Molly's voice echoed in the candlelit bathroom, her off-key words bouncing from the tiled walls. The scent of gardenias filled the air, drifting from the emptying bath behind her. With her face scrubbed free of makeup and her body relaxed after a long soak, this was one of her favourite parts of the day. The boys were in bed. Housework done. Her time to finally wind down at the end of it all.
She pulled her robe closed and belted it at the waist, smiling at the thought of the fresh sheets and warm bed waiting for her. She'd probably read for a while then have an early night. It had been one of those days she was glad to see end. Working part-time and caring for twin four year old boys wasn't easy. Molly had spent half the afternoon breaking up wrestling matches.
She swiped condensation from the mirror, then reached up and tugged at the clip fastening her hair. Chestnut waves tumbled free over her shoulders. Molly ruffled her fingers through the strands and stared at her reflection. Her hazel eyes didn't hold their usual sparkle anymore; she'd noticed it missing of late.
Her voice quietened. She sighed and closed her eyes, her thoughts shifting to Jason. No matter how hard she tried to keep up the pretence of happiness, Molly just wanted him home. Three weeks he'd been gone now; an out-of-state business trip he wasn't due to return from until the weekend. Molly didn't know if she could hold out another four days.
She needed his strength and humour to help her through the day. Someone to talk to once the kids were in bed and it grew quiet at night. She needed him in other ways too. What she wouldn't give right now to curl up next to her husband and have him make love to her - fast, fierce, slow, leisurely - she didn't care. All she knew for sure was that no-one could ever touch her the way he did.
Twelve years they'd been together and her body still pined for him the way it had in the very beginning. Each night during his absence she'd lain in bed on her own, sometimes talking to him over the phone, stroking herself while his low voice coaxed her to orgasm. Other times she was left alone with nothing but her thoughts. The physical release was just never the same without him.
Moisture began to gather between her thighs now, the familiar need welling inside her once again. Her breath left her in a wistful laugh and she opened her eyes. God, just thinking about him made her wet. She gazed at her reflection and pushed her hand inside her robe. She needed the weight of his body on hers, his skin pressed close. He knew exactly where to touch her; exactly what brought her the greatest pleasure. She'd have to make do with imagining it for now.
Molly slid her palm over her breast, her nipple hardening beneath her touch. She could almost feel Jason's lips wrapped around the sensitive nub, his tongue circling its sweet torture. A long sigh slipped free as she plucked the tender flesh, rolling the tip between her fingers.
Four more days.
She paused to un-belt her robe and swept it from her shoulders, the red silk gliding down her arms to catch at her elbows. She took a moment to drink in the view of her nude body; the way motherhood had made her breasts full and heavy, her nipples rosy pink, her belly with its feminine softness. Jason had always shown appreciation for her body, but his enthusiasm for her new curves surpassed anything she'd experienced in the past.
Molly massaged her breasts with firm strokes, pale skin a stark contrast to her red-painted nails. She closed her eyes and slid one hand across her stomach, trailing downward to the smooth skin nestled between her thighs. Her fingers dipped inside her warmth, teasing the bud hidden in her folds.
Molly's eyes drifted closed as she worked her fingers over her clit. She thought about the last time Jason had made love to her, the night before he'd gone away. He'd propped her on the kitchen bench and parted her thighs, dropping to his knees before her. Her calves had been draped over his shoulders. He'd buried his face between her legs and suckled on her moist flesh until she was jerking above him. Before she'd even had the chance to catch her breath, he'd slid inside her, right there in the kitchen, and started on her all over again.
Molly's body jolted just thinking about it. Her fingers moved more quickly, pressing and torturing. Her other hand caressed her breast, smoothing over the soft weight. She could feel her orgasm building so quickly only a couple more strokes would send her over the edge.
Then she smelled it; a waft of cologne, warm and masculine, completely out of place... yet so familiar.
Her eyes shot open just as a hand smoothed over her hair. A scream lodged in her throat and she whipped the robe back over her body. Shooting a terrified glance at the mirror, her eyes locked on the figure behind her. Dark hair, olive skin, and the smile she knew and loved.
Excitement rushed through her; immediate and intense. Her heart hammered, her stomach churned. She forgot to be annoyed at the way he'd crept up on her. "Jason! You scared me." She turned and threw her arms around his neck, smiling up into his face. "You're back early. Why didn't you tell me you were coming home? God, I've missed you so much."
