FIVE⁕MORE⁕MINUTES

by Williams, Mary J.

  She took Sam's hand, pulling until they fell backward.

  "Snow angels."

  Sam let Lila change the subject. What was he thinking? Not even out of town and he was hinting about coming back? Crazy. Completely unrealistic. She was right not to answer. They were supposed to have some fun, move on. There was no future. Not for him and Lila.

  He flapped his arms and legs, laughing like a kid. Lila did the same. Cooper joined them, alternating between licking one face, then the other. This was what he wanted, Sam reminded himself. Light, easy. No promises. No strings. Not to Cooper. And Lila? He felt that odd clenching around his heart again. Damn it. Especially not to Lila.

  "YOU WERE RIGHT about wearing Cooper out. A little water, some kibble. He's out like a light."

  An afternoon spent frolicking in the snow left their furry companion happy, and ready for a nap. The corner of her apartment was now his. Lila would get a regular bed later, for now a thick blanket did the job. It was as though Cooper knew he was home. He circled once, twice, before curling into a contented ball. His light snoring followed within minutes.

  Lila was too full of anticipation to feel sleepy. Add a few nerves, she decided. Wasn't it only natural? She wanted this; it was going to happen. Sam made her mouth water and her knees weak. He was also much more experienced. She didn't want to be a big, fat disappointment.

  Lila could see it now. As Sam wrote his memoirs, thinking back on his many sexual escapades. The best he ever had? Hard to say. A toss-up between that redhead in Monte Carlo and the blonde in St. Tropez. The worst? Easy. That little brunette in Harper Falls.

  "What are you thinking?"

  Sam stood in front of her, so handsome, so sexy. His dark hair slightly ruffled after removing his knit cap. The sweater he wore, oh boy, could he wear a sweater, was that amazingly soft cashmere again. This time baby blue, almost the exact color of his eyes. Her eyes fell on his smiling mouth, making her thoughts wander. What would he do with those lips? How were they going to feel on her sensitive skin?

  "My thoughts are kind of a jumble. All over the map."

  "Nervous?" He smiled reassuringly.

  "A little."

  "Excited?"

  "You have no idea."

  "I think I do." Sam grazed her mouth with a mere wisp of a kiss. "I feel the same."

  "Excited? I believe that. But nervous? Come on."

  "I want this to be good for you. Better than good." Sam took her in his arms, swaying to a silent tune.

  "There's this little spot, right here." He touched her temple, sliding his finger a little to the left of center. "I want the memory of tonight seared in. You will never forget me, Lila."

  Lila stared into Sam's eyes, mesmerized by his words. Thrilled that he wanted to be a part of her — always. He barely touched her and he already had his wish. She would never forget this night.

  Not letting her go, Sam bent, and picked up his phone. He tapped a few keys, sending a soft, bluesy melody floating into the room. She smiled. Silly man.

  "I don't need romance."

  Sam held her gaze, his eyebrows arching up.

  "I do."

  Sam led Lila into a slow, easy dance. He wasn't lying. He wanted tonight to be different from his usual encounters. Heat, yes. Passion. They were normal. The need for something extra never came into it. Until now. If he ripped the clothes from her body, taking her here with little preamble, it would still be special. Because it was Lila.

  "Sam? Is something wrong?"

  Yes. She was getting to him. In one afternoon. No, that wasn't right. Lila got to him in the first five minutes. Downstairs in that little shop she made him want her — want more. What it all meant, he didn't want to think about. Not tonight.

  "I need to kiss you."

  Lila smiled. Bright. Beautiful.

  "There's nothing wrong with that."

  Standing on tiptoe, she wrapped her arms around his neck, touching her mouth to his. She smiled again when she heard him groan. Her nerves melted and so did she. Luckily, Sam was there to sweep her into his arms.

  "I plan on spending the next few hours getting to know every inch of your delectable body." He kissed her again with breathtaking thoroughness. "Any objections?"

  "Just one. We have on too many clothes."

  "Easiest fix in the world."

  Ten long strides had them by her bed. Sam put her down before taking the hem of her shirt.

  "Lift your arms."

