Suddenly a buzz of pleasure exploded throughout his frame, and he stiffened as the deepest and most gratifying orgasm hit him.
He heard Suzette scream his name as her pussy tightened and rippled around him, prolonging his release. His body slumped against her soft frame until he managed to roll to the side. She cuddled against him. Their hearts pounded against each other’s chests.
What the hell happened? I never lose my control.
Clay glanced down at the woman in his arms. Perspiration glistened on her creamy skin. Her glorious hair spread across her arm and part of his chest. He tipped her face up.
“Are you all right? I hope I didn’t hurt you.”
“I’m great. I discovered making love is more fun and satisfying than I’d thought.”
Her violet eyes sparkled with light and frightened the hell out of him. He glanced at the clock. It was midnight.
“We’d better dress. If I don’t get you home soon, Sondra will have my head.” He gently moved her off of him and sat on the side of the bed. Clay sensed her looking at him. He got up and hurried to the bathroom and shut the door. If he’d stayed a moment longer, he’d have made love to her again. I need time to think about what just happened to me.
* * * *
Susie’s heart sank. His abrupt ending of their evening was not encouraging. She dressed quickly and went out to the living room. Shortly afterward, Clay joined her.
“Ready,” he said and smiled.
But Susie saw the smile didn’t reach his eyes. She nodded and proceeded to walk out to the elevator. In a short time, Clay parked in front of Sondra’s apartment building.
“Suzette, I’ve got a lot of laundry to do and I need to pack. I phoned my mother this weekend. I’m planning to fly to Montana tomorrow. You’ll join me on Sunday. Then we can go office hunting early Monday. I’ll make your plane reservations and let you know the times.”
Suzette looked out the car window. She struggled to speak in an even tone. There was no way she’d let him know how hurt and disappointed she felt.
“That sounds like a good plan. It gives me a few days to enjoy my niece before leaving town.” She clicked her seatbelt loose and got out before he could say more. “It’s late. You don’t need to walk me to the elevator. See you on Sunday.”
Whatever happened in the last few hours had changed his tone and his plans. His voice had been cool and clipped. She hurried into the foyer. His wheels squealed as he drove off. In the elevator, she slumped against the cold metal wall and fought back the tears.
It doesn’t matter. I had a close call. Sondra’s right. He’s not my type.
Susie let herself in and tiptoed to her bedroom. The house was quiet. She got in her shower where she cried without anyone hearing her. Then afterward she curled into a ball and shivered. She’d have sworn he had feelings for her while they made love. Could a man turn off his emotions as soon as he got out of bed? Apparently for Clay, it wasn’t difficult. She set her clock to go into work early and avoid her family. She wasn’t ready to answer questions about her date.
* * * *
Clay cursed under his breath as he drove off. He’d behaved like an ass. Her wounded look had cut into his heart.
“That’s what I get for dating an unsophisticated woman. She doesn’t understand the rules of the game.” He parked his car and went up to his condo, where he poured a shot of bourbon and paced the floors.
She’d been so open. Other women knew having sex was for fun. You didn’t let yourself go and, and…“What?” he said out loud. “I know I let myself show more emotion than usual, so I have to accept part of the blame. But how did that happen? I know when to pull back. For gosh sake, she’s not even my type,” he continued to mutter to himself as he paced faster.
“There’s the answer. She’s a novelty to me. But I don’t want to hurt her. Thank goodness, she’ll be staying with my mom. Mom will watch out for her. I’m acting as though I have no control. The woman unbalances me with her soft eyes and her tempting mouth.”
Clay went to his bedroom and lay down. The scent of their lovemaking taunted him. He got up and threw the sheets in the bathroom hamper. Then he remade his bed. There, he’d forget her and strengthen his defenses the next few days away from her. By Sunday he’d be all over this stupidity.
* * * *
Susie’s day was long and boring. Every time the phone rang she hoped it was Clay, but he didn’t call. At five o’clock she knew he’d be on his way to Montana. Her heart ached. She’d been warned, and still she jumped into his bed and opened her heart to him.
