Can't Get Enough of You (15 page)

“Hi, why are you here?” she asked as she unlocked both the front and the storm doors. She folded her arms to stop herself from reaching for him but stepped back to allow him inside.

“I hope you haven't eaten. I brought dinner,” he said as he lifted the bag, which sported the name of a restaurant they both enjoyed. Frowning, he asked, “What's wrong, sweet thing?”

She waited for him to place the bag on the entrance table, then practically threw her arms around his waist. She nudged his open leather jacket aside to press damp cheeks against the soft knit of his navy-and-gray-checked cashmere sweater. She held onto him as stormy emotions raged beyond her control.

He held onto her while his large hand cradled the back of her head. He moved a caressing hand up and down her back. He murmured soothing words in her ear as he tenderly rocked her.

When the worst had passed, she sniffed while struggling to regain a measure of control. “I'm sorry. I've gotten you all wet.”

“Forget about me, sweet thing.” He shed his jacket, then guided her under the archway into the living room. Once they were seated on the sofa, he took her hands into his. “Tell me what has you so upset.”

Struggling to mop her tears with her fingers, Jenna said, “I need a tissue.”

“I'll get it.” He came back with a box he'd found in the bathroom.

“Thanks.” Suddenly she felt self-conscious. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean . . .” She stopped tugging her form-fitting lavender cardigan sweater down to the gray slacks she'd worn all day. She must have looked like a wrinkled, crying mess.

“Tell me.”

“I just got off the phone with Lenna. I mean Leah. She's not coming for Thanksgiving.” Fresh tears filled Jenna's hazel eyes. “I know it's not the end of the world, but it sure feels like it. I was so looking forward to having my family all together again. The bedrooms are ready.” She threw her hands up in a helpless gesture. “Now this.”

“Oh, babe. I'm so sorry.” He took her into his arms, cradling her face against his broad shoulder. “But why? You sent her the money for the ticket, right?”

Jenna snuggled close. “Her low-life boyfriend is what happened. John not only left her for another woman but he took all her money with him.”

“What!”

“You heard right. I'd say good riddance except that Leah is devastated. She's in love with the dirty dog.”

“You mean he found another fool to take care of him?” Then he quickly said, ”Sorry, I didn't mean to call your sister a fool.”

“It's okay,” Jenna sniffed. “She was a fool to trust him. I'm glad he is gone, but I hate how unhappy she is.”

“Why can't she come? If you can't afford to send her another ticket, then I can arrange for a plane.” He stopped. “Why are you shaking your head no?”

“Besides the fact that I couldn't let you go to the expense, Leah said she won't come—not under these circumstances. She's embarrassed. I tried to change her mind, but I didn't have any luck,” she sighed unhappily.

“Oh, Jenna, I'm so sorry. I know how much having her here meant to you.” He kissed her forehead and her damp cheeks, then brushed her lips with his.

She swallowed back tears. “I know. And I thank you for your generous offer to help. It was so kind of you.”

“This has nothing to do with being kind. I care about you. I want you to be happy.” He kissed her again, only this time, he lingered, taking his time. He caressed her bottom lip with the slow stroke of his tongue. When he pulled back, his voice was huskier with need. “You've waited a long time to have your siblings together. Maybe, if I called, I could convince her to change her mind?”

She shook her head. “No. We have to respect her wishes. I'm going to have to tell Lincoln. He's going to be so disappointed.” She wiped away more tears. “I'm sorry. I can't believe I'm being a big baby about this.”

“Shush.” He dried her tears with a tissue, then kissed her cheek. “I'm so sorry, Jenna. I hate to see you hurting this way.”

She sighed, resting against Scott, relishing the feel of his arms around her and his hard length against her side. When he kissed her, she parted her lips and countered by stroking his tongue with hers. The sound of her stomach rumbling made them both pull back and laugh.

“Someone is hungry. Good thing I brought food.”

“I took advantage of having a late lunch by skipping dinner and going to work on the pile of term papers in my office. What's your excuse?”

“For not eating? I got so involved with my project in the lab that I forgot the time. So, is the beautiful, smart, and efficient Dr. Gaines ready to chow down?”

She teased, “You won't have to ask me twice.” She was up and going back into the foyer for the food. “What did you bring?”

Following her into the kitchen, he said, “I wasn't sure what you wanted, so I brought a little bit of everything.”

“Uh-oh. That may not be a good thing,” she laughed. After placing the bag on the center island, she went over to the sink to wash her hands while trying not to notice the way his dark eyes moved over her. She was conscious of her messy hair and the fact that she'd cried away what had remained of her makeup. Yet she didn't rush to repair the damage. He'd seen her looking worse.

