Jaci Burton - Melting the Ice

“Wow,” was all he could manage.

“You’re welcome.”

His lips curved and he tipped her chin up to brush his lips across hers. He grabbed their waters from the nightstand so they could both take a drink. “For a warm-up, that was pretty good.”

She took a drink, then climbed over his lap to lay the water down. “I’ll say. Now let’s get on to part two.”

She straddled him, and his cock rushed to take notice. And when she cupped his face and kissed him, he really liked that, loved the softness of her mouth, the way she brushed her lips back and forth over his. And when she playfully nipped at his lower lip, he grabbed her and planted a deep kiss on her that told her exactly how much he enjoyed what she was doing.

She pulled back and looked at him. “It turns me on when you do that.”

“Do what?”

“Make that sound. Like a growl, only it’s deep in your throat.”

“I wasn’t even aware I made a sound.”

“You definitely make a sound. It’s . . . animalistic.”

He cocked a brow. “Really. If it turns you on, I’ll try to do it again.”

She laughed, then pulled him toward her again for another kiss. Though he had no idea what type of animal sounds he made, he sure as hell liked kissing her, liked the way she kissed him. And she sure brought out the animal in him. He grasped her hips and moved her over him, sliding her pussy over his shaft. He went from semi- to full-hard in seconds.

“Condoms are in the nightstand,” he said.

She gave him a wry smile. “I like a man who’s prepared.”

“Always.”

She leaned over and opened the drawer, giving him a great view of her ass, which he couldn’t help but smooth his hands over.

Carolina pulled out a condom and tore open the wrapper, then slid the condom over his cock.

“I like your hands on me, Lina.”

This time, she didn’t complain at his use of her nickname. Instead, she gave him a hot look that shredded him, and lifted, fitting his cock at the entrance to her pussy. He watched his shaft disappear inside her and let out a low groan as her body squeezed him, surrounding him with her heat.

It was the best damn feeling.

She arched her back and gave him a view of where they were connected, and then she rocked back and forth, riding him. He gripped her hips and gave them both the rhythm they needed.

“You feel good inside me, Drew.”

The last time had never been like this. She’d been a virgin and tentative, a little bit scared. She hadn’t talked much, and he’d probably talked too much, trying to reassure her. He had been careful and slow so he wouldn’t hurt her. They’d both fumbled a little, and yeah, it had been hot and enjoyable, but nothing like this all-out, bodies-connected free-for-all.

Carolina had been a young girl then, enjoying her first time. He’d tried to make it good for her, but he’d known it wouldn’t be all that great.

Now, she was a woman, fully taking charge of her pleasure, controlling how she wanted it. She was beautiful like this, and as her pussy pulsed over his cock, he realized what he’d missed by walking away from her all those years ago.

Though he hadn’t been ready for her—for any woman—back then.

Now, he was more than ready to take her on, to show her he was man enough to give her what she needed.

He reached between them and found her clit. She let out a moan when he coated his fingers with her juices and swept them over the hard nub, heightening the sensation for her.

“Yes, touch me,” she said, lifting, then coming down on him, using her muscles to grind against him. He rolled over her clit and drove into her, and her eyes widened.

“Like that?” he asked.

“You’re going to make me come.”

“Yeah,” he said, then held on to her, pumping hard into her, giving her the friction and the thrusts she needed to climax.

And when she did, when she threw her head back and let go with a long moan, he did, too, releasing as she tightened around him.

She fell forward, shuddering against him while he wrapped his arms around her and pumped his release into her.

Their bodies were slick with sweat, Carolina breathing hard against his chest. He stroked her back as they both came down from that amazing high.

It had been good. More than good. Better than he’d anticipated. And now he was wrecked and exhausted. So was she, apparently, because she made no move to climb off him.

He rolled her to her side and went into the bathroom for a minute, then came back and pulled the covers over them both and turned off the light.

“Tired?” he asked.

“Mmm,” was all she said as she snuggled against him.

He smiled, wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes.

