Tip of the Ice-Berg Ch. 02

Rosana blinked, hearing him but not understanding. Then his words sank in and a blush stole across her cheeks.

She wanted nothing more than to lift her skirt and let him take her, upright against a wall or not. He was looking at her with heated focus and she could feel his arousal between her legs. She bit her lip and lowered her lashes while her fingers played with the hair at the back of his head.

She wasn't an inexperienced virgin but Matt still managed to make her feel things that were new to her. Most of her previous boyfriends hadn't understood how to seduce a woman. Their idea of foreplay was to wrench the book out of her hands and grope clumsily at her breasts. In the end, when her reaction was less than enthusiastic, they accused her of being a cold fish, an ice queen, prude – the names went on and on.

With Matt, even after such a short time of knowing him, she felt on fire for the first time in her life.

At her hesitation, Matt relaxed his hold on her and she dropped her legs back onto the floor. Her knees wobbled and sweat was running down her back between her shoulder blades. Matt took another step back, just large enough to put a sliver of space between them.

Without thinking, Rosana reached for him. She lifted up onto her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck. His eyelids lowered and a devilish grin spread across his face. Something loosened inside of Rosana and gave her the strength to do what she did then.

She leaned close and pressed a kiss to the skin beneath his left ear. "Upstairs. Second door on the right."

Matt didn't need to be told twice. He lifted her off her feet and carried her upstairs. Rosana held on and a breathless laugh escaped when Matt cursed at stubbing his toe on the first step. Somehow they made it to her room and tumbled down to the bed together.

What followed happened very fast. Rosana barely had time to drop her glasses on her nightstand as Matt knelt between her legs and yanked his jacket off. She laughed and then squealed when Matt wrenched her dress right up her body and over her head. With a groan, Matt crouched low and closed his mouth around her nipple where it poked up from under her bra.

Rosana arched off the bed and sank her fingers into his hair. God, she wanted this, she wanted him to consume her. Even as she was thinking it, Matt was sliding his fingers under the elastic waist of her panties. In a flash, he had them off her legs and then he cupped her moist heat.

"God, Rosana, you're beautiful."

She had the fleeting thought that she wasn't altogether naked so he couldn't pass judgment but then he eased his fingers between her slick folds. Her head fell back on the pillow and she groaned, her fingers flexing helplessly in his hair.

She heard the sound of a zipper parting but didn't care. Matt's hands and mouth were making it difficult to remember her own name. She felt him shift over her and the bed creaked as he moved between her thighs. His hips came right up against hers and she let her legs part more to accommodate him.

"Rosana..." Matt rained kisses on her face as he caressed her body.

Rosana twisted under his weight and panted as his tongue slid along the line of her throat. She felt his hands slide down her sides from her ribs to her hips and then he was easing her thighs further apart. His hands moved around to cup her knees and that was when she felt the rigid length of him pressing against her core.

Her eyes flew open and she dug her fingers into his shoulders. Matt must have sensed the change because he lifted his mouth to hers. He kissed her, slipping his tongue inside her mouth and swallowing her moan.

His hips pushed between hers and she felt his hot member pulsing against her. Instead of being startled and frightened by the swiftness of this intimacy, Rosana welcomed it. She lifted her hips off the bed in silent supplication and almost wept at the delicious friction as Matt eased himself into her.

In spite of the frantic pace until that moment, Matt entered her slowly. He kept his mouth on hers and worked his body so deep inside she didn't know where she left off and he began. When he was sheathed, they both froze and stared in amazement into each other's eyes. Something flickered through Matt's expression that Rosana didn't recognize. Then he shifted and the move made them both groan. He did it again and Rosana's eyes fluttered shut. When he did it a third time, she arched, feeling the stirrings of an orgasm coiling in her belly.

"Rosana, you're so beautiful..."

She heard his words and felt the stroke of his tongue on her neck but wasn't aware of anything except the exquisite sensation of his body moving inside hers. She clung to his broad shoulders and pressed her head back into the bed, lifting her pelvis to meet his slow, deliberate thrusts. His hand slid down her hip and he squeezed her. She raised her knees, cradling him closer to her body.

