Out of the Ashes Page 13

  At his hoarse groan, she jerked her gaze to his, terrified she'd pushed him too hard, too fast. MaryJo's earlier words echoed, reminding her he wouldn't likely confide his weakness. "It's okay-" Her voice died in her throat when she recognized the searing heat in his eyes. A tremor jolted through her at the realization. Curt wasn't dizzy. And he sure as hell wasn't weak. His body was rock hard. The tormented expression in his eyes revealed everything he would likely wish her never to know. Curt wanted her—possibly as much as she wanted him.

  "I said don't-"

  Stunned by the realization, she loosened her grasp. "Curt, I'm sorry. I thought you were dizzy-"

  His expression rigid, he stared at her for what seemed like minutes. "You couldn't just leave me alone?"

  Recoiling at the bitterness in his gaze, she groped for the right thing to say. "I'm sorry. I know—this is awful for you. I know you're a private person."

  "Privacy?" He snorted. "What's that feel like, Shannon? I'd love to know."

  Their perfect dinner . . . his playful, friendly mood. Ruined. Because she'd panicked and over-reacted. "I . . . I'll clean up the kitchen so you can . . . have some time alone." Cursing her mistake, she extricated herself from his crutches. So much for gaining his confidence.

  "Wait." He released a frustrated sigh. "I didn't mean that." Turning himself around, he caught up with her, his grip on the crutches confident. "I couldn't have managed this without you," he admitted. "You've been so generous with me . . . with your time. You've taken a bad situation and made it tolerable. I should be thanking you—not snapping at you."

  Relief soon morphed to panic as he drew closer. A kind, friendly Curt was a dangerous thing. The admiration in his eyes. Swallowing around the dryness in her throat, Shannon took a step back.

  "You're so damn beautiful." Leaning on his crutches, his hand shot out to tug her back. Long, capable fingers threaded through her hair, cradling the back of her head as he drew her closer. "I want you, Shannon. Like crazy."

  Closing her eyes to the sensation flooding her, she sighed with pleasure. How often had she imagined this? "Me, too."

  A shudder tore through him. "I thought . . . I could last," he muttered as he lowered his head.

  "I did, too," she whispered against his lips. He was smiling when his mouth finally covered hers. The moment his lips brushed hers, she understood the devastating power of a first kiss. The sparking current flowing between them, pulling them closer. The fierce need packed into the sensuous movement of his mouth against hers. First nibbling, then drawing her bottom lip into his mouth, Shannon gasped at the erotically intimate feel of his teeth on her. When his tongue slipped into her mouth, she sagged against him, whimpering as he deepened the kiss. For endless minutes, his tongue stroked hers, exploring her, tasting her mouth until she couldn't bear the thought of stopping.

  When his mouth moved to her throat, she shuddered against him, wanting to know the feel of his lips on her skin, while mourning the fact he'd left her mouth.

  "I'm addicted to your scent," he muttered against the overly sensitized skin of her throat. When his mouth pulled gently, Shannon gasped with pleasure. "It's like you're here with me, even when you're gone. It's driven me crazy."

  "I'm sorry." Only half paying attention, she sought the exposed skin on his jaw. "Wait—what?"

  "Shan, you can't apologize for smelling amazing." Half laughing, half groaning, Curt's sensual rasp raised goosebumps on her exposed arms. His skin was damp, tasting of salt and the indefinable essence that had driven her to distraction for the past six weeks. His hair was thick and soft against her fingers. Tugging through it with a sense of ownership, she felt him shudder against her.

  When his mouth returned to hers, she opened to him eagerly, unable to resist the magnetic pull between them. Arms winding around his neck, she pulled him closer, wanting to absorb him into her own skin. Dear Lord, if her head was spinning from a mere kiss, what would he possibly be like in bed? A moment later, she wrenched away from him, steadying herself on the kitchen table. "Omigod, Curtis . . . I was leaning against you." Winded, she drew in several breaths. "I could have hurt you-"

  SHANNON'S EYES WERE wide with shock as she bolted away from him. Her color high, her gorgeous hair mussed by his hands . . . his name on her bruised lips, she looked drugged with passion . . . making Curt ache to be inside her. To hear his name . . . torn from her throat as she came apart. His breathing still ragged, he tried to summon words that would reassure her, but discovered he had none. His body was still in the throes of wanting her. If he'd thought his cock hurt before—it was killing him now. He wanted to be inside her, thrusting until she screamed. "Shannon . . . it's okay. I'm fine." He shook his head. "Not—fine. Frustrated," he admitted, watching her gaze drop with embarrassment. "But, my leg is fine," he insisted, his voice a rasp in the sudden quiet.

