Love After All (14 page)

She returned his smile, then bit at her lower lip and motioned with her finger. “Come here,” she said softly.

Jackson walked over and stood toe to toe, looking down into her deep dark eyes. He surrendered instantly. Who she was or what she was doing here didn't matter. He was falling for her and it felt good. The sweetness of her smile and the gentleness of her voice softened him. All of a sudden, the hidden secrets disappeared. The only thing that mattered at this moment was that he wanted her and she wanted him.

“No strings,” she warned, making sure that they understood each other's intent.

“No strings,” he repeated.

“Live, then let go,” she added.

He nodded agreeing. “Live, then let go.”

She took the offered champagne. “To fantasies,” she said.

“To fantasies that come true,” he added as their glasses clinked and they each took a small sip. She handed the glass back to him and he set them both down on the bench at the foot of the bed.

She reached up and touched his silk knit shirt. Spreading her fingers, she fanned her hands wide across his chest, feeling the solid firmness of his body. It had been a long time since she'd touched a man like this. It felt good. He felt good. “So tell me about this wanton fantasy of yours,” she said, rising up to whisper close to his ear.

“I meet a woman on a plane…” he began, his deep voice resonating seductively sexy, sending a fire burning straight through the core of her body.

“And…?” she prompted boldly.

“And we talk and we realize that we have a lot in common,” he continued. “And the attraction is mutual.”

With deliberate agility she slid her hands down the length of his arms, feeling the muscles tense and tighten beneath her touch. His reaction prompted her further. She pulled the hem of his shirt from his pants and up over his head. As she dropped it onto the end of the sleigh bed, she glanced down the front of him and smiled. He was just as gorgeous as she imagined.

“There's an early-morning rendezvous at a…a…”

She leaned in and kissed his chest. He groaned his approval. “Yes, tell me more. What else happens?” she asked, continuing to tease his body with her mouth and hands.

She laid her hands on his chest, following the shape and form and letting her fingers embrace the tiny scattered hairs. She heard a second slow groan. His burning skin, warm to the touch, sparked with terra-cotta tints as she teasingly scratched her nails down his chest. He was perfect. Not too muscled, not too bulgy, not too overdone, he was just right. She continued gently scratching down to the hard impact of his stomach, feeling the quiver of her own and the tenseness of his reaction.

His body shuddered, making her smile, delighted by the reaction. His jaw tightened in restraint and his breath quickened. She caressed the places her nails had raked, then kissed the dullness, sending another shudder through him.

He refocused to clear his thoughts. “Then we arrive at an out-of-the-way inn by the beach and…”

“And…” she repeated as she moved closer still, kissing his chest and shoulders, each time waiting for the soft moan of longing to escape from the deep recesses of his throat. She continued kissing a trail of passion from his chest to his shoulders and up to his neck. As she reached up, the silk fabric stretched across her breasts brushed against him and a sharp intake sounded and sizzled. Nuzzling closer she arched and pressed forward and felt the tenseness of his body pull tight in restraint.

“There's champagne and soft music and…”

“Yes, what happens next?” she asked, taunting his resolve by rubbing up against him.

“…and…” he muttered, breathing deeply.

“And?” she asked patiently.

“…and then we make love.”

“I like it,” she said approvingly. Within seconds the loose dam broke and in an instant he wrapped his hands around her waist and drew her body even closer. She gasped at the suddenness of his passion. The simmering heat exploded and a fury of kisses rained down on her body as the burning hunger erupted in a blaze. His open mouth sealed to hers and she accepted his offering. A breathless rush of focused passion poured from the rapturous moment as each partook in the surging pleasure.

In a heaving, panting blur, hands and arms flailed and hungry kisses reached a pinnacled intensity. She molded her body to his and he arched forward, taking all of her. They held nothing back as the blurred ravage of kisses continued. The rage of unrestrained passion burst as breathless and winded they came to a halt still wrapped in each other's arms.

A brief silent moment passed.

She looked up into his soft eyes and smiled. His hands came up to her sides and gently caressed her arms and shoulders, kneading small circles with his fingers. She tilted her head involuntarily and he dipped his mouth to her neck. She rolled her head back, giving him full access, and he graciously accepted her invitation.

Holding his one hand firmly on the small of her back, he leaned in, taking her off balance as he held her confidently and securely. She wrapped her hand around his waist and allowed him to ravish her body. Masterfully, he sparked the burning flame as she relaxed back, giving him full access.

He dipped down farther, planting tiny kisses, nibbling down her neck and across her shoulder. Crossing to the opposite side of her body, he continued the onslaught, finding a new passion as his tongue licked into the wanton crevice between her breasts. Her arms weakened as he held her back securely, preventing her from falling.

Trust wasn't easy as she, timid at first, finally gave in without qualms. She relaxed in his arms and let him lead. She was always in control, always on top—this trusting feeling was foreign, but she liked it. The weightless dip was completely beyond her control. Dipping down, she lay in his arms completely vulnerable. Her mind soared in wonderment of the moment. She trusted him not to let her fall. Monumental at the least, it was the first time she'd ever felt the freedom of complete trust.

He slowly released her to stand up in one smooth motion. She found her legs feeble and weak. Steadying herself, she looked up into his smiling eyes, seeing the passion and the smoldering earnestness proceed to a seductive taunt. His hands rested gently on her hips. She turned. Taking his cue, he unzipped her dress and eased it from her body. Seeing her bare back, he placed his hands on her shoulders and began massaging her neck and shoulders with firm gentleness.

She moaned her pleasure, feeling the weight of her troubles lift away as she stood before him.

