Sullivan did the same, grabbed his remote, and looked over at her.

  “I suppose Christmas music is out of the question.”

  She cocked her head to the side. “Funny.”

  He turned on some soft R & B instead.

  They ate and talked about the brewery tour. Claire seemed relaxed, which was good. He didn’t want her to be tense from their earlier conversation, not when things had been going so well.

  He wanted things to continue to go well. His plan was for Claire to relax, for the two of them to spend this time together getting to know each other better.

  And maybe in the process get a little closer, because he really liked this woman.

  “Is that yours?” she asked, motioning with her head to his graphic novel.

  Sullivan looked at the book on the table by the wall. “Oh, yeah. I just got the new edition in the mail today. Would you like to see it?”

  “Yes, please.”

  He got up and grabbed it, brought it over, and handed it to her. She wiped her hands on a napkin and held it, examined it, and flipped through the pages.

  “The artwork is stunning.” She closed the book and ran her fingers over the cover. “This is a teen boy and girl, right?”

  He nodded.

  “And it looks like they’re standing amidst the ruins of a large city. I love the way they’re dressed—him in jeans and tennis shoes and a baseball jacket and her in bright-orange leggings and a black top, her blue hair pulled up in a ponytail that’s showing so much movement, as if she just finished running. And is that a glittery lightning bolt in her hand?”

  “Something like that, but not quite.”

  “He looks very fierce and protective.” She looked closer. “And I see menacing, shadowy figures lurking behind all the buildings.”

  She lifted her gaze to his. “Fascinating, Sullivan. With just the cover, I can feel both the triumph and the impending danger. It makes me want to dive in and read it.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. Can you tell me what it’s about?”

  “That’s Taki and his sister, Sheleen. Their parents were killed in the first of the Amery Wars fighting to save the planet Meera. But before their father died, he told them that he was a Protector, sworn to dedicate his life searching for the Realm, where Taki and Sheleen could be safe while they could learn the trade. His father told them they’d be given a gift that would help with the battle and aid them in finding the Realm. But their father died before he could tell them what the gift was or how they could find it.

  “They’ve been on the run through several books. Similar clues have been given to several other people that Taki and Sheleen have met along their journey, so they’ve formed a group. Each time they find a gift, it gives them powers to battle the Barriers, the alien invaders determined to wipe out all the Meerans. Taki, Sheleen, and the others’ goal is to find the Realm and defeat the Barriers once and for all.”

  Claire blinked. “Wow. That’s a very in-depth story line.”

  “It’s a lot. And there are setbacks, with victories and defeats. Kind of like life, you know?”

  “Wow. So much truth in that. Do you do all this artwork, too?”

  He smiled and nodded. “I do. I write the story, and the picture of what’s happening in each scene is always in my head. I sketch it out in pencil, then add in the graphics later, after the story is fully formed.”

  “It sounds very complex.”

  “It can be, but it’s a system that works pretty easily for me.”

  She handed the book back to him.

  “Not interested, huh?”

  “Actually, I’d like to start at the beginning. I can still buy the first issue at a store?”

  “Hang on.” He went upstairs and into his office, rustled through his files, and came back a few minutes later and handed her a couple of books. “These are the first two issues. If you like these, I can get you more. I’m honored you want to read it.”

  “Thank you. I do. I’m fascinated now. The story sounds so compelling.”

  “I’m happy to hear that.”

  “This wine is really good,” she said, handing him her empty glass.

  “Would you like more?”

  “I’d love some.”

  He took her glass and went into the kitchen. While he was gone, Claire stood to stretch. She lifted on her toes then bent over, really feeling the pull of her muscles. She felt so relaxed, so at ease. When she looked over, she noticed Sullivan standing in the doorway watching her. Even upside down as she was, she noticed him, too. His long legs, the way he fit into a pair of jeans, his incredible forearms and how much she wanted to see the rest of his body.

  Yum. She straightened and smiled. He walked in and handed her the glass. She took a swallow.

  “Thanks.”

  “I was admiring how limber you are. I imagine all the yoga you do helps with that.”

  “It definitely does. You should try it.”

  “I should. Maybe I’ll come to one of your classes. Do you teach beginners?”

  “Of course. I have a beginners class Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at three.”

  “I’ll show up.”

  Her lips curved as she took another sip of wine. “I’d like that. I could teach you some excellent moves.”

  “I’d like to see your moves.”

  His voice had dropped an octave, and she was sure they weren’t talking about yoga moves.

  Yes, she’d like to see his moves, too. All of them.

  Her gaze drifted to the window, and she wandered over there to see huge, fat flakes coming down. “Oh, look, it’s snowing outside.”

  “It is?” He joined her at the window. “So it is.”

  “Maybe we’ll get stuck here.”

  He gave her a questioning look. “I take it you might want to stay in tonight?”

  She swept her hand over the charcuterie board. “I don’t know. Maybe. We do have all this food. And amazing wine.” She wound her hand around his neck. “Plus great music. Wanna dance?”

  “Now that’s an invitation I’m not about to refuse.” He took her hand, curved his arm around her, and tugged her to him.

  “You’re warm,” he said.

