Her face went white and she pressed her hand to her heart. “Will he be at the cotillion?”
Maybe she was star-struck by the name of that rich family and the idea of seeing them. Alicia would have jumped at the chance to dine with them. His shoulders tightened as he shook his head. “Doubtful. The Morgans aren’t the type to show up and talk about farmer needs or suppling peaches to anything other than their grocery stores.”
“Oh, okay.” She sank back into the seat. “I just want to spend the evening with you.”
She was not his ex, so he forgave the reaction. He rolled his back to let the tension out as he said, “I bored you with talking about my peaches.”
She touched his arm and awareness grew causing his hair to rise as she said, “No, not at all. But where else do people buy?”
“Farmer's markets. Small stores where they trust the owner. Not that it matters.” He kissed her wrist, wanting to kiss her fully, but he held back. If he went too fast, emotionally opening himself up with Jess, he’d have fun, but he’d also be vulnerable and he couldn’t risk that. Maverick settled closer to her as he said, “We both want that good time together on the dance floor later.”
“Dancing sounds good.” Her eyes were half-closed as she stared at his lips. More tingles grew to take her kisses. “First, where is this dinner you planned?”
Right. He had a plan. The curve of her breasts in the teal dress brushed innocently against his arm and he gritted his teeth. Counted to three. Then said, “I booked us a suite at the Epicurean Hotel so we could have a private dinner before heading downstairs to the cotillion.”
"Private?" A huge smile grew on her face as she said, “Perfect. I’m even more excited now.”
A hotel room with Jess meant no interruptions. If he took her out of that dress before the dance, he’d mess up her hair. He had dinner arranged, then they'd show up at the cotillion and only afterward would he bring her to bed for a night neither of them would forget. He didn’t want to go out of order and rush either of them. “Not questioning why I didn’t book a restaurant?”
The glow in her gaze was undeniable as she said, “Your plans for seduction work better in a hotel room where we can be alone.”
His body tightened and became hard from the warmth of her breath on his skin. He brushed his hand against her thigh that pressed near his on the seat. “Jess, after the ex-boyfriend is dealt with, what kind of guy are you looking for?”
Her eyes widened as she curled her fingers around his. “I wasn’t looking.”
Every woman he’d ever talked to had an ideal which she used as a yardstick to measure a man’s worth. He didn’t quite believe her. “Why not?”
She shrugged like she told the absolute truth. “I always figured that when the right guy showed up, I’d know. No need to stress. If he never shows up, I’ll deal with that too." She touched her diamond earring. "I'll throw myself into charity or something.”
“You’re very unusual.” Jess seemed completely honest about not looking for the "perfect" man, contrary to everything he'd heard since grammar school.
She narrowed her gaze and squeezed their palms together. “I don’t think so. I won’t die surrounded by cats. I have plenty of relatives who are reproducing and I’m already a bit of a princess.”
That was an understatement, though she wasn’t the useless variety. A real princess would have destroyed his kitchen, clothes and anything else in her path. Jess knew how to make herself useful. “You are a good caretaker.”
She laughed and trailed her finger down his forearm, focused on seducing him. He was uncomfortably hard and his body screamed to take her as she licked her lips. “You’re the first man to ever say that about me. Let’s talk about you, though. For a guy who promised seduction, you’re pretty chatty.”
If he didn't find distractions, he wouldn't make it to the hotel. He took a deep breath, tearing his gaze from her rounded cleavage. He was tempted to rip her dress right off her. “Do you want to know why?”
“Absolutely.” She toyed with a perfumed blonde curl.
His younger self would have given into his desires last night but that wasn’t him anymore. His body was tight with pent-up with need as he said, “I think you scare me, Jess.”
She stopped caressing him. “I scare you?”
No other woman had. He nodded. “You’re everything I’m not supposed to want in a woman.”
She sucked on her bottom lip as if in thought. He didn’t move a muscle, captivated by her white teeth. “Because I wear nice clothes and drive a decent car? I didn’t think those were bad things.”
Money wasn’t what he meant. He had close to a billion dollars in savings and every day his fortune grew as he ran farms across the country and globe, providing the world with food to eat.
He’d inherited his farms and been taught to never settle for a woman who only pretended to care about him by his sharp-as-a-tack mother. Goosebumps grew and a coldness went down his back despite Jess’s nearness as he said, “It’s not your clothes, or the dressing. It’s that you’re capable of walking away so easily. Your independence draws me toward you.”
She winced but didn't completely turn away. Jess brought her hand to her infinity necklace at her throat. “But I can infer, then, that you’re afraid of me because I’m capable of leaving?”
Absolutely, but unlike the saying, truth wasn’t going to set him free and he didn't feel any better. “I don’t want doormats in my life, don't get me wrong, but eventually, I want a woman who is going to stick around if and when things go south for a while.”
Her gaze narrowed as she asked, “When’s the last time your life went south?”
He couldn't give her specifics but he'd lost millions in potential contracts, then ended up making more through fast thinking. “When Colt Collins bought the property I was intending to purchase. My investors weren’t happy with the loss of the proposal.”
