by Codi Gary
And when his hand reached out to take hers across the table, he didn’t release it until he opened the car door and helped her inside to take her home. Once he hopped inside the cab, he reached across the seat to take her hand again, and she felt the bubble of giddy, girly laughter rising in her throat and covered her mouth to hide the sound. It was the same noise she made during romantic movies as the hero confessed his love for the heroine and the two kissed passionately before the fade-out.
Kiss. Would he walk her to the door and kiss her? Or would he start kissing her in the truck? Or should she invite him in for coffee? Was that too soon?
He pulled up to her house a little after ten. He parked the car, and she tried to breathe normally as he walked her to her door.
Ryan nervously twisted her hands as she asked, “Would you like to come in for some coffee? Maybe watch a movie?”
“I would but I’ve got kind of an early day tomorrow.”
She tilted her head in confusion. “But we’re closed tomorrow.”
“Yeah but I’ve got some stuff going on. I figured I’d go for a run early. Get some stuff done afterward.”
She tried to hide her disappointment. “Oh sure, I understand. Thanks again for dinner, it was fun.”
He nodded. “No problem. I’ll see you Monday. Do you want to meet for coffee before we open?”
She gave him a small smile. “Sure, that would be great.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Well good night, then.”
“Good night, Gregg.” She waited a bit to see if he would kiss her but he just backed off her porch. She turned to go inside, trying to hold back her tears as she closed the door with a click, locking the dead bolt.
GREGG CURSED AND kicked the wheel of his truck. Going slow sucked. He’d wanted to kiss her again so badly, but knew that if he put his hands on her, there was no way he’d be able to stop. After kissing Ryan last night, the memory of the way she’d responded had kept him aroused all day. It had been downright uncomfortable to drive out to River Road with Sally Barrett, having a semi half the time because of one kiss. He opened the door of the Tahoe, hopped in and slammed the door. His grip tightened on the steering wheel as he watched the porch light go off. He hit the steering wheel with the palm of his hand and was about to start it when he saw her lift the drapes and look out at him.
All night he’d watched that hair catch the light, like live flames dancing. He’d already fantasized a thousand times during dinner about sliding his fingers into the thick curls while he kissed her good-night. But she wanted him to go slow, and kissing her the way he wanted wouldn’t lead to slow and steady.
It’s only a kiss good-night. That’s all it needs to be.
It wasn’t like they were strangers still getting to know each other. And it wasn’t like they hadn’t already kissed. She still stood at the window watching him, and another thought occurred to him. What if she thought he didn’t want her? What if she’d been waiting for the kiss and when it didn’t come thought she’d done something wrong?
“Shit.”
He pulled his keys out of the ignition and got out, loping up the steps. Just as he hit the top step she opened the door and stepped out. He’d meant to just give her a gentle peck, something to let her know he wanted her but still respected her. But her wide eyes looked glossy in the light from the house, and her lips glistened invitingly, and he couldn’t help himself. Without a word he reached for her and was surprised when her lips met his hungrily. He pressed her back against the wall of her house and lifted her up. Her legs and arms wrapped around him, his erection pressed snuggly against the juncture of her thighs. Her hands tangled in his hair as he supported her sweet little rear end with one arm, his other pressed against the wall for balance. He made love to her mouth, and their breathing became ragged and loud in the quiet stillness of the night.
Gregg felt her shiver and pulled back. Leaning his forehead against hers, he whispered, “You’re cold. You should go inside, before we let all the warm air out of your house.”
She laughed a little. “It would probably be easier if you put me down.”
He let her slide down his body, her hands running down his neck and over his chest. He started to drop his arms from around her but she reached around to hold them in place.
He stopped, and she whispered, “I like them just where they are.”
He ran his hands over her waist and asked, “Do you want me to leave?”
She shook her head slowly and that was it. He pulled her back to him, kissing her roughly as he maneuvered her toward the open door. They tumbled through and he kicked it shut, never breaking the passionate embrace. He backed her up to the sofa, and she ran her hands down his chest again, fingering the buttons loose one at a time. She mumbled against his lips, “The bed would be better.”
