"Thanks, lay it on the counter," she said still inside the curtain, drying off in the darkness.
Thoughtfully, he turned the flashlight on and then backed out the door. The man was the utmost gentleman. Almost too much of a one if there could be such a thing.
Even in high school, she wanted to jump his bones, but knew there was no sense in considering Cody Graham. Though he was her brothers’ best friend, they would never allow him to date her. A really great guy.
Slipping his T-shirt over her still damp body, the scent of Cody wafted over her. The soft cotton rubbed against her skin, sending goose bumps tingling along her spine.
She opened the bathroom door, shining the light down the hall to the main area of the house. When she walked into the family room, Cody was lighting a fire.
Without glancing at her, he said, "I thought I'd get some heat going. No telling how long a power outage out here is going to last. Could be minutes or it could be hours. Best to be prepared."
"Like a good boy scout," she said without thinking.
Turning, he gazed at her a quizzical expression on his face. "Maybe."
"Sorry, I didn't mean that the way it sounded. You're so calm, cool, and collected all the time, and here I am running around a damn statue testing some superstition."
Grinning, he said, "Your brothers told me you came home."
"Yes, I've been here a couple weeks. Seems that me and Corporate America aren't well suited for each other."
A shiver went through her as the temperature dropped inside the house. After the relaxing shower, her body was cooling as well.
"That's not a bad thing," he said, standing and walking toward her, reaching out he touched her arms. "What's wrong with country living?"
"Nothing, except making decent money can be trying. Believe me, the city was not exactly my favorite place to be. Growing up in Cupid, I left and went to a small college town, then on to Dallas. Didn't take me long to miss Cupid. Now, I have to get my boutique up and running to stay in my hometown."
An undercurrent of something zinging between them charged the air. A tension of something not experienced in a long, long time.
"Do you need another blanket? The fire should start warming the room soon."
Cold seeped through her and when she glanced down, her nipples beamed straight at Cody. Crossing her arms over her front, she glanced at him. "That would be nice."
An afghan lay on the back of the couch and he tossed it to her. "Here. Wrap this around you."
Pulling the crocheted blanket around her, he led her to the sofa. "Sit here next to the flames. You should warm up soon."
Her teeth started to chatter. Maybe the realization of how close to calling Jim from jail she'd come was finally catching up to her. Trembling, she wondered at the cause. It seemed a little late to be going into shock after running through the town naked.
"You okay?" he asked.
"I don't know. I suddenly can't stop shaking."
Walking over to the couch, he sat beside her and pulled her body snug against his, cradling her. As he spread the blanket over both of them, she noticed he was wearing a pair of gym shorts.
"Are those your pajamas. If I remember right, you were more into Superman than shorts."
"Hey, I was a kid. Normally, I don't sleep in anything. Tonight, I'm being courteous to you," he said.
Oh hell. That image she didn't need traipsing around inside her psyche. The thought of that big hard body flexing in the nude was enough to send sexual desire zipping through her. Yet, she continued to shudder.
"Well, at least, it's not Superman."
He rubbed his hands up and down her arms. "Are you getting warmer."
How did she answer him? Oh, she was warming up all right. The feel of his touch on her flesh had her thinking about the caress of his fingers on her breasts. The rough texture of his skin caressing heated parts of her that had been cold for many years.
"Yes," she said turning to him at the same time he turned to her. Their heads almost banged into each other. A spark of something flashed between them, his green eyes growing darker in the dim light, his tongue flicking across his smooth lips.
Heat flamed inside her. Her furnace had been idle so long, she'd forgotten what the flames of desire felt like. So long since a man had interested her and sparked passion within her. So long that this moment she was taking what she wanted. Being too much of a damn gentleman, she would have gray hair before he made the move on her.
Reaching up, she pulled his mouth down to hers, falling back on the sofa, pulling him down with her. This was what she longed for.
The taste of minty toothpaste and something else had her moaning under the onslaught of his lips.
Breathing quickly, he jerked back. "We can't.
"The hell we can't. Why not?" she rasped, her lungs seizing. "Why not?"
"Your brothers made me promise I'd never touch their sister," he said his mouth kissing the side of her neck, his pelvis grinding into her center.
Why were her siblings always getting into her business? Sure, there had been rough patches. But she was grown, she wanted her independence. Tonight, she needed Cody, and by golly, she would have him, regardless of any childhood promises. They were adults with grown-up passions and desires.
"Screw my brothers’ promise. Don't think, just feel," she said and pulled his lips to hers again.
* * *
Cody knew he should be getting up and walking away. But he didn't want to. For years, he'd watched Kelsey, secretly wishing she was his and yet his friendship with her brothers had prevented him from pursuing her.
And now it was almost as if the fates stepped in and put her right in his path. This had to be one of the strangest and the most perfect nights of his life.
Finding her on the road completely naked, her insisting he take her home with him and then her initiating sex. What more could a man want? Yet, it also seemed so right. All these years, he wanted to ask her out, but refused because of his promise.
She dismissed his pledge as they sat on the sofa, a fire in the fireplace with a blaze growing between them. Hopefully this wasn't one of her well-known fanciful moments of something she wanted right this second and later tossing it to the side.
