His arousal ignited a fire in her that, for some odd reason, made her want to grin like an idiot. She tipped her head back, laughing with the sheer joy of having him in her arms. He hugged her close, chuckling with her, dancing with her to the soft music. They drifted around the couch and swayed together. He sang quietly in her ear, and his heart pounded against hers. Twirling her, he pulled her close, then deftly dipped her, before dancing her toward the open staircase.
At the bottom step, she stopped and turned to him, a sober expression on her face. “There’s just one more thing.”
“What is it?” He raised one brow, giving her a look of genuine distress. “Whatever it is, I do not care.”
“I wear contacts now.” She tried with little success to keep a straight face. “And reading glasses.”
Liam chuckled as he turned her around to head her up the steps with a firm hand on her behind. “Honey, I’ve worn contacts since I was fifteen years old. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t see past the first row of strings. Now, if we’re done cataloguing our vast array of physical inadequacies, can we…?” He cocked his head toward the loft.
When they reached the top step, Carrie turned to him. “Come love me, Liam.”
Reaching for her, pulling her roughly against him, he groaned, “Are you sure? Be sure, Carrie. I don’t want to stop again.”
“I’m very sure.” The words were barely out before Liam’s mouth covered hers. His hands slid across her back, tugging her shirt up. Her arms crept around his neck. She met his tongue, sliding her own against it to taste the wine-sweetness of his mouth.
Moaning into her kiss, he pulled away slightly, covering her face, ears, cheeks, throat with nibbling kisses. Tangling one hand in her short curls, his other one found the swell of her breast, stroking through the satin of her bra. His mouth moved to her open collar, his breath hot on her skin when he spoke. “Carrie…”
Her name sounded more like a plea, so she took his hand and led him to her bedroom.
* * * *
Liam stopped at the wide French doors as she moved ahead of him, crossing over to turn on the bedside lamp. He watched as she pulled back the quilt, his heart speeding up at the graceful sway of her hips, the gentle loving way she folded back the old coverlet. He fought the urge to rush over and toss her on the bed, because, as much as he wanted to ravish her, he also wanted to watch her.
This was what he’d been waiting for, and he wanted it to last forever. Apparently, so did Carrie—she moved slowly around the room, lighting several candles and opening the window, building the romantic tension to an almost unbearable level. When she turned with an invitation in her eyes that took his breath away, he knew.
Tonight wasn’t simply about sex. Or even about finally making love with her again. It was about coming home.
At last.
Unbuttoning the three buttons on her tunic, she brought it over her head in one smooth movement. Warmth flooded his insides. His groin tightened, but he waited and watched. This moment had been so long in coming, he was almost afraid to go to her, afraid to touch her for fear she would dissolve like all his fantasies. His breath caught in his throat as her fingers moved to the zipper of her jeans. When she slipped out of them, her eyes locked with his. The inexperienced girl was gone. In her place, a confident, luscious woman smiled. The passion in her eyes as she came toward him set his heart racing. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
* * * *
Carrie was amazed to realize that the great Maestro Reilly was as nervous as she was. Clad only in her bra and lacy underpants, she went to him and slipped her hands under his shirt. His flesh was hot. Warming herself against him, she pulled the shirt higher so their skin touched.
Unlike their first time that long-ago April afternoon, he was letting her take the lead, in spite of his obvious arousal. First, she put her lips to his throat, then moved lower to the furred skin of his chest, touching her tongue to his flat nipple.
Groaning, he framed her face with his palms. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you, Carrie.”
Then he was devouring her, kissing, nibbling, nuzzling her neck and throat, dropping kisses over her cheeks, eyes, nose, and finally taking her mouth hungrily. Letting go of her lips just long enough pull off the offending garment, Liam yanked his shirt over his head. His tongue thrust into her mouth and she parried with her own, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Reaching behind her, he unclasped the confining satin bra and brought his hands around to capture her breasts as the wisp of fabric dropped to the floor. Carrie allowed a moment of doubt to edge her consciousness as he bent his head to her body. Would he notice the small ravages of time? The slight weight that wasn’t there sixteen years ago? The pale silvery streaks—evidence of pregnancy and nursing Jack? The almost-invisible scar low on her abdomen left from the surgery after Jack’s birth?
