She tsk-tsked him, and touching the thigh exposed by the slit, she trailed her fingers upward. His anxious gaze followed. “You’re a bad boy, Grey Nichols.”

  “Very bad,” he agreed. And feeling naughtier with each passing second. The things he wanted to do to her went beyond illicit and carnal…and she seemed more than willing.

  She attempted to look thoughtful but came across as a sultry vixen instead. “I’ll have to think of a fitting punishment.”

  His heart leapt in anticipation, that wild, tempestuous feeling called love swirling within him. “Trust me, sweetheart, just looking at you in that scrap of nothing is pure torment.”

  “Good,” she purred. “That’s all you get to do is look.”

  His brows rose. She had to be kidding.

  She wasn’t. Closing the distance between them, she draped herself across his lap. He groaned as her soft bottom nestled against his straining erection, and he automatically caressed his fingers up that tempting, silken thigh.

  “No touching,” she said, promptly removing his wandering hand, “until I say you can.”

  He gave her a pained look, certain he would never survive her hands-off policy.

  She looked over the feast displayed on the table. Dipping a shrimp in cocktail sauce, she lifted it to his lips. “How repentant are you?”

  “Very.” He took the shrimp into his mouth, then caught her wrist when she would have gone back for another, intent on showing her just how contrite he was. His tongue curled around each finger and lapped the sensitive skin in between, licking away any traces of the sauce. And he took his time doing so, until her eyes grew dark and smoky with arousal, and her breathing became ragged.

  He smiled and nibbled the tip of her finger. “I’m suffering like I’ve never suffered before.”

  “Umm.” She wiggled on his lap, her lashes falling to a drowsy, sensual half-mast at the proof of his suffering. “I believe you, and because you’re so obviously in anguish over your naughty behavior, I’ll grant you one touch.”

  Taking his hand, she settled it on her knee, then guided his flattened palm along the opening in the slit. Her legs parted, and her body strained toward the fingers inching along, luxuriating in the pleasure of her soft, bare skin and…no panties. His fingers slid into her, intimately, deeply.

  They groaned and shuddered at the same moment—she in pleasure, he in excitement.

  “You’re very good, Grey,” she said huskily.

  The double entendre wasn’t lost on him. “Let me show you how good,” he murmured.

  Lifting his hand, he gently cupped her cheek in his palm, then slowly stroked down her throat and over her shoulder. He held her soft gaze as he slipped his fingers beneath the wispy strap holding up the bodice of her gown and pushed it down her arm. One lacy cup fell away from the full weight of her breast, and he covered the mound with his palm, plumping the firm flesh, manipulating the nipple into a tight bead he ached to flick with his tongue, draw deeply into his mouth…

  “So good.” She sighed. Her head rolled back, and she arched into his hand, groaning when he rolled her nipple between his fingers. “So bad…”

  He chuckled, the sound as strained as the fly on his shorts. “Am I forgiven?”

  Her mouth curled into a shameless grin. “I haven’t decided yet.”

  Oh, man, he loved this woman and knew in his heart he’d never tire of her sass, her fire. Knowing there would never be a more perfect opportunity than this moment to express his feelings, he removed his hand from her breast and lifted the strap back to her shoulder, covering her. She gave him a look full of confusion while he withdrew the small, square velvet box he’d hidden beneath the napkin.

  Grasping her hand, he pressed it into her palm. “Maybe this will help you decide.”

  She glanced expectantly from the gift to him. “What’s this for?”

  “You.”

  “Why?” Her tone was as skeptical as her expression. “It’s not my birthday.”

  He settled his arms around her, trying to calm the sudden racing of his heart. Damn, but he was nervous. “Does it need to be your birthday for me to give you something to show you how much…” He cleared his tight throat and tried again. “How much I love you?” The words, spoken for the first time, sounded rusty to his own ears.

  She stared in disbelief. “What did you say?”

  She was going to make him say it again. He supposed he ought to get used to it. “I said…I love you.”

  Once her obvious shock wore off, tears of happiness filled her eyes. “Oh, Grey, I knew you did.”