Her eyes widened, and her face went white. “That set you back?”
For just under a month he’d tossed and turned until he'd figured out a solution. Maverick nodded. “I managed to figure out an alternative, keep my shirt, and my investors happy.”
“So you figured out answers on your own,” she surmised as the limo arrived in Tampa’s bay area. She zeroed in on his lips. “You must be very intelligent. I find that very sexy."
His mouth dried under her perusal.
"Why can’t you trust that in time we’ll both figure out our next moves, later, and enjoy the moments we have now?” She tapped her forefinger on his wrist.
He was running out of excuses. How fast could he get that dress off her? “Because you can break my heart, Jess.”
She took his hand and pressed it to her heart as she asked, “How? We don’t love each other.”
Maverick was not under any illusions that Jess would be free. He leaned closer, knowing she was breaking his defenses. “And that’s what’s keeping me sane. But when I claim you, and I will, you’ll be mine.”
She stared at his lips and a wave of temptation rushed through his body. “Then maybe we can lighten up and enjoy what we get, at least a little?”
“Done.” He pulled her to him.
Her lips were tastier than any wine.
Her sweet body pressed on his hardness and made him want to stake his claim, right now. Forget about his well-laid plan.
The limo stopped in front of the hotel with a jerking halt that allowed him to focus.
At least he could get her to their room. What happened after that, when they were alone, didn’t need witnesses.
Jess entered the hotel lobby, which was clean and white but didn’t have vaulted ceilings. It didn’t have views of the ocean all around.
The smells of the restaurant wafted in the air, giving the hotel a sugary scent.
This was not a five star hotel that a Morgan might stay at.
Perhaps the Taylor family might have stayed at a place like this… She discreetly glanced around the lobby wher
e families or groups laughed together as Maverick checked them in.
Once upon a time, before her re-entry into the glittery world of the House of Morgan and inheriting billions, she would have marveled at the huge fish that swam in the aquarium near the check-in desk.
Maverick gave his black card to the woman at the counter who swiped it with a pleasant smile.
Jess took another peek at the patrons in the lobby. Most of the people were in jeans and t-shirts though her dress wasn't completely out of place--at least, she didn't see anyone staring at her.
Maverick wrapped an arm around her waist and she knew no one would ever guess she was Catherine Morgan.
She probably should have worn her hair down to be less formal.
Catherine was the fancy one and with Maverick, she was Jess again. She'd loved wearing her jeans everywhere. It was funny that he'd bought her a pair. He smelled like cedar and oranges and her lips tingled for his hard kisses.
He lightly massaged her back. “This way.”
She didn’t want to unwrap herself from his strong hold, but she did. He took her hand. “I’ll follow you anywhere, Maverick.”
He winked and led her to the elevator. “Dinner first, then the cotillion later.”
Unfortunately other people were in the car with them or maybe she could have teased him into losing control.
He probably wouldn’t. Maverick was a man in charge of his body as he'd proved by being a gentleman last night. She needed to be his like she needed her next breath.
Finally the elevator made it to the top. Some guests went to the roof restaurant, but he led her in the other direction. She smoothed her hand over her throat. “I hope we’re doing more than eating.”
“Dinner can wait.” Maverick brought her to the penthouse.
Good. No one else would be there, with them. He used the key swipe to unlock the door and strutted inside.
He closed the door behind them. Jess put her hands on her hips, turned around and gave him the zipper of her dress. “Finally. Help me out of this thing.”
His big hands pressed against her spine, but he didn’t touch the zipper. “Jess, we don’t have to…”
She wiggled so he would and glanced over her shoulder at him as she nodded, “Yes, we absolutely do Maverick Appleton.”
There was no way she’d deny herself tonight.
This was all they might ever have and she wanted a taste of what kind of guy might like her as Jess Taylor.
For years Jess Taylor had vanished, but now she was back.
Maverick unzipped her dress and kissed her bare skin as he uncovered her. “You’re beautiful, Jess.”
Jess let her dress fall to the ground, reveling in her black lace underwear and matching bra. She sighed with want. “I’m not looking to be anything but yours right now.”
He gulped and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. “Jess, you’d tempt a saint.” He untucked his shirt from his pants and she couldn't look away.
Every inch he revealed showed more muscles and hardness. She hadn’t thought it possible for a man to look better than what's she'd imagined of him, but Maverick was all real. He tossed his shirt across the room, wrapping his hands around her trembling waist. “Are you one of those?”
”A saint?” He laughed and lowered his lips to hers. “I’ll show you.”
She dug her hands in his coarse dark hair and lost herself to his touch.
He undid her bra and picked her up, carrying her to the next room and the king-sized bed. He drew back the comforter to the blue sheets.
Jess knew what she wanted, and it was all in Maverick’s kiss.
His lips made her achy in a way sophisticated and worldly Catherine never had been.
Maverick lay her on the bed and she stripped her underwear off, needing to be with him as the stirring inside her grew.
He tossed his pants and underwear in one move. She stared at his thickness and a fiery thrill raced through her, knowing Maverick was all man.
He joined her on the mattress, gently parting her legs so they wrapped around him. He sat back on his heels and stared at her nakedness as if he savored her.
