Heat Waves

by Janelle Denison

  She cast him a benevolent smile. "I honestly never intended to get involved with the Camenson shelter and the women staying there, not to the extent that I have, but after one visit I saw my own mother in so many of the women who were there, and I just wanted to make a difference in their lives," she said, her voice infused with warmth and caring. "I felt a special connection to these women, and wanted to give them support and understanding."

  He held up another slice of cantaloupe to her mouth. "I think what you're doing is very admirable."

  "Thank you," she said softly, and chewed and swallowed the bite he gave her. "I think somewhere along the way I've adopted Tori and her daughter. This is Tori's third time to the shelter in the past six months. I think she's serious about leaving her husband this time. But she's scared about starting over and finding a job to support herself and her daughter. I want to make sure I'm there for her, as often as possible, to give her as much support as I can and build her confidence."

  His chest swelled with pride for her. "You're incredible, Erica. You know that?"

  She shrugged off his compliment, then stared at him, her gaze holding a hesitant glimmer of hope, and something else he couldn't quite decipher. "You know … would you like to go with me to the women's shelter today? It would really boost the women's spirits to meet you in person since they all listen to the show. And I know that Tori would love meeting you."

  What she was asking was a huge step for her, he knew. Whether she realized it or not, she was letting him into a sacred and private part of her life. It was the first tangible shift in their relationship to something more meaningful and he wasn't about to blow this chance to establish a deeper, more emotional intimacy between them. Even if it meant canceling his standing Sunday lunch with the Winslows.

  "Yeah, I'd like that," he told her before she changed her mind. Picking up the last cube of fruit with his fingers, he lifted it to her lips.

  She nibbled on the juicy wedge all the way down to the tips of his fingers, which she then sucked clean. "You're very sneaky," she said, her voice tinged with husky nuances. "It just dawned on me what you were doing with that cantaloupe while I was busy talking. You were feeding me breakfast."

  He shrugged unapologetically. "I wanted to make sure you ate something." Before she could think of his remark in terms of him taking care of her, he said, "C'mere and sit on my lap so I can have you for breakfast."

  She stood and took his empty bowl and their mugs to the sink, then returned, settling herself across his thighs. His groin tightened in anticipation, and he lifted his lips to hers. He kissed her softly at first, and once he gained entrance to the welcoming depths of her mouth and tasted the heat of desire and sweet nectar on her tongue, he turned ravenous. His fingers unbuttoned the front placket of her shirt, then pushed the material aside so he could lave her full, ripe breasts crowned with tight nipples.

  He heard a crinkling sound from the shirt pocket and stopped for a moment to remove the foil condom packet. He grinned with lazy amusement at Erica. "What's this?"

  Grasping his shoulders, she twisted toward him and rubbed her breasts across his bare chest, making his breath hitch in his throat and her grin with satisfaction. "That is your chance to make up for leaving me alone in bed this morning."

  He chuckled, and shifting them both, he stood and lifted her up to sit on the table in front of him, more than willing to atone for his earlier decision to let her sleep when it was becoming obvious she would have enjoyed waking up to a more real-life sexual dream. He kissed her again, hard and deep, and pushed her back with his upper body until her shoulders pressed against the hard surface of the table. With her fingers tangled in his hair and her eyes heavy-lidded with need, he began a leisurely trek downward, breathing damp fire on her neck and throat, filling his mouth with her breasts, grazing her stiff nipples with his teeth, dragging his wet tongue lower, until the buttons on the shirt she wore hindered his progress. His fingers slipped and fumbled with the catch and release, frustrating him. Growing impatient, he lifted up and ripped the sides open all the way, sending buttons flying across the room and momentarily startling Erica with the force of his desire.

  He groaned in male appreciation when he discovered that she wasn't wearing any panties, and groaned more raggedly when she parted her thighs for him and offered him a tantalizing view of her glistening, swollen female flesh. He pulled in much needed oxygen into his lungs, and the aroused scent of her made his nostrils flare and his blood surge through his veins.

  Her chest rose and fell rapidly, and her skin flushed with excitement. "Touch me, Ian," she whispered invitingly.

