With a deep inhale, she resolved not to sink back into the vulnerabilities of a young girl smitten by first love. She was a successful, independent woman. She could do things differently now. She could state what she wanted.
Catherine rehearsed her words before she said them. “I don’t want things to end the same way tonight.”
His eyes flickered with question as he measured her. “What are you saying, Cate?”
You can do this. It’s simply stating what you want. Don’t complicate things. It’s not brain surgery.
She raised her chin. “I want you to come home with me tonight.”
Angelo’s eyes widened. The server arrived with their meals—a surf and turf dinner for him and a baked scrod for her. The appetizing scent of the seafood was lost amid the rapid heat spreading through her body. Her statement loomed between them, heavy with tension, as she waited for his reply.
Once the server left, Angelo asked, “You sure about this?”
“Absolutely. Why wouldn’t I be?”
He leaned forward. “Because I’m leaving next week.”
She squirmed in her chair. “I know.”
He searched her eyes. “Which means—I’m gone.”
Why was he repeating that? Because they lived in two different worlds, far from each other? Right. It would be insane to expect anything more.
“I’m aware of that.” She scrunched up her face. Maybe she was bombing with her attempt at seduction. “Jeez, I didn’t expect this reaction. Thought guys jumped for sex when it’s on the table.”
He burst into laughter. “I didn’t know you were offering it up here.” He motioned around him and then to their table. “On the table.”
“You know what I mean.”
His lips tightened into a straight line. “I don’t want to lead you on.”
She fidgeted with her napkin. “You won’t. I know you’re leaving and that this is only for one night.”
“Good. Because I don’t want to hurt you.” He glanced into her eyes. “Ever.”
Her pulse quickened. “You won’t, Angelo. I’m a big girl now. No, a grown woman. I wouldn’t have asked you if I didn’t want to. Actually, now I’m starting to regret it, as I’m afraid you’ll turn me down.”
He raised his brows. “Never. No regrets.” He pointed to her plate. “Let’s eat so we can get out of here.” With a smoldering gaze, he added, “We’ll take dessert to go.”
Catherine’s heart thrummed in her ears as she drove back to her place. The late afternoon sun cast a gentle glow on the road. Even so, driving was a challenge. How could she focus on the road with Angelo beside her?
And what they had planned.
A small analytical voice in the back of her mind asked if she was setting herself up to get hurt. She all but snapped at it to shut the hell up. But it was still there. A part of her that would always think and question and analyze.
When he placed his hand on her knee, she almost veered out of her lane. She pinned her gaze ahead.
“You okay, Cate?” Angelo asked.
“Fine,” she replied automatically, although her voice sounded not quite like her own.
“You seem—nervous.” He sounded concerned.
“Nervous?” she repeated with a shaky laugh. Great. That sounded believable.
“Are you changing your mind?”
“No!” Jeez, why not come straight out and tell him she was itching out of her skin just thinking of spending the night with him. Could she sound any more eager? “I mean, no.”
“Good.” He ran his fingers in slow circles up to her thigh. She couldn’t think of anything else, but how good it felt, how much she wanted him to continue. How much higher would he go? After several seconds of hanging on the edge and almost losing her damn mind, she blurted out, “As much as I like that, it’s far too distracting while I’m driving.”
He chuckled and pulled his hand away. Her thigh cooled with the sudden absence. Yes, she already regretted it. Stupid brain. She multi-tasked all the damn time. Yet she couldn’t focus on driving because a man’s hand was on her leg?
No, not any man’s hand. Angelo’s.
“No worries,” he said. “We have all night.”
That was why she could barely think straight. She blew out a breath to help her relax.
Focus. Don’t fantasize.
That was easy to tell herself, much less easy to follow. Not with all the palpable sexual tension that seemed to swell through the interior of the car. Her car had never been the scene of such excitement before, but here she was practically panting like a teenager in heat, ready to dive into the back seat.
Diversion, that’s what she needed. “Why don’t you find something on the radio?”
He navigated through the channels. “Nothing I hate more than the mindless drivel with commercials.”
A man was talking in a super-fast voice, one of those disclaimer spiels at the end of commercials. Although she hated that, anything that would drown out the questions in her head would be a relief. All she wanted to do was turn off her brain for once and focus on what her body was screaming for. Which right now was Angelo DeMarchis.
He stopped on a song. Stressed Out by Twenty-One Pilots. Stressed was one way to put it. Anxious was another. Breathless with need might be another.
They arrived at her place, and she parked in the lot. She reached out to open the door.
Angelo put his hand on hers. “Hold on a sec.”
She turned to him. “What is it?”
His eyes were dark with hunger. “What I’ve been thinking about since I sat in this car. You.”
Her breathing hitched. Could he have been as affected as she’d been the entire drive?
He cupped her chin and leaned across the seat. “I’ve wanted to kiss you.” Brushing his lips on hers, he then whispered, “Like this.”
His slight touch was like a heated whisper over her skin, calling to her, waking her body. Shivers of excitement followed, rippling through her. His touch set her ablaze, and she responded to him with an urgency never before felt.
