by Lori Foster
"Desperate," she said in a low murmur, "I feel tight and urgent and almost in pain. Brent, please…" She ended with a groan.
He leaned forward to lave her with his tongue. "I've waited forever for you, Shadow. You have to give me time to play."
She held him to her as he sucked strongly at her breast. The tension in her built and drew tighter, stronger, until she moaned, feeling on the verge of climax. As if he knew, understood, his hand slid over her belly, then lower, between her thighs, where she was open and wanting.
His fingers were insistent, knowing. The material covering her grew damp as his middle fingertip found one ultrasensitive spot, pressing, plying.
She squeezed her eyes shut, dropped her head back on the sofa. Brent switched to her other breast, and even the warmth of the air caressing her bare nipple, now wet from his mouth, was a stimulant. As if he'd read her mind, he released her breast and blew gently on the straining peak, watching avidly as it puckered further, as Shadow cried out, her hips thrusting against his fingers.
Brent reached for the snaps at the seam of her teddy, no longer willing or able to wait and tease. With no warning at all, he pressed two fingers deep inside her. She cried out, shocked, alarmed by the slight discomfort, and so close to coming she couldn't seem to see straight. Everything blurred, spun. "Brent!"
He ignored her, his fingers sliding in and out in a tantalizing rhythm, unhindered by the tight clasp of her body. He simply forced his way in, then withdrew, again and again.
"Oh … oh…" She literally felt faint, her heart beating far too fast.
Brent lowered himself, his mouth urgently burning a trail from her breasts to her open legs. He bit the soft flesh on the inside of her right thigh, and then he was there, his mouth covering her, his rough tongue licking, sucking.
Shadow fell apart. She'd never experienced anything like it, mind numbing and burning, a pleasure so sharp she felt herself fracture. He held her there, pushing her, not letting the pleasure fade until she went limp and boneless. Her heart was still pounding too hard, a deafening tattoo in her ears. Her skin prickled, both with sweat and sensation.
As if from far away, she felt Brent's tender touch, the stroking of his knuckles across her cheek, the sweep of his hand over her hair. "Hey, sleepyhead." His voice was amused, concerned. "Have I put you out for the night?"
She struggled to open her eyes, but it was an effort. He smiled down at her, his green eyes tender, still hot with arousal. "Brent…" His name sounded slurred, nearly incoherent. She didn't understand what was wrong. "I'm so sorry, but I'm…" She couldn't quite fashion the right words to explain. Exhaustion pulled at her; she was more tired than she could ever remember being in her entire life. She gave up and closed her eyes again. "I am sorry."
She barely heard Brent's disbelieving laugh. Mumbling under his breath, he said, "I should market myself as a sleep aid."
It was beyond Shadow to reply, though she wanted to. She wanted to sit up and look at him and explore his splendid body and kiss him as he'd kissed her. She couldn't. It was all she could do to blink at him again, to bring his handsome face into focus.
There was a resigned sigh, a gust of breath that gently blew her hair, and then she felt Brent's strong arms slide beneath her. "To bed with you, sleepyhead. I suppose my turn will come in the morning."
She wanted to protest, to tell him that it wasn't fair he'd have to wait. Something was terribly wrong, but what? He laid her in the bed and she managed to whisper again. "I'm sorry."
He kissed her forehead. "You obviously work too damn hard."
But that wasn't it, she knew, yet she couldn't quite get the thoughts to form in her mind. All she could comprehend was her embarrassment and her disappointment.
"Brent…"
"Go on to sleep," he said, "and if you wake up refreshed, I'll be here."
Shadow forced her heavy eyes open to stare up at him. She whispered miserably, "I told you I had wretched luck with men. Now you see what I mean."
"Nonsense. You have me." To her blurry mind, he sounded agitated, but not angry. "I'd say you have excellent luck." He stood next to the bed, skimmed off his boxers, then stretched.
