She smiled wryly.
“What are you smiling at, you little vixen?” he drawled.
“You. You’re not even embarrassed.”
“Lady, I’ll enjoy doing this in front of you.”
Her pulse rate accelerated as she watched the expert way he handled himself. There was no doubt he’d had plenty of practice.
“Are all Aussie men as forthright as you?” she murmured. “I mean, masturbating in front of a woman.”
He gave an exasperated laugh. “Now how the hell would I know?”
She gave a weak smile. “I just wondered.”
“Then stop wondering about anyone else, my sweet. Just concentrate on me.”
Taking him at his word she lowered her gaze, fascinated by each stroke of his hand. She would never have dreamed this aspect of lovemaking would be so blazingly sexy. Of course that had more to do with Zac than anything. No way would she let just any man do this in front of her. Heck, no way could she imagine bringing herself to orgasm in front of any other man. She’d have to know him well first.
A rasping sound escaped from Zac’s throat, and she darted a look at his face. His eyes were mere slits now as he watched her watching him. Knowing she aroused him like this, a giddy sense of pleasure began to radiate from the soft core of her body.
He leaned back harder against the door and pulled his shirt up from his stomach with his other hand, then continued to rub up and down on his engorged erection, so fast that Cassie could see the tension building inside him, see and feel the heat emanating from him.
It wouldn’t be long now.
He groaned and climaxed onto his belly, and she watched in awe as he pulsated with each delivery, over and over until the flow stopped and the shudders eased.
For a moment silence reigned as he caught his breath, then he opened his eyes and gave a slow smile. “See what you do to me,” he teased, somehow looking vital but oddly vulnerable standing there in that exposed position.
She caught sight of a box of tissues near the couch. “Stay there.” Soon she had a handful of tissues to give to him, then changed her mind. She was breaking new ground here anyway, so why not more?
“Let me do this for you,” she said, not giving him time to object.
Not that she need worry about that with this guy, she mused, as she proceeded to clean him up, her fingers tingling as they came in contact with the washboard flatness of his stomach and the tanned skin covered in wisps of damp dark hair.
“There,” she said, screwing up the tissues in her hand, intending to dispose of them shortly.
He zipped up, then pulled her close against him. “That’s a really sexy thing you just did for me,” he said, looking tenderly down at her face.
Her heart thudded in her chest. “Touching myself?”
He brushed her lips with a kiss. “No, touching me just now, cleaning me up. Very sexy. Very caring.”
She ran her finger along his bottom lip, suddenly aware that by Zac holding her so close, it tucked her wet panties in tight against her feminine folds. Folds that still craved the hard length of him thrusting inside her.
His head slowly lowered and he tugged at her bottom lip with this teeth. “You know what I think?”
Desire curled in her stomach. “No. What?”
He gave another tug. “I think we should do more research…” another tug, “on that foreign exchange program you mentioned earlier.”
She was finding it hard to think. “Um… research?”
“Yes.” He began kissing outward to her ear. “I think we should learn…” another kiss, “all we can about each other.”
“Er… that makes sense.”
“Then in the interests of our two countries…” He swung her up in his arms. “I promise I’ll leave no stone unturned.”
* * *
Cassie was just too irresistible, Zac decided once he reached the spare bedroom and he let her slide down the length of him to stand on her feet. He looked down at her in the light spilling from the living room, saw the flush in her cheeks, saw the parted lips, down to the lacy black bra and matching panties, and he ached to strip them from her body like he had her dress, and take in his fill of her.
“I want to see you naked,” he murmured as a flame licked along his skin when he noticed the wet patches on her bra where he’d sucked her nipples through the material.
His mark of possession.
Yeah, he liked that, he mused, unhooking the bra and letting it fall to the ground. He groaned as he looked at the firm breasts with pebbled brown nipples made for a man’s touch, and for his mouth… but they would have to wait a moment more.
He had to see all of her.
Going down on one knee, he drew her hi-cut black panties down her long legs, then helped her step out of them, loving the play of her trim thigh muscles as she moved. They had barely covered her feminine mound anyway, and he growled deep in his throat when they too, joined the bra on the floor. She was glorious. All womanly curves and hidden places, and he kissed his way up her legs, his lips searching for treasure.
He reached the lushness at the top of her legs and with a sigh, his mouth rested on those blonde curls scented with her personal perfume. They were so soft and silky against his lips, and he was tempted to linger, to lure her into coming again for him, but he knew that if he took one taste of her, he wouldn’t be able to stop. Later, he told himself, as he got to his feet and quickly stripped the clothes from his body. He had to join with her.
“Oh Zac, you’re so gorgeous,” she said in a throaty voice, her eyes hot for him, making him shudder. Without another word she lay back on the bed and opened her legs, ready for him. “Come inside me.”
He didn’t need a second invitation. He grabbed a condom from his wallet and rolled it onto himself, then joined her on the bed. “Open yourself more,” he muttered, and her thighs fell apart on his command.