  He gave her a lopsided grin. “You mean I’m going through all this fanfare for nothing?”

  “Oh, no,” she assured him with a watery smile. She sniffled and brushed at a tear that escaped the corner of her eye. “This is one of the happiest days of my life.”

  His chest swelled with those strange, tender emotions. She was so easy to please, he thought. And making her happy brought him great satisfaction, like none he’d ever experienced. “Then stop crying and open the box.”

  Tentatively, she did, and gasped when she saw the ring—a flat band encrusted with rubies and an elegant, one-carat princess cut diamond set in the center.

  He gently touched her chin, closing the mouth that had dropped open. “I guess the ring speaks for itself, huh?”

  “It’s absolutely beautiful,” she whispered.

  Yeah, he thought so, too. The ring was simple in design and far less extravagant than the one they’d seen displayed in the jewelry store window, but the bright rubies had reminded him of Mariah’s fire and spirit.

  After their argument over the weekend, he’d purposely steered clear of the bridal sets at the jewelry store. He’d wanted something personal and intimate, not necessarily a ring, but the clerk had assured him that a ring such as this one would undoubtedly express his feelings for his girlfriend in a way no bracelet or necklace could. Against his better judgment, he’d given in and purchased the ruby-and-diamond band.

  Considering the elation etched on Mariah’s face, he gave the clerk credit for knowing her business and the secret desires of women, too.

  Taking the band from its nest of crushed black velvet, he took Mariah’s left hand and slipped it on her ring finger, marking her as his. The spark of possessiveness he felt at that moment surprised him, but he wasn’t about to analyze it. “You make me happy, Mariah. Happier than I’ve ever been.”

  She laughed joyfully and hugged him tight, a gesture he returned and savored. Finally she loosened her hold, letting her fingers sift through his hair.

  Their gazes locked. “You truly love me?” she asked in awe.

  “Didn’t you tell me I did that night you seduced me?” he teased.

  She gave the hair at the back of his head an affectionate tug. “Yes, you big oaf, but do you really believe it?”

  Sensing her need for confirmation, he grew serious. “Yeah, I believe it. Being in love scares the hell out of me, but I’m hoping I’ll get used to the feeling.”

  Her mouth curled into a sultry smile laced with triumph. “You will,” she murmured. Sliding a hand around to cup his jaw, she urged his mouth up to hers. “I’ll make sure of it.”

  Her lips were warm and soft upon first contact, her mouth sweet and generous when it opened to meet the glide of his tongue. The kiss was slow and lazy, but before long, the tenor changed, growing hungrier and more urgent as hands began to wander and the fragile emotions surrounding them mingled with desire.

  The kiss went on and on, priming them both for a more intimate act of love. Mouths still fused, she twisted and turned in his lap, and he helped her, guiding her with his hands until she faced him and her legs straddled his hips. By then, they were both breathing hard, and Grey was about to split the zipper on his shorts.

  They both knew what was going to happen, but that only heightened their excitement. Hastily he shoved the straps of her negligee down her arms until the bodice bunched around her waist, leaving her gloriously bare for his pleasure. As he watched, her breasts swelled and grew taut. Leaning forward, he dragged his tongue over a budding nipple, then suckled her breast until she cried out, her fingers gripping his shoulders.

  Finally he pulled back, letting his hands finish where his mouth had left off. “So, I guess I oughta show you just how much I love you, huh?” he teased, giving her the same sweet dose of medicine she’d given him the night they’d gone to dinner. The night he’d realized he was in love.

  She arched shamelessly into the palms cupping her breasts. “Yeah, maybe you should,” she said as she went to work tugging his shirt from the waistband of his shorts.

  He was certain she could feel the wild beating of his heart against his chest. A heart brimming with so much feeling and emotion it was near to bursting. “Just in case you might have some doubts,” he added, toeing off his shoes.

  Her eyes sparkled with humor and love. “Yeah, just in case,” she agreed.

  Once he’d pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside, he reached between them, unbuckled his belt, and released his zipper. Leaning back in his chair while she shifted her weight, he pushed both his shorts and briefs down his thighs and kicked off the restraining garments.

