Chapter Four

Carrie wasn’t sure what she was doing. This evening had started out merely as her helping out her twin, having an adventure, but now all she could think about was experiencing Rick. Him kissing her again, touching her in all the places that tingled. Her finding relief only he could provide. She’d gone so long without feeling desirable that Rick’s attention had her begging for anything he was willing to give.

She would live on the edge for this one night then return to her simple, safe life with wonderful memories of being wanted and he would never know the difference.

Rick took both her hands and backed out of the bathroom bringing her with him until he was in the middle of the bedroom. He kissed her tenderly. “Tonight it is.”

Pushing her dress off one shoulder, Rick let it fall down her arm. All but the tip of her breast was bared. Rick ran his index finger across her skin following the line of the dress.

Carrie shivered. Her nipples tightened as they pushed against the fabric as if reaching for him. The pad of his thumb brushed over her. Heat shot to her center and pooled low. She sucked in a breath, gripped his forearms fearing her knees might buckle.

Rick gave her dress a gentle tug exposing her completely. The warm wetness of his mouth found her nipple. Her hand went to his head, fingers brushing through his hair. She trembled as his tongue curled, tugged and slowly released her.

“Sweet, so sweet,” he murmured.

She’d been loved before but she felt more emotion from that one simple statement than she’d experienced during an entire sex act. Her ex had been very vanilla about anything that had to do with sex, subtly accusing her of not being exciting enough.

“I need more.” Rick ran his hand along her other shoulder removing her dress so that the top gathered at her waist.

“Beautiful,” he said in a husky voice as his hand lifted one breast. Skimming his fingertips along the underside, he left it and moved his attention to the other one.

Carrie watched as his eyes praised her, while his hands slid under her arms and followed her curves to her hips.

She couldn’t remember ever being this exposed, vulnerable to a man. Why Rick? So soon? Now? When she’d decided to have an adventure she hadn’t intend for it to go this far, but there was no stopping now. She didn’t want to.

“My turn.” She pulled his shirt free of his pants and removed the top few studs before pushing his shirt away enough to see his chest. Resting her hands on him, she teased the dusting of hair there. His skin rippled beneath her palms

Wrapping his arms around her waist, Rick pulled her close and kissed her. He backed to the bed, taking her with him. Reaching it, he sat, bringing her between his legs. His hands went to the zipper at her back. He had difficulty opening it, and Carrie assisted him. The dress fell away, leaving her in nothing but pale pink bikini panties.

He ran a finger along the elastic band at her hip line before his gaze rose. “You’re…gorgeous.”

For once in her life, she believed it.

Rick kissed her belly.

Her skin tingled in reaction and her legs wobbled. Gaining control, Carrie said, “I wasn’t done. Stand up.” Who was this outspoken person she had become, making demands on a partner? She’d always gone along, never saying what she wanted. He’d somehow made her comfortable enough to do so. That alone made him special.

With eyes dark as night and a slight quirk to his mouth, he obeyed. When his hands came up to touch her, she pushed them away. “No distractions.”

Rick’s head dipped to one side as he chuckled softly. In a teasing tone he said, “Me? Distract you?”

She gave him a meaningful look. “You know you do.”

He grinned but let his arms fall back to his sides. Hers went to the waistband of his pants. His manhood stood tall and ridged beneath. A present well worth opening. She released the hook and slowly pulled down the zipper. His pants fell off his narrow hips to his feet. All that remained was his red plaid boxers. The thin material left little to the imagination of what was behind.

She pushed at his shoulders. “Sit. I need to take off your shoes.”

“You’re a demanding woman.”

Was she being too aggressive? Was she not being feminine enough? Her insecurity took hold.

Rick must have sensed it because he said, “And I like it.”

She smiled and gave him a nudge backwards. He sat, and she went to her knees to removed his shoes and socks then pulled his pants away. Done, Carrie looked at him.

He smiled and brushed the hair that had come loose away from her face before his fingers circled her forearms and pulled her upwards. Unhurriedly laying back on the bed, he brought her down over him. Her breasts, already weighty with anticipation, brushed his chest. Her center throbbed like a drum, taking on a tribal beat.

Rick made a hissing sound before his mouth took hers. His hands touched everywhere before they settled at her waist and circled it. He brought her tight against him. Carrie had never felt anything more divine or right, confident this was what she had been missing. Rolling her to the side, Rick hovered over her. His length nudged her center. The only things preventing them from touching intimately was the thin fabric between them.

As their kisses heated and his demand rose, one of his hands ran over her belly and slipped beneath her panties to tangle in her curls. Her core ached, begging her to find relief. She squirmed, then lifted her hips in invitation.

Rick teased the skin along the line of her underwear once more before he finally slid his hand beneath the band again. Carrie’s legs parted slightly. The blazing need for his touch had her tense with longing. She didn’t have to ask before he slid a finger into her. She bucked, then shuddered. When he pulled out, she whimpered. She wanted, needed more.

Rick stopped kissing her and she opened her eyes. His gaze captured hers. “Is this what you want?” He slowly slipped his finger in.

She nodded, her look never leaving him.

