A heavy knock came on her back door and she hurried over to open it. She prayed it was Cason, but didn’t let herself truly believe it was him until she opened the door.
Carson stood on her back step looking as big and blond and handsome as always. The satin-lined box he carried in his hands was very familiar. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach.
“I got your flowers.” She couldn’t tell from his expression if he was pleased or pissed off by her gesture.
“That’s good.” She’d had everything she wanted to say planned out in her head, but now that he was here she couldn’t remember any of it. She wished she’d taken the time to change her clothing. She’d been too nervous to do anything but pace and worry. Her slacks and sweater, which were fine for work, now seemed too ordinary, too plain. Well, it was too late now. She was stuck with it. Realizing that she’d left him standing on her porch, she pulled the door wide and stepped back. “Come in.”
He strode into the room, confident and bold, and carried the box over to the table. He was wearing his work clothes, so he must have come straight from whatever job site he was on. She’d given the delivery driver several possibilities, but she’d had no idea if the man would manage to track Carson down or not. Obviously, he had.
His back was to her, so she studied him. His hair was loose and brushed the tops of his broad shoulders. His back narrowed to his waist and his legs were long and sturdy. Physically, he appealed to her like no other man ever had.
Intellectually she enjoyed talking to him. He was amazingly well-read on many subjects and always thought about what he wanted to say before speaking.
But it was emotionally where he touched her deepest. He hadn’t been afraid to put himself on the line for her and she could do no less.
“I love you,” she blurted out. His shoulders tensed.
“Are you sure?” His voice was low and hard.
She wished she could see his face. She had no idea what he was thinking at this moment. Still she plunged onward. There was no going back for her. Not now. “Yes, I’m sure.”
“Where do you want our relationship to go from here?”
She wrapped her arms around her torso, feeling cold and alone. Had he changed his mind? “I . . .” she began and stopped. Screwing up her courage, she started again. “I want us to be together.”
“Publicly?”
“Yes.” She nodded, even though he couldn’t see her. “I wouldn’t have sent you the flowers and the gifts if I didn’t.”
He swiveled around to face her. “Thank God.” She could see relief and the remnants of pain in his face. “Thank God,” he said again and tugged her into his arms. She went easily, loving the warmth that emanated from him. “I thought so, but I needed to be sure.”
His heart was thudding heavily against her cheek. Resting one hand over it, she raised her head. “I was afraid at first,” she confessed. “It had been so long for me and you’re so much younger. But you’re worth the risk. We’re worth the risk.”
She hesitated, but then pushed forward, wanting no more misunderstandings or secrets between them. “What about children?” His muscles tensed beneath her hand. “You’re young and my son is grown.” It was a big concern for her.
“Lily.” Carson’s voice was tender and deep as he tilted her chin up until she could see his eyes. “I want you. I’ll admit that I’d love to have a child with you, but if it doesn’t happen that’s okay too. I already think a lot of Ethan. He’s more than enough son for any man.”
Relief filled her when she sensed he was being totally sincere. “Okay. That’s good. I’m not saying I’m opposed to children or anything. But, Carson, I’m going to be forty in a month’s time.”
He chuckled. “You’re beautiful and don’t look nearly old enough to have a son Ethan’s age.”
Lily couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you, but that doesn’t change the fact that I am and I do.”
He pushed a lock of hair from her forehead before leaning down to drop a kiss there. “I don’t want to do anything that might be a risk to your health. Whether or not we try to have a child is your decision and it’s not one we have to make today.”
She nodded. “So where do we go from here?”
Reaching behind him, he took something from the box. “I didn’t know how long the other one was in the delivery van, so I stopped and bought a fresh can.” Her breath caught in her throat as he brought his hand around to the front.
Her eyes widened and she started to laugh. Clutched tight in his grip was the familiar can of whipped cream.
