Summer Kisses (55 page)

“You don’t have to go through his things now. It can wait.” He didn’t want her to hurt anymore, but he was helpless to stop her pain.

“You know what? I’m good. I’ve got my girls here helping me, and we’re having a fine time making fun of Ricky’s bizarre sense of fashion.” Lucky smiled brightly, and it was genuine.

Lucky had called them “her girls.” Will hadn’t known a heart could smile, but his did, and he’d probably be wearing a stupid grin on his face for weeks. Lucky loved the girls, and she wasn’t going anywhere. Love tinged with relief swelled inside his chest. She was staying. It was more than he could have ever wished for.

She took both of his hands and pulled him to her. “Come play with us. We’re cleaning out and making room for the new.”

“Yeah, we’re cleaning out Daddy’s old stuff to make room for a new man for Wow.” Dawnie picked Cuddles up off the floor and clomped around in the way-too-large boots.

“A new man.” His heart fell out, rolled around on the floor, and landed at Lucky’s feet. Please let it be him.

“That’s right. She’s got her eye on someone, and we like him.” Vivi winked.

“Oh.” His world stopped spinning. She’d already found someone. What about the other night? He’d never really thought of her as a cheater.

“Who is he?” His voice didn’t wobble too much.

Lucky winked. “Well, he’s taller than me and has more eyelashes than any one person should be allowed, and he works out all of the time.”

The image of a hulking body builder popped into his mind. “So you’re looking for someone athletic?”

He was athletic, and he had thick eyelashes.

She slid her hands up his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Not looking for so much as looking at.”

Understanding cut through the haze of panic. She was talking about him. In her heels, they were eye to eye. She leaned into him and kissed him hard on the mouth. He closed his eyes, pulled her closer, and kissed her back with all the love he’d kept hidden. He melted into her. She wanted him. Lucky wanted him. She was his, and he was hers. It was too soon for permanent promises, but this was their start. He would have his happy ending if it killed him.

Hoots and clapping came from behind Lucky as the girls looked on with approval. They were okay with it? He hadn’t counted on acceptance. He’d told the girls they were dating, but this was more.

“Girls, let’s give these lovebirds a little privacy.” Mama came to the rescue.

Will opened his eyes, pulled back a fraction, and nodded his thanks to Mama.

“Who’s up for ice cream?” She pointed to the door.

“Already had some today, but I could try to choke down some more.” Mandy smiled and patted Will on the shoulder. She was giving her blessing.

Vivi nodded at Will. “It’s about time.”

Dawnie waved Cuddles’s paw. “Don’t forget what I told you about your private lady parts.”

And then they were gone, leaving only him and Lucky in a room surrounded by Ricky’s things.

“I love you, Will.” Lucky looked him directly in the eye. “I realized today that I needed to grieve for Ricky so I could put him in my past and move on. Also, I know now that it’s been a long time since I was in love with him. I miss him as I would miss a best friend but not a lover. The feelings I have for you are stronger than anything I’ve ever felt for Ricky—”

“Say it again.” He needed to hear it again just to make sure he’d heard her correctly.

“I love you. I love you. I love you.” Lucky tunneled her fingers through his hair.

Tears—unmanly things—burned his eyes. “I’ve waited almost half my life to hear those words. Say it again.”

“I love you.”

The words lingered on his brain and etched themselves on his heart. She loved him. Lucky loved him.

He took her hand and pulled her out of the closet. He let go and nudged her toward the bedroom door. “Lock the door.”

“Why?” Lucky was puzzled.

Will took a minute to stare at her breasts before going to the huge white marble bed. “Isn’t it about time we had sex?”

“Not in that bed.” She locked the door. “I was fine sleeping in it until I heard about all the love cooties. They’re grosser than the puke.”

“I’m way ahead of you, Legs.” He scooped up the thick down comforter and an armload of pillows, carried them to the fireplace, and dumped them in a heap.

“Legs?” Lucky took her time strutting to the fireplace. She’d added an extra hippy shake to her already seductive walk. There was great pleasure in knowing that hippy shake was just for him.

