A Lesson on Love

by Sharon C. Cooper

  He kissed the side of her head, loving how perfectly she fit against him. This was what he’d been missing from his life. Someone to hold. Someone to love. Someone to call his own.

  He lowered his mouth to hers as they continued swaying to the beat of the music. He gently coaxed Rayne’s lips apart, and his tongue explored the inner recess of her mouth. For the next few minutes, they got lost in each other as he smothered her lips, his need for her growing with each lap of their tongues.

  God, this woman. This sweet, desirable woman had him so turned on that he wanted to take her right then and there. But Jerry kept reminding himself. He planned to let her set the pace as far as when they’d take their relationship to the next level. He was ready for what came next, and he had a feeling, she was too.

  When the song ended, and another one started, Rayne slowed and started pulling away. Jerry reluctantly released her.

  “I’m ready for dessert, now,” she said.

  “Okay. Let me get the strawberries out of the refrigerator. I’ll meet you back at the table.”

  “Actually, I was thinking about a different type of dessert.” Rayne turned her back to him, and lifted her long hair, pulling it over to one shoulder. “Can you unzip me?”

  Momentarily surprised, Jerry just stood there until a slow smile spread across his mouth. He chuckled and stepped forward, pleased by her assertiveness.

  “It would be my pleasure.”

  Instead of going right for the zipper, he pulled her back against him and ground against her ass, letting her feel the effect she was already having on him.

  Rayne moaned as he littered kisses along the column of her scented neck.

  “God, you feel good,” he said, still grinding against her as he palmed her ample breasts. She was more than a handful, and Jerry already knew that he was going to have fun exploring her lush body. “Let me get you out of this dress.”

  When he finally started unzipping her, his breath hitched when he reached the top of her butt and saw the lace strap of the thong.

  Unable to resist, he traced a finger down the thin strap, giving it a little tug before allowing it to snap back into place.

  “Damn, baby. I wanted to take my time with you tonight, but if the rest of you looks as sexy as this view, I can’t make any promises.” Each time he looked at her, touched her, rubbed his body against her, he wanted to be buried deep inside of her heat.

  “We’ve waited long enough. I don’t want you to go slow tonight,” Rayne purred over her shoulder, her gaze meeting his.

  “Whatever you want. I’m at your service, but I have to say, the thong kind of caught me off guard.”

  “I guess you’re not the only one with surprises,” she cracked, smiling sweetly.

  Jerry grinned. “I can see that. And I like what I see.”

  He zipped the dress the rest of the way down, and Rayne shimmied out of the garment, letting it puddle around her ankles. Jerry held her hand as she stepped out of it.

  “Wow,” was all he could say as he maintained the hold on her hand. She stood before him in a black, lacy bra and panty set, along with high-heeled sandals looking like every man’s fantasy. “You are one sexy ass woman, and I am so glad you’re mine.”

  A shy smile fluttered around her lips, and she lowered her gaze. There was no way in hell he was going to let her shy away from him. She was an erotically attractive woman, and Jerry had every intention of making her feel that way.

  “Thank you for the roses and the rose petals,” she said when Jerry led her to the bedroom.

  While she brushed a few off of the pillows and then sat on the edge of the bed, he started stripping down. He tossed his suit jacket to a nearby chair, and within seconds he was out of the rest of his clothes and left in nothing but his boxer briefs.

  Rayne’s gaze traveled slowly down his body from the top of his head and didn’t stop until she got to his bare feet. She repeated the gesture in reverse, but this time her gaze lingered on his package. And just like that, his dick begged to be free.

  “If you keep looking at me like that, this is going to be over way before we get started good.” Jerry moved closer. He had waited a long time to have her like this, and her full breasts, toned thighs, and shapely legs taunted him.

  He reached behind her back and with a flick of his wrist her bra was unfastened. He dropped it to the floor, and his eyes devoured her gorgeous breasts. Her nipples hardened right before his eyes, and his shaft throbbed at the sight of her.

