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  Soft lips skimmed his collarbone, sending a shiver up his spine as her hand kept its leisurely pace along the underside of his cock. Her silence intrigued him.

  Pulling back to try to look her in the eyes, he repeated the question. “How turned-on?”

  Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink. “On a scale of one to ten?”

  “Sure.”

  “Twelve.” She breathed the word against his chest as her tongue darted out and flicked his nipple. God I love when she does that.

  “Twelve? And you still didn’t join me?”

  She shook her head, which made her silky hair brush back and forth across his chest as she continued to kiss her way across his ribs, up to his shoulder, back to the base of his neck. “Well, I sort of joined you.”

  Eric’s heart felt as if it stopped. “Joined me how?”

  “Let’s just say I came with you, in spirit.”

  “Came with me?”

  He tilted her face up toward his. Her deep brown eyes glistened like polished stones. “Once while I watched and twice after you left for work.”

  His breath left him in a hot rush as he felt all the oxygen leave his lungs. She came watching me jerk off? A tremor ran down his spine. The look on her face, so open, so expectant, made him feel bolder than he’d felt in years. “Show me.”

  Her eyes opened wide, her full pink lips parting with a small gasp.

  He ran the pad of his thumb across her lower lip then kissed her, slow and tender, coaxing her tongue into his mouth. “You watched me.” He breathed the words against her lips. “Isn’t it only fair I get a turn watching?”

  She stiffened in his arms. Shit. Did I go too far? Too much too soon? He was about to amend his request. Sure, he wanted to watch, but he was so hot for her he didn’t care what they did as long as they’d both get to come, and soon. Before he could speak, she stepped back. Not away, just far enough that she could slide her hand from his cock to her own belly. In awe he watched as she slid her fingers between her legs.

  Holy hell, she’s touching herself. His cock twitched, demanding attention, but Eric was too engrossed in watching her to even move. Using two fingers, she spread her lips, easing the folds of skin apart. As one finger passed over her clit she let out a soft cry. Eric reminded himself to breathe. “You’re so fucking beautiful.”

  A smile flickered across her face as her eyes drifted shut. His gaze passed over her, her breasts seeming firmer than they had moments before, tight and round, nipples puckered into deep brown peaks. The muscles of her stomach clenched as she pressed her back against the wall, arching her hips forward. Her elegant hand, fingers splayed, continued to work her clit.

  Eric’s heart beat from his ears to his toes. For years he’d fantasized, wondering what she’d look like pleasuring herself, not even certain she ever did. Watching her, hearing her gasp and moan, smelling her arousal all around them, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Her fingertip moved so slowly, so precisely, stroking with gentle passes across her swollen flesh. He tried to ingrain the image in his brain. Memorize it.

  His cock begged for his attention but if he started stroking he wouldn’t be able to stop. That was for sure. And the one thing he knew was that as soon as Jessica came he wanted to be inside her. A stream of pre-cum ran down the length of him and he ignored it, steeling himself and focusing only on her. Every stroke of her fingers over her slick opening made him throb with need. Her breaths rasped, filling the room with their lusty sound. The high-pitched cry she emitted let him know she was about to come. His gaze raced back and forth from her face to her hand, wanting to somehow see every inch of her at once as she came.

  Her lips, firm and full, fell open, her eyes were tightly clenched, and he glanced back down just in time to see her hand still. Stomach taut, pelvis bucking forward, she groaned. Wetness glistened on her thighs as she thrust her hips, letting the orgasm shake through her.

  Needing to touch her, he smoothed her hair away from her face. She turned her head, kissing the palm of his hand in a gesture so simple yet so sexy it took his breath away.

  He wrapped his arms around her, his cock sliding against the slick skin of her thighs. “I need you, Jess. Now.”

  She nodded, twining her arms around his neck as he lifted her and carried her to the bed.

  Jessica could still feel the aftershocks of her orgasm as Eric placed her on the mattress. The weight of his body felt amazing. Solid. Warm. Heavy. She’d never wanted anything more than she wanted him at that moment.

