Before I Let You Go (11 page)

D
iamere looked down at his watch for the umpteenth time and scowled. The August dance had started well over an hour ago. It was probably smart at this point to assume Kelly wasn’t coming. He tried to ignore the wave of disappointment as he glanced around at all the residents of Shady Acres. Everyone was having a good time laughing and eating in the beautifully decorated recreation room, except for him. Reaching for a ladle, he poured himself a cup of fruit punch and brought it to his lips. The cool beverage quenched his thirst. It was going to be a lot harder to quench something else. Kelly had gotten to him.

Diamere didn’t know how or when it had happened but the little woman had somehow wiggled her way into his head and was seriously challenging his heart. He refused to believe it was happening and would fight it all the way, since he didn’t want to fall for a woman.
The last thing he was looking for was that. However, he couldn’t deny that he wanted to be with her. He missed her. Kelly lit a fire within his soul. Making love to her had been an experience like no other. He had been her first, and until he was done with her he wanted to be her only. He had an overwhelming desire to claim her as his…temporarily. He wasn’t even going to entertain the idea of them having anything more than that. No matter how much he wanted her, he wasn’t going to make the relationship more than it was.

Frustrated, Diamere ran a hand across his head. He had never behaved this way with a woman before—thinking about her day and night, wondering what she was doing, if she was missing him. For the past two weeks he’d lain in bed hard as a rock, with the scent of Kelly still lingering in his room. It was insane. He could have easily called another woman to come over and satisfy his needs, but right now he didn’t want anyone but Kelly. His pulse began escalating from the direction his thoughts were taking.

His stubborn pride kept him from calling when he so desperately wanted to hear her soft voice. But Kelly had put the brakes on after one night, and for the life of him he couldn’t figure out why. Especially when he thought the two of them had been fabulous together. He’d thought they had a mutual understanding that worked for the both of them. So why after one night, after one beautiful night, was she not at all interested in continuing their fling? He had hoped it would have lasted at least the duration of the summer. But Diamere had a strong feeling that one month or even two would not be near enough. His gut told him that Kelly was just
as attracted to him as he was to her. So if that was true, why wasn’t she here?

Diamere decided he wasn’t doing anything but driving himself crazy. He finished the punch, tossed the cup in the trash and walked around the ballroom. Frank Sinatra was playing from the jukebox in the corner and several couples were moving around on the dance floor.

“Well, it’s been an hour. I thought you were bringing a date?”

He turned and glanced down at his grandmother. Nana didn’t let her five-foot stature stop her from showing him who was boss.

“I guess I got stood up,” Diamere said with a shrug.

Vertical lines appeared between her hazel eyes. “Humph. Men back in my day picked you up at your home.”

“I offered,” he said defensively. “She had something to do and said it would be more convenient if she met me here.”

Nana gave a heavy sigh. “I guess that means you’re not serious with this one, either.”

Oh, he was definitely serious. He just wasn’t ready yet to admit just how much. “Kelly is a very special woman.”

She must have seen something in his eyes because her face suddenly lit up. “Well then, go call her while I run over and dance with Neal.” She giggled like a schoolgirl as she glanced across the room at a man in his eighties, sitting on a chair, sipping punch. “He’s been waiting all night.” She fluffed her hair. “I guess I better go put him out of his misery.”

Chuckling, Diamere watched his grandmother sway
her narrow hips as she moved across the room and pulled Neal out onto the dance floor. The little lady was definitely something else.

He watched the couple dance until the hairs at the back of his neck stood up on alert. Curious about what was happening, he glanced around the room and could barely catch his breath when he spotted Kelly walking through the door. For the longest time, she stood still and looked around. Diamere stared at her for a moment, realizing just how much he’d missed her over the last week. Slowly, his eyes traveled up and down her body. His admiring gaze lingered on her long, shapely legs below the hem of a short, slim skirt. In a white blouse and two-inch heels, she looked as sexy as he’d ever seen her. He couldn’t help thinking she was even more beautiful than he remembered. Kelly glanced to her right, looking over at him as he stared back at her. Raising her hand, she waved, smiling when he returned it.

Quickly, Diamere moved toward her, covering the distance in a few long strides. He hauled her up and straight into his arms as he lowered his mouth and kissed her once, twice, three times. Finally, in need of oxygen, he pulled back.

“Wow!” she said.

He smiled and her response was automatic—that lovely, lovely smile that filled his dreams.

Diamere tilted his head, eyeing the fuchsia color covering her sensual mouth. “I was hoping you were going to come.”

“I’m a woman of my word,” Kelly replied.

