Chapter 2 #2
She pulls me at a near run to the back door, laughing, and out to the lot where she parked.
Pure exhilaration fires through me. There’s something fun about sneaking out and heading to our next clandestine location.
She unlocks the car remotely and gets in the driver’s side while I slide in the passenger side.
We’re not even out of the lot when she asks, “Do your knees hurt doing different, uh, activities?”
Is she asking about sex positions?
I have a feeling what you see is what you get with Mackenzie. I like that straightforward honesty, even if it’s awkward to dive into sex talk before we get to bed.
Before I can answer, she peels out of the lot so fast my head hits the headrest. She says, “I’ve got a roommate. Where’re you staying?”
“I’m about twenty minutes from here in the Ethan Allen hotel.”
“Got it. So, back to those knees, do they bother you on rainy days or in certain positions?” She lets out a small laugh. “You lifted me, and I’m no lightweight. Just trying to make sure no one gets hurt.”
“You’re light to me.”
She scoffs. “Okay. How bad are your knees? Tonight’s all about pleasure.”
I shift uncomfortably, my boner not going anywhere. I realize too late that she’s already speeding out of town, and I probably should’ve met her at the hotel in my car. “Basically, as long as I’m not doing squats or a lot of kneeling, I get by fine. The rest of me is still in athlete form.”
She glances over at me. “I noticed.”
“I noticed you too.”
“My athletic form?”
“Your sexy form.”
“God, I want you.”
My gut tightens as desire blazes through me. “Mutual,” I croak.
She squeezes my arm. “I’ve got condoms in my purse, so no worries.”
Heat creeps up my neck. I’ve never spoken so openly with a woman before we get naked. “Great.”
She smiles, glances at me, and does a double take. “Are you blushing?”
“It’s the streetlights casting weird shadows.”
“This is going to be so fun.”
Mackenzie
The moment we get to Cal’s hotel room, we collide in a passionate kiss.
All my doing because I throw myself at him.
I missed this passion in my life. I unbutton his shirt and pull it off him.
Then I shimmy off my dress, standing in my red lace panties and bra.
He gets naked at lightning speed, his eyes eating me up as I slip off my bra and panties.
I pull back the covers and bounce into bed.
He joins me, rolling me to my side so we’re chest to chest. His big hand cradles my jaw as he kisses me again, only this time he’s more tender.
No, tender is for lovers. This is just sex.
I bite his lower lip. He jolts, but then he’s all in.
Urgent and raw, the kiss turns wild, his hands roaming all over me.
Yes, yes, yes. The bold assurance in his hands tells me he knows what he’s doing. I’m ready for him. Now.
I push him onto his back and climb on top of him. His dark eyes look glazed, almost like shock and awe, like this experience is new for him. But that can’t be. Don’t gorgeous ball players get their pick of women?
He brushes my hair back from my face, his voice husky. “I’ve never done anything like this before. Meet and go to bed.”
“Me either,” I lie. I guess the commitment-phobe waits for the second or third date, but I say why postpone pleasure? I’m choosy with men, but I know when someone’s a good pick for me.
I kiss him, reveling in his sensual lips, his clean scent, and the powerful body beneath mine. I reach for my purse to retrieve the condom when he stops me.
“Whoa, slow down. If I only get one night, I want to make it last.”
“Oh, right. Let me get prepared.”
He waits for me to set a condom on the nightstand, and then rolls me to my back. His arms rest on either side of me, holding his weight. He brushes the lightest of kisses on the corners of my lips and then another light kiss in the center.
He kisses me like he has all night. I’m restless beneath him, used to a fast ride, but within moments I’m melting into the mattress. His fingers slide along my neck, bringing a shiver.
Sweet, slow, and easy. That’s Cal’s deal. And I feel too good to move things along.
He lifts his head, his deep voice rough, scraping against my insides. “I can’t get enough of you.”
My lips part. I’m momentarily dazed. He kisses my chin, my cheeks, the sensitive spot below my ear.
And then it’s nothing but soft sighs as he learns my body, coaxing pleasure from every part of me from my head to my toes, lingering in my favorite spots long enough to draw out moans and total abandon.
My climax hits hard, cascading sensation after sensation that leaves me spent.
When he finally joins with me, our gazes lock, and a shock of emotions washes over me. I close my eyes. I don’t know him well enough to feel so much. Like a meeting of souls. It’s only because he went too slow.
Disturbed, I urge him on, rocking under him, kissing him passionately, putting my all into losing myself in the physical.
He cradles my jaw, kissing me urgently as he rocks into me.
Yes, right there. I come apart, white-hot pleasure consuming me.
He goes over a few moments later, his breath harsh in my ear.
I stare at the curve of his shoulder blindly. Holy shit. Best sex of my life hands down. His weight on me feels crazy good. I kinda want to hug him and thank him for his spectacular everything.
He nuzzles into my neck, and I sigh. No, no sighing.
This after-hookup cuddling is completely against the rules.
I know it; he knows it. I’ve got to get out of here before I get sucked in.
And what was that gazing stuff about? That was not what we agreed to.
Someone has to make the boundaries clear.
I push at his chest. He takes the hint, rolling to my side and pulling me in close. Skin to skin, the body heat between us is incredible. My eyes droop. I’m so warm and satisfied and safe.
My eyes open in alarm. Safe? I just met the guy. What is wrong with me? I hurry out of bed and start getting dressed.
He props up on an elbow. “Where’re you going? Spend the night.”
“Can’t. I have an early morning appointment.” With my comfy bed. “Get dressed. I’ll drive you to your car.”
“Too tired.”
I wiggle my dress down over my hips and turn on the overhead light. He squints against the harsh light. “I have to drive you back to Ludbury House to get your car. Mom will notice it. That’s her place of business. She may have a wedding tomorrow.”
“I’ll get a ride there first thing tomorrow. Night.”
And in the bright light of the hotel room, this man with tousled brown hair and the physique of an athlete promptly falls asleep.
I need to go. Casual only works with clear boundaries. There’s absolutely no reason to stay.
He’s so beautiful.
I pull the covers up over him, tempted to smooth his hair, but I resist. I turn off the light and leave quickly and quietly, stopping in the hallway for a few deep calming breaths.
Some mysterious force has me turning around to stare at his hotel door, imagining him opening it and welcoming me back into his arms. I suck in air. This is so not like me.
That’s not how this works.
I square my shoulders and walk over to punch the button for the elevator, ignoring the pang of regret. I know the rules.
I step into the elevator and push the “close door” button rapidly until it finally closes. I let out a breath. Cal and I are finished, forever and ever. Unless, God forbid, I find myself in need of a lawyer.