She felt him move over her body, his erect cock prodding at her entrance. Slowly, so slowly he pushed into her, the first magical stroke stretching her swollen tissues and sending even more pleasure rippling through her.
Fully embedded in her cunt, he stilled and kissed her breasts. Nipping. Teasing. Sucking and soothing. Taking so much care she decided no other man would ever stand the comparison. He kissed her, stealing her breath and replacing it with his, implanting his will on her body and pushing her to scale heights she’d never imagined conquering. Lana quivered and trembled, her pussy clutching at his cock. Pleasure radiated from her clit, streaking down her legs in languorous waves. Never before had it been like this. Never. Her breathing became choppy and her heart thundered. His touch soothed her, relaxing and taking her back down to her serene bubble.
Finally he started to move, retreating and thrusting in measured strokes, each one a purposeful drag across her swollen nub. Her pulse rate increased again and the waves of pleasure came faster, more intense. When this happened, Duncan halted, fully embedded and waited for her to calm. He kissed her, tugging her bottom lip into his mouth and soothing it with a glide of his tongue. He explored the interior, the contrasting hardness of her teeth and softness of her inner cheek before thrusting his tongue in and out of her mouth in imitation of the sexual act. Her breasts ached and her cunt spasmed. A pained gasp escaped. Twice more he pushed her hard, building the sexual tension, stoking the fire burning inside her before easing her back down to a low simmer.
“This time, babe. I want you to come for me. I want you to squeeze my cock tight and take me with you. That’s it, babe. Squeeze those inner muscles. Yeah.” Duncan stroked in and out, gradually increasing the pace of his thrusts.
She burned. Pleasure glowed through her body. Duncan hit her clit with his next thrust and she exploded, the sensations immense and powerful, shooting down her legs and up her body, surfing across her belly and breasts. The pleasure continued in pulsing contractions. Duncan slammed into her hard, pushing her up the bed a fraction until the ropes around her ankles stopped the movement. He groaned, his big body trembling, his thrusts rapid and quick-fire. Then he stilled and she felt the splash of his semen, heard his dark groan of fulfillment.
Slowly she opened her eyes to find him looking at her. A blush suffused her face on seeing his expression. “That was amazing.”
“More where that came from, babe.”
Lana wasn’t sure her body could deal with more than what she’d just experienced and felt too physically sated to argue the point. Her eyes fluttered closed again. Duncan pulled from her body. He untied her arms and rubbed her shoulders for her before releasing her legs. He disappeared for a few seconds, the distant clank of pipes telling her he’d gone to the bathroom. When he appeared back in the bedroom, she’d hardly moved.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
“If I were any better I’d turn into a puddle.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.” His tone told her he was grinning, although she didn’t open her eyes to confirm, not even when he gently cleaned her with a warm cloth. Sleep beckoned, besides, she didn’t think she could move.
Duncan studied her, his heart beating faster than normal. That had been the most intense sexual experience he’d ever had. Lana was all and more than he’d expected. No way in hell he would let her walk away, or worse, let another man snap her up again. Lana belonged to him, his woman, even if she hadn’t admitted it yet, and it made him more determined to win this cat-and-mouse game they played.
* * * * *
Lana stood at the kitchen doorway and scanned her busy restaurant. Business had been slow the first couple of days after reopening, although once word traveled, the regulars returned and most lunch and dinner sittings were full. Now in the second week after reopening, Lana had finally started to breathe easy again.
Her stomach roiled and she swiped her hand over her forehead. Somehow she thought the flu might have caught up with her despite telling her chef and waitresses she was perfectly all right. Perhaps she would go up to her flat and rest now that the initial rush had died.
Suzy, one of her two waitresses took one look and said, “Flu. You’ve got it. Admit it and go up to bed before you vomit over a customer. Your face has turned green.”
“Thanks for the compliment,” Lana said.
“Garry, tell her,” Suzy said, appealing to the chef.
“Go up to bed, boss. You don’t want to spread the flu to us, do you?”
