Wonders Never Cease (Harlequin Super Romance) Page 23

  He smiled. “Why not?”

  Her wicked grin was quickly replaced by a languid look of pure seduction. Lips parted, her tongue slowly wetted her bottom lip. Never losing eye contact, she scooted down to trace tiny, maddening circles around his rigid nipple.

  While her tongue worked its magic, her hands insistently tugged his shirt over his shoulders. “Off,” she murmured against his chest. “I want this off.”

  Chuckling, he raised up and tugged the shirt free. When he leaned back to drop it over the end of the couch, Jill scooted downward. Her tongue tickled his belly button and then trailed the line of body hair back up his chest. “Much better,” she whispered. “Now, if we could just do something about these damn pants.”

  She reached for his belt buckle, but Ben wove his fingers between hers. “Maybe we should even things up a bit a first.”

  Jill looked down at the oversize sweater that enveloped her like a quilt. A merry giggle bubbled up and she shook her head. “Yea gods, Mattie’s Rule Forty-two: Never try to seduce a man when you’re dressed like your grandmother.”

  She sat up, her legs dropping to the floor. Ben cocked his hips to give her more space. She smiled. “Don’t move. I like that reassuring bulge against my hip—it lets me know I’m desirable.”

  Ben chuckled. “As if you needed reassurance. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever kissed.”

  “Really?”

  Ben heard the tremulous question in her voice.

  “Really.”

  She made a face. “But what about this?” she asked, tapping the yellowish bruise near her temple. Her hair was combed to hide most of the bandage, but she pushed it back. “Stitches. Staples. A little amnesia. Not exactly a turn-on.”

  Ben sat up and took her head in his hands, then gently pressed a kiss to the square of white gauze. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And in all honesty, I hope this leaves a scar.”

  “Why?” she whispered hoarsely.

  “So I’ll never take you for granted. Because when I look at it I want to remember how close I came to losing you and how lucky I am that you’re a fighter. And that you came back to me.”

  Jill gave a small cry and hugged him tight. “Oh, Ben, for the strong silent type you say the most amazing things.”

  He lowered back down to one elbow. “I get lucky from time to time.”

  Jill wiggled backward a couple of inches. “Speaking of lucky,” she said, a mischievous gleam in her eyes, “did I ever mention that I have the catalog number for Victoria’s Secret on speed dial?”

  Ben’s mouth went dry. “No, I’m pretty sure I would have remembered that little detail.”

  With a self-satisfied nod, she yanked her sweater—a massive knitted purple shroud—over her head. It sailed through the air to land with a solid thump near Czar, who rolled to his side and used it as a pillow.

  “What do you think?”

  In typical Jill fashion, she used her hands to direct his attention to her chest—as if Ben could possibly have prevented his eyes from staring or his tongue from hanging out of his mouth.

  Her creamy white flesh was lovingly molded into an exotic snippet of beige gossamer fabric edged with bronze lace. Full and slightly upturned, her breasts filled the stretchy cups. Her nipples stood out in tantalizing relief against the sheer material. Ben had never seen anything more erotic.

  “You think this is good,” she said smugly, “wait till you see the panties.” She pointed downward. “French cut. Basically see-through. Very sexy.”

  Ben wasn’t sure his heart could take it. He was practically ready to embarrass himself and he still had his pants on.

  Suddenly Jill threw back her head and laughed. “Oh, isn’t this a hoot? I sound like someone on an infomercial.” She cupped her breasts and said in a deep, staged voice, “And here, Ben, you see the C-cup model of our Evening in Venice collection. Notice the fine detail on the lace.”

  She moved a little closer. “Exquisite, is it not?”

  Ben’s gaze zeroed in on the tender touch of her slim fingers brushing against her ripe, titillated nipples. He sat up suddenly, catching her in his arms as she fell backward. His head dipped low. “I’m sold. I’ll take a dozen of ’em, but I want this one, to go.”

  His mouth closed over one nipple. The material provided little resistance. Her hands threaded into his hair, urging him closer. He suckled deeply, pulling a low cry of wanting from her.

