His eyes were waiting.
To break the tension, she asked, “Has anything new happened with your career change?”
It worked, because his expression changed immediately. “Yes, but nothing good. Turns out Rick thought I was joking about the favor I asked of him. Basically, he dismissed me.”
She frowned, sympathetic to the betrayal she sensed he felt. “I’m sorry that happened.”
He shrugged. “It’s no big deal. I’m going to put out some feelers elsewhere, see what I can come up with. Thankfully he’s not the only person I know in Hollywood.”
She returned to the stove, using a wooden spoon to stir the sauce. “You’ve got a good attitude about it. I’m sure things are going to work out eventually.”
“What about you?” He shifted a bit, raising his legs up to rest his feet on the window seat’s cushion. “How are things going with the developer’s deal?”
The relative quiet of the space allowed her to hear him clearly. “We haven’t made any official moves at the office yet.” She lowered the burner temperature to keep the sauce from scorching. “But I did try talking to my parents the other night.”
“And?”
She shook her head. “No luck there. Dad took Savion’s side, per usual. And my mom is just too through with this kind of thing. She’s vowed to keep her opinion on the matter to herself.”
“Looks like we both struck out, huh?” He chuckled.
She shrugged. “Well, at least we live to fight another day. I don’t intend to give up on my goals. Do you?”
His expression conveying his determination, he shook his head. “No way.”
“Good.” The pasta water bubbled up then, the foam threatening to spill over the rim of the pot. Slipping her hand into the oven mitt, she turned off the burner. Waiting a few seconds for the water to still, she then hauled the pot to the colander waiting in the sink and drained the contents.
As she worked on putting the pasta dish together, she could feel his eyes on her. Holding her awareness of him at bay for a moment, she scooped some of the sauce into a small bowl. Taking a spoon from the silverware drawer, she made her way to the window seat. There, she dipped the spoon into the sauce. “Want a taste?”
His brow hitched, as if he read the double meaning in her statement. “Yes. I definitely do.”
She brought the spoonful of chunky red sauce to his lips.
He opened his mouth and tasted the sauce.
As she drew the spoon away, she asked, “How is it?”
“Delicious.” His gaze met hers. “Almost as appealing as the chef.”
Heat rushed into her cheeks. “Devon.”
He grazed his knuckle over her cheek. “I meant exactly what I said.” Then he snaked his right arm around her waist, drawing her close until she stood between his parted legs.
That damn tingling returned, buzzing through her body as the pace of her heartbeat increased. “I... I thought you didn’t want to take shortcuts?” It seemed like the right thing to say, to remind him of what he’d said before.
“This isn’t a shortcut. It’s a natural progression.” He nuzzled her neck.
She sighed, losing her grip on the spoon. It fell to the floor, and she couldn’t muster an iota of concern.
He placed humid kisses against her throat, her collarbone and the shell of her ear. “If you want me to stop, Hadley, just say so.”
She shivered. “Don’t stop.”
He lifted his head, looked into her eyes. “You’re sure this is what you want?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Then you’d better make sure the stove is turned off.”
Once she’d done that, she returned to the window seat and climbed up.
* * *
Devon swept Hadley onto his lap as she scooted up on the window seat with him. Between them, his hardness pressed against her hip, making his longing for her clear. She settled in, a brief flicker of surprise passing over her face. Yet she gave no indication of being put off by his involuntary physical reaction to her.
Cradling her in his arms, he pushed a wayward curl out of the way with his fingertips. She trembled, and he wondered if she felt nervous now that the desire that had been bubbling between them had finally boiled over.
“Are you nervous?” He watched her face to gauge her reaction to the question.
She shook her head. “No. I feel safe with you.”
Hearing that, he smiled. “Good. Because I would never hurt you.” He slid his hands up to her shoulders, beginning to knead the tight muscles gently. He could feel the tension melting away beneath his touch as her back slumped against his chest.
She sighed. “That feels so good.”
“Trust me. It gets better.” He placed a soft kiss against the graceful line of her collarbone.
She hummed low in her throat.
He lifted his eyes to hers.
She swiveled to the side, her hands coming up to cup his jaw.
Moments later, his lips crushed against hers. Their bodies became a tangled mass as they embraced each other, his arms around her waist and her arms thrown around his neck. She opened to him right away, and his tongue explored the sweet, warm cavern of her mouth. She continued making the low humming sound, an indication of her enjoyment, against his lips.
When the kiss finally ended, their gazes met in the dim light. Only the light over the stove remained on, as full darkness had fallen outside. Yet even in the soft glow coming from the other room, he felt sure he read the wanting in her sparkling eyes.
What he saw didn’t matter, not until she said yes. So, putting aside his own needs, he sought to draw out her true feelings.
He stroked her jaw, feeling the satin texture of her skin beneath his fingertips. “I didn’t plan for this to happen so soon, Hadley.”
She dropped her gaze. “Neither did I.”
