One Day in Apple Grove(55)

“Jack?”

“What?” Had she asked him something?

“I said I grabbed a quick shower before coming over…oh, and I told my dad I’d see him in the morning.”

His eyes widened as what she said registered.

She stopped rubbing herself down with the towel, and a part of his brain started functioning again enough for him to say, “You’re probably tired.”

Her eyes sparkled and her smile had his breath snagging in his lungs. “I saved some energy for you.”

Her words went straight to the part of him that strained against the zipper of his jeans. If he didn’t have a taste of her soon, he was going to start howling.

When he didn’t move, she closed the gap between them and laid a hand on his cheek. “Are you going to make me ask?”

Her lips claimed his in a kiss that had his engine firing on all cylinders before instinct kicked in and he kissed her back. Her lips were soft, supple, and berry sweet. Wrapping his arms around her, he deepened the kiss before pulling back to whisper, “You could catch a chill if you don’t take off those wet clothes.”

When she shivered and leaned against him, he decided he’d waited long enough. Easing her out of his arms, he watched her eyes as he grabbed the hem of her polo shirt in his hands; when she made no move to stop him, he peeled it off.

Goose bumps covered her body from neck to belly, but that wasn’t what had him digging deep for control—it was the black lace bra that cupped her breasts, lifting them up for his tasting, that nearly did him in.

But he wanted more from her…he wanted it all. He’d sample her silky-smooth skin soon; right now, he had to get her out of the rest of her clothes. From the desire simmering in her brilliant green eyes, he knew she wanted him too. He couldn’t hold back the delighted laughter that rumbled up from inside of him.

His hands trembled as he opened the top button of her jeans and slowly pulled the zipper down. Her moan sent a chill chasing up his spine. He went with it and watched her eyes widen before they focused on his hands again. “You’re so beautiful, Caitlin…I don’t have the words to describe what I see with my eyes and feel with my heart.”

She cleared her throat and rasped, “You’re doing great so far.”

Her mouth curved upward and his heart stuttered until he stood on the precipice, leaning toward the point of no return.

“You have a delicious laugh,” she confessed, laying a hand on his shoulder as he bent to push her jeans down mile-long legs.

He paused and gave in to need and touched the tip of his tongue to the back of her knees. When they buckled, he wrapped his arm around her legs, hauled her over his shoulder, and stood.

“Jack,” she laughed, “what are you doing?”

“Taking you upstairs. I’ve been imagining you in my bed all day.”

“I can walk,” she protested.

“But this is so much more fun for me,” he chuckled, moving the flat of his hand to her backside, using the other to grab hold of the handrail.

She squirmed until he got to the top and let her slide down, but instead of setting her on her feet, he shifted so she was in his arms. He strode to his bedroom and turned to use his shoulder to open the door.

He held his breath, hoping he hadn’t over done it, setting the scene for the seduction he’d been planning since she left last night. He set her down but kept a hand to her waist, unable to break their physical connection.

Candlelight flickered off the single red rose he’d placed in a glass—he didn’t own a vase. “Oh, Jack.” She scanned the room and looked up at him. “Candles?”

“You don’t like ’em?”

“I do.” She walked over and bent to sniff the flower. “Oh,” she breathed. “Champagne too?”

“I wanted tonight to be special.”

Cait looked at the bed and got distracted. “You sleep on satin sheets?”

“Mmm…” He slid his hand up her back and unhooked the back of her bra. With the tips of his fingers, he slipped it off one shoulder and then the other. “Your skin reminds me of my sheets.” He stripped her black lace panties off and she trembled beneath his touch.

“Come here,” he said, tugging on her hand until she had no choice. When they stood at the side of his bed, he urged, “Now close your eyes.” He took her hand, urging her to let it brush over his bed.

“Feel the silky texture?”

“Mmm,” she agreed. “It’s so cool.”

“You’re not,” he rasped, pulling her back up into his arms, crushing her breasts to him. When her eyes popped open, he rasped. “You’re hot…molten…like a volcano.”