The Renegade (The Rockwell Legacy Book 3)

by Jennifer Bernard

  He wrestled his lust under control and drew out again. The hell if he was going to explode right away. No way. He was the master of himself, and he could hold off until she was ready to come again. He could draw this out, make it as good as it could possibly be for her.

  He gripped her ass in both hands and thrust in again, angling her so he went even deeper this time. She gasped loudly, then wrapped her other leg around his hip. Her body was strong and limber, he knew that already from all the skiing she did. But here in bed, that athletic quality was enhanced and had another purpose—to move with him, to return pressure for pressure, to join in the perfect union of push and pull, friction and softness.

  And then—a soft spasm rippled through her channel and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t help himself. He was coming. He tried to stop, clenched his teeth, used all his focus, all his enormous willpower. But it was useless.

  The orgasm detonated through him with the force of a warhead. He surged into her, burying himself all the way to the hilt in her warmth. She cried out as well, her hips pumping against him. Thank God, because nothing on this earth could stop him now. An earthquake could hit and he wouldn’t notice. A rockslide could land on his head.

  “Isabelle,” he groaned. “Sweet Isabelle.”

  It kept going, waves of pleasure pulsing down his spine and through his cock. She was crying out too, riding the wave along with him, as if they were two equal and opposite parts of the same being. He’d never felt this…this…unity with someone before, not in bed and not out of it. He felt as if he knew exactly what she was feeling, as if the same bliss was running through both of their bodies at the same time.

  He collapsed next to her, sucking in a lungful of air. “Damn, Isabelle. I don’t usually lose it like that.”

  “Lose it?”

  “Yeah. Lose it. I didn’t last more than a minute.”

  “You’d better not feel bad about that. You made sure that I came first, and then I came again, and every bit of it was magnificent and don’t you dare say otherwise.” She stretched long and luxuriously, pointing her toes and reaching overheard, her hands flattening against the headboard. “It’s been building up since Rome, after all, and that was months ago.”

  “Mmm.” It was more of a hum than a word. “Remind me not to wait so long next time.”

  She tapped him on the shoulder.

  “Yeah?”

  “Don’t wait so long next time.”

  He laughed and dragged her closer so her legs tangled with his. “Glad we’re on the same page with that.”

  “Mmm.” She half-smiled, her eyes just hazy slits of green. “At least we agree on something.”

  He wondered what she meant by that. Were there areas of disagreement that he didn’t know about? “We agree on lots of things. For instance, neither of us is on the baby train.”

  She lifted herself up on one elbow, her hair tumbling over her shoulder, brushing his chest. “You’re opposed to babies? But you’re so good with them.”

  “I’m opposed to passing on unknown genetics,” he corrected her.

  She nodded slowly, her face more serious than he would have expected. She didn’t want children either, so why was this a surprise to her? “I can understand that. It must be so strange, not knowing who your parents are. Have you ever tried to—”

  “No.” That sounded too abrupt, so he added, “I’m my own person. I don’t need them. Sorry if that sounds harsh.”

  “Maybe a little, but—”

  “But that’s me,” he said, more lightly. “Harsh, arrogant, coldhearted businessman.”

  She placed a hand on his chest, where his heart still beat fast. “I know you’re quoting my own words back to me, but I don’t see you that way anymore.”

  “You don’t?”

  “I think you’re confident more than arrogant. I think you keep your expression very stoic so people find you intimidating.” She gazed at him intently, as though seeing beneath the skin, all the way through to his heart.

  He felt more naked than when he’d stripped off his clothes.

  “But they’re wrong. You have a kind heart hiding behind that terrifying exterior.”

  He nearly laughed out loud. “A kind heart? No one has ever said that about me before.”

  “You’re here bailing us out of financial disaster, aren’t you? You helped me rescue Tigger. You’re so good at taking care of Tigger. You’ve been kind to everyone here, even Max with all his crabbiness.”

  If only she knew that he wasn’t doing those things out of the hypothetical kindness of his heart. He was doing them for her. That didn’t make him kind. It made him…in love.

