Wanted Distraction(27)

He laughed softly at my joke. “Doesn’t matter. As long as we’re together.”

“Finally.”

He brushed the fat drops from my face and then bent his head. His lips were warm and soft as they touched mine, and I sighed contentedly, because I knew we’d finally arrived at the same place at the same time, with the same future on our minds.

His kiss was a tender one that left me weak in the knees. But when he pulled away, I managed to follow him into his hotel room.

I set my things aside, including the letter, and took his hand. I led him into the bedroom.

The first time we made love, there’d been an invisible hourglass with the sand rapidly running out. And very little hope Carter and I would ever find our way into a relationship. Tonight, however, I felt no pressure, no dark cloud looming, no ticking clock. What I did feel was a rush of excitement. An optimistic tingle down my spine. A heart full of hope…and love.

I released Carter’s hand and he immediately stripped off his jacket and tie. I then went to work on the buttons on his shirt, feeling as though I had all the time in the world to undress him and enjoy the view, but also experiencing a contradictory sense of desperation to quickly get him naked…again, so I could enjoy the view.

He was a powerhouse of a man, and I knew every single time I was alone with him, my hands roaming his wide, muscular chest and rigid abs, I’d marvel over how fantastically built he was. I’d also be completely and utterly swept away the fact he belonged to me. I didn’t doubt the new, solid connection between us. When he kissed me, it was in the way that branded me to him…for good. I felt it all the way to my toes. To the depths of my soul, even.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my body against his. Although I was still fully clothed, his heat penetrated the material, and his tight embrace crushed me to him. I could have easily drowned in sexual bliss from his kiss alone. But he had so much more in mind.

He pulled away from me and scooped me up, despite my protest.

“Damn it,” I said, “stop pushing it with the shoulder.”

He set me on the bed, quickly whisking off my shirt and jeans.

“After winning the game and seeing you in the stands,” he told me, “I feel like Hercules. So let me get my shining moments in while I can.”

I stroked a hand through his hair. “You’re always going to be my hero.”

His gaze snapped up from my feet. He’d been removing my shoes when I spoke.

“Cherish,” he said, his warm brown eyes glowing in the moonlight that filtered in through the shutters again this evening. “I swear to God, that’s all I ever wanted to be.”

Tears stung my eyes, but I didn’t give into them. I sniffled and pushed them back, blinking hard because I knew Carter didn’t like to make me cry—even if they were tears of joy.

“You’re always rescuing me,” I said. “Even tonight. You rescued my heart.” My fingers trailed over his cheek and down to his lips. “I could never love anyone but you. I’ve known that most of my life.”

His hunky body hovered over me as he propped himself up with a forearm. His free hand moved over my body, touching me with care, but also with that innate intimacy that made my stomach quiver and my breathing escalate.

Staring deep into my eyes, he said, “I’m so glad you wanted to see me when I came back to town.”

I grinned. “Maybe someday I’ll get around to interviewing you.”

“How about tomorrow morning? Over breakfast on the patio?”

“Deal.”

His head dipped and he kissed me. I’d get the story and the Hometown Hero. What more could I ask for?

Well, there was one thing…

I dragged my mouth from his and said, “Make me come.”

His fingers curled around the thin strands of my thong and he quickly removed the panties. My bra immediately followed. He divested himself of the rest of his clothes and slid under the covers with me. I ran my hands over his shoulders and down his arms.

He kissed me again, inciting all kinds of crazy sensations within me. I was giddy from the way things had turned out, but also highly aroused. He palmed my breasts and kneaded them gently, then toyed with the nipples until I was squirming beneath him. One of his hands slid down to my stomach, and then farther south. When the pads of his fingers grazed my slick lips, rubbing over them, I had to break our kiss and come up for air.

His mouth trailed over my neck, his tongue teasing, his lips nipping. I wove my fingers through his soft hair and let all the pains of the past slip away. Easy to do with Carter.

He stroked my labia and then massaged my clit with his determined touch. My hips rose in silent demand for more, and he pushed a finger deep into my pussy.