Free The Inn at Dead Man's Point by SUE FINEMAN Page A

know now.”
    “Honey, I was a nobody back then.”
    “Now you’re a somebody,” she whispered before claiming his lips. Tonight he was her somebody, hers to hold and love. Alessandro Donatelli was a magnificent man, and as she watched him roll the condom on, she knew she’d never regret this night.
    His big, rough hands caressed her and his mouth did wonderful, sensual things to her breasts and stomach. His tongue in her belly button sent a wave of moist heat through her body and she moaned. And then his fingers were between her legs, touching and rubbing in the most intimate places while his mouth sought out her right nipple.
    “Oh, yes,” she whispered.
    He brought her to the brink and then pushed inside her, filling her completely. Alessandro Donatelli was a big man in every way. He held still for several seconds while she squirmed beneath him, begging for more, and then he gave her what she wanted, what they both wanted.
    “That’s it, honey. Let yourself go,” he whispered, and then settled into a rhythm, rocking into her over and over again. When she thought it was finally over, he slid his hand under her and lifted her behind while he pushed deeply into her one last time. She bit down on a scream as a powerful wave slammed into her, and then she felt his release.
    As her heart pounded and she gasped for air, she whispered, “Dear God, I had no idea it could be like that.”
    He held her behind and her back and rolled them over, so she was on top. He was still inside her, and the way he came and came, the condom must be full. But she couldn’t let go of him. Not yet.
    Maybe not ever.
    <>
     
    Al took a custom house plan to the Max and Company offices the next morning. He didn’t care for the style of the house, but he’d done what the buyers wanted. “Hey, Nick. I finished this plan, but I don’t know if they’re going to like it.”
    “This is the industrial loft house?”
    “Yeah. It’s a cold atmosphere to live in, but that’s what they wanted.”
    “Yeah, I know. I don’t think they can get approval from the neighborhood architectural control committee. The other homes in that area are craftsman style or French country or traditional. This thing will stick out like a sore thumb.”
    Al put the plan on the round table in the conference area and then unrolled another one. “This is a hybrid of sorts. It looks more traditional on the outside, but it has the more streamlined, modern look they’re looking for on the inside. They might not like either plan, but it’ll give them something to think about.” These clients were building in a high-profile development with strict building codes. They knew that when they bought the property and hired Max and Company to build them a house. It was doubtful that the first plan, the one they’d requested, would be approved.
    “I don’t want to build something they won’t be satisfied with,” said Nick.
    They’d had that discussion many times. Some clients thought they knew what they wanted, but when it came right down to it, they didn’t want something so radical that they’d never be able to sell it down the road. Homes that were too different were hard to get rid of. Nick built mostly traditional homes with all the modern conveniences, like five piece master bathrooms, walk-in closets, kitchens with all the latest appliances and granite countertops; and they were all wired for high speed Internet access, intercoms, vacuums, and sound systems. The buyers didn’t have to put those things in, but it was easier to plumb and wire when the walls were open than to try to add it later.
    Nick studied the new plan. “Hey, I like this. We could change this around for other clients, put in a more traditional fireplace in the family room, close off the dressing room off the master, change the exterior a little, and—”
    “Yeah, that’s what I thought. They wanted the master all open, but most people want a door on the bathroom and dressing room. The