He unlocked the steamy seam of her flesh with one lick, thrusting his tongue inside. She couldn’t keep quiet. An explosive moan mingled with cries of rapture, and a few curse words, every time he plunged deeper. A fever rush of violent spasms tumbled through her body. The sound of his voice, lost to the loud buzzing in her ear.
It was official…Carrie Ann Lowell was a screamer.
Fever led to pleasure as he made his way up her body, cupping her breast and shaping it between his fingers. She fought to keep her breathing steady. His lips trailed hungry kisses up her chest to her neck, before crushing his mouth to hers. The divine kiss, rough and demanding, was drenched in her essence.
Pleasure led to an overwhelming show of emotions, as he lifted her from the tub and carried her to bed. A burning sensation tickled her nose and wetness gathered at her lower lashes, blurring the soft lighting of his room playing over his strong features.
Brushing away the tears, she glimpsed the foil package between his fingers. He paused, briefly, giving her time to dismiss the contraceptive. She didn’t like it. She didn’t want it. Before she had time to renege, he’d rolled it on and moved over the top of her, falling to the flat of his palms. His eyes glazed over, pushing past her entrance, filling her completely, coaxing a moan of gratification from her.
All movement stopped.
Summer stared down at her in an intuitive trance.
“What?” she asked in a sweet whisper. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You said…things…to me during the flight here.” He withdrew and plunged forward, holding himself deep as he dropped to his forearms. “Things I’d like to hear you’d say again.”
Her bottom lip caught between her teeth. A timid smile ticked the edges of her mouth. The lids of her eyes feathered shut as she turned away from his gaze. Searching for a little bravado, she offered a silent prayer to the dirty-talker gods.
Keeping a straight face, she managed in a sultry tone, “Fuck me.”
A giggle slipped out. It was a pathetic attempt and she knew it.
Summer retreated and thrust forward again, making her gasp. He nuzzled his nose along the side of her jaw, brushing a kiss to her lips. “Think…deeper, Red.”
Stalling, she twisted, placing a kiss to his wrist beside her head. Not one to fail, she eased her back off the bed, stretching to draw the lobe of his ear into her mouth, growling in his ear, “I want to feel your cock deep inside of me.”
His profile averted, hiding a big smile. A shaky laugh reverberating through his body as he gently settled the bulk of his weight on top of her. A crimson hue chased across the crest of his cheeks.
Ryan Summer actually blushed.
Propped on one elbow, he laid his hand above her heart, drumming lightly. “Deeper…in here.”
A warm sensation spread through her. She could scarcely breathe. Her fingers keyed up his chest and neck covered in a thin mist of perspiration. Carrie Ann cupped his face in her palms, pausing to take in his handsome face.
Emotions tugged on the protective cord wrapped around her guarded heart, unraveling the binds. She surrendered to the sweet ache that had filled her soul for ten long years.
Carrie Ann let go, falling hard.
No parachute needed.
“I love you, Summer.”
“I love you, Red. I never stopped loving you…and I never will.”
*
The sweet scents of love and Eskimo Pie clung to the sheets when the early afternoon sunshine peeked out from the clouds and broke through the window. Her dark hair splayed across his pillow, their heads nearly touching as she snuggled tightly against his warm body.
Summer’s fingertips traced an idle pattern over her bare hip. “Morning, beautiful.”
“Morning, handsome.” They’d expressed their love a dozen times during the night, worshiping one another until dawn, but she couldn’t help but to say it again. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.” His lips brushed along her temple. “It’s already late. I can’t believe we slept this long.”
The flat of her hand wandered across his bare chest and stomach, admiring the firm dips. “I think it was all the sugar in the caramel sauce.”
“There’s still a little left.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. That’s impossible.”
“Actually, I am kidding.” She felt his grin against her cheek. Summer pushed himself upright and climbed out of bed naked. “I’ll take that sugar high anytime.”
Rolling to her belly, she propped her chin atop her fists. Raking a hungry stare over his glorious body flying at full staff, Carrie pouted a little. “Are you sure it’s all gone?”
Turning back, his eyes followed her gaze. He fisted the hard sprung length and stroked. “Is this what you want?”
Her chin lifted expectantly and her feet waggled back and forth. She licked her lips. “Yes.”
“This?” he questioned again with another full stroke, flashing her a cocky smile.
“Yes.”
A filthy chuckle filtered through the room. “You’ll have to wait until we get home. We should’ve been in the air two hours ago and I need to button up a few things so we can get going.”
The warning of departure flipped her internal panic button. Tremors quivered down her entire frame.
Digital detox was coming to an end and the confessional clock was still ticking.
“Okay.”
Summer’s voice woke Aspen from her slumber as she laid sprawled out in a ray of sunshine. She staggered from her dog bed, arching into a quick full body shiver, before tromping after him into the closet.
*
“Why are you pouring anti-freeze down the sink?” A severe case of nerves forced a stark tone to her voice.
He laughed tracing his index finger over the notch of confusion tucked between her brows. “We haven’t talked schedules yet, so I’m not sure when we’ll make it back here. I’m hoping soon, but it is Montana and if it freezes, I don’t want to come home to a flood.”
“Gotcha,” she nodded, adding, “Soon is good.”
“I’ve been trying to get John and Shayla up here with the boys, but timing hasn’t worked out yet. Plus I think she’s afraid to fly with me.”
“I can’t imagine how much fun those boys would have up here,” she paused. “Do you hang out with them very often? Shayla’s never said anything.”
“That’s because she’s sworn to the borders of Switzerland, but yes, we’ve hung out a few times. John and I get along really well, now that he understands I’m not out to get his woman.”
An insightful chuckle simmered in her chest. “He’s just…a little protective.”
“Yeah, I’ll say.” Summer’s eyes pulled wide. “Can’t say I blame him. I wanted to rip that realtor, Jason, in half. He’s got some explaining to do.” Though she heard the distinct harsh warning, Carrie Ann was only half-listening to him talk. She opened her mouth to talk, but she only managed a swift inhale before Summer continued. “The cabin’s all squared away. I’ll start loading the plane, if you want to pack up your things, we’ll take off. You can leave whatever you won’t be using at home…hiking shoes, sweats, jackets. Whatever you want. Next time we come, we’ll go shopping for whatever you need.”
A genuine heart stopping smile eased into the tiny wrinkles near his eyes. He tossed the empty jug of antifreeze in the garbage, tied the red drawstrings into a knot, and lifted the trash from the container.
She couldn’t breathe.
Carrie Ann could only watch as Summer walked outside.