“You enjoyed it.”
It wasn’t a question, but she answered anyway. “Very much.”
“I can’t believe how exciting it was to hear your pleasure,” he said. She purred with contentment and heard his soft laugh in response. “I can picture you stretched out naked over the bed, a look of sweet satisfaction on your face.”
“I hope that means you will give me the same opportunity,” she said.
“Is that what you want now?”
“Most definitely, and I think it’s what you want as well.” She covered herself with a sheet, closed her eyes and pictured him before her. “I want you to imagine my hands working their way down your body, my hair trailing along your skin as I explore the heat of your chest.”
“Oh, yes,” he said on a sigh. His voice sounded deeper, and she allowed it to travel over her body like a soft caress. She had never done anything like this and yet she was confident she could please him as he pleased her.
“I move lower and get to the top of your boxers, where I run my fingers along the edge of the elastic, dipping under every now and then, just to tease. I love feeling your stomach muscles tighten under my hands, knowing your enjoyment is building. To prolong the wonderful agony, I now trace the same area with my tongue, leaving a cool wetness behind.”
“I arch up to get closer to your touch.”
“And I reach under your ass and pull your shorts off, careful of your erection, which I’m excited to see.”
“How is it you’re not here and yet I feel your touch?”
“Tantalizing, isn’t it?”
“Completely,” he said.
“Now, where was I? Oh yes, your cock.” She heard him moan and knew her explicit words were having an effect on him. It was empowering to talk this way. “I tease the muscles of your legs and inner thighs, giving you a taste of your own medicine, as I avoid touching where you most ache to be touched.”
“Lord, I am so hard right now, Jillian.”
“Good, that’s how I want you. I move my hands up until I can cup one hand around your balls, as I slowly trace the length of your cock with my other hand. The heat of you burns against my fingers. I love learning where you’re most sensitive.” She was rewarded with a moan. “I explore the shaft, then the head of your cock, teasing the underside, noticing every intake of break, every skip in your heart beat.”
“You’re driving me mad.”
“Then I must be doing something right.”
“Great, now I can add understatement to your list of talents.”
She laughed. “I’m not going to let you distract me from pleasing you, Miles.”
“Believe me, I have no intention of distracting you. I love what you’re doing.”
“Good, because I am now going to add my mouth.” He groaned this time. The sound excited her. “Close your eyes and imagine the heat of my mouth and tongue working their way around your cock, exploring every inch of you the way my hands did. I swirl my tongue around the head of your cock, then take you deeper into my mouth as my fingers travel to tease your balls.”
“Jesus, Jillian, I want you.”
“I know, lover. Touch yourself, stroke your hands on your cock the way you would have me move. Feel the wetness and heat of my mouth surrounding you, as I take you as deeply as I can. Moaning against you so you feel the vibrations of my pleasure against you.”
“Oh God, I’m getting close.”
“I can feel it. Your cock has gotten bigger, harder in my mouth. Your excitement pleases me so much, I have to touch myself as I continue to suck you. I want you, Miles. I want to taste your pleasure and need.”
“Yes, Lord, yes,” he said. “I have one hand on my cock, the other threaded through your hair, enjoying you close to me. The heat of you is killing me. I’ve never ached like this, needed release more.”
“Then come for me, Miles. Let me show you how much I crave your hunger.”
All she heard were his moans, slowly getting louder. She echoed them in encouragement and delight. “Yes, Miles. God, I want to be with you. I’m touching myself again for you. I want to enjoy what you are.” Experiencing his passion this way was maddening and wonderful. When he started saying her name over and over, she climaxed quickly again as she heard his final shout of delight. It was exquisite torture to experience it at a distance.
They both lay there silently, listening to each other breathe for a few minutes. She imaged the feel of his arms around her, and longed for them.
“God, that was incredible, and not enough,” he said. She knew what he meant, the mixture of pleasure and frustration. The blending of blissful satisfaction and increased need.
“I agree. I think it made me miss you more. Do you have any idea how much I ache for your touch?” she asked.
“If it’s close to how much I need yours, then it’s a good thing you’re not picking me up at the airport. We’d never make it out of the terminal.”
“Does this mean you’re coming home soon?”
“Day after tomorrow. I should be back sometime after seven in the evening.”
She noticed he said back and not home, but she didn’t want to think about that at the moment. “Harlow and I will be waiting for you.”
“I like knowing that. Time for both of us to be getting some sleep.” She yawned involuntarily at the mention of sleep. He laughed. “I’ll take that as confirmation. See you soon, hummingbird. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Good night.”
She broke the connection. He said he loved her. She said it in return. She was never getting to sleep now.
* * * *
She said I love you. He said it in return. He hadn’t said those words to another person in nearly fourteen years and now he was saying them again to the only person he’d felt them for. He lay naked in bed, covered himself with a sheet and thought about the phrase and emotions that went with them.