  "I'm so sorry, Curtis. This was a mistake. It's completely unprofessional of me."

  Conscious of his blood thundering through his system in the aftershock of kissing her, Curt took a step closer. "Shan, there's nothing professional about what I feel for you. Just throw that out the window, okay?" Her eyes still downcast, he tipped her chin, smiling over her furious blush. How could she be in his arms kissing him like she wanted to tear his clothes off and then acting shy the next minute, her face sunburned with color? "I've wanted you for weeks—whether you're my nurse or my assistant . . . or just the hottest woman I've ever seen. I couldn't help feeling it."

  "But-"

  Despite his body being on fire with unspent need, he couldn't resist stroking her bottom lip with his thumb. Couldn't resist watching a shiver course through the luscious body he longed to touch, stroke, kiss in every imaginable way. "No 'buts'. I want you. If you didn't know that before, then I think we're both pretty clear on it now."

  Her tentative smile acknowledged his statement. "I want you, too."

  They were the sweetest words he'd ever heard. Lord, just the thought of having her—was worth any wait he'd have to endure. If he had his way, they'd be down the hall in his bedroom—right now. But, Shannon needed to control the timeline. He didn't want her to feel awkward. Or a sense of obligation. Because as much as he liked her, this was ultimately about sex. About giving and receiving pleasure. It wasn't a relationship—and it never would be. But, Shan was different from the women before her. She'd become a friend. He liked her too much to risk hurting her. And, if he was completely honest, he loved working with her. He didn't want to lose that part of their—understanding. Shannon needed to set the pace. "We can take this slow. We've got a hell of a lot of obstacles here." He glanced down at the crutches and his brace. "I want you to take the lead, okay?"

  Curious what her reaction would be, his gaze lingered on hers. As though she were undressing in front of him, he watched the slow heat rise in her cheeks. Her luminous eyes shining, her pupils dilated, turning slumberous and sexy as thoughts raced through her brain. Her beautiful lips parted to release a shivery sigh. Before this moment, Curt wouldn't have believed it possible he could be so turned on by watching a woman imagine what she wanted to do with him.

  "Okay-" Dragging a hand through his hair, he swallowed hard, desire so thickly wrapped around him, he felt he might suffocate. "Whatever you're thinking—you need to stop, or we'll have to forget the taking it slow part . . . and fast forward to right now-"

  Though her eyes widened in shock, her smile was sexy, confident—as though she were the keeper of a giant secret. "Now? Like on this table?" She flattened her palm against the wood.

  His mind exploded with the possibilities. Closing his eyes, he groaned. "Shannon-"

  Stepping closer, she trailed her fingers down his arm. "I like when you say my name like that." Catching his fingers in hers, she tugged him toward the living room. "Come on. I have an idea."

  Chapter 7

  Her heart threatening to leap from her chest, Shannon released several deep breaths as she heard Curtis behind her, his labored breathing having not
hing to do with physical exhaustion. You're in charge. She repeated the mantra running through her head. Having fantasized about him practically from the beginning, she was as eager for this as he was. Though they'd have to take precautions with his knee, the thought of him inside her was making her tighten with anticipation.

  Curtis would be the first time she'd had sex in months. Since the day she'd arrived home to find Brad in the throes of passion with a twenty-year-old waitress, she'd wanted to exorcise him from her system. To say she was looking forward to replacing those memories would put it mildly. And to be replacing them with the stunning beauty of Curtis Forsythe was almost more than she could bear. If he made love the way he kissed, she would likely orgasm before he was even inside her.

  Putting on her confident face, Shannon turned. "Okay, ease down on the couch, just like normal."

  He hesitated. "How will we-"

  Reaching up, she grabbed his face in her hands and rubbed her lips against his, the friction sending sparks down her spine. When shock rippled through him, she paused to smile against his mouth. "No questions."

