Free Mr. August by Jan Romes Page A

whispering each other’s name.
    Max abruptly sat up with a dazed look. “I don’t have a condom. When I packed up and left Columbus, condoms were the last thing on my mind.”
    Libby tried to make sense of the moment. They were both so turned on they could barely breathe yet they had to power down to make a responsible decision. “I’ve never had unprotected sex.”
    “Neither have I.” Max held her close, his lips trailed across her forehead.
    Libby didn’t want things to stop. She needed Max, needed him in ways she couldn’t explain. “It’s okay, Max, really. Just this one time.”
    “Sorry, sweetheart, we have to make a trip to town.” He reached for his jeans.
    “Seriously, we’re fine.” It took all the strength she could muster to share the truth. “I can tell you with complete certainty that you won’t get me pregnant.” The discussion, or rather, discussions she’d had with Doctor Stevenson barreled into her thoughts. Tears pooled in her eyes and her insides twisted. She didn’t want to deal with the information, much less share it, but she had to.
    Max’s brows pulled to the center. “Libby, I…”
    Please, don’t make me tell you everything! Please, please, have mercy! Libby pleaded silently.
    Max felt the strain of what he should do and what he wanted to do. The desire in Libby’s voice and in her eyes wasn’t helping. With every fiber of his being he wanted her as much as she wanted him. In fact, he was so turned on he hurt. But he had to man-up and do the right thing. No protection, no loving Libby. That whole pregnancy fiasco with Shari left him more than a little cautious. Dammit! Why didn’t he have a condom?
    Libby’s eyes filled with watery emotion. Damn! The passion in those hazel orbs were begging him to keep going. Argh! He was torn. But he had a feeling if he put on his jeans, it would be hard to rekindle the moment. Libby would have enough time to come to her senses and return to her cabin…without him. This was a fragile new beginning for them, if he left to buy protection…
    Max’s conviction snapped in two. He was going to make love to Libby, and he’d deal with the fallout later. “Oh, sweet Libby,” he said, gently kissing her mouth and running his hands along the supple contours of her body, memorizing each delectable curve. Ever so lightly, he skimmed her nipples with his palm. Libby arched to get closer. She closed her eyes when he filled his hands with the fullness of her breasts.
    Libby moaned and it was almost Max’s undoing. He pressed his erection against her thigh in warning.
    “Now or never, August.”
    “So bossy,” Max teased. Libby’s command sent him over the edge. In one fluid move, he rolled her beneath him and descended on her mouth. He kissed her long and hard, before using his knees to part her thighs. They gazed into each other’s eyes waiting for the magical moment when they joined. Max kissed each of her eyelids and the tip of her nose, and in the breadth of their next heartbeat he entered her. Libby’s eyes widened. He felt his widen too.
    Raw, primal longing took over. They moved slowly at first to adjust to their new circumstance. With each stroke, the momentum picked up until they were in wild rhythm, grappling, groaning, and calling out one another’s name. Ecstasy came at them fast. Libby was the first to ride the billowy cloud of joy and Max joined her soon after. They’d made love fast, like two teenagers getting their first taste of the opposite sex. But it was incredible. And they had all the time in the world to become skilled lovers.
    Libby lay panting. “You were wonderful,” she said between broken breaths. She clutched Max’s hand.
    Max rolled to his side and toyed with Libby’s choker. “When I came to Celina, my only expectation was to finish my novel. In no way did I foresee that I would find someone who would turn my world upside down.” Max gave her a toothy grin. “I’m glad you almost nailed me with your