“And don’t look so grim.” He smiled down at her. “I think you’re going to love this.”
* * *
Adam hoped to hell she would respond to him. He wished she hadn’t marched back to the bedroom like a condemned person heading for a firing squad. But at least she’d agreed to go. She hadn’t thrown him out again.
The room was dim, and maybe that was for the best this time. She walked over to the bed, took off her bathrobe, and crawled under the covers. That was okay, too. She could have as much protection as she needed in the beginning.
She had a rocker in the bedroom, something he hadn’t noticed before. He sat in it so he could take off his boots. He undressed as quickly as he could, because he had a feeling she was over there hyperventilating at the thought of letting down the barriers.
Knowing she was giving him another chance to make love to her was all the stimulation he needed to grow hard and ready. He put the condom on before he climbed into bed with her. Once he started this process, he didn’t want to stop for anything. She might change her mind.
Poor thing, she was shaking so much. He gathered her close and began stroking her while he murmured words of comfort. She quivered less, and her skin began to warm under his fingertips.
Rolling her to her back, he moved over her and kissed her forehead, her closed eyelids, her cheeks, and finally, her mouth. He wasn’t sure if she’d kiss him back, but she did. Sweet heaven, she did.
She began to touch him, too. Her hands trembled a little, but perhaps it was eagerness now, not fear. Encouraged by that, he began an easy journey down her body, kissing and caressing her. When he reached her smooth belly, she tensed. He’d halfway expected that.
“Adam, don’t . . .”
“Okay, I won’t.” As much as he’d love to taste all of her, he’d give up that pleasure for now. She wasn’t ready to be that vulnerable. Not yet.
Instead, he kissed his way back to her mouth as he continued to caress her hips, her thighs, and finally, that sweet spot he craved entrance to. She was wet. Very wet. His heart thudded with anticipation as he moved between her thighs.
Her expression was in shadow, but her sharp intake of breath told him to go slow. He eased his cock in a little bit and paused. She grasped his hips, and for a moment, he thought she might try to stop him. But, no, she was silently urging him to go deeper.
With a groan, he sank into her. This was so right. They had to make it work between them. And he would do his level best to show her why.
Propping his weight on his forearms, he leaned down to feather a kiss over her lips. “Thank you,” he murmured.
Her breath hitched. “I’m so much trouble.”
“And so worth it.” He drew back and slid in again as tiny arrows of pleasure shot through him.
“You should . . . have given up.”
“I couldn’t.” Driven by his own needs, trying to keep his mind on hers, he began a steady rhythm.
She trembled beneath him. “I don’t know why.”
“Because . . .” The reason flowed through him in a river of certainty. “Because I love you.”
“Oh, Adam.” And she began to cry.
God, he’d messed up again. He couldn’t force himself to break the connection, but he stopped moving. Buried deep within her, his cock twitched with impatience.
He kissed her wet cheeks. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“I know.” She sniffed. “Don’t stop, Adam. Please don’t stop.”
“But you’re crying.”
“Because you’re so wonderful.” Her tears continued to flow. “Just love me,” she said in a thick voice. “Please love me.”
“I do. I started loving you the first day. I—”
“I mean make love to me!”
She sounded desperate, and as a matter of fact, so was he. He began to thrust, and this time she rose to meet him. She might be crying, but she was completely into this and reaching for her climax without hesitation, without fear.
Joy filled him as he moved faster. “That’s it, Valerie! That’s it!”
“I know . . . Adam . . . Adam.” With a triumphant cry, she came, her body clenching around him as she both laughed and sobbed out her gratitude.
A second later, he tumbled into that brilliant, multicolored world with her, and he held on for dear life. He would never let her go. Never.
Long moments later, he lay with his head on her shoulder and listened to the glorious sound of her breathing. She wasn’t crying anymore. Quite the contrary. Judging from the curve of her lips, she was smiling.
She stroked his back and sighed. “I hate to make you move, but—”
Instantly he pushed himself up. “I’m too heavy.”
