Derek swooped the car into the driveway of her parents' house and switched off the engine. Before she had a chance to speak, he hopped out of the car and went around to open her door for her. Wow, that hadn't happened to her in … ages. As he walked up to the front door with her, she was hyper-conscious of his presence. He was close enough for her to feel the heat of his body washing over her, and sense his hand hovering near the small of her back. His attentiveness made her feel special and fidgety at the same time.
Her hand wasn't quite steady as she unlocked the door and led him into the darkened house. Everything felt weirdly out of place, as if she'd stumbled into the wrong house and couldn't locate the light switch.
As she groped along the wall, Derek came up behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders. Her breath hitched as all her senses zeroed in on his touch.
"Wait. Don't turn on the light." He sounded strange, his voice thick and strained.
He turned her around gently, moving his hands up over her neck to cup her face. She held her breath as he leaned down and kissed her. Sensations overwhelmed her, not just from his mouth-firm and warm and persuasive on hers-but also from his fingers tracing the line of her jaw, his male scent penetrating her nostrils, his sexual virility enveloping her.
For an endless time he kissed her, his caress gentle and exploratory, his lips nibbling on her cheeks and neck, his tongue soft and wet, licking her skin, sliding between her lips to strike a match to the gunpowder lust in her. She whimpered, and as she moaned and clung to him, he kissed her more urgently, backing her up against the wall to pin her there with his body.
In the darkness of the hall, her inhibitions slipped away one by one. Without the light on she could trick herself into forgetting who they were. They were just a man and a woman who'd met in a bar and hit it off. He was the sexiest man she'd ever met, the most fantastic kisser, and, judging by the state of his body, he was hot for her, too. Emboldened, she pulled him closer to her, flitting her tongue against his lips. He opened his mouth, encouraging her to dip into him. He tasted of rum and sugar and lime … Divine. Hot. Wet.
His hands anchored on her waist as he trailed his mouth down her neck until he reached the neckline of her top. His breathing became labored; he lifted his head, and despite the dimness she could see he was flushed.
"Hannah, you're driving me crazy here," he muttered.
And what did he think he was doing to her? Her body pulsed with lust, her mouth felt crushed and sugary, and she could barely string two words together after the way he kissed her. She'd never, ever felt like this before-so reckless, so bad. Not with Rick, not with anyone. There was no one like Derek.
She curled her fingers into the lapels of his shirt. "It's good crazy, isn't it?" she panted.
"Are you kidding?" He brushed his lips over hers. "It's fantastic crazy."
Her heart rate kicked up another notch. "You're quite the hottie yourself."
The vee of his chest gleamed, the spiciness of his cologne floated over her, and she couldn't resist. Bending in, she lapped her tongue against his skin. "Um … " she murmured, drunk with the taste and smell of him. She popped open a shirt button and licked his chest, his hairs softly prickling as her tongue lingered on his moist skin. Where did that line of hair lead to? She wanted to follow it with her tongue all the way down …
Derek's hand fisted in her hair. He brought her up gently. "Babe."
Babe. She'd never been a babe before. In his eyes she saw burning lust, shocking desire. For her. This gorgeous, lava-hot man found her desirable and beautiful. She should have felt awkward and self-conscious, kissing a man for the first time since her divorce. But instead he made her feel uninhibited, wonderful.
"Yes?" She tilted her head up to gaze at him.
He traced a finger over her bottom lip. "I'm just letting you know," he said huskily. "You can still back out now, but if you pop another button off my shirt, I won't have any choice but to pick you up and carry you to your room."
"Is that a promise?"
He gave a breathy laugh. "Rolled gold."
So he was leaving it up to her. If she wanted him to stay the night, she only had to unbutton his shirt. Did she want him in her bed? For a moment the dizzy desire receded as all-too-familiar doubt invaded her. She'd only ever had sex with Rick. She wasn't experienced like Derek was. What would he expect from her? What if she was a disappointment?
