by L. Wilder
“Wow. That’s really incredible.”
“You should stop by. She has the best croissants in three counties.”
“I definitely will.”
“What about you? Do you have any kids?”
A warmth crossed her face as she said, “Yes, I have two. Grace is twenty-three and Nathan is about to be twenty-two. They’re great kids. They’re the one good thing that came from my marriage. Grace is interning at a publishing house, and Nathan is about to graduate from college. He’s planning to work in marketing.”
“Impressive. Sounds like they are on their way.”
“They sure like to think so.”
“I’m sure they will do great.” I took another drink of wine before asking, “Why don’t you tell me a little about this book you’re writing.”
“You really want to hear about it?”
“Absolutely.”
“Well, okay.” Damn. She was incredible. Not only was she beautiful, she was smart and sexy as hell. My eyes kept dropping to her mouth. I couldn’t help it. I wanted to kiss her so bad it fucking hurt, and if the expression on her face was any indication, she felt the same way about me. “It’s a southern romantic comedy. A mom with two kids gets divorced and ends up moving back to the small town where she grew up. She moves into her grandmother’s house with her crazy aunt next door and her best friend across the street. An old flame comes into the picture, and things get pretty interesting from there.”
“I bet.” Curious about what might have inspired her story, I asked, “So, is this book anything like what happened with you?”
“Yeah, I guess you could say that. There are definitely some similarities.”
We’d just finished our second glass of wine—if you could even call it a glass. It was actually more like a large mason jar with a handle, and the liquid spirits were starting to have their effect on us both. I hadn’t realized how much until Leslie took another sip and finished her thought, “But there’s been no heated love affair for me. At least not yet.”
“Is that right?”
“Sad but true.” She shrugged as she continued, “Natalie has been after me to get back out there and meet someone, but I always seem to come up with some excuse not to.”
“And what about tonight? You got me here.”
“That I did, and I’m pretty proud of myself for doing it.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because I’ve never asked a man to dinner before.” A light blush crept over her face as she admitted, “I’ve done it in my books many times, but I’ve never had the courage to actually do it myself—especially with a man as handsome as you.”
“You think I’m handsome?” I teased.
“Oh, come on. You know you’re handsome. I bet every woman in Mistletoe is itching to get their hands on you.”
“Don’t know about that.” While it was too soon to admit it, the truth was, I truly liked Leslie. She was the kind of woman I could see myself with, but damn. I couldn’t think about the future for wanting her so much. I needed to knock the edge off, or I was never gonna make it—neither of us were. I could see the way she was looking at me. It was right there in her eyes. There was no doubt she was feeling the same fucking way, and if she licked her lips one more goddamn time, I was gonna take her on the table right then and there. Fuck. She was killing me. I held her gaze as I told her, “Besides, at the moment, I’m only interested in one woman having her hands on me, and she’s sitting right across from me.”
I was taking a huge chance, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself. I leaned in closer, brushed a strand of hair from her face, then lowered my mouth to hers. She didn’t pull away. Instead, she wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me back. My hand fell to the back of her neck, and I gently pulled her closer. A shudder ran through her as she opened her mouth to me, giving me full access to delve deeper, and I took full advantage of the opportunity. Our tongues tangled, our bodies tensed, and I knew then one kiss would never be enough. Just as things were starting to get heated, Leslie placed her hands on my chest, ending the kiss as she pulled back and inhaled a deep breath. As she slowly exhaled, she muttered, “Oh my.”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Worried I’d overstepped, I lifted my hand to her chin, lifting her head to face me. “I probably should’ve given you some warning before I did that. I hope it was okay.”
“Oh, it was more than okay.” A smile swept across her face as she said, “I just wanted to make sure we’re on the same page.”
“Okay.” I lowered my hand from her face. “Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?”
She raked her teeth across her bottom lip as she mustered the courage to say, “Like I said earlier, I haven’t had a heated love affair or anything remotely close to it.”
“I remember.”
“Well, I want that...” Her eyes slowly skirted over me as she finished her thought, “with you.”
I took a moment to think of how I should respond. That was a mistake. She took my slight hesitation as a rejection and quickly started back peddling. “I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t know why I did. It’s Natalie’s fault. She got in my head, and I just got carried away. And...”
Before she could say anything more, I reached for her and pulled her towards me as I lowered my mouth to hers, silencing her with a kiss. It was the best way I knew how to tell her how I was feeling. There was no way I could explain how having her so close set me on fire, making every nerve in my body burn with need. My hand dove into her hair, pulling her even closer as I deepened the kiss. Our tongues twisted, tasting each other as we let ourselves forget we were complete strangers, forget we might never see each other again, and gave in to our attraction for one another. A light moan vibrated through her chest, urging me on as my hand slid down her back, and it was all I could do to keep myself from taking her right then and there.
