Could she limit her growing feelings for him to just this moment, this one stolen indulgence in a lifetime of following the rules? She was still trying to decide as they returned to the trolley depot and fell into step together toward the B&B, both quiet and lost in their own thoughts.
“Ashley is nice,” Matthew finally commented. “Still think they’ll be divorced in a year…”
“There’s no way to tell. I’ve been to an awful lot of weddings and there’s no way to predict the outcome because no one knows what fate has in store. They could split up in a month or you’ll dance at their fiftieth anniversary party.”
“Doubt that,” Matthew snorted. “They’re too young, they’re moving to another country, they—”
“There are tons of couples that have conquered all of those challenges and plenty of others who have divorced over less. And sometimes things just fall apart for no reason you can see coming. I was engaged once and…” Erin fell quiet. She hadn’t meant to tell him that.
“What happened?” Matthew asked as they drew to a stop near the stairs.
“Hunter went off to graduate school and left me behind to raise my brother. Too much baggage for him.”
“He didn’t deserve you.” Matthew brushed her hair away from her face. He ran his thumb over her cheek before dropping his hand. “I’ll wait for you to get inside.”
She stepped onto the first step and then turned back to him. The nearby street lamp cast his face in silver and shadows. Temptation incarnate. Without stopping to think about it, she clasped his hand.
“Come inside with me,” Erin whispered, her mouth a fraction of an inch from Matthew’s plush lips.
Chapter Fifteen
Still standing on the first step so they were eye to eye, Erin leaned over and brushed her lips over his. Matthew might have been able to resist that sweet kiss, if she hadn’t nipped at his bottom lip, licking over the tiny sting, shattering his weak resolve. He groaned, reaching for her to deepen the kiss. Instead, she broke away and led him up the stairs. Matthew followed willingly, all his careful arguments and protestations against romance forgotten in the intensity of Erin’s kiss.
She led Matthew up both staircases, their hands still tightly clasped. They slipped into her room, lit only by the bedside lamp and the glow from the twinkling fairy lights in the garden. The fountain tinkled and splashed below but, otherwise, their ragged breathing was the only sound in the room.
“I’m making an exception.” She faced him and unzipped her jacket, stripping it slowly off. She wore a simple black T-shirt beneath but it could have been the sexiest lingerie for the way she set his heart to pounding. Matthew swallowed with an audible click, clenching his hands into fists at his side so he wouldn’t touch her. Yet.
“What do you mean you’re making an exception?” Matthew asked. She took his hand again and tugged him onto the patio. She pushed him into the porch swing. He sat and she straddled his lap, resting her arms on his shoulders as the pulse point in her throat fluttered. He wanted to set his lips against it and taste her heartbeat.
“I have a rule.”
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about you, it’s that you have lots of rules.” He settled his hands on her hips, his heart thrumming in his chest. “What rule are you breakin’ with me?”
“I don’t do one-night stands.” She looked down at him, the swing swaying slightly under their combined weight. The honeysuckle and vanilla scent of her went to his head, making him dizzy and unsure. She leaned back and pulled her shirt off, revealing a blue lacy bra, a few shades lighter than her eyes. His fingers twitched on her thigh, aching to touch her full breasts, inches from his face. Instead, he met her gaze, both of them breathing hard. “I’m making an exception.”
“So just the one night together then?”
“Just the one night.” She nodded before sliding her fingers into his hair and tugging his head back, claiming his mouth. He moaned, wrapping his arms around her, running his palms up her bare back, her skin silky and warm. She rocked against him, already hard and ready for her, setting the swing to rocking too. He kissed her, starving for another taste of her. He’d never get enough.
He groaned, kissing his way down her neck, lost in the feel of her against him, wrapped around him, making him ache with need and desire. He brushed kisses over the tops of her breasts before cupping the full weight of them in his hands. She wriggled against him again and, after some complicated maneuvering, tossed her bra aside. He sucked the rosy peak of one breast into his mouth, loving the taste of her as he rolled his tongue over her nipple. She moaned his name, cradling his head against her as he teased the tight bud of her nipple with his tongue and then paid the same careful attention to her other breast, cupping her full bottom as she ground against him.
