The Secret Between Them, page 11
“Then we won’t,” he returned, urging her closer until there wasn’t any space between them. “Fall in love. I’m not the fall in love type, anyway, so you’re safe.”
As he said the words, his gut twitched. Deep down, Sean knew his inability to truly get close to someone was his greatest flaw. But he wasn’t going to lie to her. He didn’t do love. He did sex, monogamy, honesty and consideration. But he wasn’t looking for a relationship. And pretending he did simply to get her into bed wasn’t his style.
“Okay, we won’t fall in love,” she said. “So, I guess that means you’ll be taking me home tonight?”
“Well, we are on a date,” he reminded her. “I usually take my dates home. Even if they live next door.”
Which meant two things—first, he and Leah were going to be lovers. And second—things were about to become a whole lot more complicated.
* * *
So, maybe Sean didn’t fall in love. But she did. And although hooking up with him had disaster written all over it, she didn’t care.
Leah wasn’t sure what had set her mood off. The wedding. The romantic music. The fancy dress she was wearing. Seeing Sean in his suit and having a kind of lust-at-first-sight reaction, or the two glasses of wine, or the cake, or a combination of everything that made her swoony and susceptible to male attention. And Sean’s attention in particular, because he looked so freaking hot and sexy she just wanted to rip off his clothes and have her way with him at the first opportunity. And now, knowing he wasn’t as immune to her as she’d initially believed, her pulses shot upward, à la space rocket, and she could barely suck in a breath.
When the song ended, she pulled back and excused herself, saying she needed to get back to the wedding-party table. He smiled, grabbed her hand and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles before releasing her and returning to his table. Leah immediately felt the loss of his arms around her and cursed her foolishness as she walked back to her own table.
“Just friends, huh?”
It was Ellie, dressed in an identical gown, who’d sidled up beside her and spoke. Leah shrugged. “Yep. Just friends.”
“I’ve got friends,” her cousin said and grinned. “And we don’t dance like that.”
Color crept up her neck. “I don’t know...something’s changed.”
“For him or for you?” Ellie asked.
“Both,” she replied and sighed. “It’s probably a crazy idea.”
“What? You and Sean O’Sullivan? Well,” Ellie teased gently, “it’s not exactly obvious to the world, but it’s not totally nuts. You like him, right?”
She nodded. “As I said, we’re friends. Anything else feels like wishful thinking.”
“The heart wants what the heart wants,” Ellie said and smiled. “I hope it turns out how you want it to.”
So did Leah. The thing was, although she’d talked a good line and flirted back, when it came to Sean, she really wasn’t sure what she wanted. Involvement with anyone hadn’t been on her radar. But their friendship had evolved so organically, other feelings had evolved with it. Feelings he clearly didn’t share; he’d made that abundantly clear. Whatever was happening between them, it was not serious. Because he didn’t do serious. He didn’t do love.
It was after eleven thirty when she considered calling it a night. The bride and groom had left half an hour earlier, and the caterers were collecting dishes and glasses. Matron of honor Tess and wedding planner extraordinaire Ellie were in complete control, so Leah collected her belongings and went looking for Sean. She found him by the bar, in conversation with two of her cousins. It made her smile. She knew her cousins liked and respected Kieran, since he’d helped both her dad and Mitch, but she knew there’d always been tension between the rest of the O’Sullivans and the Culhanes. Except both Grant and Joss were laughing and Sean was clearly keeping them entertained, or vice versa, and none of them appeared to be hanging out against their will.
When she approached, he took her bulging tote, and once they said goodbye, led her from the reception area and toward his car. There were a few vehicles remaining in the driveway, mostly trucks and SUVs, and Sean’s red Ferrari stuck out like a beacon. Once her things were placed in the small trunk space, they headed off.
“It was a nice wedding,” she remarked as they passed through the gates. “Don’t you think?”
He nodded. “Sure.”
“Annie looked so beautiful. I just love the way the tent was decorated. And those big electric fire things kept everyone warm and toasty. Plus the band was—”
“You’re babbling,” he said, not looking at her. “Do you know that your voice gets higher when you babble?”
Leah did know. She also knew she babbled when she was nervous. “Sorry.”
She didn’t say anything more and stared out the window, thinking how quiet the town was at night as they passed over the bridge and headed toward the river. When they reached their road, he turned into the shared driveway and fifty yards down eased the vehicle to a crawl.
“So, left or right?” he asked.
Leah swallowed hard. Left was her dad’s place. Right was Sean’s. He was giving her an out, an escape clause, and she suspected he wouldn’t try to change her mind either way.
Because he’s not invested...
The notion struck her hard, because she knew it was true. Sean liked her and had suddenly decided he wanted to have sex with her. But that was it. Despite the way her heart hammered and her insides jumped all over the place, it would never be anything more than sex between friends.
“Right,” she said, figuring they were both single consenting adults and what harm would it do. Sure, she liked him, and he did make her pulse race and she did still have memories of the silly crush she’d had for him years earlier. But ultimately, her decision was about having the desire to live a little, to take a risk, to enjoy her life.
