“Yes, your touch—always your touch,” she whispered. Her arms came up and around her bare breasts.
“Do you want me?”
Her tongue came out, darting along her bottom lip. “Do you want me to say that I’ve always wanted you?”
“Only if it’s true, bella.”
“I fantasized of you. While sleeping. Eating. Working. Especially while touching myself.”
Declan savored her words. “If only I’d known.”
“You would have what?” Her gaze held his, like a vice demanding truth.
“Damn. You turn me inside out.” He tore a hand through his hair.
“Are you attempting to not answer the question, or is it that you don’t have one?”
“It’s too late to swim in the past, sweetheart. I can say what I would have done, but my actions spoke very loud.” He sighed heavily, wishing some of the tension in his chest would ease. He threaded his fingers in her hair, gently tugging the strands, pressing his forehead against hers. Their breath mingled, her heart wrapped around him and her amazing scent teased him. All he craved was to consume her in an explosion of raw, blistering need.
Declan covered her lips, seizing her with a blazing kiss. He stroked her tongue, molding her under his attention. Dropping his hands to her shoulders, then down her back, he drew her closer. She’d finally dropped her arms away from her nakedness and her firm breasts were against his chest. His shirt became an intrusion, one he needed to eradicate. He clutched the material, and with a sudden jerk, the buttons popped, flying across the room as the material ripped and shredded under his grasp. He dragged the remainder of the shirt from his body.
Grasping her thighs, he pulled her down, sending her back against the mattress. She spread her legs wide and he settled between them, pressing his bulging zipper against her. Heat seeped through his pants, making breathing hard.
“These have to go.” He pulled away, clutching at his pants. A tornado of clutching, pulling and dragging occurred as they worked together. In the heat of the moment, he’d lost a damn good shirt and slacks and he didn’t give a flying fuck.
Within a breath, he was back on the bed with her, sliding between her legs, suckling her lips until they were swollen. He was a scarred man, desperate for salvation and his only relief was the woman he held in his hands.
“Damn, Ash,” he whispered against her lips. “I can’t think. Can’t breathe. Can’t logically put two thoughts together when you’re near.”
Her eyes held him in the softest of grips. “Then let’s do something about it.”
At her suggestion, his cock grew another inch until he thought he’d burst. “I once thought you hated me.”
She winced. “Never, Declan. Never. Did you hate me?”
“Yes, I did.” He divulged. “But it’s true. There’s only a thin line between love and hate. A man hates only when he can’t love.”
She lowered her eyes, a gut-wrenching sadness flitted across her features. Declan sucked in an aching deep breath, bothered that she looked as if he’d kicked her.
He didn’t want her to be sad, only happy. The desire to see her smile, to hear her laugh, made his heart fill with an unfamiliar longing. He was like a train heading down the tracks at a high rate of speed without brakes. He had a month with her, but knew in his heart that a month wouldn’t be nearly long enough. There was so much he had to say, but now he just wanted to feel. To drive his body inside of her and relieve the scorching ache in his cock.
“I want you.”
“I want you.” she whispered.
The binds tightened between them, he slipped his thumb through her folds, her juices moistening his fingers, making him hungrier. Her wet body told him everything he needed to know. He’d take great pleasure in hearing her moans as he plundered her body. Hear her short pants and see her skin flush in rose-colored-passion. He’d continue to drive his cock in her pussy, until she whimpered in delight, then called out his name as she floated on the clouds of his making. He intended to please her, love her and make her his again.
Yes, that’s what his plan was. To have his wife back in his arms forever
He clasped her thighs, spreading her wide, then guided his cock between her legs to her swollen, wet, awaiting treasure.
As soon as his tip breached the tight barrier, he had to slow his movement before he exploded. He eased his pulsing erection into her sweltering passage as he pressed his fingers into her thighs, fusing their bodies together, making them one. He took her channel captive, sliding along the silken tunnel, feeling his balls tighten.
