Her robe fell to the floor, pooling at her feet. Heart thudding, excitement tingling to the tips of her fingers and toes, she stood naked in front of him.
“Let’s not wait.”
He scooped her up and cradled her in his arms. Several long strides later, they were in his bedroom. This was it. No turning back. With reverence, he lay her down on the bed, and for one heartbeat he simply stood there, staring at her.
Leah cocked her head, and her bubbling laughter echoed around the room. “Are you inspecting the goods?”
A twinkle spirited across his eyes. “Looks mighty fine to me.”
“Glad you think so, but it doesn’t seem fair that you’re clothed and I’m not.”
“Easily remedied.” And he shrugged his pajama bottoms off in double quick time, kicking them aside to stand in all his naked glory before her.
Hallelujah. Leah’s cheeks flushed, and she raised one brow. “Very nice.”
“Looking is fun, sweetheart, but enough of talk.”
Mac joined her on the bed, raining kisses from her mouth, down the curve of her throat, sucking one pebble-hard nipple, then the other. Leah arched, aware of his body against hers, his arousal. She reached for him, trailing the tip of a finger along its length, and felt his shudder.
“Sweetheart! You talked of heaven. This is paradise. Now it’s my turn.” Leveling his weight on his hands either side of her, he teased his tongue down each rib, circling across her belly, heading lower.
Leah was lost to Mac’s touch. Her eyes shuttered as his tongue delved amid the tiny curls at her apex, and he sucked her sweet bud. Her legs parted, and he hooked each over his shoulder, then dipped his mouth to her wetness.
Oh dear God. This surely had to be that heaven he talked of. Her body arched as Mac’s mouth suckled her over and over until her orgasm burst.
This moment had been so different from what she had expected, from what had happened before. “Oh, Mac.” And for that, Leah felt not only relief, but joy. Joy that it had been with him.
“Are you…”
She cut him off. “Fine. It was beautiful.”
“You, Leah. You were beautiful.”
Her mouth curved into a tiny smile. Beautiful. No one had ever called her beautiful. Not even Curtis.
For a fleeting moment, a wash of guilt splashed across her heart. Then she looked at Mac. The man. So different from his cold-hearted brother.
She reached for his arousal and wrapped her hands around it. “I think it’s time we got down to business, don’t you think?” She laughed and gave him a wink.
Leah couldn’t believe she’d said such a thing, acted so brazenly. But it felt good. Natural.
“Absolutely.” Mac reached for a condom from the bedside cabinet and sheathed himself expertly.
Leah’s eyes widened. The thought of protection hadn’t even crossed her mind, her body too hot and her need too strong. Oh Lordy! What was wrong with her?
She was beyond thinking, that’s what.
She smiled and lifted her arms in a welcoming gesture, waiting for the heaviness of his body against hers. Thankfully, he obliged.
Nothing mattered except Mac holding her. She scraped the tips of her nails down the length of his back and felt his shudder against her, a testament to his heightened state.
“So beautiful. So perfect,” he murmured as he dotted sweet kisses along her throat.
Leah wasn’t sure she really heard him. Her body and brain didn’t seem connected, the renewed coiled tension of a burgeoning release her only focus. Mac’s mouth silenced any reply as he kissed her over and over till her body craved a breath. Yet still she wanted more of him, the feel of his hardness inside her, branding her, addictive as any drug.
In turn, he suckled at each nipple once more, then he fulfilled her dreams. He slipped inside her, full and potent, their coming together so total, with an urgency that burned deep, until release came in an explosive burst as Mac reached orgasm, and she followed a moment later.
A breathless Mac whispered against her ear, “Open your eyes, Leah. Open them for me, so I can see your soul.”
His request shocked her, scared her.
Should she? Could she? Dare she?
Holding her breath, she fluttered her eyelids open and then was held instantly by exactly what she knew to be mirrored in hers.
True desire. Mac’s desire.
She had just made love to Mac.
Made love.
