Sweet Summer Days Page 9

  He laughed softly. “I had hoped to have at least one.”

  “Well,” she said hesitantly, “you did buy them, so I guess you can have one. But this big one is all mine.” She brought it to her mouth and bit into it. “Mmm.”

  She used her tongue to catch some of the juice in the corner of her mouth and desire hit him hard and fast. He sucked in a sharp breath. Thad endured the torture of watching her finish it. She picked up a second one and offered it to him. Instead of taking it, he held her hand steady and bit into it. Easing it from her grasp, he rubbed the berry across her lips and licked off the juice. They continued to feed each other with intermittent kisses until the box was empty. He set it aside and turned his attention to kissing and tasting her. He wanted to make love to her and sensed himself teetering on the edge of his control. “Sweetheart, we need to slow down, otherwise we’re going to end up in my bed.”

  “I know,” Celeste said, still kissing him.

  “Are you sure? I can wait.”

  She placed her finger against his lips. “I’m sure. There’s something I need to say first.”

  “What is it?”

  “I don’t want you to ever think you’re a substitute for Gary. You’re not. I enjoy being with you because of who you are. No one else.”

  Thad rested his forehead against hers. “I will admit the thought crossed my mind once or twice, but I didn’t believe that was the case. Thank you for saying it.” He stood, took her hand and led her down the hallway to his bedroom. Once there, he took his time exploring her body with his mouth and hands. He wanted their first coming together to be one neither of them would forget. He slowly undressed her, lowered her to the bed and kissed his way down, then up her body. Thad circled his tongue around her pebbled nipples and drew them into his mouth. Her sounds of pleasure sent his desire higher. He planted his mouth on hers in a hot, searing kiss. His tongue stroked hers while his hand found its way to the silken flesh between her thighs. Her hips rose and he slid one finger inside. He wanted her to be as ready for him as he was for her.

  “Thad…ohh.” Celeste moaned and writhed on the bed. Her hands came up blindly to unbutton his shirt. She opened her eyes, then sat up and alternately licked and sucked her way across his chest.

  Sharp jolts of electricity went straight to his groin. He rose from the bed to finish undressing and don a condom, then came back to her.

  “I love the feel of your body against mine,” she murmured.

  “I love everything about yours.” Thad positioned himself above her, parted her legs and eased himself inside inch by sensuous inch. He withdrew to the tip and thrust again. A tremor raced through him. Celeste arched her back and wrapped her legs around his back, meeting him stroke for stroke. He couldn’t begin to describe the sensations she aroused in him. “Celeste, baby.” Their passionate cries magnified in the room and he moved faster and faster. With every stroke, he felt a tug on his heart.

  “Thad!” Her body trembled beneath his and she screamed out his name as she convulsed all around him.

  Her tight walls clenched him and a rush of pleasure shot through his body. Thad’s orgasm roared through him and he yelled her name. Any lingering concerns he had about being a substitute for her husband dissipated as she called his name over and over. He withdrew and rolled to his side, taking her with him.

  “I think I’m satisfied,” Celeste said with a tired chuckle.

  He idly stroked her back. “But have you had enough?”

  “For now.”

  “Mmm, I’ll go with that.” It took a while for their breathing to return to normal and Celeste drifted off with her head on his chest and her arm across his midsection. Thad glanced down at her and knew that regardless of the short time they had known each other, he wanted her to be a permanent part of his life.

  Chapter 10

  Thursday afternoon, Thad finished his workout on the life cycle and saw Khalil coming toward him. “Hey, Khalil.”

  “Hey, Unc. How did the new pedal work out?”

  “I like it. The slight curve really helps and I don’t have to work so hard to keep the prosthesis in place.”

  “That’s what I like to hear.”

  “How’s Lexia?”

  Khalil ran a hand over his head. “She’s fine, but trying to get her to slow down is like asking her not to breathe. I just got her to agree not to go to the café two days ago.” Lexia owned a café on the first floor of the building that housed Gray Home Safety.

