Walker's Run

by Mel Favreaux

  “Well, it looks like my clothes won't be finished in the dryer anytime soon,” she said.

  “You can wear my clothes home if you feel the need to go. I can return yours tomorrow,” Jaren said, sounding a little dejected.

  She turned and happily looked at him in the candlelight. “I'm in no rush to leave just yet. We're still having a great time.”

  The enigmatic smile returned to his face, and she felt her tummy quiver at the sight. She wondered if he realized just what a grin like that could do to an unsuspecting woman. It was powerful.

  He picked up the extra candle and their glasses. “Would you like to go in the sun room and watch the lightning dance across the ocean?”

  “Now that's a line I'm sure you've not used on another girl.”

  He laughed. “No and I probably never will again. So, what do you say?”

  She accepted her glass. “What about Mac?”

  “He'll sulk. There's no way he's going to come out into the sun room with the storm.” He motioned for her to follow as he led the way to the second floor. The room she followed him into had a breathtaking view of the beach and the water. The front wall was glass.

  “Wow…” She smirked and set the candle on a small coffee table in front of a love seat facing the view.

  “This is probably my favorite room in the house.” He set the spare candle and his wine glass on the table.

  “I could sit here all night,” she whispered as she watched lightning skitter across the waves in the distance.

  Jaren motioned for her to have a seat. She noticed his hesitancy. He tried to judge how much distance between them would be appropriate when he sat down. She couldn't hold back her grin.

  In order for the night to get any more interesting, it looked like she would have to make the first move, she realized.

  “So, what's a woman like you doing in a strange town, on vacation, alone?” he asked after a few moments of silence.

  Kimra sat back and sighed. “I needed a break from work. I've had a couple bad relationships over the last few years, and I just needed to get away from everything for a bit. Try to regroup and figure out some things.” She picked up her glass of wine and took a sip.

  “So there's no guy at home waiting on you?”

  She laughed and shook her head. “Not quite. Aside from a few plants that should be good and wilted on my return, I don't think anyone would even know I'm gone.”

  “I find that hard to believe.”

  Raising a brow, she turned her attention to him. “What about you? Are you here hiding out from a girlfriend?”

  Jaren grinned. “No. I just finished a big job in Seattle and thought Mac and I needed a little downtime. Dad offered this place, and I took him up on it.”

  “So you've no one at home missing you right now?”

  “Nope, I brought him with me.” He took another swallow of his wine and set it back down.

  “How long is your vacation?”

  “As long as I want it to be. I have a couple projects ahead of me and one bid to work on, but I'm in no rush. This is the first vacation I've had in years and I intend to enjoy myself until I feel like I've completely relaxed.”

  She smiled. “I wish I could say the same. Though I can do some of my work remotely, I don't have to be onsite. I really don't have room to extend my vacation unless I have to.”

  “Then you'll just have to make the most of it.” Jaren leaned back and looked into her eyes.

  “That's my intention anyway.” She ran her fingertips over the back of his hand, feeling him flinch at her touch.

  Kimra felt her heartbeat speed up. She'd never been the aggressor before. With everything that had happened in her life, she knew just how short life was. Recently she'd made a vow to herself not to pass up any opportunities as they came along.

  It had been a surprisingly wonderful evening. This was just putting the cherry on top. Leaning toward him, lightning flashed again, illuminating the room and his face as her eyes settled on his lips. His tongue darted out, moistening them. Unable to resist a smile she looked back in his eyes again.

  “Are you nervous?” she asked, trying to hold back a laugh.

  “I am.”

  She smirked and raised a brow. “This is hardly the time for you to be nervous.” Closing the last few inches, her lips brushed against his. Though his response at first was hesitant, it didn't take but a moment to recover. His tongue glided against hers. She moaned into his mouth and slid her hands up his chest.

  He was a far better kisser than she'd anticipated. His lips were full and soft…her mind whirled as she felt his arms encircle her, pulling her closer.

  What am I doing? Logic tried to prevail and she tramped it down as hard as she could.