“Good argument,” Suzy said, nodding abruptly.
Lana offered a weak smile and went. She truly felt dreadful. From experience she knew she’d bounce back quick. Felines always did on the few occasions they succumbed to human illness. “I’m sure I’ll feel better by tonight.”
“We can cope,” Gary said. “We might be stretched a bit without you, but we’ll limit the menu for tonight and deal with it. Tomorrow is Sunday and we’re closed, so why don’t you come back to work on Monday?” His expression said he doubted she’d be better by then. Lana merely nodded and trudged toward the back stairs that led to her apartment. When she reached the top stair, she fumbled with the doorknob and made a run for the bathroom. She just made it, vomiting into the toilet.
Five minutes later Lana traipsed through to her bedroom and dropped onto the bed, feeling like crap now that she’d finally given in to the illness. She’d scarcely drawn breath when the urge to vomit claimed her again. The violent vomiting lasted throughout the night until she fell into a fitful sleep in the early hours of the morning. Her staff was right. The flu bug had finally caught her too.
* * * * *
Duncan thought of Lana often and rang a couple of times during the week to hear her voice and discuss their separate days. It was difficult, giving her space, keeping their relationship on a casual and friendly level when all he wanted was to capture and lock her in his bedroom.
Today being a Sunday, the restaurant didn’t open. Duncan picked up the phone and dialed her number. By the time six rings passed, a frown had built. Wasn’t she home? The answer phone picked up the call and he hesitated, not wanting to leave a message. Messages were easy to ignore. About to hang up, he heard Lana’s voice over the welcoming message on the answer phone.
“Lana, it’s Duncan. Are you okay?”
“Apart from throwing up all night. Yeah, I’m fine.”
“You’ve got the flu?”
“Don’t sound so surprised. It’s been bad in the town.”
“You’re feline.”
“Yeah.” Lana snorted. “Proof that a feline can catch human diseases.”
“I’ll drop in and see you when I come to town.”
“No, it’s not necessary. I’m not going anywhere. I’m so tired I’ll probably spend most of the day dozing.”
“Humor me. I won’t stay for long, just check on you.” After not seeing her for a week, there was no way he wouldn’t drop by her place. A man could take only so much.
“All right.” She capitulated with a loud yawn. “Ring the bell when you arrive.”
“Take care, babe.” Duncan hung up before he said something to louse up his carefully laid plan.
The phone jangled straightaway. Duncan picked it up with a smile on his face. “Did you forget something, babe?”
“Duncan, I haven’t forgotten a thing. I can’t wait to see you again.” Not Lana. Jennifer. Damn, the woman just wouldn’t leave him alone. He had his own stalker.
“You’ve caught me at a bad time, Jennifer. I’m on my way out.” And he’d damn well think harder about getting caller identification installed on his phone or maybe he’d change number and have the new one unlisted.
“I want to visit you.”
“I can’t talk, Jennifer. I’ve got to go.” He hung up, grabbed his wallet and vehicle keys, ignoring the summons when the phone rang again.
* * * * *
One week later
The first person Lana tho
ught of when she received an invitation to the swanky party was Duncan. Unfortunately, she couldn’t commit career suicide and turn down the invitation. Maybe she could ask Duncan to come along and make it more fun. Their hostess had a reputation for innovative cocktail snacks while the host took pride in his wine-buff status. There would be none of the cheap stuff at this party. As her thoughts centered on Duncan, a surge of lust speared her lower body. Okay, that did it. She’d proposition the man again. That had worked well last time, despite her concerns.
“A party?” Duncan asked when she rang. “All right. You’d better help me pick out something to wear. I don’t want to embarrass you.”
Lana thought about that for all of two seconds. “I doubt you’d ever embarrass me. Okay. Bring your black trousers. They look really good on you. We’ll get a new shirt.” She’d love to help choose his clothes. Studying his muscular body rated as a pleasure and never a hardship.