  “Oh, Ben, I need you. I want you. Please.”

  Her words filled a void in his soul. He answered the best way he knew how. He stood up, taking her with him. He needed a bed for what he had in mind—a seduction they’d both remember for a lifetime.

  JILL TOOK the opportunity while Ben was in the bathroom to give herself a stern lecture. She’d practically thrown herself at the poor man ever since her parents had left. In the Blazer, she’d dropped her head in his lap on purpose. She honestly didn’t remember licking his cheek but wouldn’t put it past her sex-starved libido. And that crazy lingerie sales pitch a minute earlier had been completely over the top.

  Me—a sex goddess. Wouldn’t Peter be laughing?

  But despite a niggling embarrassment, Jill didn’t regret a thing because she’d landed exactly where she wanted to be—in Ben’s bed. The only thing she needed to remember is that desire did not equate with love. Guys needed time to assimilate their emotions. Ben wanted her—no missing the signs. But that didn’t mean he wanted to make this an ever-after kind of relationship.

  Jill wasn’t going to fixate on tomorrow. And she’d learned that lesson the hard way. Today is all we have, so go for it. Live life to the max.

  Having discarded her stretchy leggings, she drew her knees beneath her and rose up to peek at her image reflected in the patio door across from the bed. She’d have preferred to be ten pounds lighter, but she wasn’t complaining.

  “You’re beautiful,” Ben said, taking her by surprise. “Absolutely gorgeous.”

  In the reflection, she saw his naked body. He slowly approached the bed and knelt behind her. The big, sturdy mattress sunk slightly with his weight, but Jill didn’t lose her balance. Entranced by the shadowy image on the glass, she kept her back to him.

  He moved closer. His right hand brushed back her hair, which had fallen across her breast. His left hand was spread wide on her belly, fingers splayed. She felt his heat behind her, and she tilted her chin.

  He dipped his head and kissed her bare shoulder while his hand moved up to cup her breast. As Jill watched, his index and middle finger slipped beneath the stretchy fabric to tease her turgid nipple.

  “Oh, Ben,” she sighed, starting to turn.

  His other hand braced her hip. “Not yet. I like the view. This way I get to touch and watch.”

  His fingers moved lower, inching beneath the tiny band of elasticized lace. He pulled her close so she could feel the hard length of his arousal.

  Weak with desire, she watched his fingers explore the nest of burnished curls visible through the translucent material. She closed her eyes and moved her hips against his touch. She was amazed by the swiftness of her body’s response.

  She dived into the sensation. Free to explore—to seek the release that glittered on the edge of her consciousness. His gift was more than touch, it was permission to explode into a million tiny pieces and not worry that she wasn’t pleasing him.

  Limp but exhilarated, Jill leaned against him, panting. “Oh, heavens, that was amazing.”

  “You’re amazing,” he whispered, his tongue flicking against her ear.

  Shivers coursed down her spine. She turned, still on her knees, to face him. “I think one of us is grossly over-dressed, and I think it’s me.”

  She ran her hands up and down the long smooth length of him from hip to shoulder. His buttocks tightened beneath her fingers. His back muscles felt like marble beneath a fluid layer of satin.

  He buried his hands in her hair and gently tightened his grip, which made her scalp ting
le. She tilted her chin as he lightly tugged, and he immediately plied kisses from her collarbone to her jaw. “You have a beautiful neck. Long and regal.”

  Jill smiled. “Mother always said I thought I was queen.”

  “I like your mother. And your dad.”

  Jill framed his face with her hands. “And my cat,” she prompted.

  A funny look darkened his forehead. “No. Czar likes your cat. I just tolerate Frank. And vice versa.”

  Thinking about Frank made her feel guilty about not going home, but how could she when her life—Frank notwithstanding—was here? She pushed the thought aside when Ben’s nimble fingers slipped beneath the clasp in the middle of her back and released her bra. The pretty fabric hung from her shoulders, hiding her breasts like a misshapen rag.

  He used his teeth to slip first one strap then the other from her shoulders. The bra fell to the bed. “Beautiful,” he said, “but far too confining. I like this look even better.”

