Melting the Ice

by Jaci Burton

  Since she had zero investment in football, she nodded. "Okay. I'll take your word for it."

  "Not a fan?"

  "I don't watch a lot of football."

  "But you know the teams. I mean, come on. You're a New Yorker. You have to be a die-hard fan."

  She laughed. "No, I don't."

  "I'm not sure I can continue to talk to you if you're not going to take a stand here."

  "What are your thoughts about cashmere versus silk?"

  He frowned. "What the hell are you talking about?"

  "Exactly."

  "Oh. I get it. You have about as much interest in football as I do in fabric."

  "See? I knew you were smart."

  "But you like hockey."

  "I do like hockey. I also like baseball."

  "But not football."

  She shrugged. "Never got into the sport much."

  He followed her as she wound her way through the rooms.

  "And obviously, you like auto racing."

  "Obviously."

  "Do you ever go and watch Gray race?"

  "Yes, when I can get away from work. I also go to watch baseball games. And of course, hockey games."

  "But again, not football?"

  "No."

  "I'm taking you to a game."

  She paused to look up at him. "Totally not necessary."

  "I feel it's my duty to educate you. You don't know what you're missing. I'll get us playoff tickets. You can spare a few hours to go to the game. You can't work twenty-four hours a day."

  "Can't I?" He was right, of course, but she was enjoying bantering with him.

  "You probably would. But you shouldn't."

  "What shouldn't my daughter be doing?"

  Carolina cringed when her mother came up beside her.

  "I'm trying to educate your daughter about the wonders of football, Mrs. Preston. It turns out she's not a fan."

  Her mother looked at her. "You're not? How did I not know this?"

  "I don't know, Mom. Surely this doesn't surprise you."

  "I thought you liked all sports."

  "Correction. I like a lot of sports. I've just never gotten into football."

  "And I told her I could take her to see a New York playoff game. She's trying to tell me she has to work."

  Mrs. Preston shook her head. "She's always working. Too hard, unfortunately. Drag her away from work for a few hours and make her go breathe in some fresh air, Drew."

  "Yes ma'am."

  "Oh, there's Felicia. I haven't had a minute to talk to her yet tonight. Please excuse me."

  After Carolina's mother walked away, she turned to Drew. "You planned that."

  Drew gave her a look. "You think I secretly met with your mother and concocted a plan with her to take you to a football game?"

  "Okay, maybe not. But it sure was convenient."

  "It was, wasn't it?"

  She rolled her eyes. "I'm not going to a football game. I don't like football."

  "Because you've never been to a game. Trust me, once you're there, you'll love it."

  "I don't like being told what to do."

  "Then I'll call you up and ask you out. You'll say yes, and we'll go to a football game."

  "You're infuriating."

  He grinned. "I know."

  He was also gorgeous, and she wanted to slide her hand along the very crisp lapels of his suit. Keeping her hands to herself tonight was proving to be difficult.

  "Have I mentioned how very gorgeous you are tonight?"

  She snapped her gaze to his. "Yes. And I appreciate it very much. And you should stop looking at me like that."

  "Like what?"

  "Like you're hungry and I'm a midnight snack."

  He leveled a predatory smile at her. "Is it midnight yet?"

  She looked at her watch. "After midnight."

  He leaned in closer. "I want to swipe my tongue across your neck, then take a bite."

  Fighting the shudder, she stayed put and whispered, "Stop that."

  "Stop what? Am I turning you on?"

  "No."

  "You're lying. You have goose bumps."

  She ran her hands over her arms. "It's . . . cold in here."

  He laughed. "No, it's not. In fact, I'd guess you were hot."

  Why was she even having this conversation with him? "I'm going to see to the guests."

  "Okay."

  She walked away, but he was right. It wasn't cold in here. The staff made sure the temperature was comfortable. Not too hot, and definitely not too cool. It was Drew that gave her goose bumps, ones that still stood out on her skin because his words still lingered like a slow-moving picture playing in her head.

  Her, reclining on the chaise in her room. Drew, coming up behind her to slide his tongue across her neck.

