“This is getting good,” she said after a long while, closing the book.
“Then why are you closing the book?”
“You said you had some surprises up your sleeve and you’ve got me curious.”
Chuckling, he closed his book, sat up and swung his long legs over the side. “We’re going to play a little Jeopardy! game so I can see if you’re as good as you claim.”
Serita snorted. “Claim? I’m going to wipe the floor with you, Jeremy Hunter.”
“Let’s go, Miss Thang.” She preceded him down the stairs to the family room, where he already had the stack of questions waiting, along with another surprise she’d find out about later. Jeremy turned on the fireplace and cranked up the heat a couple of notches.
“Why are you turning up the heat if you have the fireplace going?” she asked, dropping down on the sofa.
“Because we’re playing strip Jeopardy!, sweet baby girl, and I don’t want you to be cold when I take all your clothes.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
She held up a hand. “Wait a minute. You didn’t say anything about that.”
“Surprise.” The look on her face was priceless.
“What happened to playing for pennies or something like that?” she asked, waving her hands around.
Her flustered state made him smile inwardly. He shrugged. “If you’re as good as you say you are, it won’t matter because you’ll be fully clothed, but if you’re scared...” He took a seat on the floor.
Determination lined her features and she joined him. “Bring it on.”
“I’ll even let you go first.” He gestured to the waiting cards with a flourish.
Serita pulled a card and read the question. “‘This man wrote Jurassic Park.’ Who is Michael Crichton? Easy.”
Jeremy grinned and took his turn. “‘This word means to dislike strongly.’ What is abhor?” They went back and forth for another three rounds and neither of them missed. It came back around to him. “‘The elements on the periodic table are ordered by this characteristic.’ What are atomic numbers?”
“Yeah, yeah. Of course, you’d know that.” She snatched up the next card. “‘Elements on the periodic table in Group 18 are often referred to by this name.’ Noble gases.”
“Wrong.”
“What are you talking about? You know that’s the correct answer.”
“Maybe so, but you didn’t phrase it in the form of a question.”
She hit her palm against her forehead and groaned.
He rubbed his hands together. “Hmm, what do I want first? I think I’ll take these.” His hands went to the waistband of her jeans.
Serita hesitated briefly, then lifted her hands to the button.
Jeremy shook his head slowly. “Did I mention that the other person gets to remove the article of clothing?”
“No, you did not,” she said with a soft gasp.
“My bad.” He rose to his knees in one fluid motion. “Lie back, baby.” He kissed her until she lay flat on her back, then teased her with caresses and kisses as he eased her pants down and off. His hands and his mouth made a slow path up her legs to her thighs and inner legs before grazing her core.
She moaned and her legs trembled. “We’re supposed to be playing.”
“We are.” He helped her back to a sitting position. He was so aroused he promptly missed the next question.
“Well, now. Looks like Dr. Hunter is going to be without his pants, too. Your turn. Lie back.”
He readily complied. Instead of immediately taking off his pants, Serita straddled him and ground her body against his, forcing a low groan from his throat. He gripped her hips and arched up to meet her.
She reached for his hands and removed them. “No, baby. You don’t get to touch me. It’s not your turn.”
Jeremy went still. She had never called him baby before, or used any other type of endearment for that matter. The implications made his heart pound in his chest. Gyrating in slow, erotic circles, she slid her way down his body, then ran her hands over his erection. His breath hissed out. “If you don’t stop, we’re going to be playing a different game called How Many Ways Can I Make You Come.”
Serita smiled serenely. She undid his belt and pants, and he lifted his hips to facilitate their removal. The faster she got them off, the easier he’d be able to breathe. When she went back to her spot on the floor, he threw his arm over his face and lay there panting as if he’d run the anchor leg of a four-by-four relay. Finally he was calm enough to sit up. He met her gaze and wondered if they were actually going to be able to finish the game. The rise of her breasts let him know she’d been just as affected. “I believe it’s your turn.”
“‘Traditionally made vodka is done by distilling this root vegetable.’ What is a potato?” She made sure her answer had the correct form.
Two hands later, she lost her shirt, and right after that her bra. Jeremy took sweet revenge. She got a little payback of her own when she won his shirt, which made them even—both only had their underwear left—and tormented him until he thought he would explode. Breathing harshly, he drew the next card. “‘This island country’s landscapes represented Middle Earth in the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.’” His brain was in such a sensual haze he couldn’t think.
“Five seconds.”
At the last moment, he said, “What is New Zealand?”
“Lucky.”
“Just take your turn,” he said with a smile.
“Okay. ‘The general term for beverages which mix neutral grain spirits with sugar, glycerin and flavorings.’ What is schnapps?” she said smugly.
After she’d answered her fourth question about alcoholic beverages correctly, Jeremy said, “Is there something you want to tell me? Either you’re an undercover bartender or you’ve been doing some serious testing.”
Serita threw her card at him in mock outrage. “I beg your pardon. Neither. I just read a lot. Take your turn.” She rolled her eyes playfully.
