by Sara Orwig
“That’s because I’ve said everything there is to say.”
“Charlotte said she would arrange it so I could get in and talk to you at her greenhouse.”
“Oh, my word! Charlotte’s in love and she sees the whole world in a rosy glow. So what happened?”
“I looked for Alexandre, who agreed to be here this morning to take me to the greenhouse. He said he’s finished his work here and they’re waiting until Charlotte can go to France with him. Anyway, I ran into Lilah Ashton who, according to Charlotte, would be in the house on the phone.”
“She usually is in the mornings. She likes to talk to her friends, she reads the paper and she gives my mom any additional instructions about the staff.”
“The minute she saw me, Lilah started screaming for Trace, and he came on the run. As soon as he appeared, we got into it. All the time we fought, Lilah screamed for someone to call the police.”
“That’s what I heard. I ran out because I thought Lilah was in trouble.”
“Even though Trace threw the first punch, I know I shouldn’t have hit him. It felt damn satisfying to slug him, though.”
“I’m sorry you and Trace fought.”
“I’m thankful Alexandre appeared,” Eli said. “I wouldn’t want you in any trouble because I came to see you.”
“This is foolish, Eli,” Lara said quietly, and his insides clenched.
He prayed his instincts were right and seeing her wasn’t going to be another rejection.
“I want to go where we can be alone and talk. I have things I need to tell you,” he said as he sped toward Napa. “I’ve missed seeing you. It meant a lot to my family that you were there for Mom and Grant last night.”
“I was glad to be present. What happened with Grant?”
“At this point it looks as if he is a prime suspect.”
“Oh, no!” she gasped. “That’s terrible!”
“They didn’t arrest him, because they don’t have enough hard evidence, but they told him he can’t leave the area.”
“That’s awful and I know it upsets your family!” Lara exclaimed.
“We’re worried that the police will stop searching for the murderer. They’ve been under pressure to solve the crime. The press is wild to get news about the scandalous Ashtons and the murder. Meanwhile, our whole family believes in Grant’s innocence. That man could no more have done such a deed than Dad could have.”
“You said Grant doesn’t have an alibi and he has a motive.”
“There has to be more than that to take him to court. In the meantime, he’s on edge about the situation. The family, including Anna and little Jack, try to cheer him.”
“He’s fortunate to have all of you.”
“We’re glad to have him in the family. For such a rotten man, Spencer fathered some likable people.”
“I saw you on the news last night, and your picture is in the paper this morning.”
He groaned. “I figured. I didn’t look at the paper today and I didn’t watch the news last night, but I’m not surprised. I haven’t talked to our lawyer yet about it, but he’s trying to keep me out of jail.”
“Don’t even say that!” she exclaimed.
Eli glanced at her, longing to touch her and wishing he could pull her close against his side. “I’m going to look at apartments in Napa.”
“Why?” she asked.
He shrugged. “I thought I might want to be off on my own this coming year. I can stay at the house whenever I want. That’s what Mercedes does all the time.”
As they talked, he drove into Napa and headed to the restaurant and hotel where he and Lara spent their first night together. When he parked and got out to open her door, she looked up at him.
“What are we doing here?”
“I told you. I want to talk to you alone. Come on. We’ll just talk and then I’ll take you to lunch.
He took her hand to enter the hotel, and Lara’s pulse raced. She should say no firmly and insist they talk somewhere less private, but Eli had a determined look in his eye and a steely note in his voice. And she had missed him beyond belief.
She watched him cross the hotel lobby to the desk. Looking sexy and adorable, he wore navy slacks and a navy knit shirt that now had a rip in the sleeve. In spite of the cuts and bruises and the rip in his clothes, he was incredibly appealing.
She had hurt terribly for him and for his family yesterday when she’d heard the news on the radio. She’d felt compelled to go see if she could help them in San Francisco.