  There was so much more he wanted to do to her, but the need to be inside her obliterated everything else. Sliding his hands inside that strategic slit in the gown, he gripped the backs of her thighs and pulled her forward the same time he thrust his hips upward. The smooth tip of his erection glided through her slick flesh and found its home deep, deep within her body. She arched into him with a sharp, breathless cry. Groaning roughly, he buried his face in the fragrant curve of her neck and grazed his teeth along her throat.

  He let her set the rhythm of their mating, enthralled by the wanton way she took her pleasure from him. His lips and tongue paid homage to her breasts while his hands stroked her belly, her quivering thighs, and eventually where they joined. His thumb circled and rubbed, and he whispered words of encouragement and then more explicit demands her body had no defense against.

  She came apart for him on a convulsive shudder and a whimper that echoed in his soul. Capturing her mouth with his, he moaned as his own climax ripped through him, hotter than fire and sweeter than the promise of heaven.

  Love, he decided, made all the difference in the world.

  Mariah wrapped her arms around his neck and sank drowsily against him, heartbeat to heartbeat. Their bodies were damp, their breathing labored. After a few minutes of rest, she whispered against his throat, “Tell me again, Grey.”

  Shutting his eyes, he swept his hand down her back, savoring the flood of feelings only she evoked in him. “Oh, God, Mariah. I do love you.”

  He felt her smile against his shoulder. “I knew you did.”

  * * *

  “Woman, you’re gonna kill me,” Grey muttered as he lay on top of Mariah, still inside her, in the aftermath of their lovemaking. He felt totally satiated and downright exhausted after she’d taken advantage of his body. Again.

  He’d carried her from the kitchen to the bedroom after the first time they’d made love, and she hadn’t given him much time to recuperate before she’d shimmied out of that scrap of nothing and pulled him to her with a renewed vigor he couldn’t help but respond to.

  “At least you’ll die a happy man,” she said, skimming her palms down his muscled back to his buttocks.

  Deep laughter rumbled in his chest. “Yeah, what a way to go.” He groaned in her ear as she tensed inner muscles around him, then he lifted his head to look at her. “Lord, where did you learn to do that?”

  “Jade loaned me some interesting books of hers.” A sly smile curved her well-kissed mouth. The soft glow from the bedside lamp emphasized the mischievous gleam in her eyes. “I wouldn’t want you to get bored with the predictable stuff.”

  Not in a million years, he thought. Separating their bodies, he lay back on the bed and gathered her close to his side, reveling in the simple pleasure of just holding her. “With you, making love has never been, and never will be, predictable.”

  Draping herself along his upper body, she stacked her hands on his chest and propped her chin on top. “Yeah, well, you’ve pulled a few unpredictable stunts of your own lately.”

  “Like?”

  “All those flowers and sexy lingerie you sent me when we first broke up.”

  After plucking the pins from the knot of hair on her head, he plowed all ten fingers through the mass of silk. “Someone told me that women like to be romanced.”

  She rolled her eyes, then groaned when he stroked and massaged the nape of her neck. “Mark, no doubt, womanizer that he is.”

  He grinned wolfishly. “Yeah, but I have to admit his idea worked.”

  Closing her eyes, she relaxed as his hands moved to rub the muscles along her shoulders and the slope of her back. “Umm, it was kinda nice being spoiled like that,” she admitted, a dreamy quality to her voice. “And what about kidnapping me?”

  “Sheer desperation. And that worked, too.”

  “Only because I felt sorry for you.”

  He frowned. “What do you mean?”

  Her sigh fluttered the light sprinkling of hair on his chest as she blinked her lashes open. “If I really wanted to find a way home, I would have. I wanted to be with you, and I’m soo glad I came.”

  “Yeah, me, too.” His finger traced the notches in her spine, and she arched against him like a sleek cat.

  “I have to say, though, that this is the most unpredictable stunt you’ve pulled so far.”