Shadow looked at him, seeing him through a gray haze. His erection drew her attention first and she groaned, but the sound was too weak, too faint for him to notice. His legs were long and strong, his stomach flat and lightly muscled, not nearly as hairy as his chest, and very appealing. Broad, straight shoulders and lean, sinewy arms… He was beautiful and Shadow was beginning to wonder if she'd ever get to fully enjoy his body.
"Don't look so glum, sweetheart. I'm almost certain I'll survive." He slid into bed beside her, pulling her close and settling her against his side. He pulled her left leg up and over his. "Is this okay?"
She couldn't get a single word out. Shadow nodded the tiniest bit against his chest.
Brent turned her face up slightly so he could see her eyes. "You look as though you're already asleep." Amazingly, he smiled. "Things will work out eventually. I promise."
He closed his eyes, easing into the mattress with familiarity. She breathed deeply, loving his scent, loving the way his presence soothed her, though why she was suddenly so afraid, she wasn't sure. She loved his strength, his pride. She loved him.
It was the last thought she had before she literally passed out.
* * *
Chapter 6
« ^ »
"I was drugged!"
The shout was shrill and piercing, filled with outrage. Brent wasn't quite quick enough to get his feet beneath him this time. He landed on the floor beside the bed, his naked body twisted in the blankets.
"What! What?"
Shadow hunched over on the mattress, her face in her hands. "Someone," she reiterated slowly, "drugged me."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Last night I couldn't keep my eyes open, couldn't think straight. I didn't want to go to bed, but I couldn't figure out how to tell you. This morning I understand, but last night I couldn't."
With a sigh, Brent ran his hand through his rumpled hair, then down his whiskered face. She had been exhausted, limp as a noodle when he'd carried her to bed. He shook his head. "How would someone do that?"
She looked at him and her expression was nearly blank with fear. "I don't know. It must have been in something I drank." She fretted her bottom lip with her teeth, twisted her hands in the sheet. "Maybe the eggnog. I'm the only one who drank it." Then her expression transformed, became so enraged, so mean, he blinked in surprise. "Someone," she growled, thumping the mattress with a fist, "got in here and drugged my eggnog."
Pulling himself up from the floor gave Brent a moment to hide his grin. Damn, but she could be a ferocious little thing. He smoothed the covers, then sat beside her. After taking her hand, he said, "The doors haven't been opened. If they had, the alarm would have sounded. You're just stressed out from not getting enough sleep."
"I got enough sleep!"
"Then you're stressed out because you haven't yet made love with me. Hell, I know I'm stressed over it." He did grin this time. "We should remedy that."
"I know what I'm talking about, Brent. I'm a hard sleeper, but I don't pass out like that."
Brent gazed at her steadily, but in truth, he was distracted by her warm body, clothed only in the transparent teddy and held so close to his naked one. He said softly, "You'd been nervous about being with me and you were tense." He kissed her temple and said, "It'd been a really long time for you, and I know you came." In a teasing, somewhat bragging voice, he added, "That wasn't a wimpy little orgasm you had, but a mind-blower."
He waited and finally she said, "It was incredible." She twisted to look up at him. "You were incredible. I'm so sorry I fell asleep."
He tangled his hand in her hair, fitting his palm to her skull when she dropped her cheek to his chest. She smelled good, Brent thought, rubbing his nose against her neck, kissing a path to her ear. "You had a meltdown," he suggeste
d. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about, sweetheart. I understand. Hell, I'm even a little proud."
She laughed, just as he'd intended. "You feel like strutting, do you?"
"You wanna know what I feel like doing?" He was still aroused from last night, and even her scream hadn't taken care of it. He was here with her, she was awake now and he wanted her. He was beginning to think he'd always want her.
Unfortunately, just as he started to kiss her, she seemed to become self-conscious. Brent allowed her to draw slightly away, but kept his arms around her shoulders.
"Brent, I still feel a little vague, and I … I need to, ah…"
It was odd, but Shadow managed to keep him on the verge of laughter, whether deliberately or not. His patience astounded him, but he had all morning and he planned to make use of it. He could afford to be patient just a little longer.
