Fatal Flaw. Sandy Curtis

chuckled at the twinkle in her eyes as she asked the last question, and saw the pleasure the sound caused her. Happiness seeped through his bones. 'I'll tell you when I get back,' he said.

      At her puzzled look, he rolled off the condom and knotted it.

      'Don't be long,' she smiled as he left the bed.

      He wasn't long, but their conversation when he returned was. Mark realised he hadn't talked so much, or so freely, for years. And all the time they talked, they touched. Long, slow, lingering touches. Mark felt his arousal building, felt Julie tremble as his fingers grazed her nipples and feathered across her thighs. Her hand on his lower stomach stilled as she asked, 'Do you have another condom?'

      He stilled, suddenly aware of the futility of their caresses. 'No.'

      For a minute she lay motionless. Then, 'Mark, have you ever lied to me?'

      'No.'

      'Would you lie to me?'

      He traced one finger down her cheekbone to her chin, feeling the softness of her skin, marvelling that she was lying there with him. 'No.'

      'Do you have any communicable diseases? Are you HIV positive?'

      'Ah.' Now he knew what she was getting at. 'No to both questions. What about you?'

      For a second she looked almost shocked that he would ask. 'No. I had a rather short-lived affair three years after Luke left, but I practised safe sex. And celibacy has worked well since then. Has there …' The colour drained from her face. 'Is there … are you involved … with anyone?'

      He smiled. 'Remember I said that condom had been in my wallet a while?'

      She nodded.

      'Well, it's been a long while.'

      With a grin, Julie rolled onto him, moving her breasts over the smattering of dark hairs on his chest, and rubbing against his growing erection. 'How do you feel about coitus interruptus?'

      'It's risky.'

      'Only if you're not quick enough. Can I trust you?'

      Trust? If she kept up what she was doing he wouldn't last long enough to enter her, let alone pull out in time. He was going to say no, that they should wait, but the temptation to be inside her without restriction, to feel the hot, moist tightness of her, was irresistible. He nodded.

      The temptation lived up to his expectations. It was the kind of pleasure he'd only ever dreamed of before, losing himself so completely in a woman, and it took a massive effort of will to stay aware and retain control. Julie arched over him, taking him deep inside her. He watched her face, the way her eyes closed as little spasms shook her.

      His build-up increased. His hands moved to her hips, ready to lift her away, when footsteps sounded in the hallway.

      With a sharp cry, Julie dropped down on him, and the sudden pressure forced the release he was trying to control. He bit back his groan of dismay as Julie reached for the sheet and pulled it over them.

      'Mum, Zac's dad is going to…' Andy's voice choked off as he stopped at the bedroom doorway.