Tempting Prince Charming, page 14
He lowered his head to hers and she didn’t pull back as he captured her lips. She was still worried he might get sick, but if that happened, she would take care of him.
His lips parted, his tongue seeking hers and she opened to him, heat rushing through her as he kissed her hard and hot. His desire seemed to mirror her own. Thad was kissing her like she was the only thing that could sate some dark hunger. His hands gripped her hips, pulling her against his hard body. Her legs parted as she shifted more fully on top of him. The press of his arousal in his jeans rubbed against her own body, reminding her how much she’d missed the intimacy of sex.
She wore only a pair of black leggings, which made her feel practically naked. He shaped her hips with his hands, then cupped her bottom, squeezing hard enough that she moaned against his mouth. How could this classy man kiss in the dirtiest and best way? An unfamiliar excitement lit her belly, and a throbbing pulse went straight to her clit as she rocked against him.
“That’s it, honey. Ride me. Just like that,” he encouraged in a rough voice that only heightened her arousal. She didn’t care that she was dry humping him like a horny teenager in the back of a car. She only knew that she needed his hands on her, his body against hers and his mouth doing all those wickedly wonderful things. She lost all track of time as she lived in the moment, until a climax hit her and she clung to him, gasping softly.
He held her still over him, his eyes dark with passion. “God, you’re beautiful when you come.”
She ducked her head, embarrassed. He spoke so openly of passion, but she’d gotten used to always watching her language around Lyra. She’d forgotten how intoxicating it was to be with a man like this, to feel like this.
“How long has it been?” She tilted her face up so that their eyes met. She felt like she was a mortal looking upon a God.
“Since…?”
“Since you had an orgasm?” He splayed his hands over her lower back, and she felt wonderfully small and feminine. It made her want to tell him everything that lay in her heart.
“A few months… and it happens sometimes while I’m dreaming in my sleep.” She wouldn’t have told anyone else that, but something about Thad, after everything they’d been through and all he’d done, she trusted him, even with embarrassing, private things.
“God, honey, that’s too long. I want to do so many things to you.” There was a sweetness to the determination in his tone, as if he’d made it his life’s mission just now to do exactly that. Veronica couldn’t deny how amazing he made her feel.
She laid her head on his chest and sighed. “I think I want that too.”
“But I want you to be sure you want it to. We’ll take our time.” He massaged her body until she was nearly boneless on top of him. Her stomach rumbled.
He chuckled. “You want dinner?”
“Yeah, but I should shower first.” She still had that tired, dirty feeling about her, even though she’d showered that morning.
With a smile, she left to shower, and by the time she dried her hair and put some light blush on her cheeks to combat the paleness, she found Lyra had gotten up and was in the kitchen with Thad.
“Cheese!” Lyra said.
“Nothing else?” Thad asked.
“Just cheese,” Lyra said confidently.
“Cheese it is then, but how about we get half of what your mom likes too?”
“I guess we can.” Lyra sounded slightly doubtful.
Thad saw Veronica lingering in the doorway to the kitchen. “Ah, there she is. What do you want, honey?”
“If you’re talking about pizza, sausage is my favorite, but only get it if you like to eat it too.”
At the mention of sausage, Thad’s eyes lit with a sexual light, but he shot his gaze to Lyra and she realized the joke he’d likely wanted to make had to go unsaid. She bit her lip to hide a smile. She liked that he wanted to tease her, but she also liked that he kept it away from small, innocent ears.
“So you like a lot of sausage? I think I can give you that.” Thad winked at her before he tapped a few things on this cell phone.
Veronica shot a look to Lyra who clearly thought nothing of the innuendo Thad had just made.
“Pizza should be here in about thirty minutes.” He slipped his phone in his back pocket
“Lyra, why don’t you watch a movie?” Normally Veronica tried to make Friday and Saturday nights game nights, but she was too exhausted to try to entertain her four-year-old.