The days to the party passed slowly. Lana didn’t think she’d been this excited about anything for ages, or maybe it was seeing Duncan again. He’d dropped by to check on her when she’d been sick and ended up spending the night. The next morning she’d felt fine, and they’d even made love before he returned to his farm. That had been last week and seemed so long ago.
When Saturday finally arrived, Lana enjoyed shopping with Duncan. Her only regret was that they didn’t have time to make love before they headed out to the party in one of the wealthy suburbs of Queenstown.
Lana knew a fair percentage of the attendees and took pleasure in introducing Duncan around. It felt so much better attending with an escort rather than being the victim of a matchmaker hostess.
“I’m pleased to meet you, Duncan. I must find you later for a chat,” Judith, their hostess, said. “She’s kept very quiet about you.”
“We’re friends,” Lana protested, frowning at Duncan’s wince. The expressions flickered over his face so quickly she wondered if she’d been mistaken.
“They’re cousins,” Richard said, coming up behind Lana and sliding an arm around her waist.
Duncan’s eyes narrowed with irritation. No doubt about it this time. “The term is kissing cousins,” he said, tugging Lana away from Richard’s grasp and pulling her to his side.
Judith’s brows rose and a smile of amusement quickly followed. “I see.”
Lana thought she saw all too well but wasn’t about to make an issue of Duncan’s statement within Richard’s hearing. Although she’d initially liked the lawyer and had accepted his requests for several dates, his possessive manner really annoyed her.
“There are waiters circulating with food and drink. Help yourself, and, Lana, you know most of the people here. Introduce Duncan around and have fun,” Judith said.
“You never said you were bringing someone,” Richard said, his voice accusing.
“I didn’t think it was any of your business. I’m going to introduce Duncan to everyone. See you later. Come on. You have to see the view over Lake Wakatipu and the night lights from the verandah. It’s stunning.” And hopefully it would be quiet enough out there for a kiss or two. Lana took Duncan’s hand and tugged him toward the sounds of music and chatter, the clink of glassware and laughter.
“Drink, madam? Sir?” The young waiter, dressed in black and white, stood while they made a selection from his tray.
With glasses in hand, they wove through the crowd, stopping here and there for Lana to make introductions.
Duncan played the perfect gentleman, fitting in so well she found herself beaming. Jamie had hated this sort of thing, and after the first two occasions had refused to attend any others.
“What do you do, Duncan?” Judith’s sister asked.
The usual getting-to-know-you and weighing questions to work out where Duncan came on the social scale. Lana sighed inwardly. This part she hated.
“I have my own farm,” Duncan said.
“Oh? Whereabouts?” The sister sidled closer to Duncan and Lana ground her teeth together in annoyance.
“Not far from Cromwell.”
“A man of few words. I love me the strong, silent, handsome type.” The sister trailed her hand over Duncan’s chest, the long gray-tipped fingernails looking like claws. Personally, Lana preferred her natural feline claws, except she didn’t think a show-and-tell would go down well at the swanky cocktail party.
“Mine,” Lana said.
“Oh.” Judith’s sister smirked. “I thought you were the consummate businesswoman with no intentions of remarrying. I’m sure Judith told me that at some stage. Do I have it wrong?”
“No,” Lana said.
“Yes,” Duncan said at the same time.
The woman’s lips twitched. “I’m not sure I understand. Which is it?”
“We’re good friends,” Lana said quickly before Duncan could reply.
“I see.”
They needed to get away from the infuriating woman. “I see Maria and her husband. I wanted to introduce Duncan to them,” Lana said, tugging on Duncan’s forearm.
“Of course. It’s very nice to meet you. We’ll chat later,” the woman said.
Not if Lana had anything to do with it. She cast a quick glance at Duncan, worried about what she might see. The last thing she wanted was for him to get ideas of them as a couple. She liked things exactly the way they were. Oh heck. Just as she thought. His expression bore distinct satisfaction and the faint stamp of possessive ownership.
