Promise Canyon (Virgin River #13)(46)

"Are you okay, Lilly?" he whispered. "Tell me if it's too much."

As she shook her head, a tear loosened and rolled into the hair at her temple and a little squeak of emotion escaped her. "Please," she said softly. "Oh, please, Clay. I want you. All of you."

He growled with passion so hot, he trembled to control himself. With his hands on her hips, his lips on her lips, he moved inside her with precision, deep and strong. After the first few strokes a rhythm took over and her h*ps moved against his. He was astonished at her power for one so small, so sweet. He felt her hands on his hips, pulling him into her; he had to grit his teeth to hang on. Waiting for her was going to be difficult, even when it wasn't the first time tonight--there was such a force in her supple little body. "Lilly," he said in a drawn-out whisper. "Oh, my God, Lilly..."

"Yes," came out of her like a hiss. "Yes!" With her hands plunged into his long hair and gripping him, she led his head downward, his mouth to her nipple, and he went there willingly. He sucked hard, pulling that erect little knot into his mouth, and he pumped into her with gusto, rubbing his shaft against her clitoris as he penetrated her as deeply as her body would allow. "Oh, my God, yes..." she said. And he felt it begin in the deepest part of her core, gripping him with hot, wet, desperate tightness. She dug her heels into the bed and pushed against him, locked onto him. Her legs came around his h*ps to hold him there and she shattered. It was a small but powerful explosion of ecstasy that grew and grew; she held him inside her, held his head to her breast, and she clenched him in spasms of pleasure.

Clay held on for a moment, enjoying her orgasm, then he let go and throbbed with his own release. He heard her again, in the faintest, weak whisper. "Yes... Oh, yes..."

He couldn't even force himself to leave her body so he balanced himself above her. He gently stroked her face. Her eyes were closed and there was a small smile of satisfaction on her lips. "See?" he whispered. "We can do it justice even without opera."

Her eyes popped open and she let go a big laugh.

Clay insisted on taking Lilly out for dinner, though she'd have been just as happy to pull on those soft yoga togs, stay comfortable and half-naked and finish the meal she'd started in the kitchen. He had a double purpose, he said. He wanted some meat and more condoms. Neither were items Lilly had on hand.

He took her to a Mexican place, a little hole-in-the-wall where the carne asada was fantastic and she could have her fill of beans, rice, tortillas and cheese. He wanted to know all about the man he was competing with, the man he meant to take her away from, but he used great restraint and didn't raise the subject. Probably she had things to work out about that. There might be choices and decisions that weren't easy for her. He wanted to say, "Tell him it's over and we're together now," but he didn't. They'd talk about it before too long. Until they did, he didn't want to appear a brute.

He wanted her to come to him, not succumb to him.

Instead, he asked, "How long have you been in your little house?"

"Two years. I rent it. I had always lived with Yaz and I thought at twenty-five I was past due for a little space of my own. Yaz isn't crazy about the idea, but I like it."

"He wanted you in his house forever?" Clay asked.

"Of course he did," she said with a laugh. "He might still be plotting my return."

"I was thinking how perfect that little house seemed for you. And you need your privacy."

"What I needed was independence, and sometimes solitude."

He reached for her hand. "Do you need solitude tonight, Lilly?" he asked softly.

Her eyes twinkled and she smiled. "I think I'll have solitude tomorrow. That's soon enough."

So Clay stayed the night with her and made sure she was very well loved. It thrilled him that she reached for him in the night and when he opened his eyes he saw that hers were glistening and bright; she hadn't reached out of habit, but out of desire. He was quick to reward her longing, to satisfy her. She was so hungry, it couldn't escape his notice. Hungrier even than he, and that made an impression on him. Lilly had been left wanting, and a woman with her passion and responsiveness should never have found herself in such a state.

In the morning he kissed her sweetly before leaving. "I don't want to go, but horses aren't known for sleeping in," he whispered. "I'll see you later, when you're free."

The hours dragged for him until the afternoon. Annie gave some riding lessons in the morning, Nathaniel went out to a couple of ranches to see about sick animals, Gabe came to the stable in the early afternoon to do chores, and finally at midafternoon she appeared. While they readied a couple of horses for a ride, he stole a few deep, hot kisses and then took her out on the trail. On the trail there was some desperate groping and kissing when they were away from prying eyes.

"Let me come to your house tonight," he begged.

"But Gabe is here. Don't you go to your sister's most nights?"

"Most. Not tonight. Tonight I want to be with you."

"Will you eat a veggie meal with me?" she asked, teasing.

"I'll eat tree bark if it makes you happy."

"Hmm. I think you might work out...."

When they returned to the stable, took care of the horses and Lilly departed, Gabe didn't waste any time nudging his dad.