Leaning a shoulder against the refrigerator, he smiled, crossing his arms over his chest. He was so tall, dark, and incredibly handsome that she would have had to be dead not to notice his masculine charms. Rather than stare at the way his jeans hugged his muscular thighs and cradled his prominent sex or the way his sweater clung to his broad chest and powerful biceps, she busied herself with opening cartons.

“Barbecued ribs and chicken, cole slaw, steak fries, salad, and garlic toast. Wow! Scott, there is enough for six people. What were you thinking?”

He chuckled. “I wasn't thinking. I was hungry. What do you need me to do to help?”

“Nothing. While you wash up, I'll set the table and we can start dishing up the food and heating it in the microwave.”

“Sounds like a plan,” he said with a grin, heading into the small half bath between the kitchen and the home office.

While berating herself for recalling every detail of the night they'd shared, Jenna collected plates, glasses, silverware, and napkins. He took a seat at the center island.

“I almost started without you,” she teased, handing him a serving spoon.

“That hungry?” he grinned.

Soon they were absorbed in eating dinner. When they finished, Scott reached out to tuck a thick curl behind her ear.

“Feeling better?”

“Much. That was delicious. What made you take the chance that I hadn't eaten?”

“It wasn't that much of a risk. If you weren't hungry, you could watch me make a pig of myself.”

“Very funny,” she said, pushing back her chair.

Working together, they cleared the counters, put the food away, and loaded the dishwasher, reminiscent of their college days—only back in the day, they hadn't been able to afford the luxury of a dishwasher.

When they returned to the living room, she pressed a finger into his chest. “Don't forget. When you leave, you're taking most of the food with you. These hips can't handle a slab of ribs.”

“Judging by what I've seen”—he encircled her waist, resting his long fingers on the top swell of her hips—“you won't hear any complaints from me.” He cupped and squeezed her full buttocks. “You're packing some danger curves, sweet thing.”

He pushed her hair aside to place a lingering kiss on her neck, close to her ear, before he laced his fingers with hers and tugged her down onto the sofa.

Gazing at their hands, she said, “Thanks for coming by. I'm sorry I fell apart the way I did.”

He nodded, disengaging their fingers. He began kneading her taut shoulder muscles and the back of her neck. “Jenna, are you sure I can't help? I don't mind . . .”

“No, Scott. I don't need you to fix it for me. What I needed was for you to hold me and let me cry it out and listen to me. You did all three perfectly, and I thank you for that.” As his fingers massaged the tension from her muscles, she purred deep in her throat. “Oh, that feels wonderful. You'd better stop while you still have feelings in your fingers. At the rate you're going, I may never want you to stop.”

“I don't intend to stop, not until my lady begs for mercy,” he teased. Taking her lobe in his mouth, he warmed it with his tongue, making goose pimples form on her skin. She moaned her enjoyment when he began to suckle.

Fifteen

“S
cott . . . what are you doing?”

“You know exactly what I'm doing. I've missed you, babe,” he said an instant before he covered her mouth with his. His kiss was long . . . hungry. It was the first of many—each hotter, wetter than the last.

Jenna was no longer sure why it was important that she resist his sweet magic. All she knew was that she needed him. Her heart fluttered with excitement as she wrapped her arms around his strong neck, pressing her suddenly heavy breasts into the muscular plane of his chest.

He felt so good, but it was not enough. She wanted more. She wanted him deep inside, filling her emptiness. Rubbing her aching nipples against him, Jenna trembled with desire.

Sliding a hand beneath his sweater, she slowly moved it over his taut stomach, up over his well-muscled chest. His skin was hot to her touch. Encouraged by his sigh of enjoyment, she began caressing his taut nipples. His sigh quickly became a moan.

She wrapped her arms around him, inhaling his unique, intoxicating scent. The heat of his open mouth journeying down her throat caused her to tremble. He tongued the sensitive place below her earlobe, and her resistance melted like snow on a heated walkway.

“I want you . . . now,” she said urgently, pressing her lips to his throat, pulling his head down to reach her full lips.

Scott's response was immediate. His kisses were filled with desire and urgency. Jenna was breathless with longing when he lifted his head.

She caught his hand in hers and led the way to her bedroom. It was her private sanctuary, where she came to relax, to think and to dream. She flicked on the floor lamp, then turned to face him. They stood at the foot of a brass king-sized bed covered with a purple, plum, and mauve quilt she and her foster sisters had made and piled high with white lace-edged pillows. The walls were painted a rich mauve. The bed dominated the room. The same bed they'd saved for and picked out together back in their college days. Back then, it had been a major investment for their relationship and future.

“You still have it.” His surprise was unmistakable.