Two silent words that held her spellbound.
Mac’s chest heaved, and his heart thudded a frenetic dance. He dragged in oxygen, desperate to quiet not only his ragged breathing but also the condemnation screaming inside his brain.
What the hell had he done?
Succumbed to pleasure. That’s what.
And he was damned, because now he knew irrefutably he’d never be able to walk away. Or look into Leah’s eyes and be able to say no, or not remember this very moment.
Part of him chastised his stupidity for letting his libido rule his brain, while the other part, the part fired by simply looking at Leah, desired her again. And again. Would his lust for her ever be quenched?
Sensuality colored every inch of her face. She wanted him just as much as he wanted her, and who was he to deny them both?
But did he trust her? Or himself?
She lay facing him, a drop of perspiration balanced above her top lip. All he could focus on was that droplet. He wanted to lick it. Taste it. Taste her again. Oh, sweet Jesus, he was a goner.
She tilted her head a fraction. “You’re staring.”
“Hard not to after such a great entrée.”
Her brow creased, but that single crystal bead stayed exactly where it was and tempted him beyond redemption.
He cursed silently. He was beyond redeeming. What would she say or do if she knew he wouldn’t give up, that custody papers were ready and waiting? All he had to do was sign them.
“Food?” She chuckled with mock horror. “You’re thinking of food.”
Mac exhaled a steadying breath. Keep cool. Keep quiet. “I’m thinking of a different kind of food,” he said and leaned in, giving in to temptation, the need to brush his lips across hers far too strong. Finally, he licked at that little bead of pleasure. He trailed a finger down her heated cheek, and her trembling response confirmed what he knew to be true. “There’s a color in your eyes, the darkest green that fires every time I kiss you, touch you. Did you know that?”
Her lips parted.
“See,” he said, “you want me to kiss you.”
She laughed at that, a sweet tinkling sound of pure joy. It delighted him. It was good she smiled, and laughed; it touched a piece of him he had buried a long time ago, forgotten was ever there.
“You’re very sure of yourself, Mac Grainger.”
“I’m sure of your response,” he countered, followed by a caress from her nape and inching down between her breasts, then lower. He got the exact reaction he wanted.
Her eyes closed tight as his fingers traveled lower. He cupped her wetness, enjoyed the feel of her shivers beneath his hand. “See. Told you so. There’s no use fighting it. Neither of us can.”
Heavy lids opened. “Ah…but two can play this game.” And with the softest of touches, her fingers wrapped around his penis.
Mac tensed, unable to stifle a shuddering groan. “Who said it was a game? I’m deadly serious. Mind you, I’ll play with you anytime.”
“Glad to hear it. Now…” She whipped her hand from beneath the bed covers where it had been doing devilishly sinful things to his anatomy, then propped herself up on one elbow and splayed it on his chest. “Lie back, sir, and think of England.”
“I can think of far more exciting things to think about.”
“Oh, I’m sure you can. So let me see if those things can match this.” And with a tiny push, the woman he had earmarked as cold and calculating did those very exciting things to him she promised, starting with his mouth and working her way d
own, all in a slow motion that nearly sent him over the edge.
“Oh no you don’t,” she said more than once. “Not yet.” Then she’d change tactic, teasing another part of him to distraction where he craved release. When he thought he would explode, she suddenly stopped. “Playtime’s over,” she said.
Mac heaved a relieved sigh. “’Bout time. You trying to kill me?”
“Perhaps.” She angled herself over him, and he slid into her. They were one. Her thighs tightened around his hips, holding him to her as he thrust deeper into her core.
Sun-drenched russet curls fell in a glorious tangle across her pearlescent skin. His fingers tangled with them. “Lady Godiva,” he murmured as he brushed aside a silken veil to cup one breast.
She bent and kissed him, taking from him more than he realized he had to offer, drawing his hips from the bed as his thrusts became rampant, blatantly ready for release. She took all of him. Suddenly, a rippling peal of pleasure flew from her lips, and her body spasmed, one orgasm following another until his release joined hers.
