by Diana Ballew
“Hmm … ”
“Baby, are you all right?” he asked, kissing her temple.
“Uh-huh.” Her lashes fluttered upward, and he was able to see into her eyes. They were filled with passion, satisfaction, and exhaustion.
Relief surged through him. She was okay. “Be right back.” He dropped a kiss on her lips, lay her down on the bed, and stood. After going into the bathroom, Joe turned on the faucet, tested the temperature, and made adjustments until it was below hot. Then he watched the water fill the tub. A bath was in order for both of them. Going back into the bedroom, Joe noticed Vicki hadn’t moved. Lifting her into his arms, his heart filled with pleasure as she curled against his body. The weight and warmth of her felt so right.
“So tired,” she whispered.
“You can sleep soon.” He stepped into the tub, and lowered them both into the steaming water.
She was all but purring in his arms as the water closed over their bodies. "This is nice," she murmured.
"Yes, it is." He wanted to give her everything she needed and then some.
He made short work of their bath and dried them both off as Vicki all but fell asleep on her feet. After carrying her back to bed, he lay her down, covering her with the sheet and blanket before joining her.
Leaning on one elbow, he gazed down at her serene face, and inhaled the lingering sweet aroma from the hotel soap. He'd finally found the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. A woman he loved with all his heart.
Chapter 8
Vicki woke the next morning to the delicious sensation of having Joe's body draped over hers. Well, almost. His arm was around her waist, his legs entangled with hers, and his breath teased the skin of her neck. She'd never felt so contented, so secure in her life. But as much as she wanted to stay there and savor these feelings, Mother Nature called.
After carefully extricating herself from Joe's embrace, she made her way into the bathroom. Once she’d finished, she pulled on a robe and padded out to the main room. First things first: check out what time they needed to be downstairs for the conference, and then order breakfast. Tapping her finger against her lips, she smiled. Breakfast in bed sounded like a good idea.
As she reached for the phone, she noticed an envelope on the floor near the door. Going over to it, she reached down, picked it up, and turned it over. Her heart stuttered. With shaking fingers, she opened the flap and pulled out the single sheet of paper. The familiar handwriting jumped out at her as she read the words: I know what you did on the balcony, slut. You're mine.
Derek. He was here, now. She stood there with the letter in a shaking hand. She'd attributed all the so-called 'sightings' she’d had to nerves, but now she had to wonder. Yes, he could have followed her and Joe, but there was no way he’d know for sure what happened on the balcony.
Oh, it was easy to make the supposition, but she didn't care what Derek thought any more. With an angry sigh, she slipped the paper back into the envelope. Should she call the police? She hadn't gotten the restraining order yet. Would they be able to do anything? If Derek continued his stalking the justice system would take care of him--he was the past. Joe was her future. A weight lifted from her shoulders knowing she had Joe in her corner.
Turning, she found Joe lounging against the bedroom door, his blue eyes sleepy yet glowing with satisfaction. He was nude. "Now, that's a good morning view," she said as she pushed the envelope into the pocket of her robe and shoved all thoughts of Derek out of her mind. She wasn't going to spoil her time with Joe.
Joe crossed the room, and his lips claimed hers. Hot waves swept through her body as she entwined her arms around his neck. No more hiding. It was time for her to be the woman she wanted to be. Joe wasn't afraid of her sensuality—he reveled in it. Their lips parted. "It's a good morning now," he whispered before his tongue teased her earlobe.
"I thought we might have breakfast in bed."
"Good idea." He swept her into his arms.
"Joe!" She was too heavy for him to be lifting her, yet he did with ease. She leaned into his strong chest.
"Did I forget to tell you? I want you for breakfast." His mouth closed over hers once again, and she forgot everything except how he made her feel so loved.
The next two days they spent in a series of lectures, and the nights were spent loving each other. The morning she had received the note, Vicki kept a careful lookout for Derek, but never set eyes on him. She decided anyone could have written that note. After all, she and Joe hadn't been totally discreet. Anyone could jump to the conclusion of what they'd been doing.
She'd called the detective in charge of her case. He'd advised her to keep her eyes open, but without the restraining order, the New Orleans Police couldn't do much. But she was to bring the note back so he could add it to the file.
The emotional wound Derek caused had healed, thanks to Joe's loving care.
Glancing up, she spied Joe talking with one of the vendors. She had found it increasingly difficult the past few days to be businesslike during the time they spent at the conference. There were occasions when she wanted nothing more than to yank him into her arms and kiss him until neither of them could breathe, but he had promised to keep it cool during business hours, so she had to do the same.
If only her body would quit throbbing with the need to be in his arms, to feel his caress, to have him take her. She shifted from one foot to the other. This morning, Joe had made love to her with such tenderness she still felt the impact of it. Not their usual frantic hot sex, but she didn't mind it slow. She loved everything Joe did to her body. Tilting her head, she stared at him, enjoying the way his suit jacket stretched over his wide shoulders.
Her gaze roamed down to his hands. Large palms that had cradled her with affection after they made love, fingers that made her scream out with passion as they fucked.
