Irresistible Forces

by Brenda Jackson

  “See what you do to me every time,” he whispered in her ear. “It’s totally insane for me to want you so much.”

  “Mmm” was the only thing she could manage to murmur as she closed her eyes, knowing memories like this would have to sustain her forever. In a short while they would be leaving to return to America—and their lives apart. She would return to her world and he would return to his. Their week-long visit to the island, their procreation vacation, would be something of the past, something they hoped, they truly believed would show results.

  She refused to open her eyes when she felt his lips at the base of neck, then moving slightly to taste the area beneath her ear in one warm lick. Shivers ran through her body. He was making her want him and he knew it. “How much time do we have?” she asked, without opening her eyes. Instead she leaned back farther and angled her head in such a way that his lips could explore her more. Now he was kissing her cheek, the fine line of her jaw.

  “As much time as we want. Martin has arrived with the plane but we fly out when I say we do.”

  She opened her eyes knowing just what that meant. They wanted each other again. Hadn’t gotten enough. And before leaving they would make time.

  She slowly turned in his arms and their gazes met. No further words were needed. There was nothing left to be said. After today there would be no reason for them to come together like this.

  But today. For now. There was a reason. One that was old as time and as primal as mankind. And they would share it…one last time.

  He began taking slow steps backward and she followed, not that she had a choice, with his arms still around her waist. She thought of all the things they had shared, all those different positions they had tried and those others he had thrown in—had introduced her to—for good measure. Over the past seven days she had definitely become sexually educated. Had graduated a star pupil.

  Now she intended to put that education to work.

  “I want to taste you all over, Dominic,” she whispered, just inches from his lips. “And then I plan to ride you until you say you’ve had enough.”

  “I’ll never say it’s enough,” he murmured back hotly, taking his tongue and flicking it out to moisten her lips.

  “We’ll see.” And then she pushed him back on the bed and began going after him with a hunger and urgency that surprised even her. She pulled off his clothes, actually sent buttons flying in her haste and then she shifted to remove her own clothing. When they were both naked she went after his mouth, pressing hers to his, sinking her fingers into his scalp.

  Three hours later when exhaustion finally claimed the two of them, he admitted it was all he could handle in one day, but had been quick to say it still wasn’t enough.

  “So, do you think you’re pregnant?”

  Taylor pondered Vanessa’s question before opening her mouth to speak. Then without saying anything she closed it. Vanessa, who was sitting across the table from her, lifted a brow. “Well?”

  The two had made plans to meet for lunch when Vanessa had called earlier in the week to say she would be flying to D.C. to attend a three-day seminar hosted by the Public Relations Society of America.

  Taylor smiled. Vanessa had a way of getting any information out of you by doing something called “digging in.” It was better to go ahead and give her an answer without subjecting yourself to such torture. “Yes, I know I’m pregnant.”

  Vanessa blinked. She knew that Taylor hadn’t been back from her island rendezvous a full week yet. “You skipped a period already?”

  “No, not yet, but I don’t need that to confirm what I already know.” She didn’t add that Dominic had been too thorough for her not to be pregnant.

  Dominic.

  Had it been only five days since she had seen him last? Five days since he had kissed her when he had dropped her off at the Reagan National Airport before continuing his flight to Los Angeles to visit his parents? Five long miserable days where her body seemed to be going through some form of sexual withdrawal when she would wake up during the night to reach for him and he wasn’t there?

  Vanessa slanted her a look. “For you to be so sure of something like that means Dominic Saxon is one hell of a potent individual or that he was pretty good at what you wanted him to do.”

  Taylor could only smile again. “Both. Enough about me and Dominic. How are things going with the wedding?”

  For the next thirty or so minutes over lunch she listened while her sister told her how the wedding plans were coming and how Vanessa’s best friend, Sienna, had been hired to remodel Cameron’s home in Charlotte, the house where the couple would be living. Because Cameron’s business took him just about anywhere in the world, he had homes in other places, as well, including a beautiful one next door to Cheyenne’s in Jamaica.

  “And you are coming home to Marcus’s high school graduation in a couple of weeks, aren’t you?” Vanessa interrupted her thoughts by asking.

  “I wouldn’t miss it.” What she wouldn’t say, because of the promise she had made to Cheyenne, was that Vanessa would find out in two weeks that she would be an aunt twice over. It was a definite that Cheyenne was pregnant, and by that time Taylor would know if she was pregnant, as well.

  A week later Dominic still found that he was in that same melancholy mood. He walked through his home thinking how he had turned down several dinner invitations from friends. A woman who was someone he would often sleep with when he got the urge had called—several times—blatantly inviting him to spend the night with her and he had turned her down, as well. He knew Ivy was pretty pissed at the thought that he had ignored her not once but twice, but he hadn’t cared enough to even send her flowers to smooth things over.

  The only woman he could think about, the only woman he wanted was Taylor. He was convinced that during the week they had spent together, he had gotten bewitched by her beauty or her ability to please him in bed. He was totally taken by the entire package, which included those things and a lot more. Without even trying, she had left a mark on him that no other woman could wipe away.

