He ran a finger down a particularly large, offensive looking one. “You’ve been through so much, changes to your body and your life, because of me.”
Okay. That was not at all the reaction she’d expected. She studied him back, the strange look on his face. Far from the revulsion she’d expected. More wonder, mixed with concern and was she totally out of her mind to think maybe a bit of caring?
“I wouldn’t change a thing,” Jena said. Meaning it. “I love the girls. I love being a mother.” And she was kind of looking forward to being a wife, cooking for her man, whoever he turned out to be, managing their home and their lives, planning her daughters’ futures.
“I still think you’re beautiful, Jena,” he said, looking up at her, sounding so sincere.
Lying rather convincingly. “Keep talking that blarney and I won’t be able to trust anything that comes out of your mouth.”
“Okay. You’re right,” he said with a dramatic sigh. “They’re hideous. I can’t stand to look at them.” He shielded his eyes.
“Hey.” She slapped his shoulder. “That’s not nice.”
He let out an exaggerated huff of frustration. “I can’t win. I tell you you’re beautiful, you say I’m full of blarney—a word I haven’t heard used in casual conversation since Timmy Oswald and I played pirate back in elementary school, by the way. I tell you you’re hideous and you tell me I’m not nice. And physically assault me.”
“I did not—”
“Is there any pleasing you?” He slid both hands up to her breasts and squeezed her nipples between the V of two fingers while staring down at her sex. He licked his lips and said, “I think I know a way.”
The blood drained from Jena’s upper body, pooling in hot, pulsing need between her legs. “I hope it involves you finally removing your pants.”
He smiled. “Among other things.”
Her teenage fantasy about to play out in real heart-pounding, breath-gasping, pleasure-finding life. Starring Jena and Justin as themselves.
“But first,” he said. “Kiss me, Jena. Then I’m all yours. Tell me what you want. Show me. Ask me. Anything.”
Anything...
* * *
I still think you’re beautiful, Jena. Kiss me, Jena. Justin made it a point to use her name often and planned to keep repeating it. So there’d be no question. No doubt. So she’d know for certain his every word was intended for her alone.
Jena pressed her lips to his in what turned out to be so much more than the lusty, desirous prelude to sex he’d expected. Starting off slow, with gentle touches moving along his lip line, she cupped his cheeks between her soft palms, before taking the kiss deeper. And not in a physical way. But with a fervor he hadn’t expected. Unrestrained affection. A bonding. A sealing of fates and futures.
Yet rather than putting a stop to the surge of intense feelings flowing at him to give her the ‘Don’t make this out to be more than it is’ speech, Justin hugged her close and kissed her back, upping the ferocity. Taking what she offered and giving her more in return. For the first time allowing himself to feel an emotional connection. To the girl who’d watched him from her mansion up on the hill. The woman who’d chosen him as her first and only lover. The mother of his children.
When they finally broke for air Jena said, “I don’t want sex.”
Disappointment threatened to suffocate him.
“I want you to make love to me.”
Can do.
She slowed them down with another soul-searing, yearning-filled, delicately passionate kiss. “Like you would to a woman you really care about. Someone who matters.”
Wait a minute. He went rigid. She mattered.
“If you can’t... I mean don’t want to—” She misunderstood.
“No. It’s just—”
“Don’t ruin the mood.” She kissed him. “It’s okay.” She moved her fingers to the button of his pants and he let her. While he came to terms with the fact he did care about her. For so many reasons. Like their clandestine encounters in high school. The cakes she made for him. The way she cared for Jaci, his daughters, her patients, and him after he’d been injured.
That he cared for her, too, was the only explanation for the level of fear he’d felt at the thought of her alone in that parking lot, not knowing what those thugs planned to do, were doing to her, and the degree of anger he’d experienced when he’d seen a man slip his arm around her neck in a chokehold. Both disturbing, and so much more powerful than a police officer typically felt for a victim or random acquaintance in a similar situation. And then there was the painful ache that’d tightened his insides at the thought of him and his girls having to live life without her...
“You okay?” she asked.
“Yeah.” Considering in the course of the last forty-eight hours his past as he knew it, his present as he lived it, and his future as he’d envisioned it, had all been altered by the woman in his arms.
“Then how about a little help here?” She tugged at the waistband of his pants. “If there’s a way to get these off while I’m sitting on your lap I haven’t been able to figure it out. The way I see it, either you need to clue me in to the disrobing secret or let go of me so I can move around a little.”
That’s when he realized he had his arms clamped around her in a bear hug someone three times her size wouldn’t have been able to escape. “Sorry.” He released her.
“Now that’s more like it.” In a move sexier than the most seasoned seductress had in her arsenal of allure, Jena slid off his lap, taking his pants and briefs with her. He lifted his butt, grabbing his wallet out of his back pocket and placing it on the arm of the sofa.
She came to a stop, kneeling on the floor at his feet, her lovely, naked body between his now bare thighs. In the light of the lamp she looked him over. “You’re the one who’s beautiful,” she said.