  “Babe.” The one word dripped from his tongue moments before Jerry laid her back on the bed. He buried his face between her breasts and squeezed them. Smothered in her softness, her fresh scent engulfed him. “You smell so frickin’ good.”

  Oh, yes. This was what Jerry had been waiting for, what he’d been craving for months.

  He lifted his head slightly and his mouth covered one of her nipples. With every swipe and swirl of his tongue over her perky pebbles, her body wiggled beneath him. He couldn’t get enough of her breasts.

  “Jerry,” she moaned, her hand on the back of his head as she continued moving, her lower body bumping against his. As he roused her passion, his grew, and he moved up her body and captured her mouth with his.

  She was right. They weren’t going to be able to take this first time slow. Not with the erotic sounds she was making and the way she was grinding against him.

  His hand slid down the side of her body, over the curve of her hip and to her thigh. Everywhere he touched, he became more engrossed in the softness of her magnificent body.

  When Jerry finally pulled his mouth from hers, he gazed into her lust-filled eyes then looked down.

  “I love these,” he fingered the little strip of lace panties, “but I want you out of them.”

  Rayne lifted up on her elbows, her chest still heaving. “And though I love how good you look in those,” she pointed to his boxer briefs, “I want to see all of you.”

  The left corner of Jerry’s mouth lifted into a half smile. “Your wish is my command.”

  He climbed off the bed and slid his underwear down his legs while she mirrored his actions by removing her panties and tossing them to the floor. Before returning to the bed, Jerry grabbed a condom from the top drawer of the nightstand where he had stashed them earlier.

  He laid next to Rayne, propped up on his elbow, and just the sight of her naked body stretched out on the bed had him about ready to burst. He wanted so bad to take his time and worship every inch of her body, but a surge of excitement pulsed through his veins.

  “You are absolutely breathtaking.” Jerry hovered above her before lowering his head and capturing her mouth again. He slid his hand between her thighs and ran the pad of his thumb over her slit and Rayne arched against him.

  He slid a finger inside of her moist heat, and then added another. “Oh, yeah. You are definitely ready for me.”

  Rayne whimpered, her thoughts jumbling together.

  “Jerry,” she gasped, rocking against his hand as his lips moved down the column of her neck while his skilled fingers moved in and out of her. A spark ignited, pushing Rayne close to her release way before she wanted to lose control. But the sweet torture was too much. One powerful thrust later sent her reeling and exploding around his fingers.

  Bone weary, Rayne went limp as her chest heaved. She hadn’t been with a man in so long but hadn’t expected to come that fast. Now, she wanted Jerry inside of her.

  With her eyes barely opened, she watched him quickly sheathed himself. He positioned himself between her thighs, nudging them wider with his legs. As he hovered above her, there was a moment when they stared into each other’s eyes and something so powerful that Rayne couldn’t identify passed between them.

  “You’re mine,” Jerry said with raw conviction. “You’re all mine.”

  He eased inside of her and Rayne sucked in a breath and gripped his arms, her nails digging into his skin as her body slowly adjusted to his size.

  “Damn…you
feel so good.” He captured her mouth with his again and started moving slowly, gradually picking up speed.

  This was what Rayne wanted. What she needed. His mouth devouring hers. Their tongues tangling. Their bodies moving as one in perfect sync. Yes. This was what her body craved. They’d gone from zero to sixty in a heartbeat, and it had been so long since Rayne had experienced such unrestrained passion.

  “Ah, babe,” Jerry murmured huskily against her lips.

  Heat and raw power radiated off him as he drove in and out of her like an out of controlled eighteen-wheeler flying down a steep hill. Her hands firmly gripped his arms, and she barely hung on as his muscles contracted beneath her touch.