Leslie
The time had come. I had to decide if I was going to be naughty and spend the night in the bed with my handsome stranger or play it nice and end this thing with him now. For the first time in my life, I could be a little reckless. I didn’t have to worry about the consequences of my actions. I was in a place where I didn’t know a soul, and the chances of me ever seeing Colton again were slim at best. And if I was being honest with myself, I was so utterly turned on I couldn’t imagine ending things there. Choosing to take a chance and live in the moment, I eased back and slowly broke free from our embrace. His lust-filled eyes met mine as I whispered, “I don’t want to stop.”
“Then don’t.”
When he leaned in to kiss me again, I placed my finger on his lips, stopping him in his tracks. Without saying a word, I stood up and extended my hand. Reading my mind, he reached out and took my hand in his, then led me towards the bedroom. I wasn’t exactly sure what we’d just agreed to—one simple night together or something more. The thought of something more was just a fantasy of my own. I knew there was a good chance I would never see him again—after all, that’s what one-night stands were all about. Regardless of what was to come, I intended to make the most of our night we had together. As he shut the door behind us, every pretense fell away. It was just him and me, and the façades we showed the rest of the world melted away. We could just be ourselves with one another, and I liked that most about being with Colton. He stepped forward, guiding me back as he pinned me against the wall. His hand snaked around me as he pulled me close. I felt the heat of his breath caress my neck as he whispered, “You sure about this?”
A needful moan vibrated through my chest as his tongue raked against my bottom lip. Answering the only way I could, I met his mouth in a deep, searing kiss. I knew from the moment I saw him riding up on that horse he was a man who knew how to handle himself, and I wasn’t wrong. He moved with confidence, his hands strong and possessive, and that kiss...it was everything I was expecting and more. I was getting lost in the moment when he stepped back, breaking our embrace. He brushed his calloused t
humb deliciously across my bottom lip as he rasped, “What if one night isn’t enough? What if I want more?”
“I’m only here for ten days, Colton.”
“Just tell me I can see you again. Lie to me if you have to.”
“Yes, you can see me again.”
His hand moved to the nape of my neck, tangling in my hair as he pulled me close once again. His mouth landed on mine with a hard, demanding kiss, and my knees almost buckled beneath me. His hands begin to roam, exploring my curves in a way that had me clenching my thighs together. Damn. I’ve never been so turned on in my entire life. It was hard to believe that at my age I was just now experiencing such a feeling. Maybe it was the fact I’d never had a one-night stand or slept with a man I didn’t really know, but something told me there was only one man who could make me feel like this—Colton Michaels. His voice was ragged and full of need as he whispered, “This was a good idea—a really good idea.”
I barely had a chance to smile before his mouth was back on mine, his warm, wet tongue tangling with my own. He kissed like he was in complete control, like he had no doubts about what he was doing or how he was doing it, and I needed that. I didn’t want to think. I didn’t want a chance for my insecurities or doubts to creep in. I simply wanted to be in the moment, and he did that for me. My blouse fell to the floor, and I immediately reached for the bottom of his shirt. I slowly inched it from his waistband, letting my fingers brush against his six pack. My eyes met his, and a mischievous smile crossed his face as he said, “If you don’t stop looking at me like that, this thing is gonna be over before it starts.”
“You have too many clothes on.”
“You could always help me out with that.”
“Don’t mind if I do.”
I felt like a kid opening a Christmas present as I reached up and started unbuttoning his shirt. My eyes drifted down to his bare chest as I admired his rippled abdomen. He quickly maneuvered the cotton fabric off his broad shoulders and let it fall to the floor next to mine. His hands immediately dropped to my waist as he pulled me in for another kiss. I could feel the heat of his body pressing against my bare skin as he delved deeper into my mouth. His deft fingers made their way up my back to my bra. Once he’d released the clasp, he slipped it down my arms, and his gaze fixated on my breasts. I could feel the scorching heat of his stare on my flesh, and for the first time since we entered the bedroom, I started to feel my insecurities creeping over me. I was tempted to cover myself, but then I noticed the hungry look in his eyes. “Damn. You’re incredible...so damn beautiful.”
As I stood there staring back at him, I felt so wanted, so desired, which only made me want him more. He took me in his arms once again, our bodies molding into one. As soon as his lips touched mine, I could feel the need building inside me, spreading through my entire body like a wildfire. His mouth never left mine as he lowered his hands down to my ass and hoisted me up with his strong, masculine hands. My heart started to race with fervor as he carried me across the room. When we reached the bed, he tossed me down on the mattress, then watched with lust-filled eyes as I unfastened my jeans and quickly shimmied them down my legs. I kicked them off onto the floor, then smiled as I said, “Your turn.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He quickly unfastened his belt, then dropped to the button of his jeans, and I watched with eager anticipation as he lowered them down his muscular thighs. Once they’d pooled at his feet, he stepped out of them and over to the bed. Like a lion about to claim his prey, he climbed on top of me, hovering for a moment before he lowered his mouth to mine. I could feel his hard length pressing against me as I wrapped my legs around his waist. He rocked against me, and every nerve in my body came to life. My back arched off the bed as I groaned out with pleasure. I slipped my hand between us, gliding my hand over his length with just enough pressure to drive him wild. His eyes darkened with need as he growled, “Fuck, that feels so damn good.”
