The #1 Bestsellers Collection 2011(192)
No misunderstanding that.
Jordan hooked a hand under her knee for just the right angle to slide inside her. Her damp heat clamped around him in time with his own groan. He buried his face in her silky hair, making the most of the advantageous position to stroke her breasts, so full and apparently sensitive if her writhing response offered any indication.
Their gentle rocking set the sheet slithering to the floor, the brush of chilly morning air doing little to cool the sweat beading on his body. The sunrise slanted through the blinds to play along the creamy expanse of her skin. He set his teeth to hold back the driving need to finish. He would wait for her, watch for signals of her nearing satisfaction.
And yes, his focused attention paid off. Her skin began to flush, her head arching back as she panted faster, faster still …
She gasped out a litany of need as she came apart, taking him along with her in a mind-blowing explosion of sensation. His forehead fell to her shoulder, his eyes closed while he simply felt. Her. All around him, against him. Aftershocks rocked through her so hard she shook in his arms, finally settling with a sated sigh.
As he stroked a hand through her hair, he thought again of how much he enjoyed how she made her needs heard in bed. If he could just get her to be as communicative about her thoughts. Because while she’d been physically responsive, he couldn’t miss that this time she’d held something back. She’d shuttered her eyes from him at the last minute as if closing herself off from him.
He was losing ground at a time when he should be gaining. What the hell had gone wrong?
More importantly, he needed a plan to get back on track with planting his engagement ring on her finger.
Sunday night, Brooke forced her feet to climb the steps toward her mother’s front door, Jordan only an inch from her side. She couldn’t decide which was worse—facing her mother or going back through the gate past the snap-happy reporters intent on snagging photos.
She gripped Jordan’s elbow tighter for support. As much as she’d been shaken by making love with him again and even feared how easily he could steal her willpower, she couldn’t help wishing they’d been able to stay in the Bahamas a while longer. But she’d promised Brittany they would go over last-minute wedding plans tonight.
The decorated door loomed, bracketed by ornate porch lamps and twinkling garland.
“Hey, beautiful?” Pausing on the top step, he stroked her cheek, thumb grazing her lips with the tempting familiarity of lovers. “You look like you’re heading to the gallows. We can always turn around and leave right now.”
Mother or the media? Tough choice. But there were others to consider.
“We skipped the dinner part of the evening.” She repressed a shudder at the thought of sitting for a meal with all that dissension stirring as tangibly as her roiling stomach. “The least we can do is show up for dessert since I promised Brittany. It’s not like I can exactly hide from my family forever.”
“You’re not alone facing them anymore.”
A sad smile tugged at her lips and heart. “A blessing and a curse.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Thanks.”
Contrition nipped. She shouldn’t take out her bad mood on him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that the way it—”
His thumb tapped her mouth closed. “You don’t have to be the peacemaker with me. I’m a big boy. I realize it won’t be easy winning your relatives over. Thing is, I’m persistent and determined.”
His words along with the unrelenting glint in his eyes sent a mix of reassurance and apprehension down her spine. “They’re my family. I can handle it. Let’s just concentrate on keeping things as quick and low-key as possible.”
“As you said, they’re your family. You call the shots.”
As long as she didn’t try to send him packing. Then he always stepped in with more pressure for time. Well, she’d wanted to use this time to get to know each other. This driven part of him, however, she’d known from the start. What was she looking to learn by agreeing to these dates?
She wanted to know the man and Jordan kept his inner self well cloaked behind charm and smiles.
A raised voice from inside pierced through the door. Her mother was on a roll about something, not that it took much to set Bonita off anymore.
Brooke braced a palm against the stucco wall to steady herself. She should have expected this. Were her mother’s drinking and outbursts worse? Or were her own nerves simply edgier because of the pregnancy?
Jordan’s hand fell from her face to grab her elbow. “Forget it. Let’s blow this pop stand.”
Brooke actually considered taking his suggestion until the door swung open. Brittany stood framed in the open portal. Eyes wide and frantic, she grabbed her sister by the wrist and hauled. Seemed like everyone was looking for a lifeline.