  He wanted that more than anything … to caress her body, to touch her heart, her very soul. If she'd just let him.

  Splaying a hand on her flat belly, he dipped a finger into her navel, then dragged the heel of his palm downward, over her mound until his thumb delved through her moist, dark-blond curls and found that intrinsic, feminine part of her that pulsed as wildly as he did. She was already wet and ready, primed for his possession … and that's exactly what he wanted to do. Possess and brand every part of her.

  His restraint shattered, crashing through him in a frenzied fever pitch of hunger he felt helpless to resist. Wrenching open the fastening of his jeans, he shoved the denim down around his thighs and sheathed his fierce erection with the ribbed condom … all the while enduring Erica's hands stroking across chest, and her lips and teeth and tongue doing wicked, seductive things to his nipples. Finally protected, he pushed her back down, guided himself to her entrance and watched as her tight body enveloped the hard, straining length of his penis until he was all the way home. Mesmerized by the erotic sight of him gliding in and out of her, he slowed his thrusts, withdrawing and joining again in unhurried, languid increments.

  Erica writhed her hips restlessly and locked her legs against his flanks to pull him closer. "Ian," she moaned in frustration. "I want faster … harder … deeper."

  He leaned over her, bracing his hands on the table on either side of her head where her hair was spread out in silky, tousled disarray, and looked into her dark brown eyes. "You're a bossy thing this morning," he murmured teasingly, and placed a light kiss on her parted lips. "Maybe you'd like to set the pace?"

  She twined her arms around his neck and grinned brazenly. "Maybe I would," she dared.

  "Then hang on." She obeyed his order, wrapping her arms and legs securely around him. Scooping her off the table, he took a step back and sat down on the chair behind him, switching their positions so that it was Erica straddling his lap and he was fused deep inside her. Erica who was in complete control of their pleasure. Erica who held him captive with her body. And judging by the sultry heat in her eyes, she liked having that leverage.

  Sliding his hands down her spine, he brought their bodies flush from chest, to bellies, to thighs. Grasping her hips and rocking her closer, he drifted his mouth across hers. "Ride me, Erica," he whispered urgently.

  "As fast and hard and deep as you'd like."

  Eyes glowing with passion, a come-hither smile on her lips, she did exactly that, taking her pleasure and giving back so much more until all that restless energy between them finally erupted in a hot, scalding whirlwind of sensation. There was no holding back for either of them … not the intensity of their climax or the powerful emotions that swelled and buffeted between them.

  Then and there, Ian knew he was deeply, irrevocably in love with Erica McCree.

  ~ 9 ~

  "DO TELL, HOW WAS YOUR weekend?"

  Finished putting away her purse and personal belongings in the closet at the station for her shift, Erica turned to find Carly leaning against the door frame leading into Dan's office, arms crossed over her breasts. Her expression was expectant, and her eyes brimmed with curiosity.

  Erica smiled mischievously. "Like the rest of my listeners, you're going to have to wait to hear the details of our sexy city night date on my show—" she glanced at her watch "—in about twenty minutes."


  "Argh! No fair," her friend complained with a pout. A few seconds later, a sly gin replaced her sulking expression. "Just tell me this … did those condoms come in handy?"

  Erica's entire body flashed hot, and it had nothing to do with the stifling air in the room, and everything to do with all the different, provocative ways they'd used those prophylactics. "Yes," she admitted. "They did come in handy, thank you very much."

  "You lucky, lucky girl." Carly sighed enviously. "I supplied the condoms, so of course that makes me privy to details."

  Erica rolled her eyes as she brushed by Carly on her way out to the hallway to get herself a snack from the vending machine before her shift started. Naturally, Carly followed, determined to get the nitty-gritty information, and Erica realized in that moment she wasn't willing to dish out the specifics of her physical relationship – to her good friend, or her audience. What had transpired between her and Ian this weekend in the bedroom – and out of it – wasn't something she wanted to taint by sharing with thousands of listeners. Oh, sure, she could insinuate what had happened, but this was one time she might leave them all guessing and wondering.