Matthew undid her jeans, shoving them down on her slim hips, sliding his hand inside her panties, to find her slick and hot and ready for him. He wanted to shuck his own clothing, to feel her skin-to-skin and lose himself inside her, but first, he wanted her to fall apart in his arms. He circled her with his fingers, discovering the best way to touch her, to make her moan and writhe and cry out. When he thrust two curled fingers into her slick heat, she threw her head back, keeping her eyes tightly shut, as she rode his hand. He pressed his thumb against her in slow circles before she cried out and came in long, sweet pulses all over his fingers.
He shivered, imagining what she’d feel like climaxing on his cock. She opened her eyes, dazed, the black pupil nearly obscuring the blue iris, and he whispered, “I want to see that again, sugar.”
She nodded, gently climbing off his lap, her breathing ragged. She wiggled out of the rest of her clothes and, naked, headed for the bedroom. “You coming?”
Erin stepped into the bedroom, the lamplight casting her curves into shadows, and Matthew stood to follow her, arousal still thrumming through his veins, demanding release. From the way passion flared between them when he’d kissed her earlier, he couldn’t wait to see how hot they were together.
She pulled a strip of condoms from her emergency kit and tossed them on the bed before facing him. He paused in the doorway, leaning his shoulder against the door jam, drinking in the sight of her. In two steps, she stood in front of him and pushed his jacket off his shoulders, tossing it over her ladybug suitcase. She tugged his shirt out of the waistband of his jeans and slid her palms over his belly. His breath hitched at her gentle touch, her fingers slipping lightly over his fevered skin. She pulled his shirt over his head before unfastening the top button on his jeans.
Still, he didn’t touch her, waiting for her to take the lead. She met his eyes before fumbling with the rest of the buttons. Her eyes, dark and hot, watched him as she stripped him before brushing kisses along his shoulders. He sucked in a deep breath, the sweet scent of her making his head swim. She brushed her knuckles over his hardened cock before wrapping her hand around him stroking him.
He cracked, pulling her against him then and capturing her mouth, his hands on her hips. She moaned against his mouth, pressing their sweat slicked skin together.
He toed off his shoes and stepped out of his jeans before pulling her close again. They tumbled to the bed before she flipped him onto his back and straddled him again. He cupped her breasts, flicking his thumbs over the stiff peaks, as she carefully rolled a condom onto him. When he was ready, she raised her hips and slowly sank down on him, inch by slow, torturous inch. He moaned, his voice breaking on her name, catching her hips and thrusting up into her. She trailed her lips down his neck, licking and sucking, as their rhythm grew ever more frantic. He slid a hand between them, rubbing in circles the way she liked. The press of his fingers, coupled with his deep thrusts, sent her over the edge again, clamping down on him, fluttering around his cock. With a shout, he burrowed deep, following her over the edge, and she collapsed onto his chest. He cradled her close, her head over his thundering heartbeat.
After a few seconds, she shifted aside. He took care of the c
ondom before cuddling her close. They lay in silence for a few moments, as he idly played with her fingers. Slowly, she raised up to look at him, propping her head on her hand. He smiled at her as his heart did a slow roll in his chest.
“Worth breakin’ your rules for, sugar?”
“Have to see about that. Night’s not over.”
He smiled at her as she leaned over and kissed him again.
Chapter Sixteen
When Erin’s alarm beeped the next morning, she kept her eyes carefully shut as she fumbled for her phone. She didn’t want to have to open them to an empty bed, sure Matthew would be long gone. She peeked at the phone, thumbing the alarm off, and, despite her rule against the snooze button, laid back down with a smile, remembering last night in toe-curling detail.
“Morning,” Matthew whispered, making her jump and drop the phone. As it clattered on the floor, she opened her eyes to find him squinting at her in the dim, pre-dawn light, his hair adorably tousled and a sleep crease on his cheek. She told herself her heart was only pounding because he’d startled her. “What do you need to be up so early for, sugar?”
