Authors: Jill Sorenson
Backwoods (28 page)
He rubbed a hand over his jaw, weighing her words.
“Is that a problem?” she asked, uneasy.
“Not at all.”
“You’re not ready to pencil in a second family?”
“No,” he said, the corner of his mouth quirking. “I never thought I’d get remarried, let alone have more kids.”
The way he said it suggested that he was open to a second marriage. Her pulse fluttered with a mild sort of panic.
“Now that I’m getting along with Leo again, I don’t feel like such a failure as a parent,” he continued. “But I still can’t imagine starting over. It’s such a huge responsibility.” He studied the bay for a moment, contemplative. “There’s something they teach you in therapy called living in the moment. Being present. That’s what I want to do. Hang out with Leo when I can. Spend time with you and Brooke.”
Her throat closed up with emotion, because she wanted exactly the same thing. “That sounds nice,” she said, her voice hoarse.
They lingered over dessert and left well after dark. Then he paid the check and drove her to his posh downtown condo. It was a beautiful space with dark hardwood floors and modern geometric furnishings. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased a spectacular view of the bay, which sparkled with lights.
“What do you think?” he asked, as if his multimillion-dollar home might not meet with her approval.
“Heights make me nervous,” she said.
“I’ll move.”
She laughed. “You’re eager to please.”
“Very eager.”
“Where’s the bedroom?”
His gaze darkened. “This way,” he said, leading her down a short hall. His room had the same large windows, but a touch of a button brought a privacy shade down. The bed was large and low to the ground, with simple white linens.
Abby ducked into the bathroom to freshen up. Her lipstick was worn off, but she didn’t bother to reapply it. When she came out, he was sitting on the bed. He watched her walk across the room, his throat working with agitation. She unbuttoned the front of her dress and slipped off her shoes.
“I’ve been wondering what you were wearing under your dress all night.”
She took it off, standing before him in a black lace bra and panties. The sheer fabric revealed more than it concealed. “Now you know.”
He pulled her into his lap, skimming his hands along her curves. His touch caused shivers to ripple down her spine. Her skin broke out in goose bumps as he threaded his fingers through her hair, kissing her mouth again and again.
He made love to her as if the world might end tomorrow. She responded the same way, stripping his shirt off his shoulders and fumbling with his belt. He stroked every inch of her body and she explored his shamelessly. Her nipples jutted against the lacy cups of her bra, which were damp from his mouth. He spread her legs and licked her through the fabric of her panties, driving her crazy with need. She returned the favor, sucking him slow and wet and deep. By the time he entered her, she was desperate to come. He kept her on the edge of orgasm, circling her clitoris with his thumb and then easing off.
“Please,” she sobbed, digging her nails into his shoulders.
He withdrew from her and kissed her intimately, using his tongue to bring her to orgasm. A few hot licks had her exploding into a thousand pieces, crying out his name. She was still shuddering when he removed the condom, pumping his cock with one hand. He spurted across her quivering belly, his jaw tight in ecstasy. When he was finished, he fell back on the bed, spent.
“Sorry,” he said, breathing hard. “I’ll get you a towel.”
Abby didn’t mind. He seemed to relish giving her pleasure as well as taking his own. His lack of inhibitions excited her. She felt cherished and well-used, her body slick with passion. She’d never been like this with anyone else.
He brought her a damp washcloth, rubbing the fabric over her still-tingling flesh with tender care.
“I think I’m reaching my sexual peak,” she said.
He laughed, kissing her relaxed mouth. “You have excellent timing.” After he discarded the washcloth, he tugged on his boxer shorts and stood by the window. He seemed troubled, as if he wanted to say something.
“Should I get dressed?”
“No,” he said, perusing her naked body. “I love you like that.”
The words stunned her. He didn’t mean
I love you
. It was just careless phrasing. Even so, her heart leaped into her throat.
He raked a hand through his hair, cursing.
Feeling vulnerable, she sat up and brought a pillow to her chest. “It’s okay. You don’t have to—”
“I love you,” he said.
She frowned at him in confusion.
“I’m in love with you.” He moved to stand between her and the door, as if he expected her to bolt. “I’m sure this comes as a shock, and I hope it doesn’t scare you away. I had this plan to win you over slowly.”
She hugged the pillow tighter.
“I just can’t wait. Maybe it’s because I’ve been alone too long. Maybe it’s because I know how it feels to lose everything. Now that I’ve found you, I want to keep you close. I want to wake up next to you every morning and sleep with you every night.”
It dawned on her that he was telling the truth. Although the situation made her anxious, she couldn’t resist him. He was so earnest. So handsome. The hot body didn’t hurt, either. She was ready to take the leap and trust him with her heart.
“I’m in love with you, too.”
His jaw went slack. “What?”
“I love you,” she said, smiling.
“You do?”
She tossed the pillow aside and rose from the bed, twining her arms around his neck. “I really do.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded.
“Say it again,” he demanded.
“I love you.”
He kissed her breathless, falling back onto the mattress with her. They focused on living in the moment, enjoying the present and loving each other. She agreed to stay the night, and he definitely made it worth her while.
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781460332979
BACKWOODS
Copyright © 2014 by Jill Sorenson
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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