Memories of their first night assailed her, and she grew hot just thinking about that night. Then he was striding back to her, his scalding gaze consuming her and making her heart pound.
“Let’s go,” he said, taking her hand. Upstairs, they had the same suite, and she wondered if he had made arrangements ahead of time but then decided he hadn’t. She suspected her appearance last night had triggered his visit today.
He unlocked the door of the suite and held it open for her. She entered and turned to face him, trying to summon the strength and resistance she knew she was going to desperately need.
“All right, Eli. We’re alone and we can talk, but it won’t change anything.”
“I hope it will change everything,” he said in a husky voice, closing and locking the door and then turning to face her. He stepped to her to catch both of her hands in his.
“Lara, I know I’m hot-tempered and I know I like to be in control. Maybe way too much of both of those. I know I’m not worthy of your love because of—”
“Eli,” she said, interrupting him, hurting for him and wanting him. “That isn’t why I don’t want to see you. You’re worthy of my love, of any woman’s love!”
He dropped her hands to frame her face with his hands. When he stepped closer and gazed down into her eyes, her heart thudded so loudly she was certain he could hear it. Standing this close, she couldn’t keep from looking at his mouth, his full underlip, and remembering his kisses. She wanted to kiss him, but she fought the temptation.
“Lara, I’ve missed you and don’t want to be without you,” he said in a husky voice.
Lara’s pounding heart missed a beat as she gazed up at him. “Eli, I have plans—”
“Shh,” he said without letting her finish. “Listen to me. I want you in my life. Adjust your goals and make room for me. If we’re married, you can still go to law school.”
“Married!” she exclaimed, her eyes widening, shocked by his statement. “We haven’t even talked about being in love.”
“I guess it took our separation to make me realize the depth of my feelings. I’ve been miserable. I’ve missed you every second. I see you everywhere. I can’t eat or sleep or even work efficiently. My vineyards that I used to love so much no longer hold my interest. I love you. I know what I want, Lara. I want to marry you.”
Stunned at the depth of his feelings for her, she gazed up at him while her heart thudded. Everything in her cried out, yes! She’d known she loved him. Yet she knew the responsibilities she had in her future. Trembling, she ached to reach for him, to kiss him and toss aside all other considerations. This tall, strong man was the love of her life, and she knew there would never be another like him for her. Hurt and sadness and hot desire warred in her while she tingled all over.
“Eli,” she said woodenly, “I want to take care—”
“You want to take care of your mother. Lara, don’t you think that I, of all people, can understand your need to care for her?” His eyes blazed. “From the time I was eight years old until I was twenty-one and Louret was successfully established I wanted to do all I could to make my mother’s life easier. Even when Mom married Lucas, I still wanted that. My goal of making Louret successful was for her sake. That’s all I ever wanted. If you marry me, we can both take care of your mother.”
Stunned, Lara stared at him. Never had she imagined that he would make her such an offer. “Eli, I don’t know what to say…”
“Just say ye
s that you’ll marry me, and I’ll take care of the rest,” he said, his gaze searching hers. “Lara, will you marry me?”
The words hung in the air like golden baubles dangled before her, promising undreamed-of delights. Marry him! All her reservations fell away. He had promised law school and that together they would take care of her mother. The moment those concerns were resolved, Lara let out a long breath and threw her arms around his neck.
“I love you, Eli!” she exclaimed, and then kissed him before he could reply.
Her mouth covered his, her tongue seeking his to stroke and taste while he kissed her in return. Her insides clenched, and heat started low in her belly. She wanted him with all the pent-up desire that she had battled since that first night. They were so close she could feel his hard erection.
Eli shifted away a few inches to allow him access to her clothing. His fingers twisted free the buttons on her blue blouse to pull it off her shoulders. In minutes he whisked away her blue slacks. “I love you, Lara, and I want you. Heart and soul and body—I want you. I want to kiss and lick every inch of your body,” he whispered in her ear, his warm breath tickling her. “I’ve waited and dreamed of this moment.” His husky voice was a mere rasp.
