Page 47 of Dublin Debacle

He chuckled. “Only if the bartender can sass with the customers, cut them off when she knows they’ve had enough and still smile at a stranger.” He touched a hand to her damp hair. “And if she has hair the color of wheat at harvest time and eyes that mirror a storm-clouded sky, it’s pure bonus.”

Warmth spread through her chest at his words. “If you’ve wanted to kiss me from the start, why did you wait so long?”

“I don’t normally go around kissing strangers. That could get me slapped, kneed or arrested.” He winked. “Look, I’m a guest in your home. I didn’t invite myself in to take advantage of you. I really am concerned about your safety. But seeing you all beautiful and cozy in pajamas...” He shook his head. “I couldn’t help myself.”

“I never knew flannel PJs could have that effect on a man,” she said.

Jack grinned. “It’s not the flannel so much as the person wearing it.”

“Agreed,” she said with a wicked smile. She resisted reminding him that he’d said his body wanted to slide naked against hers. If he still felt that way, they’d get there soon enough. If not, she wouldn’t look completely needy and desperate. Okay, so maybe it wouldn’t hurt to be a little needy. Eager might be a better description. “Are you going to kiss me again? I mean, you don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

“Oh, sweetheart, I want to do so much more than kiss you. Again, I’m just a guest in your place.”

She reached behind his head and pulled him down to her, surrendering her mouth to his.

When they came up for air again, she leaned her forehead against his chest, remembering how to breathe. “The part where you said your body wanted to slide naked against mine... Did you mean it?” she said, her voice breathy, hopeful. “You never let me tell you what I want.”

“I’m listening,” he whispered against her ear.

“I want the same,” she said and lifted her head to stare into his eyes.

For a long moment, he said nothing but held her gaze. “Are you sure?”

She nodded. “And don’t worry. I know you’re not from around here and won’t be staying after you’ve completed your assignment. I don’t expect any declarations of love or promises to call me later.”

His brow furrowed. “No strings?”

“None. Just two naked bodies, sliding skin to skin.” She took his hand and led him toward her bedroom. As they passed the bathroom, Jack leaned through the doorway, grabbed his wallet off the counter and continued with Emily to her bedroom.

Once through the door, Jack dragged her pajama top over her head and tossed it across a chair.

Emily dragged his T-shirt over his taut abs and tried to lift it over his head.

Jack took over, yanked the shirt off and sent it flying toward hers.

A frenzy ensued as they stripped the clothes from each other’s bodies and fell across the bed, hungrily touching, kissing and stroking.

Jack started at her lips and worked his way down to her breasts. He rolled her nipple between his teeth and flicked it with his tongue until she arched off the bed, wanting so much more.

Moving agonizingly slowly downward, he skimmed his mouth across her ribs and lower still. He cupped her sex, slid his fingers into her channel and swirled.

Emily’s breath caught in her throat. She lifted her hips, urging him to take more.

Instead, he pulled free and maneuvered his body lower, spreading her legs wide to settle between them. He gently parted her folds and leaned forward to flick his tongue across her clit.

“Oh, my,” she cried, her back arching off the mattress.

When he flicked again, she reached for his head, her fingers weaving into his hair.

He worked her over, every flick or nibble building the tension, tighter and tighter. She held her breath, on the edge and ready for that moment when her body rocked with her release. Sensations rippled through her for long moments. She rode the wave all the way to the shore, collapsed against the mattress and drew in a deep, satisfied breath, her heart still pounding.

“Wow,” she said. “I mean... Wow.” Her hands still in his hair, she tugged gently as the tension returned. She wanted more. This time, she wanted him inside her.

Jack rose on his hands, leaned over her and kissed her.

Then he reached for his wallet on the nightstand and removed a packet from inside.

Emily took the packet from his fingers, tore it open and rolled the condom over his engorged cock, loving the feel of velvet-encased steel. At the base, she rolled and fondled his balls and then got down to business. She guided him to her entrance, then gripped his hips and brought him home.

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