Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Piper watched Sullivan as he walked away from her.
Something inside her shifted. She knew he had been more honest and vulnerable with her tonight than he ever had previously.
Although he was leaving at some unknown date in the near future, she knew she wanted him in her life for as long as possible.
Whether that was a day, a week, or a month, it simply didn’t matter.
What was important was that she live each day to its fullest. Not every friendship or relationship was meant to last a lifetime, but she would be a better person for the time she would spend in Sullivan Shepherd’s company.
“Wait!” she cried, seeing him turn.
Their gazes met, and emotions washed through her. He was a good man. She would be a better woman for taking him into her heart—and bed.
Piper flew down the porch steps and ran to him, throwing herself at him, clinging to him in desperation. Her gut told her he had not planned to see her again, and she always trusted it. She wouldn’t let him push her way.
“Don’t go,” she said, pleading with him. “I don’t want you to.”
Thankfully, his mouth came down hard on hers. The spark which had existed between them ever since they’d met lit, and desire flooded her. She kissed him with everything she had, trying to convey that she was his.
For a little while…
He broke the kiss. His gaze searched hers, his hazel eyes wordlessly asking a thousand questions.
“I don’t know how long you have left in the Bay, but I want to spend as much time as I can with you, Sullivan,” she said breathlessly. “I want to be with you. In every way.”
Before he could reply, she pulled him down to her, kissing him again, her body heating as it pressed against his.
He kissed her back, his tongue plunging deep inside her mouth, searching for answers to his own questions. She reveled in the kiss, realizing it was, without a doubt, the best one of her life.
This time, she ended the kiss. “Would you like to come inside?” she asked hopefully.
“I would,” he replied, his voice low and rough.
She could feel every beat of his heart as they remained linked to one another.
“But I’m not sure that’s wise, Piper.” He added, dashing her hopes. Yet Piper was not the kind of person who ever admitted defeat.
“I disagree. I think inviting you inside is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. You accepting my invitation will be one of the best which you’ve ever made.”
She kissed him softly, hoping it would help convince him to choose her. Now. This moment. Piper ran her fingers through his rich, brown, silky hair, sensing the shiver running through him.
“I haven’t really had any long-term relationships, Sullivan.
Because of constantly being on the road, I could never make any kind of lasting commitment to a man.
Honestly, I’ve never dated a man who made me even consider something permanent.
All I know right now is that I would be a fool to ignore the chemistry between us.
I’m walking into this with my eyes fully open.
I understand there can’t be any kind of lasting relationship because of our situation.
You have a life and job in New York. I want to build my new life here in the Bay.
What I do know is that you are a good man, and I think I could learn something about life—and myself—if I’m with you.
If only for a little while,” she added softly.
She could see him wrestling with his decision, but she had stated her case and simply waited patiently.
Either he would act in a gentlemanly fashion and turn down her request, not wanting to hurt her, or he would see the clarity of her argument.
Piper saw the moment he came to a decision, the spark in his eyes giving it away.
“I hope we won’t regret this,” he said huskily.
“We may down the road,” she said matter-of-factly.
“But when you leave the Bay? I don’t want to be suffering from a case of the What Ifs.
What if I had told you how I felt? What if we had made the most of our limited time together?
I don’t regret many things in my life, but I know I would regret it if we didn’t make love. ”
Suddenly, he swept her off her feet. Just like in one of her romance novels.
It caused her to giggle as she entwined her arms about his neck.
He carried her up the porch steps. Leaning down, Sullivan scooped up the purse which had fallen from her shoulder.
Sullivan handed it to her, and she retrieved the key.
He took it from her and unlocked the door to the inn, a place they had all to themselves tonight. Carrying her inside, he nudged the door closed with his foot. She leaned down and turned the lock.
“It’s just you and me tonight, Sullivan. There’s no past. No thoughts of the future. Just here and now.”
He seized her mouth with his, the kiss both thorough and scalding. Desire raced through her, and Piper kissed him with abandon. She knew she was giving everything she had to him in this moment.
Even her heart.
Especially her heart.
She wouldn’t think about the heartache to come when he was gone. She was truthful when she told him that she wanted to have no regrets when he left the Bay.
Easing her to her feet, he continued the kiss, which was full of fire. She molded her body to his, thinking them a perfect fit. Then he startled her, breaking the kiss, swearing under his breath.
“What’s wrong?” she asked anxiously, wondering how something so right could go sideways in an instant.
“No condom with me,” he said, cursing again.
“I’ve got that taken care of. Being on the road with no permanent address or gynecologist to see, I checked off handling birth control a long time ago. I’ve got a long-acting copper IUD.” Smiling, she added, “You are free to have your way with me, Mr. Shepherd.”
He returned the smile. “I like a planner.”
He kissed her again, a slow, delicious kiss which had her toes curling.
“I think we need to take this to the bedroom,” she advised.
Piper found herself back in his arms again as he carried her around, turning off lights. She directed him to her bedroom on the bottom floor. One lamp sitting on the end table burned softly.
“We’re leaving that on,” he said, his voice rumbling low in his chest. “Because I want to see you as I explore every inch of your deliciously tempting skin.”
Those words caused shivers to run along her spine.
“Keep talking that way, and I may come right here without you even touching me,” she warned playfully.
“I plan for you to come several times tonight.”
“Is that a promise?” she asked coyly.
His gaze met hers. “It’s a fact, babe. I guarantee it.”
He kissed her again, and she thought she could kiss this man for hours. Piper had always enjoyed kissing, but Sullivan took the art of kissing to a new, unexplored level.
Setting on her feet again, he turned away, removing the decorative pillows from the bed and turning back the comforter and sheets.
Then he returned to her, slowly unbuttoning her blouse, kissing the exposed flesh with every button that came undone.
