The bell dinged warning them that they’d arrived at their destination and he pulled back, but didn’t loosen his arm from her. “Here we are.” He was fully aware of the huskiness to his voice and the tenting of his pants. Good thing they were alone, and the reason why he’d been smart enough to wait until they had complete privacy to kiss her. When he was near her, he had no control over his body, or his mind.
They moved through large metal doors into the outside. The sun was setting and the air was cooler.
“What are we doing here?” she asked.
“Do you remember when we had dinner on the rooftop of our apartment?”
“Pizza and beer. Gourmet.” Her gentle laughter struck him right in the chest.
“Well, there is no pizza or beer on the menu, but I think you’ll appreciate the carte du jour.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Wow, this is absolutely amazing, Declan.”
He watched her slip her gaze over the pristine white tablecloth and the arrangement of fresh flowers. Although he could barely take his eyes off her, he had to admit the set up was gorgeous. Scattered around the rooftop were lit candles that added to the twinkling lights of downtown. The sun was setting and the sky had taken on a pink glow.
He pulled out her chair and motioned for her to take a seat.
He hadn’t thought of anything but Ash all day. He’d been lousy in every meeting and phone conversation. Even at one point he’d called one of his employees Ash and realized he couldn’t make a bigger fool of himself. And seeing her now, he knew exactly why he hadn’t thought of anything but her. She looked amazingly beautiful in the red dress that contrasted well with her pale skin. Although he loved her long hair, he also liked how she had it pulled up, which showed off the silken line of her neck. His body turned solid and he forced his mind to function on something rather than his aching cock.
He took the opposite chair, loving the way her cheeks glowed in the candlelight. As he’d planned tonight he’d told himself that this was merely a muse for his employees. After yesterdays’ staff meeting where he’d announced his marriage, he wanted to push home the fact by bringing Ash here to show everyone that he was happily married. Yet, as he sat across from her, he realized this wasn’t just for show. He’d been looking forward to this all day—anticipated seeing her. After last night, he’d wanted nothing more than to go back home and be with her.
The door opened and the waiter brought them each a domed platter, then poured two flutes full of red wine. They were alone again and that was how Declan wanted it. He lifted her lid to her plate first and then his.
“This looks delicious,” she said.
“Filet mignon, roasted baby potatoes, and asparagus. I hope it’s to your liking.”
“I could eat sardines and mustard sauce with a side of pickled pig’s feet with a view like this.”
“I see what’s on the lunch menu tomorrow.” He laughed.
He cut into his steak and popped the bite into his mouth, chewing contemplatively, watching her enjoy her own meal. An expression of pleasure covered her face and he smiled. He wanted to be the reason for that look—not just today, but every day.
“This is a wonderful evening, Declan. The view. The food. The wine. It’s all amazing.” She sipped from her glass and he watched her beautiful lips form a perfect shape.
He shifted, urging his body to behave. “I have something else for you.”
One thin brow popped up over her glowing, dazzling eyes. She placed her glass back onto the table. “This is enough…”
“But every wife needs one of these.” He reached into his jacket and retrieved the small, velvet box from his pocket. He set it in front of her, remembering how he’d proposed once upon a time.
With noticeable trembling fingers, she opened the lid and her eyes widened, followed by a mist that made him wonder if she’d cry. Damn, he couldn’t see her cry. “Declan?”
“Yes, bella?”
“It’s-It’s…my ring.” She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth and nibbled. Was it her way of keeping the tears controlled? He had a strong urge to drag her into his arms and place that ring back on her finger where it belonged—where it should never have been removed. But he stayed put, waiting to see if she would take the ring from the velvet nest and either place it on her finger or throw it into the middle of his chest as she’d done five years ago.
She stared at the half carat diamond, then her hands dropped to her lap. The diamond twinkled like a thousand stars. “You kept it.” Her throaty whisper made his chest tighten.
“What did you expect? That I’d toss it into the river?”
She took the ring and slid it on her fourth finger, holding up her hand to admire the keepsake that had belonged to his mother, the first gift she’d received from Theobald once they were no longer living paycheck to paycheck. She’d left the ring for Declan to give to his wife. He lifted his glass, shot back the remainder of the wine, and set the glass down with a thud. “You should keep it this time around.”
“But…it’s your mother’s.”
He shrugged. “I placed it on your finger and, once that happened, it became yours. Just promise you won’t toss it at me again.” He chuckled, but it sounded weak even to his own ears.
She tucked tendrils of hair behind her ear and one tear slid down her cheek. He reached out and swiped it away. “I shouldn’t have tossed the ring at you, Declan. I came off as being heartless that night. We were just so young, immature. I was intimidated and insecure.”
“I made some mistakes too. We’re human.” He leaned back into the chair, hearing the wood creak under his weight.
“There’s something you should know.” Her hands were back in her lap, her fingers entwined and her knuckles white. “I wanted to come back.”
He squinted. “But you didn’t.”
She gave her head a shake. “I believe I had hoped that you’d come after me.”
“You told me not to.” His throat constricted.