  He sank back on his calves to study her. The appreciation she read on his face eased her nervousness. She made herself keep her arms at her sides. “Touch me, please. I need to feel your hands on my skin.”

  His fingers moved with accuracy to her breasts. He teased her nipples until they ached for something more, then he took first one, then the other in his mouth.

  “You taste so sweet,” he murmured.

  Jill couldn’t have spoken if her life depended on it. She wanted him to move on, to give attention to the needs building deep inside her, but she had no way to ask—other than animal-like whimpers.

  He ran his hands down her rib cage to her hips. With the tiniest bit of effort, he removed her panties, then gently lowered her to the mattress.

  She stretched, leaving her knees parted in invitation. Ben explored her body with his eyes, his tongue and his wicked mouth. When he moved close enough, she reached out and touched him.

  Her fingers closed around him and he let out a low groan—a mixture of agony and ecstasy. “Be careful, Jill. It’s been a long time for me. And you’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever known. I’m very close to the edge.”

  His words were an aphrodisiac Jill had never tasted. Power. A good kind of power. “Love me?” she invited.

  “No question about it,” he whispered, wrapping her in his arms. He kissed her deeply, thoroughly, then turned away to retrieve a small foil packet from the bedside table. He ripped it open and quickly sheathed himself.

  Jill gave herself over to his tender ministrations. She’d only been with two men in her past, and neither had been able to divine her needs, her desires, as intuitively as Ben. She’d never known a man to ask for directions, but Ben, fearless as usual, didn’t hesitate to find out what made her crazy with passion.

  There was only one answer, though—Ben.

  JILL POLISHED OFF the last of her breakfast in bed. A first. Having a man cook for her was novel enough, but having one that carried the meal to her on a cute little tray with a cloth napkin was almost too good to be real. She’d love to lounge around all morning but she’d awakened feeling guilty about having left Frank alone all night. “Maybe you should drop me at home so I can check on Frank,” she said, sipping her orange juice. “With the new alarm system you insisted on installing, he can’t go in and out at will. And Frank’s not overly fond of his litter box although he’s been a sport about it.”

  “What do you mean, in and out at will?” Ben, who was standing at the closet, asked.

  Jill discovered a last raspberry hiding beneath the saucer and popped it into her mouth. Chewing, she said, “I used to leave the garage window open a crack for him, but now I can’t.”

  He shrugged on a white oxford shirt and turned to face her. “But you always locked the inside door, right?”

  Jill grimaced. “Most of the time. I never worried, though. I figured it was safe because I had the garage-door opener with me and there are rosebushes under the window.”

  Ben’s frown deepened.

  “Why do you ask? I thought the police decided Bobby used the hidden key to get in.”

  He focused on buttoning his shirt. “It’s probably nothing, but I remember seeing some cuts on Bobby’s arms that he said were caused by roses. Maybe he tried that window first.” He let out a breath. “Are you sure you’re up for this meeting? We could reschedule.”

  Jill moved the tray aside and slipped out of bed. Although naked, she didn’t feel overly modest—not after the amazing gymnastics they’d performed last night. “A quick shower and I’ll be good to go,” she promised, dashing past him.

  Ben snagged a lock of hair. “Not so fast. Where’s my tip?”

  She turned. “As you can see, I don’t have a dime on me.”

  His gaze traveled from toe to head in a leisurely manner. “I’d prefer more, but I’ll settle for a kiss.”

  Jill made a face. “I haven’t brushed my teeth yet.”

  Ben laughed. “You weren’t that shy an hour ago.”

  She felt herself blush. The trouble with being a fair-skinned nudist, she decided, was that everyone could see when you were embarrassed. Standing on her toes, she pressed a quick—closed-mouth—kiss on his lips. “I’ll be right back.”

  BEN SMILED as he made the bed—messy beyond words, but he wasn’t complaining. Jill had been amazing. He’d been worried about letting her overexert herself, but she’d napped in childlike bliss between rounds then awakened hungry for more. He’d never known a woman so utterly void of guile, so genuine. He’d accidentally blurted out his love for her at least once, but so far she hadn’t asked him to repeat the words outside the orb of passion.