This wasn’t meant to be happening. This total release. Making love.
Leah slumped forward, her breasts cradled against his chest, the fall of her hair hiding her eyes.
No, don’t hide them, he wanted to say. He wanted to see her eyes, her soul, see if she felt the same as he had—for the second time.
He felt good. More than that: total.
But there was one thing her luxurious hair could not hide—her smile.
Trouble was, seeing that, his conscience kicked into overdrive. How could he destroy that smile and remind her they’d forgotten protection?
Chapter Seven
As if she carried a built-in alarm clock, Leah woke with the first rays of dawn. For a moment, her hazy vision matched the inaction in her brain.
“Morning, sleepyhead.”
A gasp hit the back of her throat, and she bolted upright. Mac lay beside her, the sheet barely covering anything. In fact, all he wore was a smile that did weirdly wonderful things to her the moment she saw it.
“Nice to know I can take your breath away.”
“What are you doing here?”
Unlinking muscled arms from behind his head, he pushed himself up on one elbow, angling his unclad body toward her. “I seem to remember this is my bedroom.”
“Your…” Oh, dear Lord. A bold and brassy heat raced at breakneck speed to the tips of her toes. Her brain may not have woken, but her hormones reacted with unbridled abandon to the man lying beside her. She scooted back on the king-size bed until she rested at the very edge.
His shadowed gaze slid from her face, downward and then farther. She followed it.
The sheet had unfortunately not moved with her, and to his obvious delight, her breasts were bared. She yanked it back in place.
“Spoilsport.”
She snorted and waved a single hand at him as if swatting at a fly. “You need to go.” Cover up. Get dressed. Anything, but lie there beautifully naked.
“Me? Why?”
“Because…” Every single word seemed to tangle with her tongue. Nothing made sense. She wanted him gone, but her body wanted him right where he was, beside her, with her. “I need to get up, get showered. Charlee…”
“Is sound asleep. I checked on her a while back.”
“You did?” Surprise and delight warmed Leah. Curtis never offered to check on his daughter.
“Sure, sleeping like a baby,” he reiterated. “But you’re awake, and it’s still early and got me thinking we could have a lazy morning together.”
Leah hitched the sheet a few inches higher, and Mac’s mouth quirked up at one corner.
Tanned skin, muscled to perfection. Adonis came to mind. Good grief, she’d had sex with Adonis.
No, not sex. Made love with him.
Eyes that had turned from the darkest of chocolate to almost ebony sparkled with the light of diamonds at her, his mouth, so beautiful that she wanted to kiss it right now, curved at the corners. He turned on his side so he faced her, and the sheet slipped completely off.
Her eyes widened as she gazed southward. Mac wanted her, there was no doubt, and Leah knew for dead certain she was ready to jump his bones.
Darn it, things were getting way out of hand. “Sex. You want sex.”
So do you!
“Sounds good to me.”
She poked the tip of her middle finger in the centre of his chest. “Don’t be so sure of yourself, Mac Grainger.”
He laughed then, a deep, belly laugh. “You couldn’t get enough of me.” That was the problem. He told the truth. She lusted after him…badly.
But a moment of doubt captured her in its web. Was it him, she wondered? Or could it have been any man, perhaps a reaction to the shock of losing her house, her life? Didn’t they say that after disasters, people reacted to the adrenaline differently? And she had sure reacted. Just thinking about those reactions heated her blood to fever pitch.
For a moment, her gaze lingered on him, watching the play of desire color his expression. There was nothing pure about that expression. It burned for her.
“Sweetheart, I am right.”
She wanted to ask him if that were always the case but knew the answer would be a definite yes. Mac Grainger had risen to the top of the business world in a short time. Hard hitting and determined, he took no prisoners.
He nodded toward the edge of the bed where she balanced. “There’s nowhere to go, except the floor. Mind you, that could offer some unique experiences. Or,” he said, offering her a wink, “you could come closer.”
