by Louise Clark
Maybe she’d figured that out already. Still, he couldn’t take the chance that she might misunderstand. He cleared his throat. “Before we do, ah, I want to, ah, prepare you.”
She looked astounded. Then she laughed. Crossing her arms over her breasts, she leaned against the doorjamb. “Sounds like we’ll be here for awhile. Okay, shoot.”
“My place is big, but it’s cluttered.”
She nodded. “Got it.”
“I probably have spiders.”
“Oh horrors. What else?”
“It isn’t perfect.”
She pushed away from the door to take hold of his shoulders. Then she shook him gently. “So what?” she said. She raised one hand to his cheek, cupped it lightly, then gently traced the line of his jaw to his mouth. She watched his expression, her gaze softening, her eyes darkening. As her thumb moved across his lips, he touched it with the tip of his tongue, then nipped it gently.
Faith laughed. His feelings for her burned hot, demanded an outlet. He put his hands around her waist, then drew her close so she could feel him. Her hand slid down from his face so she could grab onto his shoulders and her lips parted. Cody couldn’t resist. He lowered his head so he could plunder those lips in a kiss that said just how important this moment was to him.
They were both breathing hard when he pulled away at last. “I’ve been wanting to do that since I picked you up.”
Her smile blazed. “Me too.”
“Then let’s go inside.” She nodded and he reached for his keys.
The layout of his apartment was simple. The door opened into a small foyer that contained a built-in cupboard and an armless chair with a padded seat and wicker back. As soon as they entered, he saw the jacket he’d been wearing yesterday draped casually on the chair. He stared at it in horror until he noticed Faith’s lips twitch. Good. She wasn’t offended by the sloppiness. Still, he ushered her deeper into the apartment as quickly as he could.
To the left were two bedrooms and a study. The doors were closed, thank heavens. That meant she wouldn’t see the workbench he’d put in the study so he had the space to take apart computers, or the clutter of books and files in the first bedroom. The second was respectable enough, though. Like any normal bedroom it contained a double bed and a dresser. He never used it.
To the right were the living room, dining room and kitchen. They were reached through open archways, with no doors to shield them from her eyes. He hoped they passed muster. Ahead of them was a staircase that led up to the loft where the master bedroom suite was located.
Maybe he could convince her to start the tour up there. It was worth a shot.
She headed straight for the kitchen, poking her head into the living and dining rooms on the way. He followed, looking critically over her shoulder. He didn’t use them much, so both rooms were burdened with a minimum of clutter. The kitchen scared him though. It was his main living space and a personal disaster area. “Faith? Could we, you know, look at this another time?”
She turned her head, tossing him a look so full of mischievous amusement, that he felt his heart fall to his feet then bounce back up again. Oh God. He wanted that look to stay. To see it again, and again. She sauntered into the kitchen, her gorgeous long, thick sunshine hair swinging along with her stride.
“You promised me the full tour, and I’m holding you to it.” Then she reached the kitchen. “Oh, my.”
His kitchen was a nice room. The cooking area was spacious, with plenty of counter space. A big island contained the stove and dishwasher. The breakfast nook was a bay with large windows that let in the sunshine. It was his favorite part of the apartment and it showed in the papers piled high on every part of his teak dining table.
He held his breath as she looked around her curiously, ran her fingers across the polished marble counter, touched the surface of the stainless steel fridge, walked over to the piled-high teak table.
And ignored the mess as she looked out the window at the view.
Cody realized he’d been holding his breath. He let it go as he followed her over to the breakfast nook. “There’s only me,” he said, a little desperately.
Still staring out the window, she said, “I’ll bet this room is flooded with sunshine in the morning.”
Relief swept through him. Everything was going to be okay. He reached out to smooth a lock of that fabulous hair away from her face. “Why don’t you stay the night and find out?”
Her eyes widened and her breath caught, then she seemed to soften. It seemed like the right moment to cover her lips with his, just her lips. If he touched her anywhere else he wasn’t sure he’d be able to control himself long enough to take her up to the loft and into his bed.