  Eric groaned, sinking deep inside her. “God, I’ve missed this,” he said, his face buried in her hair as he swiveled his hips against her.

  “Missed what?” She gasped as he plunged particularly deep, causing her muscles to contract around his cock.

  “This.” He thrust again, slower this time, reaching a hand beneath her ass, tilting her pelvis. “Sex in the middle of the day, with the sun shining so I can watch your face as you come.”

  She’d forgotten that Eric liked to talk during sex. How could I forget something like that? For years they’d been sneaking moments together after the kids went to bed, one ear always listening for the sound of someone waking from a nightmare or padding down the hall toward their room. Silent. On alert. She missed the sexy sound of his voice. Missed his running commentary. His commands. All of it.

  A soft moan escaped her. “Feels so good.” His cock was so hard she could feel every ripple and ridge as he pushed into her again and again.

  “You feel amazing. So tight.”

  She wasn’t sure if he was extra large or she was swollen from being so aroused but he was right, the extra-snug fit made every stroke more intense. Her insides quivered, her shoulders shook. Digging her feet into the mattress for support, she lifted her hips, wanting even more of him.

  “Not so fast,” he said, slowing his movements.

  She groaned as he pulled nearly all the way out, holding there. The look on his face was almost enough to make her come. Strong, powerful, in control. She’d missed this too. The Eric who teased her, made her wait until she was almost crazy with need. She tried to raise her hips higher but his sturdy fingers held her in place.

  “Tell me what you want.” His voice was thick, lustful.

  Jessica could barely breathe let alone speak. “Fuck me.” It had been years since she’d said those words to him.

  The slow smile that spread across his face told her how much he’d missed hearing them. Inch by delicious inch, he eased himself inside her, taunting her. “Like that?”

  “Harder.” She breathed the word, trying to keep her voice from shaking, struggling to keep her eyes open as pleasure tried to force them shut.

  “I didn’t quite catch that. What did you say?” His voice, as deep and rich as molten chocolate, practically dripped from his lips as his eyes, smoldering and narrowed, urged her to repeat her request.

  “Harder, Eric. Please.” She clutched at his back, attempting to draw him nearer. Having him poised, barely inside her, drove her to the edge of desperation. The pressure inside her became almost unbearable. “I need you.”

  She could see him swallow, feel his resolve giving way. Eyes locked on hers, he lowered himself all the way, sinking into her until their bodies met. He moved with determination now, grinding against her in tight circles. She felt him swelling as her clit throbbed under the newfound pressure. “Yes.” She exhaled the word against his chest, nipping at his collarbone as she trailed her mouth toward his neck.

  “That’s it, baby.” He rocked against her, one hand still under her ass, pulling her hard against him. His lips grazed her ear. Hot breath caressed her cheek, adding to the waves of heat that seemed to be rolling off her.

  Beyond words, she moaned, louder than she’d ever heard herself.

  “Oh God, yes.” Eric’s voice vibrated through her, his need palpable. He pumped faster, grinding with a perfect twist each time their bodies met.

  Tension built to levels her body could no lon
ger contain, her thighs shook, her hands clutched the deep divots above his ass. All control lost, she gave in, crying out as pulse after pulse of orgasm tore through her.

  The groan that rumbled out of Eric resonated through the room as she felt him freeze above her. Everything was motionless except his cock, which throbbed inside her.

  “Jesus,” he whispered, his lips finding hers for a slow, delicious kiss. As he moved slowly in and out of her, she greedily thought that if he kept that up she might well come yet again.

  “This whole Spice Rack thing is really working for me. How many more jars are there?”

  Laughter tumbled from Eric as he eased himself out of her. There was nothing she adored more than the sound of his laugh.

  “I love you, Jess.” He reached into the nightstand and withdrew the box. “Let’s see, three rows to choose from—sweet, savory and spicy. Four jars per row. I’d say these could keep us in ideas for quite a while.”

