Hidden Summit (Virgin River #17)(27)

And that fast she decided—she was going to enjoy her life rather than subject herself to some kind of torture of denial to avoid ever being hurt again. If he wanted to devour her with these fabulous kisses, and more, she’d just have to endure it.

He backed off the littlest bit and said, “You have a very good mouth for this. Perfect, I think.”

“Are you just getting it out of the way again?” she asked.

“Nope. Just getting started. Do you have to listen to messages or let the cat out or anything?”

She shook her head. “Are we going to stand inside the door and make out?”

“I could. Where do you want to make out?”

She thought about saying the bed. Or the shower. Or maybe up against a wall? “Sofa?” she asked.

“You don’t sound too sure,” he said, slipping the blazer from her shoulders. He shed his lightweight jacket and tossed them both on the living room chair. Taking her hand, he led her to the couch. “Do you need anything? A drink? A little more conversation? How’s the mustache? Too bristly?”

She just shook her head, bringing a chuckle out of him. Once she was seated on the sofa he knelt on one knee and helped her out of her boots. Then he sat down and took off his. And then he had her in his arms again pulling her across his lap, going after her mouth with all his heat and power.

“I don’t want to jinx this,” he whispered, “but you’re a natural.”

“Are you saying I’ve missed my calling?”

He reclined with her on the sofa. “I’m saying, you’re very tasty and desirable and I could do this clear into next week.”

Then, with a hand on her butt pulling her against him, he pressed into her. She chuckled against his lips. “No, you can’t,” she said. He was hard. Ready. “All you want is sex.”

He grew still and serious. He gave her lips a little peck. Then he kissed her nose. “No, Les. That’s not all. But it’s not a bad place to start.”

Leslie could remember making out, but she certainly couldn’t remember anything like this. And she’d never been romanced this way—with a truckload of flowers and comments like, that’s not all, but it’s not a bad place to start. Although Conner was a large man, they somehow managed to lie on the couch together, bodies pressed close, mouths pressed closer. And hands, gliding up and down bodies. Leslie kissed his mouth, his chin, his brooding eyebrows, his cheeks, the place where his dimple would be when he smiled. She licked his upper lip, touching the mustache with her tongue, and made him moan.

“You like that, I think,” he said.

“I like it,” she confirmed. She tugged his shirt out of his pants so she could run her hands up his hard belly and over his sculptured chest. “You’re hard everywhere.”

He unbuttoned her crisp white shirt to find a very sexy, transparent lace bra. “And you’re soft everywhere. Did you wear this for me?” He bent his head and kissed the lace.

“I might’ve, yes. I wasn’t sure what would happen, but I did think about having the right underwear for it.”

His big hand slid down to the crotch of her jeans. “I can’t wait to see the matching panties.”

“One thing at a time.”

“You’re right.” He popped the front latch of her bra and enjoyed himself for a little while with her br**sts, first fondling and then kissing and finally sucking. He lifted his head and looked into her eyes. “How’s that bristle on your br**sts?”

“It’s very good,” she said breathlessly, without opening her eyes.

“Les, are we gonna get naked?”

“You mean more naked?”

“It’s up to you,” he said. “And if the answer is yes, let’s trade this couch in for a bed. If the answer is no, let’s put on the coffee.”

“I’m very nervous. I wonder if I’ve thought it through....”

He chuckled and ran a rough finger down her chest all the way to her navel. “You have no reason to be nervous. And I have a couple of brand-new condoms in my pocket. One week old.”

“You planned this?”

“No, sweetheart. I wanted this. Hoped for this. Wanted to be prepared for this.”

She bit her bottom lip for a second. “Will we still be friends after?” she asked in a soft voice.

“Oh, Leslie, better friends, I hope. Are you worried I’m just here for the sex? Because I’m here for the sex with you, but only because it’s you. I haven’t felt this in a long time. I was a little afraid I’d never feel it again. But…” He started to pull her shirt closed over her br**sts. “I want you to be ready. This has to be about both of us, not just one of us. We can put on the coffee....”

She grabbed his wrists. “I’m nervous, but I’m ready.”

“Are you nervous because it’s me?”

“Because it’s been so long and because I really like you. And because I’ve never done anything like this before, this ‘friends with benefits’ kind of thing.”

“It’s more than that,” he said. “I think it’s friends with chemistry. You really turn me on.” He nuzzled her neck with a low purr that almost turned into a growl. “I’m going to take very good care of you, Leslie.”