At his erection her eyes went wide. Then her tongue made an appearance, glossing her lips and Justin almost lost it. “Not that I wouldn’t love for you to do what you’re thinking.” He reached for his wallet. “But tonight is for you.” Mostly.
She smiled. “I like the sound of that.”
“Baby, you’re going to like what comes next even better.” He took out a condom and held it up. “How about we do this together to make sure it’s in good working order?”
She nodded.
He ripped open the wrapper and handed her the ring of latex.
She took it while admitting, “I’ve never done this before.”
He liked being the one to share her firsts. He also liked the eager interest in her eyes as she stared at his proud member, standing full and tall. For her.
“Like this.” He took her hands and set the condom on the tip. Together they rolled it on. No visible rips or deformities. “Looks good.”
“Yessiree, it does,” she said. “Now can we finally get to the good stuff?”
Oh yeah. He leaned forward and lifted her high enough to get an eyeful of magnificent breasts. “Straddle me.” She did, resting her knees on the sofa beside his hips. He shifted them and, using both hands on her bottom, spread her wide and directed her down until the head of his erection slid ever-so-slightly into the slick heat of her opening. Teasing. Tempting. Torturing.
She moaned. “That feels so good.”
Yes. It. Did. He said a quick prayer to the God of endurance. “This is only the beginning.” He leaned forward and gave her lovely nipples some attention while taking quick, shallow dips inside of her.
“More,” she said, her hands gripping the sides of his head below his stiches, holding him close.
He lowered her while pushing up into her moist heat. Stay in control. Up then out. So damn good. Advancing a bit further each time. Keep it slow. Deeper. Atta girl, take it all. Until fully surrounded. Amazing. “My, God
, you feel good, Jena.” He fought the powerful urge to pound into her, hard and fast, to bring them both to climax. No more talking. No more waiting. Satisfaction. Now.
But that’s not what she wanted. At least it’s not what she’d asked for. “...make love to me. Like you would to a woman you really care about. Someone who matters.” And to do that he’d need to stay in control.
“Hang on,” Justin said, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. And with them still joined together he pushed up off the couch and cradled her butt in his hands. “I’ve got you.”
“Now what?” she asked.
He started to walk.
“Oh.” She wiggled her bottom. “I like this, too.”
And suddenly five years of marriage—to Jena—didn’t seem all that daunting. Hell, neither did ten or twenty. Balancing her on one hand, he flicked on the lamp by the bed.
“You scared of the dark?” she asked. Teasing. “Your electric bill must be astronomical.”
“Ha. Ha.” He lowered them to the bed. “Next time we’ll do it by candlelight, flashlight, or sans light. Your call. But for right now I can’t wait one more minute.” He set her on her back, went up on his elbows and looked into her eyes. “To watch you come. Keep your feet crossed behind my back.” He pulled out and sank deep.
She inhaled and arched her spine as her eyes rolled back in her head.
“You like that.” He did it again.
She nodded. “A lot.”
“Good.” He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her deeply. Pressure began to build. Too soon. He swiveled his hips. She moaned. Good. He fondled her nipple. She turned her head and groaned. Better. “Tell me what you want,” he said.
“This,” she answered rocking to meet his thrusts. “You.”
“I want you, too, Jena.” And not just for tonight. “Only you.”
Her eyes shot open.
He stared into them. “You matter,” he said. “To me.” She tightened her inner muscles and squeezed him so tight he lost focus. And it was his turn to close his eyes and take the pleasure she offered. No. Jena first.
He forced his eyes open to find her smiling. “Kegel exercises.”
“I’m a fan.” He scooted up, made sure each long, deep thrust slid along the epicenter of her arousal, effectively wiping the smile from face, and increased his pace. “You’re beautiful, Jena...smart...sexy.” He took a moment to try to catch his breath. “We’re so good together.” In sync. “I—”
“Justin,” she cried out.
“Come for me.” He reveled in her panting and high-pitched moans.
“Hold me,” she cried, reaching for him.
He dropped down, hugging, kissing, and loving her, finding his satisfaction mere seconds after she did. Then he rolled onto his side, taking her with him, to ride out a sweet new life-changing contented bliss in her arms.
* * *
The next morning Justin woke to a warm, naked Jena curled up against his side, her head on his upper arm, her leg slung over his thigh. He smiled. A cuddler. And for once he didn’t mind. Didn’t think about how he could slip away without waking his lover or what excuse he’d use to get rid of her. Quite the opposite, he spent some time enjoying the feel of her, thinking that making it a regular thing, a permanent thing, wouldn’t be so bad.
He waited for the dread that typically accompanied thoughts of being stuck with one woman on a long term basis, the resentment and defiance that typically accompanied him feeling forced to do something he didn’t want to do, and felt only a happy contentment with the idea of marriage to Jena, with sleeping beside her night after night, living with her and taking care of her and their daughters, his family.
Now all he had to do was convince Jena to marry him.
