Shamus continued to eat at her lips like a man starved. His tongue ran over her teeth, tracing every edge before he returned to tease her tongue into playing with his again. Her nipples puckered, pressing against her bra. She squirmed, trying to get closer to him, needing to rub her breasts against his chest to ease the growing ache.
He tore his mouth from hers, leaving them both gasping for breath. Keeping his eyes on hers, he tugged the hem of her shirt out of the waistband of her jeans. She knew what was coming and lifted her arms. He skimmed the shirt over her head and tossed it to the floor.
His blue-gray eyes darkened as he stroked his finger over the lace edging her bra. Her chest rose and fell with every breath of air she sucked into her starving lungs. His thumb brushed over the tip of one breast, stroking the already turgid nipple. Cyndi groaned and leaned forward, wanting more of his touch.
"So sweet.” He leaned down and captured her nipple though the thin fabric of her bra and sucked. Her fingers tunneled into his hair, dislodging the thong that held it back. Free from its confinement, his silky locks flowed through her fingers in a sensual caress. The soft hair slid between her spread fingers, sending tingles up her arms.
Sanity reared its head and Cyndi struggled to remember why they shouldn't do this. “Your family,” she gasped out. “They won't like this."
He nuzzled her breast, shoving the cup of the bra lower, exposing one tight, dusky-pink nipple. “But I will.” She could hear the need and the determination in his voice. Then he traced her bare nipple with his tongue. “And so will you."
Cyndi gave up. He was an adult and so was she. What they did was nobody's business but theirs. No one needed to know about them. Her heart clenched at the thought, but she pushed it aside. This was probably not going to last. She was realistic enough to know their age difference and the displeasure of his family would probably drive him away, sooner rather than later. But for now, they were together.
She was in his arms and she wanted him. Cyndi had never indulged in an affair before. The only man she'd slept with was her ex-husband, and she'd always sensed there should be more than what she'd experienced in their bed. Every instinct she possessed also told her Shamus was the man to show her what she'd been missing.
Giving into the growing desire, she arched her back, offering her breast to him. Sensing her consent, his nimble fingers made quick work of her bra. She was forced to release her hold on him long enough for him to slide the straps down her arms. She let it fall from her fingertips.
Shamus stared at her breasts, a hungry expression on his face. His hands opened and closed at his sides as he feasted his gaze on her, looking his fill. She didn't feel self-conscious, but proud. Shamus made her felt sexy and beautiful.
"Your turn.” Reaching out, she tugged at his shirt. Shamus wasted no time in grabbing two handfuls of his shirt and peeling it over his head. “Oh my.” Cyndi placed her palms on his chest. His skin was warm and tight. He was magnificent. There was no other word adequate enough to describe him.
His shoulders were broad, his biceps thick from years of hard labor. Heavy bones were wrapped with sinew and muscles making his forearms and wrists thick. She slid her hands across the wide plane of his chest, exploring the flat, brown nipples. Shamus sucked in a breath and groaned. Delighted, Cyndi did it again.
His chest was practically bare, but a thin line of hair bisected his belly, disappearing into the waistband of his jeans. Bands of muscles wrapped around his torso, each one finely sculpted. His waist narrowed, but was still thick. The man was built.
Shamus moved suddenly, wrapping his hands around her waist and lifting her out of her seat. Carrying her, he sat her on a section of countertop that was lower than the rest. Cyndi wrapped her legs around his hips, pulling him tighter into the notch of her thighs. Her breasts pressed tight against his chest and she moved her torso, rubbing her distended nipples over his tight muscles. She shivered and moaned. She'd never felt anything quite this wonderful before.
She protested when Shamus pulled away, but then began to help him when she realized he was unzipping her jeans. She lifted her butt when he began to tug. The jeans caught around her ankles and canvas sneakers. Shamus swore and tugged at her footwear. Cyndi heard one shoe and then the second hit the floor. Then her legs were bare, her jeans discarded.
