And two, it pressed her entire body against the length of his.
I told you I hate these silly parties. His mouth found her ear. You taste good.
Sean- She planted a hand on his chest and pushed, because she couldnt think with his mouth on her. Youre supposed to be out there socializing.
I know. His hands were very busy, molding her hips, her spine, her bottom. Oh, yeah, he murmured. This is helping, believe me. Now tell me why you were hiding.
Capturing his hands, she let out a nervous laugh. Somehow I lost my touch with this socializing thing. Im no help to you here tonight. Im sorry.
Its easy, remember? Seans mouth followed the curve of her jaw. Just carry a drink and smile.
He was mocking her. And kissing the corner of her mouth. His hands broke free from hers. One big, warm one skimmed up her cheek, and his fingers gripped the earpiece of her glasses.
He was mocking her. And kissing the corner of her mouth. His hands broke free from hers. One big, warm one skimmed up her cheek, and his fingers gripped the earpiece of her glasses.
He was going to take them off. Putting her hand over his, she waited until he lifted his head. Sean The way he was looking at her was intoxicating, with all the dazed heat. Not here.
You feel it, too.
I always have.
He went very still, then skimmed a slow hand up and down her spine. Im not sure what to do with all this wanting, Carly.
For the first time, the name Carly wasnt a heart stopper. It didnt make her sad, because suddenly she no longer yearned to hear him call her Carlyne. She liked Carly.
She wanted to be her.
Maybe, after she told him the truth tonight, she could find a way to make that happen, could find a way to meld both her lives together into one she could live with. In his embrace, she could almost imagine everything would be okay.
He bent his head and kissed her again, softly. I can feel you, he whispered. Your skin, your curves, your heat. Why are you hiding all that from me? Dont you know how beautiful you are?
Tears stung her eyes. Had a man ever been so attracted to her? Never. And it was now, when she was looking about as bad as she could look, that it really hit home.
He wanted her no matter what she looked like. He was attracted to what she was on the inside. That simple. Sean, weneed to talk.
Hmm. He occupied himself with kissing her neck, then tugged away the sweater to expose more skin.
Really. Talk first. But her voice was weak.
He found her collarbone, and she let out a helpless hum. He had one hand at the small of her back, urging her closer, his other slipping down, down, cupping her bottom while he slowly rocked his erection against her.
A hungry, desperate groan escaped each of them, interrupted by a knock at the door.
Slowly, very slowly, Sean lifted his head, his breathing rough and ragged. Coming, he called, his voice a bit hoarse. Lets go home, he whispered to Carly. Now.
To talk.
To everything.
9
SEAN OPENED the bathroom door and stared into the startled faces of Sam and his wife, Helena. His hosts.
Sean, Sam said with amusement.
Helena looked Carly over with interest and lifted a brow. Shed been trying to set Sean up with one girlfriend after another for the better part of a year. Well, hello.
Having fun, are we? Sam asked with a wide grin.
Sorry for the holdup. Weneed to go.
I see. Helena kissed his cheek. Nice seeing you.
Thanks. Sean took Carlys hand and led her through the crowded house toward the door.
They were stopped time after time by clients, friends of clients, would-be clients. Frustrated, he abruptly changed tactics and took them through the living room, which had been cleared to allow dancing. There, he headed toward the sliding glass door, which led to the open yard.
Slow down, Carly whispered breathlessly.
On the patio, he turned, reached for her. Their bodies brushed together, then again, deliberately. He ran a hand down her back, urging her even closer. I cant get you out of my head, Carly. How you taste, how you feel. The sounds you make when I touch you.
He was gratified to see her eyes glaze over. Still want me to slow down? he teased.
No.
From the yard they could walk to the front, get in his car and get home. To his bed.
But the night was so lovely. Warm yet breezy, the air carried the scent of the ocean, which was just beyond the property past the bluffs. The sky was littered with stars, like diamonds on a blanket of black velvet. And the music, soft now, drifted over them. He pulled her into his arms.
What are we doing?
Dancing. No hurry, he realized, because here, right here in the moment, was very nice, too. He took her hand, leading her off the lit deck into the shadows, where the grass was thick and luxurious beneath their feet, where the night shaded them from view. Her breath caught when he pulled her close, and at the sound, his entire body tightened.
Sean-
Relax, he said softly in her ear.
Im going to have a little trouble with that, she said on a little laugh. When Im in your arms like this, I cant seem to think. Your body Well, she said, sounding embarrassed.
