Wicked Wonderland (6 page)

Encouraged, Jesse slid her shirt off one shoulder, and then, after brushing her hair to the side, he started a trail of hot kisses over her collarbone to her neck. Claire tilted her head, giving him better access, and when he gently tugged on her earlobe with his teeth, she had to reach out and cling to his shoulders for support. While nuzzling her neck, he made quick work of her belt and kissed her exposed skin as he slowly unbuttoned the rest of the shirt.

“I want to see you.All of you.” But when he leaned back to gaze at her, Claire hesitated.While she knew she was toned and fit, she was a big girl and had never really felt . . . ultrafeminine or very sexy. But the desire in Jesse’s eyes told a different story, so she shrugged slightly, allowing the shirt to slip from her shoulders to the rug. She had rolled the big long johns down to her hips and while watching him, she tugged them down a few inches, showing him that she hadn’t been teasing about the thong. “I wear them to avoid panty lines,” she felt compelled to tell him.

“Well, don’t wear them if you want to avoid me,” he whispered, and reached out to trail one finger from her navel to the top edge of the black lace and satin.When he rubbed his finger back and forth, heat pooled between her thighs and with a breathy sigh she sank down onto the rug. Her hair fanned out all around her and she let him look his fill.The heat in his gaze made her feel gorgeous instead of self-conscious. “Let me take off your clothes.”

Claire arched her hips so he could peel off the long johns. He tossed them to the side and then looked at her lying on the rug in nothing but her scanty underwear. The fact that Jesse was little more than a stranger skittered across Claire’s brain, but she shoved it away. For whatever reason, she felt safe with him and this seemed so surreal . . . magical, and she was way beyond being able to stop.

“Take off your shirt,” she said, and then watched him tug the T-shirt over his head. He was thickly muscled with defined pecs and washboard abs. A mat of dark chest hair narrowed to an enticing happy line leading to the top of his jeans. “No wonder you carried me with ease,” she murmured, and then put a hand over her mouth. “I said that out loud, didn’t I?”

With a low rumble of laughter he shook his head.

“I know—I talk too much.”

“I marvel that you can make me laugh, especially this time of year.”

Her smile faded.“You said that out loud, too,” she told him softly.

Jesse gave her a long and steady look. “Claire, you’re making me say and feel things I haven’t for a long time.”

“I’m not making you, Jesse.” She sat up and touched his bare chest. “I am allowing you.” She swallowed the sudden emotion clogging her throat.

“Hey . . .” He cupped her chin and searched her face for answers. “You don’t have to do any of this.”

“So it’s not your house, your rules?”

Jesse chuckled softly but then continued to look at her closely as if to make sure. “You’re my guest.You rule.”

“Look,” she assured him, “I don’t know why fate brought us together, but here we are.”

“Claire, I’ll be honest. We live hundreds of miles apart and live very different lifestyles. And I’m a loner. I can’t promise you anything beyond the next few days.”

“I’m not asking for anything more than right here and now,” Claire answered, and then reached behind her back. She shed her bra, allowing her breasts to tumble free, but then suddenly felt self-conscious and covered herself with her palms. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and shyly looked at him through half-lidded eyes.

“Dear God . . . how can you think you are anything less than perfection?” When she raised those incredible green eyes to gaze at him, Jesse felt a bead of sweat roll down his chest, and it had nothing to do with the heat from the fireplace. Her dainty French-tipped fingers barely covered her full breasts, making her pose more provocative than if she were completely nude. The flickering flames seemed to lick at her skin and highlight her hair, and he could see just a hint of the black thong between her thighs. He wanted to bury his face there and taste her sweet body before having her endless legs wrapped around him.

“I think you’re a tad overdressed,” she told him in a throaty voice that aroused him even more.When she reached over and unzipped his jeans, the brush of her fingers against his skin sent a hot shiver down his spine.

“Right again.” He hadn’t bothered with boxers and sighed when his erection was free of constriction.After kicking his jeans out of the way, he came back to his knees and then started a trail of kisses up her calf.When he got to the inside of her thigh, he heard her sharp intake of breath. She stiffened slightly when he kissed the black silk triangle and, even though he was dying to taste her, he knew she wasn’t ready, so he moved upward to her navel while using his finger to toy with her thong.

