Looking for Love (Boxed set) (14 page)

Desperate for more, he cupped her bottom and she arched into him, silently begging for more. His body quivered, teetering on the verge of exploding from the excitement building in his loins. Gently easing her hands back to his waist, he searched for a place for them to lie down.

"The pillows," she whispered, nodding toward an ensemble of red and white lacy throw-pillows scattered on the floor beside the Christmas tree.

Joy to the World,
was printed on a needlepoint design. If his body hadn't been coiled with unleashed passion, he would have laughed at the irony.

They quickly spread one of the holiday afghans over the floor and he lay down beside her, stunned at the intensity of the passion flaring in her eyes, and even more awed by the emotions surging in his chest. She was beautiful, so tender and giving, that he had to battle his instinct to throw her down and pound himself inside her.

"I've never craved a man the way I do you," Jenna whispered as he rose above her.

"And I want to sink so deep inside you, you won't be able to breathe from the pleasure," Zack murmured, biting at her neck.

He stroked her arms, her waist, her breasts again, then lowered his head and kissed a trail down her stomach, burying his face in the soft, sensitive skin of her inner thighs.

Jenna moaned, whispering his name in a heartfelt plea that caused his lungs to squeeze in his chest. He gently removed the lacy barrier between them and glanced up to see her watching him, her eyes dazed with hunger, her lips parted slightly, her nipples a dusky rose in the dim light.

Then he lowered his head and kissed her with all the tenderness he had inside him, all the pent-up desire he'd been suppressing for weeks, all the emotions he'd never allowed himself to feel with another woman.

She melted into him and whimpered, her hands urging him to rise above her, but he prolonged the pleasant agony, tangling his fingers in the soft dewy curls surrounding her femininity. His body blazed with heat as he realized she was wet for him.

He plunged one finger inside her and she gasped, the soft little moans escaping her driving him into a frenzy. He rose above her, aching and hard, then held himself over her, bracing himself on his elbows so he could look into her eyes.

A sultry look darkened her face, and ecstasy heated his blood as he lowered his body over hers. She kissed him thoroughly, ravaging his mouth as he pushed himself inside her for the first time.

The heady sensation of her warm body accepting his sent a thrill up his spine, and he withdrew, then plunged inside her again, deeper, filling her. He stroked her inner fires, sucking and nibbling at her neck and breasts until she cried out for more, until she begged for him to drive himself deeper within her. He clenched his jaw, striving for control, desperately wanting to sate her before he spent his own passion.

He took her hot and hard and fast, his breath a mere pant in the dark room, her eyes shimmering with passion, glowing with reckless abandon as she rose and met him, thrust for thrust. Her nails dug into his back, her breath was hot and rasping. She urged him deeper still, and he pulled her legs up around his waist, driving himself so far inside her, he was sure he was lost forever.

When she cried out his name, the first traces of her release drew a shiver from his own body, and he groaned and closed his eyes and let ecstasy claim him.

Then he buried his face against Jenna, simply holding her close and reveling in the afterglow of their passion...

* * *

Jenna lay basking in the soul-shattering moment, knowing she'd given her heart to Zack. But it wouldn't last forever.

She had to savor every delicious moment of the night and show Zack in the most unselfish of ways how much she loved him—without words.

Because the words would kill the mood and send him running.

She rolled sideways and threw her leg over his, curling into the crook of his shoulder, rubbing small circles on his hair-dusted chest with her finger. He hugged her tighter, angling his head so she could see his face. The emotions she saw brimming in his eyes made her blink back tears.

He seemed touched, awed, just as she felt, and if she hadn't known how set he was against commitment, she would have thought she'd seen love. Maybe even possessiveness.

But love was what she wanted to see and she was certain it was her own wishful imagination fabricating the emotions she yearned for. She'd promised herself, and him, no strings, no pressure, unconditional love, and she would keep her promise—even if it destroyed her.

"You are incredible," Zack whispered. He wound a strand of her hair around his finger and she smiled, touched anew by his gruff voice.

"I've never had a lover like you," she said softly.

He frowned, his eyes searching her face. "I don't want to hear about any other men. In fact, I want to make you forget anyone else ever existed."

Jenna smiled. He'd already succeeded. He'd ruined her for ever wanting another man. "There's you, only you tonight, Zack."

He brushed a kiss across her forehead, then rose above her and cupped her face to look at him. "I've never,
never
been with anyone that made me feel the way you do. I've never been this close to another woman, Jen." He exhaled shakily and Jenna realized he was sincere, but that he was on the verge of some sort of apology. "I—"

Jenna pressed her finger to his lips. "I told you, no pressure, no promises, no strings." She glanced down at their nude, sweat-slick bodies. "Just you and me together tonight, Zack. With nothing between us but our need to hold each other, to be together."

He studied her face, his expression intent, and Jenna's heart ached at the loneliness and want she suddenly saw in his eyes. She'd been right before. He was afraid. It wasn't that Zack didn't want someone special, someone to love, but that little lonely boy still lurked inside, the one who had been abandoned and hurt so many times.

"You are the sexiest man I've ever known." Jenna traced her linger over his stubbled jaw. "And the sweetest, and the most tender... this is our fantasy night together, Zack. We can be any way we want."

He captured her mouth and gave her another mind-boggling kiss. When he finally pulled away, they were both breathless, but a lecherous grin stretched across his face. "Our fantasy night, huh?"

She smiled slowly, her voice a low murmur. "Yes. Tell me your fantasy, Zack."

He traced his fingers over her inner thigh. "Well, first of all, I'd make love to you twenty- four hours a day."

