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“Too smart for what?”
“For me. All I was looking for was fun and good times.”
Mary Ellen tried not to look hurt. He didn’t think she’d be a good time?
He sensed her discomfort. “Let me try to explain it better? The other night at Molly’s, I was sitting there thinking about how all the good times I’d been having weren’t so good, that they were meaningless. When I realized it was you sitting ahead of me, I almost came to talk to you, but I didn’t because I knew, with you, it would never be meaningless. With you, it could only be meaningful.”
She watched his face as he spoke. He wasn’t feeding her lines; he was searching for the right words, trying to tell her the truth—a truth that surprised the hell out of her.
He gave her a rueful smile. “I’ve always known you wouldn’t put up with my bullshit. You’re strong and independent; you’d see through the games and not want to play them. I thought you didn’t need anything or anyone. When I saw you upset over that phone call, I knew you needed something, someone. I wanted to be there for you. I wanted to be the one to make you feel better—and in that moment, I knew I was ready for it to be meaningful.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it before turning away to tend to the stove.
She was glad to have a moment to process what he’d said.
When he turned back, he was smiling. “So, you see, it wasn’t that I didn’t like you before; it was just that I wasn’t ready to step up and be the man who deserves you.”
“Wow.”
He frowned. “It’s not a line …”
She held up a hand. “No. I didn’t think it was. I’m just amazed. I’m amazed how differently we’ve read each other up to this point. I’m amazed at the way you saw me.”
“The way I do see you. You’re smart, you’re kind, you’re beautiful.”
She laughed. “I don’t have any self-esteem issues, but I’m hardly beautiful compared to the kind of women you usually go out with. I’m okay, and I know how to make the most of what I’ve got, but I’m no great beauty, and I’m not exactly svelte and sexy.”
His brows came down, and he came toward her. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. Who needs svelte?” He put his hands on either side of her waist. “You’re the definition of sexy. You have curves. Do you know how long I’ve wanted to get my hands on your curves?” As he spoke, he moved his hands up, caressing her sides and allowing his thumbs to graze her breasts. You drive me insane, Mary Ellen. I can’t wait to take you upstairs, to finally undress you and to learn your curves, to know your body.”
Mary Ellen’s eyes drifted closed as she listened to him speak. His touch burned through her dress. She wished he’d undress her right here and now. He brushed his lips over her collarbone, and she moaned. He tangled his fingers in her hair, drawing her head back and he lowered his lips to hers. All she could do was hang on as he kissed her with a passion that spread through her whole body. He stepped between her legs, and she let them fall open, eager to feel him press against her. Her wrap-over dress fell open, and she moaned as the roughness of his pants brushed her bare thighs and the bulge inside them pressed into the heat between her legs.
He lifted his head and looked down into her eyes. “We must wait.”
“I don’t want to,” she breathed.
He cupped her cheek in his hand and planted a kiss on her lips. “Are you sure?”
She nodded and watched as he turned off the stove and then took her hand and led her back into the foyer, up the grand staircase, and into his bedroom. The furniture was ornate, the room elegant, but she barely registered her surroundings. She was too focused on the man. The man who led her to the bed and then stopped. He sat down and patted the space beside him. This was it. She took a deep breath and sat. This was no fantasy. This was reality. She was in his bedroom, on his bed, and he was about to …
His arms closed around her and she found herself crushed to his chest as he kissed her even more deeply than before. She was so lost in his kiss she had no idea how she ended up lying on the bed in her underwear, her dress lying on the floor somewhere. He too was down to his boxers, though she’d swear his lips had never left hers.
He propped himself up on one elbow and smiled as he let his gaze run over her. “Beautiful,” he breathed.
As far as she was concerned, he was the beautiful one. His muscular chest was dusted with dark hair, hair that led down in a trail that disappeared inside his boxers. She reached up, unable to resist the desire to touch. She ran her fingers down his strong arm and was amazed to see his muscles tremble under her touch.
He traced her jawline with his fingers, then ran them down her neck, over her breasts and down over her belly. She tensed. If only she’d started that diet a couple of months earlier! He gave her a puzzled look. “You don’t like?”
“I like what you’re doing. I just wish there was a bit less of me to do it to.”
He pursed his lips. “I wish there was more of you.” He closed his hands around her hips, and to her horror, he dropped his head to kiss her stomach. “Beautiful,” he breathed.
She tried to push his hands away, but he gave her a stern look. “I love it, Mary Ellen. Let me?”
She nodded and then gasped as he dropped his head lower and kissed her through her panties. That felt so good, but she wished the panties were gone. Her wish was his command, and he pushed them down over her hips and lowered his head again. He grasped her hips firmly and ducked his head between her legs. All she could do was lie back and enjoy the ride as he worked her with his talented tongue. He trailed it over her entrance, up and down, then circled her clit making her moan. He spread her thighs wider and held her open to dip his tongue inside.
“Oh, God, Antonio!”
He looked up at her and smiled. “Come for me.”
She nodded. As if she could argue!
