Signed, Sealed, Delivered (4 page)

A tone alerted that they’d reached the third floor. He stepped out of the elevator, his hand on the door to hold it open. “It’s your choice.”

All she could do was stare at him as thoughts tumbled through her mind.

She should leave. She should push the button to close the doors and get the hell out of the Ramada. She had no business going anywhere with a strange man.

But she wanted him, plain and simple. She wanted to reach out and grab what she needed for the first time in her life and to hell with the consequences.

The evening had dashed all her hopes and dreams of starting a new career, a new life. They lay in ashes at her feet. Her job was becoming impossible despite her passion for working with children. What did she have to look forward to? Twenty-plus more years of unhappiness?

Connor extended his other hand. “Come with me, Juliana. Please. Let me show you how much I want you.”

His voice was a caress, making her close her eyes to allow the words to cascade over her mind and body.

“Let me show you how much I want you.”

Juliana opened her eyes and took his hand.

The electronic lock was giving him a hard time. Juliana didn’t care. She wasn’t in any hurry. Once she’d made up her mind to go with him, to see if he could follow through on the sensuous promises he’d made with that incredible kiss, she found herself remarkably calm. Still more turned on than she’d ever been, she had no fear. No worry of regrets to come when the stark light of morning dawned. Only anticipation and a hunger that gnawed at her insides.

After his fifth attempt, she put her hand over his and plucked the key card from his fingers. “Let me.”

The lock opened on her first try.

She went inside, letting him hold the door for her. His sexy smile, pure alpha-male, reminded her of the Connor who’d taken charge in that empty hallway, the one who’d backed her up to a wall and practically screwed her brains out right there in the open. And God help her, she would’ve cast aside all modesty and common sense and let him.

While she’d never shied away from sex, this was new to her. The desire he created was so overwhelming she might have feared it had she been younger. Thirty-five was no longer a child, and Juliana basked in the glory of feeling so free, in taking what she wanted for once in her life.
Damn the consequences, full speed ahead.

Why should she feel any shame for accepting the invitation of a man she desired more than any she’d met before? Especially when she’d be much more likely to regret letting him slip right through her fingers. Life had taught her a hard lesson—that regrets over what could’ve been were stronger and more damaging than regrets over what happened.

Dropping her purse on the chair, she took a deep breath, preparing herself to face him. Before she could turn, he was behind her, arms snaking around her waist as he pressed his body to hers. Heat seeped inside her, creeping through her veins and stirring her desire. Connor was like Patrón, warming her from the inside out. When he brushed his lips over the tender spot where her neck met shoulder, she shivered and tilted her head, letting him have access and encouraging him with a purr to continue.

She put her hands over his, interlacing their fingers and loving how he stroked her stomach. Wiggling her backside, she smiled at the hard length that greeted her. Her smile grew when he groaned, his hot breath against her skin.

“I want you.” His hoarse whisper sent heat shooting straight to her core.

Juliana turned in his arms. Sliding her hands up his chest, she helped him shrug out of his suit jacket. He tossed it over her abandoned purse. It was then she saw part of a white bag hanging out of the front pocket. “What’s that?”

“What’s what?” He leaned in and kissed her neck again. A delicate nibble of her sensitive skin made her giggle.

“That sack. What’s in it?”

Not that she didn’t already have a good idea. Connor’s pockets had been empty at the dinner, something she’d noticed when she’d given him a good once-over. They’d been flat, showing the excellent tailoring of his suit. She was fairly certain that somewhere between dinner and talking her into coming up to his room, he’d bought condoms.

Smug bastard.

Although that cockiness was one of the things that drew Juliana to him, watching the emotions on his face was amusing as he struggled to explain.

“Um… I figured… er… I thought… hell.”

“You thought
what
, Connor?” She tried to bend down to pluck the sack from his coat.

He beat her to the punch, coming close to knocking heads with her. After he fished out the box of Trojans, he held them out to her. “Condoms. I got condoms.”

