by Unknown
“I’m not ready for that, either,” she said, wanting him and wondering if she was throwing away happiness. “I wish I could take a relationship as casually as you do,” she said, brushing a kiss across his lips.
He caught her around her waist and pulled her back to kiss her long and passionately before he released her. “I want you, Savannah. I want to love you all night long. I want to know every inch of you. I can wait, but I want you.”
The dark promises in the depths of his brown eyes made her want to take what he offered, to move into his world, a world of ecstasy she had never known. And she was certain it would be ecstasy with Mike, but she was equally certain he would abandon her and break her heart. She knew the pain of abandonment and its devastating repercussions too well.
She picked up her bra, holding her arms crossed in front of her. “You need to go.”
He touched her cheek lightly. “Someday, you won’t tell me to go.”
“You’re so sure of yourself.”
“I’m sure of what you want, too. Good night, darlin’.” He dropped a kiss on her lips, then leaned down to trail his tongue across the tops of her breasts above her crossed arms.
“Mike!” She closed her eyes, aching to step into his arms and love him all night long. Accept the heartache, along with the joy.
When she opened her eyes, he was gone. She was weak, more uncertain than anytime she could remember. She was on fire for him. She crossed the room to close her bedroom door, then switched on a lamp, moving around without thinking about what she was doing, pulling on her silk pajamas. She tingled all over, her nerves raw and an ache low inside that only Mike could banish.
She switched off the light, but then couldn’t sleep. She finally got up to sit by the window and look at the shadows on the lawn. And then she remembered Mike coming back into the house dressed all in black. Where had he been in the middle of the night? What had he been doing?
It was almost dawn when she fell asleep, and she overslept, coming awake with a start, listening for Jessie, who usually awakened her on Saturday. Then she remembered she had to go into the office. Savannah tossed aside the sheet and dashed to shower and change, wondering if the baby was sleeping longer than usual.
When Savannah was dressed in dark slacks and a white silk shirt, her hair pinned up, she rushed to the nursery to find it empty.
Surprised that Mike must have picked up Jessie, Savannah hurried downstairs and stopped at the door of the family room. Mike lay stretched on the floor, holding a teddy bear and playing with Jessie, who was buckled into her baby chair.
Mike made growling sounds while he wiggled the bear and then touched Jessie’s tummy. “Kiss, kiss,” he said, and smacked his lips. The baby giggled.
Savannah’s heart turned over, and she knew in that moment she was falling head over heels in love with this man who would walk out of her life all too soon. Always before, when she’d been drawn to Mike, she’d been stopped short by his lack of interest in Jessie.
Staring at him, Savannah knew that her last real defense against falling for him had just gone out the window. His hair was tousled, he hadn’t shaved, and he was bare-chested and barefoot.
Riveted, she was unable to tear herself away from watching him with the baby.
“I thought she didn’t like you,” Savannah said finally.
He glanced at her, his gaze raking over her as he sat up. She waved her hand. “Don’t get up,” she said. “She’s happy, so you stay right where you are. But since when did all this come about?”
“Since yesterday,” he said, touching the top of Jessie’s head in a loving gesture that pulled at Savannah’s heartstrings. “She must have decided I wasn’t an ogre, after all,” he continued, wiggling the teddy bear, “because she and I are chums now, aren’t we, li’l sweetie?” he asked, and gently nuzzled the baby, tickling her neck with his stubbly chin.
Jessie laughed and put both her hands on his cheeks, holding his face while he made funny noises and whistled. She laughed some more. He turned to look over his shoulder at Savannah. “See? Friends.” His brows arched and he pulled away from Jessie to turn and look more closely at Savannah.
“You seem less than happy to find out she likes me, after all.”
“I’m very glad she likes you and vice versa,” she said. Savannah’s voice was breathless. “If I look unhappy, it’s because as long as you didn’t have any interest in her nor Jessie in you, I could resist you. Now it’s going to be harder than ever.”
