Ghostly Liaison (34 page)

“Not me.” She grabbed the bottom of his T-shirt and pulled it up. Once she exposed his chest, she licked his nipples.

Damn, that felt good. He finished removing the garment just as her teeth clamped down. Holy— Was she aiming to have him come in his pants? His legs wobbled for a split second.

Gathering his wits together, he pulled her T-shirt over her head, momentarily halting her ministrations, and tossed it into the yard. Before he could admire the view, she unbuckled his belt, unbuttoned his jeans, and lowered the zipper so slowly, each click of the tine rubbed against his dick, which strained to be released. Good Lord. She returned her warm, wet mouth to his nipple as her hand cupped his balls. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensations. Who was supposed to be seducing who out here? And did he care?

Yeah, he cared. If he didn’t stop her now, there would be no sex in the pool. There’d be no sex whatsoever. At least until he recuperated. He kissed her while he unhooked her bra, but she brought her arms around his waist and grabbed his butt. His jeans had slid halfway down his legs when she ground against him. He all but bit off a groan.

“You’re going to take away my fantasy if you keep this up,” he said.

“Oh, can’t have that.” She stood back with arms spread out, the bra loose as it hung from her shoulders.

The big tease. She only needed to lower her arms and he’d get an eyeful.

Well, if she wouldn’t cooperate up there, he’d take care of the rest of her. After hiking up his pants, he quickly undid her jeans and slipped them—along with her panties—down her slender legs. Her scars were more evident out in the light of day and he did his best to ignore them. Someday he’d kiss them and show her how much they didn’t matter, but not now. He didn’t want her to even think about them.

Instead, he concentrated on the patch of hair covering heaven. He grabbed her butt and pulled her in close. Just as he prepared to sample her, the bra landed on his head. Look up or lick? Decisions, decisions.

“Is this part of your fantasy?” She grabbed his shoulders as she teetered. Her jeans kept her feet together.

“No, but it could be.” Like later, when he wasn’t so crazed. So many things he pictured doing to her. Forever wouldn’t be enough time.

He removed her shoes and the offending jeans, tossing them all, along with her bra, into the yard. Gradually, he stood, taking her in. The curve of her hips. Her luscious breasts. “God, you’re beautiful.”

As he reached out to caress one, she whirled around, dashed up the steps and dove into the pool. “Come on in. The water’s fine.”

Damn woman. He shook his head and fought back laughter as he kicked off his shoes and slid off his jeans. The condoms lay on the grass where he had first kissed her. He placed them on the deck and then joined her, the water warm enough not to shock his erection completely away. When he met up with her, she grinned. Now this was the Bridget he longed to see more of—happy and smiling.

He kissed her hard and explored her mouth. She sucked on his tongue. What the water nearly took away, she brought back in full force. Every kiss with her was like that—pure adrenaline.

“You make me feel like a teenager,” he said, nudging his hardness between the apex of her legs. “Like I’m going to come if you just touch me.”

She backed away. “Then maybe I shouldn’t touch you.”

“Oh no you don’t.” He reached for her, but she jumped out of the way with a yip. Water splashed as he continued diving for her and missing. This was getting him nowhere. He submerged and wrapped his arms around her legs, lifting her as he surfaced. She squirmed.

Squeals of laughter filled the air telling him her struggles to be free were a big, fat lie.

Her sex stared him in the face and he kissed her there, running his tongue along her womanly folds. The squirming stopped. He waded over to the edge and placed her on the deck, spreading her legs for better access. She tasted a little of chlorine, but mostly of her. As he flicked his tongue over her clit, she grabbed his hair and moaned.

He loved the reactions he got from her. But once she’d tensed and the moaning increased, he stopped. He’d promised no one would hear her scream and he meant it. “As much as I’d love to continue, I need to be in you.”

He hoisted up beside her and grabbed a condom. She snatched the packet from his hands and slipped into the water.

She rested her forearms onto his thighs and smiled. “You’re evil. I should torture you like you tortured me.”

She hovered her mouth over his dick and he gasped as her breath fluttered over the sensitive tip. “Honey, you torture me every second I can’t be in you.”

“Well, then I guess you’ll be tortured a little longer.” She wrapped her hand around his erection and then kissed the top.

