“Wow. Pinch me if I’m dreaming,” she muttered. Just thinking about shedding her clothes and letting Cullen touch her brought a rush of warmth and arousal. It shot through her body, frisking tender places on the way. Briefly, her courage faltered, but she remembered she’d made a promise to Cullen. No more doubting. She was a capable woman who, for some reason, was beautiful in Cullen’s eyes.
Bring on tonight.
13
KISSING AND OTHER STUFF
“That was fun,” Grace said. “I haven’t been fishing for ages, not since I was a teenager, and Dad and my uncle would take us out on the boat.”
“You haven’t lost the knack,” Cullen said, nudging her shoulder with his as they wandered past the pub and toward the looming hill. He carried a bag of fish and another of supplies since they’d decided to cook at the lodge.
Grace raised her right hand and sniffed. “I smell like a fish.”
“A little,” Cullen agreed. “But I do too. We’ll have a shower.”
“We’ll look like fish soon with all the blue cod we’ve been eating.”
A seagull soared overhead and dive-bombed another bird that had found a tidbit on the beach. Gradually the incline increased, and Grace issued a gusty sigh.
“I’m exhausted. The only thing that’s keeping me moving is the thought of the shower and a large glass of wine at the top of the hill.”
“We’re almost halfway already.”
“Yeah. I wonder what the people living in that house are having for dinner. Whatever it is, their meal smells amazing. My guess is something with a tomato base. I detect the green herbs and fresh tomatoes.”
“Perhaps they’re making tomato sauce to have with their potato chips.”
Grace snorted. “If you said that in the café, half of our customers would stare at you in confusion. That would be ketchup and French fries.”
Cullen grinned. “People who live elsewhere in the world should embrace differences instead of expecting the rest of the world to fall in with their vernacular.”
“Yup, that works in a busy café.”
“Almost at the hilltop.”
“My aching butt muscles know!” Grace climbed the three steps leading to the deck and issued a relieved sigh. “Ugh! I can’t wait to get rid of this fishy smell.”
“Do you want to toss for who goes first?” His brows arched as he waited for her reply.
“I thought you’d be a gentleman and let me go first.”
His eyes gleamed, capturing her attention, and she wished she could read his mind. “We could share.”
Grace plucked the keys from the side pocket of the daypack, her hair thankfully screening her expression while she unlocked the door. Share a shower?
She’d never done that before and wasn’t sure she wanted Cullen to…
No! He’d expect her to backtrack. It was his way of getting the first shower. She twisted the key and opened the door. “Okay.”
She didn’t see his expression. Truthfully, she was frightened to look, but she heard his soft chuckle and got the sense she’d surprised him. Excellent. He kept her off-balance, and it wouldn’t hurt him to suffer the same fate.
“I’ll put the fish in the fridge,” Cullen said. “Do you want that wine before or after the shower?”
“After. I can’t wait to wash my hair.” Grace grabbed a set of clean underwear, a plain pink T-shirt, and a pair of black leggings. With determined steps, she strode to the bathroom. She stripped off her dirty, fishy shorts and T-shirt and left them in a pile in the corner.
After this morning, she knew the water took a while to heat, but she didn’t care. She stepped around the glass that partitioned the wet area of the bathroom, turned on the water, and let it run over her body. The chill had her wincing, but she sucked it up and grabbed the bar of soap.
A jolt ran through her when a pair of masculine hands claimed the soap from her. Although Cullen had mentioned sharing, she hadn’t been one-hundred percent clear of his next move.
He ran the soap over her shoulders and down her spine, a tingling sensation chasing the direction of his hands and fingers. Grace closed her eyes.
It seemed they were doing this.
She opened her mouth to object, hesitated, and pressed her lips together to contain her protest. Cullen would do nothing against her will—a given because he was and had always been an honorable man.
She sighed, still with her eyes firmly closed. Her lack of sight amplified her other senses, and a low-level electrical charge danced across her skin. Impossible, of course, but that was what Ms. Touch screamed at her. Ms. Hear gloried in Cullen’s low chuckle, a shiver pushing through her.