“You told me to leave, that you no longer needed me. We both said a lot of things that we didn’t mean. I allowed pride to lead the way. Yet somehow I knew that we were both better off.”
He tore his hand through his hair. “If that’s what you believe.”
“We lived—live—in two different worlds. I didn’t see myself in yours.”
“Yet I only saw you when I thought of my world.” He swallowed what felt like a sliver of glass.
They finished their meal in silence.
A drop of wetness fell to his cheek. He looked up and another splattered on his forehead. He looked at Ash and she was swiping her hands across her face.
“It’s going to rain hard any minute. You ready?” he asked.
“No, but I guess we should.”
Most of the candles had already been snuffed out by the rain.
He took her hand and together they ran to the door and slipped inside, laughing. Their gazes met and he couldn’t resist her, never could. He dragged her into the elevator cubicle, closed the door and pulled her up against him, breathless. Her warm breath brushed his cheek as he threaded his fingers into her damp hair, loosening the silken mass from the chignon. Her firm breasts rose and fell, pressing against his chest, her fingers digging into his biceps as she held onto him.
“What are you thinking?” he whispered. He dropped his hand to her lower back, drawing her closer, feeling her hips and thighs against his body.
Her gaze stayed with his as she shrugged lightly. “It’s hard to think when you’re this close.” Then she shifted her gaze away coyly.
“Look at me,” he demanded. Her wide blue eyes came back to his and her tongue darted out to moisten her bottom lip. “Do I make you nervous?”
“No.” Her long lashes swept across the tops of her cheeks.
“Then what?” he urged, needing to understand what was going on inside of her—needing to know if it matched his own train wreck of thoughts and feelings.
They faced
each other, leaning close, clutching one another. She brought her hands up and rested them on his shoulders and her eyes widened more. Her expression became tense, as if she needed to confess something and it was stuck on her tongue. Talk to me! Tell me all your secrets!
She shook her head as if she’d heard his thoughts and closed her eyes briefly. They came open and the wall was coming back into place. “I can’t.”
He frowned, wanting to encourage her to open up to him. Her eyes were so intense, tangling him in an internal web. “I’ve been thinking about you all day, kissing you. Touching you,” he admitted. “I feel as if I’m losing myself.”
She stood on tiptoe and whispered, “That makes two of us.”
His chuckle was more like a growl. She pressed her lips against his for a kiss that made his gut ache. He slipped his hands to her ass, squeezing the tight, curved muscle and slipping his knee between her inner thighs. His body turned rock solid. He wanted to press her up against the wall, right here, right now, lift her dress and lunge himself deep into her. He had a feeling she wouldn’t deny him. He lowered his mouth to nibble her neck, her ear then back to her cherub’s bow lips where he licked the cherry-tinted seam. She groaned and opened up to him and he sunk his tongue deep…
The elevator sounded.
She pulled back, curiosity filling her gaze.
The doors came open just as they parted, looking innocent although Declan’s insides were boiling with need. They were still on roof level.
The waiter stood outside of the doors, staring, a plate balanced on his palm. “Dessert?” he asked.
“We’re finished,” Declan said, entwining his fingers with Ash’s as he pushed a button on the panel. He caught the doors before they closed, looking down at Ash. Her lips were moist and swollen from his kisses and her cheeks blushing. “On second thought. Could you pack dessert up?”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Once they entered the apartment, there was a new tension between them, a heightened awareness at what was to come.
He held the box of dessert and they stopped at the bottom of the stairs. He kissed her lightly. “Go on up and do what you need to do. I’ll be up shortly.” His husky voice made her spine tingle in awareness.
Logic told her she should deny him, refuse to be sucked in by the longing spiraling through her body, but she couldn’t have made the effort if her life depended upon it. Without a word, she turned and started up the winding staircase, looking back down at him. He was still standing at the bottom, watching her with a beautiful gaze full of raw promise. She continued her journey upstairs and made her way into her bedroom. There she stood in the middle of the room, gathering her thoughts. She was about to make love with Declan, her husband. In a million years she’d never thought she’d be back here, back in his arms. Why wasn’t she running? Apprehensive? She knew this was a losing situation, unless she just followed the human need within her and enjoyed herself. Stay disconnected in the heart, but engaged in the body. It had been a long time since she’d been held, touched, appreciated. She was a mere woman in desire of a man who knew how to treat her well.
Declan was the man. The only man.
It was okay to live a little.
She found the semi-sheer, sultry bodysuit and took it into the bathroom, where she slipped off the heels and dress and slid into the sexy lingerie that covered very little of her body. She peered at herself in the full-length mirror and swallowed, a mixture of fear and anticipation. She hadn’t worn anything like this in years, and although she was modest, she had to admit that the outfit looked lovely. The plunging neckline showed off her firm breasts. The ribbon halter would only take a slight tug and the top would slip away. Her hardened nipples were visible through the eyelet material and the apex of her thighs was an enticing shadow.
With a quick finger comb through her hair, and a thin layer of lip tint, she pulled on the short robe and started for the door when a thought came to her. She slipped back into the heels. She remembered how Declan liked when she wore heels and nothing else.