Because no matter how desperately he wanted to make love with her, he didn’t want to seduce her. He wanted her to be a partner in their lovemaking—and everything else in their lives. He wanted a friend. He wanted an ally. He wanted Faith.
Oh, God, this was killing him.
She stood perfectly still, while her lips fed hungrily on his. When he could stand it no more he caught her head between his hands then he hardened his mouth on hers, forcing her lips open, sliding his tongue between them, deep into her mouth. She made a sound that was the sexiest whimper he’d ever heard and opened to him.
He knew that he was very close to losing control. He wanted to strip away the clothes that hid her from him. He wanted to see her body. He wanted to have her naked beneath his hands. Oh, man, did he want her naked. They would touch, they would play, they would love.
But he couldn’t do it unless she wanted it as much as he did. He wouldn’t convince her. She had to ask.
Was he nuts, or what?
When he dragged his lips away from hers he figured that was the hardest thing he’d ever done. He wasn’t even quite sure his reason for doing it made any sense. He just knew he had to.
She looked bemused, then her gaze sharpened. She turned away from him to inspect the cooking area.
Disappointment flooded him. It appeared that she wasn’t as hot for him as he was for her. Damn. Had he misread her signals that badly?
He was still wrestling with the puzzle when she tossed her golden mane and began to move.
She headed for the phone. Now he was really feeling miserable. She was calling a taxi to take her home. Or maybe her sister. Or—oh hell—her mother. “Faith, you don’t have to—”
Leaning against the counter, facing him, she smiled. Holding up one finger to ask him to wait, she said into the phone, “Yes, I’d like to order two pizzas, the works. Yes, that’s right. What was that? Oh, the hungry man size. The address?” She raised her brows. Numbly, Cody told her and she repeated it into the telephone. “And when should we expect delivery? Thanks.” She hung up. Holding his gaze with her own, she pushed away from the counter. “We have half-an-hour. Care to give me the rest of the tour?”
“There’s only my bedroom left.”
“Uh-ha. That’s what I figured.”
As he took her hand to lead her up to his loft, he decided that sounded pretty much like an invitation, one he’d be happy to act on. “The master suite is my favorite part of the condo. There’s a fireplace, a huge walk-in closet, and a great big bay window that overlooks the Charles. It even has a little alcove for a desk and a computer. ” He knew he was babbling and she’d see it all in a minute anyway, but he needed to break the tension that was growing with each step they took up the staircase.
“I thought you said the kitchen was your favorite room.”
He had said that. That’s what babbling got you. He scrambled for secure footing. “It is, during the day, that is. At night—”
He broke off, appalled. He sounded like an advertisement for sex. Faith was sure to be offended.
She laughed. “Cody, are you as nervous as I am?”
It was a good thing they’d reached the landing, because he stopped dead. “What do you mean?”
She swallowed, then smiled shyly. “I want to
make love with you. I’ve wanted to since before Uncle Andrew came to visit. But with him in my house and following me around everywhere I—”
He kissed her and this time he didn’t hold back. He gathered her up in his arms and showed her, with his mouth and the sizeable bulge in his pants, that he wanted her too.
By the time he released her, she was holding on to his shoulders. She put her head against his shoulder for a brief moment, then she straightened. Her tongue flicked out to moisten her lips as she reached for his shirt and started to undo the buttons. Each time her hands brushed his skin little shafts of pleasure shot through him. If he let her continue he was going to explode all on his own. On the fourth button down he covered her hands with his and held her away. “Let me,” he said. He could hear the raspy edge in his voice and it appeared Faith could too, for she smiled as she slid her hands in a seductive path to his shoulders.
He made short work of his shirt, then took his time with the blouse she was wearing, a sexy confection of lace and silk that hugged her curves. The jut of her nipples was clearly visible and he couldn’t resist taking one into his mouth, while he cupped her other breast with his hand.
