Just a Love Story Read online

  “Shae.”

  “And in Proverbs, there’s this verse,” she moaned softly and crossed her arms over her chest. “She’s like a loving doe, a graceful deer – may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.”

  When she shivered, Derek almost came in his jeans. “Shae, dammit!” With one move, he released her seatbelt and hauled her over into his lap. “Just hush.”

  Shae was confused, but she couldn’t deny him. She had no desire to deny him. Her whole body was alive and electric, her breath coming in tiny pants. With every rise and fall of her breasts, the material of her bra chafed her rock-hard nipples, spiking her excitement. “I’m hushed.”

  For a long moment, Derek stared into the sea blue depths of her eyes, his fingers weaving in her hair to keep her head right where he needed it to be. “Good. Now, kiss me.”

  Time stood still as he claimed her lips in a tender caress. The sensation of their flesh touching, their breaths mingling, only made Shae want more. Deeper kisses. Hot, hard kisses. She wanted all of him. “Derek, please.”

  “Yea, baby?” He kissed her again. Gently. Sweetly.

  He was holding back. Now that he knew she wasn’t experienced, Derek was holding back, pulling the reins on his passion. As wonderful as these soft kisses were, she wanted more. Shae wanted him to be as she’d fantasized him – untamed, wild, and ravenous.

  Shae dreamed of being possessed. She wanted Derek to crave her so much that he couldn’t stop. “Derek, please.”

  This woman had his head swimming with need. “What do you want, love? Tell me. I’ll give you anything. All you have to do is ask.”

  “I want to know if what I’ve been dreaming of is true. But most of all, Derek…I want you. All of you.”

  The moment crystalized and hung suspended, then fire flashed between them as he crashed his mouth to hers. Devouring. Consuming. His tongue pushing past the gate of her lips to sweep inside and map her mouth, learning every sweet secret she’d kept hidden so long.

  To Shae’s satisfaction, he hauled her close, so close that she could feel her nipples as they were crushed to his chest. Beneath her hips, she could feel his manhood growing with need and everything within her melted and surrendered to his will.

  As he kissed her, she kissed him back, meeting each foray of his tongue, each demand of his mouth with all of the longing and pent-up desire within her. Shae clung to him, her body aflame with a whirlwind of red-hot ecstasy that surpassed anything she’d imagined.

  Derek’s desire for Shae, teamed with his self-imposed celibacy combined to ignite a firestorm of yearning. Without thinking, he began tugging at the tiny straps on her shoulder, anxious to acquaint himself with the paradise hidden by the bodice of the purple dotted swiss sundress she wore so well.

  Honk! Honk!

  “Get a room, Tex!”

  “Oh, my goodness…” Shae hid her face in Derek’s neck as he protectively folded her in his arms.

  He loved that she turned to him, instead of pulling away. “Don’t worry, baby. They didn’t see a thing.” Knowing what hurt her, he also offered further assurance. “They’re gone and they didn’t know us from Adam.”

  “I’m sorry. I put us in this situation.” She blushed hotly, curling her fingers into the fabric of his shirt. “I didn’t realize things would get out of hand so fast.” Shae felt his chest rumble in amusement.

  “Lay the blame on me, babe. I should be the one in control here…” He nuzzled her neck, grazing his teeth on the tender flesh, then drawing it into his mouth to suck lightly.

  Shae gasped in surprised pleasure as she trembled in his arms.

  “But I’m not in control around you. At all.”

  Trying to catch her breath, Shae relaxed against him, super-aware of the synchronized beating of their hearts. “Maybe we should go home?”

  “You want me to take you home and leave you there?” His body stiffened with the question. Had he gone too far? Too fast? God, for all the bravado and hype, he held an innocent in his arms.

  Unsure of his feelings, she was hesitant to express her own. “Not unless…you want to.”

  “Do you want me, baby? Will you let me make love to you?”