Her worries were cut short as Derek drew her into his arms and started kissing her again. He threaded his fingers through her hair, murmuring how beautiful she was. She ran her hands down the sides of his torso, relishing the feel of his taut body. His thighs, encased in denim, pushed between her legs. This was why she'd brought Derek home. He could make her feel hot and sexy for one night, and since he'd be gone tomorrow, she wouldn't have to worry about any post-sex awkwardness. She could have her cake and eat it too. Her scrummy, yummy Derek cake.
"Why are you smiling?" Derek asked.
"I can't believe I'm doing this with my little brother's friend."
He kissed her harder. "You calling me little?"
"No." Her knees trembled. "You're not little at all."
"Hannah," he groaned. "You're killing me here."
Grasping the flaps of his shirt, she pulled them apart. A button popped off his shirt. "Uh-oh," she murmured. "Look what I've done."
His chest heaved. "You sure you know what you're doing?"
"Oh, I'm very sure."
Gripping the edges of his shirt more tightly, she ripped them apart until all the buttons were undone.
Chapter Five
Hannah woke with a start. A pre-dawn grayness filled her room, let in by the open drapes and windows. The air was cool, but she was warm despite not having a stitch on. She glanced at the naked man sleeping next to her, and her heart flipped over. No wonder she hadn't felt the cold with Derek's big, masculine body warming her all night. One of his arms lay across her, his broad hand lazily cupping her breast. Her heart rate picked up as memories of last night flooded her. What an unforgettable night with Derek …
But something had dragged her from her sex-drugged sleep. A noise. The sound of a gate snicking shut. Betty, the next-door neighbor, setting out for her usual early morning walk with her dog. Betty was a retiree who liked knowing everyone else's business and broadcasting it to anyone who'd listen. She was sure to have spotted Derek's SUV in the Willmetts' driveway.
Hannah shook Derek gently awake. He blinked a few times before his blue eyes focused on her.
"Hey there." He gave her a sexy, lopsided smile that made her toes curl.
"It's almost six." She didn't know why she was whispering.
Derek glanced down to where his hand still cradled her breast. "And you woke me for an early morning quickie?"
She bit back a groan. It was almost impossible to concentrate when Derek's warm nakedness pressed up against her. The bristles on his jaw were thick and dark. She wouldn't mind feeling those bristles rubbing against the inside of her thigh …
"No," she said firmly, more to herself than him. "You need to get going before all the neighbors see you."
His hand dropped away from her breast. "Are you regretting last night?"
"No, of course not. Last night was"-she let out a breath-"amazing." Truly amazing. Derek was such an incredible lover-generous, strong, tender and virile at the same time.
His lips kicked up in a wicked grin. "Yeah, it was, wasn't it?"
"But we agreed it was a one-time thing and no one would find out."
He looked at her for a while, his expression unreadable, before he sat up. "You're right. I should go. I've still got some packing to do before I leave for L.A."
In a second he was out of bed. The loss of his warmth hit her, but there was no going back. He dressed with efficient speed, and by the time she'd put on her bathrobe, he was ready to go.
As she gazed at him, her chest suddenly spasmed with memory. He reminded her so much of the teenage Derek-his hair mussed, his expression guarded, his lips set. Guilt nipped at her. What had she done? Had she really spent the night having sweaty, incredible sex with the troubled teen who'd hung out with her brother?
They walked downstairs in silence. The night was over, and Derek was heading back to L.A., and in a few days this would all seem like a dream.
At the front door Derek turned to her. "We okay, then?"
"Yup. Sure." Her stomach made a queasy roll. She wasn't sure about anything. Last night Derek had made her feel special and wonderful. He'd lavished her with passion, satisfying her first before letting himself go. Once hadn't been enough; they'd made love until they were exhausted, their sated bodies tangled together. He'd taken her to new heights, made her cry out his name, revealed a side to her she'd never known. But now she was stunned it had even happened, and she wondered how they could ever go back to normal.