Page 97 of Hideaway Heart

“Yes. No. Yes.Fuck.” His eyes closed. “I don’t generally like the feeling of not being in control, but that felt amazing.”

“Good.” I tossed the vibrator onto the bed.

“Now come here.” He sat up and reached for the front of my dress, pulling me toward him. As I crawled up his body, he lay all the way back. Then he hooked his arms beneath my thighs and snaked beneath me so my knees were on either side of his head, his face between my thighs.

I held my dress up so I could watch him, gasping at the first smooth stroke of his tongue. His eyes stayed locked on mine as he licked and sucked and teased and flicked. But before long my eyes closed in surrender, and my body began to move to its own rhythm, slowly at first—deliciously, delectably slow, riding his tongue, his lips, even his nose. The velvet texture of his tongue played nicely with the scratch of his beard. His greedy moans vibrated through my lower body. His hands clutched the tops of my legs, pulling me to him.

Balling up the front of my dress in one hand, I slid the other into his hair and closed my fingers, gripping tight, as if I was afraid I’d fall off this ride. His mouth fastened on my clit and sucked hard, and I lost whatever control I had left, the orgasm splintering me into a million glittering little pieces.

When I regained the use of my legs, I scooted down his body and collapsed on his chest.

“Thank you,” I said.

“For what?”

“For understanding me. For knowing what I need. For being willing to give it to me.” I closed my eyes. “For being in my corner.”

He stroked my back and spoke quietly. “It’s a nice place to be.”

Our breathing synced, and I wondered if I’d ever felt such peace. “Xander?”

“Hmm?”

I think I’m in love with you. But I bit my tongue rather than risk saying the words out loud. “Nothing. Never mind.”

I couldn’t. I just couldn’t.

In all my life, I’d never told someone I loved them without hearing it first.

* * *

Pictures of the outdoor self-defense session were published by the following morning. And of course, it did not appear as if the activities we were engaged in were of the educational sort.

Xander was livid. He stormed out onto the porch and stood there scanning the trees and cracking his knuckles for a solid twenty minutes. I knew better than to talk to him when he got that way, so I gave him some time to cool off. Sipping coffee at the counter, I was sifting through my inbox when the text from Duke came in.

Sorry about how I acted last night. I had a rough week, but that’s no excuse for what I said. You can be introduced with any name you want. What matters is the song, us singing it together. I’ll let the producers know it’s fine with me.

I agree completely. It’s the music that matters. Thank you!

The moment I saw it, I jumped up and ran outside.

“Guess what?” I said excitedly, tapping his shoulder.

“What?” He stood like a sentry keeping watch, not even turning to look at me.

“It worked.”

“What worked?”

“I can perform as Kelly Jo Sullivan.”

He finally faced me. “Really?”

I nodded happily. “Really. I just got a text from Duke. He apologized and said what matters is the music.” Then I jumped up, throwing my arms and legs around him, pressing my lips to his. “I did it! I stood up for myself!”

“You did it.” His hands were solid and strong beneath me. “I’m proud of you.”

I kissed him again, not caring who saw, not caring about anything except sharing this amazing moment with the one who’d encouraged me to make it happen. Not because he’d get anything out of it, but because he cared about me. He wanted me to be happy. He understood the way I—