by Melody Anne
Yes, he was ready for whatever excuses she had to throw at him, and this time when they played ball, he intended to win. Not just for the night or the weekend, but for the rest of time.
Lia was going to be his wife. No matter what it took.
With determination and a firm resolve, Shane set down his bottle and took a step in her direction.
The hunger in her eyes was his guiding light.
They were now in overtime, and he was calling a foul. She wasn’t getting away this time.
Chapter Thirty
Ms. Palazzo, tear down that wall. That, it seemed, was the unexpected result of Lia’s talk therapy.
As her eyes locked with Shane’s, she wondered what her next move was going to be. Ari and Rachel had finally dragged the entire story from her, and, no, it didn’t help close her off to Shane’s attractions. Instead, it speedily increased her need for him — releasing the floodgates of passion.
While she’d talked about him, she realized that in keeping him at bay, she was mainly trying to protect herself. Maybe because she’d wanted him for so long without him wanting her that she’d built some sort of fortress around her heart.
Whatever the reason, she could no longer keep that solid wall from crumbling down around her feet.
He was the man she loved; maybe it would be best if she just gave in to both his and her own desires. Maybe it was time she grew up and took what was being offered to her. She didn’t need to look for all the reasons they couldn’t be together. It was time to appreciate what she had right in front of her.
Surely she wouldn’t lose herself that way. Her life would gain another person.
But she couldn’t keep from dwelling on her unhappy fears. What if she gave him her entire heart, and the next day he shipped out, only to be taken away from her forever? What would that do to her in the long run?
Could she ever pick herself up off the ground after such devastation? And yet, would it really make a difference at this point? If he were to go away and never return, wouldn’t her heart shatter, even now?
Yes, yes, it would.
Whether she wanted to love him or not, she already did. And if nothing she did at this point would change the way she felt, why not just jump in with both feet?
“Hello, beautiful. Are you avoiding me?” Shane had walked right into her personal bubble and she was glad to see him, her heart instantly picking up speed.
“I was. I decided just now, though, that I want to take you off into a closet, unbuckle your belt and show you how very much I want you inside me.”
Shane’s eyes grew wide, then narrowed sharply. He looked around to make sure no one was listening.
Lia found that she enjoyed shocking Shane. She enjoyed making him blush, making him shuffle nervously from foot to foot. To make this big man uncomfortable seemed to be a mission of hers in life. It was not only amusing, it was also very much an aphrodisiac, at least when she looked down and noticed the effect she’d had on the fit of his trousers.
He wanted her, even after three days of nonstop lovemaking.
Lia was going to give both of them pleasure, and she was going to do it right now. She took his hand and started pulling him from the vast ballroom.
“Lia, we can’t do that here,” Shane said, trying to put on the brakes as she reached the door.
Lia turned, a smile on her lips. “What’s the matter, Shane? Are you worried about what the other guests will say if they see you sneaking off?” she asked with a laugh.
“I don’t want to seem rude,” he said as he shifted uncomfortably, firmly planting his feet.
“Oh, you are a beautiful man. But that’s not it, is it?” She gasped in shock. “You’re worried about my reputation, aren’t you?”
“You’re a lady, Lia. I don’t want anyone to assume anything else. I also don’t want them to think you are simply a booty call for me. You are so much more than that,” he said, his tone very serious.
“Oh, Shane, I didn’t think it possible, but you have just made me want you even more. I am going to pleasure you so well that you won’t be able to walk straight for a week. And after I’ve made sure you’re nice and pleasured, I’m going to throw my head back and receive my own pleasure — over and over and over again.”
Shane couldn’t protest any longer. Lia tugged on his hand and dragged him through the palace, right onto the guarded grounds. Neither Shane nor Lia said a word to the guards as the two of them jogged past.
They made it around a corner, away from any watchful eyes, and Shane couldn’t stand not to feel her lips against his for one second longer.
He hauled her into his arms and their mouths collided. No question now, if there’d ever been any, that he was turned on.
Lia enjoyed what she was doing to this strong man. She surrendered to him with no hesitation, her hands grabbing hold and refusing to let go. When he moved his arms lower and clutched her backside in his hands, she groaned into his mouth.
“Mmm, Mr. Grayson, it seems that you are the impatient one now. I thought this wasn’t a good idea,” she teased him.
Shane smiled slowly, then pulled gently on her hair to remind her that he had her trapped against his solid body. Fire danced in her eyes, and he decided he’d best back off. He was getting far too revved up, and there was nowhere for them to finish this.
It was a fun game to play, but he wouldn’t risk someone seeing her delectable curves, not even if that meant he would be sporting a painful erection for the next few hours. It was better that he be the laughingstock.
Lia didn’t give in as easily. After looking purposefully around, she tugged against his hold. When he saw a new sparkle enter her eyes, he looked in the direction they indicated.
“No way,” he said; she reached up and kissed him hard on the mouth.
“Follow me.” Lia escaped from his grasp and led him across the large expanse of lawn.