Slowly, he lowered her to her feet. “You look beautiful.
And you smell fantastic, too.” The sweet scent sent blood rushing to his head and loins.

“Thank you,” she said, still watching him closely.

They stood there, eyes locked, for what felt like forever, and at the same time it wasn’t long enough.

“How have you been?” he asked in an attempt to break the silence. He didn’t know about her, but his heart was pounding heavily in his chest.

Kelly stepped back, her eyes crinkling in a friendly smile. “I’ve been good. What about you?”

He looked at her. “Better now that you’re here.” Diamere reached out and captured her hand in his. “I guess I’d better introduce you to the crowd.” What he really wanted to do was find a private spot where he could ravish her without several dozen eyes watching.

Her gaze traveled around the banquet room, taking in the residents laughing and eating, and her lips curled downward. “It doesn’t look like this crowd needs volunteers.”

“Actually, it was an excuse to get you here.” As soon as her eyes widened, he held up his hands in surrender. “Seriously, I usually help make sure everyone is having a good time. I thought a beautiful woman would be a nice touch to help get these old hearts pumping.”

Her face crinkled with laughter. “Okay, you’re forgiven.”

“Good.” He took her hand again. “Let me introduce you to everyone, then.”

They were all welcoming and eager to meet the girl on his arm. And Diamere was happier than he would have ever imagined to let the crowd know they were together. He introduced her to Mr. Brown, whose hand
lingered on Kelly’s waist a little too long. The women all commented on how pretty she was.

“Chile, I remember I used to have legs like that. I had men falling all over themselves,” Ms. Childress said, and stuck out a meaty thigh with tan knee-highs that threatened to slip down to her ankles. Two other female residents crowded around Kelly, sharing beauty tips. Clearly amused when she raised her eyebrow in a signal for help, Diamere politely pulled her away and went in search of his grandmother.

Pressing close to his side, Kelly smiled up at him, eyes dancing with laughter. “Are they always like that?”

“Worse. Last year they invited a male stripper to Ms. Childress’s ninetieth birthday bash.”

Her eyes widened and they shared a laugh. The sound made his heart sing.

“Let me introduce you to Nana.” He took Kelly’s hand and felt a rush as she followed him over to the petite lady coming off the dance floor. As soon as she spotted them moving her way, Nana’s face lit up.

“Well, who is this lovely thing?”

“Nana, this is my friend Kelly.”

Extending her arms, Nana hugged her tightly. “Kelly. What a beautiful girl. I am so glad to finally meet you. My grandson has told me so much about you.”

I did?
Instead of saying anything, he just played along.

Kelly returned the embrace. “I’ve heard a lot about you, too,” she said as she released her. The two began to talk, and soon Nana somehow managed to steer the conversation in a personal direction.

“Kelly, are you planning to get married and have babies anytime in the near future?”

She gave a nervous laugh. “Actually, I am someday, when the time is right.”

Nana turned to Diamere. “You hear that? The woman wants a family.”

He groaned. Nana didn’t believe in beating around the bush.

Etta James’s “At Last” came blazing from the jukebox. Diamere turned to Kelly and met her beautiful eyes. “Ms. Saunders, would you give me the honor of this dance?” he said, crooking his arm. The sooner he got her away from his grandmother the better.

“I would love to.” Kelly latched onto his elbow and he led her through the crowd of residents already dancing slowly to the music. As soon as he found a clear spot, he pulled her close and locked his arms around her. Her wonderful scent filled his nose and he took a deep breath. It felt so right holding her.

All week, he had anxiously been awaiting the moment Kelly walked through that door. Now she was here, in his arms, and he didn’t want to let her go. Why was that? What made her so different? He knew deep in his heart he wasn’t yet ready to know the answer. All he knew for certain was that he wanted her in his life. He just needed to find a way to get her to realize she wanted him, as well. What he felt for her was too strong to ignore, too powerful to let go.

“Diamere?”

Her voice brought him back from his thoughts. He opened his eyes and looked down at the grin on her face.

“Yeah?”

“I think we can stop dancing. The song’s been over for a while now.”

His eyes traveled around the dance floor. Sure enough, the music had stopped and no one was on the floor but the two of them. Off to the side the residents of Shady Acres were watching and smiling knowingly.

With a silly grin, he reached inside his pocket for some change. “Let me go and put some more quarters in the box.” He hurried over to the corner, selected a few songs and turned around in time to find Kelly dragging Mr. Brown onto the dance floor. Diamere crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the jukebox, watching with amusement as the two moved to the Temptations. Kelly was definitely a hit.

“Care to dance, young man?”