  “So are you.” Hot, actually. She pressed deliberately against him in a way that made her body heat up, made her lean in further so she could breathe in his clean scent and rub her cheek against the softness of his sweater, wishing she could feel his skin against her cheek.

  Her breasts pressed against him and she heard a deep rumble as they moved together around the living room. Her earlier relaxed state had been replaced with something else—a feeling of neediness, of want. He seemed at ease while she was anything but. He stirred her, made her aware of him being so close, of the feel of his body against hers.

  And when she tilted her head back, her lips parted, her tongue darting out to moisten them. Her heart pounded so hard, she was sure Sullivan could hear it slamming against her chest.

  He leaned in and pressed his mouth to hers, the spark of their tongues touching zinging through every nerve. She moaned and swept her hand up, tangling her fingers in his hair, every soft strand slipping along her fingers.

  Kissing Sullivan was like a long drink of water after a lengthy run, reminding her of how very parched she was for this kind of kiss. She hadn’t realized how much she needed to touch him like this, taste him like this. She hadn’t felt so much, so fast in such a long time, and when she pulled back, she saw the hot passion reflected in his eyes.

  “Need a break?” he asked.

  She inhaled and exhaled heavily as she shook her head. “No. I want more. But can we sit down?”

  “Sure.” He took her hand and they went to the sofa.

  He probably thought she needed to cool down, to clear her head, maybe. He was wrong. As soon as he sat, she climbed onto his lap, straddling him, because what she wanted was more contact—intimate contact. She hoped he wouldn’t mind. She didn’t think he would.

  “This is better,” she said, squeezing his shoulders. “Now, where were we? Oh, right here, if I recall.”

  She leaned in and kissed him, settling her sweet spot right onto his oh-so-nicely hard cock, rewarded with his guttural moan.

  No, he most definitely didn’t mind.

  His mouth moved over hers, and now that they were both seated, he swept his hands over her back. She wished there wasn’t so much of her thick sweater impeding his ability to touch her.

  But she could fix that. She straightened and drew the sweater over her head, tossing it to the other side of the sofa, happy she had decided to wear her sexy, lacy, black bra. She grinned down at him and then smoothed her hand over his chest.

  “Now you,” she said.

  He gave her a crooked smile, lifted and pulled his sweater off, revealing a wide expanse of very nice chest and crisp hair.

  Yes, this was a lot better. Now she could touch his skin, run her fingers over him, and press her body against his, which she did while she kissed him. And oh, it was heaven to feel his hands on her as he smoothed them over her back, eliciting chills down her spine. The sensations were delicious, making her want to stretch out along his body. Or even better, be underneath him as he pumped inside of her.

  Yes, she definitely wanted that.

  She broke the kiss and straightened. “I have a request.”

  “Okay.”

  “I would like to have a tour of your bedroom.”

  He arched a brow. “You would, huh?”

  “Yes. Right now, in fact.”

  He cupped her butt, picked her up, and stood. Instead of putting her down, he moved to the stairs. She wrapped her legs and arms around him, torturing him with licks and nibbles to his neck while he made his way up.

  He paused halfway there. “Claire, if I fall, you’re coming with me.”

  “Me. Coming. With you. That’s the idea.”

  He growled an unintelligible reply and continued up the stairs. Before they made it to the landing, he had unfastened the hooks of her bra, making her grin.

  “In a hurry?” she asked, talking to his neck so she didn’t upset his balance.

  “If I could figure out how to get your pants off while I was walking, I’d do that, too.”

  She laughed.

  He walked them into a dark room, not bothering to turn the light on. He sat her on the edge of his bed, so she felt around. Nice mattress. Firm, but not rock hard. And a fluffy duvet, too. She gave him extra points for that.

  He started at her feet, pulling off her socks. Then she heard the rustling of clothing—his, she assumed. A very good sound.

  He leaned over her, his features shadowed in the darkened room.

  “You certain about this?” he asked.

  She appreciated that he’d asked her, but she was definitely on board. “Absolutely. Now let’s get my pants off.”

  “I’m happy to do that.”

  He grasped the waistband of her leggings and drew them down then bent to place a kiss on both of her hip bones.

  She shivered in pure delight.

  “You smell good,” he murmured against her skin then removed her panties.

  She pulled off her bra and flung it—somewhere—maybe the floor. She didn’t care. She just wanted to be naked. She wanted Sullivan naked. And when he came down on top of her, his skin touching hers, it was perfect—he felt perfect. She arched her back to brush her nipples across his chest.

  “I want to take a moment to tell you how beautiful you are,” he said, reaching between them to rub his hands over her breasts, teasing her nipples with his fingers. “Not just your breasts—though they are magnificent. But your face, the way your hair brushes across your cheeks, the delicacy of your fingers, and did I mention how much I love your legs? Long, lean and strong.”

  She couldn’t recall the last time a man had said such lovely things about her body. Maybe never? “You did not. But thank you.”

  He slid his hand along her ribs then upward to her breasts. When he put his mouth over a nipple and sucked, she gasped, grabbed his head, and threaded her fingers through his amazingly soft hair, silently begging for more.

