The Truest Thing (Hart's Boardwalk 4)

Jack moved me back in the direction of the bed, and our lips didn’t part until he lifted and then dropped me on my back across the middle of the mattress.

I laid there, panting, my entire body aflame. He kept me trapped in his gaze as he unbuttoned his shirt.

All I could do was watch in utter fascination.

This was nine years of longing finally coming to a culmination.

That ache between my legs became almost unbearable.

Jack tugged off his shirt and threw it behind him. Just as I’d imagined, he was all hard, lean muscle, and I’d barely had time to ogle him when he took hold of the hem of my long dress. Slowly, he pushed it up past my thighs, over my stomach, my breasts, and I raised my arms above my head so he could pull it off. His eyes devoured, raking over me as I lay under him in my white cotton bra and panties. I had a moment of insecurity. I bet Jack was used to women who wore fancy lingerie.

There was a twinge of pain near my heart.

I didn’t want to think about Jack with other women.

“Whatever put that pretty frown between your brows, get rid of it,” Jack whispered. “Because you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. You will always be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. You need proof.” He drew my gaze to the thick arousal stretching the fabric of his pants. “I?

??m a grown man and you do this to me with just a whisper in my ear.”

I gasped at the thought, shivering with anticipation.

When I looked up, our eyes met.

“Do you want me like I want you?”

Butterflies fluttered wildly in my belly. I felt like a teenager. Like a virgin. But it didn’t stop me from replying, “Yes, Jack. I want you very badly.”

He closed his eyes for a minute, seeming to savor those words. And then when he opened them, I shivered at the stark longing and lust glittering in their blue-gray depths. Leaning over me, he grazed his knuckles across my stomach, his eyes following his fingers as they trailed along the edge of my underwear. I sucked in my breath at the sensation.

“Jesus, Em, I’m trying to be a gentleman, I want to go slow, make love to you …” His eyes moved up my body. “But I don’t want to treat you like bone china either.”

My nipples peaked against my bra at the dark arousal in his voice. “I’m not bone china, Jack. I don’t want to be treated like I’m fragile. I’m not.”

His gaze only intensified. Then his hand flattened on my stomach and he smoothed it upward slowly, heading between my breasts. His touch was possessive, and I was shocked by how much it aroused me. He unclipped the front clasp on my bra and eased it off.

The cool air rushed over my breasts and they swelled under his perusal. My breath hitched as he stroked them softly, his thumbs brushing over my nipples. Jack held my eyes as he gently, slowly, torturously teased my breasts. “You’re so fucking sexy.”

I think I stopped breathing.

“Nine years. Nine years I’ve dreamed of this.” He leaned over, his erection pushing insistently against my belly, and his lips whispered over mine. “Have you dreamed about me, Em?”

“You know I—” I gasped as he squeezed my breasts hard, sensation shooting between my legs. “Have.”

He slid his body down, pushing my thighs open, and he thrust his cock against me. I groaned, feeling a flush of heat move up my body from deep and low in my belly.

My thighs parted in invitation.

In answer, he kissed me, and I wrapped my arms around his strong back, trying to draw him closer. His lips moved down my chin, trailing in soft caresses along my throat and breasts. The scratch of stubble made me shiver even harder. As much as I wanted his mouth all over me, I was desperate to explore him. I’d wanted him for so long. “Jack … can I touch you?”

He groaned against my right nipple. “Sunrise, you don’t have to ask. You have permission to touch me anytime you want.”

“Can you lie back for me?”

Jack lifted his head at the request, eyes gleaming. And then he moved, shifting off me to lie on his back. His expression was charmingly cocky. “Come and get me,” it said.

I moved to straddle him, rubbing against his erection while I trailed my fingers lightly down his abs. His hard stomach tightened under my touch, and there was an answering throb between my legs. Jack clasped my hips in his hands and groaned as I slid over him.

I kissed him, wet and deep, as I pumped my hips against his arousal. His groans filled my mouth, making it difficult to break away, but I wanted to explore. I kissed my way down his throat, enjoying the stimulation I felt at the mere prickle of his unshaven skin.