“No!” She wrapped her arms around him. “I want you right there, but you have to lift your head and look at me.”
“Okay.” He wasn’t worried about her taking control now. Not after she’d been so thoroughly lost in his arms. They’d leaped that hurdle together. He hadn’t messed up, after all.
“Maybe you should turn on the bedside lamp, although I warn you, my eyes will be red, so don’t freak.”
“We don’t have to turn on the light.”
“Yes, we do. Can you reach it?”
“Yep.” Balancing himself on one arm, he stretched out the other and pushed the small switch. Then he blinked in the glare.
“I’ll wait until your eyes adjust.”
He blinked a few times. “I’m fine. And yeah, your eyes could use some saline drops.”
“What a romantic thing to say.”
He laughed. “That’s me, Mr. Romance.”
“I wasn’t being sarcastic. It is romantic, because you’re such a caretaker. Of course you’d notice I need drops for my eyes. I cherish that about you.”
“Well . . . okay. Thanks.”
“I cherish lots of things about you, Adam. I wanted the light on so we could look at each other, because this is important. You see, I love you, too.”
His chest tightened and his throat closed. Damned if he didn’t feel a little misty-eyed himself.
She cupped his cheek. “I think you liked hearing that.”
“Yeah.” He cleared the emotion from his throat. “I liked it a lot. I liked it so much, in fact, that you’ve given me an idea.”
She smiled up at him. “What’s that?”
“I was just wondering . . .” He gazed into her green eyes. “If you, Valerie Wolitzky, would do me the great honor of marrying me and making me the happiest guy in the world.”
Her smile widened. “Yes. Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!”
“I have to warn you I’m not perfect.”
“Maybe not, but you’re the perfect man for me.”
He thought his smile might be even brighter than hers. No doubt about it, this was the best damned day . . . and night . . . of his life.
Epilogue
Almost three weeks later, Adam walked toward the entrance to the Golden Spurs and Stetsons with a very excited Valerie beside him. She’d come up with the idea of staging a private party at the bar with her girlfriends and their significant others for their friends and family. Adam considered it a sign of how far Valerie had come that she wasn’t worried about being in a crowded venue.
And it would be crowded. Each of the six had invited a boatload of friends and relatives to share in their joy. Valerie’s parents were driving up from Houston, along with two sets of aunts and uncles, plus a few cousins. She’d also asked everyone at her law firm.
Adam had included his mother, his former and current business associates, Will and his wife, and the ranch hands. Then he’d decided to ask some of his buddies from Harvard, and several were flying in.
Melanie and her fiancé, Drew Eldridge, had similarly long lists, as did Astrid and her guy, rancher Fletch Grayson.
Adam would have footed the bill himself. He was just that happy. But Astrid, a woman with a fortune of her own, and Drew, also a billionaire, had insisted on splitting the costs among them.
Adam had to admit the idea was brilliant. And then Melanie had suggested something even more brilliant. She’d proposed that all three couples meet at the bar an hour before the other guests, so everyone could get acquainted before the onslaught.
Adam looked forward to it. He’d only seen Astrid and Melanie once, and that had been under difficult circumstances. He knew Drew Eldridge by reputation, and might have shared a table with him at a charity function, although he wouldn’t swear to it. He’d never met Fletch Grayson and was eager to talk horses with another breeder.
Besides, he needed to get to know everyone in this tight circle. The women were best friends, which probably meant the guys would be seeing a lot of each other, maybe for years to come.
Valerie paused at the entrance and glanced up at Adam. “Just think how much our lives have changed since that night I plowed into you right here.”
He squeezed her hand. “That was the luckiest night of my life.”
“Mine, too.” She looked into his eyes. “I love you, Adam.”
He leaned down to give her a kiss. “And I love you right back, Valerie.”
“Okay, okay, break it up!” Behind them, a woman laughed. “Quit blocking the doorway. Important people coming through.”
