Page 40 of Your Sweetness

“That’s three weeks. Until then, let’s date, go places, talk, and make out with the lights off. If it's okay, I’ll go with you to Seattle for the signing. We can spend the weekend at my apartment, away from here.”

I’d never dated before. I’d spent weekends going places with women and having very sexy times, but that’s not the same, or so I’m told. I wanted something different with Jo. Which meant I needed to do things differently than I had before.Notsleeping with a willing, enticing woman like Jo was definitely different.

“Lucas. Are you sure?”

“Truth? I’m a little nervous. I’ve never done this before. But youarespecial, and your body … I want to see it and touch it all when you’re ready to let me.”

She took a deep breath, more tears pooling, and whispered. “What if I’m not ready in three weeks?”

“Then we figure it out from there. This isn’t an ultimatum. I want to take some of the pressure off, that’s all. Think of it like a multi-course meal. Tonight, was the appetizer. When we’re hungry for more, we’ll move closer to the main course. Those meals take time. Sex will be the same.”

She nodded and exhaled a whoosh of breath across my cheek. “What do we do now? We’re both naked here.”

“We sleep. I’ll get my boxers and grab a T-shirt for you. Then I’ll hold you.” My hand drifted across her stomach and the top of her mound. “Maybe touch your skin a little here. Okay?”

She held her breath. “Okay.”

I pulled on my boxer briefs and walked to my closet to grab the T-shirt. “Full disclosure. I’ve been having this dream about you riding me. I can’t promise all my parts will be calm lying next to you. You felt what happened downstairs. I want you. There is no mistaking that. I’ll do my best to control it.”

She blinked back what I hoped was the last of her tears. “Lucas. Are you sure you want to do this? You could go to The Boathouse tomorrow and have any single woman there. Why deliberately deny yourself?”

“Because I don’t want any woman. I want you. And you’re worth it.”

21

JO

Rolling sideways,I snuggled into Luc’s warmth as the early morning light, brighter against the snow, filtered in around the blackout shades. I slept with Lucas, only slept while he held me and touched me. My breasts, my side, my tummy. I let him. I wanted to let him do more. I wanted to let him touch all of me. That feeling was new and unnerving. Had he seriously been dreaming about me riding him? Now I would dream about it too.

Would I ever get to a place where I could be on top without thinking about my weight? It was crazy, but I wanted to try with Lucas. He said I was worth it, and I wanted to believe him.

There was no way this worked out. I’m not the girl who ends up with the prince. He was offering me a once-in-a-lifetime chance to pretend I was that girl, and though the heartbreak, in the end, would likely crush me, I couldn’t bring myself to deny him. I would date him and enjoy him and memorize every touch and sensation. Afterward, I’d have the memories to comfort me. I might never have this chance again. I was taking it.

He rolled onto his back, my head still resting on his upper arm. I snuggled closer to his side.

“Baby, you feel so good,” he whispered to the ceiling with his eyes closed.

He sounded half-asleep, his low gravelly voice igniting my blood.

I shifted my leg up and over his to further curl into his warmth. My T-shirt had scrunched up past my waist, and I pressed into him, my skin against the fabric of his boxer briefs. He didn’t stir. Was he awake? Under the cocoon of the bedding, I skimmed my hand across his chest to the rippled plane of his abs. I sifted my fingers through the fine hair, stretching lower, and inhaled another slow breath as I grazed the top of his length practically at the band of his underwear.

Only his breathing hitched. No other movements. Oh damn. I felt moisture there, and immediately, I wanted to taste him. What was I doing?

I moved my hand back up and caressed his chest like I had last night. We agreed to dating and no sex, but what did that mean? Making out, but how far did that go? Would I have the chance to wrap my lips around him and control his pleasure? I wanted that, and the fantasy had heat pooling between my legs. I clenched my thighs as I scissored my legs together, sparking the intensity higher.

Lucas stretched, and the soft fabric of his boxer briefs rasped against my clit. Oh, that was good. I tilted my hips, making contact again. My sex was soaked, my mind buzzing. This was so unlike me.

Just a little longer. My blood was electric in my veins. Though I could deny myself with food, apparently, I couldn’t with Luc’s hard muscles and warm skin.

“Yes, baby.” His voice, heavy with sleep, croaked into my hair as his head lolled to the side. He had to be awake, right? A few beats of silence passed. I was hot and swollen. I was close. A few more movements and light pressure right where I needed it would give me the release I was chasing.

Shifting my leg, I rocked against him again, and another zing hit my clit. I pulsed and got even wetter. I imagined Lucas filling me, driving me higher. I whimpered at the image as his breathing changed. I was too far gone to notice, searching for one more touch on my throbbing center.

Then, I was on my back, my hands pushed above my head and held with one of his as Lucas hovered above me, his face buried in my neck. He ground his hips into me, hard. I almost came in that instant. My inner walls quickened, and I moaned.

“You with me, Jo?” His breath caressed my skin.

God, was I. “Yes … Yes, Lucas.”