He pulled out again. She wiggled her hips, her eyes imploring him to touch her. A low self-satisfied chuckle came from Rick. He pushed in once more. “You like that, don’t you?”

“Oh, yes.”

He pulsed his finger a couple of times before he removed it. She made a sound of protest. “Panties have to go.” Rick was already pushing them down her thighs.

Carrie kicked them off. Coming up on an elbow she shoved at his boxers. He quickly stood turning his back to her. She watched as he let his underwear fall to the floor. She only had seconds to admire his broad muscular shoulders that tapered to a slim waist above a firm, taut butt before he turned to face her. She sucked in a breath. His manhood stood large and steady, ready for her.

Rick only allowed her seconds to appreciate the view before he returned to kissing her, wasting no time before his hand cupped her center and his finger entered her again. Their tongues mimicked the movement of his digit, making the spring of passion tighten into itself within her. His mouth left hers long enough to kiss along her jawline and nuzzle behind her ear but soon he returned to her lips.

The spring had turned red hot, wound tight. Begging for release. She gripped his back, then flung her hands out to clutch the bed covers. With an upward thrust of her hips, the tension popped. She shouted her pleasure and flew into the land of pure bliss. There she floated, content.

She hardly registered Rick moving away from her. Seconds later there was a tearing sound. Opening her eyes a slit, she watched him cover himself. He was so magnificent it almost took her breath. All that vastness would be hers. Her confidence soared. He found her that desirable, special. A sensation lacking in her love life for far too long.

The bed dipped as Rick returned to her. His hand traveled over her middle and moved up to cup a breast. Her heart did a little dance.

“You’re so incredible. I wish I had the patience to tell you how much, but that must wait. Right now, all I can think of is being in you.”

This was what it felt like to be desired. Cotton candy sweet and blanket warm. Carrie opened her arms and pulled him to her. “I want that too.”

His mouth found hers as he covered her, easing his hips between her legs. She shifted until the tip of his manhood caressed her center. Gradually he entered, as if he was absorbing every nuance of her. Or was he doing it for her? Whatever the reason, Carrie would base all future lovemaking on this one tender, divine moment.

Her body accepted him. Taking all of him. Need grew, swirled within her as Rick slowly pushed and pulled, each time going deeper, staying longer. Squirming, she encouraged him to give her more but he maintained control. Her legs circled his hips. She flexed forward, squeezed him tight and brought him to her. Rick groaned low in his throat.

As if his restraints had been broken, he thrust hard and increased the tempo to a fanatic pace. Carrie climbed the ladder of passion until she fell over into oblivion.

Rick made a final shove and called, “Cathieeee.”

Laying spread eagle across the bed, Rick waited for his heart rate to return to normal. Never had he had such a release. His blood still buzzed. The only blip in the earth-shattering moments had been Cathie’s stiffing beneath him then the gentle push to his shoulder before she pulled the sheet around her and escaped to the bathroom. Was she regretting what they had done?

If he was a lesser man he might believe he had disappointed her but he’d made sure she’d found her pleasure before he had taken his. Was she embarrassed by what they had done? It had been the hottest sexual experience he’d ever had. He refused to let her hide from him.

She could have a few minutes before he would persuade her to open the door, take her into his arms and kiss her until he’d convinced her that what they’d shared was beyond words and not something to regret or be ashamed of. Even now he could hardly think of anything but having her again.

The bathroom door opened. Thank goodness, he didn’t have to storm the castle. Cathie stepped out still wrapped in the sheet. She looked everywhere but at him.

He rolled to his side, pulling the cover over the lower half of his body. Propping up on his arm, he watched her. With his other hand, he patted the bed and said in a gentle tone, “Come sit beside me.”

She hesitated. He feared she might not do it. He wouldn’t have thought Cathie would need reassurance but he really didn’t know her that well. He kind of liked this softer, less worldly side of her. Slowly she made her way toward him, sinking to the edge of the mattress. He gave her back a long reassuring stroke. “You know you’re amazing.”

Dipping her head, she gave him a shy look. “You weren’t half bad yourself.”

“Thank you. I can always use a vote of confidence.” He continued to caress her back. The tension in her shoulders was visibly easing.

“I wouldn’t think a man with your skills would need an ego boost.” Her eyes brightened. Whatever was bothering her before must be gone.

He raised a shoulder. “Hey, every man likes for his skills to be appreciated.”

She smiled. “I appreciated them. I thought that was evident.”

His heart tipped at the memory of her loud expression of her pleasure. Even now he was hardening with the idea of hearing it again. He grinned. “Come to think of it, you did. A couple of times.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

He produced his best wicked look as his hand went to the back of her neck and pulled her mouth toward his. “It already is.”

This time their lovemaking was slow and gentle, none of the hurried frenzy of earlier. When they were finished, Cathie curled up beside him and fell asleep.

What was he doing? He didn’t let women spend the night. This connection between them was scary. He’d never been this instantly enamored with a woman. But he’d been deceived by Lauren, and had no intention of letting anyone do that to him again. He’d be happy with one night of pleasure. It was safer that way.