In an easy unfolding, he came to his feet and crossed to her, tilting up her chin. “I’ll tell you what is harder than ever—me, with wanting you,” he said. “If you didn’t have to be at your office, I’d take down your hair and begin where we left off last night,” he said, sliding his arms around her.
Her heart drummed. “Well, you can’t. And I do have to go to work.”
“But I can kiss you goodbye,” he said, and leaned down to kiss her long and thoroughly, igniting fires that had banked in the night and making her want to forget work and the world.
She pushed against his chest and leaned away. “This isn’t fair. You’re sexy, too appealing. Now you’ve made little Jessie love you and you care for her—it makes a devastating combo, as you well know.”
“I can’t see that it’s doing me a lot of good,” he remarked dryly.
“Unfortunately, it’s doing you more good than you can ever begin to realize. You’re demolishing my resistance to you and I suspect soon enough, you’ll see to what extent. Right now, you know I have to go to work.”
“You tell me something like that and then want to walk out as if it’s nothing—talk about demolishing someone—” He framed her face with his hands. “You stormed into my life, Savannah, and changed it forever.”
They stood only inches apart and he held her head, forcing her to give him her full attention. He couldn’t begin to guess the depth of the effect he had on her, but she knew that volatile attraction was increasing enormously today. “I don’t see any ‘forever’ changes in you,” she said, barely able to get out the words.
“Then look again. You’ve made me like taking care of a baby girl—that’s a monumental change.”
“So you do have a heart after all, Mike. John Frates was so sure of you—I knew you had to be the man he thought you were and not the indifferent person you presented to me at first.”
“You’ve made me change. I want you, Savannah. I want to love you for hours on end. You’ll be mine.”
“I think I’ve underestimated you too many times,” she said. “But then maybe you’ve underestimated me, too.”
“Never. You’ve been devastating from that first moment in your office.”
She smiled and wriggled out of his grasp. “That’s a bunch of rubbish. We clashed—that lion and tiger thing.” She stepped away from him.
“I’m late and I need to go now. Are you all right with Jessie, or do I need to do anything before I go?”
He glanced at the baby, who was happily kicking and bouncing in her chair. “We’re fine.”
She nodded and gave him a long look. “If you have a heart, then you also can love and be loved—and I mean real love, not infatuation,” she said.
“Don’t imagine qualities that I don’t have.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” she said with amusement and saw sparks flash in his eyes. As she started to turn, Mike caught her wrist. “When will you be home?”
“I hope by noon, but I may be gone all day.”
He nodded and she started to leave, but then turned back to ask, “Where did you go last night all dressed in black?”
“To look for a horse.”
“Wyatt’s stolen stallion?” she asked in surprise.
“Yep, and I found out where he is. I’ll bet we can get him back for Wyatt.”
“Where is the horse? Who has him?”
“Right where Wyatt thought he might be. There are some no-goods who live in the county and never liked Wyatt’s fat
her, although from what I hear, most folks in the county and the next three never liked Wyatt’s father, including Wyatt himself.”
Savannah listened and was curious, but she also was unable to keep her gaze from drifting over Mike’s bare chest. She realized there was silence, and she looked up into his mocking brown eyes.
She felt her face flush hotly, but tried to remember what they were talking about. “I better get to work,” she said, flustered and embarrassed to be so blatantly undone by the sight of his naked chest. She started out of the room and then remembered they were talking about the missing white stallion.
“How did you find out who has the horse? And how can you be certain it was Wyatt’s horse?”
“I saw it in Rory Gandy’s pasture, and the stallion has Wyatt’s brand.”
“A brand barely shows on a white horse,” she said.
“I got close. I don’t think Gandy is the smartest person in these parts.”
“You were on Rory Gandy’s land last night?” she asked.
“I didn’t get caught. Now don’t get your lawyer dander up. I looked in his pasture, saw the horse and left.”
“You could have been shot for trespassing.”
