Sizzling Desire

“Are you okay?” he asked her. His deep voice sent delicious shivers down her spine.

Lorraine looked up at Mr. Too Fine. He had to be around six foot three. Golden brown skin, dark eyes framed by thick, curly lashes. “Yes,” she said, nodding. “I’m fine.”

“He didn’t hurt you?”

“I think you came just in time. I was starting to get worried.”

“I’m glad I got here when I did, then.”

“Yeah. Me, too.” Lorraine’s pulse was pounding. She glanced away, nervous.

“What’s with the veil?” the guy asked. Then, “Oh, wait. It’s black, not white. So the opposite of a wedding... Right?”

“Wedding?” Lorraine scoffed with a smile. “What wedding? I’m no longer married.” Single and ready to mingle!

“I get it.” The man smiled down at her, and he had the cutest dimples.

“I’m Hunter,” he said, extending his hand.

Lorraine accepted it. His warm grip enveloped hers and sent a zap of heat coursing through her veins. “I’m... I’m Mary.”

Why was she lying?

“Nice to meet you, Mary,” he said. “What are you drinking?”

“Margaritas,” she answered without hesitation. Then she felt a little silly. Did she really want him to buy her a drink or two? Any more to drink and she might not be able to think too clearly.

Single and ready to mingle! The parting words of the young woman leaving the restroom jumped into her mind again. Lorraine couldn’t help it—she started giggling.

Hunter narrowed his eyes as he looked at her, though the edges of his lips were curved in a grin. “What’s so funny?”

What indeed? What was it about this man that had her acting like a school girl?

“I don’t even know,” Lorraine said. “I really have no clue why I’m laughing.”

Hunter’s grin widened. He seemed to like what she’d said. “High on life, I guess?” he suggested.

“Something like that.”

“You ready to go back out there?” he asked, offering her his elbow.

Lorraine looped her hand through his arm, feeling a flash of heat as her skin once again connected with his. His arm was strong. He had rock-hard muscles. This guy was seriously hot.

“Sure,” she said.

“Then let’s go get that drink.”

Chapter 2

Lorraine saw her friends’ stunned looks as she came out from the restroom area holding on to the arm of a tall, dark and sexy brother. Smiling with smug satisfaction, Lorraine gave them all a little wave as she walked with Hunter past their table to the bar.

“You know why I’m here tonight,” Lorraine said to Hunter as they neared the bar. “What brings you here?”

“I’m new in town,” Hunter explained.

“Ahhh. Are you new to California?” Lorraine asked. “Did you move here from another state?”

“I did, yes. But I’m not new to Ocean City. I grew up here, then moved to Reno when I hit eighteen. I lived and worked there for sixteen years, and now I’m back. I’m a firefighter.”

That explained why he was in such good shape. Firefighters were strong, their bodies immaculately honed in order to be able to rescue people from burning buildings and other disastrous situations. No wonder he had come to her aid in such a chivalrous way.

She swayed a little—deliberately—so she could wrap her fingers tighter around his arm. Yes, she was shamelessly copping a feel. She barely even recognized herself.

“Oops,” Hunter said, securing his hand on her back to make sure she was steady. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” Lorraine said. “You’re so sweet.” And so hot.

So hot that she wanted to smooth her hands over his muscular pecs for a few glorious minutes.

She turned away from him and continued toward the bar. What was going on with her? It must be the alcohol making her react so strongly to this man.

Though the truth was, she didn’t care what was bringing out this reaction in her. Because every time Hunter looked at her, she felt incredibly desirable—something she hadn’t felt with Paul since the early days of their marriage. But unlike her ex-husband, Hunter’s attraction for her was obvious in that dark, intense gaze. Every time their eyes connected, the chemistry sizzled.

Lorraine’s heart was pounding with excitement, and it was a wonderful feeling after all the pain and heartache she’d gone through recently. It was nice to feel the pitter-patter of her pulse because of a guy who rated eleven out of ten on the sexy scale.

Lorraine veered to the left to sidestep a group of women. And all of a sudden, her heel twisted beneath her body. This time, she started to go down in earnest. Hunter quickly swooped his arms around her, and the next thing she knew, he was scooping her into his arms.

