by Kayla Perrin
His clothes rubbed against her bare skin. She wanted him out of them.
“Come here,” he rasped. And then his mouth was on hers again. As his tongue flicked hungrily over hers, Melissa slipped her hands beneath his jacket and began to push the fabric off his shoulders. He helped her, shrugging out of it, his lips still locked with hers. He let the jacket fall onto the ground. Melissa then felt for the buttons on the vest and began to undo them one by one. He continued to kiss her, holding her face in his hands as he did, and oh, God, the feelings that were raging through her. They were intense and delicious.
Though her fingers and body were getting weak from the assault of his lips on hers, Melissa found the buttons of his shirt and fumbled to undo them. Finally reaching the last one, she pulled the dress shirt out of his pants. Aaron broke the kiss and hastily got out of the shirt and vest, as though those items of clothing were on fire. He tossed them onto the hardwood floor.
As Aaron undid the belt on his dress pants, Melissa reached behind her back to undo her bra. “No,” Aaron quickly said. “Let me. I need to take off your clothes.”
Need... Had more seductive words ever been uttered?
She licked her bottom lip as she watched Aaron finish undoing his dress pants then kick them off. Standing before her in only black boxer briefs, he stepped toward her. He slipped his arms around her body, found the clasp of the bra and released it. He slipped it off her, then tossed it onto the floor. Melissa’s breasts spilled free.
Taking a step backward, Aaron looked at her. His eyes did a slow once-over, taking in every inch of her. “Wow.”
“You look pretty incredibly yourself,” she said, practically breathless from the raging desire flowing through her.
Aaron moved forward and pulled her against him with force. He captured her mouth in a ferocious kiss. He put his whole body into it, his arms wrapping tightly around her, his groin pressing against her belly. Melissa gripped his shoulders and hung on as her legs turned to jelly. Good God, how could she be so completely attracted to this man?
Making a carnal sound, he lifted her, and she threw her legs around his hips and secured them at the ankles. He moved with speed to the bed, and leaning forward, he lowered her onto it. Melissa’s back hit the soft mattress. Aaron’s body was still on top of hers as she clung to him, and she reveled in the feel of his smooth skin and hard muscles.
He slowed down the tempo of the kiss and softly suckled her bottom lip. Melissa sighed against his lips. Her body was alive with sensation, and it was amazing.
Aaron slipped a hand between them, covered her breast, then tweaked her nipple. They both groaned in satisfaction at the same time. Then Aaron broke the kiss and brought his head to her breast, flicking his tongue over her nipple. Melissa cried out as it hardened.
“Yes, baby,” Aaron said softly.
Then he covered her nipple with his mouth and suckled softly. Melissa’s center throbbed. “Aaron...”
He tweaked her other nipple to a hardened peak while continuing to suck the other one softly. He gently grazed it with his teeth, and Melissa thought she would lose her mind. She arched her back as a moan escaped her lips.
Aaron smoothed a hand down her belly and into her panties. He was gentle as his fingers explored, found her nub. He stroked her in a slow, circular motion, and Melissa thought her body would explode. That’s how good this felt.
“I need to taste you,” Aaron whispered.
And then he was moving down her body, positioning himself above her hips. He pulled her thong down. Melissa bent one leg at the knee to aid him in getting the underwear off. He slipped it over one of her heels, then the other, then discarded it behind him.
“Oh, yeah,” Aaron said, his lips curling in a smile. “Do you know how sexy you are? Naked on my bed, except for those hot shoes?”
As Melissa held his heated gaze, she felt like the most desirable woman in the world.
Aaron slipped a hand between her thighs and stroked her, and she exhaled a slow, lust-filled moan. Then he lowered his head, his tongue gently flicking over her most private spot. Melissa gripped the bedsheet in her fists and arched her back. The feel of his tongue on her most sensitive spot was thrilling her beyond anything she had ever known.
