by Linda Engman
Without warning he hoisted her up against him. She wrapped her legs around his midsection, holding her arms tight around his brawny neck, and released a squeal of surprise. “Roman! You’re going to drop me!”
He shook his head against her allegation and smiled devilishly, revealing his gleaming white teeth. “Trust me?”
Her returning smile faded with his question, the tone between them becoming serious. She let her gaze trail over his rugged wet features, taking in his deep-set mysterious eyes, the strong broad nose, his hard-lined mouth with the etched lines on either side, and the bold chin that held a few mysterious scars…and knew without a doubt she would trust him until the end of time. This big, powerful man who answered to know one, who lived life as if there were no tomorrow, had her heart and soul in his hands; she would do anything for him, believed him completely when he asked for her faith, would agree to whatever he wanted at this point.
“Absolutely,” she answered recklessly, falling harder for him with each minute, with each tender touch, with each sweet word whispered into her ear.
He captured her mouth with his in a sexy-heartfelt kiss beyond any he’d given her before. His tongue plunged into her mouth, tangling with hers, sensual and wild, telling her he was feeling the same way in this very moment as she. At the same time, he lowered her oh-so-slowly onto him and filled her completely, prompting her to release a wanton moan against his mouth. Obviously satisfied with her reaction, he grinned against her lips and recaptured her mouth in a heady, scorching kiss, intensifying the moment for the both of them.
He pulled back and looked concerned. “Baby, are you okay? I’m not hurting you, am I?” His tender expression made her heart melt all the more for him. “Is this position okay?”
She raised herself up by pushing on his broad shoulders and slid back down on the hard length of him. He groaned into her ear with pure gratification, his unshaven cheek grazing her jaw and neck in a painful yet blissful way. “Very okay,” she whispered back, her voice thick with heated passion.
For the past few hours he’d shown her a number of positions, all of them fun, naughty, and inventive. With each one, he took the time to make sure it was good for her and that she was right along with him, getting all the full, hot, sweaty enjoyment out of their lovemaking as much as he was. His concern displayed his tender, thoughtful side—even when he was buck-naked with a throbbing hard-on.
He growled into her ear and moved her ever-so-deliciously up and then back down on him, creating a wickedly good, sensual pace, heightened by the way he made out with her at the same time. All around her was Roman: his impossibly strong arms wrapped securely around her, holding her as if she weighed nothing at all; his massive shoulders under her hands, flexing with the movements of their lovemaking; his muscled hairy chest tight against her soft breasts as a downpour of steaming water worked its way between them, making their slick bodies slide together as one. She couldn’t get enough of his heavy breath on her neck, the rough feel of his facial scruff against her skin, the caress of his skillful hands on her hot, wet body.
She was running her tongue around the rim of his ear when he suddenly stilled, pulling back from her. “Baby, we should stop.” He groaned deep from his chest as she playfully nipped at his neck before sucking and licking the exact place she’d teased with her teeth. “Ah…baby, I don’t have a condom on…damn, that feels good.” Lost in what she was doing to him, he was easily distracted.
She smiled naughtily against his neck, glad she could render him just as helpless as he could her. “I don’t care…don’t stop…just don’t stop,” she begged, loving the way he crumbled without a fight and quickly resumed their lovemaking.
He pulled back from her again with a serious expression on his face. She ignored him and recommenced her exploration of his strong jaw line with her tongue and mouth while she played with the hair at the nape of his neck. “But what—hell, you make me nuts when you do that, baby—but what if I get you pregnant?”
She giggled seductively and feathered a teasing kiss on his lips. “Guess you’ll have to marry me. Oh, wait. We’re already married.”
“Good point. Screw the condom,” he growled and quickly moved them along, escalating the pace of their movements. His breath was heavy against her neck, his chest rapidly rising and falling against her as she felt the magnificent building rush of her own climax. When she reached the peak, a brilliant pulsing vibration overtook her, sending threads of electric pleasure through her already strumming mind and body.
She felt his powerful body tense, felt him still before coming inside of her; her moans and purrs had pushed him over his limit so they almost finished together, with him coming right after her in a glorious rush.
His breathing was harsh against her neck, his body molded as one with hers, his strong arms holding her in place. “So who was the dumbass who suggested sex in the shower instead of the bed?” he complained between long, heavy breaths, still winded from their explosive lovemaking.
Deliciously spent herself, she smiled and knew it had to be more than difficult for him to keep their current position after what had just taken place. “Umm…that would be you,” she teased, unhooking her silky legs and sliding down the length of his deliciously muscled body as he loosened his hold on her.
Instead of releasing her, he pulled her back against him for another long kiss, showing her without words that he wasn’t through with her yet. Melting into him, she returned his suggestive X-rated tongue action with some of her own, until he backed her out of the shower stall and quickly lifted her in his arms.
“Bed, couch, dining table, kitchen island—you pick,” he offered generously, letting her decide where their next lovemaking session was going to take place, smiling naughtily as water droplets sprinkled off his hair and ran invitingly down his rugged face.
