Summer Kisses (158 page)

Just this once, she wasn’t going to hold back. She was going to give in to the passion he promised. Live for the moment. Appease the hunger. And die of need if he didn’t take her soon.

She ran her hand over the erection confined beneath the fly of his jeans, eliciting a husky growl low in his throat. His response had her reaching for the button on his fly, freeing it with trembling hands. Their heated gazes met and held as she dragged his zipper downward. Then her questing fingers dipped beneath the waistband of his briefs to close around him.

He closed his eyes with an even deeper groan as his hips jerked forward, thrusting deeper into her grip.

She tightened her hold, running her hand up and down the length of his hardness.

He broke away from the kiss, his breathing ragged. Despite the hunger that filled his dark eyes, he reached down to ease her hand away. “I’m trying my damnedest to go slow with you, but you’re killing me here.”

Trembling with desire, she looked up at him. “Do you suppose we could just skip the slow part this time around?”

She didn’t have to ask twice. He swept her up in his arms and crossed the room, lowering her onto the plush beige and green comforter that covered the queen-sized bed.

He stepped away and walked around to the foot of the bed, his heated gaze never leaving her. “Now for something I’ve been wanting to do to you all night.”

She propped herself up on her elbows, excitement surging through her. “What’s that?”

“Take off your shoes,” he replied with a sexy grin. He ran a hand down the leg of her jeans to the double knot on her tennis shoe, his long fingers deftly untying one and then the other.

“You’ve been waiting all night just to take off my tennis shoes?”

“No, there’s a lot more I’ve been wanting to do. Only I can’t get to the really good stuff until I’ve gotten rid of these.”

“I’m not so sure I trust you with my shoes.”

“Don’t worry. I promise not to hold them hostage.” He slipped the shoes from her feet and dropped them onto the floor at the foot of the bed.

“I’m holding you to that.”

He reached out to place a finger to her lips, silencing her, and said tenderly, “Trust me, your shoes are the last thing on my mind right now.” He let his hand fall away and moved to undo her jeans.

She raised her hips up off the bed to assist him in removing her pants. As he eased them down her legs, his gaze fell on her satin thong, making her blush.

He swallowed hard. “Let me guess. Nanci?”

She nodded.

“I definitely need to thank her,” he said his voice even huskier than before. Tossing her jeans aside, he hooked his fingers around the sliver of thong at her hips and peeled it downward until it joined the rest of her clothes on the floor. “I might even name my firstborn after her,” he added with a grin as he kicked off his shoes.

“Let’s hope your firstborn is a daughter.”

Chuckling, he dug into the back pocket of his jeans for his wallet. Pulling out a small foil wrapped packet, he tossed the wallet onto the nightstand beside him and pushed then his jeans down over his lean hips.

She had to remind herself to breathe as his hands went to the waistband of his briefs, dropping them to the floor atop his jeans. She couldn’t help but stare at his more than impressive erection. One that made her ex’s seem like a Tinker Toy in comparison.

“Any second thoughts?” he asked as he stepped out of the clothes that were pooled around his ankles and moved toward her.

“No way. Just thinking that you’d better hurry. I’ve got this fire that really needs put out.”

Flashing her that sexy, make-a-girl’s-legs-go-weak grin, he joined her. “This must be your lucky day,” he said, his voice husky with desire. “It just so happens I’ve had special training in putting out fires.”

Cole’s hand grazed the inside of her thigh, moving slowly upward to the place she needed his touch the most. “Was that training you had for putting out fires or starting them?” she asked, nearly breathless with want.

“Both.” His fingers eased into her heat, slowly stroking her.

She was certain her entire body was about to burst into flames right there in the middle of his bed. Kelsie curled her fingers deep into the plush comforter beneath her. “Oh, God, Cole...”

“It’s all right, doll. Let it happen.”

It was more than all right. “Yes!” she cried out as release came in a maddening rush. “Cole, please! I need you. Now!”

“Bossy little thing aren’t you,” he said as he settled between her quivering thighs.

Before she could reply, he buried his fingers in her coppery curls and covered her mouth with his as he sank into her welcoming heat.