She took the long way home by the subway and then a two-block walk. When she opened the door to Sondra’s place, she forced a smile on her face.
Sondra and her mother called to her from the family room. Susie smiled at them and took Mary Anne into her arms. “How are you?” she asked the baby. It was easier to smile at her niece. She bent her head and kissed her soft cheek. Then she handed Mary Anne back to Sondra.
“I’ll cook tonight. I have the ingredients for lasagna. How does that sound?”
“Great,” Sondra said. “Can I help?”
“No, you and mom rest. You know I like to cook alone.” Susie went straight to the kitchen and turned the music up loud enough to discourage anyone from coming in to question her. Once she had the lasagna in the pan, she placed it in the oven. She hurried to her room and changed into jeans and a loose shirt.
Sondra peeked in the door. “Why are you avoiding us? We’re all anxious to hear about your date.” She came in and sat on Susie’s bed.
“It was a date. We went to dinner at a small, but very nice restaurant. I ate lobster. It was yummy. Then we went by his place and had chocolate cake and coffee, talked, and he brought me home.”
“I heard you come in. It was late.”
“There you go acting as though I’m sixteen and you’re my mother.”
“I can’t seem to stop myself.”
“We discussed his trip to Montana today, and he’s planning on me joining him on Sunday. I’ll be staying with his mother. I’d rather not talk about him anymore."
Sondra walked to the bedroom door. “It’s probably for the best that he left. Something happened between you two. You’re tense, and you don’t look happy. A time out is good.
“Still, he does act different with you than with any other woman I’ve seen him date. It puzzles me. Maybe my advice has been wrong, and you are the woman he’s been looking for.”
“Have you gone crazy?” Susie asked.
“No, but I think you may be driving him nuts.” She grinned and went out the door, shutting it behind her.
Susie put her face in her hands. She’d lied to Sondra about what happened on her date. But Clay really wasn’t Sondra’s business. It made her sad though. She and her sister had always shared their ups and downs about dating and all kinds of experiences. But discussing Clay with her might push them apart.
Because no matter how I try to tell myself I’ll see him only as my boss, I know I’ll weaken when I’m with him. Sondra and mom may warn me, but it won’t help. I love him.
Chapter Eight
Susie looked out the window as the plane landed. In the distance she saw some of the mountains the plane had flown over. She was a wreck. The last of the week had gone slowly. Whenever the phone rang at work, she grabbed it, hoping it was Clay. His mother called once to give her the flight numbers and times for her trip and to tell her she was looking forward to their visit.
Susie had no idea who’d be meeting her at the airport. Mrs. Brodie had said either Clay or one of his brothers would be there.
After the plane landed, she got her carry-on out of the overhead and disembarked. When she got to the main part of the terminal, she looked around. Then she saw him striding forward around the other passengers and toward her. Relief swept through her, and she smiled. Her heart did a happy dance.
“Let me take that.” Clay reached for her luggage. “Is this all you brought?”
“I thought I’d be wearing mainly casual clothes, like jeans. If I need more I’m sure there must be a shop in town.”
“There is, and my sister and sisters-in-law would love to shop with you.” He put his hand at the back of her waist. “My truck’s right outside. Mom is holding dinner for us. And I’d better warn you, you’re going to meet half or more of my family on your arrival.”
“I’m looking forward to it. Your mom told me a little about you all. I’ve been curious.”
A black truck was parked in a temporary zone, and a policewoman was writing a ticket. Clay waved. “I’m here. I’ll move it.”
“You’re fifteen minutes over the time.” Then the woman smiled. “I’ll let you go this time, but I am going to report you to your mother.”
“Give me the ticket instead.”
The woman laughed and waved at him. Then she got on her motorcycle and rode off.
“Knowing everyone is what I love about small towns.” Susie sighed. “New York is too big. I like Montana already.”
