“For a man of few words, your brother chooses them wisely.” She returned her thoughts to Rick.
Rick nodded. “It’s the journalist in him. But that’s not my point.”
“Then what is?”
A tight muscle pulled at his cheek. “I keep these here but I’ve never used them.” He took out the entire box and dumped them on the mattress beside them. “Eleven plus this one makes twelve.” He held the plastic wrapper in his hand.
He didn’t have to say any more or tell her what his words and actions meant. He’d never brought a woman to his bed before and he wanted her to know it. There’d been plenty of women, Kendall was certain. Just none here. She swallowed hard.
Instead of reacting, she chose to keep the moment light. “So how many do you think we can use in one night?”
He studied her for an intense second, one in which she was afraid he’d call her hand or push for entry into emotions she didn’t want to share.
Instead he grinned, shrugging off the serious moment. “Why don’t we find out?” She watched as he took care of protection quickly, then splayed his hands across her thighs. His strong, weathered skin contrasted with her whiter flesh, making his virility and masculinity that much more intense.
He eased her legs open wide with his palms, nudging the head of his penis inside her and she gasped. Hard yet soft, hot yet tender, his body slipped into hers, opening her, consuming her. Kendall sucked in a breath, amazed at the intensity of the feelings this one simple act aroused. But nothing about Rick Chandler or her feelings for him were simple.
Before she could think further, he thrust inside her, filling her completely. Desire took over, kindling the fire he’d already lit and sucking her into a vortex of anticipation and heady sensation.
“Rick.” Without planning or thought, she called out his name and his eyes darkened with heat and need.
Buried as deep as possible, their bodies joined, one impossible to distinguish from the next, he suddenly stopped, holding himself back. His arms shook with the force of his restraint.
“You stopped,” she murmured. “Why?”
He leaned so his forehead touched hers. “How is it I feel like I’ve been waiting forever when we really just met?”
Kendall wished she knew. She opened her mouth to answer and was rewarded with a kiss instead. A hot, demanding, openmouthed kiss that told her exactly where they were headed. They didn’t need foreplay. Foreplay had been every moment between them since the first time they’d met.
He trailed his tongue across her cheek until his mouth reached her ear. “I want you hot and ready,” he said in a rough, husky voice that turned her on even more.
“I am.”
“I know.” He slid out of her then, letting her feel every hard ridge of his desire, then thrust back inside, revealing every slick inch of his straining erection to her waiting body.
Each teasing thrust tested her restraint and brought her closer to the brink, closer to climax. Rocking with him, her hips jerked upward, taking him deeper inside, making him a part of her until the whirlwind that had taken hold the day they met caught up with them, bringing Kendall up, up, up and over into hot, sweet, blessed oblivion.
As reality and sensation returned, Kendall knew she’d changed forever, and not just because she’d made love with Rick. But because tonight he’d done the one thing no one in her life ever had—he’d taken the time to show her he cared. Not just once, and not just with his body, but with his heart and soul.
* * *
Keep it light. With one glance, Rick could look at Kendall and see the internal struggle going on inside her. He understood since he felt it too. Sex was supposed to be simple.
This thing with Kendall was not.
But for both of their sakes, he’d do as her beautiful eyes pleaded. “We’ve used two condoms,” he said. “Want to make it three? Or should I take pity on you and let you get some sleep?”
She laughed, relaxed, and curled up beside him. “Why do I think you’re using reverse psychology and trying to lay the blame on me when you’re the one who needs a rest?”
He collapsed against the sheets, spent. “Caught in the act.”
“Okay I admit it too. You wore me out.”
“Guess that leaves us time to talk.”
She turned her head toward him. “About?”
He shrugged. He honestly didn’t care. Anything he learned about her was a bonus. Anything that explained her unique personality—what made her a wanderer yet still crave love even if she didn’t know or acknowledge it. He knew. He’d seen it tonight.
Seen the gratitude in her eyes when he’d mentioned the party and once there, watched how despite her wariness she’d absorbed the warmth and friendliness like a sponge absorbed water. Damned if he hadn’t been drawn to that vulnerable side of her as much as he was drawn to the sexy woman in the tight leather pants.
“I want to know what makes Kendall Sutton tick. What are your goals, your dreams? What’s your plan and I don’t mean cleaning the house, but after you move on? Is more modeling in your future?” He forced the words out as if they meant nothing to him. Unfortunately he was coming to realize they did.
She shook her head. “No. I only did that as a means to an end. Vanity isn’t my thing which I’m sure you realize after watching me walk around with pink hair.” She laughed and he felt the vibration straight through his body. “But I do design jewelry and—”
“You do?”
“Why so surprised?” She leaned up on her elbow and stared at him. “What do you think I did for a living?”
The comforter dipped, revealing her bare breasts, and for a second Rick couldn’t think at all.
Catching him in the act, Kendall pulled up the covers. “Behave yourself and answer.”
“Well, I knew you modeled. I’m not sure I thought beyond that.”
“Aah. Okay. I only used my looks.” Her lips tipped upward in a grin, showing him those dimples he adored.
Rick knew she was teasing him and was grateful for the sudden letdown of her guard. “You’re beautiful. Why not take advantage of your assets?”
“Nothing’s wrong as long as you don’t assume those are the only assets I’ve got.”
“Would I ever be so shallow?” He splayed his hand across her stomach, then moved his palm upward and cupped her full breast in his hand. “I know you’ve got many more assets.”
She sighed, obviously enjoying his touch. “Name them.”
“Huh?”
“Name those assets you say I’ve got. Prove you’re not just using that Chandler charm to get into my bed.”
“Correct me if I’m wrong but you’re already in my bed.”
She let out a long-suffering sigh. “Okay, using that charm to get into my pants—so to speak.”
“Again, correct me if I’m mistaken but I’ve already been there.” At the thought, his groin hardened and he rolled on top of her, pinning her beneath him.
“Yes but if you want to be there again, you’ll list those so-called attributes of mine.” She met his gaze and grinned.
Laughter and pure enjoyment bubbled up inside him. When was the last time he’d enjoyed a woman in bed, her personality not her body? “I have a hunch you’re avoiding discussing you and your future plans, but I’ll humor you for now.”