  She only hesitated a second. After all, he wasn’t making any promises. But she liked him. Shae closed her eyes and sighed. She more than liked him. And when would an opportunity like this come again? To be with a man she liked and trusted, a man who would bring all of her fantasies to life?

  Maybe never. “Yes, I will. I want to make love with you.”

  “Hot damn.” He opened his truck door, about to step out of the vehicle with her nestled against his chest.

  “We’re getting out? Here? Now?” She assumed they would head right back to Longleaf.

  Derek laughed. “I want you more than I want to see tomorrow, but right now, I plan on feeding both of us.” He gave her a slow wink, letting her slide to the seat, while he stood on the ground. “For what we’re about to do when I get you home…we’re going to need all the strength we can muster.”

  Basking in the warmth of his smile, Shae felt his joy. The emotion was contagious and she impulsively threw herself into his arms. “Okay, I think I’m hungrier than I’ve ever been.” What she said was true, for the first time in a long time – Shae St. John felt free.

  Away from the town that had rejected her, she blossomed in front of his eyes. The newfound knowledge of her desire gave her self-confidence wings and she flew – laughing, smiling, flirtatious, and beguiling. Derek found himself completely enthralled by her beauty. They sat at a wrought iron patio table and fed one another white meat battered chicken, spiced with Cajun flavoring so hot they had to punctuate each bite with a drink of sweet lemonade.

  “Open wide, sweet.”

  Shae obeyed, her eyes never leaving his. Once she licked her lips, she stared at his handsome face in adoration. “Thank you for inviting me. This is the most wonderful day of my life.”

  Derek’s smile faded. “Now? With me?”

  “Oh, yes,” she answered with a nod. “I admire you so much, the way you love your little girl, how you’re willing to go to any lengths to be with her. Plus, you have been so kind to me.”

  “No, I haven’t.” He couldn’t bear to think how he’d treated her in the beginning. “I regret how I acted. If I could turn back the clock, I’d treat you like a Princess from the start.”

  The idea intrigued her. “Like a Princess?” She wiped her mouth daintily with a paper napkin. “Would that mean obeying my commands?”

  Derek barked out a laugh as he finished off his chicken. “Ah, I forget what all you know. I read the book where the girl tied the guy to the bedposts and…”

  “Remember, all of that is just head knowledge. Have you ever seen the old romantic comedy from the sixties called Man’s Favorite Sport?” When he shook his head in the negative, she continued. “I love old movies. This one stars Rock Hudson and Paula Prentice, and it’s about a man who’s an authority on fishing. How to fish, where to fish, what fishing gear to use. All was well, until one day he got roped into taking part in an actual fishing tournament.” She gave him a pointed stare. “The problem was that Rock had wrote the book on fishing, but he’d never actually fished.”

  “Really? That’s wild. What happened?” He had no idea where she was going with this conversation.

  “Well, a lot of funny things and romantic moments happened, but he did manage to catch some fish through no skill on his part. One fish swam into his waders. Another one jumped into his boat. The third one was actually caught by a bear. Suffice it to say, he wasn’t a fishing expert, he just muddled around and won the tournament through a series of unbelievable accidents. So, take that into consideration when we have sex. I’ve written about it with authority, but I don’t know beans about making love in real life.”

  Derek laughed out loud. “You don’t need to know anything about beans or anything else. Do you know why?”

  “Wh
y?”

  “Because you’ve got me and I’ll take good care of you.” He drank the last of his lemonade. Standing, he held out his hand. “Are you ready to go?”

  Shae felt a blaze of heat warm the soft place between her thighs. “More than ready. Anxious.” She smiled at him.

  Derek felt like he’d hit the jackpot. Won the lottery. How long since he’d been with a woman who looked at him the way Shae St. John was gazing at him, as if she couldn’t wait to touch him – to kiss him – to fuck him. “I know the feeling, love.”

  Shae took his hand and they hurried to his truck. Once they were inside, Derek headed west without delay.

  “I’m nervous,” she announced after a couple of miles.

