"Anyway," Val said, chopsticks pausing. "I think we should go. Opportunities like this don't come along every day." He reached over and touched her hand. "And forgive me, but you do seem tired. Not that you're not still gorgeous, but I'd love to see you kick back and relax a little - ease some of the strain behind those pretty, brown eyes.""I...umm...looked at the brochure," she muttered, unable to tear her gaze away from his. "There's a pretty big couch.""And?" His thumb rubbed circles on the back of her hand."Well, if we did go, one of us could sleep there if...""That's entirely up to you, sweetheart. I promise not to put any pressure on you in that regard - even if that's going to be difficult as hell.""Difficult?" Her mouth went dry as all the moisture in her body seemed to pool between her legs. "Just because you'd be sharing the cottage with a female?""No." He pulled his hand away from hers to cup her chin. "Because I'd be sharing with you. I want you, Cora. Or didn't
"Oh hell yes." He bent and kissed her, just as he had the other night, and Cora practically melted in his arms. Then he pulled back and smoothed a lock of hair away from her face. "Though I should probably run out to the store first. I didn't exactly come...prepared."She was touched by his restraint and responsibility. Going up on her tiptoes, she kissed his cheek. "Let me check. I don't have any, but I think Marla has a big stash in her bathroom. I can replace them later."As she turned to leave, he caught her hand. "Just so we're on the same page - I'm not looking for anything long-term, Cora. Maybe it's a baby-of-the-family thing, but I'm just not ready for commitment yet, and you're the kind of woman who deserves that."What a sweetheart. She shook her head. "My career takes up so much of my time right now. Maybe in a few years I'll be in the market for something permanent, but not right now. We're on the same page, Val. Company and a little fun while it lasts, but no strings a
Val was amazing. Slim as he was, Cora hadn't expected to see muscle definition, but it was there, in his cut chest and six-pack abs. A fine layer of dark hair curled around both coppery nipples and down to bisect his stomach then flared out again around his jutting erection. She hadn't seen all that many in real life, but this one was impressive, long, not too thick but rigid as a steel bar and curved upward with anticipation."Come here." His command was soft and confident. Cora didn't hesitate a moment before walking into the circle of his arms. The warmth of his skin against hers, the crisp hair of his chest against her cheek and the musky scent of him all swirled around her, swamping her senses to the point where she could barely separate one from the other.Val eased onto the bed, pulling her down on top of him. He held her with both arms while he kissed her until her limbs felt limp as noodles. There was nothing limp about Val though. He was lean but solid and strong as he roll
Cora had no idea how much time had passed when Val finally eased himself off her and collapsed beside her on the bed. His hand gently cradled her face and he used one thumb to wipe a tear off her cheek. Where had that come from?"You okay?" His voice was gravelly, and she couldn't help feeling a thrill of pride at the tremor in it."Yeah." She had to swallow twice before she could manage another word. "Never better.""Amen to that." He leaned over to gently kiss her swollen lips. "Thank you.""Mmm. You too." She gave a sleepy yawn before continuing. "But you cheat. Now I have to go with you, who could resist a whole weekend of that?""Not me, that's for sure. I'd love to spend the weekend having sex with you." He slipped out of bed and disappeared into her bathroom, though he didn't bother to close the door.Cora was just beginning to nod off when he came back to bed and pulled the covers up over both of them."Sorry," she murmured. "I know it's too early to go to sleep." It was
He was all packed and ready to leave at first light tomorrow morning, but Val was actually nervous when it came time to pick Cora up that evening. Since their flight was early, they'd decided it would be smarter to spend the night together at his place.Yeah, even he knew that was a lame excuse. But he did want Cora to see his loft and he didn't want to spend the night alone. So, he was having dinner at her place, meeting her roommate, and then taking her home with him afterward. From what she'd said, her roommate was the closest thing she had to a family, so he figured he'd better make a good impression. He stopped for flowers and a bottle of wine along the way.Cora answered the door, all smiles and rosy cheeks in jeans, heeled boots and a fluffy pink sweater. She'd put on makeup, he noticed, and even a tiny pair of silver heart-shaped earrings. Something in his chest clenched that she'd gone to such effort just for him. Mindful of the other woman looking on, he settled for a quick
Fun while it lasted. That's all this was about. Cora set her carry-on down and turned to loop her arms around Val's neck. "So. Shall we get a head start on our vacation?"His slow, sexy grin reassured her that he still wanted her as much as she wanted him. "Hell yes. Now that I've got you in my lair, I have no intention of letting you sleep."Cora licked her lips. "Good." That was all she said before his mouth descended on hers, making talking impossible.One kiss was all it took to have her jeans soaked and her body quivering with need. As soon as they broke off for breath, she pulled her sweater over her head while he yanked off his shirt and stripped down his jeans and boxers, kicking his sneakers to the side in random directions. Cora had to sit on the bed to take off her new boots. When she stood again to shimmy out of her jeans, Val tugged down the covers and paused to stare at her in the new pink satin push-up bra and thong Marla had talked her into buying."Oh sweetheart, y
Cora was barely conscious through the limo ride to the airport, security and being ushered in to the comfy first-class section of the plane. There were very few others in first class, so she and Val had an entire row to themselves. A very deferential flight attendant brought them coffee then a full, surprisingly excellent breakfast, most of which Cora was too tired to eat. Val, however, had apparently worked up an appetite before their showers this morning. He ate everything on his tray and most of hers. They both turned down alcohol in favor of coffee though. As soon as breakfast was over, Val popped up the arm between their seats and patted his lap."Take a nap.""What about you?" Even in here, he could barely stretch out his long legs. She couldn't imagine him getting comfortable enough to sleep."I'm good." He pulled a small ereader from his carry-on case. "I don't need a lot of sleep, so I brought a book to read. You, on the other hand, are still beat. I'd rather have you rest
"Everything about this place is amazing, isn't it?" Cora stood in the bathroom doorway, her cosmetic bag in hand."Almost as amazing as you." Val took the case and popped it into an empty drawer. "Come here, Cora."She walked into his arms without a moment's hesitation, returning his kiss with that eager enthusiasm he'd already come to expect."I want you," he murmured as he nuzzled her ear. "Right here, right now.""Oh good." She reached down to unbuckle his belt. "I don't want to wait either. Condoms?"He whipped one out of his pocket and set it on the counter before shoving his pants down around his ankles and whipping his polo shirt over his head. He'd been prepared on the plane, just in case the opportunity arose, but he'd figured it was more important to let her sleep. Now he was more than ready to go. Apparently, Cora didn't want to wait either - she'd kicked her slacks off and pulled her top over her head. Silky scraps in turquoise blue were all that stood between him and