“I’ve been asking for weeks,” he pointed out, maneuvering her dangling feet past the doorjamb and into the hall. “Wanting to ask since the first night I met you.”
“Really? Even back then? That first night I thought you were domineering. Bossy.”
“I thought you were crazy, but drop-dead beautiful.” He bent his head; she lifted hers. Their lips touched. He groaned, leaned against the wall; the kiss deepened. She reached down with her free hand and grasped him—all silky heated skin, sculptured desire—and he groaned again, thrust against her encircling fingers, tore his mouth away. “Oh, woman…”
He walked on down the hall, slowly, but his breathing was ragged by the time they reached her bed. He lowered her—then rolled her onto her stomach. Came down over her like a predator taking his prey. He slid between her thighs, cupped her breasts as she cried out and pressed back against him. Catching the top of her shoulder between his teeth, he bit down just hard enough to claim her—a primitive, wordless demand for submission.
Instinctively granted. Every nerve in that most sensitive spot exploded—she gasped out loud, spread her legs wide and arched her neck as he laid a chain of hot, wet kisses up to her ear. “I want to be in you,” he whispered savagely.
“Please…oh, please…”
It was all the invitation he needed.
THE LAST TIME they’d shared their lovemaking. This time Jack controlled it. Giving and giving and giving till she could take no more, till she was nearly limp with surrender.
Then he wanted that, too.
“Say you need me!” he whispered hoarsely, his fingers twined with hers, their arms stretched back beyond her head, his mouth hovering over hers, tauntingly just out of reach, their panting breaths loud in the dusky stillness.
“I…I-I-I…” Love you. But Jack hadn’t asked for that, didn’t want that from her.
His mouth came down over hers as he surged into her like a big, breaking wave. She closed her eyes, spent. She could swim against him no more, was drowning in passion, sinking deeper and deeper beneath its surface.
He kissed the corner of her kiss-swollen mouth, then her lashes, too heavy to lift now. “You need me?”
I need you to love me. But if he wouldn’t give his heart…
He pinned her hands with one of his, as if it was she who was dangerous. Cupping her breast with the other, he rolled its turgid peak between thumb and forefinger as he stroked into her, deeper and harder and longer and slower, the tide rising, inevitably rising… “Say it, Abby. Do you need me?”
If this was all he could or would give her, still it was breathtaking. Not to be resisted. Too late to refuse. Undeniable. She came and came again as his mouth took hers and, tears streaming, she cried into him, “I do, oh, I do need you. Yes, yes, oh, yes!”
And with her surrender, he was released. He came with a triumphant roar, wrapped his arms around her and rolled them both through a welter of sheets, till finally she lay cradled atop him. “Abby, Abby, oh, Abby…”
Long after she’d shuddered and sighed and rubbed her tears dry against the curls on his chest, then drifted away into sleep, Jack lay there. Stroking her tangled hair, soothing her velvety curves with shaking fingers, staring up at the ceiling.
She said it. She needs me.
So why didn’t he feel satisfied? Safe at last? He’d pushed for everything he’d wanted and in the end she’d given it, so why…
Because he was a lawyer as well as a man.
Contracts made under duress aren’t legally binding.
AROUND FOUR, the phone rang again and Sky snatched it up. “’Lo?”
“Sky-boy, do you see me?”
He leaped to his feet, eagerly scanned the eastern horizon. “No-o-o. Not yet. Are you—”
“Almost there, but we’ve got a problem. Just got off the phone with Chelsea. Her water’s— Her babies are coming, a whole damn month too early. Neighbor’s driving her in to the hospital.”
“Oh.” Had she done this on purpose? He hated her, hated her. She always spoiled everything!
“I promised her, Sky, that I’d be there for her—be there when they came. If I turn back now, I won’t have to refuel. I should just land in Denver in time to catch the evening flight. Might still make it if the babies come slow. At least I’d be there for the mopping up.”
“But… B-but…” We’ve got to talk! You were supposed to talk to Mom—make up with her! That was the whole reason…
“I know, son. It’s rough. But what can a guy do?”
