One Sure Thing (Mamma Lou Matchmaker Series) (30 page)

Hope quickly sat up and slid her feet to the side of the bed. “Since you’re obviously feeling much better, I’ll leave.” She stood and turned away.

Raymond reached and captured her hand. “Hope.”

She went still. Her heart pounded in her chest. There was nothing she wanted more in this world at this moment than to make love with this man, but she knew it wouldn’t be enough. She refused to turn around knowing that if she did, she’d be lost in his eyes forever. She turned further away to face the opposite side of the room. She looked at the armoire, the dresser, the paintings, and the sitting area, anything, not to look at him.

“Hope,” he repeated softly.

“You’re vulnerable right now Raymond. You don’t know what you’re saying. You’re going to wake up tomorrow morning and be glad that I didn’t stay. Believe me.”

“I feel so much for you, it scares me. I’ve never felt this way before. I love you Hope.”

“No. You don’t mean that.” Hope shook her head repeatedly. Nervously she placed her free hand over her scar to sooth her aching heart.

“Yes, I do.” He whispered softly as he sat up and gently pulled her back onto the bed beside him. “Ever since that night I saw you in the doctor’s lounge. You were crying. You were so beautiful, so fragile and delicate. I wanted to climb the tower, slay the dragon, be your hero and rescue you. I wanted to save you from whatever demons troubled you. At that moment I knew that there was something special about you. I needed to know you. I mean
really
know you, know everything there is to know about you. I still do. But one thing I already know and that is you’re someone I need in my life.” His declaration was heartfelt.

Boldly she turned to face him. “Your chivalry is commendable Raymond, but I don’t need your protection, or your pity, or to be rescued.”

“Pity? You? Are you kidding?” He chuckled slightly. “You, Hope, are the strongest, toughest, most indomitable woman I’ve ever met. You’re also the sexiest woman I’ve ever met. I crave you. And, I know that you’re just as attracted to me as I am to you.” Their eyes locked. His, painfully sincere, hers, undeniably tempted, but still, on the brink of denial.

In her heart, there was no denying her feelings for him. He was right. She was attracted to him. But she knew that there was more. She was in love with him. She closed her eyes, muted against the truth.

“Kiss me and prove me wrong.” He leaned in, his mouth just inches from hers. “Kiss me.” She didn’t move. He kissed her lips gently.

“I can’t.”

“But you want to.”

Looking at him was her undoing. One night with Raymond was all she had ever imagined. Tonight, a second night, would only cement her feelings. She knew that. She also knew that in their very different worlds, they could never share anything more than a brief moment in time. But, one more moment was all she needed to fulfill a fantasy. So, with all the urgency and passion she had locked up inside of her, in loving infatuation, she dived off of the highest cliff into the shallow stream called love.

She kissed him.

Surrendering to his taste, she reeled dizzily at feeling the force of his mouth on hers. Her thoughts, a clouded mass of colors and images, swam in the endless pool of passion. She floated on the very real possibility of making love to him again. Her body soared, anticipating more of his arousing urgings. She closed her eyes and soaked in the heavenly rapture of the moment.

The sound of his moan edged her further into the solidness of his embrace. Intoxicated with wanton passion, her mind whirled with desire. The splinter of need that had been planted the first night she saw him, had now emerged into an uncontrollable force. Consuming all that she was.

Deepening in intensity, the kiss consumed both of them. Then, slowly the intensity faded into gently pleasing passion. His lips pressed tenderly until she felt a mere whispered caress.

Raymond leaned back, his eyes riveted to her face. He soaked in every loving inch, memorizing the moment to immortalize for an eternity. He smiled, his eyes loving and adoring. “You are so beautiful.” His allure beckoned her.

He drew her closer. She fell onto his bare chest. Her heart pounded riotously as she held tightly to his firm body. A body designed in heaven and made to please a woman. She spread her hands wide over his chest, and then entwined her fingers in the gentle hairs. His nipples hardened instantly as a low rumbled groan purred from him.

Hope closed her eyes. This was far better than any fantasy she could have imagined. His body grew hot as the fire within raged. He laid her back positioning himself on top of her. He braced her hands up against the overstuffed pillows. His hands drifted over her shoulders then down her arms then over the flat of her stomach. Slowly he unbuttoned her white shirt and spread the ends wide revealing a white lace bra. A crooked smile of satisfied pleasure spread wide as he unsnapped the front hook and released her.

Hope inhaled quickly when his mouth covered her. Her moan excited him, prompting an increased intensity. She bit at her lower lip holding the scream begging to be released. Without breaking his rhythm, his hands slipped beneath her waist and lifted her up. He pulled her closer against his body as he slowly rolled. She sat up looking down on him. Her legs comfortably straddled. She instantly felt the hardness of his desire through the soft material of his pants.

Holding her firmly, he tantalized each breast. The teasing torture sent a shock wave surging through her body. She quaked arching forward allowing him full access. He lifted her upwards kissing, and caressing his way to the flat of her stomach. She floated precariously until he rolled over gently laying her to his side.

Silence.

He stopped.

