by Anne Rainey
Lori stepped off the stool, stretched out her stiff legs and spine, then closed the distance between them. She became aware of the growing anticipation and tension filling her. Some of it due to seeing her picture, but most of it was because Gideon's gaze devoured her as each step brought her closer to him.
The minute Lori reached him; he grasped her hand in an unyielding hold as if he were afraid she would slip through his fingers. If she was capable of forming words, she would've told him she wasn't about to go anywhere. The hard roughness of his touch had her nearly purring. She was putty.
He pulled her directly in front of him. The entire length of his body pressed against her back. She trembled and closed her eyes. The picture was forgotten.
"Look at yourself. Open those pretty eyes and see what I see."
Gideon's deeply whispered words effectively drew her out of the web of desire he'd wound around her. She slowly opened her eyes and found herself staring at a stunningly beautiful woman. Lori was struck speechless by the alluring shadows and lines on the canvas.
"That can't be me."
"Don't be nervous, sweetheart. You are so unaware of your own appeal. How could you not know how sweet and sexy you are? I draw what I see, Lori. Nothing more, nothing less."
"It looks so...” She was at a loss for words. She didn't know how to make him understand she wasn't the ethereal beauty he'd created with his talented hands.
"It looks sensual and so damn tempting it makes me want to fuck you right here,” Gideon groaned.
Lori shuddered. “Oh god."
He turned her around until she faced him. “In fact, there's the small matter of the purple stool."
She couldn't think with him so close. His scent filled her; his body turned her mind to mush. “Stool?"
He pointed to the middle of the room. She followed his finger and realized he was talking about the strangely shaped octagon she'd noticed when she'd first arrived. She had no idea why he was suddenly interested in that particular piece of furniture though. “What about it?"
"Do you remember when I told you it was custom-made?"
"Yes, but I was a little preoccupied at the time and not really paying attention."
"It's designed for sex."
Her gaze darted back to the stool. “It looks like a normal stool. Only bigger. I don't think I'm following you."
"How about a demonstration?"
"Uh, okay."
Gideon led her across the room to a remote control. He picked it up and took her over to the stool. As he pushed a button, one end of the stool raised up. She watched, spellbound, as he pushed another button and a headrest emerged from the other end.
"I'm still confused."
"You lay on your back with your bottom raised in the air. It provides better penetration."
Her face heated. “Oh."
"Take off your gown, baby."
It seemed taboo to make love in such a way in broad daylight. “Gideon, I don't know about this."
He bent and licked a spot behind her ear then whispered, “You'll forget about this shyness the instant my cock is inside you. All you'll feel is me, filling you."
When he put it like that, she was loath to refuse. Still there was one thing she wanted first. “Take off your clothes; then I'll do whatever you want."
"Be careful saying such things to a man like me,” he warned. “I'm likely to take more than you're willing to give."
He started unbuttoning his jeans. Lori couldn't breathe. She'd just pulled the proverbial tiger by the tail.
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Chapter Nine
Lori was riveted to Gideon as he slid his jeans down his muscled thighs and calves. She watched him bend and pull them off then shove them aside. Now he was naked. He hadn't bothered with underwear, and his cock jutted out, hard and pulsing. She licked her lips.
"Your turn."
Those two little words had the power to make her quiver. Lori slipped her fingers beneath the hem of the purple gown and raised it inch by inch up her legs, slowly revealing her body to him. The heat in his gaze made her more brazen than normal. When she had the nightgown just below her breasts, she let go with one hand and cupped her mound. Like him, she hadn't bothered wearing panties. Deliberately tempting him, Lori massaged her fingers over her clit. She was so wet and ready, it was hard to stay standing.
His hands came up to cup her breasts. He squeezed and flicked his thumbs over her nipples, and Lori pushed into his palms, ready to plead for more.
"Christ, just look at you."
Her entire body revved to life at his deep voice and soft touches. “Do you like watching me, Gideon?"
