by Elle James
A soft moan escaped her lips, her shoulders relaxed and her head dropped back against his shoulder.
Fire raced through Craig's veins, and he felt the moisture in his clothes steam. He jerked the key free and shoved it into the lock.
With his arm around her, he guided her inside and closed the door behind them. When he stared down at the trembling waif of a scientist, all he could think of was making mad, passionate love to her.
Why?
“You need to get out of those wet things and take a hot shower.” He said the words, but he made no move to leave her.
Elaine reached up to unfasten a button, her fingers shaking and stiff. After several attempts, her arms dropped to her sides and she looked up with half a smile. “Maybe I'll just shower with my clothes on. Thanks for save - getting me out of the water and carrying me up to the house. You didn't have to.”
“Don't mention it.” He should have left, but Craig found himself reaching out to flip the top button of her blouse; “Here, let me help.”
Her hands came up to rest atop his. When he hesitated, she caressed his forearms, all the encouragement he needed.
Craig loosened the next button, and the next, until he reached the waistband of her dripping khaki slacks. He slipped his fingers beneath the big button and pushed it through, then slid the zipper down.
A gentle tug freed her shirt from inside, the trousers.
With his hands poised over the edges of her blouse, he finally looked up.
Behind the rims of her glasses, Elaine's moss-green eyes darkened to a forest-green hue. Her lips, having regained their natural rosy tint, parted and her tongue snaked out to wet them.
“Need more help?” he asked, his voice gruff with the effort to control his instincts. He wanted nothing more than to rip the shirt from her back, toss her over his shoulder and carry her off to bed. Was he possessed? Had the voodoo witch cast a love spell on the scientist?
“Please,” she whispered.
That's all it took.
Caught in a haze of desire, Elaine stared up into Craig's eyes as he shoved the blouse over her shoulders. His gaze raked over her and she trembled, wondering if he liked what he saw.
Slowly, she reached up behind her and unclasped her bra.
Craig smoothed the straps over her shoulders and down her aims until her breasts were bare and free of constraint. The bra dropped to the floor.
The hunger in Craig's eyes sparked a similar need inside Elaine. When he lifted a hand to cup one of her breasts, she leaned into him.
Craig frowned when his warm fingers touched her skin. “You're still cold.”
“I'm getting warmer by the second,” she said, her voice low and husky.
“You still need that shower.” His hands dropped to her waist and he pushed her slacks over her hips and slid them down her legs, trailing his knuckles across her thighs, calves and ankles.
Elaine shivered.
“See? You're still shaking.”
She didn't bother to tell him she wasn't shaking from cold. She stepped out of her slacks and stood in front of him dressed only in her lacy white bikini panties, feeling incredibly feminine and sexy. She pulled her glasses off and set them on the table. Everything was soft and fuzzy around the edges.
Now what should she do? Her skin warmed from within, her attraction to Craig sending heat shooting through her body. Would Craig follow through? Elaine hoped he'd continue his he-man tactics and sling her over his shoulder, carrying her off to bed where they'd shake the cottage's very foundation. Whatever move he decided to make, he'd better make it quick, before Elaine chickened out.
But Craig raked a hand through his hair and backed up a step.
No. He couldn't be getting cold feet now. Elaine's body was ablaze, and he was the one who'd lit the match. “Don't stop now,” she whispered and closed the distance between them. Had she ever been so bold?
“I don't think we should,” he said.
“Then don't think.” Her words shocked herself. Since when had Elaine Smith ever not thought? Since Craig Thibodeaux appeared naked in front of her, that's when.
He looked into her eyes. “It can only lead to hurt.”
She slipped a button loose on his shirt, spread the fabric apart and kissed his chest. “I'll take my chances.”
“I'm not one to commit.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead.
He lingered until the imprint seared a permanent place in Elaine's memory. A slow burn knotted her stomach. She'd always known Craig was a ladies' man, but frankly, she didn't care at this moment. She wanted him. “I'm not asking for any promises.” With a flick of her finger, another button worked free.