  His expression tense with excitement, he did as she asked. When he was seated, she dragged over the footstool from the chair in the corner. Raising his braced leg, she set it gently down on the footstool. His pupils dilated, Curt sat rigidly, waiting to see what she would do next. Her shyness falling away, Shannon unsnapped the button on her jeans. Hearing his indrawn breath, she leaned down to kiss him, brushing her cheek against the stubble on his. "Condoms are where?"

  "Top drawer. Bedside table." The hoarse words seemed to hang in the air between them. "Shannon—I need help getting out of these clothes. The brace-"

  Her own breathing growing more erratic by the second, she kissed him again, lingering over the task. "Just relax. I'll be back in a minute." She managed to maintain eye contact with the seriously gorgeous man on the couch until she reached the hallway. There, she released a shuddering breath and took off running for his bedroom. The condoms were exactly where he'd said they would be. Normally, she would have frowned at the quantity she found there, but at that moment, her blood singing in her veins, her body throbbing with the need for release, she was grateful. Because it meant they wouldn't run out. Her bone-weary fatigue had melted away as soon as she'd arrived that evening. Finally, she understood why. Because of Curtis. She'd been eager to see him. Spending time with him gave her energy. And making love with him would likely send her over the edge of reason.

  Eager to return to him, she nearly danced down the hallway. Curt's eyes had been so revealing. His desire. The intense need she read in his gaze. Everything she did seemed to get to him—in a way she'd never, ever reached Brad. Strolling back into the living room, she set the handful of condoms on the end table. The relieved sound Curt made sounded like a growl, making her smile. "Where were we?" His intense gaze locked on her, she began to unbutton her blouse. Sliding it from her shoulders, she heard his ragged breathing. Unable to believe she was confident enough to do it, she slid the zipper down on her jeans and shimmied free of them.

  "Oh my God, Shannon—you're so beautiful. You're . . . perfect." He reached for her, surging forward on the couch, planting his good foot as he strained to touch her. A thrill ran across her body as she resisted the pull of his magnetic heat. Her gaze locked on his, she unclasped her bra, letting it fall open. Her nipples hardened as his eyes worshipped her.

  Leaving her panties for later, she finally approached the couch. Carefully stepping over his propped up leg, she straddled his lap. Sliding against him, she felt his erection pressing between her legs. The delicious friction had her biting back a moan. "Okay, now . . . we take care of you."

  "Thank God." His voice harsh with relief, he tugged his shirt over his head. Balling it up, he threw it to the floor. Yanking her against him, he groaned when her breasts came in contact with his bare chest. "Jesus, Shannon. . . I've never been so hot in my life." Capturing her face in his large hands, he stared at her for several seconds before guiding her down to his mouth. His mouth was frantic with the need to take, to plunder and claim her.

  Weak with wanting him, Shannon was relieved to let him take control. Sagging against him, she greedily kissed him back. His hands stroked down her back, rough calluses making her shiver with need. He was so beautiful, his shoulders muscled and sinewy under her fingertips. Strength emanated from him. Despite his injured leg, he was hard and lean from the physical labor he was clearly unafraid of. Arching into the heat of his body brought her breasts close to his mouth. Curt quickly took advantage, his large, expert hands capturing them. Her nipples pebbled under his touch. When his warm, wet mouth replaced the kneading fingers, Shannon nearly came off the couch. But Curtis tightened his hold. Her long, breathy moan broke the tense silence as he suckled first one breast and then the other. "Curtis—please. . ." His tongue was unrelenting, lavishing her breasts with heat and friction.

  Gasping with the reckless desire for more, Shannon was nearly overcome by sensual need. It had never, ever felt this good before. And he was barely getting started. Her body pliant against his, she tugged his head closer, her fingers clutching his hair.

  "Open your eyes," he commanded, his voice harsh.

  Jerking them open, she complied, momentarily confused as she was overrun with sensation. His mouth still tugging her nipples, she nearly fell from the couch when his fingers slid into her panties. Groaning at the wetness he found there, he slipped his finger inside her. Then another, filling her. The lightning bolt effect of his hands on her, inside her, had her breath leaving in a rush. With each stroke, she grew closer . . . until Shannon felt the roar of an orgasm crash over her. "Curtis-" Her eyes widened with shock, trapped in his heated gaze. Blindsided by the suddenness of the powerful wave, by the overwhelming need to give in to it, she cried out . . . her body quivering as he continued to stroke her, urging her to another crest. The pleasure seemed to defy ending as she collapsed against him.