A small storage cottage stood among a few tall trees, and Lia strode straight toward it, dragging Shane behind her. He knew what was on her mind, but he wasn’t going to give in, no matter what, he tried telling himself. What if the guards did a patrol? What if the wedding party came searching for them? They absolutely couldn’t do this.
Somehow though, he found himself losing all resolve and allowing Lia to take him closer to the building.
It was OK, he assured himself. Surely the building would be locked.
When she got the door to open on the first try and then slipped inside the dark, musty storage shed with him, Shane tried to concentrate. This had gone too far.
This little game needed to end right now.
“Now, Mr. Grayson, what can I do to ease your discomfort?” Lia asked and then kissed his throat, slowly running her tongue across his skin as she reached for the buttons of his dress shirt.
“Lia…” he warned, his body on fire, much as he tried to remain strong and to distract her.
“Yes, Shane?” she asked as she reached the final button and smoothed her palms across the hard expanse of his chest and stomach before dropping to her knees and licking his abs.
“Oh, holy hell, Lia, you have got to stop,” he begged. But he was unable to push her away.
Her answer was to slide his belt free before undoing the button on his pants. When he heard the zipper go down, all he could do was lean against the wall while her hand reached inside his boxers and pulled out his throbbing manhood.
“Really? You want me to stop?” she asked with a sweet innocence in her voice as her hand gripped him tight and her mouth came forward, her luscious red lips circling the head of his arousal.
He groaned low in his throat. “No… I mean yes,” he gasped as she positioned herself, taking him deeper into her mouth while her tongue licked up and down his shaft. Then, much to his dismay, she pulled back and nibbled on the tip.
“I don’t think you want me to stop,” she taunted, looking straight up at him while she sank down on him again, taking him all the way to the back of her throa
t.
“Damn, you are sexy,” he groaned, his hands fisting in her hair as he held her to him. No, he didn’t want her to stop.
In no time at all, it seemed, he was far too close to releasing in her mouth. She could bring him to the brink of madness with so little effort even after fully satisfying him for three days straight. That she held such power over him was frightening, but not scary enough to drive him away.
“Enough,” he demanded, tugging on fistfuls of her hair, forcing her to release him.
The sight of her kneeling before him, her lips swollen, her eyes glowing, and his shaft glistening from her attentions, had him nearly trembling.
“I need you, Shane Grayson,” Lia whispered. “I can’t get enough of you. We aren’t leaving this place until you make me scream in ecstasy.” She stood up and pulled her gown up to her waist, exposing her beautiful womanhood.
The battle was lost. He was just thankful he hadn’t known, while the wedding was taking place, that she wasn’t wearing any panties. He never would have been able to stand beside Rafe for even the half hour the ceremony had taken.
“I’m never letting you go,” Shane growled before grabbing her and lifting her up. She immediately wrapped her legs around his waist.
Shane didn’t hesitate any longer. Backing her up against the wall, he plunged deep inside her in one solid push, nearly exploding from the tight grip of her beautiful body surrounding him.
“As many times as we’ve come together, it’s still not enough,” she gasped. “I crave the feel of your hands caressing my body, the touch of your fingers on my face, the taste of your lips. I don’t think this will ever go away.” She spoke as if coming to a realization.
“No, Lia. It won’t,” he promised as he began sliding slowly in and out of her heat.
“Oh, Shane, please make me come,” she begged, no longer wanting the moment to stretch out. She needed release, and she wanted it right now.
“I can’t resist you,” he said. Bending closer to her, he took her lips with his.
“Then stop trying,” she called out as she reached higher, so close to completion.
He held on tight and thrust in and out of her, his mouth ravishing hers while his hands cupped her firm behind. She cried into his mouth, the sound drowned out by his own groans of pleasure.
When she convulsed around him, Shane reached his peak, his body shaking inside her while she gripped him tightly.
It was too much and yet never enough.
He knew he wouldn’t let her go.
She could play all the games she wanted, but she needed him, and he would prove to her just how much.
Chapter Thirty-One
Adriane’s brilliant plan was backfiring badly. Yes, having Rafe and Ari’s wedding in Corythia had ensured that Rachel stay in the country for a while longer. But Adriane hadn’t had much time alone with her since their arrival. Rachel’s family had swarmed around her and now she was pulling further away from him. This could end up being disastrous.
No matter what it took, he couldn’t allow her to leave with his children.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t only the children she carried whom Adriane didn’t want to leave. Rachel was becoming too big a part of his life. That was good, wasn’t it?
Only if he trusted her not to run.
He was beginning to fear the hold she had over him.
It was better for them both if she understood that he was the one in charge — the one she must submit to. No, he wasn’t going to be cruel to her, or make her life in Corythia a hardship, but he did need her to understand that when he expected something to be done, it was the way it would be.
So far, he hadn’t had much luck in convincing her of that.
“Rachel, we need to speak,” he said when he found her alone by the dessert table.
“This isn’t the best time, Adriane. Ari is going to cut the cake soon, and I don’t want to miss out on the bridal bouquet toss.” She bit down on a soft pastry and moaned her approval.
