by Cathryn Fox
He cocked his head. “Always.”
“I somehow suspected that.”
“Come on, let’s go.” Kale climbed from the truck and circled around to meet her. He captured her hand in his as they made their way to the front door.
Erin sucked in air as she twisted the knob and stepped into the front entrance. Music and voices drifted out to them from the other room.
“In there,” Erin said, her voice strangled.
They moved down the hall and turned the corner to the living room where guests stood around conversing, sipping champagne, and nibbling on hors d’oeuvres.
Her mother rushed forward when she caught sight of Erin. “You’re late…” Her voice fell off and she stopped dead in her tracks as her gaze went from Erin, to Kale, back to Erin again.
“Oh, I didn’t realize you were bringing a…” She paused as though carefully choosing her next word. She raised an inquisitive brow and finished the sentence. “Date?”
Erin squeezed his hand. Kale could feel her frustration. He squeezed her back, reassuring her, offering his comfort and support.
“Kale, this is my mom, Anna. Mom, this is Kale. He’s my—”
Kale thrust his hand out and cut her off. His lips twitched. “I’m her boyfriend.”
Taken aback, her mother shot Erin a glance as her elegantly manicured hand slipped inside Kale’s. “Well, well, isn’t this a surprise.” A wide smile split her lips as she appraised Kale. “Where on earth did you find such a handsome man?”
Kale angled his head to face Erin. As they exchanged a look, something potent passed between them. “She didn’t find me, I found her. And I consider myself damn lucky.”
Anna turned her attention to Erin. “And when were you going to share this lovely man with the family?”
Share?
Erin’s stomach churned. Didn’t her mother know she wasn’t into sharing? She wanted Kale. All to herself.
Oh boy!
Erin stood there, dazed, watching Kale turn on his playboy charm and dazzle her mother with his quick wit, intoxicating good looks, and signature smile.
When he wrapped his arm around her, anchoring her to his side, her body began tingling in heated anticipation. She suddenly had a monumental craving for a hot fudge sundae.
As she watched him, her insides twisted. The word boyfriend rang in her ears. Of course, it was all part of the facade. Kale wasn’t looking for anything long-term. He was into casual sex. He’d told her so himself. Which was the exact reason why she had decided to have an affair with him in the first place. He didn’t want anything more from her. And now, by God, damned if she didn’t want more from him.
Cripes, how was that for irony!
She closed her eyes against the flood of emotions. So much for “a hump and a bump, thank you chump.” Now it was more like “a hump and a bump, I want it all chump!” A husband, children, and a quaint little house in suburbia.
As her mother engaged Kale in conversation, Erin took that opportunity to pull herself together. She caught sight of her father. He gave her a knowing, apologetic look. She smiled back, smoothed her bangs off her forehead, and tried to quiet her heartbeat. Striving for some semblance of control, she glanced around the room, taking stock. Apparently Donkey Kong boy had chickened out. He was nowhere to be found. She gave a silent prayer of thanks.
Her mother took Kale’s arm in hers. “Come on, Kale. Let me introduce you to the guests.” She turned back to face Erin and narrowed her gaze. As her mother’s eyes raked over her hot red dress, Erin wondered if she had some telltale sign of a woman who’d recently had sex. No, not sex, she corrected herself. A woman who had recently made love.
“Erin, you might want to do something with your hair first.”
Without warning, Kale stopped mid-stride and turned back to Erin. He dipped his head and touched her cheek. The longing in his eyes made her forget every sane thought. His fingers brushed against her flesh as he tucked a wayward lock behind her ear. His torrid, yearning gaze touched something deep inside her. Her knees began to quiver, and she became hyper aware of the moistness between her legs.
“There is nothing wrong with Erin’s hair.” A warm palm cupped her face. “She’s beautiful just the way she is.” His voice was smooth, low, and sent shivers skittering down her spine.
Oh God, he was going to kiss her. Right there in front of her mother and all her snooty guests, with their eagle eyes trained on the action. And she was going to let him. With no attempt at discretion, he brought his mouth to hers. Desire rocketed her over the goalpost as his lips crashed down on hers for a soul-searching kiss full of taunting promises.