Lyra shot a pleading look at her mother. “Can we watch Frozen? Thad hasn’t seen it.”
“Honey, Thad doesn’t want to watch something like that. I’m sure he has work to do.”
“Actually, I don’t mind. Apparently, I am missing out.”
Veronica smiled. “You know she’s going to make you watch the second one.”
“There’s two?”
“And then there’s the shorts. Frozen Fever. Olaf’s Frozen Adventure. Once Upon A Snowman…” Veronica walked up to him and patted his chest. “You’ve got a lot to learn about little girls and their princess movies.”
Thad’s eyes heated and he caught her wrist, gently bringing her fingers to his lips so he could kiss her knuckles.
“I’m willing to learn.”
When the pizza arrived, Thad settled the girls on the couch before he turned the movie on. The first movie. He insisted Veronica and Lyra both drink Pedialyte mixed with Sprite. Veronica needed the hydration and sugar and Lyra, well, the kid deserved a bit more sugar after the nasty fall she’d had.
As he turned the movie on, he could hear Lyra telling her mother all about the party and how she’d gotten her bear.
“And then he said, ‘Give her the bear.’” Lyra’s voice went deep as she tried to imitate him. He felt that tightening in his chest again. When he turned, he saw Lyra nestled in her mother’s lap, the bear beside them. And he knew that had been the best four hundred dollars he’d ever spent.
Veronica watched her child talk, her pale face relaxed and her lips in a half smile. Love emanated from her weary features in a way that look stole his breath. She loved her child fiercely and unconditionally. It was a beautiful thing. He’d understood but never personally experienced how people could be so captivated by their children. He had an amazing, loving relationship with his parents, and he’d seen how Jared and Felicity mooned over their baby but seeing Veronica and Lyra together…it all became less of an abstract concept to him and something more tangible, more desirable. He was finally glimpsing behind that mysterious curtain. It scared him to think of loving someone like that, but as much as it scared him, it also fascinated him.
Veronica patted the spot beside her on the couch. He joined her, curling an arm around her shoulders as she stretched the blanket over their legs and propped his feet up on the ottoman.
The screen filled with Nordic men hauling ice from the lake and singing. Thad let himself relax for the first time in what felt like forever. Halfway through the movie, Veronica laid her head on his chest and her breathing deepened as she fell asleep. He smiled down at her and glanced toward Lyra. She’d stopped watching the movie and was watching him instead.
“She’s really tired,” the child said solemnly.
“Yes, she needs lots of rest to get better.”
“You will take care of her?” Lyra asked, the question asked so seriously that it made him think carefully about his response.
“Yes, I’m going to take care of her.”
“And me too?” the child asked.
“You too, kiddo,” he promised. He understood now that Lyra and Veronica were a package deal. And while that intimidated him on some level, he was not the sort of man that let anything scare him off for long.
Lyra settled back to watch the movie. “Good.”
The music was actually pretty good. He made a note to find the guitar sheet music for it so he could practice for Lyra. As the movie ended, he noted with bemusement that Lyra was still awake, albeit barely. She yawned with a tiny fist curled against her mouth.
“Let’s get you in the bed,” he whispered. He carefully left the couch so as not to wake Veronica. He lifted Lyra up and carried her to the bathroom where he helped her brush her teeth and change into her PJs, then he tucked her in bed with her new teddy bear and kissed her forehead before saying good night. He was closing the door when her soft voice stopped him.
“Good night, Thad.” He was about to correct her about his name, then realized she’d called him Thad. Only a part of him had heard “dad” nonetheless. It made him think. He wasn’t her dad, but in that moment, he wanted to be.
He closed the door and returned to the family room where he collected Veronica in his arms next. She stirred with the movement as he carried her.
“Is the movie over?”
“Yes. Lyra’s in bed.” He set her down on her bed but hesitated. “I want to stay the night again, if that’s okay with you”
“I want you to stay, too.”
