Judy Duarte – Triplets Found: The Virgin's Makeover / Take a Chance on Me / And Then There Were Three (страница 21)

He nodded.

She slid him a slow, playful smile. “I stopped by the drugstore that afternoon. Just in case.”

Just in case? Sullivan should have been concerned about her premeditated purchase, since he really hadn’t wanted their relationship to go any further. But right now, in the blood-pumping afterglow of a hungry, insatiable kiss, he was glad to know they had protection at their disposal.

The condom they’d used before had been old. Maybe expired. So even if he had another one left, he wouldn’t feel good about using it. He certainly didn’t want to risk a broken rubber in the midst of passion.

And to be honest, Sullivan was glad that Lissa wanted to make love again, glad that he had the chance to make things right—before any comparisons went into effect.

“So, where’d you stash the condoms?” he asked.

“I hid them between the box spring and the mattress in my room.”

“We’re not making love there.” Not in her parents’ house.

“I didn’t expect us to.” She crossed her arms. “I couldn’t very well carry a box of condoms with me tonight. And I wasn’t sure whether we’d need them or not.”

“We’ll need them.” He ran the knuckles of one hand along her cheek, felt the silky-soft skin he’d marred last time with his afternoon stubble. “While you get the condoms, I’ll shave. I don’t want to leave any marks on you this time.”

“It didn’t hurt,” she said. “And neither did the one you left on my breast.”

He gently tugged at a lock of her hair, then let the silky strands slide through his fingers. “Well, I’ll be careful this time.” Careful to make sure she enjoyed it every bit as much as he did. Even more.

Sullivan took her by the hand and led her to the entrance of the winery, then waited while she turned off the inside lights and locked the door.

As they walked along the roadway, their feet crunched along the pavement, and an owl hooted in the distance. The fertile scent of farmland filled the crisp, nighttime air, and a blanket of stars cast a romantic spell upon the entire vineyard.

Sullivan slowed his steps near a young maple tree, its branches sprinkled with small, twinkling lights. He drew her to a stop.

“Tell me something. Were you planning another seduction?” His lips quirked, casting a crooked grin her way.

“You kissed me first,” she reminded him. “I just wanted to be prepared.”

“And I appreciate your foresight.” He cupped her cheek. “Come on. Let’s make it quick.”

She stood on tiptoes and brushed a kiss across his lips. “Good idea.”

Sullivan sure hoped so.

The only thing that seemed to matter was taking her back to his bed, bringing her unexpected pleasure, making things right. And after she’d cried out with fulfillment, he’d bury himself deep within her.

He wasn’t going to worry about business and ethics until tomorrow, after they’d both been sated. Then, maybe he could get pretty Lissa off his mind for good. A heavy-duty relationship with her wasn’t going anywhere. For more reasons than one.

And she seemed to know that, too.

Sullivan had a well-established and successful consulting business that required him to travel for weeks on end. And Lissa was firmly rooted on the vineyard. It was the perfect setup for infidelity and heartbreak. And he ought to know. He’d seen it happen to his parents, and he’d experienced it firsthand.

It was best to keep things light. Unencumbered. And then he’d be on his way.

They crossed the small bridge and the lawn, but before they reached the steps of her front porch, she paused and said, “I’ll stay inside until I’m sure they’re asleep.”

“Fair enough.” He watched until she disappeared into the muted light of the quiet house. Apparently, she was determined to keep things a secret between them, as she’d said.

He was okay with that. It would make things less complicated when he left.

Taking a deep breath, Sullivan glanced at the crescent-shaped moon. Too bad it wasn’t full. Lissa deserved the best that Sullivan and the night had to offer.

He turned and walked back to the cottage, where he would wait for Lissa to come to him.

Like a virgin in the mist.

An hour later, Lissa slipped out of the darkened house and headed across the lawn, toward the bridge that led to the cottage. She hadn’t wanted her parents to know she was sneaking out to meet Sullivan. Not that she was doing anything wrong. But to be on the safe side, she’d waited until after they’d gone to sleep.

