A Hero for Tonight (12 page)

“That’s going to be sticky.”

He lifted his head, his laughing gaze meeting hers. “Then we’ll have to take a shower. I’ll scrub it off for you.”

The image of Shane in the shower rubbing soap-covered hands all over her skin and between her legs popped into mind. “That might be fun.”

“Yeah?”

She nodded, biting her bottom lip. “Yeah.”

He scooted her off his lap. “Well, let’s do it then. Come on. We’ll go take a nice, warm shower.”

He grabbed the wine bottle and her hand and led her upstairs.

Krista followed him into the master bathroom. The shower was something out of a magazine. Oversized without any doors or shower curtain, it was made of some type of stone, done in grays, blues, and black and looked incredibly masculine and indulgent. There were shower heads everywhere.

“This is quite the shower.”

Shane reached past her and turned on the water. “It was with the house when I bought it. Have to admit, though, strong selling point.” He stepped into the small room of the shower and held out his hand. “Come on, the water is perfect.”

The water was hot, but her skin soon adjusted and the shower heads coming from all directions felt as if she was in some kind of weird water park. “This is amazing. I’ve only seen showers like this on television.”

From behind, he cupped her waist before sliding his fingers along her belly. When he dipped his hand between her thighs, she laid her head back against his chest. He kissed the side of her neck. Seconds later, she smelled the fragrant shampoo that she always associated with him and felt it drizzle on her head. His fingers kneaded the soap into her scalp, and she moaned at the sensual motions of his hands in her hair. Who’d have known that something so simple could feel so sexual? He must have shifted a shower head, because the water sprayed on her hair even harder. Her mouth dropped open as his hands combined with the water to caress her skin.

When done with the rinsing, his hands found her breasts and lifted them, massaging her nipples and molding them in his palms. Krista had never experienced sex like this before. How her body still caught fire and wanted him again after all they’d already done was crazy. But as his lips nibbled her skin, an ache built between her thighs once more, and she reached behind her to grasp his erection.

Shane groaned and pressed into her hand. His fingers slid down between her legs and stroked. Krista reached out her free hand to brace her palm on the wall. Taking her other hand, Shane placed it against the wall as well and gently eased her forward. He spread her thighs and squeezed her rear end before sliding his hand between her butt cheeks and thighs. “I want to be inside you so bad right now, but I didn’t bring a condom in with me,” he said with regret.

She twisted slightly to look at him over her shoulder. “Still trying to protect me, aren’t you, hero?” Tugging him toward her, she whispered. “I’m on the pill.”

The words hadn’t left her mouth before he groaned and his hands grasped her hips. Swiftly, he entered her in one smooth stroke.

Krista gasped as he filled her. She spread her palm on the wall, struggling for support. His hands settled on her back, and she shifted her feet, allowing him to sink deeper inside. His erection reached places that set off an entirely new set of pleasure points.

When he found a rhythm that seemed to satisfy both of them, one strong hand reached under her and cupped her hanging breast. He pulled on her nipple, sending a thousand nerve endings into a mass swirl of pleasure, and she gasped. Releasing her breast, he stroked her clit, sending her into an immediate climax.

Crying out his name, she struggled to maintain her position as he pounded harder into her. A long growl told her that he’d found his satisfaction as well.

Several seconds passed before she felt strong enough to slowly turn and face him. Reaching her arms up to cling to his neck as much for support as a need to be close to him, she lifted her face for his kiss. Her still sensitive breasts pressed into his bare chest, and she went up on tiptoe to meld her mouth to his fully.

She had no clue what was happening between them, only that she’d never experienced the type of mind-altering passion she’d just had with Shane. Whether it was because she’d known him for so long, or because he definitely knew his way around a woman’s body, she wasn’t sure. But as his hands squeezed her rear end and pressed her harder against him, she didn’t want to think about anything that could possibly alter what was going on.

He eased off her lips slightly. “Now you’re not sticky from the wine, but from me.”

She smirked and kissed him once more. “So, you’ll have to soap me again.”

He grinned. “Then that will get me hard again, and you’ll get sticky again.”

She tipped her head. “It’s a risk I’m willing to take. I never want to leave this shower—it’s pure indulgence.”

“If only we had a wine bar in here.” He took her hand and guided her to a shower seat at the far end of the stall.

She sat down and Shane once more adjusted the shower knobs before reaching for a spicy smelling body wash.

“If you use that on me, I’ll smell like you.”

“Is that bad?”

She shrugged. “I’m picturing myself driving along tomorrow and getting a whiff of myself and remembering why I smell like you and then...”

Shane squirted soap in his hands and bent over her. His fingers toyed with her nipples, massaging the soap into them as he kissed her lips. “And? That would be bad?”

“Right now, I can’t think of anything better than remembering all this. But somehow, I think we’re both going to wake up and...”

He bent his head and kissed the swell of her breast as his finger massaged her nipple. “Well, if you’re going to regret this tomorrow, then I’m going to make sure we’re good enough so you have plenty of regrets.”

Krista’s fingers slid into his wet hair as he continued to nibble at her breasts. “No regrets, I promise.”

He straightened and gave her one long look as if to see if she was telling the truth before he turned off the shower. Stepping out, he reached for a thick robe and handed it back to her.

His previous words echoed in her ears and she looked at him as she slipped her arms into the robe. “We haven’t made it good so far?”

He chuckled. “I’m thinking that the inner bad boy in me is just reaching the surface. He wants to come out and play with you some more.”

“He does?” she squeaked.

“If you think you can handle it.”