The girl was trouble, even with that knowledge, he was drawn to her. He didn't believe in trying to change her, but maybe they were like puzzle pieces fitting together, supporting one another. Or maybe they were just a one-night stand.
"Cody," she gasped as his mouth closed over her breasts. All night those luscious lobes had tempted him. Begging him to taste their rounded spheres.
"Kelsey," he said, moving down her belly. "No more talking. Just doing."
Quickly he kicked off his gym shorts and removed his shirt while she gazed at him, her brown eyes large in her oval face. His penis jutted out in front of him, hard and ready, and more than willing to fill her, but she came first.
With a jerk, he yanked the T-shirt over her head and pushed the blanket from her shoulders.
"I'll keep you warm," he promised and bent down to kiss her again. Unable to stop himself from going back to her smart, sassy mouth, her full lips a temptation he couldn't resist.
The urge to taste her had him releasing her mouth, then letting his lips trail kisses all the way to her breasts. She moaned as he swirled his tongue around her nipples, tasting before he pulled the orb into his mouth, sucking the kernel.
Her harsh breathing urged him on and he reluctantly released her breast, kissing his way down her chest, her stomach. As he spread her open, he licked the inside of her calf, his lips blazed a trail up her thigh to the juncture of her legs. Lovingly, he caressed her as tremors racked her body while he leisurely sucked her womanly folds.
"Oh, Cody," she cried.
With his tongue, he circled her clit bringing her to the brink before he backed off, and came at her again, and again. Placing his hand beneath her butt, he lifted her and angled his mouth at the right height to thrust deeply
into her, devouring her hungrily.
She clutched at his head as she held him there, moaning as her orgasm overwhelmed her. With a cry, she bucked against him, trembling.
"Let me get a condom," he whispered, rising from her.
"Hurry," she whispered staring up at him in a daze.
Running down the hall, he went into his bathroom, thanking God he'd just bought a new box. Pulling a couple out, he hurried back to her, ripping the package open as he went. Standing over her, he smoothed the rubber over himself and then covered her body with his.
"What took you so long," she said smiling, her gaze filled with passion.
"It was the longest run of my life," he said positioning himself between her thighs.
Breathing heavily, they stared into each other's eyes, so close, he felt the pounding of her heart in her chest. And then he shoved into her, thrusting hard.
"Cody," she moaned her hands gripping the afghan nearby.
Pummeling her, he wanted to make this last forever. Wanted to continue filling her, but doubted he would last long. The rational, sane part of his brain was already asking the question of where did they go from here. While another, that reckless section, just said enjoy the moment.
The scent of Kelsey consumed him as he breathed in her essence. The satin of her skin and the clasp of her body as he plunged deeply into her.
With every gasp, they were in sync, they were one. Gazing into her eyes, he could see she felt the emotion as much as he did.
As they approached the summit, she clung tightly to him, shaking, she moaned as together they went over and he exploded inside her.
He collapsed on top of her, his lungs laboring, the sensual haze of his orgasm as he slowly came down.
Usually people dated and then had sex, but somehow, they were doing everything backwards. How did you keep the friendship, the relationship, the everything he wanted and needed from her when they'd started off at the finish line?
Now what did they do? Where did they go from here?
* * *
The next morning, Kelsey woke in Cody's king-size bed. The sound of the shower filled her ears and she imagined him, his hard, masculine body with water cascading over him. Oh my God, what had she done?
Glancing around, memories of the night before washed over her. First dancing around the Cupid statue, Cody picking her up and then the power going out. Every single detail of the best damn sex of her life flooded her. Never before had she experienced this type of physical relationship. The man knew how to make a woman sing.
Lifting the sheet, she realized she was nude as the day she'd been born. Memories deluged her at how he saved her from running down the street naked. Of how he tried and failed to keep his hands off her and how she wanted what happened between them.
Heck, she instigated the most amazing lovemaking, and yet, with the dawn came the realization of the tight connection between Cody and her brothers.
Maybe it didn't seem such a big deal, but she was trying her darnedest to regain her independence while she lived in close proximity to her family. Last night, she soused her common sense and elicited her wild side. Like the night hadn't been dangerous enough, she initiated sex with her brothers’ bestie. Not the actions of a woman trying to prove how smart and capable she was of living her life.
If they found out, Cody would lose their friendship. Right now, she had enough drama to contend with, without piling on more. And dating her brothers' best friend would bring on a load of cow manure she could never scoop away.
Part of her thought seeing Cody wouldn't be bad. The logical and rational side that said she wanted to live independently told her it would be impossible.
The bathroom door opened and he stepped into the bedroom wrapped in a towel. As he strolled to the bed, her heart beat a little faster. Why had she never noticed the way his emerald eyes gazed at her like she were the only woman in the world for him? Why this moment in time was she suddenly so hot and bothered for Cody?
"Good morning," he said and leaned down to kiss her.
Once again, his lips moved like magic over her mouth, though this time, she wanted to run. Not because they didn't feel wonderful, but because of all the trouble they could even now be creating.
