Kiss Me (19 page)

“Now the panties,” he said, unable to tear his gaze off her sun-kissed body.

“Uh-uh.” She shook her head, knocking her bangs across her forehead. “That’s your job.”

He knelt on the mattress. Like a waterbed, the thing shifted and undulated. “I’d like to make it a career. Lay down.”

“Aren’t you bossy,” she said with a smile, then did as he asked.

He reached for her hips, slid his gaze to all those tempting little cupcakes printed on her panties, then grabbed the waistband and shoved them over her thighs.

She gasped, then released a small giggle. “Patience, my love.”

Skimming his palms over her thighs he said, “No way, not when I have you naked on my makeshift bed.” He cupped her sex with one hand, massaged her thigh with the other. She released a breathy moan as he settled his mouth at the apex of her thighs.

He caught her gaze. “Just a kiss.”

Her eyes twinkled and a playful grin teased her lips. “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of that line.”

“Good.” He brushed his mouth over the blonde curls above her labia. “’Cause I plan on using it every day.”

“Promise?”

“Everyday, baby,” he said, then swept his tongue along her silky softness, delved between her wet folds and drank in her desire.

She moaned. Gyrated her hips, slid a hand through his hair and held him in place. Urged him, begged him not to stop.

He wouldn’t, couldn’t. She tasted like heaven, and her soft moans and pleas were a sensual melody. He didn’t think he’d ever grow tired of loving her, kissing her, hearing her scream his name at the height of passion.

Determined to give her the ultimate pleasure, he worked his mouth and tongue, then honed in on her clit. Her inner thighs shook. Her belly trembled. With a deep groan, she arched her back, then sagged against the mattress.

Not giving her a moment to recuperate, he poised himself above her. Nudged his cock against her slick, swollen sex, then held himself still.

She opened her eyes. They shined with desire and love. For a moment, he stared at her with amazement and wonder. For years, he’d never thought one woman would ever satisfy him. Never thought he’d fall in love…until Jenna. With the taste of her still lingering on his tongue, her wildflower scent coating his damp skin, he leaned forward and covered her body.

“I’ve waited my whole life for you. I love you,” he said, and with one swift thrust, entered her.

Gripping his shoulders, she wrapped her legs around his back and pressed her breasts against his chest. “Don’t stop. Don’t ever stop.”

“Never.” He moved his hips like a piston. His own need for release edged closer and closer, but he wanted to make their loving last. Clenching his jaw, he focused on her pleasure.

She tightened her legs. Reached and grabbed his ass. Urged him to drive deeper, harder, faster. “Right there. More.”

Her demands fueled his raging desire. He rocked deep. Pulled out, then in. Did it again. Once. Twice. Their simultaneous groans echoed around the candlelit room as he captured her lips, then with his tongue, mimicked each thrust until they were both breathless and panting.

A tremor shivered through her body. She tore her mouth away and cried out his name. Love poured through him, and within seconds, he released himself with a growl and a long, lingering kiss.

Jenna clutched Luke’s back as aftershocks from the mind-blowing orgasm ricocheted through her body. She took a deep, sated breath, drew in his familiar scent and smiled against his chest. She loved his warmth, how he radiated strength and protectiveness. Loved his hard lean body, and the way he kept himself buried deep within her. Loved Luke, and knew in her heart, that her love for him would never end.

He sagged to his elbows and brushed butterfly kisses along her forehead, nose and lips. Murmuring how much he loved her, he shifted his hips, rolled on his back, then cradled her against his chest. His heart thumped a rapid rhythm against her cheek, then steadied. They stayed like this for a while, then he kissed her forehead and shifted off the bed.

“Where are you going?” she asked and stared at the rose petals stuck to his chiseled back and tight butt. Talk about the ideal bouquet. Had he coated his hot, naked body in flower petals, rather than filling her office and home with enough for a funeral, she wouldn’t have had a fighting chance.

