Charade. Lori Foster

all right now. Shh.”

      She shook her head. With tears clogging her throat and reflecting in her voice, she whispered brokenly, “I’ve never...”

      “Shh. I know.” His mouth skimmed hers, his eyes alight with satisfaction and possession.

      He couldn’t wait any longer.

      Lifting slightly away from her, he reached for the condom and slid it on. She didn’t watch him, but he didn’t think it was embarrassment now, so much as repletion. Her breasts, heaving still, showed soft and white, reflecting the scant light. Her belly still quivered. But there was a small, awed smile on her lips, a look of wonder that filled him.

      Thunder clapped loudly outside, and the storm picked up tempo, mirroring his explosive emotions.

      He began kissing her again, light, biting kisses that made her smile and open her eyes. His muscles were taut, straining for release. She laid her palm to his cheek.

      He sat back to look at her, running his fingers through her hair. It was then he realized she was wearing a wig. The hair was too coarse, too dense to be real. The fact that she had taken such pains to conceal herself only added to her intrigue. His mystery woman.

      She pulled him closer in silent demand.

      He reached down and parted her with his fingers, then gently pushed inside. His groan was long and ragged. Gasping, she twisted against him, her arms tightening, her hips lifting to his. He pressed her knees wider, giving himself more access to her body, then clenched his jaw as he sank deeper. “There we go. All the way.”

      She shuddered as her body adjusted to his length and thickness. It was pure fantasy, he thought, wishing he could stay like this forever. She squirmed beneath him in delicious sensation.

      Tyler shuddered, pressing his hips to hers to still her movements, trying to maintain his barely leashed control, but it was too late. He reared up, his arms stiffened on either side of her, his eyes hot and probing, holding her gaze. Then he began to move.

      The friction was exquisite, and she lifted her hips toward him, taking more, her legs wrapping around him. His gaze dropped to her breasts, to her tightened nipples. He was enthralled, watching her full breasts sway as each of his thrusts rocked her body.

      He threw his head back, biting off a groan. His jaw was tense, his words a growled whisper. “I don’t believe this!”

      He felt her tighten around him, felt the pulsing of her climax. He groaned heavily, and his body went rigid as he climaxed. Then he stilled.

      His weight was now fully upon her and his heartbeat rocked his body with its uneven cadence. He stroked her idly, without thought, without even knowing what he was doing. She smelled so good, and he felt so good.

      She stirred beneath him, and he obligingly raised himself to his elbows. Her mask was askew, and he smiled at the picture she made, tousled innocence, sensual lure. He didn’t want the night to end.

      “Do you have to go anytime soon?”

      That surprised her.

      Smiling, Tyler stroked her cheek. “Will you stay with me for a while longer?”

      Her smile was shaky, a bit uncertain, but it was a smile.

      Laughing, feeling incredibly lighthearted, he held her tight as he turned on the couch, putting her on top of him. She came up on her elbows, her heavy breasts swaying over his chest.

      “Now, this is nice.” His hands cupped her, his thumbs flicking over her soft, dusky nipples until they drew tight.

      “Can you scoot up just a bit?” he growled. “I want you in my mouth.”

      Her lips parted, but she complied, her breath already thickening. Tyler swept his hands down her back and spread them wide over the buttocks, pressing her close.

      “I’m going to make love to you all night, honey. I want to show you all the different ways to enjoy yourself. I’m going to see to it that you’re so overwhelmed with pleasure, you won’t be able to resist seeing me again.” He said the words quietly just before he took her nipple in his mouth, licking and teasing and making her shudder. His hands moved over her bottom to the back of her thighs, then parted her legs so she was draped over him. “You’ll wake up at night and think of me touching you.” His finger slid inside her and she tensed, her hips pressing hard against him.

      “I want you to think of me,” he explained, loving her with his fingers until she trembled uncontrollably, “because I know I’ll be thinking of you.”

      * * *

      Tyler held to his promise, exhausting both himself and Carlie with pleasure.

      Hours later, long after midnight, he slept, still holding her close. Carlie was stunned by all that had happened, never having imagined that such complete satisfaction was possible.

      Tyler lay relaxed beside her, one heavy muscled arm circling her belly, his hand splayed over her hip. He was even beautiful when he slept, she thought, when the lines of his face softened, making him look almost vulnerable.

      Of course, he could never know the truth. She would be mortified if Tyler ever discovered he’d made love with his sister-in-law’s dumpy best friend. Tyler didn’t even look at women like her, let alone sleep with them.

      Not that she wanted it any other way. She was dumpy by design, choosing her clothes with an eye for concealment, rather than enticement. She didn’t want a man, any man—not now, not ever.

      Relationships hurt. She’d learned that lesson after her marriage failed. And she’d also learned she could rely on no one but herself. Not on the grandfather who’d raised her after her parents’ death, treating her more like a burden than a grandchild, nor on her brother, who’d made it clear she was to deal with her mistakes on her own.

      But marriage had been her biggest mistake. One she wasn’t likely to forget.

      She could never tell Tyler the truth, but at least she’d learned something valuable; she wasn’t frigid. Her husband had been wrong, his accusations unjust. Probably, it had just been another of his attempts to destroy her self-confidence. But now she knew the truth, and for that, if nothing else, she was glad she’d stayed with Tyler.

      He shifted in his sleep, and she stilled, watching him closely, but he didn’t awaken. She leaned down and very gently kissed him on the corner of his mouth, then slipped from the couch.

      By the time Tyler woke, a smile of anticipation on his face, Carlie was gone.

Chapter Three

      “YOU CAN’T TELL anyone I was at the party.”

      Brenda tugged Carlie through the kitchen door and then quickly shut it. “I wondered all night what happened to you. Where did you go? Why did you leave so soon? I thought for sure you were going to enjoy yourself.”

      Wincing, Carlie gave Brenda an apologetic look. She had enjoyed herself, all right, just not the way Brenda had expected. She pulled out a chair at the round wooden table and slumped into it. “I didn’t mean to worry you. I’m sorry.”

      “So what happened? Why did you run off?”

      Hesitating, Carlie tried to decide how much to tell her friend. It wouldn’t be the whole truth, that was for certain. Somehow, the night seemed...magical, something she could tuck away and keep to herself. She couldn’t share it, not even with Brenda. But she had to tell her something....

      “Brenda...I felt really foolish...in the costume. Maybe if I hadn’t been wearing something so...”

      “Sexy?”

      Carlie spared her friend a quick look, and saw Brenda was smiling. “Yeah, well, maybe. I just couldn’t face all those people looking like that.”

      “I’m