Something was wrong. He changed his mind, He doesn’t want me.
Hope opened her eyes with a flinch. Her chest heaved rapidly. The split-second of panic lasted an eternity. It ended when she looked up seeing Raymond smiling down at her. “You are so beautiful.” Erotically, he ran a single finger across her lips, down her neck, encircled each breast then delved lower to the waistband of her jeans. Her breathing increased instantly.

Still smiling, he took each of her hands and placed them above her head. “I just want to look at you.” He nearly begged. Hope began to lower her hands to her face. “Don’t. Let me see you. All of you.” He took each hand kissed it, and then placed them back above her.

“I…”

“Shh,” his dimple winked at her playfully. “You undressed me, it’s only fair.” She squirmed when he slowly unbuttoned her jeans and pulled the zipped down. The metal ripping sound lasted longer then she imagined.

Enticingly, he rubbed her stomach sending a scolding blast of heat through her. Her quick intake and low throaty moan was his provocation. He freed her from her pants. “I like these,” he said toying with the thin elastic lace of her waistband. He drew a finger around the elastic pulling just enough to peek at her possibilities. She squirmed. A low guttural groan emanated from his primal need.

His hands traveled down the length of her eliciting the desired response. She surrendered. Then, she felt the moist wetness of his mouth as he tasted her soft brown thighs. He kissed her knee while caressing the form of her legs.

The torment of his body so close and her need so strong was torture. “Raymond. Now.” She commanded.

He shook his head from side to side. “Not yet, my Love. I’ve only just begun. We’ve got all night I’m not going anywhere this time. I want to memorize ever inch of you by dawn then start all over again.”

The unimaginable possibility of his assertion sent a shot of fire to her core. “Raymond,” she called out.

He kissed her softly. “Shh, let me love you.” He whispered in her ear as he leaned over her. His detailed promise gripped her into a dizzying state sending a swirl of images through her mind. He intended to make love to her all night long.

His talented hands began the fateful promise of his words. He sat back, observing her every reaction. “I want to know what pleases you. Does this please you?”

She gasped, her eyes blinked closed. A bright flash of light blinded her at his touch. The medical profession had surly taught him well. He truly knew how to manipulate the female body to his will. “Do you like that?” he asked.

Hope had no idea if she answered or not. Her mind was a total wash. She could only bend to his skillful touch.

The surging hot burn intensified. She was on the verge. “Raymond now,” she nearly demanded of his escalating torment.

“Yes, now.” He said increasing sensation of her pleasure. “Does this please you?”

Her body writhed in quickened anticipation. She moved against him. Faster and faster, she held her breath as she soared blindly, higher and higher. Her body jerked, then spasm, and rocked as she screamed and cried out his name.

He fulfilled his promise yet his torturous skill continued.

She spasm again, writhing on the wings of her pleasure. He took her to that wondrous place again and again. Each time she soared higher and higher, never ceasing to reach the pinnacle of pleasure.

Breathless and panting, she reached for him. He accepted her hand as he reached over to the nightstand for a foil packet. He opened it and prepared himself. Hope opened her eyes and smiled seductively. It was her turn to please him.

He leaned over her. The weight of his body held at bay by the strength of his muscled arms. She looked down the length of him. Toned muscles rippled against her. She reached out. He pulled away. His muted expression was easily readable.
Yes.
She nodded. Wholeheartedly.

He came just to her and paused a fraction of an inch from where she needed him to be. He looked down into her eyes. She quivered seeing an unfamiliar sincerity.

He entered fully. The feel of him inside of her made her gasp. Her eyes fluttered closed as she raised her legs to surround his waist.

Raymond intended to remain still and savor the moment. He’d always known that Hope was special. The desire he’d felt for her gave way to something else more cherished. It was as if he had found his destiny, his hope. He had reached the place where he would forever belong.

Hope began a rhythm. She moved her hips, thrusting to meet, capture, release then recapture him. Eyes wide open, their faces masked nothing. Eye to eye, mouth-to-mouth, they gave fully, bonding together in the primal dance. Firmly entwined, the rhythm increased as he led. Deeper and deeper, faster and faster, they gyrated until the lustful tension blinded them with unrestrained resolve. Pulsing, pounding, throbbing, the dance quickened.

A tsunami of abandoned pleasure sent them soaring as one. She screamed in blinded release. He tensed and held her even tighter calling out the primal roar of perfectly sated pleasure. After several moments of earth stopping, mind blowing spasms, they drifted back settling comfortable in each other’s arms. There was no way she could make love to another man after him. Raymond had seen to that.

Silently they laid in each other’s arms. Words weren’t needed and could never adequately express their emotions. With a mix of playful teasing, Raymond firmly massaged her bottom. “You realize of course that now that you’ve branded me. You’re stuck with me.” He rolled over bringing her to his side.

“Really?” she said comfortable settling along the length of his body.

“Um hum. It’s an old African proverb.
When a man has gold in his hand, and diamonds in his pocket, he puts his hands in his pockets and never let’s go.”

“That makes absolutely no sense.”

“Okay, how about this one. “
When a man finds Hope, he never lets go.”

“That’s worse than the first one.”

“Okay what about…”

“Truth or dare?” she interrupted.

“Truth.”

“Where do you see this going?”