He glanced over his shoulder and winked. “Just hang tight,” he said, then reached for a beautifully wrapped package that had been hidden behind the drapes. She stared at the box, which he held —unfortunately — in front of his groin.

She guesstimated it to be about two feet long — the box, that is. And while curious, she was more interested in the package between his legs than the one he held in his hands. “You didn’t have to get me anything. Just slap a bow on that tight butt of yours and call it Christmas.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

She moved toward the edge of the bed, then crossed her legs under her. “Okay, so what’s in the box?”

“It’s kinda hokey. I’ll give you a hint, though. I stuck with the nautical theme.” He dropped his big body next to hers. With his sudden weight, the air-filled mattress buoyed then bounced, knocking her onto the hardwood floor.

She shrieked, then uncontrollable laughter burst from her belly.

“Oh my God, are you okay?” Luke asked as he helped her to her feet. His concerned gaze turned animalistic as he eyed her naked body.

She looked down at herself and laughed even harder. Rose petals covered her skin from her breasts to her toes. She plucked a petal from her belly, then tossed it at him. “You should see the roses on your ass,” she said, and eased herself onto the unpredictable mattress.

“I’d rather look at the ones on yours.” He carefully sat beside her, then handed over the package. “I even wrapped it myself.”

She pursed her lips and eyed the wrapping. “I can’t compete, so I’ll forewarn you now, all your Christmas presents will either look like a five year old wrapped them or be in a gift bag.”

He gave her lips a quick kiss. “Just open it.”

Taking a deep breath, she tore the bow and wrapping paper, then forced the lid off the box. She riffled through crinkled white and blue tissue paper until her fingers hit a couple of hard, wooden objects. She stilled her hand, wondering what he’d given her, then pulled them out.

“Oars?” She wrinkled her forehead and studied the small paddles not big enough to move a kid’s boat. “I…thank you.” Not disappointed, only confused, she forced a smile.

Luke laughed.

“Is this an inside joke I’m not aware of?” she asked, and acted as if she was going to hit him with one of the oars.

He caught her wrist. “That’s not what they’re for, so don’t get any ideas.” He moved his hand from her wrist, then caressed her shoulder. “Look at the engravings.”

She glanced at the oars and ran her fingers along the etchings. One oar had Luke carved into the handle, while her name had been carved into the other.

“One of those is yours, the other mine. Although you could paddle a boat with one oar, it’s easier with two. The oars represent us, our life together. We might be okay on our own, but together we’re better, stronger.” He shrugged and looked away.

Even in the dim, flickering candlelight, she swore he blushed. His sudden shyness and the way he’d put so much thought and creativity into the gifts, melted her heart.

“Luke,” she said. “I love them. Thank you.” With her heart pounding and love swelling in her chest, she half laughed. “This is the sweetest gift, next to the life preserver, I’ve ever received.”

“Liar.”

“Are you sure you want to mess with me?” she asked, and raised an oar.

“Nope. You’re the boss,” he chuckled, and held up his hands as if surrendering.

She gently swatted the oar against her palm. “These might definitely come in handy.”

“Maybe later,” he said, and grabbed them from her hand.

She tip-toed her fingers along his tight abs then further down, until she came to the wiry hair covering his thickening arousal. “You mean if I’m a bad girl.”

He gripped her wrist. “That’s not what I meant, but keep it up…” He leaned in, kissed her shoulder, then abruptly pulled away. “We can test the oars later. Besides, there’s more. Go on and look.”

“Okay,” she sang, and sifted through the tissue paper until her fingers touched a small box. She clutched it while studying his anxious face.

“Well? Did you find it?”

She nodded and drew out the velvet box, adorned with the tiniest red bow she’d ever seen. Her stomach dropped, her heart caught in her throat. With shaky hands she slid off the ribbon and lifted the lid.

Candlelight reflected off diamonds. She stared at the gorgeous ring and grew dizzy with love and hope. No, this had to be a friendship ring. Her upper lip grew moist, her tongue heavy. She slowly met his gaze and knew in her heart that this ring signified more than friendship.