Not wanting to dwell on the past or her inability to let the bed go, Jenna ignored the comment, kicking off her shoes.

Having yanked his sweater over his head, Scott reached for her. He began unbuttoning her cardigan, wasting no time in stripping her bare. After a series of tantalizing kisses, Scott shoved down the covers. He lifted her onto the bed and came down beside her.

“Jenna,” he crooned, cradling her face in his wide palms. “I hope you don't feel like I'm taking advantage of your upset. The truth is I need you.”

As she looked into his dark, hungry eyes, she accepted that she felt the same. At that moment, she not only wanted him but she also needed to be with him. She was glad he felt the same.

“No need to apologize. I want you, too.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. She closed her eyes, savoring the feel of his long, strong body. It felt so right to have him here in her special place.

After sharing a long, hot kiss, Jenna began moving her hands up and down his spine, his taut buttocks. At the sound of his husky groan, she knew he was enjoying her touch as much as she loved touching him. But she was hungry for more. She slid a hand between their bodies to palm his engorged sex.

His breath quickened and he growled his enjoyment. He husked into her ear, “It feels good, babe. Don't stop.”

She stroked his rock-hard shaft starting at the thick base, paying particular attention to the ultrasensitive head. She didn't stop until he caught her hands. When she protested, he distracted her by cupping her breasts and squeezing her softness. She moaned as he worried the pebble-hard tips, tugging them repeatedly.

When Scott began to pull back, Jenna tightened her arms around his torso. “Don't . . . Come inside me. Hurry,” she begged.

They were both breathing heavily, skin damp with perspiration.

He chuckled. “Not yet, but soon. I want you hot and so wet that you won't want me to stop. And I won't stop until we're both spent.”

“I'm ready now,” she complained, moving her damp sex against his hard, muscular thigh.

His response was a deep, throaty moan. Then he kissed his way down her body. He warmed the side of her neck, pausing to lave the scented base of her throat. Dropping his head, he slowly took a peak into his mouth. When she was weak with longing and calling out his name, he covered her mound, squeezing her softness, then opened her to his long, stroking fingers. As he caressed her ultra-sensitive bud, her heart pounded with excitement.

When she called out his name, he kissed her before sliding a finger into her moist sheath. His caress was firm and insistent, and soon he replaced his finger with his mouth. He laved her fleshy softness before he found and repeatedly licked her sensitive bud. Then he applied the sweetest suction. Eyes closed, Jenna tossed her head from side to side, crying out as she reached completion. The pleasure was sharp and intense.

She dug her fingers into his shoulders, holding on until the whirlwind stopped. But before she could recover, he dropped his head and swiftly took her back to the point of no return.

“You're so sweet,” he said as he gathered her close. He soothed her, stroking her soft hair and kissing her tenderly as she recovered.

“You enjoyed that, didn't you?” she whispered. “Driving me out of my mind?”

He chuckled, clearly pleased with himself. “Be right back.” He retrieved his jeans from the floor to pull out several foiled packets.

Although weak from pleasure, Jenna's heart raced with anticipation.

His dark eyes smoldered with desire as he flashed a wide grin steeped in male pride. Rejoining her, he placed a kiss on each temple and whispered, “Ready Jenna?” He didn't wait for an answer. His lips covered hers.

What began as a tender kiss on the mouth quickly turned into something both spellbinding and deeply erotic. Jenna pushed against his chest until he was flat on his back, then she straddled his hips. He cradled her nape and pulled her head down for yet another hungry kiss. They were both panting by the time their lips parted. She shifted, pressing her aching flesh onto the broad crest of his engorged sex. Closing her eyes, Jenna shivered as she sank onto his shaft, taking him deep inside her sheath.

“Yes . . . oh, yes,” he groaned into her ear, his big body taut with tension.

For a time neither of them moved, savoring their connection. Then the sheer magic of their joining quickly sent them into a wildly provocative dance of a mind-numbing enjoyment. The excitement was impossible to contain and swiftly sparked into white-hot flames of unparalleled pleasure. The force of his relentless strokes quickly had her heightened senses soaring into the heavens, and she experienced an agonizingly sweet orgasm.

Her release caused her inner muscle to tighten around him, sending shock waves rippling through his system. His big body convulsed from the power of his mind-blowing climax. Jenna and Scott clung to each other as their breathing slowly returned to normal and their sweat-drenched bodies cooled.

“That was unbelievable,” she sighed, smoothing her hands over his chest and shoulders.

“You're what's unbelievable,” he crooned into her ear. “No one has ever given me so much pleasure, sweet Jenna.” He punctuated each word with a kiss.

She stiffened. She didn't like being reminded that he'd had lovers since their breakup. She was jealous. “Unlike you, I haven't . . .” She stopped abruptly, shocked by what she'd nearly revealed. His past relationships had nothing to do with her.