  And he didn’t like the thought of that one damn bit.

  He was a single man, and one with a strong sexual appetite. So why was he denying himself the company of beautiful women, women who would want more from him than just a baby? But he knew the answer to that one.

  There was no woman who had the ability to literally charge the air between them the moment she walked into a room other than Taylor Steele. No other woman who could bring him almost to his knees with just one kiss—a kiss he had taught her how to perfect. And then there were the times he would be inside her…

  Just thinking about it made his entire body ache for something he couldn’t have but desperately wanted. When he reached the kitchen he pulled open the refrigerator and decided he needed a cold glass of water. He’d been dreaming again about Taylor, about them making love. The dream had seemed so real he had awakened in a heated sweat.

  “Hey, are you okay?”

  Dominic glanced over his shoulder at Ryder. “Yeah, I’m fine. Why aren’t you in bed?”

  “I just got in from the gym.”

  Dominic glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. “This late?”

  “Yes. This late.”

  He watched the huge hulk of a man slide into a chair at the kitchen table. Not for the first time he wondered about Ryder, the man who had been his bodyguard, his confidant and friend for close to twenty years now. Ryder never mentioned a family, although Dominic knew there was some special woman back in France and he left to return there every chance he got. At least Dominic figured it was a woman since whenever Ryder came back he had a better disposition. More than once over the years he’d tried inquiring about Ryder’s other life and if it included a family, but the man had effectively and intentionally changed the subject, letting Dominic know any discussion about him was off-limits.

  “So, how did you enjoy your week on Latois?”

  Dominic glanced over at Ryder. He ha
dn’t told anyone where he would be that week other than Matt and he was certain Matt hadn’t mentioned anything to anyone. His secretary had been informed that if an emergency came up to contact Matt. So where had Ryder gotten his information?

  “Don’t bother figuring things out, Nick. I know where you are 24-7. It’s my business to protect you. It’s what your grandfather sent me here to do.”

  Dominic closed the refrigerator and leaned back against it. He felt irritated that his grandfather intended to be a part of his life even when he didn’t want him to. “It’s been close to twenty years now, Ryder?” he asked angrily. “You can’t be my bodyguard forever. Besides, I don’t need one anymore.” Even though he said the words he knew over the years Ryder had become more than just his bodyguard.

  “You are who you are. You will always need someone to watch your back.”

  “My grandfather’s orders?” Dominic asked angrily.

  “When are you going to stop hating him?”

  Dominic sighed. He and Ryder had had this conversation several times. For some reason Ryder was very loyal to Franco Saxon.

  “I don’t hate him actually,” Dominic said calmly. “I just don’t want him to be a part of my life just like he chose not to be a part of my father’s life when he married my mother.”

  “He made a mistake Nick. Your father has forgiven him. So has your mother.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. Now I’m going back to bed.” Dominic turned to leave but Ryder’s next question stopped him.

  “And what of the new Saxon heir?”

  Dominic slowly turned around and stared at Ryder. Did he have no secrets from this man? He wouldn’t waste his time trying to figure out how Ryder had known he was on Latois for the sole purpose of making a baby. It would have been simple enough since the island advertised heavily their procreation vacations.

  “You tell me. What about the new Saxon heir?”

  “Your parents and your grandfather would be pleased that you’re carrying the family line forward.”

  Dominic was glad his parents would be overjoyed with the news, but as for his grandfather, he really didn’t give a royal damn. “Nothing is definite yet.”

  Ryder chuckled at that. “But I’m sure it will be. You’re a Saxon.”

  Dominic arched a brow. “Meaning?”

  “You’ll make it happen.”

  Dominic walked out of the room thinking he certainly hoped so. But he would continue to be on pins and needles while he waited for Taylor’s call.

  It was time to call Dominic.

  Taylor placed the package she has purchased at the drugstore on the table. There was no reason why she couldn’t just march into the bathroom and find out now and just call and give Dominic the results. Yes, there was a reason. He had asked to be present when she found out and she had promised him that he could. She would keep her promise.

  It had been twelve days and five hours since she had seen Dominic last, but there had not been one single day that she had not gone to bed thinking of him or awakened with him in her thoughts, as well. And then there were those moments during the day when out of nowhere she would remember something—a look he’d given her, a touch. And heaven help her when she would recall all the times they made love, all those different positions…

  Shivers of awareness ran down her spine. She didn’t need a pregnancy test to tell her what she knew in her heart was already true. She was pregnant with Dominic’s child. There was no way that she couldn’t be.

  Now she needed to place that call.

  She walked over to the sofa and sat down then reached for the telephone and punched his private number.

  “Hello, Taylor.”

  Immediately, upon hearing his strong, husky voice, an electric current seemed to have run right through her. She swallowed and then asked, “How did you know it was me?”

  “Caller ID.”