He gave her a smacking kiss. "Why don't you take a shower and see if that'll clear away the cobwebs? If you want, I could start some breakfast."
She was frowning, still apparently convinced she'd been drugged. But she said only, "Toast and coffee would be wonderful."
"Shadow?"
"Hmm?"
"Don't take too long."
"I won't."
A few minutes later, Brent heard the shower start. He found his pants and stepped into them, but didn't bother with his shirt or shoes. If he had his way, he would only be taking them off again soon.
Twice now. Twice he had slept with Shadow and not made love to her. It had to be some kind of unbelievable record. But he wouldn't have missed either experience for the world. She was so much more than he'd first imagined. Too headstrong for her own good, with a kind of twisted, zany wisdom few people ever acquired.
She was sweet and serious, intelligent and nutty, by far the most sensuous woman he had ever known … who dressed in the most outlandish outfits. She would never be boring, but she would keep him on his toes.
No way in hell would he ever let anyone hurt her.
He obligingly started the coffee and placed a few slices of bread in the toaster. He set the table with butter, jam, cream and sugar. Then, remembering something he'd been meaning to do, he called his office.
His secretary seemed surprised by his order. "Yes, that's what I said. Two men. I don't care where you find them, but they can't work for me. Find someone from the other offices in the building. It's for the Love and Laughter contest, or some such. Just tell them to go to the little stretch of businesses I'm leasing over by the complexes. There's a shop there called Sex Appeal. They can pick up an application there."
Brent laughed, then added, "I was actually entered, but being as I own the property, if I won, I'd have to be disqualified." He hesitated, then smiled. "Why, thank you. The owner obviously thought I was a worthy contender, too, but she doesn't realize she's leasing from me. Now, don't forget we'll need two men." He chuckled again as he said, "She has to fill her quota."
Brent paced a few steps, one hand in his pocket. "Right. Thanks, Micky. I think that will do it. Why don't you clock out early today? Cancel any appointments I had this morning and reschedule them for Monday. Thanks."
He was still smiling slightly over Micky's comments when he turned and found Shadow standing there, utterly still, looking more vulnerable than he'd ever thought possible. How much had she heard?
She wore a long, man-size football jersey and nothing else. Her hair was damp, a mass of dark ringlets. She looked fresh and dewy and warm. Brent felt his body clench. "Feeling better?" he asked.
"I'm fine."
There was something oddly distant in her words and the way she said them. "There's coffee in the kitchen and I can have the toast ready in just a few minutes."
"Don't bother." She stared right at him and said, "I want you to leave now."
His jaw locked. Damn. "I don't think so, Shadow."
"Why not? Because you didn't get what you came for? I trusted you. I thought you cared a little about me." With each word, she became more rigid. "Why did you lie to me?"
"I never—"
She turned her back on him and walked away. Brent saw red. "I can't believe," he said very quietly, "that you're going to take this attitude today. Not after everything that happened last night."
"Last night wouldn't have happened at all if I'd known you were lying to me! You own my damn building!"
"So?" He propped his hands on his hips and his brows lowered in a fierce scowl. "You had to lease it from someone."
Her nose went into the air. "If it's not a big deal, then why didn't you tell me?"
"Stop shouting and maybe I'll explain."
She gave him a mutinous look. "I have to get dressed."
The morning had quickly deteriorated, and so had his temper. "Why? It looked to me as if you were willing to pick up where we left off. I imagine you don't even have anything on under that jersey, do you?"
She flushed. "Go to hell."
"You have to know how crazy that would make me. So why change your mind now?"
"Because now I'm mad. Now I know you lied to me." Her eyes were dark, dilated. "Until I know why, I'll feel much better fully dressed."
The quiet, deliberate closing of her bedroom door enraged him. Damn her, how could she turn so cold so quickly? Especially when he wanted her so much. Maybe, he thought, remembering her reserve of the night before, she was just stringing him along.
Granted, she couldn't have faked her exhaustion; she'd been dead to the world, her body lax, her deep breathing occasionally turning to soft snores. He almost smiled. No, she'd been totally wiped out, of that he was certain.
