Homecoming

by Janet Wellington

  “More?” he offered as she finished her champagne.

  Cory held out her glass. “Just a little.” Warmth coursed through her body, and the ice cold liquid—though it felt good in her parched throat—was adding its own heat to her body. She watched him finish his own glass, set it down, then stand up to take off his jacket. Was he feeling the heat too?

  “It’s only for show,” he said, “but would you like me to turn on the fireplace?”

  “Sure.” Was he stalling? Maybe he was changing his mind. She finished her half-glass of champagne and set the empty glass on the table.

  After hitting a wall switch that produced instant fire, he rejoined her on the couch and she saw the internal flame in his eyes.

  He moved closer and leaned in to kiss her. Closing her eyes, she gave herself to the kiss; his lips brushed hers softly at first, caressing her mouth more than kissing it. She lifted her arms to circle his neck, her fingers linking, and almost simultaneously felt his warm open hands on her back. A shiver of pleasure followed as gooseflesh formed on her arms and legs. They came together fully, with just as much heat as had been between them on the dance floor.

  Jake pulled his lips from hers and studied her face; lips swollen from their burning kiss, eyes smoky with passion. She wanted this as much as he did.

  The thought almost ended him. Slow down. He brought his fingertips to the front of her, running them along the soft flesh of the tops of her breasts, then lay the palm of his hand above her heart to feel its quickening, so in time with his own.

  She reached for the buttons on his shirt and undid them, then put her hands on his chest and reached around to his back, squeezing and kneading his flesh. They came together again, their lips finding each other ravenously; this time when he deepened the kiss a shock wave surged through him.

  He wanted to touch her, feel her skin...he reached behind her to unzip her gown, and she pulled away. She stood up and finished what he’d started. Her dress fell to the ground and she stepped out of it, then waited.

  He was paralyzed at the sight of her. White lace barely covered her full breasts, her skin gleamed above the bra as her chest rose and fell with her ragged breathing. All he could think about was how beautiful she was as he struggled to rein in his passion and regain at least a little control.

  He got up from the couch and shrugged out of his shirt, then stepped in front of her. The creamy skin on her shoulders seemed to shimmer in the firelight and he reached for her, gently pulling her to him so he could feel her skin against his bare chest. So soft...how could her skin be so soft?

  Dropping his hand to her bottom he pulled her up and against his arousal. A soft moan escaped; hers or his, he wasn’t sure. Her dark eyes misted with desire and she kept them wide open, watching him, trusting him.

  Then she bent her own arms behind herself to undo the lacy bra and tug it away from between them.

  He took a sharp breath at the feel of her breasts against him, then dropped his mouth to her neck and traced kisses where he’d fantasized going just hours earlier...the spot behind her ear was sweet and fragrant, as soft as he’d imagined. Then he felt the movement of her hips against him, rubbing him in a dangerous, delicious way.

  “Oh, Jake....”

  His name on her lips fueled his desire and he dropped his head to kiss the tops of her breasts, feeling her tremble. He looked up at her face; her eyes were closed, lips parted and he could just see the tip of her pink tongue between loosely clenched teeth. He resumed his luscious journey, kissing the valley between her breasts, then tracing the kiss with his tongue.

  “So beautiful,” he whispered as he cupped her breasts in his hands. He anchored his own raging need; he intended to take his time with her, bring her enough pleasure to last a lifetime.

  “So soft,” he said as his mouth found her nipple. He softly licked until it puckered, then suckled until he heard her deep moan. Gently he pulled away, then blew softly on the wetness before he pleasured the other breast, pulling the nipple deeply into his mouth.

  “Jake, my knees are about to give way—”

  Before she could finish, he brought his head up and swept her into his arms, walking toward the hall that led to the bedroom. She breathed hot kisses against his neck, then nibbled on his earlobe, sending shivers racing down his spine as he concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. As he walked through the doorway of the bedroom he shouldered a light switch that turned on only the dim wall sconces on either side of the canopied four poster bed. He wanted to see her, watch her.

