Chapter 8
What do you think has them so amused?” Leo murmured, staring at Sherrian.
“What else?” David’s eyes danced. “The story about us – Hailey and me of course.” He contemplated his friend over his glass. “Stuck on her, are you?”
“Big time.” He admitted wryly. “Is it that obvious?”
“I am familiar with the look and feel of it. Having been there myself, am still there,” his gaze flickered towards the woman who had turned his life upside down and put a spanner into his running around, just cruising through life.
She had brought him the miracle of purpose and a love that was so powerful, it made him giddy. Even now after years of marriage and children, he was still reeling. The emotions churning inside him made him sick to his stomach and sometimes he would wake up in fear and wondered if she was still next to him.
She was his life and without her, he was nothing at all.
“When are you going to tell her?”
He grinned at his friend’s wry expression. “It is also clear that she does not know. You are so careful not to touch her even though you are dying to. My advice? Go for it. Seduce the hell out of her.”
Leo took a fortified sip of his cherry bourbon. “You’re the playboy with all the moves.”
“Former and you are not too shabby yourself. I am assuming there is some sort of arrangement going on?”
Leo nodded. “I am not at liberty to disclose the details, but yes, there is.”
“And you want it to be more than that. Man, you are in this city, the most romantic in the world. For how long?”
“A couple more days and then we are off to Italy. I had business here and a bit in Italy, but it is mostly for her. She wanted to explore the different pastries.”
“Take advantage of it and stop being such a bloody gentleman.”
Leo chuckled softly at that. “I would have, except the fact that her cheating bastard of a fiancé was doing it with her best friend. They were on the very verge of getting married. Plans were in place, church booked, invitations sent out and honeymoon destination – right here in this wonderful city.”
“Oh, good Christ.”
“Yeah.” Leo took another sip and glanced over at the two women. They were attracting quite a bit of attention. Hailey was so elegant and sophisticated with her short crop of hair and cool mannerisms and Sherrian – well she was magnetic, wasn’t she? Her hair bounced with every move and the energy just crackled around her.
“You don’t want to push and end up shoving her away.”
“No.”
“At the same time, you do not want to wait to cement her in that betrayal mode. I say, go the hell for it and damn the consequences.”
“It is not just physical for me. I am in love with her.”
“All the more reasons for you to get a move on. Don’t wait until you get back home where it is familiar. Start working on it now.”
*****
“You’re drunk.” He laughed as she stumbled on her way towards the door and he had to grab her arm, to help her along. All through the journey home, she had slept, her light snore amusing him.
“I am no…, not.” She spoiled that by giggling and leaning against him. “I am pleasantly buzzed and loose. Is that a term? Loose. And I think my head is spinning. That Hailey can sure handle her liquor.”
“I have never heard of anyone getting drunk on champagne before.” Supporting her frame with one hand, he pressed the code to open the door.
“I drank several glasses. Did I tell you that I have a very light head?”
“No,” he locked the door behind them and helped her out of her jacket. “I know now. Easy darling.” The endearment came naturally and none of them noticed it. “Here we go.” He wrapped a hand around her waist, and she leaned into him.
“I like her, and David is so gorgeous.”
He stiffened at that. “He’s happily married.”
She laughed and leaned in even more. “You are gorgeous too and so sexy. Did I tell you that?”
His heart did a song and dance, and his body shuddered.
“I don’t recall you saying anything,” he guided her up the steps carefully.
“Well, you are and there are times when I want to jump you and bite you on the lip. You have this smoldering sexiness going on.”
He was not sure how much more he could take. Her words were an aphrodisiac, which combined with her slender curves against him was making him crazy.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed her door open and led her towards the bed. Flopping down, she lifted her hands in the air. “I feel so good. Paris is wonderful, isn’t it?”
He knelt to take off her boots and socks.
“It is, yes.”
“And so romantic. A city for lovers. But we aren’t – are we?”
“Sadly, no.”
“We should change that.”
He went as still as a stone and lifted his head to stare at her.
“What did you say?”
