Real Men Knit(73)

When Jesse finally got to her breasts and lightly kissed her nipples through her bra, he tipped out his tongue, wetting the fabric. Her nipples peaked and hardened, and the flesh between her thighs responded in kind, causing her to squeeze her legs tighter together. Kerry felt it, the moment when his smile spread across his face, and she brought her head up. “Don’t get all smug now.”

Jesse looked up at her and shook his head. “Believe me, there is nothing smug about the way I’m feeling. This is just pure unadulterated joy right here. And I plan on swimming in it.”

She laughed but the laughter died in her throat as Jesse leaned up and pulled his T-shirt up over his head, flinging it to the floor. Kerry fought to catch her breath. Jesse grinned. “Good. Now you know a little bit of my suffering.”

Kerry covered her face as she felt the heat creep up. Jesse reached out and pulled her hands away, kissing each fingertip as he did so, causing electric tingles to go from their tips throughout her body. “Your hands are so beautiful,” he said, his voice low and more serious than she had expected.

Kerry felt her brows draw together. “My hands? That’s unexpected.” She pulled her hand from his and waved it across her body. “I mean, there is a whole lot more here to admire.”

He grinned and pulled her hand back into his but leaned forward and kissed her lips before pulling back. “I know and totally agree. I plan to properly admire all of it, woman. But I have admired your hands for a long time, so I just thought I’d let you know that.” He kissed the tops again, then let his tongue tip out, the pink tip teasing her index finger, causing her to clench tight between her thighs.

“I love watching you knit. Watching the way your fingers move. So smoothly, with such confidence. It always mesmerizes me. You make so many cute things. Hats, scarves, gloves . . .” His voice trailed off, but she could tell there was more he wanted to say. He kissed the tip of her finger again, then leaned in and gave it a tiny suck, the sensation giving her an even harder pull between her legs. Kerry sucked in a breath.

“I always wanted to receive one of those cute knitted gifts from you.” He paused, and for a moment he looked embarrassed. “You know, I was always jealous. Every holiday you always gave something handmade to the others but not to me.”

Kerry stilled. Had he really noticed that? She couldn’t believe he’d noticed that. She pulled her hand away and looked at him. “I didn’t,” she said. “I mean, I would always make something for Mama Joy and maybe a hat or two for your brothers, but that was no big deal.”

He shrugged and poked his lip out, looking every bit like the cute thirteen-year-old she’d fallen for a million years ago.

“Besides,” Kerry added, “how can you say that when somewhere in this house is probably a box full of your handmade discards?”

“What are you talking about?” Jesse asked, sitting up and looking more interested.

Kerry bit her lip and shook her head. “It’s nothing.” She waved her fingers in front of his face. “Continue with what you were doing.”

It was Jesse’s turn to shake his head. “Oh no, ma’am. You’re not doing that. What were you going to say? No holding back on your words when we’re both hot and horny for each other. The least we can do in this state is be honest.”

Kerry looked at him wide-eyed. Honest while horny? Kerry swallowed before she spoke. “I just always felt I never needed to add the hard fruits of my labor and my love to the pile of gifts you’ve received and tossed aside from so many girls over the years.” He stared at her with confusion in his pretty green eyes, so she continued. “I’d seen that drama played out way too many times to want a part in it.”

Jesse was quiet for a moment but finally, after a few beats, seemed to understand the meaning of her words. He tilted his head, then nodded. “I get you. I was a jerk when it came to girls.”

Kerry raised a brow.

Jesse sighed. “Cut a naked man some slack, please. But I’m talking about you here. You and me. We were never them. When it comes to you, well, still, a man can dream.”

Kerry nodded. “True. Just like a woman can wonder why we’re having this conversation while we’re both half-naked when there are so many better things we could be doing.”

She leaned up and put her hand to his chest. Feeling his heartbeat under her palm, loving the life out of it. She kissed him and he returned her passion in kind, taking the kiss deeper, then finally going lower, his hands lifting her skirt and pulling down her panties as she raised her hips. Once again, Jesse paused. “Shit.”

She lifted her head. “What now?”

He laughed. “I should have stopped by my room,” he said, an apology in his voice. “Just give me fifteen seconds.”

She laughed. “Okay, but I’m counting in my head.”

Thankfully he only needed ten and was back before she barely got the rest of her clothes off herself. “Shoot, I wanted to do that,” he said when he saw that she was already under the covers. Naked with a smile.

“Don’t worry, there’s plenty left for you to do.”

He grinned and threw the condoms he’d brought in onto the nightstand and took off his shorts and tank. “Don’t worry, Kerry Girl. I plan on doing it all.”