The Fountain of Infinite Wishes (Dare River Book 5) (33 page)

He hadn’t expected her to get impatient, but he was learning Shelby was always in a hurry. About everything, it seemed.
 

She threw her jacket over her shoulder, looking like a siren in her sexy bra and skirt and heels. Heading to the stairs off the entry, she turned and gave him another look. “Coming, honey?”

Oh, she was going to have him on his knees before they were done. He marched toward her and picked her up in his arms, knowing she’d like a manly display like that. She squealed, piercing his ears, and then relaxed against his chest as he took the steps two at a time.

“I flat out adore your exuberance,” she said, stroking his jaw, making him wish he’d shaved for her.

“You’re about to see how exuberant I can be,” he said in a deep voice. “First bedroom?”

“No, down the hall,” she said, her finger moving on to the stubble on his neck, driving him wild.

He turned into a room painted a light green she’d probably call green fig or something else deliciously feminine. Billowy white curtains framed the large windows. Her bed was one of those mahogany Southern four-poster types, and the posts were hung with transparent fabric reminiscent of mosquito netting. A mound of white pillows in more shapes and sizes than should be legal covered a lavender comforter. Vander balanced her against his body as he swept all the pillows off the bed.

When he met her eyes, she raised a brow.

“Exuberance,” he said with a decided shake of his head, laying her down.

When he moved to cover her, she put her hand on his chest, exerting a gentle pressure. “Hold tight.” She slid off the bed and walked to the door on the opposite side of the large room, what he imagined was a bathroom. When she returned, she was blushing. There were five condom boxes in her hands.

He tried not to laugh. “You weren’t joking about buying all kinds.”

“Exuberance,” she joked, but he knew she was wildly uncomfortable.

Choosing the box of extra-thins, he dug out a trio of them and threw them on the bed. He set the other boxes on the floor and kicked them under the bed.

Her brown eyes were wide, and her face was flushed, but she hopped back on the bed and took a deep breath. He sat on the edge, shrugging out of his jacket and unbuttoning his shirt. She watched his every movement, her gaze flicking up to meet his every once in a while, but she didn’t help him. He didn’t know her well enough yet in this space to decipher if she needed some encouragement or if she simply liked watching. But he planned to find out.

When he was bare-chested, he laid on his side and opened his arms. She came to him in a fluid move, her eyes never leaving his face.
 

“I love you, Shelby,” he said as he tucked her hair behind her ear.

“And I love you,” she said, placing her hand on his heart.

Since this was new for both of them, and she was willing but still a little skittish, he leaned in and kissed her slowly and deeply for a long time. Her fingers slid into his hair, and soon she was pressing closer to his body. He was rock hard and impatient, but determined to take this slowly. He wanted their first time to be memorable. He wanted her to feel cherished.

His fingers traced the delicate lines of her collarbone, the warm rise of her breasts. His mouth followed suit, kissing his way down her neck to the soft flesh he’d been fantasizing about since he’d first seen her. He slid his hands under her back and undid her bra, removing it from her arms and throwing it over his shoulder.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, testing the weight of her breasts, savoring their softness.

Then he tugged on her nipple with his lips, brushing it lightly with his teeth, and she gave a soft moan. He circled it with his tongue until she arched her back, and when she uttered a more urgent sound, he fitted his mouth to her breast, giving it his full and complete attention. From her moans and the straining of her body, he knew she was enjoying it. Soon, he switched to her other breast and gave it the same attention.

When he lifted his head to look into her eyes, she gave him a shy smile. “I rather like that.” He’d touched her before, but never this intimately.

Her hesitation to voice her desire moved something inside him. “Good, because I do too, and I plan to do a heck of a lot more of it.”

She raised a hand and stroked the muscles of his arm. “What do
you
like?” she asked.

His whole body clenched, and he broke out into a sweat. “Put your hands on me and find out.”

Bless her, she did just that, intent on her purpose but still a little shy in her mission. He ran his hand down her bottom when she put her mouth to his chest, giving him soft kisses. As she moved down to his stomach, those warm, open-mouthed kisses threatened to destroy him. Sweet Christ.

“Let’s get the rest of your clothes off,” he said, sliding down and starting with her heels.

They were silver and three-inches, if he were to guess, with a double strap that wrapped around her ankle. He expected they were supposed to accent the silver beads in her pearl necklace, which he planned to leave on for the moment.

“These are sexy,” he said, slowly unwrapping her ankle.

“Why do you think I kept them on?” she asked, a twinkle in her eye.
 

He tossed the first heel off and fitted her foot in his hands, caressing the bones there. She gave a throaty purr.

“Oh, I like that too,” she said. “I’m hoping I like everything.”
 

He remembered what she’d said about her ex—how he’d never made much of an effort to please her—and felt all the more determined to give her pleasure.

“Always tell me how you feel, and I’ll do the same,” he said, sliding his hand up her calf and caressing the back of her knee. “All I ask is you remember you’re with me and keep an open mind.”

She raised up on an elbow. “You’re not into kinky stuff, are you?”

Her serious tone had him biting his tongue to keep from laughing. “Like what?”

“Like whips and chains and paddling,” she said, blushing again. “I don’t think I’d like that. I mean, in some countries, that’s what they do to prisoners. I can’t imagine it feeling good.”

His shoulders started to shake. “You have nothing to worry about. If I need to get out any aggression, I’ll go to the firing range. I don’t do that in bed.”

“Whew! That’s a relief.”

This time he couldn’t help but chuckle. “I wouldn’t pass up playing with a few feathers or silk scarves, but I’m pretty much a skin-on-skin kind of guy. Your softness is all the texture I need.”

