Terms of Surrender

by Shirley Rogers

  "Damn," David muttered, breaking the tension. "In the future, I'll have to give some thought as to when I make my moves."

  Feeling her face flush, Tanya's lips curved into a smile. She settled back in her seat and tried to get her bearings.

  * * *

  Six

  « ^ »

  Most of the day had passed by the time the plane landed, so they decided to forgo any sightseeing, but David told Tanya that he'd bring her back another time so she could explore the city. Grabbing a taxi, they went straight to their destination, a beautiful hotel in a prominent area. With marble floors and huge white columns, the opulent lobby only hinted at the luxury of the hotel.

  David went with her to her room. Tanya drew in a breath as she stepped inside and scanned it. The thick, royal blue carpet was striking against the lemon-yellow walls. Moments after they arrived, there was a knock at the door. David opened the door for the bellman, who delivered her luggage. He handed the man a folded bill, then turned toward her.

  "Do you want to have an early dinner?" he asked. She nodded and left it up to him to choose a restaurant. They agreed on a time to meet, and she walked him to the door. After David left, Tanya opened her suitcase and unpacked her toiletries. She went into the bathroom to freshen up, then slipped on the only dress she'd brought with her, a red silk gown that she'd worn last Christmas. She added a pair of black heels and fastened a diamond necklace around her neck. Lifting the pendant, she fingered it thoughtfully.

  Edward had given it to her on her last birthday. Her eyes watered, and she fought back tears. At times the grief still overwhelmed her. But Edward wouldn't want her to be sad. He was, if nothing else, a man who hadn't dwelled on sentiment. Still, it was hard not to cry when she thought about him, and she wondered if David was grieving for his father in his own way. He hadn't even talked about Edward to her. Tanya supposed that wasn't really odd, considering their estranged relationship.

  While she waited to meet David, she went over her notes for her talk. Edward would be proud of her, she thought. She'd made it to D.C., and when she spoke tomorrow, she'd be thinking of him and his dreams for Cottonwood.

  She heard a knock at her door, so she grabbed her wrap and slipped it around her bare shoulders as she opened it.

  "Hi. I'm ready."

  His gaze drifted over her. Her red dress hugged her body, exposing every luscious curve. More than anything what he wanted was to back her into her room and strip the damn thing off her. "You look great," he said, instead.

  "Where are we going for dinner?" she asked, picking up her purse from the bed.

  David told her the name of a popular restaurant not far from the hotel. "Do you want to take a cab or walk?" he asked, hoping she'd choose to walk. If they got into a taxi, he wasn't sure he'd be able to stand being so close to her and not touch her.

  "Let's walk," she answered. "It's nice outside, and I'd like to see something besides the inside of the hotel while I'm here."

  They left through the main lobby, and David led her a few blocks away to a quaint restaurant sandwiched between a bar and a trendy nightclub. Once they were seated, a waitress took their drink order and disappeared.

  "This is nice," Tanya said, nodding at the candle glowing between them. "Have you been here before?"

  David nodded. "Once or twice. Are you ready for tomorrow?" he asked.

  Tanya sat forward and rested her arms on the table. "I think I am. I looked over my notes. There'll be a lot of speakers, so I'll only have a few minutes."

  She didn't seem nervous. Still, he wondered again if she knew what she was getting into. "Is this the first time they've had this kind of meeting?" he asked.

  She shook her head. "No, but your father usually went to them. The last couple of years he asked me to go, but I chose to stay home." At the mention of Edward, Tanya noticed David's shoulders tense. She changed the subject. They'd been getting along well, and she didn't want to say or do anything to affect their time together.

  As they ate, their conversation drifted from his work to a discussion of the plantation, then eventually again to the meeting they were in D.C. to attend. Tanya looked up over her lasagna and caught David staring at her. "What is it? Do I have sauce on my lip or something?" she asked.

