I’ve been waiting for it all evening too.’
His gaze darkened within the car’s confines and dropped to her tingling lips. ‘Have you now?’
‘Seems like for ever. I have to tell you I can’t wait much longer …’ Feeling bolder than she had in a long, long time, she reached across and rubbed her hand over his crotch. She watched him harden against her fingers and felt its heat reflected in her cheeks as she looked up at him. ‘Obviously you can’t either.’
Humour danced around his mouth as he yanked the car key from the ignition and their gazes locked. ‘And who’s responsible for that?’
Still watching him, she pulled her house key from her purse. ‘Race you to the bedroom.’ She swung open the door and was out of the car like a rabbit. She laughed when she heard Blake swear, kicked off her shoes and kept running, urgency skipping through her veins.
He’d gained ground by the time she’d unlocked the door and pushed inside. Just behind her on the stairs. She screamed when she felt his fingers touch her hair and threw herself onto the bed. ‘I won.’ She let out a slightly inebriated whoop and flopped back onto the quilt.
‘I was at a disadvantage.’ He flicked on the bedside lamp, filling the room with a warm glow.
‘No.’ Out of breath, she stared up at him and bit her lip to stop the smile. ‘You have longer legs.’
She watched him whip off his belt, slide it through his fingers. His eyes turned to smoke, the humour faded, replaced by an intensity she’d never seen before, and a sliver of uncertainty shimmied down her spine.
Her pulse stuttered, but not in a good way. ‘Okay, call it a draw. It’s over.’
‘It’s only just beginning,’ Blake told her, and followed her down.
In a lightning move she wasn’t prepared for, he grasped both her wrists, propelled them above her head as his mouth swooped on hers. The weight of his body pushed her into the mattress, one rock hard thigh pushed her legs apart.
Her heart pounded in her ears. She couldn’t get enough air. She couldn’t breathe.
But the instant she tried to pull her hands free, his hold loosened. ‘Lissa?’
She dragged in a much needed breath. ‘It’s okay. I’m okay.’
Guilt steamed through Blake. What the hell had he been thinking, going at her that way after what she’d told him? He knew she didn’t want to talk about it so, without a word, he leaned down and kissed her. Then he rolled over, bringing her on top of him.
Her hair fell in a curtain, cocooning both of them in its fresh fruity fragrance. He soothed her back with light strokes for a few moments, then kissed her shoulder and said, ‘How about you doing all the work this time?’
‘Me?’ she murmured against his chest.
‘I don’t see anyone else here.’
She lay so still he wondered if he’d got it wrong but then she stirred. A slow sinuous movement that made his toes curl and his stomach muscles spasm as she pressed her lips to his chest and stretched. ‘Hmm. If you insist. But it has to be my way all the way.’
He jerked when she scratched his nipples with the tips of her fingernails. ‘Your way, sweet cheeks. I’m waiting …’
She sat up, her thighs gripping his hips, the hem of her loose-fitting dress sliding up to her waist. Wordlessly, she began undoing his shirt buttons. When she’d finished that task she pushed the fabric aside and smoothed her hands over his chest, her eyes clear now, and focused, and he breathed a sigh—part relief, part pain, but mostly he was just plain hot.
Lissa looked into his eyes and wished she could tell him what he’d done for her with his one simple suggestion that showed he understood. He’d given her her soul back, this man.
This man she loved.
Her heart both swelled and wept. She’d been so stupid. She’d fallen into the trap she’d told herself to steer well clear of. And he’d warned her, hadn’t he? He’d been up front with her from day one. He was a sailor, he had a life and he didn’t want to share it. With her unrealistic romantic fantasies, she only had herself to blame.
So no tears. And above all, no regrets.
‘Jeez, woman, you’re killing me here.’
His edgy demand brought her back to the present, and that was about all she had left. ‘Patience,’ she told him.
He reached for her hem but she batted his hand away. ‘No.’ She did it herself, lifting it up, throwing it to the floor. And, oh, the rush of feminine empowerment as she reached behind her back to unsnap her bra and toss it behind her.
He eyed her bare breasts with barely restrained hunger but she shook her head. ‘No touching. Not yet.’ Then she leaned back and took her weight on her hands and ordered him to, ‘Take off your shirt.’
A difficult task, she conceded, since she was sitting on the tops of his thighs, but he managed to free his arms. He stuck them behind his head and lay back to await further instructions.
What freedom. What joy. What delight to have this man at her mercy beneath her. ‘You know, I used to fantasise about doing this,’ she told him, and watched his eyelashes flicker.
‘I don’t think I needed to know that,’ he murmured, his voice thick.
‘Then I won’t tell you what else I imagined.’ She slanted off him to one side and gestured at his crotch. ‘Now the pants. Then hands back behind your head.’
When the clothing was gone and he’d resumed his semi-relaxed pose, she moved back on top of him. She took him in her hands and slowly slid herself down his length. ‘Ooh, that feels so good …’
She raised herself up, sank again and he thrust his hips to meet her, pushing further inside. Slow and slick and slippery. Watching his face now, she ran her hands through her hair, relishing the moment as they moved together. Glorying in the final rush to fulfilment.
Moments later she slid off to one side and stretched, before flopping an arm over Blake’s chest and cuddling into his side.
‘So … tomorrow’s the big day,’ he said, lifting her hand and rubbing her palm with his thumb.
‘I wish Jared could’ve made it but he’s been held up in Singapore with work. He was supposed to be on vacation.’
Blake brought her fingers to his lips and kissed each of them in turn. ‘Crystal and Ian are coming.’
‘Yes.’
But he knew it was Jared she wanted to see. At least they were talking more and, from what she’d told him, Jared sounded happy with the way the business was shaping up. ‘He’ll be there in spirit.’
‘I know.’
‘You still haven’t told me what charity you’re raising money for.’
‘It’s