"I could watch you touch yourself for hours and not get bored. Hell, I could come watching you finger fuck yourself."
His candor shocked her. “I-I wouldn't want that."
"What do you want? Tell me."
On impulse she blurted, “I want to use the stool. I want you deep inside me."
Gideon dropped his hands and ordered, “Then take off the gown, sweetheart."
She yanked the gown over her head and tossed it on the floor. His eyes feasted on her, leaving a burning path everywhere his gaze touched.
When he bent and picked up his jeans then pulled out a condom, she froze. “You had a condom in your pocket?"
"I told you last night I wanted to take you in the shower and I did. I also said I wanted to see you on my stool. Now I will."
She narrowed her eyes. “You were awfully confident."
He grinned shamelessly. “Yep."
She crossed her arms over her chest. “You aren't even aware how arrogant you sound, are you?"
He tore the foil packet and rolled the condom down his heavy erection. She couldn't look away from him. Everything he did fascinated her. He stepped toward her, took her face in his hands, and held her still for his kiss. Her knees turned to Jell-o.
"I'm not arrogant. But I do want you, and when I want something this bad, I tend to work extra hard until I get it."
She was out of her comfort zone with him. “It's never been like this."
"Like what?"
"No man has ever been so passionate with me."
"Fools, the lot of them,” he growled then tugged her forward. “Sit on the stool, baby."
She eyed the massive thing, unsure and shy all over again. Gideon must have seen her nervousness and positioned her next to the stool, then gently nudged her until she was seated in the center. “Good girl. Now lay back with your head on the rest."
She shifted around until her head lay on the extended cushion, her body angled so her bottom was higher in the air. Her legs dangled over the edge.
Gideon was suddenly between her legs, his calloused palms moving over her thighs igniting her passion. He wrapped his hands around her calves and bent her legs. “Hold your legs apart."
Lori bit her lip and tried not to think of how open and vulnerable she felt. Then she did as he asked.
He dipped his head and kissed her belly then whispered against her skin, “Open yourself more. Show me you want me."
His hot breath against her flesh was all the incentive she needed. She spread her legs wide, then wrapped her fist around his cock and used it to stroke her clit and labia, before guiding him into her heat. Gideon stood up and thrust forward. She gasped.
He stilled. “Too much?"
"No, it's...” She couldn't find the words to express the sensations bombarding her. His cock touched places inside her body no man had ever reached.
"Damn, you feel incredible,” he uttered as he pulled all the way out then thrust forward again.
His palms swept over her nipples, and she arched upward, seeking more of his caresses. When he smoothed his way down her ribcage and belly to play with her tiny bud, she came apart.
"Gideon!” she cried out as she flew over the edge of desire.
He thrust harder, holding onto her hips as he plunged deep. Muscles pumped and sweat glistened off his chest and
abs. When he flung his head back and shouted her name, Lori wrapped her legs around him and held him to her tightly. She never wanted the moment to end. She never wanted to let him go. Suddenly it was all too much and tears flooded her eyes. She covered her face in mortification, but Gideon's gentle fingers forced her to look at him. He was so wonderful. Strong, giving and so capable. She loved so much about him. And that was the crux of it. She loved him.
"What's wrong, baby? Was I too rough?"
"No, never that. It was beautiful. You're beautiful."
He lifted her into his arms and cradled her against his chest. “You're telling me these are tears of happiness?"
She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face into his chest. She couldn't possibly tell him the truth. He was supposed to be a fun break from the norm. Falling in love wasn't part of the bargain.
"Yes,” she mumbled, “tears of happiness."
"Look at me, sweetheart.” When she lifted her head, he searched her face. Long seconds passed; then he said, “I want to slip inside your head, but I made a promise. I'll keep it if it kills me. Since I can't do that, then at least let me cook for you."
Her stomach growled at the mention of food. Okay, so she just realized she's in love with a handsome millionaire artist, but does the revelation stop her from wanting food? Nope. She sighed. “What do you have in mind?"
