One Funeral (No Weddings #2)(66)

I smiled and tilted my head, assessing him. A larger-than-life, perfect specimen of the male species sat across from me, and I’d shocked him motionless. And speechless.

“I give it a ten.” My words came out breathy.

Another set of rapid blinks.

Morse code for resuscitate STAT?

He leaned forward, sucking in a deep breath, finally coming back to life. “Fuck, Hannah. That punched right through into fifteen territory, easy.”

I smirked. He wasn’t rating the wine, but I teased him anyway. “And that’s just this cold, tiny wine glass.”

He gaped, shaking his head. Then he downed the rest of his glass in a swallow. He grabbed the ice wine from the bucket and poured himself a brimming second glass. “I need more wine for this.”

I put my glass down but floated my hand over it when he offered to refill it. Instead, I pulled his glass closer and sipped off the top inch, so it wouldn’t spill.

Emboldened by the adrenaline thrumming through my veins, I stood and offered a hand to him. “You sure you don’t want to remain sober for the rest of the night?”

He blinked again.

I laughed, tugging him up. “Dance with me, Romeo.”

He stood and twirled me into his arms. Holding tight, he gazed down at me. “I don’t hear any music.”

Thinking for a minute, I hummed.

He paused mid-sway, then burst out laughing. “The Sound of Music?”

“No?” I arched my brows. “Doesn’t the gazebo scene play our song?”

“No.” He shook his head and put his hands on my shoulders. “That is a song my sisters made me dance to, over and over and over again. The only thought I want of my sisters tonight is deep appreciation for how they helped set this up. There. I gave it one single thought of thanks. Now no more thoughts of them tonight.”

My shoulders shook with silent laughter as he pulled me close again. “Well, then you hum our music.”

We twirled slowly in silence until his low voice serenaded a haunting melody in my ears. “What are you doing for the rest of your life…”

I sighed, melting into him as we danced in the cool night air under the stars. He hummed most of the song, but the strains in the low timbre of his voice were beautiful.

When the song ended, he dropped his head down and brushed his lips across my ear. He held me there as we continued to sway, his solid body embracing mine. And even though Cade’s music stopped, the night music took over, crickets chirping out notes around us. It felt like a Disney scene brought to life.

That is, until scorching kisses went down the column of my throat, careening the G-rated moment decidedly later in the alphabet. I shuddered, heat searing through my body with each sensual touch.

His lips drifted over my collarbone, and with a slide of fingers across my skin, he slipped one side of the straps of my blouse and bra off my shoulder and left them dangling, placing a kiss where they’d been.

He did the same to the remaining side, only his lips never made it there, finding a path up the other side of my throat instead. I leaned my head to the side, giving him access, but he shifted and captured my mouth in a soft, teasing kiss. Moving in slow motion, he pulled back and sucked my lower lip gently before pressing in again.

His hand cupped my breast, and I gasped. When his tongue flicked across mine, I groaned and leaned into him, seeking more. Then his thumb flicked over my hardened nipple, and I felt my knees giving way, like my body was melting into the ground.

He pulled back, searching my eyes, looking for something. Guidance? Permission?

“Touch me, Cade. Please.” My entire body trembled.

“What do you want, Hannah?” His dark gaze penetrated through me, promising anything I wanted.

I swallowed hard, trying to formulate thoughts with blood rushing in my ears, throbbing everywhere. Our slow dance had made me dizzy with need. “I want you.”

A wicked grin on his ruggedly handsome face melted me further. He dropped his mouth down to my ear, sucking on the lobe. With a tug of his teeth, he slowly released it. “Be more specific. This is our adventure, Maestro. Ask for what you need.”

I needed everything. Anything.

His sinful lips teased my skin, while he waited for my answer, stealing away my ability to think. In the chaotic whirlwind, nothing seemed tangible, but all seemed possible. And I found myself very greedy. Somehow, I found my voice through the haze.

“I need your hands, your mouth, all over my body. I want you buried deep inside of me.”

His low growl startled me. His teeth sank into the tender spot at the crook of my shoulder, not breaking the skin but sending raw heat below the surface all the same. “Everything you want, plus things you’ve never imagined—they’re all yours.”

I pulled away. When he began to stalk after me, I held up a hand, stopping him. “Watch me undress.”

He shook his head slowly, not in negation, but with an expression of awe-filled wonder. Then he backed up a couple of steps, like he didn’t trust his legs to not lunge after me and take what his body instinctually wanted.

Smirking, I pulled my shoulder straps back up, then grabbed the hem of the gauzy spaghetti-strapped top and pulled it over my head. Not remembering which bra I wore, I glanced down. Ah yes, my black lace demi bra. Feeling naughty, I dragged my fingertips between my breasts, then along the outer swell of one, tracing where the lace hugged me.