Seducing Celeste

by Ruth Langan

  He plunged his hands into her hair and drew her head back. “We always did think alike, didn’t we?” He ran his lips over hers and nearly devoured her with rough kisses.

  They came together with such heat, they were both gasping for air as they rolled across the floor, taking each other on a fast, bruising ride.

  Celeste sat up in bed, trying to remember how she’d come to be here. Then she remembered Drew carrying her into the bedroom, kissing her oh-so-softly before depositing her among the bed linens of his king-size bed.

  The layout of this suite was identical to hers across the hall. Both the bedroom and the parlor area had balconies that seemed to bring the outdoors inside. The partially opened curtains billowed in on a perfumed summer breeze.

  She heard the door open and close. Saw him walking toward the bed.

  “Where did you go?”

  He crossed the room and handed her a glass. “I went in search of champagne and came up empty, so I went to your suite and brought back the beer.”

  “Oh.” She sipped. “That tastes good.” She passed the glass back to him to share. “How did you get in?”

  “I helped myself to your key.” He wiggled his dark brows menacingly. “It’s an old trick I picked up in my days as a secret service agent.”

  “In your dreams.”

  “Well, in some of them. Though I have to admit you were in most of my dreams. As my sexy partner in crime.” He held up a plate. “And I thought, since I was already in your suite without permission, I’d nuke the last of the steak fries.” He offered her a bite.

  “Umm.” She popped one in her mouth. “They’re every bit as good the second time around.”

  “Sort of like us.”

  They both laughed.

  It was well past midnight, and the musicians downstairs were playing their last set. The music from Phantom of the Opera drifted through the doors of the balcony.

  Celeste slipped out of bed and threw open the French doors, humming to the music. Absently she picked up his T-shirt and pulled it over her head.

  He grinned at her. “If you’re doing that for modesty’s sake, it isn’t working.”

  She glanced down at herself, seeing the way every line and curve was emphasized.

  “Good.” She walked closer, aware of the way he was watching her as she sat on the edge of the bed facing him. “I’d hate to think you could get me out of your system so easily.”

  He cupped her face with his hand and brushed a kiss over her lips. “I’ve never been able to get you out of my system. And I’m not quite sure I ever will.”

  “Even better.” She absorbed the quick little thrill as his hand came to rest possessively on the small of her back, before he drew her close.

  “Careful. You wouldn’t want to spill beer in your bed.”

  He set the glass aside and nuzzled her lips. “I can drink imported beer any time. I’d much rather spend my time kissing you.”

  She leaned into him, loving the way the heat of his touch seemed to spread through her veins and do strange things to her system.

  “Umm. Lessie,” he muttered against her mouth. “Did I just smash your fingers under my hip?”

  She kept her mouth on his while tapping her fingers on his chest. “Both my hands are right here. Why?”

  A chuckle started from deep inside and rumbled upward. “Then I guess that must be the plate of fries I just crushed.”

  “Oh, no.” She leaned up to look him in the eye. “You realize, don’t you, that’s all the food we had left from dinner?”

  “What’s the matter?” He grinned. “Afraid you’ll starve?”

  She shrugged. “It’s a long time until breakfast.”

  “Don’t worry.” He reached down and removed the plate of ruined fries, setting them on the night table with the beer. Then he hauled her into bed and rolled over her. In one smooth motion he stripped away the T-shirt she was wearing.

  Against her throat he whispered, “We’ll never starve as long as we have all this loving to feed on.”

  She had no chance to respond. His kiss, his touch, were already taking her to a place where no words were needed.

  “Have you ever been back to Rome?” Celeste was sitting in bed, pillows mounded behind her back, watching through the open bedroom door as Drew rummaged through the tiny refrigerator.

  The clock on the bedside table read three. The sky outside the windows was black velvet, sprinkled with millions of diamond stars. A half-moon the color of pure gold made a splash of color.

