Bursts of energy coursed through her as he led her.
Nothing fazed her until she heard the door click open. Her lips pressed against his again as she realized they were in his bedroom. She traced his sexy, muscular backside with her fingers and delighted.
His skin was hot.
With her arms around his waist, she ran her hand under his shirt to touch his firm, rock-hard abdomen and trace his spine.
As a result, he deepened their kiss and groaned when both his arms pulled her closer.
Something firm hit her leg, and she broke the kiss and peeked over her shoulder. She laughed—it was the dresser—then took in her surroundings. The bed was behind him.
Then she tugged on his pants to push him toward the bed. Her clothes became uncomfortable. She unbuckled his belt, then unzipped her dress as she guided his hand to lift it off her.
He didn't need much convincing.
He kept his arms around her and led her toward the bed. As she kissed the orange-soaked skin of his neck, he closed his eyes and smelled her hair.
She almost said something, but then his rough skin brushed against her face. He leaned down to kiss her again and whispered, "Vicki, you drive me crazy. You do know that."
"Don't stop, Colt. I want you." She unbuttoned his shirt and kissed the exposed skin. A fire grew inside of her, and she had to have him. It had been too long. "I'm turned on and excited for you."
His muscular arms surrounded her, and she sighed. His tortured face held so much patience, but she remembered no one had ever made her feel like he had. Once she'd had fun and had reckless abandon.
The taste of him in her mouth brought with it a sense of freedom and hope.
She slid onto his bed, as he kept his arms around her waist.
With a huge smile that she couldn't control, she unbuttoned his jeans. As she stared at a body meant for a movie god, a blaze grew inside her. Yes, she wanted this.
In a flash, he slid his pants and underwear off his body.
She reached and helped him take his shirt off.
Finally, she sat and gazed upon his nakedness. Colt was perfect. He had the build of an ancient gladiator or medieval knight, and his calloused hands sent arousal through her body.
Her heart stirred as she gazed at his eyes. The expressions on his face were still the same boy she remembered. She winked and told him, "Even your manhood has grown."
"It grew when I was with you."
Impossible, but her heart let the compliment shine inside her. He leaned over her and kissed her hard. His skin on her soft skin melted any thoughts. His rough hands ran against her smooth skin as he rolled to her side, and electricity inside her cells awakened every part of her. A moan escaped her, and she wrapped her arms around him to have him on top of her.
This was the time.
His erection grew next to her fiery body, and something primal inside her broke too.
"Colt..." She kissed his neck. He kissed her shoulders, and she urged him, "Hurry."
A wolfish grin flashed on his face, and then he ran his fingers into her center. Her legs opened with their own mind, and she arched to kiss the hollow of his neck.
As he played with her body, a sigh escaped her lips. She kissed his shoulder and became more primal.
His five o'clock shadow tickled her body as he pressed himself against her, and every cell in her body lit up like a firecracker. "I need you now, Colt."
Another grin appeared as he kissed the tender nipple, which sent delightful shock waves through her. All she could do as the sensation rolled through was wrap her arms around him to hold tight.
She was unable to think; her legs curled around his hard body to surround him, and his penis pressed against her nether lips.
He gripped her hips with his hands, and she kissed the nape of his neck.
Finally, he slid inside her.
Everything inside her ached for him, and she urged him with her gyrations until she could no longer do anything but beg him. With a sudden brush of his body, something inside her released and she shattered.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Colt smelled her strawberry-and-peaches hair first. The few times she'd been in his truck or in those hotel rooms of Paris, her hair smelled similar.
Then rocks formed in his stomach and he couldn't breathe. His mind raced. He hadn't meant for anything to happen last night. The last person he'd hurt was Vicki. First, he had ended things with Belle, dropped her at the airport. Last night, Vicki smelled like strawberries and so deliciously like home.
He ran his hair through his head and sat.
She lay on her side beside him in his bed, and her blonde hair was tossed all over the pillow. This had been a huge mistake. He knew better, and now he seemed as shallow as all the people he'd never respected.
He stared outside his window, and saw the moon that shone through the night sky.
His muscles tensed. The strawberry smell wafted up to his nose, and he turned to stare at Vicki one more time.
She used to be the fantasy. She was sweet and had starred in his dreams since they day he'd met her, but that was long before Belle.
The Marines had been part of his life for years. His face heated, and he swallowed as he turned away from Vicki. He had no idea what to say to her now. He wasn't ready for another relationship, and she deserved respect. They'd planned a life where they shared Clara. He couldn't deny that to her either.
A metal fence with barbed wire grew around his heart.
He shifted in the sheets, and she stirred. He stopped and tried to still himself. The last thing he needed was for her to ask questions.
Moments later, her soft sigh as she settled meant he could breathe. He lowered the sheet and went slowly. Perhaps one day, if he was honest with himself, he hoped she'd belong to him, but not as a rebound. He stared at her and hoped she stayed asleep for a few more minutes.
He shifted his legs to get up, but then her arm brushed against his thigh. He turned and saw her big blue eyes staring at him. His heartbeat grew as he stared at the same eyes that had haunted him for years. He ran his hand through his hair and tried to smile.
"Morning," she whispered, and scooted closer to him. "You getting up to check the farm?"
The farm. Yes, that was a good excuse. Outside meant he could breathe. He nodded. "There is a lot of work to do. Life here will always be chores."
She sat, though kept the covers from revealing her nakedness. "And we've worked as a team since I arrived, haven't we?"
He didn't want to scare her away or offer more promises he couldn't keep. He didn't know what he wanted. He stayed still, and she stretched her arms. "I'll get a morning cup of coffee ready for you."
"You don't have to. I can get it myself."
"I want to help you, Colt."
His skin was electrified. He shook his head. "I told Belle I wasn't in love with her and that marriage was a mistake. Last night with you...it shouldn't have happened, Vicki. I'm not a good fit for anyone."