On fire, the wetness between her legs increased. It had been so long, so very long. His touch and smell pushed her to the edge. Unable to hold back her urges, she ran her hands up his arms, squeezing until a rumble rose from deep inside his chest.
His hands shook, ever so slightly, against her skin as he slid the nightgown off her shoulders. He sucked in a deep breath as his gaze lingered on the sight of her bare breasts, illuminated by soft flames of fire. A fine mist of sweat filled his brow.
Like he handled a fine piece of china, Jesse cupped her breast, his lips touching her nipple with tantalizing possessiveness. Her hands dug into his hair and held on, less she slide to the floor in a puddle at his feet.
Somewhere in her crazed mind, a picture of the little sponge flashed in her mind. Yes! She pulled away and Jesse growled.
“I’m going to turn down the covers on the bed.” Tori bolted from his lap, clutching her nightgown in her fists, and raced toward bedroom. Jesse sat alone, slightly dazed. She’d just been here, nice and warm and soft. What did she say? Something about covers. He stared stupidly at his lap, where she’d been only a second ago.
Before he could process her words, she’d disappeared. He shook his head, replaying her words in his mind. Smiling, he headed to the bedroom to get the box of condoms out of his drawer where he’d hid them.
Tori flew out of the bedroom as he went in. She hadn’t pulled the covers down. He grabbed her arm. “Where are you going now?”
“I need a drink of water.” She yanked her arm away and raced toward kitchen. Drawers opened and closed. Something heavy slammed on the counter.
With nimble hands, Jesse took one of the condoms out. He tore off his clothes, hopping up and down on one foot as he fumbled to get out of his pants.
Tori returned to the bedroom, panting, her face flushed. Jesse sat in the big bed, leaning back, his hands crossed over the back of his head. He wasn’t wearing anything under the sheet, his erection obvious. Tori scampered across the room, then dove into bed.
The minute she hit the mattress, Jesse was all over her. Frantically, they lifted her nightgown over her head. He slid both their bodies down and captured her lips, his hands wandering across her soft warm body. Tori pushed herself against him, then ran her hands over his back.
Jesse rained kisses over her face. “Honey, we can keep going. I got something to protect you.”
“No need.” Her hands dug into his scalp. She threw her leg over his, pulling him close. “I took care of it.”
“You don’t understand,” Jesse mumbled as he suckled her breast. “There’s no longer a problem.”
Tori arched her back. “I know. No problem, all taken care of.” She moaned and shifted.
Jesse ran his fingers through her hair, nipped at her earlobe, then sucked it. His heart pounded in his ears. All the weeks of waiting to touch her, hold her in his arms, disappeared as his hand wandered over soft-scented skin.
With his condom in place, there would be a finish this time. He could protect her, keep her from worrying about pregnancy. He had it all taken care of. The words echoed in his mind. Wait a minute. Someone else just said that.
Her comments finally got through to his lust-crazed brain. He pulled back and regarded her. Tori whimpered, then reached for him and tried to drag him back. He resisted, holding her at arm’s length.
“What?” Tori snapped, taking gulps of air.
“Did I just hear you say ‘all taken care of’?”
“Yes.” She gasped. “I did something.” Her arms slid off his shoulders, and she propped herself up on both elbows.
He leaned over her, his hands on either side of her body. “Explain, if you please, exactly what you did.” He narrowed his eyes.
“I, um, put something there.”
“Where there?”
“You know. Down there.” She waved in the general direction of the area between her legs.
“Tori, what the devil are you talking about? What did you put ‘down there?’”
“A sponge soaked in vinegar.” Using her elbows, she edged back.
Jesse’s jaw dropped, and he sat back on his heels. “Where in hell did you learn to do that?”
“From Sadie,” she squeaked.
Jesse shook his head. “Who the devil is Sadie?”