He pulled it from her shoulders. His mouth went to the column of her throat, his tongue slowly gliding down it and along her shoulder.
He slid the strap of her bra away, and his tongue continued, causing her to shiver in anticipation.
His hands moved behind her, unclasping the bra and ridding her of it. He cupped her breasts, kneading them slowly.
“These are perfect,” he announced, his mouth going to one, feasting upon it.
Her blood heated, singing in her veins, and her arms went about him, holding him close as he suckled hard. Then his teeth toyed with her nipple, grazing it again and again, causing her core to tighten and throb in anticipation.
“I may come right now,” she gasped, causing him to lift his head. “No, don’t stop,” she begged.
“I’ve got to,” he said, panting. “I’m wearing way too many clothes. So are you.”
“Then let me help solve that problem.”
She unbuttoned his shirt, parting the material, her lips trailing down his bare chest. When the last button had come undone, he quickly doffed the shirt.
“Time to work on you again,” he told her, removing her shoes, socks, and jeans, leaving her in nothing but lacey black panties.
His hand cupped her, and she could feel they were already damp.
“You’re definitely getting ready for me,” he said, a wicked smile playing about his lips.
She took his face in her hands and kissed him again, needing the taste of him once more.
He clasped her elbows, pushing her away from him so he could quickly remove the rest of what he wore. Her eyes roamed his body, her fingers reaching out to stroke the ridges of his six-pack.
“My, you take working out seriously.”
He caught her wrists and brought her hands up, turning them over and kissing the center of each palm.
“I hit the athletic club a couple of times a week. Play handball with Zane if he’s in town or swim laps. Lift a few weights. Mostly, though, I run in Central Park.” He released her hands and captured her waist, his thumbs stroking her ribcage, causing tremors to run through her.
“You’re in top shape yourself,” he complimented, admiration in his tone and eyes.
“Actors have to be. You have to build stamina in order to get you through so many rehearsals and hours performing onstage. I’ve told you that I enjoy moving. Exercising. Dancing.”
His eyes darkened with desire. “Babe, you’ve got all the right moves.” His hands slid lower, his fingers tucking inside her panties, ripping the scrap of material away. The sudden move surprised her. Delighted her.
Because it let her know how much he wanted her.
They collapsed onto the bed, their limbs entangling even as their tongues did. She had never had a man kiss her so deeply. So thoroughly. She thrilled at each kiss. With every touch. And there were plenty of both.
He explored her body. Even worshipped it. His hands glided along each curve, his mouth and tongue following. The passion rose between them, and she thought the sheets might catch on fire with the heat generated between them.
Breaking their kiss, his mouth moved down her body.
The lower it went, the more her heart fluttered wildly.
He moved between her legs, his large hands parting her thighs to give him better access to her.
He slowly licked the seam of her sex, causing her hips to rise, even as she whimpered.
Wrapping his arms around her thighs, he plunged his tongue deep inside her, making her gasp aloud.
Her fingers tangled in his hair as his tongue moved inside her.
Tasting her. Draining her. The orgasm quickly erupted, taking over her body as waves of pleasure rocked her.
She writhed on the bed, bursts of white light accompanying the incredible, pulsating sensations rippling through her.
She rode the pleasure as it encompassed her and then lay limp when it came to an end.
Sullivan kissed his way back up to her mouth, and she clung to him tightly as his fingers parted her.
His cock pressed against her a moment, and then he thrust quickly into her.
Another gasp erupted from her. His hands found hers, lacing their fingers together.
He lifted them so they rested beside each side of her head.
He hadn’t moved after that single thrust, and he smiled at her now.
“I want to watch you as I make love to you, Piper,” he said, his voice hoarse and ragged.
He began moving slowly inside her, their gazes locked upon one another.
With each thrust, she felt not only physically but emotionally close to him, an intimacy building between them.
His eyes never left hers as he continued thrusting, his fingers tightening around hers.
She didn’t bother to keep quiet. She had never been vocal during lovemaking with other partners, usually being in cheap hotels the troupe stayed in, ones with thin walls.
They were alone tonight, though, and she let her enthusiasm go unchecked now, encouraging him.
“Yes, yes. There. Hard. Harder. Harder. Yes!”
Her whimpers grew louder, and she finally shouted one final, “Yes!”
The powerful orgasm tore through her. They came at the same time, his own shout escaping his lips, as well as his body’s shudder. He collapsed atop her, driving her into the mattress, and she welcomed his weight, her arms going about him, her fingers locking behind his back.
“You,” he managed to get out, his breathing ragged as he gazed at her.
“You,” she echoed, freezing this moment in her mind, wanting to always remember it.
His lips sought hers, the kiss tender. Piper held him to her, wishing she never had to let go.
A quick roll, and she was now atop him, causing a giggle to escape. His hands framed her face.
“That was incredible,” he said. “You are incredible.”
She was afraid if she told him it had been the best sex of her life, it would frighten him off. Make him think she expected more of a commitment from him.
“You were just this side of spectacular,” she said, taking a light, teasing tone.
“Hmm. Shy of spectacular. Guess I’ll have to work on my technique. I’m Sullivan Shepherd. I have to be the best at everything I do.”
“I’m ready and willing to help you perfect your technique,” she flirted.
Sullivan leaned up and kissed her lightly. “I plan to take you up on that generous offer. For now, however, I’m exhausted.”
Piper wriggled her way off him, cuddling against his side. He stretched and turned off the lamp and then reached down and brought the sheet up to his waist, covering them both. Usually, she needed more covers than this, but she had a human blanket of heat which would keep her cozy.
“Let’s take a nap,” he said, “Then we can go another round.”
“Okay,” she mumbled, tumbling fast into a deep sleep.