Terms 0f Surrender (Dynasties: The Danforths Book 11)

by Shirley Rogers

  Her lips were soft and inviting, and she kissed him back, her tongue seeking his, kicking his desire for her into high gear. She moved closer to him, pressing her warm body against his. He lifted his mouth from hers, licked her lips with his tongue then nipped at her mouth.

  She sighed deeply, and he pulled away, putting some distance between them. “I need to ask you something.”

  Tanya opened her eyes and met his gaze. “What?”

  “This morning you said that it was a mistake when we almost made love last night.”

  Swallowing hard, she whispered, “I remember.”

  “I need to know if this is still a mistake.”

  Tanya didn’t answer. Instead, she went into his arms, aligning her body with his, sliding her hand up his chest. She’d waited so long for this day, for this moment, and she wasn’t going to let it pass. Though she was playing with fire, at the moment she didn’t care. All she could think about was being with him.

  David took her mouth, kissing her deeply. Desire exploded inside her. She hadn’t been prepared for that. Nor had she been prepared for the heat burning between her legs. She’d wanted this man from the moment she’d seen him, and she wasn’t going to deny herself any longer. Whatever happened in the future, she’d deal with it. Right now all she wanted was to make love with him.

  He pulled her closer. She breathed in the spicy scent of his cologne. His tongue, hot and demanding, invaded her mouth, dueling with hers, disappearing, then appearing again as if by magic. Never before had a kiss held such promise.

  Her body moved against his, and he lifted his head and looked at her. Without speaking, he drew down the tiny straps to her dress, letting them fall off her shoulders. His hands caressed her bare skin as he reached behind her and unzipped her dress. She busied her own hands by unbuttoning his shirt and sliding it off his shoulders.

  Seconds later, her dress landed in a pool around her feet. Cool air chilled her skin as she stood practically naked before him. But she wasn’t frightened, wasn’t hesitant. Her hunger for him exceeded everything.

  He drew away, and his gaze slid over her, pausing at her breasts, then his eyes met hers. She felt her face grow hot from his intense scrutiny. “I believe we both have to be undressed to have sex.” A small smile played on her lips.

  Sex. That shouldn’t have bothered David, but it did. However, that thought was quickly lost when he noticed the tightening of her nipples beneath her bra. He felt himself grow hard with need for her.

  “We don’t have to be, but it’s a hell of a lot more fun if we are.”

  Tanya sucked in a breath as his fingers began unbuckling his belt. He watched her, his gaze almost daring her to look away. She surprised him by reaching behind her back and unclasping her bra. Her breasts jiggled as she freed them from their restraint.

  David’s mouth went dry. Forgetting that he was still half dressed, he pulled her to him. He didn’t want to scare her, but at that moment, he didn’t think he could have stopped himself from touching her. He reached out and stroked her nipple with just one finger.

  Her eyelids drifted shut, and for a moment he thought she was going to fall. But she opened her eyes again and watched as he took her breasts in his hands, cupping them. He began a slow, erotic massage, and she wobbled a little.

  David scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed. He lay her on it, then shed the remainder of his clothing. When he turned back to her, she raised her arms, the desire in her eyes beckoning him to join her. A small scrap of white lace still covered her. He hooked his fingers beneath the band at her hips and slowly drew her panties down her legs, tossing them away.

  Then he went into her arms.

  Tanya sighed with pleasure as David’s body covered hers. Of their own volition, her hips moved against his. His hand covered her breast, then lifted it to his mouth. She watched him, and the anticipation of his lips touching her there was almost unbearable.

  Instead of taking her breast in his mouth, his tongue licked her nipple, teasing it, tasting it. Tanya thought that she was going to die from the intense pleasure. Need built up in her so quickly that she writhed beneath him. She slid her hands into his hair and pulled his head toward her. He rewarded her by sucking her as he squeezed and molded her other breast. Shockwaves of desire rippled through her body, and she cried out.