  “Max isn’t so bad.”

  “Yeah, well he’s mellowed a lot. He’s supposed to avoid stress. Best prescription that ever happened to this family.” Her serious expression finally lightened.

  He laughed. “Did those doctor’s orders come from you?”

  “Not originally, but I support them fully and remind him constantly.”

  “You’re a good daughter.”

  Her smile faltered and she rolled over onto her back. “No, I’m not. If I really were, I would have looked through those journals already. I’m so chickenshit. I don’t know what I’m so afraid of.”

  “Maybe it won’t be as hard as you think. What do you think you’ll find?”

  “I don’t know. That she was miserable here. That she hated Max. That the biggest regret of her life was having kids. That she was madly in love with Serena’s father. The list goes on, and that’s just the things I’ve thought of.”

  He slid an arm under her and pressed her into his side. “How much does it matter now? You’ll still love her. She’ll still be the same person.”

  “But will she? Or will I have to revise all my wonderful memories of her? Rewrite my childhood completely?”

  “All the good memories will still be there. You’ll just have a more complete picture of her.”

  “Maybe I don’t want a complete picture. Maybe I want my mom to be how I remember her. My whole life has been about making her proud, even though she’s gone.”

  “Why wouldn’t she be proud of her dedicated doctor daughter? Of course she would be. You don’t need her journals to tell you that.”

  Isabelle gazed at him with a look so soft, so tender, that he wanted to bottle it. “See? You have a kind heart.”

  Maybe he didn’t mind that description as much as he’d thought at first. “Well, you know what they say about kind hearts.”

  “No, what?”

  “Kind heart, hard dick.” He rolled her on top of him, into that straddling position that would always remind him of Rome.

  “No, they don’t.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder, wild tumbles of rich brown catching a sheen of moonlight. “No one ever said that before just now.”

  “Then how do you explain this?” He put her hand on his cock, which was already rising between them.

  “Well, since you ask, it’s a process whereby the blood creates pressure in the corpora cavernosa of the penis and—”

  “Say that again.”

  “Corpora cavernosa?”

  “You’re so sexy when you use medical terms.”

  He lifted up halfway to claim her mouth in a kiss, which he drew out as long as possible, until he fell back down, breathing fast.

  Her hand came back to his cock, which had definitely gotten inspired by her doctor’s vocabulary.

  She smiled against his lips. “If you think corpora cavernosa is sexy, just want until I talk about your—”

  This time he stopped her with a kiss so passionate, it shook him to his core. And that was the end of the medical definition portion of the night.

  22

  The next morning, as she slowly came back to consciousness, Isabelle realized she’d never been happier in her life. A night spent in Lyle’s arms, snuggled next to the heat of his powerful body, surfacing for more bouts of lovemaking whenever either of them got the urge, w
as like Christmas morning …

  Actually, it was Christmas morning. She sat bolt upright, filled with the rush of excitement that used to overtake her as a child. She shook Lyle awake. “Merry Christmas! Wake up, it’s Christmas!”

  His head was sunk deep in his pillow, one arm covering most of his face. He opened one bleary eye. “Still?”

  “Yes, still. I mean, really Christmas, like time for bagels and presents.”

  She jumped off the bed and raced across her room to find her favorite fuzzy pajamas, then realized she wasn’t actually in her own room. “Oh crap. What time is it? I have to sneak back to my room, I hope no one’s up yet.”

  “Would anyone really be surprised? I thought Kai and Nicole gave you a Tigger-free night. They must have known what you’d do with it.”

  “I know but, Max…” She waved a hand at him, hoping he wasn’t insulted. “I just don’t want to have to explain anything. I’ll see you at the Christmas tree. That’s ground zero for the present hunt.”

  “Ground zero, huh?” He stretched and yawned, each chiseled muscle moving in mouthwatering harmony. Even the scattering of hair under his arms and across his chest drew her appreciative gaze. “You guys really take this seriously.”

  “You have no idea. There’s still time to hide your presents, but you should probably get up so you don’t fall back asleep and how can you still be lounging around when it’s Christmas morning?” Pulling on the clothes she’d worn yesterday, she tossed his hoodie at him.