  Teetering on the edge of her release, Rayne tried maintaining some control, wanting this to last longer, but she couldn’t. The pressure building inside of her was too intense, too strong. After another powerful thrust, she gave herself to him completely. Rayne’s release crashed through her body. She bucked uncontrollably against him as wave after wave of pleasure pulsed through her veins.

  “Ah, shit, Rayne,” Jerry groaned as he pounded in and out of her, going faster and harder before stiffening, then he growled his release. He cursed again, exhaustion on his face as he collapsed on top of her.

  Rayne wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed the side of his head, their ragged breathing mingling with the jazz that filtered into the room.

  “I’m too heavy,” he mumbled before rolling onto his back and pulling her to his side.

  Rayne lay there. Her pulse galloped as she stared at the ceiling, feeling as if she had just been transported on a fluffy cloud. “Wow,” was all she could manage.

  “Wow, indeed.”

  After a few minutes, once their breathing was somewhat under control, they turned and faced each other.

  Jerry pushed a few strands of hair out of her face. “This next time…we take it slow.”

  Rayne cupped his cheek and smiled. “Well…okay, if you insist.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  While on the River Walk boat tour, Rayne reflected on the past week. This was their last day in San Antonio. Everything about the trip had been perfect from the hotel accommodations to her alone time with Jerry. She couldn’t have asked for a better trip, a time to get away from her day-to-day life and see San Antonio in a different light.

  When Rayne moved away from the city, she had vowed to never look back. She had vowed never to return to the place that had caused her so much pain. She had also vowed that she would never get involved with another man.

  Never say never.

  Hooking up with Jerry had changed every aspect of her life, and Rayne was glad she had taken a chance on him. She was also glad that they made the trip. Traveling the streets of San Antonio as a tourist, presented her with an opportunity to see the city much differently than she had when living there. They had dined at nice restaurants, visited some of the touristy sights, and she and Jerry had even taken a romantic carriage ride through downtown. A first for Rayne, and she added that experience to the other firsts that she’d had with him.

  “And to your left we have the Arneson River Theater,” the River Walk cruise tour guide said, explaining how the theater was constructed in 1940, and named after the architect.

  It was such a beautiful day, that Rayne could barely concentrate. The calmness of the water during their ride, lulled her into a peaceful state. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, taking a few minutes to soak up the sun’s rays, loving the feel of the warmth on her skin. The light breeze added to the moment and Rayne realized, she was happier than she’d ever been in her life.

  Jerry squeezed her hand which was resting on his thigh, and her eyes flew open. They were packed onto the river boat, shoulder to shoulder with at least fifty other people.

  “Did you say something?” she asked.

  “No, but you looked as if you had zoned out,” he said close to her ear, massaging her neck. Since consummating their relationship, they couldn’t keep their hands off of each other.

  “Just enjoying the moment.” She glanced at Stormy, who was sitting on the other side of Jerry. Her daughter was turning her head back and forth, looking and listening to everything the tour guide said. Like Rayne, no doubt Stormy would be talking about the trip for weeks to come.

  Thirty minutes later, when the tour was over, she and Jerry strolled down the street hand-in-hand while Stormy sat on top of his shoulders.

  Rayne had mixed emotions about going back home, going back to her reality. For the past week, she had been able to forget about her troubles and just relax. But she couldn’t help but wonder what the future held. Yet, she was hopeful that her life was truly turning around for the better.

  “Are you guys hungry?” Jerry asked.

  “I am. I think I’m hungry for ice cream,” Stormy said.

  Jerry and Rayne shared a look, smiling at her daughter’s constant effort to make ice cream a part of her daily meals.

  Still smiling, Rayne returned her attention to the sidewalk in front of them, but slowed when she spotted a familiar face. She hadn’t realized that she had completely stopped in the middle of the sidewalk until Jerry squeezed her hand.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Rayne struggled to get breath into her longs. The person she hadn’t seen in years stopped a few feet away.

  “Rayne?” Jerry said, concern in his voice as he moved to stand in front of her. “What is it?”