He positioned himself at her entrance, locked eyes with hers, then slid straight into her soft sleek wetness. A groan escaped his lips as she surrounded him. Then he stilled, seeing into the seductive depths of her green eyes, seeing what she was unable to hide.
They both knew this was more than just hot sex.
This was hot sex with the right person.
And then he began to move - in and out - her muscles tightening around him time and time again as he withdrew nearly all the way, then plunged into her again. She gasped and he covered her mouth with his own, taking those little gasps of air into him. He couldn’t think past the feel of being inside her. Making her his.
“Zac,” she muttered, her eyes shut, her head rolling from side to side. “Oh God, don’t stop.”
He didn’t plan to, but was unable to say the words out loud. His brain had clouded and he couldn’t see past being inside this woman. Then she clenched around him and came, her waves rolling over him, seeming to pull him into her even more. He stiffened, and then he shuddered as his body pumped itself dry. And she took everything he had to give.
* * *
A little while later, in the stream of light from the hallway, Zac looked down at the soft body he covered so intimately with his own. Cassie’s eyes remained closed, her breathing slowed. He’d never seen a woman more beautiful in his life. Making love to her made him feel complete. As if he belonged here. It was the best feeling in the world. A unique feeling.
He gave her a long, slow kiss. “It doesn’t get any better than this.”
Her mouth spread in a soft smile. “I know.”
“I love being inside you. I don’t want to move.”
“Ditto.”
He realized then that this wasn’t just about hot sex with the right woman. This went beyond mere sex. This was about making love with the right woman. She turned him on like no other woman ever had, but not just with her body, with her mind as well. She took him places he hadn’t been before. Deep places that no other woman had ever touched. But how to say that to Cassie without having her run in the other direction?
She could be as jumpy as a kangaroo at times.
No, right now he needed to work his way into her system, show her what she was missing. And only then perhaps they could have some sort of long-term future together, he told himself as he rolled off her, getting to his feet to go to the bathroom.
When he came back he sat down on the bed and just stared at her in the muted light.
“Why do I feel like I’m being watched?” she said, somewhat slumberously.
“You are being watched.”
She laughed softly and opened one eye. “Not by you. By someone else.”
He smiled as he reached over and turned on the lamp. He jerked his head to the shelves of toy soldiers.
Her eyes widened. “What the devil!” She sat up. “What are those things?”
“Toy soldiers. They’re Adam’s.”
Her lips began to quirk with humor. “Adam collects toy soldiers?”
“Yes. That’s what he was doing down at the radio station. He was talking about them on the other program before yours.”
She slowly nodded, as if trying to get her head around it, then sat back against the pillows. “Well, at least he has a hobby.”
“Apart from women, you mean?” He pushed some strands of hair off her face. “Let’s forget Adam. I’d rather talk about you any day.” He kissed her. “Have I told you that you’re a beautiful, generous lover?”
Her eyes softened. “No, I don’t believe you mentioned it.”
“How remiss of me.” His gaze skimmed down her naked body, and he immediately hardened in reaction. “You’re bloody beautiful, lady.”
“Not really,” she teased.
He ignored that as he kissed her again. “And gorgeous.”
“I think you need glasses.”
One more kiss, then he began to smile. “I, on the other hand, am about as ugly as you can get and am a poor lover. Won’t you take pity on me and let me sharpen my skills on you?”
She gave a soft, sexy chuckle. “How many women have you tried this Beauty and the Beast routine on?”
“None. You’re the first.”
She pretended to frown. “Hmm. I guess I’d better do something so you don’t inflict that crummy routine on another unsuspecting female.”
“Good for you. Oh, and by the way, I do have another routine that needs a workout.” He leant forward to nuzzle her shell-like ear. “Are you up for it?”
She arched her neck. “Er… how does it go?”
He cupped her breast, loving the little mew she made in the back of her throat. “Let me show you.”
CHAPTER SIX
When Cassie woke next it was two in the morning and she was lying in Zac’s arms, her face pressed against his bare chest, his erotic male scent wafting under her nose.
Pure male.
She’d forgotten how it felt to fall asleep in a man’s arms after making love. How it felt to wake up in the dark with those same arms wrapped around her, hugging her against his naked body. It had been a long time since any man had just held her like this.
And she’d forgotten about laughing over silly little things that weren’t “little” at all, as Zac had playfully admonished and had then proved it again by loving her with care and attention, until a lump had risen in her throat at how perfect he made this act between them. He was the perfect lover, not only in body but in mind as well. If she hadn’t been through a divorce she’d say he was perfect in soul too.
Oh damn.
With those thoughts nipping at her heels, she eased herself out of his arms and out of his bed. She had to go home to check on Mitzy anyway, though she knew that was merely an excuse. Mitzy would be sound asleep in her little doggie bed. And if she wasn’t, no doubt Adele would have gone to check any barking, discovered Cassie not at home and called her on her cell phone if there was a problem. Okay, so then her neighbor would suspect why she’d stayed out overnight, but did it really matter? Adele wasn’t one to gossip.
And that was as well, Cassie decided, as she looked down at the man still sleeping in the bed. There was now plenty of gossip to give the people of Chicago. Not that they were going to find out about this. Far from it. This was between her and Zac and no one else. Name, rank, and serial number was all anyone would get out of them about this.
