Lone Star Millionaire

by Susan Mallery

“Oh, Cal, you are the most difficult man.” She cupped his face and raised herself up on tiptoes so she could press a kiss to his mouth. “Yes, I want you. Better now?”

  “Some.” His expression turned wicked. “I’d like proof.”

  She thought about the hard points of her nipples. He could see them through the thin cotton of her T-shirt. But there was other, more graphic proof. Her panties had been wet from their first kiss. Did she dare?

  This was, she reminded herself, Cal. She doubted there was anything she could do to shock him. They would have only this one time together. Maybe it was time to let go, to just experience the moment.

  She took his hand in hers and drew it to her belly. She slid his fingers lower beneath her panties until he tangled in the red curls. She was wet and swollen. There was no way he could miss the signs of her arousal.

  He didn’t. When he touched her there, he sucked in his breath. “You feel great,” he murmured, then lowered his mouth to hers.

  While they kissed and his tongue brushed against hers, his fingers provided a sensual counterpoint below. He explored her, discovering secret places, the tiny bud of pleasure, the waiting heat that would soon welcome him. He dipped inside, going deep, then rubbed against the slick walls. He circled the swollen knot so gently and so perfectly she made a half cry, half moan in the back of her throat. Her thighs trembled, her knees buckled and she had to lean against him to keep standing.

  He tore his mouth away. “I can’t believe how much I want you,” he said, then picked her up and set her on the bed.

  Before she could lie back, he tugged her T-shirt over her head and pulled off her panties. She didn’t have time to be embarrassed. Even as the first self-conscious thoughts formed, Cal was reaching for his belt. To be completely honest, she admitted she was far more interested in seeing him naked than she was concerned about him seeing her.

  He kicked off his shoes, then pushed down his jeans and briefs in one quick movement. As he bent to pull them off completely, he also removed his socks.

  And then he was naked. Tall, lean, powerful and very male. She reached for him. He grabbed her wrist. “You can’t,” he said. “I swear I’ll explode if you touch me there.”

  She tilted her head and pretended genuine concern. “You know, Cal, I’ve read some articles and I understand there are some techniques that can be used to help with that problem.”

  He drew his dark eyebrows together. “I don’t have a problem.”

  “I know it’s difficult for a man to admit that everything isn’t perfect in the bedroom, but sometimes—”

  He lunged for her. She tried to scramble away, but he was quicker. Before she reached the far side of the bed, he had a hold of her ankle and was steadily pulling her back.

  “Cal! No! Stop!” she said between giggles.

  She tried to kick him, then realized they were both naked and she was exposing herself in ways she normally tried to avoid.

  He knelt on the bed, flipped her over, then straddled her thighs. “So I have a problem, do I?”

  The promise of retribution in his eyes made her squirm. “No. I don’t know what I was thinking. You’re perfect. Really.”

  “Uh-huh. Sure. You say that now.”

  He tickled her ribs. She wiggled and twisted, all the while laughing and trying to catch hold of his hands to make him stop.

  “Cal—”

  She had to gasp for breath. He grinned down at her. “You are so beautiful,” he said.

  The unexpected compliment took away the last of her air. She couldn’t do anything when he encircled her wrists, raised her arms and pinned her hands above her head. Then she didn’t care because he leaned over and kissed her.

  “I have ultimate power,” he said, moving his chest gently over her nipples and making her gasp with pleasure. “Say it, Sabrina.”

  He was laughing, but at that moment it was completely true. “You have ultimate power.”

  “I know.” He released her hands and cupped her face. “But you have a lot of power, too.”

  “Just not ultimate?”

  “Sorry, no.”

  She hadn’t known it would be like this. That the teasing in their regular relationship would spill over into bed. That she would enjoy not just the lovemaking, but the connection.

  “So, you are a natural redhead. I’d wondered.”

  She blinked while his comment sank in. Then she felt herself blushing hotly. “Cal!”

