Page 45 of Just for Tonight

Jake leans down and trails kisses from my mouth to my breast, to the other breast, then down to my navel. He makes a little growl of satisfaction, then closes his mouth over me with possessive heat. I moan when I feel the flick of his tongue and stretch out, trusting him to deliver brilliantly, one more time.

I wouldn’t have believed it possible, since Jake blew my mind that first night, but this time is even better. Our lovemaking seems more intuitive and more affectionate – but maybe that’s just me.

That sorcery happens again when he eases inside me. He feels right and I catch my breath, then he makes that little purr. I open my eyes to find him close, his eyes as dark as the ocean. My throat is tight. I feel both exposed and in a safe haven. He studies me as if he gets it and I watch his throat move.

“Hi,” he says softly and tears prick at my eyes at the intensity of the moment.

“Hi,” I reply just as softly and watch his gaze fall to my mouth.

“Okay?” he murmurs.

“Better than that.”

“Good.” He bends and touches his lips to the corner of my mouth, as gently as a butterfly. I feel his breath on my lips as he moves to kiss the other corner, then his lashes sweep up and I could drown in his eyes. The connection between us is so potent that all I can do is mutely shake my head.

He nods silent agreement, then captures my mouth beneath his.

And when he moves, I’m almost overwhelmed at the sweet intensity of my reaction. I catch my breath and Jake smiles, his gaze snaring mine once more. He watches me as he moves, ensuring that he gives me as much pleasure as possible. He’s not imagining anyone else. He’s not lost in his own pleasure. He’s watching me, thinking about me, intent upon pleasing me.

And he likes when he succeeds.

That’s when I realize what’s different about being with Jake. He’s not making a conquest. It’s not a seduction. It’s a mutual quest for satisfaction. We’re each considering what the other likes – I’m excited by his pleasure and he’s the same about mine. It feels like a team effort or a mutual endeavor, which is rare and wonderful and completely irresistible.

No wonder I want more.

No wonder I want to do the exact same thing to him. I reach up and graze his earlobe with my teeth, feeling him shiver at the caress of my breath on his ear. He probably can feel me smile. “I want to be on top,” I whisper and he groans.

“You’ll kill me.”

“You’ll die happy.”

“There is that,” he rumbles. “Knees up.” I pull up my knees, gripping his waist and he kisses me again, slowly and sweetly. He drives a bit deeper into me and rocks so that I gasp and he chuckles.

Then his hand is under my butt and his arm around my waist, and in a quick move, I’m sitting astride him again. I stretch my arms over my head, the awe in his expression making me feel powerful and beautiful. Then mischief glints in his eyes and his thumb slides between my thighs, his caress making me moan.

I have a moment’s doubt, certain that there’s nowhere to go but down, that any future casual encounters can only be lacking. Maybe I should have taken a pass on a second night. Maybe I shouldn’t have indulged – don’t they say ignorance is bliss?

But then Jake touches me and I forget every reasonable thought I’ve ever had. There’s just Jake and his hands, his heat beneath me and inside me, his admiration making me feel invincible. I shake out my hair and let him look at me, knowing by the heat in his eyes that he’s loving the view. I’ll never forget this night.

It takes forever. It doesn’t take nearly long enough. We luxuriate in coaxing each other’s desire, drawing out the arousal to a monumental tease, stopping and then building it again. There are moments when I don’t think I’ll survive until morning. There are moments when I’m sure this would be worth any price.

We both come and it’s awesome, a tidal wave of epic proportions that leaves us shaking. Time stops, the world is a million miles away and there’s only the thunder of his heart beneath my cheek.

“Not fair,” Jake murmurs, pushing a hand through my hair. He kisses my temple and I know his pulse is slowing.

I also know what he means.

“Because you promised not to fall sleep?” I brace myself over him, smiling at the sight of him fighting his body’s reaction.

“Because you knew that and you nuked me anyway,” he complains drowsily.

“You nuked me, so maybe I could compromise.”

“You? Compromise? In my dreams.”

I kiss him quickly as he yawns. “Take a little nap.”

“Hmm.” His eyes drift closed. “And you’ll leave.”