“That’s what I’ve called you in my head since that day I stepped off the bus and fell in love with you.” Admitting something so deep and personal made his voice shake, so he busied himself making her a soft pallet of pillows. Then he flicked the switch next to the fireplace, and flames licked to life.

Lucky stood before him, light dancing off the sequins of her dress. She kicked off her shoes.

“Firelight. You’re a romantic.” Her voice was husky and teasing. “I like it.”

“That’s good.” He ran a hand up her calf, past her knee, and slid it under the hem of her dress. “I like everything about you.”

Lucky stepped back, felt around for the zipper under the right arm of her dress, and pulled it down slowly. It seemed to take decades for the material to part and slide down her body to land at a glittering pool at her feet. She stood there flat-footed in a low-cut black lace bra and the tiniest excuse for panties that he’d ever seen.

“Here’s something you don’t know about me. My panties and bra always match. It’s a thing I have. I’m telling you this so that every time you wonder what I have on under my clothes, you’ll know to picture me in a matching set.”

“Good to know.” He sat up on his knees, wrapped his arms around her thighs, and pulled her to him. His mouth was three inches below her navel and an inch above the elastic band of her panties.

“That’s very convenient mouth placement.”

“Legs, there’s nothing convenient about it. I’ve spent years crafting this moment in my head. I’ve been over the most minute of details at least a hundred times. Long ago, I made myself a promise that when I finally got to have you, I’d take my time and make it memorable.” His warm breath licked her skin.

“Wow. There’s no pressure there.” She let out a deep breath slowly. “Because living up to the fantasy is always so easy.”

“There’s not a chance in hell you’re going to disappoint me, and I promise to never disappoint you.” He tucked his index fingers under the straps of her panties and slowly pulled them down her thighs, over her knees, and finally to the floor. She stepped out of them, reached behind her, and unlatched her bra. It slid down her shoulders and onto the floor. She was naked and perfect and his.

She was his. He didn’t move. He wanted to take a moment to memorize her body. Her high, heavy breasts that invited a man to touch and taste, her waist that dipped in and bloomed into round hips, and her center … with the thin trail of auburn hair leading him to the most intimate gift a woman could bestow.

“Mind if I put my own spin on the Brodie passion parade?” Lucky slipped her feet into those black, tower-high shoes. Her legs went from amazing to downright miraculous. “What do you think?”

He would have complimented her, but his mouth didn’t work. All he could do was stare and hope drool didn’t seep out of the corner of his mouth. Slowly, he nodded and was able to mold his mouth into a grin.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” She stepped in front of him, gently nudged him back with the toe of her shoe, and attempted to straddle him, but her heel got caught on her sequin dress, and she came tumbling down, taking him with her. They landed in a tangle of shoes and bedding. Conveniently, his hand ended up covering her left breast, her hard nipple pressing against his palm.

Lucky laughed and pulled him down on top of her. “So my falling at your feet… Was that part of your master seduction plan?”

“It is now.” He leaned down and took her nipple in his mouth and sucked lightly.

“Mmmm.” She closed her eyes and slid her fingers in his hair, holding his head to her.

His fingers skimmed down her stomach to her lower abdomen to brush the line of auburn curls leading to her center. With a feather-light touch, he stroked her without entering. His body strained to get to her, but he held himself back. Her pleasure came first. In all things, he had and always would put her first.

Her hips moved against his hand, and she shifted so that his fingers were directly over her core. He traced the silky folds but didn’t penetrate.

“Stop teasing me.” Her voice was husky and broken. “Now.”

“Not yet.” He wasn’t anywhere near done with her. He could stand to hear that
mmm
sound a few thousand more times.

“I hate you … seriously fucking hate you.” She moaned.

“No, you don’t, you love me.” He was conquering her one touch at a time.

“Christ, Brodie, don’t you think seventeen years of foreplay is enough?”

She had a point. He dipped one finger inside and stopped dead. An itty-bitty metal bar with tiny balls on either end played against his finger. She had a body piercing that went way beyond nipple or belly button rings. His body went from hot to five-alarm fire.

Her laughter, dark and naughty, filled his ears. “Like it? I had my hood pierced about a year ago. It’s supposed to enhance lovemaking.”