His hands stopped hers and he held them until she looked up into his eyes. “I don't want to make you cry.”
She stared up into his light-blue gaze and wondered at her ability to push all else aside for a brief moment of pleasure. But push she did. “I'm a big girl. I can handle t this. Now, will you shut up and lose the clothes?” She t wound her fingers into his hair and pulled him down to her lips. Before she kissed him, she whispered against his mouth, “I want you, Craig.” He crushed her to him, slanting his mouth across hers. Her lips opened wide enough for his tongue to slip through and taste her sweetness. He traced a line of kisses across her jaw to her earlobe, sucking at the tender skin. t Elaine moaned. Her hands flew down his chest, urgently popping buttons free and tugging his shirt from his trousers. He shrugged out of the garment and stood bare-chested in front of her. For the second time that night, he scooped her up in his arms.
Ahhh... wishes do come true.
Then he carried her to the bathroom and set her on her feet. With a few quick movements, he had the water steaming and the rest of his clothes lying in a heap at his feet. He stood proud and naked in front of her and this time, Elaine took a moment to study every feature of his magnificent body. From his wavy black hair to broad muscled shoulders, down the hard planes of his tight stomach, to the stiff evidence of his desire.
Ohmigod. She gulped. His desire for her! A strange sense of power surged through her veins and a smile curved her lips. She hooked her thumbs into the elastic of her panties and slid them down her legs. Then with a wink at him, she ducked behind the shower curtain.
Craig followed her in.
They both reached for the soap at the same time.
Elaine's hands wrapped around the pink bar of Caress, and Craig's hands wrapped around hers. Together they worked up a lather, staring into one another's eyes.
Elaine set the bar back on the edge of the tub and started at Craig's shoulders, working her way down his chest to his stomach, avoiding his protruding member for the moment. She wanted to make him as hot as he made her.
While she lathered his front, Craig wrapped his arms around her back and lathered her shoulders and down her sides to her buttocks. He cupped her cheeks and pressed her pelvis against his hardness.
Electric shocks jerked through Elaine's veins, all culminating at the juncture of her thighs. She wanted nothing more than for him to ram himself into her and satisfy her needs. But he poured shampoo into his hands and turned her around to lather her hair.
Ummm. Nothing felt better than someone rubbing your scalp, except... Don't go there, honey, Elaine warned herself.
He rinsed the suds from her hair and lathered his hands with soap again. He pulled her shoulder blades against his chest and washed her belly, sliding his hands upward to cup her breasts. He pinched and tweaked until her nipples stood at attention and she thought she'd fall apart. Then his soapy hands slid downward to tangle in the mound of hair between her thighs. His fingers slipped between her folds and touched her nubbin of desire.
Elaine forgot to breathe. Her hands covered his as he flicked and fingered her to a fevered pitch. “Ohmigod. I'm on fire.”
The water heater picked that moment to run out of hot water. The temperature changed from steamy to lukewarm in a matter of seconds.
“Bette
r hurry and wash the soap off,” he whispered against her ear.
Welcoming the cooling effect, Elaine rinsed quickly, the pelting cold water barely tamping the rising heat within.
Craig reached past her and twisted the faucet knob. With infinite care, he turned her around, cupped her face in his hands, and lowered his mouth to hers. She tasted the water on his lips, and slid her tongue across his teeth to delve in and tangle with his. Her hands roamed over his back in a frenzy, angling downward to cup his buttocks and pull him against her.
“I want you,” she whispered into his mouth. “I want you inside me.”
Craig lifted her off the ground and backed her up against the wall of the shower. The cool, hard ceramic tiles shocked her skin, a sharp contrast to the heat generated between their bodies. Craig wrapped her legs around his waist, while she locked her arms around his neck. Then he lowered her onto him, penetrating slowly until she took all of him.
“Oh shoot.” He jerked her off him, and winced.
“What?” Fear of a looming rejection swirled around her when her feet touched the bottom of the tub.