“Could have been, but wasn’t, and now we know where the horse is.”
“Are you going to steal him back?” she asked, unhappy with what he’d just admitted.
“Hell no. I’m going to do something legal—get a warrant to search his property and let the law find the horse. All aboveboard and legal.”
“So how are you going to do that?”
“Aren’t you late for work?”
“You don’t want me to know what you’re doing. You are going to do something illegal.”
“Absolutely not, but since you’re a lawyer, I don’t think you would approve. I will sort of set Gandy up, whereby he will tip his own hand about the horse and we can get a warrant.”
“You’re right. I don’t want to know, but do you do things like that often? I mean sneaking into places where you could get shot?”
“Nope. That’s unique. Worried about my safety, darlin’? Or my scruples?” he asked, grinning.
She glared at him and then had to laugh and shake her head. “Incorrigible man! I’m getting out of here. You’ve made me late and now I’m worried about you and that job of yours.”
“So you do care. That makes my day.”
She shook her head and left.
Nine
S avannah didn’t get home until nine o’clock that night. She came in the back door, entered the kitchen and stopped in surprise.
Through the glass doors to the patio, she could see that a table was set with place mats and candles in crystal candlesticks. Enticing odors of coffee and warm bread filled the house.
As she stood looking at everything, Mike came through the door. Since she had last seen him, he’d showered and shaved—the ends of his hair were still damp. He wore a knit shirt and jeans, and looked handsome enough to make her weak at the knees.
“You’re home,” he said unnecessarily.
“I’m impressed. You did this for me?”
“Yes.” He opened a bottle of red wine, poured two glasses and brought one to her.
“This is wonderful. Where’s Jessie?”
“She’s sound asleep, and she went down only ten minutes ago. Not only that, she had a big meal of oatmeal and applesauce and a full bottle, so she should sleep, hopefully, through the night. We may have the evening to ourselves. We can eat outside and still hear Jessie over the intercom. So how about a swim to unwind?”
“Fabulous! I’m exhausted and this is wonderful, Mike,” she said again, truly thankful to come home to a prepared dinner and order. “I’m sorry to miss seeing Jessie, but I’ll make up for it tomorrow. Before the swim, I’d like to shower. I feel grubby.”
“Want me to come scrub your back?” he asked softly.
“No!” she answered with a laugh. “Thanks for the offer. I won’t be long.”
She rushed upstairs, feeling giddy and happy and forgetting the case she’d worked on all day. She and Mike had both used the pool, but never at the same time before.
As she showered, she felt a bubbling anticipation for the evening ahead. She slipped into her black, one-piece swimsuit and went downstairs to find Mike already in the pool.
Patio lights gave a golden glow and soft music played. The smell of charcoal and mesquite came from the grill. Blue tiles shone through the crystal-clear water of the pool, and the lights made the pool an iridescent jewel in the darkened patio. Savannah, however, was acutely aware of the virile male in the water.
She made a running dive, slicing the cool water. She came up for a breath and looked around for Mike.
He swam up, his dark eyes twinkling. “Remember Jester? I think this is where I get even.”
“Don’t you dare!” she said, swimming away from him. He caught her, and she struggled with him, clamping her mouth closed before he dunked her. She came bobbing up, sputtering, then hit the surface of the water with the palm of her hand to splash water into his face.
“Mike Remington, you rascal!” Laughing, she lunged at him, intending to push him under, but he caught her easily and pinned her arms to her sides, his legs tangling with hers. And then she looked into his eyes and saw them change, the twinkle disappearing and desire taking its place.
Her heart hammered as she became aware of their bodies pressed together, her legs entangled with his. He cupped her head with his hand while his other arm banded her waist, holding her tightly against him.
“Savannah,” he whispered, his voice filled with longing. He pulled her to him to kiss her, his mouth coming down hard and possessively. She could feel his legs as he kicked slightly, and in minutes her toes touched the bottom of the pool and then they were standing.