But all thought fled as his mouth touched her.
She shuddered as he explored her curves, teasing his beard toward the crest of one breast and then back to the valley between. At last, his lips closed over one aching nipple, drawing on her with a sensuality that was light-years away from the mere memories she had lived on for so many years. Pressing his head closer to her, she urged him to take more of her into his mouth, desperately needing the stroke of his teeth and tongue.
Carrie’s hands dropped between them, working the buckle of his leather belt, then the snap and zipper of his jeans.
With a moan, he moved his mouth back up to hers, taking little stinging bites from her lips as he spoke. “I wanted this to be perfect. I’ve loved you so many times in my mind—long—and so thoroughly.” He sucked in a breath as her exploring fingers dipped below the waistband of his jeans, reaching for his erection. “But if we don’t move to that bed this instant, I’m going to explode right here in the doorway.”
He toed off his deck shoes and shucked out of his jeans and boxers in one smooth step. Then he backed her the few feet to the bed. Sliding his fingers into the lacy band at the top of her panties, he removed the last barrier between them.
Erection thrusting against her soft belly, he pressed her back onto the cool sheets. His big body covered hers. His mouth took her lips with a ferocity that inflamed her senses. His hands created magical sensations on her breasts, her belly, then lower. Crying out, she clutched his shoulders. Flames scorched wherever his hands touched, and he followed that path with his tongue.
Licking hungrily at her tingling nipples, his fingers sought the sensitive flesh between her legs. “Carrie... Ah... my love,” he murmured against her skin, “You are so much more delicious than I remembered... so much more…”
White-hot hunger blazed between them as her fingers slid down his stomach to capture him. Carrie ran her fingertips up and down his rock hard erection, relishing the silky heat before wrapping her hand around him. His fingers found her core, and she gasped at the vibrations he created deep inside her. She was on fire, wet and hot and so, so ready for him.
“Liam, please, now.” She opened her legs wider, guiding him between them.
* * * *
He knew there was one more important question. Pushing himself up on his elbows, his eyes swept her flushed body, glowing with the sheen of perspiration. Swallowing hard, he glanced down at the floor. “I... I have protection, if you... if you want me to use it.” His voice was raspy with need.
Please say no.
The thought of any barrier between them was almost more than he could stand, but he would do whatever she wanted.
Tugging his head down, she put her lips next to his ear. “Is there any reason?”
He gazed into her huge eyes, beseeching her to trust him. “No.”
Squirming sensuously, she slid her heels up his bare legs. “Then we’re good... like this,” she whispered. “Just you and me.” With her hand behind his head, she brought his lips to hers, using her tongue to show him what she wanted.
That husky voice so full of promise was almos
t his undoing. “God, I wanted us to savor this, but...” Then he was filling her, pulling back slightly as she gasped at the sensation, and slowly, sliding deeper.
* * * *
Carrie wrapped her legs around his hips, her muscles tightening around him. “Ahhh... yes. You feel so wonderful... so… wonderful.” Trembling with want, she ran her tongue along his collarbone, the blood surging in her veins.
With astonishing urgency, he slid his hands under her to clutch her behind and lift her to him. With a few whispered words, they found a rhythm, and she arched up to meet his thrusts, taking him in as deeply as she could.
Liam’s warm skin against hers, his heat filling her emptiness was all Carrie needed. His hands and mouth were everywhere. Kissing and sucking her tender nipples, his tongue laved her breasts. Lifting himself on one elbow, he put his hand between them, and his thumb found the hardened nub of her desire. She clung to him, relishing how he knew exactly where to touch. How to move inside her. She opened her eyes to find him gazing at her, his gray eyes almost black with passion.