“My power walk,” she answered as he shifted closer and tugged the sheet down to her waist.
“I can think of more fun ways to get your exercise in,” he whispered, kissing his way down her neck. He sucked her nipple to a hard nub before blowing over it, his breath warm over the wet tip making her shiver from the contrast. His fingers trailed down her belly before diving into the curls at the apex of her thighs, twirling lazily through the moisture he found there. Her thighs parted as she rocked up against the pressure of his fingers. He pressed kisses to her belly, his fingers never stopping their clever torture, as he slid down the bed to lie between her thighs. “After all, sugar, like you said, the night’s not over yet.”
With that, he parted her and dipped his head, tasting her. She arched up, pressing into those plush lips, and he grabbed her hips, stilling her for his attentions. She clutched at the sheets as he licked and teased her, his fingers curling inside her to caress in just the right spot. He flicked his tongue just right and she toppled over the edge into bliss, his name on her lips as she shuddered and shook through her orgasm. He rested his head on her thigh, grinning at her, looking rather smug. She cupped his cheek, staring into his eyes, honey-colored now in the morning light, still trying to catch her breath.
He crawled up the bed, kissing her with the taste of her still on his lips. She licked into his mouth, loving the taste of them mixed together, and wrapped her legs around his thighs, shocked she could still want more of him after the passion of the night before. He pushed deep, filling her, and she rocked her hips, welcoming him, clutching at his lower back. Together, they found their rhythm, as he kissed her breathless. Matthew raised his head, their gazes locking as they rocked together. He found her hands, wrapping his fingers with hers and holding on as they stared into each other’s eyes, their bodies still slapping together, chasing their release.
He shifted his hips, so his lower belly brushed her sweet spot on each thrust. How were they hotter together each time? She felt fevered, as though she were burning from the inside out as she climaxed again, made even more intense by him inside her. He buried his face in her shoulder, their sweat slicked skin pressed together, and thrust deep, pouring himself into her. He rolled away, ridding himself of the condom, before pulling her back against him.
“There, isn’t that better than a morning power walk?” He spooned himself around her, drawing the sheet up over them both, and kissed her neck. Erin nodded, too sleepy and sated to get out of the bed. She’d get up in a minute…
When Erin woke the second time, sunlight streamed into the room through the lace curtains. She raised her head, fumbling for her phone to check the time, and instead brushed Matthew’s strong arm, still flung over her waist, holding her close. She sat up, looking down at him sleeping soundly on his stomach, one arm under his head. Gently, she smoothed his hair away from his handsome face, relaxed now in sleep, and shadowed from his morning stubble. Just as she’d suspected, he’d proven to be an attentive, generous, and inventive lover.
She swallowed hard. Now she had to give him up.
“No regrets, Erin,” she whispered to herself.
Their one night together was over. She crawled out of bed slowly, so as not to disturb him, and grabbed her phone. She headed into the bathroom and, after realizing she had less than an hour to get to the bridesmaid’s tea, jumped in the shower. She did her makeup as her dress steamed and, after doing her hair, dressed and slipped from the bathroom.
“Morning, sugar. Want to go get some pancakes?” Matthew said, sitting up in the bed and holding out his arms to her before scowling, “You have on way too many clothes for so early in the morning.”
“It’s almost noon. I’ve gotta go to the bridesmaid’s tea.” Erin struggled into her strappy sandals and put on her simple silver earrings. She grabbed her purse and headed for the door. “I’m running late. This is why I don’t break my rules.”
“Don’t I get a goodbye kiss?”
She looked at him, full in the face then, the knowledge of everything that happened last night sparking between them. She flushed, still feeling the stubble burn on her inner thighs. They’d agreed it had been for one night only. It wasn’t his fault that, now she’d had a taste, she wanted him even more. She pasted on a bright smile and blew him a kiss.