“You bought condoms. Before or after we kissed?” Asking was a formality. If he was thinking at all, he’d realize they’d been pawing at each other since they’d shared the kiss. But would he admit that he’d planned on taking her to bed before he’d come to the bar?

“Before. I got them before.” His voice was that of a naughty child.

“Good thinking.” She took the box and dropped it back on top of his coat.

His shocked expression made her grin. “You’re not mad?”

Juliana wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him close. Then she nuzzled the base of his throat. “Not one bit.” She nipped at his skin, soothing the sting with a long lick. “You were being careful. That’s not a reason to get angry.”

“I was afraid you’d think I was too cocky.” The last word ended on a squeak when she rubbed the heel of her hand over the fly of his pants, tracing the length of his erection.

“Oh, you’re
cocky
all right.”

“Sweetheart, you crack me up.” He drew her back into his arms.

His hands caressed her back, nimble fingers finding her zipper and dragging it down. As he helped her pull her arms out of the garment, he kissed her with an infectious hunger before he pushed the dress over her hips. It fell into a puddle of black silk at her feet. Breaking away, he took a step back and gave her a very deliberate visual appraisal that brought heat to her cheeks.

When his gaze settled on her legs, he sucked in a breath, nearly choking. As he regained his control, Juliana tossed him what she prayed was a seductive smile as she fought the urge to cover herself. Instead, she stood her ground. If he didn’t like what he saw, now was the time to know.

* * *

Thigh-high black stockings.

Sweet Lord, the woman was a temptation Connor could never resist. As she stood there in her lacy black panties and bra, she didn’t try to cover herself with her hands. Not Juliana.

No, she boldly faced him, letting him stare from the top of her head to her full breasts to those sexy stockings that led to a pair of shiny black pumps. He finally had to close his eyes, fearing he was losing every ounce of the self-control he’d always prided himself on having.

His eyes flew open when Juliana unbuckled his belt. Instead of whipping it off, she left it hanging from the belt loops and popped open the button at the waist. After she dragged down the zipper, she mimicked his actions, smoothing her hands over his hips to push the pants and briefs down his legs. The garments dropped to the floor.

“I love what you’re wearing,” he said. The notion that she dressed so seductively all the time made him worry she might have captured a lot of men the same way she’d so easily captured him.

He just couldn’t believe that of her. Not with the blush that bloomed on her cheeks when he’d drunk his fill of her beautiful body.

“Thanks,” she said with an enchanting grin. “After my divorce, I started buying beautiful lingerie. No one ever sees it but me, but
I
know it’s there. Gives me confidence.”

Extending a finger, he traced a small pink ribbon tattooed on the swell of her left breast. “Who’s Mallory?” he asked about the name etched on the ribbon.

“My best friend.”

Since Juliana didn’t elaborate, he didn’t ask any more questions. Before he could move, she knelt down to help him step out of his clothes and shed his shoes and socks. Then she plucked the box from where it rested on his jacket and fished out the string of condoms. She ripped one off, opened it, and before he knew it, she had him sheathed.

The way she slid her palms up his legs had him so full of need, he was afraid he’d embarrass himself when he finally got inside her. And damn, if that wasn’t soon, he was going to lose him mind.

Instead of touching his erect cock again as it jutted out at her, she skirted around it and began unbuttoning his dress shirt from the bottom up. As the shirt opened, she pressed her lips to his abdomen, stopping every now and then to rake her bloodred nails over his skin. When she got to his tie, she undid the knot, leaving it in his shirt just as she’d left his belt in his pants. Then the shirt was on the floor.

Looping her arms around his neck, she molded her body to his, the contact of her hot skin making him groan against her lips before she kissed him.

Connor fumbled with the back of her bra until he growled in frustration when he couldn’t find the clasp.