In the process of raining a few kisses over his square-cut chin, she paused to lick a few of the water drops up with her tongue before answering. “Hmm, maybe the—”
****
Snowflakes flittered lazily by the window; the winter storm long subsided as an amber glow from the fireplace washed the living room with romance. Roman stretched out on his luxurious couch, clad in nothing but a pair of well-washed gray sweats, and he couldn’t help but appreciate the view: long silky legs, round ass, narrowed waist with a full rack, a mane of long, gorgeous honey-blonde hair swinging along her back, and a killer smile that never failed to render him speechless. He pinned his gaze on her, watching while she lithely pranced about his galley kitchen in nothing but a confiscated white button-down dress shirt of his that looked way too tempting on her. It barely covered her round ass, and he couldn’t complain about how she’d left the top five buttons undone—no doubt to torture him. She moved along the counter, peering into cabinets and ducking under the counter, searching for something. He smiled with pure male satisfaction. For some crazy reason, he liked her in his clothes, in his apartment, in his life.
Just tell her you love her and get it over with. It’s been six months…man up already.
Six months of loving her.
He’d fallen in love with her at first sight, and now six months later, he was finally owning up to the fact he was still hopelessly in love. At the wedding, he’d realized it but had somehow managed to push it away and pretend it was still all about the business deal. But now—all bets were off.
His gaze fixed on her, and he watched her gracefully glide across the room to him. He was in awe how she managed to do a sexy little twirl, next tossing her mass of golden hair over one shoulder, before she shimmied her booty in his face in a teasing lap dance move—all while balancing a tray of munchies in one hand.
“I’m open to fives, tens, or twenties,” she suggested, swaying her sweetly curved hips in a rocking motion that made beads of sweat form on the back of his neck. She placed the tray down on the coffee table and continued her tortuous lap dance, skimming her hands up her body and under her hair, lifting the tresses teasi
ngly before letting them fall back down in a glorious cascade.
Anya Marina’s “Move You” was playing on his docking system, which she’d taken over with her own MP3. The chick music held a slight rocker-Latin beat that he could appreciate. He also couldn’t complain that the catchy song provided the perfect background for her dirty tease-me lap dance. She easily turned him on with each bump and grind, each sexy twist and toss of her glossy tresses.
“I thought you said you couldn’t dance?” he growled, watching her as she giggled and lowered herself onto him, brushing her round ass on his crotch before moving out of his reach in one quick move. She laughed as she continued dancing suggestively in front of him.
“See what a good teacher you are?” she answered sassily. She arched her back and skimmed her hands over her breasts, licking her pouty pink lips. The narrowed sultry look she sent from her violet eyes set him on fire.
“Teacher?” he scoffed, grinning at her moxie. “More like pricey French champagne works magic on your dancing ability.”
She laughed again and stopped dancing to pour herself another glass of the sparkling drink—and then promptly fell onto him, spilling some onto his bare chest. He held his breath while she only giggled and leaned down to lick the foaming liquid from his chest with her pink tongue. Man, life can’t get any better.
She took another long drink and placed her glass on the coffee table. “I’m starving. I found some questionable cheese spread, besides five kinds of olives—man, you must love olives—oh, and some of those little pizza snacks in your freezer. Really, I would have never guessed you ate those things…” She paused to lean over the coffee table and spread something on a cracker. “…but thankfully I found this salmon spread and these flatbread crackers; my favorite.” She indulged in a bite and then turned to fed him the rest.
He reached up and met her halfway, catching her off-guard when he took her fingers into his mouth. He sucked on them suggestively until she laughed and pushed him back down on the couch. He chewed, realizing he was enjoying this new fun, breezy, slightly drunk version of her. “Do you always give guys lap dances after a few drinks?”
She paused from taking a bite of her second cracker and thought for a second. “Mmm…only to the guys I marry,” she tossed back, giving him a saucy wink that practically made his heart stall.
He sat up, grabbed his beer, and took a long drink. He loved the way she nestled herself between his legs, munching away on what she’d pilfered from his kitchen. Unable to help himself, he snaked an arm around her middle, nuzzling her silky neck with his nose, placing a few random kisses as she rolled her head to the side. All the while, she sighed and made those sweet, scintillating noises that drove him crazy.
To his astonishment, he was suddenly, undeniably, overcome with a rush of true emotion. “Marry me,” he whispered in her ear with a strangely thick, heartfelt tone, barely recognizing his own voice. He rubbed his cheek against hers, while his heart pounded uncontrollably. Time stood still while he waited, hoped, prayed she would say yes—for real this time.
She turned in his arms and gave him one of her trademark sexy-mysterious smiles that he’d been addicted to from day one. Then leaned into him and brushed his mouth with hers, giving him a taste of her champagne. She pulled back and waved her left hand in front of his face. “Remember twenty-four hours ago: you, me, the moon, twinkle lights, five crates of candles, two hundred thirty-four guests, ice sculptures?” She paused and grabbed her champagne glass to take another long drink, then stopped short as she remembered something else. “Oh my gosh! Tomorrow is Monday. I have to go to work in the morning.” She groaned and finished her drink, plunked the glass down on the coffee table with a thud, and giggled slightly before she turned and looped her arms around his neck, kissing him playfully on the mouth. “Guess I’ll be doing the ‘Walk of Shame’ into the office tomorrow. Actually, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with doing the walk after a one-night hookup, as long as a girl looks good.” She laughed again and trailed a spicy line of kisses down his neck, then sighed as she placed her head on his chest. “I’m so sleepy….”
