She didn’t even know his name. Nor had she given him hers. This was a one-night stand between strangers, not the start of a meaningful relationship. Her stomach lurched at the thought. She’d never done anything like this before in her life. The only other men she’d slept with, she’d dated for quite a while and known well. The man hovering in the doorway behind her was totally unfamiliar.
“You okay?” Strong fingers closed over her shoulders, squeezing gently. She could feel the heat from his hands through the thick fabric of her wool coat.
“Yes.” His hands fell away as she took a step forward, depositing her handbag and keys on the table. The door closed behind her, the solid thunk sounding ominous and final.
Not turning around, she unzipped her boots and stepped out of them, placing them on the mat to dry. There was no sound of movement behind her. Curious, she turned to face her soon-to-be-lover. He was standing with his back against the door, ankles crossed, watching her, his eyebrows drawn together in a frown.
“Is something wrong?” She could hear the strain in her voice and wished she could be more blasé about the situation. But, when all was said and done, she was a woman from a small town who’d never indulged in this kind of activity before.
“You tell me.” She shivered as his voice made her nipples tighten. He had a marvelous voice, deep and commanding.
She shrugged. “I’ve never done anything like this before.”
His features softened and he pushed away from the door. “I don’t make a habit of doing this kind of thing either. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”
Raising his hand, he cupped her cheek. “My name is…”
She placed her fingers over his lips, stopping him. “No names.” She almost moaned when his tongue flitted out to lick her fingertips. It was getting harder to breathe with each passing second. “Otherwise I’ll never be able to do this.”
Alicia could tell that he didn’t like her stipulation, but she needed the anonymity of the situation if this was going to work. If she knew his name, she’d start thinking about tomorrow and the day after. And right now, she didn’t want to think about anything else but the moment.
“Whatever you want.” He slid his hands down her neck, coming to rest on the top button of her coat. He was so much larger than her now that she was standing in her stockinged feet. Slowly, giving her time to change her mind, he slipped one button after another from its hole until her coat hung open. Sliding it from her shoulders, he folded it and laid it across the back of a chair.
“You next.” Boldly, she unbuttoned his sports coat. His chest was broad and hard beneath her fingertips as she rubbed them over the fabric of his shirt. She wondered what he looked like beneath it. Would his chest be smooth or would he have a sprinkling of hair?
He shrugged out of his coat and tossed it on top of hers. Not taking his eyes off her, he toed off his boots, kicking them aside. The silence was broken only by the sound of their breath and the low hum of the heater.
Alicia wanted to be bold, but she wasn’t quite sure what to do next. Should she offer him a drink? Should they talk for a while? Or should she lead him straight to her bedroom? The former seemed too stilted, the latter too bold.
“Don’t over think things.” She started, her gaze flying to his. He gave her a crooked smile. “I can practically hear the wheels in your brain turning.”
She didn’t know whether to take offense or be relieved she didn’t have to explain herself. When he hooked his arm around her waist and tugged her closer, she chose to be relieved. When his mouth came down to touch hers, she stopped thinking altogether.
His lips were firm and warm as they skimmed over hers. There was no pressure, no demand, just a kiss. Her hand slid up his arm to his shoulder as he pressed his lips against the corner of her mouth. She parted her lips on a gasp and his tongue snaked into her mouth for a quick taste before retreating.
Her breasts swelled and she pressed her thighs together to try and ease the ache low in her body. She dug her nails into his shoulders as she went up on her toes to deepen the contact between them. Her breasts brushed his chest; her belly grazed his groin. He was heavy and thick with need. That realization sent her arousal soaring.
Slipping her tongue past his lips, Alicia tasted him for the first time. Heat and beer and male all combined in a heady brew stronger than any alcoholic drink. He went straight to her head, making her forget all her doubts and concerns. They were strangers, yet not. Her body recognized his in some basic, primitive way.
This was meant to be.
He groaned as his arms tightened around her, pulling her more firmly against him.
She hooked her right leg over his hip, causing her dress to ride up over her thigh. Her lover shoved his hand beneath her dress, his palm firm against her nylon-covered leg. He paused when his hand hit bare flesh at the top of her thigh before sliding higher and cupping one firm globe of her behind.
She arched into him as his lips slanted over hers, feeling the heat of his arousal through the thick denim of his jeans. She whimpered as his hand slid down the crease of her ass and his fingers pressed against the crotch of her panties.
He lifted her suddenly, turning her so her back hit the wall. Alicia wrapped her legs around his waist, needing to be closer to him. Giving in to the urgency thrumming through her veins, she arched her body, grinding her pelvis into his. He tore his lips from hers, burying his face in the curve of her neck.
She gripped his hair, holding tight as he nipped and kissed her neck. He kept one arm beneath her butt, supporting her as his free hand roamed over her body, cupping first one breast and then the other. Her nipples were hard points of desire, demanding release from their confinement.
He tugged at the bodice of her dress. She heard the rip but didn’t care. All that mattered was that the neck of her dress parted as he yanked it down over the top of her arms, stopping when her breasts were exposed. The material was tight around her elbows, pinning them to her body.
Alicia whimpered when he fingered the lace of her bra, his thumb grazing her swollen nipples. “Hot red,” he whispered. “Very sexy.”
Her clothing might be conservative, but she loved sexy underwear and indulged her secret obsession. Now she was glad she’d donned the red lacy bra and matching bikini pants, even though she’d worn them strictly for her own enjoyment.
“Touch me,” she moaned when his fingers traced around her nipple, coming close, but never close enough.
He growled low in his throat as he pulled the fabric away, tucking the bra beneath her breasts so they were framed for him. Her double-strand of pearls got in his way, and he pushed them over her shoulder. Slowly, he circled one nipple, then the other, before rubbing them lightly with his forefinger. The delicate pressure was maddening, arousing her further, but never satisfying the ache growing within her.
She tried to pull her arms free of her dress, but they were trapped. Frustrated, she tilted her head back against the wall and thrust her breasts higher. “Use your mouth.”
Never had she been so demanding or vocal about what she wanted. Something about this man and the situation was freeing a part of her that she’d never shared with anyone else.
He hitched her higher against the wall, bringing his face close to her breasts. She sucked in a breath as he lapped at one nipple and then blew softly.
“Oh, yesss…” she groaned. Tightening her ankles around his waist, Alicia rubbed her pelvis against him. Her pussy throbbed as her inner walls contracted hard. She was so close.