No need to worry them. Or to provoke any questions she didn’t want to answer.

She’d taken off her dress, since she assumed it would end up in a wad on the floor. In its place, she’d slipped on a pair of flannel night shorts and a one-size-fits-all T-shirt. Unfortunately, her shopping spree with Jared hadn’t included a skimpy nightie. And this was the best she could do.

It was chilly outside, so she’d put on a robe. As she neared the cottage, she contemplated running back home and changing her clothes. Surely, she could find something more alluring, more sexy than this.

But knowing her and the insecurities that had been known to plague her, she’d be hard-pressed to find something suitable. And by the time she settled on the proper garment to wear to a tryst, Sullivan would probably be sawing logs.

Soft light poured from the cottage window, as she approached. Rather than knock, she opened the door and let herself in.

Candles flickered on the coffee table. A fire glowed in the hearth, and a sensuous tune played on the stereo—Kenny G, at his best.

Sullivan sat upon the sofa in the cozy living room, wearing a pair of slacks and a lazy smile. No shirt. No shoes. No pretenses.

She flipped a strand of hair behind her ear, a little more nervous than she’d expected.

He stood, then moved toward her and took her hand. “Want to sit by the fire for a while?”

No. She wanted to feel his arms around her, to taste his kiss. But she nodded and let him lead her to the overstuffed sofa.

“Why don’t you take off the robe?” he asked.

She slipped out of the worn chenille housecoat and draped it over the easy chair. Then she took a seat beside him.

He took her hand and held it in his lap. His thumb made a slow circle on her skin, sending a warm rippling tingle along her arm. “We rushed into things last time, and I intend to take it slow this evening.”

How slow? She wasn’t sure whether she could wait patiently, without pouncing on him, trying to revive the heated kiss they’d shared in the winery.

The fire licked the logs on the grate in the hearth, while the sounds of a sexy instrumental filled the air. The ambiance heightened her senses, her sexual awareness. Her anticipation. And she realized Sullivan knew exactly what he was doing, where he was taking her.

The lovemaking had already begun.

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and she looked at him, caught the passion in his gaze.

Then he kissed her. Slow and gentle at first, but deepening the kiss until she thought she’d go wild. Desire nearly consumed her, and she ached to have him inside her, where he belonged—if only until the end of the month.

Somehow, and she wasn’t entirely sure when, she ended up lying on the sofa, with him hovering over her, caressing her, taking her places she’d never been.

Sullivan wrestled with his desire, trying to keep it at bay, while he slowly removed her shirt, baring her breasts for him to caress and kiss. Her nipples had already beaded, and a flush crept over her chest—a sure sign that his efforts to arouse her had been rewarded. But he wouldn’t stop the foreplay yet, wouldn’t press for more.

They made out like a couple of teenagers exploring their sexuality, their bodies’ reactions. And even though Sullivan had a lot of experience, he still found it exciting to learn what pleasured Lissa, to watch the passion glaze her eyes, to hear her whimper.

He used his hands and his mouth to bring her to the precipice of her first climax. And he nearly beat his chest in primal pride when the waves of pleasure took her over the edge.

“Oh, wow,” she said, her eyes wide in awe. “I’ve read about those, but never had any idea it would be so nice.”

“Nice?”

“Much better than nice,” she said, a sated smile curling her lips.

“They’ll only get better,” he said.

“Next time?”

“As the night progresses.”

Sullivan and Lissa made love on the sofa. And on the living-room floor. And finally, sometime before dawn, they found themselves on the bed, in a room lit only by lilac-scented candles Sullivan had found in the linen closet and used to set the mood throughout the house before she’d arrived.

He knew they’d both be wiped out tomorrow, as they tried to focus on the work still left to be done. But tonight he didn’t care.

As they lay amidst rumpled sheets, among the blended scent of their lovemaking and fields of lilac, Sullivan ran a hand along Lissa’s hip, taking time to savor the silky texture of her skin.

Lissa might be new to the world of sex, but she was a fast learner.