by Cheryl Holt
“Then why worry so much? You fuss over everything; you always have. For once, throw caution to the wind.”
“I’m afraid, Gracie.”
“Of what?”
“Of getting my heart broken.”
“With him, it will be a one-night stand. There won’t be time for your heart to be involved.”
“You don’t know what he’s like. It wouldn’t be for only one night.”
“So much the better. Live a little. Have a fling. What’s stopping you?”
“It’s not that easy.”
“Why isn’t it? He’s generous with his lovers. Maybe you’d score a trip to Rio or Maui out of the deal. You’ve never been anywhere. Maybe he’d take you. Imagine how much fun you’d have.”
Faith shook her head. “I’m not like you, Gracie. I couldn’t sleep with him a few times and call myself lucky.”
“Why couldn’t you?”
“I might begin to like him more than I should. Then it would be over, and I’d be all alone.”
It was Faith’s constant lament: she’d be alone. Did she recollect being a tiny baby, being left at that fire station? The poignant event had to be buried somewhere deep in her psyche, because it frequently haunted her.
“Everybody’s alone in the end,” Grace murmured. “You’d get through it, and you’d have a great memory of him after it was over.”
“I don’t want a memory. I want a flesh and blood man.”
“They don’t come any more ‘flesh and blood’ than him. Go after him! Let him use and pamper you for as long as you can persuade him to have you.”
“I’m disgusted to admit that I’d like that very much. I must be the gold digger he accuses me of being.”
“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with reaching out and taking what you want.”
“Spoken like a true mercenary.”
“I never claimed to be a saint,” Grace said, “and I never tried to be. It was always more enjoyable to be a bit naughty.”
Faith stood and went over to the window. For an eternity, she stared into the backyard, her gaze on the mountains off in the distance.
Finally, she glanced over her shoulder. “If I jumped into this with him, would you think less of me?”
“I’d think less of you if you didn’t.”
“I want this, Gracie.”
“Good for you.”
“He just makes me feel so…so…” She threw up her hands, unable to explain. “I can’t describe it.”
“Which tells me it will be wonderful.” Grace tamped down a sly grin. “You remember how carefully Harold kept tabs on Lucas.”
“He was obsessed about it.”
“He thought you and Lucas had a lot in common, that you might get along.”
“Harold said that?”
“He’d be happy to know you were with Lucas—even if it was for a short affair.”
Grace was playing dirty. Faith had loved Harold very much. He’d been the grandfather she’d never had. He’d taken them in during a rough period when they’d had nowhere to go, and they’d never had to leave. He’d given her Peanut and Bryce to watch over forever. If Harold decided that a certain path was appropriate for Faith, she’d decide it was too.
In fact, Harold had always had designs on Faith and Lucas. He felt that much was possible between the two youngsters—if he could figure out how to bring them together. Faith’s inheritance had been calculated to lure Lucas into her orbit, with Harold being positive that once Lucas met Faith, he’d be intrigued.
Lucas had grown up with a vicious father and cruel mother. His childhood had been as lonely as Faith’s but for different reasons. In many ways, he’d been as much of an orphan as she was.
Faith could give him the home and family he’d never had, could provide things he didn’t realize he needed.
“Should I call him?” Faith asked.
“Absolutely.”
“What would I say?”
“Thank him for the earrings and flowers, then suggest another date. Dinner or something.”
“What if I went away with him for a few days? Would you mind?”
“Sneak off for a year if you want. If you can keep him in bed that long, have at it.”
Faith frowned. “I don’t know if he’ll agree.”
Grace’s gaze started at the top of Faith’s head and wandered down, taking in the pretty face, the curvaceous body.
“He’ll agree, Faith. Don’t you worry.”
Faith smiled. “You always make everything seem so easy.”
“And you always make everything too hard. Getting Lucas Merriweather into the sack will be a piece of cake.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Trust me on this one: you invite him away for the weekend, and he’ll go. You won’t have to convince him.”
“I’m sure he’ll be putty in my hands.”
“Yes, he will be. The poor guy doesn’t stand a chance.”
Faith chuckled and walked out.
Grace sat, contemplating the strangeness of life—Harold, the Merriweather family, Lucas and where his relationship with Faith might lead them.
Shortly, Angela stumbled back in. She poured another cup of coffee, then she grabbed Faith’s earrings and stood in front of the mirror on the fridge as Grace had a bit earlier.
She took off the clasps and stuck the posts in her ears, and she tipped from side to side, watching the swing of the diamond clusters against her neck.
“Do they look good on me?” she asked Grace.
“Fabulous,” Grace lied. Angela had no class, and the most expensive diamonds couldn’t give her any.
“I wish I had a man who’d shower me with stuff like this.”
“You gotta find somebody rich. That’s the tricky part.”
“Faith found Harold.” Angela’s eyes narrowed. “And now she found Harold’s grandson. It’s not fair.”