  They’d both awakened at the same time, as if by design, feeling ravenous.

  “I had no desire to see Rome alone. I figured it wouldn’t be the same without you.” He looked up from the sandwich he was making. “How about you?”

  She shook her head. “I’ve never been back.” She sank into the pillows, remembering. “I’ve never known a time like that.”

  It had been like a wonderful, fanciful fairy tale. A slice of time suspended from reality. They’d laughed, loved, played. And afterward, whenever they felt the pressures of their work, they would remind one another of that special time. It never failed to make them smile.

  “Neither have I.” He crossed to the bed and climbed in beside her, setting the plate between them.

  “What’s this?”

  “My own creation. I’m calling it the whatever-I-can-find-in-the-refrigerator-that’s-edible sandwich.”

  “Um-hmm.” She eyed it suspiciously. “Just what did you find in the refrigerator that’s edible?”

  “Some cheese. Some lettuce. Half a banana. A little peanut butter. Some mayo.” He picked up half and held it to her mouth. “Go ahead. Try it.”

  “You first.”

  He rolled his eyes. “What’s the matter? Afraid of a little food poisoning?”

  “Something like that. Go on, coward. Take the first bite. If you’re still around in half an hour, maybe I’ll join you.”

  “If I let you. This may be so delicious, I won’t leave any for you but the crumbs.” He bit into it and chewed, making little sounds of pleasure as he swallowed.

  She was watching him carefully. “Was it really good?”

  “Amazing.”

  She fixed him with a look. “You wouldn’t be trying an old con game to sucker me, would you?”

  He gave her a mock pained expression. “I’ll try to overlook that remark and blame it on your extreme hunger.”

  She sighed. “All right. I’ll try it.”

  He held it to her lips and she took a small bite and began chewing. When she’d managed to swallow it she smiled. “It really is good. I think I’ll have another bite.”

  “I don’t know.” He snatched it away. “What are you contributing to this feast?”

  She thought a moment. Then she brightened. “In my pantry across the hall I have a tea chest filled with some of the best herbal teas you’ll ever taste.”

  He considered, then said, “What else?”

  “Hmm.” She smiled. “Also in my pantry is a very good bottle of Merlot. If you’re interested.”

  “Now you’ve hooked me.” He caught her hand and helped her out of bed. “Come on. We may as well bring the tea and the wine.”

  While she pulled on his hotel robe and searched for her key, he slipped into his jeans. Leaving the waist unsnapped he padded barefoot to the door and followed her across the hall. Minutes later they returned to his room with their bounty, laughing and whispering like two conspirators.

  He uncorked the wine and filled two glasses while she opened a paper bag.

  He eyed it. “What’s that?”

  “Oh, something special I found in the pantry while I was hunting up the tea.”

  He peered over her shoulder, then groaned. “Twinkies? Oh, you know how I love them.”

  “Uh-huh.” She dangled one in front of him. “I figured I’d share these if you’d share that special sandwich.”

  “Deal.”

  He made a grab for it, but she held it just o
ut of reach. “Just one more thing.”

  He waited.

  “As soon as we’ve fortified ourselves, I’d like you to do that…kissing thing you’ve been doing so well for the past few hours.”

  His grin was quick and dangerous. “Oh. That kissing thing. That’s a specialty of mine, you know. You like that, do you?”

  “Very much.”

  “I might be persuaded.” He caught her hand and led her toward the bed. “If you feed me enough.”

  While she sat cross-legged beside him, feeding him sips of wine and bites of sandwich, Drew leaned back against the pillows, content to watch her. She was a source of constant delight. Especially when she was able to put the pressure of her work behind her.

  She stopped eating to study him more closely. “You have a very smug look on your face, Mr. Hampton. What are you thinking?”

  “That I haven’t felt this relaxed in such a long time.”

  “Yeah.” She offered him the last bite of sandwich, then reached for the Twinkie.