He glanced at the clock, knowing, good mother that she was, Jena would want to get home before the girls woke up. That gave him about twenty minutes, fifteen to work off his morning arousal and five to bring up the topic of marriage while she was suspended in the afterglow of orgasm.
Carefully, he turned to face her, easing his thigh deeper between her legs, palming her butt, pulling her close which set his growing erection against her belly. He caressed her leg and hip up her side to cup her breast.
She stretched.
“Morning, beautiful,” he whispered.
With her eyes still closed she gave him a sleepy smile and rotated her pelvis. “Three times wasn’t enough?”
The bed. The shower. The kitchen table after their three a.m. refueling.
“I’m afraid not.” It didn’t feel like he’d ever get his fill of her. “What do you say?” He turned to his back pulling her on top of him. “We haven’t done it like this yet.” And she’d sure liked being on top on the couch.
She pushed up on her arms to look at the clock then reached into the bedside drawer where he kept his condoms. Pulling one out she smiled and said, “I think I’d like to try out a quickie.”
Compatibility in the bedroom.
They were off to a good start.
Within seconds she had him sheathed and lined up and was sinking down on top of him. “Lean forward and open your legs wider. Up and down.” He guided her hips. “Take a little at a time. That’s it.”
How could she still be so tight after last night? And having twins?
Jena set her hands on his chest and took him deep. “I like this.”
He liked her honesty, among other things. “Me, too.” He gave up the battle to lie quietly and let her take her pleasure. “Now get moving.” He arched his back and drove into her. “Quickie means quick.”
She rode him hard and fast, rocking, repositioning, experimenting.
Justin shifted beneath her varying the depth and direction of his thrusts until—
“Oh,” she cried out her eyes wide.
Found it.
Holding her steady to maintain their exact position he directed her to, “Lean back and put your hands on my knees.”
She did. And he massaged her G-spot over and over.
“My goodness,” she said. “That’s...”
Yes indeed. He didn’t slow down until Jena cried out, flooding him with her pleasure. Justin bent up his knees to keep her from falling, giving him just enough time to grab her arms and pull her forward, where he held her tightly to his chest as he found his own release.
After a few minutes Jena stirred. “That was...” she started.
Indescribably amazing. “Yeah.”
“So much better than I’d ever thought possible,” she finished.
Providing him with the perfect segue. “I agree.” He twirled a finger in one of her unruly curls. “Us together is so much better than I ever thought possible.” He hugged her. “You’re funny and sweet and caring and beautiful and sexy. And while I doubt I’m the type of guy you ever pictured yourself marrying, I will try my hardest to be a good husband to you and father to our girls. So what do you say? Will you marry me?”
She didn’t respond.
“I’ll get a ring. A nice one,” he said. She just laid there. Limp. Heck, she didn’t even seem to be breathing. “Hey.” He shook her shoulders. Far from the excited “yes” he’d hoped for, she’d gone catatonic.
“Is this about my stupid ‘five years isn’t so long’ comment? Because that came out all wrong.”
Nothing.
Making love to her, making her feel special and cared for hadn’t been enough. Justin felt his recently reconfigured plans for the future slipping out of reach. In a last ditch attempt to convince her he broke into a desperate babble. “I know there are no guarantees but we like each other.” He looked down at the top of her head. “At least I like you. And I think you like me. And we both want what’s best for our daughters. And we’re good in the sack so that’s a start, right?”
And they were back to that. Damn women and their ability to twist around everything a guy said. He answered one way he was a liar, another way he’d prove her point.
“I didn’t think so,” she said, pushing off of him and with an evil squint of her eyes, daring him to try and stop her.
“Give a guy a chance to speak, will you?”
She stopped at the side of the bed. Just sat there staring in the direction of his bedroom door, giving him a view of her back.
“You keep asking me questions I don’t have the answers to,” Justin said, angling his pillows against the headboard. This was a conversation he needed to sit up for. “Do you want me to lie to make you happy? Should I say I will always find you pretty? That I will always love your body no matter what? That from today until the day I die I will never ever find another woman as sexy you?”
She dropped her head to look down at her lap but didn’t say a word.
“I can’t predict the future, Jena. All I can do is be completely honest in telling you I want to marry you. And I give you my solemn vow to try my hardest, to respect you and take care of you and the girls for at least five years so you meet the terms of your trust.”
She stiffened.
He rushed to add, “Does that mean I’m planning to run out and start divorce proceedings the second your fifth check clears? No. Does it mean we’re going to live out our entire lives in wedded bliss? I hope so, but I just don’t know. What newly married couple does?”
“Did you know my mother died of cancer?” Jena asked.
Finally she spoke. Totally off topic but he’d run with it. “No. I thought she died from pneumonia.”
“Secondary to metastatic lung cancer that spread from her breast. I’d been so busy providing her day to day care after the traumatic brain injury, I had no idea the cancer had returned.”
Justin had a vague recollection of Jaci mentioning her mother’s breast cancer in passing maybe back in seventh or eighth grade.
Secrets of a Shy Socialite Page 11