Juliana stepped back. “It’s in front.” Her fingers found the fastener in the valley between her breasts. She deftly popped it and cast her bra aside. Before he could ask her to get rid of that bit of black lace serving as panties, she did so almost in obedience of his unspoken command.

He stepped forward to grab her wrists when her hands went to her stockings. “Leave them on. Please.”

Her smile was like a punch to the chest, stealing his breath away. “Like them, huh?”

“Oh yeah.” Lifting her arms, he put his hands on her hips. Again, she seemed to know exactly what he wanted and slipped her arms around his neck.

Their kiss was as consuming as a raging fire. Waiting any longer to make her his was unbearable. Since she’d rolled the condom on, Connor had to assume she felt the same. Lifting her, he headed straight for the wall, not even wanting to wait long enough to toss her on the bed. Once he had her back against the wall, he slipped his hand under her knee and dragged it up the side of his body. Rubbing his erection over her core, he whispered in her ear, “Now, Juliana?”

“Yes. Yes.” She gasped and clutched at his back.

He plunged inside her, letting her heat envelop him and squeeze his cock as though her body were made for him. The pleasure was so intense he had to grit his teeth and hold tight to his self-control.

She felt so damn good.

Juliana wrapped her legs around his waist and gently bit his shoulder. “Move,” she said, her voice full of the same need that held him enslaved. “Now.”

So he obeyed, pulling almost out and then thrusting back inside her, finding a rhythm that had her whimpering and arching her back. Although her weight wasn’t a burden, he couldn’t move as he wanted to. “Hold on to me, Red.”

Her legs squeezed tighter as he backed away from the wall and carried her to the bed. As he leaned down, she grabbed the duvet and tossed it aside, leaving behind pristine sheets.

He laid her down, still joined intimately with her as he dragged her farther up the mattress so he could find better leverage. Holding himself up, he gazed into her eyes. Then he eased back, nearly withdrawing from her body before pushing inside her again. Buried to the hilt, he sighed in pleasure.

“You feel
wonderful
,” she said, her voice a caress.

“So do you.”

Her fingers tangled in his hair. “Shut up and kiss me.”

Connor ravaged her mouth as he thrust into her again and again. Her hips rose to meet him as her heels drummed against his thighs. A climax was building deep inside him, but he wouldn’t leave her behind.

Juliana surprised him when she put her palms against his chest and pushed. “Stop.”

Instantly obeying, he searched her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Roll over on your back.”

Women had always let him take the lead in bed. Having her order him around was an exciting change. “Yes, ma’am.” He rolled to his back, holding her tight to take her with him.

Still joined with him, she straddled his hips. “Now I’ve got you where I want you.”

“Think so? Maybe I’ve got
you
right where I want you.”

Her hands dropped to either side of his face as she brushed the tips of her breasts against his face. Connor seized the opportunity to capture one of her hardened nipples with his lips and suck it deep into his mouth.

She drew in a breath, letting it out in a low moan. After he released her, she pushed herself back up and smiled down at him. Picking up his hand, she slid it to where their bodies were joined.

To have Juliana showing him exactly what she wanted was beyond exciting. He used his fingers to find her sensitive nub. As soon as he did, she reared her head back, letting her hair spill over her shoulders and back. He gave her the attention she’d asked for, loving how whimpers spilled from her lips.

Knowing he was pleasing her, Connor found himself well past waiting. He moved, thrusting up into her with a cadence that increased in speed and force as she matched his movements. The first tremors of her orgasm made her body clench around his cock, setting off his own climax. He pushed into her. Once. Twice. Then she cried out, arching her back as she surrendered.

He was a heartbeat behind, coming in a blaze of heat that seemed never-ending. Spots dotted the darkness behind his closed eyelids.

A peace like he’d never known settled on his heart and his mind. After a quick trip to the bathroom, he found Juliana settled between the sheets. He slid in beside her, drew her into his arms, and let sleep claim him.

