Im worried about the bedroom scene, Zach continued. I was hoping you could give me some tips. Were supposed to kiss and Im not sure how thats going to happen. Do we figure out ahead of time who goes which way? Or do we just let it happen, as if were doing it for real?
We already did it for real, she said, staring at him with a suspicious glint in her eye. In my dressing room.
And that was good? I mean, for a screen kiss?
A tiny smile curled the corners of her mouth. Yes, that was very good. I think if we just do it like that, well be fine.
Good to know, he answered, nodding his head. He took another sip of his beer and pointed to the television. Good game. The Padres are at the top of their division. Theyve got a really good pitcher from
Maybe we should try it again, Kelly interrupted. Just to be sure we have it right.
All right. We should probably lie on the bed. Thats what the script says. And as long as we have a bed here, we should put it to use. He shimmied back until he was lying with his back resting against the pillows. All right, Zach said. Now, you would be right here. He patted the spot beside him, then set his beer down on the bedside table.
She left her drink on the dresser and sat down on the opposite edge of the bed, folding her hands on her lap. Shouldnt you be lying down, too? he asked.
Kelly kicked her feet up on the bed.
So, you want me to start?
He moved closer and her gaze fixed on his mouth. She licked her lips and he did the same. Sure, she said softly. She waited, holding her breath as he slowly leaned forward. But at the last minute, he turned his head the opposite way and their noses bumped.
Sorry, Zach said. I thought you were going the other way.
No, once you start moving toward me, Ill just stay the way I am.
Right, he said. Okay. Lets give this another try. He moved in and at the last minute, feinted to the left. She took his cue and tipped her head in the opposite direction and, this time, Zach deliberately missed her mouth completely, kissing her chin instead.
This shouldnt be so difficult, she said, her voice tinged with frustration. Weve already done it before.
That time it was more spontaneous, Zach explained. I wasnt concentrating so hard.
Well, stop thinking then, she said. Just do it. She sighed deeply. Like this. Kelly cupped his face in her hands and pressed her mouth to his. Gradually, the kiss softened as his tongue teased at her lips. She opened her mouth and he lost himself in her sweet taste. It had taken them a while to get here, but it was worth the wait, he mused.
Zach slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her onto the bed to lie on top of him. A tiny moan slipped from her lips as he furrowed his fingers through her silken hair and molded her mouth to his. He couldnt recall ever needing to kiss a woman as much as he needed to kiss Kelly. It was like a hunger inside him that ached to be satisfied. But the more he tasted, the hungrier he becameKelly was like the Chinese food of kissing.
The buildup, the anticipation, had been almost too much to bear and he was already aroused, his erection pressing against her belly. There was no time to think about consequences or regrets, about mistakes hed made in the past. This was about lust, pure and simplethe need for two people to take pleasure in each other.
His hands skimmed over her body, her shoulders and then her arms, her torso and her hips. She twisted above him, her fingers clutching at his T-shirt. Zach slipped his hands beneath her blouse and ran his palms up and down her back, every shift of her body causing a wave of pleasure to race through him.
Her skin felt incredible, like warm silk, soft against his hands. Zach forgot everything that had come before, all the hesitation and indecision, and gave himself over to pure sensation. The scent of her hair, the taste of her mouth, the sounds of their breathing mingling together, quick and shallow and desperate.
Any indecision shed felt earlier was gone and Kelly was now an equal partner in this seduction. When he kissed her, she kissed him back. When he touched her, her hands found a new spot on his body.
Zach drew her leg up along his thigh. His palm skimmed along her rib cage, then over her flat stomach as he stared down into her eyes. This isnt rehearsal anymore, is it?
Kelly drew in a quick breath, surprised by his comment. Did you want to rehearse?
No, Zach replied. He furrowed his hands through her silky hair and pulled her closer. I think this is a much better use of our time, dont you?
KELLY SLOWLY OPENED her eyes. Light spilled into the room through the sheer drapes and she squinted against the morning sun. A tiny headache nagged at the spot between her eyes and she reached up to rub at the pain. It was only then that she felt the body beside her.
Holding her breath, she turned to look into Zachs face. He was lying on her pillow, his dark hair mussed and his lips slightly parted. Hed discarded his shirt and the top button of his cargo pants was undone. And his feet were bare.