With crooked fingers, he tilted her chin so he could look into her beautiful eyes again. “I would never pressure you. But if you’ll let me, I want to make love to you tonight.”
She ran her index finger down the center of his chest. “Yes, Devon. Yes.”
Needing no further encouragement, he stood. Once he was on his feet, he reached for her hand and tugged her up. Leading her by the hand, he walked through the living room, down the short hallway and into his bedroom.
Standing by the foot of the bed, he drew her into his arms. He didn’t know how much experience she had with this, and in a way, it didn’t matter. It was their first time together, and he fully intended to take things slow and give her all the pleasure she could stand.
Raking his hands through her loose curls, he kissed her lips again. Then he moved to her neck and the upper part of her chest, revealed by the V of her red top. She smelled of citrus and flowers, and he found the fragrance as soft and intoxicating as the woman wearing it.
He stepped back for a moment to peel off his T-shirt and toss it aside. As he drew her back into his arms, she stroked her hands over his bare chest, fueling the fire already burning inside.
He kissed her again then, and the next few moments blurred into one another as he kissed and caressed her out of her top and the camisole she’d worn underneath.
With his arms still around her, he eased them both back toward the bed. Sitting down, he positioned her between his parted legs. He moved his hands to the side zipper on the waist of her long skirt. “Can I?”
With a wicked smile, she nodded.
He eased the zipper down, and she stepped out of the skirt. In nothing but a black lace bra and panties, she looked like an absolute goddess. The sight fired his blood even more.
He leaned forward, kissed the tops of her breasts where they rose above the bra. Her sighs were like music to his ears as he began to slip her out of the u
ndergarments. As he undressed her, he kissed each new inch of bared skin. Her soft moans rose in the silence, and by the time she kicked her panties aside, her legs were shaking.
“Lie down,” he instructed her quietly.
She did as he asked, and he stood to strip away his jeans and boxers.
Her gaze swept over his body, lingering on the hard evidence of his need. When she looked there, her lips tilted into a sensual smile. “Aren’t you going to join me?”
“Soon.” While he appreciated the invitation, his first mission was her ecstasy. With that in mind, he dropped to his knees at the end of the bed. His hands guided her hips to the edge of the mattress, and he nudged her thighs apart with his chin. She gasped as he placed a kiss on the inside of each thigh.
He lingered over her most intimate place then, bestowing her with the joy she deserved. Soft kisses gave way to lingering licks and impassioned sucks. With each gesture, her body arched, and her cries filled the bedroom. And as he gave her one slow, thorough lick, she shouted his name.
While she lay trembling on the bed, he stood. He gently readjusted her, moving her up toward the center of the bed. When she was properly positioned, he eased away to retrieve a condom. Sheathing himself with protection, he returned and moved on top of her, aligning his body with hers.
Before he could do anything else, she snaked her arms around his waist and pulled. Her action effectively brought their bodies together, and she purred as his hardness slipped inside her.
He had little time to settle into her insane tightness before instinct took over. He rocked his hips, stroking her with abandon. She met each stroke with one of her own, her hips rising off the bed.
They moved together as if their bodies had been made for oneness. He shifted, sliding his open palms down her sides and then beneath her. Filling his hands with her ample backside, he lifted her, angling her more to his liking. She squeaked out his name between fast, panting breaths. Then she lifted her legs and locked them around his waist. The new position allowed him to achieve deeper penetration, and he groaned with delight.
He watched her eyes close, then pop open again as the building sensations got the better of her. He struggled to keep a hold on his own pleasure, but as he watched her head drop back, he knew what was coming. She screamed, her body overtaken by waves of trembling as an orgasm carried her off.
And as he watched her climb to the highest heights, he followed her, growling as his own release propelled him heavenward.
Chapter 11
Hadley opened her eyes to darkness and to the distinct feeling of not being in her own bed. As she blinked, letting her bleary eyes adjust to the low light, her mind began to awaken. She became aware of the strong arm tossed over her waist and the hard, naked body pressed against her back.
It didn’t take long for realization to hit. The erotic memories of Devon’s loving flooded her mind, bringing a smile to her face and a tingling warmth to the place between her thighs.
She shifted slowly, trying not to wake him. He groaned in his sleep, tightening his arm around her waist. The action caused her body to press closer to his, something she hadn’t thought possible a few moments ago.
She felt his manhood awakening and stretching against her hip, and wondered why she’d wanted to get up in the first place.
She felt the movement as he tilted his head, then she felt his warm, soft lips lacing kisses along the side of her neck.
“Were you going somewhere?” His deep voice, thick with sleep and unmasked desire, reverberated in the silence.
“No.” Why would she, when getting up now would mean denying herself another taste of his delectable lovemaking? She wanted this, wanted to let her body’s cravings guide her actions instead of following the rule of logic.
So, as his kisses lingered, traveling lower, she gave herself over to the bliss. When he rolled her over a few moments later, she fed on his kiss greedily, wanting everything he had to give.
Their tangled limbs were wrapped in the bedsheets, but she adjusted accordingly until she was atop him. Straddling his strong hips, she made sure there was nothing between them.
