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21 " Cade released her slowly, running his hand over her hip, and patting her on the butt.Her cheeks heated. She owed him an apology. She cleared her throat, and with difficulty managed, "I can be pushy---""You think?" He cut her no slack."I came on too strong. I'm sorry.""I'm not.""You're not?""We kissed.""A good enough kiss for you to wear a costume?""You could kiss my entire body, and I'd still pass."His entire body. She'd never considered naked a costume, but it might work for him. She looked him up and down. Licked her lips. Her blush deepened at the thought.She heard Cade swallow. His gaze was hot and dark; his voice deep and husky. "I've never taken a woman in a storeroom before, but there's always a first time. "
― , The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine
22 " It would be easier to be smart if I didn't want to be inside you. Didn't want to feel you come."She shuddered. Sex had always been a subject they'd never discussed. One of those taboo topics they avoided. It was strange to hear him utter those words, say things she'd never envisioned him saying to her, but they lit her on fire. "If we still feel this way on Friday, maybe you will."His lips brushed her throat, raising the fine hairs there. "I can give you an orgasm and not fuck you. "
23 " Grace cut across an Oriental rug done in a plum, navy, and cream geometric pattern. The colors in the carpet pulled the richness of the furniture together. She noticed that Cade walked the perimeter of the room, sticking to the hardwood floor.Off to the right, a glassed-in sunroom caught the first rays of sunshine from the overcast day. The forest-green wicker furniture, abundant greenery, and a small bookcase with monthly magazines and mystery novels offered peace and solitude. "
24 " The caterer would like to use your sideboard buffet for the skull platters, raven plates, and broomstick-style forks. The florist will provide a bouquet of black roses. The cauldron punch and batwing cups will go on the dining room table.""Menu?" Amelia requested. "We'd discussed finger food last week. What did you finally decide?"Grace ticked off the items. "All the food is easy to eat while standing," she assured Amelia. "Chicken-witch fingers, miniature goblin burgers, chocolate crescent witch hats, ghost sugar cookies, pumpkin Bundt cake, sliced caramel apples, small popcorn balls, and a big bowl of candy corn. "
25 " The Kopper Kettle had a New Englander's fish and chips special that couldn't be beat. The clam chowder was thick, creamy, and stuck to his ribs. The blueberry pie was homemade. "
26 " He stretched out his long legs under the table, settled on his tailbone. He shook his foot, rotated his ankle, as if he'd sat too long. The movement caught the cat's attention. Archie's back arched, his tail swung, ready to pounce. A long lunge, and Cade stiffened. "Dude, I'm not a scratching post.""Archibald Reginald Rose," Amelia called him by his full name. She clapped her hands. "No!"Grace tipped on her chair, caught the action under the table. This was no sweet kneading from the Maine coon. He bared his claws on Cade's thigh, close to the man's groin. Cade inched back, avoided kicking the cat. His jeans were white-seamed and laddered. Archie swatted, then latched on to the loose, swaying threads. He tugged. Denim split, shredded, leaving a sizable hole.No underwear for this man. A shift of his weight, and Cade flashed Grace. Not purposely, yet she got an eyeful. In that moment, she learned more about him than she ever needed to know. He tucked left. His sex, substantial. "
27 " Killer dumpling," Cade said."Delicious dessert," came simultaneously from Grace."Seconds here, please," requested Cade.Grace debated. "No more dumpling for me, but a little more ice cream would be nice."Amelia rose, smiled innocently. "Food and sex, there's always room for seconds."Grace blushed, and her ears burned.Cade blew off any embarrassment he might feel. He leaned back in his chair, said, "I like the way you think, Amelia. Philosophy for all occasions.""Old and wise and words to live by. "
28 " They faced each other naked. Anticipation played between them, a sexual tease."Sit or stand?" he asked."I'll straddle you."He positioned the chair, and sat. She slipped onto his lap, as if she was meant to sit there. Breast to chest.Thigh to thigh.Sex to sex.Every part of their bodies sought its counterpart.Arousal brought his mouth down on hers, and he kissed her with a thoroughness and intensity that stole all breath and thought. His tongue thrust between her lips, tasted and seduced. She kissed him back, giving, taking, craving him.He touched her, all over. Her shoulders and breasts. He circled her nipple, then her navel with his forefinger. Sensations overtook her. She squirmed, dug her nails into his shoulder. Her breath bathed his neck, his chest.More kissing. More touching. More moans. He embraced her and drank in her soft sighs.She fanned out her fingers, ran them up and down his back, feeling the flex and flow of his muscles. The man was built. Her legs tightened around him. He felt good wedged between her thighs. Primal intimacy.Hot, heavy, their breathing came together.As did their bodies.He cupped her bottom, angled her to accept him. She was wet, slick, when he entered her. They caught their reflection in the mirror. His penetration, the role of his hips, the rocking of their bodies, their building climax. Their raw need. Triple sexual.Time went away and she began to unravel. Her orgasm stretched to the breaking point. She moaned. Stiffened. Shattered.He came a second after her. His release of breath was rough, rushed. His expression going from pain to pleasure. "