Lana led him over to Maria. After introductions and some chitchat, they moved on, drifting toward the large balcony. A sigh of relief emerged when they finally stepped outside. The subtle and unsubtle questions about Duncan were getting on her nerves, putting her on edge. They weren’t a couple. They were friends. A subtle difference. She snorted. One her friends and business acquaintances couldn’t seem to distinguish.
“Million-dollar view,” Duncan said, walking over to the railing and staring out over the inky blackness of the lake.
“Yes.” Lana loved the twinkling lights of the town. “See the lights of the gondola traveling up the hill?”
“Yeah.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Of course not.”
“Don’t take any notice of the gossip. These people thrive on it.”
This time Duncan snorted. “And you think the rodeo circuit is any better? It’s a constant round of who is sleeping with whom and the latest romantic bust-up.”
A cloud of jealousy fogged her mind at the thought and she gripped the railing in front of them. Damn, she didn’t want to think about Duncan in conjunction with other women. “I suppose there’s gossip everywhere.”
“Probably started with the cavemen,” he said. “I don’t want to talk about that. I’d much rather take advantage of the setting and the time with you.” Taking her hand, he tugged her over to a dark corner occupied only by a fragrant lemon tree in a blue tub. He drew her against his chest and cupped her face between his hands, lowering his lips to cover hers. He stole her breath and yanked at her heart with the kiss, giving and taking at the same time. Lana groaned softly, sinking into his embrace and drawing his masculine scent deep to last her for the rest of the week. Although she’d never admit it, she’d missed him, and even worse, since he’d burst into her life, she’d found herself craving sex. Even now her pussy moistened, preparing for his possession and the sweet way he mastered her. She quivered, her pulse ticking in a racy beat, senses full of his scent and taste.
By the time Duncan pulled away from her, her breath came in quick pants. She didn’t even try to hide her arousal, merely stared up at him, craving more of his touch and recalled the sensual place he’d taken her when she’d visited his farm. Need bubbled through her and she wished they weren’t in the middle of a party.
Gently Duncan pushed her away from him. “Will you be okay on your own for a while?”
“Sure, I should say hello to a few more people.”
“Good.” He pressed a swift kiss to her lips before
walking away.
Bemused, she wandered inside, wondering where he was going. She saw him speak briefly to Judith and disappear.
“Ah, there you are, Lana.”
Richard. Again. “I wanted to apologize for my behavior,” he said, surprising her. “I haven’t behaved well, heck, I’ve been rude, and I’m sorry for it. My only excuse is that I feel more than friendship for you and I’m afraid when I saw you with another man jealousy got the better of me. Will you accept my apology?”
“Of course I will.” An apology wasn’t something she’d expected.
“I’m glad you’ve found someone who makes you happy.” Richard smiled and it chopped ten years off his age, making his brown eyes sparkle. “If the way the man looks at you means what I think it does, it won’t be long before we hear wedding bells.”
“No! I don’t think so.” Duncan…it wasn’t like that between them. Neither of them wanted serious or anything more than friendship. “We’re just friends.”
Richard nodded, except she saw he didn’t believe a word of her denial. Duncan returned, appearing silently at her side.
“How is the farm going?” Richard asked.
Stunned by the lawyer’s assertion, Lana studied Duncan with new eyes. Nah, Richard was wrong. Duncan didn’t want a wife. He’d said so, hadn’t he?
“Lana?”
Her head jerked up. “Did you say something?”
Richard laughed and moved away, leaving her alone with Duncan.
“What?” Lana asked when Duncan smirked.
“Nothing.” He took her hand. “Come with me.”
“Where are we going? We can’t leave yet.”
“We’re not leaving,” Duncan promised.
Mystified she followed him from the crowded lounge, past a kitchen with a busy caterer and down a wide, carpeted passage. At the end of the passage, he turned right, and after a quick glance in both directions, he opened a door and urged her inside.
“This is a storage cupboard,” she said when he stepped in with her and pulled the door shut, leaving them in inky darkness.
Cat and Mouse Page 12
