by Opal Carew
Oh, God, no. Wearing only her small robe, totally naked underneath… with his masculine presence dominating the room… she felt far too vulnerable.
She stared at him, knowing her eyes must be wide but unable to hide her discomfiture. She bit her lip and his hard gaze softened.
“Chelsea, I just want to have dinner with you and spend the evening together. It’s no big deal.”
She drew in a deep breath and nodded, her throat too tight to manage uttering actual words.
“Good. Now get dressed and meet me downstairs in ten minutes.”
“Yes, sir.” The words just slipped from her mouth.
When he gazed at her, something flickered in his eyes, but she couldn’t read the emotion. Maybe he thought she was being sarcastic. Whatever it was, he nodded and left the room. As soon as the door closed, she sighed in relief.
* * *
Zane glanced up as Chelsea descended the stairs. The sight of her took his breath away. She was as beautiful as always. Tall and slim in her tailored dress, but rounded in all the right places. Her chestnut hair, pinned up in a tight coif, was brushed to a high gloss. In fact, all of her was polished, from her designer outfit, to her immaculate manicure. A sharp contrast from the way he’d seen her ten minutes ago.
He couldn’t get that image out of his mind. She’d looked all soft and feminine in her short sexy robe, her long hair cascading past her shoulders in gleaming waves. Her bare legs, and the deep, alluring V of skin visible where her robe wrapped around her had been unsettling. He’d wanted to walk up to her and pull that robe open. To feast his eyes on the sight of her naked body beneath.
As much as he wanted her… and from the heat in her gaze, he was sure she wanted him, too… he’d resisted.
But he didn’t know how long he could hold back.
When he’d returned from the UK right after their parents had died, he’d been blown away by how beautiful she was at sixteen. When he moved in to be her guardian, he’d quickly realized that his growing desire for her would become a problem. He’d tried to convince himself that she was just too young, that at twenty-six he shouldn’t have these feelings for a sixteen year old, but nothing could convince him that he didn’t want her. So he’d had to pull back and keep a cool demeanor.
She had been so sweet and lively when she was a child, following him around and always asking questions in her delightful way. Gazing at him as if he’d been the most important person in the world to her. He’d hated seeing that light in her eyes dim, then die out completely. But he didn’t know what else he could have done.
Now, however, they were both adults and he longed to have her. Not just to alleviate the almost crippling physical hunger he felt for her, but because he wanted her in his life. Every part of it.
But he knew convincing her would be a challenge beyond measure.
Especially with what was brewing with her company.
Chelsea walked to the dining room and sat down at the table. He had the dinner already set out. He filled her wine glass then sat across from her.
She ate in silence, not giving an inch, but he didn’t really blame her. He had trapped her and she didn’t respond well to that, but he had to shake her out of her stubbornness.
He filled her glass again, then offered dessert, but she declined.
“Let’s sit in the living room and talk.”
“Do I have a choice?”
He smiled. “Yes. We could talk in your room.”
She frowned and picked up her glass, then walked to the living room and sat in one of the armchairs by the fireplace. He carried the bottle of wine with them and sat on the couch.
“How’s your business doing?” he asked.
“Fine. A few financial issues, but I’m sure you know that.”
He kept tabs on her business and he knew it bothered her, but he wasn’t going to stop. She was a savvy business woman, but she was a little naïve about some things, and definitely too trusting of that partner of hers.
“Chelsea, I keep informed because I want to look out for you. I care about what happens to you.”
“And you don’t think I can manage a business all on my own.” She raised an eyebrow. “Are you going to offer to lend me money?”
“You wouldn’t take it if I did.”
“Because it’s insulting. Like you’re just waiting for me to fail.”
“You’re being too sensitive. I don’t expect you to fail.”
Her eyebrow shot up. “So you think Quiet Thunder will thrive?”
He compressed his lips. “I think you have some problems to overcome. And you know I have concerns about your business partner.
Her fingers tightened around the armrests of the chair. “Bill was the reason I could get this business started in the first place.”
“What about your angel investor?”
She picked up her wine glass and took a sip. “He’s just a distant presence, putting money into a company he doesn’t care about in the hopes it will take off and earn him a lot of money. Bill is an on-going presence. Helping make the day-to-day decisions,” She stared at him defiantly. “Bill believes in me.”
“Chels, I never said I didn’t believe in you.”
“No, but you show it in the way you try to control everything I do.”
He settled back in his chair. “For the past two years, I have left you alone and let you start this business of yours, while I run No Limits on my own.”
Her eyes flashed. “First, I don’t give a damn about No Limits. You never let me make a decision that matters anyway. And you didn’t let me start my business. I didn’t use your money.”
She had used money she’d saved from her allowance from the trust, though, but he wouldn’t mention that. And he certainly wouldn’t mention the angel investor again.
“And I don’t exactly call trapping me here for the weekend leaving me alone,” she continued.
“Since you are here, why don’t we put all this aside and just enjoy the weekend?”
Her lips formed a thin line and he knew she would stubbornly refuse to give an inch.