She removed the earrings and set them on the counter, then she strolled out. As she reached the stairs, Grace heard her mutter again, “It’s just so not fair.”
CHAPTER FIVE
“Why aren’t you wearing the diamonds I gave you?”
“I’m uncomfortable accepting them.”
Lucas leaned across the table and took Faith’s hand. They were in a small, quaint restaurant up in the mountains. It was located on the ground floor of an old mansion, the upper rooms converted into a bed and breakfast.
He’d never been to the place before. Faith had suggested the spot and handled the reservation, and his head was still spinning, trying to unravel her ploy.
The meal had been delicious, the company charming. He was liking her more and more, which scared the hell out of him. Something was happening between them, and he was terrified over where it might lead.
If he wasn’t spending time with her in order to coerce her into providing information about her treatment of Harold, what was he doing?
She was particularly beautiful, in another great dress, this one a silvery white, cut low in front, the hem at mid-thigh. She’d accented it with black jewelry, a clunky necklace, bangles, and an ankle bracelet that highlighted her sexy legs.
But it wasn’t the jewelry he’d bought her, and he was irked by the slight.
“I was going to give them back,” she absurdly claimed.
“Why didn’t you?”
“Gracie wouldn’t let me. She said you can afford diamonds, and I should keep them.”
“She’s right. I can afford diamonds.”
“That’s not the point.”
“What is the point?”
“I don’t like you plying me with expensive gifts.”
“Maybe I’d like to see the earrings brushing your neck. Maybe it would have made me happy.”
“Poor baby. You didn’t get what you wanted.”
“No, I didn’t, and it galls me.”
She laughed, her voice rolling over him in a soothing way that rattled his senses and heightened his concern. He was attracted to her on so many
levels, and he didn’t understand why.
He had a type of woman he liked, a type he chased after, and she wasn’t it. So why was he fascinated?
She was the first female of his acquaintance to whom he’d given a gift, but who hadn’t been thrilled by the gesture. Was she insane? If a woman didn’t want diamonds, what did she want? How was a man supposed to figure it out?
“Let me ask you a question,” she said.
“Anything.”
“Tomorrow is Saturday. Are you busy?”
“No, why?”
“I’ve been thinking about our last date.”
The look she flashed had his blood pounding in his veins.
“And…?”
“I was wondering how you’d feel about staying here tonight.”
He frowned. “Here, as in here at this bed and breakfast?”
“Yes.” She reached into her purse, pulled out a key, and slid it across the table. “Room 6, the private suite on the top floor.”
“You made a reservation?”
“We’re Mr. and Mrs. Smith.”
He—who was never surprised by anything—was incredibly surprised.
“You want to stay with me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I’ve decided to let you seduce me.”
“I thought you needed time to consider.”
“Three days seemed to do it.”
“You’re perfectly clear now?”
“Oh, yes.”
He studied her. There was a challenge in her gaze. She was daring him to agree, as if she suspected he was a coward. Silly girl.
He’d never in his life declined what was freely and brazenly offered by a female.
“If we head upstairs,” he warned, “we’re not coming down till Sunday night.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
“Once we start in, you can’t shy away like a scared rabbit.”
“I won’t shy away.”
“It will be just you and me and room service. I’ll keep you flat on your back for the next forty-eight hours.”
“Tough talk, Merriweather,” she taunted. “Do you think you’re up for it?”
“Ooh, you are going to be so sorry.”
“I doubt it.”
“When I’m finished, you won’t be able to walk for a week.”
“We’ll see. Give it your best shot.”
He threw down his napkin and stood, quickly rounding the table to hold her chair. He bent down and whispered, “Get your ass upstairs. Now.”
“I hear Room 6 is available.”
“It’s not available. It’s occupied.”
He scooped up the key and escorted her out of the restaurant.
* * * *
Faith watched as Lucas pushed the door open. He motioned for her to proceed him, and she was glad to enter first.
Her heart was pounding—with excitement but with anxiety too.
She had asked him to come up into the mountains. She had booked the room and ordered the champagne. She had propositioned him.
If her courage eventually failed her, she couldn’t change her mind. She’d moved them beyond the point where she could call a halt.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to tumble into a sexual affair. She was so attracted to him, and the sexual tension had built to an unsustainable level. They had to act on it, or they’d both burst into a ball of flames.
No, it was that she knew, from the minute they stepped over the threshold, she would be in over her head. How would she keep herself from drowning?
The suite had a sitting room that was separate from the bedchamber. Stalling, she went to the table by the window where a bottle of champagne was chilling in an ice bucket. A tray of hors d’oeuvres was arranged next to it.
She was pouring a glass of champagne when he came up behind her. He placed his hand on hers, stopping her.
She glanced over her shoulder, and on seeing the hot look of desire in his eyes, her knees were actually weak.
“What?” she asked.
“Sex first. Champagne second.”
As if she was his bride, he picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. He dropped her onto the bed and followed her down, both of them laughing, bouncing across the mattress. He drew her under him, trapping her with his arms and legs so she couldn’t chicken out and slip away.