Claire gasped and braced her palms on the rug when he slid his finger beneath the silk to find her slick heat. Her head fell to the side and she arched her back, leaving her breasts exposed for his eager gaze.The glorious sight made him steely hard, but he wanted her crazy for him, so he caressed her with his finger, watching her in the firelight. She bit her bottom lip, and when he plunged back inside, she gasped and fisted her fingers in the rug. Jesse leaned in and took one rosy nipple into his mouth, first circling it with his tongue and then sucking. When she moaned, mindless with need, Jesse fingered her swollen clit while he lightly nipped her nipple. He rose up and kissed her . . . loving the feel of her heat, the taste of her mouth. She had a natural sensuality that didn’t seem practiced or forced but simply real.

“Oh . . .”When she arched her hips, Jesse leaned back so he could watch her climax and then slid his finger in one more time, finding her sweet spot. Her lips parted, her back arched, and she moaned in that throaty voice of hers that drove him crazy.A moment later she cried out with pleasure before falling back to the rug.

Her cheeks were flushed a rosy pink, and with her hair fanned out all around her, wearing nothing but the tiny thong, Jesse swore he had never witnessed a more erotic sight. While she was breathing hard, her eyes remained closed, and unable not to, Jesse leaned in and kissed her moist lips softly. “I’ll be right back,” he said in her ear. “Don’t go anywhere.”

“Like I could walk,” she murmured with a slight smile, but kept her eyes shut.

After tugging on his jeans, Jesse grabbed the throw off the sofa and draped it over Claire before heading to his bathroom for protection. He needed to cool down before he did something foolish . . . like make love to her without a condom. Besides, they had all night, and he wanted to make this last. But before heading back to the great room, he made two sub sandwiches and tossed some chips on two plates. He piled them on top of each other, stuck a corkscrew in his pocket, tucked a bottle of Merlot beneath one arm, and snagged two wineglasses. It was a balancing act, but he had big hands, so he managed.

“Hey, I could have helped,” Claire offered. She had sat up and wrapped her curvy body in the blanket.

“I’ve got it,” Jesse said, but just as he made it to the rug, everything started to slide.With a low giggle Claire caught the wine and reached for the glasses, causing the blanket to slip from her shoulders just as Jesse sat down. When she blushed and grabbed the edges of the blanket, Jesse wanted to remind her he had seen just about every inch of her delicious body but refrained.Women were silly creatures.

“I wanted to make something more elaborate, but hunger made me go for cold cuts. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” she replied, and tried to reach for the plate but couldn’t with the blanket clutched around her. Jesse smiled and then reached for the shirt lying on the rug.

“Here,” he offered, and turned to uncork the wine while she shrugged into it.

“Except for the strawberries, I haven’t eaten since breakfast, so I’m famished. I think that’s why the eggnog hit me so hard.”

“Probably.” Jesse glanced her way while he poured the Merlot and knew that Claire was trying to blame what just happened on the bourbon. But if she thought she looked less sexy in nothing but his shirt, she was oh so wrong. Wanting to put her at ease once more, he handed her the glass and then stood up.

“I probably shouldn’t drink this,” she said while looking up at him.

“Just relax, Claire,” he requested, and had to smile when this time she hesitated, but when he extended his hand, she took it. “Hey, follow me.” He guided her over to the floor-to-ceiling windows.“Look.”When he flicked on an outside light, the blowing snow seemed to sparkle like glitter. Fat flakes were floating down fast, adding to the white inches already piled up on the big deck.Tall shadowy pine trees seemed to glow in the background.

“Oh, wow,” Claire said as she stood there and looked through the glass. “It’s beautiful.” She took a sip of wine and stared out at the winter wonderland.

“I agree, and it’s not going to stop anytime soon. We are officially snowed in.”

She took another sip of her wine but remained quiet.

“Claire, we’re going to be spending several days together. I don’t want you to wake up tomorrow with regret.”

She nodded slowly and cradled the glass in her hand.

