Even sweeter? That he trusted her enough to confess such fears. Whispered in her ear his worries, nodded his head in agreement when she reassured him.
The memory made her heart constrict with emotion for him. Emotion she was almost afraid to express.
It was just so soon. And so incredibly overwhelming, she wasn’t quite sure what to do about it.
He smiled, tenderness and hope shining in his eyes. “If you say yes to this job offer you’ve given me more than enough reason to return to work.”
“Then yes. I’ll take it.” I’ll take you.
I think I love you.
They moved closer together, bodies shifting, heads tipping and lifting until their mouths melted into each others. Their lips parted, tongues danced and warmth cascaded through her body as his hands wandered all over her.
“You probably think I’m moving too fast.” His husky whisper sounded in her ear, his hot breath blowing across her skin and she shivered.
“I think we’re in mutual agreement here,” she admitted, curling her arms tight around his neck. Her hands sunk into his hair at his nape, fingers tangling in the soft strands. She imagined touching this man every single night for the rest of her life and it just seemed so right.
“My father might drive you crazy.” He paused and dropped hot little kisses down the length of her neck. “I might drive you crazy.”
“Never.” She didn’t doubt they would. But she didn’t mind. It would be worth it.
Jake lifted his head and stared at her, eyes bright, lips damp and swollen. “You feel it too, huh?”
She nodded slowly as she withdrew from him, her hand catching his. Without a word she led him back to her darkened bedroom then tugged him close when they stopped at the foot of her bed. They removed their clothes quickly, naked in seconds and then she was falling. Falling onto the bed, his big, hard body lying on top of hers, pressing her into the mattress. She accepted his weight, reveled in it. Her hands slid down his back to stroke his firm ass, pulling him close so that his erection ground against her.
Their agonized groans mingled in the air.
“You’re driving me crazy right now,” she murmured just after he kissed the very breath from her.
“A good kind of crazy though, right?” His tone teased, as did his mouth. It skimmed down her throat, across her collarbone, between her breasts. He cupped her breasts with his wide palms, thumbs skimming her hard nipples and she arched into his touch.
“Oh, yes,” she agreed, surprised she could even form words. She couldn’t think, could only feel and when he drew her nipple into his mouth and sucked, she actually screamed.
It felt that wonderful.
“Shh,” he soothed, his tongue lashing at first one nipple, then the other. She squirmed beneath him, wanting him inside her, wishing she could touch him better but he scooted lower down her body. Until he was poised above her sex, studying her between her legs as if he wanted to devour her.
“Please,” she whispered, wanting his mouth on her, his fingers inside her. She spread her legs, putting herself on full display for him and his eyes widened in appreciation.
“Pretty.” He touched her, a single finger stroked down her slit, searching her folds and she could hear the wet sounds of her pussy fill the room. “And so wet.”
“Jake.” His name came out a strangled plea and she cried out when he bent his head, lips latching about her clit. Exactly where she wanted him.
He licked and sucked, sunk first one, then two fingers deep inside her and pumped. She writhed beneath him, her hands clutching the comforter as he worked her into a frenzy. A frenzy that was about to come crashing down upon her at any second.
“Come for me,” he murmured against her as he licked her clit, his tongue circling again and again, playing with the swollen bit of flesh. “Come for me, Mia.”
As if his words were magic, her orgasm slammed into her. Her entire body shook with the force of it as a low keening sound escaped past her lips. His mouth softened though his fingers still pumped and he drank her climax, eased her through it until she slumped into the mattress a still-quivering mass of flesh.
“Oh, my God.” She blew out a harsh breath, pushed the hair out of her face. He came above her, a condom already in his hand and she watched in utter fascination as he sheathed himself.
He had a magnificent body. Solid muscle, golden smooth skin and those wide shoulders. Shoulders a girl could count on. A body a girl could lose herself in.
And a heart a girl wanted to capture and make hers. Forever.
“I love to watch you come,” he said, wrapping his hands around her hips and holding her tight. Preparing her for his entry. “I love to make you come.”
“I love it when you make me come.” She pressed her lips together for the briefest moment before she decided to go for it. “I love you.”
He paused, holding himself above her with straining arms. A frown curled his mouth downward and he looked as if he’d just been shell-shocked.
Maybe she should’ve never said it. Maybe she just made the biggest mistake of her life.
She hoped she wouldn’t regret it.
Jake blinked, his brain still absorbing what Mia said. He wasn’t even quite sure if he heard her right.
“What did you say?” He probably sounded like a complete ass but he had to make sure. They’d known each other for what, a week? It was kind of ridiculous she would say such a thing.
What was even more ridiculous? He was about to answer in kind.
Yeah, completely ridiculous. But there it was. A fact he couldn’t deny.
“Never mind.” She shifted beneath him and turned her head so he was staring at her cheek. He caught sight of her trembling lips, the agonized light in her eyes. Reaching for her, he cupped her cheek, forced her to look at him.
