The Matchmaker’s Match

by Nicole Flockton

Even though she’d agreed to a baby, it wasn’t like she planned to get pregnant straightaway. Talk about complicating a new relationship even further. And yet they had almost been in that position.

  If the pregnancy had been viable, would they be walking the path they were now? Or would the unexpectedness of looming parenthood have strained the silken threads of their friendship?

  She started when a pair of arms slid around her waist and a hard chest pressed up against her back.

  “Are you okay?”

  It dawned on her she was standing in the middle of kitchen. She hadn’t made a move to get Linc the water he wanted. Now she was glad she hadn’t. Having his arms around her warmed her completely, and the desire that had been licking her soul since their kiss on the Riverwalk path ignited and she let it consume her.

  Swiveling to face him, she looped her arms around his neck. The time for thinking was over. She didn’t have to come up with solutions right now. There was plenty of time to talk and work everything out.

  “Yes, I’m okay.” She closed the small gap between them and kissed him.

  Denying her attraction to him was pointless. As unlikely as it was, the desire seemed more real to her than what she’d shared with Mark. They had forged a connection between them that night in a San Diego bar.

  Neither had been looking for anything because they’d both been going on different journeys. Meredith was for sure not looking for a hookup. Yet, among the music, conversation going on around them, and a roomful of strangers, they’d bonded and had found a sense of peace in each other’s arms. Then fate had ensured what they both thought to be a one-night event had the potential to be more.

  Linc’s fingers threaded through her hair, as though he didn’t want to give her a chance to escape. He didn’t have to worry, she wasn’t going anywhere. In his arms, everything settled down in her and the obstacles didn’t seem so insurmountable. Maybe because Linc was allowing her to set the pace.

  And because she was on a totally honest kick with herself, she couldn’t wait to explore his body again. A thrill of excitement sizzled through her.

  She pulled away from him and smiled at the small groan of disappointment she heard. “Come with me,” she whispered and grabbed his hand, leading him out of the kitchen and down to her bedroom.

  The jingle of Buster’s collar followed them down the hall. Well, she was about to disappoint the pup; he was about to spend a night off the bed. He could spend the evening on his doggy cushion in the living room or curled up on the couch.

  Tonight, she wanted to share bed with one man only and that was Lincoln Forrest.

  *

  Linc’s breaths were choppy. He’d hoped the night might end up with them naked, but he wouldn’t have been disappointed if Meredith had led him to the front door.

  Liar.

  Well, okay, his inner thoughts had a point. He would’ve been bummed, but he wasn’t going places where he wasn’t wanted.

  As they stepped over the threshold to her room, he stood and took it all in as Meredith switched on one of the lamps resting on the side table. The comforter covering the bed was pale green, a couple of shades lighter than her eyes. There was a chair and footrest tucked into one corner of the room, giving the person sitting there a view outside. There were a couple closed doors next to each other, and he assumed one led to her closet and the other to a bathroom.

  A photo of her and Isabella sat on top of a chest of drawers, and a book and an e-reader were placed within reach on the side table closest to the two closed doors.

  “Does the room pass muster? I have to apologize that my bedsheets don’t have military corners.”

  He laughed and crooked his finger, pleased when she closed the distance between them. “Can I tell you a secret?”

  “Sure.” Her eyebrows rose, her green eyes sparkled and a small smile played over her lips. Lips he wanted to devour along with other certain parts of her body.

  “Non-military corners turn me on.”

  She threw back her head and laughed. “Is that so. What else turns you on?” she asked, reaching out to flick the first button of his shirt undone.

  Linc placed his hands lightly on her waist. “I’ve found I’ve got a penchant for a woman with wavy brown hair the color of caramel drizzled over vanilla ice cream. And eyes as green as the lush leaves on the ivy growing around the trunk of the largest tree in the Amazon.”