She raised up on her elbows and looked at him. “We should be lovers. We are in the right place. We should just get naked and do it. Make love to me Leo. I want to feel like a woman again. I am so tired of feeling like I am a social outcast.”
“You’re drunk and should sleep it off.” He rose unsteadily and could swear his heart was beating out of his chest.
“Let me get your clothes off… “
“Take it all off.” She helped him by tugging the sweater over her head.
He stood there like an idiot. A statue carved out of marble and stared at the enticing display of flesh. Her breasts were small and barely covered by the ridiculous scrap of blue lace. It would appear that Ms. Sherrian Watson did not care about outer layers of clothing but absolutely spent money and effort on the inner layers.
“Sherrian…” His voice was thick and his body rigid as she went further by unhooking the front clasp of the scrap of lace and taking it off.
Her nipples were puckered, causing the saliva to pool inside his mouth.
“I want to see your body. All night I have been thinking about what you look like without clothing. Let me see your body, Leo.”
He cursed himself for hesitating and without waiting any longer, he sat and took off his boots and socks and rose to drag the sweater over his head.
She made a sound deep inside her throat that fired his blood even more.
“Take it all off,” she urged when he hesitated at the buckle of his belt.
He needed no further urging. Shedding his pants, he started to tug at his underwear when he hesitated.
“What?” Her eyes flew to his face as he stood there.
“You still have clothes on.” He whispered hoarsely.
“Oh.” She looked confused for a moment. Then she started to unhooked the clasp. Climbing in next to her, he dragged her up against the pillows and brushed her hands away.
“I think that’s my job.”
She laid back and watched his bent head as he took off the pants and hunkered there staring at her lower body.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He cleared his throat. “You’re perfect.”
“I have a scar, right here.” She aimed her index finger at an area above the waistband of her lace panties. “I had my appendix taken out.”
“Still perfect.”
“Are you just going to stay there all night?”
He chuckled softly and eased the panties down, his fingers trembling. “Just savoring.”
She went still and felt her body heating as he ran his hands over her flat stomach and thighs. “Your complexion is flawless.”
She gazed at his broad chest with the scatterings of chest hairs.
“I would like to return the compliment. You have an amazing body.”
“Thank you.” He was impatient to have her but wanted to take it slowly.
He also did not want her regretting what they do here tonight. With that in mind, he stared at her. “Are you sure about this?”
“I am.”
He nodded and eased her panties down and over her hips. She kicked it away and watched as he continued to stare at her.
“You’re so beautiful.” Sliding to the left, he turned her to face him, fingers stroking her cheek and then her neck.
“Touch me, please.” He urged her.
She placed tentative hands on his chest, loving the combination of warm male skin and crinkly chest hairs. His breath caught when she became bolder and eased her fingers over his nipples.
“What? Should I stop?”
“No,” he laughed hoarsely. “Please continue.”
She did, using her fingernails to scratch the tight bud. He inhaled sharply and felt his sex stretching at an alarming length.
“I want to taste it.”
The breath literally left his body when she said that.
“Leo?”
“Yes?”
“May I?”
“Yes.” His hands tightened on her arms as she bent her head. She used the tip of her tongue to flick over the flesh and sent his blood heating beyond words. When she tugged at the nipple, he had to force himself not to cry out.
His body went rigid, and he cursed softly. She became so fascinated, whether it was from his reactions or the taste of him, but she started sucking and sending him into mindless agony.
“Baby.” His voice was harsh, his hands racing up and down her back. “I can’t. Sweet God. You have to stop.”
He had to pry her away and held her at arm’s length for a few minutes as he fought for control.
“Good God.” He lifted a hand to cup her cheek. His eyes were smoldering, his body shuddering. “I think it’s only fair that I returned the favor.”
Pushing her gently back, he straddled her and started feathering kisses on her face. He kissed her eyes and then went to her cheeks and the sides of her mouth, nibbling on the bottom lip. When she opened them, he shook his head.
“Not yet.” He went for the exposed area of her throat, brushing the hair back. He felt her slender curves trembling. He tongued the hollow of her throat and heard her gasp of pure pleasure.
