Free Marrying Cade by Sally Clements Page B

into blissful oblivion.
    In passion’s aftermath, Melo’s palms faintly registered the cool flatness of the sheet. She was panting like a sprinter collapsing at the finish line.
    Cade’s head moved slowly up her body, mouth gently kissing as he returned to her. “Okay?” His lips dusted over hers in a butterfly tease.
    “Way better than okay.” She wrapped her arms around him, feeling his rigid length against the apex of her thighs. She angled her hips up, moved them from side to side slowly. “Way better.”
    “We need a condom,” Cade muttered in her ear. He pulled in a deep breath and moved off her, snagging his trousers from the floor and finding one.
    “Give it to me.” He’d shown her such pleasure, Melo burned to return the favor. One hand stroked him base to tip, and his eyes closed as a raw moan shuddered out from compressed lips. He looked wild, so beautifully sensuous her inner muscles tightened. She smoothed the condom over him and opened her legs wide.
    “Melo,” he groaned.
    His deeply passionate kiss melted her insides. His hands framed her face as his length nudged then penetrated. She gasped as he filled her, and he stilled instantly, eyes searching hers. “Are you okay?”
    “Mmmm.” Her body stretched. “Fine.”
    He moved slowly at first. Her hands stroked over his back, clutched lower as his thrusts intensified. Their mouths fused, combining them into one ravenous creature. His fingers wove through hers, gripping tightly. Melo’s calves gripped over Cade’s, her feet flexed as the pressure built and swelled, then carried them away in a tsunami of passion.

    Cade’s hand stretched across her stomach. His breathing was slow and deep. Sleep had claimed him easily while Melo’s mind raced, reliving the wonder of their lovemaking. A car crunched over gravel outside the window, a door slammed, then the sound of laughing voices drifted up to the window.
    Her body stiffened.
    “What’s the matter?” The words were slow and sleepy, muttered more than spoken. Cade curled into her back, pulling her closer, lips caressing her neck. “You’re so tense.” His fingers stroked her stomach, dusted over her ribs. “It’s late. We should sleep.”
    Melo’s fingers clasped his, moving his hand away. Free from his grasp, she flicked him a quick glance and sat up.
    “I need to go.” She climbed out of bed and picked her clothes off the floor. She couldn’t stay here. Adam was staying in the hotel too, as well as the party guests. What was she going to do? Join them for breakfast wearing the same clothes she’d worn at the party? On Cade’s arm? There’d be sneaked looks, grins. A blush heated her face. In the heat of the moment she hadn’t considered the consequences. Tomorrow morning Rosa would be looking for her. And when Melo wasn’t there…
    She fastened her bra and stepped into her dress. Glanced at the clock on the bedside table. There was still time to catch a ride back with one of the drivers.
    “Where are you going?” Cade’s mouth narrowed into a thin line, and a frown creased above his brows. He climbed out of bed, and grasped her wrists. “Melo?”
    Her heart thundered at the sight of his naked form. He really was beautiful. Tall and lean with just the right amount of honed muscle. But being here with him wasn’t right. She didn’t want to telegraph their affair to the world, and if she was still here in the morning…
    “Melo. I want you to stay with me.” His voice was deep and so seductive her legs trembled. He leaned closer, lips dusting across hers in a soft, tempting caress.
    She pulled in a deep breath, keeping her arms at her side to resist his potent lure. “If I stay then everyone will know we slept together.” She stared into his eyes, willing him to understand. “This is Rosa’s wedding. Her time . If I stay, all anyone will remember is that the bridesmaid had a fling with the best man.”
    “Don’t cheapen this.” His eyes darkened, and he stroked