Dang his mouth brought her pleasure and his scent sent her pheromones into a tango. The urge to pull him down into bed for another round almost consumed her.
After the first time, they made their way to his bed and made love two more times before the power came back on. Each time better than the last.
"Morning," she said, smiling up at him.
"What do you want for breakfast? I'll fix it while you shower."
The reality of where she lay and the need to get home, back to her responsibilities overwhelmed her. "Nothing for me, thanks. I should be going. You eat while I clean up and then we better leave."
"All right," he said, watching her.
As she stared at him she wondered what he was thinking. It appeared serious, and at this moment, she didn't want to have a meaningful conversation about anything. Last night had been a fling. A one-night event, nothing more, and this morning, she would go home to her life and he would go back to his.
"I'm going to jump in the shower," she said, jumping out of bed and almost running away.
Thirty minutes later, wearing a pair of overly long and huge sweatpants and shirt, they drove through town. A quick glance at him, she stared at the frown between his eyes. Since she made her announcement about no breakfast, he had been strangely quiet. Dutifully, he'd done what she requested and not said a word.
"Cody, I want to thank you again for picking me up. Can we keep this between us? For both our sakes, I don't want my brothers learning about me dancing naked, spending the night at your house, or even what happened between us. Can this be our secret?"
A little snort erupted from him. "Who would I tell? Telling your brothers would bring a lot of hurt my way. For a while, we can keep it our secret. How would you feel about going out to dinner with me tomorrow night?"
The urge to say yes was intense. Yet in order to prove her independence, her temptations must be kept at bay. And Cody was more alluring than any man she knew. All she wanted was to be a strong, independent business woman. The shop had to be her first concern. Tired of being dependent on anyone, her boutique was her passport to freedom.
"Now is not a good time for me. The boutique is my first priority. The sooner we open, the better chances I have of being happy."
It wasn't a complete lie. In fact, most of it was true. Still, she liked Cody and if her brothers weren't his best friends, she would agree to see him.
They pulled up in front of the house and she saw Maria at the back door shaking out a rug.
"Thank God, everyone's car is gone and I can sneak in."
"Do you need a ride into town?"
Oh crap, her car sat parked in the bar's parking lot. Maria could take her in on her way to the supermarket.
"Maria will take me," she said.
Putting the truck in park, he turned to her. His rich green eyes gazed at her and she read the uneasiness in them. A trickle of awareness and alarm shimmied down her spine.
"Tell me about last night. Was that a one-night fling or are you interested in finding out where this attraction between us goes?" he asked, his voice deep and slow, his words, sending a rippling warmth through her.
Attraction? Her brothers’ best friend was attracted to her? Warmth gripped her chest and she didn't want to hurt him. She liked Cody. She really enjoyed what they did together and wanted to be with him again. Now was not the time to become romantically involved.
"If you don't mind, I need some time to decide," she said. "Right now, my life is crazy. Last night, I had a wonderful time with you. But I have the boutique. There's the issue with my brothers. I need some time to sort out what happened."
With a nod, he said, "Understand. For me, our time together was off the charts. The best sex I've experienced since..." he shrugged.
"I can't remember. There's a strong connection between us. I'd like to see you again. Take you on a real date. Find out if there is more between us than just great sex."
Oh crap, this was not what she needed. The man was temptation on a stick and she wanted him, but the boutique-her brothers-her independence, all of that came before anything else.
"Right now, I just can't, Cody."
Jumping out of the pickup she ran toward the house, her chest aching with longing. Needing to escape the sultry voice of the smooth-talking man who had wrung pleasure out of her last night.
Chapter 3
Later that morning, Kelsey sat at a table, holding her head in her hands at Taylor's family restaurant along with the other girls.
"What were we thinking?”
“Thank God,” Kelsey said.
“I thought I would spend today on the phone cancelling credit cards. What a relief,” Meghan said. ”We’re lucky. Last night could have ended so badly. I could have lost my job. And now I’m beholding to the one jerk I never wanted to see again.”
Grinning, Kelsey bent over and whispered. "Max picked you up?"
"He saved my naked ass," she said, her voice a growl. "At first, I refused to climb into his car, but oh no, he insisted. Reminded me, if anyone else found me, I could kiss my career goodbye. What about you? Did you walk naked back to your place?"
Shaking her head, Kelsey glanced at her friends. "My brothers’ friend Cody happened to be driving down the road. When his headlights flashed on me, I hid behind a skinny tree that didn't hide much."
"Oh dear. If your family finds out, your brothers will lock you up," Taylor responded.
What would her companions think if they knew what else transpired last night? They would do more than lock her up. As a grown woman, she had the right to do with her life, whatever she wanted, even if her family didn't agree. Yet they wouldn't approve she had sex with Cody.
"Cody promised me this would remain our secret, but I don't trust him. Men can't keep secrets," she said. "At any time, my phone will start ringing and my oldest brother will remind me of my obligations as a member of the Lawrence family."
Cupid's Dance: Western Small Town Contemporary Romance (Return to Cupid, Texas Book 3) Page 3
