Then well start again!
Nick liked the sound of that, starting again. Her voice sounded thready, desperate, and her long legs wrapped around his hips so that he nearly sank into her. As he was feeling thready and desperate himself, it took every ounce of control he had to hold back.
Sliding down her body, he used his mouth everywhere he passed. Her nipples, her belly, high on her thigh, close to the one spot that would drive her over the edge, close, but not close enough.
Nick! Her eyes clouded over, her hands still at her sides, held by his, flexed.
I know. He released her to slide his hands over her thighs, opening them even farther, to lick her, there.
With a screech, she arched up off the bed, right into his mouth. Perfect, he whispered, and slowly and thoroughly devoured her.
She tried to hold back from him. Clearly, this was not the hot and fast shed intended, but he refused to give that to her. This was no quick fix, this was more. And if he had to know it, recognize it, then so did she. Come for me, he whispered against her.
And she did, with a wild abandon that thrilled and aroused him all the more.
Damp flesh slid over damp flesh as he slid back up her body, every bit as hostage to this vicious need as she. He rubbed his cheek to hers as she fluttered her eyes open. Theres still more, he said.
Yes. She tried to draw him inside her body. For you.
For both of us. Putting on a condom was tricky, as his hands were shaking. Shaking. Danielle didnt help matters by lending her ineffective yet over whelmingly arousing fingers to the task. Finally, he lifted her hips, stared deep into her eyes and sank into her.
She took him, every inch, then let him in even deeper.
This, he managed to say, fighting back the tide that threatened to take him over the edge with his first stroke. This is more. For both of us. And lowering his mouth to hers, he began to move.
9
NICK AWOKE IN THE DARK. From what he could gather with his few still-functioning senses, he was sprawled on his back, sideways across the bed. Given the breeze blowing across his lower parts he concluded the window was open. As for the restriction of air to his lungs, that was Danielle, who lay a deadweight on his chest.
She was also buck naked, which happened to agree with him.
Grinning, he slid her off, then settled himself between her legs. Murmuring something sleepily, she slipped her arms around him. Nick?
God, that voice. It did things to his insides, things he wasnt ready to face, so he concentrated on what she did to him physically.
And physically, he wanted her again. Yeah, its me. Youre so beautiful, Danielle.
Its dark.
It doesnt matter.
Oh, Nick.
Open for me.
Arching up, she wrapped her legs around his hips.
Yeah, like that. Tilting her face up for his kiss, he sank into her body and took her again. Took them both to a place hed never been with anyone ever before.
THE NEXT TIME Nick woke up, morning light slanted in through the windows, making him squint as he reached out fornobody.
Given that the pillow hed shared with Danielle all night long felt cold, he sat straight up, his heart in his throat.
And came face to face with a monster, a huge monster with dark, red-rimmed eyes and incisors capable of gobbling him up in one bite.
With a shocked gasp, he jerked back.
The monster leapt back, too, and let out a sharp, surprised bark.
Damn it. Flat on his back in the middle of the bed, Nick blinked at the ceiling and tried to recover his pulse. Youre giving me gray hair.
The bed shifted as two heavy paws hit it.
Nick craned his neck to the side, eyeing Sadie cautiously. I suppose you think thats funny.
Head cocked, a line of drool puddling on his sheets, the dog eyed him and licked her chops.
Hastily, Nick scrambled for the sheet. Dont get any ideas. Im not edible.
I wouldnt say that.
Nick lifted his head as Danielle came back into the room. She was dressed in another pair of khaki shorts and a sleeveless blouse-red this time-looking sleek, beautiful and more than a little wary. Her backpack was on her shoulder, her laptop tucked under her arm. She was holding the developed photos hed given her.
Not a good sign on his chances of coaxing her back into bed.
Not a good sign on his chances of coaxing her back into bed.
I wanted to thank you again, she said quietly, staying by the door.
Uh-oh. Definitely, he had some fast talking to do in order to get lucky. Youre dressed. Oh, smooth.
Ive got to go.
Stall. Not because he couldnt let her go. Hell, he could let anyone go. He wasnt the attachment sort of guy, but
Damn it, he couldnt let her go. Hold on. Eyeing Sadie, he got out of the bed and carefully walked around the dog, feeling very naked. He grabbed a pair of jeans. At least let me get you some breakfast.
She shifted, trying not to stare around the held-up jeans, but she couldnt seem to help herself, which did stroke his ego somewhat.
And of course, encouraged his morning hard-on.
Nick
There was that voice again, the soft, breathy tone that made getting his jeans on nearly a detriment to his health.