With a frustrated growl he threw off his jacket and picked her up, cradling her in his arms. “I thought you wanted to go slow.”
She kissed the pulse on the side of his neck, her soft breath against his skin making him quake. “Slow is overrated.”
He carried her down the hallway, not giving her a chance to change her mind. “Which door?”
She bit his earlobe and whispered, “On the left.”
He twisted the knob viciously and pushed into the darkened room. He laid her back on the dimly lit bed and leaned over her, kissing her deeply. He ran his hands over her curves until they reached the fly of her jeans, then moved quickly and unceremoniously discarded them, thanking God she’d already kicked off her boots. Her hands were working the last button open on his shirt and then sliding over the warm skin of his chest and abdomen. He growled like a rabid wolf when he couldn’t get her sweater off without ripping it because of the attached belt. He fumbled with the buckle and she reached down to help him. Slipping the belt open finally, he yanked the sweater up over her head.
Clad only in her lacy red boy-cut panties and matching bra, he had to keep himself from drooling. She sat up and slipped her hands over his shoulders, sliding the shirt down his arms and licking at his skin. He moved his hands to get the buttons on the cuffs of his shirt undone, and once his hands were free he gave into his fantasy and buried his fingers into the fiery curls. The pressure of his hands pulling gently brought her mouth up to his, and her hands slid down to his belt. She pulled the leather through the metal, her mouth busy parrying with his. When she slipped her hands inside the waistband of his pants and wrapped her hands around him, he thought if he died right then, he’d be almost perfectly happy.
SHE HOPED THE sounds coming from Gregg’s mouth were happy ones and that she hadn’t grabbed him too hard. She wasn’t exactly a rock star in the bedroom, but for the first time ever, she didn’t feel like she was playing a role with someone. She didn’t have to act like she couldn’t wait to have him, because that was exactly what was making her slip her bra down her arms so eagerly.
She wanted him more than she’d ever wanted any man, and when he pushed her backward onto the bed and came over her, she giggled with pure joy until he closed his mouth over her puckered nipple. Her giggle turned into a moan as his mouth and tongue worked her sensitive flesh, her fingers slipping into his hair and holding his mouth in place. His hand slipped down under the scrap of lace and into the moist folds of her femininity. He found the tiny nub with his thumb and forefinger, pulling and rolling it between the two digits.
At the first electrifying zing of pleasure, Ryan cried out loudly. Gregg manipulated her flesh, pulling, rubbing it quickly back and forth, and the pressure built between her legs. She couldn’t control the high-pitched sounds escaping from her mouth as she begged for more. She’d never had anyone work her like this, and when he slipped his finger inside and up, flicking over the hidden patch of sensitive tissue inside, she exploded. Her whole back arched, her breast pushed farther into his mouth, and she shook with the effects of her orgasm. Tiny little stars flickered behind her closed eyelids and she let out another cry as he slipped his f
inger out.
Gregg pulled her panties down slowly over her thighs, grazing the sensitive skin with lips and teeth. She jerked at the sensations, her body still throbbing. He pulled the panties all the way off and stood up. The loss of his warmth caused Ryan’s eyelids to flutter open, and she watched him dreamily as he slipped off his shoes and socks. After those were discarded, he reached jerkily for the snap of his khakis. He pulled them and his boxers down in one motion, stepping out of them. She licked her lips in anticipation and reached down to take off her socks, the last piece of clothing left on her body.
His lips twitched as he crawled onto the bed with her. “Not a fan of making love with your socks on?”
Her laugh escaped with a raw, smoky edge. She reached out her hand to touch him and he stopped her. He reached over the side of the bed for his wallet, pulling out the little foil package of a condom. She reached for it and opened it swiftly, sliding it over his length with shaking hands. He took her wrists when she finished and pulled her hands up and over his neck.
“If you touch me anymore, I’m going to explode.”
