She smiled at the gravel in his voice. “I could say the same about you,” she said. “I don't know what it is about it, but I want to rip it off you every time I see you in it.”
He cupped her face in his palm. His thumb brushed her lips in a tender caress. His eyes reflected his own wicked smile. “I'll wear it for you later, someplace private.”
“Promise?” she asked.
“Promise,” he said.
He kissed her again. This time, the banked passion simmered below the surface like a trophy awaiting the winner. Caro trembled again, but it had nothing to do with being cold and everything to do with the man whose lips heated her blood and stirred her soul.
* * * *
Dell couldn't wait to have Caro in his arms again. She'd been more than willing back at the track, but they'd agreed on discretion. The wait made the prize that much more special. She offered her hand, and he led her through the lobby to the bank of elevators. They waited in silence and rode to the upper floor, letting their hands speak for them as they met, palm-to-palm, fingers intertwined.
He'd chosen this hotel in a small town off the usual route between Dover and Charlotte. No one would know them here, but still, he wouldn’t jump her in the elevator, even though he wanted to. Tonight, Carolina would be his – the old boys' club be damned.
“I hate having to sneak around,” he said, pulling her into his arms as soon as the room door clicked shut behind them, sealing the rest of the world out.
“I'm through worrying about what they say about me,” Caro said.
“I'm not,” Dell said. “I hate sneaking, but I'd hate the gossip more. I won't give them any more ammunition to use against you, Carolina.” He cupped her face between his palms. “You mean too much to me. I want to see you succeed, and I'll do anything I can to help you, and that includes making sure I don't do anything to make it harder for you.” He kissed her, long and slow, infusing the kiss with everything he felt for her and couldn't put into words.
“Well, I sure hope you make something hard for me,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.
“Oh, God, Carolina,” he laughed and pulled her against his erection. “You never have to worry about that. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to race with a hard-on?”
Her hand closed over the hard length of him through his jeans, making him groan.
“You've got on too many clothes,” she said as her fingers found the top button and began to work it free. It seemed to take forever, and then she went to work on the next one. He took over, silently vowing to invest in some jeans with zippers for expediency. God, he wanted to feel her small hands on him – everywhere – almost as much as he wanted to touch her.
He worked the final button free, and in one motion, shoved his jeans and briefs to his knees. His cock sprang free like a thoroughbred out of the chute. Caro wrapped her hand around him and his knees almost buckled. “Shit, Carolina. That feels so good.”
She wiggled her other hand underneath his shirt. He watched it bunch around her wrist as her hand slid over his stomach to his chest. A none-to-gentle push pinned his shoulders against the door. The top of her head sank lower, and lower. His little brain was in charge of his body now, so he didn't realize her intent until his dick disappeared, slipping between her lips, the last remaining inches clamped tight in her fist while the fingers of her other hand found his ass.
He couldn't look away. What was left of his scrambled brain screamed at him to make her stop. He fisted his fingers in her hair and willed them to force her away, but with each lick, each suck of her soft, sweet tongue, he lost another million brain cells. So instead of making her stop, he held on for dear life and let her have her way with his dick.
Thank God for the door. Every time his cock slid past her lips he moved a step closer to death. But, heaven help him, he wanted to go this way. The only thing better would be dying with his cock buried deep inside her pussy. The thought gave him the strength to push her face out of reach of his cock. “Carolina. I've got to have you. Now.”
Her gaze lifted to his. She ran her tongue over her swollen pink lips and he almost shoved his cock past them again. The look she gave him told him she wouldn't mind, but hell, he minded. Her mouth was sweet as hell, but his body remembered another sweeter spot and he was going to have it – now.
“You taste good,” she licked her lips again.
“Good God, woman.” He lifted her by her armpits and dragged her body against his. He crushed his mouth against hers, tasted himself on her lips and groaned. “I've never wanted anything or anyone as much as I want you, Carolina Hawkins.”