  Thad grinned. “Are you ready for fatherhood?”

  “Yes and no. I’m excited about holding my son or daughter, but afraid I might do something wrong. I don’t remember feeling like this with Siobhan and Morgan’s babies.”

  “That’s because you’re only spending a small amount of time with them. When you leave, they don’t go home with you. But you’ll be fine.”

  “I know, but it would be nice if when they were born, there was an accompanying instruction manual.”

  He roared with laughter. “I’m sure you’ll have plenty of help between Dee and Lexia’s mother, as well as your sisters. There are enough women to give you more assistance than you’ll ever need.”

  Khalil folded his arms. “Speaking of women, I heard you’re dating someone.”

  “You heard right.”

  He smiled. “Oh, is she the one Brandon was supposed to be giving you pointers on?”

  “Yep, as if I need his help.”

  “That’s what I’m talking about.” He and Thad did a fist bump. “When are we going to meet her?”

  “Soon, hopefully.”

  “Now I know why you’ve been in here more often. Don’t think I haven’t seen you. Gotta up your workout regimen to keep it tight.” Someone called out to Khalil and he threw up a wave. “There’s my client.” He clapped Thad on the shoulder. “Let me know if you need anything.”

  “See you later.” Thad turned around and saw Nolan approaching.

  “You didn’t tell me you were coming in today,” Nolan said when he reached Thad.

  “I’ll be gone for the weekend, so I had to get it in now.”

  Khalil passed them carrying an exercise band and medicine ball. “Hey, Dad. I guess I should put a sign out that says it’s seniors day, huh?” he teased.

  Nolan glared. “Don’t you have some work to do?”

  “Going,” Khalil called over his shoulder. “Tell Mom hi.”

  Thad and Nolan shook their heads and chuckled. Thad asked, “Are you doing upper, lower or both today?”

  “Both.” They started with the lower body, taking turns on each machine to complete three sets. “You know I really like Celeste and Dee has been talking about scheduling that lunch with her. Do you think it might lead to something serious?”

  Thad moved off the leg press. “I hope so.” He paused. “Is it crazy to fall for someone so soon? This didn’t happen with Francis or Annette.”

  “There’s a first time for everything,” Nolan said with a grunt as he completed his set. “And remember I told you I knew DeAnna would be my wife before we were even introduced.”

  “I still crack up about that. You were full of yourself back then.” He remembered it well. The two eighteen-year-olds had been on a two-week leave and saw DeAnna out with some of her friends. Thad couldn’t believe it when Nolan walked right up to her, asked for her name and phone number, then spent the following week visiting her. After their leave was up, Nolan wrote to Dee every day and during their next leave, married her.

  “But I got my woman. And I still have her.”

  “Well, I’m looking forward to the weekend and spending some uninterrupted time with Celeste.”

  “I know you’ll do whatever it takes to show her you’re serious.”

  “I absolutely will. I hope it all goes according to plan.” Thad was falling for Celeste, and by the end of the weekend, he wanted her to have every reason to fall right with him.

  Celeste and Deborah searched racks in the White House Black Market
shop the evening before Celeste’s weekend trip with Thad. It turned out to be the only day they could coordinate their schedules.

  Deborah pulled out her phone. “The weather in San Diego is supposed to get up to eighty with lows around seventy. That’s perfect for an all day concert.” She picked up a pair of denim shorts.

  “I’m not wearing those.”

  “Why not? You have the right body and great legs, and they’re in style.”

  She snatched the shorts and put them back on the table. “Yeah, for someone twenty-three, not fifty-three.” Celeste found a pair of white crop pants with a matching camisole and sheer pullover top with three-quarter length sleeves. It would work for both day and night. She added two pairs of decent shorts and three casual tops, then went to the register to pay.

  On the way out, Deborah said, “Now, let’s go find the good stuff. Vickie’s, here we come.” They found the Victoria’s Secret store and she immediately pointed to a mannequin wearing a barely-there bra and thong. “This right here would guarantee a good time.”

