She turned and folded her arms across her middle, smiling at him. “Thank you. It means a lot to me that you think that.”
A heated silence fell between them, spinning out as they just stood there, gazing at each other. The kettle flicked off, but they remained where they were, immobile. Then William pushed away from the counter and took the two short steps to get to her. She looked up at him, her breath catching at the need in his eyes. It mirrored her own. He lowered his head and claimed her lips. She opened them, her tongue tangling with his. But this time, there was no gentle exploration, it was hot lust and it shot fire straight to her belly. He pushed his fingers into her damp hair, tilting her head to give him better access and she reveled in it, wrapping her arms around his waist, pressing against him, wanting desperately to get closer. He ran his hands down her back, cupping her bottom, pulling her harder against him, then she gasped as he lifted her up onto the bench, stepping between her knees, breaking the kiss to press hot, wet kisses down her neck. She wrapped her legs around his hips, pulling him closer until she had him where she wanted him, his erection pressed against her center.
“Jesus,” he whispered huskily, finding her mouth with his own again, kissing her hungrily.
Then his hands were finding the buttons on her pajama shirt, pushing it open, his palm covering her breast, his thumb rubbing across her nipple. She moaned softly as waves of pleasure washed over her. Desperate to feel his skin, she pushed her hands under his shirt, running her palms up his back, trailing her fingers along his spine. But it wasn’t enough, so she grabbed the hem of his shirt and pushed it up until he raised his arms, and she could pull it off and drop it on the floor. She curled her fingers into the hairon his chest, shivering with delight as he dropped hot, tingling kisses down her neck to her breast, then she gasped as he took her nipple in his mouth and sucked, sending a pull of pleasure to her core. She buried her fingers in his hair and let her head fall back, while he moved his lips to her other breast. She dropped her hands to his shoulders when he lifted his head and looked at her. With the tip of his finger, he traced a line from the base of her throat, down between her breasts, then lower, to the waistband of her pajama pants, running his finger slowly along the top. Once. Twice.
“You’re teasing me.”
A wolfish grin was his only reply as he bent his head to kiss her again, a hot, wet kiss, his tongue demanding, increasing the sweet ache between her thighs.
“William, please.”
“Please, what?” He murmured.
“Please, touch me.”
He pulled back and watched her as he slid his hand under the waistband of her pants, his clever fingers finding her center. He moved his hand slowly, gently, watching her all the while, the molten heat in his gaze intoxicating her. She whimpered as he rubbed against her, a low warning in the back of her mind not to be too loud; there couldn’t be a worse moment for Billy to come out. She let her eyes drift closed as she took the pleasure he gave her, gripping his shoulders hard with her fingers, biting her lip as the hot pleasure washed over her. The tension built as he pushed her higher. His fingers were moving faster, more urgently, until she broke with a low moan, her body jerking against his hand, the tremors slowly subsiding as she let her head fall against his chest. She took long, deep breaths as his arms came around her, holding her close while her heart rate settled.
“We should go to bed,” she said when she finally had enough breath to speak.
“Not tonight.”
She lifted her head and looked at him in confusion. “You’re not going to stay?”
He shook his head.
“Why not?”
“Because when we make love, I’m going to make you scream and you’re not going to want to worry about waking any kids nearby.”
“Oh.” Well, that was hot. “But that’s not very fair.”
He cocked his head to one side questioningly, a smile tugging at his lips.
“One of us is happy and one of us is frustrated.”
He chuckled as he bent down to retrieve his shirt. Pulling it on he said, “I’m happy and frustrated.”
“But—”
He pressed a kiss to her lips. “It’s fine, Juniper. I’ll think of you while I’m in the shower.”
“Oh.” That was also hot.
He kissed her again. “I hope you’re feeling better.”
She eyed him quizzically. “You must know I am.”
“Glad to hear it. Good night.”
“Good night.” She watched as he moved across the small dining area and out the front door, her body still tingling from his touch. She smiled to herself as she put the tea things away, envisioning what she would do with him the next time she had him alone.
CHAPTER 12
Juniper
“Nana!” The shopping bag fell from Juniper’s nerveless fingers as she stopped in shock at her gate, looking down the driveway. There was a small motorhome parked at the bottom of the drive, its canopy rolled out, offering shade to her grandmother, comfortably ensconced in a lawn chair. She rose to her feet, her bright purple hair glinting in the sun as she approached her granddaughter.
