Free Death and Deceit by Carol Marlene Smith Page B

doesn’t feel anything. Her mind raced to move to a better place far away from the thoughts of her mother’s illness, her brother’s stubbornness and the horrible e mail threat.
    She glimpsed Kent only fleetingly, as the branches of the willow drooped around them in a windless moment. His blond hair tumbled into his eyes, when he positioned himself above her, and for a moment she could see his face and make out the look of tenderness...and something more. He reached a hand forward and cupped her face in a caress so tenderly. He looked at her as if she were some porcelain doll that might break into a thousand small pieces, should he not be careful. He traced his fingers down the side of her face and she closed her eyes, her shivers turned sweet and exciting. Her breath quickened, and the moon suddenly burst through the branches. When she opened her eyes, his mouth was a mere inch from hers. His breath became hers, when he finally kissed her.
    God, the skin on her cheek was smooth. It was the first time they had made love and he wanted it to be good. Her skin felt silky and cool, and he hadn’t realized the satiny texture of it. He couldn’t stop touching her, stroking the softness of her. She had put on shorts before supper — said she found them in her old room while making up the bed. She’d been away a long time and still she had clothes at home. His hand ran down the length of her beautiful legs, as soft and inviting as the skin on her cheek had been.
    He had felt homeless for a while now, with his parents gone, and he’d moved clear across the country, leaving any relatives behind. But not now, with Jessie in his arms he was home at last. He wanted to show her that tonight, to claim her for his own, not as a possession, but as the part that had eluded him, the one thing he needed to feel complete and whole.
    He pulled back and gazed at her now. “You’re incredible, Jessie,” he whispered and kissed her again, almost with reverence.
    She threaded both hands in his hair and pulled his head back. “Hey, what did I do to deserve that? That was a most beautiful kiss.” He had tears in his eyes. She could see them glisten when he studied her.
    “You deserve so much more than I’ll be able to give you, Jessie. But that won’t stop me from trying.”
    Jessie laughed. “Oh, stop it. I’ll get a big head.”
    He kissed her passionately, then pulled back and gazed in her eyes. The moon was shining straight into them. “Let’s not talk anymore. I just want to love you tonight. We’ll worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.”
    That was fine by Jessie. She closed her eyes and let him touch her, caress her. She barely felt his fingers when he laid open her blouse. But she felt them now, as he traced them over her erect nipples. Leaning into her, his lips sought one nipple then the other. Jessie squirmed beneath him. Suddenly she heaved uncontrollably and her hips rose to careen into him.
    He took it as a positive move and squeezed her shoulders, pulling her into him even deeper. They were almost like one now, except for the technicality of joining body and soul. Kent began, and Jessie joined him in stripping away the clothing.
    She felt the breeze, but it didn’t cool her. Nothing could cool down the passion she was feeling for him now. His kisses were wilder than before, more demanding than ever, driving her insatiably further into his embrace.
    If Kent had ever imagined loving someone like Jessie, he had never been able to take the fantasy far enough, for a dream could never compare to the reality he was experiencing at that moment. Her body seemed almost electrified, and he felt the shocks coming off her. His own body was in a state of rigid pleasure, and if he didn’t do something about it soon, he might explode.
    Sensing his urgency, Jessie cupped her hands around him. She moved her body closer still and took him inside her.
    The passion of their bodies blended as he rose and fell above her, plunging then pulling