“Carrie, my love,” he murmured.
She spiraled closer, her muscles contracting as she fell over the edge. His words turned into a moan and then he tensed as he cried out his own release.
SEVENTEEN
“Hey?” Liam whispered against her breasts.
Carrie raised passion-drowsed lids long enough to see his dark red hair against her skin. “Hmm?” Answering was an effort. She didn’t want to let go of the sated lethargy they’d fallen into in the aftermath of loving.
He ran one finger down the slope of her breast, then traced the curve of her belly. “I’m sorry. I know I’ve been a shit about Jack. I guess I see why you did it.” Liam’s breath warmed her skin. “Don’t like it, but I get it.”
“I don’t blame you for being angry, but I don’t think we could have made it back then.”
He raised his head and frowned but, when he drew in a quick breath of protest, she stopped him.
“No, listen.” She touched his lips gently with hers, then slid away from him to sit up. Braced against pillows and the padded headboard, she tried to explain. “I was too young to deal with your life. I could barely handle my own. You never could’ve given me all the security I needed after Dad died. I would’ve been insanely jealous of every concert, every fan, anything that took your attention away from me.”
“You wouldn’t have been so silly.” He stretched, then piled pillows to settle in next to her, his hand on her thigh. “You were way too mature.”
“No, I wasn’t.” She gave a short laugh. “Honestly, I don’t even know if I am now. And with a family in the picture, you couldn’t possibly have had the career you’ve had so far. That magical aura? Not with a wife and baby backstage. Surely you know that.”
“I’d have given it all up in a heartbeat to have you and Jack with me.”
“I’m glad you think so.” Carrie kissed him. “I’m also very glad you didn’t have to make that choice.”
“Why?”
She leaned back against the pillows, running her fingers through her tousled curls. “You would’ve always wondered what could’ve been. Maybe one day you might’ve started to resent me. You keep saying I was so mature, but obviously, I wasn’t or I wouldn’t have tucked tail and run.” She watched fascinated as his fingers brushed her thigh.
Abruptly, he leapt out of bed, his damp skin glowing in the candlelight.
Her breath caught in her throat.
I’ve said too much. He’s leaving.
Panic set it. “What’s the matter?”
But he was reaching for his jeans, digging in the pocket.
“Liam what are you doing?”
He knelt on the mattress beside her. “Marry me, Carrie. We’ll make it work. Marry me.” In his fingers a perfect pear-shaped diamond solitaire set in platinum glittered in the soft light. “I want you. I want my family.”
“Oh, Liam.” Carrie’s world suddenly tilted on its axis.
“I love you. I’ve always loved you. I don’t even know what I expected when I saw you again. But you’re what I want. Your grace, your intelligence, your humor, your sexiness. You’re essential to me.” He gazed into her eyes. “For a long time, I pretended that wasn’t true. But now I know I need you in my life. I don’t want to spend another moment without you. I want the three of us to be a family.”
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, then swallowed hard to keep the tears from escaping. The effort was futile since she was both thrilled and scared to death. Wasn’t this exactly what she’d been dreaming of for years? Why did it suddenly feel hasty and overwhelming? Because it was so obvious he was afraid of losing her…and Jack. And could she blame him?
It may seem rushed, but was it? Truly? Hadn’t this been simmering for years? Why wait? They weren’t getting any younger, and besides, they had a son to raise. Why not do it together here by the lake? He could move here and they’d be a real family. Jack would have his father and she’d have Liam… at last.
Liam gently brushed her cheek with his thumb. “I sorta hoped you’d be happy about this.” He tipped her chin up and made her look at him.
“I am happy.” Her voice choked with tears. “I want to say yes to you. More than anything in the world.”
“Okay, then say yes.” Taking her left hand, he started to slide the ring onto her third finger.
But she grasped his hand, holding it both of hers. “I can’t. Not until Jack knows everything.” Bringing his fingers to her lips, she kissed them softly. “And not until… until you do.” She reached up to pull his head down to her kiss. “There’s something else you have to know.” Sniffing, she reached for a tissue on the bedside table before pulling the sheet up to cover her nakedness. It was a defense mechanism, but somehow it gave her courage.