Chapter Twelve
Carson scooped a laughing Lily into his arms and carried her up the stairs. The ring he’d bought for her was practically burning a hole in his pocket, but it wasn’t time to give it to her yet. He wanted her naked, sated and lying in his arms when he asked her to marry him.
He strode into the bedroom and tossed her lightly onto the bed. When he’d left her last night, he hadn’t been sure he’d ever be back here again. He set the whipped cream on the bedside table and reached into his back pocket, pulled out a condom and laid it alongside the can. Lily stretched out on the bed, watching him, a smile on her face.
God, he loved her. Everything he’d wanted in life was finally within his grasp. And he had no intentions of losing it.
He practically ripped his shirt in his haste to be rid of it and then he tackled his boots. Lily kicked off her shoes and then tugged her sweater over her head. He stopped, hands on the button of his jeans, to watch her strip off her top. Her slacks came next, along with her socks. Clad only in a beige panty and bra set, she reclined back against the pillows.
Carson made quick work of his jeans, shoving his boxers off with them. His cock was hard and ready, but she wasn’t. Not yet, but she would be. When he was naked, he knelt on the bed between her thighs. His hands were tanned, much darker than her pale skin. She was so soft and feminine. She took his breath away. He stroked his fingers up her legs, skimming her inner thighs. She sucked in a breath and parted her legs.
Satisfaction filled him as he touched the crotch of her panties. “You’re already wet for me.” He could hear the wonder in his voice. It was true. Whenever he touched Lily, she was more than ready for him.
She licked her full pink lips. “Yes.”
He loved the fact that she didn’t play games. She gave herself openly, generously and wholeheartedly, holding back nothing. He wondered if she had any idea what a turn-on that was. He slid his fingers beneath the band of her panties and tugged them down. She bent her legs and helped him remove them.
A rumble of pleasure came from deep in his chest. She was so beautiful. All pink and lush and wet. Parting her folds with his thumbs, he leaned down and kissed her. Her hips rose to meet his lips. He stroked his tongue up one side and then down the other, tasting her. She moaned and he laughed. He was addicted to her unique flavor, and if he had his way, he’d be able to feed his addiction for the rest of his life.
He carefully inserted one finger into her. Her inner muscles contracted around it as he pushed deeper. Her breathing was choppy and harsh, her fingers tangled in his hair, holding him to her. He loved the bite of her nails against his scalp, her desperation to have him closer.
His cock flexed and his balls tightened. He wanted to bury himself in her warmth. But not yet. First he wanted her to come for him. Redoubling his efforts, he began to suck gently on her swollen clit as he pushed a second finger inside her.
“Carson.” His name was little more than a gasp, a whisper. She tugged harder on his hair and her thighs tightened around his head.
He spread his fingers, widening them as he slowly pulled them to the edge of her opening. Her thin cry of pleasure washed over him as her body contracted, spilling her essence onto his hands. He soaked in every sound, every scent and every nuance as she orgasmed. When it was over, her legs dropped back to the bed and her fingers slipped from his head.
Sitting back on his heels, he admired the erotic
picture she made, sprawled across the bed. Her chest rose and fell as she pulled air into her lungs; a fine sheen of sweat made her skin glisten; her eyes were closed and her lips parted.
Carson wasted no time reaching over to the bedside table and grabbing the condom. He quickly opened it and sheathed himself. Lily barely moved when he undid her bra, tugged it off and tossed it onto the floor behind him.
Her nipples were puckered nubs just begging to be tasted. But first they needed a little something. He reached for the can of whipped cream.
Lily’s eyes flew open and her entire body jerked when the first dollop of cream landed on her belly. Carson smiled and continued to spray, piling mounds of the sweet stuff over her breasts until just the tips of her nipples peaked through. When he was satisfied he’d used enough, he tossed the can aside.
“Now, I get to taste you.” He’d been dreaming of this since he’d first read it on the damn list. He leaned forward and licked the line of cream on her stomach, taking special care to dip into her bellybutton.
Lily groaned and laughed. “How can you make me so hot again so fast?”