“Cody, that is really…” His fingers found her nipple and tightened. She groaned. “…really nice. Where is the bed?”
“Soon,” he muttered.
Her fingers dug into his shoulders. That only increased the pleasure he was getting from touching her, even through the thin silk. But if it was good now, what would happen if he stripped off her shirt?
She was everything he had imagined. Her skin was softer than the fine material and the nipples that thrust into his hands were warm. They tasted of flowers and desire when he took one into his mouth.
Gasping, Faith reached for the button at his waistband, then she pushed at the fabric. “Cody,” she said, “you are driving me crazy. Take me, now!”
That sounded like a really good idea. He was about ready to burst and if Faith was too, then what was stopping them?
Some perverse devil made him say, “Not a hope lady. You come on my terms, when I’m ready to drive you over the edge. Not before.”
She laughed. “Oh wow. I don’t believe this. You’re making me wait? I don’t think I can.”
“If I can, you can.” He knelt down, reaching for her waistband, the way she had reached for his. “Put your hands on my shoulders.”
She trembled as she did what he asked. He pushed her pants down until he could see her underwear. It was bikini style, a hot red that made him smile when he looked up at her. She smiled back, shyly, he thought, but the message was clear. She’d put the undies on for him, so he would enjoy taking them off.
He peeled them down her hips slowly, taking pleasure in the smooth, warm texture of her skin, the way she trembled with every touch. Then he made her step out of the puddle of pants and underwear on the floor and open her legs.
When he kissed her there she gasped and cried out. He used his teeth and his tongue and his hands until he felt her go over the edge in her first climax. Then he swept her up in his arms and carried her over to the bed.
She smiled and reached for him. “What about you?”
He laughed and stripped out of his clothes as quickly as he could. Then he stretched out beside her and stroked her breasts. “I’m going to make you fly again, then I’m going to come inside you.”
“Promise?” she said, her lips curled in a sultry smile.
He straddled her, letting her feel his erection while he nibbled her mouth, nipping her lips with his teeth, stroking them with his tongue. She arched against him, her fingernails busy tracing thin lines along his back. He kissed his way up her jawline to her earlobe, and enjoyed her little squeak of pleasure as she began to squirm against him. He held her steady, making sure she was ready for him, then he entered her.
She gave a little groan that sounded like a purr of feline pleasure as he anchored himself. “Oh, wow.”
She said a lot more than ‘oh wow,’ when he began to move. She arched and writhed and said his name over and over again. Their coupling seemed to last forever until he tipped her over the edge and followed her down.
The intercom phone rang two minutes later. He groaned. “The pizza.”
“Good timing,” Faith said. She bit the tip of his chin. “I’m starved.”
Chapter 24
“Oh my God. That is some dress. Faith, you look fantastic!”
The dress that Liz was gushing over was a dark red sheath that burned with an enticing fire. Cut square across the bodice and held up by narrow ribbon straps, the lustrous fabric was a sensual silk that moved when Faith moved and slithered against her skin in a feather-light caress. The hem almost reached mid-thigh, showing off the length of Faith’s legs.
As Faith twisted this way and that in front of the mirror, Liz said enthusiastically. “Cody’s going to love it.” She grinned a knowing, very female grin. “He’ll drag you off to bed without bothering with dinner.”
“I hope so,” Faith said, remembering the before pizza, after pizza, dessert and midnight sex from the night before. “But I’m going to tease him a little. Make him wait while we eat. And then, when we’re both so hungry we can’t hold back any longer, I’ll take him to bed and tell him who Uncle Andrew really is.”
“Whoa! What did you say?”
Faith turned away from the mirror. “Cody helped me out this week and it almost cost him his job. He deserves to know who I am.” She took one last look in the glass and saw Liz frowning at her.
“What’s this about losing his job? Is this Ava the Tyrant Lizard in action?”
