Careless Rapture (11 page)

Jackie waved the hose. Her eyes dipped to the
wet T-shirt that clung to his muscled chest. It was evident he was
a man of brute strength, but she wasn’t afraid. She was never
afraid with him. “Just try and touch me.”

He grinned. “You’re going to need a bigger
hose if you think that will stop me.” He wrestled the hose away and
trapped her against the sink, his arms on either side of her. Their
eyes met. First in play, it soon turned into an almost tangible
desire that threatened to explode between them.

He lifted her onto the counter. “I’m going to
regret this.”

“What are you doing?” she asked,
breathless.

“I’m going to kiss you.” He raised a mocking
brow. “Scared?”

She grabbed his collar and pulled him close.
“Try and make me.”

He nearly
succeeded. The mere touch of his lips sent shock waves of a
sensation so foreign yet so thrilling she could feel her whole body
respond. She’d been kissed tenderly, sweetly, hungrily, but never
like this. Never with such possession. Never with such command. His
tongue explored the inner walls of her mouth, stirring a heat
within her. Jackie pulled off his shirt, arching into him, and
braced herself as he pulled her close, knowing how staggering his
casual pats could be. She didn’t have to worry. The tenderness with
which he held her was nearly her undoing.

Clay stepped back, his voice hoarse. “I want
you.”

She wrapped her legs around him, drawing him
close. “I got that impression.”

“I’m too old--”

She placed a finger against his mouth.
“You’re certainly not old enough to be my father unless you were
doing very naughty things in elementary school.”

“I was big for my age.”

Jackie brushed her mouth against his,
indulging in the succulent taste of his lips. “I bet you were.”

His hand slipped to the curve of her neck. “I
might as well enjoy this.”

“Yes.”

“Unfortunately, I picture Drake trying to
hang me by the balls and I’d be forced to kill him. A very messy
end.”

She draped her arms on his shoulder. “Drake’s
not here.”

“I know.”

She leaned close and whispered, “And he
doesn’t have to know.” She kissed him again.

Clay smiled against her mouth. “Are you
trying to get me into trouble, Mischief?”

“Trouble can be fun.”

“Hmm. Especially when you’re causing it.” He
deepened the kiss. It soon became more reckless, more thrilling,
more dangerous.

Jackie pulled away with wide eyes.

“Am I scaring you?” he asked.

“Yes.”

He looked mildly embarrassed. “I’m
sorry.”

“No.” She held his face in her hands. “It’s
wonderful. Keep going.”

He kissed behind her ear. “It can’t work
between us.” His lips moved to the curve of her neck. When the
rough hairs of his five o’clock shadow brushed against her skin,
her toes curled. “You’re not my kind of woman.”

She tilted her head to the side, inviting
further exploration. “You’re not my kind of man.”

“Hmm.”

“Ever heard that variety is the spice of
life?”

“Don’t worry. They vary. They’re just not
like you.”

Jackie rested a hand on his chest, wishing
he’d stop talking and kiss her again. “And I’ve never been with a
guy like you.”

He stopped her hand from descending.
“Probably for a reason.”

“Why?”

“We don’t match.”

“I think we match pretty well.”

He tweaked her nose. “Yes, Mischief, you
would.” He glanced down at his wet clothes. “I think I need to put
something on.”

“Good.”

Jackie jumped down from the counter after he
had left. He was right. They were wrong for each other. All wrong.
But she didn’t care. She’d been going out with guys who were right
for her and she’d never felt like this. It was time to break a few
rules.

Clay returned to the kitchen. His mouth
dropped. Jackie turned. Her mouth fell open.

“What are you doing?” he demanded as she
stood at the sink wearing just her bra and panties.

“I thought you said you were going to put
something on.”

“Yes, my
clothes.
”

“Oh.” She folded her arms, heat burning her
cheeks. “I suppose I misunderstood you.” She cleared her throat and
gestured to the sink. “I’m washing the dishes.”

“I can see that.”

“Sure, and a lot more,” she mumbled.

“Red suits you.”

“Thank you.” She lifted her chin, gathering
courage. “So, do I put something on or do you take something
off?”

