Up All Night. Joanne Rock

sex.”

      God knows where she got the nerve to say it. Maybe it had been the champagne talking, although with only a small glass and a bonus sip to her credit, she hardly thought so. And damn it, she stood firmly behind the sentiment. This was her week for adventure.

      Devon stared out the window at the sparkling lights below for so long she wondered if he’d heard her. But then, he turned the full, heated impact of his gaze toward her and she knew he’d most definitely heard.

      “Are you in the market for a guide, Jenny?”

      His low-spoken words seemed to tremble through her skin, reverberating along her nerves and stirring her very blood. She would never find another opportunity like this, a stranger who came to her—on safe terrain—in the middle of the night and stayed with her until she wasn’t scared.

      Until she was entirely intrigued.

      “Yes I am.” She didn’t hesitate. “I want the thrills.”

      Devon had never heard sweeter words. A plea for sex from a sensuous woman who wanted as much adrenaline in her ride as he did.

      He reached for her the same moment she leaned toward him. Fingers sinking into the chin-skimming platinum hair, he hauled her close. Her gardenia scent teased his nose for a moment before his mouth found hers. He drew on her lips, tugging the lower one into his mouth to nip and suck and taste her. Her champagne flavor and slick warmth made his senses spin and he reached to pull her back on his lap where he’d wanted her to be again ever since he’d held her there earlier.

      Jenny wound her arms around his neck, and then, too restless to be still, she trailed light scratches down his back, hastening him. He’d never expected this woman, garbed in delicate white who’d hyperventilated over the sight of him in her room, to generate so much heat.

      The music playing had switched from Beethoven to Rachmaninoff, a venture to the dark side that suited Devon’s mood well. Tunneling beneath her flannel robe, he cupped the smooth curve of her sweet, heart-shaped ass that he hadn’t gotten to appreciate nearly enough the first time she’d been seated across his thighs. She wore a lace and satin thong cut in a mouthwatering V shape as if to point him in the direction he needed to touch. As if he needed any reminders.

      But he couldn’t go there first, not when he’d promised a thrill ride she wouldn’t forget. First they needed the slow, upward climb, the steady build of anticipation that made the first plunge knock your breath right out of your lungs.

      Careful not to stray beneath the elastic of her panties, he skimmed his palm up over the curve of her waist to cup one lace-covered breast. The weight in his hand had him even harder than he’d been five seconds ago, which was saying a hell of a lot since he didn’t know how much more a zipper could take.

      Thankfully, her restless fingers tracked down his shoulders and over his abs to address the situation, although the way she brushed and grazed the head of him as she worked threatened to take him over the first precipice too damn soon.

      Covering her fingers with his own, he helped her ease down the zipper. “I’m not going to be much of a guide if I lose it before we get naked.”

      “Are you kidding?” She didn’t even pause to look at him in her fascination with what she’d unveiled. “We could stop now and this would still be the biggest thrill of my life. The very biggest.”

      She peered up at him then through her lashes, a slow smile of invitation curving her swollen lips. The subtle suggestion that she would comply with just about anything he wanted held him riveted.

      And just like that his control started splintering. Sex with Jenny wouldn’t be about finely tuned mechanics and seamless engineering. Things were going to get wild and out of his control and there wasn’t a thing he could do to change that.

      He peeled away her robe, tugging the tie free until the flannel fell from her shoulders and slid to the floor. Her bra strap drooped down her arm along with it, and Devon peeled the cup the rest of the way off to expose first one breast and then the other.

      She was so pretty, her creamy skin pale and perfect and highlighted by taut, rosy tips that puckered even tighter as he watched. He bent for a taste and her spine arched, head falling back as he licked, suckled and drew on each pebbled nipple. His hands worked the clasp as he laved the delicate skin, freeing the soft cleavage for him to gently knead and squeeze until she moaned and writhed beneath him.

      Her leg snaked around his hip, telling him exactly what she wanted. He wanted that, too. Wanted her. All over him.

      She was so soft. Her hair. Her breasts. Her silky skin. And that utter femininity, the distinct sexuality of her body, made him rock-hard by contrast. He edged her backward on the sofa, leaning her down until her shoulders hit the leather cushions. The need to be on top of her, over her, dominating her at least this first time gripped him with a fierceness he didn’t recognize.

      “This time will be fast.” But he wasn’t leaving until he’d given her everything, until he couldn’t remember his own name. “And hard.”

      “I’m ready.” She undid the buttons on his shirt, shoving away the starched cotton to feel his skin. “More than ready for that.”

      Lifting off her enough to step out of his clothes, he heard a champagne glass roll across the coffee table and thud to the carpet on the other side. A candle flame somewhere in the room wavered wildly from the air disturbed by tossing his clothes away.

      “Are you sure?” He pulled her thong down her thigh, blessing her foresight for wearing the panties over top of the lace garter belt hugging her waist. “Because I need you really ready for me. Hot. Wet.”

      He kissed her mouth as his hand parted her thighs to see for himself. And she was both. So damn hot. Wet enough to slick his finger with her and tease a shudder from the touch.

      “You like that, Jenny?” He would gladly stroke her this way all night if he could make her quiver again.

      Her hazel eyes fluttered open to stare up at him in the warm glow of candlelight, her pupils dilated so wide he could scarcely see the irises.

      “I’d like more,” she whispered, her tone full of spark and fire even when he had her trembling beneath him. “I want all of you inside me.”

      Ah damn, now it was him who suppressed a shiver, her words teasing him more powerfully than any touch.

      “Condom.” Why hadn’t he taken the ones he’d grabbed at the spa out of his pocket before he tossed aside his pants? “Wait.”

      He reached for his trousers, hands practically shaking with the need to have her now. It had been so damn long for him and being with Jenny was like a libido accelerator, propelling him forward on raw sexual need.

      “Let me.” She checked the other pocket while his hand tangled in the first and a second later she emerged with a foil wrapper. “I want to put it on.”

      He grit his teeth, knowing he’d never survive her hands on him but damn it, he couldn’t say no when this time would be so quick.

      “Okay.” His voice hit a ragged note as he tossed aside the couch pillows to make more room. “But I’m hanging by a thread here, Jen.”

      He watched her face while she worked, unable to enjoy the visual of her hands on him or he’d be done for sure. To her credit, she rolled it on smoothly, quickly.

      “Me, too,” she whispered back, spreading her legs for him to take his place between them. “I need you so—” her voice caught as he eased inside, the room going silent for a long moment before he thrust in the rest of the way and she squealed in response “—badly.”

      He held her steady to kiss her, lick her, devour her. He needed to get used to her, to halt the rapid-fire hammering of his pulse so he could give her the ride she deserved. Somehow, some way, he’d scavenge up at least that much control.

      “Oh. Ooh.” But then her breathless sighs started, her sweet moans