face was one he’d take a mental picture of to recall later. To have her touching him like this, like she wanted him this badly, was all he could ask for.
She dropped to her knees and kissed him.
Another moan escaped him as she surrounded him with her warm, wet mouth. The way she took him was both sweet and scorchingly hot at the same time. She looked like a goddess— his goddess—with her flowing blond hair, and that beautiful face, and those red lips locked tight as her tongue explored every inch of him.
He twined his hands into her hair. She moved faster, sucking him hard, and he could feel himself nearing the edge, electricity crackling through his veins.
He somehow found the Herculean strength to gently, but insistently, pull her away.
“What? You don’t like it?”
He pulled her up, leveling her with his eyes. “I love it. I love watching you suck me off, Jamie. And I want nothing more than to fuck those pretty little lips of yours.”
“So do it,” she said in a sexy purr that sent his blood racing faster.
“I want to be inside you—” he started to say.
She shook her head and pressed her finger against his lips. “This is for you. I want to do this for you.”
Before he could protest or try to take her the way he wanted, he let her give instead as she returned her lips to him. The temperature in his body rose precipitously as she sucked harder, taking him deeper. He grappled at her hair, grabbing hard and groaning as she worked her tongue and lips over him. Pleasure forked through his body. He took a deep, fueling breath, but soon his breathing grew stilted and his hips jerked as she sent him over the edge.
His shoulders shook from the aftershocks. When she stood up, wiping the back of her hand across her mouth, he tugged her in close. “Wow.”
“I think that’s the quietest you’ve even been.”
“You took me by surprise,” he said, petting her hair softly.
“Good. Now go get some rest,” she said, then kissed him quickly on the cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Spend the night?” he asked, his voice rising a touch with hopefulness.
She shook her head. “Another time.”
But time was running out, and soon their week would be over.
She left, the door falling shut behind her. As he drifted off, he was left completely satisfied but also thoroughly vexed, wondering if she would ever spend the night, and hoping to hell she would want more than just these benefits someday very soon.
Chapter Nine
When Jamie walked into The Panting Dog the next day, she was feeling pretty good. Their deal had been working out quite well, and the last few nights had been fantastic. He made her body sing, and last night, she’d been able to do something for him. She’d enjoyed giving without taking anything back for herself. He seemed to need it, and she was glad she was the one woman who would give it to him.
Becker was behind the bar, finishing up a phone call. Likely to a supplier, since he was discussing shipments and orders. She nodded a quick hello as she headed to her regular post, dropping her purse next to the iPad where she kept track of the wine sales.
She spotted a thick envelope taped to her iPad. Her name was on it, written in blocky letters. A man’s handwriting, for sure, but what intrigued her was the simple sketch of a dog’s paw next to her name. She slid a finger under the flap and opened the envelope.
Come to me in my dreams.
Her heart threatened to melt. It was a line from a Matthew Arnold poem, one she adored. Then, words from Smith.
These nights have been amazing. To “Another Time” very soon.
Okay, now a flock of butterflies swarmed her insides, turning her to mush. Damn him, with his double whammy of sweet words from a poet and sweet words from his own pen. Triple points for the dog paw since he knew she loved dogs. The grinding of a drill echoed through the bar, and, oddly enough, it thrilled her. Smith was here and she would be able to see him.
Wait. She