"I'm not a gourmet cook, but I can whip up some spaghetti and open a jar of sauce. Does that work for you?"
"It sounds wonderful."
He put her on her feet and helped her back into her mangled gown. Once she was covered, he leaned down to press his lips to her crown. Then he swatted her bottom. “Go shower and slip on one of my shirts, or I won't be able to concentrate."
She nodded and started out of the room but stopped when he called her name. She turned. He already had his pants on, unbuttoned, arms crossed over his chest. Lori didn't want to think about the devastating effect he had on her body, or she'd never make it out of the room.
"I know you won't believe this, but this thing between us is special."
"We only met last night,” she reminded him, even though she felt the same way.
The distance between them prevented her from discerning his expression. “It matters little. We're both adults, and we know the difference between a casual fling and something more."
She couldn't speak past the lump in her throat. Instead, she hurried out of the room and rushed up the stairs. If she'd stayed another second, she'd be blurting out her feelings. She wasn't about to mutilate her heart by having her love tossed back at her.
As she walked into his bedroom, the memories of what they'd shared there swept through her. Sitting through lunch and pretending a casualness she didn't feel was not going to be an easy feat.
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Chapter Ten
Lori was in a full-fledged panic. She'd come awake feeling sore and achy in spots she'd all but forgotten about. As she tried to adjust to the bright light streaming in through the large bedroom window, she realized two things. The first, she'd made mad passionate love to Gideon Adrian so many times she'd lost track. The second, the love filling her heart for the gorgeous man wasn't a passing fancy, and it wasn't about to go away anytime soon.
Like a coward, she slipped out of bed where Gideon lay deliciously sprawled, then tiptoed to the bathroom and stared at her own reflection. Is that really me? She barely recognized herself. The rosy cheeks and well-loved look was new. And she had Gideon to thank. He'd been wonderful.
She should have known she couldn't spend such a delightful time with the most perfect man she'd ever met and then walk away without a scratch. She knew herself better. She'd all but fallen in love with Gideon when she'd first set eyes on him at the party. Otherwise, she never would have given herself to him. Over and over again.
She never slept around. It wasn't her style. She'd done a good job convincing herself she was in dire need of some hot, sweaty, no-strings sex, but in the bright light of day there was no denying the obvious.
Her feelings toward him solidified when Gideon had told her about his childhood trauma. Knowing he'd never told any other woman made her heart melt. Pity hadn't moved her. The fact he'd told her about a part of himself he'd kept hidden from the rest of the world had sucked her in like a vacuum cleaner. Still, it wasn't until he'd all but taken her to heaven and back with his ardent loving on the purple stool that she'd allowed herself to fling open her soul and let him make himself at home there.
There was only one thing to do about it.
Slink away like the pathetic fool she was. Unfortunately she was butt-naked, and her clothes were still in the dressing room in Gideon's studio. Worse, she had no ride. She'd have to call her sister. Tabby would help her out of this mess. Lord knew she'd done the same thing for her more than once. After a little ribbing and giggling, her sister would gladly jump in her precious black Mustang and come to her rescue.
Getting out before Gideon woke was going to be the trick. No way could she face him. The last thing her heart needed right now was the awkward, don't call me, I'll call you spiel. Her stomach churned at the notion of never seeing him again. What she'd felt for Rick paled in comparison. Rick had been someone to fill the empty space, but Gideon was so much more.
Lori opened the door to the bathroom, careful not to wake Gideon, and tiptoed out of his bedroom and down the stairs. His house was big, but not so huge she couldn't find her way back to his studio. Within minutes, she'd located the remote control and opened the hidden door leading to the dressing room. Her clothes were right where she'd left them, only now they were wrinkled beyond hope. She left off the bra and slipped into her panties and dress. She grabbed up her purse and found her cell phone. Lori flipped it open and speed dialed Tabby. She answered on the first ring.
