Until We Touch (Fool's Gold #15)(71)
Sam and Kenny disappeared into the kitchen with the food and the beer, Angel walked in with more shopping bags. Taryn called to him while Dellina went to sort through all the food. Kenny stuck his head back into the living room.
“Hey,” he said. “It’s starting. We need the TV on.”
Jack stood in the middle of the chaos and wondered why he’d thought this was a good idea. Sure watching the first game of the season together was a tradition, but it wasn’t as if it was a good one. He would prefer a little peace and quiet. Right now his house felt like a war zone.
The front door opened again and both dogs started barking. The sound intensified when Larissa came in with the three dogs she’d taken out. There were barks and yips and calls for quiet and the theme music for the NFL game. Jack was about to grab his car keys and run when his gaze locked on Larissa.
She was bent over, releasing the three chiweenies from their leashes. Nothing about the moment was all that special, yet seeing her allowed him to breathe again. He scooped up a couple of the dogs and told them to be quiet. Everyone found their way to the sofas to watch the game and he went in the other direction. Toward Larissa.
“They’re all walked,” she told him, absently taking one of the dogs he held. “They should be good for the rest of the day. They can use the backyard for their potty breaks.”
He drew her into the kitchen. There was an open twelve-pack of beer, several covered dishes that probably needed to be put in the refrigerator. Chips and nuts had to be put into bowls. But he didn’t care about that.
He set his dog down, took hers from her and did the same, then pulled her close and kissed her.
Her mouth was soft and warm. She moved against him, her tongue tangling with his until all he could think about was taking her upstairs and having his way with her. Only they had a house full of company and there was a teenager awake and dogs to worry about. When had his life gotten so complicated?
She drew back and smiled at him. “Nice greeting. So I should leave more often?”
“Not really. I just missed you.”
She looked at the mess in the kitchen. “Too many people going in too many directions?”
“Taryn and Dellina were discussing tulle.”
She laughed. “Do you know what that is?”
“It’s something to do with the wedding, so no.”
She hugged him. “You’re such a guy.”
“That should make you happy.”
“It does.”
* * *
THE L.A. STALLIONS won their season opener, which put everyone in a good mood. Larissa enjoyed watching football with the guys. Not because she cared about the sport, but because they did. Plus, when they complained about a bad call or sloppy play, they knew exactly what they were talking about. She’d worked with them for so long she sometimes forgot that expertise was fun.
After everyone had left and the kitchen was clean, Percy returned to his room. She let out the chiweenies one last time, then herded them all upstairs where they collapsed together on a huge dog bed in the corner. She gave each of them a quick pat, then followed the sound of running water into the giant master bath.
Jack had water flowing into the tub. The scent of jasmine and vanilla drifted through the steam. He had already kicked off his shoes and removed his socks. She leaned against the door frame to watch him remove the rest of his clothing.
It was a good show. No matter how many times she saw Jack naked, she never got tired of looking. Maybe it was the way his muscles moved. Muscles she knew intimately. Maybe it was because she was in love with him and therefore couldn’t get enough of him. Maybe it was a combination. But whatever the reason, she stood and watched as Jack undressed, then walked into his embrace.
He pulled her close, then touched her face. His hands cupped her cheeks as he pressed his mouth to hers. His lips claimed with heady passion. She parted for him and welcomed the erotic feel of his tongue against hers.
With the first stroke, she felt electric tingles moving through her torso. With the second, those tingles settled in her br**sts and between her legs. He hadn’t even touched her anywhere and she was already squirming to get closer, to be taken and to take. But first there would be the journey.
He dropped his hands to her waist and began to tug on her T-shirt. She reluctantly drew back so he could pull off the shirt. Her bra followed and then his hands were on her br**sts.
He cupped her curves before bending over and sucking on her left nipple. She arched against him, wanting him to take her in deeper. She touched his hair, his bare shoulders. As his teeth lightly rubbed against her sensitive nipple, his hands reached for her jeans.
She fumbled in her attempts to help him undress her. Jeans and panties were pushed to the ground, then his mouth was on her other breast and she was having a little trouble keeping her breathing steady.
He broke away and turned off the faucets, then dimmed the lights. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s see how big a mess we can make.”
She laughed and reached for a clip. After securing her hair on top of her head, she stepped into the hot water. He got in, as well, then sat down in the tub and held out his arms. She got in, her back to his front. His erection poked her in the small of her back. She tried to turn, but he wouldn’t let her.
“We’re going to play first,” he told her. “You’ll like it.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re right,” she said, relaxing against him. The water was exactly the right temperature and the sensual fragrance surrounded them.