After Love (9 page)

To his surprise, she didn't pull away. Instead her arms twined around his neck, and she rose on her tiptoes, encouraging him to deepen the kiss. His mouth opened, and her tongue thrust inside, teasing him with sensuous strokes across the roof of his mouth before jousting with his tongue in a heated battle that left his knees weak.

His eager cock was pushing against her stomach, aching to be let out of the restraint of his jeans. “Oh God, Jamie,” he moaned without lifting his lips from hers. Jamie's fingers dropped to the strip of buttons on his shirt, and she freed them one by one, then pulled his shirt open to reveal his broad, bare chest.

He took that as a positive sign. Desperate to feel her flesh, he broke away long enough to grab the hem of her blouse and pull it over her head. No sooner had it cleared her arms than her fingers focused on the buttons of his jeans. She had to struggle a little with those because of the pressure pushing against them, but as soon as his fly was open, her hand slid inside and cupped the bulge of his erection.

He unclasped the back of her bra, and it fell to the floor, releasing her full breasts for his viewing. His hands spanned her waist, and he lifted her to the counter, which put her nipples at the perfect level for his hungry eyes to devour. Pert and dark pink, they grew even more swollen under his gaze. He took a breast in each hand, marveling at how perfectly round and firm they were.

Unable to resist any longer, he held her left breast up while he leaned forward. His tongue circled and flicked before he sucked the hardened bud completely into his mouth.

Jamie's head lolled back against the cabinet door and her fingers curled around the edge of the counter as he lapped and pulled on one nipple, then the other, until she could stand it no longer. Frantically she fumbled with the fastener on her shorts. Nick stopped long enough to kick off his tennis shoes, pull his gun out of the back of his belt and place it on top of the refrigerator, then push his jeans and shorts down and kick them out of the way. He shrugged out of his shirt, then helped Jamie wiggle out of her shorts and panties. They got twisted around her boots, and he had to spend valuable seconds pulling them off, boots and clothes all tangled together. They dropped to the floor with a clunk.

His lips returned to hers while his fingers stroked up her thigh until they encountered the moist, heated center of her womanhood. He rubbed her gently, then let one finger slip inside. She was wet and ready for him, which excited him even more. For a moment he hesitated, feeling the briefest twinge in his conscience about her vulnerability. But when her fingers wrapped around his penis, squeezing and pulling it toward her, he gave up all thoughts of honor and chivalry. In fact, at that point there was nothing on his mind but burying himself inside her.

He pulled her closer to the edge of the counter, and she obliged by wrapping her legs around his waist, leaving herself wide open for his possession. His penis touched her, then pushed in a little at a time. He was fully enlarged, and she was surprisingly tight. She helped him by scooting closer until she was almost completely off the counter. The extra momentum thrust him completely in, and he paused, savoring the velvety softness that enveloped him. That calm lasted only a few seconds, then he pulled out and slid in again, slowly increasing the pace.

Jamie moaned, then wrapped her arms around his neck and tightened her legs until he was completely supporting her weight. The shift buried him even more deeply in her, and he carried her across the kitchen and into the living room.

He practically pushed her onto the couch and followed her down, his dick still deep inside her. He kissed her lips, her neck, and her breasts with every movement until the rhythm became so fast and frantic that all he could do was gasp for breath. He knew he was close, too close. But it was important that Jamie have her pleasure too, so he held back.

As her passion built, he could feel her getting wetter. Her hips rose and her short nails dug into his back. Finally she soared over the top, crying out and tightening her muscles around him, stroking and milking him until he lost all conscious thought, his brain locked in the intensity of a fantastic orgasm.

Slowly reality oozed back into his mind, and he realized he was lying heavily on top of her. He shifted his weight, but the space on the couch was so tight that he rolled off onto the floor. Automatically he reached out, trying to grab on to something…anything, and that happened to be Jamie.

She tumbled down with him, landing on top with a thud. Whatever cool factor he'd had up to that point was completely lost in the awkward dismount. What an ignoble ending to one of the most exciting sexual encounters he'd ever had.

