Текст книги "A Taste of Summer"

Автор книги: Beverly Preston

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 14 (всего у книги 18 страниц)

She had no idea how long they’d been sitting in silence when she felt his hand close over hers. After a few coursing seconds, Summer gave a double squeeze before bringing the tips of her fingers to his lips.

“You okay, Red?”

“Just a little tired,” she remarked softly, attempting to mask the sound of her lungs moving in an uneven surge. Anticipation and fear strangled the words of admission in her throat. Her heartbeat turned unruly at the thought of having to see the disappointment in his eyes. Risking the chance that he’d never forgive her, robbed her of the courage required to share the scar inflicted on her damaged soul.

Summer exited the plane, unloading the puppy and packages. Assisting her from the aircraft, he suggested, “How bout if I draw us a hot bath?”

Carrie Ann nodded, slipping her arm around his waist. He slung his free hand over her shoulder and they strolled toward the cabin.

Dusk began to take hold, muting the vibrant colors of the setting sun as they disappeared over the horizon. The racing of her heart calmed in its urgency, allowing her to be present in the moment. There was something special, a wistful feeling of nostalgia, about the time of day when the twilight slipped into the darkness and the crickets began their nightly serenade. The damp chilly air made her snuggle closer. She curled her fingers into the seam at the side of his shirt, laying her head on his chest.

Somewhere between the plane and the cabin, her walking came to a halt. She argued silently with her thoughts, words, and apologies, spinning relentless circles in her mind.

Carrie Ann tilted her face upward readying herself for the talk. His lips bowed south, the amber of his eyes still shined bright in the darkening skies. The lashes of her eyes fluttered as she opened her mouth. “Summer…”

Her stomach leaped, feeling his fingers thread through her hair and curve around the sides of her head, cradling her skull. She stiffened from head to toe in surprise when he crushed his lips to hers, kissing her long and hard. Each lick of his tongue and bite of his teeth, an erotic impact on her soul. The seduction, inexorable.

The kiss went on and on until every ounce of tension was stripped from her body. His unquenchable need had nothing to do with lust or sex and everything to do with a passion drenched with adoration. She sagged against his frame, floundering and groping at the flexing surface of his back to keep from crumpling to the ground if her knees gave out.

“Now, I don’t know what’s weighing so heavily on your mind, but whatever’s putting that frown on your face needs to be gone.”

“But…”

“There’s no but, Carrie Ann. I’m gonna haul your ass inside and we’re going to take a hot bath and make love and indulge in a world famous Eskimo Pie…and I can’t promise you exactly what order. But I can promise that by the time I get done with you, your mind is going to be untroubled and that damn notch puckered between your brows is gonna be history. I know you’re concerned about what’s going to happen when we get back to LA. We’ll deal with reality when it gets here tomorrow, but right now we’re going to enjoy this little patch of heaven on earth. No distractions, no deadlines, no scripts, no work, no media, no worries. It’s just you and me.” He paused, cupping a hand into the shape of a C around his ear. “Do you hear that?”

Stretching her neck skyward, Carrie Ann held still and listened. Her bottom lip slipped between her teeth as she shook her head.

“It’s the caramel sauce calling. I’ve kept my hands…and tongue off you all day long.” His palm coasted down her back and over the curve of her ass. The glow of his eyes heated to cognac, gliding his middle finger lower between her cheeks. “Now, I’ve got plans for you tonight and they involve some seriously…intimate moments. Are you good with that?”

“Yes,” she whimpered. She didn’t stand a chance in hell of turning him down. The bravery she’d summoned minutes earlier, lost to the moment. For now.

Curling his hand around her icy fingers, Summer lowered his mouth to the vulnerable curve of her neck. She perched on the tips of her toes, head tilted, encouraging his full exploration. He kissed and nibbled, probing the sensitive area until goosebumps covered the flesh of her arms and a low moan slipped from her parted lips.

“That’s better.” His expression, serious, committed to the evening he’d planned.

Carrie Ann didn’t know how many hours had passed and she really didn’t care. Moonlight shone through the large picture window beside the tub big enough for two, painting a dreamy picture of seduction. Summer took his sweet time with her, undressing and bathing by candlelight. Time stood still as he showered her with affection. His strong hands ran over her body in slick sweeping motions, washing every inch of her. The muted light added a degree of sensuality as her hands sluiced over his masculine form in awe.

