Kendall felt a rush of emotion as she realized the strong familial bond shared by the Chandlers, a bond she’d never experienced with anyone before. Except maybe her aunt, but that time had been too brief and the good memories often too painful to remember in light of the void that remained afterward.
“For a man of few words, your brother chooses them wisely.” She returned her thoughts to Rick.
Rick nodded. “It’s the journalist in him. But that’s not my point.”
“Then what is?”
A tight muscle pulled at his cheek. “I keep these here but I’ve never used them.” He took out the entire box and dumped them on the mattress beside them. “Eleven plus this one makes twelve.” He held the plastic wrapper in his hand.
He didn’t have to say any more or tell her what his words and actions meant. He’d never brought a woman to his bed before and he wanted her to know it. There’d been plenty of women, Kendall was certain. Just none here. She swallowed hard.
Instead of reacting, she chose to keep the moment light. “So how many do you think we can use in one night?”
He studied her for an intense second, one in which she was afraid he’d call her hand or push for entry into emotions she didn’t want to share.
Instead he grinned, shrugging off the serious moment. “Why don’t we find out?” She watched as he took care of protection quickly, then splayed his hands across her thighs. His strong, weathered skin contrasted with her whiter flesh, making his virility and masculinity that much more intense.
He eased her legs open wide with his palms, nudging the head of his penis inside her and she gasped. Hard yet soft, hot yet tender, his body slipped into hers, opening her, consuming her. Kendall sucked in a breath, amazed at the intensity of the feelings this one simple act aroused. But nothing about Rick Chandler or her feelings for him were simple.
Before she could think further, he thrust inside her, filling her completely. Desire took over, kindling the fire he’d already lit and sucking her into a vortex of anticipation and heady sensation.
“Rick.” Without planning or thought, she called out his name and his eyes darkened with heat and need.
Buried as deep as possible, their bodies joined, one impossible to distinguish from the next, he suddenly stopped, holding himself back. His arms shook with the force of his restraint.
“You stopped,” she murmured. “Why?”
He leaned so his forehead touched hers. “How is it I feel like I’ve been waiting forever when we really just met?”
Kendall wished she knew. She opened her mouth to answer and was rewarded with a kiss instead. A hot, demanding, openmouthed kiss that told her exactly where they were headed. They didn’t need foreplay. Foreplay had been every moment between them since the first time they’d met.
He trailed his tongue across her cheek until his mouth reached her ear. “I want you hot and ready,” he said in a rough, husky voice that turned her on even more.
“I am.”
“I know.” He slid out of her then, letting her feel every hard ridge of his desire, then thrust back inside, revealing every slick inch of his straining erection to her waiting body.
Each teasing thrust tested her restraint and brought her closer to the brink, closer to climax. Rocking with him, her hips jerked upward, taking him deeper inside, making him a part of her until the whirlwind that had taken hold the day they met caught up with them, bringing Kendall up, up, up and over into hot, sweet, blessed oblivion.
As reality and sensation returned, Kendall knew she’d changed forever, and not just because she’d made love with Rick. But because tonight he’d done the one thing no one in her life ever had—he’d taken the time to show her he cared. Not just once, and not just with his body, but with his heart and soul.
* * *
Keep it light. With one glance, Rick could look at Kendall and see the internal struggle going on inside her. He understood since he felt it too. Sex was supposed to be simple.
This thing with Kendall was not.
But for both of their sakes, he’d do as her beautiful eyes pleaded. “We’ve used two condoms,” he said. “Want to make it three? Or should I take pity on you and let you get some sleep?”
She laughed, relaxed, and curled up beside him. “Why do I think you’re using reverse psychology and trying to lay the blame on me when you’re the one who needs a rest?”
He collapsed against the sheets, spent. “Caught in the act.”
“Okay I admit it too. You wore me out.”
“Guess that leaves us time to talk.”
She turned her head toward him. “About?”
He shrugged. He honestly didn’t care. Anything he learned about her was a bonus. Anything that explained her unique personality—what made her a wanderer yet still crave love even if she didn’t know or acknowledge it. He knew. He’d seen it tonight.