Oh, shit! His nuts constricted and his dick flinched. With torture like this, he could die a happy man.

Sliding her tongue up the base, she lazily licked it from side to side. He gripped the edge of the deck. Then warm, wet pressure enveloped him as her mouth covered him. She sucked and swirled that little pink tongue of hers until he nearly shot his load.

After a couple of pumps, she withdrew and rolled on the condom. He was ready to burst.

“Come get me!” She swam to the other side.

Oh man, she was killing him. He slid into the water and caught her easily enough. Not that she was putting up much of a fight. He kissed her, pinning her to the edge. With one hand behind her head he positioned himself, grabbed her butt, and thrust into her. Tight. Wet. Warm. He could only imagine the sensations without the condom. Her moans of pleasure drove him and he pumped in rhythm to his pounding heart. She wrapped her legs around his hips.

“You feel so good, Rob. Don’t stop.”

As if he could. Catching his breath, he leaned his head back while he continued to pump. She gripped him tighter as her breathing became ragged. He covered her mouth before her moan turned into a scream. Damn. The vibrations of her scream turned him on even more. Her body shuddered against his, but he continued to drive into her, her orgasm squeezing him, bringing his own close to the edge. He needed to be deeper, he needed to fill her.

He needed to love her forever. And he would.

His release exploded. Seemed she wasn’t the only screamer.

* * * *

Could life get any better?

Bridget held onto Rob, weak-kneed. She’d never done it in a pool. Heck, she’d never done it anywhere but a bed. Fresh air certainly made a difference, but the man—her man—made it better.

Her heart was still beating overtime when he slid out of her. And just like that, she missed his presence. They’d fit perfectly.

He pulled the condom off, tossing it into the yard. “Don’t worry. I’ll get it later.”

“Good. I’d hate to see Barnaby go after that. Or maybe a bird.”

He laughed. “Hey, what bird’s nest doesn’t need some waterproofing?”

“You’re silly. What am I going to do with you?”

“Keep me?” He flashed his eyebrows.

Yes, she could definitely see doing that.

He caressed her cheek and she leaned into his palm. “I love you so much, Bridget.” He kissed her, his tongue seeking entrance. She opened and welcomed his heat, his passion. He kissed his way to her jawline and nibbled on her ear. “Marry me.”

She froze. “What?”

He pulled back and held her face. “I know we haven’t known each other long. But I feel like I’ve known you forever. I want to care for you. Provide for you. Be with you always. Maybe I should have waited to get a ring and do this right, but my heart is so full of love for you right now. Please say yes.”

She couldn’t deny she felt the same way. She had since they met. But marriage? “Don’t you think we should try living together first?”

Disappointment flashed across his face and he lowered his hands. “Oh… I guess. If that’s what you need.”

Her heart ached at hurting him. “I’m not saying no. It’s just that I have a lot to…” What? Think about? Good Lord, she was screwing this up.

“It’s okay. I understand. You’re not ready.”

How could he understand when she couldn’t? Just her luck she’d nabbed probably the only man ready for a commitment. She stroked his cheek. What could she say that didn’t sound…fake?

He leaned in and kissed her softly. “Why don’t you go inside and get us some drinks. I’ll clean up and meet you on the patio.”

She could kick herself. Why couldn’t she say yes?

* * * *

Bridget climbed out of the pool, quickly donned her shirt, and squirmed into her jeans. Rob remained in the water nursing his wounded heart.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Was he trying to scare her away? Of all the idiotic things he could have said, he had to ask her to marry him?

He should be relieved she hadn’t said no. Except…why couldn’t she say yes? Caught in the moment, he’d been sure she felt the same. Especially since she believed they were soul mates. Living with her would be nice, but nice wasn’t enough. He wanted a life with her. Family. Kids. The whole enchilada. Isn’t that what soul mates did?

He hoisted himself out of the pool and put on his jeans. Her underwear still lay on the ground and he picked them up, along with their shoes. He placed the shoes on the cement slab and the underwear on the table. He fingered the lace on her bra. In their hurry to get undressed, he hadn’t noticed how pretty it was. Light pink and frilly. Her panties matched, too. They were the most feminine items he’d ever seen her wear. Had she bought them for him? Would he ever see her in them again?