  “Don’t be,” Derek reassured her, “I’m going to make you feel so good.” Yes, he was a little nervous himself – but he wasn’t about to admit that to her. Being with a woman like Shae – a virgin – was a helluva responsibility.

  “I know.” He held out his hand and she placed her palm to his. “I hope I can make you feel good as well.”

  “I’m not worried.” He threaded his fingers with hers. “Let’s play another game.”

  “Okay, what kind of game?” She licked her bottom lip, counting the distance home in her head. Twelve miles.

  “Give and take.” Yea, he was making this up as he went. “We each will offer two things freely and make two requests. What do you want to happen first tonight?”

  “Pet the dog,” she offered with a grin.

  “A good priority. Mojo deserves a pat or two. How about in the bedroom?” He was trying to put her at ease. Having a plan usually helped anything go more smoothly. “What do you want to happen first?”

  “I’d like to be under the covers waiting for you,” she suggested. “With the lights turned off,” Shae added quickly.

  “I’ll agree to lights off the first time. Now, I’ll tell you what I want.” He spared her a glance as the wheels of his truck started over the bridge leading back to Texas. “My request is that I want you naked under those covers.”

  Shae let out a long nervous breath. “Done. Now, what about you?”

  Derek loved this. Blair had never played with him this way. “I’ll come to your bed naked and ready for you. What do you want in return?”

  The thought made her sweat. “I want to touch and kiss you all over. Will you let me?”

  “Hey, this is your call. I don’t have a choice.” Like he wanted one. He let his eyes caress her from head to toe. Her skin was dusted with frissons of excitement. “Now, what will you give me?”

  “I’ll let you suck my breasts, if you want.”

  He moaned. “Fuck, yeah. I want.” Derek shifted in the seat, letting go of the wheel just long enough to rub his aching cock. “And I’ll take the kiss a little lower. Is that something you think you’d like?”

  “No.” She shook her head. Seeing his disappointment, she added, “I’ll love it. What will you give freely?”

  “I offer you my protection. I want to keep you safe.”

  Knowing he meant a condom, she put his mind to rest. “Thank you for the offer, but I’m on the pill.”

  Derek’s hand shook at the thought of being with her bare. “I’m clean, I had a physical a few months ago and I haven’t been with a woman…in a long time.”

  “Okay. Your turn, what do you want?”

  He ran a finger up her forearm. “I want to give you three orgasms tonight.”

  Shae shivered in pure adulterated anticipation. “I may have one now, just thinking about it.”

  “And what will you offer?”

  Shae noticed they were nearing Longleaf. “I offer you a preview of tonight’s coming attractions.”

  Derek swallowed. “And what would that be?”

  Feeling bold, Shae decided to bring one of her fantasies to life. Slipping into heroine mode, she released his hand and reached over to stroke his thigh.

  Derek gripped the wheel tighter. “What are you doing?”

  “Just checking to see what I have to look forward to.” Letting her hand move higher, she cupped her palm over the hard ridge in his jeans and gave it a little squeeze.

  “Oh, my God.” Derek laughed as he pulled into Shae’s driveway. “I never know what to expect from you.”

  Seeing they’d arrive, Shae was trembling with excitement and nerves. “I’m not sure you should expect too much.”

  “Nonsense.” He kissed her. “This is going to be amazing. I promise.”

  “I believe you.”

  “Good, now you go in first, I’ll be in a minute,” he instructed her.

  His hesitancy concerned Shae. “You’re not going to change your mind, are you?” Had she been too bold?

  “Oh, hell, no. I need a few seconds to calm down – or everything will be over way too quickly.”

  Shae unfastened her seatbelt, then leaned over to kiss him on his cheek. “Well, we can’t have that, but if you do…” She repeated the sensual stroke, driving them both very near to the brink. “I’ll be glad to offer you a hand.”

  * * *

  Derek watched her leave, amazed at what she was doing to him. If she could be this tempting as an innocent, he wouldn’t survive the woman when she fully realized her power. “Easy, Alden, let’s think about something else.” He reviewed his to-do list for the rest of the week. Stain the cabinets, install the hardware, replace the water heater…” Checking the clock, he saw that three minutes had passed. “Wonder how much time she’ll need?”