Faith headed for the changing room, Liz trailing along behind. “Yup. I’m going to buy this, then let’s have lunch. I can do my grocery shopping afterward. I’ll tell you what happened while we eat.”
They went to one of the sit-down restaurants in the mall. The menu was packed with standard items labeled with cute names to make them seem different, the service efficient. Liz managed to wait until they had ordered before she pounced. “So give. What has Ava been up to now?”
Faith stirred cream into her coffee. “One of the computers went down on Friday afternoon. Andrew didn’t know how to fix it.”
“Uh-oh.” Liz sat back. They were in a booth, sheltered from the other patrons of the busy restaurant. She picked up her coffee mug. Holding it between her hands, she watched her sister. “Let me guess. Ava arrived on the scene, figured out Andrew was a fraud and started to roar.”
“Something like that.” Faith sipped her coffee. Then she put the cup down with a sigh. “She cornered me in my office and gloated that she was going to get Cody. She said he’d foisted Andrew on the company and that was grounds for dismissal.”
Liz sucked in her breath. “What did you do?”
“I told her the truth.” Faith shrugged. “What else? I couldn’t let her destroy Cody.”
“The truth? The real truth?”
Faith laughed at the astonishment in Liz’s voice. “Not the complete truth, just enough to clear Cody. Can you imagine how she would have reacted if I’d told her Andrew came from 1772? She wouldn’t have believed a word. No, I told her Andrew was my cousin and that I’d begged Cody to help me out by bringing him in as an intern.”
The waitress arrived with their meals, a chicken salad sandwich and fries for Faith, soup and a salad for Liz. After she’d topped up their coffee and departed, Liz said, “That still leaves Cody vulnerable. After all, he agreed to it, knowing that Andrew didn’t have the skills to do the job.”
Faith popped a chip into her mouth and chewed. “I told her that I lied about Andrew’s skills, that I conned Cody into agreeing. She knows that Cody and I have a thing going outside of work. She probably figured I blinded him with sex.”
A spoonful of soup halfway to her mouth, Liz regarded her with a fascinated expression. “So what did she do?”
“She fired me.”
Liz put the spoon back in the bowl, the soup untasted. “She w
hat?”
“She fired me.” Faith laughed at the amazement on her sister’s face. “And before you ask, no, I’m not upset.”
“But your job at NIT is so important to you!”
“Cody is more important,” Faith said simply. She picked up the sandwich half, looked at the toasted bread, the curly leaf lettuce, the chopped chicken, mixed with celery and mayo. “You know, Liz, I’ve been living my life on Dad’s terms, not mine. I assume people will react a certain way because that’s how Dad reacted. I desperately wanted to succeed in business because I believed it would make me succeed in Dad’s eyes. It didn’t. All that happened was that I got in the habit of being everything someone else expected. When Ava Taylor started at NIT I followed pattern and turned into someone she wanted as an employee.”
“You didn’t, you know,” Liz said. “You were always complaining about Ava, resisting her demand that you conform.”
Faith took a sip of coffee while she considered that. Finally she shook her head. “I don’t think so, Liz. I wanted to fit in so badly I allowed her to manipulate me into going out with Cody even though I was afraid of becoming involved with him. Then, because I thought Cody wouldn’t understand, like Dad never understood, I told Andrew to stop visiting. But Andrew came back anyway and Cody helped us without asking why. He just did it, because…because he loves me, I hope. I know it’s because he believes in me.”
“Hold it! Go back a step. You hope Cody loves you?”
A smile that was a little shy, a little triumphant, dawned on Faith’s lips and in her eyes. “I sure do, Liz, because I’m so deeply in love with him.”
Liz sat back, her face a portrait of delighted surprise. “Oh, wow!”
Faith’s smile turned dreamy. “I trust him Liz. That’s why tonight I’m going to tell him about being a Beacon. I think he’ll accept me for what I am.”
Liz reached out, squeezed her sister’s hand. “Faith, I’m so happy for you. But…” She hesitated. “What if he doesn’t?”