Using the seashell scoop tied to the jar, he dipped into the glass jar of Mediterranean Sea salt, laden with geranium flower petals and an aphrodisiac of aromatic oils. He moved from limb to limb, gently exfoliating her entire body, bringing blood to the surface of her skin.

“The jar says it’s supposed to leave your skin smooth as velvet and sweet as sugar. I think I need to test their claims.”

“I think it’s a must. That could be false advertising,” she whispered in a teasing tone.

“Sit back.” The command in his voice nothing more than an ache of a rasp. He arranged her bottom atop several folded towels at the edge of the tub. Pieces of her dark, sodden hair fell over her breasts. She leaned back, resting her weight on the palms of her hands. Desire coiled through her, causing her stomach muscles to quaver in anticipation. Shadows danced across her nude body as Summer moved a candle, adjusting its spotlight of illumination. Wonder gushed from the intensity of his stare. “Spread your legs for me, Red.”

Caught in a trance of the utter perfection kneeling before her, she could barely hear his request. Summer’s tan body, silky and wet, glistened in the flicker of muted light. Her gaze traveled downward from his wide shoulders and tight waist, locking on the long, thick column protruding from the surface of the water.

Far too absorbed in the moment, he didn’t seem to notice her hunger. Summer gripped her inner thighs. His powerful fingers, gentle but adamant, guided each foot on the edge of the tub.

Summer lifted the small ceramic ramekin warming in a larger dish of hot water. His stare fixed on her reaction as he slanted the dish, drizzling the heated caramel over her lips. Carrie Ann’s breath pulled backward in a sharp pleasurable gasp and her hips flinched forward.

He remained captivated by her response, never losing focus, his eyes glued to her face. Feeling another drizzle of the warm sauce, an unruly moan of desire was drawn from her throat, filling the quiet room. Her head circled backward before landing on his glorious face. She got lost in the sight of his rich amber eyes.

Summer’s attention sank to the vision below. His lashes cast a dark crescent shadow on his lean cheek. Leaving ample room between their bodies, he allowed the light to brighten the void, wanting her to witness the pleasure.

“So beautiful. So sweet,” he murmured, blessing her with a glint of a rogue grin. “I’m going to make this a night you’ll never forget.

Visually riveted in the act, she panted, “Every night with you is a night to remember.”

“Tonight’s special.”

The moist heat of his breath made her squirm. Her body began to shift, but he pressed her thighs wide, keeping her still with his powerful grip. With indecent slowness he licked her clit, swollen and throbbing, with the tip of his tongue.

Pressure mounted as he honed in on the spot, flicking the buzzing nub over and over. Sensations of pleasure, plentiful yet still elusive, built up inside her until she’d reached an edge of erotic madness.

“Touch me. Summer. Please.”

A wicked groan drifted upward from between her legs. “No, Red.”

The rise of perception verged on excruciating. Her inner muscles contracted, constricting around the empty void, needing him to fill her. Her body writhed and wriggled, but he refused to let her thrust. “Yes, please, Summer. Touch me.”

“Let it happen, you want this. Tell me you love it.”

A blip of a memory chased through her mind. A night many years ago when he’d nearly brought her to an orgasm with merely the tip of his tongue, but the Big O skirted her release, and when she begged him to make love to her, he gladly obliged, bringing home a Multiple O. However, they’d never discussed it. She considered asking how he remembered the intimate moment, but quickly remembered the confessional box he called his airplane.

“Oh, fuck,” rolled from her lips.

“Not tonight.” His murmur smothered with rueful amusement.

The steady flick controlled her, owned her, and possessed her mind, body, and soul. Her heartbeat slammed so fast she’d thought she might burst from unbridled need. Pressure mounted, her eyes were wet, strung tight with pleasure.

“I love it. Oh, yes. Don’t stop,” she moaned. The muscles of her core convulsed as a wave of tremors wracked her body in voluptuous release.

Scalding minutes of intimacy followed. He consumed her slowly with skillful torture, locking his mouth around the pulsating bud, drawing her into the scorching heat. Her fingers found his head, digging into the short layers, pulling him into her body. Summer refused to submit to her request, clasping her wrists and returning them to the tile. His tongue…his wickedly talented tongue…ripped a scream, a genuine cry of unadulterated ecstasy from her throat. She’d never been so loud in her life.