Pressing his hips against hers, he gritted his teeth and moaned—aching to burst. A thought popped into his head. He wasn’t wearing a condom. He’d been so anxious to slide into her body that he’d forgotten the protection. What if she became pregnant? His heart swelled imagining her swollen with his child, a human form of the two of them together. A selfish part of him wanted to spill his seed inside of her, but a more logical side couldn’t allow his heart to take him for an impulsive spin.
“Declan?” she looked up at him, eyes blazing.
“I’m not wearing a condom.” He had to pull out. And somehow make it to his bedroom with his raging cock. “I should—”
“No,” she whimpered. “Don’t you dare pull out now.” She wrapped her legs high around his hips, giving him deeper access inside of her clenching muscles.
She slid her fingers down his back and squeezed his bottom, encouraging him to continue.
“Ash.” Her name floated from his parted lips, sounding like he’d had his vocal cords sanded. “You unravel me.”
He stroked her deep, a sudden urgency to have all of her, her body, mind and soul…
“Declan, my God. You’re so large. So mind-blowing amazing.”
“You’re the only woman I haven’t worn a condom with.” He had to let her know that detail.
He lifted and pushed his thick staff inside of her, causing her to gasp in a mixture of joy and overwhelming sensation.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Ash marveled at what she and Declan had shared.
She was still reeling when he’d left her bed to run to the office to gather paperwork before they left for his ‘business’ vacation. She had no clue where they were going and for the first time in her life, she didn’t care. She felt no need in controlling the situation, or worrying over anything. For now, she wanted to linger in the slice of heaven a while longer.
She dropped another pair of panties into the open suitcase and froze.
“Glad to see you’re keeping the treasure groomed, Sister.”
Ash reached for the first thing she came to and it happened to be Declan’s button-down shirt, torn and wrinkled. She pulled it on and wrapped it tight around her body as she narrowed her gaze on Abby who was leaning casually on the door frame. “What are you doing here? How did you get in?”
Abby winked. “I passed Declan. He was smiling from ear-to-ear, and now I see why.” She slipped her gaze over Ash and winked. “That shirt sure has a story to tell.”
“Did Declan see you?”
“No. Don’t worry. When I spotted him, I hid behind a plant. I’d rather not face him and I know he’d rather not see me either.”
Ash sat down on the end of the bed. “Then how did you get in?”
“The doorman is a sweet kid, but he needs to be more observant. He thought I was you. Weren’t you going to tell me that you were leaving town?” Abby raised a thin brow.
“I’ve been busy.”
“Are you sure you just weren’t sidetracked?” Abby’s gaze flitted to the rumpled bed and back to Ash.
“I’m surprised you’re here.”
“Can’t a sister just visit?”
“Have you forgotten that I can see straight through you?”
Abby chuckled and eased into the room, stopping to peek into the partially packed suitcase. She took out the colorful bikini and twirled it around her finger, chuckling. “Wow, what’s happened t
o my modest sister?” Tossing it back in, her eyes widened slightly as she lifted out a dress that still had the tags. “Lulu Veil. Someone has expensive tastes. Looks like you’re doing well for yourself, Sis.”
“If you say so.” Ash grabbed the item from Abby, dropped it into the suitcase and closed the lid.
Abby smirked and dropped down on the edge of the bed, crossing her legs and dangled her four-inch heel from her toe. “I know when a bed’s been fucked in, honey. By the appearance of these rumpled sheets I’d say you were fucked good.” She clicked her tongue.
“I’m not talking about this subject with you.”
“Oh, but why not? You certainly do like to talk about Phillipe.” There was an underlying sarcasm to Abby’s words that made Ash’s stomach twist.
“Are you still with him, Abby?”
“With is such a subjective term. For instance, he’s not with me now.”
Ash wrapped her arms around her waist, feeling the first sign of irritation. “Then the answer is yes, you are. You promised me.”
“Don’t get your panties all twisted.” Abby dropped her heels to the carpet and sat up straight. “I’m not with him. Not after…”
“What?” Dread filled Ash’s veins and her lungs clenched.