As he pushed her away, she tugged his shirt free, seeing the bulge in his slacks that proclaimed his readiness for her. The moment his strong, muscled chest was bare, she ran her fingers over him, touching his flat nipples and brushing her fingers over his chest hair, then letting her hand drift down to unbuckle his belt.
While she removed his slacks, he kicked off his loafers and peeled away his socks.
“You’re so handsome,” she declared, running her hands over his bare hips and relishing the male perfection of him. He loved her! It was magic to know. They would marry! Her heart pounded with joy and desire. She slid her hands down to his strong thighs.
“How I love you!” she exclaimed.
While she caressed his legs and teased her fingers up and over his flat stomach, he cupped her breasts, flicking loose the fastener and pushing away her lacy bra.
“Ahh, perfect,” he said, palming each soft breast in his big hands. His rough, callused fingers were a sexy abrasion to her tender skin. As his thumbs circled her nipples with deliberation, she gasped and closed her eyes. Clinging to his strong arms, she wallowed in sensations that set her ablaze.
“Eli,” she whispered.
“Do you like this?” he asked as he caressed her nipples. He leaned down to take one in his mouth and slowly circle the taut bud with his tongue. Warm and wet, each stroke of his tongue heightened her need until she shook. She slid her hands down, closing her fingers around his smooth, thick shaft. Then she let her tongue circle one of his nipples before she knelt in front of him.
Her tongue lazed down across his flat belly while she let her warm breath sigh over him, her tongue flicking around his shaft, tormenting him until he groaned. Then when she licked his long, throbbing rod, he wound his fingers in her hair.
“Lara!” he rasped, while she slipped one hand down between his legs to cup him and stroke him. She curled her tongue around the velvet tip of his thick shaft. He shook, and the fingers of his left hand bit into her shoulder.
With a groan he bent down to pull her to her feet. He stopped and removed a packet from his trousers and then he scooped her into his arms to place her on the bed. He tossed the packet on the bedside table. Eli caught her ankles to pull her to the edge of the bed, kneeling between her legs to gently bite and tease along the inside of her thigh.
Lara’s heart pounded and she combed her fingers through his hair. She wanted him inside her. She ached, all the longing she had lived with through lonely nights compounding the desire she had now.
“I want to make you come again and again,” he whispered while his lips and tongue brushed her inner thigh. She raised her head to find him watching her. He spread her legs, moving between them, parting her soft folds to stroke her with his tongue.
“Eli!” she gasped, closing her eyes while she clung to his strong shoulders. He pushed her back on the bed, lifting her legs over his shoulders and then his tongue licked her intimately. She moved her hips, spreading her legs wider. She was open, utterly his.
“Eli, I want you.”
“I’m going to love you until you come apart in my arms,” he whispered, holding her legs wider and exploring her with his tongue. Hot and wet, each touch increased the urgency that was coiling in her.
She moved, lost now to his loving. He lifted her hips, giving him more access and then she felt his finger enter her, another torment that pushed her closer to a brink. She spasmed over the edge, her hips shifting in a pounding rhythm while she held him. “Eli!” she cried in ecstasy. The world vanished except for the sexy man loving her. “Come here. I want you in me.”
“Later,” he said. “I want to make love to you for hours, Lara,” he whispered. He lay down beside her, his hand going where his mouth had been while he propped himself up and leaned down to kiss her breast.
Now his fingers stroked her, an erotic friction that created a stronger need than before. She sat up to nuzzle his neck, teasing him, taking his shaft in her hand to stroke him, but then as his fingers rubbed between her soft folds, she gasped and squeezed her eyes shut, her hips moving again, seeking release and lost to his touch.
“I want you!” she cried.
“I need you to want me,” he whispered. “I want to do everything I can for you, to make you climax again and again. When you’re excited, it excites me,” he said against her throat.