But… Time was running out. The world was slipping and sliding through his fingers, just when he’d thought he had a chance to stop it. Fix it. Put it back the way it belonged. Skyler stood, blinking back the tears.
“And Disneyland’ll always be there, buddy. You and me, we’ll do it soon. And do it right. Soon as I get Chelsea and company straightened out.”
“Yeah…”
“So…do you see me yet?”
Far, far, far to the east, at the very edge of the world, he spotted a tiny shape, no bigger than a bird. Or maybe it was a speck on his glasses. “Um…”
“I’m wagging my wings at you, buddy. That doesn’t mean ‘g’bye,’ it means ‘I love you. See you soon.’ And you give your mom a big hug for me, too, you hear? Over and out, son.”
CUDDLED IN JACK’S ARMS, forehead pressed to the pulse beating in his throat, Abby lay, pretending to sleep. Satisfied in body, terrified of soul. And with nobody to blame but herself.
Jack had warned her about the Divorce Crazies—and he’d been right. She’d been utterly crazy, certifiably insane, to think she could love him even once, without consequences.
Oh, what have I done?
She’d told herself that maybe Jack was a test. That loving him, then driving away would prove she was strong—a woman who could stand alone, take her own pleasure. That the best way to forget him would be to have him. That if a lighthearted, no-consequences, frivolous fling was all he offered, then a fling would be enough.
What a liar you are!
She’d wanted him. There was the simple truth of the matter.
And whatever lies she’d needed to tell herself to find her way into his arms, she’d been willing to tell.
Happy to believe.
But after today, after loving Jack, she could believe them no longer.
There would be consequences. The pain she’d felt on arriving in Trueheart would be nothing to the pain she’d carry away.
But what other choice was there? No way could she stay here now. While they were in touching distance, she’d touch him. Come whenever he smiled and beckoned. And each time they were together, her love for Jack would only grow.
Better to yank it up by the roots while the tree was still young.
“HEY, POSSUM, you’re awake,” he noted huskily, smoothing a hand over her hair.
“Mmm.” She kissed his throat.
“So come on up here.” He gripped her arms and dragged her gently up his body, till they lay nose to nose. “Missed you,” he said, eyes crinkling.
“And you.” I’m not even gone yet and, oh, I’m missing you!
They kissed and this time it was like falling down a well; darker, deeper, indisputable as gravity… “No!” She tore her mouth away.
He frowned. “What’s the matter?”
“I just…I…” If she told him of her decision right now, he’d only try to change it. And in bed, where Jack could bring all his powers of persuasion to bear… “I need to check your answering machine. Sky has that number. If anything goes wrong…” He wasn’t supposed to call her till later that night, but the excuse was a good one.
“Right. And I suppose there’s always a chance Kat might’ve called.” Jack rolled apart from her and stood.
For a moment all she could do was lie there, drinking him in, in all his naked magnificence.
He paused and smiled down at her. “Keep looking at me like that, and I’ll never make the door.”
“Sor
ry.” She covered her eyes with her palm.
“Don’t say sorry, say later. Soon.”
“Mmm.” How long was a fling by Jack’s definition? She’d never thought to ask. Do you imagine we’ll be doing this a week from today? A month? On through the fall?
In actuality, they had only hours left. Emma had been instructed to deliver Kat at ten, and not a minute before, Jack had confessed. Once Kat was home, there’d be no sharing beds.
Then tomorrow… Whether Jack went in to work or not, somehow she’d have to find the strength to pull back, start pulling away. By the afternoon, when Sky and Steven—oh, God, Steven—returned from their adventure…
No, the next few hours was all the time that remained. She could start mourning now—or she could cherish every last precious second. Live vividly in the moment, storing up a lifetime of memories to treasure.
“You coming?” Jack called from the foot of the stairs. He must be looking for the rest of his clothes.
“Be over in a minute. I’m going to change.” And take Kat’s portrait, her goodbye gift, from its hiding place. Because tonight was her farewell, even if Jack didn’t know it.
