Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)(52)
But those fantasies were for another time, she told herself firmly. Right now she had gift bags to prep and a thousand details to get to before she could sleep.
* * *
DELLINA DRIFTED IN that blissful not-quite-awake semisleep. She’d been up until after midnight, but it had been worth it. When she’d finally gone to bed, it had been with the knowledge that she was as ready as she could be. There was no need to panic. She was prepared for whatever the day might offer.
She opened her eyes and sighed. She’d slept really well. Given the short night, she’d expected to be more tired. But she was energized. As if she’d gotten her full eight hours instead of a mere—
She turned to her clock and screamed. Eight-thirty? Eight-thirty? No! She’d set her alarm, hadn’t she? She was going to get up at six and be ready. Fayrene was bringing the van at nine. They had to be at the hotel by ten. She’d paid extra to have access to the meeting rooms this morning. There was still so much to do.
She jumped out of bed and collected her clothes, then dashed down the hall. She threw herself into the bathroom, slammed the door shut and turned on the water.
In record time she’d brushed her teeth, washed her face and leaped into the shower. She didn’t have time to wash her hair, so she pinned it on top of her head. Wash, rinse and she was out. Naked and dripping, she reached for her towel just as the bathroom door pushed open.
Dellina remembered instantly that she hadn’t locked the door. She’d been too much in a hurry, plus she hadn’t been thinking that she had a temporary roommate. And while him seeing her dripping and naked was embarrassing, it wasn’t the end of the world. He’d seen her without her clothes before.
She closed her hand around her towel, all the while expecting him to apologize and then back out of the room. Only he didn’t. He stared at her with a combination of desire and need that made her legs shaky.
He swore softly, reached for her, swore again, then took a step back.
“The door wasn’t locked,” he said, his voice gritty and thick.
There wasn’t any time, she thought. This was insane. They’d already agreed on ground rules. There were a thousand reasons to say, “Hey, no problem,” and then cover herself. To pretend this had never happened. It was the smart thing to do. It was sensible. It was impossible.
“Sam,” she breathed.
His jaw tightened. For one agonizing second he didn’t move. Then he ripped open his shirt and dropped it to the floor even as he surged toward her. His arms came around her as she clung to him. Then his mouth was on hers and nothing else mattered.
CHAPTER TWELVE
HE CLAIMED HER with a kiss that shook her to her toes. Lips pressed. Breath mingled. Dellina parted instantly and he pushed his tongue inside her mouth. She stroked hers against his, wanting the friction and teasing arousal. But it was difficult to concentrate on his kisses when his hands roamed over her bare, wet body.
He explored her back, then her rear before cupping her curves and squeezing. She arched against him and felt that he was already hard. Very hard. His hands moved around to her front, then up to her br**sts. His long, skilled fingers found her already tight ni**les and brushed against the very tips.
Wanting burned so hot, she melted. Between her legs she ached as her body swelled in anticipation. She fumbled with his belt and got it open, then undid his jeans and pushed them down.
He pulled back enough to shove off the rest of his clothes. He was already barefoot. He kicked everything out of the way, then dropped to his knees and eased her thighs apart. She barely had time to grab the sink for support before he was holding her open with his fingers and licking the very heart of her.
It was too much, she thought, gasping for air as his tongue moved back and forth against her clitoris. Too good, too soon, too early. But she didn’t want him to stop. Not when he did those little circles, pausing only to suck deeply.
He moved his hands to her hips and shifted her slightly, then raised her left foot so it rested on the tub. She was exposed and waited to feel embarrassed. But before she could summon the emotion, he pushed two fingers deep inside of her and curled them upward. She felt delicious pressure, then an odd rubbing.
It was as if he was caressing her clit from the back. But more than that. Deeper. She pushed down to increase the pressure. She gasped as those fingers rubbed and stroked and his tongue circled. The sensations blended until she was at their mercy, unable to do anything but breathe and feel and then surrender to the inevitable climax that gripped her so tightly she had no choice but to scream her release.
“Oh, Sam!” she gasped as she started to come. “Please!”
He touched her from the inside and the outside, drawing every last quiver until she was spent.
“Condoms.”
The word came out in a near-guttural moan. She opened her eyes and watched him stand. He was hard and shaking and staring at her with an intensity that nearly made her swoon.
The meaning of what he wanted sank in. She turned and pulled open the medicine chest, then handed him an unopened box.
The paper lid went flying. He pulled one out, had it on and her turned back to him in less than three seconds. A heartbeat after that, she was on the counter, her legs spread and he pushed inside of her.
His sharp exhalation told her how close he’d been to the edge and the knowledge made her shiver. She wrapped her legs around his hips and pulled him in closer.