  BLIND WITH DESIRE, Curt felt her beautiful body begin to clench around him. Her eyes—the most expressive, magnetic eyes he'd ever seen—gazed at him, first with shock and then with a wonder so pure and honest, he knew he would never forget it. Seeking her mouth, he wanted to capture her cries, as though he could somehow store the memory of her soft sighs for later. As she collapsed against him, Curt was stunned by the happiness he felt. As hard and aching as he still was, he wanted nothing more than to give Shannon more pleasure than she could endure. A wave of possessiveness washing over him, he wanted her to remember this moment. To compare every future guy to him. To freeze this moment, when they were nearly out of control with need for each other. Her scent clung to him, in the slim, strong arms draping his neck, from the curve of her delicate spine, to the soft, breathy sigh against his chest. When she stirred against him, he waited expectantly, dying to know what he would read in her eyes.

  Instead, he felt the flick of her tongue, first against his ear, where she tugged his earlobe, before whispering the words he would never forget. "Your turn." The feel of her hot, wet tongue gliding over his overheated flesh sent shivers of pleasure coursing through his body. The desire in her voice was enough to make him even harder than he'd been moments earlier. The pain . . . and the pleasure were relentless. Moving lower, she licked along the sensitive skin of his throat. A moment later, he discovered how flexible she was as she inched down his chest. When her moist mouth latched onto his nipple, he nearly flew off the couch.

  "Easy, Curt," she coached, raising her luminous eyes to meet his gaze. "There are things I want to do to you."

  "Sweet Jesus." He wanted to thrust into her, mindless of anything other than the pleasure she could give him. "Shannon, honey, you're killing me."

  Another flick of her tongue before she finally shifted from his lap to sit beside him. "Let's get these sweats off you." With a little help from him, she slid them down his legs, able to free his good leg, but stopping when she reached the bulky brace. His aching cock sprang free from the restr
aint. When Shannon glanced up at him, he was stunned by the raw passion glazing her eyes, the flush high on her cheekbones. "I'm impressed, Mr. Forsythe."

  His chest tightened in response to the husky timbre of her voice. Shannon was turned on by what she was doing to him. He stared at her—the gorgeous, expressive, velvet beauty of her eyes. And realized the burst of warmth he was experiencing was happiness. She was so full of life . . . when he so often felt dead inside. Her smile. Her personality. The pure joy she offered as the loving, kind person he knew her to be. And the amazing enthusiasm she showed . . . for him. Her eyes shining, she was breathtaking to him.

  Condom in hand, she moved to straddle him again, but paused at the last second. His groan was one of pure torture. "Can you hold this for me . . . just for a second?"

  Before he could respond, she bent to stroke him, taking him in her hand. He jerked upward. "Shan-" Her name left his lips on a hoarse rasp. "It's been a long time. I won't be able to last if you-"

  His voice cut off with a guttural shout when she leaned over to take him into her mouth. Her smiling, hot, wet mouth. Her beautiful lips covering him- On a moan of agony and fierce, burning pleasure, his hands found her head, his fingers tangling in the heavy mass of shining, silky hair as he strained with the effort not to come. He experienced a moment of relief from the exquisite torture when she released him to trail kisses down the shaft. Curt remembered to breathe, trying to control the throbbing need for release. Until she took him inside again.

  "Please, God-" Regaining what little remained of his sanity, he fumbled to pull her up his body.

  "Hey—I wasn't finished."

  Her sexy voice jolted like an ungrounded electrical current over his nerve endings. Mindless to anything other than the chaotic frenzy of release, Curt shredded the condom wrapper, shoving the latex over his throbbing cock. In one move, he lifted Shannon, before settling her on his lap. With an explosion of stars behind his eyes, she finally sank down on him. Her moan of pleasure matched his as he planted his hands on her hips. Finally, he was inside her. Her beautiful eyes closed, she slid along the length of him, content to let him set the pace. She was so tight. So hot and wet. He groaned her name.