Heart on Fire (11 page)

She put the omelets on plates and grabbed a bowl of fresh fruit before taking them to the table. “Juice or milk?”

“You have fruit, so milk.”

Smiling, she poured them both a glass and joined him. “My Aunt Dee is great, she understands. I’m more like her than Mom anyway. So when she told me about the job at the high school, it seemed like the best move, for everyone. I’m hoping with her in another state, we’ll get along better.”

He reached over to squeeze her shoulder. “Sounds like it. Sometimes you have to leave the nest to find your place. I didn’t come into my own until Dad moved to Hawaii. He says it helps his arthritis.” Kyle grinned. “I think it has more to do with enjoying the life of a beach bum.”

She laughed. “That’s all he does? Chill on the beach?”

He shook his head, humor dancing in his eyes. “Nope. Now he runs a barbeque pit with his new wife. Margaret is great, perfect for him.”

She couldn’t help asking. “Do you see him much?”

“Once or twice a year. He comes here most of the time, but I do go there every couple of years. Have you ever been to the islands?”

“No. I haven’t done much traveling.” She stopped there, not wanting to delve too far and give him the wrong impression.

Chapter 10

Pieces of Mila’s puzzle were coming together. He was starting to understand why she had walled herself off. Now, she was letting him in, bit by bit.

She watched him as she pushed her plate away, chewing her lip as one finger brushed back and forth on the table. She met his gaze, desire banked in her beautiful eyes.

“About our boundaries. I’m hesitant, but I trust you. I don’t want to hold you away from me.”

He captured her hand with a shake of his head. “I’m not pushing you, Mila. Never.”

A smile pulled at her lips. “Let me finish.”

Nodding, he took a breath, waiting.

“You were right. I can’t find out if we work if I don’t give us a fair chance.” She blushed and her eyes danced away. “If we wind up there, we do. I’m on birth control, but I still expect you to wear a condom.”

One dark brow arched. “Are you suggesting we do that after coffee?”

“Um…” Her breath caught as she nibbled her bottom lip. “I meant when we get there. Watching you walk out the door when I knew what you wanted was harder than I imagined. I spent the whole night thinking about you, and the way you touched me.”

“You weren’t the only one,” he admitted. Kyle stood, grabbing their dishes to drop them in the sink.

Now was the time to change the subject, before he led with his dick. “Let’s walk down to the café, and when we get back, if we’re both still on the same page, we’ll see what happens.” He took her hand, and pulled her to a stand.

“And if I’d rather get chai later?” She stepped into him. Any sense of protest was lost when she took his mouth in an explosive kiss.

She pulled away, her hungry eyes devouring him. “Come upstairs.”

Need flowed through his veins, but he would give her every opportunity to change her mind because he wasn’t sure he could stop once they started. “Are you sure?” he whispered, not trusting his voice.

She nodded over her shoulder as she ascended. “Very.”

Relief and desire rushed through him. Relief because she wasn’t shutting him out. Desire, well that was obvious. He stalked her up the stairs, and before she could turn around, he caught her waist and pulled her against his body. Sweeping her hair over her shoulder, he nuzzled her neck. Her size and smell reminded him of one crazy night. A total sense of
déjà vu
enveloped him as his hand dipped into her sweats, finding her wet and ready.

“Kyle,” she whispered, as he found her clit, as if he already knew her body. It certainly felt like it. “Oh god,” she gasped as he pressed inside.

So damned tight
.

“When was the last time you were with someone,” he groaned.

“What?” She tried to pull away.

“Calm down, sweetheart, you’re just really tight. I don’t want to hurt you,” he murmured against her ear.

“Couple years,” she moaned, rocking into his hand for more. “I’ll adjust, don’t stop.”

“Oh, I’m not. Not unless you tell me to.” He managed a second finger and her hand tangled in his hair as her back arched. His free hand slid under her shirt to cup her breast.
Perfect fit
.

She wasn’t wearing a bra or underwear, and that revved him up.

“Please tell me that doesn’t scare you off,” she pleaded.

He chuckled, low and deep. “Means I get to take my time to make sure you’re ready.”