Clay helped her in, stored her luggage, and walked around to the driver’s side. Once in the truck, he turned to her. “Wait until you see Frontier City. There isn’t much to it.”
“I’m sure I’ll like it.”
Clay stared at her face. Then he pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. Her heart jumped into her throat. She put her arms around his neck and got closer. When he finally pulled his head back an inch, he bit the edge of her lower lip. His blue eyes had darkened to a midnight blue.
“Welcome to Frontier City, darlin’.”
He sat back and started his truck. “We’d better get on our way. Mom will be wondering where we are.”
Susie touched her lips and sighed. He was changeable as the wind. Who was the real Clay? The one sitting beside her made her ache with desire. I need to calm down and not act like an idiot in front of his family. Seeing him in this different environment might help her understand him better.
“You’re quiet.” He reached across the seat and squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. Mom will take good care of you.”
“I wasn’t worried.” She was lying, but she put on her best company façade. Nothing troubled her except the man driving the truck.
Visiting Frontier City excited her. She liked his mother, and she looked forward to meeting his family.
But she was scared she’d end up with a broken heart. And it wouldn’t be like the ones she got in high school or college. This was the big time. She had fallen head over heels in love with Clay.
Mrs. Brodie met them at the door. She hugged Susie. “It’s good to see you. Come in and meet most of my family. Rand, the doctor, isn’t here because he’s on call and one of his children is running a fever. His wife, Marian, stayed home in case he gets called out. But the rest are here.”
Susie flushed when she saw the couples standing nearby and all looking at her. Mrs. Brodie took her hand. “This is my next to oldest son, Dirk, and his wife, Chelsea, and standing beside them are Sam and Sylvia. I mentioned Sam at lunch that day.”
Then she walked Susie across to where a woman sat with another one of the Brodie men standing by her side. All the brothers had a strong family resemblance.
The woman stood and put out her hand. “I’m Gina Brodie, and the handsome man beside me is Graham.” The whole family laughed when Graham blushed. He spoke sternly to his wife. “I told you not to say things like that in front of my brothers. They’ll rag me forever.” But the love in his eyes cancelled out his attempt to sound annoyed.
“The children are playing in the study with my daughter, Grace. Her husband is with her. You’ll meet them in a minute,” Mrs. Brodie said.
“Are you overwhelmed yet?” Chelsea asked. “I know I was the first time I met the group, and it was smaller then.”
“Mrs. Brodie talked about some of you when we had lunch. So no, I’m not overwhelmed, just excited. I’ll never remember all your names though.”
“We’ll give you until next Sunday. Then you get a quiz,” Dirk said. He glanced behind Susie. “What, Clay? I’m only joking. Wow, I’ve never seen you be so protective.” Dirk grinned when Clay frowned at him.
“Suzette is my secretary. I promised her sister I’d watch out for her.”
“Suzette?” Sylvia looked puzzled. “I thought your name was Susie.”
“My real name is Suzette. Clay is the only one who calls me by that name. I’m more used to Susie.”
“A lovely French name. I’m going to call you Suzette, too”—Graham eyed Clay—“unless Clay wants to keep that name special between the two of you.”
Irritated, Clay said, “Call her whatever you want. I liked the sound of Suzette. There’s no special significance to it.”
Susie lowered her eyes before his family saw the hurt he’d inflicted. Unconsciously she’d thought of that name as different and special between them.
I’m being stupid and silly. The man doesn’t have a true romantic bone in his body.
Gina put her arm around Susie. “I want you to see our son. He’s probably sleeping.” They walked down a hallway and into a bedroom where a crib had been set up.
“Ah, he’s awake. Isn’t he adorable?” The baby turned his head and smiled at his mother. “He has his dad’s blue eyes and brown hair.”
“May I hold him?”
“Sure, he’s ready to play.” She put the baby in Susie’s arms.
“My sister had a baby girl. All babies are precious.”
