Thrill Me (Fool's Gold #18)(49)

He circled, slowly at first, before increasing the speed. She tried to stay in her head, to not get lost in what he was doing. But it was impossible. Everything felt too good. Need spiraled, taking her closer and closer to her ultimate destination. She wasn’t ready and tried to hold back. If only...

She made the mistake of sinking down. Just a little but it was enough. His erection filled her and she was lost. Lost in the feeling of being stretched in the best way possible. Lost in the easy way they fit together and how good it was when she raised and then lowered herself again.

His touch on her clit never changed. He kept pace with her growing desire and up-and-down movements. His breathing matched hers. Their thighs tensed.

She moved a little faster, wondering if it could be better, then had to gasp as fiery pleasure shot through her. It was going to be too much, she thought frantically. Too good, too soon. She wasn’t ready. She needed this to last longer.

Her head warred with the rest of her body and quickly lost the battle. Soon she couldn’t think, couldn’t do anything but raise and lower herself, moving closer and closer to the pinnacle of her release. Faster, she thought, feeling that familiar promise barely out of reach. She was almost there.

Up and down, his thumb in place, rubbing in time with his thrusts. The end was inevitable. The only questions was—

“Del!”

She gasped his name as her climax rocketed through her. Every cell in her body cried out as she came. His free hand clamped onto her hip and held her in place as he thrust in deep, and she lost herself.

When they had both finished, he pulled her close and held her.

“Maya.”

Her name was a breath. An exhale. The sound cut through her, opening her until she was completely bare to him in every way possible. With that vulnerability came a truth so sharp it finished the job of separating her from the facade she’d been hiding behind for the past ten years.

The reason she hadn’t fallen for anyone else, the reason she’d never found love, was because she couldn’t. Del had claimed her heart and to the best of her knowledge he’d never given it back.

She was, after all this time, still in love with him.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

THE NEXT MORNING, Maya avoided looking at herself in the bathroom mirror. While it made putting on makeup somewhat complicated, she was terrified of what she would see in her eyes. She tried to tell herself it wasn’t as if there was a reader board proclaiming in bright letters “I’m in love with Del.” At least she hoped there wasn’t. In the end, the need to apply mascara defeated self-preservation. She sucked in a breath and stared at her reflection.

Except for looking a little tired, no doubt due to not getting home until after two in the morning and then being unable to sleep, she seemed to be the same. There was no telltale expression of guilt or confusion. No newly formed I love Del–shaped birthmark. She’d escaped unscathed.

At least on the outside.

The inside was a totally different matter. To be honest, she had no idea what had happened. Or when. She couldn’t believe she’d been in love with Del for the past ten years and hadn’t known. That was impossible to imagine. She’d been happy. Living her life. Having a career. Surely she would have noticed ongoing unrequited love. Which meant what? That lingering feelings had just...lingered? That Del sparks had been smoldering this whole time, waiting to be brought to life?

Too many questions and not enough answers, she told herself as she collected her bag and headed out of the house. She paused to water her geraniums, then walked briskly to Brew-haha. Coffee was the obvious first step. Then maybe a thorough list or two would help her clear her mind.

She was in love with Del. The thought repeated itself in time with her steps. They’d made love in her old bed, and it had happened.

Okay, she was pretty sure the act of doing it hadn’t caused her to fall for him. The sex had been great, but without magical powers. But the intimacy had caused the revelation. Even more confusing was what to do now.

She told herself she didn’t have to do anything. She could continue with her regularly scheduled life and pretend nothing was different. Under the right circumstances, denial was perfectly healthy. Actually that made the most sense. Del was only going to be in town for a few more weeks. When he was gone, she would revisit what had happened and figure it out. But until then, she was going to stick her head in the sand and make like an ostrich.

Twenty minutes later, she had taken the first sip of life-giving coffee. She was still deciding what to do next when she saw Elaine walking Sophie toward the park.

Maya waved at her friend, then hurried toward her.

“You’re up early,” she said, hugging her. “How are you feeling?”

Elaine smiled at her. “The same as I was when you called me yesterday morning to check on me. Good. Tired, but getting through.”

Maya bent down to greet Sophie. The beagle wiggled to get close for pats, her happy tail wagging.

“We decided a walk would be good for us,” Elaine said. “Want to join us?”

“I’d love to.”

They started for Pyrite Park, Sophie in the lead. The sweet dog stopped to sniff regularly.

“We missed you at the wedding yesterday,” Maya said.

“I know. I was actually feeling okay, so I could have gone. But when I got the invitation, I just wasn’t sure. Tell me everything.”