From Fortune to Family Man

by Judy Duarte

  She certainly hoped he would. And if he didn’t? Would she be bold enough to take the lead?

  When they pulled up at her house, she was reluctant to see the night end. “Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee? Or a glass of wine?”

  He tossed her a dazzling, bright-eyed smile. “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

  They got out of the car and walked to the door. Her fingers trembled when she pulled the keys from her purse, and it took longer than she’d expected to slip them into the lock.

  Once inside the house, she said, “It’ll only take a minute to put on a pot of coffee.”

  “Do you need any help?”

  “No, I’ve got this.” What she didn’t have was any idea where this night would go. But she was up for the adventure.

  She left him in the living room, then headed into the kitchen. Her hands trembled again as she filled the carafe with water and the basket with ground coffee beans, especially when she heard music playing—something soft and slow.

  Kieran must have turned on her television to the music station. She hadn’t told him to make himself at home, but she was glad that he had. While the coffee brewed, she returned to the living room, where Kieran stood in the center of the floor.

  He reached out a hand to her. “Do you want to dance?”

  Her heart scrambled to right itself, as heat and desire warred with her common sense—and her pride. Kieran had acquired a lot of practice over the years and was surely a good dancer. But she’d... Well, it’s not like she had two left feet or didn’t enjoy dancing. Just ask her broom!

  A giggle nearly burst free, but she bit it back. In spite of her momentary nervousness, she stepped forward and into his embrace.

  Kieran pulled her close, and she leaned into him, swaying with the music, caught up in his musky scent, the strength of his arms, the magic of his touch.

  She realized that he’d only used the music as an excuse for him to hold her, but she didn’t care. He was an ace at seduction, but she refused to think about the other women he’d charmed. Not when she wanted to take whatever he had to offer her tonight.

  As their bodies pressed together, they stroked and caressed each other. His hand slid up her side, the fabric of her black dress moving with it. When he cupped her breast, kneading it, his thumb skimmed her nipple and sent her senses reeling.

  He was way too good at this, which probably ought to concern her, at least a little bit. But she couldn’t help her desire for more.

  Did she dare mention it?

  Did she even need to?

  His breath was warm and moist as he trailed kisses along her neck. She leaned her head back, granting him better access. She was clay in his hands, and he was the master artist. Yet he brought her to life in so many ways, making her bolder than she’d ever known she could be.

  She’d lost count of the number of songs that played, although it might only have been three, each one more romantic than the last. All the while, they’d kissed and stroked each other until she thought she’d melt in a puddle on the floor.

  Why wasn’t he pressing her for more?

  Because he didn’t have to. She drew away, her breathing soft yet ragged, and said, “I invited you in for coffee, and it’s probably ready. But I’m tempted to suggest another after-dinner alternative.”

  “Like I said...” He smiled, his eyes laden with passion. “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

  She nodded, then reached for his hand and led him to her bedroom. “I don’t think either of us needs a caffeine boost.”

  “I don’t,” he said. Then he took her back into his arms and began kissing her all over again.

  She wasn’t entirely sure where this was going, but she had a pretty good idea. She might regret this in the morning, but for now, she would enjoy every moment.

  * * *

  Things were turning out just the way Kieran had hoped they would. He’d be lying if he didn’t admit he wanted to make love to her, but he didn’t know how Dana felt. She certainly surprised him by taking him into her bedroom.

  He barely noticed the antique oak bed. All he really saw was Dana. He kissed her again—long and deep. His hands slid along the curve of her back and down the slope of her hips. He pulled her hips forward, against his erection, and she arched forward, revealing her own need, her own arousal. Another surge of heat rushed through him.

  Had he ever wanted a woman this badly? Right this moment, he sincerely doubted it. The quiet, dignified librarian was turning out to be even more amazing and breathtaking than he’d thought. If a man wasn’t careful, he might be tempted to give up the footloose life of a bachelor and do something new, commit to someone special. Someone like Dana.

  When she drew her lips from his, then slowly turned around, she swept her hair to the side like a veil, revealing the zipper for him. He pulled it down, slowly and deliberately. Then he peeled the fabric from her shoulders, taking his time to kiss every inch of the skin he uncovered.

  She made a soft sound, almost a whimper, then turned to face him. Her gaze never left his as she let the dress slip to the floor.

  He marveled at the sight of her, standing before him in a lacy black bra and a matching pair of skimpy panties. For some reason, he’d expected her to wear conservative underwear, but that was yet another amazing revelation for him. As she’d slowly exposed layer after layer of the real Dana to him, he couldn’t wait to see what other surprises awaited him.

  Her body, slender and lithe, was sexier and even more perfect than he’d imagined it to be. And tonight, she belonged to him.

  Following her lead, he unbuttoned his shirt and tossed the custom-made garment to the side like a cheap suit. Next he unbuckled his belt and undid his slacks.

  When he’d removed all but his boxer briefs, she skimmed her nails across his chest, setting off a rush of need throbbing in his veins. Then she unsnapped her bra and freed her breasts, full and round, the tips peaked and ready to be loved.