She was left wearing only her thin, cotton panties and socks. Shamus took her in his arms again, leaning her backward until her spine hit the cool marble. She arched up and Shamus captured one of her nipples between his lips and suckled. His hand plumped her other breast, his fingers tugging gently on the swollen tip.
Cyndi rolled her hips, rubbing her mound against the hard length pressing against the front of his jeans. She wanted to see him naked, to feel his cock slid inside her waiting heat. “Shamus,” she gasped his name, tugging at his hair. “More. I need more."
He pulled away, a lock of his hair falling across his forehead. A muscle in his temple twitched. The passion in his eyes made her skin sizzle. “More,” he agreed as he kissed his way down her torso.
Cyndi squirmed and bucked, but it was no use. Shamus would not go any faster, nor could she dissuade him from his path. Taking his time, he licked and sucked her flesh, his hair brushing against her sensitized flesh. He nipped at her hipbones, delving his tongue into her belly button before shifting his attention downward. Grabbing the band of her panties in his mouth, he tugged. They slipped lower. Shamus lifted her hips in his hands and kept pulling until her underwear were down over her knees. She kicked her leg and they slid down and off.
Her legs were dangling over the edge of the counter, her butt and back against the cool marble countertop. Shamus slid his hands around to the inside of her thighs and pushed them open. She felt cream slip from her core as he viewed the wet, damp folds of her sex.
"Now I'm going to have what I really wanted for lunch.” He lowered his head and licked up one side of her labia and down the other. Crying out, Cyndi didn't know whether to push him away or pull him closer. Her husband had only done this a time or two, and she hadn't really taken pleasure in it. It had left her feeling vulnerable, and she'd been unable to relax and enjoy herself.
With Shamus, it was a totally different experience. When he draped her legs over his shoulders, she relaxed and let her thighs fall open. A low rumble of pleasure came from deep within him, and she felt the vibration all through her pussy. Her fingers clenched into fists at her side as she arched her hips upward.
Shamus skimmed his fingers up her inner thighs and then rimmed the opening of her heated center. His tongue traced circles around the swollen bud of nerves at the apex of her thighs, never quite touching it.
Cyndi thought she might go mad waiting for him to touch her the way she wanted him to. “Shamus.” It was more of a demand than a plea, and she felt him smile against her.
Two thick fingers pressed inside her, pushing past the initial resistance of her body and sliding deep. Her inner muscles contracted as his fingers stretched her. It had been ten years since she'd had a man inside her body. Her vibrator didn't even come close to what Shamus was making her feel.
He widened his fingers and began to withdraw them slowly. Sweat glistened on her torso as she watched Shamus's dark head buried between her thighs. Her breathing quickened, her entire body quivered from head to toe as he pushed his fingers back inside and began a slow, torturous rhythm of advance and retreat. Her heels dug into his shoulders as she bucked against his mouth, trying to get him to touch her the way she wanted, the way she needed.
She cried out when his tongue finally lapped at her clitoris, but it quickly turned into a moan as he took the nubbin between his lips and tugged. And when he began to suckle, she screamed.
His fingers plunged deep and when he retreated, he dragged them over the top of her sex, stimulating sensitive nerve endings and sending her plummeting over the edge.
Her climax hit her hard and fast, heat rocketing through her, inner muscles clenching as she
locked her thighs around his head and squeezed tight. Shamus continued to draw out her pleasure, sucking on her clit and teasing her with his fingers until she couldn't stand it any longer.
Relaxing her thighs, she reached down and pushed his head away. “Enough,” she gasped.
Shamus leaned back, a satisfied grin on his face. “We're just getting started.” He raised his fingers to his mouth and licked off the evidence of her orgasm.
Cyndi shivered, goose bumps racing down her arms and legs. Cream slid from her body and ran down between the cheeks of her behind.
Shamus lowered her legs from his shoulders, letting them rest against the countertop. His hands went to the button of his jeans. She licked her lips in anticipation, eliciting a groan from him. “This won't last long if you keep that up."
