“Make love with me,” he said again.
She was certain her voice wouldn’t work, so she answered with a kiss, sucking his lower lip between hers.
Chapter Thirteen
Kay was addictive. The more he had the more he wanted. Her smell, her taste, the feel of her skin against his. She made him hungry. Greedy. He rolled the condom onto his erection not wanting to wait another minute. He needed to feel her all around him.
He dipped his head to her breast, sucking one sweet firm nipple into his mouth. Her soft moan sent a rippling pulse straight through him. He eased himself on top of her, feeling her hands slip between their bodies to guide him into place. So damned sexy. Her hips tilted, angling toward him as he sank into her depthless heat.
Kay grazed her hands up and down his back, her nails igniting every nerve ending they touched. His body hummed with the electricity between them. Her lips, her breasts, her legs, every part of them that touched seemed to melt together, their rhythm intense as they moved in sync.
He swiveled his hips, pleased to hear her gasp, her head tipping back. He watched as her expression intensified, eyes clenched, lips parted, breath coming in quick bursts, warm against his chest. So beautiful. He dipped further inside her with each pass, feeling her begin to quiver beneath him. Jesus. He expanded within her, holding out until he heard the cry rumble from her throat. The deep sound reverberated through him as her body tightened around his, legs clasping him to her, muscles drawing at him from deep within her. He felt himself give way, the coiled tension unfurling as he pulsed inside her. She continued to contract around him, her hands stroking his back as they panted together.
He kissed her, slow and easy, as their breathing returned to normal. He turned to the side, reaching for a tissue to dispose of the condom.
“Do you mind if I use your bathroom?” she asked, still sounding breathless.
“Right through that doorway.” He pointed, watching as she crossed the room, her skin shimmering in the dim light. He stretched, the cool sheets soft beneath him. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so relaxed. The sound of water rushing in the bathroom sink made him think of showering, with Kay. He could imagine her, wet and soapy as he worked his hands over her.
He heard her turn off the water. The familiar squeak of the towel rack told him she was drying her hands. The idea of her naked pleased him to no end, but he decided to be gentlemanly. He got out of bed and pulled on his boxers then opened his dresser. He pulled out a T-shirt just as the bathroom door creaked open.
“Hey,” she said, her voice low and soft.
He slipped his arms around her, drawing her in for a kiss, considering pulling her straight back to bed. “Think you’re ready for dessert?”
“Mmmm. I forgot about that. Someone distracted me.”
“Sorry,” he said.
“I think I can manage to forgive you.” Her hair tickled under his chin as she rubbed her face against his chest, pressing little kisses on his skin.
“I’ll make it up to you with pastries. Come.” He tugged her hand then remembered the T-shirt. “Just so you know, house rules are totally fine with naked dining, but you’re welcome to borrow a shirt if you’d like.”
She slipped it over her head, the soft cotton conforming to her numerous curves. “Pants are optional, I take it?”
“Completely.”
They made their way through the living room. James reached to flip on the kitchen light and heard Kay stumble behind him. “Ow,” she yelled, bracing her arm against the wall and lifting one foot off the ground.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I stepped on something.”
He bent down and picked up the offending object. “Sorry about that.” He held up a yellow Lego piece.
“Legos? A hobby of yours?” She rubbed the sole of her foot against her calf.
He chuckled. “No, they’re my niece and nephew’s. I babysit them a bit so I’ve got a good stash of toys here. When I didn’t, my nephew used to do things like make collages from stuff he cut out of my magazines. Let’s just say my sister-in-law was none too pleased when her three-year-old came home from my house with a collage of boobs he cut out of my Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.”
“I can’t imagine her not being thrilled by such a precocious appreciation for art.”
He knelt next to her, massaging her instep. “I know. I thought it was a very good piece. Good composition. Pretty sure my brother agreed. In fact, I think he still has the picture.”
“And they still let you babysit?” She stretched her leg toward him, her back braced against the wall.
If he tilted his head he could see straight up the length of her shapely bare leg and under the edge of her shirt. Pants optional was definitely the way to go. “Yes, usually at least once a week, so they can have a date night.”
“That’s nice.” Her hand raked through his hair, her fingers sending pleasure tingling across his scalp.
“I’m a pretty nice guy.” He stood and moved closer, rubbing his nose against hers.
“You are.” She kissed him, her tongue teasing his with a brief twirl before she pulled away. “Now, where’s that dessert?”
Kay didn’t get home until three a.m.. She’d wanted to stay the night at James’s apartment, but she was expecting an important email and hadn’t remembered her cell phone. It was just as well. She doubted she would have gotten much sleep, and Rosalie and Trixie were due at her place at eight a.m. to help her sort through Gram’s things. Kay hated the idea of boxing things up and giving them away, but she knew that regardless of what she decided to do with the house, some of Gram’s belongings would need to go. If nothing else she needed to bring all of her photo equipment to the house. It was still all at the apartment with Todd, a situation she didn’t feel like dealing with, but would have to sooner or later.
