Caitlin's Hero (10 page)

“Brodie, I shouldn’t have misjudged you, shouldn’t have been embarrassed. I underestimated you, ’cause Brodie James, you are a very nice man. After spending the last few hours with you, I can see you care for us, and I know now that how I live is not an issue for you. Well, at least I hope it isn’t,” she added with a hesitant smile.

Brodie was afraid to speak, he was so full of emotion. He was worried that he would blurt out that what he was feeling was, in fact, a lot more than just ‘caring’. But it was too soon. He needed time to figure everything out logically, the Brodie James way.

The brief kiss he planted on her warm, willing lips at the door definitely didn’t do much to quell his hunger. He ran to his car and drove away quickly, to remove the temptation of returning to her home, breaking down her door and ravaging her. He spent the rest of the night tossing and turning in bed as the hunger he felt for her raged at him, until finally he took matters into his own hands again.

This time, as he stroked his length, he had memories as well as his imagination to fire his need. This time Brodie could remember how it felt to have her sitting in his lap as he’d kissed her, and although that reality had been brief, he could expand on it with his imagination. He imagined her nude in his lap, her hair falling like flames over her breasts as she moaned under the might of his kiss. Brodie could almost taste the sweet nectar of her body as he imagined kissing every inch of her bare skin until he reached his goal. The thought of licking and tasting her swollen folds was enough to finish him off. Before the image of him feasting on his sweet angel fully took shape in his mind, he felt the release of his seed in his fist, warm and sticky, the feeling shallow but enough to take the edge off, at least, so he could sleep.

* * * *

The following night, Brodie arrived earlier than he had planned. He’d had trouble keeping away from Caitlin.

His day had seemed endless, the minutes ticking by so slowly. He had changed clothes twice, not happy with his look and feeling
anxious, edgy
. This nervousness he experienced when thinking about Caitlin was so unfamiliar to him. Where had calm, unflappable Brodie gone?

Unable to
stand the wait any longer, he was now at her door fifteen minutes ahead of schedule, a giant spray of fresh-cut farm roses in his hand. The florist had mixed in some flower called baby’s breath that seemed to rattle as he held the offering up. As soon as she opened the door and he saw that beautiful smile, he relaxed, dragging her into his arms and devouring all the lipstick from her lips. The bunch of roses squashed between their two bodies created a scent that filled his nose—or was that Caitlin’s sweet smell? Brodie had no idea.

* * * *

The night was really enjoyable. Brodie was feeling pleased with himself, glad he had invited JT to join them. The big man had been reluctant at first, not wanting to get in the way. Brodie knew JT would be keen to meet Caitlin, but seeing him interact with Riley was even more special. The young boy was in his element, keeping both men entertained with stories from school. He told them about his friends’ reactions to his dining with Brodie and actually visiting his home the night before. Brodie was almost embarrassed by the tales, and there were more in the making. Riley had already arm-wrestled both men—winning, of course, but after a long struggle!

Caitlin had taken his breath away with her singing. She was so talented and had quite the following. Brodie realised most of the guests were obviously regulars, given the familiar way they treated her. In fact, he had felt quite annoyed by some of the male customers who’d seemed to spend a little too much time talking to her. Jealousy was not a feeling Brodie was used to dealing with.

As the time for him to take Caitlin and Riley home approached, Brodie was not sure he’d be able to leave her at her door. He was wondering if she would invite him in. He had to leave early in the morning to catch the team flight to New Zealand, so he wouldn’t be able to stay too long, anyway. He was so filled with anticipation that his hands felt clammy and he was continually rubbing them on the legs of his jeans. JT noticed, of course, and couldn’t let it pass without some witty retort.

“Hey, Brodes, you doing okay? You’re as twitchy as a rookie before his first game of football. Need me to give you some tips on how to win with the ladies, big guy?” JT’s hushed voice was low enough that only Brodie could hear his teasing tone.

