by Maya Banks
Farther and farther, it inched over her belly, then to her hips and finally down her legs. When it swirled around her ankles, he pulled it free and dropped it on the floor.
Sharp tingles raced up her legs when he rasped his palms back up to her hips where he tucked his thumbs underneath the lace of her panties. Then he lowered his mouth and pressed a kiss to her taut belly as he slid the underwear down and then free. Her legs parted in exquisite anticipation as his mouth traveled lower and lower still.
Cupping her behind, he gently spread her wider, and his tongue found her in a heated rush. She arched off the bed, twisting wildly as pleasure consumed her.
His mouth found her again and again, gentle and worshipping. It was hard to breathe, hard to think, hard to do anything but feel. Her orgasm built, and every muscle in her body tightened in response. Just when she knew she couldn’t bear it any longer, he pulled away, and she whimpered in protest.
“Shhh.” He murmured to her again in Greek, raining soft words over her skin as he moved up her body. How had he gotten his clothes off without her noticing?
Flesh against flesh, smooth, comforting, a balm to her reeling senses. His mouth closed around one taut nipple, sucking and tugging. One hand cupped her rounded middle, his fingers splayed possessively over their child. It was the first movement he’d made to actually acknowledge her presence, and she wondered if he even knew what he was doing.
“Open your legs for me, yineka mou. Welcome me inside.”
She could barely make herself respond. She shook and quivered as he settled between her thighs, his shaft nudging impatiently.
And then he was inside her in one smooth thrust.
She cried out and gripped his shoulders, her nails digging deep.
“That’s it. Hold on to me. I’ve got you.”
Their lips fused, their tongues tangling wildly as their bodies met and retreated. Pressure built until she simply couldn’t bear it any longer. Her release exploded with the force of a hurricane.
He followed, surging into her, over and over, his husky groan filling her ears as he poured himself into her.
She closed her eyes, allowing sweet fuzzy bliss to encompass her, and when she gained awareness, it was to Piers’s arms wrapped tightly around her, her body tucked into his side.
His lips moved through her hair as his hand went to cup her backside in a possessive gesture. She melted bonelessly into him and sighed in contentment. The wispy hairs on his chest tickled her nose and whispered across her lips, but she didn’t move. She felt safe. More than that, she felt loved.
* * *
Jewel awoke the next morning to Piers sitting on the side of the bed holding a tray with breakfast and a single long-stemmed rose. He had only a pair of silk pajama bottoms on, and her gaze was drawn to his muscled chest, a chest she’d slept on for most of the night.
“Good morning,” he said. “Are you hungry?”
“Starved,” she admitted as she sat up in bed.
Then she realized she was still nude, and she yanked at the sheet, a hot flush surging up her neck and to her cheeks.
Piers caught her hand, stopping the sheet from its upward climb. “Don’t be shy with me. I’ve seen and tasted every inch of your sweet body.”
She slowly uncurled her fingers and relaxed her tense shoulders. He leaned in and kissed her long and slow, his lips exploring hers. This fantasy he spun allured her, drew her in and surrounded her in its firm grip.
A night of making love, breakfast in bed, tender kisses and gentle words.
If only it were all real.
Was he playing with her? Toying with her emotions? How could he act with such caring when he thought she was a liar and a manipulator?
“I’d give a lot of pennies for your thoughts right now.”
She blinked and looked up to see him staring intently at her. No, he didn’t really want to know what she was thinking. It would put the frown he so often wore right back on his face, and right now, she enjoyed the odd tenderness in the dark depths of his gaze.
“I’m thinking this is a nice way to wake up,” she said with a smile.
He rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip and then trailed his fingers over her cheek, pushing back the wayward strands of her hair.
“Eat your breakfast. Your appointment is in two hours.”
An appointment she’d forgotten in the aftermath of her wedding. She was scheduled for a sonogram as part of her pre-op workup. Afterward, she’d have more blood drawn and talk to the scheduling clerk about when she would be admitted to the hospital.
He placed the tray over her legs then handed her the utensils. “I’m going to go shower and shave. I have a few calls to make, and then I’ll drive you to your appointment.”
She glanced at his lean jaw, shadowed by the night’s growth. Unable to resist, she lifted fingers to touch the hard edge of his chin and brushed the tips over the rough surface. His eyes closed as he leaned into her palm.
“Thank you.”
He pulled away. “You’re welcome. I’ll leave you to eat now.”
She watched as he walked away, his long stride eating up the floor. Despite the fact she had a delicious meal in front of her, her thoughts were of Piers in the shower, water sluicing over his muscled body. If she were daring, she’d go join him, but she had to admit, she had reservations about approaching him. So far, she’d allowed him to make the moves. It gave her an opportunity to study him and to figure out more about this man who’d upended her life.
Again she looked down at the sparkling diamond on her third finger. The weight was odd. She hadn’t grown used to it yet, but she was fascinated by the sight and also by the meaning. In many ways it was a stamp of possession. She belonged to someone.