He woke in a daze, the sunlight streaming in through the half-open blinds in his bedroom. For a few seconds he felt disoriented, until he remembered last night.

And then he smiled.

He’d really conked out after he and Carolina had sex. She’d exhausted him, and herself, too.

His mouth was dry. Really dry. He reached over for the water on his nightstand and took a couple long gulps before rolling over.

“Lina. You want a—”

She wasn’t there. Huh. He threw off the covers and went into the bathroom. Not there, either.

Her clothes were gone, too. Maybe she’d gone into the kitchen to make coffee.

Coffee sounded like such a good idea right now. He climbed into his jeans and went into the kitchen.

Not there.

She was gone. She’d left his apartment without saying a word.

She’d left him.

Just like he’d left her that night in college after they’d slept together.

He shook his head, dragged his fingers through his hair and leaned against the kitchen counter.

Well, that felt shitty.

And now he knew how Carolina had felt. He leaned against the kitchen counter, shaking his head and smiling at the thought of the payback she’d given him.

A payback he’d damn well deserved.

Well played, Carolina. Well played.

“THIS HEMLINE NEEDS TO COME UP TWO INCHES. JUST above the knee, so each tier of the skirt has movement.”

“I can take care of that,” Tierra said, kneeling in front of the model to mark where the cut in the hemline would be.

Carolina walked down the line, surveying her clothes on the models. So different than viewing them on a hanger. Now they had life.

She twirled her finger, and the next model turned and walked the length of the room.

“This one’s good just the way it is.”

“I totally agree,” Edward said. “Love the color and the way it clings to her body.”

“Just one thing, though,” Carolina said, squinting as she observed. “The color. It’s too muted. We need to change the fabric. Flesh it out a bit. Maybe more of a deep coral rather than a peach?”

Edward studied the model, too, then finally nodded. “I think you might be right. I like the peach, but the coral would be stunning, especially with Felicia’s skin tone.”

Carolina nodded and jotted down the change in her notebook. “Let’s do that.”

Edward made a note as well.

They spent the next hour going over textures and fabrics and design, watching the way each piece of clothing moved and the way they looked under the lights before making some changes. All in all it was a good fitting.

She’d spent the past few weeks immersed in the line. It had been a furious undertaking and she’d worked nonstop, seven days a week, burying herself in her designs as the clock ticked on finalizing everything.

Since that night she’d spent with Drew, she hadn’t had a moment to think about him.

Much.

She’d woken early that morning after and gotten up to use the bathroom and had come back into the bedroom, planning to slide under the covers with him.

But something had stopped her. Maybe it was the way he looked, the covers drawn down, covering only his lower half. He’d been sprawled on his stomach, his hair wildly unkempt, his arms thrown up over his head. His lashes, so sinfully long, nearly brushed against his upper cheek. His full lips were closed and she’d held her breath as she watched him sleep.

God, he’d looked so sexy at that moment all she’d wanted to do was grab her sketch pad and draw him looking just like that.

Before the inspiration left, she’d gotten dressed and hightailed it out of there, grabbing a taxi and heading home. After she’d spent an hour getting the angles and shadows just right, she was satisfied she’d gotten the sketch as she’d envisioned it.

It was beautiful. Perfect.

Exhausted after that burst of creativity, she climbed into bed and slept for two hours. It wasn’t until after she woke up, showered, and made a cup of tea that she realized she’d just up and left Drew without a word.

She thought about calling him, even picked up her phone, her finger hovering at the button, then laid her phone down.

After that night, it was probably best to just leave it alone. They’d had a good time. Or at least she had. The sex had been phenomenal. Not that it had surprised her that they would be good together. Their first time had been more than she’d fantasized about. This time? Even better.

She warmed thinking about how he’d touched her, how many times he’d made her come. She wished she were back in bed with him right now.

But just once. Only that one time. That was all there could be between them. It wasn’t going to happen again.

Diving headfirst into work had been the best way to keep herself from contacting him.