She let out another laugh as he laid her back again, sliding his firm muscular body over hers. Her breasts pressed against his chest as he adjusted himself to fit his hard length against the opening at the center of her thighs. She placed her feet on the bed and lifted her hips to give him a better angle. At the feel of the round tip slipping inside her wet warmth, Ryan started trembling again. Gregg was moving slowly, slipping inch by glorious inch into her tight wet folds, but the slow pace was making her crazy. She slid her hands down his back, over his tight butt, and gripped his cheeks in her palms. His eyes popped open with surprise, and she gazed back at him, eyes pleading with need. “Please, Gregg, I need all of you.”
He leaned on his forearms and thrust home, causing her to cry out loudly as he stretched her. He slipped halfway out and pushed forward again, catching her next cry in his mouth as he thrust his tongue inside the warmth. She slipped her arms back up and held onto his shoulders as his pace increased. Ryan’s moans were coming closer together and her fingers gripped his muscular arms as he swirled in and out, in and out. The pressure inside her built again with every stroke. He shoved inside her one more time, his hard cock sliding over her pleasure spot. She came again, lifting her body off the bed, and tore her mouth from his. “Oh my God, yes. Yes.”
She came back down from heaven to feel his mouth trailing kisses along her neck and chin. She felt his rhythm start to slip, and lifted her hips to meet him as he came, his body stiffening on top of hers. He caught himself before he put all of his weight on her, and she kissed him. She still had a hard time believing it had happened, that she’d had the most mind-blowing experience with a man. A man she had fallen hopelessly in love with.
Her whole body tensed as that crazy thought settled in and took root. She’d been in love with him as a person, as a friend, and her crush had always been that. A hopeless infatuation with a man she would never have. Now that he was attainable, her heart had taken that last leap over the edge and it belonged to him. She’d wanted him for so long, and now that he was hers, she had a hard time slowing her heartbeat.
Is he really yours, though? He says that he’s always wanted you, and maybe that’s true, but what if it’s not? What is he’s just here because he likes the Gracie version of you?
She nibbled her lip and tried to push the little voice of doubt from her mind.
She caught him watching her in the dim light and flushed. She moved her hand up to run her finger over his mouth and whispered, “That was wonderful.”
He let out a breathless chuckle. “Just wonderful?”
She smiled softly and offered, “Amazing?”
He flashed a grin in the dark. “Better.”
“Mind-blowing?”
“Keep ’em coming.”
He covered her laugh with a kiss and rolled to his side. He leaned up on his elbow, looking down at her. She lost her smile and whispered softly, “How was it for you?”
He reached out to stroke her face, leaning over her again, his lips hovering. “You are the most beautiful, intoxicating, and extraordinary woman I have ever been with.”
She caught her breath and whispered, “Really?”
His mouth took hers deeply, making the moths dance and her eyes flutter. When he pulled away he whispered back, “Really.”
Chapter Four
Six days until Valentine’s Day . . .
IT FELT LIKE she had only been out for a few minutes before the feel of warm hands on her stomach woke her up from a weird dream about puppies eating her socks. She smiled sleepily, her eyes still closed. “Are you ever satisfied?”
She felt his lips against her neck, and he breathed his reply across the sensitive skin, “No. I’ll never get tired of feeling you come apart in my arms.”
She felt her body tighten at his hushed words and pressed back into him, only she felt rough cloth instead of naked skin. Her eyes popped open in surprise and she turned over to find him fully dressed. He laughed at the wide eyes and slightly opened mouth. “I went out to get breakfast.”
Her stomach rumbled at the mention of food, and he kissed her open mouth quickly. “Come on lazy, I’ve got plans for you.”
She grabbed the blanket and held it to her breasts. “I thought you had things to do today?”
He grinned at her. “I’d rather be with you.”
Sweet warmth spread over her and she reached out to him. She climbed onto her knees and pulled him into her arms, kissing him softly, running her fingernails along his neck. He groaned aloud and pulled back gently. He stared down at her, his eyes stormy. “Ryan, if you don’t stop that, we’ll never leave this bedroom again and we’ll starve to death.”
