the brink, she felt him pause, stiffen,
and then thrust once more to explode inside of her. Nico’s groans
mingled with her own little gasps of release until he collapsed and
lay prone, hot and moist, along her back.
When he finally rolled aside, he took her in
his arms and they became a joyful package of loose torsos and
limbs. Hands still wanted to explore, while lips still desired to
kiss. As Erica rose from the fiery tangle at last, she suggested a
quick shower, and he raced her to the bathroom.
They enjoyed the spray of fresh water as they
soaped and caressed flesh. This time they remained content to
merely massage sore muscles and refresh bodies. Erica viewed her
lover’s form like a fine work of art, for just to gaze at him gave
her so much pleasure. Like his own paintings, his textures and
colors fascinated her, the way the white foam of soap contrasted
against the clean, bronze glow of his skin, the way his damp body
hair dewed and dimpled his limbs like fine, dark threads, and the
way his flesh served as a taut canvas over the sculpted muscles
beneath.
Erica traced the splashes of water down the
angle of his nose and over the high planes of his cheeks. The glint
in his smoky quartz eyes spoke of his own contented state. When
they rinsed and finished, Nico told her to stand still while he
toweled her off with slow, circular strokes. Kneeling, he started
at her ankles and worked up. Now, it was his turn to admire her
unblemished cafe coloring, the concave stomach, the perfect curves
and incredible breasts. Soon, he replaced his fingers with his
mouth and brushed kisses along her thigh.
Despite his electric touch, Erica pulled back
to chastise him. “We’re on a break, remember?”
“I know.” He laughed and shook out the last
droplets in his hair. “But you look so good, feel so good, taste so
good, I can’t help myself. I want to make love to you over and
over.”
“Let’s rest up a little first.” With that,
she flicked the towel against his shoulder and ran back to tumble
into bed.
When Nico joined her, they nestled into
comfortable positions. Soon he propped himself along her side and
played a lazy finger down her arm. “What would you say,” he
proposed, “to spending the weekend with me at a bed and breakfast?
I know of this little, out-of-the-way place at Sunset Point that
offers privacy and a great continental breakfast. I’d like to take
you there before it gets too hot and the hurricane season gets into
full swing.”
How could Erica possibly refuse? But she had
to ask, “You sure it won’t interfere with your visit to your
family?”
“No, not at all. With Gianni’s return, I
don’t feel comfortable staying at his place, and though I love them
dearly, I can take only so much of my parents. So, what do you say?
A little clapboard Victorian with big, fluffy beds, sand, surf,
piña coladas on the wraparound porch and, of course, those gorgeous
sunsets await.”
“Stop!” Erica giggled. “It sounds too good to
be true, but yes, yes! I’m all yours!”
“You better believe it!” Nico rolled her into
his arms and then placed her on top of his long, marvelous
body.
Again, his kiss brought a new surge of
excitement. Yet when Erica started an assault down his neck, he
stretched beneath her and splayed his limbs in surrender.
“Woof! Despite the fact I want you, and want
you so much it makes my heart ache, I’ve about had it. I don’t
think I can move again, at least not until morning.”
Glancing up, she read the bedside clock. Two
o’clock! Time and space had flitted by as they enjoyed each other
not only with such free-spun delight but with a grand passion she
hadn’t felt in a long, long time. Slowly, Erica eased off and
settled along his side. She knew they both had to sleep, but she
found it hard to close her eyes without thinking of the man beside
her and the anticipation of another round of brilliant, early
morning lovemaking.
When she finally awoke, Erica found
William W. Johnstone
Suzanne Brockmann
Kizzie Waller
Kate Hardy
Sophie Wintner
Celia Kyle, Lauren Creed
Renee Field
Chris Philbrook
Josi S. Kilpack
Alex Wheatle