“Protection. I forgot about protection.”
Elaine relaxed and smiled. “Is that all?” She kissed his collarbone and laid her wet cheek against his chest, feeling the pounding of his heart beneath her ear.
“Is that all? Geez, woman, you test my endurance.” His hands smoothed up her sides top her breasts. Bending loss he took one into his mouth. “I can't get enough of you.” He pulled hard, sucking the tip between his teeth.
Elaine clutched his head, holding him close. The cool tiles against her back did nothing to chill the molten energy roiling inside. “You're a guy, don't you carry one in your wallet, or pocket or something?”
“Let me check.” He slapped the shower curtain aside and dove for his jeans. In the back pocket, he found his wallet held it up and leafed through the wet papers and leather. “Oh, thank God!” He held up a foil pouch and pressed a kiss to it.
Elaine stepped from the tub and wrapped a towel around her, suddenly a little shy. In the throes of passion, being naked with Craig felt natural. With the interruption, the passions cooled slightly. How did you rekindle? She ached to finish what they'd started, a need throbbing low in her belly.
Don't lose it now! Good Lord, how many opportunities did she get to rumble with a sex god? She risked a glance at his naked form, hope swelling in her chest. Obviously, he still wanted her. All she had to do was show him how much she wanted him.
With the edges of the towel clutched in her hands, she turned toward the bedroom door.
Craig followed.
When she reached the bed, she swung around and drew in a deep breath. Never in her life had she wanted to be with a man like she wanted to be with Craig. She dropped the towel. Oh, how liberating to stand nude and not feel self-conscious.
The look on Craig's face scorched her naked skin. Moving with the grace of a predator stalking his prey, Craig growled low in his chest and swept in on her, tossing her to the mattress. Climbing on the bed, he straddled her hips.
Elaine squealed and giggled, feeling strange about laughing while making low. Brian had taken sex so seriously. “You're an animal.”
“You bring it out in me.” He lapped at her neck and nibbled his way to her breasts.
His hands and lips worked theft magic down to her stomach. With his knee, he nudged her legs apart and lay down between them.
Unused to this, Elaine leaned up on her elbows and watched him as he scooped his hands under her buttocks and buried his face in her femininity. When his tongue touched that certain spot, Elaine fell flat on the bed and arched her back. Her world burst apart in a cataclysmic explosion.
His tongue flicked again and she moaned. “Ohmigod, you're killing me.”
Craig lifted his head. “Does that hurt?”
“Don't stop!” Elaine screeched. Reaching down to clutch his hair, she pressed him back to the task he'd begun. “Alt, geez, don't stop.”
He tongued and licked, sending her over the edge again. One long finger slid inside her, swirling the moistened opening.
Her body spasmed, jerking and exploding with sensation, lifting her higher and higher. “Now,” she gasped. “I want you inside me, now.”
Craig tore open the aluminum pouch, slid the condom over himself and pressed the tip of his swollen member to her opening. He hiked her knees up and planted a hand on either side of her. Swooping low, he stole a kiss and moved into her, slowly, steadily, until he filled her. He pulled halfway out and paused.
Impatient beyond reason, Elaine wrapped her legs around his waist and brought him home.
In, out, he pumped against her. She matched him thrust for thrust, rising off the bed to take him all the way into her. She'd never felt so complete, so full, and so right. For a split second, her eyes widened. Ohmigod, this was what they meant by orgasm.
Now that she knew, she couldn't go back. Brian was firmly part of her past - a lackluster, black and white past. Craig was vibrant, Technicolor, here and now.
His body stiffened, he threw back his head and he moved into her one last time. Balancing on his hands, he held steady for a long, exquisite moment and then collapsed on top of her.
For several seconds she couldn't breathe, and didn't care. She could die like this and have no regrets.
But eventually, Craig rolled to his side, taking her with him, refusing to sever their intimate connection.