  The bedclothes had conveniently been turned down by the maid service; he sat on the edge of the bed with her still in his arms, keeping her in his lap, wanting one more kiss before releasing her. When he lifted his mouth from hers, again he checked the emotion in her eyes, only seeing complete surrender. She dropped her legs to the floor and swiftly slipped out of her panties.

  When he stood, her hands rushed to help him undo his belt and zipper. He was fully aroused and when her fingers lightly touched him, his mouth reclaimed her lips. As she returned his kiss he felt her push down the front of his briefs. When she grasped him he moaned low in his throat, then gently took her hand away. Her touch was electric, sending another surge through him that sent him dangerously close to the edge of his control.

  He quickly stepped out of his slacks and slipped off his briefs, socks and shoes, then wrapped his arms around her, easing her with him onto the bed, pulling her on top of him so he could feel the weight of her as he rubbed his hands down her back, to her hips, to her bottom, squeezing the soft flesh, wanting to remember every inch of her. She lifted her torso and gazed at him, her lips parted, her eyes on fire.

  “You’re making me crazy, Jake.”

  “Good. That’s my intention actually.”

  She gave him a tiny sexy smile, then a soft sigh escaped from between her lips.

  “You are so beautiful, Cory. I want to take my time...if that’s all right?” Though the question was rhetorical, he saw her barely perceptible nod.

  She dropped her mouth to his and he continued to move his hands up and down the length of her back, cupping her bottom to prevent her from moving her hips against him, trying his best to slow things down. Her legs intertwined with his and he realized he could no longer feel the separation of their bodies. Warm skin touched warm skin, heat bonding them together.

  He rolled over, pulling her underneath him, bearing his weight on his elbows. Lowering his head he kissed the sweet expanse of her neck, then eased himself off to lie beside her, freeing his hands for more exploration of her silky skin.

  He rested his head on one hand, watching her face as he slid his hand downward to skim either side of her body, following the indentation of her waist, the swell of her hips and her thighs. Finally he moved his hand to palm her rounded stomach. Her womanly curves delighted him as he memorized her shape with his fingertips. His hand returned to her breasts and he cupped the nearest one and leaned to kiss the softness, quickly finding her nipple again.

  He heard her gasp, and as he sucked he felt the wiggle of her hips moving against the mattress. He drew her nipple further into his mouth as he released his hand from her breast to slide it to her trembling abdomen. And as he moved his hand lower he lifted his head from her breast to watch her.

  He palmed her soft curls and began to move his hand in slow circles, pressing lightly as his hand made orbit after orbit. He watched the pink tip of her tongue appear as she moistened her lips and take a quick breath. She held his gaze as his hand circled round and round, and as he felt her wetness he spread his fingers so one could reach and begin to probe her sensitive folds.

  She felt like liquid silk to his touch. “So wet for me,” he whispered.

  Desire flared in her eyes before they fluttered closed as she succumbed to his intimate caress. He could feel her passion rising as he stroked, his fingers getting wetter and wetter; then he shifted so he could rub her with his thumb while he plunged a finger in
side her to feel the internal heat of her desire. She made no sound, but her body moved against him as he stroked her with his thumb, pleasured her, bringing his finger in and out until he felt the beginnings of her release squeezing against him.

  “Open your eyes,” he whispered close to her ear and she obeyed. He wanted to see her; her eyes were moist and wide open, her cheeks flushed. He watched her as he increased the pressure of his thumb stroking her, his finger probing her more deeply. She began panting slightly between parted lips, her chest heaving with her quickened breathing.

  She began moving her hips, welcoming his touch, arching against his hand as he rubbed and probed more quickly, more deeply, in and out until he knew she was so close; her breath came in long, surrendering moans as she squeezed her legs and he felt her pulsating against his finger as he continued probing deeper and deeper, stroking her until she cried out her release, her hips lifting, her body writhing against his hand as she climaxed with waves he could feel as she felt them.