She barely heard him for her pounding pulse. Urgency drove her as she spiraled out of control.
“Eli!” she cried, winding her arm around his neck and pressing him into the bed. She stretched on his naked body, feeling his erection pulse between them while she kissed him hard on the mouth. His hands played over her bottom and slid down between her legs.
Consumed by desire, Lara straddled him and grasped his thick rod.
He shifted and picked her up in his arms, his body warm and naked against hers. “Not yet, babe. Later when I’ve loved you senseless.”
He sat on the edge of the bed and turned her, settling her on his lap. His legs wrapped around hers. He spread their legs wide while his hand played with her nipple and his other hand went between her thighs. “Look, Lara. I love to look at your body, and I’ve dreamed about you every night since that first night,” he said. “Look at us,” he commanded.
She opened her eyes and gazed across the room at the mirrored wall. She saw their reflections, her skin pale against Eli’s dark body, his strong, tanned arm around her and his hand cupping her breast while his thumb played over her nipple. Their legs were entwined and his fingers moved on her intimately, stirring tension again. She blushed and then gasped and closed her eyes as he drove her to move her hips faster.
“I want you!” she exclaimed. “I can’t keep on. I want you now!”
He kissed her ear, his tongue tracing the delicate curve while his fingers continued the sensual magic that was taking her into a raging fire.
When she was on another brink, he released her, turning her to cradle her against his chest and kiss her. Wanting him, loving him with all her being, Lara knew her heart was already his. Ablaze with carnal need, she pushed him down, sprinkling kisses over him and then sliding to the floor to kneel between his legs while her tongue traced along his inner thigh on first one leg and then the other. She pushed him back on the bed with her hand and flicked her tongue over him, taking his shaft in her mouth to lick and suck.
Eli groaned, sliding off the bed to the floor where he pulled her into his arms to kiss her. She clung to him, kissing him passionately in return, rubbing against him and wanting him desperately. He reached out to grab the packet from the bedside table.
Standing, he picked her up, placing her on the bed and moving between her legs. He watched her, his green-eyed gaze as stormy as a windswept sea while he put on the condom.
Sh
e drank in the sight of him, ready to love, aroused and hot, the man she would love forever. He came down between her legs, sliding an arm beneath her to hold her while he pushed into her slightly and then withdrew.
She cried out, clutching his bottom and pulling him to her, locking her long legs around him. “Love me!” she demanded hoarsely.
“We’re taking our time. Slow, hot loving to drive you wild,” he said and kissed her ear while his shaft entered her again before he withdrew. She arched beneath him, her hands raking over his firm buttocks again to pull him close.
“You want it, don’t you?” he whispered in her ear. “I want to drive you wild.”
She held him tightly with her legs wrapped around him while the exquisite torment created a heart-pounding craving.
“Love me, Eli! Love me now,” she cried, raking her fingers down his smooth back and squeezing his buttocks.
He bit her throat lightly while he moved slowly, thrusting and withdrawing. His forehead was beaded with sweat. She thrashed beneath him, urging him to give her more until he lost his iron control. His hips thrust in a primeval rhythm that set off fireworks in her. Lights exploded behind her closed lids and sensations racked her as her urgency grew.
While release sent tremors coursing through her body, she held him tightly. She knew he’d climaxed when his strong body shuddered. His weight settled on her. This was Eli in her arms, Eli loving her, Eli one with her, Eli wanting to marry her!
“I love you, Lara,” he said solemnly, and raised his head to rain feathery kisses from her temple to her mouth where he lingered with a thorough kiss.
Sated, Eli rolled to his side and propped his head on his hand to look at her while he drew his fingers languorously down from her throat to her breast, then across her stomach and lower to her thigh. His heart pounded with happiness and he wanted to trail kisses all over her.
“You’re beautiful. And perfect. Creamy and pink and auburn hair. I’ve dreamed about you and wanted you. And I wanted to drive you wild with loving, to make you want me.