“Say it again.” His voice had lowered so that he could barely hear himself. His heart beat in quadruple time as he waited to hear those three words.
Shaking her head, she cast a tremulous smile. “It’s nothing.”
“Mia.” His fingers streaked down her soft cheek, across her plump lips. “I need to hear you say it again. Trust me.”
Her eyes widened the slightest bit, and she breathed deep. As if searching for courage. He could relate. “I—I love you. I know it sounds stupid and way too soon and you probably think I’ve lost my mind but…ever since I called you on my cell I’ve felt a connection to you. As if we were—”
“—meant to be together,” he finished for her.
She nodded, her eyes so wide he was afraid he might drown in them. “Exactly.”
He kissed her. He couldn’t help himself, couldn’t take seeing the scared expression on her face. She was afraid he would turn her down. That he would turn away her love.
Only a damned fool would turn her away. Yeah, it was probably too soon and they were rushing things but it felt so right, so good between them.
He wasn’t about to let her go.
“We’ve only known each other a short time,” he said when their lips parted and they needed to catch their breath. “But I feel like I’ve known you forever.”
Her hands tightened in his hair and she tugged him down for another quick kiss. “I feel the same way.”
“I’ve never said…that to another woman before. Besides those who’re related to me,” he admitted.
Her eyes softened the slightest bit. “You don’t have to say it now. I understand. I think I was just—overcome.”
They kissed again, this time getting a little more out of control. Restless. His cock strained against her, desperate to get inside and he felt her shift, her legs spread in welcoming. He entered her with one sure thrust, the feel of her, clamping hot and tight around him nearly doing him in.
He wasn’t about to lose it, not yet. If he couldn’t say the damn words then he’d have to show her. Make love to her and treat her like the princess she was.
His pretty little princess. He watched her, her hair a me
ss, spread all across the pillow in a sweaty tangle. Eyes closed, mouth pursed into a tiny pout, little sighs escaping her with his every thrust. The lightest sheen of sweat covered her forehead, her eyeliner was smudged and God, he loved it. Remembered how neat and tidy she was when he first met her. How his first goal had been to rumple her up.
And he had. She was rumpled and sweaty and real. And she loved him.
Damn it, he loved her too.
Increasing his pace, he grabbed her thigh, hauled it up so she curled her leg about his hip. Her other leg circled around until she was anchored to him, allowing him to penetrate her so deeply the both of them groaned with his every down stroke.
It was so easy to lose himself in her body. Just as easy as it was to lose himself in her smile, in the way she held him at night, just before they drifted off to sleep. The way she said his name, how she looked at him…
“God, I love you, Mia,” he gasped, pushing harder, deeper until his orgasm took him off the rails and into oblivion. His entire body shook as he came, as he whispered her name over and over and her hands soothed. Smoothing up and down his back, the satisfied little smile on her face saying she was rather pleased with his declaration.
He collapsed on top of her, held her close, desperate to calm his racing heart. Big gulping breaths didn’t ease the buzzing through his veins and he wished like hell he had something to drink.
Wished like hell she’d say something to make him feel better for admitting his feelings for her. He was thinking like a selfish ass but he couldn’t help it. Was he the one who now made a huge mistake?
“Maybe next time you’ll let me come,” she finally whispered, and he pushed up on his elbows to look at her. Frowning when he realized what she said.
“Damn it.” He hung his head, feeling like a complete ass. “I’m sorry, Mia.”
She laughed and hugged him, tiny hands splayed across his back. Burning his flesh where she touched. “I’m giving you a hard time. I came earlier. When you…you know.”
Yeah, he knew. He’d do it again and again too if she let him. It was quickly becoming one of his favorite pastimes.
“Did you mean it, Jake?” He lifted his head to study her. “What you said?”
“What, did you think it was one of those I’m-about-to-come-I’ll-say-whatever-it-takes moments?” Now it was his turn to tease.
She hit his shoulder, her fingers barely glancing upon his skin. “Stop it. You know what I mean.”
“I know what you mean.” He grew serious. Very serious. Wanted her to realize he most definitely meant what he said only moments ago. “And yes I meant it. It was stupid for me to hold back. Selfish.”
She smiled and gave him a squeeze. “Then say it again.”
He shook his head once, gave a little tsk. “Only if you say it too.”
“Maybe we should say it together. At the same time.”
“All right.” He took a deep breath. “On the count of three. Ready?”
Mia gave a quick nod and he began to count out loud.
“One. Two. Three.” Jake paused, saw her lips part and they said it at the same time. Just as they planned.
“I love you.”
About the Author
After leaving the crazy working world to become a stay-at-home mom, Karen realized she needed to get crackin’ and pursue her lifelong dream of being a published writer. A busy mother of three, she fits her precious writing time in between chasing her children, hanging out with her wonderful husband and pretending she has a maid. She lives in California.
To learn more about Karen Erickson, please visit www.karenwritesromance.com. You can also send an email to Karen at http://karenwritesromance.com/contact.
