In Jamie’s en suite, she got undressed and changed into the sexy purple silk nightie she’d bought especially for tonight. It barely covered her, and she felt a little self-conscious wearing it, but she knew he was going to love it.
She’d waited a week before telling herself it was okay to sleep with him. He never rushed her or made her feel bad about going and sleeping in her own bed every night, but more than that, she found that she genuinely liked and respected him.
Which was strange after doing nothing but bickering with him for almost twenty years.
Still, she wanted this—wanted him. And from the way he touched and kissed her, she knew he wanted this too. There was no going back after tonight and she could only hope that when things ended between them—because she knew Jamie had zero interest in settling down—that they could at least hold on to the friendship they finally cultivated.
Checking her reflection one last time, she added a touch of gloss to her lips and fluffed her hair. “That’s as good as you’re going to get,” she murmured. Turning out the light, she stepped out into the bedroom and froze.
Jamie was standing next to the bed and looked like he was ready to pounce.
“Damn, Fallon…you look so fucking sexy.”
She kind of loved that he saw her that way, even if she didn’t quite believe that about herself.
Slowly, she walked toward him and braced herself for what was to come.
Knowing Jamie’s reputation, there wasn’t a doubt in her mind that she was in over her head and she could only hope he wouldn’t be disappointed.
“Hey,” he said softly, his warm hands gently grasping her arms. “You’re freaking out. If this isn’t what you want…”
“It is,” she quickly interrupted. “I’m just…”
Ugh…just say it!
“I’m afraid you’re going to…you know…be disappointed,” she mumbled.
“Are you freaking serious right now?” he demanded, and if she wasn’t mistaken, he sounded just a wee bit offended.
“Jamie, come on…”
This time, he wasn’t gentle as he tugged her toward him. “Why would you even think such a thing? You’ve had me tangled up in knots for weeks, Fallon! And if you want to know the truth, probably longer than that.”
“What…?”
“You intimidate the hell out of me,” he admitted. “You’re beautiful and sexy and so freaking smart and I’m just some loser who wasn’t smart enough to get into any big colleges. I took classes at the community college because it was the only one that accepted me. So if anyone’s feeling inferior here, it’s me.”
She fought the urge to roll her eyes. “This isn’t about academics, Jamie. It’s about sex! You’ve been with a lot of women. Everyone knows that! Meanwhile, I didn’t exactly have guys knocking down my door trying to get me into bed.”
“Then they were fools,” he said roughly. “Once I got my head out of my ass and really looked at you, I realized how much time I wasted. We argued and teased each other for years because I was…intimidated. But as soon as we started spending time alone, I wanted you. Hell, Fallon, I think I’ve always wanted you.”
There was a fluttering in her belly—but the good kind. Pressing herself closer to him, she let her hand move up around the back of his neck. “How about this,” she began, her voice taking on a huskiness she almost didn’t recognize. “Why don’t we both forget about what we knew about each other before—or how we felt about each other and ourselves before—and focus on how we feel right now?”
Her breasts were aching for his touch and she was done talking.
“Because right now, I want to know more about this man standing in front of me. The one who’s been kissing me and touching me and making me ache every night.”
“Sweetheart, you’ve left me aching too.”
Smiling up at him, Fallon took one step back and then another until the back of her legs hit the edge of his bed. “Then let’s do something about that.” Sitting down, she crooked a finger at him.
She was still a little nervous, but anticipation was the stronger feeling. Jamie whipped his shirt off and tossed it aside and she felt like she couldn’t sit still—wanted to be doing something with her hands and mouth and…
“Don’t you worry,” he said, his voice low and rumbly, “we’re about to get to the good stuff. Finally.”
Then he covered her body with his, and Fallon knew this moment was worth the wait.
It was official.
She’d clearly been having sex wrong for like…ever.
What they’d just done—twice—was like sensory overload.
Obviously Jamie only had two hands, but it always felt like he was touching her everywhere at once. His hands, his mouth, his…well…everything. She was breathless and boneless and exhausted in the best possible way.
And beside her, Jamie was still panting.
Yeah…I did that to him, she thought with a satisfied grin.
“Go ahead and gloat,” he said breathlessly. “And if you need the words, you destroyed me.”
Turning her head, her smile grew. “I did need to hear that.”
Laughing, they rolled toward each other and quickly became a tangle of limbs as they got comfortable.
“Holy shit, Fallon, that was…”
“Everything,” she told him. “That was literally everything. I never knew sex could be like that. I never knew it was so all-consuming and wild and fun and…”
“What kind of guys were you sleeping with? Sex should be all those things all the time,” he explained. “Of course, it’s different every time because not everyone likes the same things, but…I don’t know…it should always leave you feeling good.”
“It was always…you know…fine,” she said lamely. “But I never had…you know…a…a, um…”
“An orgasm?”
All she could do was nod.
Hugging her tighter, she didn’t even have to see his face to know he was looking smug.
“And I think I lost count,” he went on. “How many did you have?”
“Shut up.” He had her in too tight of a hold to smack him playfully, and he knew it.
“At last count, I thought it was four. But you know…I’m not the educated one…”
Fallon burst out laughing, and she found this was also something that made this experience so much more. They were laughing. There wasn’t that awkward rolling over and going to sleep because there wasn’t much to say. This was so much more than she ever let herself imagine.
“Who cares about being educated?” she said to him after a moment. “You more than make up for it in so many other ways.” Snuggling closer, she kissed his chest. “And I believe you taught me several things tonight.”
“Oh, yeah? Like what?” he teased.
“Like how many erogenous zones there really are.”
“I love how sensitive you are,” he replied as his hands started to roam again.
“And how sexy some good dirty talk can be.”