  “What stunt is that?” he murmured suggestively. “The one in the chair, or the one at the foot of the bed when I pulled your legs around my—”

  She gave him a playful pinch in the side, and he yelped. “I’m talking about the ring, Grey.”

  “Oh, the ring.” Smiling, he smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear, keeping his gaze on hers. “I guess that’s the kind of irrational thing you do when you’re in love. Of course, I can only assume my spontaneous behavior is related to love since I’ve never been in love before you.”

  “I’m glad I’m your first,” she said in a seductive tone and lightly rolled his nipple between her fingers.

  “Yeah, me, too.” He sucked in a breath as her fingers fluttered along his rib cage. “It’s sorta like being a virgin all over again.”

  She arched a blond brow and drew sensual circles around his navel, then explored lower. “Now there’s a fantasy I’d be happy to fulfill for you. Older, more experienced woman tutoring younger virgin boy.” Her fingers wrapped around his semi-erect shaft, which thickened with each of her slow, measured strokes.

  He moaned at the images her words projected in his mind and grasped her hand to stop the sweet torture. “Give me ten more minutes for my poor body to recuperate from our first two stunts, and then I’ll be happy to let you show me just how experienced you are.”

  Mariah pressed a kiss on his chest, then snuggled into his side. They had the rest of their lives to indulge in fantasies. For now, she was content to bask in the triumph of Grey’s declaration of love and the ring he’d put on her finger.

  Lifting her left hand, she admired the band of sparkling rubies and diamonds, and the one-carat diamond set in the center of the exquisite, original design. It wasn’t a traditional wedding ring by today’s standards, but then Grey wasn’t the traditional sort.

  A grin tipped her mouth, and a giddy feeling tickled her belly. Her parents were going to be thrilled about her engagement to Grey. No doubt her mother would be anxious to help her plan the wedding, and her father wouldn’t spare any expense on the grand event to finally see one of his daughters married.

  She glanced up at Grey. His eyes were closed, but the fingers brushing along the curve of her waist told her he was awake. She supposed she ought to see if he had a preference for a particular date to exchange vows before they told her parents the good news.

  “So, when do you want to get married, Grey?” she asked, unable to contain the excitement working its way to the surface. “I’ve always wanted a winter wedding, but I wouldn’t mind getting married in the spring. Which do you prefer?”

  The sudden tension in his body was nearly tangible. The fingers stroking her skin stilled, and his eyes slowly opened and met hers, dark and remote.

  “Mariah, I never said anything about marriage.” His voice was deceptively calm, though the muscle ticking in his jaw belied his tension.

  Dread churned in the pit of her stomach, and she tamped down the knot working its way up her throat. This had to be an awful nightmare, but the pricking heat along her nerves confirmed she was wide-awake. Had she somehow misunderstood Grey’s intentions? “But you said you loved me,” she whispered, hearing the confusion in her own voice.

  His heart thundered violently beneath the palm she rested on his chest. “I do love you,” he said gruffly.

  She shook her head, not comprehending how he could love her, offer her a ring, but stop short of fulfilling that commitment. “And the ring?”

  He pulled his arm from around her, withdrawing physically as well as emotionally, and sat up on the edge of the bed, his back to her. “It’s not a bridal set,” he pointed out tightly. “I made sure of that.”

  She shivered and grabbed for the quilt. She felt cold. The kind of chill that settled deep and clung to your bones. “A ‘bridal set’ is anything you deem it to be,” she said, swallowing back burning tears. “I’d proudly wear a ring from a Cracker Jack box to be your wife, Grey. If this ring you gave me isn’t meant to be a wedding ring, then what would you call it?”

  He wouldn’t look at her. Silence filled the room, and the longer it stretched between them, the angrier Mariah became. She wanted to hit him, hard. Wanted to rail at him for making her believe that they could have a secure future together. Their relationship had seemed so hopeful after their week together. She’d been hopeful.

  And so very wrong.

  Her nerves snapped. “Dammit, Grey, answer me. You owe me at least that much.”

  His head whirled around and he glared at her, but there was pain in his gaze, too. And fear. “Why are you making this more complicated than it has to be?”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20