Before I Let You Go (9 page)

Reaching into her purse, she grabbed her compact and dusted her face with powder, then added a sheen of gloss to her lips. A smiled appeared on her lips at the thought of where she wanted the evening to end.
Too bad it’s only for one night
. Thank goodness Diamere wasn’t
looking for anything long-term, otherwise she might find herself losing her heart to him a second time. As long as she kept reminding herself that she was living for the moment, she would be all right.

Picking up her purse, she swung the strap over her shoulder, then drew one more deep, shaky breath. It was time to put her plan into action.

D
iamere watched Kelly moving back toward the table in those shoes. He wasn’t sure what it was, but in those few minutes she had spent in the ladies’ room, something about her had changed. Maybe it was the way she held her head high or the way her hips swayed seductively as she walked toward him. It wasn’t until she sat down that his eyes looked hungrily to the enticing roundness of her breasts and he realized she had loosened a button, which provided a whole lot of generous cleavage. Now he could see the tops of her breasts peeking out from beneath a lacy red bra.
Her favorite color
.

He swallowed, trying to ignore the wave of arousal that had traveled down to his loins. Thank goodness he was sitting down.

“Did you miss me?” Kelly purred.

“Yes, as a matter fact, I did.”

“Good,” she replied, just as the waiter returned with
their drinks. She brought the cosmopolitan to her lips. “Mmm,” she moaned, then ran her tongue across her mouth.

Diamere was so turned on he decided to find a safe topic, like the weather, to talk about, then a news report on the economic conditions aired on television the night before. The conversation was boring, and no matter how hard he tried to repress them, thoughts of making love to Kelly kept creeping through his mind. By the time they finished dinner he was dying to throw her over his shoulder, carry her back to his car and drive her to his condo as fast as he could without getting a speeding ticket. Every time she looked at him, desire engulfed him. Diamere shifted in his chair, his arousal pressed painfully against the front of his slacks.

Their waiter returned with their dessert and Diamere dragged his eyes from Kelly, trying to concentrate on the strawberry shortcake in front of him. He brought a bite to his lips and was pleased to find it was delicious. The strawberries were red and ripe and the cream was fresh.

Kelly pierced a berry with her fork, then slowly slid the fruit between her lips. “Mmm,” she moaned, then licked off the drop of cream that clung to her bottom lip.

Diamere’s fork paused in midair.

Slowly, she brought the fork to her lips again, but this time licked the cream from the utensil with her gaze locked with his. The attraction he’d been fighting suddenly blazed into a roaring California wildfire. Diamere dropped his fork to the table and raised his hand to signal their waiter. “We’re ready for the check.”

Eyes wide with innocence, Kelly looked at him with
confusion. “What are you talking about? I haven’t had my coffee yet.”

“I’ll buy you a cup later. Hell, I’ll buy you your own coffeemaker.” No sooner had the waiter arrived with the check than Diamere tossed a stack of bills on the table and rose from his chair. “Thank you for your service.” He hooked Kelly by the arm and led her quickly out the restaurant.

“What in the world has gotten into you?” she asked as he practically dragged her down the street.

“I can show you better than I can tell you.” And he planned to do just that as soon he got her to his condo and into his bed.

“Would you please slow down! I can’t keep up in these shoes.”

When they reached the corner, Diamere stopped, swept her up into his arms and carried her down the street. Kelly gasped and looped her arms around his neck to steady herself. “You are being ridiculous.”

“Sweetheart, you haven’t seen anything yet,” he said quietly.

“What is wrong with you?”

“I think you know. If you don’t, I’ll be happy to show you as soon as we get to my place.”

Kelly tightened her hold on Diamere’s neck as he carried her into his condo. “You can put me down now.”

“Not yet.”

She didn’t even have a chance to look around and appreciate his place. With long strides he moved through the condo and down the hall. As soon as he reached his
bedroom, he lowered her to her feet, then bent his head and covered her lips with his.

Dear God, I have unleashed a monster
, she thought. Diamere had every intention of taking her tonight whether she liked it or not. She began to grow nervous as she wondered if maybe this was as good a time as any to let him know she was still a virgin. Only, she couldn’t think with his body pressed so close to hers and his lips devouring her. She could barely take a breath before he pushed her lips apart and swept his tongue inside. Heat was rushing through her so fast her head was spinning.