He added his fingers, driving her even wilder with pleasure. Her breathing became faster, sharper. The pressure inside her was building. Taking her to the edge...
A soft flick of his tongue, then a little suckle, and Melissa was letting go. Falling into the sweet abyss of delirious sensations. Aaron linked his fingers with hers as she rode the delicious wave.
Then he got up, kicked off his boxers and went to his bedside table. Melissa’s body was so spent from her earth-shattering release, she barely registered that he was getting a condom.
Aaron rejoined her on the bed, easing her legs apart and settling between her thighs. Then he guided his shaft inside her, slowly. Inch by delicious inch, he filled her. Melissa cried out unabashedly. “Oh, Aaron...”
“Yes, baby.” He kissed her softly, then brushed his lips across her cheek. He kept going until he reached her ear. He drew her earlobe into his mouth and sucked on it tenderly. And oh, the sensation! That, coupled with the feeling of his shaft deep inside her, was raising her pleasure level to a fever pitch.
Aaron picked up the pace. His thrusts were harder, faster. Melissa moved her hips against him, matching his rhythm. She ran her fingers up and down his back, and he thrust harder.
Her release caught her by surprise. It came swiftly, starting in her center and tingling through her entire body. She dug her nails into his back, and Aaron’s strokes became bionic. He was breathing heavily, his thrusts a steady, fast pace. Within moments, he was exhaling a primal cry. His body tensed as he succumbed to his own release.
“Yes,” Melissa murmured, stroking his back tenderly now. She nuzzled her nose against his jaw as he enjoyed the full pleasure of his orgasm.
Several moments later, the weight of Aaron’s body came down on hers. His heavy breathing mingled with hers, the only sounds in the room. Melissa curled a leg around his slick body, wishing she could stay there with him like that forever.
Aaron had just given her a sexual experience she would not soon forget.
Chapter 13
Melissa’s eyes popped open. Sun was spilling into the room—a room she didn’t recognize—through sheer curtains. She tried to move and realized there was an arm draped over her waist. It didn’t take more than a nanosecond for her to remember.
She was in Aaron’s bed. She’d spent the night with him. And he had rocked her world.
A slow smile spread on her face. They’d made love three times, each subsequent session lasting longer. Melissa had barely gotten any sleep, but she wasn’t complaining.
She felt amazing. One thing was clear. She’d needed that. She’d needed hot sex, more than she had realized.
The last couple of years without any action had left her desperate for a man’s touch.
She stretched her body to see the time on the bedside clock. Aaron groaned and held onto her tighter.
Melissa swallowed. He wasn’t even fully awake, yet he didn’t want to let her go. It felt nice.
More than nice. Aaron had been completely into her, and in his arms, Melissa had truly felt like she was the only woman in the world. The only woman he wanted.
But now it was morning, and the fantasy of last night had come to an end. She’d gotten what she wanted. One night with Aaron. One night that could keep her warm until her next sexual encounter.
She strained her body against Aaron’s arm, and saw that the clock read 8:34 a.m. “Eight thirty!” she exclaimed.
Her outburst startled Aaron, and releasing her, he rolled onto his back. She glanced at him, saw his sleepy eyes and confused expression.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to wake
you.”
Aaron rubbed his eyes. “It’s okay.”
“I have to go,” Melissa went on. “I didn’t plan to stay here that long.”
“Why do you have to leave?” Aaron asked. His voice was groggy.
“I have to get back to my parents’.” She frowned. “I should have returned before they woke up.”
“What are they going to do, ground you for staying out all night?” Aaron asked, smiling at her.
“No. I just...well, I don’t really want them asking me any questions about where I was.”
“Just say you stayed at Arlene’s.”
“Good idea,” Melissa said, that thought not having occurred to her. She was entirely too paranoid about anyone knowing where she’d spent the night and exactly what she’d been doing.
“Or you can tell them that you had your wicked way with me,” Aaron said, then laughed.
