Decadence by Karen Stivali Page A

longing for Eric and fear
that her house might be burning.
    Jessica slammed the door of the minivan shut, breathing in
deeply to see if she could catch any hint of smoke in the air. Nothing. As she
opened the front door, another scent greeted her instead. The incredibly
delightful aroma of…waffles. Why does the house smell like waffles? She
rounded the corner into the kitchen and saw the waffle maker on the counter
with Eric poised before it, faded jeans slung low on his narrow hips, a t-shirt
clinging to his muscular back, dark hair still damp from a shower hanging
loosely into his eyes. A wave of heat washed over her, settling between her
legs. Her mouth watered from thoughts of more than just a bite of the waffle
Eric was lifting out of the grates.
    “Perfect timing,” he said, grinning so wide the dimples on
his cheeks were positively cavernous. Blue eyes twinkled at her, full of
mischief.
    “What are you doing?” She tossed her purse onto the counter,
mystified.
    “Celebrating Mother’s Day.” He plucked a strawberry out of
the colander in the sink, swirled it in a bowl of what appeared to be freshly
whipped cream, and approached.
    “Mother’s Day is in May. It’s October fifteenth.”
    “I know.” He held the plump red berry close enough that she
felt the gentle brush of cream melting against her lips. “I was thinking it was
something we should celebrate more than once a year.”
    She curled her tongue around the cream-covered berry and
gave a quick suck before biting off a piece.
    The moan Eric emitted sent a tremor rolling down her body,
making her knees weak. His lips were on hers before she finished chewing. The
sweetness of his velvety tongue blended perfectly with the fruit and cream.
This was already better than any Mother’s Day she could recall.
    “Yum,” she murmured, swallowing. Before she could speak,
Eric’s mouth was on hers again.
    Jesus. He coaxed her lips apart with slow, gentle
licks as he deepened the kiss, easing his fingers into her hair, tipping her
head back so her body instinctively arched toward his. The enticing bulge in
his jeans pressed into her hip, shifting lower as he bent his knees to grind
against her. What’s gotten into him?
    Eric trailed his hands to her waist, walking her backward
until they reached the cupboards. He lifted her onto the counter with such ease
she felt weightless. She wrapped her legs around him, tugging him closer. His
tongue continued its maddening exploration of her mouth, making it impossible
for her to think of anything other than the pressure building between her legs.
She ached to feel his skin against hers. To have him inside her.
    Sliding her fingers beneath his t-shirt, she skimmed the
rippled muscles of his back. Heat radiated from his smooth skin.
    Eric’s strong thumbs shifted the elastic band of her yoga
pants lower and she arched her hips toward him. Long warm fingers inched
inside, teasing for just a second before slipping between her delicate folds. A
groan escaped her as she pressed into his hand. Her muscles clenched and
released, trying to draw him even nearer.
    His mouth returned to hers. Slow. Delicious. His tongue
worked hers in drawn-out circles as his thumb swirled around her clit.
Dizzying, breathtaking swirls that spun her mind into a blur of pleasure. Oh
god, yes. She moaned again and Eric slid his mouth down to her neck,
nuzzling the sensitive spot just below her ear as his hot breath caressed her
throat.
    “Eric,” she whispered, clutching at his broad shoulders.
    “Come for me, baby.” His voice was deep, raspy, filled with
desire. He increased the pace of his fingers, bringing her to the brink and
keeping her teetering on the mind-blowing edge. As much as she wanted to stay
in that moment, prolonging the anticipation forever, she couldn’t. She braced
her arms behind her, vibrating from head to toe. With one intense shudder she
felt the orgasm tumble through her so hard her hips lifted off the countertop.
Eric