  “Hmm, I don’t know, because I’m in my thirties?” He was laughing at her. Whatever. “Besides, I already hid my presents. Any chance you can relax now? Maybe come back to bed?”

  “I haven’t been home for Christmas with the entire fam in a while, okay? I’m not going to apologize for making a fool of myself. You’re just going to have to live with it.”

  “Oh, I intend to do more than that. I’m bringing my video camera.”

  She made a face at him and headed for the door instead. “Don’t be late,” she warned him. “Bad things happen to anyone who’s late for the Christmas present hunt.”

  She whisked herself out his front door, then leaned against it for a moment to catch her breath.

  Get a grip, girl.

  Sure, she was excited about Christmas. But she was also totally flustered and didn’t know exactly how to handle herself. So many wild feelings cartwheeled through her. The things she felt for Lyle went so far beyond what she’d ever experienced around a man. He brought out something deep and intense in her with his penetrating eyes and magical touch.

  The way he looked at her, as if she were some kind of queen, sent butterflies tumbling through her belly. Was she really that important to Lyle Guero, that he would look at her with his heart in his eyes like that? And what did it mean? Where could this go? Their lives were polar opposites in so many ways. The business world meant nothing to her. Money in general didn’t move her much, though she liked having it when she needed it. Being a great doctor, treating the most vulnerable, that was what excited her. She certainly didn’t do it for the money, or she would have specialized in plastic surgery and never set foot in a refugee camp.

  What else? Backgrounds. In that respect, they had nothing in common. She came from a family of five, he had no one. Not that she held that against him; if anything, it made her want to take care of him. But that was ridiculous. Lyle Guero didn’t need anyone to take care of him. What did he need?

  Nothing, as far as she could tell. The man was a fortress, with an occasional gap in the walls through which she could see a courtyard filled with flowering trees.

  Not to drag out the metaphor or anything.

  She shook it off. No need to worry. They didn’t have to decide about a future. They’d only spent one night together. Well, two, if you counted Rome.

  She zipped up her parka and dashed down the packed snow path that led to the west wing entrance, where her room was located. All was quiet, the first light of dawn lending touches of pink to a cloud bank drifting over the mountains.

  The blinds were still drawn in Kai and Nicole’s guesthouse, which seemed like a good sign. Hopefully their night with Tigger had gone well.

  She couldn’t wait to see the little guy. Nothing made Christmas more Christmassy than having children around. And next year at this time, lord willing, Kai and Nicole’s little one would be with them.

  And where would she be? For the first time, the thought of going back to another war-torn part of the world held no appeal for her.

  But that was probably thanks to the magic of Christmas at Rocky Peak Lodge. As soon as that wore off, she’d be back to her normal adventurous footloose self.

  Warm and cozy in her fuzzy pajamas, she made her way toward the kitchen. There she discovered Gracie already boiling hot water for tea and watching coffee drip through the percolator. She wore slippers and thermal underwear, along with a long green cap like one of Santa’s elves.

  “Oh good, coffee,” Isabelle said gratefully.

  “It’s almost ready.” Gracie handed her a mug, then gave a double-take. “Whoa.”

  “What?” Self-conscious, she touched her hair, which she’d carefully brushed before leaving her room. She’d also checked for any trace of the wild night of sex she’d just experienced. Had she missed something?

  “You’re in love.”

  Isabelle thought fast. “Yes, I am. With that coffee you’re about to pour into my veins.”

  “Oh no. That’s not what I mean and you know it.”

  “Gracie, you know I’m not the ‘in-love’ type. I’m the ‘crush-on-a-guy-who-doesn’t-know-I-exist’ type.”

  “That’s crap and you know it.” Jake walked in, his hair a tousled mess of sandy-brown, eyes still heavy with sleep. He wore pajama pants with red fire trucks printed on them and a Rocky Peak Volunteer Fire Department t-shirt. “You were always moving too fast to go deep. But now…”

  “Now, nothing. I’m the same as I ever was. Hand me that frickin’ coffee.”