Exactly what she didn’t want. “Um, sure. That’ll go over well.”
Aaron eased his body forward and snaked a hand around her waist. “Since you can use your sister in order to not get grounded, why don’t you stay in bed with me?” He held her gaze, then bit down on his bottom lip. “I’m not through with you yet.”
Melissa’s woman parts tightened. Giving him a coy smile, she stretched her body out beside his. “Now that’s an offer I can’t refuse.”
* * *
The sounds of someone moving around in his room caused Aaron to come fully awake. He opened his eyes and saw that Melissa was standing near the foot of the bed, slipping into her dress.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“I really do have to leave,” she told him.
“I was hoping we could maybe go out for breakfast.” When she threw him a glance over her bare shoulder, he realized that she would never be able to go out for something to eat in that dress. “Or eat here. My fridge is stocked. And I’m a pretty good cook.”
Melissa tried to zip up the back of her dress. “Sorry, I can’t. I have some things to do.”
“All right. Can I see you later, then?”
“I have a dinner with the bridesmaids.”
“Oh, that’s right. The thank-you dinners.” Aaron had forgotten about the dinner he was supposed to attend with the groomsmen. Ryan and Tasha wanted to spend a bit of time with their wedding party before they headed off on their honeymoon. Aaron wished they’d opted for one dinner with the men and women, but Ryan and Tasha were having separate dinners.
“I’m game to see you after that...” Aaron suggested.
Melissa’s lips curled in a smile. “I’ll check my schedule. See if I’m available.”
Aaron chuckled softly. “When will you let me know if your schedule is clear?”
She headed toward the bed. “Will you zip me up?”
“Sure.” Aaron maneuvered himself to a sitting position, then zipped up the dress. “There you go.”
“Thanks.”
“Seriously, I’d like to see you again,” he said. “Maybe we can go for a drink after dinner?”
“We’ll just have to see, won’t we?”
Oh, so she was going to be like that. Make him work for it.
“Let me get up. I’ll take you to your parents’.”
“There’s no need. I already called a taxi. It’s on the way.”
Aaron frowned. “Oh. So no time for coffee?”
“No time.” Melissa sat on the bed beside him, her eyes lighting up playfully. “Thank you for the night, sir.”
“I hope we’ll have another one.”
“If I’m in town, sure,” she said flippantly.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I may be heading back to New Jersey before you get the chance to see me again.”
Aaron cast her a sidelong glance. She was playing with him. Making him work for it, as he suspected. “I definitely plan to see you before you leave. I’m going to need to.” She gave him a little smile, then got up and collected her shoes.
“Give me your number. It’ll make getting in touch with you much easier.”
“You know where to find me...if you want to.”
“You’re really not going to give me your number?”
“This is a small town. I won’t be hard to find.”
Then Melissa took a few steps toward the bedroom door. Was she really going to leave like this?
She seemed to think better of it and turned around. She made her way back to the bed and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. “Really, I had a great time,” she said huskily. “Thank you for last night.”
“You’re welcome.”
Aaron wanted to wrap an arm around her and hold on tight so she couldn’t leave.
But he would see her again. There was no doubt about that.
* * *
Aaron decided not to rush the chase. He’d give Melissa enough time to miss him. Though as the next morning rolled around, he wished that he could have seen her last night after the dinner with the groomsmen. His thoughts had been on her the entire time.
Aaron hoped that as Melissa had been enjoying drinks and dinner with the bridesmaids, she was also remembering her night with him. Because that’s what he had been doing. Remembering every fantastic moment of their night together. The way she’d felt in his arms. The way she’d kissed him so eagerly. The first moment he’d gotten to see her amazing body without clothes on.
Even Ryan had commented that Aaron didn’t seem “fully there” last night, which was true. He had been with the guys physically, but mentally, he’d been in his bedroom with Melissa, making her sigh and moan.
He was eager for round two.
