He released her and put distance between them, but his handslingered a beat on her body, reluctant to let go. Finally, struggling to evenhis breathing, he walked to the sunporch door and letthe dog out. With a backward glance, he glimpsed her gathering her clothes fromthe floor, and his heart gathered speed again. He wanted that girl naked. Somuch.
In one swooping motion, he hoisted her over his shoulder ina fireman’s hold, his hand firmly planted on her naked ass.
Dangling down his back, she giggled. “Where are we going?”
“Where do you think? I’m far from done with you,” he growledas he angled toward the bedroom.
A few strides, and he threw her atop the bed and toed offhis shoes, but she popped right back up, still giggling. He was about to pushher back down when she gripped his belt and hauled him onto the bed with her.“Someone has on waaaay too many clothes.”
“I can fix that.” His body buzzed with her touch. The smellof her on and around him launched a burst of impatience. He lunged at her witha kiss and hungrily worked over her throat and ear.
“Right now,” she panted.
“Demanding, aren’t we?” he mumbled against her skin.
He rose above her, kneeling, and took over unbuckling hisbelt. His pants were off in a nanosecond while she ditched her boots andtackled his buttons. Boxers and socks hit the floor before she’d reached thethird button. He sat up and grasped the back of his shirt, wrestling it overhis head. A few buttons popped and bounced on the floor. A second later, hisundershirt joined his other clothes, and he paused to catch his breath.
Her eyes roved over him, taking in his scars, all of him,without stuttering. Looking at her physically hurt, spiraling him into awhirlpool of need and ache and want. He’d never been here before, and thethought occurred he might drown.
He was a goner.
CHAPTER 29
You Can Pick Your Friends, butYou Can’t Pick Your Family
T.J. was breathing hard as he sat onher bed, his last shred of clothing on the floor. All that kept Natalie fromgasping out loud at the sight of him was that she couldn’t breathe. Theman was magnificent. All corded muscle and smooth skin andmale perfection. Looking at him supercharged her every nerve, settingher skin on fire. But she probably hadn’t come down off the high she’d climbedin the kitchen.
Oh mama, she’d never experienced an orgasm thatexplosive. Especially while standing up. From someone goingdown on her. Against a sink. With a dogwatching her.
Right now she nearly trembled, anticipating his impressiveerection pressed against her, inside her, filling her. And fill her hecertainly would.
Tingling sensations sped through her bloodstream. She’dnever felt anything so intense. It must’ve been what a skydiver felt rightbefore a plunge.
T.J. was looking her over like a wolf surveying a bunny rabbit,gauging where to start feasting. The thought sent another zing through her, andmoisture surged between her legs. Her nipples nearly stood up andhappy-danced.
“Um, I have a condom if you don’t,” she offered.
His eyebrows arched. “You keep your own supply for … guests?”Frowning now, he began looking around the room. Was he looking for “guests”? Wayto kill the mood, Nat.
She let out a nervous laugh. “No, but when I was in therestroom tonight, they had a machine, and I thought … I’d come prepared. Imean, be prepared. Just in case. You know. Like a boy scout.” She pausedfor breath. “And it makes a great missile in a water balloon fight.” Oh myGod, you dork! Just shut up! A flush crept up her chest, her throat, overher cheeks.
He flashed her a wicked grin. “You’re gorgeous when you’reembarrassed.” His voice was doing that low, rumbly thing that pooled deliciouswarmth low in her tummy.
She sent him a sheepish look.
Snatching her wrist, he hauled her to him, rolled her on herback, and climbed on top of her, covering her with his heavy body. His skin washot and melted with hers, and she sank into the mattress in a state of utterbliss. His arousal, undiminished, nudged her inner thigh.
He curled long, strong fingers around her neck. “You’regorgeous all the time, especially naked,” he whispered. His lipsbegan blazing a trail along her neck, making her eyes roll backward. “I have myown, by the way,” he murmured.
“Of course you do.” Her voice sounded throaty, probablybecause her breath had picked up speed again, what with his open-mouthed kissesheading for her breasts. “It’s, ah, been a long time for me.” She tunneled herfingers in his luscious curls.
He lifted his head and pierced her with his eyes, all hazeland thick lashes. “Me too.”
She smirked. “I’m sure it’s been much longer for me thanyou.”
He shrugged.
“So how long has it been?” she teased, inwardly questioningwhy the hell she was asking. Please don’t say last night … or even lastweek.
“So long I’m not sure I remember how. Can you teach me?” Hismouth closed over her nipple, pulling an inadvertent moan from her.
“You seem to be remembering just fine. Besides, I hear it’slike riding a bike.”
Up went his head. “Really?” He scratched his chin dramatically.“So all I have to do is find a bike, straddle it, and start pumping?”
Giggles bubbled from her like a champagne fountain. “Oh myGod! Did you just say that?”
“What?” he chuckled. “I wasreferring to pedaling.” He tapped her nose with his finger. “You have a dirtymind.” Then he winked. “I like it. Now stop talking and kiss me, smartass.”
She did, long and deep, running her fingers over hismuscular shoulders, digging into his flexing back. And his hands wereeverywhere on her, caressing, squeezing, clutching. He was a mind-numbing blendof rough and tender, demanding and giving, seductive and raw. All hot, hard man.
Soon they were a frenzy of arms and legs, thrashing togetherin something akin to a wrestling match. He manhandled her, flipping her on herback or her stomach like she was a doll. The more she urged him, the morephysical he became. And she loved it. He opened doors she didn’t know she had.
He came to rest, straddling her, panting. “I won’t last muchlonger.”
Before she could