“Are you feeling lucky, Amelia Mae?”
She nodded.
“Good.” His index finger traced small circles over her lower belly. “Spread your legs for me. Let me in.”
She obeyed, moving her feet apart. And he rewarded her, the circles moving lower until they brushed back and forth over the one place that could make her scream.
“I’ve wanted to touch you like this for so damn long,” he murmured. “I’ve fought it, but seeing you again...I can’t fight it anymore. I need to feel you, wet and ready for me. I want you out of your mind with pleasure, screaming and calling out my name as you come. First like this, with my hands on you. And then when I’m inside you.”
His fingers moved lower, one slipping inside as the heel of his hand pressed down against her, driving her closer and closer. But something was holding her back, preventing her from falling headfirst into a mind-numbing orgasm.
“Mark, please more!”
Amy opened her eyes, the sound of her words echoing in the empty room. Her fingers clutched the sheets. Her body shifted restlessly, craving release. But unless she replaced Mark’s imaginary hands with her own...not going to happen.
She’d been having the most amazing dream. And now she was alone, Jango the only other living being in the room. Her heart raced and her breath came in short, quick gasps. She’d been so close. If the dream had continued, just a minute or two longer, she might have come just from the thought of him touching her.
Mark. My friend.
“Oh, no,” she murmured. “No, no, no.”
She’d screamed his name. What if he’d heard her? What if he’d woken up to the sound of her voice begging for more?
“Oh, God,” she whispered to the empty room.
“Woof!” Jango placed his front paws on the bed and panted down at her.
“Five minutes, boy. I need five minutes.” Jango cocked his head to one side. He didn’t understand her words, but he knew from the tone of her voice something was bothering her. And he was right.
She needed to get her head on straight and collect her thoughts. How could she face Mark this morning, after last night in her truck, and now this? Waking up screaming his name? He was sleeping in her home, for goodness’ sake!
“Stupid dream.”
Jango’s face was the picture of canine concern as he nuzzled her. She patted his head. “Maybe he didn’t hear me.”
Jango licked her face as if to say, Poor silly woman.
“You’re right. Hard not to hear a woman screaming when there are no doors,” she said, pushing back the covers and climbing out of bed. “Who knows what he’s thinking now?”
That he wants me so much he’s willing to push aside all the reasons one night together is a bad idea and just see where our mutual desire leads?
Jango barked. Downstairs, she heard the chorus of puppies waking and asking to go out, too.
“Okay, I get it, guys. Time to stop thinking about Mark and focus on work.” She stripped out of her pajamas and pulled on a pair of jeans, bra and T-shirt. “Everyone is moving into the kennel today. Except you, Jango. You stay with me.”
If dogs could smile...
Amy slipped her feet into her shoes and headed for the stairs. Whatever he thought now, she couldn’t hide up here all day. Mark had made it clear last night that there were some lines he wouldn’t cross. And he was probably right. She couldn’t afford to lose him as a friend. Maybe they could both pretend she hadn’t screamed his name, her voice sounding suspiciously like a woman on the edge of an orgasm.
Amy tiptoed around the couch and found it empty. She closed her eyes, savoring the relief. Opening them, she glanced at the stack of folded sheets and a note scrawled on the back of a gas station receipt.
Went to give the guys a hand.
“Thank goodness for the Benton brothers,” she murmured, leading Jango to the door.
* * *
AN HOUR LATER, after she’d walked and fed the dogs, Amy headed for the kennels. She saw T.J. out in the field finishing up the obstacle course. He’d inflated a small kiddie pool and was filling it with plastic balls. Amy smiled and waved, knowing the puppies would love it. And it would be a good first step to learning to swim with the SEALs.