Her eyes were on the front of his jeans. She wanted to see him, to touch him. Then she wanted him buried deep inside her.
Suddenly, he stiffened.
"Shamus?"
Swearing, he reached into his pocket and drew out his phone. She realized that he must have set it on vibrate. “Yeah.” He listened a minute, sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. “Yeah. I'll be there in about ten minutes.” He ended the call and slid the phone back into his back pocket. “I'm sorry, Cyndi. There's a problem at the job site. I told the foreman not to call unless it was important."
Embarrassment began to drive out the flush of pleasure. She was lying naked on her kitchen counter for heaven's sake while Shamus was still mostly dressed. Scrambling off the counter, she grabbed her underwear and yanked them on. Ignoring her bra, she reached for her shirt.
"Cyndi?” Shamus grabbed her top first. Taking his time, he turned it right side out and slid it over her head. She felt marginally better when it covered her. Shamus dropped a quick, hard kiss on her lips. She shivered, as she tasted her arousal on his lips. “I'm sorry about this, sweetheart."
"No. No, that's okay.” She found her jeans and began to tug them on.
"It's not okay.” Shamus yanked on his T-shirt, tucking it into his jeans. “You're upset and you have every right. I shouldn't have started something I couldn't finish."
Cyndi stopped, her hands on the zipper of her jeans. Was the man apologizing for having to stop? She blinked, not quite believing she was hearing him correctly. He was the one who hadn't gotten to come. She glanced down and sure enough, he was still rock-hard in his jeans.
"It's really okay.” Now she was reassuring him. The ridiculousness of the situation hit her and she began to giggle.
Shamus raised his eyebrow at her while he gathered his hair back into his customary ponytail and wrapped the leather thong around it. She began to laugh. Shamus grinned at her as he finished tying back his hair and tugged her into his arms. “Think this is funny, do you?” he growled as he nuzzled her neck.
She nodded, unable to stop laughing.
"It's fine for you,” he grumbled. “I've got to get rid of this slight problem before I get back to work.” He gripped her hand and laid it over his erection.
"I'd say that there's nothing slight about this problem,” she gasped in between laughs. “It's rather large."
"Vixen,” he chuckled and then captured her lips in a searing kiss that drove all the laughter out of her. Moaning, she wrapped her arms around his neck and sank into the embrace.
It was Shamus who pulled away. “I've got to go, but I'll be back later tonight, after work. If that's okay?"
She nodded, rubbing her fingers over the fabric of his shirt. She was suddenly feeling shy with him. He tucked one of his fingers under her chin and tilted it up until she was looking at him. “We'll talk more about your renovation plans. Then we'll finish what we started here."
Cyndi took a step back, knowing she had to distance herself from him. “That's fine.” She finished zipping up her pants, grabbed her bra off the floor, and stuffed it into her back pocket.
"I'll work up some quotes for you when I know what you want done.” He was serious about this, she realized.
"You can't.” She shook her head for emphasis. “Your family won't like it. Your business partner won't like it.” That was putting it mildly. Burke wouldn't want to do business in any way, shape, or form with her. “Maybe you can recommend someone else to do the work."
Shamus shook his head. “I'm doing it.” When she stared to protest, he cut her off. “You want the best, don't you?” She nodded, sensing the trap tightening around her. “Well, B & O Construction is the best. I'll handle my family. Don't you worry.” Dropping a quick kiss on her lips, he grabbed the remains of his sandwich and headed to the front door. Cyndi trailed behind him, her head spinning. “I'll see you after work.” He grabbed his jacket and then he was gone.
Standing on the porch, she watched him drive away, wondering what the heck she was getting herself into. It was easy for him to say not to worry. She didn't think he had any idea just how complicated things could get with them working together and seeing each other on a daily basis.
Cyndi knew she needed to think, and she had to get moving with her plans. She'd call the auction house right now and get that started. Then she'd take another look at the list of renovations she wanted done. It was almost complete, but she'd had a few more thoughts. Tomorrow, she'd have to make herself go out to the hardware store and start choosing her paint colors.