She sighed and started to climb off the bed. “Okay, I’ll go take a shower.”
He pulled her back into his arms and glowered at her. “Wow, that wasn’t much of a fight. Did I wear you out already?”
She gave him a sultry smile and slid her hands down his body, sliding one hand over the hard bulge under the fly of his jeans. “Hmmm, somehow I don’t think so.”
He grabbed her hand and pulled it up, kissing her palm. “Come on, you hussy. Daylight’s a-wasting.”
Ryan smiled as she stumbled into the bathroom, wrapped in the blanket for modesty’s sake. She stared at herself in the mirror and gasped in horror. Mascara and eyeliner were smeared around her eyes like a raccoon’s mask and her lips were swollen from kissing. She scrubbed her face with bar soap, cringing when some of the stinging liquid got into her eye, frantically rinsing it. Then, looking at her face again, scrubbed clean and her hair looking like rats had been living in it, she couldn’t believe she was standing in her bathroom after a night of mind-blowing sex and the most gorgeous, wonderful man was waiting in her kitchen with breakfast.
Humming to herself, she pushed all the little niggles of doubt to the back of her mind as she turned on the shower. She scrubbed her body, her hand trailing over places that Gregg had spent extra time kissing, her eyes closing and a smile spreading over her lips as flashes of the night before made her body sizzle. The hot water sprayed over her skin, loosening tight muscles that had stretched and flexed in ways they hadn’t before. But it wasn’t just what he’d done to her body. He’d told her things about himself, about his mother and sister, and how hard it had been after his dad left. He’d talked to her like he never had when she’d been just Ryan the friend. That had to mean something, right?
She turned off the water and climbed out of the shower. She tried to get ready quickly, drying her long tresses and brushing her face lightly with the mineral base and a little mascara, trying to separate the black lashes like Megan at Macy’s had shown her. Satisfied that she looked presentable, Ryan slipped out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel and went back into her bedroom, where she opened the dresser drawer and pulled out a pair of white briefs and a cotton bra, shrugging off Gracie’s advice for today, at least. There was no
way she would be comfortable running around with scratchy lace creeping up her hind end.
After clipping the bra into place she called through the door, “So what are we doing today?”
“What?”
She heard his footsteps coming down the hallway and cried, “Don’t come in! I’m not dressed.”
She could hear the grin in his voice when he replied, “So what? I’ve already seen and tasted most of you.”
Oh man, the moths were back and wreaking havoc. “It was dark.”
He started to open the door. “Not that dark.”
She rushed to stop him, leaning against the door. “Stop it! I just asked what we were doing so I know what to wear.”
He stopped trying to open the door. “Dress warmly, and I’d wear snow boots.”
“Snow boots?”
He didn’t answer, just whistled his way down the hallway. She finished throwing on a T-shirt, jeans, and a sweatshirt, and made her way out to the kitchen. Gregg stood by the counter with a cup of coffee in his hand, chewing on a muffin as he held out a white bakery bag to her.
“Gracie said to tell you hi.” His smile was sheepish, and she groaned out loud. Gracie was going to be hell-bent on yanking all the gory details from her. Awesome. She pulled a muffin out of the bag and took a bite, moaning when the sweet swirls of flavor hit her taste buds.
“I swear, Gracie is a nosy pain in the butt, but she bakes the most orgasmic things.” She caught his weird expression and wiped at her mouth. “What?”
“Did you just say, ‘orgasmic’?” His eyes were wide, and she blushed.
“What? It’s a word. Gracie said it the yesterday when we were shopping.” When he burst out laughing, she glared at him, preparing to give him a severe tongue-lashing, but the phone rang. Instead she stuck her tongue out at him as she answered, “Hello?”
“Hi, honey! How are you?” Her mother’s voice was loud and cheery.
Ryan turned her back on Gregg and answered, “I’m good, Mom. What’s going on?”