And he made her feel … Her heart stopped beating. He made her feel safe, secure, sexy, not to mention wild and lovable. Vicki took a deep breath. I'm in love. The thought came out of the blue. Instead of the ever-present fear, she was calm. Well, maybe not.
I'm in love with Joe Bradshaw.
A tingling started through her body, making her feel even more alive than before. Her heart was telling her Joe was nothing like Derek. Joe might be a commanding and forceful man, but he wasn't possessive like Derek, and he would never hit her or intentionally hurt her with words. Joe was a good man, and deep down she'd known it from the beginning. Her own fear had kept her from acknowledging it so she wouldn't fall in love with him. But she had. And when they flew home, the day after tomorrow, she was going to do everything in her power to keep this relationship with him.
"Ready?" Joe asked, cupping her elbow.
Vicki blinked, so lost in her thoughts she hadn't realized he had finished his conversation and crossed to her side. "Ready for what?"
"I was thinking dinner in the French Quarter."
"Sounds delicious."
"Let's go change."
Heat flared as he guided her across the lobby to the elevators. How was she going to survive dinner without jumping his bones? Once they were inside their room, she turned and curled her arms around his neck. "We're not working now."
He didn't resist when she drew his lips down to hers. Her tongue dove into his mouth, tasting the dark coffee he’d drunk just an hour ago. She started to deepen the kiss when he eased her away from him.
"Hey," she protested, but his heavy breathing filled the air. He was just as affected as she was.
"Dinner, then we can continue this." His expression was tight, as if he were fighting back his own desire.
"What if I want to continue this now?" Her wild side was free, and it relished being with a man who enjoyed her kinkiness.
His blue eyes turned dark with desire as her hand found the bulge in his crotch. She caressed him through the fabric. "Vicki, please." His palms rested on her wrist, preventing her from stroking him.
"I want to please you," she whi
spered, nibbling kisses across his chin. "I so want to please you, Joe." Her hand tightened around his cock.
He groaned and his hips flexed, pushing into her palm. A flash of intense pleasure and power shot through her body.
Raising her arm, she started to push off his jacket. Dinner could wait. "Let's get naked and try out the bathroom counter." His gaze flare even hotter as he fought for control. But she didn't want him in control. She wanted him wild, as wild as she felt.
His jacket slid off his shoulders, part of it pooling around his left wrist as he still held her right arm. She tightened her fingers around his cock and another groan left his mouth. He released her wrist and the jacket fell to the floor. "Witch," he muttered.
Nipping his earlobe, she unfastened his shirt with one hand. His fingers were already unzipping the back of her dress. Seconds later they were both naked and their hot, heavy breathing filled the air.
Vicki ran her nails over his chest, teasing his nipples, before moving lower. His abdomen tightened when her palm passed over. Then her left hand joined her right, cupping him, and he grew larger within her grasp. "I love how you feel," she said against his skin, kissing her way down his body before falling to her knees. "And you smell so good. Musky and masculine." Her tongue darted out and she licked the head of his cock, tasting his unique flavor. His body shuddered and she hid a smile. Leaning back, she glanced up. He was staring at her, but his hands were clenched at his side.
Time to make him lose control.
"Do you like this?" She took him deep into her mouth, sucking, before releasing him. He grasped her shoulders, urging her up. She rose to her feet, tilted her head, and studied his face. Passion was evident in his eyes, but there were lines creasing his forehead. "Don't you want—" Her words were cut off when he placed his fingers against her lips. She drew one into her mouth and sucked.
A feral glaze clouded his eyes. "I want you more than anything in the world." His words escaped from between clenched teeth.
"But," she mumbled around his digits.
"Don't say a thing." His fingers left her mouth with a pop before he kissed her, hard and hot.
Before she realized what was happening, she was in his arms and in the bathroom. With a sweep of his arm, he sent everything clattering to the floor. The cool tile against her butt caused goose bumps to appear all over, but it only lasted a second until his hands cupped her ass, moving her closer to the edge as he stepped between her knees.
Her mouth fell open in a gasp, and she grabbed his shoulders when he thrust inside her to the hilt on the first stroke. He was hot, hard and … He pulled out and did it again. "Joe," she cried out, her back arching, bringing them closer yet.
"You're so wet." His hands caressed her ass, holding her against him for a moment. Then he pulled his cock out before thrusting home again. Her internal muscles tightened with each thrust.
"I love how you make me feel when you're fucking me." The words came out slowly as she fought to breathe and talk at the same time.
"I love the way you take me all the way into your body." His pace increased.
"Yes!" Her nails dug into his shoulders. "That's it, Joe, fuck me. Lose control and give it all to me." She pushed her hips forward, meeting him thrust for thrust. When his fingers found her clit, her climax exploded.
His hands were beneath her ass, keeping her body plastered against his. Panting, she lay her forehead on his shoulder while she continued to pulse around him. After a few minutes, she realized two things. He was still deep inside her, and he was still hard.
Turning her head, she tasted the saltiness of his sweaty skin. He captured her mouth. His tongue tangled with hers as he lifted her.
She tore her mouth away. "Joe?" What was he up to? Mischief played around his lips and his eyes shone brighter, causing a shiver of excitement to run through her body.