  Her fingers stilled on the next button she was in the process of undoing. When she looked up at him, his fingers gripped her a little tighter. A vulnerability he’d never seen before shone brightly in her eyes, as if she’d blown the shutters wide open and was allowing him to see her.

  The real Meredith Turner.

  “You don’t mean that, do you?” Her uncertainty of the power she had over him humbled him. He didn’t know what had happened to her to make her doubt herself, but he was going to do everything to show her how wonderful she was.

  He closed the small gap between them, trapping her hands against his chest as he framed her face with his own, looking deep into her eyes, letting her see the truth of what he was about to say. “Every single word. You’ve held me captive since that first smile in the crowded bar.”

  Not giving her a chance to respond, he captured her lips with his. He poured everything he was feeling into the kiss. The wonder at being able to hold her. The joy for the future they could have together. And finally, the honor of cherishing her, helping her understand what a beautiful person she was.

  As his lips moved over hers, he trailed his hands down her back, bunching up the fabric of her skirt. Between them, her fingers were working on the buttons of his shirt. Once she’d reached the bottom, he took a step back, not breaking their kiss. He shrugged off his shirt, a shiver of wanton need cascading through him when her hands whispered across his stomach. His dick pressed against the zipper of his jeans, aching to be released.

  Breaking the kiss, his breath sawing in and out, he popped the button of his jeans. Meredith’s fingers were a second faster than his and she tugged on his zipper. Then his pants were off and he stood in front of her in his boxer briefs while she still wore her dress.

  She turned and presented her back to him in a silent message he understood immediately. He drew down the tiny tab and inch by inch, her gleaming skin was exposed to him. Leaning forward, he placed soft kisses on the ridges of her spine until she was able to slip the dress off.

  Beneath it, she had on a matching burgundy bra and panty set. She turned back to him and he clenched his fists to stop himself from pulling her close. A fire lit the depths of her green eyes. Her lips were plump and red from his kisses. When her tongue darted out to run across the seam, his cock practically burst out of his cotton barrier.

  “You are so beautiful,” he said while reaching out to follow the scalloped lace edge of her bra. Her nipples puckered beneath the fabric.

  He needed to taste her. Needed to familiarize himself with all the places that made her sigh and cry out in delight.

  “I’m yours, Linc.”

  He didn’t need to be told twice. He scooped her up in his arms and placed her on the bed. A jingle of a dog collar broke through the sensual cloud surrounding them.

  Over her shoulder, he spied Buster curled up against one of her pillows. The dog must have snuck in while they were busy.

  Buster’s presence didn’t quite kill the moment, but Linc had no desire to make love to Meredith with the dog lying on the bed next to them.

  “Are you okay if I put him out?” he asked.

  “Yes, please.”

  Linc stood and walked around the bed to pick the little dog up. As if he knew he was about to be booted from the room, Buster gave an indignant sigh, but didn’t grumble when Linc placed him on the ground and closed the door firmly, making sure the dog knew that he wasn’t allowed back in.

  “There, we should—” He swallowed the rest of his words. Meredith had removed her bra and panties and now was reclined against her pillows,
a square foil package resting against her belly like a bow on top of a present.

  He smiled when she crooked her finger, repeating his action from earlier, and sent him a come-hither look. He discarded his own briefs and climbed on the bed. He rested on his knees, his cock jutting out in a clear sign of how turned on he was.

  “Are you ready?”

  Anticipation built as her fingers tiptoed down her enticing body until they found the condom packet. “Ready and waiting.”

  She picked it up and tossed it at him. He caught and kept it in his palm. Before him lay the woman he hadn’t been able to forget since seeing her at the rehearsal dinner. No way was he planning to rush tonight. He picked up her leg and kissed her anklebone, his tongue darting out to lick her.

  He continued his way up her slender leg, licking, biting, and kissing as he went. When he reached her inner thigh, he inhaled deeply, her arousal driving him on. He nibbled his way to her silken folds and swiped his tongue up. Meredith jerked at his touch and moaned, the sound music to his ears.

