Surviving Broken(71)

She couldn’t speak or think about anything except the rhythm of his heartbeat next to hers.

Reed attempted to lift his weight off her, but she wrapped her arms around his back and clamped onto his hips with her knees. “Can we just lay here? You feel so good. I don’t ever want to forget this feeling.”

This intimate moment would stay with her forever, concealed permanently in her heart, deeper than the scar secretly hidden beneath her lip.

Reed snuggled against her, conscious not to crush her as he nipped at her chin. “You like me, don’t ya?” he teased.

She bit her lip and gave a quick nod. So many sensations surged through her at once. The vein in her neck pulsed so fast, she felt it throbbing. Her tummy felt tight, fluttering with warmth and happiness. No words could explain her passion. She pulled his head down to hers, taking the burn of his breath into her mouth and kissed him, a long, sensual, intimate kiss that rocked each of them to the bone. She whimpered a complaint when he pulled back to take in air. JC stared into his light blue eyes, blinking back the wetness threatening to slide down her cheeks.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” She sniffed. “I’ve just never felt like this. I don’t know why I’m crying. I kind of feel like a blubbering baby.”

He cocked his head to the side and an eloquent smile broadened across his face.

“I just can’t help it. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“It’s okay, darlin’. You’ll figure it out.” A hint of smugness hid in his beautiful grin, acting as if he understood her emotions better than she did.

A misty layer of sweat covered his throat and his Adam’s apple jumped up and down when he spoke, causing her to stare in a stupor. His lips moved, but she wasn’t paying attention to his words. Reed was still wedged inside her and the fullness stiffened as she clenched at the rigid flesh.

“You should make love to me again,” she hissed with delight, tenderly grabbing his earlobe between her teeth.

Bemusement flashed in his eyes. “You think so, huh?”

Draping her arms over his shoulders, she followed the muscular curve of his back and reached into the hair at his nape. “I’m definitely a fan of making love now.”

They finished the bottle of wine and made love all night long. Reed taunted, calling her a prodigy, a new sensation. Not only did Reed discover the Big O button, but he also located it over and over, giving an entire new definition for multiple. Night turned to morning, and the white walls faded to a muted gray in the early dawn. JC curled up next to him and hitched her leg over his hip, fingering the springy curls covering his chest. Drifting off to sleep as the sun broke through the window, she whispered, “You are real, aren’t you, Reed?”

His lips pulled into a soft smile against the curve of her neck. “As real as they come, darlin’.”



****



It was a long flight from Greece. Tom and Tess’ car stopped in front of the tall black wrought iron gates. The gates opened and they pulled into the driveway.

Tess wiggled forward in her seat, letting out a little gasp of sheer delight as she peered out the car window.

Tom followed her exuberant stare. “That’s not yours.” He shook his head adamantly, pointing at Tess’ favorite car, a 69 Camaro parked in the driveway.

Tess shot him a disbelieving grin and her brow raised with suspicion and high hopes.

“Don’t look at me like that. I swear Tess, that car is not for you.”

She slumped back in the seat. “I wonder who’s here?”

They unloaded their luggage and entered the house through the garage. As they approached the kitchen, both sniffed the distinct mouthwatering aroma of steak and baked potatoes.

“Something smells good.” Tom shot an inquisitive glance at his wife. “She’s been cooking?”

Tess shrugged ambling into the kitchen.

A vase full of beautiful sunflowers sitting in the center of the kitchen counter and a silver serving platter stopped them in their tracks. Tom wandered further into the kitchen scrubbing the nape of his neck. He lifted the lid from the tray, revealing two plates.

Tess walked past him toward the dining area. Noticing the table on the back balcony, she snickered with a half-smile. “I think she has company.”

“Company?” Tom asked. “When’s the last time you talked to her?”

“A few days ago. I tried to call her yesterday, but her phone’s been off. Tracy tried to call her too.”

He frowned spotting a man’s shirt, a very large shirt, hanging over the back of a chair.

She slid open the balcony door and picked up a black dress lying on the ground. “Obviously, she must be feeling better,” she mumbled draping the dress over her arm and reached for the shirt too. Tess smiled timidly and pursed her lips together holding up the shirt to Tom, pointing out that it had several buttons missing.