Right then, Zac murmured something unintelligible and she held her breath, but he merely rolled on his side and continued to sleep. She stood and watched him in the moonlight a while longer, not wanting this time together to end but knowing she had to leave. The thought “Dangerous When Wet” came to mind, only this man was “Dangerous When Sleeping”. She had the feeling he would be dangerous to her whatever he was doing.
A hazard to her heart.
God help her.
* * *
Zac knew as soon as he opened his eyes the next morning that she’d gone. There was a stillness to the room that told him he was alone. And he hated it. Hated waking up without her in his arms. Their lovemaking had been so intense, so open in a way where actions had said more than words, that without her there he felt like a part of him had gone missing.
Yet he understood why she’d left. It was the reason he didn’t fling back the covers and go straight to her place to talk. She needed some time to regroup and come to terms with the huge step forward they’d taken with their relationship. And he would give her more time to come to terms with everything. Today was Sunday, so perhaps it was best he didn’t see her again until Monday night’s segment at the station.
Yeah, he could handle that. He’d have to. No way did he want a repeat of what had happened with his ex-fiancée. It hadn’t been intentional but when he and Erin had broken up, she’d said he’d been smothering her.
Like a pillow, he’d jokingly asked, but her comment had stung, and stung deep. Okay, so he’d realized that had more to do with Erin and her problems than anything he’d done, but the thing he didn’t want to do now was smother the one woman who was coming to mean a great deal to him.
* * *
Cassie usually enjoyed her Sundays, especially when it was as nice and warm as today. September was a good time to be in Chicago when the hot weather and accompanying humidity had dwindled, making it pleasant to take Mitzy for a walk in the local park. But today she wasn’t enjoying the walk as much as she usually did. Sunday was a day for lovers, and dammit she - Cassie King - had a new lover. A lover she was regretting leaving instead of staying in his arms.
Then a wonderful idea occurred to her.
As soon as she returned home, she called Zac on his cell phone. “Have you been to Navy Pier yet?” she said without preamble.
There was a moment’s pause, then, “To whom am I speaking please?” he said in a formal voice, but she could hear the teasing behind it.
She smiled as she sat down on the couch. “Little Miss Muffett.”
“Oh, I thought it was Goldilocks. She’s been sleeping in my bed, you see.”
“I guess she has to sleep somewhere,” she flipped back at him, and heard him chuckle. “Now, you didn’t answer my question. Have you been to Navy Pier yet?”
“Once a few years ago, but I’d be happy to go again with Little Miss Muffett.”
She let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. So he did want to see her again. She hadn’t really been sure until now. “Can you be out the front of Adam’s building in an hour?”
“I’ll be there.”
She hung up then went out on the landing to ring her neighbor’s doorbell. She spoke as soon as the older woman opened the door. “Adele, I hope you don’t mind, but if you’re home today could you possibly keep an ear out for Mitzy?” Cassie would give her little dog extra cuddles tonight. “I wouldn’t ask but --”
“The Australian?” Adele cut across her with a smile.
“Yes.”
“Good for you, Cass. Did you enjoy your dinner last night?”
Cassie smiled. She couldn’t help it. “It was wonderful.”
“I’m so pleased. Yo
u need to have some fun. Look, why don’t you bring Mitzy over for the afternoon? I’ll take her for a walk and feed her.”
“Oh, but I didn’t mean --”
“She’s company for me. I don’t mind.”
“You really should get yourself a dog, Adele.”
Adele merely smiled. “I’m afraid no other dog could replace my little Alfie. It’s a bit like my Tom. Once they’re gone, I’d rather just have my wonderful memories. Everyone else would be second-best.”
Cassie understood – about the dog anyway. “You’re a lucky lady.”
“It seems like you might just be too.”
Cassie smiled. “No matchmaking, Adele.”
“I don’t think I have to do a thing.”
Cassie kissed her cheek, then, “I’ll just go get Mitzy.”
True to his word Zac was waiting for her, dressed in casual pants and a pale blue shirt. As usual he looked gorgeous. And casually sexy, especially with that molten blue sweater tied around his neck like he should be on the cover of a magazine.
What a hunk!
It was still hard to believe she’d been intimate with him, but her body had the marks to prove it –- in a pleasurable way, of course. A slight redness here, a soreness there, and a warm flush rising and ebbing in her cheeks like a high tide whenever she thought about what they’d done together.
He slid onto the passenger seat, then kissed her just as she went to speak. Talk about timing! Her open mouth allowed his tongue to slide right in on her, and he gave a long loitering kiss.
With intent.
For a few moments she wallowed in the kiss… until she became aware of someone beeping their car horn behind her. She went to break away, only Zac wouldn’t let her. He kissed her a few more seconds before easing back.
“He could wait,” Zac murmured, a challenging note in his eyes that said he wasn’t a man to be messed with. “I couldn’t.”
She stared at him, her power of speech gone. He was making her feel like she was the only woman in the world for him.
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