A Picture of Desire Read Online Free Page A

tensing of his muscles. She knew he was ready.
    So was she.
    Waves of pleasure pounded her body like the surf beating at the ocean’s shore. She gripped his shoulders and groaned his name, unable to stop herself from admitting her satisfaction. She felt a jet of wetness inside of her as he shuddered against her, and another orgasm rippled through her muscles.
    He fell against her, murmuring her name, and she was almost overcome by the release she felt. Their bodies were slick with sweat and the wetness of their act. The scent of sex and perspiration filled the room. And Ava felt, all at once, both euphoric and exhausted.
    Then she was struck by the reality of what they had done.
    Sweaty, red, and ashamed, Ava pushed Todd away from her. She adjusted her panties and pulled down her skirt. Unable to meet his eyes, she combed her fingers through her hair. Their act had been so primitive and so animal. She’d never lost control like that. Never had let her passions override her sense of propriety. Ava was embarrassed.
    “Don’t do that,” Todd growled. “Look at me.”
    Ava looked up at him through her lashes. His eyes were still dark with desire, although she saw something else in the twist of his mouth. Anger? Fear? Annoyance?
    “That was something we both wanted to happen. Something we’ve been working toward for a long time. Don’t cheapen it by acting ashamed,” he said.
    “Cheapen it?” Ava laughed harshly. “I feel like a ten dollar hooker. How can it get any cheaper than fucking in the middle of public? We just went at each other like rutting animals, and anyone could have seen us at any time. And that’s not the worst part! The worst part is that you are my fiance’s brother. In case you’ve forgotten, I am supposed to be marrying your brother next month.”
    “I haven’t forgotten that,” Todd said. “But he’s not right for you. And you’re not right for him. I’ve known it since the day I met you. What I don’t understand is why it’s taking you so long to figure it out.”
    Ava shook her head. “You’re wrong. Ken is the man for me. I love him. We’re going to forget this ever happened.”
    “If Ken is the man for you, then why was my cock the one you just fucked?”
    Ava pulled her head back as if she’d been slapped. “Get out,” she said. “Please. Just go.”
    “Can’t you see that marrying my brother would be the worst mistake of your life? And the worst mistake of mine?” Todd’s voice was low and quiet. It was the first time she had ever heard him sound furious, as if her choice to marry Ken filled him with rage.
    She thrust her chin forward, determination glinting in her hazel eyes. “I don’t love you, Todd. I love Ken. Yes, I enjoyed our moment together. But I regret it. Love is what makes a marriage, not sex. I belong to Ken,” she said again.
    “You don’t.” She heard the thread of anger that weaved through his words. “You don’t.”
    “Go away, Todd,” she said, surprised that she was strong enough to say the words. “This never happened.”
    “I’m going to give you some space,” Todd said, “because I know you need some time to process what just happened and how you feel. But I also know that after you think about it, and after you relive how damn good it was, you’ll understand what I am saying to you.” He reached out and brushed her cheek with his fingertip, a gesture so loving and gentle that Ava felt her belly warm. Then he turned and left the store.
    By the time Beth returned from lunch, Ava had combed her hair, reapplied her lipstick, and buttoned her blouse. There were no outward signs that she had just had sex with her fiance’s brother. But every once in while throughout the rest of the day, Todd’s semen would slip out of her and soak her panties. It was a constant reminder of what she had done and how good it had felt.
    She still shook with the memory. But the pleasure was tainted with guilt, and her heart twisted when she thought