“Really?” He clutched the ring in his fingers, his knuckles whitening as he visibly braced himself. “What else is there?”
Dear God, had she done this to him by not being honest from the first? Was he going to tense up, anticipating trouble, every time she needed to tell him anything? She gazed at him, her heart bursting with love and yet sick at what she was compelled to reveal. If she didn’t, she’d never be able to look him straight in the eye again, and that was no way to begin the rest of their lives together.
“What is it, Carrie?” The smile disappeared. “You said there were no more secrets.”
“I–I accepted money from Marty.”
“What?” His eyes narrowed. “You what? When?”
“After I found out I was pregnant.” She swallowed hard, determined not to sob her way through this. By God, she would hang onto some shred of dignity. “I called you in Vienna, I was going to tell you about being pregnant. But Marty answered.” She clutched the sheet closer around her as he watched, his face impassive. “I was confused, devastated, scared… Dad had just died, my life was falling apart, and Marty was… he was cold.”
“Did you tell him you were pregnant?” Liam asked sharply, color rising to his cheeks. “Has he known all this time?”
“No.” She shook her head vehemently. “I just asked to talk to you, that’s all. But he went off on me. Told me to leave you alone. Called me your protégé. Laughed at me. Even said that I wasn’t the first and I wouldn’t be the last.”
Liam’s jaw dropped and he started to speak, but she held up one hand.
“Wait. Let me finish.”
He nodded wordlessly. The ring caught the light from the table lamp as he clenched and unclenched his fist.
“I hung up on him. I knew then that we were done, and I was going to have to do this on my own. But a week later, I got a twenty-five-thousand-dollar check in the mail. Maybe he suspected. Maybe it was just insurance that I would leave you alone. I don’t know.” She laughed grimly. “I almost tore it up.”
Keeping her gaze on his face, she tried to read his expression. “I’m not proud of the fact that I kept it, but I had nothing. Not one single
dime. Everything was sold to pay off Dad’s gambling debts. Eliot rescued my mother’s piano and Noah and Margie offered me a home here. I used some of it when I moved, but after Jack was born and I started playing at the bar, I replaced it. It’s been in an account in Jack’s name all these years. I thought about returning it to Marty, but I was scared if I did, he’d find me and—”
“And then I’d know where you were?” Liam’s voice was quiet.
She nodded and caught her lower lip with her teeth to keep it from trembling. “I never dreamed I’d be with you again. I couldn’t see any way Jack and I would fit in your life.”
“That bastard!” Liam slammed his fist on the bed before jumping up to pace. “That son of a bitch.”
“Liam, it’s done. You’re here.” Carrie extended her hand. “Now I can give it back to him.”
“Hell no, you’re not giving it back to him.” Liam’s face flushed as he stalked from the door to the bed and back again, dropping the ring on the mirrored tray on the dresser as he passed it. “He’s done, he’s out. I’ve already told him that, but this? It’s just one more time he manipulated me, interfered in my life to suit his own purposes.”
“I took the money.” Carrie yanked on the sheet and wrapped it around her. It trailed on the carpet behind her as she went to him. “I ran. I hid. My choices. Not his.”
He spun around, towering over her naked and powerful, his eyes shooting silver fire. “Forget the money. Keep it, donate it to charity, do whatever you want with it, but don’t give it back to Marty. That self-serving bastard. He knew you were different. You scared him to death because he knew I wanted you.” He grasped her shoulders, peering into her face, his gray eyes stormy. “I wanted you, Carrie. Do you hear me? You never left me. Not once.”
Carrie stared at him, the lump in her throat so big she couldn’t even swallow, let alone speak. He brushed the tears from her cheek with his thumb and pulled her against his chest, holding her as she wept.
Once More From the Top (The Women of Willow Bay) Page 12
