Never Say Never (15 page)

“What kind of a mood are you in now?” she asked, her voice low as she continued to follow her finger with her eyes.

I smiled at her attempted casualness. “Anxious. Cautious. Confused.” The words dropped one by one as I sighed.

Her eyes touched mine. “Me too,” she admitted, still stroking my hand. Silence stretched as I firmly pushed away the reproaching words that tried to fill my mind. She stared out through the windshield, and my eyes traced the outline of her profile. Dark curls falling on her brow. Strong narrow nose, perhaps too long to be perfect. Small chin, tipped up, turning toward me.

“Can I do just one thing before we go?” Her tongue slid across her upper lip, then the lower, before ducking back inside her mouth, making her nervousness transparent.

My heart thumped in my chest. I nodded, staring into her eyes, shutting out the voices in my mind. Her hand moved to my cheek, then up to my temple and into my hair. Her breathing became uneven.

I reached up and covered her hand with my own, guiding her hand down, across my cheek until the palm covered my lips. I kissed her hand before releasing it. My lips tingled as her palm withdrew. The tips of her fingers lightly traced the edges of my mouth before drifting gently across my lips, tracing the top and then the bottom. She leaned closer, her eyes intent on my mouth.

Soft lips replaced fingertips.

My eyelids fluttered down and we stayed motionless, our lips barely meeting. Then her hand slid to my neck as she urged me closer. I complied, reaching both hands to the softness of her cheeks. Her fingers caressing my neck; the pressure of her lips deepened. My fingers moved to her temples, combing the curls back from her brow.

The quiet was broken by a soft whimper escaping her throat.

She pulled me closer still. Her lips were no longer gentle. The softness had given way to urgency. Her lips parted; her head tilted to one side. Our mouths opened, and her soft tongue found mine. She kissed me hungrily, so thoroughly I couldn’t breathe.

An eternity passed, and I knew only that mouth, exploring eagerly, wanting mine.

I was light-headed by the time her mouth released me, her arms moving to encircle me as she tucked her face in my neck.

I held her close, smoothing her hair, unable to resist the smile that crept to my lips as her hot breath tickled my neck. She was breathing heavily, her body almost shivering as she pressed against mine. We were quiet, holding each other for some time before she found her voice.

“You’ve been holding out on me,” she sighed, her voice low and husky.

My smile grew and I chuckled.

She lifted her head, sitting up and leaning back until her face was inches from mine. Her lids were heavy, brows pulled together, as her eyes searched my face. Her head moved slowly from side to side.

“I had no idea.” Her voice hinted at wonderment.

I continued to watch her. To love her.

“Are you okay?” My fingers were still entwined in the curls at her neck.

She read my meaning, a smile touching the dark eyes. “Yeah. I’m okay.” Her face broke out in a grin.

“I’m very okay.” She kissed me again, this time with short, quick kisses that nearly bruised my lips. She settled back in the car seat, her eyes still focused on mine. “Except that I can’t get close enough to you, and my arm is falling asleep.” I jumped back a little, releasing the arm that I had trapped.

“Should we go then?” I asked.

She nodded, waiting for me to engage the gears before retrieving my hand and holding it firmly in hers. She didn’t release it until we arrived at the hotel. I pulled the car up to the front lobby entrance and let the valet park it for us.

Sara stayed in her room only long enough to drop off her overnight bag and jacket. I took a moment to glance in the mirror, wishing I had spent more time primping earlier in the evening.

Sara’s reflection hovered just above my right shoulder in the mirror, and our eyes met. I studied her face, searching for a sign that reality had sunk in, that she had come to her senses. She’d been away from me for less than a minute, and already the doubts were creeping in.

My expression must have given me away, because she raised a warning brow and smiled. Then she stepped closer, her arms around my waist urging me to lean back against her. My hands clasped hers and I sighed heavily, watching our reflection as her head tipped down until her lips were brushing my neck. Goose bumps rose along my arm. Her hand found them and rubbed them away, a satisfied chuckle in her throat. I shivered, and she met my eyes again.