The sound escaping her lips instantly sent his blood into boiling mode, and he was worried his secrets below the belt would be quite visible to everyone at the reception.
Shifting to try to hide his reaction, Adriane took her arm, making her look up in surprise.
“You don’t need to catch the bouquet,” he said, his lips near her ear.
“Please don’t start in on the marriage talk again. You promised,” she snapped, pulling against his hold.
“Of course,” he said, though it was only to appease her for the moment. Soon, her family would be gone, and then they would be back on track to their wedding.
“Now leave me be for a while. I’ll speak to you after the reception is over,” Rachel said, quickly moving away from him as she licked chocolate off her fingers.
Adriane’s groin tightened even more. Soon. Very, very soon he would have her back in his bed. Could having a permanent erection without release prevent him from having more children? There was no possible way he would ask his physician.
He’d just have to take his chances.
Picking up a drink, he watched as Rachel approached her brother, who was now smiling and relaxed with his arm wrapped around his wife. Adriane couldn’t believe it, but he found himself feeling a twinge of jealousy over the other couple’s marriage vows.
Rafe had it much easier now than Adriane did. He’d managed to secure his bride to him permanently. But it would be Adriane’s turn soon enough.
* * *
Rachel’s stomach stirred as she walked away from Adriane. She’d been avoiding him after their almost intimate encounter at the musical performance.
One reason was the utter delight of being with her family again. The other was that Adriane made her feel strong emotions, ones that she refused to dwell on too much but which she found disturbing.
She absolutely didn’t want to marry him. And be queen? Get real. She was half American and there was no royalty in America. She wasn’t queen material.
“We’re leaving in a couple of hours, Rachel. Are you coming home?” Rafe asked as she approached.
Rachel had made a firm resolve to stay for a month, to really get to know Adriane. But now that she had the opportunity to leave with her family, she was wavering.
If she left right now, she feared her children would never know their father adequately. That wasn’t acceptable. Rachel had grown up with incredible parents, and she wanted all children — particularly her own — to grow up the same way.
Though she wouldn’t marry him for any other reason than love, which wasn’t in the cards, she did hope to be his friend.
“No,” she told her brother. “Now that you know where I am and can come rescue me the minute I call, I’m not worried by being here. I need more time with Adriane, time to find out if he’s a good man. We’ve fought so much these past two weeks that I don’t know him well enough. The week we were together in Florida seems like another lifetime ago. Then, he’d been attentive and such an amazing—”
“Stop right there!” Rafe demanded, his eyes widening in horror.
Both Rachel and Ari laughed as his mouth flopped open.
“OK. I won’t torture you, dear brother. But I do appreciate the cell phone. I will keep it well hidden, so if Adriane acts up again, I’ll call immediately for a rescue,” she promised.
Rachel had no doubt that she’d have to plan a sneak escape if she decided to leave. Adriane wasn’t going to allow her to depart easily, even though they did have an understanding. He was determined to have his children grow up in Corythia.
That just wasn’t acceptable. She would share the kids with him, but she refused to be told where she could live. She refused to be told what to do — ever!
“Thank you for all you’ve done, Rachel. I know your life has been chaotic and frightening of late, and still, you put all of that aside to give me the perfect wedding. I love you, dear sister,” Ari said as she left Rafe’s arms and enveloped Rachel in a happy embrace.
&n
bsp; Both women’s eyes filled with affectionate tears.
“I have to give Adriane credit for a beautiful wedding,” Rachel said. “He really went out of his way. I am worried that I’m going to gain a thousand pounds during this pregnancy, though. I’ve practically moved in by the dessert table, and have to bite my tongue when someone comes up and takes one of my precious delectables. It’s ridiculous. I’m surrounded by mountains of food, and I want to hoard it all, not let a single morsel be consumed by anyone else.” She had to laugh.
“I wouldn’t worry too much, Rachel. You’re stunning, and even when your belly is sticking out a mile, you’ll still be the hottest woman in Corythia,” Ari assured her.
“Thanks. We’ll see if you still feel that way in about four more months,” Rachel replied.
“I don’t want to leave you here. It worries me,” Rafe interjected, looking around the room as if searching for danger.
“I’ll be fine, Rafe. I really will. If it gets too bad, just send mother back in. She can get me out while still maintaining peace. I swear, if they’d had her around before any of the major wars, they would have never started. All the generals would have just come together and smiled, singing campfire songs as she passed out cookies and her famous coffee.”
“I have to agree with you there,” Rafe said, reluctantly grinning at the thought.
“I want you both to go on your honeymoon, and I demand that you have an exceptional time. Do you understand?” Rachel said, pulling away from both of them to stare them down.
“Yes, Rachel, we will have a spectacular time,” Rafe said before turning a solicitous look on his wife. “We may even start to work on a cousin for your children,” he added.
Ari’s eyes widened before her lips turned up in a smile. “Do you mean that, Rafe?” she asked, as if afraid to hope.
Rafe’s grin fell as he saw the uncertainty in her eyes.