  “You shouldn’t swear on Christmas,” Gracie said virtuously as she plucked the carafe from the coffeemaker. “You’re going right on the naughty list.”

  “I’m thinking she’s already on the naughty list,” Jake murmured. He ruffled Isabelle’s hair, the way he’d done since they were kids, and for a moment she rested the back of her head against his hand.

  “I thought this was Christmas, not pick on Isabelle day,” she grumbled, though with a smile. Being a Rockwell meant coming in for your share of teasing, and that was just part of the territory.

  “It’s a sign of love, you know that. And maybe some worry. Are you sure you know what you’re doing with that guy?” Jake accepted a mug of coffee from Gracie.

  “That guy? You mean the guy you invited here for the winter?”

  “I just want to make sure you know what you’re doing. He looks like he has a few secrets.”

  “I don’t think anyone in our family can throw stones when it comes to secrets.” Since Gracie was still pouring her coffee, she snagged Jake’s mug and took a long swallow. “Except maybe Gracie. Someone has to be an open book around here.”

  Gracie jostled the carafe, sending coffee splashing onto the counter. She reached for a paper towel to mop it up. “Sure, open book here. Completely open. Nothing to see here…”

  “You’re being weird,” Isabelle told her. “Jake, she’s being weird. What’s up?”

  “No idea. Gracie? Anything to confess?”

  Gracie did everything she could to avoid their gazes. “Oh hey, what’s this?”

  She picked up an envelope that had fallen from behind the paper towel dispenser.

  “Christmas present!” they all said at once.

  Gracie peered at the writing on the outside of the envelope. “For you, Isabelle. I think it’s from Lyle.”

  “How can you tell?” Isabelle took the envelope from her. Her name was printed on the front in simple block letters.

  Gracie shrugged. �
��You know me. I sense things. Like the fact that you’re in love.” She made an impish face at Isabelle, then stepped backwards before Isabelle could get her revenge in the form of the dreaded finger flick. “Actually it’s because I don’t recognize the handwriting and it looks very male.”

  Isabelle flipped the envelope around, and found that it was unsealed. “The rules state that no presents can be opened until after breakfast.”

  “Take another sip of coffee,” said Jake, offering his mug. “There, you just had breakfast. What’d he give you?”

  “I should wait.” Isabelle bit her lip. “We have rules for a reason.”

  “Since when do you care about rules, my evil twin? If you won’t open it, I will. Besides, technically it’s already open. That envelope isn’t even sealed. And we don’t know that it’s a present. It could be a bill or an invoice. You should probably find out one way or another.”

  “Fine.” As if she’d had any intention of waiting anyway. She peeked inside the envelope and squealed with glee. “Oh my God. It’s a VIP ski weekend at Majestic Lodge. All access pass to the black diamond trails. Penthouse suite. Oh wow. Wow. I’ve never even seen those suites, just heard about them. This is incredible. Oh my God!”

  “Definitely Lyle.” Jake grinned and slung his arm around her shoulders for a brotherly hug. “I guess having a billionaire around has its advantages.”

  “You know he’s sort of de-billionaired at the moment, right?”

  “I read about some kind of power struggle. But Lyle said it was temporary.”

  Isabelle startled, since she hadn’t realized Jake was up to speed on Lyle’s situation.

  “Well, I don’t know all the details.” Isabelle carefully returned the envelope to the paper towel holder. “But he never was a typical billionaire. It’s a little insulting to call him that.”

  “How is that insulting?”

  “As if his only distinguishing feature is his money. Whereas when it comes to Lyle, there are so many other things to focus on. He’s extremely intelligent. He’s perceptive about people. It seems like he’s quiet, but really he sees everything that’s going on around him. He’s like, five steps ahead of everyone else. He doesn’t lose his cool even though he’s been through more crap than all of us put together. He cares. A lot. But he keeps it to himself because he’s a very private person.” She realized that Gracie and Jake were both watching her with smug expressions, as if she’d just proved their point. So she switched to a lighter tone. “Besides, have you seen those shoulders? That ass?”