  "Your lips are perfect." And they were, he thought, wanting more than ever to taste them again. Struggling to get his mind off making love to her, he grinned and said, "I was just thinking of how different you look from the day I came back home from college and found you living at Cottonwood."

  She cringed. "Don't remind me. I wish I knew what possessed me to dye my hair that awful shade of red. It took all summer and several cuttings for it to grow out."

  "It was quite punky." He laughed. "Still, I have to admit I was damned attracted to you."

  "You were?" Tanya hadn't even suspected. She'd made a point to be around him as much as possible that summer, but he'd acted as if she was a nuisance.

  "Judging from your surprise, I guess I didn't send the right message when I kissed you."

  She didn't tell him that his kiss had stayed in her memory, that she'd been half in love with him when he left. That it was because of him that she'd never been able to have a relationship with another man. "I thought you hated me. You were so angry that day."

  He raised a brow. "Hated you? God, Tanya. I wanted you." More than he'd wanted her to know. Staying at Cottonwood would have cost him his relationship with his father. But their relationship pretty much ended the day he left, anyway.

  She covered her face with both hands. After a moment, she'd gathered the courage to look at him. "I've never forgotten the day you left." She flushed when she met his gaze.

  "You begged me to stay." His tone was almost somber.

  "I was so stupid."

  David reached across the table and took her hand in his. "You were a little naive, but not stupid."

  Her skin heated at his touch and she sighed. "I wanted you to stay."

  "I know," he said, his voice low and controlled. "But I couldn't. My father and I never got along. I thought it would only be worse with him if I stayed."

  "Why?" she asked, wanting to know what had caused such a gap between the two men.

  He ran his fingers over the palm of her hand. "For one thing, my father and I never saw eye to eye on anything."

  "Never?" she asked curiously.

  "Pretty much." His lips twisted. "It wasn't always like that, though. I remember when I was young, when my mother was still alive. My father was a different man then."

  "How?" she asked, wanting to know more about their relationship, to understand his distant attitude toward Edward.

  "The three of us were happy before my mother died. She used to have a fit when my dad would hoist me up on his lap while he worked on the tractor. She was always afraid something would happen to me." He chuckled as he saw a vision of his father and himself. It had been a long time since he'd talked about that, and the memory was bittersweet. "She'd chase after us, and we'd pretend that we were robbers and the cops were after us."

  Tanya smiled. "What happened to change all that?" she asked. Surely Edward had had those same memories. What had kept these two men apart?

  "My mother died." Sadness stole into his eyes. "When she passed away, my father was devastated. Suddenly, he changed into this person I didn't know. He just shut me out of his life."

  Tanya's mouth dropped open. "My God, you were only, what, ten or twelve?"

  A muscle worked in his jaw. "Ten. I don't expect you to believe me, but I tried for a long time to get along with him. But nothing I did pleased him. I thought if I left home and was successful at something, he'd at least recognize my potential. I worked hard, started a business and made a lot of money. But all he had to say was that I should have stayed at the plantation, where I belonged."

  "I'm so sorry." She shook her head. "I didn't know the man you describe." But now that she thought about it, she'd seen glimpses of him. Whenever she'd tried to talk t
o him about David, he shut her out and refused to discuss him. "He was stubborn at times, but he'd mellowed so much at the end."

  David finished his wine. "I'm thankful that he had you in his life, Tanya."

  She blinked back tears at his words. He must have been lonely as a child. For the first time in her life, she was truly angry at Edward. How could he have treated his son so callously?

  Maybe she'd been his second chance. Was that the reason Edward had taken her in? Unfortunately, she'd never know. "Do you ever wonder what would have happened if you'd stayed, David? Do you have any regrets?"

  David shook his head. "I knew if I stayed, we would end up hating each other," he admitted quietly. "I didn't want to hate him."

  Tanya was stunned. She'd been so sure that he hadn't wanted to be around her, when salvaging his relationship with his father had been his goal. Her heart went out to him. "Oh, David," she whispered softly. "I'm so sorry."