In a bold move she wrapped her arms around Kale and kissed him in return, all the while ignoring her mother’s small gasp of surprise. A moment later, Kale inched back. His smile was slow and inviting. He pitched his voice low and put his mouth near her ear. “I’ll be back shortly. Remember where we were.” His words wreaked havoc on her senses as his warm breath fanned her face, making her body quiver in the most delicious places.
After he moved away with her mother, Erin made a beeline to the liquor cabinet and poured herself a stiff drink, hoping to quell the fever rising in her. She stood there, trying to remember how to breathe as she sucked back gin like it was soda pop. She cringed as it slid down her throat. The stuff was horrid.
Her sister Terry came up beside her. She rubbed her hands together like she were concocting some evil plan. All that was missing was the maniacal laughter. “Ooh, he’s so hot. I just love him, Erin.”
Oh God!
She was in trouble.
Because she loved him too.
Warmth sang through Erin’s veins as she watched Kale mingle. Everything about him was so easy, so casual, and so comfortable. Every few minutes he’d glance her way and give her an intimate smile meant for her and her alone.
“He’s so yummy, Erin.”
Erin slanted her head to get a better look at her sister. Was that drool pooling in the corners of her mouth? Lord, the woman was married with kids. She shouldn’t be salivating over Kale like Pavlov’s dog. That was Erin’s job.
“Where have you been hiding this fine specimen?” Terry asked.
Erin was far too preoccupied admiring Kale to answer her sister. His mere presence drew the attention of everyone at the party. All eyes were turned on him as he mingled with the guests. Erin watched him, her own body so in tune with his every gesture, his every movement.
Even though he was across the room, she felt so close to him. There was no denying she’d experienced an intimacy with him unlike anything she’d ever experienced before. And tonight, during their lovemaking, she knew she’d connected with him on a deeper level. Everything in her craved him. She needed to be with him. To touch him again and again, and to have him touch her in return.
Without answering her sister’s question, she said, “I have to go, Terry.”
As she moved across the floor toward him, her entire body began to quake. The minute she entered his personal space, the need to feel skin on skin, to connect with him on an even deeper level overwhelmed her. She didn’t even fight the compulsion to wrap her arms around his waist, to find comfort in his embrace.
He pulled her in tight, glanced down at her, and smiled. Erin’s insides turned to mush. “Are you okay?” he asked.
She wasn’t okay. Not even a little bit. “Take me home, Kale.”
His brow furrowed. “Home? To your place?”
It was late and she should go home, but she needed to be with him, to love him, and to make love to him while she could, while he was still in Iowa.
She shook her head. “No. Yours.”
Chapter 11
Kale escorted Erin up the driveway to the front entrance. He opened the door, stepped inside, and hauled her in along with him. He felt her shiver as the cold seeped under her skin and penetrated her bones.
Kale rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “Are you cold?”
“A li
ttle.”
He gave her a sexy grin. “I know the perfect way to heat you up.”
“Yeah?”
“We never did get to try out that hot tub.”
She chuckled. “Yes, I believe I was about to show you a fantasy or two of mine.”
“Let’s make it two,” he teased.
They grabbed a couple of towels, stripped down to what the good Lord gave them, and made their way to the patio doors. Erin’s towel fell as she reached out and released the lock. She didn’t bother covering herself back up. He loved that she was so uninhibited around him and so comfortable in her own skin.
“On the count of three we run,” Erin said.
A cold gust of air rushed in. They both shivered.
“Forget that.” Kale scooped her up, ran across the wooden deck, and deposited her in the water. He turned up the jets and jumped in beside her.
“Ahhhh, so nice,” he said, moving closer.
They both rested their heads back and gazed at the stars twinkling in the dark night sky. Erin gave a contented sigh. “It’s so beautiful out here.”
Kale slanted his head sideways and stared at Erin. “Yes, so very beautiful.”