“Cullen,” she whispered, propelled by Ms. Speech to react while Ms. Sight pleaded with Grace to open her eyes to inspect some of that soldier manliness. Was his butt high and tight and capable of forward propulsion? Were his thighs strong enough to carry her from danger? Did he have a pretty c—? Grace gasped and speedily redirected her thoughts. That was what happened when she read books about male/female attraction. She absorbed many weird facts.
“You have an A-class arse, Gracie.” Cullen was so close his warm breath feathered her ear. And she gained superior knowledge of his cock since it prodded her. She might not know if it was pretty, but it functioned perfectly and seemed impressively large. “Turn around. Let me see all of you.”
Grace gulped but followed Cullen’s suggestion.
Look at his dick, Ms. Sight implored. Grace swallowed hard and stared into Cullen’s blue eyes, searching for…
Heck, she had nothing.
This situation was way beyond anything she’d imagined.
“Gracie, don’t go shy on me now,” Cullen whispered. “Step away from me a fraction so I can look at you.”
Grace sucked in a breath for courage and stepped back into the stream of water. For an instant, her hair blinded her, and Cullen’s amusement at her plight echoed around them.
“You intended to wash your hair, right?”
“Yes,” she said, attempting to clear her vision. With her gaze downward, the first thing she spotted was Cullen’s cock. Ooh! It is pretty, Ms. Sight declared. Grace bit back a groan, instantly imagining Cullen filling her. Her sex throbbed.
“Grace, look at me,” Cullen ordered, but his voice was gentle and non-threatening. “You’re gorgeous, and I can’t wait to touch every inch of you, to taste the flesh between your legs and watch you come apart for me.”
“I…” Before she could speak, Cullen placed his fingers over her lips.
“I’m looking forward to you touching me in return. Tasting me.”
Their gazes met, and she noticed Cullen’s eyes had darkened. It made her realize he truly wanted her since a man couldn’t fake desire.
He dipped his head and claimed her lips in a lazy kiss that pushed passion through her and amped up her longing. She shivered again, but this time, it was the heat that sizzled through her that caused the conflagration.
Cullen broke off the kiss way too soon, and she frowned at him, still craving more of his mouth.
“Let me wash your hair for you,” he suggested. “Then you can start drying it while I scrub myself clean. You have five minutes at most before I take you to bed and fuck you until you scream with pleasure.”
Grace’s mouth fell open as she stared up into his hot, dark gaze. “I thought we were having dinner.”
“Later. Right now, I’d prefer to feast on your sexy body. I’ve waited for this for a long time, and my patience has worn thin. No, wait, I promised you time. If you need to wait longer, that’s what we’ll do, okay?”
Grace continued to stare at Cullen, a little bemused but turned on by his explicit words. She managed a nod.
“Shampoo?” he prompted.
She reached for the sample the lodge provided without another word.
Seconds later, Cullen had rubbed in the shampoo until it lathered. He was gentle, yet his touch was firm, and Grace’s eyes slid closed
while she enjoyed the scalp massage.
“Do you use conditioner?”
Grace’s eyes flew open. Most men wouldn’t know about hair conditioners. Jeff certainly wouldn’t have—not that they’d ever showered together.
“Grace?”
“Yes, please.” She plucked the conditioner bottle from the shelf and handed it to Cullen.
After rinsing her hair, he applied the conditioner and gave her another massage before washing away the residue. Pure bliss. It took her a while to jolt back to the program since she’d zoned out on pleasure.
Cullen’s hand slid down her spine and came to rest on a buttock. He gave her another one of those unhurried, sexy kisses that drove every thought from her head before setting her firmly away from him.
“If you don’t want a wet pillow, you’d better dry your hair. This is your five-minute warning unless you want more time. Cupcake?”
“What?” She shook herself and blinked up at his sexy face.
“Five minutes or more time,” he repeated.
“Okay, I’ll dry my hair.” She stepped from the shower and grabbed a towel to blot the worst of the water from her body. She’d barely started the blow-drier when Cullen appeared by her side. He wore not a stitch of clothing, and it was easy to discern his confidence.