Her gaze was glued to his hands as he attempted to get the buttons closed, and when he had to carefully tuck himself inside the denim, she made a sort of choked noise.
I told you I would have to leave in the morning, she said quickly, when he looked at her.
Yeah, but that was before last night. Before theyd made love. Now that they had, hed figured she wouldnt really be able to walk away.
Or maybe he was the only one feeling that way.
No. There was heat and desire in her gaze as it lingered over his body, but there was more, too. Angst and a reluctant affection. Very reluctant.
Ditto, sweetheart, and Im no more thrilled than you. Then he pictured her walking out his front door, which made his stomach hurt. Whats the rush?
You know what my rush is.
Just breakfast, Danielle. Not a marriage proposal.
She flushed. I dont need either. Ive called Emma. Shes the friend I borrowed the car from, and she needs it back today. Shes getting a ride over here, then shell take me to Donald, the art director I told you about.
Where youll show him Sadies pictures, hell pay you enough to buy another car and youll jump town to start a new life. Happily ever after, right? He shook his head. Tell me youre not that gullible.
It could happen.
Yeah, but theres sure a lot of things that could go wrong. He stalked to his closet, hauled out a shirt and jammed his arms into it. Too many things.
A honk sounded outside from the street.
Danielle froze, stared at Nick. There she is.
When she turned to go, he grabbed her arm. Wait.
I cant, I-
Yeah, I know. Youve got to go. But how well do you know this Emma? And Donald? Are they friends of yours? Good friends?
Well, of course. But she didnt look him in the eyes. I know them because of the industry, of course, but- Another honk sounded and she looked up at him entreatingly. Please. Dont make this harder than it already is.
Industry friends. He followed her down the hall, eyes glued to the gentle sway of her hips. Hed be happy following her like a damn puppy dog every single morning.
She opened the front door and waved to Emma, who was standing by her car, then turned back to face him. Ive got to go, Nick.
There were tears in her voice, which wrenched at him. Leaning past her, he stuck his head out the door and held up a finger to Emma, who crossed her arms and lookeduneasy?
A friend who rushed to the rescue, yet looked unhappy about it? Not reassuring.
How did you meet her? Nick asked Danielle, watching as Emma pulled out a cell phone.
Danielle fiddled with Sadies collar, looking busy.
He reached for both her arms and made her look at him. How, Danielle?
I met her at a show, okay? She shrugged free. That was the one good thing that came out of being with Ted. He introduced me to some really great people.
Tell her Ill take you to Donalds.
Nick, we already worked this out. If I still need the car after seeing Donald, shes going to let me keep it a little longer.
Just tell her.
Emma clicked off the cell phone and looked right at Nick.
As a result, the hair stood up on his arms, as it always did when he was onto something in a story he was working on. Do this for me, he said to Danielle. And you.
Nick-
Striding past her, he walked right up to Emma. Good morning, he said politely. Sowhere are you two headed?
Emma glanced at Danielle, who had followed him.
Emma, she said. This is Nick Cooper, and-
And youre Emma. Nick pinned her with his most intimidating stare. So?
Ill take Danielle wherever she wants to go, Emma said, smiling at Danielle. Ready?
To the art directors? Nick pressed.
Yes, right. Avoiding Nicks gaze entirely now, Emma took Danielles arm.
Nick grabbed the cell out of Emmas hand and hit redial.
Hey!
With a grim smile, he held up the display to Danielle. Recognize this number?
Danielle looked at it and paled. Its Teds. She turned to Emma. You just called Ted?
Emmas smile crumbled, replaced by a fierce concern. Dont be upset with me, he told me how much you love him, how this is all one big misunderstanding. He truly loves you, too, Danielle. Hes devastated by this separation. When he came looking for you, he begged me to contact him the moment I heard anything, so I did. All he wants is to see you, talk to you.
You told him where I was? Even when I asked for your confidence?
Emma reached out for her hand. Danielle-
I trusted you. My God, she said on a mirthless laugh, backing up. When will I learn? She pointed to Emmas car. Youd better go.
Danielle, listen. Were friends.
Friends? Are you kidding? Sadie-
Its not the dog Im worried about, Emma said beseechingly. Ted said he just wants you back-
Wants me back? Danielle nearly swallowed her tongue. If he wants me back, Emma, why did he call the police?
Well-
Tell me you didnt tell him where you were supposed to take me.
No, not yet-
Dont tell him. If you care about me at all, then-
Of course I care about you!
Then dont tell him.
Danielle-
Please go.
But-
Now, Emma.
Nick watched Danielle watch her friend drive off. He watched her shoulders sag slightly. Watched while she rubbed her temples, looking defeated and exhausted.