"You're right. We are friends." He stood up away from the wall and turned to leave the room. Izzy rolled her eyes up in a silent plea for guidance, her gaze colliding with the red and green bunch of leaves hanging over his head as he ducked beneath it.
"Dane!" Her outburst had him swinging around to catch the mistletoe right in the face. He grimaced as he bent his head to look at her. She moved before she could talk herself out of it.
"Izzy?" He caught her around the waist as she charged right into his chest, sinking her fingers into his still-damp hair. Sighing, she tugged his head down to hers.
Dane's mouth was firm and warm beneath her lips and she was right. He tasted like chocolate and red wine, her favorite flavors of all time. His big hands tightened on her waist but didn't push her away like she feared. Instead, he pulled her tight against his hard body as he angled his head, his tongue plunging into her mouth to taste and dance with hers. One of them moaned, and she wasn't sure who it was. She was too lost in the flavor and delight of his kiss. The man was making her head spin as the kiss she'd initiated turned into a conflagration of longing she couldn't fight.
Dane moved his hands up her back and then back down, slipping them over the thin cotton of her pajamas to curl around the curves of her bottom. Heat exploded within her as he firmly lifted her up to her tiptoes. She felt the unmistakable presence of his erection as it pressed against her lower belly. She moved into him, causing his fingers to flex against her bottom.
"Damn." Dane pulled back to draw in a ragged breath. His eyes widened as she smiled up at him. Her lips were swollen and tingly from his kiss. Her fingers slid from his hair to rest on his strong shoulders. Every breath moved her hardened nipples against the solid wall of his well-defined chest.
"Damn, that was good? Or damn, that was bad?" She bit her lower lip, a shiver racing over her as his gaze immediately dropped to her mouth.
"Damn, we should have done that a long time ago." His white teeth flashed as he smiled like a man who had just won the World Cup. She didn't have time to react as his head dropped once more, his mouth taking hers with a hunger that left her instantly wet and wanting.
Izzy clung to him, her heart pounding in her chest as he suddenly lifted her up. A loud thump echoed around her as his teeth clanked against hers. He dropped her back to the floor, lifting a hand to rub his head with a grimace. She realized he'd banged his head on the frame of the entryway. A giggle escaped her when she saw the mistletoe sitting on his head.
"Oh, think that's funny, do you?" His teasing grin made her bite her lip to stop giggling, but she laughed outright as he bent to pick her up over his shoulder. He moved with purpose toward her couch, and then placed her on it. She didn't have time to get her bearings before he was coming down over her. His legs straddled her thighs as he held himself poised above her.
"For such a military man, you are a klutz." She grinned up at him as his eyes sparkled down at her.
"Only when I'm in the same room as you, Isabella Cortez. Which is why we are a whole lot safer lying on a soft surface where I won't be able to drop you." He dropped his head to rub his nose against hers in an Eskimo kiss that melted her heart.
"You chose the couch? I have a softer bed in my room, you know." She almost cringed as his dark brows rose in surprise. Did she just suggest he take her to bed? Izzy would have slapped herself, but her hands were busy holding onto his firm arms.
"We'll get there." He whispered before he bent to kiss her lips.
She ran her hands up his muscular arms with a thrill of excitement as his lips nuzzled from her cheek to the side of her neck. His tongue flicked out before his mouth opened over a sensitive spot below her ear. Izzy turned her head to give him better access as she pulled air through clenched teeth. His big hands smoothed over her bare shoulders, slowly pushing the thin straps of her tank top down.
"You taste so sweet, Iz." Dane's hot breath brushed her ear before his teeth bit the lobe with a teasingly light pressure. Her eyes immediately closed as she felt his weight come down on her lower body. He slid backward, making her bite down on her lower lip to stop the moan as his kisses drifted back down her throat to the dip between her breasts.
Izzy had to look. His curly hair slid down her pale skin as his mouth stopped at the valley of her cleavage. He huffed out a moist breath that had goose bumps forming on her flesh as her hands sank into his soft hair. She'd known he was lethal to the opposite sex. The man exuded enough pheromones to attract a saint to his bed. He lifted his head as his hand tugged her top down over her heaving breasts. His gaze feasted on her for an endless moment that had Izzy afraid to move lest she disappoint him.
