She was vaguely aware of him pulling her camisole over her head. She pulled at the snap of her jeans, but he stilled her hands.
“Let me,” he said as he opened the zipper and pushed her jeans down her hips. Then, for a moment, his hands paused, and his voice was hoarse. “You’re not wearing any panties again.”
“No.” The word was barely audible. She drew in a huge gulp of air. “I didn’t have a chance…to stop by my apartment…for fresh clothes.”
He tipped her chin up so that she met his eyes. “Zoë McNamara, you’re my perfect fantasy girl.”
“Really?”
“This is twice now that you haven’t worn panties. I’ll never be able to be in the same room with you and not wonder.”
“You’ve got a dirty mind.”
He grinned at her as he slipped his hand between her thighs and found her heat. “Guilty as charged. But surely you can see the advantage? The ease of access?”
“Mmm.” She more than saw it. She was experiencing exactly what he was talking about. His finger was moving slowly, sliding deeper and then withdrawing just before it got close enough. Zoë couldn’t even remember to breathe. On some level, she was aware that he’d gotten rid of her jeans. But his finger continued to move. And so did his mouth. He nibbled a slow string of kisses along her jawline until he reached her ear.
“How do you feel about making love on a kitchen counter?” he asked just before he drew her earlobe between his teeth.
“Mmm.” She couldn’t even seem to form a word, not with the waves of heat shooting through her. Not with those clever fingers bringing her closer and closer. Then suddenly his hand wasn’t moving.
“Don’t stop.”
HE WASN’T GOING TO STOP. He didn’t think he could. But he wanted more. “Open your eyes, Zoë.”
She did. And he watched a shock of pleasure fill her eyes as he slipped two fingers into her. Her warm, moist response dampened his hand, and he felt those hot, slick muscles close around his fingers, tempting him with a taste of what it was going to feel like when he finally entered her.
“Don’t stop,” she said again, arching against him.
He held his hand still. “Say my name.”
Her eyes were half-closed, but her gaze was steady on his. “Jed.”
That one sound pulled at what was left of his control. He wanted her now. It was taking all of his strength not to drag her to the floor. And it wasn’t just some crazy jealousy of his alter ego that was triggering the intense rush of hunger and need he was feeling. It was the woman.
Withdrawing his fingers, he lifted her and settled her on the edge of the island countertop. “Wrap your legs around me, Zoë.”
She did, but when he started to push down his briefs, she stilled his hands.
“Let me,” she said, echoing his words, and she took the length of him into her hand.
He sucked in a sharp breath as pleasure knifed through him. He glanced down at those narrow hands, the long fingers wrapped around him, and he nearly came. “Put me inside of you.”
She guided him right to her entrance. He felt the hot velvet enclose just the tip of his penis. His hands gripped her hips, and he was about to draw her closer when his brain cleared enough to remember. “Protection.” But he wasn’t sure he could pull away, wasn’t sure he could walk to the duffel bag that held the condoms.
“My bag.”
Jed reached for it, found the package and somehow managed to sheathe himself.
Zoë locked her legs more tightly around him and shifted closer to the edge of the counter. “Take me now, Jed.”
He obliged her by thrusting into her in one hard stroke. “You’re my dream come true, Zoë.”
He kissed her then, and she began to convulse around him, pulling him in even deeper. Digging his fingers into her hips, he began to drive into her harder, faster, riding a wave of pleasure that took him higher and higher, growing in intensity until it overpowered him and sent him crashing into a world of ecstasy.
BAILEY USED one of the napkins she’d grabbed at the hot dog stand and wiped off the seat of the park bench before she sat down. The Washington Mall was crowded with summer tourists, families mostly. A couple strolled by with a double baby stroller. One of the occupants was crying. Behind them a little girl was whining to be carried. Once her daddy scooped her up, she was all smiles. Most of the pedestrians were headed up the path to join the long lines at the Washington Monument.
Gage handed her one of the loaded hot dogs he was carrying and then passed her the root beer she’d ordered. “You’re a surprising woman, Bailey Montgomery.”