He lifted himself and braced his weight on his hands beside her head. She writhed beneath him as he continued moving against her, within her. He watched her through narrowed eyes, his breath coming out in sharp rasps, warm against her cheek. He touched her face and opened his palm over the erratic pulse in her throat. Then he slipped his hand down and palmed her breast. When he tweaked her nipple through the lace of her black bra, Rosana's breath caught in her throat and she jerked up into his grasp.

Matt gave a low chuckle and lowered his head to brush a kiss on the bare swell of her breast over the lace cup of her bra. His tongue snaked out to slide beneath the fabric and Rosana twisted to meet the caress. She wanted more of what he was doing to her.

But he was already moving on, his body still pumping with maddening patience against hers. His palm smoothed over her ribs, making her tremble and then he was grasping her hips on either side. He murmured something that sounded like 'unbelievable,' but Rosana couldn't be sure of anything at that moment.

Then he jerked her hips right up off the bed and his pace increased. He groaned, long and low as he pumped against her faster and faster. Rosana opened her eyes to see him watching her with a fierce sensuality that made her gasp. He reached up with one hand to squeeze her nipple and she came apart with a wail.

Her hips bucked up in his grasp and he growled low in his throat, thrusting harder. He drew out the fiery explosions of her climax until she was weak and whimpering beneath him. She clutched at his shirt, wrapped her fingers around his tie and drew his face back down to hers.

As their lips met, Matt made another inarticulate noise and his thrusting grew more frantic. Rosana bit down on his lower lip and he groaned, his fingers digging hard into her hips. She did it again and then smoothed her tongue over the spot she'd bitten. She angled her hips up and hooked her leg around his thigh. Matt panted, his breath hot against her mouth, and his hold tightened along with his entire body.

He froze for a microsecond before groaned as he climaxed. His entire body shook and he pushed hard into Rosana for what felt like an eternity.

At last he slowed and then stilled, his body easing down over hers. She cradled him close, kissing his cheek and the side of his throat. With a groan, he rolled off of her and they lay side-by-side, their arms barely touching.

Rosana didn't know why, but she felt disconcerted by his withdrawal. She knew she shouldn't be; they were still lying next to each other. She opened her mouth to say something but couldn't think of the right words, words that wouldn't make him think her a silly female.

"Rosana?"

She turned her head as he rolled onto his side, covering her body with one arm and leg. He grinned at her and stroked the outside of her bare arm with one rough, warm palm. The look in his grey eyes made her shiver and he squeezed her close, tucking her into the warmth of his body.

"I'm sorry."

Her eyes widened at his apology and she couldn't help but smile. "Why? I'm not."

"Oh, I'm not sorry about that." He kissed her. "I'm just sorry that we'll miss dinner."

Rosana rolled her head to glance at her clock. "It's early yet. There's still time to get to the restaurant."

Before she'd even finished speaking, Matt let out a yawn. His eyelids fluttered and his grin turned sheepish. "I don't think I can make it."

Rosana laughed and nodded. She reached around him with both arms and gave him a warm hug.

"Sleep. You've had a busy couple of days. Restaurants will still be around when you wake up."

Matt nodded, his eyes already drooping. They flashed open again before he faded altogether. "Will you be around too?"

Rosana nodded, her heart stuttering and tripping within her chest. "Yes, Matt. I'm not going anywhere."

With a satisfied smile, Matt drifted off.

* * * *

They never did get to dinner that night. Or the next night. Then Matt had a game, so almost a week passed before he managed to get Rosana out of the house and into a restaurant. He was also neglecting his brother but Malcolm didn't seem to mind.

Matt, for his part, relished his time with Rosana. She was so sweetly passionate and fun to be around. When they weren't all over each other, they were talking on the phone or having their usual coffee chat.

He was lucky enough to be in town when the first snow fell late in November. When he saw the evidence of the white stuff on his window, his first thought was to call Rosana, even though she was home next door.

"I can't believe it's snowing already!"

He laughed at her disgusted tone. "Relax, Rosana. It'll melt and we'll have another few weeks before it starts to stick."

She made a noise that he took to be acknowledgment and he laughed again. "Maybe I should come over and cheer you up."

"Don't you have a game or practice tonight?"

"I had practice earlier and there's no game until tomorrow night. Oh, speaking of the game, you should come. I got a couple tickets and thought you and Malcolm could go."