They continued battling back and forth for several minutes. He had never played Jeopardy! or any other form of recreation quite like this. But he knew from now on it would be their special game. In the end, Serita lost her last piece of clothing. “I guess that means I’m the champion.” Jeremy reached up and got the blanket off the sofa and spread it on the floor.
“What’s that for?”
“It’s easier to wash a blanket than clean the carpet.” He saw the moment it registered in her eyes. “As the winner, I get the grand prize.”
“Which is?”
“You.” He picked her up and placed her on the blanket. Then he stood, quickly shed his briefs and donned the condom he had placed beneath one of the throw pillows. “Remember that other game I mentioned earlier? I’m going to see how many times and how many ways I can make you come and make you scream.” His tongue teased the corners of her mouth before slipping inside. He took his time tasting and swirling his tongue around hers, then he transferred his kisses to her throat and her breasts.
“Ohh...”
He retrieved the bottle of strawberry massage oil he’d purchased from Desiree’s shop and drizzled some over her breasts. He blew on it lightly and watched Serita’s reaction.
“Oh, my goodness! It’s...getting hot.”
“That’s exactly how I want you,” he murmured, latching on to a nipple and sucking it clean.
Serita cried out. “Jeremy!”
He made a path with the oil from the center of her breasts down the front of her body and the valley between her thighs, and followed with his tongue, savoring the sweetness of the oil and her skin. Jeremy gently pushed her legs apart, added some oil to her inner thighs and kissed his way to her center. He took his time, using slow, long licks to increase her pleasure. The sounds of ecstasy spilling from her mouth sent his desire soaring straight through the roof.
<
br /> She gripped the blanket, writhing beneath his mouth, her vocalizations rising. A moment later, she screamed, calling his name over and over.
Jeremy slid two fingers inside her, taking up a lazy rhythm and rebuilding her passions. She came again, gasping and arching. He needed to be inside her. Now. And he knew just how he wanted her. He lifted her to straddle him and lay back on the blanket. “I liked it when you were here earlier. Ride me, baby.”
“With pleasure,” Serita said, lowering herself onto his rigid erection.
She started the same erotic swirl of her hips and he didn’t think he was going to last a minute. His hands played over the curve of her hips, up her spine and around to her breasts. He cupped both in his hands, kneading and massaging as she moved up and down on him. His hands slid back down to her hips and he plunged deeper. He leaned up and fused his mouth against hers. No other woman had come close to arousing the emotions in him Serita did. Resuming his position, he closed his eyes and let those emotions take over. He increased the pace, and her feminine muscles clenched him tight. He trembled slightly as the sensations intensified.
“I’m going to come,” she panted.
“Let go, sweetheart.” Jeremy whispered erotic endearments from a place he never knew existed.
Her nails dug into his shoulders and her body tensed all around him. She let out another scream as she shuddered with her release.
He tightened his hold on her hips, setting a rhythm with deep, powerful thrusts, and came right behind her, growling hoarsely as an orgasm ripped through him. Before he could recover, a second one overtook him, snatching his breath and making him yell her name loud enough to be heard throughout the neighborhood. It took every ounce of control he possessed not to blurt out that he loved her. She collapsed on top of him and he could feel her rapidly beating heart against his. The only sounds in the room were their ragged breathing. Jeremy wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her hair. I love her. He had to do everything in his power to keep her in Sacramento.
Chapter 13
Serita lay pulsing in Jeremy’s bed Sunday morning after another round of lovemaking. She hadn’t planned to spend the night, but it seemed that neither of them could get enough. And she would never, ever be able to watch or play Jeopardy! without remembering what had happened last night. They had fallen asleep on the floor, awakened two hours later and gone up to shower, which ended with him taking her from behind in the oversize shower stall. Both were too exhausted to move and she didn’t protest when he suggested she stay the night. Part of her felt weird waking up in a man’s bed—she had never done it before—but the part of her that was falling in love with him thought it the most natural ending to a perfect night.
“As soon as I catch my breath, we’ll shower, get some breakfast, then I’ll take you home.”
“This time, I’m showering alone,” she said with a tired chuckle.
Jeremy leaned up on an elbow and ran a hand over her hip. “You don’t trust me?”
She stilled his hand. “I know you’re not asking me that.”
He nuzzled her neck and pulled her closer. “You can’t blame a brother for trying. I find myself addicted to you in every way and I may not ever let you go.”
She froze. “What did you say?”
Running a finger down her cheek, he said, “Meeting you has been the best thing that has happened to me and I don’t want to ever let you go. If I could keep you here with me forever, I would do it in a heartbeat. I’m going to do whatever it takes to make that happen.”
He stared at her with such a look of tenderness that myriad emotions surged through her, bringing tears to her eyes. The gentle kiss that followed made her fall a little harder. She was in deep and it frightened her. Not wanting him to see it, she schooled her features and pasted a bright smile on her face. “We should probably get moving. I have a few things to do today to prepare for the week.”
Jeremy sighed heavily. “So do I.”
