He licks his lips and leans closer. “Was I your first kiss?”
I flutter my lashes. “You were. I’m sure you could tell.”
He swallows hard. “I had a hunch. But you’re beautiful...”
My lips part in surprise. “I didn’t say no one wanted to kiss me. You don’t believe you’re the first who’s tried, do you?”
He takes my hand. “Who tried to kiss my girl? Give me names and I’ll take care of them personally.
I stifle a grin and take a slow sip before I answer. “You don’t strike me as the jealous type.”
“I’m not. At least, I wasn’t. Just because I was married doesn’t mean I’ve ever truly been in love. What I’m feeling now, what I feel for you, I’ve never felt before. Jealousy is an unfamiliar emotion. The thought of anyone else sniffing around you makes me see red.” His jaw clenches and his gaze smolders, consuming me into a fiery pit of hot, raunchy lust.
My heart pounds. My stomach knots. I feel flushed and so incredibly horny, I think I might burst. All these years, I refused to sample the many goods tossed my way. I held out for Calvin Young. This gorgeous, sexy man sitting across the table, undressing me with his eyes. But the time is now. If he doesn’t move quick, the place might be here.
I need action. I need cock. Haven’t I waited long enough?
“You’ve never been in love before?” My voice shakes. That seems highly unlikely, but I need to move this discussion to its foregone conclusion, or better yet, his place.
He shakes his head. “No, not ‘til now. I never believed I would fall in love, but now I know I was just waiting for you.” He kisses my hand and the tingle buzzing in my belly crackles into an electric charge. Our eyes clasp in a wordless exchange as we sit in black silence, lost in each other’s gaze. One more word of love and I won’t be responsible for my shameless actions. I don’t want to be a virgin anymore. The pressure’s too great. I’ve loved him too long. I’m ready.
For heaven’s sake, take me now!
A waiter appears. “Can I get you anything else?”
“No!” We shout in unison.
Calvin clears his throat and hands him his credit card. “Thank you for everything. Please hurry.”
Thirteen
Calvin
Sometimes there’s bliss in torment. This love affair just launched. We should wait, but I’ve waited twenty years to fall in love. Twenty years to make love to a woman I worship with every breath. I never expected someone as glorious as Tessa. I didn’t think I’d feel so much so fast. Logic screams I should be cautious. After my horrible divorce, I should take my time and not run headfirst into love. But my heart has overruled my brain, and my mind never put up much of a fight, anyway.
This is fate. This is a miracle, and I won’t question it with doubts that serve no purpose.
My father always said, when you know, you know. I thought that was bullshit. Something lucky men who fall ass first into love say to validate their good fortune. But now, I’m one of those lucky bastards and they were right all along.
When you know, you know. I don’t need weeks, months or years to figure out if I can spend the rest of my life with Tess. I know without a doubt, I can’t live my life without her. She’s my home. The one I always wanted.
And she’s not getting away. Not now. Not ever.
Fourteen
Tessa
His place is closer. The moon is out. Stars have aligned and love is in the air. I’m not walking seven more houses to unwrap the only gift I’ve ever wanted. Without a word, I lead him up the steps to his door.
He knows what’s coming. I know what’s coming.
This might be the beginning, but in my heart of hearts, this has been six years in the making.
It’s showtime and I’ve got the lead role.
With one hand wrapped around my waist, holding me close, he scrambles to unlock his door. We fumble into the darkness, his lips on mine, my arms on him. There’s nothing between us now. No doubts or misunderstandings. We’re just two people falling in love and stepping into the rest of their lives. My wildest dream and fondest wish are coming true.
In the dark, my senses sharpen to his taste, his scent and the warmth of his breath as his lips travel down my neck. I tremble with suspense as his hands caress my face, smoothing every angle with thick fingers I want to pull into my mouth. I want to feel and taste every inch of his heavenly body. Whatever he wants is his. Whatever he needs, he can take.
Heart and soul, I belong to him. I always have and now I know for certain, I always will. When our mouths meet again, the world falls away and my lovesick heart finds peace.
Lost in another world, I stare, confused as he pulls away. His gaze and sweet smile greet me with a kiss to my forehead and a breathy sigh. “Are you certain? We can wait...”
I’ve had enough delays. I lunge forward and seal my lips to his, longing for more and desperate for this cruel teasing to end. Fearing I need to take matters into my own hands. I back away and begin unbuttoning my blouse.
“Where’s your bedroom?” I raise an eyebrow and pull off my top as I march to the back of the house.
“Straight ahead.” He catches up in time to tug me to him and pull down my skirt.
“Eager little thing, aren’t you?” His husky voice prickles my skin.
I nod and kick off my sandals. “Will you let me undress you?”
His eyes widen. “Is that what you want?”
I don’t wait. With trembling hands, I pull his shirt over his head and softly gasp at the sight of his chiseled chest and rippled abdomen. His powerful arms rest at his sides and his hard gaze falls on me. Reality sets in. We’re minutes from making love and nothing will ever be the same again.
“Let me help you.” He lifts me into his arms and crushes me to his chest. My legs hug his waist. My arms seek his embrace. With a move I don’t detect, he unlatches my bra and throws it on the floor.
Claiming my mouth, he devours my lips, filling my mouth with his tongue and coaxing one kiss after another until we melt and fall into the bed. I could kiss him forever.
“I love you, Tess. I don’t deserve you, but I promise you won’t regret me.” His mumbled whisper makes my heart clamor in my chest.
“Calvin, I love you. I’ve always loved you.” I whimper as his lips trail wet kisses down my shoulder and across my chest before he swallows a tight nipple in desperate need of his undivided attention.
There are no words. His kisses don’t stop. Switching from one breast to the other, he suckles hard, teases my flesh, and sends currents of sexual adrenaline tingling into my thighs.
I can’t breathe. I can’t speak. My body shivers with uncontrolled desire. My legs tremble as sparks of lusty bliss engulf me and shoot me into outer space. His lips, his tongue, the warmth of his mouth, the sight of him suckling my breasts, summons cries followed by wails I have no strength to contain. Ecstasy finds me fast and I willingly drown in a sea of pleasure.
Calvin stares, bemused. “Did you just come?”
I don’t answer. He knows I did, and I’m too embarrassed to admit I’ve orgasmed with such little provocation. I can’t help it. He said he loved me. I’d lost hope long ago I’d ever hear him speak those words, but he did.