by Bird, Peggy
His hands played along the inside of her thighs and then she felt his finger slip inside her. Her hips jumped with the pleasure of it, and she felt him exhale against her sensitive flesh. He bent his head to taste her then, and the intensity of his touch, his mouth, had her hips bucking off the bed again. She moved against him but he tightened his grip on her to hold her where he wanted. She struggled to push up toward him but he moved slightly out of range, teasing her with his hot breath. He slid his finger out and in again, and she twisted to try to get closer. “Please … ”
His response was to flick his tongue out and lick her. She was slick with desire, and his quick movement pushed her a little closer to the edge. She shivered against him, and he bent down to suck at her. She made a little noise at the back of her throat, and Matt had to stop what he was doing to catch his breath. She could feel the roughness of his stubble on her tender inner thigh. She could feel the warmth of him, but was losing track of where he was and where she was and who was who. Time stretched. She floated between reality and pure sensation. It was a lovely place to be, but she wanted more.
“Don’t stop!” she begged. Even as she said it, she reached for him, pulling him up to her. She wanted him with her this first time, face to face.
“I just need to … ” Matt paused to kiss her ribcage, caress her waist.
She pulled at his shoulders again. She felt the tension in his muscled back as he moved up along her body. Felt him grasping for control but, in her mind, control was way overrated.
“I’m apologizing now, in case this is over before you … ”
Jade made a sound. It was like a switch was flipped and Matt on top of her, raining kisses on her, and she felt him against her, thick and heavy. Ready.
“Condom.” She reached for the little bedside table and opened the drawer.
But he was one step ahead of her. “It’s on.” His voice sounded tight.
He pressed into her, shifting his hips and sliding into her slowly.
Jade gasped. “Oh God … ”
Matt paused for a moment, attempting to slow things down, but Jade would have none of it. She reached around him, her hands on his behind, and pulled him closer, lifting her hips at the same time to force him deeper. She sighed. He pulled back and then pushed forward again. She moved with him, and they found a rhythm that was working. “Jade … ” he whispered.
She felt the change in him and saw the moment his expression changed. There was some gentle emotion in that look. Her heart stuttered for a moment, and she forgot to breathe. He pushed into her one last time. She flew apart and he followed.
They were wrapped around one another. Jade’s face pressed into Matt’s side, and the rhythm of his breathing was putting her to sleep. She was halfway there when she heard Matt say, “I told you I would rock your world.”
Jade punched him in the arm, rolled over, and fell asleep.
Chapter 13
Jade woke in the morning to the sound of rain patter on the roof and the feel of hands running up and down her sides. She lay there for a moment trying to get her bearings. They were male hands, large and a little rough. She could feel soft hair brushing across her abdomen and warm lips pressing kisses in a circle around her belly button. Then he moved lower and she jumped.
She flipped the comforter off and the cool cabin air was a shock to her heated skin. Matt lay sprawled across her legs and lower torso, pinning her to the mattress. He looked up from his task, his hair standing up crazily in some spots and flat and matted in others. He still took Jade’s breath away, which only made her grumpy.
“What are you doing!” Jade wiggled underneath Matt, trying to get some space.
“Uhm, pretty much what you think I’m doing.” He raked his hands through his hair and glanced up at her for a moment, before leaning down to swirl his tongue around her hipbone. His hand found its way to her breast.
“Now? This early?!”
Matt moved to her other hipbone and swirled his tongue around that one. He looked up at her and shot her a sinful smile. “Breakfast of champions.” He inched lower and gave her a good lick. The sensation shot through her like electricity. She bucked underneath him and pulled her knee up simultaneously. He was thrown to her right at the same time as he jerked away from her oncoming knee, and pitched over the edge of the bed. He landed with a thud. A muffled, “I’m okay” came from the floor below.
Jade sat up and leaned over the side of the bed. “What are you doing down there?”
“Recovering.”
“Oh. Did I do that?” She gestured to him where he was spread out on the rag rug beside her bed. She looked concerned.
“You just surprised me. I lost my balance.”
Jade smiled sweetly. “You’re awfully clumsy, aren’t you?”
Matt smiled back. “I guess so.” He reached his hand up to her. “Help me up.”
She reached her hand out to pull Matt up, but he yanked. She landed hard on him, but he was braced for it and she was naked, so she guessed he really didn’t mind.
Jade lifted her head from his chest and gave him a glare. “You did that on purpose!”
Matt raised his eyebrows innocently. “Gee, I’m sorry. That was an accident. I’m just so clumsy.”
Jade bent down and nipped at Matt’s lower lip. Matt growled, “You’ll pay for that.” He flipped her on her back underneath him and slid down her body. “Where were we?” Then Matt got back to business.
Matt slipped his hands down to her thighs and moved them apart, then played his thumbs over the tight springy curls between her legs. He eased her open and licked her.
Jade gasped and fought to regain sane thought. “Uhm,” was all she managed to say.
His tongue played over her folds, and she could feel her body coiling under his care. His tongue found the sweet spot and just barely skimmed it. Again, she thought, but her mouth couldn’t form the words and all she managed was a sharp intake of breath.