She had to want the same thing, given the electricity between them in the bedroom.
Aaron rolled over in his bed and sat up. Time to stop thinking about Melissa and find her. They’d both had a night to miss each other, and that had been enough for him.
He got up, showered and dressed, then headed to one of the local cafés for coffee and a bagel. Afterward, he went next door to the flower shop, where he picked up a small bouquet. Nothing over-the-top, but enough to let Melissa know that he liked her. He hoped that she would agree to spend the day with him. Maybe they could head into Buffalo for lunch, follow up with a movie. Then they could head back to his place.
Aaron pulled up to the Conwell residence and parked on the street. He was well acquainted with the Conwells, not only from having grown up in this small community, but because of the summer when he dated Melissa. He’d dropped by often then to pick her up for work or to bring her home.
He exited his car, grabbed the bouquet, then made his way to the front door. He rang the doorbell.
Less than a minute later, Melissa’s mother, Valerie Conwell, answered the door.
“Why, hello, Aaron.” Valerie’s lips spread into a bright smile. “It’s so nice to see you.”
“Very nice to see you as well, Mrs. Conwell,” Aaron said.
“And you brought flowers.” Her eyes twinkled. “They’re lovely. Would you like to come in for a moment? I’ve got some tea and freshly baked biscuits.”
“That sounds lovely,” Aaron said, just as the smell of the biscuits wafted into the room. “But I’ve already eaten. I was just wondering if Melissa is here.”
“Oh.” Valerie’s face twisted in confusion. She glanced at the flowers, seeming to fully understand now. “Aaron, she left. She headed back to New Jersey this morning.”
Aaron stared blankly at Valerie, unsure he understood what she’d just said. In fact, he was pretty sure he had misheard her.
“She didn’t tell you?” Valerie went on.
Melissa was gone. She’d left town. Without even a goodbye.
Aaron cleared his throat, trying to mask his shock. “I knew she’d be leaving at some point, but... I hoped I would catc
h her.”
“You two looked like you were getting very cozy at the reception,” Valerie said. “I can’t imagine why she didn’t tell you exactly when she was leaving.”
“Me neither,” Aaron muttered.
“Why don’t you give her a call?”
Aaron nodded, and tried to keep his expression light. “Yeah. I’ll do that.” Then he extended the flowers. “Here. These are for you.”
“Why, thank you, Aaron.”
“You have a good day.”
“Let me grab you a biscuit,” Valerie offered. “You came all this way, and they’re nice and fresh.”
Aaron was about to protest, but smiled instead. “Sure. They smell delicious.”
Valerie hurried off into the house and returned a short while later with a paper bag. As Aaron accepted it, he could tell that she’d put at least two biscuits inside. Maybe three. “Thank you so much, Mrs. Conwell.”
Then he turned and started down the steps.
“Call Melissa, dear,” Valerie said to him.
Aaron raised a hand as he headed down the walkway. “I will.”
He got behind the wheel of his Mercedes, where he exhaled sharply. Call Melissa... The words were like a slap in the face.
Of course, Mrs. Conwell had no clue that he didn’t have a way to reach her daughter. She’d given him that whole coy act about not giving him her number, making him believe that she wanted him to track her down the old-fashioned way.
Do a bit of chasing to prove to her that he was truly interested.
What a joke.
Was this her plan all along? To ditch him?
Aaron started his car.
Well, he wasn’t about to be deterred so easily. Maybe this was a game. She expected him to pursue her, even if she wasn’t making it easy.
All right. Game on.
Aaron eased his car into traffic. He was heading to Arlene’s house.
Chapter 14
The thing with small towns was that pretty much everyone knew where everyone lived. And if you didn’t know where a particular person resided, it wasn’t hard to find out.
Aaron was well aware of Arlene’s address. She lived right next to the town’s original antique shop, where she happened to work. If he didn’t find her at home, he would surely find her at the shop.