Then Jamie giggled.

Well, that only made it worse.

She sat up, her legs straddling his body. “Wow, you really know how to finish with a bang.”

He looked up at her twinkling eyes, now more blue than green. It was quite a struggle to keep his gaze from clinging to the beauty of her bouncing breasts and the postcoital glow of her skin. Just a quick glimpse had caused his exhausted penis to spring back to life.

She looked down at his renewed erection with appreciation. “Impressive.”

“You do have a powerful effect on me.” He grabbed her hips and lifted her, then slowly lowered her onto his shaft.

Jamie's eyes widened in surprise, then her eyelids fluttered halfway closed as she savored the sensations he was arousing. He lifted her again, then she took over, rising and lowering with sensual motions as if she were riding a mechanical bull. Nick watched her, enthralled by the suppleness of her body. Even though she had full breasts and a round, firm ass, there wasn't any extra weight on her anywhere. She earned her muscles through hard work rather than hours in the gym, and somehow that made her more attractive to him.

He reached up and cupped both breasts, lightly teasing and pinching her nipples as they grew firm under his touch. It was a body he would never grow tired of looking at and playing with.

Caught up in the pure pleasure of her movements, she threw her head back. Her chestnut-colored hair flowed down her back and over her shoulders like liquid copper, shimmering with every motion.

Nick gave over control to her, letting her regulate the speed and range of motion, and he lay there enjoying the heat and snugness inside her most intimate core. When she reached back and cradled his testicles, electricity shot through him. Suddenly the heat turned from tepid to flaming hot.

He flipped her over, carefully cradling her head before moving his hands so they were flat on the floor on each side of her. He plunged into her, and she rose to meet him. It didn't take but a few more thrusts before she was screaming his name. His own release followed, but this time he was careful not to put his full weight on her as he floated back to earth.

They lay there, their limbs entangled, their skin slick with sweat.

“I made a chocolate cake for dessert,” she said, her voice muffled against his neck.

“I thought this was dessert.” He nuzzled his face into her hair. “It was delicious.”

“Hmm…I'm glad you liked it.” She stirred, pulling away from him. She took the red, white, and blue crocheted throw off the back of the couch and wrapped it around herself.

Nick took that as a sign that it was time for a break. He got up, wincing as he levered himself up from the hard floor. “I'm getting too old for this.”

“Next time we'll go to my room.”

She said it so casually, he almost missed it. But his heart quickened at the promise there would be a next time. He'd been afraid this would be a one-time shot. But he wasn't sure he was up for another round so soon. “Right now?”

“No, not now. Maybe Harley will need a refresher course sometime soon.”

Nick felt uncomfortable standing naked in front of her while having what appeared to be a serious conversation. “Hold that thought.” He returned to the kitchen, stepping over Harley, who had moved into the living room to be closer to them. Nick pulled on his jeans and stuck his underwear in his pocket. He put on his shirt but didn't bother buttoning it. He was about to go back into the living room when Jamie walked in.

She had wrapped the throw around her, under her armpits and tucked in between her breasts. The open weave of the crochet allowed tantalizing peeks at the bare skin underneath. She filled their glasses with the rest of the wine, handed him one, and sat at the table.

Nick remained standing, but he leaned forward on the back of the chair he'd sat in earlier. “Now, about that refresher course.”

“That's what I was talking about earlier,” she said.

“Your proposition?”

“That makes it sound sleazy. What I have in mind would be mutually satisfactory for both of us.” She hesitated.

He waited.

“I'm not looking for a relationship,” she finally continued. “I've been in love, and it was wonderful. It's the after-love part that brings pain. I worried every time Mike left the house. And when my worst nightmare happened, it was suddenly all over…the love…the laughter…someone to cuddle with at night and to celebrate the holidays with…and the sex.” She wiped away a tear that had trickled down her cheek. “I've had a great love. I don't need another. I have the farm, the dogs, my brother, and a busy life.”

There was another pause. Nick waited patiently, still with no clue where the conversation was going.

