Head Over Heels
Page 18
“Yes!” she exclaimed.
He gritted his teeth and his body froze for a moment before he relaxed against the bed. “Incredible.”
Kari smiled. “Yes.” She gave him a kiss and placed her head on his chest.
Now she would have to figure out a way to tactfully leave while still trying to get his business.
Chapter 14
Thane stared at the woman in his bed. He knew the sex would be great. What he had with Kari couldn’t compare with anyone he’d been with in the past, including Anjana. Whenever Kari looked at him, the connection deepened.
He wanted her again. She’d slept in his bed after a second marathon session, and now he wanted to experience her flesh one more time. Thane couldn’t remember when his body had felt this alive and healthy and satisfied. As Kari lay on her side, he wrapped his arm around her waist and gently tried rolling her onto her back.
He wanted to see her face, watch her expression when she came again. Thinking about that moment raised his pulse. As soon as he got her on her back, and before he could climb over her, she moaned with her eyes still closed.
“Easy,” she whispered.
Thane moved back from her as she resumed her deep, heavy breathing. Christ, he had become that guy Kari had said she didn’t want. He’d taken his time with her last night for a couple of reasons. He didn’t want her thinking this young man couldn’t slow down for her. He’d also wanted to enjoy every curve and swell of her beautiful body.
I got to get out of here, he thought. He threw on some workout clothes and wrote a note to Kari to let her know his whereabouts.
Working out some of his pent-up anxiety would help him calm down…he hoped. He crept out of the room and went down to the fitness center. At five in the morning, he hoped no one else would be there. He didn’t need a bunch of fans bothering him. He wanted to run and think about last night’s events and Kari.
Would she want to be in his life? How did he feel about her having a kid? No, better question. What did she think he thought about her having a child? Thane had come from a broken home and into an adopted family. He understood the power of blended families. If only his own family could meld together.
He stepped on the treadmill and did his run. The small gym had an all-glass wall and door that faced out into the main lobby. Although the treadmill allowed him to have his back to people walking by, the large mirror in front of him let him see who stopped to look into the room. For that reason, he covered his head with a hood, hoping to block out his identity.
The large wall Kari had around her had come down last night, but not all the way. She’d hid her child from him. Why hadn’t she wanted him to know? Then again, he hadn’t told her everything about his checkered past. She knew about all his former relationships, what had been reported in the media. He had more to tell, more to share. Could he trust Kari with those types of secrets?
* * * *
Kari curled her body in bed and felt soreness between her legs. This time she smiled. She’d had incredible, mind-blowing, hot sex with Thane Wells. No, he hadn’t been the guy she knew from the media or even the man she suspected from her research. He had been patient, kind, creative, passionate, and, damn it, lovable.
She wanted to be here with him. She wanted more of him. Kari slid her ass back to brush against Thane. When she didn’t feel anything at first, she continued moving back until she finally decided to open her eyes and look behind her.
Kari blinked a few times before the realization hit her that Thane had left her alone. She leaned to the side to peek into the bathroom, the darkened, quiet bathroom. No way he would be in there.
She clutched the comforter to her chest and scooted to the edge of the bed, hoping beyond hope to see him in the living room or dining area. Maybe he wanted her to sleep longer. She briefly glanced at the digital clock next to the bed. Almost six in the morning.
Kari stood while continuing to keep her body covered. She looked into the two areas and found nothing. Maybe Thane had gone out to get her breakfast. A man that compassionate and considerate wouldn’t have sex with her and leave. That move came out of Jarrod’s playbook.
One weak moment shortly after her grandfather had died still haunted Kari. She’d lied to Thane last night when she told him the story about a random boyfriend she had sex with years ago. Not so random. Jarrod had said the right things to her at the wrong moment, and she’d fallen for his lies. The topper had been the impersonal note he’d left.
“Thanks for the memories, babe,” had been the sentiment Jarrod left for her after she’d opened herself up again.
As she yanked the covers from the bed, she noticed something fluttering to the floor. Kari peered down. By her foot sat a folded piece of hotel stationery. A note. Another fucking note. She wouldn’t be played again.
Kari stomped into her panties and yanked them up her legs. She put on her bra and hooked the back. Only after fastening it did she realize that she had the undergarment on inside out.
“Screw it.” She didn’t care about what she had on underneath. She had to get out before she had another embarrassing encounter with Thane.
Kari slipped on her shoes but didn’t bother tying them. Then she put on her dress and grabbed her jacket and purse. She wouldn’t be coming back to this hotel or seeing Thane again. She knew that for sure.
She yanked the door open and stormed down the hallway as fast as she could. As she waited for the elevator, she put on her jacket. She knew it would be chilly outside. Yes, she would use that excuse to explain why she couldn’t stop shaking. When she felt her throat tightening, she swallowed and blamed the reaction on pollen. The hotel did have fresh-cut flowers everywhere.
The elevator doors opened. She got in the empty car and pushed the button to take her down to the lobby. The smooth ride gave her too much time to think. She’d awakened from dreams of a life with Thane, him being in her life and in her child’s.