She wrapped her legs around him, her nails digging into his back as she lost herself in his lovemaking.

Their hot, bare flesh moved together, creating a sweet friction that drove them both to the edge. Release, swift and strong, soon found them both.

Growling out her name, Cole sank into her with one final thrust. He lowered his brow to hers. “That was─”

“Incredible,” she finished for him with a sated sigh.

“More than.” He rolled off her and gathered her up against him, curling his arms around her.

She sighed contentedly. Being with Cole felt right. Like something she’d waited her whole life for. Even if it were only meant to last for just one night.

A few minutes later, Cole slipped from the bed and made his way to the bathroom, leaving her alone with all the thoughts that were whirling about in her head. Had she really just let Cole make love to her? Was she really lying there wanting him to do so again?

She rolled onto her back with a groan just as he stepped back into the bedroom.

Smiling, he slid back into bed beside her, curling his big, warm body around hers. “Kelsie...”

She looked over at him, her gaze meeting his.

He reached up, gently pushing her passion-mussed hair from her face. “There’s something I want you to know.”

She fell silent. Afraid to ask. Afraid to have this perfect moment ruined by news that he was seeing someone else, or, even worse, was married. That was how things went in her life. The good never lasted.

“I’ve never done this before.”

“What?”

“I’ve never brought a woman home with me,” he admitted. “Other places, yes, but never to my bed.”

His unexpected admission took her by surprise. “Why not?”

“It just never felt right,” he said, brushing a light kiss over the tip of her nose. “Until you.”

Her heart lurched.

“Stay with me tonight,” he whispered against her ear.

She closed her eyes. It was the perfect thing to say. Damn him for being so perfect. And damn her for falling for him. Her ‘letting go’ was supposed to be sexual, not emotional. How had her wires gotten so crossed?

“I...I can’t.” She pushed free of his arm and slipped from the bed.

He sat up, the sheet sliding down to his bare waist. “Kelsie?”

Her gaze drifted down his chest to his muscular abs where a tapering trail of dark hair disappeared beneath the bunched up sheet. And beneath that...

She groaned. Another few seconds of ogling him the way she was and she’d be crawling right back into bed with him. She forced herself to turn away, muttering nervously, “I have to go.”

“Now?”

“I appreciate the offer, but I really have to...” her words trailed off as she searched the floor for her clothes, her Victoria’s Secret naughties included. The same ones she’d sworn Cole would never see her in. Maybe it didn’t count if he’d only seen them on her for a moment or two. He probably didn’t even remember what they looked like.

“You might be needing this.”

She turned to find Cole standing there, her fire engine red bra dangling from his fingertips. She snatched it from his hand, adding it to the rest of the clothes she held clutched in front of her. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied, the smooth, husky drawl of his voice drawing her in, making her want again.

The urge to let her gaze drift down that hard, lean and very naked body was overwhelming, knowing exactly what she’d find. And, unlike her ex-husband’s, it wasn’t a Tinker Toy.

Don’t do it.

All it would take to get her back into that bed beside that sexy, lone dimpled grin of his was knowing that he wanted her again. And she wasn’t about to take that chance. Instead, she raised her chin, focusing on the ceiling fan above him. “I should get dressed.”

“Are you all right?”

She lowered her gaze just enough to see the concern on his face. “What?”

“Tell me I didn’t hurt you when we...”

“No,” she said, cutting him off. “You didn’t hurt me.” Unless one counted his having pleasured her until she thought she might die from it. “I just have to go.”

He reached out to run his hands down her arms in a light caress. “This was big for me, too,” he admitted, his tone one of both patience and tenderness. After a moment’s hesitation, he let his hands fall away. “I’ll get dressed.”

“No, don’t,” she blurted out, feeling her perfect night unraveling around her.

He arched a questioning brow. “I’m not so sure it’s a good idea for me to drive you home naked.”

“I don’t need you to drive me home. I can call a cab to come get me.”

He shot her an incredulous look, his smile gone. “I brought you here. I’ll take you home. If you’re sure that’s what you really want.”

