“Go back to your wife,” she scolded, feeling flustered. He waved a hand and headed toward Ginger, who was out on the lawn, dancing on her own in her wedding dress like a character out of a Disney movie.
The song was drawing to a close, and she watched Jace bow to the little girl and deliver her back to her father before coming over to Sandi as the song changed to a cover of Christina Aguilera’s Show Me How You Burlesque.
“It’s a quickstep,” Jace said. “Fancy a go?”
“Jesus, after three glasses of wine?” Her heart raced as he pulled her to her feet. “I’ll fall over.”
She didn’t, but only because Jace kept her so close to him he was like a second skin, his hand flat at the base of her spine, keeping her hips to his as he twirled her around. For the first minute or so, her legs felt stiff as she worried about tripping over her feet, but she gradually relaxed and let go, confident in his arms, feeling that he wasn’t going to let her make a mistake. As they stepped and spun, the others on the dance floor withdrew and started clapping, and soon everyone was watching them dance.
Sandi barely noticed, her heart thumping and her breaths coming fast, partly because of the pace of the dance, and partly because of the feel of him against her, his shoulder beneath her fingers, his hand warm in hers, and his body pressed so tightly against her.
By the time the song finished, she felt flushed all over, tingling and turned on by his nearness and the way he had danced so expertly. He’d joked about being a beginner, but he knew his stuff.
“You are a fantastic dancer,” she said as he gave one final spin, and then they stopped and bowed to the clapping crowd. “You even made me look good.”
“You don’t need me for that.” He took her hand as the band struck up a slower song, a sultry version of John Mayer’s Gravity, and everyone came back onto the floor for a slow dance. “You’re the prettiest girl in the room by far, and you dance like a goddess.” He pulled her into his arms. “You drive me crazy, Sandi Cartwright. Do you know that?”
She looked into his eyes, caught up in the magic of the night. “And you me,” she whispered.
He slid his hand onto her tailbone, almost—but not quite—onto her butt, and kept his gaze on hers as Mayer serenaded them in the semi-darkness.
Chapter Nine
SAM AND GINGER WEREN’T going on their honeymoon to Fiji until after New Year’s, so they stayed right until things started winding down around midnight. By then, some of the older guests and those with young children had left, and it was mainly the younger couples remaining, many of whom were members of the rugby club, or acquaintances of the girls made through their businesses.
Jace had a great evening, talking to his friends, dancing with Sandi, having the occasional drink, and just enjoying the atmosphere. He was almost disappointed when the band finally announced their last song, and he turned to Sandi and pulled her into his arms one last time. Almost, but not quite.
He hadn’t danced with anyone else all night. Well, that wasn’t strictly true—he’d danced with little Poppy Rivers, and half a dozen of her friends, because he hadn’t had the heart to turn them down when they’d stood before him so hopefully in their pretty party dresses. But for most other songs, he’d taken the chance to get close to the blonde bridesmaid, and every time she’d looked up into his eyes, her own had been filled with longing.
He was ninety percent sure she was going to ask him back to her room at the end of the night, but he wasn’t making any assumptions. After all, he was the one who’d suggested they flirt all evening with the understanding that it wasn’t going to lead to anything. It would serve him right if at the end of the song she waved him goodnight and walked off in the opposite direction.
He sighed, and she slid her arms around his waist and placed her cheek on his chest while they swayed gently from side to side. He rested his lips on her hair, inhaling the sweet scent of lemons. Everything about this woman made his mouth water. The thought of kissing her, sliding his hands under her dress, feeling her warm skin, made his body rush with heat. Would the evening end the way he hoped?
“Thank you for a lovely evening,” she said.
“Thank you. I’ve had a great time.”
She fell silent for a while, and he could feel her humming along to the music. Then she said, “Jace...”
“Hmm?”
“Would you... um...”
His heart rate doubled its pace, but he kept moving slowly, and just touched his lips to her hair.