Stepping into the dim lit room, she noticed the silver tray sitting in the middle of the bed. At first she didn’t see Declan until she spotted him near the window. His jacket was gone and his silk tie undone. The blue shirt was unbuttoned partway, showing off his smooth, wide chest. He strolled toward her, his gaze slipping over her in an intensity that set off tremors inside of her. “Take the robe off,” he demanded.
Without hesitation, she reached up and pulled the tie free from her waist. Pushing the robe down her body, it landed at her feet in a silken puddle. His eyes slightly widened as he took in the sexy outfit, lingering a little longer on her breasts. Did she hear him growl? Her inner thighs trembled as she stood there under his stare, her nipples beading.
“My God, you’re beautiful,” he said on an exhale of breath.
He cupped her face with his large hands and pressed his lips to hers. When he pulled back, he leaned his forehead against hers. “If you don’t want this, don’t want me, now is the time to tell me.” His husky voice vibrated her chest.
Any tension remaining in her body, any doubt or uncertainty, melted away. “I want this.”
Those three simple words broke all chains. He took her hand and together they walked to the bed. “Please have a seat, bella.”
Without hesitation, she sat on the edge of the mattress and pushed herself up to lean against the headboard. He took a step back to admire her. Witnessing the tightness of his jaw, the glazing of his eyes made her nipples bunch tighter against the fabric. She stretched her legs out, bending one knee, not bothering to remove her shoes.
She’d keep on the fuck-me heels.
****
The thin layer of material barely hid her tight nipples and the V of her luscious thighs from his view. He forced air in and out of his lungs as the ache grew overpoweringly in his pants. He reached down to the bulge and adjusted his hard cock as he took a seat next to her hip. Anticipation rolled through him, but he rummaged up the right amount of control to take things slow—to enjoy the gift before him.
Her chest rose and fell, making his heart pound like a jackhammer against his ribs. Her tongue darted out to moisten her full, parted lips and he remembered so well how having his cock in her mouth had felt like heaven, how she’d suckled him, gently nibbling at his head. His blood scorched with the memory.
Taking the dish of molten lava cake from the platter, he dipped the spoon into the chocolate gooeyness and gathered up a good portion. He inched it closer to her and like a well-behaved child, she opened her mouth to accept the offering.
Her lips closed around the spoon as he pulled it away, a simple move and yet so erotic at the same time. A deep, satisfied moan escaped from low within her throat as she chewed.
“Delicious?” He smiled.
“You remembered that I’m a fan of chocolate.” A grin tugged the corner of her lips.
He spooned up more of the dessert. “My memory is perfect, which isn’t always an advantage.” A sliver of sadness crawled into his heart, but he pushed it away. Now was not the time to venture down the past and its troubles.
“You should try the cake.”
“I’d rather watch you eating.” He brought the utensil to her lips again and she opened wide, eagerly taking the dessert into her mouth.
“It’s addictive.”
“Five-star chefs can do magic with their hands.”
“Sure, but I was referring to you watching me.” Her voice was as smooth as satin.
He swallowed and replaced the dish and spoon onto the tray. “I want to see more of you.” He took the ribbon holding the baby-doll together and tugged. It easily came undone, dropping, exposing the deep channel between her breasts. He pushed the flimsy garment away, revealing her beautiful nipples, relishing in how he used to take great pride in suckling and molding the delicious mounds, having her arch under him, scratching his back with her nails as he brought her pleasure. He’d seen many breasts, but without any dou
bt, she had the best set he’d ever laid eyes upon, ever had the gift of touching. They were perfectly shaped, round, and firm. The rosy nipples were thick and swollen.
As the cooler air brushed her silken skin, her nipples took on a lighter, pinker color and tightened. Ah, they were as sensitive as ever. His mouth salivated as he dipped his head and licked the perky tip. She jerked and moaned. He did the same with the other nipple, not wanting to leave any stone unturned. Dipping his finger in the center of the cake, he scooped a small amount of the chocolate then wiped it over one distended, swollen tip, then the other.
Her back arched as if welcoming him to eat the treat from her body platter. She bit her bottom lip, her eyes shutting and a whimper came from her. Cupping the firm flesh with his fingers, he lowered his mouth and covered the nipple with his mouth, suckling away every last crumb. The mixture of sugar and the natural sweet scent of her body was an intoxicating pleasure to his senses. He was drunk on her.
Damn, he’d missed his wife. Missed holding her. Loving her. Knowing she was part of him. Hell, she’d never left him—not internally. After having useless sex with a number of women, he realized why he’d always felt shitty when he slithered from their bed. They weren’t Ash. He had to question how he’d let her go again.
He continued his suckling on the other breast, licking away the chocolate as her fingers dug into his hair, massaging and mimicking the same action with her nails. He moaned and pulled back, rolling the wet tip between his fingers, tugging the flesh, teasing it. While she was consumed with the sensation, he covered the other nipple with his mouth. Her breathing became heavier and his hunger grew.
His Weekend Wife (The KNIGHT Brothers Book 2) Page 13