Dont stop there.
She gave a self-conscious smile that lit his heart. My face feels hot, and the fire is spreading.
He hoped to put that fire out by the end of the evening. Ease up against me. He let out a rough groan when she did. Yeah. Like that. Hed never thought of her as a particularly petite woman. How could he when shed always covered herself in so many layers? But here, now, with his hands roaming her body, she felt so slender, so feminine. His attraction to her hadnt had anything to do with her body, but now that it touched his like this, he changed his mind.
When he swayed, she swayed, and when he turned, she turned. Perfectly in sync, as if theyd been together forever. You feel so good, he murmured, loving how her arms were tight around his neck, the way her breath brushed against his neck.
They stayed like that, closer than close, moving together sensuously, erotically, until finally the music stopped.
After a long, reluctant moment, she released him and stepped back.
That was real nice, Carly.
I dont know Sean, I dont want this evening to be over. I dont want things to change.
There was a sadness in her eyes he didnt understand. Why would they?
Its complicated.
No doubt. Everything good was. One more dance, he whispered when the band started again, and when she hesitated he pulled her into his arms.
IT WAS RIGHT where Carlyne wanted to be, in Seans arms. Oh, how she wanted that. It was a homecoming, a delicious cool drink after a day too long in the sun. His breath was warm against hers. His fingers slow and sure at the base of her spine, stroking softly, his strong legs pressed against hers.
And when he closed his eyes, pressing a sweet kiss to her temple, she nearly cried.
Shed never known such tenderness.
The wind teased their bodies. The night noises added to the beautiful, haunting music, to the scent of the sea, to the most amazing man in her arms. Her fingers played in his hair. Her other hand, entangled with his, lay against his thigh, which was taut.
Swaying softly.
Kissing lightly.
Touching gently.
Carlyne had danced with many, many men in her life. Shed been stepped on, hit on and had had to lead. But not with this man. Sean OMara was an extraordinarily sensual dancer, and for the first time ever, she became one, too.
It didnt take but a moment for the embrace to change, to deepen. Intensify. Until now, dancing had been only an obligation, something that was expected.
Now she wanted time to stand still.
Ragged breathing wasnt her only problem when they separated. She was on fire, burning and yearning. She, Princess Carlyne Fortier, wanted a man more than she wanted her next breath.
But she wasnt a princess, not in this moment. And in a way, she wasnt Carly, either. Didnt matter, she still had to tell him everything. And risk all. Need fresh air, she whispered, and whirling, she walked off.
The grass was deep and thick, and not easy to maneuver through, so she bent and removed her shoes before speeding up her pace.
The grass was deep and thick, and not easy to maneuver through, so she bent and removed her shoes before speeding up her pace.
She had no idea where she was going.
When the grass turned to sand, she kept walking. When she topped the bluffs, she made her way down. And found herself on the beach.
The moon was hidden behind low, dark clouds, casting a beautiful blue glow on the waves pounding the shore.
And on the tall, beautiful man whod followed her.
A small sound escaped her, one of loneliness, of wanting. Shed known hed follow her. Maybe a small part of her had wanted him to.
Against her ribs, her heart beat a rapid tattoo. I always wanted to live by the beach, she said.
Ah. Something new about you. His lips formed a small smile as he moved closer. Maybe one of these days youll give me more than a hint here and there. He reached her, and very carefully, as if he expected her to run, took her hand firmly in his.
Tonight, she silently promised him as she went willingly against him. Tonight Ill tell you everything.
Including how much I love you.
She waited for him to speak, but he was silent. If she had to give him up, then at least she could have tonight. She would have tonight.
It would have to be enough.
As if Fate was on her side, the moon moved behind a long, low cloud, taking away the remaining glow, hiding them both in complete darkness.
In the black anonymity of night she could be Carly one last time.
When he reached out and took off her glasses, she let him. When he cupped her cheek, so lightly she might not have felt it at all if her senses hadnt been on red alert, she turned her head and kissed his palm.
At the change in his breathing, the knot in her belly increased. Then he tipped her face to his. She couldnt see his expression, but she could feel his heat, his need, and she met him more than halfway.
She would take this, take him, and treasure the memories for the rest of her life.
His mouth was as firm and sensual as his body, and he knew how to use both. His tongue slid along hers, his hands learning her body, and when he finally raised his head, she was panting for more.