Elaine sighed and snuggled against his chest, allowing the curly hairs to tickle her nose. She inhaled his scent, a mixture of her soap and his musk, a heady combination. “Ummmm. I could he like this forever.”
Craig held her in the crook of his arm and sighed.
Forever.
Suddenly, his body sprang into alert posture. An adrenalin rush poked his heart into overdrive and he breathed like a marathon athlete at the finish line. Self-preservation mode had kicked in.
As a high-dollar attorney for hire, he'd represented the gamut of divorce cases. He'd witnessed what he'd thought were reasonable adults do cruel and ugly things to each other in the name of revenge and greed.
Disillusioned, Craig had sworn to avoid the “D” word the only way he knew how... by thoroughly avoiding the “M” word. With his job and his lifestyle, he couldn't picture any one woman sharing his life for longer than half a year - max. And then what? Divorce, raked over the coals, dragged through the quagmire of he-said-she-said court.
No thanks, not for him.
He studied Elaine in the light from the bathroom door.
Her face glowed a creamy pink, warmed by the heat generated from skin-to-skin contact. Incredibly long lashes brushed her cheeks.
Craig lifted a hand to the smooth line of her jaw. Her skin, soft and smooth, did funny things to his stomach. His breathing slowed to match the steady puffs of air stirring the hairs on his chest.
Funny. He couldn't picture her standing up against him in a divorce court. Closing his eyes, he tried to envision her in a tailored suit, a briefcase in one hand, and a divorce lawyer by her side. The only image he conjured was Elaine in a lab coat, her glasses perched on the end of her nose, a smile curving her lips as she looked up at him from her microscope.
With little more effort, he envisioned them at sixty, lying in bed. His hair would be gray or gone. Hers would be a frizzy mass of salt and pepper. Her green eyes would look up at him, crinkled at the corners.
Instead of repulsing him, the image warmed him. Suddenly overcome with fatigue, he pulled Elaine closer and drifted off to sleep.
On the edge of consciousness, three quarters of the way to dreamland, Craig heard the steady beat of a drum.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
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Elaine stretched, rolled onto her back, and slung an arm across the pillow next to her. The empty pillow.
Her eyes flew open and she sat up. Where'd he go? A qui
ck scan of the room and through to the small living area revealed nothing. No dark-haired, blue-eyed, hunka-hunk-a-burnin'-love roaming around naked in her lithe cottage.
The Cajun sex god had flown the coop.
With a groan, she flopped fiat on her back, the sheets against her bare skin a sensual reminder of the mattress acrobatics she and Craig had performed into the wee hours. Elaine punched the pillow. How could she be so foolish to think he'd stay? He probably hopped in and out of so many beds he didn't know where he was half the time.
The scent of Craig drifted up from the pillow. Without thinking, Elaine hugged it to her breasts and inhaled deeply. A soft sigh escaped her lips, and the twisty-gurgling feeling in the pit of her stomach settled into a hungry rumble.
Why should she be annoyed with his disappearance?
Hadn't he said he wasn't into commitment? She'd gone to bed with her eyes wide open.
Then why did it hurt so much that he'd disappeared?
You're a big girl, Elaine; get over it.
With a glance at the clock on the beside table, she realized it was well past noon, which explained his absence. Craig probably had to go to work sometime today. Out of courtesy, he'd let her sleep.
Cheered by the deduction, she shoved aside the blankets and trotted to the bathroom. The small white-tiled room looked like a tornado had hit. Jeans and shirts littered the floor along with an empty foil packet.
Craig left without his clothes?
Elaine scooped up the items, heavy with moisture and smelling strongly of swamp water. No wonder. He probably slipped out in the dark so as not to embarrass her or himself in the light of day.
She flicked open the shower curtain. The soap bar lay in the bottom of the tub, a fragrant reminder of the two of them sliding together beneath the warm spray, slicked with suds.
With a nervous jerk, she closed the curtain and leaned in to turn the faucets on without looking. A cold shower ought to dispel any lingering fantasies.