She moved back a little and looked up into his eyes. “I’ve never done this before.”
The only light came from the fairy lights, and the candles that the waiters had placed on the tables a few hours earlier, but even so, he saw her cheeks darken with a blush.
She would have to ask him, because he wasn’t going to make any assumptions and make a fool of himself. But he was happy to help her out.
He lifted a hand to cup her face, and brushed his thumb across her cheek. “Ask me,” he murmured.
She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue, her gaze settling on his mouth. She was thinking about kissing him. “Jace... Would you like to... come back to my place tonight?” The last words came out in a rush.
“Yes, Sandi,” he said, unable to stop himself smiling. “I would love to come back to your place.” She blew out a shaky sigh, and he chuckled and touched his nose to hers. “You really thought I’d say no?”
She sucked her bottom lip, and then she took his hand and led him away.
Jace glanced over his shoulder, wondering if anyone had noticed, but everyone on the dance floor was caught up in their partner, and the only person who saw them go was Fred, who was dancing with Mac, her cheek resting on his shoulder. She smiled, and Jace gave a wry smile back before following Sandi through the restaurant.
“Do we need to stay and help clean up?” he asked, conscious of the confetti on the floor and the remains of the buffet on the tables.
“No, the staff are getting paid a hefty bonus to do all that.” Still holding his hand, she led him into the corridor to the B&B, through to its reception area, and across it to a locked door that he guessed must lead to her private rooms. She removed a key from her purse and unlocked it, took his hand again, led him inside, and shut the door behind him.
He walked along the short hallway and into a small living room. His gaze skimmed over the sofa and armchair, the TV and bookcases, the neat Christmas tree in the corner, taking in the subtle decor and tidiness of it all, and then Sandi walked into the room and every other thought fled his mind.
She flicked on a lamp in the corner, flooding the room with amber light, dropped her purse onto the coffee table, and then came over to him. Leaning one hand on his arm for balance, she flipped the backstrap of her high-heeled sandal over her heel, removed the sandal, and then did the same with the other one, placing them under the coffee table. When she straightened, she was now quite a few inches shorter than he was, and she looked slender and fragile in the flimsy dress. Jace wasn’t known for his delicate handling—he’d broken plenty of kitchen utensils and coat hangers in his time—and for a moment he wondered whether he was too clumsy to hold a woman like this.
The two of them studied each other for a long moment.
He was aware he’d seduced her throughout the day. He must have, because she’d been so adamant that she didn’t want to get involved with anyone again. But who could fight the kind of connection he felt between them? The threads—fine and silky, but strong as wire rope—had snaked around them, and he’d felt them tightening all evening, pulling them closer and closer together with every minute that had passed.
Still, he was worried that he’d talked her into this, and in the morning she’d regret going to bed with him. “Sandi...” he murmured. “Are you sure...”
She reached out and pressed two fingers to his lips. “Yes,” was all she said. Her blue eyes glittered in the lamplight. She moistened her lips, and they glistened. She was so beaut
iful, and he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted any woman in his life.
He didn’t need any further persuasion.
Moving forward, he cupped her face in his hands and lowered his lips to hers.
Closing his eyes, he gave himself over to the kiss. Her mouth was so, so soft, and he pressed his lips gently across hers, enjoying the whisper of her breath that sent shivers down his spine.
He wanted to take this slowly. After six months of dreaming of her, of fantasizing about her when he took himself in hand, of thinking about what he would do if he was ever lucky enough to get her into bed, he wanted to savor every minute, to make it last.
But Sandi seemed to have other ideas.
Her mouth opened and her tongue slid against his, and heat shot between them, pure, bright, and fast as a comet. Jace reacted instinctively, deepening the kiss, and she lifted her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him.
God, she felt good, from her breasts to her narrow waist to the softness of her mound as she tilted her hips against his hardening erection. So much for taking it slow, he thought, but he couldn’t regret this sudden, white-hot heat. His body wanted it, hungered for it, and he didn’t object when she tugged at his tie, then began to undo the buttons of his shirt.