  As she unwrapped it and held it to his mouth, he grinned. “You’re seriously bribing me, aren’t you, Ms. Sullivan?”

  “Absolutely. I have my reasons, of course.”

  “Of course.” He reached for the sash of her robe and untied it while she offered him another bite, and then another, until it was gone.

  “And now I suppose I’ll have to live up to my half of the bargain.” He gave her a sly smile.

  “Right again.”

  He kept his eyes steady on hers as he slid the robe from her shoulders. As his hands began moving over her, she felt the quick rush of heat, and the slow curling sensation deep inside. Her hand trembled, threatening to spill the wine.

  “Drew. Quick. Either drink this or take it away.”

  He merely smiled. “It’s your problem, Lessie. I’m just living up to our agreement.”

  She lifted it to her lips and drained the glass.

  “You’re in a hurry for that kissing thing, aren’t you?” He began drawing her closer.

  “You bet.” She let the empty glass fall to the floor as he began running wet nibbling kisses up her arm, across her shoulder, along the smooth column of her throat.

  Suddenly she gasped as he shifted and rolled, pinning her beneath him. And then, as warm night breezes drifted through the open balcony, they were swept once more into that deep dark pool of desire.

  Chapter 12

  Celeste awoke and lay very still, trying to get her bearings.

  Get her bearings.

  An apt phrase, she thought. She’d been lost ever since Drew walked back into her life. Completely lost, and floundering. And hoping that no one noticed her state of confusion. It was so unlike her to be muddled about anything. She’d always been so clear. So straight-thinking. But when it came to Drew, all her common sense fled.

  She lay on her side, watching him as he slept. How she’d missed him. That quick, dangerous smile that always did strange things to her heart. Those gray eyes, at once smiling and mysterious. And that trim, muscled body that brought such pleasure to hers. But it was so much more than physical. She’d missed the way he always seemed to know exactly when she’d reached her limit, whether it was patience or energy or good humor. He’d see her starting to fade and would take over without any seeming effort. Like the way he fed her when she forgot to eat. Or soothed her when her temper flared. Or persuaded her to take a break when he could see her energy begin to flag.

  That was the most wonderful thing about Drew. Whenever she was with him, she felt pampered. Cherished. As though she were the most important person in his life.

  He was, she realized, her best friend. Her very best friend. And she’d missed him so much.

  It occurred to her that she hadn’t awakened feeling this content in a very long time. She felt thoroughly rested and thoroughly loved.

  She touched a finger to the dark hair that had fallen over his forehead. How she loved looking at him asleep. All that restless energy spent. All that keen edge of danger oddly at peace.

  He lay facing her, his leg tossed possessively over hers, one arm flung around her waist. She was reminded of the words he’d whispered to her just before drifting off to sleep.

  I’m holding on to you for dear life, Lessie. I’m never going to let you get away again.

  But she hadn’t been the one who’d walked away. It had been Drew’s choice to go. That knowledge still had the power to sting. And now he was back. Acting as though whatever had happened between them was now forgotten. As though the past year was simply wiped away with a single kiss. And in the blink of an eye they’d fallen back into their old routine.

  Foolish, she knew. But she had no one to blame but herself. This had been her choice.

  No promises, he’d said. And she had agreed to that, as well. Maybe because it suited her. She had known early in life that she wanted the same nomadic existence as her parents and grandparents. She wanted, needed, to be free to move on when the current job was done to her satisfaction.

  But what did Drew want? There had been a time when she’d thought she knew him as well as she knew herself. Knew his thoughts and dreams and hopes for the future. But that had been before. Before he’d shattered her world, and her heart, by walking away. Now, though he seemed to be the same sweet, considerate man she’d known and loved, he was also a stranger. There were secrets inside him that he no longer shared with her. Places he could go, where she couldn’t follow.

  “Hmmm. Looks awfully serious.”

  At his voice she looked down to see him watching her, though he hadn’t made a sound.