“The money…I’m sorry, Ash, I didn’t know what he’d do.”
Ash felt her knees threaten to buckle. She leaned against the dresser, bracing herself, attempting to wrap her brain around her sister’s admission. “Abby, you gave him the money?”
Lifting a shoulder and dropping it, she tugged at her skirt bottom. “He said he’d make everything right.”
“And you believed him?” The room spun.
“I didn’t think he’d do this.”
“Do what?”
“He thought he could bet with it, triple the amount—”
Ash laughed, but it lacked of any humor. “No surprise.”
Abby blinked, stood up, her mouth lowering at the corners. “I’m glad you find this funny. You must hope that I’m brutally murdered.”
“It’s not funny in the slightest. How could you still trust a man who has done nothing but lie to you from the beginning? Thirty grand, Abby. It’s gone and your life is still in danger.” And then a light went on in Ash’s head. “You’re here for more money, aren’t you?”
Abby clasped her hands, her knuckles turning white. “I need help…”
“I gave you all that I had.”
“You’re here, Ash. Look around you. It’s not exactly slumville.”
“And it’s not mine.”
“You’re his wife. You’re still married, remember?”
She swallowed and her throat felt like she’d swallowed a razor blade. “No, Abby.”
“Oh, so you’re saying I’m on my own.” She crossed her arms.
“I’m saying I can’t, I won’t ask Declan for more money. It’s impossible.” Her bottom lip trembled.
“There’s always a way. Hell, one of those paintings downstairs is worth a lot more than I make in a year,” Abby said.
“Are you asking me to steal for you?” This all seemed like a nightmare, and yet there was no waking up from the reality of the situation.
“Like he couldn’t replace these things.”
“What did Phillipe do with the money, Abby?” Although Ash already had a good guess, she needed to hear the truth.
“I told you. He lost all of it.”
“Was there ever any loan sharks after you and Phillipe?”
As if she needed to gather her words carefully, Abby paced the floor, her shoulders slumped. “I couldn’t tell you the truth, Ash.”
“Start now.”
“He made it seem like a dream come true. We’d get thirty grand and I’d quit escorting, and he’d get clean. He’d pay off a few debts and we’d leave to somewhere nice and warm. Where no one knows us. He swore he could get clean if he was away from the same people, the same places.” Abby stopped pacing and looked at Ash. “It’s a bad dream.”
“For you and me both.” Ash rubbed her forehead, her mind racing as fast as the beating of her heart.
“I see you have your ring back.”
Ash brought her hand up, touching the precious diamond. If a strong wind would have come along, she would have been blown away. She’d loved and cared for Abby since she was brought home from the hospital, crying even then. When it stormed, Ash comforted her. When she fell, Ash patched her up. In one fell swoop, she realized Abby wasn’t that sweet, innocent child any longer. She’d grown into a selfish woman. And yet, why did Ash still feel the need to protect her? Provide for her? Make sure she was safe?
With a broken heart, Ash went to her purse, unzipped it and took out a folded handkerchief. She carefully unwrapped the material and sitting in the cotton was a pair of diamond earrings, the one thing her father had left her that had belonged to his mother. Ash had only worn the earrings twice, at her high school graduation and college graduation, afraid she’d lose them if she wore them more.
She scooped up the bobs into her palm, admiring the elegance of the sparkling diamonds. “Take these, Abby. I don’t know how much they’re worth, but they’re real. I don’t have anything else.”
Hesitation flitted across her expression. “Not enough.”
Ash blinked and laid the earrings on the dresser. “My suggestion, take them and get as much as you can, leave town, leave the state, get as far away as possible. Pray that Phillipe won’t follow.”
Abby laughed, but it quickly fizzled. “You can’t be serious.”
“Unfortunately, I am. I no longer know you or what you’ve become.” Tears blurred Ash’s vision as she turned her back, allowing the tears to fall down her cheeks. She heard a rustling sound and the faded tapping of Abby’s heels as she made her way down the hall.