Kelly closed her eyes and let her mind drift back to the events of the previous evening. Shed prepared herself for a night of wild sex and a morning of guilty regrets. But to her surprise, theyd gone no further than kissing and caressing. She was left with no regrets, just a warm, satisfied feeling inside.
To her surprise, Zach had been a gentleman, waiting for her cues to move forward. And though she had been curious, kissing Zach had been an adventure in itself. He elevated the activity to an art. He could be sweet and soft and then turn fierce and demanding. Every need, every emotion he felt, was conveyed through his lips and tongue. And to be honest, Kelly had to admit that kissing him had been more exciting than anything else shed ever experienced with a man.
She looked at him again, taking in the tiny details of his face, the scar on his forehead, the mole near his left eye, the way the corners of his mouth curled up, even while he was sleeping. With youth came the ability to look good in the morning, and he looked irresistible.
But Kelly knew she wasnt quite as blessed. She carefully crawled out of bed, taking care not to wake him, and walked to the bathroom. The sight that greeted her was enough to make her groan. Her hair looked like a flock of birds might set up housekeeping at any moment. And her makeup was smudged beneath her eyes. And a big red crease ran down her cheek from a fold in the pillowcase.
She quickly stripped out of her clothes and tossed them aside, then turned on the shower. If they were going to continue where theyd left off, shed need to look a bit more alluring.
She stepped beneath the warm flood of water and closed her eyes. It felt wonderful to finally wash away the stickiness of August in Atlanta. She rinsed her hair, then grabbed the tiny bottle of shampoo that the hotel provided. As she worked the lather through her hair, an unbidden fantasy crept in to her thoughts.
She imagined Zach waking up in an empty bed. Hed look around, wonder where she was, and then hed hear the shower. Hed walk to the bathroom and slip through the door, then stand silently on the other side of the curtain. Then slowly, hed strip off his clothes and pull the curtain back. And then, shed step into his arms and their naked bodies would touch for the very first time.
Kelly drew a ragged breath. Oh, it was a wonderful fantasy, like an erotic movie running in her head. But the most wonderful thing about it was that it could actually happen. She stood beneath the water for a long time as she ran her soapy hands over her skin. But when her fingers began to get pruny, Kelly gave up on the fantasy and shut off the water. She grabbed a towel and dried her hair, then wrapped another around her body.
She opened the door and peered out, but Zach hadnt stirred. He was still sound asleep, his head on her pillow. Kelly grabbed her comb and slowly began to pull it through the tangles in her hair. But as she did, she heard a knock on the door.
Holding the towel at her chest, she walked to the door and looked through the peephole. Angie was standing on the other side. She opened the door.
Good, youre up! Angie cried. Get dressed. Im taking you to breakfast. We have to find one of those all-you-can-eat buffets because I want pancakes and sausage and
Kelly pressed a finger to her lips. Shhh!
Dont worry. Im awake.
She spun around to see Zach standing at the end of the bed, his cargo pants hanging low on his hips, his eyes sleepy. He smiled and gave Angie a little wave. Hi, there, he murmured. Im Zach.
Angie giggled softly. The younger man? she murmured beneath her breath.
Yes, Kelly whispered.
The younger man who spent the night in your room?
Yes.
You know, I can hear everything youre saying, Zach commented. Us younger guys have really good hearing. And I can see right through that towel. We have X-ray vision, too.
Angie stepped past Kelly, into the room, her hand extended. Hi. Im one of Kellys oldest friends, Angie Sheppard. Actually, Angie McMahon Sheppard.
He took her hand. Zach Haas. Its nice to meet you, Angie.
Oh, its a pleasure to meet you, Zach. I understand you work for Just Between Us. I just love that Eve Best. She is so funny and smart. And sassy. Is she that way in real life?
Kelly felt a blush warm her cheeks and she gently took Angies arm and pulled her toward the door. Can you wait for me downstairs? Ill be down in just a minute.
Take all the time you want, Angie whispered. She gave Kelly a silly expression then mouthed the word gorgeous. Ill meet you in the restaurant. Im pretty sure I saw a breakfast buffet when I walked past.
Kelly slowly closed the door and turned back to Zach. He was grinning, finding great amusement in her situation. So you talked with your friend about me?
I just mentioned wed met.