  As he bent and took a nipple in his mouth, she gasped in pleasure. He laved first one breast, and then the other with kisses until they were both fully aroused.

  He lifted her in his arms and placed her on top of the bed. Her red hair splayed upon the white pillow sham, her lovely body awaiting him on top of the white down comforter.

  Determined to make sure she wouldn’t have a single regret in the morning, he joined her on the bed, where they continued to kiss, to taste and to stroke each other until they were both breathless with need.

  “We have all night,” she said, as she pulled free of his embrace and removed the remainder of their clothes. “So we can take things slow and easy later. Right now I need to feel you inside of me.”

  He didn’t want to prolong the foreplay any longer, either. And she was right. They had the rest of the night.

  About the time he was going to reach for his pants to get the condom he always carried with him, she rolled to the side of the bed, opened the nightstand drawer and pulled out a small, unopened box of condoms.

  He wasn’t sure if she kept them handy just in case, or whether she’d planned for this night to happen. Either way, he was glad she’d been prepared.

  Taking the packet she offered him, he tore it open and rolled on the condom. Then, as he hovered over her, she reached for his erection and guided him right where she wanted him to be.

  He entered her slowly at first, but as her body responded to his, he increased the tempo. They moved together in a primal dance, taking and giving until they reached the peak together.

  Her breath caught as she climaxed, and her nails pressed into his shoulders as she let go. He shuddered, releasing with her in a head-spinning, heart-searing sexual explosion that begged to be repeated throughout the night.

  He’d gone without sex for a while, which might be why toni
ght had been so incredibly good...

  Oh, hell. Who was he kidding? In his heart of hearts, he knew it was because of Dana. And he feared what might be happening to them. To him.

  He’d told her that they’d take things slowly, but that’s not what had just happened. They’d taken a wild ride to the stars and beyond, and as he lay in a stunning afterglow, he thought that he might never want to leave Dana’s arms or the peace and comfort he’d found in her bed.

  And that’s just the reason he needed to. Making love with her had been anything but casual or simple. It had all the earmarks of love and promises of forever—something that scared a dedicated bachelor like him spitless.

  Still, he rolled to the side, taking her with him—as was his custom after lovemaking. But tonight had been different. Dana was different.

  For that reason alone, he had to escape before he said something he might regret, made promises he didn’t dare make.

  But how did a conscientious lover who’d just had the best sex of his life with a woman who’d intrigued him like no other tell her that he had to leave? That he wouldn’t be spending the night?

  * * *

  Wrapped in Kieran’s arms, Dana basked in the afterglow of a stunning climax, afraid to move or even blink for fear she’d wake up from this beautiful dream.

  She’d just had the most stunning evening of her life, followed by the best sexual experience she’d ever had. And in spite of her reluctance to get involved with a man who lived in a completely different world than hers, she’d fallen hopelessly in love with Kieran Fortune.

  She couldn’t very well tell him, though. It was too soon, and it might scare him off. So now what? She’d instinctively known what to do just moments before, when they were kissing and caressing, but she was completely stymied now.

  Should she invite him to spend the night with her? Or was that a given?

  If she’d had more experience with this sort of thing, she’d know exactly how to handle it. But she was such a novice, and Kieran had just raised the learning curve to an unbelievable height.

  He pressed a kiss on her brow, his lips lingering as he said, “That was amazing.”

  She smiled, relieved that she wasn’t the only one who’d come to that conclusion. “I thought so, too.”

  He trailed his fingers along her shoulder and down her arm, sending tiny tingles dancing on her skin. “As much as I hate to leave, I have to go.”

  No, you don’t, she wanted to say. Stay with me. Forever. But her self-esteem, which had grown strong after college graduation, had just taken an unexpected hit and now floundered.

  “I need to pick up Rosie at the Leaning L bright and early in the morning,” he added.

  That sounded like a lame excuse. Why couldn’t he set the alarm for four or five and then leave from her house? She would gladly wake up with him and send him off with a kiss and a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

  She would have suggested that option, but she didn’t want to come across as clingy or needy.

  “I’d hate to arrive at the ranch wearing the same shirt and pants that I dropped Rosie off in. That would set off suspicion about where I spent the evening—as pleasant as it’s been.”

  That made sense, she supposed. She wasn’t ready for the world to know how she was feeling, or what they’d done, either. But one day soon, she hoped to shout it from the proverbial mountain tops.

  He pressed a second kiss upon her brow, then climbed out of bed and proceeded to pick up his discarded clothes. For a man who was always stylishly dressed, his shirts neatly pressed, he did look a little mussed.

  He cast a smile at her. “You look beautiful lying there. So there’s no need to walk me to the door.”

  No way would she do that. She rolled out of bed, still as naked as the day she was born. “There’s coffee in the kitchen, and it’s still fresh. I’ll pour it in a to-go cup to take with you.”

  “That’d be great. Thanks.” The warm smile he wore suggested that she hadn’t just experienced a bout of hit-and-run sex.