  Lila followed his command. A second later, she stood before him in her favorite red lace bra.

  Sam traced the edge of one cup.

  "That color makes your skin look like rich, silky cream." He leaned down, his tongue touching the area just above his finger. "Mmm. Sweeter." He tasted again. "Smoother."

  Lila swayed. She reached out, frowning when she encountered cloth, not man.

  "Take this off. Now."

  Sam whipped the sweater over his head, bringing her hands to his bare chest. They both sighed with relief. That was better. He reached around to unfasten her bra, blindly tossing it away. He put an arm around her waist, pulling her until they were pressed together. Then he kissed her again.

  It was almost too much. Lila was on sensory overload. Sam's kisses made every other man's attempts seem awkward and immature by comparison. The perfect blend of hard and soft. When his tongue entered, playing a sensuous game of pursue and capture with her own, Lila wondered if she would come from only a kiss. Intense. All consuming. She wanted it to go on forever.

  Sam backed her up, pushing gently when her knees hit the mattress. Before she completely settled, her jeans, panties and socks joined her bra, forming a heap on the floor.

  "There you go."

  He stood back, taking in the view.

  Lila wasn't used to being stared at. Especially when she didn't have a stitch of clothing on. Don't blush, she begged herself. Not now. Not when every inch of her was open, vulnerable. There would be no hiding it.

  As that last thought raced through her mind, Lila felt the telltale heat rush through her cheeks.

  "Turn off the lights," she pleaded.

  Sam smiled, thinking he understood.

  "Are you getting shy on me?"

  "No, I…"

  Damn, the red was spreading like wildfire. Down her face, her neck, the top of her chest. Think, Lila. Say something before he realized what a hick he was dealing with. Sophisticated, experienced women do not develop full body blushes during sex.

  "I don't like looking at naked men."

  Lila wanted to slap her forehead. She wanted sophisticated? That was a huge fail. She sounded like an idiot. Why would any woman with half a brain not want to look at a naked Sam Laughton?

  Sam paused in the middle of unbuttoning his jeans, a puzzled frown on his face.

  "You want the lights out so you don't have to look at my —"

  "Thing."

  Lila's eyes widened in horror. Thing? Cock, damn it. Penis. Dick. She had a grocery list of choices. She picked thing. What was wrong with her? Grabbing the quilt, she pulled it over her body rolling until she was bound tighter than a mummy.

  "Lila, honey, what is going on?"

  "Nothing." Her voice was muffled but easily understood. "You should go, Sam. I've made a mess of this. Sorry."

  Close to tears, Lila waited to hear the sound of Sam's retreating footsteps. Instead, the mattress dipped, his body settling next to hers. No, no, no. Go away. Full blush and tears? She looked like a wet, blotchy, mess. What a turn on.

  "It must be hard to breathe in there."

  "I'm good."

  She heard him chuckle. Now she was a joke? This was getting better and better.

  "Lila." She felt Sam pulling the end of the quilt, gently unrolling her. "Come out and tell me what's wrong."

  As ridiculous as this had become, Lila couldn't bring herself to crawl out of the hole she'd so awkwardly dug. She clutched at the material, hol
ding on for dear life.

  "Why are you still here?"

  "Why would I leave?"

  "Because I'm a mess." Resigned, Lila dropped the cover from her face. "Look at me. Red from head to toe." She hiccupped. "Wet face, runny nose. A real sexpot."

  Deciding this was not the time to laugh, Sam smothered the urge. He gathered the distraught Lila into his arms. Using the end of the quilt, he wiped away her tears then lightly kissed the end of her nose. Sexpot? Not at the moment. Just a woman in need of comforting.

  "Tell me what happened," he smoothed back her hair. "I thought everything was going great. Did I frighten you? Are you really afraid of seeing my thing?"

  "Oh, God." Lila couldn't burrow back under the quilt; so instead, she hid her face in the crook of his neck. "I can't believe I used that word. Penis. I could have said cock or dick."

  "All applicable."

  "I blush."

  "I'm going to need a little more information, honey. You blush. I imagine most people do."