Clay leaned against the fridge and let his
eyes travel the length of her with slow, masculine pleasure. His
voice deepened into huskiness. “Naked would have been better.”

She furrowed her brows. “What?”

“You washing the dishes naked.”

“Perhaps another time. For now I’m wearing a
matching bra and panty set, which, for me, is rare. I got them at
Divine Notions.” She struck a pose. “Do you like them?”

Clay moved from the fridge and gradually came
toward her. She’d once wondered what it would feel like to be his
prey, and from the smoldering look in his eyes, now she knew. “I’m
not sure yet, let me see.” He fell on his knees.

Jackie looked down at him, uncertain. “What
are you doing?”

“I want to do a closer inspection.” He rested
a hand on her hip while the other made a sensuous path up her side
to her bra strap. “Nice fabric.” His finger traced a pattern on the
bra. “This is embroidery, right?”

She could barely speak so she only
nodded.

He cupped her breast. “So how much of this is
padding? No, don’t say anything. Let me find out.” He slowly
lowered the strap. “You’d better stop me if—”

She unlatched the bra and tossed it away.

He stared for a moment, then raised his eyes
to hers. “You have just enough.”

She bit her lip and whispered, “For
what?”

“For this.” His mouth covered her breast with
the effect of lava over ice, his tongue doing things to her nipple
she couldn’t even describe. He wrapped his arms around her. She
arched into him until the fire raging inside her forced her to her
knees as well. She pulled his shirt off, then went for his
jeans.

He stopped. “I can’t believe I’m about to
take you on the kitchen floor.”

“You prefer the table?”

He placed his hand over her mouth. “Be quiet.
I’m thinking.”

Jackie removed his hand and glanced down.
“You can do that while you’re wrapping your friend. I promise I
won’t move.”

Clay took a condom from his back pocket. “I
guess I have a little optimism myself.”

She grinned. “Amazing.”

He rolled on the condom. “I’ll give you a
second to be sure.”

She placed her hand on him and finished the
deed. “Oh, I’m sure.”

He glanced down at her hand. She hadn’t
bewitched him yet, but she was certainly casting a spell. He had to
be careful not to get trapped, to remember to be alert, to not
surrender. He drew her close, ready to make a little magic of his
own.

Clay skimmed his hand along the length of
her, his palm fiery hot as it made its way down between her legs.
His fingers softly massaged her center, he then replaced them with
his tongue. Jackie stiffened at the unexpected sensation, acutely
aware of the wet warmth that was both foreign and exquisite. She
was almost too afraid to indulge in a feeling so delicious.

“Relax,” he whispered.

She closed her eyes, allowing herself to
surrender to the heat of ecstasy spreading through her, causing her
to grow damp. “Please,” she begged, ready to feel him inside
her.

“You’re ready?”

“Yes.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes,” she said, more forceful this time. She
gripped his broad shoulders strengthened by the need of her
desire.

“Careful or you’ll leave marks,” Clay warned
when her nails pinched his back.

“Sorry,” she said without apology. “But
tonight you’re mine.”

He chuckled at her possessiveness, although
he felt a sense of his own. The feeling surprised him. Clay prided
himself on being a good, but detached lover. One who was always
composed and calm, but tonight he felt an unfamiliar sense of
eagerness and he wasn’t sure how much longer he could wait. His
entire body was hard, desperate for release. However, he forced
himself to move with a studied patience, determined not to lose
control. Unfortunately, some of his control slipped when Jackie
pressed a kiss on the sensitive part behind his ear, then trailed a
hot path down his neck. He gritted his teeth and entered her a
little less gently than he’d planned.

Jackie offered no gasp of surprise or
protest; instead, she tightened around him and Clay groaned as more
of his control shattered. He sank deeper inside her. A mutual
shudder swept through them, igniting a raw hunger both unexpected
and fierce in its intensity.

The intensity fueled them. Jackie greedily
surveyed every inch of him as though he were an undiscovered
island. Everything about him intrigued her—from the raised scar on
his back to a tiny birthmark inside his thigh. She never thought
the male form could provide such fascination. Clay found as much
fascination with her. Although Jackie was certainly not the first
woman he’d ever been with, he felt a sense of awe at the way her
nipples hardened under the tender caress of his tongue, the wide
sweep of her hips and the gentle curve of her behind.

