The Cover Model (15 page)

Several minutes later, he heard Fancy sigh against his ear. A bit concerned, he rolled off her, sat up, and looked down at her. She blinked up at him, appearing calm, relaxed, and well sated.

A smile followed. "Now I know why those woman line up at your door."

He grinned, bent over to kiss her gently, then traced her jaw. "Not disappointed?"

"No way."

"Good." He reached down and rolled the condom off. Sliding off the bed, he headed toward the bathroom, tossed it in the trash, then grabbed a washcloth under the sink. He moistened the scrap of linen with warm water, cleaned himself, then collected another wet cloth in hand. He sat on the side of the bed.

Fancy glanced at the washcloth, then at him, a bright blush covered her face. "I'll do it." She started to get up, but Mitch stopped her, easing her back down.

"Let me." He'd never performed such an intimate task for a woman before, didn't really have much need as he'd never initiated a virgin before. Yet, he wanted to do this for Fancy, to comfort her, to care for her.

She didn't argue but bit her lip instead. He loved the little telltale symbol of her nervousness.

He matter-of-factly washed between her legs, cleansed her thighs, and made sure to remove any tiny speck of crimson stain. Finished, he returned to the bathroom and tossed the used cloths in the hamper.

Returning to the bed, he slid in beside her, rolled her onto her side, and spooned his front against her back. "All right?"

"Yep."

"Sore?"

"No. Are you?" She twisted in order to look up at him.

He kissed her rosy lips. "Not in the least." He stared down at Fancy, wrapped her in his embrace, and sighed happily.

She'd bowled him over with her silliness and sense of humor, garnered his attention with her beautiful body, and touched his very soul with her kindness and honest responses to his lovemaking. Always before, he preferred to roll over, avoiding the dreaded cuddling at all costs. Now, with Fancy still in his arms, he couldn't keep his hands off her, caressing her soft flesh, kissing her exposed skin. He wanted to cherish this woman, thank her, and discover the heights their lovemaking could reach. To do so would take longer than one night. Years. Perhaps a whole lifetime to shower Fancy with his love.

Love. That word again.
Mitch contemplated the thought for a split second, then nibbled on Fancy's earlobe. Yeah, love. A novel thought for him, but one that clicked.

Intoxicating, alluring, brave, and smart. And all mine.

Chapter 23

"Good morning, angel." Mitch punctuated the words with a soft kiss.

Fancy rolled to her back, looked up into deep blue eyes, and sighed. Reaching for him, she pulled him down, initiating a more thorough taste and tonsil check.

"Damn." He pulled back, a wide grin on his face. "Now that's the way to greet your man in the morning."

She chuckled. Life was pretty darn good this morning. She'd spent a glorious evening in the arms of the man she loved, and he woke her with a kiss, as promised yesterday. Since the crazy stalker Darla had been dragged off to jail, she no longer had to worry about anything interrupting her limited time with Mitch.

Time. Time?
She looked up at him. "What time is it?"

He checked the bedside table. "Six thirty."

"Oh, crap." She scrambled out of bed, pulling the bedspread with her to cover her nude body.

"Here I thought after last night, you'd no longer be shy."

Fancy stopped and turned, her heart pounding at the sight. Mitch stretched out across the end of the bed as naked as the day he was born. His morning erection jutted toward her, enticing her to climb back in bed and play once more. She met his gaze, noting the twinkling in his eyes and the smile on his face, wide enough to reveal perfectly straight white teeth.

If she missed her flight, her boss would berate her for days. On the other hand, she hated to just leave Mitch in such a condition, especially after the glorious attention he'd showered over her a few hours ago. She considered her options, then slowly dropped the makeshift cover.

His eyebrow shot up.

Walking over to the bed, she kneeled on the floor. "There is one thing I wanted to try that we didn't get around to last night." She eyed his cock and licked her lips.

Mitch scooted around and into a sitting position, draping his legs on either side of her. "Are you sure?" He grasped the base of his member and lifted to her lips.

"Positive." She leaned forward, then licked across the mushroom head.

Mitch gasped.

She studied his face as she repeated the action, recognizing pleasure in the scrunching of his features and the low moan pulled from his throat. Opening wide, she took the large head in her mouth, running her tongue all around, exploring his individual taste and texture, careful to avoid raking him with her teeth. Enthusiastically, she experimented, taking more in her mouth, bobbing, laving with her tongue, even moaning to discover what sensations Mitch responded to best. She didn't have to worry; he appeared to appreciate each and every one.

He cupped the back of her head, lightly guiding her movements. "Oh, god that's good."

The praise spurred her onward. Growing more aggressive, she reached up to lightly roll his testicles as she dipped in for another deeper caress. She felt wetness between her own legs but ignored her body's own needs. He'd given so unselfishly to her last night, she wanted to return the favor, present him with this special gift this morning.

"Fancy…" He threw his head back, both hands holding her head as if afraid she'd pull away and leave him high and dry.

No way.

She sucked with gusto, then returned to the tip, brazenly flicking her tongue over the tip, begging for another drop of salty dew.

"I'm going to…" He ended on a harsh bark.

The first gush caught Fancy by surprise. She instinctively swallowed, found the taste tolerable, then continued with her ministrations, watching Mitch's face as he rode the waves of orgasm. She'd never seen a more beautiful sight.

One more lick and he shuddered. "Stop. Please. I'm too sensitive." He sucked in a deep breath and nudged her away from his slowly deflating cock. His gaze met hers as he grinned. "You're hell on wheels with that mouth."

