a lot of people have sex without it meaning anything? Wasn’t that what friends with benefits was all about?

  Dianna snuggled against Sean and lowered her lids, but the strange stinging in her eyes made it difficult to fall asleep.

  She didn’t want to be a benefit. She wanted to be his everything.

  Chapter Seventeen

  SQUINTING HIS EYES against the morning sun, Sean groaned as he ran a hand over his face. He must’ve forgotten to close the blinds last night. He turned away from the offending light and plumped his pillow before snuggling into it.

  Then his eyes flew open.

  Dianna faced him, sleeping soundly, her long blonde hair draped across her face like a blindfold. She’d always done that to block out the light. The sun beamed down on her skin, making him want to feel its smooth texture one more time. This was not the first time he’d woken up with her in his bed, but it definitely was the first time they were both naked. He fought the urge to inch the sheet down, revealing her gorgeous flesh.

  Instead, he turned away, a sense of dread growing inside him.

  “Jesus Christ, what have I done?” he prayed.

  As quietly as he could, Sean left the bed, hoping not to wake her. He had to think what to do, how to handle this.