“Don’t bother me, I’m busy,” he teased.
She laughed again and then gasped when he licked upward, swiping at the bottom curve of her breast. “Carson.”
He ignored the demand in her voice and kept on teasing her. He liked playing with Lily. Sex was intense and serious, but it could also be fun and playful. He enjoyed doing both with Lily. He ran his tongue over the outside of the plump mound, licking off cream as he went. The flavor of Lily mingled with the sweetness of the cream in his mouth. He had to share it with her.
Carson lifted his head and traced his tongue first over her top lip and then across her bottom one. Her mouth parted eagerly and he slipped inside. She sucked on his tongue, drawing him deeper. His cock jerked, reminding him of just how close he was to the edge.
Burying his fingers in her hair to hold her steady, he continued to kiss her until they were both gasping for air. He left a trail of biting kisses down the curve of her neck, ending up at her cream-covered breast. He licked and sucked her sensitive flesh until all the cream was gone, tugging her turgid nipple into his mouth and rolling it around. It tasted as sweet as a cherry.
Shifting position, he stretched out on the bed beside her and tugged her into his arms so that she was sprawled on top of him. She spread her legs so that they were on either side of him, the motion pushing her damp mound against his straining erection.
“Take me inside you.” He stroked the long, lithe line of her back. “Ride me, Lily.”
• • •
Lily placed her hands on his chest and levered herself upright. Her entire body was on fire with need for the man lying beneath her. She’d already come once but was close to doing so again. Her skin felt overly sensitive and tingly. She groaned when her puckered nipples scraped across the hard planes of his chest. The press of his shaft against her sex taunted her. It wasn’t enough. She needed him inside her.
Coming up on her knees, she gripped his cock in her hands. Even through the latex barrier she could feel the heat of the blood pumping through him. She squeezed him tight and he closed his eyes, tilting his head back. The muscles in his neck tightened as she brought the tip of his erection to her opening and began to lower herself.
One slow inch at a time, she sank onto his shaft, taking him inside her until he was buried as deep as he could go. Reaching behind, she cupped his sac in her hands, squeezing gently. His eyes were like blue lasers as he pinned her with his stare.
“Move,” he commanded.
Slowly, she raised herself until only the bulbous head remained inside. She sat down hard, driving him deep.
“Fuck. Lily,” Carson gasped, his hands tightening on her hips as he raised her upward again.
She began to move faster, finding a rhythm she liked. She felt wild and free and wanton. Her breasts jiggled with each thrust. Carson reared up, clamped his mouth over one turgid nipple and sucked hard. Lily’s head fell back as her blood turned to liquid fire.
She shifted her legs and locked them around his waist. The motion pushed him even deeper than he’d been before, making them both moan. Carson lifted her, coming up onto his knees and lowering her onto her back. She tightened her grip as he began to thrust—short, hard jabs that drove her wild.
He hammered his hips against her, the slap of their damp skin music to her ears. Her inner muscles clamped down hard and her ankles dug into his butt. Her hands slid off his slick shoulders so she dug her nails in, needing something to hold on to.
She cried out as her orgasm broke. Pleasure suffused her entire being, body and soul. She shuddered and shook as she came, vaguely aware of Carson crying out, his hips jerking against her. He tightened his arms around her and then he was coming, his body heavy and warm. She tucked her arms around his waist and held on.
Time ceased to matter as she floated in a world of pleasure. Finally it began to fade and she became aware of her surroundings again. She felt sticky and sweaty, and when she opened her eyes she realized that her head was at the foot of the bed and her feet were resting on her pillow.
Carson’s hair tickled her chin and a long strand of it was plastered against her cheek. She smiled and brushed it aside. He stirred beside her, lifted his head and planted a firm kiss on her lips before levering himself off her. Their bodies were stuck together and they parted with a sucking sound that made her laugh.