“Or I can leave,” she countered.
“But you don’t want to.”
True.
Then close became so close his breath scalded her skin. His lips touched hers. Nothing else. No skin touching skin. It reminded her of what she really wanted.
Just one kiss, she told herself. That was all. Then she’d skedaddle from his bed and take solace in the sanctuary provided by distance.
Fool! She shouldn’t have listened to herself. One kiss and she became his.
Mac’s hands circled her waist, and he pulled her to him so that she lay along the length of him. Time didn’t matter anymore. Only bodies, theirs, together. Nothing could douse the frantic passion as he joined her and began to dot tiny kisses along her ribs.
“So how about this?” He breathed a heated sigh across her skin.
Leah inhaled. She wanted to giggle; instead, her stomach rumbled, and Mac stopped his ministrations, humor-filled eyes glittering up at her.
“Sounds like you need food, not kisses.” He tossed the bedcovers back and stood, unembarrassed by his masculine glory. “Come on.”
Leah couldn’t help but stare. Naked, Mac Grainger was supreme. “Oil drilling obviously did you proud,” she quipped, refusing to look away.
“True, it’s a hard life, but the boardroom offers another kind of battle,” he said as he absently brushed the fingers of his right hand across his left hand.
Leah’s eyes widened. “Your hand.”
Scars littered his hand, whitened ridges crisscrossing over tanned flesh.
“An accident,” he said, his tone suddenly curt. His hand dropped away, and the desire reflected in eyes only moments ago disappeared, replaced by a dark sadness. Concern tempered Leah’s confusion. Why hadn’t she seen the scars before?
Because hands weren’t what she’d actually been looking at. They also wore work gloves in the grove, so the scars had been covered.
“What happened?”
“I got distracted. Love and lust do that to you.”
What love? Who? “I’m sorry.” She reached out to him, but he shifted away.
“Yeah, well, it’s a long time ago now.” His mouth thinned, but in the next breath, it was almost as if he had to tell her, the horror softening his face and the color in his eyes. “There was an explosion,” he explained. “I wasn’t where I should have been. I got hurt. Others died.”
“Oh, dear God.”
He sank onto the bed, head dropped into his hands, and she reached out to touch him, soothe him, but again he shook off her act of compassion.
“God wasn’t there that day, and neither was I.” He turned to her, a wash of bitterness marring his beautiful face. “I should have been.” Shoving himself up from the bed as if burned by the memories, he cursed, dragging his scarred hand across his eyes, then through his tousled hair. Leah wished it were her hand touching him, caressing, soothing, but with each word Mac uttered, he distanced himself just that little bit more from her.
“Love got in the way. That’s why I don’t do love. Why business is better. Love means responsibilities, and I failed.”
“Is this why you’re here now?” No matter the consequences, she thought. Mac was trying to correct a perceived wrong.
But he didn’t answer. Instead, he strode into the bathroom and slammed the door behind him. He shut her out.
Leah stared at the closed door and cried silent tears. Not just for Mac’s injuries, but for his pain that she couldn’t fix.
Hearing the start of the shower, she took the opportunity to scamper from the bed, glancing back one more time at the tousled sheets. Her cheeks burned, and she scooted out of that room and hunted out her toweling robe, then slipped into it and yanked the belt tight.
Instead of heading to the kitchen, she paused at Charlee’s bedside and reached out to brush a strand of hair from her daughter’s cheek. Her heart ached with love. Thank God she was safe. Things could have been so different.
But it was her stomach’s protesting its need for sustenance once more that forced her back to reality, and she ventured into the kitchen.
Coffee. Food. In that order. She’d deal with Mac later.
But that wasn’t to happen. The moment she turned the corner into the large open-plan kitchen, she walked slap-bang into him. He stood at the stove, a spatula in hand, a tea towel tucked into his jeans.
Secrets and Seduction Page 10