But she played a constant game of advance and retreat, and it was possible he'd fallen into a trap. A unique trap, but still a trap. It wasn't a very uplifting thought.
Brent waited until Shadow came out of the bedroom, then went in to dress. He emerged five minutes later, more collected, determined on his course. He would not be manipulated.
"I'm going to the office. If you settle down and want to talk calmly, give me a call." He didn't pay the least bit of attention to her sullen frown. "Also, the security people will be here today to finish installing the system." He looked at her directly, his expression hard. "Don't give them any trouble."
"Oh, don't worry. If I decide I don't want them here, I'll tell them so very nicely. I do tend to be nice, Brent. Remember?"
In two long strides he stood before her, her chin caught in his hand. "Too nice. Don't even think of flirting with some other guy to make me jealous, Shadow. I already told you I don't like games and you've played one too many already."
This time her tone was uncharacteristically solemn, and almost accusing. "I don't play games."
"No? What would you call this little tug-of-war with 'let's make love' and 'let's don't make love'? Normal procedure?"
Shadow looked down, then turned her back completely on him. "I'd call it the worst of luck. Or maybe the best." She was quiet a moment, then added in a sad whisper, "Please go, now."
"Shadow…" Brent didn't know what to say. Why the hell had he let his temper get the best of him? Not that it mattered now. He couldn't continue to let her lead him in circles. Still watching her averted profile, he shrugged on his coat. "I'll give you a call tonight to make certain everything went okay with the security people."
She didn't move, and Brent was forced to take her shoulders and turn her. She could have been carved in stone, her face was so still, her eyes so dull. He didn't like it. In fact, he hated it. "Be careful, and let me know if anything happens."
"The same refrain, Brent. I'm a big girl and I'm not stupid."
"No, but apparently you're someone's obsession. That means you have to be on guard." He left before he said anything else to upset her, but in his mind he knew the truth. He was obsessed, and the sensation got worse every day.
* * *
It had been a wise decision to come to work. Not only had she managed to sort through all the new orders, she had perked up immensely.
Melancholy was for the birds. So Brent had lied? So what? He was like other men, after all, and that certainly shouldn't come as a shock.
But it did. Shadow couldn't help but chastise herself for handling the situation badly. She hadn't given him a chance to explain—if there was indeed an explanation.
She'd gotten hurt, and in the process, she'd ruined a very special morning. A morning that had held the potential for being the most memorable morning she'd ever been given.
Why was her timing so lousy with Brent? She was considering the vagaries of romance—hers in particular—when the phone rang. Kallie was busy with customers so Shadow picked it up herself.
"I've missed you."
Oh, no. That most definitely was not Brent's voice on the line. Very carefully, Shadow said, "I thought I'd seen the last of you."
There was a friendly, almost cheerful chuckle. "You aren't very observant. I saw you just today."
She gripped the receiver tightly. "Where?"
"On your way to work."
She bit her lip, trying to remember any cars she'd passed, any people she'd seen on the way.
"You're wearing a shirt that has vultures on the front. And I like the tight jeans. You look really cute."
The day had been a disaster and she was still berating herself over her part in it. She had no tolerance or patience for this right now. "Look, I've about had it with you. I think you're childish and awfully annoying. Do us both a favor and leave me alone." She slammed the phone down so hard the items on her desk rattled.
So he hadn't given up, after all. She considered Brent's earlier instructions, to call if anything happened. Damned if she would.
She was capable. She wanted Brent, but she didn't need him.
The snow started coming down around three o'clock and by six everything was blanketed in white. They announced a traveler's advisory, so Shadow decided to close the shop early.
To be on the safe side, she notified the security guard and he happily gave her escort to her car. He even waited until she was well on her way before moving on. The salt trucks hadn't had a chance to cover all the roads yet so Shadow drove slowly and very cautiously. For the first time in a long time, she dreaded going home to an empty house. She blamed Brent for that, for showing her how nice it was having him around.
