Slow Hands

response.
    This time, he didn’t order her to stop, he merely distracted her by lowering a hand between them. Tweaking and toying with her throbbing clit, he brought all her focus there. Filled by him, covered by him, touched by him, everything came together once more and within moments he had her crying out as she came again.
    “Mmm,” he groaned, his eyes closed, obviously feeling the involuntary clench of every muscle she had.
    Finally, when she’d begun to feel somewhat sane again, Jake pulled out, slowly, slid back, just as slowly, going a little deeper, stretching her a little wider, driving her out of what was left of her mind.
    “Now, Maddy,” he whispered hoarsely, sounding as if he was finally letting himself go completely, “now we’re getting started.”

7
    J AKE WOULD HAVE LOVED nothing more than to spend a whole day in bed with Maddy. But very early the next morning, after a full night of the most intense lovemaking of his life, he glanced at the clock by her bed and knew he had to go. His shift started in two hours and he still had to flag down a cab to get him back to the lot where he’d left his truck. Then he’d need to rush home, shower and grab his gear.
    Besides, Maddy had already taken yesterday afternoon off for the game. He doubted he could cajole another day of hooky from work out of the woman, despite how desperately she needed one.
    He hated to wake her, but he certainly wasn’t going to leave without saying goodbye. Knowing he shouldn’t delay, he still couldn’t force himself to do anything but watch her sleep for just a little while longer.
    Maddy’s long lashes rested on her cheeks, her beautiful, kiss-reddened lips were parted as she drew in slow, even breaths. The sun had begun to rise, glints of light appearing on the horizon laid out beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows of her bedroom. As he watched her slumber, long rays of brilliant golden sunshine gradually traveled across the room, falling onto the bed. It caught the highlights in her hair and spotlighted her beautiful face.
    No ice queen this. She looked as warm and sensual as a summer angel.
    “Maddy?” he whispered, leaning over to brush a soft kiss on the corner of her mouth. “I’ve got to go.”
    She went from a deep sleep to full wakefulness in an instant, her eyes flying open. Staring at the ceiling, he could almost see the wheels churning in her brain as she put together the memories of all the wild and wicked things they’d done together the night before.
    Finally, licking her lips, she turned her head to look at him. “Jake.”
    “Expecting somebody else?” he asked with a laugh.
    He bent to kiss her good-morning, but Maddy slipped away before he could do it. She scooted to the edge of the bed, stood, then glanced down at her naked body.
    She wore nothing but sunlight very well.
    Unfortunately, she didn’t wear it for long. Grabbing a silky robe from her dresser, she yanked it on. She tied the sash tightly around her waist, crossed her arms and clenched the fabric in her fists, still not sparing him a glance.
    Maddy was obviously suffering a case of morning-after embarrassment. For that reason, he didn’t have the heart to tease her about covering up what he’d seen a whole lot of the night before.
    Finally she spoke. “I, uh, have to get ready for work.” Gesturing toward the hallway, she added, “There’s another bathroom right down the hall, if you’d like to take a shower, too.”
    Jake frowned, realizing this wasn’t just a case of misplaced shyness. Maddy was trying desperately to get everything back under control, to put her life back in its natural order. She’d surrendered that control—in fact, allowed some serious dis order—last night, giving herself over to him, body and mind. Now, in the clear light of morning, she wanted it back.
    All of it.
    “I’ll take one at home,” he murmured, honestly not knowing how to proceed. For the first time since he’d met her, he was at a loss as to how to deal with this woman.
    Then he remembered his parents, grandparents and all the other successful couples he’d ever known. They had one thing in common—the ability to give and take. To be in charge, and to step back. Ebb and flow.
    He’d had his way last night. Maybe it was time to let her have hers, even if it meant allowing her to start building those barriers around herself once more.
    He could get past them again. Last night had proved it.
    Suddenly appearing stricken, Maddy