It’s that time of the week when we get to take a peek behind the covers of published books and works in progress of various authors, thanks to our fabulous host Sandra Bunino. The past few weeks, I’ve been sharing excerpts from my novel, Making the First Move.
Melanie Gordon and Raine Mason finally acted upon their feelings for each other. Unfortunately, it was after Melanie got a promotion that sends her back to her hometown, which is clear across the country. Initially, she resists the idea of a long-distance relationship. However, a few months after she returns home, Raine finally convinces her to give it a shot. Now, a few months into their long-distance relationship, he surprises her by visiting Cleveland in the dead of winter. In this scene, not long after his arrival, she’s slipped off to her bedroom to shower and tidy up when she hears a knock at her bedroom door.
<=====Excerpt from Making the First Move=====>
I crack the door with one hand, and brace the towel that is struggling to conceal my ample curves with the other.
“Yes?” I try to ignore the fact that his eyes are slowly scanning what he can see above and below the towel. “I’ll be just a few more minutes.”
“And what if I can’t wait a few more minutes?” His hand rests against the door.
“You can’t rush perfection.” I bat my eyes playfully.
“You’re already perfect.” He leans in to kiss me. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re in a ballroom gown, sweats or a peach bath towel.”
Raine gently traces the skin on my chest, just above the towel, which holds on precariously against the strain of my breasts. He trails his fingers up my neck and kisses me.
“Well, at least let me get—”
Raine cuts me off with a kiss.
He holds my face in his hands. “I know you want everything to be perfect, but all I want is you. Just the way you are. Right now.”
I smile, walking backward slowly until my calves hit the side of the bed. I take a deep breath and let the towel drop.
Raine takes the towel off my head and tosses it on the floor. Wet curls frame my face and cover my eyes. I pull his sweater over his head and unbutton his shirt. He peels off his undershirt and jeans.
We enjoy the warmth of each other’s bodies on this frigid winter night. Each kiss, each touch melts the ice from my heart and body just a little more.
His hands caress my hardened nipples. He nips at them gently with his teeth and circles them slowly with his tongue. Raine trails kisses along my neck, between my breasts, down my stomach. The steady thump of my heart rivals the intensity of the pulsing ache between my thighs.
He talks to me in a low, sensuous tone, demanding to know what I want, what I like, where I want him to touch me. Right now the answer is everywhere. I wish he were able to touch every throbbing, pulsing nerve at once.
He withholds the one thing I want so badly, until I ask for it. Beg for it. Then he peels himself off of me and slides off the briefs that have been trying unsuccessfully to restrain the bulge beneath them. He fumbles through his wallet, pulls out a condom and puts it on. Good. He’s prepared. Right now I’m in a euphoric daze, not thinking straight because all I want is…
Raine slowly guides himself inside of me. My breath is quick and shallow. I press my fingers into his back, pulling him closer. I wrap my legs around him, allowing him to thrust deeper inside. He glides in and out of me slowly, deliberately. All of my senses are heightened. I’m distinctly aware of the heat of his skin, his captivating scent, the hardness of his body in contrast to my soft curves, every sound we make.
Raine rocks us gently into moments of intense pleasure. Moments in which I say things I’ve never said to a man before. I beg him not to stop. I plead for more. I tell him how much I need him and where.
For a moment I forget how convoluted and impossible long-distance relationships can be. I forget all the objections I wrestle with whenever I consider the possibility of taking the relationship further.
My only thought is, I want this man in my bed every night. I want to start my day over coffee with him in the morning and discuss my day with him over dinner at night.
Afterward he holds me in his arms. My body fits perfectly against his like the curved, vintage set of salt and pepper shakers my mother owns. I wish we could stay like this forever.
I try to push all the disquieting thoughts from my mind. The ones that remind me Raine is only here for the weekend and come Monday night, I’ll be sleeping alone, wishing he were beside me.
<=====End of Excerpt=====>
Melanie is finding it difficult enough to navigate a long-distance relationship. Still unsure about where this will all lead, the last thing she wants to do is to get her mother’s hope up, by introducing Raine to her family. But next week we’ll discover that she has very little choice in the matter.
Now, it’s time for more teasing fun. Check out the teases at the links below. That’s where I’ll be. I can’t wait to see what everyone has in store.