Sean didn’t say a word and turned the car. When they arrived at his house, he used the remote to open the garage door and closed it once the car was tucked inside. He turned off the engine and got out.
“Do you need your bag?”
She had a change of clothes and toiletries in her tote, and considering what was happening, she figured she’d need both at some point. “Yes, thank you. I showered and changed into this dress at the ranch, so my real clothes are in my bag.”
He pulled out her things and passed her the tote. “You look gorgeous, by the way.”
Her mouth curved. “You look pretty damn nice yourself. Great suit.”
Sean flicked on the lights as they walked through the house, and when they reached the large living room, Leah dropped her bag and faced him.
“Would you like a drink?” he asked.
“No.”
“Food?”
She shook her head, nerves settling in her belly. “I’ve never been the casual sex type before,” she admitted and gulped hard. “I had a college boyfriend and only two other serious relationships.”
“While I have had nothing but casual sex, is what you’re insinuating.”
Leah didn’t budge. “I’m not judging you.”
He sighed. “The truth is, since my hearing has deteriorated so much in the past twelve months, I haven’t wanted to get involved with anyone. Too many questions. Too many explanations. Does that make sense?”
She nodded. “What about your landscape architect?”
“It lasted a few months,” he replied and shrugged out of his jacket, dropping it on the back of the sofa. “And despite my best intentions, it felt casual. I think that’s why we broke up. Cindy wanted something more...and I didn’t have anything more to give.”
“That’s quite an admission.”
“What? That I’m shallow and unable to commit? Maybe...but I want to be clear and honest with you, Leah. I don’t want a relationship right now. But I don’t want to mislead you.”
“Believe me, Sean, your honesty is brutal and refreshing and not misleading in the slightest.”
He moved around the couch. “I don’t think I’ve ever known a woman quite like you. And you do look gorgeous in that dress.”
“You said that already.”
He grinned. “Because it’s true. You’re hard to ignore. And easy to like. It’s quite a combination. A killer combo, actually,” he said and stepped closer.
“What about the fact I’m not your go-to type?”
“You know, that’s more about reputation than fact,” he replied. “Right now, the only woman I’m interested in is you.”
“Is that because I’m the only woman here?”
His gaze narrowed. “Do you think I’m that shallow?”
She shook her head a fraction. “No. But I think we’re both alone, and probably lonely, and have somehow ended up in this moment together.”
“Fate then?”
“Absolutely.” Leah’s insides jumped and she held out her hand. “Are you going to kiss me now?”
He grasped her hand and urged her toward him. “Oh, honey, if you’ll let me, I’m going to do more than that.”
Leah melted, her heart battering so hard against her rib cage she thought it might burst through her chest. He reached out and cupped her chin for a moment before removing the diamanté clip holding her hair in a loose roll.
“I’ve been wanting to do that all night,” he admitted. “Your hair is too good to waste piled high like that,” he said and threaded his fingers through the tresses. “It’s very sexy hair.”
“I didn’t know hair could be sexy,” she said with a shuddering breath, moving her face closer to his.
“Oh yeah,” he said and held her nape gently. “It can. It is.”
He angled her face up to his. Leah stared, thinking she’d never met a man with such brilliant blue eyes. The irises were arctic blue, circled by a darker shade, and with his thick lashes, the effect was riveting. She wondered how she’d ever find any man attractive again after Sean.
She felt his breath, cool against her mouth, and her lips parted instinctively. She’d been kissed before, but never with such intense anticipation, and when his mouth finally touched hers, she sighed so low in her throat it almost sounded like a moan. His mouth was magic, his tongue smooth as it wound around her own and he went deeper, not demanding, but asking. Leah let him in, feeling her heart rate increase and the blood in her veins hitched up several degrees.
So, yeah, the man knows how to kiss...
Big surprise...not.
Leah clutched his shoulders and sighed, pressing closer, feeling how the hard angles of his body fit so well against her, and any lingering doubts she had quickly disappeared. Of course, she knew she’d have regrets in the morning. She knew she was probably putting an end to their friendship...but damn, he felt so good and smelled so good and tasted so good...and she was just as human as the next woman. With the same needs. Maybe she’d put her libido on ice for the last couple of years, but it was well and truly thawed around Sean.
He lifted his head and grasped her chin. “Are you okay?”
Leah nodded. “Perfect.”
Without another word, he grabbed her hand and led her upstairs. His bedroom was huge and had a deck that overlooked the river. It was a clear night, and she was surprised when he didn’t close the curtains. Leah looked at the bed, a monstrous king-size thing covered in pale blue linens. She stood in the center of room, her feet suddenly stuck to the carpet, and she watched as he ditched his tie and loosened his collar. As much as she’d wanted to be with him, she felt an attack of nerves coming on.
“I’m not on the pill,” she said flatly.
He moved in front of her, pulling his shirt from the waistband of his trousers. “I’ve never had unprotected sex in my life, Leah,” he said and walked to the bed, opening up the bedside drawer and extracting an unopened box of condoms. “I’m not about to start now.”