  What does that mean? That she’s only in it for the sex?

  His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the phone ringing. He sat down on the bed and picked up the receiver.

  “Hi, bro,” his sister said with typical Joely energy. “How’s everything? How’s Czar? Is Jill up and at ’em?”

  Ben pictured Jill’s lush, naked body under the shower. “Um, yeah. She’s in great shape.”

  There was a pause. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Oh, come off it. Ben, I know you. Something happened.”

  Ben thought fast. Joely was like a bloodhound on the scent of a rabbit. “Jill and I got a lead on Dorry. Remember? Jill’s missing source. And I’m taking Jill to meet with Bobby this morning. He’s the guy—”

  Joely interrupted him. “I know who he is. I’ve been paying attention. Why does she want to see him?”

  Ben frowned. He wasn’t certain. All he knew was that Jill had insisted on speaking to Bobby. “I need to hear it from the horse’s mouth. I won’t believe it otherwise,” she’d told Amos.

  “It’s Jill being Jill.”

  There was a pause. “Oh my God.”

  Ben’s heart sank. He knew that tone all too well. “What?”

  “You love her.”

  “Joely,” he said in his best big-brother cop voice, “this is private. I’m not going to discuss it with you.”

  Her whoop made him cringe. “I can’t wait to tell the folks.”

  “If you mention one word of this to those people, I will never speak to you again,” he said stiffly.

  He heard her small gasp. “But Ben, they’re your parents.”

  “No, Joely, they’re your parents. As far as I’m concerned, they’re gene donors. I don’t want them involved in my life.”

  “But—”

  He cut her off. “No buts, Joely. I have to go, sis. Talk to you later.”

  He hung up the phone and spotted Czar staring at him critically. “Give me a break. My love life is none of their business,” he snapped, forgetting he had company.

  Czar turned his head, and Ben knew if he looked, he’d see Jill standing behind him. “Are you going to nag me, too?” he asked without turning around.

  She slipped her arms under his and hugged him fiercely. “Maybe later,” she said against his collar. “Right now, I have to go see
the guy who tried to kill me.” She kissed his ear then backed away.

  Ben rose and picked up her breakfast tray. His stomach was churning but he knew how to sublimate personal problems—work. “After the interview, I’ll have to take you home then return to the office.”

  “You’re on duty? Without Czar?”

  Czar’s ears perked up then he looked at Ben with accusatory eyes. Ben glanced at Jill as she pulled on the same clothes she’d worn the day before. With her hair in a ponytail and her baggy top and stretchy pants, she looked sixteen.

  “Desk duty,” he said. “I’ve got a ton of paperwork to catch up on. I’ll take Czar along. He can rest in my office as well as here.”

  Jill finished making the bed then looked at him. “I heard a rumor that Amos hopes to train you to take over from him. Is that true?”

  Ben didn’t like the reporter tone of her question. Out of habit, he answered carefully. “Possibly, but that won’t be for a long time. I still have to prove my worth by establishing the canine patrol.” He made a wry sound. “I’m not exactly off to a great start. In our first two weeks, Czar has been shot and suffered some kind of stroke. He’s spent more time on medical leave than active duty. Not great PR material.”

  Jill made a sound of distress and rushed to Czar. “This is all my fault, not yours, boy. Don’t let them tell you otherwise. You’re the best.”

  Czar licked her cheek.

  For some reason, the image unnerved Ben. Grateful for the distraction, he added her napkin to the tray and walked to the kitchen. He was so busy loading the dishwasher, he didn’t hear Jill enter the room until she said, “Would Amos’s job be safer than what you do now?”

  He finished wiping down the counter, then said, “It’s a trade-off. Bullets for politics. I’m not sure which is more dangerous.”

  Jill sat down on a stool to put on her shoes. “I know what you mean. Dealing with Bud Francis is risky. He’s a petty despot with friends in high places.”

  Ben recalled what Will Ogden had told him yesterday. Did Jill know the truth about her ex-husband’s new wife? He cleared his throat. “I heard something yesterday. Gossip. I don’t know if you—”