Connor’s rumbling baritone cut through Juliana’s sleep-hazed thoughts. “Two orders. That’s right.” There were pauses between each item he requested. “Scrambled. Wheat and bacon. Coffee and juice. Be sure and send lots of cream. Thirty minutes? Sounds great.”

Ordering breakfast was a sweet thing to do, but everything inside her was screaming to get away from him as fast as she could. The night had been magical. Sometime in the wee hours, she’d awakened to his hot mouth on her breast, his hand between her thighs. They’d made love again, taking their time to tease and savor in a way she’d never known before. Foreplay for her ex-husband had been rolling over and asking, “Wanna fuck?”

She felt free with Connor, able to tell him exactly what she wanted. There was no shyness, as though being mere strangers masked by the darkness of the night lent her courage beyond her wildest dreams. The sex had been so consuming, she’d lost herself to it, giving herself completely to her lover.

A first.

But in the stark light of day, she had regrets. Not for sleeping together.

For letting him in.

Her life was a mess, would continue to be a mess for a long time to come. No boyfriend. A career she’d grown to hate. Nothing to look forward to, especially since the Max Schumm thing had blown up in her face. She didn’t need to have something new to worry about.

A relationship was out of the question. Long term never worked for her. Ever. The minute commitment became a possibility, she found herself alone again. If she stayed too much longer, she’d be begging Connor to take her on a real date so they could get to know each other better—somewhere outside of bed, although she wanted nothing more than to drag him back between the rumpled sheets. But she needed to run away from him. Not only was she unable to open up emotionally the way she had physically, the overwhelming way she craved him terrified her.

Of course, she was jumping to conclusions. For all she knew, he merely wanted a one-night stand. Sure, he’d given her tons of flattery and subtle promises for sharing time together in the future, but guys didn’t keep their promises. At least not the guys she’d known.

There was no way she was staying around to eat breakfast in awkward silence while waiting for him to find a gentle way to let her down by telling her how great last night was but he wasn’t ready for a relationship.

It’s me, not you.

Blah. Blah. Blah.

Feigning sleep might be immature and a bit irrational, but she couldn’t face him. No way. She listened closely as he shuffled through drawers, praying he was heading into the bathroom to take a shower. Then a door closed, followed closely by the sound of running water.

Juliana practically leapt from the bed, throwing the covers aside and scrambling to her feet. The room looked cheaper than it had last night, although she hadn’t been paying too much attention. She searched around for her clothes, picking up the pieces as she found them. She quickly donned her panties and bra. Then she wiggled into her wrinkled dress. She found only one of her stockings and gave up the search for the other, fearing she was wasting precious time. After stuffing it in her purse, she jammed her feet into the pumps.

When Juliana reached the door, she paused, casting a glance to the closed bathroom door. Connor was humming as he showered, an endearing trait that made tears sting her eyes. She could almost imagine sharing a home with him, listening to him hum every morning as they got ready to go to work. She swallowed hard, pictured him rubbing his soapy hands over his body. That incredible chest. Flat, sculpted abs. And lower…

If she didn’t get the hell out of there, she was going to strip and join him in the shower. Then she’d never let him go.

No.

She was leaving before he told her to go, before he left her behind. No matter how much she wanted to pretend, even for a little while, that she mattered to him, she didn’t. They’d had sex. Twice. That was all. There was no commitment, no emotional entanglement. No true feelings. At least not on his part. She refused to let her mind wander any farther down that path, preferring to cut and run, although the thought that she might never see Connor again choked her up.

Opening the door, she slipped into the hall. The quiet click of the latch hit her like a blow to the gut. Sniffing back the threatening tears, she hurried down the hall to the elevator. Thankfully, no one else was out and about. When she reached the lobby, she walked with her head held high, moving quickly—just short of running—to reach the exit.