A tingle traveled up Jenna's spine, his comment reminding her of the characteristics she'd wanted in a man. She'd only been joking when she'd written down her requirements, but Zack definitely had the stamina.

His eyes darted mischievously around the store, then back to her. "And the second—"

"Oh, no," Jenna said, realizing his intent.

He arched a brow, practically daring her. "My own private show." He lowered his head and nibbled her neck. "I've been fantasizing about you in some of these sexy things since the first day I walked in here. Why don't I pick out my favorites and let's go to my place?"

Jenna laughed, shocked at his admission, but suddenly self-conscious. Then Zack extended his hand and helped her to a sitting position, his heated gaze raking over her with such blatant appreciation that she suddenly felt wicked herself.

"Okay," she said softly. "But only if you do the same for me."

His other brow shot up. "You want me to... to wear some of those... g-string things?"

She nodded. "I get to pick."

He swallowed, his shoulders tensing. "You're kidding?"

"I told you women like to see men in erotic underwear." Her eyes drifted over his taut, masculine features and his body responded with arousal. "Of course I like you best in nothing at all. But that's half the fun—we can always undress each other later."

He pulled her to a standing position, heat simmering between them. "All right. If it pleases you," he said in a husky voice. "As long as the music and champagne last, I'm game, sweetheart."

An unplugged collection of jazz favorites played in the background, and he poured them another glass of champagne. Then they giggled and swept through the store, teasing and laughing as they made their selections.

When her hand curved around a bright yellow net g-string, he remembered the Bee-Stinger and knew he was in big trouble.

* * *

A few minutes later, they arrived at his apartment. With the sleet and icy roads, they'd decided to pick up Chinese food and take it to Zack's and made a picnic in the bedroom.

Zack stripped his shirt and jeans, and lay back on his bed, his head propped on a dozen pillows. He sipped champagne, his pulse racing as Jenna paraded in front of him, modeling everything from a black bustier with red fishnet stockings to the leopard skin thongs and satiny dark green teddy he'd chosen.

With each garment and sashay of her hips, the tension in his body escalated, heat blazing through him until he shifted on the bed, so aroused he wasn't sure he could stand not touching her any longer.

Sultry music floated around him and the heady scents of the candles painted a romantic atmosphere, and Jenna clad in the risqué creations was pure torture. She wiggled her hips wearing a pair of crotchless silver panties and a completely see-through silver bra, and he licked his lips. She looked like a chocolate kiss ready to be devoured. He wanted to make her melt in his hands.

Then she tossed a pair of silver bikini thongs at him and gestured that it was his turn. He slid the tiny fabric on, groaning at how his body was packed into it. And when he stood and saw the dark passionate approval in Jenna's eyes, he felt like he was stepping into unchartered territory and was ready to boldly go where no man had ever ventured.

Or at least where he'd never gone with a woman.

"Maybe you should have drawn yourself in one of my ads," Jenna said, her tongue gliding along her lips as she handed him a pair of leopard-skinned thongs with a zipper in the crotch.

Zack laughed and pulled her to him, ready to start the unveiling, but she waggled the undies in front of him, then sprawled on the pillows, looking provocative and sexy as she stripped the silver and put on the last outfit he'd chosen, the daring black bodystocking. Her red hair fanned across his pillowcases, her soft pink nipples peeking through the lace, making his body twitch with arousal. "Now indulge me," she said softly.

He couldn't resist her sweet plea, and even though he felt like an idiot trying on the decadent pieces of underwear, his chest swelled with pride at the fiery passion in her eyes as she watched him. "And now, the Bee-Stinger," she murmured.

He closed his eyes and groaned. He wasn't normally shy, in fact he'd always been proud of his body, but wearing these skimpy bright pieces of string, well... "Can I at least switch off the light?"

She laughed softly, then propped herself on her side, and leaned her head on one hand. Her long red hair fell over her bare shoulder and her nipple puckered invitingly beneath the black lace. "By all means."

He yanked on the bright, tiny yellow netting and blew out the candles just as she purred, "As a matter of fact, that's the secret to the Bee-Stinger, It glows in the dark."

Her soft laugh invited him to be playful, and he dove onto the sheets and took her in his arms. One touch led to a feverpitch of lovemaking, and when he finally came inside her this time, he collapsed against her, his breathing labored as emotions suffused him.

Hours later, after three more rounds of lovemaking, Zack lay awake, watching Jenna sleep. He should be exhausted, but adrenaline was still pumping through him.

She sighed and curled into him, and he cuddled her closer, marveling at how vulnerable yet giving she seemed, even in her sleep. Something wonderful had happened between them during the long intimate night, and he'd be a fool not to know it.

But could he give her what she wanted? Love, commitment, marriage?

Forever?

Chapter 9

Zack's gut tightened when he rolled over to see Jenna lying beside him. She looked absolutely beautiful in his bed. Her gorgeous red hair was tousled, her shoulders bare above the sheets, and her lips swollen with his kisses.

He'd branded her his all during the night and he wanted to do it all over again.

The early morning light silhouetted her heart-shaped face giving her an ethereal glow, and for the first time in his life, he envisioned waking up to the same woman every morning. To his surprise, he didn't break out in a major sweat and his blood pressure didn't feel as if it was going to bounce off the charts. Maybe there was hope for him.

Maybe Mark was right; his father had always chosen the wrong type of woman for marriage. Maybe he could give this commitment thing a try.

He would start today.

Suddenly though his heart started drumming, perspiration beaded on his neck, and he could barely breathe.

He threw the covers off of him and climbed from bed. "I have to leave for work," he mumbled.

Jenna simply smiled and nodded, then slid on her robe as she stood. "I have to go home and shower and open up the store, too."