He placed a finger under her chin and tilted her face so she had no choice but to look at him. When Diamere finally spoke, his voice was low and controlled. “If you are having any doubts, tell me now, because once I start I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop.” For a long, endless moment, he held her with his eyes. “I’ve waited for this for a long time. A long, long time,” he repeated softly. He lowered his head and brushed his mouth against hers once more before he pulled back and looked at her again. “Do you want me?” he asked. His fingers slid across her cheek, then cupped the back of her head, and once again he lowered his mouth to hers.

She couldn’t speak, couldn’t move. She could only stand there while he kissed her, opening her mouth and letting his tongue explore every corner of it. It seemed to her that his kiss lasted both forever and yet for the briefest moment.

Diamere paused. “Tell me you want me,” he commanded in a soft, low voice.

Reaching up, Kelly stroked his face with the tips of
her fingers, running them across his cheek, jaw and his strong neck. “I want you,” she breathed.

He smiled. “And I want you.” He carried her over to the bed and lowered her onto it. It was massive and plush, with a comforter so thick she felt as if she had stepped inside heaven.

He looked down at her, lying there on the huge bed. “You’re so beautiful,” he said softly.

Her eyes rested on Diamere as he undid the buttons of his shirt. She could only watch as he pulled the shirt off and tossed it onto an upholstered chair in the corner. Her eyes lingered on his beautiful lean chest, which was nothing short of perfect. She was dying to run her fingers across his nipples, and was certain that, before the night was over, she would. Mesmerized by what was about to happen, Kelly could not move. She knew she needed to tell him the truth before it was too late, but she couldn’t do anything except lie there and watch as Diamere removed the rest of his clothes.

The entire time, he looked down at her, his gaze holding her immobilized. He unbuckled his belt, then unzipped his pants, and they fell to the floor, followed by his boxers. Panic caused her eyes to widen at the sight of him. He was large. So large her pulse raced. There was no way a woman could accommodate such a man. Yet, despite her fear, her body began to hum with a need she didn’t understand.

Naked, Diamere lowered himself onto the bed beside her and carefully loosened the buttons of her dress, finally pulling it over her head with slow deliberation. He reached behind her, unsnapped her bra and tossed it aside, freeing her breasts. Kelly swallowed and they peaked beneath his gaze, and for one painfully long
moment she simply stared at him, letting him look at her. Then, exhaling with a sigh, she murmured, “Diamere, I need to tell…” Her voice trailed off as his lips closed around a nipple. “Diamere…” Again she gave a blissful sigh.

His lips were like nothing she had ever felt. Although she was still a virgin, she’d had moments where kissing had led to serious petting and touching, forms of foreplay that she always stopped before things got out of hand. But that didn’t compare to what he was doing to her.
This
was what making love was truly all about. She needed him. She didn’t care if it was only one night; it didn’t matter if she might have regrets tomorrow. All she knew was that this was the moment she had been waiting for all her life.

His lips traveled downward to her belly, and not long after that he slipped her panties down her hips, and she heard the sound of him ripping open what must be a condom. Nervousness pounded through her, but quickly subsided when he kissed her again as his body covered hers.

“I can’t wait any longer. I’ve got to have you.” With a soft growl of need, Diamere positioned himself between her trembling thighs, and in one smooth motion entered her. Feeling the strong, swift thrust of his body into hers, Kelly cried out in pain, and Diamere paused.

“Please don’t stop,” she protested, almost pleading, when he remained motionless.

Raising himself up on his arms, he looked down at her for the longest time with concern in his eyes. He knew what had happened. Just when she thought he was about to refuse, he leaned down and his mouth devoured hers, hungrily, heatedly. Now that he knew her secret,
she was confident he would be gentle and take his time with her.

He caressed her with tender hands and melting lips, and as her body began to relax, he reentered her slowly. Sweet desire tore through her as he established a rhythm for them. It wasn’t long before her muscles responded and the tightness ceased, and she felt nothing but pleasure from every stroke of his body inside hers. And the sweetest bliss of all was the knowledge that she finally knew what it was like to be with a man. What it was like to make love to Diamere.

