The Family Plan (The McClouds of Mississippi 1)

“Well, maybe just one cup.”

He gave her a smile of approval and poured steaming coffee into the two cups that had been conveniently left out for them. “Just cream, right?”

“Yes, please.” She took a couple of steps toward him to retrieve her cup.

Holding the cup in his hand, he turned. Their eyes met. Very slowly he replaced the cup on the counter, leaving his hands free.

She went into his arms as if she had intended to do so all along.

For once, Nathan wasn’t smooth. Their noses bumped when he swooped down to kiss her. She felt a tremor in his arms, an indication of the tension that had been building in him all night. And then he kissed her until she was the one trembling and clinging to him for support.

Cupping her face between his hands, he lifted his mouth only far enough to murmur rather fiercely, “If you only knew how long I’ve wanted you.”

She felt as if she had been waiting all her life for this moment. And now that it was here, it petrified her. “I don’t—”

He kissed her again, his tongue plunging between her lips to mate with hers. And somehow her hands were tangled in his hair, her legs entwined with his as he pressed her against the refrigerator door. He devoured her mouth, and she responded with an equal hunger, flattening herself against him so that she could feel every hard muscle in his body against her. And she reveled in the growing hardness that proved he wanted her as mindlessly as she wanted him.

A low growl rumbled in his chest, a primitive, utterly male sound that seduced her as pretty words never could. There was such delicious power in knowing he wanted her so badly. Such a feminine thrill in the awareness that she could make him tremble with need.

“There are still so many things we need to discuss,” she murmured into his mouth, trying to retain at least a modicum of common sense. “Things we need to think about.”

“Let’s not think tonight,” he groaned, sliding his hands down her sides and resting his forehead against hers. “Just this once, let’s not think.”

Act without thinking

? Without planning? Without considering all the possibilities and ramifications? How totally unlike her.

“I want you, Caitlin.”

“I want you, too,” she whispered, because it would be pointless not to admit it. “But—”

He kissed the arguments back into her mouth. “Just for tonight, can’t we let that be enough?” he asked when he lifted his head again.

Could wanting be enough, just for one night? And could one night ever be enough between them?

Don’t think, he had said. Don’t worry about tomorrow. And for once, she wanted nothing more than to follow Nathan’s example and act wholly on impulse.

He rubbed his lips slowly, enticingly over hers. “Caitlin?”

Just this once, she promised herself, and lifted on tiptoe to wrap her arms around his neck. This time she kissed him, and she held nothing back.

The sound he made held deep satisfaction. Very slowly lifting his mouth from hers, he stepped back and took her hand.

Her decision made, she didn’t hesitate again, but allowed him to lead her out of the kitchen.

Just this once, she promised herself, she wouldn’t think. She would simply enjoy.

Nathan’s bedroom was as carelessly masculine as he was. The single, low-wattage lamp on his nightstand revealed heavy woods, earthy colors and bold textures. The room was as neat as a pin; remembering that he had changed hurriedly for their date, she suspected that Mrs. T. had been in to tidy up while they were gone. She didn’t want to speculate about whether the housekeeper had been doing her chores or had considered herself preparing the room for company.

Had they been in Caitlin’s apartment now, she might have lit candles, maybe turned on some soft music. Since Nathan’s decor didn’t include candles, and his music selection was probably filled with classic rock, he did neither, but simply swept the spread off his bed and tumbled her onto it, barely giving her time to kick off her shoes.

She decided that his unpretentious actions suited her just fine. She didn’t want calculated seduction from Nathan, no careful scene setting or romantic gestures. She simply wanted him.

The flattering tremor was still in his hands when he carefully stripped away her beaded jacket and black sheath, leaving her clad only in black bra, panties, garter belt and stockings. Her face flamed as it occurred to her that her provocative undergarments might lead him to believe she had expected the evening to end this way. Then it burned even hotter when she silently admitted to herself that he would probably be right.

Apparently, she had stopped thinking sensibly before this date had even begun.

Whatever he made of her reasons, it was obvious that he heartily approved her outfit. His hands were all over her, exploring and caressing until she writhed against the sheets, almost desperate to feel him against her. She tugged at his clothing, tangling them both in folds of fabric until he laughed softly and lifted away from her to take care of the task himself.