  She rubbed her arms again as her nipples tingled.

  Damn him. She was going to immerse herself in this party and forget all about him for the rest of the night.

  No matter how difficult that was going to be.

  SIXTEEN

  IT WAS AFTER ONE IN THE MORNING BEFORE ALL THE guests had left. As was typical for her parents, they stayed up until the last guest was out the door.

  Secret Service cleared the place out and did a double check. Her parents went up to bed, Gray and Evelyn following behind them. Carolina was exhausted, so she headed upstairs, too. Drew was talking to Arthur, one of the staff who apparently was a football fan.

  She left him downstairs to his heated discussion. Yawning, she slipped out of her dress and went into her bathroom to brush her teeth. The quiet of the house was the best part of the night.

  Okay, the best part of the night was seeing Drew in that suit. It made her rethink all of her options for dressing him.

  She switched off the light in the bathroom, then laid down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling, mentally playing out each outfit in her head. She grabbed her notepad and jotted down a few things, wondering if Drew would be up for wearing one of her suits.

  He likely wouldn't care. Then again, maybe he would.

  She'd discuss it with him later. She laid her notepad to the side, her eyes drifting closed. But then another thought came to her so she grabbed the notebook again.

  Thirty minutes later, she was staring at the wall, nowhere close to falling asleep.

  This was ridiculous. She grabbed her phone to check her email.

  Of course there was nothing pressing, because it was Christmas and everyone was home with their families, enjoying the holiday.

  Releasing a frustrated sigh, she climbed off the bed and put on her robe, went to the door and opened it.

  Not a sound. Everyone had gone to bed. Everyone was tired, including her.

  Or at least she had been. Now she was wound up and for some reason her feet carried her down the hall, where she stood in front of Drew's door.

  What was she doing here? She should go back to her room. This was ridiculous.

  She gazed up and down the hall, grateful the rooms were spread out. But if someone came out . . .

  You're already here, idiot. Just get this over with.

  She knocked as lightly as she could, cringing at each rap of her knuckles.

  Drew opened the door right away.

  "Well, this is a nice surprise," he said with a smile. He stared down at her in her robe. "Is this my early Christmas present?"

  Before she could utter a word he pulled her into his room and shut the door.

  His lips covered hers before she could explain the reason for her middle-of-the-night visit.

  Not that she had a good reason, anyway. She had no idea what she was doing there. And now that he was kissing her, his hand roaming over her back to draw her in close to his mostly naked body, she couldn't remember what had brought her to his room. Only that she was there, and he was happy to see her. And kissing her in the way she'd wanted him to kiss her all night long.

  She moaned against his lips and he walked them backward, bring
ing her farther into his room. When they fell onto the bed, she landed on top of him, breaking their kiss.

  Something about fashion, about her clothing line. That's what she'd wanted to talk to him about. But moonlight spilled over his magnificent chest, and damned if she wanted to talk about clothes right now. In fact, the only thing she wanted was to shed hers.

  She untied the belt of her robe and slid it off her shoulders.

  "So that's what you had on under your dress tonight," he said, snaking his fingers over the demi cups of her bra. Her nipples hardened. Such sweet, sweet pleasure.

  "Yes." She removed her robe and tossed it to the floor.

  "And these, too? Now it would have been a shame if I didn't get to see these tonight, Lina." His hands roamed down, over her belly, until he rested them at her hips, where she wore panties that matched her bra. Only the tiniest string held the two pieces of fabric together.

  Decadent, yes, and she'd really had no idea Drew was going to see these tonight, but she'd be lying to herself if she didn't admit she'd worn them with him in mind. In fact, she hadn't taken them off, hadn't put on her pajamas. Maybe she'd subconsciously planned to come to his room all along.

  Oh, that subconscious. Such a devious little devil.

  She rolled her head back as he cupped her breasts, his thumbs brushing the fabric of her bra.

  Such delicious torment, when all she wanted was his bare skin on hers. But this was good--so, so good, and when he released the clasp on her bra, she let it fall away.