Feeling brazen, I eased my fingers under the elastic band of his boxers and took him in my hand. He felt hot and thick as I tightened my grasp and continued to stroke him. “Jesus...Leslie. You’re killing me.”
I could feel his hand creeping up to my abdomen and into my panties. A light hiss slipped through my teeth as his calloused fingers trailed down between my legs and delved inside. He let out a tortured breath as he muttered, “So wet.”
He continued to tease me as I gripped him harder, stroked him faster, and it wasn’t long before we were both in a full-blown frenzy. As a writer, I’d written scenes just like this—hot, alpha men showing their women the night of their lives, but they were all just figments of my wild imagination. I’d never imagined being with a man could feel this amazing, that the flood of pleasure would be the ultimate high, but it was just that and more. Colton was like a drug—one touch and I was intoxicated and eager for my next hit. He found the spot that made my entire body tense, and a wave of ecstasy came crashing down on me as my orgasm took hold. I gasped with disappointment when Colton removed his hand, but the feeling quickly vanished when he knelt in front of me and slipped his fingers into each side of my panties. He quickly glided them down my legs, and a spark flashed through his eyes as he looked down at my naked body. “Fucking incredible.”
He was still taking me in when I reached for his boxers and eased them down over his hips. Taking the hint, he stood and took them off, then reached into his jeans pocket for a condom. My mouth watered as I watched him roll on the condom.
A sexy smirk crossed his face as he settled back on the bed next to me. His breath was strained as he looked down at me with hunger in his eyes, and I knew he wanted me just as badly as I wanted him. He brushed his thickness against me, teasing me as he ground his hips against mine until I wrapped my legs around him, pulling him to me. He eased inside of me. My entire body was consumed with need, making it impossible to focus on anything except the touch of his hands on my body, the soft whisper of his kiss, and the tingling sensation that surged through me whenever he shifted deeper within me. At that moment I knew I was in trouble. One night with him would never be enough.
At first his rhythm was slow, intense and demanding, but he suddenly stopped moving and whispered, “When we do this again, I’m going to take my time with you. I’m gonna make you come over and over again.” His voice was low and needful, making my entire body burn for him. “But right now,” he quickly pulled back before plunging deep inside me once again. “I need to feel you come undone for me.”
Colton’s pace continued to increase, faster and harder, setting my entire body on fire. “Yes! Oh God, yes!”
He pulled back and crashed into me again and again, driving me wild with every hard, deep thrust. I felt a warmth start building in my lower abdomen which quickly grew into a burn so deep I feared it might never be extinguished. My fingers dug into the comforter, twisting and pulling, as my back arched off the bed. A deep growl vibrated through his chest as his fingers slipped into my hair, pulling my head back as he exposed my neck. His breath caressed my skin as he began nipping and sucking from the base of my ear down to my collarbone. My legs tightened around him as my hips involuntarily jolted forward, meeting his thrusts and taking him even deeper. I inhaled a labored breath as my body shuddered beneath him. Every muscle clenched around him as my orgasm took hold. He continued his relentless rhythm as my body jolted beneath him. Each thrust was more demanding than the last as he came closer to the edge. I was still floating on the high of my own release when I felt his body grow rigid. A deep groan echoed through the room as he drove deep inside me, holding still as he found his release.
My body fell limp as my legs dropped to the mattress and let out an exaggerated breath. He eased off me, quickly disposing of the condom before settling on the bed next to me. As I stared up at the ceiling, listening to our heaving breaths, I muttered, “Holy moly.”
“My sentiments exactly.” He turned his head to face me as he smiled and said, “That was really something.”
“Okay, then why’d you invite me over?”
“To thank you for helping me when I fell and for starting my fire.”
“Um-hmm. So, the chance of us ending up in bed together never crossed your mind?”
“I never said that.” I giggled as the burn of embarrassment blushed my cheeks. “It crossed my mind several times, but I never really thought it would happen.”
“Oh, really? And why’s that?”
“I don’t know.” My insecurities were rearing their ugly head, and for the life of me, I couldn’t reign them in. I didn’t want to sound overly pathetic, so I told him, “I thought we’d just eat and get to know each other a little.”
“Well, we definitely got to know each other.”
“That we did.”
I could see the wheels turning in his head, and I was afraid he was trying to figure out the best way to escape. Instead, he said, “I know you’re only in town for ten days, but I’d really like to see you again.”
“Really? You don’t think it will complicate things?”
“I don’t mind complicated if it means I get to spend more time with you.”
I was shocked. I’d had it in my head that this was a one-night stand, and after tonight, I’d never see him again. I’d heard him say he wanted more, but I thought he was just caught up in the moment. I never really believed he’d follow through with it, but I was ecstatic that he had. I really enjoyed my time with him and would jump at the chance to spend even more—even if it meant risking a broken heart. I could feel the butterflies dancing in the pit of my stomach as I asked, “When did you have in mind?”