“I have my bag. I can sleep in the guestroom—”
“It’s okay. You can stay here in my bed.” Veronica sounded more awake now and he smiled. Her big blue eyes glowed in the moonlight from the window and a soft desire filled her face.
“Well, if you insist.” He tried to tease her with his words, but they came out rough with emotion as he came toward her.
“I certainly do.” She scooted over to one side of the bed. Thad stripped down to his boxers and got in beside her, then pulled her into his arms, relishing the way she felt. There was nothing better than this.
“Bet you had no idea how crazy asking me out that day was going to turn out.” Veronica chuckled as she lay her head on his chest. Still, he heard the uncertainty in her tone.
“Oh, hell no. But I wouldn’t change a thing about it all.” He kissed the top of her head.
She rubbed her cheek against his chest and his heart beat a little faster. Laying in bed with women was nothing new to him, but this was different. This made his heart race in a way those other moments never had. He was beginning to suspect he knew what it meant too.
12
Thad was finally back in his apartment after a long weekend spent at Veronica’s. She was back to her regular, flu-free self, which was a relief, because he knew she couldn’t afford to miss any more work. He also had dozens of meetings this week that he couldn’t skip, plus a few crucial negotiations he couldn’t do over the phone.
Dropping his weekender bag on his bed, he changed into his running clothes before he went to the private gym in one of the spare rooms of his penthouse. He could feel the proverbial cobwebs blowing away as he ran for the first time in several days, but the pleasant relief was short-lived.
After half an hour, he slowed down to walk, breathing harder than normal. He’d pushed himself too far this week, and as much as he loved spending time with Veronica and Lyra, it had worn him out. He was starting to understand what parents meant when they said kids were work. But when he thought of Lyra’s face as he’d put her to bed last night, he didn’t regret a second of it. He walked another ten minutes before he called it quits and showered for work.
By the time he got into the office, Brandon had a mountain of contracts for him to review. Jared must have spent the weekend redlining every document Thad had sent him over the last two weeks. As he worked for the next several hours, he found himself wishing he had a picture of Veronica on his desk. He didn’t even have a picture of her on his phone to look at and he wanted to see her face as he worked.
What was the protocol these days about photos? He was not a fan of selfies, but maybe the next time he, Veronica, and Lyra were out doing something, he could ask someone to take a picture of the three of them.
Brandon stuck his head in Thad’s office doorway. “Sir, is it okay if I leave for the evening?”
Brandon checked the time, though he hardly needed to. It was clearly past office hours. “Of course, have a good night.”
Thad pulled himself out of his daydreams. The stack of contracts he’d gotten back from Jared was only halfway done. Shit. He’d been thinking about Veronica way too much. He needed to get back into work mode and not let anything else distract him.
It was nearly nine when he packed up to leave. His father was still in his office and Thad checked in with him on his way out.
“Don’t work too late,” he told him.
His father chuckled at that. “I won’t. Oh, your mother and I missed you this weekend.”
“Yes, sorry, I…” He almost didn’t tell his father about Veronica but changed his mind. “I met someone and was spending some time with her. She got the flu this past weekend, so I kept her company.”
His father’s eyes brighten with interest. “Do your mother and I know this girl?”
His parents had spent the last couple of years awkwardly placing him in situations where he could meet young women they approved of. Smart, classy, kind women from well-connected families. They’d all been lovely, but none felt right, and he hadn’t been curious enough to go on a second date with any of them.
“You don’t know her,” Thad said. “But I think you’d like her.”
“Are we going to get a chance to meet her?” Timothy asked with a polite tone, doing his best not to push him into anything.
“Eventually. It’s new,” Thad admitted. “I think she might need some time before we add any additional complications.”
His father quirked a brow. “What is complicating this relationship?”
Thad felt a flush of embarrassment. “She’s a widow and… a single mom. She’s got a four-year-old girl.”