He looked down at Ms. Pittman. The short, salt-and-pepper-haired widow had been responsible for tailoring many of his dress slacks. “I would love to.” He took her arm and moved out onto the floor, following her lead.

The rest of the afternoon, he and Kelly took turns dancing with the residents, and he barely had a chance to get a few words in before someone else was pulling one of them onto the dance floor.

The sun had already started to set when the first group began heading back to their rooms. Diamere said his farewells and searched the crowd for Kelly, spotting her in the corner talking to Ms. Pittman and Nana. He moved over to the group and took his place beside her.

Kelly looked up at him and met his smile. “Hey. Nana and I were sharing coconut cake recipes.”

Ms. Pittman dropped a hand to her thick waist. “Diamere, you better hurry up and marry her. This little lady here can cook.”

Diamere looked down at his grandmother, whose eyes
softened as she watched him place his hand on Kelly’s shoulder. He knew her well enough to know the wheels in her head were already turning.

Nana’s smile mirrored approval. “A cook and a schoolteacher. I hope this isn’t the last time I see you.” She pointed a finger at Kelly. “Don’t be a stranger.”

“I won’t, I promise.” Leaning forward, Kelly kissed the elderly woman’s cheek.

Diamere also kissed his grandmother. “Nana, I’m going to walk Kelly to her car.”

“Take your time,” she replied with a dismissive wave.

Hand in hand, Diamere walked Kelly to the door, waving to the others as they moved out to her Saturn in front of the retirement home. Once there, he curved his hands around her waist. “Thank you for coming.”

“Thank you for inviting me.” He noted her voice was a little shaky.

Diamere pulled her closer and she wrapped her arms around his neck. “When will I see you again?” he whispered against her cheek.

“Maybe before I leave for my grandparents’ cottage.”

“I hope so.” He kissed her, keeping his touch gentle, giving her time to remember his taste, his smell. He used the tip of his tongue to ease her lips apart, then explored the fleshy softness of the inside of her mouth. When she gasped, he plunged deeper. Her body trembled and he desperately wanted everything she had to offer. Kelly slid her arms around his waist. Diamere briefly pulled back and stared down at her, then kissed her temple, her forehead, and down along her face to her neck before returning to her mouth again, where he savored the
fruity taste of punch. Finally he broke off, breathing heavily. “I’ll meet you at your house in an hour.”

It wasn’t a question or a request. It was a demand.

Kelly met his eyes, then nodded. “Okay.”

I
t was almost nine when Kelly stepped inside her condo, heart still beating wildly against her chest. The evening had not gone at all as she had planned.

She moved to her room and reached for the zipper of her skirt and allowed the garment to fall in a heap on the floor, along with her blouse. Diamere was on his way, whether she liked it or not. Knowing that caused her pulse to race.

The past two weeks she’d done everything she could to forget about him and the passionate night they’d shared. But no matter how much she tried she could not rid herself of the memories. She lay awake aching to be with him, wishing things could have been different for both of them. She loved him; there was no denying that. But she knew her feelings were useless. From the beginning Diamere had made it clear he wasn’t looking for anything serious. And her heart was too involved for
just casual dating. All she would be doing was setting herself up for further heartache.

With a sigh, she finished undressing and moved over to her closet, removing a jungle-print caftan her sister had bought her while vacationing in the Bahamas last year. She slipped the soft cotton material over her head and smoothed it down her petite body. After sliding her feet inside her slippers, she went into the bathroom and gazed at her reflection in the mirror over the sink. Kelly gasped at what she saw. Her lips were swollen and her cheeks raw from Diamere’s stubble. She looked like a woman who had been thoroughly kissed. What in the world was she doing, agreeing to see him again?

Dropping her eyes to the sink, Kelly knew the answer. Because she had to see him. The second she had walked into the building and spotted him standing across the banquet hall, her entire body had started trembling with need. And as soon as she was in his arms, dancing, she’d felt complete. She knew his touch, his smell, were the reasons her body, her soul, desperately needed to be near him.

Kelly splashed water on her face and reached for a towel just as she heard the doorbell chime. Her heartbeat accelerated. It was Diamere. Taking a deep breath, she let out the air slowly as she walked toward the door. She reached for the doorknob and paused, hand shaking. Once she allowed him to step across the threshold, there was no turning back.

She hesitated for a moment more.
You can do this. You can do this
. Finally, she turned the knob and opened it.

Kelly could barely catch her breath at the sight of Diamere standing there under the dim porch light. For
a second she stood perfectly still, just looking at him and thinking about how much she loved him.