“Erin!” Matthew jumped out of the bed, not a stitch of clothing on, and dashed to the door. He leaned out and puckered up. She dropped a quick peck on his mouth. But, Matthew had different plans this morning. He pulled her against his bare chest, his big hands stroking down her back, before bending his head. “I want a real good morning kiss, sugar.”
And he claimed her mouth with his own, sucking her lower lip and sweeping his tongue into her mouth. Minty toothpaste mixed with the addictive taste of Matthew. She moaned, running her hand into his silky hair, pulling him closer, the warmth of his skin all along her front, tempting her to fall back into that rumpled bed and…
“Would you like a ride to the bridesmaid’s tea, Erin?” Millie called from the base of the stairs and they jumped apart, Matthew darting backwards into the room to shield his lower half with the door. “Or was Matthew planning on giving you a ride?”
“Aunt Millie!” Matthew breathed as color flooded Erin’s face.
Millie seemed to realize what she’d said and, flustered, hurried out the front door, trilling over her shoulder. “Meet you in the car.”
Erin buried her burning face in her hands. “Oh, I think I’d rather walk.”
“What, like a reverse walk of shame?” Matthew laughed, stepping into the hall before pulling her against him again. He brushed a quick kiss over her mouth and then said, “I’ll see you after, okay?”
Chapter Seventeen
“Sleep well?” Millie greeted her as Erin buckled herself into the car, her cheeks still warm. “I slept like a log myself. I live out back behind the inn so guests never have to worry about me hearing a thing…”
When Erin led Matthew upstairs last night, she hadn’t stopped to consider having to face his family over the next few days. She hadn’t been thinking of much at all beyond feeling Matthew’s gloriously tanned skin next to hers, his luscious mouth and—
“Earth to Erin?” Millie said, patting her knee. “We’re here.”
Millie wedged the Mini Cooper into a parking space under a sprawling oak tree with the roots bubbling up through the brick sidewalk. They got out of the car in front of a dark gray townhouse with black shutters, two potted pine trees carved into careful topiaries by the red lacquered front door, a gorgeous Christmas wreath in shades of gold hanging on it. She followed Millie up the steps and into a wide, spacious foyer, decorated in shades of yellow and coral. A gleaming mirror, framed in antiqued silver, faced them, over a marble table holding an arrangement of lilies and roses. Shelby, dressed in loose pants and a blue patterned tunic, bustled out from
the back, her low heels echoing on the heart pine floors.
“Welcome. Come on back, I’m putting your appetizers together.” She smiled at Erin, “Millie sent over some nibbles I just had to assemble. It’s my favorite way to cook.”
She led them to a sunny, spacious kitchen, overlooking a small brick courtyard. Marina sat at the counter, reading on a tablet. “Put that away,” Shelby chided gently. “We have guests.”
“My homework doesn’t stop because my brother’s getting married,” Marina huffed but slid off the stool to head upstairs. Millie and Shelby shared exasperated, commiserating looks. Teenagers.
“How can I help?” Erin offered but Shelby shook her head and asked her what she’d like to drink.
“Thank you for doing such a great job distracting Matthew,” Shelby said before handing Erin an iced tea studded with peach slices and waving her to a seat at the counter.
Millie winked at her before adding, “Matthew seems to love being distracted by Erin.”
Erin flushed and desperate to change the topic of conversation said, “Millie told me you all are best friends. How did you meet?”
“I worked for her,” Shelby said, as she fussed with arranging water crackers just so on a cheese board. Behind her, Millie arranged a platter of crudités and dip. Erin reached across the counter and grabbed a small cutting board and a block of cheese. Shelby handed her a knife so she could help.
“Worst maid I ever had,” Millie said. “We’d end up gabbing all day and I’d have to finish the rooms so she could meet Matty at the bus.”
“It’s true,” Shelby said. “We ended up having the bus drop him there after a while. Matthew loved her after school snacks. I think he considered it his second home.”
“Still does,” Millie said. “I remember him practicing his Japanese, studying his flashcards in the kitchen.”
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