He waited for his father to react, to say anything. Timothy took his time before answering. “Thad, you’ve never dated a woman like this before have you?” He hadn’t. They both knew it. “Are you sure that you are ready for an obstacle like that?”
Thad fought off a prickle of irritation. His parents would love to see him married, but with a widowed single mother, his father was suddenly hesitant?
“Honestly, I don’t know. But right now, I want to be with her, and her daughter.”
“And her daughter?” His father’s eyes softened with understanding. “That’s good. How about dinner in a few weeks?”
“I’ll ask her, but she still may not be ready.”
“Of course, but it can’t hurt for you to ask,” Timothy said with a smile.
“Good night,” Thad said.
“Don’t forget the meeting tomorrow with Bob Sayer and his legal team.”
“Right.” He left the office and had Simon pick him up outside.
“Where to, sir? The Gold Circle or Mrs. Hannigan’s?”
“The Circle tonight.”
Thad had spoken with Veronica that morning about needing to go back to his own place for a few days and she’d agreed. He wanted to be there with her and Lyra, but before, with other women, he’d always needed time in his own space. He was worried that spending too much time with her might make him claustrophobic, or perhaps she would think he was overcommitting himself. So forcing himself to take a few days away from her would be a good thing. It would give him time to clear his head.
His butler was at the hotel front desk waiting to greet him when he arrived, handing him a stack of mail.
Winston smiled. “It’s been quiet without you here this weekend.”
Thad chuckled. Poor Winston, all those mornings he’d had to come collect clothes in need of repair or have the housekeeping staff cleanup from an exciting night. Yes, he’d been very quiet lately in some ways, though not in others.
The night before last, he’d been playing board games with Veronica and Lyra, the whole affair had been noisy and chaotic in the best way. Lyra knew how to play the card game Uno and absolutely loved shouting “Uno!” whenever she won. Her excitement had him and Veronica laughing.
Right before Thad stepped into the elevator, his cell phone rang. He frowned at the name that flashed across the screen as he pulled it out.
Annette Becker.
He waved for Winston to let other guests take the elevator first and he headed for the bar to answer the call.
“Mrs. Becker?”
“Mr. Worthington, I’m glad I reached you. There’s been another offer on the house. I wanted to give you a chance to counteroffer since you are so interested in the property.”
So she didn’t even wait for his offer to fall through before shopping it around. “Yes, I’m still interested. How much has the other party offered?”
“They’ve offered 3.5.”
Thad sat down the bar on one of the tall, black bar chairs and waited for the bartender to get his favorite cocktail.
“That’s quite a bit above the listed value,” Thad said coolly.
“But it’s what you were planning to pay,” she reminded him.
Thad accepted the gin and tonic the bartender placed in front of him and nodded silently in thanks.
“Mrs. Becker, are you using my previous offer to encourage this other buyer to overpay?” He was certain that was exactly what she was doing. No wonder Veronica called her the evil sea witch.
“Of course not,” Annette said. “Mr. Covington, the other party, met me at a fundraiser this evening. When he learned you were interested, he said he couldn’t help himself.”
“Roarke Covington?” Thad tried not to growl at the name.
“Yes, that’s him.”
Thad downed half of his gin and tonic in one gulp. “I will make a counteroffer. Give me an hour.”
“Certainly.” Annette’s tone was full of sugary sweetness. He ended the call and dialed a phone number he wished he didn’t know by heart.
“I wondered when you would call,” Roarke chuckled as he answered.
“You have a minute to talk in person?” Thad asked.
“Actually, I do. Are you at The Circle?” Roarke asked.
“Yes, in the bar.”
“Perfect. I’ll be there in two minutes.” Roarke hung up.
Thad finished his gin and tonic and waved for another. If there was one man he truly hated dealing with, it was Roarke Covington. Roarke had also been at the same prep school where Thad met Jared and Angelo, but Roarke was as blueblood as they came and had all of the prestige, good looks, and money you'd expect from that background.