“YOU SURE your mom’s home?” Mr. Halliday drummed his fingers on his steering wheel while he frowned at the cottage. “Don’t see any lights.”
“She’s probably taking a nap. But she’s here. There’s the car.” Sky nodded at the Subaru, parked in the drive, then opened his door. “Thanks for the ride, Mr. Halliday.”
“My pleasure. And if you get a hankering for a flight before your dad makes it back this way, come on out. Experienced copilots are hard to find.”
After Mr. Halliday had driven off, Sky tiptoed through the living room, then up to the second floor. He didn’t want to talk to anybody. Halfway down the hall, he halted at the sound of rhythmic thumping. DC galloped up the last step, spotted him—then turned his back and sat to busily lick his flank. “Yeah, I know, you didn’t miss me for a minute.” Somebody cared about him anyway. Sky scooped up the tom, draped him over his shoulder and went on to his room. He looked at the bed, sighed and wandered out again.
All day he’d been forced to sit still while he craved movement, flight. Sad as he was, he couldn’t go to bed. It wasn’t even quite dark yet.
One ear pressed to the cat’s purring body, he trudged into the kitchen. Stood frowning at the table. “Wow, and Mom tells me not to leave messes!” And she’d put a bowl of icing down on the floor for DC, though she never let him feed the cat from people dishes.
His stomach rumbled at the thought of food. “Mom?”
He wandered into the backyard. Checked the bus, which she’d been packing for days. “Where’d she go, luggums?”
Next door, he concluded. She’d probably been sitting by Jack’s phone all afternoon, worrying and waiting for him to call her. His dad might come and go, but his mom was always there. Sometimes that drove him crazy, but tonight…
Still stroking the cat, he headed for the garden gate.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“IT’S—” HOLDING HER portrait of Kat, Jack shook his head. “Abby, it’s beyond wonderful. You’ve caught her. What she’s going to be someday.”
“You think?” Abby laughed delightedly, pushing the hair back behind her ears. “You really like it?”
“She’s a falcon. A flyer. And you’re some kind of talented artist. Maybe you’re going to end up a portrait painter like your father.” He could see that had pleased her, the way her face glowed.
He propped the portrait on the mantel and backed away from it, coming to stand beside her, his arm around her waist. “I can’t get over the colors!” How could anyone as gentle and shy as Abby be so bold with her colors, so bold in bed? “Even the sparrowhawk—you’ve trapped one for her. Has Kat seen this yet?”
Abby shook her head against his shoulder. “I wouldn’t let her look.”
“She’s going to love it. I’ll have to get it framed for her.”
“Oh, no. I mean, frame it, of course, but this is for you, Jack.”
“It’s mine?” He glanced down at her. “What’s the occasion? My birthday isn’t till—”
He paused as she blinked rapidly. Her eyes glittered with gathering tears. “Wait a minute.” He hooked a knuckle under her chin. “Why did you—”
She bit her lip and twisted away. “It’s just to say…thank you. For everything you’ve done.”
A farewell gift, she meant. A kiss-off. “Hold on.” He grasped her chin, brought her gaze up to his with the tip of a thumb. “You’re still planning on…going?” A fiery thread of pain was wrapping around and around his heart, making it hard to take a breath. “What do you think I’ve been telling you all afternoon?”
Tears were dripping and her smile wavered. “That you like sex?”
“Dammit!” He caught her waist and dragged her against him, consciously looming over her, willing to intimidate if that was what it took to get through to her. “Yes, sure. Absolutely. But you think that’s all I was saying?”
She shrugged, her eyes darkening with emotion. “And that you…want me to need you?”
Constantly. Need me and use me and let me serve you. Depend on me always. Need me so badly you’ll never, ever be able to leave. “Well, you got that right at least,” he growled. He slid his hands around to her hips, pressing her against his rising arousal. Words weren’t the way to say this.
“Well, here’s what I don’t need. I don’t need a fling! I mean, I’ve flung today, but…”
They were maybe ten thousand miles past a fling, didn’t she realize?
