“You’re so fucking tight,” he muttered between kisses. “You haven’t had a man take care of you for a long time, have you honey?”
She squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to admit exactly how long it had been. “No, I haven’t.”
He hooked an arm around one of her legs and drew it up, opening her wider, pounding into her in the best possible way, driving her higher, into a crescendo of passion, again and again and again.
“Tell me how it feels.”
“Feels so good.” She was barely aware of speaking, let alone what the words were. “Feels like I can hardly take it anymore. Feels like I’m gonna go crazy if I don’t come soon. Please, Jack, I’m so close. So close.”
“I know you are, baby.” His voice was gravelly. “I’m right with you.”
Her eyes flew open as his mouth contorted in a grimace, the lines of his neck deeply pronounced. The sight of him, that big, strong man, craving relief but desperate to get her there first, was all it took to send her crashing headlong into orgasm, shuddering and trembling and calling his name.
“Thank fuck,” he grunted. “Keep coming, baby, I got you.” And then he muffled a litany of swearwords in the crook of her shoulder as he finally allowed himself to claim his own pleasure.
19
Whoa.
Jack felt wrung out. Wonderfully, blissfully spent. Rising up on his elbows, he dropped a kiss on the tip of Brooke’s nose. Her lips curved up at the edges, and he smiled back. He hadn’t expected this when he chased after her earlier, but he had no regrets.
“Wow,” he said, kissing her once more, then rolling off to lie on his back beside her, their shoulders touching. “That was really fucking amazing.”
She giggle-snorted, then hid her face in her palms. “Better than when Luke blew up the death star.”
A laugh burst from his chest. Damn, it felt good to laugh with a woman, and to enjoy himself without worrying whether she was judging him and finding him wanting. Brooke definitely hadn’t found anything lacking when it came to his performance in bed, he was certain of it.
“No matter how many layers I peel back, I’m just going to find more nerd, aren’t I?”
“Yep,” she said proudly. “All the way to the core, and I’m not sorry for it.”
“Nor should you be.”
They lay side by side in companionable silence. He reached between them and gripped her hand, thinking once again about how he’d gotten her all wrong. Thank God she was patient enough to give him a chance—although he got the feeling he wouldn’t get another.
Somewhere on the floor, his phone vibrated. He glanced at the clock. His afternoon cruise would depart in an hour. He needed to get going. Sitting up, he squeezed Brooke’s hand, then released it.
“I have a cruise. I’ve got to go.”
Her face fell, and he belatedly realized his words sounded like a brush-off. Jeez, it had been too damn long since he’d been in a relationship. He was messing it all up.
“You should come over to my place later,” he said, pleased when her smile returned. “If you want to, I mean.” He hesitated, then decided to go all in. “If you’re comfortable with it, you should bring an overnight bag.” He kissed her again, then lingered, nuzzling the side of her neck. “I’d love for you to stay.”
Indecision flickered in her clear blue eyes, but then she nodded. “I’ll be there, and I’ll bring dinner.”
“I can’t wait.”
Could this afternoon get any better?
Brooke grinned at the ceiling as the door closed behind Jack. Her entire body tingled from the marvelous things he’d done to her. Dear God, the man knew how to use his hands. And his mouth. Sitting up, she fanned herself. Was it hot in here, or was it just her?
She stood on wobbly legs and teetered over to find a bra, panties, and her most flattering summer dress. The one that made her skin look radiant rather than washed out. Then she opened the curtains, unlatched the window, and breathed in a lungful of fresh air.
Life was good. She’d had her mind blown in the most sensual of ways, she was feeling stronger than ever, and someone was willing to pay for her to go to Everest. Sighing contentedly, she crossed to the mirror and smiled at her reflection, wanting to see if the effects of the day were visible. It might be her imagination, but she thought she glowed. She grabbed a tube of pink lip gloss from her purse and swiped it on. Even better.
She slipped on a pair of sandals and strolled out into the hallway, where she came face to face with Kat, who was heading up the hall, carrying a wrench.
“Kia ora,” Kat said, stopping. “Something good happened. You’re grinning like you won the lotto. Does it have anything to do with the fact you had Jack alone in your room?”
Brooke blinked, wondering how she’d known. “Betty.”
Kat nodded. “Betty sees all, and what she sees, she shares. So?”
Glancing furtively around to make sure Betty wasn’t in earshot, Brooke tugged Kat into her room, lowered her voice and said, “I’m only telling you this because you’re my best friend. No one else needs to know.” She wasn’t sure if she and Jack were an item now, and she wanted to have that conversation with him before anything got churned through the rumor mill. “We had sex. It was epic. Ah-maz-ing.” She sighed rapturously at the memory. “That man… the things he can do…”
Kat held up her hands as if to ward her off. “Please spare me the details, chick. There are some things I don’t need to know about my friends. But I’m happy that you’re happy.”
“I am happy,” she agreed. “It’s been a wonderful day. Earlier, I was at the gym, and I got a call from this guy whose daughter reads my blog. He wants to sponsor my trip to Everest.”
“Tino pai! That’s amazing.” They high-fived. “And don’t think I didn’t notice how you mentioned the gym, all casual-like.” She beamed at Brooke. “Everything is really coming together for you.”
“I know. I can hardly believe it.”
“So, when are you seeing Jack again?”
“He invited me over tonight. To stay.”
Kat’s jaw dropped an inch. “That’s very un-Jack. He must really like you.”
Brooke’s stomach fluttered, like kittens with pitter-pattering little paws were scampering around in it. She fought the urge to pump her fist or wave her arms above her head in victory.
“You think?”
Kat’s jaw snapped shut and she grinned. “Yeah, I do. Who wouldn’t love you? You’re a great person. And tonight, you should go over there and be a total hussy. Enjoy yourself. You’ve earned a bit of fun.”
“You know what? I think I will.” It was a pity it was so late in the day or she’d have made a trip to the next town over to stock up on gorgeous lingerie. Her current supply was pretty limited. As in, she owned one thong and a couple of bras that used to be nice. Truth was, she hadn’t been with a guy since her first year of university—the year she’d actually been well enough to spend on campus, away from her hovering parents.