He took the tie off and tossed it onto the sofa, and then she parted the sides of his shirt and laid her cool hands on his skin. The breath hissed through his teeth, and he shuddered as she slipped her hands over his ribs, up to his shoulders, and pushed the shirt off.
“Jesus, you’re magnificent,” she whispered, tracing her fingers over the muscles of his arms, then back up to his shoulders and down his chest to his stomach. All the hairs on his body rose at her light touch, and he swallowed hard when she began to undo his belt. She stopped then, though, and looked up at him. “Am I going too fast? This is... sexy... not having to think about anything except how much I want you. It’s been a long time, and I’m ready for you, but if you’d rather I slow down...”
He understood. Tonight, Sandi Cartwright wanted it a hundred percent physical. Foreplay might be important to get most women in the mood, but he was experienced enough to know that wasn’t the case every time a girl went to bed with a guy. If she wanted passion, he was more than happy to show her how he burned for her.
“I want you hard and fast, slow and sensual, and everything in between,” he told her roughly. “Just tell me what you like, and I’ll do my best to oblige.”
“It’s just, before, I had to make sure I didn’t... you know...” She screwed up her nose.
He thought he knew what she was trying to say—if she’d stimulated her ex too quickly, or got him too excited, he’d probably come even before penetration.
“Not a problem for me,” he told her, and he undid his zipper, then guided her hand onto his boxers. “Go as fast or slow as you like. I’ll wait for you.” He was tempted to cross his fingers behind his back, but restrained himself. He’d summon every last ounce of willpower he possessed to make sure she had a good time tonight.
Sandi’s fingers closed around his erection through the silky material. Her eyes fluttered shut and her lips curved up in a blissful smile of pleasure. “Mmm. I knew it.”
He wasn’t sure what she’d been so sure of, but he was glad he’d fulfilled the fantasy. He closed his eyes too, for a moment, enjoying the firm stroking of her hand, and the sexy way she murmured her enjoyment of the act.
“Take your clothes off,” she whispered, still stroking him.
Obediently, he toed off his shoes, let his trousers drop, kicked them away, and flicked off his socks. Then, standing there in just his boxers, he turned her around by the shoulders and slowly unzipped her dress. Taking care with the precious material, he eased it off her shoulders, and it fell to the floor in a whisper. Once she’d stepped out of it, he placed it carefully over the armchair.
He turned her back to face him, and held his breath at the sight of her cream bra, the lacy half cups barely containing her generous breasts. He traced his fingers across the swell of each of them.
She moaned and tipped back her head, and shuddered when he brushed against her nipples. “Oh God,” she said, “I’m so hot for you.” Taking his hand in hers, she brought it down, between her legs. He hooked his fingers around the elastic of her panties and slid his fingers into her—she was wet and swollen, more than ready for him.
That, more than anything, made up his mind. Fuck it—if she wanted it hard and fast, he wasn’t going to say no.
He slid his hands around her back to flick the catch of her bra. After drawing the straps down her arms, he tossed it onto the sofa. He cupped her breasts, enjoying the weight and warmth of them in his palms, and tugged her nipples gently with his fingers, and then his mouth was on hers, and her arms were around his neck, and all he could think about was her soft skin and the slide of her tongue and how it was going to feel to be inside her.
“Jace,” she whispered, “oh God, yes... Come on, take me now.”
In one smooth move, he lifted her, strode into the bedroom, and tossed her onto the mattress. She squealed and bounced, then laughed and pushed down her panties. He did the same with his boxers as she pulled the duvet back.
“Condom,” she whispered, but he was way ahead of her. He’d already taken one from his wallet, and he ripped off the packaging and rolled it on, then climbed onto the bed and moved between her legs. She drew them up, and he guided the tip of his erection into her folds.
He looked into her eyes. Her lips were parted, her eyes shining. She gave a little nod. He didn’t need to be told twice. In one smooth thrust, he was inside her up to the hilt.
