Hidden Gems by Carrie Alexander Page B

want me.”
    His eyes shone at her in the dark. She heard him swallow. He was a goner, but stubborn. “What happened to the worry about keeping our friendship?”
    “I realized something, hauling ass up the fire escape.” She clasped his hand. “You mean more to me than friendship. It was dumb to think that we should stop there.”
    “But you said—”
    “And you said being lovers will enhance our friendship.”
    “Now we’re arguing each other’s sides.”
    She sat up and pulled off her camisole in one fluid motion, then, when he didn’t move except for the hitch of his chest, she leaned over, practically on top of him, her arms braced on either side of his shoulders. Her breasts swayed inches above his face.
    She nipped at his mouth, moving away when he tried to reach for a real kiss. “That must mean we’re of one mind.”
    He made a grunting sound. “If you’re sure, I have no more arguments.”
    His fingertips ran up the inside of her arms, trailing fire like a comet. She inhaled sharply. “Are you sure?” he asked.
    She had to be honest, at least with herself. For the moment, I am sure.
    Tomorrow was another question. Her head swirled at the thought of next week, next month. A year from now. She couldn’t imagine not having him in her life, so she didn’t try.
    His palms passed over her breasts, barely grazing them. She lifted a leg to slip astride him. Her spine pushed in, pressing her lower belly against the hot satin of his flat stomach. A heady sense of fullness and congestion pooled where their bodies met. She rubbed against him, her eyes rolling back in her head as she let herself revel in the moment of first seduction, more than ready to experience all of it—Jamie’s fingers, Jamie’s tongue, Jamie’s cock….
    She lifted up a little, soothing the burn. Her thighs were spread wide. Against the thin silk of the tap pants, the lips of her sex had become ripe and swollen, flowing with the honeyed warmth of her arousal.
    She was open. Ready to let him in. To trust the leaping faith that they were doing what was right.
    “Jamie,” she said. “Make love to me.”
    He took her face between his hands. “Now that’s what I call asking the right way.”
    Her reward was a kiss that started with a swoop of swirling tongue and quickly deepened to a hot openmouthed passion. There was no longer any question of Should I? or Shouldn’t I? No parry and thrust. No retreat. They grasped greedily at each other, plunging recklessly into the sexual abandon that they’d put off for too long.

7
    JAMIE RAN HIS HANDS down Marissa’s back. He was dazzled. He was dazed. He had to keep touching her to make himself believe this was really happening.
    She let out a squeak of surprise when his palms plunged past the skimpy pants to cup her bare bottom. Her thighs tensed, lifting her higher as she tilted to thrust her firm, curved ass hard against his hands.
    He was knotted up so tight it was an effort to speak. “Can we have the light? I want to see you.” He intended to memorize her.
    She nodded, dropping to all fours so she could reach the lamp. The light made her skin golden. With her face hidden in the sweep of long black hair, she rocked back onto her heels, her smooth curves sliding beneath his fingers. He lightly brushed them down the crack of her bottom, meaning the caress to be discreet until she opened her legs wider and he touched her hot slick center.
    They both jerked, as if he’d plugged his finger into a light socket.
    Marissa tossed back her head. Her teeth had bitten into her lower lip. “Touch me again,” she said in a hoarse voice.
    “Don’t be so impatient.” He clenched his hands against her thighs to hide the shaking.
    She watched him with her head hung low, eyes black with a glittering arousal. Her perfect breasts were suspended above his face, the tight little nipples pointed at his mouth, veritably tempting him to take a taste.
    “Hold still.” He stroked upward from her hips,