Realizing she’d spent too much time daydreaming, she hurriedly ate. After showering and dressing, she ventured downstairs where she found Piers in his study on the phone.
When he looked up and saw her standing at the door, he held up one finger to signal he’d be just a minute and then turned back to the phone.
Not wanting to intrude, she retreated back to the living room to wait. He wasn’t long. He was tucking his phone into his pocket when he strode into the living room.
“I’ve arranged for a chef for the time we’re here. He’ll arrive this afternoon in time to prepare tonight’s dinner.”
“You didn’t really need to do that. I was only teasing.”
“On the contrary. It was an excellent idea. You certainly don’t need to be on your feet cooking, and if it was left to me, I’m afraid you’d grow tired of my limited culinary repertoire.”
“You’re shamelessly spoiling me,” she protested, though it sounded weak even to her.
He half-smiled, something flickering in his eyes. It was that same look he always seemed to wear around her. “That’s the idea.” He looked down at his watch. “Are you ready? We ought to leave now in case traffic is bad.”
She nodded and rose from her perch on the couch.
When they arrived for her appointment, Piers surprised her by staying at her side every step of the way. She’d imagined that he might sit in the waiting room, but he went back and listened with concentration to everything the nurse and the doctor had to say.
When it came time for her sonogram, Piers was like a child in a candy store. He studied each image, and one time he almost touched the screen.
“Is that her?” he asked as he pointed to one tiny fist.
The sonogram tech smiled. “She’s sucking her thumb. Here’s her chin,” he said, tracing a small curve on the screen. “Here’s her fist. She’s got her thumb in her mouth.”
Tears simmered in Jewel’s eyes as she stared in awe at her child. “She’s beautiful.”
Piers turned to her, his voice husky and oddly emotional. �
��Yes, she is, yineka mou. Very beautiful like her mother.”
“What about the cyst?” Jewel asked anxiously. “Has it gotten smaller?”
“Unfortunately no. I’ll have to compare the measurements to the last we recorded, but I think it’s grown a little larger.”
Jewel’s face fell, and she closed her eyes. Somehow she’d hoped for a small miracle. That maybe the cyst would shrink so she wouldn’t have to undergo surgery. She didn’t want to risk anything that would harm her baby.
Piers found her hand and squeezed reassuringly. “We’ll speak with the doctor and all will be well.”
She clung to him, basking in his confidence. She needed it desperately because hers was flagging.
The sonogram tech rolled the portable machine out of her room, and she and Piers waited in anxious silence. He seemed far too calm, but then what did she expect? He didn’t want this child. Didn’t even believe it was his.
But he’s here.
That meant something, didn’t it?
The silence was disturbed when the doctor came back in, his expression pensive as he studied her chart.
“Miss Henley, it’s good to see you again.”
Piers cleared his throat. “It’s Mrs. Anetakis now. I’m her husband, Piers.” He thrust out his hand to shake the doctor’s, and Jewel blinked as she watched Piers take control of the situation.
He and the doctor spoke of her condition and upcoming surgery as if she weren’t in the room. At first she listened in befuddlement, and then anger stirred. This was her health, her child.
“I will decide when the surgery is to be scheduled,” she said fiercely.
Piers touched her once on the knee. “Of course, yineka mou. I am merely trying to understand all that is at stake here.”
She flushed, sure she sounded petty and difficult, but she could literally feel the threads of her life slipping away, becoming permanently tangled in his.
“It should be done soon, Mrs. Anetakis,” the doctor said. “I’ve consulted with a colleague of mine who will be assisting. It’s a delicate surgery to be sure, but we feel confident of its success.”
“And my baby?” she whispered.
He offered a soothing smile. “Your child will be fine.”
“All right.”
As they prepared to leave, the nurse gave Jewel instructions for when to report to the hospital. The entire thing scared her to death. Before she’d been able to put it out of her mind, but now it was there, staring her in the face.
“Come,” Piers said quietly. He guided her toward his car and settled her inside.
For the first several miles, they drove in complete silence. Jewel stared out at the passing scenery, her mind occupied with the coming surgery.
“Tell me something. If you could live anywhere, anywhere at all, where would it be?”
Startled by the unexpected question, she turned to look at him. “The beach, I suppose.” She smiled suddenly. “I’ve always dreamed of one of those big houses that overlooks the beach from a cliff.” Her eyes closed as she imagined the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks. “A patio to watch the sun set in the evenings. What about you?”
His eyes never left the road, but she could feel him tense slightly.
“I’ve never given it much thought.”
“Where did you live before? I mean before all this?”
A sardonic smile quirked his lip. “I don’t have a permanent residence. I travel often and when I’m not away on business, I choose one of my hotels and I stay there.”
“Your life sounds a lot like mine.”
He cocked his head to the side and glanced at her for a moment. “How so?”
She shrugged. “No home.”
He frowned as though he’d never had such a thought. And then his lips twisted ruefully. “I suppose you’re right. Indeed I have many residences but no home. Perhaps you can solve that for me, yineka mou.”
