Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Kylie had been fearless in countless ways during her life.
As a flyer in cheerleading stunts, defying gravity.
Taking charge of arguments at debate tournaments, winning the state championship.
Regularly taking eighteen-hour loads each college semester while working twenty to thirty hours—and still making the Dean’s List.
Most of all, her bravery had extended to ending her marriage and tackling life as a single mom.
She had sacrificed everything for Amy Marie and boldly stood up to doctors, pushing them to find a cure for her daughter.
Courageously, she had met every health challenge head on and was her child’s advocate until Amy Marie’s last breath.
But anything having to do with romance? Nope. She never was aggressive. Never took the lead or expressed what she wanted. She sat back and waited on her partner. To take her hand. To kiss her. To suggest sex.
This time was different. Zane was different.
Kylie knew going into this that it would be short-term.
She decided that’s what she needed. A physical outlet for all the frustration which had built inside her.
She would abandon her prim and proper notions and simply go for it.
What she wanted was to be free. Wild. Satisfied.
Even selfish, for the first time in her life.
Kylie would go for the brass ring. Take whatever Zane offered. Then walk away on her own terms.
Putting this crazy idea into notion, she rose, her hand still held fast in his, moving toward him like a moth drawn to a tempting, blazing-hot flame. She licked her lips, ready to act totally out of character. She wasn’t the good girl. She was a badass ready to snatch the opportunity of a lifetime.
Zane came to his feet, one arm going about her, pinning her to him.
She grasped his shirtfront in her hand, clutching the material in a death grip as she yanked on it, pulling him down to her.
She caught a glimpse of surprise in those magnetic amethyst eyes before their lips crashed against one another’s.
Her free hand went to his nape, latching onto it, pressing hard against it, forcing his mouth to stay glued to hers.
Instant fireworks erupted. Her body sprang to life, need rippling through her as she pressed her breasts against his rock-hard chest. Boldly, she nudged his mouth open, her tongue pushing inside, tasting his essence—which her gut told her would be addictive.
They fought for control of the kiss. He released her hand and it plunged into her hair.
Her scalp tingled with the touch of his fingers gliding through it.
Then he wrapped her locks in his fist, tugging on it, forcing her head back, gaining a deeper path to the kiss.
His scent enveloped her, a woodsy cologne that spoke of dark mysteries.
His hand slid to her ass, cupping it, then kneading it, squeezing it, awaking her lower body.
Her core began pulsing violently, and she kissed him with a desperation she’d never experienced before.
Somehow, he moved them because she felt her back touch the wall.
The study room was solid wall on three sides, with the fourth being a glass wall open to the outside, overlooking a small, manmade lake the city had put in.
She doubted anyone was on the other side now, and if they were?
Who cared?
He hiked up her leg, his hand sliding from her ass to her thigh, allowing him to step between her legs.
She felt his cock pressing against her, and all she wanted was for him to be inside her.
As he ravished her mouth, his hand moved lazily from her thigh to the hem of her dress.
Hot fingers scalded her as he moved under her dress, up her bare thigh.
His fingers glided to her panties and hooked around them.
With one, swift movement, he tore the scrap of lace and pulled it away.
Now bare under her dress, she panted, need filling her, her core throbbing. She thought she might come even without him touching her but whimpered as his fingers grazed her.
“Yes,” she managed to get out as one of those fingers pushed inside her. “Oh, yes.”
He began stroking her, his finger crooked, dragging along until every nerve inside her was on fire. His mouth never let up, the drugging kisses continuing, his finger joined by another one. She heard noises coming from her, pleading with him not to stop.
His mouth left hers, his lips trailing fire along her neck.
He nipped at it, soothing the love bite with his tongue, even as his fingers drove her mad.
Then she felt the tension building. Her breathing became rapid and shallow, the mewls in her throat voicing her desire.
He pressed hard, rubbing in a circle, and she exploded.
The orgasm was unlike anything known to her, erupting like a volcano, molten lava pouring from her. The pleasure was so great it caused a giddiness to rise within her. She was laughing. Weeping. Moving against him.
