He grabbed the long shelf just in time to keep it from thudding over, setting off the shelves like a short row of dominos. The head-high shelf swayed alarmingly, and Alana scurried to grab the far end.
When the danger passed, her gaze met Lucas’s. Slightly hysterical laughter burbled in her throat, but he strode down the short aisle in two strides and backed her into the plaster wall with two more. Sandwiched between the wall and his hard-planed chest, she felt the breath leave her in a huff. He gave it back with a kiss he ended only to crouch and run his hand up her leg, gathering her skirt as he went. She wriggled to help him get it up around her hips, even as she unbuttoned his shirt; her panties slid to the floor.
The heel of his hand pressed to her mound and she whimpered when his fingers slid into her folds. His tongue mirrored his fingers as he stroked and circled. Her hands inside his dress shirt, she gripped his sides and held on.
Up against a wall. She was about to have sex up against the library’s wall, and all she could think about was more now please.
One fingertip dipped inside and drew slick heat up to her clit. She made a high-pitched stuttering noise and dropped her head forward to rest against his shoulder. When she trembled on the edge, he withdrew his hand and stepped back to get a condom from his wallet and smooth it on.
Her heels brought them to almost the right height. He widened his stance and urged his hips forward, seeking the right alignment. Finding it meant he glided into her without any preparatory strokes. She gasped and fisted her hands in his shirt.
“Okay?”
She nodded jerkily. She’d never get used to this, the shocking, stretching glide of him inside her, not even if she had all the time in the world. For a brief moment, her manners ruled; she tried to think of ways to help him hold her upright, but then he leaned his chest into hers, secured her hips with one arm, braced the other by her head, and started to move.
Then she stopped thinking at all. It was hot and fast and relentless, not deep but each stroke worked the sensitive flesh at her entrance. Her head dropped back, thunking against the wall, then turning to the side as pleasure coursed like lava through her veins. Her muscles tightened, inside and out, drawing a low groan from him. The rough rumble eddied against her skin, tightening her nipples and sending a shock wave into her pelvis.
The universe contracted, held for a beat, then flung her out into blackness. She curled into him, seeking the heat and strength and stability of his broad shoulders as the shudders wracked her. With a low groan, Lucas stroked deep and surrendered to his own release.
“Oh, God,” she said.
Something in her bewildered tone struck Lucas as funny because he laughed. “Yeah.” Tipping her unresisting head on her neck, he nuzzled into her cheekbone, then ear. “Still feel like a cliché?”
“No,” she said. She felt like she was home. Like this was so right, so good, so her, that it meant something.
Her heartbeat had slowed to something resembling normal when Lucas stepped away and dealt with the condom. Making herself decent again made her blush twice as hard. Panties up, skirt down, blouse buttoned, sweater buttoned over her blouse. Lucas gave her a crooked little smile, then said, “Let me . . .”
She laughed and pushed her hair out of her face while he rebuttoned both blouse and sweater. “There.”
“Do I look presentable?”
“You look like you belong here.”
She gaped at him.
“Sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. You look like you just had illicit, very hot sex,” he said matter-of-factly.
“Oh my God.”
“It’s dark and we’re going home.” He held out his hand, support she appreciated when the danger of navigating a tight spiral staircase in heels with the aftershocks of sex weakening her knees became clear.
Outside, she locked up again, Lucas waiting patiently on the sidewalk leading to the parking lot. He scanned the street, then checked his phone. Subconsciously triggered, she checked her own iPhone for incoming messages as she walked to her car. Two from Freddie, one from her mother, and one from Marissa.
Hi, Alana! Adam proposed last night and I said yes. Neither of us want a big wedding, so we’re making plans for this weekend. One of the local wedding package places had a last-minute cancellation. Most of Adam’s friends are still stationed here in San Diego. His lieutenant is flying in from Chicago and offered to stop and pick up Adam’s mom and anyone else coming from Walkers Ford (Lucas????? Adam invited him!). Will you come? Please say you will. I know your contract is up and your family wants you home, but please take a few more days off and come to San Diego for the wedding.
We wouldn’t be having it without you. Please come.
Love, Marissa
She wasn’t ready for this to end. “Marissa and Adam are getting married this weekend in San Diego. I’m invited.”
“Me, too,” he said absently. “It’s short notice. I don’t know that I can get someone to cover for me. You going to go?”