Outside, Juliana fished her phone out of her purse as she made her way across the street to the small shopping center. She hadn’t dared call a cab and wait for it at the Ramada. No doubt Connor knew she was gone by now. If he tried to chase her down, there would be a confrontation, a very public confrontation. That, she wouldn’t allow.

Mallory answered on the second ring as Juliana slipped inside Starbucks. “Jules? What’s up?”

“I need a ride. Please.”

* * *

Connor stepped out of the bathroom, tucking in the towel he’d wrapped around his hips. One look around the room made him frown. “Shit.”

Juliana was gone.

“Shit. Shit. Shit.”

Before he could even process that, there was a knock at the door. Breakfast, no doubt. Not that he had an appetite now. He checked the peephole, hoping she’d gone for ice or a soda and had locked herself out. A glance back showed her clothes were gone, except for one black stocking resting underneath the desk.

No such luck in the peephole. A uniformed employee was reaching up to knock again.

Connor opened the door, let the lady wheel the cart into the room, and had to dig his pants out from under the duvet to tip her. After she left, he picked up Juliana’s stocking and sat on the bed, feeling dejected as he rubbed the silky sheer fabric between his fingers.

She’d run away.

But why?

The first time they’d made love had convinced him that their connection was going to be anything but a one-night stand. Not that he was on the lookout for a relationship. Not now. Not yet. But Juliana Kelley wasn’t the kind of woman a man could walk away from. At least not
this
man.

She was a part of him now, filling his thoughts, his body. He’d rarely spent a full night with a woman. Yet curling himself around her lush shape had allowed him to sleep so deeply the bad dreams had stayed at bay for the first time in a long time. Sometime in the dead of night he’d awakened, his cock hardening as her sweet scent filled his senses, capturing him as neatly as a snare.

He’d made love to her again, waking her from a sound sleep by stroking her, touching and kissing every part of her until he was nearly crazed with desire. Just like the first time they came together, the connection was something so special he couldn’t even find the proper words to describe how she made him feel. His orgasm had damn near killed him.

But what a way to go.

Connor considered jerking on his pants and trying to catch her. She couldn’t have gotten too far. He might have taken a while to enjoy his shower, but even then she had to be close enough to find if he hurried.

With an angry grunt, he tossed her stocking on top of his crumpled clothes. He wouldn’t go chasing after her, begging her to explain why she’d run. Part of that was because of his wounded pride. She’d left him. Just like that. Not even a good-bye. What did that say about how she felt about him?

Nothing flattering, that’s for sure.

The smell of coffee and bacon set his stomach to growling. He grabbed one of the plates, lifted the thermal lid, and set it aside. The breakfasts had cost a pretty penny. Someone should at least eat them. He picked up a fork and dug into the scrambled eggs, chewing while he tried to figure out exactly what he should do about Juliana Kelley.

Since he knew next to nothing about her, finding her wouldn’t be easy. At least Cloverleaf was a small city, but what if she wasn’t from Cloverleaf? All he knew was that she was looking to Max Schumm for a job selling real estate. Did that mean she was investigating the other Realtors in Cloverleaf as well? Would any of them know how to locate her? She’d told him she was a teacher. At least that could help in a search. In this day and age, it wasn’t as though a person could truly disappear. There were too many ways to track someone down. The six degrees of separation had narrowed considerably in the cyber age.

He should’ve taken more time to learn something,
anything
, about her. Of course, it wasn’t as if she’d devoted a lot of effort to making conversation, either. They’d both been caught in some fever that held them hostage. Even now, he was getting hard just thinking about her.

But was that all he wanted from her? Sex?

No.
Of that he was sure.

There was so much more he wanted to learn about her, and he was even ready to take a step back and play those little games lovers played as they opened up to each other instead of simply hopping back into bed. After last night, their sexual compatibility wasn’t in question. If two people could connect so intimately, sharing themselves with no reservation, surely they’d have a lot of other things in common as well.

Now all he had to do was find her.