Kari shook her head. No way. She would never let him near Michael. If she hurt this badly from this disappointing experience, she couldn’t imagine how Michael would react.
The elevator doors opened and she practically ran from it. She kept her pace brisk but still ladylike.
“Hey!”
Kari heard the shout and assumed the exclamation had come from a concierge or maybe that nosy guard.
“Kari, wait.”
At the sound of her name, she couldn’t help but stop and turn. She saw a hooded man approach her. When he revealed his identity, she turned and headed to the door.
“Where are you going?” Thane touched Kari’s arm.
“Don’t touch me.” She backed away from him and balled her hands into fists like she wanted to fight.
In a look of surrender, he raised both hands in the air. “I’m not going to hurt you. I wanted to know why you are trying to leave so quickly. Did I do something wrong?”
She huffed. “No. I did. I let my guard down. I got soft.” She looked into his eyes, the same ones that had melted her heart whenever he’d stared at her during sex. “I should have stuck to business. No one gets hurt that way.” She started to head to the door again, but Thane blocked her.
“Will you wait one minute? Did you read my note?” Thane crouched down a little to meet her gaze face-to-face.
“I didn’t need to. I can guess what it said. ‘Had fun last night. I’ll call you. Take care.’ I would have more respect for you had you told me up front that all you wanted was sex. Don’t play with my head and my—” She stopped before she could reveal more of herself.
“Come back up to the room.” He stepped forward, which forced her to take a couple steps back.
“For what? You want to hit it again?” She didn’t realize the volume of her voice until she noticed the desk clerk’s uncomfortable expression.
“Please. I won’t touch you. I need you to see something.” Thane took a couple more steps toward her.
So that she didn’t
look ridiculous walking backward, Kari turned and walked in front of him to the elevator. Thane hit the up button and the doors opened immediately. Inside the quiet car, Thane kept his stare on her but didn’t speak.
Kari didn’t look at him. Not directly. His reflection showed on the mirrored elevator doors. When she looked at him, she noticed sweat around the collar of his T-shirt under his hoodie. Perspiration also dotted his forehead and down the sides of his face. When she took a deep breath, she smelled that familiar sweaty aroma that she’d already grown to adore.
At the top floor, the doors opened. Like a gentleman, Thane waited for her to step out first. After he got out, he walked ahead of her to his hotel room door. He opened it for her and allowed her to go in first.
“I was in the gym downstairs,” Thane said. “I left you a note to let you know where I was.” He picked up the paper on the floor and came back to her. “Please read it.” He held it up to Kari.
She studied his face for a moment. That same sincere look returned. She snatched it from his hand and opened it. “This won’t change anything.”
Kari read the note:
To my honey badger. I need to get a workout in. Please don’t leave until I get back. Order whatever you want for breakfast. Can’t wait to see you. Thane.
Damn. The game had changed.
No, no, no. Kari wouldn’t fall for his charms.
“Seems awfully strange that you would need to do a workout after last night. Are you saying I wasn’t that exciting to you?” Kari ground her teeth as she awaited his answer.
Thane shook his head. “I needed to get away.”
She blinked. “Really? Get away from me?” She tossed the note to the floor. “Fine. I’m out of here.”
He held her arm without apology this time and stopped her. “Don’t you get it?” He looked down at the hand that held her. His thumb brushed over her arm.
Thank goodness, she’d put her jacket back on. To feel him touching her actual skin would have broken her.
“Get what?” she asked in a lowered voice.
“I don’t know what it is about you, but you’ve invaded my soul.” He let her arm go and moved back. “I looked at you this morning and I wanted you again. I wanted to feel you, taste you, make you scream again.”
Kari’s legs buckled. “And?”
“And I thought if I did that, you would think of me as that horny teenager you didn’t want in your life instead of the man that I am. I wanted to be a gentleman because I knew I wouldn’t be a gentle man.” He crossed his arms over his chest as though he needed to corral himself.
“How do you know I wouldn’t have wanted that?” Kari wanted to seem like she had control of this situation when really she had fallen for his genuineness and power. She’d never been with a man like Thane.
“Earlier this morning, I rolled you on to your back. I was prepared to wake you up with kisses all over your body. Then you stopped me with one word.”
She swallowed. “I did? I don’t remember saying anything.”
“You said ‘easy.’”
She swallowed. Sure he’d pushed her body to its breaking point, but in a great way. She didn’t want him to stop. Maybe he had been too much for her.
He put his hand to his chest. “I can’t help my age. I’m young. I have a lot of energy. I can’t stop my needs.” He removed his hoodie and tossed it to the side. “I ran to work out some sexual tension.”
She peered down and saw a distinct bulge in his track pants. “Did it work?” She knew the answer, but she wanted to hear it from him.
He shook his head. “Not even close.” He took a step closer to her and stopped. “I’m not that man you read about online or in magazines. My last serious relationship was with Anjana, and even with her, I waited before we got physical. I know the media portrays me as some Casanova. I’m not that guy.”
“Who are you then?”