"Let's see, we still have two walls, in front of the balcony windows, the chair, and … "He licked the rim of her ear. "Someone mentioned last night several different positions she wanted to try."
A small laugh emerged. Leave it to him to remember her words whispered in the heat of passion. She didn't mind. "Are you up to it, lover?" She shifted her hips, and his eyes darkened.
"More than you think, my love."
And he proved it to her, over and over again.
Joe slipped out of bed the next morning with a grin on his face. Vicki was still sound asleep. He didn't expect anything else, not after the night they'd had. His body tightened at the memories.
Grabbing a robe, he slid it on and sauntered out of the room to call room service. Today was their last day in New Orleans. The conference would end by seven, and he wanted to plan a special night in celebration of their relationship.
He meandered over to the window and looked out, lost in thought until a knock sounded. Crossing the room, he pulled open the door. "What's this?" he asked the room service waiter, who carried a long white box.
"Sorry, sir. The box was sitting outside the door. I figured you’d want them inside."
Joe nodded. Who was sending Vicki flowers? Who was this unknown suitor? His gut tightened. After signing the bill and adding a tip, he shut the door and frowned. Was there something familiar about the waiter? Crossing the room back to where the box sat by their covered food, an uneasy feeling flowed through his body.
"Oh, good, coffee, I need … " Vicki emerged from their bedroom, her hair mussed and her face bright. She stopped talking when she noticed the box. "Flowers, you shouldn't have."
"I didn't." Trust. He trusted her. She wasn't a woman who would fool around on him. Hell, there hadn't been time.
"Then who?" She lifted the lid. The box slipped from her fingers, and black roses cascaded around her.
"What the fuck?" He pulled her into his embrace when she swayed on her feet. Her green gaze clashed with his. Her face was so pale he was afraid she was going to pass out. Pushing his anger aside for the moment, he guided her over to the sofa and sat her down before going back and pouring her a cup of coffee. "Take a sip or two."
He placed the cup to her lips, the liquid flowing into her mouth before she grimaced. "Too sweet."
"It will help." He sat, his arm automatically curving around her shoulders. Silence filled the room before she sighed and set the cup of coffee down. "Want to tell me who would send you black roses?" he asked. Black roses meant death. And as much as he wanted to slay all her dragons, he couldn't do so until he knew who or what he was dealing with.
"Derek," she whispered.
Her words held him silent for a second. Was there more to the story than she had already told him? "Tell me the entire story?"
"Derek became a little … possessive." Her body shook and Joe tightened his arm around her, pulling her against his body. She gave a sigh and relaxed. "Possessive isn't the right word. He was jealous of everyone I came into contact with, and he wanted nothing more than to control my life. Of course, I didn't realize this at first. I brushed off his attitude as just wanting us to be alone, but after we moved in together I couldn't ignore it any longer. Not after … "
"Vicki." Joe couldn't stand the pain he was seeing her eyes. It cut him to the bone.
She brought her hand up and cupped his cheek, coolness against his warm skin. "I want you to know so we can move on. I should have told you the whole story before now." She drew her lower lip between her teeth, worrying at it before releasing it. "I lived with Derek for three months and realized I had made a mistake after the first week. A foolish mistake. When I tried to break it off, he … " Her lashes fell and she tucked her head beneath his chin.
Several things ran through his mind, from his abusing her, to rape, to ... but then all the pieces fell into place. How she had flinched in a meeting when one of the other managers slammed his hand on the table. "He hit you."
"Yes," she whispered.
"He's a dead man." His voice was ice cold.
She closed her hand over his clenched fist. "No, Joe." The fiercenes
s of her voice and the gentleness of her touch brought him back to earth. She gazed up at him with trust in those lush green eyes.
"He hurt you." His lips nudged a strand of hair away from her face, brushing a kiss against her temple.
"I won't lie, he hurt me. But only once. I walked out the same night."
"But you're still afraid of him." He'd seen her reaction to those roses. The fear, the loathing.
"Not anymore." She wiggled against his body, as if finding a more comfortable spot before continuing. "The roses surprised me. You see, when I dated before, the guys I was seeing wouldn't call after the first date and I didn't understand why. It was Derek. He bragged to me about threatening the men who showed an interest in me."
The notes he'd been getting now added up. He'd dismissed them, but not anymore. "So you kept pushing me away because of him." More pieces of the puzzle fell into place, and he didn’t like the picture it was making.
She grimaced. "Yes, but I realized you were stronger than all those other men. I decided yesterday I need to get Derek out of my life for good. When we get back to Seattle, I’m going to file a police report."
Shock stilled him. "He's been stalking you."
"Yes." She blew out a breath. "I'm embarrassed by the whole thing. I stopped dating, hoping he'd just go away."
"But that didn't happen, did it?" He rubbed her back, hoping to soothe her rattled nerves.
"No. He started calling me and sending me notes. I thought I kept seeing him around, but when I looked there was no one there. I chalked it up to nerves." She glanced up at him, her cheeks red.
"Honey, you have nothing to be embarrassed about." He saw the waiter in his mind's eye and frowned.
"What does he look like?"
"Brown hair, skinny, shorter than you, pretty nondescript."