“Oh. My. Goodness.”
Her drawl was more pronounced as he tugged her other heel off.

“Best lie back now,” he encouraged, sliding both hands up the backs of her legs. “I’ve got plans for you.”

“Plans?” she asked, her head popping up again to look at him. “Why does that sound so exciting?”

“Because you’re a woman who likes certainty,” he said, kissing the tops of her thighs, sliding her skirt up inch by inch until it rested right above the top of her panties. “Even though you’re curious too. It’s a wonderful combination.”

“I like that,” she responded, wiggling a bit.

He slid his hands under her bottom, and she jerked in his arms. “It’s all right, Shelby. You can trust me.”

“I know,” she said, releasing a harsh breath. “You just hit a spot I’m…not used to anyone touching.”

He made himself focus. His body was urging him to rush, but he wasn’t going to take its cues. Kissing her belly, he bypassed the rucked-up skirt and put his mouth on the pink lace covering her. She jolted under him.

“You might need to kiss me again,” she admitted softly. “I’m thinking too much.”

Yeah, she wasn’t used to being touched. He levered up and caressed her cheek. “I’m glad you told me.”

“You’re not…”

“What?” he asked.

“Upset at me?” she asked, a frown marring her face.
 

“Not a bit,” he said. “We’re just getting started, and I’m good at adjusting my plans.”

He kissed her again and didn’t let up until she grabbed his waist, tugging him closer. She pushed him back, and to his delight, she was breathing as hard as he was. Rolling onto her side, she undid the skirt’s zipper and wiggled out of it and her panties at the same time. She was blushing as she threw them on the floor. When she turned back onto her side, she was everything good and sexy and beautiful in the world.
 

“Better take yours off too,” she said, clearing her throat discreetly. “I won’t stand for being the only one who’s naked.”

His lips were twitching as he undid his belt and pants and slid everything down his legs, including his briefs. She bit her lip, her gaze fastened on his dick.

“You’re…”

“What?”

“Big,” she said, beet red again. “But you have a gorgeous body.”

This time he couldn’t help his smile. He slid next to her, fitting them together, and ran his hand down her back. “We’re going to do just fine,” he said, kissing her shoulder. “Better than fine. Let me show you, love.”

She leaned her head against his chest and softened into him as he caressed her body. His hands slid down her bottom and the backs of her legs. His mouth tugged on her breasts again until she moaned and arched into him. But it was only when he felt the sheen of sweat break out across her skin that he laid his mouth on her core and made her come.

She moaned and shifted under him as he took her higher, using his mouth and fingers in tandem.

“Oh, God,” she called out, her hands digging into his arms as he slid over her body. “Oh, my sweet God.”

Music to his ears. He reached for a condom, fitted one over himself, and then entered her gently. She was still hot and wet, but it was a tight fit, and she made an urgent sound as he inched deeper inside her, her face a delightful flush.

“Relax,” he urged, fighting for control as all that wet heat enveloped him.

“I’m trying,” she shot back, her passion-glazed eyes narrowing.

He leaned forward and took her mouth in a mind-drugging kiss, forcing himself to be completely still inside her so she could adjust to his size. She pushed at him, and he edged back. Her eyes were like starlight and her face was flushed. In that moment, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

“Vander!” she said, her voice impatient.

“What?” he growled, surprised at the edge in it.

“Move!” she ordered, wiggling under him.

“I didn’t think you were ready,” he ground out, thrusting shallowly into her.

She clenched her eyes shut. “I’m not, but I need you to…do
something.
I feel like I’m fixing to come undone here.”

He would have laughed if he hadn’t been out of his mind with desire for her. Instead, he thrust again, going deeper. She gave a throaty moan and grabbed his hips.

“Yes. That.”

He took her cue and increased his pace, setting a delicious rhythm designed to drive them both wild. Soon she was lifting to meet him for every stroke.

“Oh, God, Vander,” she panted out, her hands gripping his hips.

Their eyes met, and he could feel it, the rise of pleasure intensifying inside her. He rose up on his knees, thrusting wildly, and she cried out, coming in a rush. He felt his own pleasure gather at his spine, and then it exploded through his system. He was heaving and groaning as he came, and he felt her hands caressing his back as it went on and on.

When he lowered his head to her chest, he had to use the last of his strength not to crush her. She was as sweaty as he was, and smelled sexier than any expensive perfume.

Even though he was exhausted, he raised his head, needing to see her face. She was gazing at him with so much love his chest filled up with more warmth than he’d ever experienced before for another person.

Then she smiled and said his name, “Vander,” and he knew he’d never be the same.

Chapter 31

Shelby’s mind was rarely quiet. When she was in bed, her head usually filled with thoughts ranging from the numbers on a spreadsheet to the list of groceries she needed to buy at the market.

Vander had wiped
all
thought from her mind. Her body hadn’t stopped pulsing with pleasure for what felt like the last hour, and it felt downright delicious. After making love, all they had done was suck in deep breaths until their hearts calmed and then caress each other, not needing to say a word. Her heart was so full, she thought she was going to burst. She freaking loved this man.

“You were right,” she finally said softly, tracing his sweaty hair with her fingers. What did a woman say to a man after something so cataclysmic? None of her beloved Southern colloquialisms seemed adequate. “We did pretty well.”

He raised his head to look at her and gave her the most charming smile ever. “We did more than well. I can barely raise myself up right now, least of all remember my name.”

“It’s Vander Montgomery,” she told him, tracing his arm. “Just ask me if you forget again.” She planned to make it happen.

His chuckle warmed her heart. She turned on her side to look at him.
Mercy me, he has a beautiful body
. And it was all hers. She wanted to give a sinister laugh, but thought better of it.