They pulled into the long drive to the house, but it wasn’t until they came to a stop in the circle drive that Jewel saw the car parked in front of them. Was Piers expecting more company?
Then her gaze traveled to the front entrance and to the man sitting on the steps by the door.
“Kirk!”
As soon as the car stopped, she flew out and ran toward her friend.
Kirk rose when he saw her, a deep scowl on his face. But he caught her as she ran into his arms and hugged her fiercely.
“What the devil is going on, Jewel?” he demanded.
“I think that should be what I’m asking,” Piers said coolly.
Jewel turned to see Piers staring at them, his eyes steely.
“Piers, this is a good friend of mine, Kirk. Kirk, this is Piers...my husband.”
Kirk swore. “Damn it, Jewel, I told you to wait until I got here.”
She swung back around to Kirk. “What are you talking about?”
“I emailed you after you emailed me telling me your situation and that you were marrying this guy.” He made an angry sweeping motion toward Piers.
“But I didn’t get any email. I swear. I had no idea if you’d even get mine.”
Piers stepped to Jewel’s side and wrapped an arm around her. He held her so tightly that she couldn’t move.
“And did you rush all this way to offer us your congratulations?” Piers asked smoothly. “I’m sorry to say you missed the ceremony.”
Kirk frowned even harder. “I’d like to talk to Jewel alone. I’m not leaving here until she convinces me that this is what she wants.”
“Anything you have to say in front of my wife, can be said in front of me.”
“Piers, stop,” she said sharply. “Kirk is a very dear friend, and I owe him an explanation.” She pried herself away from Piers and laid her hand on Kirk’s arm. “Have you eaten anything?”
Kirk shook his head. “I hopped a flight and came straight here.”
“Come in then. We can go out on the patio to eat, and we can talk.”
She could have broken a stone on Piers’s face. Without a word, he turned and stalked away, disappearing into the house.
“Nice guy,” Kirk muttered.
Jewel sighed. “Come on in. I’ll get us something to eat.”
Chapter 11
Piers stood in the living room, sipping his drink and staring broodingly to the terrace where Jewel sat entertaining her guest.
Just who was this Kirk to her? Was he the father of her child? Had he left her high and dry and now had a change of heart? For all he knew, the two of them could be taking him on the ride of his life.
His eyes narrowed when he saw Jewel smile and then laugh at something Kirk had said. Then they both stood and Kirk drew her into his arms, hugging her tightly.
Piers’s fingers curled into tight fists at his side. Then, before they returned inside, he walked away, determined not to give her the satisfaction of rising to her bait.
He was halfway across the room when he realized what he was doing. Running. That made him more furious than the thought of her making a fool of him. No woman was going to force him into retreat.
He turned to face them when the French doors opened. His gaze swept coldly over Kirk and then Jewel. She answered him with a frown, her eyes reproachful.
“Everything cleared up?” he asked mildly.
“Not really,” Kirk said in a tight voice. “I’ve offered my assistance to Jewel so that her only alternative isn’t marriage to you.”
“How kind, only it’s too late. She’s my wife.”
“Divorces are easy enough to get.”
“I suppose they are, providing I was willing. I’m not.”
“Stop it, both of you,” Jewel demanded. “Kirk, please. I appreciate your help more than yo
u know, but Piers is right. It’s too late. We’re married, and I want to make the best of it.”
Kirk’s expression softened as he looked at Jewel. “If you need anything at all, get in touch with me. It might take me a few days to get to you, but I’ll be there, okay?”
Jewel smiled and hugged him tightly. “Thank you, Kirk. I appreciate everything you’ve done and for letting me stay in the apartment.”
So it was Kirk’s apartment and not Jewel’s. She obviously hadn’t been exaggerating when she said she had no money and no place to stay.
Guilt crowded into his mind again at the idea of her alone and in desperate need of help.
Kirk kissed her forehead and then pulled away. “If you’re sure there isn’t anything I can do, I’m going to head back to the airport and see if I can hop a flight today. If I’m lucky, I can be back on location in a day and a half.”
“I’m just sorry you made the trip for nothing. If I’d gotten your email, I would have told you not to bother coming.”
Piers fought to maintain a neutral expression. Deleting the email had backfired on him. If she was telling the truth.
She walked Kirk to the door, and they both disappeared outside. A few minutes later, Piers heard the car drive away and then Jewel came back inside, her expression stormy.
“What the hell was all that about?” she demanded.
He raised an eyebrow at the force of her anger. She was bristling from head to toe and her eyes shot ocean-colored daggers at him.
“Funny, I should be asking you that question.”
“What are you talking about? Kirk is a good friend of mine. The only friend I have. If you have a problem with that, you can take a hike.”
“So fiercely loyal,” he murmured. “I wonder, though, if that loyalty extends to me?”
“Cut the crap, Piers. If you want a fight, let’s fight, but I don’t have time for little psychological games.”
“Is that what we’re doing? Fighting? It’s a little soon for our first marital spat, wouldn’t you say?”
