Mendoza's Return by Susan Crosby Page A

until he threaded his fingers through the soft curls between her legs—and then let his mouth go exploring.
    He didn’t have to wait for a response. She cupped his head, grabbed his hair, angled her hips higher. She was vocal and bold in her pleasure, then demanding as she pulled him up until he buried himself inside her, feeling her envelop him and tighten, finding paradise and satisfaction and a need for much, much more.
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    After a couple of minutes, Melina reached for the sheet to drag over them. Rafe had dropped onto his back, breathing hard, his arm across his eyes.
    While she waited for him to say something, she looked around. Her bedroom was simple, the bed itself decorated with a white matelasse coverlet, a sage green dust ruffle and a few contrasting pillows—which had been tossed onto the floor in the heat of passion. Her pine furniture was bought at a yard sale and refinished. The real color came from family photos on the dresser and some of her mother’s stunning art on the walls, single flowers in deep, rich tones, their bold colors at odds with her mother’s calm, soothing personality.
    What are you thinking? she asked Rafe silently. Maybe he’d fallen asleep. Or maybe he was avoiding talking to her. For all the heat between them, it had also been comfortable. No awkwardness of a first time, even though he had some moves that were new to her. Did he want to spend the night? Continue the relationship after this?
    Or would this be it?
    Finally he stirred, letting his arm fall away from his face. He opened his eyes and met her gaze, his expression serious. “We haven’t lost our touch,” he said.
    Which told her nothing. “No.”
    He watched her a while longer. “Do you want me to go?”
    Her stomach clenched. Her throat burned, tears threatening. He didn’t even want to hold her for a while? “It’s up to you, Rafe.”
    In truth she didn’t know if she wanted him to go or stay. What could they talk about? To only discuss casual topics like Elliot or Beau or their families would dilute the intensity of their lovemaking, driven by a desire left unresolved for too long.
    And yet, she felt good, too. He’d wanted her as much as she’d wanted him. Time and distance had only strengthened their physical compatibility.
    She’d spent years keeping her relationships short and simple. If she could do that with Rafe, would it run its course by the end of baseball season, so thatthey could go their separate ways, the past buried, the future brighter for both of them?
    â€œI’d be lying if I said I didn’t want more.” Rafe rolled to his side, facing her. “But I don’t want to overstay my welcome.”
    â€œYour decision.”
    â€œNo, it isn’t. Yes or no, Melina? Go or stay?”
    She decided she didn’t want him to stay, that she didn’t want to talk or hang out watching television or whatever other possibilities there were, since it was several hours until bedtime.
    â€œIf you leave, is that it for us?” she asked.
    â€œMeaning what? You want to keep me as your stud?”
    â€œSomething like that.” Her heart pounded so loud she thought surely he would hear it. She’d intended to be friends with him, not lovers, but maybe answering the attraction would help seal their future relationship. “I’m not seeing anyone right now,” she said.
    â€œNor am I.” He tucked her hair—her still-damp, totally messed-up hair—behind her ear then rubbed her lobe. “I’m game. So. How does this work?”
    â€œWe meet every so often for sex, but we won’t spend the night.” She didn’t know why, but sleeping with him seemed more intimate than having sex with him.
    â€œWell, now, that’s a fascinating proposition, Mel. I’m to be your boy toy when the need arises, but that’s all? We won’t have dinner together or watch a movie? Sex