Then, without provocation, he turned around and kissed her hard. She fell backwards and almost knocked the stand with the flowers down next to the door. He didn't seem to care and continued to press his lips against hers.
Her hands raked up his body. She needed to touch him. She needed to have him. He tasted like delicious wine and testosterone. Her fingers untucked his shirt and found his chiseled abdomen. Her entire body flamed with desire as his eyes held a blaze in them that read he wanted her too.
Finally. She pressed into him and reached farther up his shirt to feel his naked skin.
His muscles quivered at her touch. Her body moistened with desire.
John stepped away from her, and his voice was gruff as he said, "Tell me to stop."
She lifted her chin, wanting him. "Take me to a bedroom."
Dropping her pocketbook on the ground near the door, Alice slipped her hand into his as he led her down the hall to his room.
Her heart pounded in her chest as he opened the door with his free hand. His bed was messy and the gray duvet was on the floor beside his slept-in silken sheets, but otherwise the room was devoid of anything personal. She swung to him. "You haven't hired maids to clean up after us?"
His eyes widened. "I've been afraid to have anyone here."
Perhaps she shouldn't have changed the tone. She licked her lips and placed her hands on his chest. "Why?"
"I don't want anyone to hurt you."
No. They'd not discuss some threat that should keep her here. "Kiss me."
"You don't have to tell me twice."
His hand brushed against her skin. The hair on her arms stood up, welcoming his touch. He swept her hair back from her face, leaned in, and kissed her.
Fireworks exploded in her stomach and the rest of the world faded to black. All that mattered was this kiss, this moment, this everything.
Her hands wrapped around his back to somehow keep him close. If he stayed with her then the ride would never end.
John took a step backwards and she followed, not letting him go.
Her fingers ached to touch him and she held her breath when he stopped by the bed. She lifted her chin and gazed into his blue eyes. He was her everything. She stood up on her tiptoes, and his arms wrapped around her waist. His lips met hers and a tidal wave of need overwhelmed her.
Alice gasped as he released her to kick off his shoes. In a frenzy, she lifted her dress up and over her head, tossing it to the floor.
His eyes gleamed, making her dizzy.
He unbuttoned his shirt and stripped off the clothes that hid his perfectly formed masculine body. Every nerve ending in her body stirred.
He kicked his pants to the side, which left only perfectly sculpted thighs and part of his muscular abdomen hidden under his black boxer briefs.
Impatience grew, but then his hands brushed the hair out of her face so he could kiss her, hard and demanding.
Her bra felt uncomfortable but the smell of oak trees spurred her forward as her body temperature shot so high a thermometer would explode. Her body pressed against his groin, and she could feel the huge, hard length of him that waited for her.
Her knees were weak as he moved her to the bed. Alice fell back, wrapping her legs around John's so he landed with her in the center of the mattress.
He leaned above her, his fingers trailing down her body. At her chest she turned so his fingers would unhook her black satin bra. He smiled. "You're in a rush."
"Hardly. I've waited all my life for you."
His breath caught behind his lips as her bra fell to the side and her breasts were freed from restraint. "Pink."
Laughter bubbled as she gleaned his interest. He'd probably dated gorgeous women the past few years. No one like her. Then his lips pressed against her pink pebbles and she moaned instead. This felt like heaven.
Alice pressed her mouth together to stop her reaction, but then he did it again to her other breast. Another sound came out of her that vibrated from inside her soul.
Her hands traced against his perfectly sculpted body and she tugged his boxer briefs down over the hard length of his penis. She had to see all of him.
He leaned up so she could work off his boxers. She threw them aside and then stared at his loins. He was bigger than any man she'd ever seen, and adrenaline rushed in her veins. "Will that fit?"
"We'll find out."
Heat radiated through her smile. Yes, she would find out. Her hands traced his shoulders and reached his neck. He leaned down and kissed her again.
Her soul soared.
His fingers traced her body and reached her panties.
Every heartbeat reverberated in her ears as he lowered her plain white cotton panties like they were spun of pure gold.
His fingers traced the sensitive skin of her thighs and the hot brush of his hand sent her toward an edge as he touched her in her secret apex.
No more barriers existed between them.
His mouth kissed every inch of her body.
Goosebumps grew everywhere. The hunger for him ached inside her. She opened her legs and wrapped herself around him.
His eyebrows shot up. "You are impatient. We've got all night."
She shrugged, but then said nothing. He ripped open a condom and rolled it on fast—next time, she'd help him put it on.
His eyes were bright as he stared at her. Part of him had to care about her, even if they had no future beyond the here and now.
Then he kissed her shoulder as he slid inside her.
Her body stretched for him and the sweet ache made her moan.
When he was fully inside her, her body pulsated with desire and moved on its own.
The pleasure she felt sent her entire body soaring. Their bodies were entwined in a rhythm.
The music in her heart and body reached a crescendo. She lost the ability to think or feel. Her soul seemed to have left her an aching need of desire.
Chapter Twenty One
Alice woke up entwined in John's strong arms. Cedar and pine tickled her nose. She felt protected and warm as she lay beside him.
She turned and stared at John, whose eyes were still closed. The sheets were entwined around their naked bodies, revealing the tattoo on his arm. The black ink of roses was something she hadn't expected.
The last time she saw him in short sleeves had been at a high school football game. One day she might get to ask him where the tattoo came from. She hugged her waist and flipped toward the edge of the bed. If she stuck around, she'd buy him a muscle shirt to let him show it off. He must have done it out of protest years ago.
Until last night, she had never found tattoos exciting. Right now she shouldn't either. She had to get on with her life.
She untangled herself from the sheets, careful not to wake him as she kissed his forehead. Time to leave the fairy tale.
No more designer dresses that were way out of her budget. No more fantasy dates. No more Prince Charming. None of it existed long term, and it was time to get her life together.
She dressed in last night's clothes and slipped out the door.