Look for these titles by Karen Erickson
Now Available:
Spontaneous
Fortune’s Deception
Fortune’s Chance
Fortune’s Promise
Jessie’s Girl
Forbidden
Tangled
Under My Umbrella
My Favorite Mistake
It’ll take more than a fire hose to cool down this attraction…
Under My Umbrella
© 2010 Karen Erickson
Fated, Book 1
Rain, rain, go away. That’s Jenna’s mantra as she suffers through yet another rain-soaked walk home from work. At least the tight butt of the guy walking in front of her offers some distraction. When he turns around and asks to share her umbrella, she realizes his front view is as smokin’ as the back. What better way to get up close and personal with the object of her ogling?
Brett noticed his hot little neighbor weeks ago, but until now hadn’t worked up the nerve—or found the opportunity—to approach her. Too many hours at the fire station has left him longing for something more out of life. Like the company of a sweet, sexy woman. Maybe, if he’s lucky, kindling a relationship.
Jenna surprises herself again when she offers to let him dry off in her apartment. One minute he’s toweling off his hair, the next their chemistry explodes in the hottest sex either of them have ever experienced. And suddenly they’re both wondering if he’s the match to her tinder, or if it’s too much, too fast…
Enjoy the following excerpt for Under My Umbrella:
Brett stood the moment he saw Jenna enter the restaurant, taking a few short steps to reach her since he waited in the lobby. He took her hands, unable to stop from planting a soft kiss to her upturned lips, and she smiled when they parted.
“Glad to see you too, stranger,” she murmured.
The area was packed with people waiting for a table since the restaurant had been open only a few short months and seemed popular. One of his buddies at the station had told him about the place, raved on how good the food was. A steakhouse that also specialized in seafood, he figured it covered a broad range to satisfy both himself and Jenna.
“You look…” His voice trailed off as he eyed her up and down. Her hair was loose, silky brown waves tumbled just past her shoulders, and she wore some sort of clingy black dress that did amazing things to her already bangin’ body.
“I look what?” she teased, her hazel eyes sparkling. She curled her arm around his, and he led her over to lean against the wall together while they waited.
“Beautiful.” Hot, sexy and completely fuckable.
But Brett didn’t want this to be just about sex. He liked this woman. Wanted to see if they could take this further.
“Thank you.” Pleasure lit her eyes, and he had the sudden urge to take her out of here. Take her back to his place or hers, strip that sexy dress from her body and touch her. Lick her. Bury himself inside her.
“Have you eaten here before?” Maybe if they talked about food it would distract him. Distract him from her delicious scent, the brownish pink color of her lipstick—the sultry glow in her eyes.
“No, but I’ve heard it’s good.” Her gaze dropped to his mouth, lingered there and he wanted to growl.
“Stop looking at me like that,” he admonished, his entire body tense. His cock throbbed beneath the fly of his jeans.
It was going to be a long night.
“Look at you like what?” Her expression was pure innocence though he spotted the mischief in her eyes.
“Like you want to kiss me,” he whispered close to her ear. A big mistake considering he could inhale her delicious scent, felt the silky soft brush of her hair against his cheek.
“I do want to kiss you,” she whispered back, her hand touching him, resting lightly against his chest. “I want to do a lot of things to you.”
Ah, God. He wasn’t hungry anymore, at least not for food. He wanted to get out of here. Couldn’t stand the thought of making small talk and pretending to have an appetite during what would end up being a two hour dinner.
More like two hours of torture. A torture he didn’t want to put himself through.
“You’re going to drive me crazy,” he admitted.
Her smile grew. “Then my pla
n is working.”
“You came here tonight with a plan?”
“Well, not really but just looking at you makes me wanna do…naughty things. To you,” she confessed.
That was it. He couldn’t take it anymore. Hooking his arm tighter around hers he started for the door, taking her with him. “Let’s go.”
“Wait a minute. You don’t want to have dinner?” She sounded truly shocked.
“Not with you looking at me like that and saying those things. Hell no. My apartment isn’t too far from here. Wanna come over?”
“Brett!” She stopped just in front of the doorway, and he stopped as well, wondering at her behavior. “We should at least have dinner first.”
He shrugged. “We’ll order a pizza after.”
She cocked a brow. “After what?”
“You know what.” He waggled his brows in return.
“You’re bad.” She gave a light slap to his shirtfront.
“And you like it.”
“You know it.” Jenna grinned.
“So is that a yes?” He was eager, ready for her to come to his place. His original plan to wine and dine her, get to know her fell by the wayside.
All he could think about was Jenna. Naked and in his arms, lips pliant, her body open and ready for him.
He shuddered in anticipation.
“Yes.” She leaned into him, pressed her soft, curvy body against his and he slid an arm around her shoulders, hauling her close. “I should say no. I should play hard to get.”
“Thank God you’re not,” he muttered as he steered her toward where he parked his freshly fixed pickup.
Jenna glanced up at him, a worried look on her pretty face. “Am I too easy?”
Baby, Don't Lose My Number: Fated, Book 2 Page 8