Jamie met his gaze steadily. “I have to be honest with you. I don't need love anymore. But I miss the sex. You and I get along okay. I just thought…”

Nick cocked his head as if he hadn't heard her correctly. “So, I'm your booty call?”

She shrugged. “You don't have a girlfriend, do you? Who would we be hurting? Just some hot sex…and no strings. And it's all temporary. I can end it whenever and you can do the same. Isn't that every man's dream?”

“Well, yes,” he answered reluctantly. “But…”

“And tonight was good, wasn't it?”

“Yes, but…”

“Then why not?”

Nick's first thought was that this was the craziest idea he'd ever heard…from a woman. It sounded like something he would suggest. His own experience with love had ended badly too. He understood Jamie's concern that there was nothing but pain after love. He definitely had no plans for any type of permanent relationship either. It was just a little unnerving to think about it in such clinical terms.

But then, she was right. Sex without responsibility was a perfect world…especially if it was with Jamie. Why was he hesitating? He was being offered an endless dessert tray…without calories.

“Are you serious?” he asked, still concerned that this was some sort of test, or a game whose rules he didn't know.

“Absolutely. Of course, I would expect your discretion. I work with a lot of law enforcement agencies, and I need to protect my credibility. And then there's my brother….” She shook her head. “He would never understand.”

“Probably not,” Nick agreed. He still wasn't sure he did. But hey, who was he to turn down a beautiful woman who needed sex? If she wanted a businesslike arrangement, he was up for it. Nick held out his hand.

Jamie smiled and heaved a relieved sigh. She took his hand and shook it. “Then we have a deal.”

“I guess we do.”

She stood and gathered her clothes.

“I'm taking Harley to Grammy's to meet the family tomorrow. I've got the boys, and my brothers should be there too.”

Jamie clipped the leash on Harley and handed it to Nick. “Let me know how Harley does.”

“Uh…I will.” He retrieved his gun off the refrigerator, slipped his feet in his tennis shoes, and squatted down to tie them. When he stood back up, Jamie handed him his socks and practically pushed him toward the front door. “Why don't you come with us? I'm not sure how he'll act around kids, and it would be good to have you along to keep an eye on him. I can't vouch for the company, but I guarantee the food will be great.”

“I don't know. What would your grandmother think?”

“That I just got a new K9 partner, and this is part of his training.”

She considered it for a moment. “I suppose I could go. Sundays are always slow. But just to make sure Harley behaves well with the kids and step in if I need to.”

“Great. I'll pick you up around eleven.”

“I'll be ready.”

They paused in the doorway. How exactly did one say goodbye to someone he had just fucked but who had now become a secret partner…of sorts? A handshake? A kiss? He bent down to kiss her, and she turned her face so it landed on her cheek.

Jamie squatted and gave Harley a hug and a goodbye scratch on the ears. “You take care of your man,” she told the dog. “Keep him safe and make me proud of you.”

Harley wagged his tail and nudged her with his nose.

She stood and tightened the throw around her. “Good night, Nick. Drive carefully.” She started closing the door.

Nick nodded and was left no choice but to cross the porch and head toward his truck. With his underwear in one pocket, his socks in the other, and his unbuttoned shirttails flapping in the wind, he had a sudden flash of empathy for all the women he had sent away after a casual fuck.

And he didn't like it.

Well, that hadn't exactly gone as she'd planned. Jamie leaned her back against the door, barely resisting the urge to peek out the window and watch Nick swagger out to his truck. God, his body was even better than she had imagined, and that bulge in his jeans had turned out to be the real deal.

She felt her cheeks burn hotly at the memory of everything they had done tonight. It was the most wanton, sizzling sex she had ever had. No disrespect to Mike, who had been a considerate lover, but they had never made love in the kitchen on the counter or on the living room floor. A couple times on the couch, but it hadn't been as wild as with Nick. But then, this thing with Nick was a whole different animal. He was like a shiny new toy on Christmas Day. It wouldn't take long before she lost interest and tossed him aside.