Stacking the Deck (A Betting on Romance Novel Book 2)(68)

When she stood again, the uncertainty was back in her eyes. He could see her thinking. Worrying. Wondering.

“Stop thinking so much,” he chided her. “This is supposed to be fun.”

“I’ve never done anything like this before.”

“Sex?” he teased gently.

“No,” she blushed. “This.”

“You mean sex on a kitchen table? It’s easy, really, only a little harder.”

“Don’t you feel a bit silly? We’re in broad daylight. Anyone could walk to the back slider and see us standing here in our altogether. What would they think?”

“That we were really hungry? Because I know I am.” He pressed forward, flesh against flesh, heat against heat. Her hands came up to press against his chest and splayed there. His heart hammered against her palm. He’d never felt so relaxed and excited all at the same time.

“I’ve never had sex anywhere but in a bed,” she confessed.

“Then we have some work ahead of us. There are floors, shower stalls, grassy meadows...”

“How do you know you’ll want to do it again?”

“Good lord, Liz. I already want to do it again and we haven’t done it once. Stop talking and touch me.”

“I am touching you.” She peered down at her fingers.

“I mean really touch me.”

“Can I kiss you first?”

“God, yes.”

Her lips brushed his, the softest most tantalizing caress that sent heat spiraling to his toes. He groaned and leaned into her.

“I just don’t want to get it wrong,” she murmured against his lips.

“Honey, the only way to get it wrong would be to tell me to stop.” And with that he lifted her to the table again and kissed her like the first time.




“I DON’T WANT TO BREAK the mood, but can we get that pizza now? I’m hungry.”

Carter’s lips tilted in a lazy grin. “I thought you’d never ask.” He rolled onto his side and slid his finger down her bare arm.

In the end they’d moved to the living room; although, now that she had rug burns in unmentionable places, Liz was only sorry the table hadn’t seemed up to the task after all.

“Do you think we broke it?” she asked.

“I think I’m all right.”

She swatted him playfully. “I meant the table.”

He grinned and leaned forward to press a lazy kiss just north of her breast. “Nothing that can’t be fixed. Just need to tighten a couple bolts, I think, and we’ll be good to go.”

She could feel her face warm. “I really am hungry.”

“In a minute. You have gorgeous breasts, you know that? You should dress this way more often.”

“You mean naked?” She laughed and felt the heat of a blush again, though she wouldn’t have moved away from the warm brush of his lips for the world.

“Mmm. Suits you.” He sighed and gave her breast one last peck before sliding up her torso and pinning her to the rug.

She looked into his gorgeous green eyes. Wow. She’d just made love to Carter MacIntyre. Correction. She’d just fallen in love with him.

The breath froze in her chest.

He frowned slightly. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Yes,” she lied, forcing a smile. “Just, um, hungry.”

Keep it light she counseled herself. She needed to get dressed. She needed to think. Oh God, she felt so naked, like every single emotion was laid bare for all to see.

“I’ll get that pizza.”

“Great idea,” she said striving for a bright, relaxed, post-coital air. She scurried toward the kitchen for her clothes. Carter trailed her, naked, looking more glorious than any man had a right to.

She pulled on her jeans and shirt, needing to cover herself again as she tried to avoid staring at his body. If she looked at him again she’d probably blurt something out, like her undying love, and then embarrass them both. He’d signed up for sex not a china pattern.

Keep it casual, she told herself. Feel him out. “So, that was… something,” she said.

His lips twitched as he pulled on his boxer briefs. “Mmm.” He said, stepping closer. He smiled. “Tell me why we never did that before? I’m feeling a little annoyed we’ve wasted all this time.” He picked up his shorts and stood in front of her, bare-chested, the light smattering of dark hair there making her woman bits stand up and take notice most inconveniently.

Her heart fluttered happily in her chest. “We’re here now,” she said.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “Not nearly enough time. When do you have to go back?”

Her heart skittered. “About a week.”

His eyes went dark as he looked at her mouth. “Then we’ll just have to make the most of the next seven days, won’t we?”

She let him kiss her again as his words sank into her like a cold rain. Seven days. That’s all he saw between them. And why would he see anything else? Oh Lord, and how could it be anything else?

She trembled as his lips pulled from hers.

He nudged her chin with his knuckle until she met his eyes.

“No regrets?” he asked.

“No regrets,” she said, forcing a smile.