Sandy - Melanie Moreland Page 0,39

been a long time since I felt that way.”

“I imagine so. I know the feeling of caring for an ill spouse. Nothing feels safe anymore. Nothing feels right. Your entire world is upside down, especially when you know they will be taken from you at some point and there’s nothing you can do.” He was quiet. “You offer me that safety as well, Sandy. I feel very peaceful with you.”

“Why did you put my bag in the master bedroom and yours in the other one?” I blurted out.

His smile was gentle. “I thought you’d like to soak in that huge tub. It didn’t matter to me what room I had, as long as you were happy. This weekend is all about you, my darling.”

His words, his thoughtfulness, his very closeness soaked into my soul.

I met his gaze directly. “What if what would make me happy was both of us in that room?”

There was a moment of silence. The pulse in his neck beat rapidly as he studied me. “Is that the wine talking?”

“No. It’s my heart.”

His grip on my hand tightened, and his eyes darkened. “Then I would signal for the check, and hurry back to the hotel to have you alone. In my arms.”

“Then pay the bill, Jordan.”

He signaled for the waiter.

We held hands in the car, Jordan’s thumb drawing restless circles on my skin. We didn’t attempt to make small talk or sit too close. Both of us were wavering on the sharp edge of desire, each caught up in our own thoughts and working through the varied emotions this moment was drawing out.

In the hotel room, we circled each other, unsure and on edge. Jordan held out his hand, then tugged me into his arms. “Let me sleep beside you tonight, Sandy. Just hold you. We don’t have to rush it.”

I nodded against his chest, unable to speak. I wanted more than to sleep beside him, but I didn’t know how to form the words.

He kissed the top of my head. “Go get ready, and I’ll join you.”

I changed into the pretty nightgown I had bought. Washed my face and brushed my teeth. I released my hair from its chignon and let it fall past my shoulders. I studied my image in the mirror. I was pale, my eyes bright in my face.

I stepped into the bedroom. Jordan swung around, whatever he was about to say dying on his lips. He stared at me, his eyes dark, his body tense. He was in a robe, his chest and legs bare. I felt myself flush, the heat building under my skin as I wondered if he was totally naked underneath.

“I turned down the bed,” he murmured.

I stepped forward, confused when he stepped back. He shook his head. “I don’t know if this is such a good idea.”

“Why?”

“Because you look so sexy and inviting in that pretty little nightgown. So sexy, in fact, I want to see it in a ball on the floor. I want to touch you, Sandy. Everywhere. Kiss you.” I watched, fascinated, as his hands curled into fists at his sides as if he was holding them in place. “I don’t think I can sleep beside you when what I really want to do is make love to you. I want to make you mine.”

His words were clipped, his voice low and gruff. His robe hung in long folds of terry cloth, but I saw the evidence of his desire. Heard the want and need in his voice. Felt the proof of his struggle in his tense stance.

I knew he was right. I didn’t want to sleep beside him either—at least not yet. Without thought, I lifted my arms and tugged the nightgown I was wearing over my head. I tossed it, watching as it landed in a shimmering pool of blue at his feet.

“Then come and take what you want, Jordan.”

Jordan

I was transfixed by the beauty in front of me. Sandy clothed was elegant, refined, and unknowingly sexy. It was in the tilt of her head, the sway of her hips as she walked, the undone buttons at her throat that hinted at the hidden skin.

Naked, she was a vision of wanton sex. Proud, her shoulders back, her full breasts round with dark pink aureole and hard-tipped nipples, she stood in front of me like a gift from heaven. My erection that had been growing steadily kicked up, a pulsating need overtaking me I hadn’t felt for a long time.

Sandy watched me with hooded