She was relieved. Of course unprotected sex was out of the question. She’d never been careless with birth control. And a baby would be a disaster. Of course she wanted children one day. Once she was in a committed relationship with a man she loved and who loved her in return. But she was under no illusions about Sean. This was sex. Nothing more.
She watched, fascinated as he flipped off his shoes and began unbuttoning his shirt. Leah dropped the wrap around her shoulders. “Unzip me,” she said and turned.
He walked behind her and slowly inched the zipper down her spine, kissing one shoulder and then the other. The dress fell to her feet and she shivered, even though there was enough heat in the room to start a forest fire.
“Turn around,” he said, his breath warm against her neck.
Leah had always kept herself in shape and didn’t have too many body image issues, but when she turned to face him, she was instantly conscious of the padded satin bra that pushed her breasts upward and added considerable inches to her bustline.
“My one attempt at vanity,” she admitted and met his gaze.
“No need,” he said and ran a hand along her shoulder.
“I don’t have long legs or blond hair,” she said and dropped her head to one side. “I’m not...beautiful.”
He reached out and cupped her cheek, tracing his thumb along her bottom lip. “That’s the funny thing about beauty, Leah. It really is in the eye of the beholder,” he said and gathered her close. “And since, right this minute, I’m the one looking at you, you really are taking my breath away.”
If it was a line, she didn’t care. Leah had never felt more desirable in her life. She stepped on her toes and kissed him, hotly, deeply, thrusting her tongue into his mouth like she’d wanted to do for weeks, and he kissed her back with so much skill she was almost knocked off her feet.
She couldn’t remember how they got to the bed, or how their clothes were stripped off. She only recalled his touch, and the reverence in every stroke of his fingertips and every plunge of his tongue in her mouth. And the way he caressed her skin, the way his lips felt against her breasts and how erotic it was to feel his tongue laving her nipples. Leah had had good sex before. But not like this. Sean knew exactly where to touch her—he knew places that drove her crazy with desire. He kissed her in places she’d forgotten could be kissed. He found erogenous zones she never knew she possessed. He knew how to make her moan and writhe and finally beg for release. And he clearly liked the way she explored him with her mouth and hands. He was encouraging, not demanding, allowing her to take the lead in between hot, deep kisses that took her to a fever pitch and made her crave to touch him everywhere. His skin was so smooth, his muscled body lean and tanned. She kissed his chest, his shoulders, his smooth washboard belly, touching him without hesitation.
He caressed her gently and expertly, bringing her to the brink countless times.
“Please?” she begged, panting in between shuddering breaths.
He kissed the sensitive spot below her earlobe, whispering something shockingly intimate, something that should have made her toes curl but instead amplified the desire churning through her blood. He grabbed a condom from the box and quickly sheathed himself, moving over her.
“Is this okay?” he asked softly, settling between her legs.
Leah nodded, looking directly into his eyes. “Wonderful.”
And it was wonderful. Every movement was pure pleasure, every kiss an erotic journey of the senses. White-hot heat enveloped her and she clung to him as they rode the wave together, holding his shoulders, urging him toward the release they both clearly craved. When it came, she moaned his name, meeting his gaze face-to-face, which in some ways felt much more intimate than the joining of their bodies.
When it was over, he kissed her mouth softly and rolled away, discreetly disappearing in the adjoining bathroom for a moment. She looked at the clock on the bedside table—2:43 a.m. They’d made love for over two hours.
Had sex.
She corrected herself instantly, refusing to get swept up in some romantic fantasy about what was happening between them. He’d made his thoughts very clear. When he returned to the room, Leah was lying on her side, the sheet pulled up a little, her head supported by one hand. She admired him openly in the lamplight, taking her time to appreciate the muscle stretched over bone, his broad shoulders and chest and the patch of hair between his pectorals.
“You’ll make me blush,” he said as he approached the bed, “if you keep looking at me like that.”
Leah raised her brows appreciatively and met his gaze. “You really are ridiculously attractive.”
He laughed. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
She didn’t quite believe him, but it was a happy fairy tale to tell herself one day. “Thank you. That was...nice.”
His brow rose questioningly. “Nice?”
She grinned, and her limbs began to pulse when he joined her in the bed and scooted close, wrapping one strong arm around her, his semi-aroused state very obvious. “Well, I don’t want to inflate your ego too much.”
“Why not?” he teased. “If we can’t brag to one another, then who can we brag to? I don’t kiss and tell.”
“Speaking of kissing,” she said and raised her lips to his, “how about you do that crazy hot thing you do with your tongue again.”
He smiled sexily. “Which thing?”
Leah placed her mouth against his and traced her tongue along the edge of his lower lip. “That thing.”
He grabbed her hands and laughed, taking her mouth in a splendidly erotic kiss that was quickly a precursor to another lovemaking session. Quicker, this time, and hotter, if that were possible. When it was over they fell asleep in an exhausted tangle of arms and legs, and she didn’t stir again until nearly six o’clock. It was still dark outside, and Leah smiled when she realized she was tucked, spoon fashion, in the curve of Sean’s body as he slept.