It was sweet and unbearable, pleasure and pain all rolled up in one, with him lying on top of her, his body sliding inside, filling every inch of her, setting her soul on fire. Kelly’s mouth clung to Diamere’s. Her arms were wrapped around him, holding him close as he fed her hunger, and yet it wasn’t tight enough. This was what she had waited all these years to experience. She also knew it wouldn’t have been this way with anyone else but him, because their connection ran deeper than anything she felt for any other man.

Diamere’s strokes were slow and controlled. Withdrawing, thrusting and withdrawing again. Flames moved through her veins and something she couldn’t even begin to describe began to build. She was so close to the edge. Her body tightened around him. Diamere lengthened his strokes and Kelly found that her body knew more about what was happening to her than she did. On their own, her hips began to rock, meeting him stroke for blissful stroke. Even her hands had a mind of their own as they gripped his backside, shortening his strokes, pulling him in even deeper. All she knew was
that she needed desperately to feel everything Diamere Redmond had to offer.

“You like this?” he asked.

She barely had a chance to murmur yes before he began moving his body again, only this time with more powerful strokes, and with every trust, she felt that unfamiliar sensation that lit her body like a torch.

“Diamere…” Her moan was breathless, as if she was begging him never to stop.

He lifted his head and gazed down at her. She stared up at him, admiring the shadows that danced across his face from the moonlight shining through the window. Her heart flipped. Diamere was making sweet love to her now.

“Diamere,” she breathed again.

“I’m right here, sweetheart,” he whispered against her lips. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He began to lengthen his strokes again and she arched her body to his. Time seemed to stand still. All she could see was the passion burning in his eyes. Still slow and controlled, his strokes deepened within her even more and she rocked her hips and thrashed her head against her pillow.

Heat spread through her body and she cried out as sensations raged, like nothing she’d ever felt before. Diamere continued to move, controlled yet urgent, and the unstoppable stimulation went on and on until he finally cried out, as well. She clung to him as she felt his body convulse into hers. She moaned audibly until, with one final pulse, he sighed, and suddenly the weight of his exhausted body was lying on top of her.

As soon as his breathing stilled, he raised up on his elbows and stared down at her. Her heart was pounding,
her body shaken over what she had just experienced. She waited for what felt like forever before he finally spoke.

“Did I hurt you?” he asked, his expression filled with concern.

Hurt was definitely not one of the things she was feeling. The only thing in jeopardy of being hurt was her heart. “No.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

She met his eyes. “Would you have changed your mind if you had?”

He took a moment to consider his answer. “No. I’ve wanted that for a long time. But if I knew, I would have taken more time and been more gentle.”

“You didn’t hurt me. I wanted it.”

He kissed her lips and asked, “Why me?”

Briefly, she lowered her eyelids and blew out a long breath. “I was tired of being a virgin, and if I did it with anyone, I’m glad it was with you. I know you and I trust you.” She wanted to say,
It was my gift to you. Because I saved my virginity for the man I love
. As much as she didn’t want it to be true, she had fallen in love with Diamere for the second time. A part of her believed that she had never stopped loving him. The realization that she still loved him caused her to choke back a sob.
No. This is not happening
.

“Thank you for giving me the honor.” He brushed his lips against her nose and cheek. “Am I too heavy?”

“No,” she whispered. The only thing heavy was her heart.

Diamere stared at her a few seconds longer. His look shook her to her core. He lowered his head and pressed his lips against hers, then feathered kisses across her
face. With a deep sigh, he moved onto the bed beside her, then rested his head against the crook of her neck and within seconds drifted off to sleep.

Kelly lay there wrapped in the comfort of his warm body nestled beside her. For the longest time she simply listened to his deep breathing.
I could get used to this
. And that was a problem. Diamere had finally made love to her. She had given him her virginity, he had taken her to a place she had dreamed about going with him for years, and now, as she lay there in his bed, she was ready for him to make love to her again. Kelly frowned. Things were not going at all the way she had planned. The purpose of them making love was so she would be rid of her virginity and finally be able to close that chapter in her life. As soon as she had a nap she was going to insist that Diamere take her home.