Chapter 39

"Anyway," Val said, chopsticks pausing. "I think we should go. Opportunities like this don't come along every day." He reached over and touched her hand. "And forgive me, but you do seem tired. Not that you're not still gorgeous, but I'd love to see you kick back and relax a little - ease some of the strain behind those pretty, brown eyes."
"I...umm...looked at the brochure," she muttered, unable to tear her gaze away from his. "There's a pretty big couch."
"And?" His thumb rubbed circles on the back of her hand.
"Well, if we did go, one of us could sleep there if..."
"That's entirely up to you, sweetheart. I promise not to put any pressure on you in that regard - even if that's going to be difficult as hell."
"Difficult?" Her mouth went dry as all the moisture in her body seemed to pool between her legs. "Just because you'd be sharing the cottage with a female?"
"No." He pulled his hand away from hers to cup her chin. "Because I'd be sharing with you. I want you, Cora. Or didn't my kiss the other night make that clear?"
"But... Me? Come on, Val. I own a mirror. And you - gorgeous, smart, wealthy - you could be with any woman you wanted."
One eyebrow lifted. "Cora, I'm a computer geek who spends about eighteen hours a day online. Mostly, if I do go out, I'm hanging with my brothers and sisters. I don't really have that active of a social life." Now his thumb traced those same circles on her cheek. "You're smart, dedicated, passionate about helping others. And if you own a mirror, then you know you're beautiful."
"Not hardly." She pulled back away from his touch and shook her head. "I'm as average as they come - except for my butt, which should be stamped wide load. You don't need to hand out false compliments, Val."
He shoved his chair back and stood, holding out his hand. "Come here."
"Why?" Even as she asked, she reached out and took his hand, let him pull her to her feet.
"I saw a mirror in the living room. Come with me." He moved through the archway, tugging her gently behind him to the couch, over which she'd hung an antique mirror she'd picked up at a thrift shop. The image was a little faded in the old glass, but it was still clear enough for Cora to see all her flaws. He stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders as they both gazed into the glass.
"Look at those big brown eyes, Cora. How can you believe they're not beautiful? You show your heart and soul through those eyes. All that compassion and empathy. And the lashes - you don't even need to wear mascara, do you? I'll bet that irritated every other girl in high school."
"Okay," she granted. "My eyes aren't bad. A little ordinary but not bad." Even she knew they were her best feature.
He gave her shoulders a swift squeeze. "That's a start. Now look at your lips. See how full they are?"
"Like overinflated balloons," she grumbled.
Val's laugh was rusty and he pressed closer against her backside, letting her feel his erection against her lower spine. Oh wow! Instantly, her body softened against him, her nipples peaked under her sweatshirt.
"Do you have any idea what men think when they see a mouth like yours, sweetheart? So lush and soft? We can't help but imagine kissing it and more. I've had dreams about those lips since the day we met, imagining them all over my body."
"Really?" It was so hard to breathe, she was in danger of hyperventilating. Val had dreamed about her?
"Hell yes." He kissed the side of her neck and she shuddered at the sight of it in the dusky glass. Then his hands carefully unwound the elastic from her sloppy ponytail. "And this hair, so thick and shining. How much do you think some women pay to get this kind of luster and a natural wave like this?"
"How do you know it's natural?" Her voice was throaty and deep as she reveled in the feel of his fingers combing through her hair.
"Because you wouldn't waste the time and money it would take to have it done so well. Your beauty is natural, Cora. That makes it all the more appealing."
"For a computer geek, you're pretty good with words." And with his hands, which were now sliding around her waist and up to cup her aching breasts. Instinctively she arched into his hands, wishing those were bigger, fuller, more seductive.
"I'm only telling the truth. I see you and I get hard, Cora. Take these for instance." He covered both her breasts with his big hands, his tanned skin showing dark against her pale sweatshirt. "I'll bet you think they're too small, but to me they're just right. Big enough to be feminine, dainty enough that a man wouldn't suffocate between them." His thumbs brushed across her distended nipples and even through layers of bra and shirt, the touch made her moan. "And they're so responsive. How perfect is that? I've laid awake the past two nights wondering what they look like. Are your nipples big or small? Rosy or tan?"
She opened her mouth to answer, but before she could get a word out, his hands had slipped down to her hips.
"Wide load? I don't think so. Those curvy hips are the perfect image of feminine beauty and power. And your ass - my god, Cora, your ass is fucking gorgeous. I honestly can't wait to get my hands on it without any clothes between us. And my mouth, along with anything else you'll let me do."
She couldn't help it. She rubbed her ass against his muscular thighs, feeling his hard-on thicken at the small of her back. He really was turned-on by her. That knowledge was enough to chase away all her common sense and restraint. Leaning her head back against his chest, she whispered, "Go ahead."
In the mirror, she saw his eyes widen and his Adam's apple bob furiously. Gently, he turned her to face him instead of the mirror. "Exactly what are you agreeing to, Cora?"
Her smile probably wavered, but she did keep her gaze steadily locked on his. "I want you too, Val. We're alone, neither of us has to be anywhere in the morning and we're both single, consenting adults. Will you stay?"