“Keep on. That’s it, baby. Take. Take all you want,” he encouraged, his voice low and rough as his lips brushed her ear.
She came longer than she thought possible, and then it was over. She felt wrung out, her legs like spaghetti, her fingers clinging to him because she thought she might fall.
“I’ve got you,” he assured her, his powerful arms about her, his body pressing against hers, pinning her to the wall.
His lips returned to hers now, the kiss so tender that more tears spilled down her cheeks. He licked at them, drying them, and then kissed her again. Softly. Sweetly.
Zane broke the kiss, and their gazes met. She couldn’t read what his eyes said. Kylie only knew that her world had been turned upside down.
Resting his forehead against hers, he said, “That was nice. Better than nice.”
“I’m … I’m not usually like this,” she stammered.
“Like what?”
She heard the teasing in his voice.
“Like … throwing myself at a guy. I’ve never initiated a single kiss. I’ve always been the passive partner.”
He lifted his head and studied her as she smiled and added, “But I kinda like it. I like you, Zane.”
Kylie saw the frown appear and rushed to reassure him. “Please. Don’t worry. I’m not asking anything of you. I know you’re in the Bay for a limited time. But … if you’re interested, I’d like to spend some time with you.”
He brushed his lips against hers, causing her insides to spring to life again. “I could kiss you all day and all night. And then some.”
“I’m good with kissing. Even more than kissing,” she admitted, not bothering to hide her vulnerability.
“I want you.”
She swallowed. “I want you, too.”
“Let me take you to dinner tonight. And then afterward, we can see where we want to take this.”
“Aren’t you supposed to have dinner with your grandparents this evening?”
He cursed, causing her to giggle.
“Besides, I promised to have dinner with my family. They’ll want to know what went on today. But after dinner? I’m free. If you are.”
“Can I come to you?” he asked huskily. “It might prove to be a little awkward taking you to Gran’s guestroom with me.”
She framed his face with her hands. “You can come to my place. It’s a former mother-in-law suite, attached to my parents’ house, but it has a separate entrance.” She smiled. “And the bedroom is as far away from them as possible.”
A low growl came from his throat, and he seized her mouth again, the kiss deep and thorough.
Breaking it, he said, “I’m going to make you come hard, Kylie. I want to hear you scream my name.”
She laughed softly. “You better be glad I was able to control myself here. It would’ve been awkward for the librarian to think something was wrong and burst in on us.”
Zane smoothed her hair and kissed her lightly again. “I think it’s time we vacate this room.”
He stepped back, and she leaned against the wall a moment, trying to steady herself. The orgasm had zapped her strength, yet she somehow felt energized at the same time.
Together, they packed up their things and exited the conference room. Kylie removed the sign with their names and returned it to the front desk, thanking the clerk for the use of the space. They returned to her car, and she drove him to his grandparents’ house.
“Should I come and pick you up once I’m done with my family?” she asked.
“Where do you live?”
Kylie gave him the address.
“That’s only about six blocks. I think it’s better if I walk it. Keep things between us.” He paused. “Not that I wouldn’t want anyone to know I’m seeing you. Don’t think I want to hide things. I don’t.”
“I understand. I feel the same way. I know my friends will probably question me for getting involved with you, but we’re adults. We know you’ll be gone soon. You have your life, and I have mine.” She looked at him. “When do you leave?”
“I planned to head back to New York right after the Fourth of July celebration. Tidewater opens on the first, and I want to hang around for the first few days and see that everything is running smoothly.”
Kylie nodded. “Then I have you for three weeks. In-between you trying to get Tidewater ready for its opening.”
“We’ll work hard. Then we’ll play hard,” he told her, leaning over and pressing a soft kiss on her mouth. “Text me when you’re done tonight.”
“Okay.”
She watched him get out of the car and head up the driveway before she pulled away from the curb.
Kissing Zane Wagner had brought desire—and satisfaction. She couldn’t imagine what having sex with him would be like. Kylie decided it would be earth-shattering—and she would enjoy every minute of their brief, intense affair.