  David had never felt such urgency for a woman, and he’d never expected such a passionate response from Tanya. He straddled her, then rubbed himself against the most intimate part of her. Her head went back, and she arched against him.

  “David,” Tanya whispered, feeling as if she was coming apart inside. Her need for him drove her on. She bit her lip, fighting to stay in control, then just as quickly her body began to quiver. “Please,” she begged, wanting him inside her.

  Leaning over her, David covered her mouth with his own. His tongue dueled with hers as he slid his hand between her legs. He grunted, then hissed out a breath. “Hold on, sweetheart,” he rasped. He retrieved the condom he’d put on the nightstand when he’d taken off his pants, sheathed himself, then moved on top of her, positioning himself.

  He pushed himself between her legs, testing her readiness for him, wanting her to feel the same intense pleasure that was building inside him. Then he withdrew, building their anticipation. A moment later, he started to enter her again, pushing harder this time. It was then that he realized she was so tight that he couldn’t easily penetrate her.

  He stared down at her. Her eyes were closed, her face flushed, and her breathing was rapid. Remaining inside her, he cupped her face with his hands. Her hips were pushing against his, and he whispered, “Easy, honey.” He pressed a kiss to her mouth. “Tanya, honey, look at me.”

  When she did, he asked, “Sweetheart, are you a virgin?” It was a struggle to maintain his control.

  At his question, Tanya became more coherent and her brows dipped into a frown. Her gaze searched his. “What?” Before he could answer, she understood what he’d said. Her eyes widened with shock. “I don’t know,” she answered quietly.

  Anxiety gripped her. She moved her hips, felt the barrier impeding his entry. The union of their bodies was intensely intimate, but it felt so right that she didn’t know even a moment of uneasiness. “I think I am,” she whispered.

  David began to pull away, but she slid her arms around his waist and held on to him. “Don’t. Please don’t leave me.” She didn’t want to beg, didn’t want him to know just how much she wanted him, but she couldn’t let him go.

  “We don’t have to do this,” David told her. This changed everything. She’d never known a man. He would be her first. The thought of being the first man to touch her stirred his heart. He wanted to be the only man who ever made love to her.

  Tanya took a deep breath, then very gently lifted her hips, pushing against his pelvis. “You can’t mean that you don’t want me. I may not have much experience at this, but I can tell you’re aroused.”

  He chuckled, then kissed her hungrily. Raising his head, he looked right into her eyes. “I do want you, more than you’ll ever know. But, sweetheart, I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Then please don’t leave me.” Sliding her hands up his arms, she grasped his shoulders. “Make love to me, David.”

  David sucked in a breath, then covered her mouth in a fiery kiss. He groaned deep in his throat when she began moving against him. Lifting his lips, he whispered, “Let’s take it slow.” Aching for her, he clamped down on his own desire and began moving his body inside her, slowly stroking her, easing himself into her until he was at the edge of filling her.

  She tightened her grip on his shoulders, her fingers digging into his flesh. As if she anticipated his hesitation, she wrapped her legs around his waist, encouraging him. David pushed harder this time, and in one thrust, he entered her completely.

  She cried out softly as he filled her, and he stilled, holding himself in check, letting her body adjust to his. He took his time with her, kissing h
er and stroking her body with his hands until she relaxed.

  Then she began moving against him, and he thrust deeper and deeper inside her, molding her buttocks with his hands, holding her against him when she began to lose control.

  Tanya closed her eyes and arched up, her hips moving against his. He moved deeper inside her, and the fire that had started building inside her began to blaze out of control.

  When she moaned deep in her throat, David could feel her body tightening around his. His own release began spiraling out of control, and he slipped into the black void of ecstasy.

  Seven

  The room fell silent except for their rapid breathing. Tanya’s chest swelled. She knew at that moment that she’d given her heart to him, that he would forever be the man she was meant to love.

  She caressed his back, loving the feel of his skin beneath her fingers. He groaned, went up on his elbows and looked at her. When their gazes met, she smiled up at him. “So are those the moves you used to put on the girls?”