He feared nothing.
Not judgment. Not her.
“Want that glass of wine now? Maybe some cheese and biscuits?”
“Sounds lovely,” she said and smiled, although the sentiment didn’t quite fit her lips. This entire situation with Cullen had her teetering off-balance.
Did she want to call a halt and wait?
No. That would be a hell no.
In the mirror, she watched Cullen prowl to the tiny kitchen area. “Wow,” she whispered, and with an Alice-falling-down-the-rabbit-hole sensation riding her, she set about drying her hair.
Anticipation roared through her, making her hand shaky and the need to hurry real. She didn’t make it to five minutes before turning off the drier and calling her damp hair done.
On quivering legs, she stood, pulled on one of the provided robes. Cullen had drawn the curtains, turning the bedroom into a secluded haven.
Grace swallowed hard. Was she truly going to do this? A beat and one shaky step later, she concluded she was, and judging by the gleam in Cullen’s eyes, he was more than ready.
She didn’t want to wait, she realized. Now that Cullen had made her see the possibilities… Heck, he’d blindsided her with his proposal, but he truly wanted her, and that was a heady thing.
“I like you better without clothes,” Cullen said.
“It’s weird wandering around naked.” Jeff had never strutted around with Cullen’s confidence, not that she intended to mention that aloud.
“True, but the view is great.”
Her gaze ran over Cullen’s handsome face before dipping lower to study his chest. “I thought you might have tattoos.”
“I’m not anti-tattoos, but I’ve never found something I’d like on my skin permanently. Come here.”
She wandered closer, and he grasped her hand and tugged her onto the bed.
“Your cupcake tattoo is meaningful, and you got it to commemorate your win in the baking contest. It’s small and cute.” His thumb stroked over the tattoo, which sat on her left inner forearm. Her breath caught, and a shiver ran up her arm. His touch was magical, doing things to her body.
“Come and sit here by me. Get yourself comfortable.” His husky voice thrilled her and pushed another tremble of arousal through her body.
She gave an audible gulp, and he stilled.
“Are you frightened of me?”
“No,” she retorted. “What I am is nervous. Part of me still wonders if this is such a brilliant idea.”
He pressed his fingers to her lips, and in a flash of daring, she licked them. It was his turn to gasp. His blue eyes darkened to indigo.
“Maybe we’ll have our wine and snacks later,” he muttered. “Both of us will do better if we take off the edge.” With that said, he moved with speed. He tugged the belt of her robe, and she was naked before she could blink.
Then Cullen was over her, pinning her to the mattress with clear intent etched into his features.
“You are driving me crazy, woman.” His mouth caressed hers. “This is your final chance to tell me you don’t want this.”
Grace considered saying no for all of two seconds. No! She was sticking to her brave, determined self. “I want you.”
“Thank god,” Cullen muttered and settled in to kiss her properly. He teased and stroked, and each brush of his mouth and sweep of his tongue did things to her libido. Never had she experienced such need, and he’d barely started. Oops. He wouldn’t want her at all if she continued to lay there like a log without reciprocation. It was time to assuage her curiosity. She ran her hand down his back and squeezed one taut buttock.
Cullen groaned.
Emboldened, she explored more of his spectacular muscles. His back. His biceps. His backside.
Cullen paused in kissing her to groan again. “Grace, I love your hands on me.”
“Turn over,” she suggested. “Let me explore your chest.”
Cullen gave her one deep, passionate kiss that had her gasping and gripping his shoulders for purchase before he pulled back. He showcased his strength in the quick way he rearranged their bodies, lifting her, so she straddled his lean hips.
“Such a beautiful view,” he whispered. “I love these.” He cupped her breasts and squeezed them gently before rubbing her nipples between his fingers and thumbs.
Grace arched her back, offering more of herself. She wriggled, her backside brushing Cullen’s erection. In response, Cullen pinched her nipple, and the tiny arc of pain rippled downward to land in the achy spot between her thighs.