His lips touched her neck as his hands came to rest on her waist. Tiny kisses traced a burning path across her shoulders and up her neck. She reached for his hands and placed them to cup her breasts. He covered her and she nearly lost all senses. The divine feel of his hands on her was ecstasy.

“You take my breath away,” he said, whispering behind her drawing her back closer to his body. She felt his hardness instantly, then turned within his embrace and looked up into his heavenly eyes. He looked down the length of her body, seeing the perfection he wanted. Her taut nipples reached out to him. And he, helpless to deny, leaned down and kissed each of the sweet brown orbs, licking the hardened pebbles and sending the blazing fire deeper into her body.

She backed him against the bed, intending for him to sit. He did as he reached out to draw her in, tucked neatly between his legs. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held on, his face pressed perfectly between the sweet swell of her ample breasts. He slid his hands down her back to rest firmly on her rear still covered by the white silk Lycra-and-lace panties.

He looked up at her. “This, you and I, was a long time coming.”

“You think so, huh?”

He nodded and whispered, “I know so. I've been waiting for you.” The complete assurance of his words and the sincerity in his eyes overwhelmed her. She took comfort knowing that this was right, and for the first time in a long while she savored the moment as an easy smile broke free.

She leaned back and tucked his face between her hands and stroked his lips with her thumbs, then moved to within inches of his mouth. “Kiss me,” she commanded sweetly. He did. With slow, deliberate, devouring presence he tasted her lips, sucking her tongue and loving the sweet nectar of her mouth.

In return, she melted easily into his embrace as their lips met and the kiss sealed the promise. There was no fear, no hesitation, no trepidation. This was all she ever wanted, to be with a man who cherished her even if it was only for a short time. In their sweet repose, the gentle, tender kiss continued slowly, effortless and deliberate as burning passion consumed them both.

He lazily kissed her neck, her shoulders, down her arm to her stomach and around her waist and along the elastic trim of her panties. Turning her around, he continued kissing her body, then held her in place as his hand gently massaged her shoulders, her back, and the firm round of her buttocks. She arched back, stimulated by his touch. She felt the heat of his mouth as he kissed the tiny tattoo just at the base of her spine.

“I like this,” he said, his voice husky with desire. She felt his finger trace the outline, then his mouth return to lovingly caress her body. Her legs weakened as he held her steady.

She turned to him and looked into his eyes.

Descending needfully, she reached for his belt and loosened it along with the clasp of his pants. A thickness instantly protruded, giving evidence of his arousal.

She inched closer, climbing up onto the bed, straddling his body. He held her in place as he cupped her breasts, and his mouth suckled the object of his desire. She arched her head back and held on to his shoulders as he savored the delight of full access.

Teasing and tormenting, her thoughts whirled in his fantasy. She held tight, clinging to the urgency of the moment. He kissed her fully and completely, leaving no doubt as to his intention. Hard and demanding, the kiss devoured each of them. With fierceness beyond their expectations they savored the rapture and fulfilled the dream. The fantasy had come alive. When the kiss ended she looked into his eyes, smiling.

“Make love to me,” she whispered.

He nodded.

She slid around him and lay down on the bed, watching him stand and remove his pants. She lay back, cushioned by the thick headboard of pillows. He sat down and placed his hand on her stomach. She quivered. His fingers spread wide, teasing the lace trim on her panties. She bit her lower lip in anticipation.

He leaned down and kissed the tips of her nipples, sending a throaty moan through her body. As his tongue traced the darkened orb, she gasped and sighed slowly. She cupped his neck and he kissed and licked his way lower and lower until he came to the treasure he sought.

With stealthy agility, he pulled the elastic band down and ran his fingers over the tiny curled hairs. She gasped again, louder, stronger, fuller. She reached for him but he denied her, instead continuing to focus on his newfound treasure.

He touched everywhere, stroking her masterfully, sending a blinding fire over every inch of her skin. The thrill of his hands was mind-blowing. She closed her eyes and reveled in the sensual sensation. His mouth came to her stomach, kissing and licking the sides just below the sweet mounds of her breasts.

She arched her back as the swelled fullness begged to be tended. He did, kissing the full underpart of her breast while his fingers continued the assault on his treasure. The ecstasy of the moment left her breathless as his ravaging fingers sent her on a ride straight through the center of the universe. Her heart raced as she opened her eyes to see him looking down at her.

“Come inside,” she beckoned.

He reached over and grabbed one of the three packages on the nightstand, covered himself and moved above her. She opened up to him and he gave himself to her in one smooth burst of desire. Planted firmly, he rocked up, sending a thrill through both of them, then eased back slowly. The rhythm increased as she bit her nails into his back and held on tight.

Meeting power for power, they danced as his mouth came down and captured hers. Kissing, tasting, sucking, their tongues intertwined and their lips, swollen from passion, yearned for more. Wild and furious, the tension built, accelerating at full force beyond what either of them had expected. The pinnacle, ever within reach, delayed driving them further, into a raging inferno of passion. Then, in one blinding moment of ecstasy, they erupted.

He poured his life into her and she held tight, accepting all of him. Their bodies, taut and tight, pulled against the one thing they couldn't deny. The hunger of their physical attraction had brought them to this moment, but the power of their hearts united had taken them all the way.

This was more than a onetime fantasy.

He dropped to her side, pulling her on top of him. She lay comfortably sprawled over him, fitting her body to his perfectly. They lay in silence as the music still played around them and the traffic still flowed outside and the world still turned on its axis. As their beating hearts returned to normal and their breathing subsided, he reached up, encircling her with his arm and holding her firmly in place. She smiled. “That was…” she began in a whisper, but didn't finish as he answered.