  He chuckled, then briefly kissed her mouth as he pinned her to the mattress. “I never got results like this. You were amazing.”

  “You were pretty amazing yourself,” she answered.

  Sucking in a hard breath, he tried to gather a modicum of control. Making love with Tanya had staggered him. More than ever, he knew his heart was in danger. But despite his inner warnings, he wanted more of her.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, tilting his head down to look at her.

  Her gaze drifted to his mouth. “I am now.” She ran her tongue along her lips, still tasting him, and her body quivered. Closing her eyes, she relished the moment, not allowing herself to feel regret. For five long years, since she was seventeen, she’d dreamed of the day David would take her in his arms and make love to her.

  That she wanted him to truly love her was undeniable. She already loved him. Truth be known, she’d loved him for years. Though her heart ached for it, she hadn’t expected a confession of his undying love. For the moment, she was content to be with him, and she wasn’t going to let anything ruin this moment.

  He quirked an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

  She nodded. “I think I might need a quick shower,” she told him, then felt heat rise to her face.

  David kissed her mouth, then raised himself up over her. He met her eyes. “Stay put.” He rolled off her and stood beside the bed. His gaze raked her body and his gut tightened.

  He wanted her again.

  Now.

  But he knew it was too soon for her to make love again.

  “I’ll be back in a minute.” He went into the bathroom to clean up, then reached over and turned on the water in the tub. It took a few minutes for the water to heat, then he adjusted the temperature and pulled the knob for the shower. He returned moments later to the bedroom, and before she could speak, he scooped her into his arms.

  “What—”

  “Shh,” he said, then proceeded to carry her into the bathroom. Setting her on her feet, he stepped inside the shower, then tugged her in with him.

  Tanya started to protest, then swallowed the words when the warm water and steam surrounded her. David maneuvered her until she was beneath the spray. “Mmm, this feels good,” she murmured.

  A dispenser on the shower wall provided shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. She watched in silence as he pushed the button for the gel, then lathered his hands. Then he began washing her body, beginning at her shoulders, working down her body until he reached her thighs. The feel of his hands moving so intimately on her started a fire smouldering in the center of her womanhood. Her teeth clenched. “I can do this, you know,” she told him, wanting him to stop touching her before she made a fool of herself and begged him to do more than just wash her.

  He gave her a grim look. “I wanted to be sure you were okay.”

  “We had sex, David. I’m a little tender, but it didn’t make me an invalid.”

  Sex. There was that word again. He gritted his teeth. “It was your first time.” Then he frowned. When she’d been brought to Cottonwood, his father had been told that she was a juvenile offender. If she’d been in trouble and had traveled in bad circles, how had she remained a virgin? It didn’t quite fit her image as a street kid.

  Tanya wanted to tell him she was all right, but he lathered his hands again and began stroking her between her legs, easing the ache there. It was all she could do to continue standing.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Like I want to make love with you again.”

  “It’s too soon,” he told her, then kissed her briefly.

  “I’m fine,” she told him, giving him a small smile. “Did you think I wouldn’t be?”

  He put his finger under her chin. Lifting her face, he examined her through the steam. “I wanted to be sure.” When he was done, he turned her toward the running water and she rinsed herself.

  As he began to wash, she got out of the shower and started drying herself. Before she finished, he was turning off the water and stepping from the tub. “Here, let me do that,” he told her, taking the towel from her and motioning for her to sit on the toilet so he could dry her hair. When he was done, she took a few minutes to work out the knots and comb it back from her face.

  She walked back into the bedroom, a towel wrapped around her body. David had stripped the bed.

  “We’ll sleep in the other bedroom tonight,” he stated, looking at her.

  She felt her cheeks grow hot. “Oh.” So he’d assumed she wouldn’t be going back to her own room. At another time, Tanya might have resisted his taking control and assuming that she would be spending the night with him. But she didn’t argue because the idea of sleeping in his arms made her heart pound.