  Her arms flung around his neck to pull his mouth to hers and he moaned as her tongue found his; stroking, searching, kissing him deeply as he slowly withdrew his finger from her, then rubbed her mound tenderly, keeping the connection between them. Passion pounded through his heart, chest, and head.

  Her release had brought him to painful arousal but he waited. Then he felt her hands move from his neck to his back, reaching lower and lower, pulling him to her.

  “I want you inside me.” Her voice was low.

  She moved her hands up to tug at his shoulder.

  “Wait,” he whispered as he rolled away from her and reached one hand to the nightstand. Opening the drawer, his fingers searched for a condom. He tore open the packet and rolled it on.

  “Jake,” she pleaded as her fingers squeezed his shoulder.

  He turned toward her and moved so he was on top of her. “I’m here.” Their bellies touching, he rubbed the length of his arousal against her hot, silky wetness, the heat building within him. He whispered her name, then lost all control and thrust into her liquid fire. He heard his name on her lips as she pulled her mouth away, her eyes finding his, watching him as he pulled himself from her only to thrust again, this time more slowly, more fully.

  Surprise filled her eyes and he too felt the new tremor begin building inside her. He clenched his teeth to curb his own desire, then slowed his thrusting as he pressed against her, rubbing himself against her most sensitive spot; waiting for her, finding her rhythm. Then he saw the flare in her eyes and heard her low moan as she arched against him, her hands clutching him closer; burying her face against his neck.

  As he felt the pulsating waves begin, he reached a hand beneath her bottom to pull her against him as if he could fuse them together forever. He withdrew a little, then thrust so deeply they soared together, the hot tide releasing and hurtling them into the fiery explosion. He felt her scream against his neck and he joined her as they were consumed by the fire of their passion.

  They clutched each other, and he held her tightly until he felt her breathing slow. Then he relaxed their embrace to fall away from her, completely spent.

  “Magic.” Her voice barely a whisper.

  He turned his head to look at her profile as she stared at the top of the canopy with eyes wide open.

  Her lips opened to speak again. “That was pure, unadulterated magic. I had no idea.”

  “Are you saying—”

  “That was my first. Actually, my first and second, I suppose.”

  “You’re kidding—”

  “Hush.” Her voice was firm, but playful. “Mmm...I’m enjoying the afterglow.”

  She’d never had an orgasm in her marriage? The thought hit him like cold water; anger surging close behind at the incredulous idea that her husband had never fully pleasured her. He joined her in staring at the canopy above.

  After a few moments he felt the light touch of her hand on his thigh and he turned to look at her.

  “Jake, that was amazing—you are amazing. Oh...my...God.”

  He smiled as he propped up on one elbow; he ran his gaze over her body. It glistened with perspiration from the heat of their lovemaking; her wavy hair was spread every which way, dark against the white of the pillow. He studied her face; her eyelids were half closed as though she’d just awakened.

  “You should rest,” he whispered as he leaned to kiss her eyelids, forcing them to close. Then he pulled up the sheet to cover them both; she’d feel chilly once her delicious body cooled.

  His plan was to stay awake as long as he could, watching her face, memorizing her eyebrows, her lashes; the way her lower lip pushed out as she slept. He fingered a curl that lay against her shoulder, then brought a handful of her hair to his nose, inhaling her scent, knowing he needed to remember enough to last forever.

  No matter how much cats fight, there always seems to be plenty of kittens.

  Abraham Lincoln

  Chapter 12

  Cory’s eyes fluttered open and she looked at the empty space next to her, reaching out to touch the indentation in the pillow. It was cold.

  She rolled onto her back and stared at the gauzy material that formed the exotic canopy above her. Had it really happened? The pleasant tingle that remained between her thighs confirmed she hadn’t imagined it, or that it had just been one of those incredibly satisfying dreams.

