Page 38 of Hearts at Seaside
“Babe, I’d do anything with you.”
Zing!
Groups of people gathered around the band, dancing and swaying to the music. Pete pulled her close, and she slid her hands beneath his shirt and up his muscular back, memorizing the feel of him. The temperature was warmer with the crowd blocking the breeze from the bay—or maybe it was from Pete’s body pressed against hers. His hands slid to the curve of her butt and pressed lightly. Jenna’s nerves were on fire. She wanted to kiss him and touch him until she had her fill. She felt herself breathing hard, and when he gazed down and searched her eyes, pressing his hips to her, she was as aroused as he was.
He was so much taller than her that lifting up on her toes would never get her close enough for a kiss, but oh, how she wanted to kiss him. Years of wanting him rushed forward. She might not be able to reach his lips, but she could sure give him the signal he was searching for. She slid her hands around to his rock-hard abs and then ran them up his chest. His skin was hot, and his heart thundered against her palm. When he lowered his cheek to hers and whispered, “Let’s get out of here,” she had to stop herself from thanking him.
They hurried along the beach hand in hand, closing the distance toward Pete’s house and stopping every few feet to kiss. Pete’s kisses were like a force unto themselves. His arms engulfed her, making her feel feminine and safe, as he explored every bit of her mouth with deep, lush strokes of his tongue. He didn’t just kiss her; he consumed her, claimed her with kisses that held promises of so much more. She’d never felt so desired in all her life.
Waves crashed against the rocks along the shore by his house. Jenna had known that he lived in Eastham, but she’d never been to his house, and when they’d dropped off the truck, they’d gone straight down the beach toward the music. Now, as they followed the sandy trail up the bluff to his house, she took it all in. The dark shingled home and enormous barn were outlined with white trim. Set against the backdrop of the night sky, his property felt welcoming. Pete’s hand tightened on hers, big as a bear paw, and if the way he’d held her when they were dancing and kissing was any indication, just as lethal.
When they reached the door, the bay breeze tousled Pete’s hair, and his eyes bored into her. His full lips curved up, and he pulled her into another deep kiss. A shiver ran down her spine at the realization of where they were heading. She hooked her finger into the waist of his jeans to keep her legs from wobbling. He didn’t say a word, and it was a good thing, because she was sure her nerves would have silenced her voice.
He opened the door and Joey bounded out, climbing Pete’s legs and whimpering with excitement.
“Hey, girl.” He crouched beside her and loved her up. Joey rolled onto her back, and Jenna joined him, petting Joey’s belly as she tried to lick her hands. Her nerves eased, until she glanced at Pete and their eyes locked. The space between them heated with unspoken desires. He reached for her hand, and Joey bounded away as Pete led her inside.
“Joey?” she said.
“Doggie door.” His voice was raspy and deep.
They walked through a tidy kitchen and into a warm living room. Sheer curtains billowed around open French doors that overlooked the bay. The breeze carried the crisp, salty scent of the bay, and when Pete drew her into his arms, it picked up his masculine scent and lust clutched her again. A whisper of worry floated through her mind.Erotic, sensual.It faded as quickly as it had come. She felt safe with Pete, and she knew he’d never force her to do anything she didn’t want to.
He swept her hair from her face. “You’re so beautiful, Jenna. I haven’t been able to think of anything but you for days.”
She felt her cheeks flush as he lowered his lips to her neck and trailed kisses to the sensitive skin just beneath her ear. She closed her eyes and slid her hands beneath his shirt again. His kisses spread heat through her body like an inferno, and she went a little wild, plucking at the buttons on his shirt until it fell open, exposing hard planes of tanned flesh. She ran her hands up his ribs to his pecs. His mouth was working magic on the curve of her neck, sending goose bumps down her arms. She had to taste him. As if reading her mind, he pulled her against him. Her lips pressed against his chest, earning her a low groan from him. He kissed her again as he adeptly untied the top straps of her halter dress. Standing before him with her breasts exposed, while he was still dressed, shirt open, should have made her feel vulnerable and nervous. Instead she felt empowered, and the wanton look in his eyes bolstered her confidence.
“Jenna,” he said roughly. He touched his lips to the edge of her mouth. “I can’t believe I was so blind to us for so long.”
“Me either.” She giggled at her candor. “If I had known a little competition would get your attention, I’d have dated a construction worker years ago.”
He tightened his grip until she could barely breathe. “Let’s not talk about other guys.”
She laughed again, and he took her in a needful kiss.
In the next breath, she was in his arms, being carried down the hall and into his bedroom. Her lips were so close to him, and his scent was so intoxicating, she placed an openmouthed kiss on his neck, and it still wasn’t enough. She licked, then nipped and licked some more, until he tore his neck from her grasp with a loud exhalation.
“You’re driving me insane.” Heat flared in his dark eyes.
He lowered her to the bed and came down on top of her, kissing her deeply. She wanted him, needed him.All of him.She didn’t care that this was their first real date. She’d waited a very long time, and as he lavished her face with kisses, she was completely, utterly,his.
He touched his forehead to her shoulder and just breathed her in. Jenna stilled.Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.When he lifted his head and their eyes met, his desire was layered with hesitation.
“I’m sorry, Jenna. I got carried away. You’re so beautiful, and when we kissed…” He shook his head. “Do you want this with me? We can stop.”
There was no question in her mind what she wanted. She ran her fingers through his hair. Oh, she loved his hair. “I’ve wanted this with you forever.”
His eyes darkened and narrowed with an animalistic, possessive look. She touched her lips to his, urging him to continue the heavenly things he’d been doing before his beautiful conscience took over.