“Does it?” He was too turned on to care that other men had gotten to try it out first.

“I’ll let you know. This is the first time I’ve put it into action. Well…” One side of her mouth curled up. “With a partner.”

Air seemed to be in very short supply. He pulled at the collar of his button-down shirt. “I’m not going to even pretend that wasn’t the hottest thing I’ve ever heard.”

With his index finger, he traced the metal bar back and forth.

“Mmm.” Her hips arched and bucked against his hand. “More.”

He drew tiny circles.

“Ohhh.” She licked her lips. “Harder.”

With a bit more pressure, he continued the circles. She was warm and wet. Her dew covered his fingers. The words
taste her
pounded through his brain. He kissed his way down her stomach, licked the line of auburn curls, and plunged his tongue inside her. It found its mark and flicked and sucked the metal bar.

She moved hard against him, urging him to go faster and faster. Her fingers tangled in his hair as she arched beneath him, shuttered, and then turned completely still.

Her breathing evened out, and her eyes fluttered open. She looked around, dazed. “Wow.”

Those were his thoughts exactly.

Her gaze roamed down his shirt, to his belt, and down his pants.

“You’re still wearing clothes.” She sat up. “How did I miss that?”

“I wouldn’t mind if you helped me out of them.” He smiled.

There was power and pride in knowing that he had put that dazed and satisfied look on her face. He aimed to see that look on her face daily for the rest of his life.

She licked her lips, and the sexiest smile worked its way across her face. “My pleasure.”

She started with the top button and slowly undid each one. With one yank, his shirt was free from his khakis and wadded on the floor. Running her hand up and down his abs, she licked his right nipple.

It was his turn to moan. His breathing turned ragged and shallow as his body strained against his pants to get to her.

“Nice body.” Her breath tickled his skin.

“Glad you approve. I’ve been working out.” All he could manage was a whisper. He bit the inside of his cheek hard, until he tasted blood, trying to slow his libido. If she didn’t get on with it, he was going to explode.

She ran her tongue down to the top of his pants and sucked lightly.

“Oh God.” He bit the other cheek and tried to think of anything but her. She cupped him, and his world turned hot and hazy and painful.

“I can’t wait.” He yanked open the belt, flicked the button, and was out of his pants and boxers before she could protest.

On her knees, she straddled him. With a hand on each of her hips, he slowly lowered her down onto him. As he slid into her, the word
mine
thumped through his heart. She was his, now and forever.

Lucky smiled down at the sleeping man wrapped around her. Will had changed her life so quickly and in so many ways, it was hard to get her mind around it. Not a month ago, she’d been living out of her car and scrounging for cash, and now she was back on top. Next month, they started taping
Rock-My World Too
, but even that thought couldn’t put a damper on her happiness.

Careful not to move too much, she eased over to grab her purse on the nightstand. She needed Oreos, right now.

They were sleeping in his bed, as neither one of them could stomach the thought of sharing her old bed. She’d already ordered a new mattress and box springs, which would be here tomorrow.

The tips of her fingers slid along the handle of her Prada. Inch by inch, she moved it closer.

Earlier that evening, dinner—at first—had been an awkward affair. Vivi had watched the two of them closely, Dawnie had reviewed her take on private lady parts, and Mama and Mandy has whispered and chuckled. Waiting for all of them to finally go to bed so she could sneak into Will’s room had taken an eternity. But she was here now.

Her fingers found the edge of the blue Oreo wrapper, and she teased it out of her purse. The plastic crinkled, and she went still, hoping not to disturb Will. More crinkling and the package was finally in her hand.

“Don’t even think about it, Legs,” Will murmured against her shoulder. “Those things will kill you, and I aim to keep you around for the next hundred or so years.”

She ripped open the bag and popped one in her mouth. Around the cookie, she said, “I like living on the edge. Junk food is like bungee jumping only you don’t have to actually bungee jump.”

He plucked the bag out of her hand and rolled to his back. “Sugar, enriched flour, riboflavin, high oleic canola oil…” He turned to look at her. “Want me to go on?”

“And your point is?” She moved to her side and faced him, letting the blanket fall, exposing one breast.