The kiss quickly intensified, and they grabbed at each other in the front seat. He pulled his mouth from hers, and then kissed along her jawline and over her neck. Warm tingles spread through her. She wanted him, needed him, now. If they didn’t move inside, she would pull him in on top of her begging for him there in her car.
What was wrong with her? This was ridiculous. They weren’t teenagers any longer.
She dragged herself from the heady haze that clouded her thoughts. “We should go inside.”
He murmured against the hollow of her neck, “I know.”
It took all her willpower to pull the keys out of the ignition and open the car door. But better things awaited them inside, of that she was certain.
As they walked to her front door, she said, “I’ll let you in. I need to tell my neighbor I’m back. She’s been watching the cats.” She couldn’t have Maria interrupting if she heard movement over at her place—not if the night went the way she hoped. “Make yourself at home.”
He nodded, heat burning through his gaze. She let him in her house and then tried not to skip on the pathway to Maria’s door.
Anticipation fueled her every step. Angelo was waiting for her inside. Soon to be in her bed.
Chapter Seven
Angelo
Angelo tried to ignore his erection as he entered Cate’s place. He had pounced on her in the car like they were eighteen again. He attempted to shift his focus by seeing where she lived.
A classical music station played at a low volume. For her cats? It also had a hint of vanilla scent in the air. He walked through the pale-yellow galley kitchen and into a dining area with a round wooden table and desk. Her pens were lined up parallel to the edge of the desk. He smiled as it brought back a memory. She’d be rattled if a ballpoint pen was left open and had to shut it. He’d click them open to tease her and get a reaction. A stupid high school antic to get her attention.
<
br /> He continued into the living room. Her furnishings were tasteful. An overstuffed beige sofa had maroon pillows arranged perfectly straight and uniform and the polished coffee table had a few books arranged perfectly as well. She was neat. That wasn’t a surprise.
Where was the bedroom? He peered up the stairs. The sound of tiny footsteps caught his attention. Two cats—one an orange tabby and the other a tuxedo that was mostly black save for white on its chest and paws—came bounding down the stairs and trotted into the living room. They circled around him at first, as if sizing him up, before the orange one rubbed against his leg. He bent down and rubbed under its chin.
“Hello. So, you’re one of Cate’s roommates.”
The other cat remained wary, watching from the foot of the stairs. He opened his hand and called it over, but it turned away from him and walked away tail in the air. He laughed. Hard to win over. That was okay. He knew a few tricks. On the counter, he spotted a container of tuna flavored cat treats tucked neatly in a container. The way to get on a cat’s good side was with food. He offered them each a couple. The orange cat darted over to them, but the tuxedo cat watched him with wariness before strutting over and claiming the edible treasures.
How strange it was to be here in Cate’s house. What luck to run into her at the wedding. One problem that tugged at the back of his mind was how it could complicate things. When it came to Cate, nothing about his feelings had ever been carefree. Their connection had been deeper. But now they were older and not as naïve about the world. Would that change anything?
The front door opened, and Cate entered. Oxygen zapped from his lungs. She hung her bag on a hook and removed her sneakers, placing them on a mat near the entrance.
He gulped the air. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, everything’s fine.”
Both cats ran over to her. The tuxedo one didn’t seem to have the same wariness it had around Angelo. Cate knelt and talked to them while she rubbed their cheeks and showered them with attention. She turned to mush around them. A smile spread across his face.
He removed his sneakers and placed them on the mat beside hers. “I gave them a few treats. Hope that’s okay.”
She glanced at him. “They’ll love you forever.” Her smile was radiant.
A strange warming sensation heated his chest.
“This is Ruby.” She rubbed the orange tabby’s chin. “And this one is Aurora.” When Cate touched Aurora’s cheek, she leaned into Cate’s palm. After she rose, she asked, “Can I get you a drink?
He caught her gaze. Heat returned, growing more palpable in this space where they were alone. He swallowed. “All I want right now is you.”
Damn, could he be any more obvious?
Her eyes brimmed with excitement. She took a few steps toward him, but then hesitated. He closed the remaining distance.
He moved her dark hair over her shoulders and then cupped her face. “You’re beautiful, Cate. More so than ever.” Then he bent down and kissed her, gently at first, but then as deep and searing as he had in the car.
So much for taking it slow.
She didn’t seem to mind since she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his. Finally.
Their kiss grew more insistent, igniting a raw need that threatened to consume him. They broke apart, staring at each other as they panted for oxygen. It didn’t take long for his erection to return.
The dark sensuality that sparkled in her eyes almost leveled him. A heated magnetism pulsed in the space between them like nothing he’d ever known before. Primal need took over. He needed to touch her.
He kissed her neck, drinking in her taste and scent. He ran his hand down her back and over her ass. Lowering his fingers, he reached up under her shorts and touched her soft skin. Damn, he wanted more. Those shorts teased him by giving him just a peek. Trailing his other hand up the side of her body, he paused to caress her beautiful breasts, which had tempted him all day in that tank top.
She moaned, ending with a delicious sigh of pleasure that encouraged him to continue. He reached under her top and traveled up her soft torso until he felt the delicate lace of her bra.