“You know, when you were young you used to look up to me. I remember the first time we went with our parents for their yearly business retreat, you followed me around like a puppy.”
“I was seven.” She leaned forward and picked up the wine bottle, then filled her glass.
He smiled, remembering the bright-eyed, delightful child she’d been. “Yes, but you did it every year, until I went to the UK for college.”
* * *
Chelsea frowned. She remembered. She had adored him.
He’d been a teenager, and had never seemed to mind that she tagged behind him the whole weekend. He’d almost enjoyed it, even though she realized later that he must have been instructed by his father to keep her occupied. Still, she’d always looked up to Zane and had been thrilled at his attention. He’d been this adult who had cared about her having fun. Not like her father.
She had missed Zane when he’d gone to college and so far away. When their parents died, he’d returned to Connecticut and become her guardian. Their first meeting after being apart so many years had been overshadowed by grief. After the funeral, he’d moved into her parents’ house but instead of the friendly, caring teenager she’d remembered, he’d become a cool, aloof adult.
She had been looking forward to presenting him with her ideas for the company they now shared, but to her surprise, he had ignored them, telling her she was too young and inexperienced to have any real say in the running of the company. It’s not like she didn’t realize that at sixteen, she didn’t have the experience he had, but he could have listened. He could have tried to work with her.
She’d quickly come to realize that Zane was just as controlling as her father had been.
“Well, I’m not a child now. I’m all grown up.”
“Yes, you are.”
Her gaze darted to his at the innuendo in his silky baritone voice. The heat in his cobalt bl
ue eyes took her breath away.
“I’ve had a long day. I think it’s time I turned in,” she said.
She placed her empty wine glass on the table and stood up. But the world seemed to sway a little and when she took a step, she was unsteady. She moved around the coffee table and focused on walking straight, but bumped into the side of the one of the armchairs.
Zane was on his feet and by her side instantly.
“What’s wrong, Chels?”
Her back stiffened. “Nothing. I’m fine.”
But her hazy brain combined with his close masculine presence made her stumble slightly. His arm swept around her and drew her close to his warm body as he walked with her.
“I’m fine,” she grated.
“You took allergy medication today didn’t you? I should have realized that the wine would be a bad idea.”
God, he was right.
“You know,” he said, “there’s nothing wrong with leaning on someone when you need help.”
She gave up her resistance and melted into him. His arm held her securely to his body as they walked, but when they reached the stairs, he swept her up in his arms and carried her.
The world whizzed past her as she clung to his neck. Despite her dizziness, she was intensely aware of his muscular arms around her. Supporting her. Of the heat building inside her.
This was insane. She wasn’t going to… He wasn’t going to…
They reached the end of the hall. His bedroom in front of them, hers to the right.
Carefully, he set her on her feet, his arm around her waist to steady her.
“Thanks,” she murmured, feeling more than a little vulnerable at the weakness she’d shown.
She turned to her door and reached for the knob.
“This isn’t how I’d hoped this weekend would start,” he said.
Her cheeks heated. “Having to carry me to bed tipsy?”
He chuckled. It was a sound she hadn’t heard in a long time and she realized she’d missed it.
“I mean I didn’t want it to start with you angry. I had hoped we could have a serious talk.”
She gazed up at him. “About what?”
* * *
Zane knew this was stupid. He should not be bringing this up when they were standing outside her bedroom door, her woozy from a combination of medicine and wine.
“About a change in our relationship. I became your guardian when you were sixteen, but now we’re both adults. You have your independence. There’s no reason we couldn’t let go of those roles and…”
“And what?” she asked when words failed him.
As she stared at him with her wide brown eyes, his gut clenched. She really had no idea what he was suggesting. Fuck!
“Never mind. We can discuss it tomorrow.”
She nodded, then turned and opened her door.
“Do you need any help…?”
Her gaze darted to his and she shook her head rapidly. “No, I’ll be fine, thanks.” Then she shut the door behind her.
* * *
Chelsea leaned back against the door, her heart pounding.
Oh, God oh God oh God. He couldn’t have meant what she thought he meant. What a crazy little part of her wanted him to mean.
She walked to her suitcase and retrieved her satin pajamas. She shed her clothes and pulled on the pants, then the top and buttoned it up. She pulled back the covers and knew as soon as her head hit the pillow, that she’d fall asleep right away.
She turned off the light and lay down, but found herself staring at the dark ceiling, the memory of Zane’s arm around her, his solid body supporting her…haunted her.
Her eyelids fell closed and she let herself relax as she gave herself over to fantasies of Zane lying close to her, his lips trailing along her neck. His hand cupping her breast. Gliding down her stomach.
She murmured softly as his fingers stroked between her legs, sending heat pulsing through her. His fingers pushing inside her.
Blackness surrounded her as she faded into sleep.
In the shadowy world of her dreams, she opened her eyes and knew she had to seek out what she wanted.
Zane.