His eyes were a sea-green color so deep and warm that she felt her lower body spasm with a hot need. "Izzy, there's no turning back once I taste you." He waited patiently as she tried to understand his softly spoken words. "I want you to be absolutely sure that you want—"
Her hand covered his mouth, stopping his words and his well-intended concern. "Don't question this, Dane."
He kissed her palm, making her eyes close. She slowly slid her palm up into his hair to hold his head as he dropped it to nuzzle her nipple with a teasing pressure that threatened to have her begging him. Just when she thought to demand his attention, he opened his mouth, eagerly taking her nipple into a hot, moist heat that had her arching up closer to him.
Izzy hung suspended in a vortex of sensations as his wicked mouth moved from one aching nipple to the other. His mouth, tongue, and teeth consumed her with gentle tugs just hard enough to cause a sweet echo of need inside her. Her legs clenched together as she felt her body preparing itself for his possession. He rose up to yank her top completely off. Izzy took the opportunity to shift her legs. She wrapped them around his hips, her back arching like a cat as she grabbed his T-shirt to pull it off. She wanted– no… needed– to feel his bare skin against her.
Dane groaned as he ripped his own shirt right over his head with one hand. Air hissed through her teeth as his warm flesh came into full contact with hers. She opened her eyes to meet the wonder in his hot gaze. A slow smile from him warmed her inside and out as he kissed her deeply. His tongue danced within her mouth as his hands explored her chest to cup and gently massage her sensitive breasts.
"Izzy, I want you." The words were forced from him as Dane lifted his head. Her lips slid over his neck, her tongue licking the salty male flavor of his skin before she nipped at him. A growl vibrated against her chest as he lifted back on his knees to grab her pajama bottoms.
"You have me." Izzy smiled as she lifted her hips, allowing him to pull her bottoms down. His eyes narrowed as he uncovered her one tantalizing inch at a time. She waited with bated breath as his molten gaze ran slowly over the tiny strip of white satin keeping her feminine mound from his sight. His gaze flew up to hers as his lips pulled back in a sexy grin.
"Somehow I expected a pair of cotton granny panties. Ow!" He laughed and caught the next slap she aimed at his head. "Settle down, wildcat." He held her wrists easily in one hand over her head as his other hand lightly traced the tiny lace edging of her panties. Her eyes closed as he slid his fingers over the satin exposed by her spread legs. Kneeling as he was between her legs, he had complete access to her entire body. "Don't close your eyes, Izzy. I want to see you when I touch you here for the first time."
Her eyes flew open in shock as he slid his hand down, his fingers barely floating over her mound to brush ever so gently against her core. Her thighs tightened as she pulled a quick breath of air into lungs burning with anticipation. "Do you remember telling me that you shaved down here? I think it was while we were watching some chick flick you rented." His voice dropped to a deep rumble of male appreciation as he tore the side of her panties with a little tug.
"Dane—" She cried out as his hand teasingly traced over her thigh to the other side of her panties. Izzy felt like a Christmas present being methodically unwrapped one piece of paper at a time. Dane was the type of man who wanted to sa
vor the unveiling. She wanted his hard length inside her, but he was enjoying himself too much for her to complain.
"Easy, love. You have no idea how badly I've wanted you. I had to place one of your frilly throw pillows over my lap to keep you from seeing the massive hard on it gave me. You never guessed." He shook his head as her eyes widened. "I couldn't get your words out of my head all night long. Now, I'm finally getting a look at you." He swallowed hard as he slowly tugged the shredded piece of satin off to toss it to the floor. "Beautiful. I knew you would be." He smiled with a wicked light in his teasing eyes as he moved lower.
"Dane!" Oh, she knew what he was about to do, and it thrilled and terrified her all at once. Facing him tomorrow would be easier if they just had a night of steamy sex, but what he intended was the ultimate intimacy shared by lovers. Izzy instinctively tried to lift her hands to stop him, but his hold on her wrists kept her from moving. She squirmed uncontrollably as his warm breath brushed over her opened center a second before his lips nuzzled the bare flesh, searching for and finding her clit.
