Page 14 of A Love So Sweet
“You travel all over the world and your favorite place is a little town in Massachusetts?” She laughed, which helped ease her nerves.
“Yes. I have a little house on the bay. It’s quiet, and has sentimental value. We vacationed there a few times when I was younger.”
“That sounds nice. I’ve never traveled much.”
“I’d like to change that.” He put his hand on her leg, nudging those butterflies into flight again.
She downed half her wine trying to think of something else to say before she leaned forward and planted her lips on his. “What gets your juices flowing?” she asked, immediately realizing she deserved the amorous look he was giving her. “I mean, outside of…this.”
“That’s easy. My work. I get a thrill out of taking a resort from nonexistent in the eyes of travelers to world-renowned. I love every bit of the process. Even the negotiations are exciting. When I walk into a room and know the people on the other side of the table want something I’m not willing to give, just being able to turn it around is the biggest high I’ve found.”
“I see it in your eyes. That’s how I feel about my job, too. It’s the same. I mean, not on the same scale, but I definitely feel a thrill with each piece of the puzzle coming together, and then seeing it to fruition. It’s unreal.”
He ran his finger down her cheek. “What else?” he asked in a seductive voice.
I want to kiss you right this very second.“I love sweets,” she said quickly. “Chocolate mostly. And I hate jelly.”Jelly? I’m so lame. I’ll tell you anything—just kiss me already.
“Okay, no jelly.” He smiled, resting his hand on her thigh again. “My favorite color is blue. Yours?”
My favorite color is your hand on my body.“Lavender,” she managed. “Favorite scent?”Scent? This is not good. Please just put me out of my misery before you laugh in my face and trade me in for a woman who knows how to act sexy.
She downed the rest of her wine, and he set both glasses aside.
He slid his hand beneath her hair, cupped the back of her head, and brushed his cheek over hers. He’d done that when they were in Nassau, and she’d never forgotten the way it sent heat pinging through her from head to toe.
“Toasted almond ice cream,” he said softly.
A hazy, lusty fog enveloped her mind, and it took her a minute to remember she’d asked him a question. “Ice cream has a scent?”
“Adeliciousone.” He touched his lips to her cheek in a feathery kiss. “Tell me something you love,” he asked in a voice full of desire.
She could taste his minty breath as he spoke. She curled her fingers into the blanket beneath them, sure that if she didn’t, she’d pounce on him like a lioness on her prey and devour him in ways that made her blush to think about. She wasn’t sure she was ready for that, no matter how much she craved him.Something I love. Think, Max. Think.
“My favorite flowers are Knock Out roses. I’ve never seen them in person, only in pictures.”
“KNOCK OUT ROSES,” Treat whispered, brushing his lips over hers. He’d told himself to go slow with Max, but weeks of thinking about her, wanting her, drove his need. “I’ll show you Knock Out roses one day.” He pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth, testing the waters. “Tell me to stop, Max, and I’ll stop.”
“Don’t stop,” she pleaded.
His mouth came greedily down over hers. Her kisses were sweeter than sugar and so hot she made him ache with desire. He’d wanted to make love to her right there by the road when they were kissing. To lay her down on the back seat and show her how much he’d missed her. He’d never had sex in a vehicle.Ever. That’show much he craved her. But Max wasnota one-night stand, and if his racing heart was any indication, she was destined to be so much more than any woman ever had.
He lowered her to the blanket, kissing her until he felt the tension ease from her body. She felt so good, so right, her delicate fingers clinging to his arms as he poured weeks of repressed desire into their kisses. But it wasn’t enough. Would anything ever be? She was finally in his arms again, and he needed more of her. He ran his hands along her waist, up her ribs, and she arched beneath him. He kissed the edge of her jaw, the dip above her chin, and then he tasted her neck in a series of sensual kisses.
“Treat,” she said breathlessly. “I want to touch you.”
The plea in her voice sent fire through his veins. She reached for his pants, and he took her hand in his. “Not yet,” he said. “Let me cherish you first. Is it too cold out here? Do you want to go back to your place?”
“No. I don’t want to stop.” She took off her glasses and set them aside.
He took her in another passionate kiss, earning a stream of sexy sounds, and they both went a little wild, groping and kissing. He wanted to savor this moment, and drew back just enough to see her sweet face in the moonlight. She was exquisite, and it took all his resolve to try to take it slow, pushing past the intoxicating rush of the innocence that softened her sexuality, setting her apart from anyone else.
He kissed the tender skin beside her ear and whispered, “I’ve dreamed of being close to you for so long.”
He brought his mouth to hers again, taking her in a long, slow kiss as he caressed her thigh. Her skin was smooth and soft.Perfect.He rained kisses along her neck, across her breastbone.
“I love your kisses,” she panted out.
He continued moving south, kissing her belly through her dress, and when he reached her legs, he pressed his lips just above her knee and glanced up to make sure they were still on the same page. Her eyes were closed, so he reached for her hand, wanting to be even more connected.