“Oh, my God,” she uttered. “You’re not carrying me—”

“Can’t have you breaking an ankle.”

He was actually carrying her to the bar. All eyes in the vicinity looked at them, some people chuckling, some gaping. Lorraine should have been embarrassed, but instead she tightened her arms around Hunter’s neck and held on, smiling from ear to ear. When was the last time anyone had carried her like this? She may as well enjoy the ride.

Once at the bar, Hunter lowered Lorraine onto a stool. “There you go,” he said.

She looked up at him coyly, biting down on the bottom of her ruby-red lip.

He grinned at her, his gaze lingering on hers. Then he leaned across the bar to order drinks. Lorraine shamelessly checked out his form. With his hands resting on the bar, the muscles on the backs of his arms grew taut. His wide back tapered to a slim waist. His behind even looked muscular in the black dress pants. He had the kind of body that running backs in those tight football outfits had. The kind of physique she had been appreciating daily for the past several months in the current Ocean City firefighters calendar. Though in her opinion, he was hotter—and there were a lot of fine men in that calendar.

A couple of minutes later, he turned toward her holding a margarita. Lorraine carefully took the glass from him. For himself, Hunter had a bottle of beer. He clinked the top of his bottle gently against her glass, then they both took a sip.

“I probably should get back to my friends,” Lorraine said after a minute.

“Or—we could get out of here.”

“Pardon me?” Lorraine asked.

“Nothing,” Hunter said.

She narrowed her eyes. Was she hearing things? Or had he just suggested that they leave the bar together?

“I’ll walk you back to your table,” Hunter told her, and extended his arm to her again.

She took a liberal sip of her drink before accepting Hunter’s arm. He helped her down from the stool. She continued to hold on to him as she walked. He led her to her table, where her friends were all looking at her with wide-eyed gazes.

Trina was the first to speak. “Someone’s made a new friend.” She shot Lorraine a devious smile. “I’m Trina.” She extended her hand. “And you are?”

“Hunter,” he said, shaking her hand.

“And that’s Rosa and Amanda,” Lorraine said, pointing to each of her friends in turn. She felt a moment of panic. They could blow her cover. If one of them blurted out her real name...

It was silly, but she’d lied to Hunter about her name and didn’t want him to find out the truth. She placed a hand on the back of his arm and said, “You know what? Why don’t we hit the dance floor?”

“Oh.” Hunter sounded surprised. “Sure.”

Lorraine started to sway her body to the music. Then she took him by the hand and led him to the back of the bar, where the dance floor was. She started to shake her hips to the pulsing R&B beat before they were even on the floor. Finding an available spot near one corner, Lorraine turned to face Hunter. She kicked up the movements of her body, her hips and legs moving in tune with the rhythm.

Hunter watched her for several seconds, then leaned close and slipped his arm around her waist. “You’re gorgeous, you know that?”

“Is this how you flatter all the women you rescue?” Lorraine asked.

“What other women?” Hunter countered. “There’s one woman in the bar I can’t take my eyes off of. And that’s you, Mary.”

She looped her arms around his neck, and although the tempo of the music was fast, they both started moving more slowly. They were moving to their own beat, as if oblivious to the world around them.

“You know what I don’t understand?” Hunter asked.

“What?”

“How some guy would let you go. If you were mine, I’d never let you out of my sight.”

“Is that so?”

Hunter pulled his bottom lip between his teeth as he stared into her eyes. “Definitely.”

Good Lord, he was arousing her with his seductive looks and his words. Her feminine core began to throb.

“I really want to kiss you,” he whispered into her ear.

Tingles of delight spread through Lorraine’s body. Her breathing deepened. “Really?”

“Really.” His voice was husky, filled with desire. He was the sexiest man she’d ever been this close to.

“Then why don’t you?” Lorraine whispered on a shuddery breath. She trailed her fingers along his nape, and when he made a soft groaning sound, she felt a surge of feminine power. He reached up and gently stroked her cheek, then caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger and angled her face up to his. Every nerve in Lorraine’s body went taut with expectation as Hunter lowered his head down to hers.

Lorraine parted her lips. And then his mouth pressed against hers, slow, sweet, succulent. It was the kind of kiss that promised something more.

