A Town Called Valentine(85)

“Jesus,” he whispered hoarsely.

“It’s been a long time.” Her voice was shaky with satisfaction. “Now take off your pants, and let’s rack some other balls.”

His laugh was partially a groan, and she heard him fumbling in his pants pocket before he yanked off his clothes. He was quick with a condom, and before she could even reach for him, he thrust home swift and sure.

She felt the deep fullness, the pressure of him already unfurling a new burst of passion. Joined so intimately, he leaned over her, hands braced on the pool table on either side of her body, his eyes pinned to hers.

“You . . . all right?” he asked, his breathing coming deep and quick.

“Better than that.” She reached to play with his nipples, to stroke every part of his bare skin she could reach.

Eyes closed, he accepted her touch, quivering, his erection pulsing inside her as if longing to be unleashed. Perspiration broke out on his forehead, he bit his lip, yet he held himself still as she explored him.

Then, with a groan, he pulled out and surged back in. She felt electric, her skin tingling with sensitivity. Every thrust of his body brought her closer to bliss again, and when at last she exploded, he let himself go, harder and faster and deeper until his upper body collapsed on top of her.





Chapter Eighteen



Nate felt as if his body were no longer under his control, so sated and exhausted were his muscles. And then he realized that Emily was sprawled on an uneven table beneath him.

He came up on his elbows and cupped her moist, flushed face. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

Her smile was sleepy and satisfied and indulgent. “I’m more than okay.”

She was so small, he lifted her right off the table, and she laced her ankles behind him and held on tight. It was only a few steps to the leather couch, and he was able to sink back, never leaving her body. Her short skirt pooled around her hips, an erotic sight.

“Jesus,” he whispered again, her breasts right before him like ripe peaches. He took them in his mouth, felt her body clutch him from deep inside. He was still hard, and moved in her slowly, even as she laughed, and then gasped again when his tongue flicked her nipple.

“So do you use that pool table a lot?” she asked, clutching his head to her.

“You’re the first.” She tasted sweet, and he could smell the scent of her skin, elusive and floral.

“So pool tables are our shared destiny.”

He chuckled and leaned back against the couch to look up at her. He couldn’t keep his hands off her breasts, and she watched him with a faint, amused expression, even as her eyes went dreamy.

At last, she slid to the side, and he excused himself to take care of the condom. When he returned, she was already in her bra, the skirt tugged back into place.

“Emily—”

“I should go,” she interrupted, her voice laced with reluctance. “I’m . . . I’ll feel too close to you if I spend the night. Neither of us wants that.”

He pulled on his jeans but didn’t protest. Yet he found himself wanting to touch her, to soothe her, but she pulled her shirt over her head, then straightened it over her breasts.

She gave him a reluctant glance. “You’ll think this strange, but you’re only the second man I’ve ever made—had sex with.”

“I’m not surprised, considering how young you were when you married.” Had she meant to say “made love”? That she’d changed her words made him feel confused even though she was calling sex what it was.

She smiled. “Trust you to understand how . . . strange this is for me.”

He watched as she looked around, and he found her purse and handed it to her. “Does this change things for you?”

“You mean can we still date?”

She came up on her tiptoes, and he leaned down. Their lips met softly, briefly, once, twice. He would have gone on kissing her, but she stepped away.

“Yes, Nate, I’m not done with you yet. I still have a couple months before classes start, and you’ve proved too much fun.”

He followed her to the door. “ ‘Too much fun’? I’m not sure how to take that.”

She looked over her shoulder, smiling, even as her gaze drifted down his chest. “That you’re irresistible, and I’m only human.”

“Then don’t resist me. Let’s get together again.”

“All right.” She opened the door, and Scout came bounding in, happily bouncing between them. “He’s all yours, Scout.”