Stroke of Luck - Opal Carew Page 0,38

she stood beside him to place the plate on the center of the table, he wanted to pull her onto his lap and glide his hand up her thigh, then under her skirt. To seek out that warm, velvety place he’d yearned to touch for so long.

She started to walk away.

“Baby, come here.”

When she came to him, he pulled her onto his lap and his arms slid around her.

The feel of her warm body in his arms was driving him crazy with need. She shifted on his lap, and his cock lurched. Fuck, there was almost nothing between her naked pussy and his cock.

“Why don’t you feed me one of those sandwiches?”

“Yes, sir.”

She picked one up and brought it to his lips. He opened, and she delicately pressed it into his mouth, her fingers brushing his lips. He had to stop himself from nibbling her fingers as he closed his mouth around it. He watched her with a smile as he chewed and swallowed it. Smoked salmon. He was sure she’d chosen that one because she knew he liked it.

Because she wanted to make him happy.

Hunger blazed through him, but not for another sandwich.

Fuck, he had to get himself under control.

Once back in her chair, April picked up the deck and dealt. During the betting, Austin tossed in chips with confidence. Quinn was sure that Austin was not only confident he’d win but was looking forward to it. Good. Maybe he’d make an interesting move with April.

The thought that his friend might order April to do something sexual, that Austin might touch her intimately or have her pleasure him in some way, had Quinn’s heart pounding. He could imagine Austin holding her close, his hand freely exploring her breast, then gliding down her hip and tugging up her skirt. A pang of jealousy seared through him at the same time as a blaze of excitement made his cock throb.

Austin raked in his winnings with a huge smile on his face, and Quinn realized he’d zoned out. He picked up his drink and took a sip while his gaze turned to Quinn.

“April,” Austin said, “I want you to kiss Quinn. But not just a kiss. I want you to reenact that first kiss you told us about.”

Quinn’s stomach clenched. Damn, Austin. He must have figured out that Quinn was the one she’d been talking about.

Fuck, he didn’t want to be reminded of what it was like to kiss her back then. When their budding relationship was full of such promise.

When he’d already known he was well on his way to falling in love.

April stood up and moved a few feet from the table. She didn’t look at him as he stood and approached her. He took April’s hand, trying to ignore the tingles of awareness dancing through him at the feel of her soft fingers curled in his.

“You said you were walking through the park with this man?” Quinn asked.

“Yes,” she murmured.

He drew her farther across the room to give them space to set the stage, then he started to walk, her falling into stride beside him.

He remembered the sound of the amber leaves crunching underfoot as they’d walked along the paved path. The smoky smell of wood burning in fireplaces wafting from chimneys on the houses surrounding the park. A nostalgia settled deep in his belly, along with a craving he remembered all too well.

After a few steps, he stopped, and she turned and gazed up at him. He drew her close, just like he had on that crisp fall evening. When he looked into her eyes, he was overwhelmed by the same feelings he’d had that night.

He’d met this sweet, wonderful woman at a party and been enchanted by her. She was in several of his classes, and he’d already developed a crush on her, but it had no foundation other than her alluring yet understated beauty. He’d made a point of meeting her at the party and found her to be a little shy, but intelligent and sweet-natured.

The last thought before his lips brushed hers was that this was dangerous territory, and he resolved to stay immune to her. But when their lips met, all constraint flickered away. She was so soft and warm in his arms. His heart pounded in his chest as adrenaline rushed through him, making him feel almost giddy.

Her arms came around his neck, and her lips pressed tighter to his. He slid his hand down her back and drew her closer. She sighed