  For the next few minutes he licked and sucked at her feminine core, her moans and cries getting louder and louder until her body arched off the bed and she called out her release.

  His body clamored to be inside her. If he didn’t, it would all be over before he even entered her.

  Linc kissed his way up her belly while he ripped the condom packet open and rolled it on. His tongue swirled around one nipple then the other.

  “God, Linc, as unbelievable as it is, I need you inside me. Now.”

  She rotated her hips and brushed up against his cock. He couldn’t stop his own groan from joining hers.

  Raising up on his elbows, he aligned their bodies so he rested against her entrance. Meredith’s hair was splayed out across the pillow, one tendril sweeping across her forehead, covering her closed eye. With a gentle touch, he brushed it away. Her eyelids swept up and, once he was sure her attention was on him, he began the slow slide inside of her.

  This wasn’t the first time they’d been together, but it felt like it. Tremors of need rippled through him as he sank fully in her.

  “Oh, yes, Linc. You feel so good.”

  Her inner muscles clenched around his hard length and he closed his eyes, reveling in being connected to her in the most basic of human ways.

  “Not as good as you feel, Tink.”

  He lowered his head and captured her lips as he began to move, pulling out until only his tip remained inside her before plunging deep again. He wanted to go slow, but it was impossible. He’d wanted to have her in his arms for weeks. Now that he had her, he never wanted to let her go.

  Meredith’s fingers clutched his ass, encouraging him to increase the pace. She wrenched her lips from his before clamping onto his neck, sucking hard at it. She was marking him and he didn’t care.

  The base of his spine tingled and he was about to reach his own climax. Adjusting his position, he angled himself so he could reach between their bodies. Her hand met his and he let her take the lead as together, they rubbed her sensitive spot while he continued to piston in and out of her.

  It didn’t take long before Meredith pulled her hand away, grabbed at his shoulder, and called out his name as another orgasm consumed her.

  With two more thrusts, he joined her with his own release jerking into the condom.

  “God, Linc. I-I—”

  Linc brushed his lips across her forehead and, clasping her close, twisted so they both lay on their sides. “I know. I know.”

  Meredith sighed and burrowed into him. He tightened his hold on her. “Sleep now. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Keeping one arm around her, he reached down and pulled the covers up and over them. He would deal with the condom later, for the moment he wanted to enjoy holding Meredith.

  He kissed the top of her head before closing his eyes.

  Chapter Fourteen

  A scratching at her bedroom door pulled Meredith from her deep sleep. Slowly she became aware of the arm draped over her stomach and the warm body beside her.

  Linc.

  She sighed and snuggled a little closer. Even in sleep, Linc tightened his hold on her, as if he never wanted to let her go.

  The scratching sounded again.

  Buster.

  Reluctantly, she pulled away from Linc’s warmth and slid out of bed. He mumbled in his sleep before rolling over and settling down again. Reaching down, she picked up Linc’s shirt, shrugged into it, and did up a couple of the buttons.

  When she opened the door, Buster hopped up and down on his back legs before turning in excited circles.

  “Hey, buddy, I’m sorry I kicked you out, but let’s go potty and then maybe you can come back and join us.”

  His head cocked to the right before he turned and trotted down the hallway toward the kitchen. A glance at the oven clock revealed it was only four in the morning. Normally Buster didn’t wake until she got up at six. Clearly, he was punishing her because he’d been shut out of her bedroom all night.

  She let Buster out and used the bathroom herself. Hopefully, he would be quick. She wanted to get back to bed. Back to Linc.

  She peered out the sliding door, but couldn’t see Buster anywhere. But this was normal, he always took his time when doing his business.

  “Hey, is everything okay?”

  Meredith turned to find Linc leaning against the refrigerator. “Ah, yeah, just waiting for the dog.”

