Page 47 of Exclusive

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Carrie’s street was quiet when I killed my engine in her darkened driveway. The world had gone to sleep, leaving just those of us who worked odd hours awake to see the midnight sky. I’d driven along the beach on my way to her place, taking in the sounds of the waves rolling in, my windows down and my senses firing.

Carrie opened the door and handed me a glass of wine, wearing a baby-blue T-shirt and light gray cotton shorts. My brain stumbled. She had the best legs, a hint of a tan and sculpted. The curves of her breasts were outlined nicely under the fabric of the T-shirt. It was clear she’d ditched the bra upon arriving home, and I applauded the decision. “Hi,” she said, grinning at me.

I took a sip of the white. Dry. Crisp. “Sav blanc?”

“You’re good.” She turned and led me through the entryway. Tension clung. We both knew why I was there, and the anticipation was palpable.

“I’m not, but I’m learning. Great job tonight.” I meant it. She was on.

“You watched?” She turned and faced me, sitting on the arm of the couch.

“Damn straight, I did.” I’d submitted my last story by eight and made my way home to freshen up, get Micky a walk, and drop him to hang out with Grace, who was thrilled to have a cuddle buddy for the night. In between, I’d watched Carrie anchor the ten, taking notes on how effortlessly she transitioned, how naturally she engaged with the other anchors, and most importantly, how she connected with the lens, making me feel as if I was the only person watching. Her gift, and why she’d done so well in the field. The best in the business as far as I was concerned. And okay, the sexiest, too. By far. She didn’t even have to try. A pair of cotton shorts and I was gone.

“And? What was the verdict?” she asked around her glass.

“That you’re incredibly smart and poised and—” I exhaled. “Confession. I’ve missed your lips. More than I can even believe.”

“Then come here, Skyler Ruiz, and say hello to me.” Those lips curled into a smile as I moved to them, hovering just shy, enjoying the slight height advantage I finally had with her sitting on the edge of that couch arm. Finally, I captured her mouth with mine, and our connectionlit up the room with startling intensity. Everything in me hummed when I kissed this woman, and in seconds I was drunk with lust and a need for more of her mouth, her body. It was only a moment before she stood in the midst of our kissing and angled her mouth for better access, parting her lips and allowing my tongue entrance. How did she know just the perfect way to kiss me so that I felt it everywhere? My skin prickled fantastically, my breasts longed to be touched, and my center ached for her alone. I’d only been in her house for four minutes, and we weren’t wasting any of them. She slipped her hands beneath the hem of my black T-shirt, her palms flat against my ribcage. She eased them upward until they covered my breasts entirely through my red bra, the one I picked out in hopes she’d like it. I closed my eyes, saw bright light, and tried to steady myself. Good God, she wasn’t shy.

“Coming off,” she whispered against my mouth and lifted my shirt easily over my head. Her fingertips descended on exactly what she wanted, across the tops of my breasts, as I pulled in air. She cradled them as I struggled for strength. I shifted to relieve some of the sensitivity between my legs. I was so turned-on that I trembled but tried hard to play it cool.

“Sorry,” I said. Surely she’d noticed. “You do this to me.”

“Then we’re even.” She reached around and unclasped my bra, setting it on the couch. God, her confidence astounded. “Your breasts are so beautiful.” She took her time, taking in their visual as I stood before her—topless, hers, waiting.

I watched as she lowered her mouth, lifting a breast to her lips and taking in the nipple. Slow. Everything was measured with Caroline.God. She took her time, which was maddening and wonderful. With the gentle suck, a shot of something overwhelming hit between my legs, leaving me unsteady and no longer playing it cool at all. I’d murmured something. No clue what, but I felt her grin against my skin. I bit the inside of my cheek and threaded my fingers through her hair. “Carrie,” I said quietly, savoring the feel of her name on my lips. My new favorite word.

“I want you in my bed,” she said, lifting her head and meeting my gaze. Her eyes were dark and determined. I nodded and allowed her to lead me by my hand down the hall to her room. She dimmed the lights, laid me down, and while I watched, slipped out of her top and shorts and climbed on top. It was everything, the feeling of her skin on mine.

I sat up and pulled her mouth down to mine for a crushing kiss. This left her straddling me in her panties alone. My hands itched totouch her breasts, explore them, really look at them. I pulled my mouth away and let my eyes feast on the reality of her lit dimly by the lamp across the room. Her breasts were round and perfect. I cradled them softly and watched her eyes darken and her lips part. I kissed her right breast softly, reverently. Ran my tongue across her nipple and back again, encouraged by the quiet sounds of pleasure she made. “I’ve dreamt of this. You touching me.” I pulled her into my mouth, sucked softly as her hips matched my rhythm. My cheeks were hot and my center throbbed from just that little bit of friction. I lifted my hips to press against hers and the ride became a dizzy one.