His dark eyes locked with hers. “Why, Jenna? Why haven't you been with another man since we broke up?”

She immediately dropped her lids. “It doesn't matter.”

“It matters to me.”

“No, it's part of my past, therefore it's none of your business,” Jenna snapped.

She pushed away and hurried into the connecting bath.

“S
he's right,” Scott grudgingly admitted, staring at the closed door.

How badly had he overstepped? He felt as if he'd been balancing on a tightrope. He didn't dare take a step too far to the right or left, for fear of giving her a reason to put even more distance between them.

Hearing her confirm his selfish hope left him reeling. Suddenly he had to know why Jenna had held such a vital part of herself back for so long. He hadn't needed her confession. He'd suspected the moment he'd entered her lush body in Las Vegas. There was no getting around that he'd hurt her despite his best efforts. He'd been so absorbed in his responses to being with her again that he hadn't taken a hard look at her reason for remaining celibate. Maybe he hadn't looked closely because he hadn't wanted to know the answer. Yet the question haunted him for days.

Making love to her had proven what he'd always known. Scott didn't just want her back in his life—he wanted it all, including the closeness and the connection they'd once shared. Unfortunately, it wasn't up to him.

“Why, Jenna?” he whispered aloud.

There was no shortage of willing men in Detroit or New York. Jenna was a breathtakingly beautiful woman, both on the inside and out. If she'd wanted a man, she could have had several. She'd chosen to remain celibate. Her reason was the question that he had no right to ask, but that didn't stop him from wondering if she'd been so caught up in reaching her personal goals that she'd overlooked her feminine needs. More important, why had she allowed him back into her bed? She'd been dating Jackson Knight since she'd returned. Was she still seeing him?

Scott was on shaky ground. He'd taken a huge risk by coming here tonight. If not for her disappointment over her twin, Jenna wouldn't have welcomed him into her bed tonight. He wasn't proud of taking advantage of her temporary weakness.

The sound of the door opening instantly caught his attention. Although disappointed that she'd covered her lush curves with an oversized U of D T-shirt, he was glad that it was one of his old jerseys. He watched as she crossed the floor on bare feet and climbed into bed.

He smiled when he felt her snuggle against his side, resting her head on his shoulder. Stroking her soft curls, he pressed a lingering kiss at her temple.

“Sleepy?”

“Mmm,” she murmured. “I'm sorry I was a mess when you arrived.”

“I'm the one that should be sorry. I know how much you were looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with both your siblings.”

She nodded. “I haven't given up hope. There's always Christmas. I still have to tell Lincoln. He's going to be disappointed. I assumed that John leaving with the money caused the breakup.”

“The guy was a loser. Leah's better off without him. Given time, she will realize that.”

“I hope so. But it's not going to happen overnight. And she still has to strip tonight to pay her rent.”

Scott predicted, “Leah's going to need you to help her see that John was in love with himself, not her. And that she has other options.”

“Ain't that the truth! I'm hoping to convince her that there's more in life besides dancing and taking her clothes off to entertain a bunch of strangers. Lenna's very bright. There're so many opportunities out there for her. She doesn't need to use her body to get ahead. That's what her brain is for.”

Scott caressed her shoulder. “Who's better than her older sister to help her see the possibilities?”

Jenna brushed her swollen lips over the base of his throat. “I suspect it's not going to be that simple. Lenna . . .” She sighed, “I mean Leah. I keep forgetting. Anyway, we're only just getting to know each other again. I'd like to help, but I don't see how I can, unless she's ready to make a change.”

“Maybe John's leaving will help her see the need?”

“I hope you're right.” Jenna admitted excitedly, “I'd love to offer her a fresh start. She's more than welcome to come live with me until she can find a better job. Why not? I have two empty bedrooms. If she wants to go back to college and get her degree, I can help with that, too.” She looked up at him expectantly. “What do you think?”

“Doesn't matter what I think. It's up to you and Leah.” He kissed her soft, parted lips. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“I've thought of little else since I got back home. I hate the way she's living. It's such a waste. Besides, that's what I've been trained to do . . . help others reach their potential. Why shouldn't I want that for my own flesh and blood?”

He chuckled. “You don't have to convince me. Have you considered that Leah may not want a new career? She may want to stay in Las Vegas? She's interested in acting.”

“What does exotic dancing have to do with acting?” Jenna quipped. “We have theater right here in Detroit. We also have classes in drama and the arts.”

“Calm down,” he soothed, smoothing her soft curls. “I'm not disagreeing with you, babe. I just want you to consider that your sister may not want to change. Most important, I don't want to see you hurt.”