Page 58 of The Last Autograph

Jake took her glass of water and set it on a nightstand, one of a matching pair that was the only furniture in the room apart from a leather armchair in the corner and an oversized bed topped with four pillows and a duvet folded back on one side.

Molly stilled and closed her eyes as he came to stand behind her. He moved his hand to her neck and released the five pearl buttons lined up in single file between her shoulder blades. With each one, he kissed her nape, the pressure building in her core with every caress of his lips.

There was no conversation, but again, it didn’t matter. Molly thought words were often redundant, especially when heightened sensations came into play: the touch of his fingertips as he released each pearl, the musky scent of him, and the way his mouth on her neck held her spellbound as the rain moved across the sky in sheets.

Jake turned her to face him and for a second, she thought they would kiss, but instead, he held her gaze and lifted her sweater over her head. Molly cupped her breasts with both hands, a reaction she hadn’t quite learned to control since her surgery.

However, as he unzipped her skirt and let it drift to the floor, he didn’t seem to notice. Standing before him in nothing but a thong, she shivered, even though the room was almost too warm.

He stepped closer, one hand on her hip. “You’re still nervous?”

His words were but a murmur, and she loved that. In her opinion, sexual pleasure and whispers in the low light were the perfect combination—set the perfect mood. “Kind of.”

“Me too.” He checked her doubtful expression and grinned. “What? Even guys can get a little edgy when we’re with someone new.”

Molly smiled back. She hadn’t seen that one coming. “But you seem so…”

“What? Arrogant?”

“Well, yes, but more… self-assured.”

“It’s been a while.”

Molly reached up to touch his face and felt the rasp of his stubble as she traced the back of her hand along his jawline. “For me too.”

He pulled her close, and she dropped her other hand from her breast. With nothing between them now, her nipples betrayed her desire, and as Jake lowered her onto his bed, their kiss intensified that desire to the point where she had no doubt that he’d be the kind of lover she’d dreamed of for many years.

“You’re self-conscious about your body?”

His question hung in the air between them. “A bit.”

“Don’t be. You’re beautiful, so…” He traced the curve of both breasts with his hand. “Fuck, I have no words.”

Quietly pleased with herself, Molly snuggled into his shoulder and inhaled softly. Even though she didn’t know him well, having Jake Sinclair admit he was lost for words captivated her.

They remained on their sides, Jake’s right arm under her pillow, the other firm on her buttock as he inched her closer. She didn’t dare peek but, due to their proximity, could tell that he was fully erect.

As heat pooled in her core, goose bumps tightened her breasts, a delicious contradiction she hadn’t experienced in a long time and one she’d missed terribly. “Are you sure you want this?” Molly’s voice faltered as she asked the question.

“Isn’t that my line?”

“Consent works both ways, don’t you think?”

Jake twisted a lock of her hair around his fingers as he gazed at her. “You’re right. And yes, I want this… very much. I know it’s your birthday, but I feel like I’m the one unwrapping a gift.”

“Maybe you haven’t noticed, but I’m already unwrapped.”

He slipped his fingers through the side of her thong and tugged gently. “Not quite, but I’ll save this scrap of lace for later. Any instructions?”

Molly giggled. “What?You’reaskingmefor instructions? I’m sure you know perfectly well what’s required.”

Jake huffed, then kissed her again. “I do, but I was trying to be polite.”

“You? Polite?”

He pulled her closer and whispered against her neck, “You have no idea how polite I can be if the right situation arises.”

She smiled at his play on words. The situation had already arisen, and magnificently so.

---