  Drew lifted up and put his lips over one bud, capturing it with his tongue and the roof of his mouth to suck it, gently. She ached with the pleasure of it, the way he tugged on her nipple, the sensation drawing down to her pussy, making her throb with need. When he released her nipple and took the other one, she could have died from the exquisite pleasure.

  "Drew," she whispered, clutching his hair tight in her hands. "I love that."

  He released her nipple, then cupped her breasts, giving them a gentle squeeze before lying back against the headboard.

  "You looked so hot tonight," she said, running her hands over his chest.

  "Is that why you're here? Because I was so irresistible tonight?"

  She loved his sense of humor. "Partly. I also wanted to talk to you about . . . something."

  He arched a brow. "Yeah? What is it?"

  "It can wait. Right now I want you inside me."

  "Let's get your panties off, then." He rolled her over onto the bed, then slipped her panties over her hips.

  When he palmed her sex and rubbed his hand over her, she fell into a languid state, content to let him pleasure her, especially since he'd nestled up next to her and kissed her while he touched her.

  She couldn't get enough of his mouth, the way he lazily brushed his lips across hers while he took his time caressing her with his fingers. There was no fast and furious rush to get her to the finish line. He rubbed his fingers over her sex, a tease that made her lift her hips to meet him and wrap her tongue around his.

  She wanted this, needed him to make her come. And when he increased the pressure, giving her just a little more, she grabbed his wrist and held him right there, right at the point that would guarantee to sail her to oblivion.

  But he pulled her wrist away and deepened the kiss, then tucked two fingers inside her while swirling his thumb over her clit.

  She was going insane, needing that burst. She rolled to the side and lifted her leg over his hip, driving against him so he'd get her there. Unashamed, she thrust against his fingers, and he groaned against her mouth. And when she came, he soaked up her cries with his lips, taking every moan and whimper while he continued to pump his fingers into her and she rode the wave of one fantastic orgasm that left her shaken.

  She was still trembling from the aftereffects when Drew pulled away only long enough to grab a condom. Then he was back, rolling her underneath him. She was still throbbing when he slid inside her, cupping her butt to raise her hips so he could push deeper.

  He lifted his torso off her and held himself up with his hands, staring down at her. She smoothed her hands up his arms, feeling the strength in his muscles as he moved within her with slow, easy thrusts.

  He kept his gaze trained on her face, his eyes intense, hot, and filled with a passion that equaled hers. She rubbed her hands over his arms, tightening her hold on him as he eased down on her and ground against her, heightening the sensation to peak level.

  She brushed his hair away from his face, feeling the sweat across his forehead. She cupped the nape of his neck and drew his face closer. His lips took hers in a feverish kiss that made her tighten, made her nerve endings tingle. And when he groaned against her mouth, she wrapped her legs around him, urging him to give her more.

  He pulled his lips from hers and looked down at her. "I love the way your pussy tightens around my cock, Lina. Do you know I can tell when you're about to come? You squeeze my cock and your pussy quivers."

  He drew back, then slid back in, ever so slowly, rolling his hips against hers, giving her the friction that tore her apart. "Like now. You're ready to come, but you're holding back. Is it good?"

  He was right. Every sensation was so delicious, she wanted to savor the moment. She could have come again already. He mastered her body, was so in tune to what gave her pleasure. But being with him like this, wrapped in this cocoon of heat and desire, was a never-ending source of sin and delight. She never wanted it to end.

  "Yes," she said, lifting against him until he powered in deep. "It's so good. I want more. I want to come."

  He rolled against her again, and this time, she knew she wouldn't be able to hold back. She dug her nails into Drew's arms, lost in the way he moved against her, the tidal wave of sensation that engulfed her as her climax hit.

  He kissed her as she came, absorbing the cries she couldn't help but release as she rocked against him. And when Drew came with a hard groan and shuddered against her, she held tight to him, her lifeline in this wild, out-of-control storm of pleasure.

  He held her, stroked her hair and brushed her lips with soft kisses as she came down from the high, out of breath but utterly content.