"You taste so much better than I dreamed, Izzy. So sweet, so soft."
Izzy cried out as his mouth tormented her clit before he moved down and licked through her lower lips. A hum of appreciation vibrated against her sensitive flesh as his tongue delved between her slit to thrust up into her body. She tried to arch up, but his released her hands to hold her hips in place as he stroked her with his tongue. Free at last to touch him, Izzy reached down to grab his hair, holding him to her as he thrust her higher toward the promised pleasure. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears to the rhythm of his tongue.
"Dane!" His name became a mantra as he pushed her closer and then over the edge of a brilliant orgasm that had her screaming out.
"Easy, Iz." He lifted his head to stare up at her moist face. "Don't cry." He was sliding up to pull her against his chest as she tried to catch her breath. "I'm here. I'm sorry."
His lips brushed her moist cheek in a comforting gesture that tugged at her heart. The man had just given her the most intense orgasm of her life, and he was apologizing? She wrapped her arms around his back, sliding her fingers over firm muscles covered by the smoothest skin. Her hands glided down until they encountered the waistband of his jeans. She smiled against his chest as her hands slid beneath the waist band to move over the round cheeks of his tight ass.
Dane reared up to gaze at her intently. Izzy grinned up at him through moist eyes as her nails lightly pressed into his flexing hips. She could easily feel the solid erection straining against the rough material of his jeans. Dane rested his weight on his forearms as he quietly watched her.
"Izzy, are you all right?" The concern in his question had her heart easing as she tilted her head to study his strong features.
"I will be as soon as you get this fine ass out of these jeans and slide deep inside me. I want you, Dane." Her words seemed to wash through him as he shivered in anticipation. He moved off the couch to hurriedly divest himself of his jeans and then a pair of black boxers. Her eyes widened as she studied the impressive package he was gifted with at birth.
His manhood was long, thick, and jutting from his body with a hungry intent that took her breath away as she licked her lips. She seriously wanted to taste him; wanted to take him in her mouth and make him come as he'd done to her. He was sculpted like a fine piece of art. He had a man's wide shoulders and muscular arms, hardened from regular heavy lifting. Her mouth watered as her gaze traveled down his washboard stomach to strong thighs chiseled from years of military training. She met his teasing grin as he caught her staring up at him.
"Like what you see, my lady?" He grinned at her and bent to scoop up his pants. She panicked, wondering if he was going to get dressed and leave, but he only pulled out his wallet, flipped it open, and pulled out three condoms. Relief had her sighing as he stalked back to the couch to slide over her. She was normally the one obsessed with using protection, but with Dane that had been the last thing on her lust-filled mind.
"Dane—" He swallowed her words with a kiss as his hand moved over her with a slow pressure meant to inflame her passion and build the pleasure before he took her. Her hands slid up his back, her legs spread to accommodate his wide body. A gasp escaped her lips as he broke the kiss to shift his body enough to rub the head of his cock against the moist folds of her pussy. Again, and again he moved against her just enough to make her want to scream in need. His teeth slid over a nipple before he lifted to look down at her.
"Izzy, I've waited a long time for you." The words seemed pulled from his chest as he stared down at her with an intense need. She lifted a hand to cup his cheek.
"Dane, you never told me. Oh!" Her mouth opened as he pushed into her body with a pressure and pinch of pain that made her breath hitch in her throat.
"You would have run, Izzy. I couldn't risk losing you. God, you feel so tight and hot." Dane rested his forehead against hers as he forced himself to stay still long enough for her body to become used to his invasion.
Izzy couldn't wait for him to move. She lifted her hips, shifting his erection deeper inside her as she moved against him. He groaned, coming up on his elbows to cup her head as he began to slowly thrust deep inside her tight channel. Their eyes locked as their bodies danced with a shared purpose. His heart pounding against her breast, his sweat merging with hers as they strove to reach that pinnacle of ecstasy only found in the arms of another.