She grinned. Beamed, really. Something between exuberance and precociousness. My eyes traveled over the image in the mirror. Her face glowing, so close to my own. Her arms around my waist. Our hands entwined. While my eyes studied that image, my mind rejected it. Surely this wasn’t real.

“This feels a little weird,” I confessed.

She sighed and gave me a quick squeeze. “I know. But I’ve thought about this so much that it’s been real to me for a long time.”

“Really?” Had she really thought of me this way? I couldn’t comprehend it.

“Really,” she said simply, her gaze focused on mine in the mirror. “Do you know,” she moved her face closer so that our faces were side by side, “that you look absolutely petrified?” I rolled my eyes, wishing I weren’t so transparent. “Thank you. I am.”

“Me too,” she laughed nervously. “Downright scared, actually.” I was touched by her sincerity as relief flooded me. “I want the chance to know you better. This way.” Her words stumbled a bit.

“You know. Dating.”

“Dating?” I laughed at her choice of words, and her face blanched. I turned in the circle of her arms. My hands went to her shoulders, then behind her heck. “You want to date me?” I teased.

“Yeah. Is that the wrong word or something? Is there some special word or terminology that I’m supposed to be using?” Her face was completely red.

“No,” I assured her, smiling. “Dating is fine. I just can’t believe I’m hearing this from you.”

“Believe it.” Her eyes flashed green as her chin tipped defiantly.

“I’ll try,” I sobered. “I want to.”

“Good.” She kissed me lightly, without passion.

“We can go slowly,” I said against her mouth.

“Slowly,” she echoed. “I’m not going anywhere.” I hugged her tightly, and she squeezed me in return, chuckling in my ear. “You just can’t kiss me like you did in the car — or I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

I laughed and released her. She leaned back and appraised me.

“Could I stay with you tonight?”

I thought my heart would explode. She jumped to reassure me, placing her hands on my shoulders and squeezing quickly.

“I’ll behave. I promise. I don’t want this to end.” She faltered, looking embarrassed. “I want to wake up and know that this really happened.”

“I would like you to stay very much,” my voice sounded serious as I hugged her again. She withdrew from my arms, her smile playful again as she made her way back to her room.

“I’ll go change,” she said, disappearing behind the door.

In a fog, I readied myself for bed, fretting over what to wear.

Finally, I slipped an oversize T-shirt over my head and nervously turned out the light and climbed into bed, listening to Sara scurrying around next door. Soon the light that shone from her room into mine was extinguished, and I could sense rather than see her presence beside my bed.

“Are you there?” asked her quiet voice.

“Right here.” I reached up a hand and found hers, then lifted the covers back and scooted over to make room for her. Her weight settled into the mattress beside me as my eyes got used to the dark. Without speaking, she lay back, her head resting in the pillows. Again, my nerves got the better of me and I lay beside her, unmoving, until at last she spoke.

“Can I hold you?” The words were so quiet that I had to strain to hear them. My eyes closed, and a sigh escaped me. She was being so sweet. So cautious and careful. Again I felt the tugging at my heart.

Without a word, I slipped an arm beneath her shoulders, urging her closer as she curled her body against my side. Her face rested near my collarbone as she tucked an arm around me. My arm went to her back, slowly rubbing through the thin cotton of her T-shirt. She sighed heavily and slipped a leg over one of mine, snuggling closer.

“Good night, Les.” She pressed her lips against my throat.

“Good night, Sara.” I combed my fingers through her hair, letting my hand trail up and down her back as a smile curved on my lips. I stared up toward the ceiling, relishing the moment, thanking the gods for the gift they’d bestowed. The doubts could wait until tomorrow. All that mattered right now was the face tucked so neatly into my neck, the glowing heat that covered the entire length of my body, and the soft, steady breath that floated across my chest. I pressed my lips to her brow, and we curled into each other, closer still.

My eyes flew open at six o’clock, and I found myself mentally taking a quick inventory of body parts. I was lying on my side.

Sara was curled up against my back, fitting closely, one arm wrapped around my waist.

I strained my ears, searching for a sign of wakefulness. But her breathing was slow and even as she slept. I fought the need to sneak out and go to the bathroom, wanting instead to stay and luxuriate against her. Finally, physical need won out, and I carefully lifted her arm and extracted myself from her embrace. I tiptoed to the bathroom, brushed my teeth and foolishly tried to run a comb through my hair before returning to bed.