  “No.”

  She chuckled. “What about this? The front clasp will make it so much easier for Thad to reach the prize.”

  “Hmm” was all Celeste said. Thad hadn’t seemed to have any problems releasing the back clasp on her bra. In fact, he had undressed her with an expertise of a man who did it for a living. She picked up a red plunge bra and matching bikini panties that had a keyhole opening in the back.

  “Yep, he’s going to love these.” Deborah studied Celeste. “Are you ready for what may happen?”

  More like what had already happened. She shrugged nonchalantly. “Sure.”

  “I have one piece of advice. Don’t be afraid to tell Thad what you want. Chances are he’s going to wait for you to say it.”

  “We’ll see.” Celeste was more than ready for a repeat of one of the most sensual nights she had ever experienced. Just the memory sent heat spiraling through her. She couldn’t wait.

  When they arrived at the San Diego hotel the next afternoon, Thad drove into the valet area and helped Celeste out. The bellhop rushed over to get their luggage. “I reserved a suite with two bedrooms, if that’s okay. I didn’t want you to be uncomfortable or assume anything.”

  Reason number fifty-seven why I like this man. “I think we’re a bit past separate bedrooms after…” A rush of heat stung her face.

  Thad grinned. “And I can’t wait to do it again. This time will be even better.”

  Better? She had been blown away by their chemistry and couldn’t imagine what would be better. “How so?”

  “Because this time, I’ll get to wake up with you in my arms,” he whispered close to her ear.

  Celeste went weak. He grasped her hand and led her into the hotel’s opulent lobby. It didn’t take long to get the key, and after entering the room, something inside her felt that this would be a turning point in their relationship. But, in the back of her mind, concerns over the outcome of her upcoming procedure lingered. Forcing the thoughts aside, she decided she would only focus on this weekend. She walked around the suite. He had gone all out with the accommodations—elegant, but modern furnishings in the living and bedrooms, and oversized tub and shower in the bathroom. “This is beautiful.”

  “I hoped you’d like it.”

  Celeste smiled at him. “Mission accomplished.” Leaving the bathroom, she crossed the room to the sliding glass door leading to the balcony. “Wow. I love this view.”

  Thad slid his arms around her and pressed a kiss to her neck. “I know how much you like watching the water, so I wanted to make sure you had the best view possible. We’re not far from the beach, so we’ll spend time there, as well.”

  She had casually mentioned her love of the beach, but didn’t realize he had been paying that much attention. “It’s fabulous.” She turned in his arms and kissed him. “Thank you for this.”

  “You’re welcome. I want to do whatever makes you happy.” He covered her mouth in an explosive kiss that stole her breath and stripped her sanity. When he deepened the kiss, it brought forth all the emotions she had tried to tell herself were too soon to feel. Everything he tried to communicate, she heard loud and clear, and she was helpless to resist. She didn’t want to. Celeste gave in to the sensations coursing through her mind, body and soul. At length, he lifted his head.

  “I know we haven’t known each other very long, and it seems like it’s all moving fast, but I love being with you, Celeste. I can see us this way for a long time.”

  What did that mean? As much as she wanted to know, part of her was afraid of the answer because it would require her to admit she had fallen for him completely.

  A knock sounded, sparing her from responding, and Thad went to answer the door. The bellhop entered with their bags. Thad thanked and tipped the young man, then came back out to the balcony. “If you want to rest, feel free. Since we opted not to do the add-on concert tonight, I made reservations at Morton’s for six-thirty.”

  “What time do you want to leave?”

  “The restaurant is right down the street, so fifteen minutes before is fine. Is there something you want to do?”

  A smile creased her face. “You mentioned the beach and I’d like to go for a little while.”

  He checked his watch. “It’s almost three now, so if we got back around five, would that be enough time for you to prepare for dinner?”