“Especially to their parents.” Gina glanced out the window and then spoke. “I ought to keep my mouth shut, but I saw you flinch at Clay’s harsh words. Clay tries to pretend he’s the tough, controlling brother. His siblings love to tease and annoy him. But they all love each other. And I think he’s changing. The rest of the crew just isn’t as alert to him as I am.”
“Why do you notice him more?” Susie felt a stab of jealousy.
“He’s fascinated me from the start. Oh, not in any romantic way. I’m crazy about Graham and have been since I met him. He and Graham are more alike than the others realize.”
“Here you are.” Graham came in the room and his son started waving his little arms.
“As you can see, he adores his daddy.”
Graham laughed and took the baby from Susie.
“Mom’s waiting on us to join the rest for dinner. Susie, I’m sorry I teased Clay. I saw from his expression he hated the way he snapped back at me and hurt you.”
“It’s all right, really. I’m his secretary and he’s my boss, as he said. I’d been warned by my sister about his moodiness and temper.” And about his girlfriends, but she didn’t say that out loud.
The dinner was great fun. Susie loved the interaction between family members. She ate the delicious meal and absorbed the conversation going on around the table.
“Susie, we’ve been leaving you out,” Grace said. “What do you plan on doing when your temporary job is done?”
“I’m not sure, but I have a few ideas I’d rather not mention now.”
Clay’s head swung around. “You do?”
“Of course, I knew the job with you wouldn’t last forever. My sister will be returning to work at your office in New York. You’ll need very little help in the office here in Montana.”
“I’ll need a part-time receptionist.”
“I can’t afford to work part-time, and I’d die of boredom.” Susie almost laughed at his expression, a mixture between surprised and affronted.
“Do you bore easily?” he asked in a cool voice.
She didn’t need to look around to know all eyes were on them. Susie lifted her chin. “I have pursuits that interest me. Answering your phone, typing, and filing aren’t included in my list of dream jobs.”
Clay leaned toward her. His blue eyes were ablaze with annoyance or anger. She wasn’t sure which.
“You are doing this job strictly as a favor to your sister?”
“Right. You knew she’d asked me
to cover for her after the baby was born.”
He nodded and resumed eating. When Susie glanced around she saw varied expressions. Most were holding back laughter. Dirk winked at her and his wife smiled. But Clay had gone back to being cold and remote.
When they were leaving, all the family hugged her. Clay was the last to go.
“I’ll come for you at ten o’clock in the morning. Be ready.”
“Yes, sir.” Susie stood at the door and watched him drive away. She turned and Mrs. Brodie had been watching her.
“You like my oldest son, a lot.”
“Is it so evident?”
“Not to him, but to the rest of the family it is. He likes to be in control, and I don’t think we’ve seen him lose it in many years.” She stepped forward and hugged Susie. “Don’t give up on him. He needs you. I think he’s beginning to realize you mean more to him than the other women he’s dated. But it frightens him. He’ll fight you tooth and nail before he gives in.”
“Have all your sons been the same way about marrying?”
“Most of them. Some men see marriage as giving up their freedom. You need to meet Marian and talk with her. My son, Rand, gave her a difficult time. He’d broken his engagement to a woman totally wrong for him. He wanted to be single and have fun, not fall in love.”
“I don’t understand men. I haven’t dated much. The last man I dated followed me to New York. Clay came in the office when he was manhandling me. He took care of him. He won’t bother me anymore.”
“Ah, he had to rescue you. Good. I’m on your side. You look tired. I’ll show you to your room.”
She opened a door halfway down the hall. “This was Grace’s bedroom. I recently had it redone and bought a new mattress. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thank you for the wonderful welcome. I’m sure I’ll rest well.”
Mrs. Brodie walked on down the hallway and Susie closed her door. She changed into her nightgown and lay on the soft bed. Weariness washed over her. Being with Clay kept her on her toes and exhausted her. She never knew how he’d react.
The Billionaire Cowboy's Christmas Surprise [Wives for the Western Billionaires 10] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 6