They silently explored each other, leaving no
room for subtlety. Their desire cast away all thought of how
vulnerable they were to each other. Neither knew, nor cared how
much time passed or where they were. The only thing that mattered
was being together.

Soon exhaustion overcame them and they
collapsed, limp with pleasure. Clay sighed; Jackie began to
tremble.

Clay sat up, alarmed. “Are you all
right?”

“I’m fine,” she said through chattering
teeth.

“Then why are you shaking like that? Are you
cold? Let me get you a blanket.” He left before she could tell him
that she didn’t need one, that she was just feeling so many
emotions she couldn’t keep still. Clay came back and wrapped her in
a blanket. He carried her to the couch and held her.

“I’m fine, really,” she said, even though she
knew then that she wouldn’t mind him holding her forever.

“Then why are you crying?”

Jackie blinked, trying to get the tears to
stop. “I don’t know.”

Clay became concerned. He’d never been with a
woman who’d responded like this. “Are you having regrets?”

She nodded.

He swore.

She laughed at his expression. “I wish I’d
slept with you sooner. I’ve never felt this way. I didn’t even know
it could be this way. Like living on sparkling cider and finally
tasting champagne.” She jumped up. “Let’s do something else.”

“I’m afraid you’ve discovered all that I can
do.”

“We could go for a walk or go to a club or do
a puzzle. Let’s finish your puzzle.”

He glanced at his watch. “It’s late. You
should go home.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t plan to stay the night.
I know about your rules, remember?”

He stood. “I suggest you get dressed.”

Jackie tossed the blanket aside. “Hey, I’ll
finish washing the dishes.”

He picked up the blanket and dropped it over
her head. “Next time.”

She pulled it down. “So there will be a next
time?” Clay went into the kitchen and pulled on his jeans,
pretending not to hear her.

She picked up her bra and fastened it. “Clay,
what does this mean?”

“That you’re officially over Brian.”

She began to dress, suddenly feeling
vulnerable and unsure. She couldn’t imitate his aloof attitude.
“Can I see you again?”

He sighed. “You’re supposed to leave the
questions for the morning.”

“It wouldn’t be anything serious,” she said
quickly. “I know how you feel about relationships. It will just be
casual. And think about it, you didn’t even have to cook me
dinner.”

He shook his head. “Jackie--”

“No one needs to know about us, so my
brothers won’t be a complication, and I know you don’t want to get
married and I don’t want to marry you so there’s no agenda. You
said I was like you and I don’t want commitment, so . . .” Her
voice died at the look on his face.

He glanced at a chair. “Sit down.”

She did, staring up at him with hopeful eyes.
Clay rested his hands on his hips and groaned. Damn those eyes. How
could he be the one to crush the hope in them? And he couldn’t deny
that he still wanted her. That was a surprise. Once was usually
enough. This time he’d only awakened an appetite for a little
sprite with impish eyes. For a while at least he was hooked. His
little mischief maker had enchanted him. What was amazing was that
he’d also seemed to have enchanted her. He’d never had a woman look
at him with a desire that matched his own. But he had to be careful
to temper his feelings. He couldn’t allow any weakness to leave him
vulnerable to her. Clay sat down, trying to find the right words to
say. When nothing came, he took her hand.

She pulled away. “Don’t.”

For a moment he was hurt that his touch
offended her. “Don’t what?”

“Don’t try to coddle me. If you’re going to
tell me this was a one-night stand, then just say so.”

“Because that’s not what you want this to
be?”

She nodded.

Me, neither
. However, he couldn’t make
this what she wanted it to be. “You don’t know me.”

“That’s okay. We’ll get to know each other
more. I like you. We could go to movies, eat out or in—”

He shook his head and smiled ruefully. “You
don’t understand how this works.”

“We’ll have sex, too.”

“I know, but what you’re describing is a
relationship.”

Jackie vehemently shook her head. “No, no. It
doesn’t have to be that formal. We just see each other every once
in a while, casually. I’d like to get to know you better.” It would
be a struggle for her to keep her feelings for him a secret when
they visited Cassie and Drake for Sunday dinner.