She laughed and stood up. Brushing her lips over his, she turned toward the bathroom. "You're welcome."

Walking inside, she turned on the water and took the quickest shower of her life.

* * * *

"I'm going to miss you." She sighed and hugged Mitch once more. Her flight had just been called to board.

He held her close and kissed her crown. "Me, too. But we've got one another's email and phone numbers. Heck, we just work a few blocks apart."

Fancy nodded, staring into Mitch's face, trying to capture this moment in time for her mental photo album. A week ago, she would have cringed at her own sappiness. Today, she couldn't keep the sadness out of her voice.

"Too bad we didn't have the same flight. We could have joined the mile high club."

Fancy laughed. As unbelievable as the idea sounded, she probably would have given just about anything a try with Mitch at the helm. She'd be mortified later, but during…
Oh, boy.

"Last call for flight two-twenty-three to Denver."

"You better get going." Mitch picked up her carry-on.

She took the bag from him. "Thanks. For everything."

He nodded.

Stepping away, she handed her ticket to the airline representative, then walked a few more strides. Looking back, she found Mitch still standing there. Waving, she sighed heavily, then continued on her way, not stopping until she found her seat, stored the carry-on above her head, plopped down, and buckled herself in.

She hated to leave her fairy land and return to the real world. Despite their proximity, what if Mitch didn't call? What if all the perfection of the past several hours carried no farther than the hotel in Seattle? Worries seeped into her mind, all revolving around her budding relationship with one of the hottest cover models around. She wanted him, couldn't imagine life without him now that she finally had her eyes opened to what existed between men and women. How could she return to her previous life filled with work and more work?
Simple. I can't.

Like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, Fancy knew the experience had changed her, all for the better. One thing remained, to see if she could actually spread her wings and fly as a woman.

Chapter 24

Nine am. Fancy glanced at the clock for the tenth time since she had arrived at work and groaned. Time crept by, and she couldn't keep her mind focused on her daily tasks. Instead, her rebellious brain kept returning to a little over a day ago, when Mitch covered her body with his and took the world away with a passion so beautiful and magical she couldn't think of much else since. Her stomach clenched delightfully at the memory.

Come on, Fancy. Pull yourself together.
If she didn't get her mind back on the samples, machines, and printouts, she'd be wearing damp panties for the rest of the day. The plane trip home taught her that particular lesson.

Mitch hadn't called her the night before. She notched the reason up to his afternoon flight, getting home to find a mountain of laundry, a dozen chores needing his attention before returning to work the next morning. Understandable. Besides, she refused to become clingy and needy. No. She had her own life and duties. While her heart insisted Mitch be a large part, she needed him to do so on his own accord. Let him come to her. So she didn't come across as an overbearing obsessed woman like Darla.

She shuddered in remembrance of the woman with a psychotic break, intent upon having Mitch, no matter what. Good riddance. Hopefully, the FBI managed to keep her under lock and key for a while to come.

The printer kicked out a page. Absently, she picked up the paper and stared at the data blankly.

Suck it up, already. You're acting like a lovesick baboon.
Fancy mentally shook herself, then drew in a deep breath. Once more, she focused on the information in front of her.

"Fancy?"

"Yes?" Turning, she lowered the paper and found Helen, the secretary standing at the doorway.

"You've got a delivery."

How odd. She didn't remember ordering anything. Besides, supplies and inventory fell under Thomas's job description, not hers.

Curious, she laid the paper back in the printer's output holder and followed Helen into the main lobby. "What is it?"

"These." Helen pointed to a lovely bouquet of bright flowers resting in a large vase setting on her desk.

"Ohhhh." Fancy smiled, stepped forward, and sniffed one of the fragrant roses. "How wonderful."

"There's a card, too."

Inspecting closer, she located the small envelope, plucked it from the holder, and pulled the note out.

One night with Cinderella wasn't nearly enough. I can't wait to see you again. Care for lunch or dinner today? My treat. Your Prince Charming.

Fancy's heart buoyed as her previous concerns drifted away like a leaf on a windy day.

"Judging from your smile, he must be some man."

"Oh, he is." Fancy looked up at Helen. "He's a dream come true." She dug her cell phone from her lab coat and hurried to one of the empty small conference rooms. Shutting the door behind her, she punched in the phone number listed on the card.

"Moran."

"Mitch?"

"Fancy!" His voice perked up.

"Thank you for the flowers. They're gorgeous. So bright and cheerful."

"You're welcome. They reminded me of you."

"How sweet." She savored the sentiment for a moment. "Yes."

"Yes to what?"

"Yes to lunch. Dinner. Heck, yes to the mile high club."

He chuckled over the phone line. "I've grown on you, huh?"

"Yeah, like moss." She laughed, happier than she could ever recall being at work.

"Gee thanks. Are you saying I'm green and lumpy?"

"Nah. Just one lump. A big one. Tasty, too."

Mitch groaned. "I can't get that out of my mind. I've never been given a gift so special."

Warmth cascaded over her. "I wanted to make it memorable for you as well."

"You succeeded. Big time."

She checked the clock and sighed sadly. "I need to get back to the lab. Lunch is fine. Or dinner. Whatever is easiest."

"Let's go for dinner, then. What time do you get off work?"

"Five."

"I'll pick you up at your house at six."

"Okay." She rattled off her address.

Her slight disappointment must have carried through the phone, judging by his next statement. "I'm afraid forty-five minutes wouldn't be near enough time with you. All night might be too short as well." His baritone voice dropped low and sultry.

Fancy's libido leaped in reaction. "I can't wait."

"Neither can I."