  "Sure. Delicate little flushes. I've seen those women. I hate those women." Deciding she might as well get it over with, Lila threw off the last of her cover, revealing her body.

  "Look."

  "If you insist."

  Normally, Sam's exaggerated leer, the way he wiggled his eyebrows, would make her laugh. Right now, she couldn't summon up even the weakest of smiles.

  "No, Sam. Really look. I'm red. Top to bottom. Like an over-boiled lobster."

  Sam laughed, garnering a horrified look from Lila. When she tried to cover up again, he stopped her.

  "Lila." Sam lifted her chin. "Look at me. Please."

  When she did, Sam could see the hurt and embarrassment. He felt a little squeeze around his heart. Sympathy and something deeper. Oh boy. He might be in trouble.

  "I wasn't laughing at you."

  "Why not? I look like a clown."

  "I hate clowns. Wouldn't be close to one for anything. You, on the other hand. There is no place I would rather be."

  "Right." Lila was not convinced.

  "You gave me an out. Did I take it?"

  "No. But—"

  "I laughed because the idea of me ever finding you anything but hot and sexy is ridiculous."

  Sam ran a finger across the bridge of her nose. He lightly caressed her cheek.

  "I noticed your blush."

  "You'd have to be blind not to," Lila snorted.

  He ignored her.

  "I watched as it tinged the top of your chest," his fingers followed the path of his words. "Moved to your breasts. Spectacular, by the way. I practically salivated to see if it would reach these wonderfully hard tips."

  Without warning, Sam bent to kiss her nipple, his tongue bathing the end with an all too brief taste.

  A moan slipped from Lila's mouth.

  "You covered up before I found out and now the color has receded," Sam said, disappointed. "Did it get this far? Tell me it did."

  "Yes."

  Lila breathed the word, her embarrassment fading faster than her blushes. Sam's touch sent sparks flying through her body. The blood rushed from the surface of her skin, moving like molten lava through her veins. She felt an insistent throb between her legs

  "Mmm." Sam licked his lips. "I'm sorry I missed that."

  "It's splotchy, not sexy."

  "You should let me be the judge of sexy, Lila." Sam's kiss left them both breathless. "Remember, I'm the expert."

  Remember? Lila was close to forgetting her own name. Sam kissed her again, his lips firm, commanding. She let him take charge, lead her into a sensual world she knew existed but thought she would never be allowed to enter. Sam was the key. He threw open the door. No. More like smashed it to bits. With his battering ram.

  Lila giggled. Battering ram. Where had that come from?

  "I like that sound. Want to share?"

  "I thought of another penis euphemism."

  When she told him, Sam laughed so hard he fell back on the mattress, taking Lila with him. He rolled until she was on top, her lovely breasts pressing into his chest. His hands cupped her butt, aligning her just so, and then sat up. Lila's legs automatically circled his hips. The position was perfect.

  "My battering ram can feel your…What should we call it?"

  "Honeypot?"

  "Stop," Sam said, laughing uncontrollably. "All this hilarity is causing friction. It feels amazing. Too amazing. I don't want to embarrass myself all over your stomach."

  "If that really is a possibility."

  "Considering I've been on edge from the moment I met you? Oh, yeah." Sam leaned back. "Now you're blushing again."

  "It's a curse."

  "I can see how it would be annoying," Sam conceded. "It makes me want to kiss every inch of your pinkening skin. Follow the path as it spreads up and down your luscious body. Then follow back as it slowly fades. I'm going to find ways to make you blush just so I can enjoy the journey."

  "Thank you," Lila said softly. She gave Sam the gentlest of kisses.

  "I'm serious."

  "I know." This time her kiss was deeper. "Thank you."

  They stayed that way, looking deep into each other's eyes. Something passed between them in those moments. Deeper than mere attraction. Stronger than lust.

  "I want you. Inside me." Lila whispered the words against his mouth. "Can you reach the table by the bed? In the drawer?"

  Keeping one arm firmly around her waist, Sam blindly searched. His hand hit the drawer handle, and then he rummaged around inside. When his fingers brushed a familiar foil packet, he smiled against her lips.