“Cullen,” she whispered.
“Grace, you’re gorgeous. I’ve wanted you for years, and I can’t believe you’re here with me now.” And with that said, he flipped her onto her back again.
“Hey,” she protested. “I haven’t had my turn.”
“Later,” he promised. “I’m hanging onto my sanity by a thread. I want to make this good for you, so you’ll want to have sex with me for the rest of the week, the month.” He paused. “Until I go back to work.”
Before Grace could even process his words, he settled in to explore her body, seeming to delight in her curves. He kissed. He nipped. He soothed the sting with the press of his fingers or the flat of his tongue. In return, Grace kissed him back whenever he aimed his lips at her mouth. She ran her fingers over his back and shoulders and did some nipping of her own.
“I have to taste you. Your scent is driving me crazy.”
“I’ve never driven anyone crazy before.”
He snorted. “You underestimate yourself, cupcake.” With that said, he parted her legs and gave her a long lick that had her lifting her hips into the sensation and groaning her enjoyment.
“Oh, Cullen,” she whispered. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she shivered, the beginnings of an orgasm enthralling her. She never came this fast. Never. She gulped as Cullen teased her clit and cried out when the sensations gathered to a fiery point and exploded through her. Cullen continued to lick her, but more gently as she floated down from her climax.
“Wow,” she whispered.
“More where that came from,” Cullen said, sounding proud of himself.
Grace laughed, and that wasn’t something she remembered ever doing after sex with Jeff. Half of the time, he hadn’t even bothered to ensure she’d enjoyed their lovemaking.
And that was enough of Jeff. Cullen was right. She wouldn’t waste any more of her thoughts on the horrid man.
“Grace?” Cullen scowled at her and tapped her backside with one big hand. “If you’re thinking about Scumbag, stop! It’s rude and not complimentary to me.”
“No, it’s all you, Cullen. Promise. When can we do that again?”
Cullen
winked at her. “That spectacular, huh?”
“Cullen.” Grace beamed at him, lighthearted and happier than she’d been for ages. She aimed a kiss at his mouth, but what started as teasing fun morphed into passion. Cullen groaned, and Grace clung, diving deep into pleasure. Cullen kissed her again and again until she was breathless and desperate for more. But despite Cullen’s apparent urgency, he still took the time to explore her body, suck on her nipples and tease her to the point of madness.
“Cullen,” she whispered, her voice hoarse with need.
Cullen leaned over to grab his wallet. “We have to make the most of this because I only have one condom right now.” After ripping the foil packet with his teeth, he rolled the latex onto his shaft. “Ready?” he asked, his gaze intent.
“Yes,” Grace said without hesitation.
Cullen braced on his arms and pushed into her. Grace groaned at the fullness and the intimacy of being the focus of Cullen’s attention.
He took his time, withdrawing and thrusting back home. Each stroke pushed bliss through her, the exquisite sensations making her head whirl. This spectacular sex-god was Cullen. Cullen, a man she’d never considered as a partner and one who’d sat under her nose the entire time.
She reached up to kiss him, savoring the contact as she climbed toward another climax. Wow. Just wow. Sometimes she never came once, let alone twice.
Cullen stopped his thrusts, buried deep inside her. He tapped her temple. “Mind on me,” he snapped.
“It is,” she promised. “Believe me, it is totally on you. Cullen, yes! Please keep doing that.”
The scowl left Cullen’s face, his smile breathtaking. He caressed her lips, his tongue moving in time with his strokes. His pace quickened, and he hit the perfect spot. Grace detonated, ecstasy exploding across her senses.
Cullen pumped into her for three quick strokes and stilled, his face taut, eyes closed, and his teeth bared as he climaxed. He stilled, and Grace’s grip on his shoulders tightened.
Lovemaking had never been this wonderful experience in the past. She didn’t know if it was because they were friends beforehand or if it was Cullen. Whatever the reason, Grace had never enjoyed lovemaking as much as this before. It was a bit of an eye-opener.
Protecting the Bride Page 12