Sandi cried out, arching her spine, and he moved back and thrust again, and again, losing himself in the incredible sensation of plunging into her soft flesh. He’d only just gotten going when she shuddered, and to his shock, clamped around him, her body tightening as she cried out with pleasure. Taken aback at the speed at which she’d come, he continued to thrust, and rode her through the orgasm, until she collapsed back on the pillows, her breaths coming in deep gasps.
“Mmm.” She threaded her hands into his hair and pulled his head down so she could kiss him. “Mmm. Don’t stop.”
Worried that she was too sensitive, he kissed her mouth, then dipped his head to kiss her breasts and tease her nipples with his tongue as he gave a few tentative thrusts of his hips. Rather than push him away, though, she moaned and writhed beneath him, wrapping her legs around his waist. Her eyelids fluttered and her teeth tugged at her bottom lip, and he groaned and kissed her hard, plunging his tongue into her mouth. Fuck, she was so hot, and she was going to come again, he could sense it from her cries and the rock of her hips.
This was too good to be true—a multi-orgasmic Sandi was like Christmas Day and his birthday and every fucking brilliant day in the world all rolled into one. He thrust through her second orgasm, not quite there himself, groaning as she clenched and pulsed around him, and continued as she fell back onto the pillows again.
“Oh Jace,” she said, digging her fingers into his back, panting hard, “oh God you’re amazing, oh this is fantastic, oh Jesus don’t stop...”
“Hang on girl,” he murmured, taking her hands and moving them above her head so she could hold onto the slats of the headboard. He pushed her knees up to her chest and shifted so that, while he thrust, the base of his erection ground right against her clit. “I’m going to fuck you into next week,” he promised.
“Holy shit, I’ve died and gone to heaven,” she whispered.
He laughed, thoroughly enjoying himself, and proceeded to thrust hard, plunging deep into her, until the headboard was banging against the wall, and until Sandi came again with an orgasm that made her clench so hard around him he nearly passed out... until he lost himself in a blaze of sexual pleasure, and he knew he was cursing loudly as he climaxed, but he couldn’t think or speak in sentences or do anything except let the almost-unbearable pulses deep inside him continue until he
was finally spent.
Chapter Ten
SANDI FELT AS IF SHE’D run a marathon. Her breaths came in great gasps, her limbs felt like jelly, and the two of them were slippery with sweat.
“Holy fuck,” she said.
Jace started laughing, and she joined in, her giggles only increasing as he went, “Ow, ow, ow,” with each clench of her body, and withdrew hurriedly. He gave her a wry look, disposed of the condom, then collapsed back onto the bed, and pulled her into his arms.
“Mmm.” She snuggled up next to him and yawned. “That was good.”
He snorted. “The understatement of the year. That, sweetheart, was fucking amazing.”
“It was the best sex I’ve ever had.” She kissed his chest, too tired to lift up. “As I suspected, Jace Hart, you are a god in the bedroom.”
“I think you’re drunk,” he said.
“Maybe.” Her eyes drifted shut. “I need some matchsticks.”
“Just go to sleep. I’m about to pass out from exhaustion anyway.”
“It seems rude to just doze off,” she said with a yawn. “You want to go again?”
“For Christ’s sake, woman, are you trying to give me a heart attack? I’m nearly thirty.”
Smiling, she rested her hand on his chest, feeling it rise and fall, and let sleep claim her.
SHE GOT UP ONCE IN the night, when it was dark, visited the bathroom like a zombie, peed for what felt like an hour, drank two glasses of water, returned to bed, and fell back into a dreamless sleep.
When she finally woke, the room was bathed in a pinky-gold light. She’d forgotten to close the curtains the night before. She rolled onto her back, stretched, yawned, and then her brain rebooted itself, and the previous night came back to her with full force, as if she’d been hit on the head with a mallet.
As Timeless as the Sea Page 7