  It had never done anything but turn her into a workaholic. Just once in her life she wanted to let go and know what it felt like to be carefree.

  Curling her fingers into his hair, she pressed her body closer

  “Kimra,” he whispered, pulling back from her.

  “Shh…” She touched her fingers to his mouth. “Don't ruin this with talk. Not now.”

  “But I—”

  Placing her mouth against his, she effectively silenced him and heard his soft groan as her tongue danced between his lips. Kimra had learned in just a few short hours that Jaren was a thinker, a planner, and a talker. Right now, she didn't want to do any of those things. She just wanted to feel. Just one night to forget all the stress and everything she'd have to deal with when she returned home.

  Her hands slipped under his shirt, up his bare chest, lifting his shirt. The muscles she'd only briefly glimpsed when she'd seen him changing felt far more defined than she'd assumed. He raised his arms and pulled the material over his head, and she dropped her mouth to his chest, nibbling the warm, exposed flesh there.

  His fingers brushed through her hair, and he titled her face to his again. She was lost in the sensation of him.

  Heat flooded her core as his hands slipped under the edge of her shirt, his fingertips barely brushing against her belly and around her side.

  Raising her arms, he removed her shirt. She closed her eyes when his warm arms pulled her to him. Kimra shivered as her hardened nipples brushed against his chest, and goose bumps rose on her skin while he ran his fingertips up her spine.

  His hands moved with experience. More and more, each gentle caress of his hands and lips stroked away the little voice that tried to whisper common sense into her. This was what she needed; one night of guiltless pleasure with a gentle man, possibly more than just one night. She wanted to make this a vacation she would remember.

  Her breath caught in her throat as his tongue encircled her breast. Digging her fingers into his hair, she pulled him closer and dropped her head back.

  Kimra realized too late, her hands had developed a mind of their own and found them snaking down his chest to slide beneath the waistband of his pants.

  He pulled back from her breasts while her hand encircled his hardening length. “Wait, wait.”

  “No waiting.” She pulled herself over him.

  “I don't have any protection,” he groaned as she smoothed the wetness leaking from his tip down the shaft.

  Logic was too far gone for its whisper to be heard. Ignoring his statement, she pushed him back onto the loveseat and tried to pull his pants down. His hands closed over hers, halting their movement.

  “I don't have any protection with me,” he said calmly. “I'm trying to think rationally.”

  “Too much thinking, it can all take a flying—”

  He slipped an arm around her waist, holding her to him. “I have some in my room, just not out here.” His lips touched hers again. She felt heat course through her entire body.

  She didn't want to think, didn't want to stop, because if she did, logic would rear its ugly head and undo all she had managed thus far.

  “Kimra?”

  “Hmm?” She trailed kisses down his jaw.

  Jare
n laughed softly, shifting her across him. “C'mon.” Taking her hand, he stood and pulled her up with him. “Before things go any further. Let's at least make sure we can still do the right thing.”

  She closed her eyes as his mouth descended on hers again, kissing rational thought away at the same time talking it into her. It was confusing. When he drew away briefly to grab one of the candles, she took a deep breath.

  “I built this place, and I still can't navigate it in the dark,” he said with a grin. He held out a hand, and she could see the unspoken question in his eyes.

  Pushing the raging thoughts away, she took his hand, allowing him to draw her into his chest. Running her fingers into his hair, their tongues twined again. She was suddenly, painfully aware she was about to walk half-naked through a dark house with a virtual stranger she wanted to have sex with.

  Kimra fought a shiver that ran down her spine as he squeezed her hand, urging her to follow. Clenching her teeth, she warred again with logic, forcing it down.

  Crossing an arm over her chest to try to hide her nudity was pointless. It was dark. No one could see her save for Mac, and Jaren had already had his hands and his mouth all over her. That thought succeeded in helping to keep the nerves at bay as did the promise he could be as good a lover as he was at foreplay.