He reached around and unclasped it without too much trouble. A sweet victory. Then he cupped her full, round breast and thumbed her hardening nipple.
Her breath came out in a jagged gasp. She leaned towards him. “Let’s go upstairs.”
He couldn’t think of a better idea. “Lead the way.”
He followed her up the stairs, eyes dropping to her rear. It took all his control not to pounce. When they entered her room, his gaze flickered to the bed. It had a lavender bedspread and tons of white pillows. She turned to him with expectant eyes and moistened, parted lips.
“I should put on some music.” She broke the gaze and fumbled with a music player. Seconds later, a woman sang at a low volume. A version of Dream On.
“Postmodern jukebox.” She shrugged. “I’ve been listening to it a lot lately.”
“I like it.” He did like Aerosmith, but he didn’t give a shit about what music was on at the moment. Not with this ache that had been building all day.
He wrapped his arms around her and claimed her mouth once more as he backed her toward the bed. In the next moment, he was on top of her, pulling her top off over her head. With her bra unfastened, it was easy to remove and toss aside.
She crossed her arms as if self-conscious.
“No need to do that.” He brushed her hands with a feather-light touch. “You’re beautiful. Let me see all of you.”
She hesitated. “Okay.” Her voice came breathy. She slowly lowered her arms, revealing her full breasts.
He bent back down to kiss her. Her hardened nipples pressed against his chest. She wrapped her arms around his back and then tugged at the bottom of his shirt. After he leaned back to unbutton it, they worked together to free him of this obstacle. The slow, delicious way her gaze raked over his upper body made him puff out his chest more.
“I see you work out often.”
“Part of the job requirements.”
“A bonus for me.” Her appreciative smile rocked him with tremors of anticipation.
Cate bit her lower lip as she gazed at him. That movement shot a strange reaction inside him with waves of nervous energy.
She reached for his shorts, with that same intense expression. Once she unfastened the button, she unzipped. Damn, watching her undress him was so fuckin’ hot. He’d probably jerked off to a similar image countless times in high school.
This was nothing like high school. They’d both grown up. Cate’s womanly body and willingness to take things further were a hell of a turn on. Hell yes, he was on board with this new Cate.
When she tugged at his shorts, he stepped in to roll them down over his hips. His erection tented the front of his boxers. She dropped her gaze and swallowed.
Angelo lowered himself, careful not to crush her, and covered her mouth with his. Her body pressed against his as he tasted her sweet lips.
Even the way they kissed was more adult. None of that awkward fumbling of teenage years, with the push and pull between them. This time, Cate knew exactly what she wanted.
If that gentle moan told him anything, she wanted him. He ran his hands down the front of her body, touching her soft skin. Sliding down, he kissed and licked from her neck down to her breasts. He caressed them. So full, so damn delicious. He took one in his mouth and swirled his tongue around the hardening bud. She squirmed and let out a moan of pleasure. He turned his focus to the other one.
He wanted to savor her breasts all day, yet explore every inch of her body, which had been out of reach for so long. The way she clutched at him and arched her lower body indicated she was just as desperate as he was.
He reached down and caressed the soft skin above her shorts. He unbuttoned them. “Let’s get these off.”
She arched up to help him with the process. Once they were removed, she lay there in a tiny pair of pink cotton
panties with a fringe of white lace. His cock throbbed with more need.
He touched her over the soft fabric between her legs. Then he slipped his finger beneath the seam of her panties and stroked her. She felt like hot, wet silk. He tugged the panties down over her hips and removed them. A glimpse of her glistening pink flesh made him throb. She was beautiful. Desperate for skin on skin contact, he quickly shed the rest of his clothes.
Climbing on her again, he rubbed himself against her folds.
“Condom?” She searched his eyes with the weighted question. If he didn’t have one, things could cool off as quick as a blizzard wind.
“I’ve got one.”
He reached for his discarded shorts and fumbled around to find his wallet. Her chest rose and fell with quickened breaths as she watched him. With her cheeks flushed and lips parted, the desire in her expression amped the anticipation.
He fumbled to get the damn condom on and then returned to her. He took her mouth in a long, deep kiss as he slid into her. Damn, she was tight. Thank God he had the condom, or he would’ve blown his load right away. She felt so good.
So right.
Fuck. That wasn’t a thought he should have. Not when this might only be a one-time thing.
Catherine
She was with Angelo, at last. How many times had Catherine fantasized about it? Dreamed about it? And now, it was finally happening. The real thing was far more potent. Every move of their hips brought them closer together. Still, she wanted more of him. She wrapped her arms and legs around him, never wanting this to end.
“You feel so good, Cate.” He murmured against her neck, a smooth velvet murmur that sent shivers of delight through her. “Worth the wait.”
Worth the wait. Those words echoed in her head. God, he was right. She was already on the precipice of losing control. Although she’d tried to distance herself emotionally from this encounter and label it as a one-night hookup, he was making it difficult. Or, perhaps it was her. After yearning for something and then finally getting it, was it possible to enjoy it from a safe distance?
Angelo: A Second Chance Navy SEAL Romance Page 7