“I’m ready, so ready,” she promised, her free hand finding its way between them to stroke his straining length through his jeans.

Mila tried to turn, but he held her in place as he pushed a third finger into her. “Kyle,” she cried, coming, soaking his hand as she bucked against him.

She was so responsive, he wasn’t sure how long he’d last, but he was determined to blow her mind.

* * * *

Kyle short-circuited her wires and fried her brain, as she collapsed against him. It had been a long time since she felt that much pleasure, and that was only his hand, and a few kisses up her neck and ear.

He pulled his hand out of her pants and wrapped the same arm around her so he could suck her juices off his fingers. That made her moan, especially when he hummed his satisfaction.

“Tastes like heaven.” And then he kissed her, holding her in that same position with his hands on her breasts, tugging and rolling her nipples. She squeezed him through his jeans, rubbing urgently.

Yanking her mouth from his, she begged, “I’m ready, I’m ready, I swear.” She wasn’t sure she could stand much longer.

He scooped her up and put her on the bed. Mila wasted no time pulling her clothes off. She was too lost in temptation to think straight at the moment, but she needed his heat against her skin.

He groaned a curse. “I’m going to have to run home, I didn’t even consider this happening now.” His voice was low and rough, obviously needing her as bad as she needed him.

“Wait.” She opened her drawer and pulled out a condom. “Here, I’ve made sure to be prepared, even though I haven’t had a need for these.” Okay, she was blushing again, feeling stupid for having to explain her actions.

He grinned, clearly unconcerned. “I’m glad. I didn’t want to leave.”

In a rush, he pulled the clothes from his sculpted body. Her eyes tangled on him. So familiar, like the best dream come to life—her fantasy.

“Neither did I,” she whimpered.

“I would have had to drag you home to make love to you, because seeing you like this, so beautiful, I can’t wait much longer.”

Swallowing hard, she tried to think of a response. She hadn’t felt so desired in years, but this was different. This wasn’t a night of wild abandon, but the start of something more.

He snapped the condom from her hand and tore the foil.

Oh lord, he was so freaking scrumptious, she wanted to lick every inch, trail her fingers down his happy trail, and wow he was big. Only once had she been with someone so well-endowed. God, why did he have to remind her of that one night with a man she would never know?

“Mila?” his low voice was a velvet purr as he rolled the condom down. She couldn’t look away from his rigid length. “Do you like what you see?”

“Definitely.” Then she remembered her lack of clothes and looked down at herself with a frown. Sure, she was toned, in shape, her tummy flat, her breasts still perky, but she hated the stretch marks, even as pale as they were.

Before she could wrap her arms around her waist, he crawled up her body and held her hands to the bed as he bent to lick over the faint white lines marring her stomach. “Don’t hide yourself, Mila. You’re beautiful, even these.”

“No, they aren’t,” she whispered in protest.

He made her shiver with light kisses and teasing licks. Then he nibbled—even that felt amazing.

“They are. Think of them as your badge of honor. You created a beautiful, intelligent daughter. I have so much respect for you, Mila, and these,” he nipped at her navel and traced one of the lines with his lips, “remind me of how strong you are.”

She squeezed her eyes shut, not daring to believe. The last man she was with actually told her he wouldn’t fuck her with the lights on because they were ugly. Tears filled her eyes, but she tried to fight them back.

“Tell me you believe me.”

“I want to,” she whispered as his hands smoothed over her belly in a feather light touch.

“How do I prove it?” He kissed up her body, and stopped at her chin.

When she opened her eyes, tears rolled down her face. “You are, I’m sorry. I just…” she shook her head and tried to sit up.

He leaned into her, drying her tears with tender kisses. Taking her knees as he spread her wide, he placed his crown at her opening.

“I want to make love to you, Mila. Please.” He was so sincere. Only desire burned in his eyes, and none of the disgust of her last partner. “Please, let me have you.”

Those words split her wide open, and she didn’t know how to stop herself from falling. She nodded, unable to speak.

So slow, he pushed in, giving her time to adjust. Then held himself inside her, panting, “Perfect fit.”

Nodding, she pleaded, “Please, stop torturing me, and move.”