God, he hoped he hadn’t screwed things up.

He sat for all of two seconds before he remembered his condom. Finding his shirt first, he picked it up. Something long and black lay underneath it.

Shit! He backpedaled and landed on his butt. His heart pounded wildly. How many dammed snakes lived in this yard?

“Man up, Rob.” It was just a snake. Hadn’t Bridget said they were harmless? Hell, maybe he could make her proud by disposing of the slithery creature all by himself. He only had to pick it up and toss it over the fence. How hard could it be?

However, he could only be so brave. He tossed his shirt on the table as he passed by, heading toward the woodpile and the gloves lying on top. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get his fingers inside. He would use it like a potholder, then.

His heartbeat galloped while he practically crawled toward the area where he had spotted the creature. It hadn’t moved. Sun glinted off the yellow stripes. As he shuffled closer, the snake appeared more rubberlike than snakelike. What the hell? He threw the glove onto the thing and it didn’t move.

Fake. It was that damned fake snake from the barbecue. What kind of trick was Bridget playing?

* * * *

Bridget slid the door shut with a
bang
and headed for the kitchen. Her heart sat in her chest like a cold, dead weight. Why did he have to propose? Why couldn’t she say yes? Why, why, why?

“Hey, it’s about time you came back. I got something to tell you.”

Pain exploded in Bridget’s head and she jumped. “Not now, Charlie.”

“But it could be important. I saw—”

“I said, not now.” Bridget paced. Oh God. What was she going to do? “How patient is your brother?”

Charlie crossed her arms. “Pretty patient. Why? What’d you do?”

Bridget stared at Charlie. Could she confide in Rob’s sister? It wasn’t like Charlie could go blabbing to Rob and she needed someone other than her mother or Kate to talk to. Of course, she risked getting Charlie’s biased opinion, but maybe that’s what she needed. “I suggested we live together.”

Charlie’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh yeah?”

“After he proposed.”

Her eyes narrowed and she placed her hand on her hips. “What? You turned him down?”

“I didn’t turn him down. I just didn’t say yes.”

“And how is that different?”

Oh crap. What had she done? She continued pacing within the small kitchen. “He hardly knows me. Don’t you think it’s too soon?”

“Apparently Rob doesn’t think so. When he wants something, he just goes for it. Whereas you”—using her index finger, she made a zigzag motion toward Bridget—“you think it to death.”

Oh, God. It was the diving board incident all over again.

“I thought you loved him.”

“I do.”

“Then what’s your problem?”

Having a normal life, but when offered, she couldn’t take it. Deep inside it still came down to Suzie, who would probably shoot her right about now. “I don’t deserve”—she waved her hand around—“this.”

The excuse sounded weak even to her.

“There you go again. Will you cut the crap? Stop thinking about what you deserve and start thinking about what he deserves. Don’t you want him to be happy?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then stop being selfish and make him happy.”

“You think I’m selfish?”

“You’re denying Rob the woman he loves. I call that selfish.”

Bridget shook her head. Ah, to be like Charlie, who saw everything in simple terms. Why couldn’t she be like that? “I wasn’t expecting him to propose.”

Charlie laughed. “And I never thought he had it in him.”

“What if it turns out all wrong? What if he wakes up one day and sees the mistake he made? What if—”

“You’re thinking too much again.” Charlie grabbed Bridget’s shoulders. “You love him. You want him to be happy. You have the power to do it.”

Bridget lowered her head. She did love him. More than anything. “He’s probably changed his mind by now.”

“I doubt it. You’re his cherry pie.”

Sometimes the words out of Charlie’s mouth made the headaches she caused even worse. “And what is that supposed to mean?”

“He has the song, ‘Cherry Pie,’ as his ringtone. For you.”

Leave it to Rob to assign her a ring tone. Bridget didn’t even have her address book set up, not that she needed it. “How long has he had it?”

Charlie shrugged. “I don’t know. I heard it the other…night….”

The other night? “How? I haven’t called him in days.”

“I… Well…that’s not important. What is important is that Carl was hanging around here today.”

Bridget’s head almost exploded and not from the usual source. “What? And you’re just now telling me this?”