He pressed harder with his tongue, taking his time with it. He was achingly patient and thorough. The slow pressure built up in her, and she shook with the pleasure of it. It was like a warm bath, filling her up, the pleasure level rising, closer and closer toward the edge until it spilled over, unable to be contained.
• • •
When Jade had finished, Matt inched up and rested his cheek on her belly. He could feel her heartbeat, fast and furious at first, then gradually slowing. She sighed, and he smiled in triumph.
He was still hard as a rock and ready to go, but it also felt nice to lie here listening to the rain on the roof and the beat of Jade’s heart. Her skin was warm and smelled like a combination of her and some lingering scent of vanilla. The air of the cabin was cool and smelled like rain and pine. It was a moment of beauty, filling his senses in a way that left him feeling powerful and alive. There was nothing missing in that moment. It was pure contentment, and just like that, a piece of the puzzle clunked into place. He knew. The feeling that had been dogging him, that vague feeling that there was something missing in his life became clear. What had been missing was her: the intimacy, the laughter, the loving—a life. His career, his success, none of it mattered without someone who mattered.
Matt lifted his head up to look at her. She was glorious with her jet hair draped out over the honeyed tones of the rug and oak plank floor. Her eyes were closed, lashes fanned over her flushed cheeks. Her skin was pale and creamy with the exception of her nipples, which were a dusty rose. He could see a future with her, and it scared him to think about it.
She reached a hand down, and without opening her eyes, found the top of his head and wove her fingers into the tousled mess of it. He felt her fingers exploring his scalp and the softness of his hair. Here was something worth having, if only he could figure out how to make it work. Matt took a shaky breath and blew it out. If he managed to make a life with her, it would be perfect. Already, he could see how many ways he could fuck it up. And suddenly he recognized one way he already had.
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Matt sat up abruptly, yanking his head away from Jade’s hands.
Jade’s eyes flew open. “What’s wrong?”
Matt froze. What was he going to tell her? How was he going to tell her? Up until now, he had brushed the whole name thing under the rug, writing it off as not that big of a deal. He was betting good money that she wouldn’t see it that way. Fuck!
He accused her of complicating relationships, but this one was plenty complicated and he had no one to blame but himself. Double fuck!
“Matt! What’s going on?” Jade was sitting up now. She had pulled a pillow off the bed and held it clutched to her chest, a worried look on her face.
Matt dragged his hands through his hair and then dropped them helplessly to his side. There was really no way out of it. “Okay, honey, I have something to tell you, uh, something you are not going to like … ”
Jade paled a bit but didn’t interrupt him.
“I was going to tell you before … before last night, before we … ” Matt cleared his throat.
“You’re married,” she whispered, her top lip trembling.
Matt looked confused. “What? No! No, that’s not it.”
“You have a girlfriend!”
“Uh, no, I’m completely available. I just haven’t been completely honest … ”
Jade glared at him. “You better not tell me you have some …” She waved her hand in the general direction of his penis.
“No! Definitely not that.” Up until that point, he had forgotten that he was naked. He glanced around until he found his underwear on the floor.
“Well what, then?”
“I’m not who you think I am.” He put the underwear on and started to pace the room.
“You’re a secret agent?”
“No, I’m a writer.”
“You’re not published?”
“No, I’m published. And successful.”
“Well then, what is it?” Jade threw her hands in the air.
Matt bit the bullet. “My last name is not Connor.”
Jade jumped up and put her hands on her hips. She glared at Matt. “What?! You lied about your name?”
Matt nodded. “My name is Matthew Riley McLaughlin.”
“You lied about your name?”
Matt nodded again. He looked worried. “I’m so sorry. I meant to tell you about a hundred times, and there just never seemed to be … ” He trailed off, the excuse sounding lame even to his own ears.
“Wait a second.” Matt could see the moment Jade put it all together. Her eyes widened. “Matthew Riley McLaughlin? As in the Riley McLaughlin?”
Matt nodded unhappily.
“International bestselling author Riley McLaughlin? That McLaughlin?” Jade laughed raggedly. It was not a happy sound.
Matt held out his hands, palms up. “Jade … ” He was afraid to say anything more than that. There was nothing he could think of to say that would make the lie better, and he certainly didn’t want to make it worse.
Jade was pacing the floor now, gesturing wildly and ranting. “Oh, the joke’s on Jade … Too stupid to know. You lying son-of-a … ” Jade paused and gasped. And I’ve seen all of your movies … with Ben!” Jade gasped again. “With Nick! Three of them!”
Matt mumbled another apology, but Jade wasn’t really listening to him now. She was on a roll. “I slept with you!” Jade turned to face him and jab her finger at him. “You … you … poop! Get. Out.”
Matt should have expected it. What he had done was shitty, and most of what she was saying he deserved. But, more than anything, he wanted a chance to talk, to try to say whatever it was that would convince her that they could get past this and make a future together.
Jade picked up a Chia Head plant sitting on her bedside table and threw it at him.
It exploded in a fantastic burst of pottery and dirt at Matt’s feet. Or maybe they could talk later.