With his heart now on his sleeve, he pulled her protectively into his embrace. Leaning back on the sofa pillows, he took her along with him, tenderly holding her against him as she drifted off to sleep on his chest. He took a hand and caressed her wild half-dried hair, smoothing it down, marveling in her natural beauty: satin skin that made him ache when he touched it, long dark lashes now feathered upon flushed creamy cheeks, her pink kiss-me lips he couldn’t get enough of, along with that gorgeous array of hair that sparkled with natural highlights money couldn’t buy, and a body that drove him crazy. But it was something more that drew him to her…love.
Her words echoed painfully in his mind.
…one-night hookup…
He had his answer.
Chapter Fifteen
April trudged into work, hung up her heavy winter coat, kicked off her snow-laden boots, and slipped into her practical black pumps still waiting faithfully under her desk from last Thursday. She switched on her computer and listened to the numerous phone messages while her head pounded with a dull post-champagne ache. Thankfully, the headache was the only ill effect she was suffering this morning. Besides a major case of regret. After jotting down the messages, she carried them through to Henry’s desk, deciding some strong coffee was the next important part of getting back to work.
She was filling the stainless steel pot with water when she heard the outer office door open and close. Poking her head around the corner she was surprised to see her boss brushing snowflakes from his dark well-groomed head.
“Happy New Year,” she called out, making him jump a foot at the sound of her voice.
“April? What the devil are you doing here today?”
“It’s Monday morning, Henry. I’m making coffee. I’ll bring you a cup in a minute. Your messages are on your desk,” she answered, glad to have the normalcy of work to fall back on.
As the coffeemaker started to gurgle, she took down two china cups and matching saucers, placing them on a tray.
“I mean, shouldn’t you be…well, aren’t you—” Henry babbled, having followed her into the small galley kitchen off the main office.
She laughed as she took out the cream and sugar. “Henry, for goodness’ sake, are you still hung over from New Year’s Eve?”
“I thought you got married over the weekend?” he blurted, looking confused.
She whirled around from adding napkins to the tray and glared at her boss. “Where did you hear that from? I mean…I was going to explain to you this morning.”
Nonplused, Henry took the folded newspaper from beneath his arm and dramatically unfolded it, displaying the front page of the sixth section to her.
Her mouth dropped open with shock at the color photo of herself and Roman as they left his mother’s home after the wedding. “Oh, my lord,” April muttered.
The photo showcased them laughing and smiling to their guests as they were showered with birdseed; all in all, she didn’t look half bad in the grainy newspaper photo. At least she had the good sense to wear the smart black sundress, she thought, feeling slightly hysterical.
She looked up at her boss to see a grin covering his face. “I can explain, Henry. Really, it’s not what it looks like.”
“Well, all I can say is—it’s about time! I was wondering when you two would get around to finally, well, how can I say this politely? Noticing one another?” he stated, sounding very pleased with himself.
“Henry!” April choked. She turned to grab the coffeepot and poured two coffees with shaky hands.
“Come on, April. You two have been sidestepping and dancing around one another for months. If you would have taken Todd’s ugly ring off a month ago, I’m sure Roman would have made a move sooner.”
April looked at her boss with a mix of horror and astonishment. “He would have?”
“Definitely. I was so relieved when Todd marri
ed that Paris model. I just told Ellen the other day that Roman would have a chance now if you ever got that ring off your finger. The poor guy has been biding his time long enough. Talk about having the patience of a saint.” He gave a little chuckle at his own humor. “He’s a great guy, April. You picked the right man for you.”
“I did?” she mumbled, still shocked at what her boss was telling her.
She followed him into his office with the tray of coffee, weakly plunking it down on top of his desk as he hung his suit jacket on the back of his chair and took a seat.
“Roman Vasquez is an outstanding businessman and philanthropist. Not to mention a great athlete and all-around good guy. I always know where I stand with him. Not like that snake, Todd. Good riddance to him. Oh, I’m sorry, April. Here I am talking about your ex when I’m sure you’d rather talk about Roman.”
“I would?” she echoed, not sure if she was going to faint or throw up.
“So dish, sweetheart. Tell me all the details. Like why you’re here and not on some exotic beach with your new husband. Ellen would have killed me if I hadn’t taken her on that honeymoon trip to St. Lucia.”
Weakly she sat and took a sip of her coffee, trying not to choke as she swallowed hard.
“Details, honey. Don’t leave anything out,” Henry urged.
She cleared her throat. “Well, actually, Roman is in Hawaii. I’m at work. As you know, Henry, he had you draw up that pre-nup contract and I delivered it. Only I ended up signing it with Roman. Our marriage is a business agreement. That’s all. Business. A contract,” she stated nervously, watching as her boss leaned over his desk toward her with a confused look on his handsome, just-shaved face.