They turned to find Astrid and Fletch both grinning as they approached the entrance.
Valerie hurried forward to give Astrid a hug. Then she hugged Fletch, too, although she did it carefully because he wore what looked like a brand-new Stetson. Adam recognized the style as one that he’d looked at just last week.
“Come and meet Adam.” Valerie herded them in his direction.
Astrid enveloped him in a hug. “Well done,” she murmured.
Adam didn’t feel right taking credit for a transformation that had been a joint effort including Will and Rocket Fuel, not to mention Valerie’s own bravery and determination. “I didn’t—”
“You were a big part of it.” She turned to Fletch. “I’d like you to meet Fletch Grayson, my fiance.” She hesitated and looked at Fletch. “Can I show it off?”
Fletch smiled. “That’s up to you.”
“Oh, heck. I can’t stand it. It’s official! I have a ring!”
Adam shook Fletch’s hand and congratulated him while Astrid and Valerie shrieked and hugged.
“What, what?” Melanie hurried up, followed by a guy in a sport coat who had to be Drew Eldridge.
Valerie thrust Astrid’s hand in Melanie’s face. “She has her ring!” More hugging and shrieking followed.
Drew laughed as he navigated around the women and held out his hand to Fletch. “Congratulations. She’s a wonderful woman.”
“Agreed.”
Drew then shook Adam’s hand. “I recognize you, Templeton. You and I attended the same charity thing a couple of years ago. It’s good to see you again.”
“Same here. I’m glad you were on board with Valerie’s idea.”
“It’s a terrific idea.” Drew glanced toward the women, who were still in a huddle, and then looked at Adam and Fletch. “So, either of you into golf?”
Both Adam and Fletch shook their heads.
“I’m always up for a ride,” Adam said.
Fletch nodded. “Me, too.”
“Sorry,” Drew said. “I’m not much of a rider.”
Fletch adjusted the tilt of his Stetson. “Poker?”
“Poker works,” Adam said.
“Excellent.” Drew smiled. “My place. Next Wednesday night.”
“Okay.” Adam thought of Will, who loved a good poker game. He glanced at Drew. “Can I bring my friend Will?”
“Absolutely. The more the merrier.”
“Wednesday night’s great,” Fletch said. “Astrid’s got Melanie’s bridal shower that night.”
“Yeah.” Adam had forgotten about that. “So does Valerie, come to think of it.”
“My point exactly,” Drew said.
“Hey, you guys.” Valerie walked toward them and linked her arm through Adam’s. “We were just thinking about next Wednesday night. We’ve got the shower, of course, but there’s this antique auction that we’ll be missing, so we thought maybe you three—”
“Wish I could,” Drew said, “but I have plans.”
Fletch shook his head. “Sorry. I’m tied up, too.”
“Yeah, so am I. What a shame.” Adam sighed in feigned disappointment.
Astrid narrowed her eyes at them. “Why do I get the feeling that in the short time we left you three alone, you cooked up your own plan for Wednesday night?”
Fletch laughed and put his arm around her. “Just playing a little defense, sweetheart.”
Melanie surveyed the group. “Well, ladies, we were worried that they might not get along, and they’ve already outmaneuvered us.”
“This time.” Valerie winked at Adam. “Hey, let’s go inside. I think we have some serious toasting to do.”
“Yep, we certainly do.” Adam tucked Valerie in close as they walked into the bar. What a stroke of luck that he’d been in the right place at the right time that fateful night.
Will had told him it was meant to be. Then he’d sent Valerie out to the ranch. Adam had accused him of matchmaking, like that was a bad thing. It occurred to Adam that not only had it been a very good thing, but he’d neglected to thank Will properly. He’d do that tonight.
But Will was about to get his reward. Adam had found him a poker game. And Adam had never met anyone who could beat Will Bryan at poker.