"Lori, is that you?"
She sounded sleepy and worried, and Lori knew the reason for both. “Yeah, it's me. I'm sorry I'm calling so early. I'm okay, but I need you to come pick me up.” She heard her sister's sigh of relief just before she exploded into a lecture.
"Mom is so going to kill you, but not before I get my hands on you,” Tabby barked. “Where on earth have you been? We've been worried sick! Margaret called here last night, wondering if I knew where you were. She said you two had gone to some party together Friday night. I wasn't worried until I realized you'd been out with that ditzy broad."
Good old responsible Lori. Never doing anything to make her family fret. It made her more than a little bit angry. Dang it, she wasn't a child anymore. There was no need to call home.
Margaret really was a ditz though; Tabby was right on that count. She hadn't even thought to wonder how Lori had gotten home until the next night?
"There wasn't anything to worry about, and I did try to call, but I couldn't get through on mom's phone, and you weren't home. I left a voicemail message, didn't you get it?"
"Snoopy must have yanked the cord out of the wall again. Mom needs to train that dog better. I did check my messages though, and you weren't on there."
"Well, I did leave a message. I'm sorry you were worried, but I'm a grown woman. I should be able to spend the weekend with a man without calling out the National Guard."
"What man?"
Tabby's voice changed from worried to curious. Lori groaned. The minutes were ticking away, and the longer she stayed on the phone the more chance of running into Gideon.
"I'm not about to kiss and tell."
She whistled. “He must be something else for you to toss caution to the wind."
"Look, I don't have a ride, and I need you to come pick me up. I'm at Gideon Adrian's. Do you know who I'm talking about?"
Tabby screeched. “Hell, yeah, I know who you mean. He's only the hottest millionaire bachelor on the face of the earth for crying out loud. I mean, he's always in the society pages. Man, when you decide to go buck-wild, you sure do it right."
Lori rolled her eyes at her sister's lingo
and looked around the dressing area for her shoes. She spotted them under a chair. Pumps, she quickly discovered, were not at all comfortable at six in the morning. She gritted her teeth as she forced her swollen feet into the tiny bits of black leather. “You wouldn't happen to know where he lives would you?” she asked Tabby. “It was dark when he brought me here.” She left out the part about being too distracted by the handsome man to pay any attention to directions.
"You're in luck because I do know where he lives. A friend of mine posed for him once, and she was just too happy to drive me by his house and brag about how great it had been."
A horrible stab of jealousy tore through her. “What friend?"
Tabby tsked. “Jealous, sis?"
Lori took a deep breath and counted to ten. “Forget I asked. Just please come and get me."
They said their goodbyes, and Lori let out a sigh of relief. She'd be back in her own apartment soon. She could whine and blubber over the loss of her heart in solitude. Oh goodie.
Lori left the dressing room and used the remote to close the hidden door. Should she write a note? She'd never done the note thing, but then she'd never had a one-nighter either. Err, a two-nighter actually.
She grabbed a pen and an old grocery list from the inside of her purse, then started scribbling out an it was great, thanks bunches when her eyes began to fill with tears.
Well, she'd almost made it home before the waterworks started.
She swiped at her face and propped the note against the sketch he'd done of her. Lori stared at it, still shocked at the way he'd drawn her. The sketch made her feel special, but that was naïve considering he'd probably sketched hundreds of women. As she remembered Tabby's words about her friend posing for Gideon, her throat closed up. Oh yeah, she was real special.
She flung her purse over her shoulder and turned around.
Oops. Too late. The sleeping Beast was now fully conscious and leaning against the doorway to the studio. He'd put on a pair of black pajama bottoms, and she barely stopped herself from drooling. The gleam in his eyes had her trembling. He looked as if he wanted to give her another of his titillating spankings. Instead of feeling indignant over the idea, her body betrayed her with a rush of arousal. Drat it! Had she no self-control at all where this man was concerned?