Hot, sweating bodies between the sheets.

A night of carnal bliss.

Beneath her veil, he tangled his fingers in her hair, holding her in place. His lips moved faster over hers, his teeth gently nipping, his tongue flicking out and running along her bottom lip. Lorraine gasped from the onslaught of sensations.

“Oh, yes,” Hunter moaned, and then flicked his tongue over hers.

She couldn’t remember a kiss setting her body on fire like this. And then she giggled. Who was the best person to put out a fire but a fireman? Good grief. What was with these corny thoughts in her head?

“Are you laughing?” Hunter whispered against her cheek. “You don’t like this?”

“I love it,” Lorraine told him. She continued to run her fingers along the base of his neck, reveling in the way his breaths deepened. Then she pressed her body against his, feeling the evidence of his desire for her. Hard, thick. Impressive. “You’re making me forget we’re in a crowded bar.”

Hunter’s lips curved into a grin. He looked down at her, and she up at him. And she knew that whatever was brewing between them right now was something she didn’t want to end. She wanted to reclaim her singlehood in grand style. What better way than spending the night with a gorgeous man?

Hunter kissed her again, and she looped both of her arms around his neck and held on. His hand tightened on her waist, pulling her body against his. And the kiss deepened. Right there on the dance floor, they kissed as if they were the only two people in the room. It was the kind of display of public affection that would have had Lorraine rolling her eyes if she were witnessing it.

And yet, she’d been caught up in something spectacular with this man to the point where she was no longer thinking rationally. All she could think about was the fact that she didn’t want their night to end.

Hunter was the one to break the kiss, but he didn’t let her go.

He pressed his lips against her cheek, softly, and then moved his mouth to her ear. “You’re absolutely beautiful,” he told her. “You want to get out of here?”

“Yes,” she said, and he kissed her again, a soft, lingering kiss that was both sweet and fiery. Lorraine nearly lost it. She could feel her entire body trembling from an overload of sensations. She wanted this man.

“If we’re going to do this,” she said, “then we should do this now.”

He needed no further encouragement. He took her hand in his, linking their fingers, and led her back to her table, where her friends were looking at her with wide eyes and big smiles. It was as if they hadn’t seen her with a man before!

Not one this fine...

Lorraine lifted the margarita she hadn’t finished and downed it. “I’m leaving,” she announced.

Rosa gaped at her. “What?”

“I...” She looked up at Hunter, and that smile... Oh, that smile. He pushed part of her veil over her shoulder, his fingers skimming her skin where her blouse scooped low at the back. She swallowed, then faced her friends again. “I’m going to call it a night. I hope you guys aren’t mad.”

“You’re leaving with him?” Trina asked. Her eyes were dancing with delight.

“Yeah, uh, he’ll take me home.”

“I’ll bet” was Amanda’s mumbled comment.

Hunter tightened his arm around her waist, and Lorraine relaxed against him. “She’s in good hands,” he said.

“I’m sure she is,” Trina said, her double meaning evident in the twinkle in her eyes.

“However,” Rosa said, her expression becoming serious, “you never know what a serial killer looks like. So I’m going to give you my number so that you can call my phone right now. That way, I’ll have your number. And I’ll have a way to track my friend down—or evidence for the police—if she goes missing.” Rosa batted her eyelashes, smiling sweetly. “You cool with that?”

Hunter chuckled. “Of course.”

He took out his phone and called the number Rosa gave him. As her phone started to ring, she grinned. “Great. Now you can leave.”

“I’m just going to go and say good-night to my buddies,” Hunter said to Lorraine.

As he walked away, Rosa, Trina and Amanda began oohing and awwing. Amanda bit down on her knuckle as she shamelessly checked Hunter out.

“Oh. My. Word.” Trina’s eyes grew as wide as saucers. She fanned herself. “When... How?”

“He kind of came to my rescue outside of the restroom when some jerk was bothering me.” Lorraine shrugged as though it was no big deal. Yet inwardly, her libido was doing jumping jacks. “The rest, as they say, is history.”

“No, the rest is just beginning,” Rosa said, beaming. She jumped to her feet and threw her arms around Lorraine. “Have fun, girl!”