He knew he meant them. Hell, he was considering asking her to marry him only a few days ago; of course he loved her. Still, it was a shock to hear the words pass between them. It was definitely easier to say for the first time over the phone, not having to see her face. He was glad for the moment that he was alone and able to consider some of the hard truths of his life. Could it be possible no place ever felt like home because she wasn’t there? How ironic would it be, he thought with a small laugh, to know the last place he thought he ever wanted to be was the only place he could be truly happy because it was where she was.
Trying to find an arsonist, which he had yet to do, was easier then navigating and accepting these new changes in his life, but when he was with Jillian, everything made sense. He needed to get back to Glenway as soon as possible.
He was never going to be able to fall asleep now.
Chapter Eleven
Jillian was doing some stretches before a dance class when she saw Tanya’s reflection in the mirror. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I wanted to talk to you,” Tanya said. “To explain.”
“Explain what? That you and Rob are seeing each other? I wish you could have told me sooner, but there’s nothing to be concerned about. It doesn’t bother me in the least if you want to be with him. He and I are through, have been for a long time, and it’s been legal for weeks.”
“You’re officially divorced?”
“You look surprised. There seems to be a lot of miscommunication going on around here. You didn’t tell me you were seeing Rob, and he didn’t tell you that we’re no longer married. Anything else that’s gone unsaid.?”
“Maybe I shouldn’t tell you this, but I feel you deserve to know. Rob and I have been seeing each other for almost two years.”
Jillian let that sink in. All the while she was wondering how to leave her husband, he was already having an affair with Tanya. “Congratulations, now you’ve surprised me.”
“I’m sorry, Jillian.”
Looking at the woman she called friend for the last several years, she said, “No, I
don’t think you are, but it doesn’t matter. You are welcome to him. Clearly you get something from him that I never did.”
Tanya’s expression changed instantly from feigned sympathy to complete frostiness. “He’s not a castoff, Ms. High-and-Mighty Wagner. He’s a good man,” Tanya said, taking a step forward.
Jillian took a step back. She didn’t feel comfortable near the anger apparent in the other woman’s eyes. “That’s not what I meant.”
“You think you’re entitled to whatever you want because your father is rich and controls so many buildings and jobs in this town.”
“I’ve never thought that.”
“Oh please, I can tell. The way you walk around so proud and haughty, and the way people always rush to do things for you. You’d be a skinny little nobody without your father’s name.”
Jillian didn’t know what to say. She never expected this kind of venom from Tanya. It had made her sad over the last few days to realize their friendship was a sham, but she didn’t know that Tanya thought so little of her. Why had she been pretending for so long?
She was saved from having to respond by the arrival of Paula and Harlow. “Hello, Jillian. Tanya. I was in the neighborhood and thought we’d drop by.” Paula must have seen something in Jillian’s eyes, because she asked, “Is everything all right?”
“It’s fine, Paula,” Jillian answered, not taking her eyes off of Tanya. “We were just clearing the air.”
Harlow had come over to Jillian immediately upon entering, and now started to walk around and sniff at Tanya. She returned to Jillian’s side when she was done and gave two loud barks, which echoed in the studio and made Tanya jump.
“I think we’ve said all we need to, Tanya, don’t you?”
“There’s a lot more I’d like to say,” Tanya said quietly, “but I don’t suppose it would change anything. Goodbye, Jillian.”
Jillian said nothing as the woman turned and left.
“I get the impression I interrupted something,” Paula said when they were alone.
“Only Tanya letting me know she and Rob have been having an affair for several years.”
“Holy shit,” Paula said, her hand flying up to cover her mouth. A beat later, both women burst out laughing.
“Thank you, Paula. That was exactly what I needed,” Jillian said as her giggles subsided.
“I knew you were well rid of Rob, but I never would have guessed Tanya was so dishonest. You two have been friendly for years.”
“Apparently it was one-sided, which is upsetting only because I never noticed anything.”
“Well, you’ve had a lot going on in your life, and you do tend to think the best of people.”
“Thanks,” she said, giving the woman a hug. Harlow chose that moment to bark. Jillian squatted down and gave the dog a hug too. “And to you, girl, my sweet protector. You didn’t like her, did you?”
“Didn’t you say Rob is still pursuing you?”
“Yes, he came over two days after the fire destroyed Tanya’s house. He didn’t know I had seen them together.”
“Lord, no wonder that girl isn’t happy. I’m glad your future is much brighter.”
Jillian smiled, thinking about the truth of Paula’s statement. No matter what happened next with Miles, things were only going to be getting better for her.
* * * *
It’s not enough, damn it. Each fire only causes chaos and disturbance for a day or two. Can’t the people in this town see what is happening? Things are being destroyed. Lives and livelihoods are being ruined. I have the power to do that. I choose which buildings are put to the flame and which ones stay whole and untouched. I am not to be ignored. I’m no one’s second choice or second thought, and I will not be eclipsed by anyone any longer.
The last fire was truly beautiful, louder and bigger than all the others. They needed teams from one of the neighboring towns to get it under control. Old houses burn so easily. It smoldered for days. I was thorough.
But I want more. I have to come up with something better, something bigger. Something that will make people notice and talk and pay attention to me the way I deserve. It almost doesn’t matter if they know who’s behind the fires, as long as it’s the most important thing going on in this town. I’ve earned that.