She’d set her alarm for seven, but had hit snooze at least three times before she’d managed to crawl out of bed. A quick shower later she still felt only half awake. She curled up on the couch, a coffee mug cradled in her hands, and closed her eyes.
James. She could still feel him. The pressure of his firm lips against hers. The subtle brush of his hands against her hair. He’d kissed her goodnight at her door, and it had taken every ounce of willpower she possessed to keep from dragging him into the house and having her way with him on the living room rug. “Sorry, Gram,” she whispered to the empty room. What would she think about me dating James? She always seemed to like him. He was kind and polite and a fantastic cook. It was hard for her to imagine Gram wanting more for her than that. It was also hard to believe everything that happened. For years James had been a dream. A richly detailed, often imagined, desperately longed for fantasy that she’d been certain would never become a reality. And now he’s real. A shiver ran through her.
The phone rang and she picked it up, expecting to hear Rosalie and Trixie arguing about what time they were due to arrive. Todd’s deep voice surprised her. “Hey,” he said. “I wasn’t sure this was the right number. I was trying your cell all night last night.”
“I forgot it at home and it’s been charging overnight.” Why am I explaining myself to him?
“And I suppose you never got my emails. Whatever. Look, I need to know what you’re doing with your stuff. My brother’s moving here from California, and I told him he could crash in the spare room until he finds a place. When can you clear out all your cameras and crap?”
Her shoulders tensed. She knew she’d need to retrieve her things, but she didn’t expect to have to do it quite so soon. “Shit, I don’t know.” Her mind raced. Like I don’t have enough to do trying to sort and pack up this place.
“I can box it all up for you and stick it in storage if you want to rent a unit.”
Oh, that’s big of you. “Why would I pay for a storage unit when I just inherited a house?”
“Christ, Kay, I don’t know. I just want your shit out before my brother arrives with all his crap,
okay?”
“Fine.” Her leg bobbed with annoyance, and she knocked her coffee cup onto the floor. “Dammit.” She jumped up, forgetting the phone was attached to a cord, almost pulling the whole thing off the end table. “I have to go. I’ll call you when I know what I’m doing.”
“Kay.”
She didn’t care what he was going to say, wasn’t in the mood to deal with it.
No sooner had she finished mopping up the spilled coffee than she heard Rosalie and Trixie climbing the porch stairs, their voices clearly audible.
“Of course she’s alone, do you see his truck anywhere? He lives over on the bay side, he’d be parked in her driveway.”
“I’m just saying, maybe we should have called first. What’s wrong with calling to check?”
Kay opened the door before they could continue bickering. “No one’s here but me.”
“Oh good,” Rosalie said, kissing her on the cheek. “We brought you a zucchini bread. We bought too much at the market, and then Agnes brought over even more when she cleaned out her fridge. She’s visiting her son in Maryland for the week.”
They know everyone in town. And everything they’re doing. She wondered how many people knew about her and James. Small town gossip was something she’d forgotten about after living in the city and traveling so much. Trixie handed her a stack of mail. “This was in your mailbox.”
“Oh thanks, I forgot to check yesterday.”
Trixie eyed her. “Understandable. You’ve got a lot on your mind. We were going to stop in and check on you last night, but when we drove by your lights weren’t on. Were you out?”
Rosalie rolled her eyes. “You’re about as subtle as a heart attack.”
Kay laughed. “I was. I had dinner with James.”
“Again?”
“That’s wonderful.”
“Did he cook for you?”
“Is it serious?”
Kay shook her head. “You two should work for the police department. Sheesh. Yes, he cooked, it was great. And no, it’s not serious.”
Rosalie and Trixie squinted at her, their faces scrunched and pensive.
“What?” Kay asked.
“Nothing.” Rosalie waved her hand and headed into the kitchen, zucchini bread in tow.
“We’ll see.” Trixie gave her a sly smile and a wink.
I wouldn’t stand a chance arguing with the two of them.
Chapter Fourteen
James could see Kay sitting on the deck as he rounded the corner of her porch. She had a phone book on her lap and was scribbling in a notepad, her cell phone pressed to her ear.
She held up a finger, smiling at him. “Okay, I’ll call back when I know which day I’ll need it. How much is the deposit?”
What’s she putting a deposit on? He took a seat in the chair next to hers. The wicker squeaked and sighed under his weight. Kay closed the phone book and leaned over to put it on the table. There were lines on her thigh where the heavy book had been resting, and he wondered how long she’d been sitting there making calls. His eyes trailed up to her face, taking in every curve. She wore cut-off jeans and a black T-shirt, her hair pulled into a loose ponytail. Even with almost no makeup on she looked amazing. Sweet and sexy.
“Sorry,” she said, hanging up and turning toward him. “I’ve been on the phone all afternoon.”
“What’s up?”
“I’m trying to find a mover to go get some of my things from my apartment in the city. They either want an extra fee to box everything, something about insurance not being valid if they don’t pack it, or they want me to rent a huge van which is way more space than I need.” Her brow was furrowed, her eyes dark as she read the notes on her pad.
“How much stuff do you need to move?”
She shrugged. “Not all that much, it’s just fragile. Most of it’s camera and lighting equipment. And a bunch of clothes.”
