Business Affairs by Shirley Rogers

her, and something wild and wonderful ignited deep inside her.
    Alex’s hands slid across her thighs and she shifted her hips, wanting him to touch her. His fingers grazed her skin, burning her everywhere they touched her. She needed him—oh, yes, wanted him more than ever. His hand slipped between her legs, warm and so gentle that she caught her breath.
    She held his head in her hands, pressing him to her, encouraging him to suckle her as his hands explored her body. Each touch, each stroke of his tongue fueled her desire for him.
    â€œAlex.” Jennifer held her breath when he tasted her once more, then lifted his face to look at her. She couldn’t wait. Didn’t want to. His hands on her body, his tongue on her breasts, was all it took for her to reach the peak of her desire. “I need you inside me.” Falling back on the bed, she beckoned him to her.
    â€œIn a moment, honey,” he whispered. Pulling the bottoms of her bikini off, he slid his hand up her thigh, between her legs. She moaned and moved against him, begging for more. Alex watched her and was stunned by her passionate response to his touch. He stroked her until she was panting and writhing on the bed, until she cried out his name and pleaded for him to make her his.
    His. He wanted to brand her his, to make sure no other man touched her like this. Alex didn’t have that right, but, hell, it was what he wanted. It didn’t make sense. No woman had ever made him feel like she belonged to him.
    â€œPlease, Alex, now,” Jennifer whispered, biting her lip, holding back her climax. She’d waited a long time to be with him. So long. She wanted everything, every part of being with him.
    Aching for her, he shed the remainder of his clothing and shoes before covering her body with his. When his mouth found hers, he gave a guttural groan.
    She thrashed beneath him, her hips pushing against his. Alex cupped her bottom, held her to him, loving the feel of her skin beneath his fingers.
    Her hands slid over his shoulders, her fingers digging into his skin. He lifted his mouth from hers, his breathing ragged. Positioning himself between her legs, he hovered over her. “Are you using protection?” he rasped. It was too fast, he thought absently. He wanted to slow things down. But he couldn’t stop. He had to have her. He willed her to say yes.
    In a fog, Jennifer heard him whispering to her. But then she felt him probing her, and she gritted her teeth. Oh, please, yes. Unable to stop herself, she lifted her hips, pushing against him.
    â€œJennifer, sweetheart, I can’t wait much longer. Do we need to take care of you?” he murmured.
    His words vaguely registering in her mind, Jennifer tried to concentrate through the haze of desire. Now, her mind whispered. You have to tell him now. But deep in the recesses of her mind, she was only aware of her need for him. She wanted Alex so badly she couldn’t breathe. “No.” The word slipped out before she could stop it.
    Alex pushed himself partially inside her, testing her readiness for him. “You’re so perfect,” he whispered.
    Perfect.
    Reality permeated her mind at blinding speed. No, she wasn’t perfect. Guilt built inside her. She couldn’t do this. “Alex!” she murmured.
    But then he drove deep inside her, stretching her, filling her, and her ability to speak evaporated. And, oh yes,he was moving. “Alex,” she cried, but her words were lost when he covered her mouth with his.
    Jennifer couldn’t think about anything except the pleasure he gave her, the absolute wonder of being with him. She moved with him, matching his pace, and they reached ecstasy together.
    Â 
    You lied to him.
    Lying in Alex’s embrace, Jennifer faced the awful truth. Oh, God, she had. She’d told Alex she didn’t need protecting.
    No, you wanted to tell him the truth.
    Oh, she had, but her admission had come too late.