The stroke of his fingers when he caressed the side of her throat...a whisper of a tickle from his mustache...the lingering taste of chocolate and Kahlua on his lips from Synda's cake...a trace of aftershave that took her back to the scent the boys in school used even when they didn't have enough of a growth to shave daily. All of it struck her at once, not as a jumble of fractured images but as a warm and safe place to start their journey.

"Rico, are you sure you want to--"

He deepened the kiss. That was answer enough. This might be the most foolish thing she ever did, and she'd probably--no, definitely--regret it in the morning, but their train had left the station and nothing was going to stop it now.

A soft caress. The gentle slide of wet flesh. A flick of tongue. Warm breath on her cheek.

Mary Beth immersed herself in all the sensations that Rico's kiss sent racing through her. Mewling softly, she gripped his upper arms and parted her lips.

Rico inhaled sharply and slipped his tongue along the inside edge of her lips, alternately nipping at her bottom lip, then licking away the sting with soft strokes that sizzled.

Good god, where did he learn to kiss like this?

Mary Beth moaned when Rico covered her lips again. Slowly she let her hands travel over his shoulders and chest. Broad, firm, muscled. Her fingertips wandered down his flat stomach and around his waist. Muscles rippled beneath her touch. Most men would kill for a body like his, and women would jump at the chance to lie naked beside him.

This was her chance. Tonight was tonight. Tomorrow be damned.

Mary Beth leaned back against the side of the couch and abandoned any other thoughts except for the pleasure washing over her. Rico kissed her jaw, her cheek, the side of her neck. She tilted her head, giving him better access to the sensitive area beneath her ear.

Holding her waist, he pulled her closer. Her breath caught when he used his knee to part her thighs. There was no mistaking where things were headed, not once she felt his hard cock straining against his slacks.

"You want some of this?" he breathed into her ear as he shifted his cock from side to side. Each movement brushed her clit.

She didn't get the chance to answer before he shifted his weight again. Mary Beth glanced down and watched him slide his hand under her sweater while his mouth headed straight for the diamond-shaped cutout in the front. She'd worried it exposed too much when she looked in the mirror. Now she was glad she'd worn the sweater. Even before the first graze of his fingertips, her nipples hardened.

He ran his fingers up and down her sides. "Do you want me to stop?"

She shook her head.

Again Mary Beth held her breath until Rico unlatched the little piece of lace and fluff.

His warm palm cradled her breast.

She sighed and shifted to give him more room, although she'd rather he just ripped off her sweater and gave her breasts the attention they begged to receive.

His lips sought hers again instead. He sipped at them, his tongue caressing while his thumb and forefinger continued to tease and taunt her firm nipple.

She loved his kisses, and his playful attention to her breast drove her higher. She wanted more. The damp spot spread between her legs. She couldn't wait for him. She tried to sit up and when he made no move to allow it, she whispered, "Take off my sweater...please."

a