“You’re just ticked off ’cause she’s such a beauty—but you’re right about one thing, JT. I’m as
jumpy as
a horny kid on a first date. I just don’t want to do anything to spook her before I figure out where this is all heading.” Brodie, not usually one to get all deep and meaningful with the blokes, didn’t hesitate to share his fear with his mate.
God help me, what’s happening to me?

As Brodie turned onto Caitlin’s street, he was both surprised and relieved as Caitlin turned to him.

“Would you like to come inside for a cup of tea or something?” she asked timidly.

The shy tone of her voice touched something deep inside him. She had no idea how much she had captivated him, how much he desperately wanted nothing more than to go inside with her. But it was the ‘or something’ element of her offer that
caused
all sorts of explicit images
to
form in his mind. Brodie just couldn’t control his thoughts around this tantalising woman.

He spent time settling Riley into bed, something he had never envisioned or had any expertise in doing before tonight. He found it surprisingly enjoyable watching the boy snuggle down
under the blankets.
Brodie couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped his lips as he noticed Riley’s Jets pyjamas and quilt cover—the kid was such a delight. But as much as he was enjoying his time with Riley, Brodie really wanted to be in the other room, the room where his angel waited for him.

Brodie returned to find Caitlin sitting stiffly on the
sofa,
twisting her fingers. He noticed two cups of tea on the table beside her. Brodie needed to feel this woman in his arms—now. Without a moment’s hesitation, he sat next to her and pulled her onto his lap. He began with little kisses up her neck, nibbling at her ear lobe, then across her cheek, finally reaching her lips. She opened for him and their tongues seemed to dance together. Caitlin’s mouth was so warm and sweet, and tasted like honey and tea.

He was fighting a losing battle—body versus mind. He knew he should be taking this slower, but his body was roaring for some action. Brodie found himself teetering on the edge of control, a very unusual place to find himself, indeed.

He placed just his fingertip on her shoulder and ran it slowly down her body, across her breast, around her hard, protruding nipple. He continued down to stroke her hips before exploring her stomach, belly button and repeating the journey in reverse up the other side of her body. Her moans and sighs urged him on
as he slowly unbuttoned her top.
He was going to show her so much pleasure tonight, in the short time he had with her before he had to leave. He would wait for another time to let her pleasure him. Tonight was all about his angel.

Caitlin writhed in Brodie’s arms
, could not control her own body. He was using just one finger, tracing it gently over her, brushing over her breast and nipple. She arched her body closer to him and his touch, wondering how he could get such a reaction from her with only one finger. She could not imagine how it would feel if he used both hands. All the while, his
lips
and tongue were doing more amazing things to her mouth. She was finding it hard to decide which action was more appealing as her body responded so passionately.

Yes, she would probably die, she felt. She was restless, wanting something from him to help her with this
needy hunger.
Her body was on fire and she didn’t know how to ease the heat. Oh, but
it
felt
exquisite. Brodie began moving his lips down her neck, nipping at her, then kissing the same spot. The
sensations
of pain and pleasure became one and the same to her. He dipped his head and placed his lips around her left nipple. The pleasure was so intense she almost screamed. He must have sensed her delight as he sucked at her through her blouse.

Caitlin did not know how or when it had happened, but her blouse and bra were now undone, leaving her breasts bare to his heated gaze. She loved the way he was looking at her, touching her. She had never gone this far before, and was unprepared for the intensity of her feelings. Oddly, she was not embarrassed at all to be so open to him. She wanted to touch him and tried to pull his jumper up but couldn’t free him of it, so snugly did it fit over his bulging biceps and chest. Brodie pulled the wool garment over his head in one move, and she caught her breath at the sight of his muscled, masculine chest.