She turned to him. Kale suspected she knew full well he was talking about her. He saw turmoil in her eyes and hoped he was getting to her. Hoped she was beginning to realize that what was between them went far beyond casual. Hoped she was learning to trust him and understand that he wasn’t like other men in her life who’d destroyed her belief in happily-ever-after.
He wanted her so much it hurt. And wanted her to want him the same way. He knew instinctively, since the minute he’d set eyes on her, they were meant to be together. Forever.
He curled a strand of her damp hair through his fingers. “Now tell me about this fantasy of yours.”
She puckered her lips and breathed a kiss over his cheek. “I don’t think so.”
“No?”
“No. I though I’d show you instead.” She reached down and sheathed his cock in her hands. He pulsed and thickened as she squeezed her fingers around him.
A wide grin split his lips. “Well, if you must.”
She chuckled. “Oh, I must.”
She came around to kneel in front of him. One hand slid down to cradle his balls while the other stroked his cock. She leaned forward, pressed her lips lightly over his, and teased his cock between her breasts.
Lust settled deep in his groin as he became lost in the sensations. Closing his eyes, he threw his head back. “Oh, man, that’s good.”
“I want to taste you.” Her sexy voice was breathy, intimate.
His head jerked up with a start. His gaze flew to her face. The women he’d been with in the past had always avoided that act for one reason or another. He brushed her hair back and looked deep into her eyes. “You would do that? For me?”
Her fingers marched over his stomach. “You got to taste me, now I want to taste you.” Her eyes were dark and full of passion.
“Are you sure?”
Instead of answering, she rasped, “Lift your hips for me.” Her hands circled around to grab his ass and lift him from the water. “Oh, and Kale. It’s for me too. It gives me pleasure to pleasure you.” Her grin turned wicked as she lightly brushed her tongue over her bottom lip.
He gulped.
Her smile prompted him into action. He planted his elbows on the ceramic tub and raised his pelvis until the night air kissed his swollen cock. The contrast of hot and cold stimulated him, making his dick tighten and throb.
She held his cock in her hands and admired it. Her lips parted as her eyes devoured him. “Very beautiful.”
“Thanks,” he croaked around the lump in his throat. “Thanks” hardly seemed the appropriate response. It didn’t even begin to describe what he was feeling, what was in his heart, and how happy she made him.
All thoughts were forgotten when she began massaging his balls. She looked at him and breathed a kiss over his engorged phallus. “Now it’s my turn to make you moan.” With a long, luxurious stroke she ran her tongue down the length of him. She glanced at him, the devil’s gleam in her eyes. “In fact, I think I’ll make you scream.” She widened her mouth to accommodate his thickness and drew him all the way to the back of her throat.
He screamed all right. Moaned, growled, groaned, and screamed.
Her cheeks curved inward as she sucked. Blood pounded into his cock when her damp hair caressed his inner thighs.
With a feathery light caress, Erin worked her tongue over his bulbous head while her hand stroked him in a smooth, steady motion. His cock grew thicker as it absorbed the warmth of her mouth.
Erotic mewling sounds came from deep in her throat. He loved the sweet, sexy bedroom noises she made. Loved that she liked what she was doing. Balancing with one arm, Kale reached out and cupped her breasts, pinching her nipples between his fingers. She pushed against his hands and sucked harder. He drew in a tight breath as his body trembled and his pulse soared.
His liquid arousal pearled on the tip of his cock and Erin eagerly lapped it up. She licked her lips in sheer delight. “Mmmm. I love the taste of you, Kale.”
That was enough to bring him to his breaking point. He clenched his jaw, unable to hold out any longer. Good Lord, he’d never come so fast in his life. “I’m going to come, babe.” His voice was a strangled whisper.
“That’s the plan,” she teased. “I want you to come in my mouth, Kale.”
Her words pushed him over the edge. He threw his head back and came on a growl. His liquid heat exploded into her hungry, waiting mouth.
After she swallowed every last drop, she lifted her head and met his glance. Smiling, she released a very satisfied sigh and licked his juices from her lips.
