Then she couldn’t think because it felt too good. There was too much, the touching, the rubbing. Tension grew until it was easy to simply give in to the pressure and let the thunder shake her into her release.
She writhed as her body surrendered to his touch. She groaned and gasped, then rode the cl**ax as he drew it out, moving just as quickly but more gently, exactly the way she liked. As if he’d remembered what pleased her.
When she was done, she opened her eyes and found him staring at her intently. His eyes were dark with need and his mouth twisted slightly.
“What?” she asked, suddenly worried. “Are you okay?”
“No.” He stood up and swore, then began ripping at his clothes. “I nearly lost it while you were coming. I’m too old for that. What the hell are you doing to me?”
His shirt went flying. He kicked off his shoes, ripped off his socks, then pulled a condom out of his pocket and dropped his pants. He was already hard and, judging from his breathing, more than ready to be inside of her.
Delighted beyond words, she scrambled back on the bed, ready to welcome him. He knelt on the mattress, put on the condom, then moved between her legs.
“I’m better than this,” he growled as he braced himself. “I have learned a thing or two. I’m good, dammit.”
“Of course you are,” she soothed, trying not to giggle. “Matt, it’s okay. I like that you’re out of control. Just go for it.”
He kissed her once, then took her at her word, filling her in one fast, deep thrust. She held on to him, riding him as he took her hard.
There was nothing he could do she wouldn’t like, no way he could touch her that didn’t bring her pleasure. They were meant to be together, she thought as he pushed in again and, seconds later, gave in to his orgasm.
They held on to each other, joined. Maybe the past couldn’t be undone, but the present could be healed, she thought as hope filled her chest and made her believe in possibilities. Because her heart had only ever belonged to one man and she would do anything to win him back.
JESSE FLOATED INTO THE bakery. After last night, she felt so amazing that she thought she might actually be glowing. It wasn’t just the sex, either. The last time they’d done it, technically she’d had no complaints. But the previous evening had been different—she’d been with the man she remembered. The man she loved. Not some guy with something to prove and that made all the difference in the world.
She was hopeful that she and Matt could find their way back together. Okay, it was a long shot, but she knew there were still feelings there. Still a connection. She was willing to be patient, but wouldn’t it be amazing if they could fall in love again? He was the only man who had ever touched her heart. To be with him, the father of her child, the man who owned her heart, would be beyond extraordinary.
But first there was a bakery to run, she thought as she forced herself to concentrate on reviewing the orders that had come in during the night. The fresh brownies sat on trays on the tables lining one side of the front of the store. Sid and Jasper had the second batch of cakes in the oven. Everything was going smoothly. It was nearly eight in the morning when Nicole showed up, her serious expression making Jesse’s good mood start to fizzle.
No, she thought as she stood and looked at her sister. She wasn’t going to let Nicole ruin what was a perfectly excellent morning.
“Just so we’re clear,” she said. “I’m not fighting with you. There’s nothing you can say or do to make me angry.”
Nicole nodded, then surprised her by starting to cry. “Is that really what you think of me?” her sister asked. “That I only want to fight with you? I know it is and it’s my fault. I’m sorry.”
The unexpected confession nearly brought Jesse to her knees. She crossed to Nicole and hugged her. “No. I don’t think that. I don’t. I’m sorry. I just reacted.”
“Because we’ve been fighting.” Nicole hugged her back, then moved away and wiped her face. “It’s all right. I deserve what you said. Probably more. It’s been such a shock having you here. I was barely getting used to that when the bakery burned down.”
“I know. It’s okay.” Jesse felt awful.
Nicole ignored her. “It’s not okay. I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said and I don’t like the truth, even though I can’t escape it. The reality is I wanted you to be the guilty party with Drew. I wanted you to be the reason he cheated on me because if it wasn’t you, it was him. It was me. I needed to blame you, so I took the easy way out. That was wrong of me and I’m really, really sorry.”
“Nicole, don’t blame yourself.”
“Why not? I did it all. I threw you out. You’re my baby sister and I love you and I sacrificed you because I was hurt and angry and I wouldn’t see the truth. I sent you away when you were pregnant. How could I have done that?”
“You didn’t send me away,” Jesse told her firmly. “I left on my own and it’s the best thing I could have done.”
“What if it wasn’t? What if you hadn’t found a job and somewhere to live? What if something awful had happened?”
Jesse noticed Jasper and Sid had disappeared into the kitchen, not that she could blame them. They wouldn’t want to be a part of this emotional moment. Even as she and Nicole talked it out, they were probably in the back, covering their ears and humming.
Jesse touched her shoulder. “If something awful had happened, I would have come home.”
Nicole stared at her. Her skin was blotchy, her eyes swollen. “Are you sure? Do you swear?”
“I swear. I was mad and hurt, but not suicidal. I wouldn’t have risked myself or Gabe.”
