She shivered as Tom removed the scrap of lace that passed for panties, then tossed aside his own boxers. He lifted himself over her, gazing deep into her eyes as he plunged into her, filling her, then withdrawing slowly before plunging again. The rhythm took on a life of its own, building a sweet, delicious urgency that carried Jeanette higher and then higher still before erupting into spasms that spread through her, leaving behind heat and pleasure.
Just as she was recovering from the wonder of that, Tom began to move again, taking her to a whole new place before his own release ripped through him and then her again in a way she’d never experienced before. Two people as one, just as she’d always imagined it could be. The wonder of that made her want to weep.
She didn’t realize a tear had fallen until she saw him regarding her with concern.
“Are you crying?”
“No,” she insisted, despite the tears that kept falling on his chest.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Everything’s perfect.”
“Are you sure? You haven’t said much.”
“I don’t think I can,” she said. “My mind’s gone.”
He grinned at that, his expression smug. “Is that a compliment?”
She nudged him in the ribs with her elbow. “Do you need to have everything spelled out for you? Isn’t it enough that I can barely move or catch my breath?”
“Just checking. And, in case you were wondering, you were pretty amazing yourself.”
“I wasn’t wondering,” she assured him pertly. “I know I’m good.”
He laughed. “Confidence is one of the first things I noticed about you.”
“And here I thought it was my body.”
“That was the second thing,” he said. “Right after you banished me from the spa.”
Without covering herself, she propped herself up and looked at him. “What else?”
“What else?” he echoed blankly.
“Why are you attracted to me? Please tell me it’s not just because your parents don’t approve.”
“That’s irrelevant,” he insisted. His heated gaze lingered on her. “Believe me, you have plenty to recommend you. I like the way your mind works. I like your sense of humor. You’re not impressed with me, which is annoying but challenging. And you’re not half-bad at this sleepover stuff, either.”
She winked at him. “Play your cards right and there will be very little sleeping happening here tonight.”
He feigned dismay. “In that case, I need that pizza.”
Jeanette sat up and reached for the box. “Stamina is definitely called for,” she said, taking a slice of the pizza before handing the rest over to him.
The pizza was stone-cold now, but it had definitely been worth the wait.
* * *
Mary Vaughn was having yet another dinner with Sonny tonight, but this time it had been his idea. She had no idea what had sparked the invitation, but she was looking forward to it. Maybe she’d actually get up the nerve to put her feelings on the line just as Jeanette had suggested. She’d have to play that by ear after she found out what was on Sonny’s mind. It surely couldn’t be Christmas, because they’d gone over their plans for the holidays so thoroughly that not one single detail was left that hadn’t been nailed down.
Of course, maybe he was planning to tell her that he’d gotten seriously involved with that other woman, the one from the dealership. Maybe he’d even insist on including her in all of their holiday plans. The thought made her jittery.
She studied him across the table. He was still a good-looking man, no doubt about it. And she’d finally realized that men like Sonny Lewis only came along once in a blue moon. If only she’d realized that before the divorce.
Well, maybe it wasn’t too late. The only way to find out was to lay her cards on the table. The wicked twinkle in his eyes when he looked at her gave her courage.
“Sonny, I’ve been wondering about something,” she began slowly, searching for exactly the right approach.
“You have?”
Her words, usually so glib, had to be carefully thought out if this was going to turn out the way she wanted it to. “Have you ever regretted...” Her voice faltered. “I mean, do you think we were too hasty when we got divorced?”
He stared at her, his mouth agape, his fork poised with a piece of steak on the tip. “Say that again.”
“You heard me,” she said with a touch of impatience. “Was our divorce a mistake?”
“No,” he said with such absolute finality that she blanched.
“Oh, okay.” She could feel a humiliating blush creep up her neck. “I was just wondering.” She took a bite of her now-tasteless meal and murmured, “The steak is good, isn’t it?”
He regarded her with exasperation. “I don’t want to talk about the damn steak. Why would you ask such a thing now?” he inquired.
“I shouldn’t have,” she said quickly. “Forget I mentioned it.”
He acted as if she hadn’t spoken. “You never bothered to question me years ago when I told you I wanted a divorce,” he reminded her. “You acted as if you’d been expecting it.”
Mary Vaughn bit back a sigh. She’d opened this can of worms. Now she had to deal with it. “I suppose I had been,” she admitted. “I was never good enough for you. I always thought you’d figure that out sooner or later.”
“Hogwash!” he said. “Mary Vaughn, you were never lacking in self-esteem, though God knows you had reason enough to, given your background. Growing up the way you did would have shattered someone without your strength.”
“If you admired me so much, why did you leave?”
“You know the answer to that, but I’ll explain it again if you want me to. Before I do, though, I want you to tell me why you’re bringing this up now. Did you just wake up this morning and decide to go digging around in the past to stir things up?”
She didn’t want to answer, didn’t want to risk further embarrassment, but he was studying her with genuine curiosity, so she replied, “It wasn’t like that. We’ve been