  “Plenty. I want to change really quick.” Celeste had worn jeans, but the warmer temperatures warranted something lighter.”

  “I’m going to do the same. It’s too hot for jeans.”

  “You read my mind.” They shared a smile.

  “Take the master bedroom and I’ll use the other one,” he said, carrying her bag into the room and placing it on the luggage rack.

  She closed the door behind him and selected the white crop pants and top she had purchased the day before and matching sandals. When she came out five minutes later, she burst out laughing.

  Thad turned from his spot on the balcony and smiled. “I see you got the memo.”

  “I guess so.” He had on a pair of white linen pants and a white button-down short-sleeved shirt. They were still laughing about it when he parked in the lot at the beach. “This is such a beautiful day.” The sun shone in a clear blue sky and a slight breeze blew.

  “I agree.” He brought her hand to his lips and placed a lingering kiss in the center of her palm. “But it’s got nothing on you, baby.” He entwined their fingers and gestured her forward.

  Celeste’s pulse skipped with the soft endearment. As they walked along the water’s edge, she marveled at the contentment she felt with him. It seemed as if she’d known him all her life. She stopped to observe the waves for a while before resuming their leisurely pace.

  “Penny for your thoughts.”

  “My thoughts are worth far more than a penny.”

  Thad laughed. “Okay, then. Ten dollars for your thoughts.”

  She held out her hand. “Pay up and I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”

  He stopped. “Excuse me?”

  “You said ten dollars for my thoughts.” She shrugged. “I’m waiting on the money before I divulge my secrets.” She cracked up at the stunned look on his face. Celeste gave him a winning smile and wiggled her fingers. It was her turn to be surprised when he pulled a twenty-dollar bill from his wallet and placed it in her hand.

  “Double the money, double the thoughts.”

  Her mouth fell open.

  “I’m waiting, Miss My-Thoughts-Are-Worth-More-Than-A-Penny.” He folded his arms and lifted a brow. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

  She couldn’t stop the laughter spilling from her lips. He joined her and the two of them stood on the beach doubled over. It had been a long time since Celeste experienced such freedom and peace. The man in front of her had a lot to do with it. She wiped tears of mirth from her eyes. “You are so good for me, Thaddeus Whitcomb.”

  A loo
k of tenderness filled his face. “And meeting you, Celeste, has been the best thing to happen to me. Thank you for coming into my life.”

  “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” The kiss that followed expressed every emotion she felt at that moment. His kisses had always been passionate, but she sensed something different this time. Something that let her know this was anything but casual. Desire raced through her and grabbed her with such force, her body trembled. She broke off the kiss and rested her head against his shoulder. Deborah’s words came back to her. Don’t be afraid to tell Thad what you want. Chances are he’s going to wait for you to say it. Today, she would take a page out of her sister’s book. “I’m ready to go back to the hotel.”

  Thad’s brows knit in concern. “Are you okay?”

  “I will be once we get to the room.” Celeste saw the instant he understood. “We should probably push back those dinner reservations.” They had been at the beach for less than an hour, but she didn’t want one second of their time to be rushed.

  He took out his phone at the same time he started walking. By the time they reached the car, he’d accomplished the task. “I changed it to eight and that gives us an additional hour and a half.”

  “I’m certain that’s enough time. For now.”

  “If it’s not, there’s always room service.”

  The heat in his eyes sent a sweet ache straight to her core. They couldn’t get to the hotel fast enough. They barely made it in the room before his magical kisses began again. His tongue swept through her mouth, igniting a blaze that set her whole body on fire. She had no idea that he had unfastened her pants until she felt his hands on the bare skin of her hips and buttocks. He slowly caressed her spine, sides and breasts, lingering in some spots longer than others.

  Thad trailed his tongue along the sensitive spot on her neck. “I can’t get enough of kissing you, touching you.”

  “Then don’t stop,” Celeste said breathlessly.

  “I don’t plan to. Not until you tell me you’ve had enough…until you’re completely satisfied.”