Savannah lost track of time or where they were. She was focused on Mike’s body pressed against her, his thick shaft hard between them while he kissed her with staggering hunger. All the needs she’d tried to keep banked burst into flame. She ran her hands over his warm, sleek shoulders and then slid her fingers down his bare chest, leaning back away from him slightly.
Mike reached up to the shoulder straps of her suit, peeling them down her arms and baring her breasts. She tingled, quivered under his gaze, wanting his touch and kiss.
“You’re beautiful,” he said, his voice a hoarse rasp as he leaned down to kiss her, circling one taut nipple with his tongue and causing her to gasp. Electric currents shot through her veins.
He took her nipple into his mouth, sucking lightly, his tongue a sweet torment. She slid her hands down his rib cage, then down over his hips to his muscled thighs.
He peeled her suit farther down, slipped off his own, and then pressed his warm body against her, his hot, hard shaft thrusting. She slid her hand down, her fingers closing around him to stroke him.
He groaned, covering her mouth with his again. He kissed her with such intensity she was turned inside out.
His hands slipped over her wet body, sliding everywhere, stroking, stirring passion, making her want so much more.
She wriggled and slipped out of his grasp, then swam swiftly away from him. But he followed, caught her and placed his hands on her hips.
“I want you to be mine, Savannah. I’ve wanted you since the first day we met, but the longer I’ve known you, the more that need has grown.” She looked into his dark-brown eyes, her heart pounding at his words. All she could think of was how much she wanted him. How much she wanted him to love her into oblivion. She took his face in her hands.
“You know you can make me melt and you know I want you, Mike, but you know why I’m fighting you. I know a lot about you, but there is a world of knowledge about you that you keep hidden from me. There’s something in those dark eyes of yours, something deep in your soul that you don’t want to share. Part of you is shut away, and you have no intention of letting anyone else get at it.”
Something flickered in hi
s eyes and then they became shuttered. He pulled her to him and kissed her, but she had seen his reaction and knew she was right. And knew she should proceed at her own risk, because he was making no promises.
As soon as she pushed against his chest, he released her. Both of them were breathing hard again, and she stared at him, shaken by the expression on his face. It made her feel wanted beyond measure.
“You’re a tough man, Mike. Tough and solitary. You want me to share my body. I want you to share your soul.”
“If I did, you might regret it,” he said tersely, and turned to swim away, his strong arms slicing through the water.
Something inside her hurt. She wanted him and—against all good judgment—was falling in love with him. She suspected she’d been falling in love with him for some time now, but this morning with Jessie had been the final irresistible stroke.
What was it he kept from everyone? Dark moments from his career? She hadn’t found any dark secrets in his childhood. He seemed close to his brothers and his parents. And then she remembered Colin Garrick’s parents and his younger brother, Kevin, and how Mike had tears in his eyes when he’d greeted them. He always said Colin died in the line of duty and that was all he would say, but then he didn’t talk much about anything he had done in the line of duty, except briefly mentioning his rescue of John Frates.
She watched as he swam to the edge of the pool, pulled himself out and strode to a chaise to pick up his towel. Her heart slammed against her ribs because he was nude, aroused, all hard muscles and long legs, broad shoulders and male perfection.
He wrapped a towel around his middle and strode into the house. She wondered if he was angry with her for trying to probe into his past.
Their suits floated in the water and she swam to hers, pulling it on again. Then, taking his, she swam to the edge of the pool and climbed out, hurrying to get a towel and going inside to dress.
She put on a denim skirt and blouse, slipped her feet into sandals, combed her wet hair and went down to join Mike.
She found him sitting on the patio, and he came to his feet then crossed to meet her. He was in his jeans and the knit shirt again, with his wet hair combed back, giving him a sleek, dangerous look. He held out her glass of wine. “Come sit down. I’ll put the steaks on in a minute. How was your day?” he asked pleasantly, as if the moments in the pool had never happened.