  Jess grinned as she ran her fingers over the jars. “You said this suggestion was from the sweet row?”

  “Yep. I figured we could start off slow and work our way up to spicy.”

  “I like the sound of that kind of work. A lot. In fact, even though we’ve only used one jar I’m certain this is the best spice rack I’ve ever had.”

  “Best. Rack. Ever. Except maybe for yours.”

  Chapter Three

  Eric didn’t remember dozing off but he awoke to find Jessica curled alongside him, one leg draped over his. She looked so peaceful. Up close he could see the smattering of freckles that dusted her nose. Her lips were still extra plump from kissing, deep pink and ripe. So far this day was going even better than he’d planned. Shifting slightly he glanced at the clock. Barely 11 a.m. and he’d already brought her to three climaxes. Not to mention that was the best sex they’d had in as long as he could remember.

  He knew they’d grown apart the past year. He’d sensed it happening. Not because he wanted it, life just got in the way. The kids’ schedules had gotten crazy with nonstop sports practices and games. And opening his own ad agency had been twice the work he’d expected. It wasn’t that Jess was no longer a priority, he simply hadn’t figured out how to manage his time.

  The final straw seemed to have been when they’d moved four months earlier. He’d thought the move would be great for all of them. Nice big house instead of the townhouse they’d more than outgrown. Same town, same schools but better neighborhood.

  Jessica had initially seemed thrilled, but that quickly changed. At least half her friends from the old neighborhood stopped inviting her on their girls’ outings. Most of the women in the new development either worked out of the home or had nannies. As a work-at-home mom, Jess seemed out of step. She did an amazing job of getting the new house in shape but he could see that she wasn’t happy. Her moods grew more sullen and she withdrew every time he tried to mention it, telling him she was “fine, just tired.”

  Worrying about it did no good. It made him cranky and he hated feeling ineffective. When she’d started taking classes two months ago, he’d thought it was a good thing. She’d even upped them from once a week to twice. He figured it was great that she was finally making some time to do something for herself. And she’d seemed happier, more relaxed. But it irked him that she never gave him details about where she was going.

  “Exercise class,” she’d said. “Olivia recommended it.”

  “What kind of exercise?”

  She’d ignored the question and he’d had to ask again before she said, “Sort of like a dance class.” Then she’d changed the subject. It wasn’t like her to be mysterious. One of the things he loved about her was how direct she was. Always straight with him. No game playing.

  He’d decided not to dwell on it until Bill at work had started talking about how his wife had been taking “art class” for nearly a year before he’d found out that she was actually having an affair. Eric had never even considered the possibility of Jess cheating on him. He’d always felt totally secure in their relationship. He trusted her completely. But the seed had been planted. What if she’s really not happy? What if this class or this teacher is giving her something I’m not? The thought had turned his stomach. It still did. She can’t be cheating on me.

  Watching her sleep, he marveled at how young she looked. At thirty-two she still looked exactly like the twenty-one-year-old girl he’d fallen for the first time he’d laid eyes on her. If anything she’d gotten prettier. Features more defined, curves more pronounced. Definitely more comfortable with her body, as proven by this morning’s activities.

  His stomach clenched as he remembered how hard and fast he’d fallen for her. He’d dated dozens of women, but Jessica was the only one he’d ever considered marrying. She was the only woman he’d ever loved.

  She stirred in her sleep, dragging her leg along his and stretching before her deep brown eyes fluttered open. A smile tugged at her lips. “Hey,” she whispered, nuzzling closer and kissing his chest.

  “Good nap?” he asked, enjoying the sultry, sleepy look of her eyes as they drifted open and closed.

  “Mmm, very.” Her fingers played with the hair on his belly as she tilted her head to look into his face. “How long have you been up?”

  “Just a few minutes.”

  “And you were watching me sleep?”

  He tucked her hair behind her ear. “Couldn’t take my eyes off you.”

  She grinned, the corners of her eyes crinkling as she studied him. “What were you thinking about?”

  Normally he hated that question but this time he wanted to answer. “The first time we met.”