She drew back the covers and walked across the dark room. A moment later, she stood in front of his bedroom door and opened it quietly, then slipped inside. Moonlight streamed in the window and she could see him stretched out across the large bed dominating the center of the room. He was asleep, his breathing even.
She walked to the bed and lifted the covers, then slid in beside him. She snuggled close to him, reveling in the comfort of his masculine presence.
* * *
Zane woke with a start, realizing there was a warm body beside him. He glanced at the sweet face resting on the pillow beside his and his eyes widened.
Chelsea had climbed into bed with him. Her arm was around his waist and her cheek rested against his biceps.
His heart pounded with the desire to feel her lips on his. To glide his arms around her and pull her against him, her soft, round breasts crushed against his chest, while he ravaged her mouth.
His groin tightened and he knew the moment he felt her body against his like that, he’d be rock hard and far too tempted to slide into her warm depths and claim her. Even the thought of her soft body surrounding him made his cock swell, filling him with a sweltering ache.
He sucked in a deep, slow breath. Why was she here?
She murmured in her sleep and shifted. Her arm brushed against his rock-hard cock and he sucked in a breath. His gaze dropped to her face, but her eyes were still closed and her breathing remained even.
She was asleep.
Sound asleep.
Then he realized…she’d been sleep walking. A smile spread across his face.
She’d been sleep walking and she’d come to him. Climbed into his bed.
Gently he tucked his hand under her neck then slid his arms under her, then drew her close. She murmured softly again and rolled closer still, her head now on his shoulder.
As painful as it was to lie there with her so close while his body ached to make love to her, he lay in the darkness happily, knowing that tomorrow, the world would be a very different place.
* * *
Chelsea opened her eyes to the close-up view of a strong masculine jaw, heavily shadowed with morning stubble. She seemed to be wrapped around the owner of that jaw, her arm snuggly around his waist and her leg curled around his thigh. His hard, muscular thigh.
God, how had she wound up in Zane’s bed?
Staving off the panic, she decided to slowly pull away without waking him, then she’d slink out before he knew—
The arm she was lying on tightened around her shoulders.
“Are you awake?” she whispered.
“As a matter of fact, I am.”
Damn. She’d hoped his arm tightening around her was just a reflex and she could still escape.
She tried to roll away but his arm was like a steel band holding her in place. Then he rolled toward her, causing all kinds of wild sensations to flicker through her.
Now they were facing each other on the pillow and her heart stuttered.
Oh, God, so many times she’d dreamed of this, but now faced with the reality… Knowing the tensions between them…
Then the memory of last night, when he’d mentioned something about their roles changing…
“I don’t understand,” she stammered. “I don’t know how I wound up… here.”
God, she was in his bed. And it was his bed, not hers, with the forest green sheets and the navy and green patterned duvet. It was a huge, king-sized bed. Big enough for his huge, king-sized body. A tall, masculine muscle-bound body.
“You climbed in here in the middle of the night.” The light dancing in his eyes made her wonder what else she’d done in the middle of the night.
“We didn’t…” Her throat closed up and she sucked in a breath. “I mean… nothing happened did it?”
He arched an eyebrow.
“You mean you don’t remember?”
Blood rushed to her cheeks and her eyes grew wide.
“Oh, God. No. We didn’t.” Her heart pounded in her chest.
His clear blue eyes grew serious.
“Don’t worry. Nothing happened. But…”—he stroked a finger lightly across her cheek, sending her insides fluttering—“would it really be so bad if it had?”
Relief rushed through her, but his blue eyes held her mesmerized.
“I… uh… It’s just that…” Oh, God, she didn’t know where to go with this.
Then suddenly his mouth was on hers. His firm, full lips coaxing. He drew her closer and the feel of his body the length of hers, his tongue nudging at her lips, sent her pulse skyrocketing. She opened and he glided inside. She melted against his solid body as their tongues entwined, his mouth moving on hers in a passionate play of power where he was totally in control.
And she was loving it.
Then she felt his cock swelling against her belly and shock rocked her to her very soul. She flattened her hand on his chest and pressed against him.
He cupped her head, seducing her mouth a moment longer, then his face eased away. Their gazes locked, his questioning, then he sighed and loosened his arm around her. She scooted back, putting well needed inches between them. At least, for her sanity’s sake.
She drew in deep breaths, trying to calm herself.
“Last night,” he said, “I told you that I want to talk about a change in our relationship.”
“And this is what you meant?” She hadn’t intended her voice to have that shrill edge.
“We’re both adults now and clearly you’re as attracted to me as I am to you.”
“Because I climbed in your bed?” She shook her head. “No, that was just me sleep walking.”
She hadn’t done it in years, but he knew she’d had the problem. He’d been the one who’d taken her to the doctor about it.
“And I don’t believe you would sleep walk right into my bed unless that’s where you wanted to be.”
She rolled away and hopped from the bed then scurried from his room, fleeing him and the disturbing desires his kiss had aroused.
* * *
Chelsea showered and dressed, plagued by the disturbing feelings at waking up in Zane’s arms. And the way she’d reacted to his kiss.
