Page 60 of Mountain Dreams

“Kiss me,” she breathed.

He closed the distance between them and captured her lips with his. It felt so heavenly that she moaned against his mouth, and he might have too. Suddenly their lips turned greedy, hungrily tasting, nipping, and sucking as if they couldn’t possibly get enough.

They fell back on the bed, their bodies crashing together, their hands clasping and clawing almost in desperation.

He moved a hand around to her back and paused on the hook of her bra. “Is this okay?” he asked, his voice strained and thick with desire.

“Yes.”

Like a true professional, he unhooked the bra in a flash and slid the straps down her arms. Her breasts sprang forth, excited to meet him up close and personal, her nipples so taut they were almost painful.

“Maddie…all this time…”

He didn’t finish. Instead, he dipped his head and drew a nipple deep into his mouth. When he swirled his tongue around her tight peak, she gasped.

He paused and smiled at her. “More?”

“Yes, please.” She was surprised she’d remembered to be polite, given her lusty state.

He trailed his mouth across her chest and latched onto the other nipple, sucking on it like it was the best thing he’d ever tasted. With his head bent, she took the opportunity to plunge her hands into his hair, that luxurious mane that she’d always admired and been itching to touch.

He groaned as she massaged his scalp, his breath tickling her breast and driving her into a greater frenzy. After treating her breasts like royalty, he glanced up at her as though asking if he should continue.

“Take off your shirt,” she said.

“Are you sure?”

“God, yes.”

He chuckled, and then he sat up, removed his shirt, and tossed it on the floor.

His chest was what dreams were made of—hers, anyway. Lean yet muscular, smooth-skinned, with some hair but not like a furry bear. It was perfect. He was perfect.

He propped himself on his side while she rubbed his chest, feeling his muscles contract beneath her fingers. Then she trailed her hand down the middle of his chest and paused at the waistband of his jeans.

They exchanged a look brimming with desire and uncertainty, need and worry. They could either keep going or stop now before it was too late, knowing this would change their relationship forever.

She started to slide her hand further down when he reached out and stopped her.

“Not yet,” he said, looking pained.

“Why not?” she said, still lost in the fog of desire.

“Let’s talk for a minute,” he said. He sounded like it had taken all his willpower to suggest it.

They resituated themselves so they were lying on the pillows, facing each other, close but not touching.

“I’m afraid,” he said. “God knows I want you, but I’m not sure this is the right time.”

“It feels like the right time,” she said, glancing down at his erection.

He reached out and brushed her hair off her shoulder. Even his non-sexual touches buzzed with electricity. How could they deny themselves? Why should they?

“I need to know that you’re really over him and that this isn’t just a temporary escape.”

“Cody…”

“Hear me out.”