He unlocked the steamy seam of her flesh with one lick, thrusting his tongue inside. She couldn’t keep quiet. An explosive moan mingled with cries of rapture, and a few curse words, every time he plunged deeper. A fever rush of violent spasms tumbled through her body. The sound of his voice, lost to the loud buzzing in her ear.

It was official…Carrie Ann Lowell was a screamer.

Fever led to pleasure as he made his way up her body, cupping her breast and shaping it between his fingers. She fought to keep her breathing steady. His lips trailed hungry kisses up her chest to her neck, before crushing his mouth to hers. The divine kiss, rough and demanding, was drenched in her essence.

Pleasure led to an overwhelming show of emotions, as he lifted her from the tub and carried her to bed. A burning sensation tickled her nose and wetness gathered at her lower lashes, blurring the soft lighting of his room playing over his strong features.

Brushing away the tears, she glimpsed the foil package between his fingers. He paused, briefly, giving her time to dismiss the contraceptive. She didn’t like it. She didn’t want it. Before she had time to renege, he’d rolled it on and moved over the top of her, falling to the flat of his palms. His eyes glazed over, pushing past her entrance, filling her completely, coaxing a moan of gratification from her.

All movement stopped.

Summer stared down at her in an intuitive trance.

“What?” she asked in a sweet whisper. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You said…things…to me during the flight here.” He withdrew and plunged forward, holding himself deep as he dropped to his forearms. “Things I’d like to hear you’d say again.”

Her bottom lip caught between her teeth. A timid smile ticked the edges of her mouth. The lids of her eyes feathered shut as she turned away from his gaze. Searching for a little bravado, she offered a silent prayer to the dirty-talker gods.

Keeping a straight face, she managed in a sultry tone, “Fuck me.”

A giggle slipped out. It was a pathetic attempt and she knew it.

Summer retreated and thrust forward again, making her gasp. He nuzzled his nose along the side of her jaw, brushing a kiss to her lips. “Think…deeper, Red.”

Stalling, she twisted, placing a kiss to his wrist beside her head. Not one to fail, she eased her back off the bed, stretching to draw the lobe of his ear into her mouth, growling in his ear, “I want to feel your cock deep inside of me.”

His profile averted, hiding a big smile. A shaky laugh reverberating through his body as he gently settled the bulk of his weight on top of her. A crimson hue chased across the crest of his cheeks.

Ryan Summer actually blushed.

Propped on one elbow, he laid his hand above her heart, drumming lightly. “Deeper…in here.”

A warm sensation spread through her. She could scarcely breathe. Her fingers keyed up his chest and neck covered in a thin mist of perspiration. Carrie Ann cupped his face in her palms, pausing to take in his handsome face.

Emotions tugged on the protective cord wrapped around her guarded heart, unraveling the binds. She surrendered to the sweet ache that had filled her soul for ten long years.

Carrie Ann let go, falling hard.

No parachute needed.

“I love you, Summer.”

“I love you, Red. I never stopped loving you…and I never will.”

*

The sweet scents of love and Eskimo Pie clung to the sheets when the early afternoon sunshine peeked out from the clouds and broke through the window. Her dark hair splayed across his pillow, their heads nearly touching as she snuggled tightly against his warm body.

Summer’s fingertips traced an idle pattern over her bare hip. “Morning, beautiful.”

“Morning, handsome.” They’d expressed their love a dozen times during the night, worshiping one another until dawn, but she couldn’t help but to say it again. “I love you.”

“Love you, too.” His lips brushed along her temple. “It’s already late. I can’t believe we slept this long.”

The flat of her hand wandered across his bare chest and stomach, admiring the firm dips. “I think it was all the sugar in the caramel sauce.”

“There’s still a little left.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me. That’s impossible.”

“Actually, I am kidding.” She felt his grin against her cheek. Summer pushed himself upright and climbed out of bed naked. “I’ll take that sugar high anytime.”

Rolling to her belly, she propped her chin atop her fists. Raking a hungry stare over his glorious body flying at full staff, Carrie pouted a little. “Are you sure it’s all gone?”

Turning back, his eyes followed her gaze. He fisted the hard sprung length and stroked. “Is this what you want?”

Her chin lifted expectantly and her feet waggled back and forth. She licked her lips. “Yes.”

“This?” he questioned again with another full stroke, flashing her a cocky smile.

“Yes.”

A filthy chuckle filtered through the room. “You’ll have to wait until we get home. We should’ve been in the air two hours ago and I need to button up a few things so we can get going.”