Diamere moved toward her and before she realized what was happening, he’d pushed the door closed and was pressing his body to hers and kissing her. His lips sought entrance to her mouth and as his tongue dipped inside, a moan escaped her lips. She was startled at the feel of his arousal pulsing hard against her stomach. His hands slid along the curve of her back and settled on her bottom. The heat of his hands burned through her clothes.

Even though she knew being in his arms was a mistake, she arched her body against his, responding in every feminine way possible. Seemingly of their own accord, she soon found her arms wrapped around his neck.

Diamere groaned, tangling their tongues in an urgent rhythm that both frightened and inflamed her. She could never grow tired of kissing him. Oh, how she loved the way he tasted. Sweet and masculine. Warm, wet and passionate. She was on fire and completely aroused, and a deep yearning throbbed below. She knew that she loved this man and had willingly given him her body, which now hummed with need for him to join the two of them as one. She also knew she truly had to end things before they got way out of hand. But before she ended their relationship once and for all, she wanted Diamere to make love to her one more time.

Diamere stared down at her and for the longest time the only sound was their breathing. Kelly gazed back at him, breathless with anticipation, waiting to see what he said or did next.

Finally, after what felt like forever, Diamere cupped
her face with his hands. “When I saw you walk into Shady Acres today, I forgot everything. All I wanted to do was touch you and hold you, and especially kiss you. Once we danced I knew there was no way I could go one more day without being inside of you.”

All Kelly could do was nod as his hand moved to the curve of her neck, gently stroking her. Barely contained desire traveled between them, too powerful for either of them to ignore.

“Yes, I want you, too,” she murmured, and her core flared in response to the desire and overwhelming need they both had acknowledged.

Diamere rested both hands on her hips and pulled her closer. Desire blazed in his eyes. He bent his head to kiss her, brushing her lips with his in that oh-so-seductive way he had. She responded, returning the kiss, her body leaning into his.

Moving, Diamere rested his mouth on her neck, sending a wave of heat over her sensitive skin. “I could kiss you all night,” he whispered as he pulled away, “but I want to taste the rest of you, as well.”

She moaned aloud, reacting to his seductive voice. She wanted him badly, and she wanted him now.

Diamere steered her back against the wall, stroking his hands over her buttocks and thighs possessively. He ended their kiss and Kelly practically cried in protest.

“Which way is your room?” he asked.

She tried to steady her nerves but her heart thudded out a violent rhythm and her body buzzed with anticipation. “That way.” She pointed a shaky finger toward the end of the hall.

Diamere lifted her effortlessly into his arms, carried her down the hallway and into the first bedroom on the
right, where he set her on her feet. Slowly, he raised her caftan up around her thighs, caressing her with his hands. “I’ve wanted to see you naked all night, from the moment you stepped into that room.” Kelly willingly held her arms in the air and allowed him to slide it over her head.

“You’re more beautiful than I remember,” he whispered as he stared at her bare breasts appreciatively. He slid a teasing finger along the top of her lace panties, making her shiver with need, then slid them down to her ankles, bending to kiss her stomach in the process. She swayed, clutching his shoulders, overwhelmed with burning desire. Again, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. Diamere lay beside her, his hands stroking her stomach, traveling to her inner thighs, then easing her legs apart, his mouth moving toward the source of her heat.

“Diamere!” she cried, before she felt his tongue at the juncture there. Never would she have imagined that this would feel so good. He licked and nibbled and explored her body. His tongue traveled deep, causing her to lift her hips off the bed.

“Diamere,” she murmured again, her head falling back against the pillows. She moaned and twisted on the bed while his tongue took possession of her most sensitive area. Pleasure roared through her body. Her release hit her, fast and deep, but Diamere didn’t let up, and the combination of his hands and his mouth on her was too much.

“Please!” she begged. She was desperate for him to finish what he had started. She wanted it all—to feel the touch of his bare skin on hers and the thrust of his body inside her.

Diamere stood up, eyeing her possessively as he took off his shirt and tossed it on the floor. He kicked off his shoes and undid his slacks. She admired the dark hair on his chest, tapering into a distinct line that led her eyes down to his groin. She watched with a growing desire as he removed his pants, followed by his boxers. Diamere was long and beautifully thick. He reached for his wallet from his pants pocket and pulled out a condom, ripping it open, then rolling it onto his length. When he climbed over her, she reveled in the sensation of his warm, muscular body between her legs. She was ready for him. Within seconds, he began to ease inside her and she moaned. He swore under his breath when he felt her inner muscles tighten around him, and drove his full length inside of her. Each thrust was full and she felt complete. A sob built at the back of her throat. She locked her legs around him as she met his strokes.

“I need this,” Diamere whispered close to her ear. “I need to be inside of you.”