His grin was wicked. “You don’t need to beg.” He started a gentle glide out, and pushed back in. “I want to please you. It’s all I crave.”

“You are, but harder, I need harder.”

“I love a woman who knows what she wants,” he growled as he sped up, but it wasn’t enough. It was good, but it felt like he was being cautious.

She couldn’t take it, and rolled him over to climb on top. She pressed down, letting him fill her and taking him hard.

Sitting up, his arms wound around her as they moved together.

“God, Mila, you feel like heaven.”

Most men, attractive or not, she could ignore. Only one other man made her this crazy.

Why can’t I stop thinking about that damned night?
A perfect stranger she would never see again. A man she only had a few times, before she left that morning, without regrets, knowing he was going home, wherever that was.

She rocked into him. Harder. Faster.

Still, she couldn’t let go of the comparisons likely to drive her crazy. With one hand, she reached down and circled her clit, until she exploded in bliss, but she kept going, riding the pleasure, riding him. Before she could collapse, he flipped her around and entered her from behind.

“Baby, all you had to say was rough. I can do rough without hurting you.” He fisted her hair and pulled her up, tilting her head to the side to kiss her neck as his other hand took her breast, kneading, tugging, tweaking. “Come for me, Mila. I love the way you feel when you come. I’m close, but I need you there first.”

“I can’t,” she panted, “it’s too much.”

He kissed her neck and opened his mouth, swirling his tongue over her skin. And she did come, so hard she screamed her pleasure, and went boneless. He slammed home one last time, and held her there as he groaned long and low, before collapsing beside her on the bed.

Kyle pulled her closer as she buried her face against his chest. Guilt crashed around her as she thought about what they’d done, and about Cherish.

Once his breathing slowed he moved from the bed, leaving her feeling empty.

“I’ll be right back,” he murmured.

She pointed toward the door. “Waste basket, right over there. I’ll get rid of it before Cherish gets home.” Expecting him to leave, she rolled to her side and covered her face.

* * * *

Kyle turned back to see tears falling as she hid behind her hands, her body shaking in silence. Seeing her upset tore at his heart. He couldn’t help wondering what he had done wrong.

Hoping to chase away her worry, he climbed next to her and pulled her into the shelter of his embrace. Stroking her back gently, he murmured, “Talk to me, Mila. What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”

“Overthinking,” she muttered, but melted into him, taking his warmth.

“About what?” He hoped not them. There was no way he was letting her go without a fight. They felt right, more right than anyone else he’d been with.

“You’re not rushing out?”

He nudged her face up until she met his gaze. “No, baby. I’m not going anywhere. What is it?”

“I just… I thought…” She looked away, tears filling her eyes again. “You’re kind of perfect.”

“I’m not,” he promised, “I swear I’m not, but I’m not an asshole.”

“Of course you aren’t.”

He brought her face back until he had her attention, then kissed her softly. “And these,” he trailed his fingers over her stomach, “don’t detract from your appeal. What would make you think that?”

A blush colored her cheeks as she groaned. “Last time I tried a relationship, the guy told me he wouldn’t have sex with the lights on. That my stretch marks were an ugly reminder of my
mistake
.”

Rage flashed through him, as he pulled her tighter. He couldn’t hold the bite out of his tone. “Please tell me you dumped that scumbag.”

A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she nodded. “That was the one and only time he had me. And had he explained his reason for the lights off beforehand, he wouldn’t have gotten that.” She sighed, the fear dying. “I know I shouldn’t let it get to me. I can’t help it though.”

“I’ve got news for you. I have worse scars than a few pale lines. Honestly, these,” he trailed his fingers over her flat tummy and her eyes fluttered shut on a sigh, “are truly sexy. I’m not just saying that, Mila. You have a long, lithe body, and the marks are merely proof you brought life into this world. Something I can’t do on my own.”

Her whole face brightened as her eyes locked on his. “Yes, but you save lives on a regular basis.”

He feathered a kiss over her lips. “I’ll never make you feel like that dick-for-brain did.”

“I don’t think you could. The stupid thing is, I didn’t even care about the marks until he brought them up. I kicked him out, and never looked back, but it still messed with my head.”