Desire pushed her on, urging her to sink and take him in, but his hand on her belly stayed her. “The condom.” His whispered reminder made her stop and move aside so he could retrieve the protection. When he returned to the bed with it, she took it from his hand. Encouraging him to lie on his back again, she knelt next to him and rolled the condom on.
The moment he was covered, she climbed into the saddle again. And this time, she didn’t waste a moment lowering herself onto him. As she settled in, her inner thighs flush with his pelvis, she remained still for a moment. She savored the feel of him stretching her, filling her so gloriously. Then she began to move her hips, enslaved by the enticing sensations.
She leaned forward, bringing her upper body over his. He growled, his hands reaching up to cup her breasts. When he began to thumb her nipples, she answered with a purr of her own.
He continued to caress her fevered skin as she quickened her pace. She moved as fast as her desire demanded, until the rising ecstasy became too much. The glow of completion started where their bodies connected, radiating out through her belly and into all her limbs until it touched the very tips of her fingers and toes. And when she exploded, shouting her orgasmic joy into the steady strength of his muscled shoulder, he followed her a short time later.
Breathless and trembling, she lay against his chest in the aftermath. A sheen of sweat was the only thing between them, and that was just the way she liked it.
He slipped his arms around her, nuzzling her neck. “You’re amazing.”
She smiled, even though she knew he couldn’t see her face. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
A snort of laughter met that remark. “Oh, so I guess you’re gonna act like you weren’t just screaming my name.”
She blushed. “No, I’m not. Ain’t no denying that.” She’d never had a lover like him, someone who seemed almost obsessed with her pleasure. No man had ever made it so clear to her that he valued her sexual fulfillment over his own. The feeling she got from that was unlike anything she’d ever felt before.
Maybe things would change between them one day. Maybe he’d become as selfish as the other guys she’d been involved with. Whatever the case, she’d never forget the care he’d shown for her tonight, or the way he’d pushed her to the absolute limits of passion.
Emotions were running high—she could feel it. Lying against him like this felt so good and so right, it almost frightened her. What did it mean to be so wrapped up in a man, especially one who had an entire life waiting for him three thousand miles away? One night with him had already changed her world, altering her in a way she didn’t think could be undone. What if he decided she wasn’t enough, that she wasn’t a suitable replacement for the glitz and glamour of life in Los Angeles? What if he chose his thousands of adoring fans over her?
She wanted to ask him these things, but she couldn’t work up the nerve. Besides, parts of her were afraid of what his answer might be.
So she set the questions aside for now, choosing instead to focus on the happiness she felt in the moment. She’d finally made love to Devon after years of barely contained attraction, and that warranted celebration. Best of all, his loving had been better than any fantasy she’d ever conjured up, and well worth the wait.
She wanted to say something, to tell him how wonderful a lover he’d been. But before she could get the words out, she heard his snores ruffling the silence.
With a sigh, she closed her eyes and let sleep claim her, as well.
* * *
Devon could have lain in bed forever with Hadley asleep in his arms. But morning eventually came, as it always did. And when the sun rose into the steel-blue sky, his eyes opened to the new day—and the new reality of the r
apid progression of their relationship.
They’d shifted positions during the wee hours, and she now lay next to him, with her side resting atop his outstretched arm. Her wild curls lay spread across his pillow, highlighted by the golden rays of sunlight streaming through between the slats of the bedroom’s vertical blinds.
He could feel the smile tilting his lips. There she lay, asleep and unadorned, and she was likely the most beautiful thing he’d ever laid eyes on. Fueled by his rising admiration, he leaned over and placed a gentle kiss against the warmth of her cheek.
She smiled first, then slowly opened her eyes. “Good morning.”
“Morning.” He pushed a few curls away from her face. “Sleep well?”
“The sleep I got was good, yes.” She looked at him pointedly.
“I’m not sorry for keeping you up.”
“And you shouldn’t be. I’m not sorry about it.” She lifted her face, puckering her lips.
Seeing no reason to deny her request, he kissed her, slow and sweet. When he broke the seal of their lips, he said, “I’m guessing it’s pasta Bolognese for breakfast?”
She laughed, nodded. “Yes. I’m not about to cook again, or let my made-from-scratch Italian feast go to waste.”
He crawled out of bed then, extending his hand to her once he was on his feet. “Fair enough. But first, a shower.” He didn’t bother to hide the wicked glint in his eyes. She went along despite it...or maybe because of it.
He told himself they would simply shower and get out, because he didn’t want to hold her captive all day. But as he stood beneath the stream of hot water, her lush, soapy nakedness so close to him, the idea of simply showering went out the window like a bird escaping its cage.
He pulled her body close to his, and she leaned forward, bracing herself with her palms against the shower wall. The sight of her positioned that way in the steamy stall threated to make him spill then and there. That reminded him of the lack of protection and helped him quell his desire long enough for them to finish showering, get dressed and return to the kitchen.
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