The Promise (Thunder Point #5)(49)

His hands on her were so gentle, his caresses so slow and measured from her br**sts to her knees. He kissed each breast, the inside of her arms and her belly. His fingers slid lower, and he smiled, murmuring, “Oh, baby.”

“Condom,” she whispered. “Top drawer.”

“I’ve got it.” And he reached inside, finding a brand-new, unopened box. “Thank you for this,” he said. When he was ready, he didn’t enter her. Instead he kissed his way down her body, spread her legs and used a strong tongue on her.

She grabbed his hair and arched against him, moaning in such beautiful pleasure she wasn’t sure how long she could wait for him. Then he lifted her legs behind the knees, put his hands under her bottom and entered her slowly. Filling her.

“God,” she said. She looked at his face, and it had turned to stone. His eyes were shut, and he clenched his jaw, and she knew trying to wait was going to be a problem for him, as well. She put a hand on his cheek. “Look at me,” she whispered. “Just look at me.”

He opened his eyes and slowly he smiled, but he didn’t move his hips. He threaded his hand down between their bodies, two fingers slipping down, rubbing her until she began to push back at him, panting wildly, and then he began to move. He thrust deeply, rhythmically, powerfully. He kept his eyes open, watching her face, his expression so intense. The second he felt her internal muscles clench around him, he moved a little harder, faster, deeper. Her orgasm held her a long time, and she gripped his shoulders fiercely, her nails digging in, riding it out. Just as the power of it was starting to ease, he thrust and held, and she could feel him pulsing into her. And it was magnificent. He was magnificent.

A moment later he carefully lowered his lips to hers. He kissed her softly, then more deeply. She held him close, the small patch of hair on his chest brushing against her br**sts, his pelvis flush against hers as he stayed inside her. She reached up and ran her fingers through the hair above his ear. “Scott....”

He smiled. “Thank you.”

She laughed softly. “The pleasure was all mine.”

“Am I too heavy?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Stay with me like this,” she said. “You feel good.”

“Next time will be better,” he said. “Now that we know each other’s bodies a little bit.”

“You’re kidding, right? Scott, my toes curled. My eyes watered. I haven’t felt this good in too long to even...” She put a finger on his lips. “It was wonderful for me. And I think it was good for you, if I’m any judge.”

“Oh, baby.” He laughed. “Thanks for thinking of condoms. I wasn’t sure you’d have any....”

“We probably don’t need them. I’m on the pill, but Ted was a cheater so.... We should talk about it, but for now...”

“I have a couple in the pocket of my pants, but yours were closer. Were you expecting this to happen?”

“Uh-huh. Since that kiss at your house while the kids slept on the couch.”

“Only since then?” He laughed. “Honey, I’ve been having a party in my pants since the day I interviewed you.”

“Even though you thought I was playing for the other team?”

“Somehow, that made it worse...or better.”

“Men...” she said, but she laughed.

“I just had a few harmless fantasies, that’s all.”

“I hope you’re over it.”

His eyes were so dark and hot. “Honey, being with you tonight was a lot better than anything I could dream up.”

She looped her arms around his neck. “For me, too, Scott.”

* * *

He held her for a long time, whispering to her. He wanted to be totally honest with her. “As much as I wanted to make love to you, I really didn’t think it was in the cards. First, I thought I wasn’t your type. Then, I thought your bad heartbreak would keep you from me until you could get past it, and since I only had you for a little while, I didn’t like my chances. And then I thought you would see what a flawed decision you made working in this little clinic, in this little town for that little paycheck, and you would leave.”

“I told you I’d keep my word,” she said.

He turned so he was spooning her from behind. “I admire that,” he said. “I admire it in anyone, but that was a hard promise for you to make, and you made it, anyway.”

“I thought maybe this was a good place to take a break, to remember what my priorities really are. All the people I’ve met here seem to know something about that.”

“Most of the people you’ve met have done exactly the same thing. Cooper came here because his good friend died suddenly, and he wanted to know what happened. Sarah came here to recover from a nasty divorce. Eric—who owns the service station—he came here because he needed a fresh start, and he has a daughter here. I’ll let Devon tell you her story herself, and it’s remarkable.”

“And there’s you,” she said.

“There’s me,” he said, pulling her a little closer. “I was looking for something, but I didn’t know what. There were the practical reasons. I always think about the kids and what would be good for them. But I wanted my work to be more than a job. I wanted to be a part of something. When you’re the only doctor in a small town, believe me, you’re in it and it’s in you.” He moved her hair out of the way and kissed her neck.