  She nodded. That made sense. “You wanted me to call you when it was time.”

  “And is it time to find out?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m on my way over.”

  He’d said it as though he was right up the street. “Will you be arriving tomorrow?”

  “No, I’m on my way to your place now. I’ve been in D.C. staying at the Saxon Hotel for the last two days. I wanted to be close by when you called and figured it would be soon,” he informed her.

  “Oh.”

  “I’ll see you in less than an hour, Taylor.”

  “Okay.”

  And then he ended the call.

  Chapter 10

  Taylor glanced at herself in the mirror one final time after hearing the sound of the doorbell. A surge of anxiety swept through her. How was she supposed to act when she saw Dominic again? He wasn’t just any man, but was someone she had spent an entire week making love with more than eighty percent of the time. The last four days on Latois had been the most intense. It was as if they were counting down the hours, minutes and seconds and wanted to make each one count.

  She glanced down at her outfit, a pair of shorts and a tank top. She had wanted to appear casual, right at home and had taken a shower and put on a little makeup and sprayed on her favorite cologne.

  She crossed the room and inhaled deeply, hoping and praying she would be able to keep things together when she saw him. She opened the door and whatever words of greeting she planned to say died on her lips. All she could do was stand there and stare at him.

  For a few split seconds it seemed neither of them was capable of speaking, since he was staring back at her. Then, he finally spoke in a deep, raspy voice that sent shivers all through Taylor’s body.

  “It’s good seeing you again, Taylor.”

  She inhaled deeply once more. “It’s good seeing you again, as well, Dominic.” She had to admit that she sounded slightly hoarse to her own ears. “Won’t you come in?”

  She took a step back and he entered, closing the door behind him. He glanced around a second before returning his gaze to her. “You look good.”

  “Thanks, and so do you.” And she meant it. He was wearing a dark gray suit and white shirt and looked gorgeous as ever. “Would you like something to drink?”

  “What do you have?”

  “Whatever you want.” Too late she realized how that may have sounded.

  He chuckled softly. “In that case, a glass of wine would be nice.”

  “No problem. Make yourself comfortable and I’ll be right back.” She headed toward the kitchen but couldn’t help glancing over her shoulder and saw that he was removing his jacket, exposing those broad shoulders she remembered so well.

  A tingling sensation flowed through her as she recalled a number of other things, and they were things she wished she wouldn’t remember right now. Her body was heated enough already.

  Once she got to the kitchen she let out a deep breath. The sexual chemistry they’d shared hadn’t been just confined to the island. It was here in her apartment. She’d felt it the moment she opened the door and saw him standing there. There was no way he hadn’t felt it, too.

  With nervous hands she poured him a glass of wine and poured a glass of apple juice for herself. “I can do this,” she murmured softly before leaving her kitchen.

  He was standing by the window, looking at the beautiful view of the Potomac and turned when he heard her enter the room. His gaze met hers and she actually saw the heated lust in his eyes. Suddenly, she felt hotter than before and could actually feel dampness form on her forehead. With all the strength she could muster, she made it across the room to him without dropping the glasses out of her hand.

  “Here you are. I hope I wasn’t too long.”

  He smiled before taking the glass from her trembling hand. “No, you weren’t.”

  Their fingers touched and she felt a sizzling sensation all the way to her toes. All she had to do was reconnect with his gaze to know he’d felt it, as well. Thinking the cold apple juice would certainly cool her off, she quickly took a sip
. It didn’t do any good. Heat was still trickling through her.

  “So how have you been feeling?” he asked, breaking into the silence that had surrounded them.

  “I’ve been fine. Busy as usual. I had a lot to catch up on when I got back.”

  “So did I.”

  “The stock market has looked good for the past couple of weeks,” she said, leading him over to the sofa to sit down. He sat on one end and she on the other.

  “Yes, I saw that.”

  The room plunged back into silence and she began racking her brain for something else to say. She thought about a recent news article and brought it up. He made a comment or two and that was it. Deciding she was dragging things out for no reason at all she said, “I’m sure you have a lot to do this evening, so if you want we can find out if I’m pregnant or not right now.”

  “I don’t have anything to do this evening,” he said smoothly. “Do you feel pregnant?”

  A smile touched her lips. “If you’re asking if I’ve had morning sickness or anything like that, then the answer is no. I feel wonderful. But I have missed my period by a few days.”

  “Oh.”

  Too late she wondered if she had said too much, then decided no, she hadn’t. While on the island they had talked about a number of things, personal things regarding changes that would take place to her body once she became pregnant. She had felt comfortable discussing them with him then and there was no reason she shouldn’t feel at ease talking about them with him now. Although most of the time they had held the discussions while both of them had been wrapped in each other’s arms, naked and satiated after having just made love.

  “What about your breasts?”

  Desire sparked in the center of her, right below the waist, between the legs. “What about them?” she asked softly.

  He took a sip of wine before leaning forward. “Are they tender? You said that would be one sure-tell sign.”