  He'd revealed a part of himself that she'd never seen before. For years she'd thought him callous and selfish. He'd stood there and taken it when she'd accused him of not caring about his father, not saying a word to defend himself or his actions. She hadn't known that he'd cared about Edward enough to stay away to preserve their relationship.

  But in the end, David's leaving hadn't made a difference because the two of them had never seen eye to eye.

  When they left the restaurant, Tanya shivered from the chill in the night air. Noticing, David offered her his suit jacket, and before she could answer, slipped it off and wrapped it around her shoulders. But instead of letting it go, he used it to draw her to him.

  She didn't even think of protesting when his mouth came down on hers. His kiss was laced with promises, setting every nerve in her body on edge.

  "You taste delicious," he whispered when he lifted his head.

  Tanya couldn't speak. Her heart was hammering as they walked in silence to the hotel. She found her voice as they stepped inside the elevator. "I'm glad you talked me into coming to D.C. early."

  He put his arm around her and drew her to him. "Come up to my suite for a drink." Five years ago, he'd done what he thought was best and walked away from her. Tonight, he wasn't going to.

  Tanya's heart tripped over itself. It wasn't a command. But there was no question in her mind what he wanted. She knew what would happen if she did. But she couldn't say no, because she wanted him. "All right."

  She licked her lips, then looked at him and found him watching her.

  David's chest tightened as Tanya's tongue wet her lips, and a burning sensation started low in his belly. He wanted to touch her, but knew if he did, he wouldn't be able to do so without kissing her again. His control when he was around her was slipping, and that scared him. But not enough to let this moment go.

  When the elevator reached the top floor, he led her to his room.

  "This is beautiful," she commented, her eyes taking in the luxurious sitting area. His room was larger and much more lavish than her own. The view of the city outside his plate glass window was beautiful and romantic. Lights glowed softly for miles.

  Coming up behind her, David removed his jacket and her wrap from her shoulders, kissing her neck softly before moving away. "What would you like to drink?" he asked. "There's a minibar, or I can order something from room service."

  Tanya shivered and shook her head.

  Unable to resist temptation, he pulled her into his arms.

  Her lips were soft and inviting, and she kissed him back, her tongue seeking his, kicking his desire for her into high gear. She moved closer to him, pressing her warm body against his. He lifted his mouth from hers, licked her lips with his tongue then nipped at her mouth.

  She sighed deeply, and he pulled away, putting some distance between them. "I need to ask you something."

  Tanya opened her eyes and met his gaze. "What?"

  "This morning you said that it was a mistake when we almost made love last night."

  Swallowing hard, she whispered, "I remember."

  "I need to know if this is still a mistake."

  Tanya didn't answer. Instead, she went into his arms, aligning her body with his, sliding her hand up his chest. She'd waited so long for this day, for this moment, and she wasn't going to let it pass. Though she was playing with fire, at the moment she didn't care. All she could think about was being with him.

  David took her mouth, kissing her deeply. Desire exploded inside her. She hadn't been prepared for that. Nor had she been prepared for the heat burning between her legs. She'd wanted this man from the moment she'd seen him, and she wasn't going to deny herself any longer. Whatever happened in the future, she'd deal with it. Right now all she wanted was to make love with him.

  He pulled her closer. She breathed in the spicy scent of his cologne. His tongue, hot and demanding, invaded her mouth, dueling with hers, disappearing, then appearing again as if by magic. Never before had a kiss held such promise.

  Her body moved against his, and he lifted his head and looked at her. Without speaking, he drew down the tiny straps to her dress, letting them fall off her shoulders. His hands caressed her bare skin as he reached behind her and unzipped her dress. She busied her own hands by unbuttoning his shirt and sliding it off his shoulders.

  Seconds later, her dress landed in a pool around her feet. Cool air chilled her skin as she stood practically naked before him. But she wasn't frightened, wasn't hesitant. Her hunger for him exceeded everything.