What she wanted was to climb back into bed with him as her blanket. She gave a reluctant nod. “I think it would be for the best.”

Best for whom Cole wanted to ask her. She was running
again
. He knew that look. Heard the panic in her voice. “All right,” he said with a sigh and then turned to reach for his briefs. “Look, Kels─”

The bathroom door closed behind her before he could finish what he’d been about to say. Muttering a frustrated curse, he sank down onto the edge of the bed, yanking on his briefs.

He should have known better. If anything was guaranteed to send a woman like Kelsie running, it was asking her to stay the night. She’d already admitted to having a problem with commitment thanks to her ass of an ex.

Although maybe he should be thanking her ex for being an ass and letting her get away. Otherwise, he might never have experienced the mind-blowing, soul-stealing kind of passion he’d just shared with her. Something he’d never felt with any other woman.

He glanced toward the bathroom door as he pulled on his jeans. Okay, so maybe he’d pushed her a little too fast. It hadn’t been intentional. She just had a way of making him want to say the hell with using the brake, full speed ahead.

Pushing off the bed, he walked over to his dresser and grabbed a clean t-shirt from the drawer. He’d shower when he got back from taking her home. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be pushing her; he’d be pulling her. Right into the shower with him.

He tucked in his t-shirt and zipped his jeans. Then he stepped over to the bathroom door and tapped on it lightly. “Uh, Kelsie...”

“Yeah?” Her voice sounded as unsteady as he felt.

“I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be out in the kitchen when you’re ready.”

The door opened and she stepped out, looking incredibly sexy with her mussed curls, flushed cheeks, and thoroughly kissed lips. “I’m ready.”

His first thought was to move toward her, intending to draw her into his arms. Thankfully, he caught himself before actually going through with it. He gave himself a much needed mental head slap. She was ready to go home not back into his bed. She needed space.

“I guess we’d better get going.”

She nodded and followed him out to the kitchen where he grabbed his truck keys from the counter. Opening the door, he motioned for her to go ahead of him. “After you.”

She paused in the doorway, giving him hope that she’d had a change of heart about leaving. Then, with a soft sigh, turned and walked out.

The drive back to her place felt like one of the longest drives he’d ever made. It was also the quietest. Kelsie said very little, keeping her gaze pinned to the passenger window.

He fought the urge to frown. The silence was killing him. What was going on in that pretty little head of hers? Regret? Hell, he hoped not.

Another few blocks and he gave in to the need to know. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” she assured him with a quick glance and a smile, but he wasn’t buying it. People who were fine didn’t twist their purse strap into so many knots it resembled a physical fitness climbing rope.

~~~

Kelsie awoke to the insistent ringing of the phone on her nightstand. She glanced at the alarm clock and then buried her head beneath her pillow, hoping the unwelcome noise would stop.

It didn’t.

With a tired groan brought on by a long restless night, she tossed her pillow aside and reached for the cordless, bringing it to her ear. “Hello?”

“Hi, honey, it’s mother.”

As if anyone else would be calling her at 7:00am the morning after a date. “Hi, Mom.”

“Oh, you’re still in bed?”

“You could say that.”

“Alone?”

“Mom,” she groaned.

“You don’t have to say anything,” her mother whispered into the phone as if Cole might overhear if he were there. “Just a simple yes or no will do. Am I interrupting something?”

Kelsie rolled her eyes. “Yes.”

“Ooh!”

“My sleep,” she tossed out before her mother got too carried away in her excitement.

“What?”

“You’re interrupting my sleep.”

“You mean Cole’s not there?” her mother replied, the disappointment evident in her voice.

“No.”

“Oh, damn. I really thought he might be the one.”

Silence.

“Kelsie?”

“I’m here.”

Her mother gasped.

“What?”

“He is the one. I knew it!”

She pushed a clump of curls from her face. “Mom, please.”

“Don’t Mom me. A mother knows these things. Admit it, honey. You’re falling for this guy.”

There it was again, the sound of the wedding planner wheels starting to turn inside her mother’s head. Kelsie sat up, feeling oddly cornered.