  Kimra followed him from the sunroom, two doors down the hallway on the right, double doors opened into a cavernous bedroom. Because the only light flickered from a single candle, she knew she couldn't have the full scope of what the room looked like. But what she was able to see was breathtaking.

  There was an enormous four-poster bed; gauzy material draped around the canopy. It made the room seem as ethereal as the lightening dancing over the water from the sunroom. She had to force herself to breathe again as the view settled on her.

  Jaren placed the candle on the nightstand near the bed and turned to her. “Are you okay?”

  She could see doubt had begun to creep back into his expression. Closing her eyes, Kimra took a deep breath to settle her nerves and leaned into him. “I'm fine. You?”

  He laughed, stroking an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “Nervous, but I'm all right. I'm just waiting for you to change your mind at any moment.”

  Giving him a playful frown, she stroked his jaw. “Now why would you think I'd go and do something like that?” Sliding her hands over his shoulders, she pulled him close.

  “Because you seem too good to be true,” he whispered, his lips caressing hers.

  Jaren's words managed to loosen what last bit of reserve she had. Her hands moved up, curling into his hair, his arms circling her waist.

  “I could say the same of you,” she said, pulling back from him. Taking his hand, she backed toward the bed.

  * * * *

  Swallowing, he watched her face soften. Jaren couldn't help but wonder what in his life he'd done to find a moment, just one moment of joy with a woman like her. All he could do was pray he wouldn't disappoint her.

  Even if all he had was one evening of bliss with an amazing woman, it would all be worth it.

  He took her face in his hands, looking into Kimra's eyes. She was just…astounding. Leaning in, he captured her mouth. Chills ran through him. Her nipples brushed up and down his chest in time with her breathing, causing his cock to harden even more.

  Jaren took one of her breasts into his hand. His lips trailed down the side of her neck. Leaning down, he sucked a nipple into his mouth. Her soft gasp delighted him, and when he took the pebble between his teeth, her fingers wound into his hair again.

  Kimra ground against him, and he groaned as she dipped her hands into his pants. He couldn't help but wonder how far she would stretch this out before demanding full release. She had the lead, and he would follow. She'd made the first move; this was all up to her. He was still waiting for Kimra to change her mind.

  She worked around the waistband, pushing his pants down. Jaren's eyes fell closed as her mouth nibbled downward. The warmth of her tongue on the underside of his cock nearly made his knees buckle. One long lick from the base to tip. His mind whirled, while Kimra worked magic with her mouth and hands. After a few moments, he forced himself to pull away, panting and close to the edge.

  Jaren knew he needed to reciprocate the favor, it would also allow him to gain control of himself. Taking her arm, he pulled Kimra close. He started with her lips and slowly moved his way down her body, feeling every moan she elicited in the deepest part of his soul.

  Pulling the sweat pants down Kimra's shapely hips and thighs, his eyes feasted on her in the candlelight. She was beautiful. Her hazel eyes sparkled as she looked down at him. He couldn't help but be in total awe of her.

  Slowly, Jaren ran his hands down her taut tummy and around her waist. Gripping Kimra's firm rear, he pulled her toward his waiting mouth. He craved a taste of her. She was inviting, hot, and so very wet.

  They groaned in unison as he sunk a finger into the depths and explored her folds with his tongue. The grip she had in Jaren's hair was nearly painful when a yelp of pleasure burst forth. Her hips undulated, grinding his tongue over the sensitive nub.

  He wrapped his arms around Kimra just as her knees gave way. Laying her on the bed, she quivered in bliss. He climbed over her. She fascinated him in ways that were mind-boggling. All he wanted was to please and worship Kimra the way she should be. A woman should never have to want for anything. Tonight…and hopefully for the rest of her vacation, he would make sure she didn't have to.

  “You are so beautiful,” he murmured moving slowly up her body.

  Her eyes twinkled with unshed tears. Drawing back from her, Jaren's heart hammered in his chest.

  “Did I hurt you?”

