Summer Secrets - Barbara Freethy [114]
She leaned forward and touched her mouth to his with a deep sense of relief. Closing her eyes, she let him take over and allowed him to deepen the kiss, sweeping her away from all conscious thought. Her brain shut down and her senses took over as she tasted his mouth, ran her hands through his hair, around his neck, down his shoulders.
No matter what happened, she wouldn't regret this night. There were plenty of things in her life she could feel sorry about, but this wouldn't be one of them.
She broke the kiss and put her finger against his lips when he started to protest. "Is that boy scout kit of yours handy?"
"As close as my pocket."
"Good, because I'm going to show you how a girl scout makes a fire without any matches." She ran her tongue along the edge of his ear and heard his swift intake of breath. "I think I just got a spark."
"I'll show you a spark," he growled, tumbling her over so she was flat on her back.
She waited for his kiss, but he didn't move for a long second; he just stared at her stripping her bare with his eyes, looking right into her soul. Could he see everything that she was hiding? It was both terrifying and thrilling.
"Touch me," she said softly, putting her hand on the back of his neck and pulling him down to her. She closed her eyes as his mouth trailed along the side of her face, her neck, down to her collarbone. "Don't stop."
"I won't," he promised and then kissed her on the mouth.
She ran her hands up under his shirt, loving the play of the taut muscles in his back. He was a strong man, a solid man, but he was complicated; he had hidden motives and secret agendas. In some ways he reminded her of the ocean -- deep, mysterious, dangerous. It was part of his appeal, and she couldn't resist. She wanted him, wanted to see his control snap, wanted to feel the power in his body, wanted to get closer to him than anyone ever had and fill that emptiness in his heart.
She helped him off with his shirt, then slipped her sweater over her head as he removed his pants and helped her slide out of her jeans. It was a blessed relief when his naked body covered hers. There was nothing left between them. They were breast to breast, hip to hip, toe to toe, mouth to mouth.
Tyler shifted slightly, taking his weight to one side as his hand cupped one full breast, his fingers caressing, pulling, tugging. His mouth followed suit in the most delicious, wicked manner until her nerves were screaming and her breath was coming in rapid gasps of pleasure. His hands and his mouth were relentless, marking every inch of her body with passion and purpose until she was begging him to finish it.
He was in her head, in her heart, under her skin, but it wasn't enough. She pulled him on top of her body and welcomed him inside. She was finally home. And, Tyler might not know it yet, but so was he.
Chapter Twenty
She'd told him she wouldn't ask him for anything, wouldn't beg him to stay the night or make promises he couldn't keep. But Kate was still disappointed to find Tyler gone when she woke up Thursday morning. A quick glance at the pillow next to her showed nothing but a single strand of dark hair, no note, no rose, no silly sentimental anything. She smiled at her own foolishness. It was just sex, not love, not romance. But she picked up the pillow, took a deep breath, and sighed. She could still smell the musky scent of his body. And, if she closed her eyes, she could see him in her mind, could feel his hands on her body, those wonderful, magic hands.
A wave of heat ran through her. She had been a fool to think one night would be enough. At least not for her. Tyler, on the other hand, had taken off at first light. Maybe it had been enough for him. With that disturbing thought, she stretched her arms over her head and forced herself to get out of bed. Her body felt deliciously sore. Muscles she'd forgotten she had were aching, but it was a good ache, a satisfied ache. It was pointless