“Come closer,” he said, tugging on her. She slid up his chest, her pert nipples brushing his skin, arousing him all over again. Kale drew her into his arms, captured her mouth, and swallowed her happy sigh.
He crushed his fingers through her hair. “I can’t seem to get enough of you.”
“Same here.” She rested her head against his chest and drew a contented breath.
“Well, I can hardly blame you, Erin.” He puffed out his chest. “I am magnificent.”
Erin chuckled. She lifted her head, rolled her eyes, and splashed water in his face. “Yes, I’m sure that must be the reason.”
As he cupped her chin and drew her lips to his, her stomach growled. His quickly joined the chorus. As they shared a private chuckle, Kale brushed her damp hair from her forehead.
“Why don’t we take the shrimp back to bed and eat it there?”
A sparkle twinkled in her eyes and her lips turned up naughtily. “The sauce too?”
His heart swelled in his chest. God, he was so crazy about her, and now that they’d advanced their relationship to the next stage, Kale had every intention of pushing her further.
Kale gathered her in his arms and hugged her. “You are such a bad girl. Come on.” He jumped from the tub and knotted a towel around his waist. He held hers out for her and pulled it tight around her shoulders after she climbed out of the water. Hand in hand, they bolted inside.
Erin briskly rubbed her arms. “Brrrr.”
“Let’s go get under the covers and warm up.” Kale grabbed the shrimp and sauce from the fridge. Keeping pace, he followed Erin down the hall. She pushed open the door and stepped inside the bedroom. The scent of their earlier lovemaking perfumed the air and spilled into the hall.
Erin dropped her towel, got on her hands and knees, and crawled across the mattress. Kale gulped air. His cock surged to life in reaction to the erotic sight before him. He wasn’t kidding when he said he couldn’t get enough of her. She was more potent and addictive than any sex drug designed at the lab. He placed the shrimp platter on the nightstand. At that moment he had other things besides food occupying his mind.
“Um, Erin. Stay exactly like that.”
“What?” She smiled at him over her shoulder
.
He cleared his throat, pinched the knot on his towel, and let it fall to the floor. Her gaze followed it, then lifted back to lock with his. “I just remembered another one of my fantasies.” He ran his hand over her rounded backside and squeezed her tender flesh.
Her smile faded. A stricken look came over her. She lowered her lashes, shadowing her emotions. “I…uh…” She faltered and twisted around until she was sitting on the edge of the bed. Her feet tangled together, her hands clasping tightly.
Kale sat on the bed beside her and finger combed her hair. He slanted his head and gazed deep into her turbulent eyes. “What is it?”
Her mouth curved downward. “Not like that, okay?”
He matched her frown. “Are you sore?”
She shook her head no.
He tucked a damp strand behind her ears. “Does this position hurt you? Erin, I’d never want to do anything to hurt you.”
Her eyes softened, and he could see she appreciated his concern. “No, it’s not that.”
“Come here, babe.” He gathered her into his embrace and stroked his hands over her arms. “What is it then?”
When she didn’t answer, he pressed. “Talk to me, Erin. Tell me what’s wrong.” He wanted her to trust him, to open up to him.
“It’s silly, really.” He could tell she was uncomfortable and wanted to comfort her.
“Of course it’s not silly, Erin. If it’s important to you, then it’s important to me.”
She reached out and absentmindedly curled his wet hair through her fingers. “I was engaged a few years ago.”
His back stiffened in surprise. “Really?” His brow furrowed as a surge of jealousy tugged on his emotions. “I didn’t realize that.”
“I came home from work early one day and found my ex screwing his secretary on my bed in that same position. I guess it just brings back painful memories from my past.”
He tightened his grip around her, offering his comfort, his understanding. “Asshole,” he mumbled under his breath.
She nodded her head. “Yeah, he was. I’m glad I found out what kind of guy he was before I married him.”
He paused and considered the situation. Now he finally understood why she was so guarded. “This actually explains a lot.”
