Page 14 of One Night Stand After Another
Keeping his cheek pressed to her belly, he tilted his head to look up. “Unless you’re changing your mind? Tell me now. It’s perfectly fine, but I’m about a minute away from getting very basic. So, if you change your mind later, you might have to talk loud and use small words.”
She could barely breathe. “Not changing my mind.”
“Good.” He stood so fast, she stumbled, but he caught her, turned and lifted her, laying her back on the bed. He followed her down, kissing and nibbling a trail from her neck to her hip until his shoulders were between her thighs and she felt his breath on her center.
Oh God, this was fast. She wasn’t changing her mind, but his face was inches from her most intimate parts, and she was having some thoughts…not second thoughts, exactly, but thoughts. She wanted this, but it was so far out of her comfort zone, it felt like an out-of-body experience.
His hands stroked her thighs—her very tense thighs—and he frowned, looking up.
“Just one night, right?” she asked, needing to make sure. “Then we never see each other again?”
Slowly, he nodded, his crystal gaze dark.
One night couldn’t hurt anything. She was an adult. They were being physically responsible. She wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anyone. So why was her breath coming in short, sharp, panicked gasps? She’d barely been able to breathe since she’d seen him. Should that worry her?
“And you feel it, too?” she managed to ask in nearly clear words.
He heaved himself up onto the bed and enfolded her in a hug. “Insane, brain-frying lust?Yes… Which is why I’m rushing the hell out of you. I’m so sorry, Clara.” Sincerity rang in his voice, striking an echo in her heart. “I’d be happy holding you just like this all night.”
The tight band around her throat eased, allowing air into her lungs.
“I mean, I’d be happy fucking you, too. But this is pretty great.” His hands caressed her curves, soothing her, fitting them together. He chuckled, sounding rueful.
“I’m not changing my mind, Zane. I just need a minute.”
“Take all the time you need. I’m an impatient asshole sometimes, and you go straight to my head.” His chest rose under her head, and he released a slow breath. Then he cleared his throat. “I should probably tell you that I’ve dreamed about you for years. The expression on your face that night still haunts me, and part of me thought the best way to make you forget would be the direct application of my tongue, but when my brain isn’t being short-circuited by my dick, I do know better.” He flipped the comforter up, cocooning them. “Better, right?”
Her sudden attack of nerves was melting beneath their combined heat and his confession. “I want you, but I can’t control all of my emotions. That night has haunted me, too.”
“I get it.” He shifted so he could look at her. “You have no reason to trust me. I haven’t earned it.”
But that was always the strange thing. She felt like shecouldtrust him. She always had. With his admission that he’d been trying to rescue her from the responsibility for her actions that night, she felt like her faith in him was warranted—or at least it had been back then. She didn’t know him now, but the chemistry between them was stronger than ever.
She moved so that their bodies were perfectly aligned, her arm over his broad chest, her thigh resting lightly on top of his. Her head was pillowed on his firm shoulder, and his hands continued to stroke and soothe. Zane Brampton might be a mistake, but he felt amazing. And clothed, very clothed.
He shifted, pulling her a little more on top of him, which gave her an idea. She couldn’t unknot his tie one-handed, but she could definitely unbutton his shirt.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t feel comfortable with you.” She smiled into the sweet heat of his gaze and slowly released three buttons from their holes. She slipped her hand into his shirt and palmed warm skin. “But I’d be more comfortable if you were naked.”
“I’d like that.” He untangled himself from her, rose up onto his knees on the bed, and yanked the covers down.
“Roll,” he commanded, helping her make her way across the bed and under the covers. He’d discarded his suit coat when they walked into his apartment. Now he unbuttoned his cuffs and shrugged his shirt and tie off. He unbuckled his belt, kicked off his shoes and socks, and worked his way out of his pants. His boxer briefs revealed that he wasn’t having second thoughts at all, and heat surged through her again.I want him. I’ve always wanted him, even before I knew what it meant.
She knew now, and she was going to enjoy it.
For one night.
She made a hurry-up gesture, and he flashed a grin, shoving his briefs to the floor and climbing under the covers with her. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her body half on top of him. His frame was solid, his skin soft, and his body padded with hard muscle. Her thigh slid between his legs, and her arm circled his chest. Her head was pillowed on his shoulder, and it was so easy and comfortable that it felt like they’d done this dozens of times, intimately fit their parts together into a whole.
“This is so good,” he groaned, pulling her even tighter. “Warm and soft. Amazing.” He stroked her hair, her side, her thigh, everything he could reach. She felt cherished. And hot. And very empty.
“Condoms within reach?” she asked casually.
“I am down with whatever makes you happy.” He leaned away from her and grabbed the brown bag from the floor. He opened it, extracted a condom and held it up.
“Would you mind putting that on?”
His gaze flamed. He ripped the plastic packet.
