The Marriage List by Jean Joachim Page B

come
closer to fulfilling his dreams. No one else had come this close in
a long time. It seemed finding a woman who could cook and create a
tasteful home was like finding a four-leaf clover. He dug into the
food, savoring every bite.
    They ate in silence for a while, until Carrie
swiped her tongue across her bottom lip to lick off some gravy.
Grey watched her tongue and felt his pulse climb. She looked at his
eyes, then dropped her gaze to his lips. She blushed when he smiled
knowingly at her and focused on her food again.
    When they finished, Grey got up to clear the
table.
    "How's your hand?"
    "Much better, thanks." She said, looking at
the red spots on the inside of her fingers.
    "Stay there. I'll clear. Do you want me to
stack them?"

Chapter Nine
     
    As she watched Grey move back and forth
between the kitchen and the dining table, she couldn't take her
eyes off his trim body clad in a simple sports shirt and gray
slacks. His camel jacket was hung behind the front door. Her heart
melted. No one had made a physical hurt better for her in so long
she couldn't remember. He was sneaking into her heart too fast.
With the stress and craziness at work, the last thing she needed
was a love affair. Love took effort, energy, shaving your legs on a
regular basis, time and attention she didn't have while her job was
in jeopardy.
    Try as she might, she couldn't resist Grey
Andrews. Forget the chemistry, his sweetness, his generosity and
his sense of humor were beyond resisting. Can't forget the
chemistry. Once he got near her, touched her again, she knew
she'd fall into his arms, giving herself to him enthusiastically. Okay, I want him. This is crazy, insane. There's no time for
him…but I want him.
    "We have lemon sorbet for dessert," she said,
getting up as he sat down after clearing the table. "Want coffee,
too?"
    When she walked by, he stopped her by putting
his hands on her waist, and pulled her into his lap.
    "All I want for dessert is you," he whispered
in her ear, sliding his hand under her hair, gently urging her face
closer to his. His lips closed over hers in a sweet kiss. She put
her arms around his neck. His tongue found hers and they played for
a little bit. Carrie's breathing quickened as his left hand moved
up over her sweater to capture her breast. She groaned softly,
wanting more.
    He massaged her breast, finding her nipple
and ran his thumb over it, making it hard. Carrie softened against
him, urging him on. His right hand reached around behind her and
slipped under her sweater. He released her bra with one hand, then
returned to her waist while the other hand dove under her sweater,
under her bra to make contact with her naked breast. She gasped as
his cool hand covered her warm flesh.
    "Sorry," he muttered, removing his lips from
hers for a quick second.
    His hand continued to fondle her breast. He
caressed it, squeezed it…thumbed and circled her nipple. His lips
left hers and headed for her neck. His nibbled his way down her
neck and down her chest, while he slowly slipped the shoulder of
her sweater down until her breast was exposed to his lips, which
devoured it eagerly.
    Carrie was panting slightly, running her hand
through his hair, closing her eyes. Heat filled her body, wetness
pooled between her legs.
    "I want you, Carrie," he whispered
roughly.
    She lifted his face up and stared into his
eyes, her own smoky with desire. She kissed him, moving her tongue
into his mouth, taking him, pressing her body against his. She
wanted him, too, had wanted him for weeks. Then she pulled
back.
    "Make love to me," she whispered.
    "My pleasure," he muttered.
    He eased her up off his lap. She took his
hand and led him into the bedroom. He ripped the comforter down on
the bed then turned to her, pulling her sweater up and over her
head, sliding her bra down and off. He stopped to look at her.
    "You're beautiful, incredibly beautiful," he
said, staring at her breasts.
    She blushed then approached him, pulling at
his