Easing off the mattress, he knelt and took the ring from the box, then held the beautiful treasure over her finger. “You’re already the love of my life. Be my wife, my partner, and the mother of our children. Grow old with me, Jenna. I want to spend every day of my life loving you.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she stared at his strained, uncertain and loving face. She loved Luke, with all her heart. The past didn’t matter. Not hers, not his, only their future. She wouldn’t deny herself the life he offered. The oars and life preserver — he’d called them corny. But to her, they would go down as the most cherished gifts she would ever receive. They embodied what she already knew in her heart. Her life would only be better if they were together.

“Yes,” she said. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

He grinned as he slipped the solitaire, flanked by two smaller diamonds, onto her finger, then leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. “I told you, no more of these,” he said and wiped the tears from her face, then eased his body on top of hers, pressing her against the mattress.

She ran her hand through his hair and held his head. “Only if you promise me that we buy a real bed. I have a feeling we’d either end up popping this one, or breaking our necks.”

Luke dropped his head. His warm breath caressed her shoulder as he laughed. When he met her gaze, a sexy grin curved his lips. “That’s a promise. Now, how about a kiss?”

“Just a kiss?”

“Not tonight.”

Then he captured her lips, and gave her a kiss like no other.

The End

PICK ME

BY

KRISTINE MASON

To help save the TV reality show, Pick Me, from cancellation, Valentina Bonasera swaps her position as the show’s Production Assistant, to play the role of Bachelorette, only to discover Bachelor Number One, rancher and sports agent, Colt Walker, happens to be her one and only one-night-stand she’d snuck away from six months ago.

Colt had never forgotten the hot, sensual night he’d shared with Valentina, or how she’d left him without so much as a note or her contact information. He’d spent months searching for the woman who’d given him a night he couldn’t forget. Now that she’s in Dallas, he’s determined to do whatever it takes to make her his…

Enjoy the following excerpt of Pick Me…

Valentina slammed her trunk shut, then jumped when Colt rounded the car. “What are you doing here? I told you we’d see each other tomorrow.” Gripping her keys, she moved to the driver’s side door.

Colt met her there, and with need and desire rushing through his veins and heading south, he held the car door shut, and invaded her space.
“I couldn’t wait ‘til tomorrow,” he murmured, and did what he’d been aching to do since he’d laid eyes on her tonight. He brushed her long, jet black hair from her bared shoulder, then ran his hand along the curve of her neck. Moving closer, his mouth watered when he caught her strawberry scent.

“Colt,” she whispered, and let her head loll to her shoulder. “Don’t do this.”

Unable to help himself, he leaned in and ran open mouthed kisses along the arch of her neck. “What, this?” he asked as he dragged his lips up her neck and nibbled on her earlobe.

She released a soft moan. “Yes,” she hissed, and flattened her hands against the car door.

“This too?” He ran his thumb along her lower lip and kissed the corners of her mouth.

Eyes closed, she swept her tongue along her lips, along his thumb. “Mmmm,” she hummed, then abruptly opened her eyes and gave him a shove. “Stop. We can’t be caught doing this.”

“Okay, so I should go on with this stupid show and forget everything we did in Denver?”

“Yes, exactly.”

He feathered his fingers through her hair until he gently grasped her scalp. “So I should forget that I don’t know what you taste like.” He nipped her lower lip, and ran his hands over her hips. “How pretty you looked all spread out and open for me.” Moving his hands to her rear, wishing they were skin to skin, he gripped and squeezed, pressed her thigh against his erection. “Or the beautiful sounds you make when you come for me.”

Her breath hitched. She parted her lips, and he took advantage.
Captured her mouth with a kiss he’d been fantasizing about for six long months. When she skated her tongue along his, he released a moan, and hauled her body against his.
She was so damn small, and he was so damned turned on, he had a hard time keeping the right angle. Without losing contact with those lush lips of hers, he cupped her ass. Raising her off the asphalt, he pressed her against the driver’s side window and wrapped her legs around his back.