He rolled off the bed and stretched. His biceps bunched and the muscles in his back flexed. Lily admired the view of his bare butt as he walked to the bathroom. She lay on the bed, completely and utterly content, not just physically but emotionally. She could hear Carson rummaging around in the bathroom and the sounds felt natural and right, as if he belonged here with her. She couldn’t imagine sharing her space with any other man.
He returned quickly, bringing a damp cloth with him. It was a measure of how comfortable she was with him that she allowed him to wash her breasts and stomach and between her thighs. Not once did she stop and think about how she must look.
“Let’s get you settled.” He lifted her and turned her around. He managed to get the covers pulled back and her beneath them. She snuggled into her pillow and closed her eyes.
“Hey.” He gently tugged on her hair. Lily managed to open her eyes. “Thank you for the flowers and the gifts.”
Lily smiled, loving him more in this moment than she ever thought it possible to love a man. “You’re very welcome.” She shifted her legs and stretched them. Physically, she felt marvelous, if a bit tired. She hadn’t slept well after their disagreement last night.
“I’ve got something for you.” Carson reached over the side of the bed, snagged his jeans and dug into the front pocket. When he sat back, his fingers were closed in a tight fist.
Curiosity aroused, she sat up. Her heart was pounding hard and the butterflies had returned to her tummy.
He took her left hand in his and brought it to his lips. He kissed each knuckle, allowing his tongue to slide between her fingers. She made a low sound of desire in her throat. Carson’s blue eyes sparkled as he looked at her. The devil knew he was arousing her again.
Holding up his other hand, he slowly opened it. Sitting in the center of his palm was an amazing diamond solitaire. Her gaze flew back to his face. All signs of laughter were gone. His jaw was set, his lips in a firm line, his eyes serious. “Lily, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She stared at Carson. How quickly he’d gone from acquaintance and friend to lover and beloved. Some people might think she was crazy for loving a man so much younger than herself. This whole thing had happened so fast, it was dizzying. But when it was right, it was right, and Lily trusted herself. More than that, she trusted Carson’s feelings for her.
Reaching out, she cupped his jaw, feeling the prickle of five o’clock shadow against her palm. “You’ve fulfilled your promise. The research is done and all the items have been ticked
off the list.”
His eyes narrowed. “Damn the list. I want more.”
“Me too,” she whispered, leaning forward to press a kiss to his lips. “Yes, I’ll marry you.” Happiness blossomed to life within her.
Carson’s fingers tightened around hers. His eyes never left hers as he slid the ring on her finger and raised her hand to his mouth. “Mine,” he uttered as he kissed her knuckle just above the ring.
“And you’re mine.” Lily nuzzled her nose against his.
He pounced suddenly, rolling her beneath him. Once again, she could feel the heavy press of his erection against her belly. She parted her legs to accommodate him.
He propped himself up on his forearms and kissed the tip of her nose. “Did I mention that I read two of your books?”
Lily froze beneath him. “You have?” No one that she knew had ever read any of her work and she found herself curiously nervous.
“I certainly have.” He nuzzled the side of her neck, working his way to the curve of her ear. “You are one talented lady.”
Pleasure filled her. “You think so?”
“Oh, yeah.” He nipped at her lobe, tugging on the small gold hoop she had hooked there. “You gave me all kinds of ideas.”
When she laughed, he growled and nibbled on her neck again. “Then maybe you won’t mind helping me with research,” she teased. “We could make a new list.”
Carson raised his head, his face relaxed, his eyes twinkling. “Did I mention that I’m very good with research?”
She tugged his head closer, her lips skimming his. “I believe I knew that.” Then he was kissing her and everything else was forgotten.
• • •
After making love again, they showered and Lily pulled on Carson’s T-shirt, loving the fact that it smelled so much like him. The light brown shirt covered her to mid-thigh, much like her own nightshirts did, but she felt sexy wearing it because it was his. He pulled on his jeans and they both padded downstairs to forage for food. Neither of them had eaten well today and they were both famished.
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