Moving down slowly, he kissed the top of her breast and hesitated slightly before twirling his tongue around the rigid flesh.
The taste of her was more than he had imagined. Nothing in his dreams or even the waking moments when he had pictured her naked and writhing under him had prepared him for the silky and sweet texture. He explored with his tongue before taking the nipple between his teeth.
Her startled cry had him shuddering and when she clutched at him, her moans echoing around the room, he went further. His hungry tugging of the flesh had them spinning in a mad vortex of passion that sent them flying off the edge. Her fingers went for his hair as her body arched.
Reaching between them, he palmed her sex, loving the feel of the downy hairs against his skin. It took just that, and she went flying. Her scream rent the air as her body convulsed. He hardly felt her fingers digging first into his back and then his shoulders as she exploded.
He waited for the storm to abate somewhat, before moving down her body. Her flesh was quivering, her body twitching.
When he kissed her stomach, she reached for him blindly.
“Wait.”
He went still - wondering if he had been too hasty or too slow.
“Please.”
He settled next to her and arranged his expression carefully. “What is it?”
Her eyes were bright and feverish, and her lips were parted.
“I have to tell you something.”
“Surely it can wait until…”
“No!” She reached for him and shook her head.
“You have to know.” He saw when she struggled and swallowed and wondered what on earth had her so agitated. “I know what you’re expecting.”
“You do?”
She nodded. “A man like you, would be expecting that I am responsive.” She swallowed again. “I am going to have to disappoint you.”
“You couldn’t…”
“Please! This is exceedingly difficult for me, just let me get it out.”
“All right.” He reined in his puzzlement and continued to watch her.
“You have been with thousands of women…”
“That’s an exaggeration…”
“Hundreds then.” She shook her head as he opened his mouth to contradict. “It has been only two for me. One when I was in college and Greg. They both…” Her gaze dropped to his chest, lashes framing her cheeks.
“And they both said the same thing. I was not passionate. Greg was nice about it, but I could tell he was impatient and trying not to show it.” Her fingers curled into his chest. “That’s why he went to Claire, my best friend, I could not give him what he wanted.”
“Sherrian…”
“I should not have started anything. You are only going to be severely disappointed and I…”
“Stop this nonsense!”
Her head flew up at his tone.
“What?”
“Whatever those two bastards told you was a reflection on their shoddy lovemaking technique. They were unable to draw the passion from you and typically in the behavior of how selfish and utterly despicable they were, they blamed it on you.” He took her chin between his fingers.
“I have only been with you for several minutes and I can unequivocally tell you that you are the most exciting woman I have ever been with. If you will allow me – let me show you what you do to me.” He stared deep into her eyes and waited for her assent.
“Yes.” She whispered.
“First…” Bending his head, he brushed his lips against hers and felt when they parted. But he was in no hurry to dive his tongue into her mouth as much as he wanted to taste and savor.
He was still shaken by the fact that she was so inexperienced and had not been with a man since that bastard died. He traced the outline of her quivering bottom lip and nipped at the flesh, making her jump.
With a throaty chuckle at her reaction, he used his tongue to explore the lip again before edging seductively and slowly into her mouth.
“Easy.” He whispered when she would have drawn him further in. “We have all the time in the world, and I just want to taste you. Let the taste of you linger on my tongue.”
Her fingers curled into his chest as her body arched towards his. He fisted a hand into her hair at the back of her neck and lifted her slightly. His tongue darted into her mouth, doing a slow mating dance.
His body was flying out of control, but he was determined to prove to this wonderfully exquisite woman that she was sexy and desirable. Her self-esteem had been knocked out of the court by men who were unsure of their masculinity, and he was determined to hand it back to her.
To show her that she was worth the effort. He deepened the kiss and the madness took her. He had wanted finesse, a slowing down to give them time to enjoy, but it was beyond him. He tightened his hold at the back of her head and bore her into the pillows, his body pressing against hers.
Emotions clamored inside his body, making him weak and hard as rock. It would have to be now, or he was not going to last. Shifting on top of her without breaking the kiss, he somehow managed to tug off his underwear.