  He reached a hand to her cheek. “Regrets?”

  She shook her head. “No. How about you?”

  “How could I regret what we shared all night?” He dragged her close and brushed soft kisses over her face. “My only regret is that the night didn’t last long enough.”

  “Not long enough?” That brought laughter to her eyes. “Do you realize we just spent the entire night loving?”

  “Yeah.” He grinned. “Like two greedy kids locked in a candy store.”

  It was true, she realized. They’d indulged their every fantasy, barely taking the time to doze before rousing themselves to enjoy more.

  At times their lovemaking had been as easy, as hesitant as two innocents. At other times they’d been surprised by the explosion of passion that would erupt like a volcano, whirling them down into a dark pool of desire.

  Celeste sighed as he began nibbling at her neck. “We ought to think about getting dressed.”

  “Yeah. In a minute.” He pressed his mouth to a trail of freckles that paraded across her shoulder.

  With each movement of his lips, she could feel the heat growing, the need increasing. “Drew. We should be getting up.”

  “You’re right. But I have to see where these freckles end.” He paused at the swell of her breast. “Look at that. Another one here.” He touched his lips to the spot and heard her little sigh of pleasure. “And here…”

  Thoughts of getting dressed were forgotten.

  In fact, all thought fled as she brought her arms around his waist and held on while he took her on a slow, delicious ride straight to paradise.

  “It can’t be after noon.” Celeste caught sight of the clock and sat straight up in bed.

  Drew lay beside her, his arms and legs tangled with hers, the sheets twisted beneath him. He reached for her and drew her down beside him, cradling her in the curve of his arm. “Relax, Lessie. It isn’t the end of the world if you’re late for work.”

  “Late for…” She put a hand on his chest and struggled to sit up. “Daniel has probably been phoning my suite since early this morning, and wondering where in the world I am.”

  Drew pointed to the bedside phone. “Feel free to call him.”

  “From here?” She shook her head. “I’d rather not have the entire staff speculating on why I was calling from your room.”

  “Suit yourself.” Drew pressed his lips
to a tangle of hair at her temple. “How about if I call and order some room service?”

  The mention of food made her realize she was starving. “Do we have time?”

  “Like I said. You’re the boss. What do you think?”

  She nodded. “I’d like that. I’m really hungry.”

  He sat up and picked up the receiver. “What do you feel like? Breakfast or lunch?”

  She shrugged. “Whatever you’re having.”

  As he gave his order Celeste started to shimmy out of bed. He snagged her around the waist and pulled her down on his lap while he continued talking. Then, hanging up the phone, he framed her face with his hands and drew her head down for a long, drugging kiss.

  Against her lips he murmured, “Trina in Room Service said it would take at least half an hour.”

  “Good.” She brushed her mouth over his cheek, loving the rough, scratchy feel of his beard against her lips. “That’ll give us time to shower.”

  He arched a brow. “I think we could put the time to better use than that.”

  Celeste burst into gales of laughter. “You can’t be serious. Now I know you’re a glutton.”

  “Uh-hmm.” He kissed her again, drawing it out until she felt her head begin to spin.

  The rush of heat caught her by surprise. Where did this need come from? How could she possibly want more?

  Ignoring the question, she wrapped herself around him, letting him take her wherever he chose.

  “I can’t get enough of you, Lessie.” His eyes grew hot and fierce as he tangled his hands in her hair and pulled her head back, savaging her throat. “I’ll never have enough of you.”

  “It’s the same for me, Drew. What have you done to me? I can’t believe what’s happening to both of us.”

  She’d thought, after such a night, loving until they were sated, that there would be no new places to explore.

  Drew proved her wrong again.

  A short time later, they looked up at a knock on the door.

  Celeste froze. “That can’t be room service already.”

  Drew glanced at the clock. “A half hour exactly.” He chuckled against her throat. “You run a very disciplined hotel, Ms. Sullivan.”