Another tremble raced in her heart.
He leaned forward and suckled her neck, his hands caressing her breasts that peaked beneath his touch.
The valley inside her craved him.
Waiting was already too much.
Maverick slid his hand down her naked hip and used his fingers to check her heavenly heat that smoldered for him.
She moaned as he pushed inside her and then cried out when he pulled back--but it was only to slip on a condom before he returned and finally claimed her.
A wave of release washed through her as he buried his pulsating member deep inside her--she shattered and lost herself in pleasure.
* * *
She woke up, bare, and snuggled firmly in Maverick's arms. A satisfied ache followed by small trembles of release made her never want to leave.
She could hear his breathing and knew he wasn’t sleeping. She sighed and said, “Maverick…”
“It’s okay.” He ran his hands up and down her back, like he wanted to comfort her.
Tears washed down her face. If she'd always been Jess, maybe she’d have met Maverick years ago. She sniffled to make herself stop as she said, “I’ve never cried before.”
He kissed her forehead. “You’re sweet, Jess.”
What could she say? Catherine had everything she ever wanted, except someone like him. And Jess wanted nothing else but Maverick now. She would have to be careful when she explained so that he didn't think she was crazy. No one was one person with two names. She was a mess right now as her tears washed onto his muscular shoulder. “I’ve never… thank you.”
He gave her that saucy wink of his that he’d given her on the patio the night they'd first danced. “That was just an appetizer, darlin'. We have all night once we get back.”
There was more? And would it be enough? Maverick had said she could walk away from him, but that wasn’t true. Jess was hooked. And she might never let Catherine return to take charge. She laughed and stared into his brown eyes. “That sounds delicious.”
She dried her eyes and he sat up, holding his hand for her to follow. She sighed but joined him, sitting too as he said, “Good. Let's get that dinner I ordered.”
Huh? Joy grew in her belly as she said, “You want food, right now?”
He stood and strutted across the room showing off that muscular butt of his that held her attention. He unzipped his bag and tossed a black t-shirt at her. “I’ll need the fuel to do everything I intend to later and ruin you for any other man.”
“What’s happening downstairs that needs your attention tonight?”
“I’m meeting a man about my peach sales.”
“Work thing. Got it.”
The shirt would be better than the dress so that she didn't make a mess and they had time before they needed to make an appearance.
She'd absolutely look like a besotted fiancée now. He tossed on a pair of sweats but didn’t bother with a shirt.
She probably couldn’t scrub off her smile, not that she wanted to. Jess slipped on the t-shirt that swam on her. “Oh, so that was the seduction plan?”
Someone knocked at the door. She grabbed a robe and tied it on her fast. Maverick glanced at his watch and reached for the handle while he said, “In part. I don’t like thinking about some future where a pretty boy steals your attention.”
Opening the door she saw hotel staff wheel in the food while holding their phones in their hand. Maverick tipped the server once the food was placed on the small table near the balcony and walked the server out.
Jess headed over toward the variety of food options which all smelled good but she didn’t touch a single platter until Maverick returned. Then she chose her lamp chops and her eyes widened. Most places don’t put this as an option. He took the seat opposite her and unveiled a steak. She licked her lips and picked up a fork. “We’re
not talking about the future, remember? For tonight, did anyone here know your ex?”
“Alicia came with me for three years and I skipped last year, but my friends will be happy she’s gone.” He reached across the table and brushed his hand on her arm. “So what do you want to talk about while we eat?”
A spark rushed through her from one simple touch. Her hair stood on end in awareness as she tried to think of what to ask. She glanced at his lips and remembered how his kiss set her on fire, like he'd made her his, and her heart sped up. She batted her eyes and finally said, “Let's talk about Carter and that breakup of yours for a moment longer. I want to be prepared for questions. Then we can talk about… after the cotillion.”
“Alicia never went out of her way to be nice to anyone. She expected people to talk to her because of me or because she was pretty.” He took his hand back and cut his steak, adding sauce to his plate as he said, “My friends all know I paid quite a lot for my son after we broke up. Now I get to teach my son to be an Appleton and give him his place in the world.”
Interesting. To a Morgan that usually meant banking and numbers. Her father had believed that money ruled the world. She massaged the back of her neck to stop thinking about family and focus only on Maverick as she asked, “Like what?”
Maverick explained, “Our family believes that we need to respect the land, and the land gives back more than we can use.”
Respect. Beautiful. She let out a sigh and wished she could talk about how unwanted she’d felt in her soul most of her childhood. She hoped Carter never had that crippling doubt. “That’s pretty, actually. My family motto would probably be ‘don’t ever fight publicly with family’ and as a woman, I’m on the low end of the totem pole of getting what I want.”
The fork in his hand didn’t move. “Seriously? That sounds historic.”
He hadn’t dealt with anyone like Mitch Morgan and hopefully never would. She shrugged. “My natural father wasn’t fond of having daughters. My adopted parents taught me to value myself, cook that lunch you ate, do the laundry, and earn my own money. Babysitting for my sister’s son helped me figure out what to do with Carter.”
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