She didn't respond and Matt wondered if she'd hung up. "Rosana?"

"I'm here."

"Do you want to go?"

She sighed and Matt didn't like the sound of it. "I don't know, Matt."

"It's just a hockey game, Rosana. I'm not asking you to rob a bank with me."

She giggled and he smiled, relieved.

"I know. I'll come over and convince you in person." He hung up before she could protest.

Matt hurried across the yards to Rosana's front door. As always, she was waiting with the door open, a shy smile on her pretty face. He swept her up into his embrace and buried his face against her neck, inhaling her scent.

"I missed you."

She giggled and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "You saw me yesterday."

"That was yesterday."

Her delightful giggle filled his ear again then turned to a sigh when he opened his mouth on her neck. For several long moments, he ran his tongue in swirls over her skin, holding her against his body and feeling her trembling as he caressed her.

"Say yes."

She lifted her head and blinked. "Yes?"

He grinned and brushed her lips with a light kiss. "Yes. To come to the game tomorrow night."

Her dazed look lifted and she lowered her lashes as she bit her bottom lip. Matt drew back and cocked his head as he looked down at her.

"Don't you want to come?" He didn't want to think that she didn't care about his work but she was acting very strange about his invitation. "Is it because of Malcolm? I can make sure he behaves himself."

She laughed and shook her head. With a smile, she touched his cheek and leaned forward to kiss him. "Malcolm's fine. I've just never been to a game before. I don't want to be a bother."

"You wouldn't be a bother, Rosana. I'm inviting you."

Still, she seemed reluctant. Matt released her and walked away, heading for the living room.

"Matt? Are you angry with me?"

"No." He shoved his hands through his hair as he came to a stop in front of her couch. "I just don't understand. Most people would love free tickets."

Her dark eyebrows lifted as she followed him into the room and stood on the opposite side of the couch from him. "I'm not most people."

"I know that."

Rosana shrugged and moved to sit down. "I don't know why you're so upset. I just don't want to interfere with your job."

Matt rolled his eyes and sat down next to her. "You won't be interfering, believe me. When I'm on the ice, I don't see anything but the other players and the puck."

Her forehead wrinkled as he spoke, as if she couldn't understand the appeal. He'd had this problem with women before, their disinterest in his job. Sure, they liked the fact that he was an athlete and they liked that he had money but when it came time to support him at the arena, they were less than enthusiastic. He didn't think Rosana was like those women but he hadn't expected this underwhelming response to his offer.

"I don't know, Matt." She drew in a deep breath and gave him a tremulous smile. "Isn't it kind of... rough?"

Matt blinked, surprised. "I guess it can be."

"I don't think I could watch you get hurt."

A laugh escaped Matt before he could stop it. Rosana didn't even crack a smile.

"I can't promise I won't get hurt, Rosana. It's just the nature of the game. It's fast and things can happen even when you're careful."

She still looked doubtful. Matt stifled his frustration and leaned closer to her. "If it helps, I'll promise not to do anything on purpose that's rough or overly physical."

That surprised a laugh out of her. She shook her head. "I'm not that clueless about hockey and you just said that anything can happen even if you are careful."

"OK, then I'll just say I'll do my best to not go looking for anything rough."

Her smile held for a second before slipping. She sighed and looked away.

"I'd really like you to be there," he broke the silence when she didn't reply.

She nodded. "All right, Matt. I'll come."

That was not the reaction he'd been looking for. He leapt to his feet and started pacing.

"If it's too much of an inconvenience for you, Rosana, then forget it."

"Matt, that's not what I said."

He pinned her with a scowl. "You didn't have to."

"Don't put words in my mouth." She was starting to look upset now. "I said I'd come and I will. Why aren't you happy?"

"Because you made it sound like I'm trying to take you... I don't know, streaking or something."

The outrageous comparison made her laugh and Matt's shoulders eased a bit.

"That's something I'd have to turn down, Matt."

Matt stopped and studied her. "I want you to come to the game because you want to, not because you feel obligated."

She fidgeted under his gaze before nodding. "All right. I'd love to come to the game."

He stared hard at her for a second before giving a short nod.

"Come sit down."

He hesitated but sat down next to her. She reached for his hand and he let her clasp it in hers.