And so do I
, she thought, just as she cried out from pleasure. He deepened his strokes, drawing them both closer to the edge. Rising up on his arms, he pressed his mouth to hers and slipped his tongue inside. Kelly was powerless to do anything but enjoy. She was in complete ecstasy. The rhythm of their lovemaking spread the heat of imminent climax through her body. Their tempo increased and each stroke was accompanied by orgasmic groans of pleasure. Kelly rocked her hips, meeting his thrusts with her own until she cried out with release.

“Oh yes…yes,” Diamere urged, his eyes blazing with passion. She felt his whole body arch against hers and he climaxed with a mighty roar.

Moments later, while she was still gasping and clutching at his shoulders in the aftermath of their lovemaking, he reached down and began stroking her from shoulder to hip.

“We’re not done yet,” he whispered, and he lowered his mouth back down to hers, melting her into submission all over again.

Diamere rolled out of bed, needing to put some distance between himself and Kelly. He walked down the hall to her kitchen and retrieved a bottle of water from the fridge, then went to the sliding glass door, opened it and stepped onto the deck for some fresh air. Being with Kelly again awakened a desire too powerful to ignore.

The evening wasn’t supposed to be more than the retirement center dance. He’d thought her presence would be enough, that all he needed was to see and talk to her. Instead, after holding her in his arms, all he could think about was making love to her. Okay, so maybe he wasn’t being completely honest. Maybe he had wished, had hoped, that the night would end with her lying naked in his bed. But he hadn’t been a hundred percent certain it would happen.

Once it had, it was just as explosive as before.

Diamere leaned against the railing of the deck and stared up at the dark, starlit sky. Why now? Why were things with Kelly so different? Instead of running away, he couldn’t wait to go back to the bedroom and hold her in his arms. He loved waking up feeling her soft, warm skin. Even now the erotic image of her slid across his mind, taunting him.

Unable to stay away from her a second longer, he
finished the bottle of water and made his way back down the hall. But instead of entering the room, he stood by the door and watched Kelly, fighting the hard thumping of his heart.

In her sleep she arched and stretched, and he held his breath and watched as she kicked the coverlet away. She was an erotic dream. The sheets tangled around her slender waist, revealing the dip of her navel and leaving her full, heavy breasts exposed. A slim arm was flung across a satin pillow, while one slender leg had slipped from beneath the sheets.

Diamere felt heat flow to his loins. He stepped into the room and climbed back under the covers. He felt like pinching himself to make certain what just happened really had. But he was here, feeling worn-out and completely satisfied. Never, not even with Ryan, had a woman made him feel the way he’d just felt with Kelly. Not that he was complaining. Good sex was hard to find. But that still didn’t stop him from wondering if someone had just hit him over the head, because he had no idea what was happening to him. Instead of thinking up a reason to leave, he wanted to find any excuse to stay in her bed until Monday.

Diamere took a deep breath as realization sank in. He should have known it was going to be special between them. He had always felt in his heart that they would be good together. Now he had proof.
What am I going to do?

“What are you thinking about?” Kelly’s voice sliced through his thoughts.

He shifted on the bed and gazed down at her, lying curled up beside him. “I’m thinking about you.”

From beneath her eyelashes she gazed up at him. “What about me?”

“Making love to you again.”

She pursed her lips and made a sound that sounded like a purr. “Really?” She giggled. “Let’s see just how badly you really want me.” She pushed the sheet away and stared down at his crotch. Diamere felt the heat of her gaze as he pulsed against her thigh.

“Wow! I guess you do want me.” She laughed unsteadily and sat up, tossing the wild fall of her hair away from her eyes. Kelly wrapped her hand around the base of his hard length and ran her thumb across the tip. Diamere sucked in a shaky breath. Her lack of experience, coupled with her curiosity and willingness to learn, was enough to drive him insane with desire.

“You’re growing right beneath my fingers,” she said as she looked at him and he pulsed a second time.

Diamere trailed his hand up her ribs to her breasts. Instantly, her nipples sprang to life and her lips parted. “It means that I want you, again,” Diamere said seductively.

She released him and tilted her head so that she could meet his eyes, and smiled. The moonlight illuminated her face. Diamere ran his thumb across her lips. Then he gently flipped her onto her back and pinned her hands to her sides. “Tell me. What do you want?”

She stared up at him and he brought his lips down onto hers. His mouth traveled to her neck and he noticed the sharp intake of her breath. “I’m still waiting,” he reminded her.

“I want you,” she moaned.

“Look at me.” When Kelly stared up at him, he said, “Now tell me again.”

“I want you, Diamere.”

For the rest of the night he would focus on making love to her. He would worry about the consequences later.