“Don’t hire a mover for that. When do you need to go get it? I can drive you up.”
She shook her head. “You don’t have to do that.”
He smiled. “I know I don’t have to, I want to. I’ve got the Tahoe. Or if you don’t think that will be enough room I can take the commercial van from the fish market. Either way you don’t have to pay for a driver.”
The furrow returned to her forehead. “You’re so busy with all the restaurant stuff, you don’t need to spend a day helping me move.”
“Kay, I don’t mind. I haven’t been into New York in months. We can stop and have lunch somewhere. It’ll be fun.”
“You’re sure you don’t mind?”
So stubborn. “What do I have to do to convince you?”
Her eyes twinkled and he wondered what possibilities were making her look so mischievous. “Okay, I accept. Thank you.”
“No problem.” He stood and moved toward her, bending to give her the hello kiss he’d wanted to give her since he arrived.
She smelled even more tempting than usual. Her fingers curled into the hair at the base of his neck, making him want to pick her up and carry her inside. “Maybe I should have made you convince me.” Her voice was breathy against his lips. “You’re very persuasive.”
I’m persuasive? She could talk me into just about anything right now. “Good to know.”
There were no parking spots anywhere on Kay’s block, so James dropped her off to get started packing while he drove around. He hated driving in New York City. On his fourth lap around the block he noticed the lit taillights on a flower delivery van. Like a miracle the guy pulled out, freeing a spot that was directly in front of her apartment building.
He took the elevator to the 25th floor. The hallway was narrow but brightly lit. When he reached her apartment number he was surprised to find the door propped open. She’d already stacked two boxes, the top one with a tripod sticking out of it.
“Kay?” he asked, taking a hesitant step inside.
“Be right out,” she called. He glanced around the apartment. It was ultra modern and sparkling clean. Very New York chic. But it lacked warmth. He was used to seeing Kay in the comforting surroundings of her grandmother’s house. It was hard to imagine her living in such a stark, sleek setting. He was about to ask if she needed help when another voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Can I help you?” the deep male voice asked.
James turned and was greeted by the sight of a guy wearing a towel. Tall, blond, sculpted torso tanned to fake perfection. Jesus. It’s metro-Ken.
“I’m helping Kay get her stuff.”
“Oh.” The Ken doll’s posture relaxed but his eyes were still narrowed.
Kay walked in, toting a large cardboard box. “Sorry, I was just…” She paused, her eyes darting between the two of them.
“Here, let me get that for you.” James strode toward her and lifted the box from her arms.
“Thanks. I take it you two met?”
“Not exactly,” James said, though it was obvious the other guy was her ex.
“James, Todd. Todd, this is James.”
They nodded at each other. Todd shook his damp hair out of his face. “I didn’t realize you were bringing a helper.”
So you thought she was going to carry all this stuff herself and you thought you’d help out by grabbing a quick shower? Asshole. “How heavy are the boxes by the door? Can you manage one or should I bring this down and come back and get those?”
“I can take the top one.” She lifted it easily, turning to Todd as she headed out the door. “Can I leave the door open or are you leaving now?”
Todd gave her a smug look, gesturing to his towel. “I think it’s safe to say I’ll be here a little longer.”
Her nostrils flared. “We’ll be back in a few minutes.”
James followed her to the elevator. The door opened right away and they stepped inside. Her face was tight, the tension obvious in her stance. “You okay?” he asked.
“Fine. He’s just such a dick.”
James had never heard her talk t
hat way about anyone. It took him by surprise, but he was really glad to hear her description. Seeing her in her old place with her old guy right there had been much more unsettling than he’d have imagined. He didn’t like the thought of her with Todd. Or any guy for that matter.
“Did he give you a hard time?” James was half hoping she’d say yes, so he’d have a reason to punch the jerk, which was a very appealing thought.
“He’s just obnoxiously smug considering that he’s the one who was cheating.”
What a douche. You’re so much better off without that asshole. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m just glad I’m finally getting my stuff. I want this completely over.”
“Good.” So do I.
When the last of Kay’s boxes were loaded into the back of the car she breathed a sigh of relief.
“You sure that’s everything?” James asked, his strong hands flexing as he reached up to close the hatch.
“Everything but the furniture, and that’s fine. There’s no room for it at the house right now and there’s really not that much that’s mine. I already told him he could keep the stuff we’d bought together. Most of it was more his taste than mine in the first place.”
James slammed the door shut. “Okay, then. Let’s go.”
Kay climbed into the car, feeling a sense of closure she’d been missing.
James eased out of the parking spot then glanced over at her. “You gonna miss living in the city?”
“Maybe. I don’t know. I travel so much I didn’t ever really feel like this last place was home. Not completely. I will miss the pizza though.”
“Understandable. That’s probably what I miss most.”
“That’s right, I always forget. You lived here in grad school.”
He nodded. “Three years. Pretty sure my roommates and I gave Ray’s Pizza the best business they’ve ever had the whole time we were here. Rumor had it they bought a boat just from our purchases alone.”
Then, Again Page 8