“This was so unexpected for us both. It’s like something out of place and time.” He shrugged and then said,“I guess that sounded weird.”

“No, I was thinking the same thing earlier. It’s like we’re in a Hallmark holiday movie,” she said, but then shook her head and chuckled. “Well, the unrated version.”

Jesse laughed. God, he liked being with her. But then his smile faded.“But odds are that after the storm . . . ,” he began, but for some reason the rest of the sentence stuck in his throat.

“We’ll never see each other again,” she finished softly.

This time Jesse remained quiet.

Her eyes widened slightly.“That’s why you let me take the lead . . . why you stopped.”

“Claire, it would have been wrong to take advantage of the situation, but I’m only human. If I have you naked in my arms again, I won’t be able to stop.” He shoved his fingers through his hair and blew out a sigh.

“I get it. Before was spontaneous.This time we are making a conscious choice.”

He turned and looked at Claire. “So, what are your thoughts?” He held his breath and waited.

Claire nibbled on the inside of her cheek for a minute and then said, “Jesse, maybe we’re overthinking this.”

Jesse wanted to raise his fist in triumph while doing a little jig—even though he had never done a jig in his life—but he cleared his throat and, as calmly as he could, said, “You think so?”

“Yes.” Claire angled her head, causing her hair to slide over her shoulder. “Here’s what I propose. . . .”

“
L
et’s turn on some music, sit in front of the fire, and eat our sandwiches.”

“Okay,” Jesse responded with a slight smile.

“We can talk.”

“Sure.Yeah, talking is good.”

“Get to know each other.”

“Absolutely.” He nodded firmly, but his disappointment was so evident that Claire felt both sexy and desired. Jesse Marshall was big enough and man enough to make her feel feminine and fragile. This newfound sex appeal gave her a heady boost of confidence, and she loved the feeling.

Claire placed one hand on his bare chest and said, “After we eat dinner, I want you . . .” She really wanted to say
for dessert
but knew she wouldn’t manage that without blushing or giggling, so she said, “To kiss me.”

“Okay,” he calmly agreed, but Claire could feel the rapid beat of his heart beneath her palm. “Then let’s eat.” He picked up another remote, and after he pushed a button, soft bluesy music played from discreetly placed speakers.

Claire looked at the four remotes on his coffee table and shook her head.“I would never be able to keep those straight.”

“Pretty high-tech for a backwoodsman,” he responded with a grin.

“Little bit,” Claire replied, but she already knew there was much more to Jesse Marshall than she had first thought. They settled back onto the rug and between bites carried on a conversation about favorite movies, books, sports, and their work. Claire chattered on about her family, but Jesse avoided the subject and she didn’t feel as if she should pry, even though she was amazed at how comfortable she felt with a man she barely knew.

“Do your parents know you are stranded here in Whisper?” Jesse asked.

Claire shook her head. “I’m not due home yet, and they knew that cell phone reception on the train was going to be sketchy, so they’re not expecting many calls. I decided not to give the bad news until I have to. My mother is a bit of a Southern diva, and I want to spare my father for as long as I can. Besides, there’s still an outside chance that I will make it home.”

“Makes sense, I suppose,” Jesse agreed.“But I still think you should call soon.”

“I know, but I can’t stand the thought of ruining their Christmas,” she admitted, and then took a sip of wine. “This will be the first Christmas I’ve ever missed with my family,” she added softly, and ran the tip of her finger over the rim of her glass. “I’m sorry for getting so emotional. Don’t mind me.”

“No, I understand perfectly.” Something of a shadow passed over his features once again, but then he seemed to shake it off. “I’m sorry, you’re right—don’t think about it right now. I shouldn’t have brought it up, but I didn’t want them to worry.”

Claire reached over and put her hand over his. “You’re a good man, Jesse Marshall.”

“I was raised well.” He smiled but then frowned down at his own glass, but not before Claire caught a flash of hurt in his eyes, making her want to wrap her arms around him and ease whatever was the cause of his pain.

Needing to see his smile return, Claire sat up and asked brightly, “Okay, when are you going to take me on your snowmobile?”