  “My sister. I see my sister,” she said, hearing the surprise in her own voice.

  “Hello, Rayne. It’s been a long time.” Her sister stood a couple of feet away as if unsure whether to come closer.

  Rayne closed the distance between them. “Hi, Liz. It’s good seeing you again.” And she meant it. The last time they ran into each other, it had been awkward for both of them. “Jerry, this is my sister Elizabeth. Liz, this is my boyfriend, Jerry and my daughter, Stormy.”

  “Nice to meet you,” she said to Jerry. “Stormy…she’s gotten so big. She was a baby the last time I saw her.”

  “You’re my mommy’s sister?” Stormy said in awe as Jerry lowered her from his shoulders, setting her on her feet. “How old are you?”

  “Stormy,” Rayne said quickly to ward off another inappropriate question.

  “It’s okay.” Liz laughed, and for the first time that Rayne could remember, she saw some of her facial features in her sister. “I’m thirty-five. How old are you?”

  “I’m five, and I’m going to kindergarten pretty soon,” Stormy offered. “Do you have any kids?”

  “No. Unfortunately, I don’t have any children,” Liz answered, smiling when she turned to Rayne. “What have you been up to?

  “Why don’t we step off to the side and get out of traffic,” Jerry suggested, holding one of Stormy’s hands and his other at the small of Rayne’s back.

  “Actually, I have a few minutes before I need to be at work, and was heading across the street to the mall. Do you guys have a few minutes.” Liz looked at all of them. “For Rayne and me to catch up?”

  Rayne glanced at Jerry, who gave a slight nod, but she also saw something else in his gaze. Concern. He probably wondered if Liz was friend or foe, especially since Rayne hadn’t told him much about her. She couldn’t. She didn’t know much about her sister. The foster care system had definitely failed them when they separated them at such a young age. But maybe she could change that.

  Rayne gave Jerry a reassuring smile and said to Liz, “We have a little time. Lead the way.”

  A few minutes later, they were inside the mall. Rayne and Liz sat at a small table in a quiet area, but close enough for her to see Jerry and Stormy. They were at a nearby ice cream parlor.

  “It really is good seeing you again, Rayne.”

  “Same here. I’ve been thinking about you lately. What have you been up to?”

  “Well, I recently finished culinary school, and I’m a sous chef at a restaurant up the street.”

  Ray
ne listened as her sister talked about her schooling and long work hours. Unlike the last time they’d run into each other, the conversation didn’t feel awkward or forced. They had even exchanged contact information right away, promising to keep in touch with each other.

  “Are you still married?” Rayne asked.

  “No. I tried marriage twice and each time it ended badly, thanks to me. I pushed them both away with my insecurities. It wasn’t until my second husband told me that he couldn’t be with someone who couldn’t trust him, did I realize I had a problem. He hadn’t done anything to make me suspicious of him. Yet, I constantly questioned his whereabouts, who he was with, what he was doing, and the list goes on and on, until he said he had enough.”

  She gave a slight shrug. “But enough about me. What about you? You said Jerry is your boyfriend. I take it your marriage didn’t work out either.”

  “My husband died a few years ago.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Is that why you moved to Cincinnati?”

  “Yes. I needed a new start,” Rayne said without giving any details. If they kept in touch this time, maybe one day she’d share her story.

  “Well, Jerry seems nice, and your daughter looks quite taken with him.”

  “Yeah, he’s amazing, and the two of them are almost inseparable.”

  “Do you think you’ll get married again?”

  Rayne laughed, her gaze dropping to the handle of her purse that she was playing with. “Had you asked me a year ago, my answer would’ve been a definite no. But now…”

  She glanced at Jerry who was sitting at a table with Stormy where they were both eating an ice cream cone. Each time she looked at him, her heart did a little jig inside her chest. Outside of her love for Stormy, she never knew she could love another human being so completely as she did Jerry.

  “But now,” she returned her attention to Liz, “I would love to get married again.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four