Chewing her bottom lip, she tried to put thoughts of her and Shamus on the backburner for now. They'd talk tonight. Still worrying, she turned and went back into the house.
Chapter Nine
It wasn't easy to make it through the rest of the afternoon at the job site, but Shamus managed. He was semi-erect most of the time, just thinking about his lunch date with Cyndi and anticipating the night to come. The fact she was staying in Jamesville eased some of the tension that had been riding him the last few days. He knew she was still unsure about them spending time together, in spite of the intense physical connection between them, maybe even because of it. He planned to wear down her resistance, and now he knew he had plenty of time to do so.
He grinned as he imagined just how he'd go about that. Hmm...so many possibilities.
"Well, you look like you're in a good mood."
Shamus swiveled his head to find his brother standing off to his right, hands on his hips. Patrick was wearing his khaki uniform, his badge gleaming on his chest, and looked every inch the town sheriff. Shamus lowered the hammer he'd been using to finish installing the molding in the almost-finished living room. His plans of a quick getaway after work were beginning to appear slim. His brother looked as if he had a lot on his mind.
Climbing to his feet, he laid the hammer aside. “Sure. This place is almost done.” Shamus surveyed the room with pride. This was one of six luxury, getaway cabins. More house than cabin, really. They'd spared no expense on the professional-grade kitchen or the spa-like bathroom. There were three bathrooms upstairs and two baths. The floors were hardwood and each room had details such as crown molding and large windows. It would definitely attract someone with money.
Patrick nodded and strolled to the window. The view of the lake and the surrounding forest was spectacular. B & O Construction had been very careful when clearing the building sites and had left almost all the surrounding wilderness untouched.
Shamus sauntered over to stand beside his brother, sensing there was something he wanted to say, but didn't quite know how to say it. He waited, letting his tension fade away as he looked out over the land.
Finally, Patrick sighed and turned to him. “I want to apologize for the other night."
Everything inside him stilled, but he said nothing.
His brother's eyes narrowed into gray slits. “I allowed my personal feelings to interfere with the job."
Shamus crossed his arms over his chest. “Isn't me that you should be saying this to."
Patrick swore and raked his fingers through his hair. “Look. I still don't trust Cynthia James."
"Cyndi Marks,” he immedia
tely corrected.
"Whatever name she goes by, I don't trust her. Not after what she did to Dani.” Patrick thrust his hand out in front of him as if to keep Shamus from protesting. “But regardless of that, I should have been more concerned for her safety first. It's bothered me."
"Again, it's not me that you should be telling this to."
Patrick crossed his arms over his chest and glared at him. “Well, I am telling you."
"Fine.” Shamus turned away and went to pack up his tools. He glanced at his watch. It was half past five and most of the men had already left. He'd had a few things he'd wanted to finish before he called it a day. Most of them were done. The rest could wait until tomorrow.
"Damn it, Shamus.” He heard his brother stomping after him.
Turning, he lifted a brow questioningly. “What?"
"I still think you should stay away from that woman. She'd obviously trouble."
Anger began to simmer low in his belly. “It's not her fault that someone shot out her windows."
"It's because of who she is and her family's history in this town,” Patrick retorted. “Most folks couldn't stand the sight of Cyrus James. Lord knows he was a tight-fisted tyrant, only worried about making a buck."
Shamus straightened, all pretense of calm gone beneath the onslaught of his anger. “Let me get this straight. If this is her fault because of who she is, then if someone was to shoot out your windows, it would be your fault because you're the local sheriff."
"Now you're just being obtuse."
"No, brother. You're just being prejudiced. So much for your apology.” Shamus was angry with his brother, but more, he was disappointed. He'd thought his brother more fair-minded than that, but he seemed to have a block where Cyndi was concerned. And while he could understand it, it didn't make it any easier to deal with.
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