He settled over her slowly, using one hand to guide himself until he was barely touching her swollen flesh. Her eyes flew open as she held his gaze. Ending the kiss, he placed his forehead on hers and took several fortifying breaths.
“I don’t want to hurt you, baby.”
Her arms came around him.
“Now.”
A husky laugh was ripped from his chest at her fevered word.
“Absolutely now.” He glided in slowly, his body rigid, his blood pounding viciously as her tightness wrapped around him like a cloak.
“I am going to need a minute,” he gritted.
“Is something wrong?” She asked anxiously.
“It’s too much.” He rasped. “It’s - Christ!” He exploded as he sank in even further. “How the hell could you even think you’re inadequate?”
“Thank you.”
“No. Sweet Christ!” He groaned. “Baby, what you do to me.” He moved then and she moved along at his pace. His eyes held hers as his body glided into her moist tightness. So long he had waited for this and now it was happening. He was not certain he could really take it in.
Her arms came around his neck and she lifted her face to his. He met her lips with his tongue sliding into her mouth in a sweet kiss that exploded between them.
He had to increase the pace. It was not left up to him. His body seem to have a mind of its own. With his lips sealed to hers and her slender curves melting into his, he felt as if he was rolling in the clouds.
When she came again, he swallowed her cries and gathered her close. He exploded along with her, his body shuddering as he spilled himself inside her. He was still kissing her even after the storm that had wracked them to pieces had settled somewhat.
Mindful that he was crushing her, he reluctantly shifted to lie next to her. Keeping her close to him, he cradled her against his chest and smiled dazedly.
“I guess you convinced me,” she murmured into his chest, making him chuckle.
“I hope I did.”
She did not respond, and he did not want to spoil it by saying anything else.
“I thought I was frigid.”
His fingers tightened on her back.
“You are most certainly not.”
“I think I want to call that son of a bitch from college and poke my tongue out at him.”
His laughter exploded and had her smiling.
“You should.”
“It would be childish.”
“Perhaps.”
“Would you back me up if I did?”
Tucking a hand under her chin, he lifted her face.
“Happily. What is his number?”
Her eyes twinkled with laugher. “The last time I checked, he was on his second marriage and not doing too well as a chef.”
“Good. Now if you would just tell me the eating establishment where he is currently employed, I could see to it that he no longer is.”
Her eyes went wide, and she started to laugh. “I really think you mean that.”
“I do.” He stroked her cheek. “how are you feeling?”
“Wonderful. No longer drunk because hello! Amazing sex and you managed to replace the euphoria of the champagne with something much more potent.”
“Happy to be of service,” he chuckled.
Her eyes dropped to his chest, and he held his breath.
“Um, I don’t know what this means.”
“What do you think it means?” He countered.
Her eyes lifted to his. “It complicates things.”
“It does, yes.”
She took in a deep breath. “We should talk about it.”
“I thought we were doing so.”
“In detail.”
“Or we go with the flow and enjoy ourselves. Look at me.” When she did, he continued. “I enjoyed you.” He wanted to say so much more, but he knew she was far from ready. “We continue to enjoy each other and see where it goes.”
She gave him a steady look. “And if and when you decide that you want to leave?”
“If I don’t?” He asked it casually.
“You will.”
He tamped down the impatience. “I am going to consider that you have been hurt in the past by men who are not really men, but I would kindly ask you not to compare me with them. It is insulting and a bit of a bruising to my pride.”
She bit her lip to stop from laughing at his annoyed expression. The sex had blown her out the water and she was still shivering in the aftermath. More than that, she wanted to do it again.
“Fair enough.” She inclined her head. “There is no comparison anyway. You are – you were indescribable.”
His expression cleared.
“Thank you.”
She nodded. “I need to ask you something.”
“Ask away.”
She dropped her gaze to his chest and twirled her finger through the dense fark hairs.
“Sherrian?” He prodded.
“Um, give me a second.” She sucked in a breath. “What if I wanted an encore?”
He went still and could swear his heart stopped.
“Then I would be honor bound to oblige you.” He told her thickly.