A smile fluttered across her lips while the poem evoked the same emotions as it had sixteen years earlier. She reached for another envelope, but this time a small stack of pictures spilled out onto the floor.
She picked up a photo and blushed at the memory of her slinking across a grand piano in a red-sequined dress.
“We really had a lot of fun together,” she whispered. “We were perfect together.” Her vision blurred beneath a thin sheen of tears.
Josie laid the picture against her chest and thought back to the first time she’d ever made love...
“There’s no need for you to be shy,” William whispered against her ear. “You’re beautiful.”
After weeks of dating, it was the first time that Josie had mustered up the nerve to invite him into her bedroom. It was the first time she’d invited any man in there, and now that they were there, she couldn’t stop trembling.
“We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” he said.
“No.” She placed his hand across her heart so he could feel how hard it was beating. “I want to do this. I want to make love to you.” As always, she melted at the sight of his dimpled-cheeks and the gleam of his bright smile.
“I want to make love to you, too,” he said. He looked into her eyes and tilted her face so her mouth could receive him.
It was the sweetest kiss ever and it melted all thoughts of Etienne from her mind.
Though the knots in her stomach unraveled, her heart hammered with anticipation. This was a big step, and there was no doubt in her mind she wanted to do it.
William’s warm lips slid lovingly from her mouth and settled along the crook of her neck. As if he’d activated a switch, Josie’s eyes rolled while her head dipped back.
Her breath thinned as he peeled down the straps of her dress. Shortly after, her knees knocked at the sound of him unzipping her dress. “It’s not too late, you know. You can still back out.” Her dress fell and pooled at her feet. “I have to tell you, I’m praying that you don’t.” Josie still didn’t answer, and William stopped. Their eyes met for a long searching moment. “Josie?” He eased a finger down her jawline and cupped her chin. “No pressure.”
There was something about the calm blue of his eyes and the silkiness of his voice that assuaged her nervousness. Before she knew it, she was melting all over again.
“Don’t stop,” she whispered, and glided her arms around his neck. “Don’t ever stop.”
His smile was a mischievous one and when his strong hands cupped her full breasts, she was eternally branded as his. She gently pulled his head down, and within seconds she was intoxicated by the simple taste of his kiss.
When William unhooked her bra, Josie was breathless. He turned his head to pepper kisses along the curve of her shoulder. Desire surged in impatient waves while his hands skimmed down the curves of her body and looped inside the lace of her panties.
Something new was happening and she couldn’t extinguish the persisting throb between her legs. She leaned back and allowed his breath to caress her skin and her Victoria’s Secret to join the rest of her clothing on the floor.
“It’s your turn,” he said in a ragged whisper.
It was the first hint of the power she possessed over him, and she was emboldened by it. Taking her time, she unbuttoned his shirt, and then peeled the material from his broad shoulders.
Josie drew in a breath and lightly ran her fingers through the fine hairs on his chest. He was a beautiful specimen of a man. She couldn’t believe he belonged to her.
In no time, the lovers stood naked before one another. Both assessed, memorized, and loved what they saw.
He moved toward her. His sex brushed against her leg, sending sparks of desire clear to her toes.
Their lips met again. Each gave as much as they took and as a result created a delicious haze of pleasure. Everything tingled within her. Everything was so new.
Impatient, William swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed. Laying her against the silk sheets, he lowered himself onto her. Their lips melded while his hands danced over the rise of her breasts, the flat of her belly, and the triangular nest of curls between her legs.
Josie quivered at his fingers’ gentle invasion; but when they massaged her flower’s aching bud, she unraveled at the seams. She moaned in wild bursts and writhed shakily beneath him. The more she moved, the faster his tempo, and something fantastic built inside of her.
All at once, everything exploded. An array of multicolored fireworks burst behind closed lids. While her body struggled to extinguish the brush fires he’d ignited, a second orgasm hit and acted as an accelerant. In no time at all, she was dealing with a full rage inferno.
However, the biggest surprise were the things William could do with his mouth: soft kneading across her dark nipples, gentle kisses peppered down the center of her body, and a cool tongue that eased her body’s flames to mere ciders.
Through it all, her body still ached for completion, and she found herself begging that he give her the one thing she needed. In answer, he deserted the bed, and then returned with golden-wrapped condoms.
Her body was still quivering while he sheathed his erection. When he lowered to her, she lovingly slid her arms around his neck. She thought she was prepared for what came next; but when his thick shaft broke through the barrier of her maidenhood, she gasped at the initial pain.
William held her and waited patiently for her body to adjust to his invasion. He ground his teeth and fought for control at the way her body pulsed around his snug fit. “I’m okay,” Josie whispered raggedly against his ear. He nodded, but he hadn’t gain control over his body. She took the lead by sliding her legs around his hips and moving him in even deeper. The feeling was excruciatingly divine. William finally took over and moved with tormenting slowness. “You feel so good,” he rasped.
She wanted to respond, but couldn’t. Nothing in her life could’ve ever prepared her for this and she was more certain than ever that she’d chosen the right man to give her most precious gift.
Steadily, their tempo increased. Possessed by dual demons of pleasure and passion, William hiked her legs from his waist and settled them above his shoulders. His deep plunging drove her closer and closer to her peak.
At long last, an orgasmic cry tore from her soul. Suddenly, she felt as if she’d been flung into the wild, sweet oblivion when William gave a final thrust and emitted a mighty roar of his own.
Dreamily, she floated from a misty euphoria, sated and happy. As she shifted onto her side, William slid behind her so he could spoon her body. “Thank you,” he whispered, and then kissed the back of her head. “I’m grateful and touched you chose me.” “So am I.” Josie smiled and snuggled closer… #
Josie pulled her thoughts from the past and once again felt an incredible loss. But was it really?
It’s not too late.
The renegade thought was like a splash of cold water. Josie blinked, and then stared back down at the pink box. While she could never go back to that magical summer, there was a real chance for her and William to create something new. And despite her earlier protest, she did want that. She still wanted him.
Chapter 33
Ming marched through the doors of the police department and was approached by Detective Hernandez who could barely contain his excitement.
“Today the gods are smiling down on us.” He clapped his hands, and then rubbed them together. “D’Angelo is just minutes from talking. I came out to call you.”
“That’s good news.” She smiled. “Why don’t I take over questioning, and you follow these guys to the crime lab. I want the prints off that glass compared to the ones in Michelle Andrews’ police record.” Ming patted him firmly on the back. “Sweet talk whoever you have to, but get this done ASAP.”