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Trina added.

“In other words, do everything,” Amanda said, and laughed.

“I’m entitled to do everything—I’m a married woman,” Trina pointed out.

She was the only one of the group who was married now. Amanda and Rosa had never tied the knot.

Lorraine rounded the table to Trina and Amanda. “Okay, you guys,” she said, extending her arms wide. They both got up, and she hugged them each in turn. “I love you both.” She faced Rosa. “I love you all. Thanks again for coming out with me tonight. This has been a lot of fun.”

“And it’s about to get a lot better,” Amanda said, giving her a knowing look.

Lorraine glanced in Hunter’s direction and saw the moment he turned from his friends and met her gaze. He smiled, and as her heart skipped a beat, reality hit her.

She was leaving with this gorgeous man for a night that she knew would be incredible.

She couldn’t wait.

Chapter 3

Lorraine’s anticipation built as the taxi approached Hunter’s place. They held hands, neither speaking. Her heart was racing. Was she really about to make love to this incredibly fine man?

They kept their hands off each other until they were in the elevator, where Hunter pulled her into his arms and started to kiss her. Lorraine gripped his biceps, her body melting against his. The elevator dinged, and they separated—barely—as they exited. Hunter led her down the hallway, then stopped in front of unit 1211. He quickly whisked her inside.

And then his mouth was on hers again, and delicious sensations exploded inside Lorraine’s body like mini fireworks going off on the Fourth of July. His lips moved slowly, his breathing heavy. He nibbled gently on her bottom lip before suckling her flesh.

A breathy moan escaped her lips. She looped her arms around Hunter’s neck.

“Oh, yeah,” Hunter whispered. Then, tightening his hand on the base of her back, he swept his tongue into her mouth with one broad stroke.

Lorraine pressed her fingertips against Hunter’s skin. Her desire was making her weak in the knees, light-headed.

He lifted her, and she fastened her legs around his body. Then he carried her down a hallway and through an open door.

It was the bedroom.

He took her straight to the bed, where he lowered their bodies down together, his on top of hers. He smoothed his hands up her side, his fingers flirting with her naked skin where her shirt had lifted. His touch was electric.

Hunter looked down at her. The room was dark, but pale light from outside filtered in through the slats in the blinds.

Lorraine smiled up at him and ran the tip of her heeled shoe down the length of his calf. Then she lifted her head to meet his lips and started kissing him again. She didn’t want to talk. She only wanted to feel.

She pulled at the shirt tucked into his jeans until it was free, and then placed both palms on his naked back. His skin was warm, and those muscles... This man was the definition of fine. He shuddered a little as she ran her fingertips over his back in a circular motion, and Lorraine felt a surge of power. She lifted her hands higher and wrapped her legs tighter around him, reveling in feminine power.

Hunter also slipped his fingers beneath her shirt, and she sighed as they tantalized her skin. He kissed her jawline, moving his lips toward her ear, where he grazed her earlobe with his teeth. When he gently suckled it, she inhaled a sharp breath.

“You like that, do you?” Hunter asked.

“Very much.”

“Let me ease back,” he said softly. “I want to take your clothes off.”

Had anyone ever said anything that turned her on more? She loosened her legs, and he stepped back. In the darkened room, she could still see the heat in his eyes as they roamed over her body. He then made quick work of unfastening her pants and shimmying them down her legs.

But she still wore her sexy pumps. Hunter lifted one foot in his hands and undid the buckle on her shoe, then tossed it onto the floor. He did the same with the other shoe, and then proceeded to take her jeans completely off her body.

For a moment, he stared down at her on the bed, then he lowered himself back over her, kissing her belly. The feel of his lips were so tender and sweet and made her body tingle with anticipation.

Hunter pushed her shirt up. His hands brushed against her nipples through her bra.

“Yes,” she rasped. She hardly recognized this wanton woman she’d become.

He flicked the tip of his tongue over her stomach. “I love how you respond to me.”

“I love how you’re making me feel.”

Hunter pulled at her bra until her breasts were exposed. He tweaked her nipples while continuing to kiss her belly, and Lorraine arched her back as delicious heat spread through her body like molten lava.

“Yes,” she rasped.