He nodded. I see. He slowly approached her and Kelly backed up until she stood against the door. Zach placed his hands on either side of her head and bent down to kiss her. His lips were soft, the kiss fleeting. Morning, he murmured.
Kelly felt her knees go weak and her head begin to spin. Morning, she said. She clutched the towel tightly at her chest and wondered what might happen if shed simply let go. Let go, her mind repeated over and over again. Why not just
She loosened her fingers and the towel dropped silently to the floor. Zachs breath caught in his throat and he drew back to look into her eyes. She stared up at him, unflinchingly, daring him to take what she offered, yet afraid that he might not.
His hand slowly moved to her shoulder, smoothing over the length of her neck before dropping lower to cup her breast. Kelly closed her eyes as he gently caressed her nipple with his thumb. She wasnt nervous at all now. This seemed so perfectly right, a fantasy come to life.
A moment later, his lips closed over the taut peak and she furrowed her hands through his hair and moaned softly. And then he dropped to his knees in front of her, his tongue trailing across her belly.
Everywhere he kissed, he left a damp imprint, a reminder that hed tasted that part of her body and moved on. His hands smoothed over her backside, drawing her closer, and when he kissed her inner thigh, Kelly felt a shiver of desire wash across her skin.
She knew what he wanted and she anticipated how it would feel. But when his tongue found the soft folds of her sex, a shudder of pleasure wracked her body. She gasped, her eyes flying open with the shock of sensation.
Bracing her hands behind her on the door, Kelly arched into him as his tongue flicked at her clitoris. Shed never felt anything quite so wonderful, so achingly powerful. He controlled her with his mouth, meting out pleasure a tiny bit at a time until she was frantic for release.
She didnt want to give in. Instead, she wanted the desire to last forever, to be caught in this whirlwind of pleasure, this precarious balance between hunger and release. Her body belonged to him now, completely and irrevocably, and she wanted to surrender completely.
He knew exactly what he was doing to her and he seemed to take delight in teasing her. Kelly groaned and grasped his hair, gently tugging him even closer. Her body felt boneless, as if any moment it might melt. She wanted him inside her, but she was afraid to want more, afraid that this desire would consume her completely. This was already too much.
She felt the ache building inside her and suddenly, she couldnt fight it any longer. She wanted to let go, to give Zach what he sought. She held her breath and let the pleasure build and then, as if the floodgates burst, she felt the orgasm wash over her. Her body jerked, then dissolved into delicious spasms.
The power of it all took her breath away, made her dizzy. Her fingers tangled in his hair as she pulled his head back, suddenly too sensitive for his caress. When the last spasm subsided, Zach pressed his damp mouth to her belly, nuzzling against her.
Oh, my, she breathed.
He got to his feet and cupped her face in his hands, then touched his lips softly to hers. I have to go, he murmured. I was due at the studio a half hour ago. But Ill see you this afternoon. And tonight, well pick up where we left off.
All right, Kelly repeated, breathlessly.
Chuckling softly, he bent to pick up her towel and wrapped it back around her body. Then he led her to the bathroom. Are you gonna be all right?
Im fine, Kelly said.
He nodded, then disappeared. A minute later, he was back at the door, only to find her standing in the same spot, the towel clutched in her hand. She couldnt seem to move, even though she knew she ought to.
Angies waiting downstairs in the restaurant. Youd better get moving. He stepped into the bathroom and gave her another quick kiss, then pointed at the mirror. Dry your hair and then get dressed.
Right, Kelly said.
She heard the room door close behind him and she sank down to sit on the edge of the tub. Pressing her hand to her chest, she forced herself to breathe normally. What was happening to her? Was it the heat? Or had she caught some kind of travel-induced dementia?
Shed never in her life felt anything like thisso intense, so shattering. Whenever she came within three feet of Zach Haas, she found herself compelled to test the limits of her inhibition and shed found herself stunned by her reaction to his touch. How could she be expected to resist him? He was like a fantasy come to lifea young, virile guy who could make her feel as if there were no end to her desire for him.
She had one more night in Atlanta. The old Kelly Castelle might have spent the evening alone, locked in her hotel room, watching public television and reading the Tourists Guide to Atlanta. But the new Kelly was determined to entice Zach back into her bed and, this time, enjoy every pleasure that his flesh offered.