She’d slipped into a regrettable fantasy interlude, but she’d regained her perspective. He’d helped her with that by showing himself to have an ulterior motive. Children.
It was like having a business partner who had a hidden agenda. She’d simply said no, emphatically. That didn’t have to negate the whole partnership.
Certainly, she wasn’t holding back from him because she’d fallen for him and he’d let her down.
The possibility wasn’t acceptable. She’d needed him to help her with Doug and Amy, and he was doing that. It wasn’t likely that a healthy, sensual man like Jared would give up sex for a year. Sex with each other was a reasonable and desirable aspect.
In fact, now that she thought of it, the only reason for her not to go out there on the terrace and copulate like bunnies was…love. And love didn’t enter into this.
Her heart beating against her breast bone, Kelsey opened the door to the terrace.
Jared glanced up from the paper, his intent gaze meeting hers.
She walked across the balcony, a fleeting gratefulness that their building was one of the tallest and since it was Sunday, few offices in nearby buildings would be occupied.
No onlookers.
Stopping at the wood reclining chair where he waited, she leaned toward him without saying a word.
Kelsey pressed her mouth against his. Instantly, fire erupted through her veins as his arms came round her, pulling her down on top of him to hold her fiercely against his body.
Jared’s response was instantaneous. He ravaged her mouth, his tongue tangling with hers, his breath harsh in his throat. No aphrodisiac was more powerful than knowing herself so instantly, savagely desired.
She clung to him, her hands climbing up to anchor on his wide shoulders. Her mouth against his, she met his tongue with her own and promptly lost herself in the haze of a flash fire.
This was what she needed, wanted so much.
With a tangle of lips and breath, Kelsey strained against him, drowning in his scent, in the piercing pleasure of his touch.
Jared’s arms enveloped her, his hand splayed at her back, pressing her body against his. He met her with a hunger that brightened her own flame, his mouth voracious as his hands slid down to cup her bottom, pulling her tightly against his erection.
She felt only him, breathed only him. Ached to feel him inside, to know the stroke of his fingers, the completion he could bring her. Straining against him, her breasts felt tight and tender against his chest.
It couldn’t be love, but seemed at that moment so much more reliable, a hunger that went bone-deep.
He lifted her, sliding them both back until they lie together on the wide lounge chair.
His kiss was everything, day and night, heaven and hell. Sinking into him, she reveled in his touch, the swamping seductive scent of his skin. How she’d longed to stroke him.
Now, lost in the seduction of his mouth on hers, Kelsey tugged his shirt free of his waistband and tunneled her hands beneath, finding the smooth, hot skin of his muscled back.
Hard against her leg was the evidence of his desire. She rejoiced in it, turning to him more fully, to ride against his arousal. He was erect and powerful, hungry for her.
Jared left her lips, placing soft, hot kisses along her neck as he stroked the skin at her midriff, bared as her top rode up. She whimpered, the buzz of need and demand stirring every cell of her body.
Her hands still under his shirt, she pressed herself to him, hearing only the soft panting of her own breath and the roaring of passion-driven blood in her ears. Everywhere he touched, he left a ragged wave of sensation, a rising tide that sent shivers over her when his hand slipped beneath her top.
Cupping her bare breasts under her blouse, he kissed her once again, deep and hot as his fingers fondled her nipples. She thought she’d die from wanting. How could everything disappear so completely in a haze, all thought submersed?
Jared lifted from her to tug his shirt off, baring broad shoulders and a lightly furred chest. She explored his delights as he bent to her, quickly discovering the buttons up the back of her sun top.
Within seconds, she was naked from the waist up. He trailed his mouth over the crests of her breasts, fondling and stroking, his hands as greedy as his expression was dark with intent.
She found herself gasping, reaching for his belt and struggling to free him.
“Shhh,” he said, catching her hands. “There’s no rush.”
“Yes, there is,” she contradicted him fiercely, renewing her assault on his belt. “Fast and hard. Now.”
He seemed to instantly understand, making no further attempt to turn the moment into something more tender. Hot, consuming sex was the only thing acceptable to her. At this moment, it seemed necessary.
Kelsey cupped him boldly, aflame with desire. Just holding him, stroking his smooth, hardness made her quiver inside with anticipation.