Chapter Seven

Several hours later, Shane rolled over to gather a warm, sleeping body into his arms, only to find himself alone. Looking around, he wondered if Krista was in the bathroom, but there wasn’t a light on. He glanced at the clock next to his bed. Not quite five a.m. He turned on the lamp and looked around: wine glasses, robe, and piles of pillows—everything was exactly as it had been when he finally pulled her exhausted form against him around midnight. Yet, there was no sign of Krista.

A quick trip downstairs proved she had indeed left. Not even a note or anything.

Disappointment churned his guts. Knowing it was most likely pointless, he climbed back into bed in the hope of falling back to sleep.

He was right, pointless.

Why did she leave?
Did she wake up, realize what they’d done, and slink off in embarrassment?

Images of their shower and subsequent lovemaking in his bed drifted through his mind. Yes, once in a while during their romps, he realized with shock that he was doing all that with Krista, but it hadn’t mattered; they’d been so damn hot together! How had he never noticed before what a truly gorgeous body she had? Her amazing breasts she loved to have stroked. Rounded hips just right for lovemaking, not bony like some women or boy-like skinny, but lush and perfect without being too much. And she could hold her own in bed, too. Once she’d decided they were going past the point of no return, she was completely on board and gave as good as she took.

His erection sprang hard under the covers, and he wanted nothing more than to make long, slow morning love to her...but she was gone. Anger surfaced. She’d promised she was okay with all this, and yet she disappeared like she was ashamed. Giving up any hope of sleep, he flipped back the covers again and reached for his jeans.

Given the fact they’d slept only a couple hours at best, he waited until a decent time to text her. But even at nine in the morning, she wasn’t responding.

Maybe she’s still asleep, and I can crawl back into bed with her.

The thought crossed his mind before he remembered his truck didn’t work.
Damn
. Instead of spending the morning replaying last night with Krista, he’d be spending it having his truck towed and fixed by the local garage.

His texts to Krista went unanswered all morning, and he consoled himself imagining she slept off the night before—the wine, the mind-blowing hours of sex they had both enjoyed. He smirked. She probably wouldn’t be up until it was time for her to go to work. No problem, he’d swing by the farm market just to see her, and maybe steal a kiss or two if his mother wasn’t around.

His heart dipped. His mother. The last person in the world he wanted finding out about what happened last night.
Will Krista tell her?
Another good reason to see her today. His mother was like a bloodhound and would immediately pick up the trail of what they were up to if given any hints. He had to talk to Krista and make sure whatever this was stayed under wraps until they sorted it all out.

With Halloween behind them and Thanksgiving fast approaching, the customers at the farm market were less about the outdoor maze and wagon rides as they were looking for Christmas ideas and pies for their big dinner. Shane didn’t usually get too involved with the farm market once the hayrides were done. Hopefully, his mother wouldn’t think it strange when he stopped by.

Around noon, he pulled open the door of the market and casually glanced around. His gut twisted in disappointment when he only saw his mother behind the counter. Several customers were in the store, but no sign of Krista. She had to be here somewhere; her car was out front. Maybe she was in the back. Perfect, he could see her in private instead of talking to her in front of his mother.

Shane moved to the counter as she finished with her customer.

“Thanks, Helen. I’ll have those pies done in plenty of time. Don’t you worry about a thing.”

The older lady sighed. “I hate that I have to actually have someone else make my Thanksgiving pies, but I simply can’t do it anymore.”

His mother reached out and squeezed the other woman’s hand. “It’s our secret. Gary will bring them out to you way before anyone arrives.”

The customer left happy, and Shane waited patiently while his mother finished with two others. The door opened and discomfort rushed over him at the sight of Brittany and Melissa walking in.

“Hi.” Her voice was friendly enough, but the cool look in her gaze had him feeling like a complete jackass.

“Hey, you two. What brings you here on a Monday?” He slid his gaze to Brittany grinning up at him.

“I had a dentist appointment, so Mama picked me up early.”

Melissa glanced to her daughter, and then back at Shane. “Krista is making up a gift basket for my parents.”

He shoved his hands in his pockets, trying to stay put and not rush away from the conversation. “Are you going home for Thanksgiving then?”

She shook her head. “No, my folks are going to my brother’s house in California. We’ll all be together for Christmas, but it’ll just be me and Brittany for Thanksgiving.”

Shane’s heart jerked, seeing his mother’s mouth open and knowing there wasn’t going to be any stopping her next words.

“Now, there will be none of that. You two will come to our house,” his mother exclaimed.

Melissa glanced at Shane, and he watched her face turn red.

“Oh, no. I couldn’t impose on your family, Mrs. Donovan. Thank you, but…”

“Melissa, I insist. We eat at three, so come over any time after twelve. Shane and his dad watch the game. His friend Dave and his wife will be there, too. And of course, Krista.”

“Where will I be?”

At Krista’s voice, Shane’s erection sprang up in instant recognition. He struggled to maintain his steady look even as he unconsciously stepped further away from Melissa. Suddenly, the potpourri on the counter needed his intense examination, and he lowered his head to smell it.

“Melissa and Brittany are going to be alone on Thanksgiving, but she thinks they will be intruding on me if they join us.” Her hand waved as if the very thought was silly.

Shane peeked over, but Krista didn’t even glance his way. Instead, she turned her smile on Melissa.

“If you don’t come, you will ruin Mary’s entire day because she’ll worry about you two home alone.” Krista set the basket on the counter. “You have to come so she can relax.”

Shane wanted to scream with frustration. Wouldn’t that be cozy. Krista and Melissa, the woman who wanted him and the woman he wanted all together for the holidays.
Great.

Melissa stepped over and touched the plastic covered package. “This is spectacular. I can’t believe how much you packed into that basket! You don’t charge near enough for this. I have to pay you more.”

His mother nodded. “You’re right, we don’t. So, you’ll have to repay me by coming to Thanksgiving. Shane, tell her.”