  She hadn't seen or talked to Ian since yesterday evening when he'd dropped her off at her apartment after they'd spent the day with Tori and Janet. Quite honestly, and much to her surprise, she'd missed him today. She was anxious to hear his deep, rich voice, and a part of her resented that she had to share tonight's conversation with the city of Chicago when she wanted him all to herself.

  As for Carly, she'd give her friend just enough to whet her appetite and stir her interest. Pushing through the door, she glanced over her shoulder and grinned. "Let's just say that Ian has me addicted to sex." No doubt about it, she was addicted to him, if the light, floating, giddy feeling she'd been experiencing all day was any indication.

  "Oh, wow!" Carly exclaimed in excitement, and clasped her hands to her chest. "Did you spend the whole night with him?"

  "Yeah, I did." Digging into the front pocket of her shorts, Erica retrieved two dollar bills and inserted one into the snack machine, then changed the direction of their conversation to a less intimate topic. "And yesterday he went to the women's shelter with me. I took some promo stuff to sign and hand out, and the women there had a ball meeting him. It really bolstered their spirits. Of course he charmed them all." She punched a button for cheese crackers, and the package fell to the bottom slot for her to grab.

  "Hmm, what's not to love about Ian?" Carly asked dreamily, seemingly infatuated with him, too, despite her devotion to Dan.

  Love. The word, in context to Ian, startled Erica. Especially since she was battling with her own emotions when it came to him and where he fit in the scheme of things beyond her radio show. She had no solid, concrete answer.

  She cared for Ian, respected him, even, and enjoyed their conversations and the easy way she could talk to him, seemingly about anything. And there was no denying she wanted him. But beyond the incredible, mind-blowing sex they'd indulged in, she'd also shared a very intrinsic part of herself with him yesterday in telling him about her painful past, and by inviting him to the shelter.

  Not so surprisingly, he'd fit right in at the shelter. He'd been sensitive, compassionate and genuine when the situation called for it, as well as funny and engaging during lighthearted moments. He'd even talked to Tori about her decision to leave her husband, and tried to assuage the woman's fear of supporting herself on her own. And while Erica wouldn't go so far as to label what she felt for Ian as love, the emotions and longing taking up residence in her superceded anything she'd ever experienced for another man.

  As Erica munched on her crackers, she told Carly about Ian's suggestion to take Tori and Janet to Navy Pier for the afternoon and how much fun they'd had together. The four of them had a blast on the Shoreline Shuttle that cruised its way to the Shedd Aquarium, which was something even Erica had never done before. They rode the Ferris wheel and carousel and visited the Children's Museum – a high-tech playground with interactive exhibits for youngsters. And that's when Erica discovered that Ian was a big kid at heart and loved children. He'd played with Janet in the Waterways and Inventing Lab, and followed her through the Treehouse Trails while she and Tori sat and watched the two of them enjoy the various attractions.

  The way that Janet bonded to Ian, as if she craved the kind of male attention she'd never received from her own father, gave Erica hope that Janet wasn't permanently scarred from her father's abusive tendencies. Ian had showered the little girl with attention, and by the time the evening ended after an early dinner it was obvious that Janet adored him. Erica had been overwhelmed with joy when Janet wrapped her tiny arms around Ian's neck and hugged him tight, then asked him to come back soon to see her. Ian assured the little girl he would … and knowing Ian was a man of his word, Erica had no doubt that he'd make good on his promise.

  Carly appeared totally enthralled and captivated with her story, and Ian. "The guy is a real prince, I'm telling you, she said adamantly. "Don't let this one slip through your fingers."

  Done with her snack, Erica turned toward the soda vending machine to purchase a bottle of water. Opting to take a more realistic approach to her friend's comment, she said, "He may be a prince, but all romantic fairy tales eventually come to an end."

  Carly pursed her lips determinedly. "And some end happily ever after, if you give them the chance."

  More confusion wove through Erica, but her opinion remained firmly grounded. Water in hand, she twisted off the cap. "I just want to enjoy the time with Ian for as long as it lasts. I really like him – a whole lot, in fact – but I can't say I'm ready to give up my freedom to settle down with just one person."