* * *
Two hours later, Valerie returned from a quick trip to the ladies’ room and paused to survey the crowd. Everywhere she looked, people were smiling and laughing. Some had arrived as strangers and all were from different walks of life, but sharing in the happiness of three joyous couples had made everyone instant friends.
Nothing else seemed important tonight—not social standing, and certainly not wealth or the lack of it. Seasoned ranch hands swapped stories with billionaires. Wealthy matriarchs talked earnestly with soccer moms. All around her, walls were coming down and stereotypes were being smashed.
Glancing across the room, she caught and held Adam’s gaze. He smiled and gave her a thumbs-up. She’d been a little worried that this eclectic group wouldn’t jell, but it had. And now she knew why. All that mattered, all that ever really mattered, was love.
Keep reading for a preview of the first installment in Vicki Lewis Thompson’s Perfect Man trilogy
ONE NIGHT WITH A BILLIONAIRE
Available now from InterMix
I’m in Paris.
Melanie Shaw stared at the façade of Notre Dame as the deep-throated bells counted down the hour. Ten o’clock in the morning. Instead of mucking out stalls or riding the fence line at her daddy’s ranch outside of Dallas, Texas, she was standing in front of frickin’ Notre Dame. Amazing.
Her plane had landed two hours ago, and she still couldn’t believe she had both feet planted in Paris, France. Only one thing could have made this moment better—if her friends Val and Astrid could be here with her.
They’d become friends in college, and five years later, they were tighter than ever. A few months ago all the planets had been aligned for this trip. They’d found a killer plane fare and had spontaneously booked it. Then Val had been unlucky enough to get caught in a bomb scare during a concert. She’d suffered a broken arm and two broken ribs. Although those had healed, she avoided crowds and wouldn’t be traveling anytime soon.
Melanie had adjusted to having Val stay home. Astrid was a great traveling companion and they’d still have fun, even without Val. Then, a couple of weeks ago, one of Astrid’s clients developed a problem with a pregnant m
are. With the mare’s life on the line, Astrid had reluctantly canceled her trip, too.
Melanie had almost given up once her friends had bailed. The hotel they’d booked was way too expensive for her to handle alone, so she’d cancelled that reservation. But she’d held onto her airline ticket because she couldn’t bear to think of not going. An online search had yielded a cheaper hotel, although it was also far from the main attractions.
Her boyfriend Jeff had said she was crazy to consider traveling alone, but he wasn’t about to go with her to someplace where he didn’t speak the language. His provincial attitude had pounded the nail in the coffin, and she’d ended their relationship. It had been on the skids, anyway.
Now that she was actually here, though, she’d better get busy and take some pictures with her phone. She’d left her suitcase with the hotel desk clerk because she couldn’t check in until noon, but she had her backpack with all her sightseeing essentials crammed inside. Shrugging it off, she unzipped a side pocket and reached for her phone.
Without warning, the backpack was ripped from her hands. At the same moment, someone else shoved her from behind, knocking her to the ground with such force that the breath left her lungs.
“Hey!” A deep male voice from behind her issued a challenge.
She raised her head in time to glimpse a dark-haired man in jeans and a brown leather jacket dash after the thieves. Then folks who were obviously worried about her hurried over and blocked her view. An older gentleman helped her to her feet while two women clucked over her in what sounded like German.
She wasn’t hurt except for a couple of scrapes on the heels of both hands, but if the guy in the leather jacket didn’t catch the thieves, she was in deep shit. Her backpack held almost everything of value—her phone, both credit cards, and two hundred dollars worth of euros. Her passport, thank God, was tucked in a pouch under her shirt, but thinking that she might have lost everything else made her sick to her stomach.
Members of the German tour group patted her shoulder as she stood up and dusted off her clothes. They offered words of comfort she couldn’t understand but appreciated anyway. She made the effort to smile her thanks as she scanned the crowd for signs of a tall, broad-shouldered man wearing a brown leather jacket. He’d looked athletic, so maybe he’d be able to tackle the guys who took her backpack.
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