  Kimra's hands were there, drawing him back to her. “No, no, no,” she whispered against his shoulder. “You didn't hurt me.”

  “Don't cry, please.” Jaren stroked away the tears and kissed her eyes.

  She laughed softly. “They were happy tears, I promise. You can make me cry like that again and again, I won't mind.”

  He chuckled, nuzzling the side of her neck and felt her body react again. Kimra's mouth found his in a fiery kiss that curled his toes, and she reached down stroking him. He shuddered, struggling to pull away.

  “Please…”

  “Let me…” Jaren ground his teeth when she lifted, trapping him in the vee of her legs. The wet warmth of Kimra opened to him. “I need to get…what we came in here for.” He reached into the nightstand, pulled out a condom, ripped it open.

  She grabbed it from him and rolled it onto his throbbing erection. This time he relented when she welcomed him between her thighs, cradling his body, and holding him close. His lips found hers again. He wanted this to be memorable, not some fast and raucous session of unadulterated sex.

  He had more respect for her than that. She deserved better than that.

  Kimra's soft gasp when he entered echoed through the room and sent a shiver through him. From her actions she'd appeared to have been experienced, from what he could feel, it had either been quite some time for her, or she was just shy of virginity. It took him off guard as to how to proceed.

  Pausing, he allowed her to adjust to his size before beginning an easy, gentle rhythm she followed. No matter her level of experience, he wanted to make sure this was a good memory. Focusing on Kimra's moans of pleasure, Jaren held back, making sure he'd wrung as much satisfaction from her as possible, before succumbing to his own bliss.

  Kimra's entire body shook with the force of her final orgasm crying out in relief of release. It took a few moments to recover. Jaren saw the glazed look in her eyes; it wouldn't take long until she passed out. With a final kiss, she curled into his arms, tucking perfectly against him.

  Chapter Three

  Kimra's head throbbed. Shifting in the bed, she discovered minor tenderness in a couple places. Groaning softly, she found herself draped across Jaren's chest. A frown creased her brow; there was a weight across her back and hip. Rea
ching back, she felt something warm and fuzzy and giggled softly when Mac licked her fingers.

  Jaren's arms circled her waist. Kimra's body tingled when his lips found a most sensitive place. “Keep that up, and we'll start the day the very same way it ended,” she whispered as Jaren's mouth trailed up her neck. The gentle kiss caused quivers.

  “Good morning.”

  “It's sure enough starting off as one,” she said with a grin, pulling back to look in his eyes.

  Grinning, he tucked some hair behind her ears. “I'd hoped it would.”

  Kimra raised her brows seeing the honesty in his eyes. “Jaren, I only have a few—”

  “I know, just a few days of vacation. Would…” He swallowed tightly and took a deep breath. “Would you spend the rest of them with me and Mac?”

  Her heart thundered in her chest. Truth be known, she had nothing better to do. Aside from a deep-sea diving trip…she could put that off for a bit longer. The thought of spending nearly two weeks with him and his giant of a dog was incredibly far more appealing.

  “I think…I—I think I'd like that very much,” she said after a few moments of silence.

  The heart-melting smile spread across his face again. Kimra's tummy fluttered with the struggle to push back the dark thoughts tying to sneak in and ruin these few moments of happiness.

  For the next twelve days, she was going to fool herself into believing the happiness of the present without letting reality get in the way. She could do this. Jaren and Mac could help chase away the sadness and pain she'd have to deal with once her vacation ended. They were what she was searching for; a way to forget and make new memories.

  They spent the morning curled in each other's arms. He'd made her body sing a couple more times before she'd followed him into the shower, where Jaren managed to show her a few interesting ways to completely run out of hot water.

  Kimra's eyes roved over his back while she towel-dried her hair. Unbelievably, she found herself craving him again.

  “So what do you want to do today?” Jaren asked, turning to her, securing a towel around his waist.

  “Anything but sitting directly on the beach as that's what I've managed to do the last two days.” She smiled and shook her hair out, glad to feel the sand gone from her unruly locks.