He was in a frenzy, yanking at the straps of her dress, baring her breasts. He fell to them, laving and licking her nipples as his hand slid under the hem of her skirt. With a fierce jerk, he ripped her panties away, then his fingers were inside her.
She was riveted by how good it felt to be touched by him. Why on earth had she waited?
“I have wanted to do this,” he muttered, “since the moment I saw you in that blasted lawyer’s office.”
“You have not.”
“I have too.”
He fumbled with his jeans, tore at the zipper, and with no warning or fuss, he spread her thighs and entered her.
She gasped and rose up, and he clutched her to his chest.
“Hold still,” he grumbled.
“I can’t.”
She tried to shift her legs, to give him more space to maneuver, but the small movement was too much. He thrust once, and again, and it was over.
They both froze, then she began to giggle, and he joined in so they were chortling like a pair of idiots.
He pulled away and flopped onto his back, an arm shielding his heated face.
“I can’t believe I did that,” he panted.
“Is that all the endurance you have?” she teased.
“Ah!”
“In light of the stories I’ve heard, I was expecting it to last a little longer.”
“If you tell anybody, I’ll have to have you killed.”
“I promise to keep your secret.”
“You’d better. I feel like I’m fourteen and completely unable to control myself.” He peered over at her. “You have to be on the pill. Save me from having a heart attack and say that you are.”
“What if I’m not?”
Panic flared in his eyes, and he growled and grabbed her, coming over her, his body pressing her into the mattress. He clasped her thighs and pushed into her again. He was still hard, already eager to have her.
“Are you on the pill?” he demanded, but he was smiling.
“Yes, yes, I’m on the pill. How about you? Are you free of horrid diseases?”
“Yes.”
“So we’re even.”
“Not even close.”
He started taking slow, deep penetrations that rocked her to the marrow of her bones. Their initial passion was sated, and there would be all the time in the world to do it over and over until they got it right.
He was kissing her and kissing her, the delicious torment continuing for an eternity. Each one was more stirring than the last, drawing them intimately together.
She could finally touch him, hold him, have him, and there was no reason to restrain herself. She’d thought she might be timid or reserved, but he made it so easy to be with him. She didn’t have to worry about how it would go; she could simply revel.
He rolled onto his back so she was on top. He kept a constant, steady rhythm as he unzipped her dress and worked it up and off. The only other item she’d had on had been the panties he’d ripped away. With a flick of his wrist, she was naked.
She arched her back, letting him look, letting him enjoy the view. He took her breasts in his hands, his thumbs gliding over her nipples so she ached with need.
“You’re so beautiful, Faith.”
She grinned. “I think that’s the first time you ever said my name.”
“Faith,” he murmured again.
She leaned down and kissed him. “I’m glad I’m here.”
“I am too.”
“I’m glad I could be with you like this.”
“So am I.”
He halted his thrusting and gazed at her with an expres
sion of such strident affection that her breath hitched in her lungs. No one had ever stared at her like that before, as if she was exotic and remarkable and unique.
She told herself not to read anything into it, but it was difficult not to. He was just so extraordinary, and as she’d been afraid might happen, she yearned to matter to him in a manner that went beyond unattached sex.
She knew it was foolish to feel that way, and she understood all the reasons her desire to connect with him was crazy, but she was who she was. People were important to her. She loved and cared and bonded, and she couldn’t change her personality for Lucas Merriweather.
Desperate to break the powerful moment, she glanced away and began tugging at his clothes.
“I’m naked,” she pointed out, “but you’re not.”
“I haven’t even taken off my shoes.”
“Or your jeans or your jacket or your shirt. But it’s your lucky day.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I am going to take them all off for you.”
He smiled a heart-stopping smile that made her thankful she was on a bed. If she’d been standing, he might have knocked her over with the force of it.
“You’re right,” he agreed. “It is my lucky day.”
She set to work, stripping his jacket down and off his arms, yanking his T-shirt over his head. As she bared his chest and got her first glimpse of it, she purred with delight.
He was perfectly sculpted, rounded pecs, washboard abs. He could have been a Calvin Klein model. Maybe he had been.
“You’re too good looking,” she complained. “You put all other men to shame.”
“I don’t do it intentionally. I came this way.”
“And I am thrilled you decided to share yourself with little old me.”
She bent down and sucked on his nipple, pinching and biting, making him hiss with pleasure. He pulled her nearer, and she toyed and played, driving him up and up the spiral of desire.
When he couldn’t stand it anymore, he attempted to flip her onto her back, to take charge and speed things up, but she wasn’t ready to relinquish control.
She nibbled a trail down his stomach, to the waistband of his jeans, and she jerked at the fabric, easing them down his hips. She nuzzled his cock, licking, tasting, and she surprised herself by taking him into her mouth. They were scarcely acquainted, and with any other man, she wouldn’t have tried it so soon, but she felt as if she’d known him forever.