  An amazing experience. There was no other way to describe it. So that’s what making love was supposed to be like. Perhaps sex cooled off after time, but now that she knew the passion that was possible between two people, the bar had definitely been raised. About as high as the Sears Tower.

  God, had she really screamed as loud as she thought she had? She turned her head to look again at the empty space beside her. Had Jake felt anything special? Maybe it had just been a night like so many others for him.

  But for her there was no denying it had been one night of pure enchantment, a night that spoiled her for life.

  With a sigh, she pushed the covers off, used the facilities, then found her overnight bag in the bathroom. She pulled an oversized tee-shirt over her head and walked toward the living room to find him.

  It was well past dawn. Morning light streamed in the windows and she found Jake sitting in front of his laptop, a steaming mug of coffee in one hand.

  “Hey,” he said, keeping his eyes on the screen.

  With no prior experience in the one-night-stand department, she had no clue about etiquette. Should she acknowledge his mastery? Say something about it being nice, but not gush? Offer to make breakfast?

  As she neared him, he looked up and gave her a neutral smile. Nothing special; a business smile.

  “There’s coffee in the kitchen.”

  She nodded and turned away. Okay. Give him some space and wait for clues. She poured herself half a cup of coffee, added as much cream, then returned to stand in the doorway that separated the living room from the kitchen.

  “Everything okay at work?” She assumed he was checking emails.

  His eyes were back on the screen. “Not really. There’s a meeting today that I’d like to crash. Looks like Rod may be setting himself up to try to get his hands on the Stuart account.”

  “So, you want to stay today?”

  Without looking up, he nodded. “I’ve ordered a car that will take you back to Faythe, and I’ll drive back tomorrow or the next day—whenever I can get away.”

  More distance. Was he sorry about last night? “What time will the car be here?”

  “It’s open-ended. I put the number by the phone in the kitchen and you can call thirty minutes before you want them to pick you up.”

  “I think I’ll jump in the shower, unless you—”

  “Already took one. I’m going to get dressed and I’ll probably be gone by the time you’re through.”

  She lifted her chin and said, “I’ll see you back at the house sometime, then.”

  “Right.”

  She took her cup with her and went i
nto the bathroom, glad to be by herself and out of the tension-filled room. She scrubbed her face clean and studied herself in the mirror, trying to decide if she looked different.

  One night. One, glorious, magical night. That was the deal, and she would have to find a way to live with it. He had a life, a boss and job he loved, and absolutely no desire for attachments.

  She narrowed her eyes, glaring at herself. You knew that going in. Her reflection stared back, her eyes welling up.

  To stop herself from thinking it to death, she stripped off the tee-shirt, grabbed her shampoo and conditioner and took a long luxurious shower where her tears could mingle with the hot water.

  ***

  Jake snapped the laptop closed and loaded it into his briefcase, then walked into the bedroom to change. The shower was on, steam drifting through the open door. He leaned his head into the bathroom. She was in the shower; her shape was blurred by the glass block but not enough to prevent his immediate arousal.

  Clenching both fists tight, he ordered his feet to stay put. He easily imagined a second round of lovemaking under the soft spray, utilizing the shower seat, sudsing each other’s bodies until—

  Stop. He closed his eyes, trying to banish the image of her from his mind. More than anything he wanted to touch her again, feel the silky skin of all her curves under his hands, lose his fingers in her soft hair.

  She’d done it again. She’d made him feel different. When he was with her he felt invincible, smart, that anything was possible—especially when they joined forces. But experience reminded him those feelings accompanied the infatuation stage of any relationship. And they weren’t having a relationship, he reminded himself. So, it was done.

  One night. That was it. That was the deal.

  Any more and they were doomed for failure, and he certainly wouldn’t put her through it. He had to be honest with himself and just realize he didn’t have the knack, the skills...or the genes for more.