Izzy knew he was close as his hips began to pound against her with a restrained power. She fought to keep her eyes open, even as her orgasm took her with a strength that stole her breath and had her gasping for air. His name merged with hers as they clung to each other; their bodies straining closer as he found release. Dane collapsed on her like a giant teddy bear. She held him as they crashed back down to earth and the lumpy couch beneath them.
Slowly Dane turned his head to place a soft kiss against her cheek. Izzy opened one eye to peek up at him. He looked the picture of male domination. His relaxed smile and dark green eyes told her more than words of his satisfaction as he silently studied her.
"Isabella Cortez, you were definitely worth waiting for." His lifted a finger to trace her kiss swollen lips.
"Why didn't you ever say anything to me?" She whispered her question against his fingertip. She was afraid he wasn't going to answer when he just continued to look down at her.
"We fell into the friend slot. I didn't want to jeopardize that. I like spending every Wednesday night with you watching movies and eating chocolate. It was Hump Day Hell at times, but worth it."
"Hump Day Hell?" Izzy smiled up at him. "In case you weren't paying attention, Mr. Jordan, we just gave a whole new meaning to Hump Day Lollapalooza." She giggled as he laughed against her.
"We did at that. You know it is still Wednesday for at least another hour." His eyes twinkled as he rubbed his nose against hers.
"And Lollapalooza kind of implies more than one of something. Several somethings, actually." She bit her lower lip, knowing his eyes would zero in on her mouth, which they did. His eyes darkened, telling her he was very interested in trying all aspects of their celebration.
"We better get a move on then. Care to share a shower, my lady?" Getting up, he offered her a hand to help her off the couch. Izzy stared at his hand. Wonder and excitement warred for dominance inside her. They'd just dove into the deep end of the unknown, yet she couldn't wait to see where they would end up. She took his hand with a smile.
"You wash my back, I'll wash yours?" His delighted laugh warmed her heart.
Chapter Five
"Does this feel a little weird to you?" Izzy stopped the circular motion of her hand on his lower back. The soapy puff in her hand did little to keep her from feeling every muscle in his gloriously male back. Wow, he is seriously ripped and in his prime. Izzy had a hard time controlling her breathing, and she'd only just started to wash his back. He wiped a hand over his face before turning his head to give her a serious look.
"Does it feel weird to you, Izzy?" The soft concern in his deep voice gave her shivers as she ducked her head to continue her job. The puff in her hand kept dipping closer to his fine ass along with her gaze.
"No... Well, maybe a little bit. You've been my best friend for a long time, Dane. I might have occasionally fantasized about this, but I never allowed myself to think I might find myself in the shower naked with you."
"You occasionally fantasized about me?" He sounded delighted to hear it, which made her face heat. "What were we doing in these fantasies of yours?"
"You would focus on that aspect. Geesh, Dane. You are so male." She slapped his bare ass before she realized what she was about to do. "Oh." He turned with a huge grin that made him look like a mischievous god.
"Keep washing, lady." Dane confidently placed her hand with the puff on his chest. She forced herself to swallow as she ran the puff over solid pecs. She'd never been with anyone so in shape. "This feels really good to me." His hand pushed a clump of her wet brown hair back behind her ear. His fingers lifted her chin, so she was forced to meet his gaze. "Izzy, is this wrong?"
"I—" She blinked up at him. Confusion and worry warred within her as she tried to memorize every nuance of his beloved face. And that was part of her problem. "I don't want to lose you." Blurting things out seemed to be her habit with the man who gave her a wry smile.
"So, you think that making love with me will change our relationship?"
"Well, yeah." Her breath hissed out as he moved her back against the cooler surface of the stall. Soft naked skin slid wetly against harder, hair-roughened flesh and muscles. Though he was a lot taller, his wet thigh slid between her thighs at just the right angle to place a delicious pressure against her over-sensitized flesh. Her mouth fell open as her body went into sexual overdrive. She knew if the water weren't pouring over her, it might internally combust!
Mistletoe Madness Page 4