"Please don't be mad."

Matt blew his breath out and turned to her with a small smile. "I'm not mad. I'm a little surprised that you don't want to see what it is I do for a living."

She returned his smile. "I do, Matt. I was just... surprised by the offer."

Matt watched her as she spoke and had the feeling that she was keeping something from him. His natural instinct was to press for more from her, to keep asking questions until she caved. Even as they sat there smiling, holding each other's hands, Matt sensed a distance in Rosana. He didn't like it but if he'd learned anything about her over the past couple of months it was that she couldn't be rushed.

For now, he leaned over to kiss her and cup her cheek in his palm. The subject didn't come up again that night.

Later, it was the first time in their relationship that they went to sleep together without making love first.

* * * *

When he woke up, Matt felt disoriented. He could dimly recall their argument the night before and the unresolved questions he'd had. As he rolled over, he realized he was alone in bed and the spot beside him had long cooled.

Where the hell was Rosana?

Matt reached onto the floor for his discarded pants and pulled them on. He stood up and felt his way through the dark room to the door. There was more light in the hallway, pouring from an open doorway at the end of the hall. Matt followed the light and tapped his knuckles on the door before pushing it open.

Rosana was curled up in her chair, a book tucked against her chest. Her head rested against the back of the chair and one leg dangled over the arm. She was wearing faded flannel pajamas and fuzzy slippers.

Matt looked at her for a minute. She looked so peaceful and innocent, a stark contrast from earlier in the evening when she'd looked hurt and upset. He thought about the fact that they hadn't made love that night and his thoughts inexorably turned to memories of nights they had. His body stirred at the recollection and he swallowed around the thickness in his throat.

God, he wanted her. He wanted her stripped and he wanted to feel every inch of her against his naked body. But he was hardly the type of guy to maul a sleeping woman. So he shoved his desires away and crept into the library.

The book in Rosana's lap was a slim romance and Matt smiled as he pulled it out of her grasp. She shifted on the seat and let out a sigh that made him even harder. Still, he tamped down his lust and crouched next to the chair. His eyes roamed over her pink cheeks and fluttering lashes to the pout of her lips. Then he dropped his gaze to the book in his hands and grinned.

There was a muscular, half-naked man holding a woman wearing clothing that was in complete disarray. Matt flipped the book open to a random page and scanned a few lines.

'Oh, I wish you wouldn't leave me, Rodrigo.'

Rodrigo angled his head to regard the wanton maiden tucked against his side. They were slick with sweat from their lovemaking and the shadows lent a dusky quality to the room. Rodrigo slid his palm up Lenore's side and grinned when she sighed and curved to his touch. His body stirred at her sensual response and he couldn't believe that he was ready to sample her again.

'You know I must leave, Lenore. I cannot stay while the Royal Navy continues to hunt me.'

She trembled at his words and he stroked her again, going lower this time and teasing his fingers through the coarse curls at the juncture of her thighs.

'I will pray for you, Rodrigo.'

She lifted herself onto his chest as she spoke, so that her breath brushed across his face. He sneered at her words, wanting to snap that she could keep her prayers, for what had God ever done for him and his family?

As though sensing his thoughts, Lenore touched his face and the gentle look in her eyes stirred his body yet again.

Only for one reason would he ever pray to God – that he be allowed to seduce this woman again and again, until the last of his breath left his body.

Matt didn't realize how fast his breath was coming as he read. He shifted to sit down on the floor beside the chair and continued reading.

'Don't think, Lenore.' His words were a whisper spoken against her swollen lips. 'Just feel. Feel me here, now, as I touch you.'

He rolled over and pushed her legs apart with one powerful thigh. Reaching down, he cupped her moist center and stroked her. He watched her face as she responded to his touch, her hips rising off the bed to meet his questing fingers.

She clutched at his broad shoulders, savoring the feeling of his sinewy muscles shifting beneath his tanned skin.

How could this man make her feel such things? How could he rouse her to such passions and still leave her wanting more?

It had only been two days since she'd first set eyes on him and already she could feel her heart tripping perilously close to the edge. As Rodrigo lowered his dark head to wrap his soft lips around one straining nipple, she gasped and squeezed her eyes shut.