Tempting

moved slowly, explored thoroughly, circling and licking, pausing until she wanted to scream, then going just a little faster.

He made love to her like a man who enjoyed what he was doing, which made her want him more.

Pleasure shot through her. As he continued the easy pressure, the bottoms of her feet began to burn. She pulsed her hips in time with his movements, urging him on.

More, she thought through a veil of passion. She needed more. But he seemed in no hurry to finish things up. He continued to tease her with his tongue, barely increasing his speed. Her muscles tensed in anticipation of an orgasm that still seemed so far away. She reached for her release, straining, wanting, but it wasn't time.

He went on and on, driving her crazy in the best way possible. Ribbons of pleasure wove their way through her body. Her skin was tight and sensitive, her breasts ached. Inch by inch she got closer and closer still. So close that coming seemed inevitable and yet she hung there, just shy of the edge, desperate to fall.

'Alex,' she breathed. Do something!

But she didn't say it. The journey was too exquisite.

He shifted slightly and she felt him slide a finger inside of her. At the same time he sucked on her very center while flicking her with his tongue.

Her release exploded like thunder. One second there was only expectation, the next her entire body was lost in sensations so intense, she thought she might never find her way back.

She cried out, then gasped for breath. She writhed beneath him as he touched her perfectly until the very last ounce of pleasure had flowed from her body.

Dani couldn't move. She might never move again, which wasn't a bad thing. Not if she could experience something like that a second time.

He pushed himself into a kneeling position and reached for a condom. After slipping it on, he eased inside of her, filling her, stretching her, making her quiver. Then he slipped his hand between them and slowly rubbed her.

She opened her mouth to tell him he didn't have to bother. She'd already had her fun. Besides, she would be too sensitive.

But there was something about the gentle touch of his fingers that was surprisingly erotic. Before she could get out the words, she found herself eager for more of what he was doing.

He stayed where he was, inside of her and touching her. He was barely moving, but there was just enough friction to get her attention. Back and forth, back and forth, little pulses that teased. She wanted more.

So when he pushed in, she pushed down, drawing him all the way inside of her. His eyes dilated, his body stiffened. The fingers rubbing her fumbled slightly.

She smiled. 'Better.'

'I want you to come again. If I get going too soon…'

She was already halfway there. 'I think we should be able to time it right.' She was still sensitive from her recent orgasm. He'd pushed her close; it wouldn't take much to get her over the edge once more.

'I want you inside of me for real,' she told him. 'Stop playing.'

He shifted onto his knees and braced himself over her. Then, as he stared into her eyes, he took her at her word and got serious.

He filled her hard and fast, pushing into her with an intensity that made her nerve endings want to sigh. The sensation of being taken was nearly as exciting as it was arousing. She wrapped her legs around his hips, pulling him in closer, holding him in place. He lowered his head and kissed her.

Pressure built inside of her. The deep thrusts shoved her closer to another release. She tried to hold back, to enjoy what he was doing for as long as possible, then she felt him stiffen. He broke the kiss.

'I can't hold back,' he said through gritted teeth.

'Good.'

He pushed in once more, then groaned. She felt the first shudder claim him and it was enough to send her over the edge. She clung to him as her second orgasm swept through her. She gasped, she might have screamed. Honestly, she didn't care one way or the other. The man deserved a scream or two after what he'd done.

Seconds, or maybe minutes, later, Alex rolled onto his side. He touched her face, tucked her hair behind her ear, then kissed her. Then he started to laugh.

'What?' she asked.

'I forgot to have you tie me up. Remember? It was supposed to make you feel safer and more in charge.'

Oh, yeah. She'd been worried about trusting another man. 'I guess we can let that go.'

Humor brightened his eyes. 'But I was looking forward to trying something new.'

'Next time,' she promised, wondering if he was really as amazing as he seemed and hoping that he was.

Dani figured she caught her breath sometime close to one in the morning. They'd left the fire going, giving Alex's bedroom a soft glow. She lay curled up against him, her head on his shoulder in a classic postsex pose.

'You okay?' he asked as he stroked her back. 'You've been quiet.'

'I'm basking in contentment.'

'Basking is good.'

'Better than good,' she said, remembering how he'd made her tremble and shudder and scream. Again.

'For me, too.'

So she could add chemistry to the plus side of the list, she thought. The complications of that chemistry would have to sit on the negative side.

'If anyone knew… ' she began.

He chuckled. She could both hear and feel the sound.

'Tell me about it,' he said. 'It would make for some interesting copy.'

“They aren't getting it from me,' she told him.

He looked at her, then bent close and kissed the tip of her nose. 'You didn't have to tell me that, Dani. I trust you.'

She felt heat inside, but this time it had nothing to do with sexual arousal and everything to do with how she felt about this man. Based on what she knew about his past, he didn't trust easily.

'I'm glad,' she said. 'Maybe we could-'

A faint but distinctive ringing interrupted her. Dani raised her head. 'That's my cell phone.'

It was late. A call at this hour was never good.

She jumped up naked, grabbed what looked like Alex's shirt and ran back into the great room where she'd put her purse.

'Hello,' she said as she opened her flip phone. 'What's wrong?”

'Dani, it's Kristie.'

Dani's body got cold. Kristie was Gloria's night nurse. The only one still on duty.

'What happened?'

'Your grandmother collapsed. I've called 9-1-1 and the paramedics are here. They're taking her to the hospital. She's breathing and her vitals are okay. I don't think it's another heart attack, but I'm not sure.'

Dani felt the room sway. Then Alex was at her side, urging her to sit on the sofa.

'Okay,' Dani said, not able to think through the panic. What if Kristie were wrong? What if Gloria had had another heart attack? Dani couldn't stand to lose her. Not now. Not when they'd just found each other after all these years.

“I’ll be right there,' Dani said. “Thanks for calling.'

'No problem. I'll phone your brothers from the ambulance.'

Dani hung up. 'My grandmother,' she said. 'She collapsed. She's going to the hospital. I have to get there now.'

'I'll go with you,' he said.

She wanted nothing more than having him around to lean on. But before she agreed, she remembered who he was, who his family was and how interested the world was in her.

'You can't,' she told him. 'What if the press found out?'

His mouth twisted, as if he was about to tell her he didn't give a damn about the press. But they both had to.

'Call me,' he said. 'Let me know what's going on.'