  Her dark brows popped up. “Really? What made you think of that?”

  “You. You’re even more beautiful than you were back then.”

  Jessica snorted. “No, seriously.”

  “I am serious. You know I was a goner that first night.”

  She shook her head, her hair swishing over his arm, against his chest, sending ripples of electricity across his body. “You were trying to decide who you had a better chance with, me or Maria.”

  Laughter shook him. “That is so not true.”

  “Yes it is. That’s why you drove us both home from the party.”

  “No.” Eric twirled a lock of her hair with his finger. He remembered the night as if it were yesterday. “Maria asked for a ride home. I offered you one and I racked my brain for excuses to drop her off first so I could be alone with you.”

  Jessica propped herself on her elbow and stared at him. “You never told me that.”

  Eric shrugged. “I didn’t think I’d have to. I assumed you figured it out that night.”

  Her head shook again. “Not at all.”

  “How is that possible? Maria lived one street away from me, you lived on the other side of town. Not to mention that she was hinting she wanted to be dropped off last and I still brought her home first. You, on the other hand, wouldn’t even get in the front seat after she got out of the car.”

  Jessica giggled, the sound warming him to his core. “I thought you were just being polite.”

  “I thought you wanted to stay as far away from me as possible. I made the chauffeur joke to save face and give me an excuse to come around and get your door when we got to your apartment.”

  “I liked the chauffeur act. It was charming.”

  Eric leaned forward and kissed her. “Charming, eh? Is that why you let me walk you to your building?”

  “No, I let you walk me because it was icy out and I figured I’d slip and break a leg without someone to hold on to.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

  “So you were using me.”

  She grinned wider. “Basically. I also wanted an excuse to hang on to you.”

  “Oh did you now?”

  Nodding slowly, she brushed her lips against his. “You had the sexiest forearms I’d ever seen.”

  “Forearms?”

  She trailed her finger down the length of his arm, tracing circu
lar patterns on his skin. “What can I say? You have great arms. Muscular, sinewy, defined.” She curled her hand around his wrist then stroked her way back up.

  “And all this time I thought it was my sparkling wit and chivalry that won you over.”

  “Later, yes. That night I just wanted a chance to feel your arms.”

  “Well, I just wanted a chance to ask you out and give you a good night kiss.”

  She wrapped her leg tighter around his. “And you did both, as I recall.”

  “I did. Never been so nervous asking a girl out in my life.”

  Her brow furrowed. “Why? I mean, I’d never met you before but I’d heard of you. You had tons of girlfriends before me.”

  “I was afraid you’d say no and I wanted you so much I didn’t think I could handle that.”

  “I guess you’re lucky I said yes then.”

  “I’ve been lucky every day since.”

  * * * * *

  Eating picnic style on the family room carpet seemed like the perfect follow-up to their indulgent morning together. Jessica felt more relaxed than she had in ages. When they’d decided to get out of bed for food, she’d slipped on a short cotton beach dress with nothing underneath. Eric looked nothing short of mouth-watering in a t-shirt and black athletic shorts. His toned arms flexed as he twisted the cork from the bottle of white wine he’d left chilling in the fridge.

  “I still can’t believe you did all this.” Jessica surveyed the spread. Assorted cheeses, grapes and mixed berries, pâté, crackers, smoked salmon roulettes, miniature roast beef sandwiches with horseradish spread and assorted bite-sized cupcakes.

  “All I did was order the food.”

  “You thought of ordering food. That’s what I appreciate. This whole day. I’m just—”

  Eric looked up as her voice caught, his head tilted, eyes narrowed with concern. “What?”

  “I’m happy.” Tears prickled behind her eyes, threatening to roll down her cheeks.

  Eric’s lips spread into his sexy grin and he set the wine down, leaning in for a kiss. “Good. You deserve to be happy. And you definitely deserve to have someone take care of you for a change. I don’t say it often enough, but you’re an amazing mom. I watch the kids for a day here and there and it always floors me how you make it all look so easy.”