She scooted to the side and slid my leggings down my legs. My underwear followed, and to my utter shock, Carrie reversed course. Instead of slow and methodical, her hand was immediately between my legs. I hissed in a breath, totally engulfed in sensations I’d never felt before, coming from somewhere deep within me. Like a tidal wave approaching from miles away, slow and intentional. I moaned, and I wasn’t someone who did that. I rocked against her hand, and she didn’t hold back. She pushed inside, shattering me, inching me closer to the edge with each moment. “Baby, let go,” she whispered from alongside me. I felt the heat from her body and opened my eyes to the sight of her, exposed and gorgeous.

I palmed her breast and opened my legs, granting her more access. “Touch me,” I said. It was a request. A plea. That tidal wave was close, and my body shook in anticipation. The lack of control was thrilling and terrifying. I saw her grin and move down the bed. When she took me into her mouth and did wonderfully torturous things to me with her tongue, I called out, maybe too loudly. My hips were moving quickly, drunk on the tension, and seeking the ultimate release. It was only a matter of seconds before I received it. White-hot pleasure flooded my system like a bolt of lighting.

Carrie continued to work me over with her tongue as the shockwaves took their turns, an electric current. Sometime later, I floated back to Earth, forever changed by the knowledge thatmy bodycould feelthose things. The intimacy of what we’d just done together consumed me. I’d had sex before, sure, but the deep tug I felt to Carrie was in another league. Our connection was. She stroked my hair. Ran a hand down my body as if in awe of it, circling the curve of my breast, learning it. I smiled, loving every second of her touch.

I longed to explore her, too. With my fingertips, I traced the top of her shoulder, down her arm. She closed her eyes as if savoringeach sensation. I watched her lips, entranced by their heart-like shape. She’d sometimes bite the lower one, like when I ran my finger along the outside of her thigh. When I paid the same attention to the inside, she swore out loud, her eyes fluttering closed. My cue. I gently eased her onto her back and settled my body entirely on top. “Hi,” I said, capturing her mouth for a hungry kiss. I pulled my mouth away and impressed the moment upon my memory. With our breasts pressed together and me looking down into those blue eyes I couldn’t get enough of, I was in heaven. Carrie still wore her panties, and now that I was settled between her legs, I could feel how damp she was through the fabric. It turned me the hell on. I circled my hips against her, and she gasped, molding her body to mine. We moved together, and it was literally the sexiest thing I’d known.

“I might…I don’t know if I can wait,” she said, quietly arching her back. “I can’t help it. You drive me crazy.”

“Good,” I said back, sliding her panties off with one hand between us. She kicked them to the floor and sucked in air when I parted her legs and kissed her center with an open mouth. Cupping her ass, I slowly ran my tongue along every inch of her, eager to taste her everywhere. I traced her most sensitive spot with the flat of my tongue, moving circles around it in time to Carrie’s rhythmic breathing. Or were they whimpers? I dipped a finger inside, into wetness and warmth, and closed my eyes. I’d fantasized about this moment, touching Carrie so intimately. The intensity of her response was a sheer bonus. Her desperate sounds overwhelmed me. I entered her fully and took my time, my tongue offering light touches of attention. My fingers pushing in and out were less gentle. The sounds she made were sensual, guiding me each step of the way until suddenly her body went taut, her back arched, and she shuddered. Absolutely beautiful. I watched as she still rode my hand. Her form engulfed in pleasure was a sight I would never forget. I climbed on top, lifted her breast, and kissed it passionately, sucking in a nipple, swirling it with my tongue. I paid the same attention on the other breast, worshipping it with my mouth. Never enough.

After a couple of moments, I noticed her respond. Her breathing went shallow, and she rocked against my thigh.Yes. I slid my hand between us and stroked her ever so gently, featherlight, until she jerked and cried out a second time. “Skyler Ruiz,” she whispered in mock-chastise, shaking her head. She tossed an arm over her eyes.

“I had to,” I said. “No choice.”

An hour later, we’d yet to take our eyes off each other. We’dturned on some music, decompressed, still naked in bed. She’d played with my hair. I’d studied her face.

“We do that really well.” We’d been talking about other things, but I knew immediately she meant sex.

“I have to agree.”

“We should do it more.” She eased her hand between my legs and played. “Would you agree now?”

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. Instead, I nodded and surrendered to the wonder of this night. This woman. Would I recognize myself in the morning? Did I want to? As the orgasm claimed me, and I found her lips for a toe-curling kiss, I knew without a doubt that I was right where I was supposed to be. We fit, she and I, and this journey was going to be different than anything I’d ever known.

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