The Closer You Come
Page 76As he hammered in and out of her, he was pretty sure he lost his mind, but decided he never needed to find it. A pleasure fog had taken its place. He existed for this moment and no other. This woman and no other. She surrounded him—branded him all over again. Consumed him. Owned him.
As she writhed under him, her legs wound tight around his waist, her arms around his neck; her head thrashed from side to side. He stilled her with a kiss. A hard, punishing kiss with teeth, a sharp bite, his body still thrusting, thrusting inside hers.
“Jase. I’m going to...going to...” Her inner walls suddenly clenched on him, tighter and tighter, demanding their due as climax overcame her.
He managed another couple of thrusts before exploding, his own climax pulling a satisfied roar out of him. One that nearly shook the walls. He poured every throb and ache into her, experiencing a moment of perfect peace for the first time in his life.
Utterly spent, he collapsed on top of her. Her arms and legs fell away from him as she struggled to catch her breath. Not wanting to crush her, he rolled to his side.
Usually, this was the moment he jumped out of bed, dressed as if he’d just found out his house was on fire and took off. Tonight he gathered Brook Lynn close, unwilling to let her go. He was simply too tired.
She snuggled up close, resting her head on his chest...where his heart still raced like a freaking freight train.
“That was definitely fun,” she said.
“Yes.” He combed his fingers through her hair. “Ask me to stay the night,” he said, shocking the hell out of himself.
Silence.
He swallowed a curse.
“Stay,” she finally whispered.
BROOK LYNN TRIED counting sheep, and when that failed, she tried counting naked men, but one hour ticked into another without favorable results. Sleep continued to elude her.
Why? It had been years since she’d spent the night with a man, and it should have been 1) relaxing 2) comforting or 3) both. But she remained on edge...confused.
Had this truly been a one-time-only event? Or would Jase ask for a repeat?
Just then, she hated the plaque she’d given him.
“Why are you tossing and turning, honey?” he asked. “If anyone should have trouble sleeping, it’s me.”
True. The bed was only a full, and Jase’s feet hung over the edge.
“Maybe we should do something to tire each other out,” she suggested, tense, waiting for his reaction. Is this where he’ll begin to pull away?
“Agreed,” he said, and she released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “And I know just the thing.” He fluffed the pillows, reclined like the most self-indulgent pasha—and gave her a gentle little shove off the bed. “You’re going to dance for me.”
She came up sputtering. “What!”
He switched on the bedside lamp. “Your list, remember? You said you wanted to dance for a man. Definitely a lover. Well.” He held out his arms, all behold my magnificence. “I now qualify on both fronts.”
She’d actually written “preferably a boyfriend,” but she didn’t point that out. “I’m not dancing for you, Jase Hollister.”
The fierceness of his tone made her shiver, warmth spilling into her blood, tingles moving along her sensitized skin. If she did this, he might make love to her again. Or laugh at her.
Another gamble. But the result would answer both of her other questions, wouldn’t it. If he laughed, he wasn’t worth her time. If he made love to her, he still wanted her.
“Fine,” she grumbled. “I’ll do it.”
His expression mocked her. “That’s all well and good, but I already have to deduct points for your attitude.”
“You’re going to score me?” she gasped out.
He offered her a sad, pitying smile. “Another point lost for a delayed start—and a silly question.”
Well, then. She’d have to do something to earn points.
“Before I begin,” she said, “I should probably lay out the ground rules.” Still naked, she sucked on the end of one finger and slowly traced a path down her stomach. “At no point during my amazing performance are you allowed to touch me.”
His gaze followed the motion of her finger, only to whip up to her face and narrow as her words registered. “Did I forget to mention that every rule you make costs you one thousand points?”
Ha!
“Good thing there’s only one rule, then. Ready?”
She began to undulate her hips, giving him a preview of what was to come, and his pupils expanded. “Hands on the headboard, Hollister. I don’t trust you to keep them to yourself.”
When he failed to comply, she cupped her breasts and pinched her nipples. “I’m about to change my mind,” she said.
With a frustrated groan, he grabbed the headboard.
“There’s a good boy.”
Brook Lynn undulated her hips again...more slowly...slllooowly...
A sheen of sweat glistened on Jase’s forehead, and his knuckles bleached of color. “I’m giving you a point for technique.”
Turning, revealing her backside, she glanced over her shoulder and lifted her hair...let the strands tumble back into place. “Only one?”
Bad-boy Jase released the headboard long enough to cup his now-rock-hard length. “Look at what you’ve done to me, angel.”