* * * *
By seven o’clock, all that mattered was that Miles was on his way home. Since he had driven himself to the airport, Jillian had nothing to do but wait for his return, and it was driving her insane. He called her as he was boarding and again after he landed and was leaving the airport. Still, it had to be the longest two hours of her life.
She kept herself occupied by getting the bedroom ready for his arrival. It was fun to place and light candles, turn down the covers and take a long hot bath. She had never set a scene for seduction. Smiling, she realized Miles was responsible for a lot of firsts in her life.
There was no doubt or hesitation in her mind any longer. She was completely in love with Miles. No one made her feel the way he did. No one had ever cared for her or supported her the way he did, and if he was willing, she was going to do whatever it took to have a future with him. If that meant leaving Glenway, she would do it, because a place didn’t matter if she wasn’t sharing her life with him. She could find another location to build her business if he wanted to live in Baltimore.
For tonight, however, she was going to focus solely on showing him how much she missed him. There would be time for talking later. She had gone back to the boutique where she had gotten her dinner dress and chosen a black negligee from their lingerie department and had plans for showing him a whole new way she knew how to dance.
When she finally saw the lights from his car pulling into the driveway, she cued the music she was going to use, and struck what she hoped was a seductive pose against the dresser. There were candles lining the stairs, so she knew he’d see she was up to something immediately. Sure enough, moments after the door closed, she heard him climbing the stairs. When he opened the door to the bedroom, he let a long whistle.
“Welcome home, lover.”
“Thank you,” he said, dropping his bag.
She pressed play on her iPod and the sexy sounds of Pink Floyd’s Breathe in the Air filled the room. Slowly she walked up to him and began to dance around him, swaying her hips and touching him lightly, teasing his face, hands, neck, anywhere she could find bare skin. When he reached to touch her, she slipped gracefully away, but continued move seductively, undulating her body, running her hands over her breasts and down to the hem of the negligee, raising it an inch and then dropping it again.
His moan was all the encouragement she needed. Bringing her hands back to the top of the black silk, she used a finger to push one of the thin straps off of her shoulder, then gracefully pulled her arm out of it entirely. Instead of repeating the movement on the other side, she stepped over to the dresser where she turned around and danced in a grinding motion, circling her hips and sticking out her ass. She heard him come to her and he grabbed her from behind, but not so tightly that she couldn’t continue to move, now brushing herself against his cock.
She continued to tease him as she slipped out from under the circle of his arms and made her way toward the center of the room. Standing at the foot of the bed, she removed the second shoulder strap, but arched her back slightly, keeping the material from falling. She placed her hands on her breasts, holding the satin to her, and curled her finger to motion him over.
He was there in two strides and when she lifted her arms to put them around his neck, the tiny outfit fell in a pool at her feet. Completely naked, she pressed herself against him and enjoyed the feel of his clothes against her bare skin along with the touch of his hands on her back.
“Now,” he said huskily. “I have to have you now.”
She pulled away, took a step back, and got onto the bed, moving quickly to the center of the mattress. “Come join me.”
* * * *
He might have had more clothes
on than she did, but he took them off faster, and moments later he was pressed against her, his cock hard against her already wet pussy. “You drive me crazy,” he said as he began to stroke her body.
This was not a night for slow lingering kisses and gentle caresses. He was beyond that. He moved down the bed, pushed her legs open and plunged two fingers immediately inside of her. She bucked against his hand, arching up, wetting him with her excitement. Immediately he added his mouth and sucked at her swollen clitoris. She moaned and ran her hands through his hair. He lapped at her, wanting to touch every part of her, find every sensitive spot and create new ones.
As her climax approached, he stopped and moved away from her. She gave him a puzzled look. “You tortured me. Now it’s my turn.” He reached over the nightstand to take out protection. As he unwrapped it and slid it over his erection, he said, “I need to be inside of you, deeply. I want you on your knees.”
She gave him the most seductive smile he had ever seen from her and rolled over, pulling herself up on all fours and making herself completely available to him. He took a moment to look at the erotic picture she presented, then moved behind her and drove himself completely inside of her, feeling the lips of her pussy against his balls.
“God, yes,” she cried out and pushed back against him. He was concerned whether his abrupt entrance startled her, but her moans were all the encouragement he needed to keep going. The pleasure was more intense in this position and he wondered if he was going to be able to last. When she started to grind herself against him, as she had done when she was dancing, he knew the answer was no.
He reached around her slender hips and as he continued to thrust, he found her clit again and began to swirl his finger over the sensitive bud. She cried out in pleasure, gasping for breath, then begging him not to stop.
That wasn’t an option. As his climax built, he touched her faster. “Come with me, Jillian. Come for me, because I am about to come for you.”
Then there were no words, only the most intense passion he had even known. He roared out his release, as he grasped her hips with his free hand and pulled her as close to him as he could. His orgasm burst from him and as her muscles clenched around his shaft, he knew the pleasure of coming with the woman he loved.
Passionate Heat Page 14
