A Father's Secret

“Don’t let me spoil this by losing control too soon,” he growled, dragging her hands to his hips. “Besides, it’s my turn now.”

He drifted one finger over the swell of her brea**sts and Erin’s skin shimmered in a scatter of goose bumps. Anticipation thrilled through her body, drawing into a tight knot deep in her belly as he traced the outside edge of her bra cup. For a split second she rued the practicality of the garment, but it was only that tiniest fraction of time before he lifted both hands to slide the straps down over her shoulders and peel the cups of her bra away, exposing her to his concentrated gaze.

She had stretch marks, she knew. The silver striations were a badge of honor to her, but would he see them the same way or would he find them repugnant? She didn’t have time to think about the question as he flipped her bra hooks undone and cupped the weight of her in both his hands. His thumbs stroked the tight nubs of her nipp**les over and over.

“May I kiss you there?” he asked, his voice nothing more than a rasp of emotion.

“Yes.” She sighed.

It had been so long since she’d felt like this. Like a woman desired, wanted, needed. As his lips pressed against her flesh she moaned in delight, her fingers threaded through the short strands of his hair, holding him to her, loving every second of the texture of his tongue, the reverence of his lips, the sheer joy of his touch. His broad long-fingered hands splayed across her rib cage, making her feel cherished, special. Feelings she hadn’t experienced in so long, if ever.

Emotion threatened to overwhelm her and she dragged several rapid breaths into her aching lungs. Nothing would ruin this night. Nothing. This was what was right for them. Tonight, and hopefully for a long time to come.

When Sam undid her jeans, she helped him peel them down her legs and kicked them aside. They were on equal terms, each dressed only in their briefs. She wasn’t sure, later, who reached for whom first, but the difference was only a matter of seconds and they were both naked. Erin let her gaze drift over his body, over the torso she’d already come to love the feel of, and hoped soon to enjoy the taste of, too, then lower, to the jutting proof of his desire for her. She slid her fingers around his hard length, relishing the hot silken feel of him. Sam caught his lower lip between his teeth, his sharply indrawn breath a hiss of sound in response to her touch.

“Protection,” he ground out. “Let me get my jeans.”

A small laugh bubbled from Erin’s throat. “You came prepared?” She gave him a firm squeeze and was rewarded with a rumble of pleasure.

“Let’s just say, after last week’s kiss I thought it might pay to be.” He let a teasing smile play around his lips. “I was impressed to discover Connell Lodge really does think of everything. Now I want to return the favor.”

His reference to their advertising catch phrase and their determination to make sure their guests would have everything they needed during a stay, made her flush with heat. Was he really saying that he was going to make sure he gave her everything she needed? A mix of desire, and something else, flooded her body. It felt good to be wanted on this level. So very good. She flipped the covers wide open on the bed and lay down on the crisp linens, her skin sensitized to the texture of the cotton against her skin. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d lain naked upon the sheets like this. It felt wonderful. He made her feel wonderful.

Sam had already sheathed himself and lowered himself to the bed beside her. He trailed one hand from her hips up over her belly to the underside of the swell of her breast, and back down again, each time letting his fingers drift closer to the molten core of her. She knew she was wet for him. Wet and wanting. She squirmed against the sheets, willing his hand closer, striving to feel his touch where her body most wanted it.

When his fingers dipped between the soft folds of her flesh she strained against him and was rewarded when a faint smile crossed his so-intent face. He dipped a little deeper, applying a steady circular pressure to the bead of flesh at her center that already throbbed with an urgent beat. He leaned over her, his lips fusing once more to hers. He drew her lower lip into his mouth, suckling on the plump flesh, his tongue imitating the movement of his fingers across that oh-so-sensitive spot.

Then shards of light speared through her, her climax hitting her body, swift and intense. A sharp keening sound escaped her throat as she rode the waves of pleasure—a pleasure so sure, so powerful that all thought abandoned her, leaving only sensation. She was still shaking in the aftermath when she felt Sam gather her to him, anchoring her to his warmth, his strength. The ultimate security of his embrace.