  He flashed her another wicked grin, then lowered his head to her left breast. As his mouth closed over her nipple, she sighed. If him thinking he had ultimate power meant she got to feel this good, she didn’t mind at all.

  His mouth was wet and warm as he caressed her. He moved his hand to touch her other breast, his fingers mimicking the movement of his tongue. He flicked over the taut bud and she felt the fire shoot down to her thighs. She arched into him. In response, he began to move his hips. As he still straddled her thighs, that most male part of him rubbed against her nest of curls. Close, but not touching that most sacred place, the contact aroused and frustrated in equal measures.

  She rolled her head from side to side, not sure how much of this she could stand. She ran her hands up and down his back, then wove her fingers through the silky strands of his hair. She could feel herself getting more and more wet as her body prepared itself for the ultimate release.

  He raised his head and looked at her. Passion darkened his eyes. “I want you,” he said. “All of you.”

  “Yes, Cal. I want that, too.”

  He shifted off of her, urged her to part her legs, then knelt between them. He put his hands on her ankles and slowly slid his fingers up, taking his time, making her wait. The slow, sensual stroking made her quiver inside. She clutched at the blankets and held back a whimper.

  When he’d completed the journey, he brushed his thumbs against her curls. As he had just a few minutes before, he touched close, but not there. She thought she might die from needing him so much.

  “Sabrina,” he murmured, then lowered his head. He pressed a kiss to her belly. His thumbs parted the delicate folds of her femininity, exposing her to him, then he gave her the most intimate kiss of all.

  The first touch of his tongue nearly drove her off the mattress. She drew her heels toward her rear and bent her knees. Every muscle tensed. He circled the special spot, getting close, but not pressing directly on it. Tension increased, as did her breathing.

  A part of her disconnected enough to look at the situation. She’d always wondered what Cal would be like in bed. After all, he was single, good-looking and rich. For most women, he would just have to show up and they would be happy. But he wasn’t like that. He took his time pleasing her. She could tell he was experimenting with different touches, trying to see which she enjoyed the most.

  She felt herself building toward release and she wanted to hold back. Not just because she was enjoying what he was doing, but also because she wasn’t sure she was ready to let him witness her loss of control. There was something frightening about being that exposed to a man. No, she thought. There was something frightening about being that exposed to Cal. It was specifically about him. If she gave in—he would see her soul. After that, when he walked away, she would be in that much more pain. So maybe she wouldn’t let herself go all the way. Maybe she would hold back.

  As plans went, it was a good one…in theory. Then Cal turned his attention to the tiny button. He rubbed it lightly but quickly and she began to spiral out of control. When he gently inserted a finger and pressed up from the inside, as if to caress her from both sides, she lost the ability to reason, or remember why she was trying to hold back. There was only the magic she felt and the onward pressing for release.

  When it flashed through her, she wasn’t prepared. The exquisite pleasure captured her and flung her around, filling her, buffeting her, tossing her into the air, before letting her float gently back into reality. As her body stopped trembling and the soft cries died in her throa
t, she found herself in Cal’s arms.

  A thousand thoughts crowded in. She was embarrassed by her vigorous reaction to what he’d done. If she’d had to come, couldn’t she have done so quietly and with dignity? She wanted to know what he was thinking, and if he was turned on by what had happened, and she was really dying to know if he was still hard, but she didn’t dare look.

  He touched her mouth. “You are so amazing,” he said quietly. “I felt so connected to you that I almost lost it.”

  As he spoke, she felt the nudging against her thigh that told her he was still aroused, and if the light in his eyes was anything to go by, more than ready to have his way with her.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  He smiled. “No, Sabrina. Thank you.”

  He slipped on his protection, then moved back between her legs. She was slick, but he still stretched her as he entered her body. When he braced his hands on either side of her shoulders, she looked at him. He met her gaze and began to move.

  It was something she’d never done before. She’d never made love while looking into the eyes of her partner. The intimacy terrified her, but she couldn’t look away and she wasn’t going to be the first one to close her eyes.