“I’m Thane. I am my mother’s son. I’m honest and faithful.” He put his hand to her cheek.
Kari heard his breathing increase. She licked her lips. As soon as she did, he let out a low groan.
“I like you a lot.” He smiled. “Have you showered yet?”
She shook her head. If he undressed her right now, he would see her bra on inside out. Hell, her panties could be the same way for all she knew. She didn’t remember.
“Why don’t we shower and change and go to breakfast? I don’t want to scare you off.” He lowered his voice. “I want to get to know you.”
“Even though I have a son?” As great as all this sounded, she didn’t need him trying to infuse himself into her life if he only wanted one thing. She couldn’t disappoint her child, not again.
“Especially because you have a child.” He kissed her forehead.
“You seem a lot older than twenty-two.” She gazed up at him.
He chuckled. “Patience has never been my virtue. I’m learning that when it matters, it helps.” He walked by her and headed to the bathroom. “Will you wait here while I take a shower?”
Kari glanced down at her watch. “I really should get back to my hotel. I want to be there when Michael wakes up.”
Thane held his hands up. “Please. Give me a couple of minutes to shower and change. Don’t leave, okay?”
She nodded.
“Good. I promise I won’t be long. Whatever you do, don’t go. I don’t mind chasing you down the hall wet and naked, but I’d rather not. Then again, you could join me. Plenty of room for the two of us.”
When Kari didn’t answer, he ducked into the bathroom but didn’t shut the door.
Kari heard the streaming water before she heard the shower door close. She glanced around the room. She looked into the bedroom and saw the remnants of last night’s activities. The disheveled bed, the half-eaten bowls of fruit, the condom wrappers on the floor. She’d been that woman who gave in to her desires. So why hadn’t she wanted to do that this morning when Thane desired her again? Why was she always putting the brakes on having fun?
She dropped her purse on the floor and slid her jacket down her arms as she strolled to the bathroom. She stripped out of her dress and kicked out of her shoes. As she stood on the cool tile floor, she reached behind her and unhooked her bra. She stared at Thane, who had immersed himself under the water and looked like he was trying to take the fastest shower possible. She could slow him down and speed him up in one motion.
Kari pulled her panties down and opened the shower door, which must have surprised Thane. He whipped his head around as soon as she stepped inside. She closed the door, enveloping them in a fragrant fog of his musky-scented body wash.
“I decided I do need that shower.” She put her hands on his chest. “I don’t want you changing yourself for me. All you have to do is say yes.”
He framed her face in his hands and kissed her. Kari slid her hands down his slick body to his waist. Because she liked touching his skin, she eased her hands behind him to his ass. Thane stopped kissing her and released a growl as soon as she squeezed his cheeks.
“You are really letting the beast out.” He kissed her cheek and moved down to her neck. “I should have brought the condoms in here with me.”
“There are other ways to get relief.” She wrapped her hand around his steadily hardening shaft. “This time let me take care of you.”
Kari kept her stare on Thane’s hypnotic blue eyes until she brought her hand up to his mushroom tip. Then he squeezed his eyes shut and planted his hands on the shower stall wall over her head.
She kept her hand tight as she stroked him, slow and easy. With each pass, he became harder. Kari couldn’t resist him. She leaned forward and licked his small nipple.
Thane sucked air between his gritted teeth. He stomped his foot on the floor as though trying hard to keep himself contained. When she covered his nipple with her mouth and sucked him, he surprised her by cupping her breast and twirling her nipple with his large thumb.
Kari kissed his chest before descending to her knees in front of him. While she still had him in her hand, she licked the tip, tasting his salty goodness.
Thane cursed, apologized, and cursed again. Good. Now he could experience what he’d done to her last night, experience the sweet, sweet torture that had reduced her to a puddle. While keeping her hand wrapped around the base, she used her other hand to cup his balls. She massaged them as she brought her mouth down as far as she could go and back up again.
She dragged her tongue underneath his pulsating shaft and moaned, knowing how good the vibration would feel to him. After a few more passes, Kari heard the shower water stop. A few drips came from the head as the remaining water swirled down the drain.
“No, no.” Thane held Kari’s shoulders and brought her up to her feet. “Not this way. Not in your mouth.”
He crouched down and lifted her so that he slung her over his shoulder.
“Thane!” She didn’t mean to squeal, but she’d never had a man manhandle her like that. Too bad she really liked it.
He wiped his feet on the rug outside the shower stall and carried her across the room to his bedroom. After depositing her on the mattress, Thane opened the last of his condoms. He probably didn’t know she had some in her purse thanks to Reagan.
Thane sheathed himself and got into bed.
“No, no, no.” Kari scooted away from him.
“What?” He could barely contain his breathing as he glared at her.
Not willing to torture them both for very long, she got on her hands and knees in front of him. She turned and smiled. “Yes.”
He held her hip with one hand and used his other to help guide himself inside her. She curled her toes at the introduction and had to grip the headboard. Like last night, he controlled every aspect of this session. He pulled back almost to the point of removing himself before slamming himself back in her.