Chapter 14
Hudson River Valley Outpost 54
September 12, 1616
Dear Mother,
I am sorry it has been so long since my last letter. The summer was full and quite productive. Pierre and I collaborated again on business ventures. Together, we were able to map out much of the valley as well as establish alliances with other trappers and guides from the area. Neither Pierre nor I wish to form a permanent business arrangement, but we do work well together and will most likely do so in the future. Our success has sustained us financially, and I have had no need to spend anymore of your generous gift to me. With luck, those pieces will be passed down to your progeny.
What may be of more interest to you, dear mother, is the news of another alliance that I have formed since I last wrote, this alliance being one of the heart. I wrote to you about meeting Alsoomse before and since then we have had opportunity to spend more time together. As you can no doubt guess by her name, she is native to this land. We met when I consulted with her tribe about known travel routes through the mountains, and her father agreed to allow her to guide us. She is a magnificent tracker with far greater skills than my own and a wonderful horsewoman. If she ever crosses the ocean, you will finally have some female company on the hunt. Mother, you would find her a kindred spirit and a true friend.
In fact, much of her reminds me of you; her intelligence, strength of character, fierce loyalty, and pride are all qualities you and she share. Perhaps that is why I find myself so taken with her. I have endeavored to remain careful in this matter, but unfortunately my heart rushes forth heedlessly.
I intend to ask for her hand by the end of fall. I do not yet know whether her traditions demand a long engagement, but I am hoping for a wedding after the spring thaw.
When possible, I will keep this outpost informed of my location and situation. If you were to write to me here, the letter would work its way to me. I may not make it back this way until spring, but I promise to write you before then. Send my love to all.
Affectionately yours,
Adam
• • •
“You did what?!”
Matt pulled his cell phone away from his ear to keep Samantha’s voice from blistering his eardrum. “I told her who I was after I slept with her.”
“I hope she threw something at you.”
“A Chia Head.”
Samantha laughed. Hard. Three minutes later she was just starting to catch her breath. “I like her.”
“Yeah, the truth is, you would if you met her.” Matt tried to sound annoyed, but there was a tinge of desperation to his voice. “So, are you going to help me or not?”
“That depends.”
“On what?” Matthew heard the click of a lighter through the phone and waited for Samantha to inhale.
“Is being an asshole a genetic thing, or can you control it?”
“I know. I know. I’m an idiot. But I’ve never really been in love before. I’m new to all of this. You have to account for the learning curve. Please, I need you.”
Samantha laughed again. “Oh, this is great. The great Riley McLaughlin, international man of intrigue, lady-killer, in love and begging for help!”
Matthew dropped his head into his left hand and tried not to damage his cell phone in the crushing grip of his right. “Just … please.”
Samantha stopped laughing. “Oh, sweetie, of course I’ll help you. You’re like a brother to me. Which is why I can’t resist torturing you just a little. Look, this is completely fixable. Just leave it to me. But I warn you, it’s going to take some finesse. Meaning no rushing in. You’ll have to hang back and be Mr. Sensitive for a change.”
Matt heard the confidence in Samantha’s voice and for the first time since that morning, he was able to breathe. “Yes. I can do that.”
• • •
Jade made her way to the main house. Please let Meg be there. Unfortunately, she had to make her way past every other cabin to get there. She picked up her pace as she passed cabin eight and didn’t slow down until she reached the kitchen. Luckily, she m
anaged to avoid any tall, good-looking, internationally famous writers along the way.
Meg was rolling dough out on the butcher block and Jade was so relieved that she could feel the knot in her stomach release.
Meg looked up as Jade entered the room. “Uh oh, what’s wrong honey?” Meg stopped what she was doing and immediately went to the coffee maker to pour Jade a cup.
“He’s Riley McLaughlin.”
“What?” Meg brought the cup over to Jade.
“Matt. Mr. Connor. He’s actually Matthew Riley McLaughlin.”
“Holy crap! You’re kidding.” Meg looked speculative. “Okay, so he’s not only drop-dead gorgeous but talented and successful too. And this is bad because …?”
“He told me after he slept with me.”
Meg gasped. “You slept with Riley McLaughlin … the Riley McLaughlin!”
Jade rolled her eyes. “Uh, hello. You are missing the point here.”
Meg started dancing around the kitchen. “I can’t believe Matt is Riley McLaughlin. How did we not know?”
Jade waved her hands in the air. “I don’t know. It’s like Robert Ludlum; how many people know what he looks like? I just didn’t think that Matt … We didn’t Google him. He doesn’t have a photo at the back of his books. We’re idiots?” Jade thunked her head on the counter.
Meg stopped abruptly. “Okay, spill! How was he?”
Jade’s head shot up. She gasped. “Meg Hammond!” She shot Meg a glare.
“What? You slept with Riley McLaughlin, and I am your best friend. I am bound by duty to ask.”
“Well, I’m not saying a thing.” Jade crossed her arms under her chest until she realized she couldn’t drink her coffee that way. Coffee was way more important than indignation.
“Oh, no … that bad?”