  With one hand, he plumped her breast and used his mouth to tease and suck her nipples, while his other hand made a slow trek south. When he found her clit and began a slow, delicious rub, she was lost, traveling to a warm, magical world where all she knew was decadent pleasure.

  And oh, he gave it to her with his amazingly talented fingers and mouth, relentless in the pursuit of her orgasm. And when she came, it took her breath away, leaving her limp and satisfied.

  He lay next to her. “That smile is another thing I like about you.”

  She tucked her arm behind her head. “That is a smile of satisfaction.”

  “You have different types of smiles, actually.”

  “Different smiles?”

  “Yeah. Sometimes the kind of smile that’s a prelude to a laugh. Oh, and there’s the one where you’re kind of pissed, but hiding it behind an angry smirk. And other times it’s like you’re holding a secret. It makes me want to know more about you. And, of course, the one you’re giving me now that tells me you came really good. I’ll definitely remember that one.”

  She laughed then rolled over on top of him. “Let’s both have more of that kind of smile.”

  She lay herself fully on top of him and kissed him, rewarded with his hands roaming her body.

  Sullivan had exceptional hands. Warm, expansive, strong, and as he gripped her hips and rolled her over his erect cock, she moaned, already imagining what it would feel like to ride him until she came again.

  He shifted slightly and grabbed a condom from the bedside drawer.

  “Let me,” she said.

  Now it was his turn to give her one of his enigmatic smiles as he handed her the condom. “Gladly.”

  She opened the packet and rolled the condom on, then wrapped her hand around the base of his shaft.

  “I like your hand on me,” he said, his voice low and dark.

  “I like your hands on me, too. All over me.”

  She slid down on him, taking in a breath as he filled her completely. She paused, feeling his cock expand and twitch inside of her. It felt so good to be connected, to feel that heat and pulse as she began to move against him.

  And then it was glorious sensation as he lifted and she rolled. He grasped her hips and rocked her toward him, making her gasp as every part of her got what she needed. He reached up to tease her nipples, and the shock of pleasure shot straight to her sex.

  She looked down at him as she rode him, watching the intensity of his features as he drove into her. She felt wild and a little out of control, something she very rarely if ever allowed herself to experience. But with Sullivan, she felt free to be herself, and his encouraging words only spurred her on to let herself go. She leaned forward and held on to him, watching his features tighten, feeling him quiver inside of her, listening to the sounds he made as he thrust deeply into her, all of it combining to take her right to the edge.

  She dug her nails into his chest, making him hiss and pump hard into her. She ground against him in response and felt the delicious burst of orgasm. He followed, and to Claire, it felt like an earthquake. She shook with the force of it and Sullivan’s body shuddered beneath her. She leaned down and kissed him, his arms wrapping tight around her while she rode out the tremors until they subsided.

  It went quiet then, only the sounds of their breathing filling the room. And the feel of Sullivan’s hands rubbing her back. She’d be content like this the rest of the night, except he’d probably like her to get off him. She moved to rise, but his hands held her firmly.

  “I like you on top of me.”

  She lifted her gaze to his, warmed by his smile. “It was good for me, too. But now I’m hungry.”

  He glanced over at the clock on the nightstand. “We could still make our dinner reservation if we hurry.”

  She slid her fingers over his chest, enjoying the warmth of her body connected to his. “Or…we could hang out here, eat more of that delicious food you made, drink some wine and be totally casual. Maybe even end up here in your bed again.”

  “Hmm. Give me a minute to think about it.”

  She smacked his chest.

  “Ow.” He laughed then rolled her over on her back, kissed her so deeply he made her squirm with need, then climbed off the bed. “Your idea sounds great.”

  They cleaned up, got dressed, and headed downstairs. Claire realized as they were walking down the steps together that Sullivan had taken hold of her hand. A small gesture, to be sure, but to her, it meant a lot.

  He refilled their wineglasses then added another log to the fire and joined her on the sofa.

  “To what I hope will be a very long night together,” he said, raising his glass.

  “I’ll definitely drink to that.”

  Today—and tonight—had been fun. More than she’d expected, actually. Sullivan was full of surprises. He was fun and engaging and she found herself relaxing around him.

  Claire knew shouldn’t read too much into what tonight had meant. It was just fun and sex, which she certainly enjoyed.

  But that’s all it was and all she was going to plan for it to be.

  Chapter Eight

  Since their weekend together, it had been difficult for Sullivan to pretend he wasn’t all in for Claire. There was something about her that made him feel as if the two of them just...fit. And it was a lot more than the physical aspect of their relationship, though that was damn good. But they both had their daughters to think about, and since he wasn’t sure where things stood with Claire, he was going to take things slowly.

  So he asked Claire and Brooke if they’d be interested in going to a hockey game the following Tuesday night. He and Maddy were both fans, but he had no idea how Claire and Brooke felt about the game. From Brooke’s squealing in the background on the phone and Claire’s laughing and excited yes, he had his answer.

  His favorite Chicago team was in town, so it was the perfect game to go to.

  Once at the stadium, they found their seats, which weren’t exactly front and center near the ice, but they weren’t in the nosebleed section either. Midway wasn’t too bad, and they’d be able to see the action.