"Wanted to surprise you, Molls. I've missed you, too." His arms slipped around her waist, cupping her rear in both hands. He lifted her from the floor, her robe bunching at her thighs as she wrapped her legs around his waist.
His denim jeans dragged across her inner thighs. Their gazes met and a smile lifted the corner of his mouth. Tenderness shined in his blue eyes as they roamed her features. Molly smiled as he drew her close and pressed his mouth to hers in a leisurely kiss. His tongue slid over hers, pushing its way inside her mouth.
Molly closed her eyes and sank a hand into the back of his hair, applying pressure to get the closest connection possible. His stubbled skin grazed her cheek. His scent surrounded her; reminding her how much she'd missed having him around. She couldn't believe he was back. He'd given no hint of his return when they'd spoken on the phone only hours earlier.
His heart beat strong and steady against her chest. He grew hard beneath her and she shivered at the thought of what lay ahead. To think only a few minutes ago she'd resigned herself to spending another night alone.
He turned and shoved Molly against the wall, the move both surprising and thrilling her. "My timing couldn't be better," he said. His voice was a teasing drawl as he pulled back from her mouth. Their gazes connected and she held her breath in anticipation. He swept his palms over the soft swell of her rear, digging his fingertips into her skin. A smile curved his mouth. "Looks to me like you need a good fucking."
Molly whimpered as his fingers dipped beneath her, massaging her inner thighs. His strokes were slow and insistent, building the fire inside her again. Her robe fell open, baring her breasts. She cupped her scented flesh, pinching nipples between forefingers and thumbs. "Hmm...know anyone who's up for the job?" She gave him a challenging look, her mouth parting on a sigh as his thumbs pressed against her pussy.
Amusement glimmered in his eyes. "You keep that up, you'll regret it." He used his hips to hold her in place against the wall. The light switch dug into her back, but she barely registered the discomfort. He stripped the blue t-shirt from his body, revealing a tanned chest sprinkled with dark hairs. He dropped it to the floor and plucked her hands away from her breasts, sighing at the vision before him. "God, I've missed you two."
Molly laughed and closed her eyes. He squeezed her breasts, lifting and pushing them together. He rubbed her nipples with the pads of his thumbs. She craved his touch. She needed to feel him moving inside her. Now. "Are you still up to the task? It's been awhile." Molly slid her hands into his hair. Her fingers gripped the thick strands so close to his scalp it raised a growl deep in his throat. She kissed him hard, kissed him until they were both breathless.
"Oh, yeah. I think I'll manage just fine." Jason spoke against her hot mouth, sliding a hand under her hair to hold onto the back of her neck. He trailed his other palm down her spine, clamping her to him. His breath tickled across her cheek, his mouth moving with hers, warm and eager. He turned and took a step, bumping into the bathroom door.
Molly pulled her mouth from his, her laugh low and throaty. "Wow. You're really out of practice." She loved knowing how to get to him, knowing exactly which buttons to push.
His arms tensed around her. He gripped her hair and tugged her head back, his eyes filled with humour as they met hers. "Oh, now you're fucking going to get it." He yanked the bathroom door open and strode into the bedroom, still with her wrapped around him like a second skin.
He tossed her on the bed where her robe pooled either side of her body. Suddenly vulnerable sprawled before him, she tried to tug the panels together. He chuckled at her plight and rested a knee on the edge of the bed. He gripped both her wrists in one hand and held them above her head on the mattress until she stilled. He flicked her robe aside. "Molls, I've seen and tasted every inch of you. There's no point trying to hide."
His eyes roamed her body; intent and full of purpose. He leaned in and circled her nipple with his tongue, drawing the bud into his mouth. He suckled, then released and lapped at the peak. She felt needed, completely desired. She guessed the weeks they'd both spent apart had a lot to do with it, but her back arched at the feeling nonetheless.
Jason kissed her nipple farewell and let go of her hands. He reached further up the bed for a pillow. Molly's eyes widened. He tapped her thigh with his fingertips. "Lift."
She raised her hips without hesitation, keeping her attention on his face. "What are you doing?" He'd never hurt her, she knew that, but the look on his face still caused panic to sprout in her belly.
"You're about to understand what it feels like to be pushed too far." He cocked a brow at her and shoved the pillow under her rear, elevating it from the bed. A smile flitted across his face and she couldn't for the life of her figure out how he was going to achieve that goal. She'd always been in control of her body. If he thought he could waltz in and take over, he had another thing coming.