  And then he got up and went to the bathroom and Carolina rolled over, exhausted. When Drew came back, he pulled the covers over them both and snuggled his body against hers.

  She could barely keep her eyes open. "I need to go back to my room."

  "Okay."

  But his warm body against hers was her undoing. Her eyes drifted closed and she was out cold.

  SEVENTEEN

  DREW LISTENED TO THE SOUND OF CAROLINA'S DEEP breathing, and knew she'd fallen asleep.

  He'd wake her in a little while. He usually slept light, so he'd make sure she was out of his room early enough, before everyone got up Christmas morning.

  Though he had no idea how early everyone got up. He leaned over and reached for his phone.

  Three a.m. That wasn't going to give them much time for sleeping.

  He smiled. Worth it, though. He wrapped his arms around Carolina and breathed in the sweet scent of her hair.

  He liked having her in his bed, liked the warmth of her naked body nestled against his. His cock twitched, but he forced those thoughts aside.

  Yeah, he wanted her again. He wanted her all the time, but she needed at least a few hours of sleep.

  Just an hour of her next to him in bed would be good enough. Then he'd wake her and she could sneak back to her room.

  No one would know.

  No one could know. That would be a disaster.

  He yawned and closed his eyes.

  *

  THE RAP OF A COUPLE QUICK KNOCKS PENETRATED the thick fog of dead sleep that had sent Drew spiraling off into oblivion.

  But the sound of Gray's voice shot him up in bed.

  "Hey, Drew, I thought we'd get a head start on everyone else--"

  Gray saw the body in bed next to Drew at the same time Drew threw the covers over Carolina
's head.

  "Oh, shit. I'm sorry, man. I had no idea." Gray started to back out, then paused as Carolina threw the covers off her head.

  "Drew, what's going on?" she asked.

  And then it was like a scene in a really bad movie.

  Because Carolina woke enough to see her brother standing in the doorway, a horrified expression on her face.

  And Gray realized it was his sister in bed with Drew.

  "What the ever-loving fuck is going on here?" Gray asked.

  "Gray. Get out so your sister can get dressed."

  Carolina, eyes wide, said nothing.

  Gray, however, looked pissed as he narrowed his gaze at Drew. "You and I need to talk as soon as you get dressed and come downstairs."

  His lips clamped tight, Gray shut the door.

  Shit.

  Drew dragged his fingers through his hair and climbed out of bed.

  "I'm sorry. I meant to wake you a couple of hours ago. I just passed out."

  He expected panic on Carolina's face. Instead, she seemed . . . calm. She slid out of bed and grabbed her clothes. Drew couldn't help but admire the sleek lines of her naked body. "I'm a grown woman, Drew. My brother is going to have to get over it."

  "Yeah, well, I don't think that's going to happen."

  "I'll talk to him."

  "No. I'll talk to him."

  She shrugged. "Don't worry about it. He's just being overprotective. He'll realize that this is none of his business." She went over to him and pressed a kiss to his lips. "I'm going to take a shower, then I'll see you downstairs."

  He wrapped his arm around her and tugged her close, prolonging the kiss until, despite the upcoming conversation with Carolina's brother that he was dreading, all he could think about was throwing Carolina back in bed and spending an hour or so with her.

  But she pulled away. "I really need that shower, before the rest of the family wakes up."

  "Yeah. Me, too." He swept his thumb over her bottom lip. "Too bad we can't take one together."

  She sighed. "That would have been fun. The drawback to being surrounded by family--one that doesn't knock before entering a room."

  He laughed. "I'll see you downstairs."

  After Carolina left, Drew took a quick shower and got dressed. Not one to delay the inevitable, he found Gray downstairs, brooding over a cup of coffee.

  "Where's everyone else?"

  "My parents and their security went for an early morning walk. Evelyn's still asleep. What the hell are you doing in bed with my sister?"

  Drew went to the coffeepot and poured a cup for himself, then faced Gray. "I don't really think that requires a detailed explanation, do you?"