“And just what’s my needing you supposed to do for me?” Abby shoved at his chest, but since he wouldn’t let go, that only served to bend her backward. She scowled as his eyes flicked down to her breasts. “I’ve been needing all year—no, for years now! Needing somebody to really see me for who and what I am and love me, not because I’m a pretty-enough woman, which is the only thing Steven cared about, but because I’m Abby. Me.”
“That’s all you want?” He couldn’t help laughing for sheer relief. And for joy. Because he could do that—couldn’t help doing that! Doing was easy. It was the admitting. Confessing his own need—love—whatever she cared to call it—that scared him silly.
“All!” She looked ready to punch him.
She was too mad for a declaration of love. And he was too hot. Too hot to think through what needed to be said, or how to say it. “Look…” He traced her eyebrow back and forth with his lips. “Let’s back up a few steps. Calm down.”
She shivered in his arms. “I’m perfectly calm.”
“Uh-huh.” He brushed his mouth slowly down the bridge of her nose. “Then let’s start with this.” He kissed the tip of her nose, felt her body soften ever so slightly against his. “First, this isn’t a fling, not to me. Not if by fling you mean it doesn’t matter.”
“But you said—”
Sometimes I talk too much. He captured her mouth. This was one place, at least, where agreement between them was guaranteed. She moaned and opened to him. He soothed, courted, caressed. Tongues were most eloquent when they didn’t speak. Abby, I do see you. I couldn’t look at another woman if I wanted to and I don’t. Can’t you feel that? Feel this?
She moaned again and her arms came up around his neck—at last.
He was breathing faster when he lifted his head. “Second. You aren’t going anywhere till we figure out what this is.” Till I find a way to tell you. Because I know what this is already. He was ten thousand miles past what he’d ever felt for Maura.
Which made this more dangerous. The potential for damage infinitely greater. But still, he was ready to risk it. Risk whatever it took to keep her in his life. Could no longer even imagine why it had taken him so long. One part of him had known from the very start.
She shook her head and frowned. “But—”
“No buts. I’ll steal all the tires off your damned bus if I have to, but don’t go.”
“Y
ou really don’t want me to go?”
“Argh! What does it take to get through to you, woman?” He lifted her off her toes, and as he’d hoped, she brought her legs up, graceful as a dancer, to wrap them around his waist, bringing them into exquisite contact. Sending the rest of his blood south, and all coherent thought with it.
Finally she was starting to smile. “Three little words, that’s all it would take.”
“Please don’t go?”
She tipped back her head and laughed. He kissed her throat. “What’s so funny?”
“You! You’re so big and so strong it’s hard to believe, but you’re scared, aren’t you?”
Terrified. Teetering on tiptoe on the edge of the highest cliff in the world, with a hard wind blowing. “Me? Come upstairs and see how scared I am.”
And miracle of miracles, Abby smiled, let him kiss her. He’d started walking even before she said, softly, sunnily, the sexiest word in the universe. “Okay.”
THE LIGHTS WERE ON at Jack’s house and Sky paused, seeing movement through the living room window.
Jack was carrying his mom. She was all wrapped around him and he was hugging her hard. They were kissing even as Jack moved, slow as a sleepwalker. They vanished in the direction of the stairs.
He stood, thunderstruck, his heart thumping hard enough to break ribs. DC let out a yowl; he’d been holding him too tight. Claws stabbed into his shoulder. He gasped, knelt, let the cat squirm away and flounce off, tail lashing.
Sky stayed down, hands pressed to the earth. Had he really seen that?
Desperately hoping, he glanced back at the house—and a light came on upstairs. In the room he knew was Jack’s. His bedroom.
So he was too late.
Everything was broken.
It was too late to ever put it back together again.
“I DON’T KNOW WHY we didn’t just stay at the truck stop,” Emma complained as they waited to be seated. Every table, every chair in Michelle’s Place was filled for El Rancho Night. “Mo’s apple pie à la mode looked scrumptious. In fact, why don’t we go back there?”
Kelton's Rules (Harlequin Super Romance) Page 24