  The pressure built, as did the promise of another release. Cal moved slowly at first, then faster, building a rhythm that matched their need. His expression tightened. She felt him getting closer. That knowledge drew her along with him and she clutched at him.

  “I can’t hold back,” he breathed.

  “I’m right with you.”

  He stiffened and moaned. “Sabrina!”

  “Yes.”

  Her body convulsed around him, pulling him in. She drew her knees back and arched her hips, taking all of him.

  And still they looked at each other. She saw the fire in his eyes, the moment of perfect pleasure, the easing of tension, the half smile of a satisfied male.

  He rolled onto his side and pulled her against him. As he held her close, he stroked her back and her hair. She sighed in contentment.

  “Who knew?” he asked, his voice low and lazy.

  Who indeed, she thought.

  Cal woke as the first hint of light appeared at the edge of the blinds. He glanced at the clock, but it was barely six, so there was no need to get up and return to his own bed just yet. He had a little time.

  He shifted so that he could turn and watch Sabrina as she slept next to him. Her short red hair was mussed. The sheet and light blanket had slipped enough to expose one bare shoulder and her arm. She looked sexy and adorable and he found himself wanting her again.

  Cal grinned. He had to admit, he’d impressed himself. A couple of times the first night wasn’t that unusual. After all, it had been a while and he was with someone new. But sometime after midnight, when they’d been doing nothing more erotic than talking about business, he’d found himself hard and desperate for her. Fortunately, Sabrina hadn’t taken much convincing.

  In the privacy of his mind, he was willing to admit he’d been terrified. After they’d made love for the first time yesterday afternoon, he’d left her room. Anastasia joined them for dinner, although she and Sabrina hadn’t had much to eat. But when his daughter retired for an early evening, Cal hadn’t known what to do. He’d wanted to spend the night with Sabrina. Not just to make love with her, but to enjoy time with her, too.

  He’d hovered in the hallway, not sure of his reception. He’d been thrilled when she’d opened her door to come looking for him.

  They were good together, he thought, as he resisted the urge to stroke her face. He wanted to touch her, but she needed her sleep. He hadn’t given her much chance for rest last night. And there would be plenty more time for them later.

  He quietly got out of bed and reached for his clothes. After pulling on jeans, he made his way to his room where he showered and dressed. As he shaved, he thought about Sabrina and wondered when the familiar restlessness would strike. It usually happened right after he’d been with a woman. By the second or third time they were together, he was already fighting the need to get away.

  But he didn’t feel anything like that this morning. He only wanted to be with Sabrina more. He could imagine waking up next to her for a while. He put down the razor and rubbed his face. What did that mean? Was it different because he’d known her for so long? Because he already liked and respected her? Or was it something specifically about being with Sabrina? Chemistry? Or fate?

  Three hours later he still didn’t have any answers, but as Anastasia demanded something substantial for breakfast and Sabrina teased him about his coffee, he decided it didn’t matter.

  “I’m glad my two girls are feeling better,” he said.

  Anastasia had dressed in shorts and a T-shirt. Her shorter, wavy hair fluttered around her shoulders. It had only been a few weeks, but already she looked completely different from the malnourished waif they’d rescued.

  “I feel great. Can we go in-line skating later? I think I’m getting better on the skates.”

  “You couldn’t be getting worse,” he teased.

  Anastasia rolled her eyes. “Da-ad. I’m pretty good. Sabrina said so. And there are these two cute guys who always—”

  Cal held up his hand. “You are twelve years old and you’re not allowed to notice cute guys. Not until you’re thirty. Understand?”

  Sabrina chuckled. “Ignore him, kid. All fathers are like this. You’re just gonna have to learn to deal with it.”

  Anastasia apparently chose to take her advice. “So can we, Dad?”

  “Skating, yes. Guy noticing, no. How many pancakes?”

  “Three for starters.”