The warning of departure flipped her internal panic button. Tremors quivered down her entire frame.

Digital detox was coming to an end and the confessional clock was still ticking.

“Okay.”

Summer’s voice woke Aspen from her slumber as she laid sprawled out in a ray of sunshine. She staggered from her dog bed, arching into a quick full body shiver, before tromping after him into the closet.

*

“Why are you pouring anti-freeze down the sink?” A severe case of nerves forced a stark tone to her voice.

He laughed tracing his index finger over the notch of confusion tucked between her brows. “We haven’t talked schedules yet, so I’m not sure when we’ll make it back here. I’m hoping soon, but it is Montana and if it freezes, I don’t want to come home to a flood.”

“Gotcha,” she nodded, adding, “Soon is good.”

“I’ve been trying to get John and Shayla up here with the boys, but timing hasn’t worked out yet. Plus I think she’s afraid to fly with me.”

“I can’t imagine how much fun those boys would have up here,” she paused. “Do you hang out with them very often? Shayla’s never said anything.”

“That’s because she’s sworn to the borders of Switzerland, but yes, we’ve hung out a few times. John and I get along really well, now that he understands I’m not out to get his woman.”

An insightful chuckle simmered in her chest. “He’s just…a little protective.”

“Yeah, I’ll say.” Summer’s eyes pulled wide. “Can’t say I blame him. I wanted to rip that realtor, Jason, in half. He’s got some explaining to do.” Though she heard the distinct harsh warning, Carrie Ann was only half-listening to him talk. She opened her mouth to talk, but she only managed a swift inhale before Summer continued. “The cabin’s all squared away. I’ll start loading the plane, if you want to pack up your things, we’ll take off. You can leave whatever you won’t be using at home…hiking shoes, sweats, jackets. Whatever you want. Next time we come, we’ll go shopping for whatever you need.”

A genuine heart stopping smile eased into the tiny wrinkles near his eyes. He tossed the empty jug of antifreeze in the garbage, tied the red drawstrings into a knot, and lifted the trash from the container.

She couldn’t breathe.

Carrie Ann could only watch as Summer walked outside.

A cold ache gripped her insides. She felt weak and pathetic for putting it off as long as she had. Her heart raced unable to shake the feelings of betrayal.

Out of time and slowly losing her mind, she threw her suitcase on top of the ottoman, cramming her things inside. Aspen sat at her heels, listening to Carrie Ann go off on a tangent, mumbling under her breath.

Stomping into the bathroom, she unzipped her overnight case and began haphazardly tossing in her creams, washes, brushes.

“Fuck! Fuckity-fuck.” The bag was nearly full, yet half of her things still sat on the counter. She shoved her hands into the case, taking items out one at a time and slamming them on the counter, roughly reorganizing.

Reaching the bottom, she pulled out several bottles of nail polish. Her lip twitched. She sniffed. “We didn’t even get to these.”

Catching sight of her sullen reflection in the mirror, Carrie Ann’s chin trembled. And then crumpled. Big tears rolled down her cheek and fell into the sink. Splatters of black mascara ran down the white porcelain.

“You are a chicken shit…wussy…using Eskimo fucking pie as a feeble excuse to let him sidetrack you. It was a cop out. That’s what it was…a damn cop out,” she scolded herself sourly, ranting as she stared at the pitiful reflection. Glimpsing downward through a slick of wetness, her thumb etched over the raised lettering on the small glass bottles of red and pink enamel.

Desperate times lead to desperate measures.

“One more day. I just need one more day.”

Carrie Ann splashed water on her face, removing any signs of her meltdown. Digging through her luggage, she rummaged through the zipped mesh section holding her lacy delicates. Pulling out all the stops, she chose her favorite go-to one-piece teddy. The black racy number made her feel sexy and confident. She’d worn it more than a dozen times, typically when she needed to feel fearless during a boardroom meeting, but never for a man.

Sitting in the chair beside the fireplace, she waited patiently for Summer to come back inside. He bound through the door, heading for his bedroom as he called out for her, “Red? Is your suitcase ready?”

“No,” she replied softly, just loud enough to let him know she was in the living room. Butterflies tickled her tummy and her pulse raced like a stampede of wild buffalo.

“Plane’s all ready to go. Do you need…” He skidded to a halt, words cut short getting a glimpse of her bare legs stretched out on the ottoman. An intrigued smile tucked into the corner of his mouth as he lowered his sunglasses to the bridge of his nose.

