Christmas at Evergreen Inn (Jewell Cove 4)

His reply was so quick and sure that her pulse gave a solid thump. Her hand trembled as she turned the key in the lock and opened the door. He shut it behind them as she turned on a lamp then kicked off her heels.

It was warmer inside, and without saying a word they took off their coats and hung them by the door. Her arms were bare and the dress only came down her thighs about two-thirds of the way to her knees, but she wasn’t cold. The goose bumps on her skin were from excitement rather than temperature. Todd came forward and gathered her in his arms, kissing her with an intensity that had been absent outside. But they were inside now. In private. And they had all night if they wanted.

His hand skimmed over her hip. She wanted.

She took a step back and put a hand on his chest. “What’s your rush?” she asked, her voice low, and he smiled at her, a little smile full of wicked promise.

“No rush,” he replied. Then, to her surprise, he spread his arms wide. “I’m all yours, Lainey. Do what you’d like.” His dark eyes glittered at her dangerously. “Take all the time you want. I’ve waited all day. A few more minutes won’t kill me. I think.”

Oh. My.

“Stay right there,” she murmured, moving toward him. “And put your hands here.” She dropped them to his sides. Her heart beat fast as she reached for the small zipper at the top of his sweater. She slid it down inch by inch, revealing the hollow of neck and a slice of strong chest. She lifted the hem of the sweater and pushed it up until he raised his arms, aiding her in removing it altogether. His chest was bare, and she pushed away any lingering nerves and did what she wanted right in this moment. She dropped the sweater on the floor and ran her hands over his arms, then slid her lips over the hard plane of his pecs.

“God, Lainey.” The words came out choked, and she smiled against his skin.

“You taste good,” she said, kissing his breastbone. “And you’re not the only one who’s waited all day.”

“You said you didn’t want to get involved.”

She breathed deeply. His scent was a unique blend of whatever body wash he’d used that morning, with a hint of coffee and vanilla. “I lied,” she confessed. “To both of us.” And then she flicked her tongue over his nipple.

“You’re playing with fire, here,” he warned her. Then he groaned and she smiled again. She knew exactly what he meant. All this was well and good but he was promising that she could expect the same from him.

“Oh, I hope so,” she replied, and with her one free hand she found his belt and began slipping it through the buckle.

Lainey reached back and undid the hook-and-eye at the nape of her neck. The drape of fabric drooped and fell to her waist.

She hadn’t worn a bra beneath the dress. The back was low, and the folds of the fabric concealed a lot. Now she stood before him, the material pooled at her waist, her breasts open to his gaze, which had changed from blank surprise to heated desire.

But for all the tension simmering between them now, Todd still took his time. His hands gathered the material at her waist and tugged it down over her hips, leaving her in skimpy black panties and matching stockings. Lainey closed her eyes, luxuriating in the feel of his fingers trailing over her skin, the touch of his mouth at the curve of her shoulder, the feel of his hair in her fingers as she held on to him. His body was so hard, so strong, and she twined herself around him, desperate to feel closer, yearning to crawl into his skin if that were even possible.

Lips and hands explored until Lainey’s knees felt weak and she didn’t want to stand anymore. Slipping out of his embrace, she took his hand in hers and led him to her bedroom, her heartbeat pulsing in parts of her body that were begging for his touch. She left the lamp off, but the lights of the Christmas tree in the living room created a pale glow around the bed, leaving the corners of the bedroom dark and mysterious.

“Lainey,” he murmured, saying her name again, almost like he needed confirmation that she was here and that this was all right. In response she turned to him, lifted his hand, placed it on her breast. His palm was wide and warm and she knew without a single doubt that she didn’t just want him tonight. She needed him.

Him. No one else.

And so she gave herself over to each sensation, vocalizing her pleasure as he laid her on the bed and explored every single inch of her body with his hands and lips. She writhed on the bedspread, gripping the soft coverlet in her fingers, her breaths heavy and punctuated with delighted gasps. When she could hardly stand it a moment longer, she turned the tables and rolled him over so he was flat on his back. The only clothing she had on now was her black stockings, and she unbuckled his trousers and slid them down over his hips, his legs, his feet. And then she did exactly what he’d done to her: drove him to the breaking point as she explored his warm, hard body.

They were both more than ready when Todd climbed off the bed and reached for his pants. Flushed with desire, Lainey watched as he retrieved a condom from his pocket and tore it open. He looked down at her and she didn’t say a word. She simply opened her knees in invitation.

She’d thought she was prepared, but the moment he slid inside her something changed. He hesitated, braced above her, his dark eyes nearly black in the washed-out light of the bedroom. They were joined in two places now; their bodies, his filling hers, and, she realized with awe and a little bit of fear, their hearts. This wasn’t just physical. There was a connection between them, strong, and true.

And then he started moving.

Lainey couldn’t fight against the assault on her senses. He was everywhere, within and without, the scent of his cologne mingled with the smell of sweat and sex, the sight of his muscles bunching with each rhythmic thrust, the sound of his seductive moan against the softness of her ear. She offered herself up for his pleasure, finding her own in his sublime command of her body, until he fastened his mouth on the tip of her breast and she came apart beneath him with a cry of release.

As her muscles went limp, he kissed her, long and slow, and she closed her eyes, unable t

o think straight through the blissful fog of post-climax.

But it was his turn now, and she gathered up what energy she had left and looped her legs around his back, linking her ankles.

He swore, a curse of what sounded like rough gratitude, and all she could do was hold on and marvel at his power.

Moments later they lay on the bed, the sheen of sweat drying on their skin. Lainey’s limbs were gloriously weak and she knew she should move but lacked all will to do so. Todd lay beside her, and her heart turned over a little when he reached over and found her hand, folding it inside his own. “Wow,” he said softly, and she heard his sated chuckle in the darkness.

“Really? You think?” She couldn’t help it, she had to tease him right now or else she’d let her emotions take over and find herself in far too deep.