Curly, light brown, almost golden hair covered the
upper part of
his chest, and she couldn’t help notice it tapering down to form a path to his pants waistline and what lay beneath. She
explored
his chest, getting to know the feel of it, touching the hair and twisting it, brushing her hand across and around his distended nipple. He groaned and before she had taken another shallow breath, she was lying beneath him. He had lifted her off his lap and laid her on the
sofa,
stretching out next to her with his leg over hers.

Caitlin was unaware of how much time had gone by
. All she knew was this man. She wanted to climb right under his skin and needed to feel closer. All the while he touched her and stroked her, and the hardness of his erection pushed into her hip. She wanted to touch him, but he had both her hands held in one of his
, lightly pinning them above her head
. The other hand was making its way up her skirt—he touched her
through her panties.
She felt the lips of her
vulva
swell at his touch. She was so wet she could feel the seep of liquid coming from her body. Unsure, she pulled away from him a little.

“Can I touch you, angel? Feel if you’re all wet for me?” Brodie whispered in her ear, the words both shocking and exciting Caitlin at the same time. “I sure hope you are wet for me. It’ll make me feel so good knowing that you’re as hot for me as I am for you. Trust me, angel, I won’t hurt you. If I do anything that you don’t like or feel comfortable with, just tell me and I’ll stop.”
Caitlin relaxed into him
, hoping it was answer enough for Brodie, not sure she could speak if she tried.
For some reason, she knew she could trust this man
and believed him that he would stop if she became uncomfortable
. As he pulled her panties from her she lifted her bottom to help, but her movement was of little use because his leg over her pinned her down.

She wasn’t scared, though he was clearly in control.
He pushed a finger into her
and
moaned in her ear as he touched the
sensitive
nub of nerves
just inside her folds. He
began to swirl around it slowly. An uncontrollable wave of pleasure spread through her, but never quite broke over her. She
panted,
tossing her head from side to side as she searched for some sort of finality before she went mad.

Brodie hushed her and in a dark, sexy whisper told her, “Come for me. Let go. I’ll catch you.” He told her he would cover his fingers with her sweet juices, so he could lick them clean. He pinched at her little nub with magic fingers, rubbing at it until the tidal wave of sensation exploded from her with such strength she wanted to scream out from the pleasure. Brodie covered her mouth with his lips just in time to muffle the sounds of her passion.

As she lay there exhausted in his arms, she watched him lick his fingers, lapping at them like a starving lion. She wanted to make him feel how she had felt and cupped his
shaft.
He shook his head and removed her hand. He brought it to his chest, and Caitlin could feel the beating of his heart. She didn’t know what to do and as confusion entered her mind, so did self-consciousness. She was lying topless with her skirt bunched around her hips and her panties around her ankles. She turned her head, hiding her face against Brodie’s chest.

He was so tender with her afterwards, helping her straighten her clothes, and all the while telling her how beautiful she was. He eased her fears with his endearments, telling her that Monday night would be his and he would take his fill of her and make her scream his name in return. Caitlin was both thrilled and a little apprehensive about her ability to satisfy him. She supposed she was still technically a virgin after tonight, but she was looking forward to losing that label at his hands, or
the erection
that had felt so large
and hard
pressed up against her. She knew he would take her back to that intense, pleasurable place again and she could hardly wait.

Chapter Twelve

Caitlin shut the door behind Brodie and leaned against it, a contented sigh
slipping
from her lips. She smiled again, for what seemed to be the millionth time tonight. Her life was wonderful, and she hugged herself. If it hadn’t been so late, she would have sung at the top of her lungs.

Brodie had helped her to fold out her bed without making any comments. She had been grateful not to see any pity in his eyes
.

The kiss Brodie had given her before he’d left had been smouldering. Caitlin had thought she would catch fire all over again. She
decided she
wasn’t going to fret while he was away, but look forward to his return instead. His promise of what was to come on Monday would keep her warm. She could keep herself busy with housework and her singing job, and watch the game with Riley and try to work out what was going on. Maybe she’d
actually
learn some of the rules.