Turning, Ash spotted the earrings, still sitting on the dresser.
*****
“Shall we see what’s inside, Ash?” Declan tapped the picnic basket sitting between them on the glass table. They’d arrived at Hannigan’s palatial estate and were shown to the guest house that was elegant in itself. The backdoor opened into the vineyard, exposing an amazing view. Ash had been quiet the long drive here and seem preoccupied now, although she gave a great impression that she was relaxed. She had removed her sandals and her feet were propped on the side of another chair. Her legs looked exceptionally long and toned in the white shorts. “Ash? Are you okay?”
“Sure.” Ash gave him a shy smile.
He pulled out containers of salad, fruit, sub sandwiches, and spinach dip with a variety of crackers and two covered glasses of sweet tea. Her stomach growled and she laid a hand over her waist. “Hungry?” he asked.
“Starving,” she admitted. “Very sweet that Mr. Hannigan invited us here, and made sure we had this wonderful lunch available.”
Declan growled under his breath, not feeling as generous as Ash did under the circumstances. “He invited us here and doesn’t have the decency to be here when we arrive.”
“But didn’t you say he was called away?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sure he couldn’t help the change of plans. I can think of someone else who works crazy hours.” She wagged her brows.
“Touché.” He dipped a cracker into the creamy dip and popped it into his mouth. At least he would enjoy his time here with his wife.
She dug her fork into her salad and he watched her. She lifted her eyes and smiled coyly. “Do you plan on staring at me while I eat?”
“I enjoy staring at you, period. Maybe if I continue, you’ll finally tell me what’s bothering you. It’s possible I can figure out a solution.”
“What makes you think something’s bothering me?” She stopped chewing.
“You have been unusually quiet and you have a thin vein between your brows that shows when you’re upset.” She brought her hand up and touched her brow. “Do you not want to be here?” He ate a strawberry.
“No, I’m glad to b
e here, with you. It’s beautiful.” Her shoulders slumped some and she placed the full salad on the table. She turned slightly toward him. “I’m afraid to tell you.”
He frowned. “You should never be afraid of me, sweetheart.” His gut twisted.
“You might think differently of me.”
“Well, if I didn’t give up on you for leaving me, what wouldn’t I forgive you of?”
She shrugged. “For you to understand, I have to rewind a bit.” She nibbled on her bottom lip and he could see the tense set of her shoulders.
“Here, while you talk I’ll rub.”
“Rub?”
“Put your feet up here.” He patted his lap.
Reluctantly, she did as he requested, but he noticed the instant softness in her body.
“You have magical hands,” she murmured.
“Now start talking, baby,” he encouraged.
She nodded. “Okay, a year ago my sister met this man, Phillipe Diego, and from the get-go, I knew he was bad news, but you know Abby. If she has her mind set on something, there’s no changing it.”
“Really? Think it could be genetic?” He lifted a brow.
“Yes, smart-ass, I guess so.” She laughed, but it soon faded when she continued. “I knew something was wrong, especially when I stopped hearing from her. I thought it was drugs, still haven’t ruled that out as a vice of hers.”
“Have you asked?”
She lifted her shoulder, then let it fall. “I asked, but she hasn’t always been the most honest. She came to me, in big trouble, asking for help.”
He paused his fingers on the sole of her foot. “Ah, thirty thousand bills deep in trouble?”
“Yes. You pretty much already knew that the money was for her, didn’t you?”
“Knowing your sister like I do, I’m not surprised. And I do know you would have only come to me asking for help if it meant saving someone else.” He switched feet and continued massaging. “What’d she do? Forget to pay her rent for a year?”
“No, she got into gambling debt, owed the wrong people money, yet, I found out recently she’d been lying—or partially lying. I don’t know. Phillipe had enticed her with promises he couldn’t keep. I don’t know the details—I don’t think I want to know.” She kept her gaze on his hand.
His Weekend Wife (The KNIGHT Brothers Book 2) Page 16