I approached the bed from her backside, noting that she hadn’t moved an inch, and leaned over to peek at her face. Long lashes were lying against high cheekbones, and her lips were slightly parted as she continued to sleep soundlessly. I lifted the covers and carefully slipped in behind her, tentatively moving arms and legs until I was tucked in, the curves of my body fitting neatly against hers.

Sleep eluded me. My mind and body were alive with pleasure, with an overwhelming sense of fullness and wonder. All the apprehension I had felt the night before was nonexistent as I stared straight ahead, my eyes focusing on the dark hair curling off her slender neck, not quite meeting the neckline of her T-shirt. As I stared, that area of bare skin began calling to me.

Teasing me.

My lips found the spot, brushing lightly, lingering. I breathed deeply, loving her scent, arousal already swelling inside me. My lips traveled up along her hairline, behind an ear, down the side of her neck, settling where her neck met her shoulder.

“Mmm.” The sigh escaped her dreamily, and she pressed herself against me snugly. Smiling now, I reached up and tugged the neckline of her T-shirt down, pressing my lips there. Circling.

Licking and nibbling gently.

She shifted back against me and I put my arm beneath her pillow, bending it down at the elbow so I could touch her hand.

Her fingers moved and entwined with mine, squeezing gently.

My mouth continued its journey as my other hand drifted to her shoulder and down her arm, softly tickling before wiggling under the sleeve and covering her bare shoulder. Then my fingers reached down, trailing the bare skin along her collarbone, finding the quickening heartbeat in her throat, sliding along her neck, over her chin. My mouth crept up near the top of her spine, and I lifted my eyes to peer over her shoulder, watching my fingers as they found her lips. Her eyes were still closed as she met each fingertip with its own kiss. Her lips parted slowly, and her tongue found a finger, pulling it inside her mouth, softly sucking before releasing it to find another. The full wetness of her mouth sent a tremor through my belly, shaking me thoroughly, making me weak. I caught the smile that was dancing on her lips as she squeezed the hand that rested in hers.

When I recovered, my mouth had claimed her neck, opening wide as my tongue teased her, teeth grazing her smooth skin. Her mouth released my fingers, and her free hand moved down and behind her until it was on my hip, rubbing slowly, then urging me closer.

My hand moved high across her chest, up and over the curve of her shoulder, finally released from the sleeve of her shirt. Then my hand traveled along her arm, moving down, pressing into her forearm, lingering over her wrist until my hand found and covered hers where it was pressing on my backside. The strength of her hand surprised me as she gripped my fingers.

My knee came up behind hers, pushing gently until her body shifted, her leg bending as her weight shifted forward. My body moved against her. Her hand turned and lifted mine, moving it to her hip as she urged me to touch her there.

Without conscious thought, my hand traveled the side of her thigh, feeling the hard muscles tensing as I kneaded her flesh.

I reached down behind her knee, tickling her, feeling her body shiver as my hand moved up and forward, hesitating over the softness of her inner thigh. My breathing was heavy as I became fully aware of the reactions of her body. She was squirming, anticipating my touch, her hand urging mine closer.

I hesitated, fingers stretching along her skin as I resisted the temptation to explore further. My hand moved upward, across the cotton underwear that hugged her hip, under her shirt, slowing as it curled to caress the taut skin that stretched across her belly. Fingers dipped to tease along the elastic waistband. She stretched up both hands now, grasping the arm that cradled her head, causing me to bend a bit more, move my body even closer, as I wrapped myself around her.

My lips moved behind her ear, teasing, her body shivering in reply. My heart thumped as I focused on the smooth skin of her stomach, my fingers finding and tracing each rib along her rib cage. My hand moved upward, brushing the soft swell of her breasts. I held my breath as I hesitated, luxuriating in anticipation, feeling the sweetness of her body as she strained expectantly. My hand was between her small breasts, slowly circling as I teased her, prolonging the moment until my hand lightly covered a breast, the nipple straining against my palm.

A long moan escaped her, urging me on, causing me to lose any inhibitions that I might still have.