  He drew away, and his gaze slid over her, pausing at her breasts, then his eyes met hers. She felt her face grow hot from his intense scrutiny. "I believe we both have to be undressed to have sex." A small smile played on her lips.

  Sex. That shouldn't have bothered David, but it did. However, that thought was quickly lost when he noticed the tightening of her nipples beneath her bra. He felt himself grow hard with need for her.

  "We don't have to be, but it's a hell of a lot more fun if we are."

  Tanya sucked in a breath as his fingers began unbuckling his belt. He watched her, his gaze almost daring her to look away. She surprised him by reaching behind her back and unclasping her bra. Her breasts jiggled as she freed them from their restraint.

  David's mouth went dry. Forgetting that he was still half dressed, he pulled her to him. He didn't want to scare her, but at that moment, he didn't think he could have stopped himself from touching her. He reached out and stroked her nipple with just one finger.

  Her eyelids drifted shut, and for a moment he thought she was going to fall. But she opened her eyes again and watched as he took her breasts in his hands, cupping them. He began a slow, erotic massage, and she wobbled a little.

  David scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed. He lay her on it, then shed the remainder of his clothing. When he turned back to her, she raised her arms, the desire in her eyes beckoning him to join her. A small scrap of white lace still covered her. He hooked his fingers beneath the band at her hips and slowly drew her panties down her legs, tossing them away.

  Then he went into her arms.

  Tanya sighed with pleasure as David's body covered hers. Of their own volition, her hips moved against his. His hand covered her breast, then lifted it to his mouth. She watched him, and the anticipation of his lips touching her there was almost unbearable.

  Instead of taking her breast in his mouth, his tongue licked her nipple, teasing it, tasting it. Tanya thought that she was going to die from the intense pleasure. Need built up in her so quickly that she writhed beneath him. She slid her hands into his hair and pulled his head toward her. He rewarded her by sucking her as he squeezed and molded her other breast. Shockwaves of desire rippled through her body, and she cried out.

  David had never felt such urgency for a woman, and he'd never expected such a passionate response from Tanya. He straddled her, then rubbed himself against the most intimate part of her. Her head went back, and she arched against him.

  "David," Tanya whispered, feeling as if s
he was coming apart inside. Her need for him drove her on. She bit her lip, fighting to stay in control, then just as quickly her body began to quiver. "Please," she begged, wanting him inside her.

  Leaning over her, David covered her mouth with his own. His tongue dueled with hers as he slid his hand between her legs. He grunted, then hissed out a breath. "Hold on, sweetheart," he rasped. He retrieved the condom he'd put on the nightstand when he'd taken off his pants, sheathed himself, then moved on top of her, positioning himself.

  He pushed himself between her legs, testing her readiness for him, wanting her to feel the same intense pleasure that was building inside him. Then he withdrew, building their anticipation. A moment later, he started to enter her again, pushing harder this time. It was then that he realized she was so tight that he couldn't easily penetrate her.

  He stared down at her. Her eyes were closed, her face flushed, and her breathing was rapid. Remaining inside her, he cupped her face with his hands. Her hips were pushing against his, and he whispered, "Easy, honey." He pressed a kiss to her mouth. "Tanya, honey, look at me."

  When she did, he asked, "Sweetheart, are you a virgin?" It was a struggle to maintain his control.

  At his question, Tanya became more coherent and her brows dipped into a frown. Her gaze searched his. "What?" Before he could answer, she understood what he'd said. Her eyes widened with shock. "I don't know," she answered quietly.

  Anxiety gripped her. She moved her hips, felt the barrier impeding his entry. The union of their bodies was intensely intimate, but it felt so right that she didn't know even a moment of uneasiness. "I think I am," she whispered.

  David began to pull away, but she slid her arms around his waist and held on to him. "Don't. Please don't leave me." She didn't want to beg, didn't want him to know just how much she wanted him, but she couldn't let him go.