  After snagging her robe from the closet, she padded to the kitchen. Then she removed a thermal cup from her cupboard, filled it with coffee and carried it to the living room, where Kieran was preparing to leave.

  A small inner voice rose to the surface, threatening to cry out, Please don’t go. But she stifled it with a smile. “Thank you for dinner. And...everything.”

  “I’ll call you tomorrow.” He took her in his arms and gave her a sweet, lingering goodbye kiss. “And I promise to look for a dependable sitter. I’d rather not wait too long before...doing this again.”

  She practically wilted in his arms. Okay, so he wasn’t just giving her a brush-off.

  “We said we’d take things slowly,” she said, her ego gaining strength once more.

  “That’s for the best.”

  She nodded and offered him a send-off smile, suggesting she was in complete agreement. And she was. Taking things one day at a time was the smart thing to do, the right thing.

  Still, a wisp of disappointment swirled around her as she watched him open the door and let himself out.

  He said he’d call. And he’d implied there’d be other nights like this, so she had no choice but to believe him. She’d cling to that promise, knowing it was the best she’d get from him for now.

  Making love with Kieran had been out of this world, but had it been good enough for an experienced bachelor like him?

  Time would tell, she supposed.

  Either way, tonight’s memory would last her a lifetime.

  Chapter Eleven

  Kieran had worried that, after their lovemaking, Dana would expect more from him than he was prepared to give. But that hadn’t been the case. She’d given him plenty of space in the following days and hadn’t asked anything of him.

  In fact, each time they’d talked on the phone, he’d been the one to place the call. For that reason alone, he’d found himself more drawn to her than ever. And stranger still, he felt compelled to push for more of her time.

  They hadn’t seen each other since they’d made love last week, something he hoped to remedy soon.

  Today, after leaving Robinson Tech, he stopped by the post office, where he had a PO box, to pick up his mail. Then he picked up Rosie at preschool and headed home.

  All the while, Rosie chattered about her upcoming birthday. “All my friends are gonna come on Saturday, even Teddy.”

  Kieran had never heard that child’s name. Maybe it was a new child at school who’d moved up on the waiting list. “Is Teddy a new boy at school?”

  Rosie laughed. “Teddy isn’t a boy. He’s a dog. And he’s really cute. He comes to the fence when we’re on the playground. He’s a little dirty, but he’s really nice. And when you poke your finger through the hole, he licks it.”

  Kieran would have to talk to one of the teachers and ask what the school was doing about strays that roamed near the vacant field behind the playground. Slobbery dog kisses on fingers didn’t sound very sanitary to him. And what about bites?

  “So can Teddy come to my party?” she asked. “We have to pick him up in our car.”

  “I’m sure Teddy already has plans for that day.” Kieran glanced in the rearview mirror and caught Rosie frowning at him.

  She slowly shook her head. “No, that’s not true. Teddy doesn’t have a family. And he’s lonely. That’s why Miss Peggy called the dog catcher to take him to a special place where he could find a new home.”

  “Sounds like your teacher had a good plan.”

  “Yes, but when the man came to get him, Teddy got scared and ran away. So I told Miss Peggy that we could keep him because our house is big, and our family is small. We have room for one more.”

  “You have a point,” Kieran said. “But I’m not allowed to have pets
in this building.”

  “I got a good idea,” Rosie said. “There’s room for all of us at the ranch. We could all live there, like me and my other daddy did. And then Teddy could be my dog.”

  “You’ll have to talk to your grandparents about that,” Kieran said. “I mean about Teddy living there. We already have a home. But you can visit the ranch as often as you want.”

  “Okay, I’ll ask Grandma. But she’ll say yes because she likes dogs.”

  Kieran pulled into the underground parking garage and steered into his assigned space. After he got Rosie out of her car seat, he took her by the hand, walked to the elevator and rode up to their unit on the tenth floor.

  “Can Dana come over tonight?” Rosie asked.

  That invitation had been at the top of Kieran’s to-do list. “We’ll have to call and invite her.”

  “Can I do it?”

  “Sure. When we get inside, I’ll dial her number for you.”

  Moments later, Kieran whipped out his cell phone and called Dana. As he listened to each ring, his pulse escalated, reaching a peak when she finally answered.

  “Hey,” he said. “Rosie and I had an idea, and she’d like to talk to you.”

  “Sure, put her on.”

  As soon as he handed over his cell, Rosie started the conversation with the dinner invitation, which he assumed Dana accepted, because the little girl’s face broke into a huge grin. Then she immediately launched into a full report of everything that had happened that day at school, starting with apple slices for midmorning snack and a story about a purple whale.

  He let her jabber while he sorted through the mail. Power bill, alumni association newsletter and dental appointment reminder. He was just about to set it all on the stack of things that needed his attention when he realized he’d been negligent and had let things pile up.

  So he crossed the room to the kitchen desk and went through each item, noting the due dates. At the bottom, he spotted the wedding invitation he’d received a while back. It was addressed to Mr. Kieran Fortune Robinson and Guest.