“Red,” he said, fingering the lacy embroidered hearts stitched across her bra. Her nipples tingled and beaded at his touch. He lifted a brow. “My favorite color."
His lips lifted at the corners into a slow smile. “Seems a shame to see you in it only a few seconds.” He felt her breasts through the sheer design. She moaned when he unclasped her bra. Tossing it aside, he bent and kissed each breast so tenderly that her breath caught in her throat. He seemed to be paying homage to them.
He glanced at her seductively. “Sweetheart, remove your hose.” He sat on the bed and studied her.
Jared took a deep breath that was meant to calm him, but there was no chance of that happening. He had expected her to snatch the hose off, but watched as his anticipation grew.
Katherine's hands rested on her hips, jutting her full breasts in front of her. She stood proudly. A low groan escaped him when she bent and touched the lacy-hose. Pushing the hose halfway down, she sat on the side of the bed to face him, lifted one leg and ran her fingers slowly along the silk. The moonlight silhouetted her shapely leg as he watched her sensuous movements. She slowly rolled the silk down her legs, revealing luscious bare skin. Desire charged through him. He clamped down on his jaw and reminded himself to move slowly.
She stood up, glancing down at her sexy red thong. At the moment, he wasn't sure he could walk across the room to remove the flimsy material.
Her jade eyes showed confusion. She shook her head.
He took another calming breath, studying the small piece of sheer red that covered paradise. He'd laugh, if it wouldn't be so painful right now. He couldn't seem to think straight enough to put two words together in a coherent sentence. His erection seemed in control of his thoughts and completely single-minded.
She stared at his crotch, her eyes widened and she blushed redder than her underpants. “Oh. I tried to excite you by putting on a little show."
He cleared his throat. “It worked,” he croaked.
“I'm so sorry. I didn't think. I mean, I thought because I wasn't very experienced I might not appeal to you sexually so I tried to spice it up.” She could see his body tensed with restraint, his eyes darkened into indigo, and she laughed. His gaze lifted from her body in faint surprise. “You don't know how this makes me feel,” she said.
He grinned back. His dimples deepened in the shadowy moonlight. “Powerful?"
“And happy.” She stood in front of him. He peeled the thong off her, bestowing a kiss on her womanhood before she climbed into bed.
Her gaze seemed glued to his body. If the knowledge that she excited him made her happy, he was about to make her euphoric. He stood up to remove his clothes.
He slowly unzipped his pants and they dropped to the floor. She licked her lips as he turned to face her, proudly showing her just how much she excited him. He took slow, deliberate pains in removing his briefs.
As he walked toward her, her entire body tingled with excitement. She'd never seen anything as magnificent as his full arousal.
Her breath caught in her throat, labored. Her head reeled.
The sound of her unsteady breathing filled the room, and Jared moved closer with a faint smile. “Did you enjoy the show?"
She looked up and nodded wordlessly, unable to do so much as speak.
Moving slowly, he eased back the sheet and lay down beside her.
Her heartbeat quickened. She reached for him, enjoying the hard strength of his arousal in her hand. “I think we can speed up the pace."
He smiled. “Didn't anyone ever tell you anticipation is half the fun of making love?” he murmured, brushing back a lock of hair from her face and kissing her on the cheek. “No shortcuts the first time, sweetheart. I want to make it as pleasurable as I possibly can for you."
Tears stung her eyes.
He rested on his elbows and glanced down at her. “What's wrong?"
She reached up and touched his face. “I wish you could have been my first."
He squeezed his eyes tight then opened them. “I don't and neither do you. You wouldn't have Matt."
A tear fell onto her cheek. She nodded and trembled at the warmth that shimmered in his eyes.
Reaching into the nightstand, he sheathed himself with a condom. He bent his head and nuzzled the area behind her ear. “Please tell me you can spend the whole night."
She quivered as waves of desire shot through her and bathed her in heat. His fingertips rubbed her nipples into peaks, plucked the points and rolled them between his fingers. He lifted her breasts and soothed the aching tips with his tongue, finally his mouth closed around her nipple. She dropped her head back and moaned, trying to speak between the whimpers of pleasure.
“Yes,” she hissed. “Ohhh.” She sucked in her breath when his hand moved. Warmth spread across her skin as he inched his way down her ribs and past her stomach.
“I was going to cry and beg if you said no.” He chuckled low, and groaned softly as his hand slipped between her legs.
She closed her eyes as his fingers moved lower, touching the center of her dampness. His palm cupped her, rotating. The weight made her desire spike. His fingers entered her, rubbing against her warmth. She closed her eyes as the tension built in her body.
He poised his naked body over her. She caught her breath and clutched at his back. “You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.” His knee separated her thighs and she felt his arousal near her center. “I want to watch you come apart the first time, Katherine. Open your eyes."
She glanced up at him as he entered her. His eyes bathed her in love. It felt so good to have him inside her. She sighed. “Please, don't move. I want it to last."
For a moment, he lay still, and then he lowered his head to suckle her breasts.
Her tumult built.
She couldn't control her need for release. She moved and gasped from the pleasure. “It feels soooo good."
Their gazes held.
He thrust, meeting her movements. She arched toward him, wrapping her legs around his hips, pulling him deeper with each thrust.
When they reached the peak of pleasure, they fell together, each one called out the other's name as tremor after tremor rocked them. They had stepped beyond friendship, beyond a perfect affair into closeness neither of them wanted to end.
Later, when their hearts beat in unison, Jared pulled her into his arms. Her head rested on his chest. “Katherine, you're the best thing that's happened to me in my entire life. I'm so glad I found you."
She entwined her bare legs with his under the cover. “I'm glad you found me, too. Well, you could say I fell for you right from the start. So you're glad I talked you into this?"
He chuckled. “Yesss.” Holding her in his arms, he whispered, “I almost forgot.” He kissed the top of her head. “I promised Thomas you'd do something for him and Grace."
She yawned, drawing nearer to him. “What did you promise?"
“It'll help your mother,” he suggested. “You would do anything for Grace."
She quirked an eyebrow. “Jared Randall, stop beating around the bush. What did you promise Thomas I'd do?"
“Talk to Grace about sex."
“Are you crazy?"
Chapter Fifteen
Jared couldn't believe Katherine had spent last night in his bed. His gaze lingered on every inch of her lovely naked body as he untangled sheets and recovered them.
“Wake up, sleepyhead.” He pushed a lock of silky, dark hair behind her ear, gave into temptation and nibbled her lobe.
A throaty whimper came up in reply, her slim arms slipped around his neck. He rolled away, rested his head on his elbow and stared down at her. “Oh, no. I want to talk.” He smiled at her closed eyes and relaxed face. “Last night I tried to talk to you several times about our relationship and the future, but we got carried away."
She opened one sleepy-eye and wet her lips. “Which time are you referring to?” she teased.