A timid grin spread over her face. Courage, Carrie Ann. Courage. Squaring her shoulders, she pushed herself from the chair.

“We have some unfinished business to attend to.”

“Fuck me.” She heard him murmur his own version of Holy shit! “I guess we do.”

Utterly speechless, he moseyed toward her. She shook her head no, eyes squinted in a sensual mock grin, indicting he should take a seat.

Hands behind her back, her hips swished from side-to-side, slinking toward him wearing the black racy teddy. Tendrils of long dark hair fell over the lace covering her breasts. Summer eased back into the sofa. Denim stretched over his solid thighs as she stood between his parted legs.

Her blue eyes burned into his for a full ten seconds, watching a hard swallow ripple down his throat. Raising onto her tiptoes, she turned around, revealing the back of her barely there Brazilian-cut bottom. Carrie Ann heard his breath hitch, which flooded her with an added dose of bravery.

Shoulders squared, back arched, and bum on full display, she opened her closed fist, taunting him in a luscious voice over her shoulder, “What’s it gonna be, Summer? Come Fuck Me Red or Eat My Pussy Pink?”

Hearing the crinkle of leather move beneath his body as he inched forward, sent her pulse into overdrive. Standing completely motionless, Carrie Ann worked to steady her heavy breathing, worried she might hyperventilate waiting to feel his touch.

The heat of his breath, fanned over a hip causing goosebumps to skitter down her leg. “My, God. You are so beautiful, Red.”

Her shoulders sagged a bit feeling his hands begin to traverse over her curves in awe. Carrie Ann remained still, reveling in his touch. He roamed over her body, pressing and coasting, laying a trail of kisses over the lace covering the small of her back.

“Carrie Ann Lowell, you have a gift for surprising me. I am so in love with you. Do you have any idea what I’m going to do to you when we get home?” The sound of his voice near her ear was pure sin.

“Red and pink zebra stripes?” Her whimper weighted with anxiousness. “Polka dots?”

Using one hand, he latched his fingers over both her wrists. Summer raised to his feet. His free hand threaded through her hair, sifting from her nape to the crown of her head. In a delicious display of control, he pulled firmly at the roots, maneuvering her head to the side. A lustful growl skated over her exposed neck. He indulged in a few nibbles before sinking a long gentle bite into the dip between neck and shoulder, drawing a low moan from her throat.

“By the time I get the pink base coat on, you’re going to beg me for the red polka dots.” He spun her to face him. “Where would you like to sit? I should warn you…you might want to pick a very comfortable position, because by the time I finish with you, my little screamer, you’re going to be hoarse and worn the fuck out.”

Blush tinged her cheeks, she couldn’t suppress a nervous giggle. Praying for her knees to hold out, she taunted brazenly, “Bring. It. On.”

His long, powerful legs bracketed her thighs, urging her backward until she bumped into the chair. She started to stumble backward, but he looped an arm behind her, forcing an arch in the small of her back.

“Hold these for a minute, please.” A low laugh rumbled in his chest, tucking a bottle into each cup of her teddy before dropping to his knees. The man’s ravenous appetite verged on insatiable. His immediate advances surprised her a little. Summer usually saved this part for the end.

Dragging her fingers through the full head of cropped blond hair wedged between her thighs, she asked in wonderment, “How much…” Her mouth clamped shut, awkwardly gesturing toward her nether regions.

“Pussy?”

“Can one man…”

His brows raised comically at her discomfiture. “Eat?”

Blushing fiercely, she nodded.

Summer attempted to act contrite, but it was no use. An obnoxiously cocky grin tipped the corners of his mouth. “I could eat copious amounts of your pussy.” He didn’t stop there, he latched onto her hips, settling her into the chair, moving his face inches from hers. “I could eat your pussy every day for the rest of my life…forever.”

Somewhere tucked between the P word and forever laid a momentous shift in the gravity. An enormity of significance she hadn’t quite prepared for. The profound sentiment turned his eyes the color of liquid gold. She cupped his jaw, pulling him in for a passionate, long lasting kiss.

“Forever, Red. That’s what I want,” he assured beneath her lips. “And don’t think for one minute I’ll take anything less. Not now.”

Summer sat back on his haunches. As his hands coasted down her left leg, lifting her foot to inspect the intimate work at hand, all she could think was I hope he still feels that way tomorrow.