  He turned his attention to Sabrina. She’d also showered and changed. Her shorts and T-shirt were similar to his daughter’s, but his reaction to them was very different. While he thought Anastasia looked cute and stylish for a young girl, he thought Sabrina was about the sexiest creature he’d ever seen. Despite the mundane activity of preparing breakfast, he wanted her as much as he had before they’d made love.

  “And you, young lady?”

  “I’ll start with a couple,” she said, and touched her hand to her stomach. “I want to make sure I’m completely healed before I go showing off.”

  He wanted to be with her. On the beach, under the stars. He wanted—

  “Let’s go to Hawaii,” he said without thinking.

  Both females turned to look at him.

  Cal shrugged. “Why not? It would be a real vacation. We’ll get a bungalow on one of the islands.” He looked at Anastasia. “You could learn to surf, we can go sailing. The weather is perfect. What do you say?”

  “Oh, Dad, can we?”

  “Sure.” He turned to Sabrina. “You’re quiet.”

  Her expression was unreadable and that made him nervous. “Cal, if you and Anastasia want to go, I think it’s a great idea, but I’m afraid I can’t join you.”

  He stared at her. What the hell was she talking about? “What do you mean? Of course you can join us.” Didn’t she want to be with him the way he wanted to be with her?

  “I can’t. I’m leaving.” She looked away, but not before he caught the flash of guilt in her eyes. “It’s just for a couple of days, but—”

  “Leaving? You mean you want time off?” He knew he sounded stupid, but he couldn’t help it. She’d never left before. If she wanted to visit her family, she did it while he was out of town. Did she want to get away from him?

  “I have plenty of vacation time available,” she snapped. “I’m taking a few days off. It’s no big deal. I work for you, Cal, but you don’t own me.”

  With that she stalked out of the room. Cal stared after her. He felt as if he’d been broadsided by a train. What had gone wrong?

  “Daddy?” His daughter sounded shaken.

  He gave her a quick hug. “I know, sweetie, but don’t worry. I’ll find out what’s going on.”

  “You can fix it, can’t you? You won’t let Sabrina go away.”
>
  “I’ll do the best I can.” He kissed her head and wondered if he was about to let his daughter down.

  Chapter 14

  Sabrina crossed to the window in her room and figured she had about thirty seconds of privacy before Cal came barging in to demand an explanation. She supposed she could have handled the situation worse, although right now it was hard to imagine that. Why had she reacted so badly? Why hadn’t she said, in a calm voice, that she was thinking of visiting her family, or any other of a dozen acceptable excuses. Instead, she’d gotten angry and reminded him that he didn’t own her. Dear Lord, had she really said that?

  The answer to that and several other difficult questions was about three feet behind her. She’d gone to the trouble to make the bed, but the act of smoothing the covers and making sure the bedspread was centered didn’t do much to erase the memories of the night they’d spent together. She wasn’t stupid, so it didn’t take her long to figure out that she’d reacted so badly because she was still reeling from the impact of their lovemaking. For Cal it had been…she shook her head. She didn’t know what it had been to him. But for her, it had been a life-changing event. She knew that whatever happened, she would never love another man, or make love with another man, the way she’d loved and made love with him.

  Talk about a sobering experience. Her life had been completely turned around, and for all she knew, he’d simply scratched an itch.

  It had been more wonderful than she’d thought it could ever be. She hugged her arms to her chest and rested her forehead against the cool glass of the window. Even now, when her body was pleasantly sore from all that they’d done together, she still wanted him. In her heart, she knew that she would always want him. That same organ informed her that he would never feel the same way about her. Sometimes the truth was ugly, but that didn’t make it any less valid.

  “Sabrina?”

  She hadn’t heard him enter the room, and it took a conscious effort not to flinch when he spoke. His voice rippled over her like warm water.

  “I shouldn’t have blurted it out like that,” she said. “I don’t mean to be difficult, but the truth is, I do have a lot of vacation time and I would like to take off for a few days.”