  "Are you sure this is my size?"

  Lila looked at the package, then swiveled her hips, measuring.

  "I'll admit when I bought those yesterday, I was using a bit of wishful thinking." She moved again, smiling. "I'd say I was right on the money. Lucky me."

  "Size does matter?" Sam asked, expertly rolling on the condom.

  "The user matters," Lila qualified, reaching for him — measuring. "Size is a bonus."

  "How do you know…?" Sam swallowed. Lila's hand was making pre-coital teasing banter more and more difficult. "You seem certain I know what I'm doing."

  "Reputation." Lila breath hissed between her teeth. Sam's magic fingers were probing between her legs. "You have a good one. Rose confirmed."

  Wet, Sam thought with satisfaction. He ran two fingers along her opening. Wet and ready.

  "How would Rose know?"

  "What?" Her brain was turning to mush. "Stop talking, start —"

  Lila almost jumped off the bed, Sam's strong arm around her waist the only thing keeping her mattress-bound. What was he doing? Magic fingers? More like unreal. Beyond talented.

  "Tell me what Rose said."

  "Now?"

  "I could stop."

  "No!" Was he kidding? "Inside me, please. Then I promise. I will tell you whatever you want to know."

  Sounded like a win-win to him. Sam gripped the sides of Lila's hips, lifting her.

  "Take my cock. That's right. You know the rest."

  Sam took a deep, calming breath. It took an eternity for Lila to position him. He couldn't tell if she was deliberately torturing him or just a little inexperienced at the process. The look of deep concentration on her face made him think the latter. Okay, he could do this. Let her take her time.

  His brain searched for the most unpleasant things possible. Anything to keep his mind off her hand on his dick. Let's see. Landfills, curdled milk, Donald Trump. That helped.

  "There," Lila said triumphantly.

  "Perfect, honey. Take me at your own pace. Don't rush. Slow, easy."

  Buoyed by his soft, encouraging tone, Lila used Sam's shoulders to steady herself. The feeling of being in control smoothed out the rest of her nerves. This was what she needed, where she wanted to be. Following his advice, she took him in a bit at a time. Part of her wanted to hurry, get to the good part. Her
body knew this was good. Why rush through something that felt close to heaven? She planned on getting there; first, she wanted to savor the journey.

  "There," Sam sighed with relief. It hadn't been easy; he gritted his teeth the entire time. Lila's look of accomplishment made it worth it.

  "Should I move?"

  Sam lifted both hands, cupping her head. His kiss was thorough, letting her know with his tongue what he would soon be doing with his cock.

  "Soon."

  Sam laughed at her look of frustration. Trust me, he wanted to assure her. I know how you feel. It was tempting to grab her hips, thrust himself up again. To end this. To fill the aching need he knew was shared by them both. For some reason, he wanted it to last as long as possible. It didn't matter that they had all night. He could take her again and again. This was the first time. Four, five, six more times. What he did this time more than any other was how she would remember him. He planned to make it something no other man would ever be able to equal.

  "Tell me about your conversation with Rose."

  "It would serve you right if I refused."

  "Then we both would lose."

  Sam cupped her breasts, sighing with happiness. A soft, firm, perfect handful. He rubbed her nipples with his thumbs, causing her to squirm, lifting slightly, and then coming down again on his rock hard erection.

  "Careful," he warned, taking a nipple into his mouth. He bit causing her to jump with surprise, not pain.

  "Like that?"

  "You know I do."

  "Then tell me what Rose said and I'll do it again."

  Lila growled with frustration. She could tell he was serious. He wanted to talk about Rose while they were… He wanted to talk about Rose.

  "Are you hung up on her?"

  Sam was busy watching his hands on Lila's breasts. The weight, the way her nipple felt on his palms when he ran them over the hard bud. How dark his tanned skin looked next to the milky whiteness of hers.

  "Who? Rose? Why on earth would you think that?"

  "You seem awfully interested in what she had to say about you."

  Sam's hips thrust up, ever so slightly.

  "Don't," Lila moaned. "Not until you answer."

  "Rose is getting an awful lot of play."

  "My thoughts exactly."