  Linc had pulled on his black briefs and nothing else. Her mouth watered when she spied his well-defined chest. She’d spent time exploring that expanse of skin after they’d both woken from a short nap.

  She walked over to him, flicking open one of the two buttons she’d done up on the shirt “Did me getting out of bed disturb you?” she asked and brushed her body against him.

  His erection pressed against her belly and a rush of warmth swept through her. His arm looped around her and she raised her head for his kiss. His lips were warm and she recalled how wicked they could truly be.

  Her fingers grasped the waistband of his briefs and tugged them out then down. Linc’s fingers deftly undid the remaining button and she ripped the shirt off, tossing it on the ground. Her body was on fire for him and she didn’t think she could wait. It certainly felt like Linc couldn’t wait either with the way his fingers dug into the tender flesh of her ass, hoisting her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

  “You don’t happen to have a condom, do you?” He peppered the words against her neck.

  Meredith groaned and lowered her legs, the intensity of the moment flickering to a comfortable glow instead of a raging inferno. “Sadly, no.”

  “And, while we discussed babies, now is not the time to make that decision.”

  God, she wanted to tell him that it didn’t matter and they could pick up where they’d left off, but he was right, getting pregnant now wouldn’t be ideal.

  She lightly punched him on the chest. “Stop being so sensible.”

  Linc pulled her close again and ground his hips. “We can take it back to the bedroom. I happen to know there are more condoms there.”

  Buster barked and Meredith turned to see his little black and brown face peering through the glass. She looked back at Linc and pecked him on the cheek. “Let me get Buster and then I’ll see you in the bedroom.”

  Linc winked. “I don’t need to be told twice.”

  Meredith admired the view as he walked away, noting the faint red marks on his ass from where she’d grabbed him.

  Buster barked again.

  She picked up the shirt she’d discarded, popped it back on and opened the door. “Your timing could be better, puppy.” Buster gave her a doggy smile, no doubt well aware of exactly what he’d done.

  Scooping him up, she gave him a quick cuddle before putting him back down. “You stay here,” she commanded, knowing he was going to ignore her, but all she wanted was to get back to Linc.

  This time with him was different than their other
night. Then, it was only a one-off thing and she’d snuck out before he woke up. Today, if they wanted, they could spend the day in bed, exploring each other.

  Now that was something she could get on board with.

  Hurrying down the hallway, she shucked Linc’s shirt, the fabric floated the ground as she entered her room.

  She looked up and burst out laughing. Linc was mimicking her pose from earlier, the condom on his belly. He was more than ready for her.

  Her body heated at the thought of him filling her again. His arms holding her tight as she orgasmed. The desire that had been tempered with Buster’s interruption erupted through her and she stalked over to the bed.

  “Hey there,” Linc said.

  “Hey, yourself.” She swirled a pattern on his chest, enjoying the feel of his muscles. “You know what?”

  “What?”

  Meredith brushed her lips against his, pulling away before he could deepen it. “I think I might take a shower.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Uh huh.”

  As she expected, and hoped, he hooked an arm around her and pulled her so she lay across him. “I like the idea of a shower, but later.”

  He didn’t give her a chance to respond as his lips captured hers and he rolled them over. Meredith wrapped her arms around his shoulders, holding him tight. Her body was primed and ready for his first thrust.

  She wrenched her lips away and arched into him, crushing her breasts against his chest. Never before had making love with someone had been so amazing. Her body came alive under his touch and she surrendered to him.

  Why fight what she craved?

  Linc increased his pace and Meredith could tell her orgasm would be on her quicker than a bullet train. She squeezed her inner muscles around his long length and he shuddered. Two strokes later, she shattered against him and Linc collapsed on her, crying out his own release.

  A sense of peace filled her and she never wanted to let it go.

  The next time she woke, Linc was curved around her and Buster was curled up in ball against her belly. In that moment, her life seemed perfect in a way that it had never before.