Suddenly, Hunter slipped an arm beneath her and pulled her body against his. He was strong, sexy, virile. And every single touch of his was turning her on. He slipped his hand under her shirt and unfastened her bra, removing it from her body. Then he pulled her shirt over her head, and quickly discarded it in a heap on the floor.

His gaze moved from her face and down the length of her body. He let out a low whistle. “Mary, Mary, Mary.”

Hearing the fake name shocked her slightly, but then she stopped thinking when Hunter stroked her inner thigh. He was doing just the right amount of teasing, drawing out the sexual chemistry between them. As Hunter’s fingers went higher up her thigh, she let her legs fall apart. His mouth came down on hers as he stroked her most sensitive place through her underwear. She kissed him hungrily. His hands explored further, slipping beneath her panties to touch her sensitive flesh. He massaged and tantalized.

His mouth worked over hers while his fingers explored, driving Lorraine wild. Hunter was bringing her to heights of pleasure she hadn’t been to in forever. It felt amazing to have a man touching her like this.

But she needed to touch him, too. She wanted to make him feel the same kind of pleasure he was making her feel. So she put both hands on his thighs. As he continued to kiss her, she smoothed her hands up his legs, finally stroking his impressive shaft through his pants.

He moaned into her mouth.

“You have a condom?” she asked.

“I do.”

A guy like him—of course had a condom. She could imagine he had his pick of women wherever he went.

And tonight he’d picked her.

Without warning, he eased his body off hers and stood. Cool air kissed her naked skin. She wanted him against her, giving her warmth. When he began to unbutton his shirt, all she could do was watch him. Watch as he did a little striptease. He took off his shirt, revealing massive, hot muscles and gorgeous skin. He had a spattering of chest hair, the kind she would be happy to twirl her fingers through.

And he wasn’t shy. Because when he tossed his shirt to the floor and she gave a little cheer, he gyrated his hips as though he were onstage performing for her. She laughed.

“You want to see more?” he asked.

“Oh, yeah...”

He unfastened the button on his jeans, unzipped them and then began to drag them over his hips. He took his time, continuing the striptease. Lorraine whistled when his muscular thighs came into view. This man could grace the cover of any magazine. He was that hot. And the more he showed his playful side as well as his sexy side, the more she wanted him.

Two could play at that game. She eased her hips up and slipped her underwear off, and as her chest was pressed against her leg she looked up at him and saw his eyes fastened to her body. He was waiting for her to sit back up and fully expose her nude body. So she gave him what he wanted, slowly sitting upright, then leaning back on her elbows. He got a small peek of her womanhood before she slowly crossed one leg over the other.

“You’re killing me right now,” Hunter said.

“You’re killing me.”

Hunter kicked his legs free of his jeans, and then slipped his briefs down his thighs. His erection sprang free. Lorraine’s lips parted in awe. He was more impressive than she expected.

“The condom,” she urged. “And hurry.” It wasn’t like her to be this bold, but if he didn’t make love to her soon she was going to die. She needed him that badly.

He went to his side drawer and fished out a condom. As he took off the wrapper and began to put it on, Lorraine uncrossed her legs, exposing herself further. She heard his groan of delight as his eyes gobbled up the sight of her. Never had she felt more desired.

Hunter stalked toward the bed, all serious now. He lowered his head and captured her lips in a deep kiss. He urged her backward onto the bed, holding his weight off her with his strong arms.

He slipped a hand between their bodies and smoothed it over her belly. When he slid it up to her breast and he circled her nipple with a finger, Lorraine moaned into his mouth.

His lips quickly left hers in search of the nipple he had just teased, and he drew it deeply into his mouth. Lorraine gasped as Hunter suckled sweetly, his lips pulling, his tongue trilling.

This was heaven.

Hunter moved his mouth to her other nipple, and as he did, his hands found her center again. She was ready for him.

More than ready.

He moved up her body and settled between her thighs. He guided his shaft slowly into her, making sure that he was in no way hurting her.

Lorraine gasped, overwhelmed with emotions.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“I’ve never been more okay,” she replied.

He filled her, and her eyelids fluttered shut. The feel of his strong body pressed against hers, between her thighs, inside her... Heat spread through her body like molten lava.