  A frown furrowed Carly's brows. "Who said you had to give up anything at all?"

  But in Erica's experience, relationships meant sacrifice. And that scared Erica. She feared she'd get so wrapped up in a relationship that she'd lose sight of her independence, her identity, without even realizing the loss until it was too late. But she didn't expect Carly to understand her insecurities and she didn't have the time or inclination to launch into an explanation.

  "Never mind." She shook her head, dismissing their conversation and effectively sidestepping Carly's interrogation. "So, how was your weekend?"

  "Not quite as eventful as yours," she said enviously, and propped a shoulder against the vending machine. "But I do have a secret to share."

  Erica swallowed the mouthful of cool water she'd gulped, intrigued despite herself. "Oh?"

  Carly glanced around, making sure that they were alone, then lowered her voice conspiratorially. "It's not official yet, so don't say anything to the other DJs, but there's a young group of upstarts interested in buying the station and changing the programming to a heavy metal format."

  Erica's stomach turned over and churned at the suddenly very real possibility of having to start her career all over again, just when she was beginning to rise to the top. "Tell me you're not serious."

  "Unfortunately, I am." Carly dragged her fingers through her hair, appearing just as discouraged by the news. "There hasn't been a firm offer yet, though. From what Dan told me, Virginia is being difficult and haggling over what she believes is a fair price, and the buyers don't want to pay what she's asking. Yet."

  Erica took another drink of water, hoping to calm her upset stomach. "No big surprise there, considering how run-down the place and equipment are."

  Carly nodded in agreement. "All we can do is hope the buyers back off."

  "What does it matter?" Erica asked, heading back inside the inner offices. "It's inevitable that something will happen to the station one way or another. Either WTLK gets bought out, or we go bankrupt, though I hate to see either happen when things are going so well."

  "I hear ya," Carly commiserated. "Oh, by the way, I set up a personal appearance for you and Ian Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Dan got a hold of two tickets on the mezzanine level for the Cubs game against the Los Ang
eles Dodgers, and we thought it would be great if WTLK set up a booth beforehand and you and Ian met with fans. In fact, Dan suggested that we make this your second sexy city night date to get the most out of the publicity and on-the-air promotion during the week. What do you think?"

  Erica stopped at the plate-glass window looking into the broadcasting studio, watching as Jay wrapped up his show. She had to admit that the idea held appeal. Then again, just spending time with Ian, on any terms, tempted and enticed her. "Sounds like fun."

  "Great," Carly said, enthusiasm infusing her voice. "I'll let Dan know it's a go, and I'll get moving on advertising the appearance this week."

  Five minutes later Erica was on the air addressing her listeners, and Carly was in the booth next to hers with Ian waiting on the phone to discuss their date on the air.

  "Hello, Chicago. This is Erica McCree, and you're listening to Heat Waves on WTLK. We had a scorcher of a weekend, didn't we? Or maybe that was just my date with Ian that had me so hot and bothered," she teased huskily. "I haven't spoken to Ian all day, and I know you're all anxious to hear how our first sexy city night date went, so I won't keep you in suspense any longer."

  She pressed the button for line one, connecting Ian to the show. "Hi, Ian. How are you tonight?"

  "Better now that I'm on the air with you." His voice was low and intimate, coaxing erotic memories of how they'd spent their weekend together. And more tender recollections of how much fun they'd had at Navy Pier yesterday. "I think today was one of the longest days of my life. I've been counting down the minutes until I'd be on the air with you."

  Something within Erica softened, a part of her heart that was growing increasingly defenseless when it came to Ian. "Okay, ladies, if you haven't figured it out by now, Ian is one of the most romantic, sexy, charming men around. And now, I'll give you a summary of our date, which was fabulous and absolutely perfect, by the way." She wanted to be sure that Ian knew what a wonderful time she'd had with him, if he didn't already know it. Hot, sizzling chemistry aside, they'd connected in so many ways other than physically, giving their relationship a depth she'd never anticipated. An emotional depth that was making her question her own beliefs and her outlook on the future.