  And she was greedy. She didn’t expect this time with him to last. When he left her, left Cottonwood, her heart would suffer. She wanted every moment she could have with him.

  David awoke with a start, instantly aware something was wrong. He saw Tanya beside him, thrashing about in her sleep. Grabbing her arms, he tried to subdue her. Her chest heaved and she struggled to breathe. Then she screamed and her eyes flew open.

  “It’s okay, honey,” David crooned, trying to calm her. Obviously she’d had some kind of bad dream. To his surprise, Tanya burst into tears. For a moment he was stunned, and he wondered if she was hurt. A quick assessment of her assured him she wasn’t. He pulled her into his arms. “Hush, sweetheart. You’re all right. I won’t let anything hurt you.”

  Tanya sniffed, then battled for control. It was a few minutes before she could speak. When she did, her voice trembled. “David, I had the strangest dream. I can’t describe it all, but it was so real.”

  “What the hell was it?” he practically growled, feeling anxious and inadequate at the same time.

  She took a deep breath. “I’m not sure. I was at this house, but the weird thing is that I felt as if I’d been there before. There was a celebration, a birthday party, I think.”

  Trying to calm her down, he said, “It was just a dream, honey. Don’t let it upset you.”

  “No, it was more than that, David,” she told him fervently. “It was almost as if I belonged there, like it was a vision or something.”

  He tightened his embrace. He wanted to be supportive, but was skeptical of anything involving the supernatural. “I’m sure it was nothing.” He reached over and turned on the light. “Just take a deep breath,” he said. “You’ll feel better.”

  Blinking from the light, she rubbed her eyes, then focused them on him.

  “I’m not making this up.”

  “I didn’t say—”

  She sat up and put her hand in front of her, palm out. “Just listen.” Tanya hadn’t told anyone of her other dreams, or of the strange things that had been happening to her lately. But she wanted to tell David. She wanted him to know, wanted him to help reason out what was happening to her. “It wasn’t the first one. I’ve had several strange dreams lately, and each one is becomin
g more vivid than the last. In this one, I saw myself at this house, but the odd thing is that it didn’t feel wrong for me to be there.”

  David sat up, too, and he took her hand in his. “Tell me everything.”

  Tanya did, recounting every dream she’d had, especially the one with the strange girl she’d had last night. She told him about the strange sensations she’d been having over simple things. Like the odd feeling that she’d had when she’d seen the picture of Senator Danforth, and knowing which way to turn when they’d been heading to the airport. She finished by admitting that she had the feeling she’d been at Forsyth Park before. “What does all this mean?” she asked. “It’s driving me crazy!”

  “I don’t know,” David said, shaking his head, trying to make sense of everything she’d told him. He’d never been one to believe dreams had much significance. Now he wasn’t so sure. Tanya was trembling, and he wondered if something, however unusual, was happening to her.

  He studied her and an explanation dawned on him. “The amnesia.” He said the words softly, so as not to traumatize her. “Maybe, and I mean this is only a possibility, maybe your memory is returning.”

  Shock at his explanation almost numbed her. “Oh, my God.” Her heart began to pound so hard that she put her hand to her chest. “Oh, my God, David. Maybe you’re right!” she exclaimed, and her voice rose to a high pitch. “The peculiar dreams, the feeling that I’ve been someplace in Savannah before. Even here in Washington,” she said in a rush, “I’ve had that same sense of awareness.”

  David caressed her face. “Don’t get too excited,” he told her, trying to calm her down. From her exhilarated expression, he saw it was already too late.

  Her eyes grew bigger. “No, you’re right! That’s the only explanation. It is! It must be that!”

  “It’s a reasonable conclusion to us, but it may not be that simple, Tanya. They could be happening for any number of reasons. I don’t want you to get your hopes up because all this could still be just a coincidence.” He wrestled with the idea of her memory returning for a few moments, then realized, selfishly, that he wasn’t sure that getting her memory back was such a good thing. How would it affect things between them?