  Inside, Shae took the quickest shower on record. She wanted to be perfect. “I’m glad I did major things last night.” Once she was dry and smooth with lotion, Shae started to grab some clothes – and stopped. “No need for that.” She hugged herself, covering all the important parts. “I promised.”

  Hearing the back door open, she gasped and made a dive for the bed, flinging the sheet and bedspread back before climbing in and pulling the covers up until the only part of her that was showing was from her nose up. “Oh, I forgot to dim the lights!”

  “I’ve got it.” Derek flipped the switch, standing in the door. “Are you ready for me?”

  “I think so.” Shae realized she wasn’t sounding nearly as confident as she’d led him to believe earlier. “Are you undressing?”

  “Yea, do you want me to turn on the light so you can watch?”

  His cocky tone sent tingles of arousal over her body. This was really happening. As much as she wanted him, doubts and insecurities came flooding in. “Yes, but I don’t want you to see me.”

  Derek couldn’t help but smile. “You’re stunning. Gorgeous. Beautiful.”

  “You’ve only seen me in clothes, there’s more of me naked.”

  He chuckled again. “I’m not sure it works that way. Besides, I want to see you naked more than you could possibly know. I’ve been fantasizing about it.”

  “You have?”

  “Absolutely. Are you ready to see me?”

  “Yea.” Her voice was breathless.

  “How many seconds do you want?”

  “Seven.”

  “That’s an odd number.”

  “In Jewish numerology the number seven stands for perfection.”

  “Huh, you’re so smart.” Derek flipped the switch. “Let there be light.”

  One—two… “Oh, my God. Perfect is right.” Her eyes widened, taking him in. His body looked better than any photograph she’d ever seen. “Your muscles have muscles.” Tanned. Sculpted. Lickable.

  “Thank you.” —three—four—five…

  Her eyes drifted down his body until she came to the evidence of his desire. Hard. Erect. Fully distended. “Oh, my God. I was right. You’re hung!”

  “Shae!” He chuckled, enjoying her admiration. “Thank-you, ma’am.” —six—seven. “That’s it. Time’s up.” Click. The light was no more.

  “Aww.” The excitement of seeing him made her forget her own issues. “I enjoyed that.”

  She no more than exp
ressed her appreciation before the sheet and blanket she held in her hand was jerked from her grasp and her body was bathed in cool air.

  “Ready or not. Here I come.”

  Shae felt the mattress give way as he joined her. “I’m ready.” She hoped.

  Before she felt his touch, the heat of his body reached her. In the next heartbeat, she was blanketed by Derek’s large form. Every inch of her skin celebrated as his hands and lips began to make her acquaintance. “Hey,” he whispered. “Here I am.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “Hey,” she whispered back to him, “I can see you.” As soon as she muttered the words, she realized the moonlight coming through the window was bright enough so she was as clearly visible to him as he was to her. “Oh, heck. I need thicker curtains.”

  Derek held himself up over her. “I don’t know about your vantage point, but the view is great from here.” Pushing up, he grabbed the pull on the lamp, causing light to flood the room. When she tried to cover herself, he caught her hands, taking his own sweet time to look his fill. “I don’t know what all the fuss was about, Miss Shae. You’re absolutely exquisite.”

  “I am?” She was surprised at his reverential tone.

  “Without doubt.” He laid down beside her. “You okay?”

  “Yea, I’m good.” She reached out a hand out to touch his chest. “How about you?”

  He held up his hand, so she could see it was shaking.

  “Don’t be nervous.” Shae rubbed her palm over his shoulder. “I’m here.”

  Derek barked out a laugh. “I’m not nervous, baby.” Liar. He was nervous of hurting her. He’d never been with a virgin before. But that’s wasn’t the reason he was shaking like a leaf. “I want you so much, I can hardly bear it.”