More tears filled Nicole’s eyes. “You had a baby all on your own. How did you do that? I was so scared when I had Eric and Hawk was with me.”
“I had friends.” Bill had been with her every second except for the actual birth.
“You should have had family. I’m sorry. I’ve been holding back because I’m scared of losing you again. But that’s wrong. You are wonderful and amazing and you deserved my support. I don’t know why I couldn’t give that to you.”
“Maybe because you were forced to raise your baby sister from the time you were twelve years old. Maybe because you never got to be a kid yourself.”
Nicole hugged her. “You’re not supposed to be so understanding. I have a whole speech prepared.”
They clung to each other.
“I’m so proud of you,” Nicole whispered fiercely. “Look at all you’ve done. You have great ideas. You’ve saved the business. I would have just shut down. All these people are working because of you. I can never thank you enough.”
Simple words strung together, Jesse thought. But so powerful. She felt the tear in her heart mend and the last of the resentment fade away.
“I love you,” she told her sister.
“I love you, too,” Nicole said, then straightened. “Which is why I’m giving you this. Because money talks, right?”
Jesse stared down at the check. It was for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Her breath got caught in her chest.
“What is this?”
“Half the insurance money. There will be more. They’re paying it out as we need it. Half the business is yours. It’s always been yours. I was wrong to keep it from you. So take it. You can start something of your own, or put a big chunk down on a house, whatever you want. It’s enough to fund a dream.”
It was more money than Jesse had ever seen in her life. Way more. It offered possibilities and home and the chance to…
To what? Start another business? She wanted to make the bakery work. She wasn’t ready to buy a house. Not until everything was settled. Besides, she already had plans for the money.
She handed the check back to her sister. “I don’t think so,” she said.
Nicole blinked at her. “Why not?”
“Because if I take half the insurance money, we won’t have enough left to build the bakery.”
“I don’t understand.”
Jesse smiled, then raised her arm toward the trays of brownies. “This is temporary. I want a real store, too. The fire means we can modernize, get new, more efficient equipment, redesign the space better. I have some ideas.”
Nicole stared at her, then started to laugh. “Just like that?”
“My last name is Keyes, too. The bakery is in my blood. But we’ll have to talk about a few things. I have some thoughts about changes we can make in how we do things.”
Nicole grinned. “Of course you do.”
JESSE WAS STILL UP when Paula came home that night after yet another date with Bill. Jesse took one look at her flushed face and bright eyes and said, “This is getting serious. Should I be worried about you?”
Paula ducked her head. “Don’t be silly. Bill is a very nice man. We’re just having fun together.”
“Oh, I think it’s more than fun,” Jesse teased. “You’re remembering to practice safe sex, right?”
“I’m ignoring you,” Paula said as she set down her purse on the kitchen counter. “I do like him.”
“He likes you.” Jesse had a feeling it was beyond simple “like” for both of them. Bill and Paula seemed to have fallen hard for each other.
“He lives in Spokane,” Paula said. “That’s a bit of a problem, but not one we have to deal with right now. It’s just—interesting.”
“Sometimes interesting is a really good time.”
“I know.” Paula settled on one of the stools by the counter. “How are orders at the bakery? Still piling in?”
“We have more than we can fill, but we’re working the program. Nicole and I have finally reached an understanding.” She filled Paula in on the conversation she’d had with her sister earlier that day. “I didn’t realize what a knot I had in my stomach until it was gone. I’ve missed Nicole. I’m sure we’ll fight, we’ve always fought, but it feels different now. Like we’ve cleared the air. I like that.”
“I’m glad. Any other air being cleared?”
Jesse grinned. “You’re not subtle.”
“I know. I just wish you and Matt could get back together. I have selfish reasons. Not only would it keep you and Gabe close by, I could probably let go of some of the guilt I’ve been carrying. Not all of it, but even a little would be good.”
Jesse touched the other woman’s hand. “Don’t feel guilty. You reacted to a situation. But you didn’t force Matt to turn his back on me and you’re not the reason I left town.”
“Easy for you to say. I keep thinking about how much better things would have gone if I’d just stayed out of everything.” Paula squeezed Jesse’s fingers. “I can’t undo that, but I can hope for the best.”
“There’s nothing for you to undo. You were looking out for your son. I have Gabe, now. I get it. I would do the same thing.”
Paula smiled. “Well, maybe not the same thing.”
“Something close.”
“Okay, thanks for saying that. Matt was over the other night. How was that?”
Jesse thought about the lovemaking, the connection, how she’d finally felt right with him. “Good. Better than good. He’s great with Gabe and that’s wonderful. I think—” She swallowed, barely able to think the words, let alone speak them. “I’m hoping we have a chance. I think he still has feelings for me. I’m not sure.”
“I think he does, too,” Paula told her. “From what I’ve heard, there have been a lot of women in his life, but no one has gotten close. I can’t helping wondering if it’s because he never stopped loving you.”