They left the bed reluctantly and showered separately, then he took her home. She declined the late breakfast he had offered to prepare.
Inside the door, he held her tightly. “I’ll see you in the morning. I decided to cancel overtime for tomorrow. We can pick it up on Tuesday.”
“Okay.” She leaned up to kiss him. He stood there a few seconds longer, as if he wanted to say something else. Instead, he kissed her once more and left. Serita rested her head against the closed door.
“That must have been some night.”
She jumped and spun around, clutching her chest. “Gabby, girl, you almost gave me a heart attack.”
Gabby scrutinized Serita for a lengthy moment. “Come on over here and spill it. I can see something’s wrong.”
She didn’t bother to ask how Gabby knew. Gabby had always been good at reading people, especially Serita. She followed her friend to the living room and lowered herself to the sofa.
Gabby sat next to Serita. “Did something happen?”
“Yes. I’m falling in love with him.”
She stared. “O-kay, so tell me how that’s a bad thing. I mean, unless he doesn’t feel the same way, which, for the record, I know he does. I can see it on his face every time he looks at you.” She paused. “By your expression, I’m guessing you realize it, too, right?”
Serita nodded. “What if he’s wrong and he just thinks he’s falling in love. It’s happened before.” Her ex had confessed his love, then a month later said he’d made a mistake. It wasn’t love he felt, just a strong case of lust and he didn’t think they should waste their time continuing the relationship because they were too different. He had wanted her to change her look—straighten her hair, get contacts and wear clothes that he thought were sexier. He always wanted to manipulate her life, make it into something more in line with what he liked. She’d found out later that he’d been dating someone else at the same time. A woman who possessed all the traits Serita didn’t, or one who could be influenced.
Gabby grasped Serita’s hand. “Honey, I know where this is coming from. I don’t want to say I told you so, but the signs were there with Tate. He was a selfish bastard, and you can’t punish Jeremy or yourself. I truly believe Jeremy cares for you a lot and you owe it to yourself to grab all the happiness he has to offer.”
Jeremy had made her happier than she could have ever imagined when he’d waltzed up to her after her session in Madrid and asked her out. But relationships never ended in her favor and she was already in too deep.
“Did he say anything to make you think he’s pulling away?”
“No, just the opposite. He keeps saying...stuff.” Serita waved a hand. “Things like wanting to please me and never letting me go. He even paid for my tires last week.” She buried her head in her hands. “I’m so confused,” she said with a groan. “He’s everything a woman could want, but there’s this part of me that’s afraid it’s all going to go away.” The emotions she had for him were stronger than all her relationships put together and she didn’t think she would survive that kind of heartbreak.
Gabby let out a short bark of laughter. “If the brother is saying he’s never going to let you go, you can bet he’s in it for the duration. In case you didn’t know, never is a long time. Like somewhere in the vicinity of forever.”
Serita shot her friend a glare.
“Don’t shoot those daggers at me. You know I’m right. Get yourself together, girlfriend, and let that man love you the way you should be loved.” She stood. “Now I’m going to fix me some lunch. You’re welcome to join me, if you haven’t already eaten.”
“I haven’t.”
“Ooh-wee! Any man who can make you forget about food is a keeper.”
She shook her head and gave in to Gabby’s whack sense of humor. The woman always knew how to make Serita smile. She stood and hugged her. “Thanks for being my friend.”
“You’re
welcome. If you really want to thank me, make sure I’m your maid of honor at the wedding. And FYI, Gabriella is a great name for a girl.”
Serita latched on to Gabby’s arm. “Okay, you’re getting out of control. We’re done with this conversation.” They broke out in a fit of laughter.
Hours later, as she folded the last of her laundry, Jeremy called.
“Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“No. I’m just finishing up laundry. What’s up?”
“Nothing much. I wanted to hear your voice.”
She laughed softly. “You just saw me less than eight hours ago.” It had been just after noon when he’d dropped her off.
“And it feels like eight hours too long.” Jeremy fell silent for a few seconds. “Do you think this is crazy?”
“Some parts of me do and I wonder if it’s all still some fantasy left over from Madrid.”
“And the other parts?”
“The other parts want it to be real,” she answered softly.
“It is real, Serita. Very real. I’m far past the age of playing games, though I never have. I know what I want, and it’s you. All of you. I want everything that makes you uniquely you—glasses and all. I realize this seems to be happening fast and I know you’re afraid. I sense it every time I hint at my feelings for you. We can take this as slowly as you need, but understand that I’m not going anywhere. Rest well, sweetheart, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You, too.” She disconnected and held the phone against her heart. Just maybe.
* * *
Jeremy hit the ground running on Monday with two meetings from prospective clients in the morning and an afternoon visit to a manufacturing company looking to build industrial robots. Until now, he had dealt primarily with medical robotics, but industrial robots would expand his business into a new territory. When he got back to the office, he and Chris would have to hammer out the details and determine the feasibility of such a project. Before driving off, he took a moment to text his friend and ask him to leave an hour for them to chat.
Her Christmas Wish ; Designed by Love Page 29
