A Fortunes of Texas Christmas

by Helen Lacey

  Doucement...doucement, Beaudin...slowly.

  “Are you okay?” she asked, watching him intently.

  Amersen urged her toward him. “Fine. You?”

  She nodded. “Kiss me,” she begged. “Kiss me before I wake up from this dream.”

  “It’s not a dream,” he promised and hovered his mouth above hers. “I’m here. You’re here.”

  He captured her mouth, drawing her closer, feeling her lovely curves pressed against him. Her tongue was quickly wrapped around his, her breath shallow, her hands on his back. Amersen changed angles, moving his mouth across hers, going deeper, hotter, wetter, until he had to take a long, shuddering breath. He kissed her jaw and then the spot below her ear where a pulse beckoned. He molded his hands over her shoulders and down her arms, then threaded them around her waist. She searched for his lips again, taking his tongue deep in her mouth. He anchored a hand at her nape, spreading fingers through her silky hair, going even deeper into her sweet mouth. And he was consumed...by heat and desire and the knowledge that he wanted her like he’d never wanted a woman before.

  He lifted his head, watched as she sucked in air as though it pained her, and met her gaze. Then she pulled back, chest heaving, her lips reddened from his kiss. And she looked like some kind of exotic goddess, with her mussed-up hair and slightly swollen mouth. Amersen kept his gaze locked with hers, his entire body rigid, watching in a kind of lustful agony as she undid the zipper on her dress and slowly let the velvet garment drop to her feet. In a lilac lace bra and thong and her killer heels, she was all smooth curves, her beautiful skin dappled in the lamplight. If she had any imperfections, he didn’t notice them. She was pure beauty. And for the next few hours, she was his.

  He took her hand and led her to the bed, gently easing her back against the covers. And he kissed her again, and again. Deep, hot kisses that made him harder than he believed possible. But he wasn’t going to rush anything. He was going to love her right. He wanted to pleasure her, to feel her writhe, to watch her skin flush, to taste and touch every part of her.

  Her hands were in his hair as he trailed his mouth down her jaw and neck and lower, to her breasts, which were fuller than he’d dared allow himself to imagine. The bra clipped at the front, and he flicked it open with one deft move. He heard her delighted chuckle, and then she arched her back as he took one straining rosy nipple into his mouth. It pebbled against his tongue, sending a shot of arousal to his groin that was so acute it was almost painful.

  Then he went lower, kissing her rib cage and belly, gently kneading her breasts with his hands as his mouth trailed down her stomach and farther, until finally he was between her thighs. He dragged the thong aside and kissed her intimately, finding the spot that would give her the most pleasure. She almost bucked off the bed, but he held her hips firm, caressing her with his mouth, finding the tiny nub and gently rolling her clitoris with his tongue. Within minutes she came apart, moaning loudly as she climaxed, and Amersen experienced a deep surge of gratification that consumed him to his very soul.

  She was panting, drawing in long breaths, her hand across her face. “Oh, I was wrong.”

  He moved, getting to his knees, looking at her. “Wrong?”

  She moved her hand from her face and met his gaze. “That is so much better than chocolate.”

  He grinned. “Told you so.”

  She shifted onto her elbows and looked him over. “Are you going to take off your clothes anytime soon?”

  Amersen glanced down. He was still fully dressed, while she was naked except for her thong. He looked at her breasts, noticing that her nipples were hard, and her skin still glowed with the flush of her climax. She was easily the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. And then he had his clothes off in about three seconds flat.

  “Now,” she said, smiling seductively as she crooked a finger, beckoning him. “My turn.”

  * * *

  Not that she had a lot of experience for comparison, but he was big. That was the first thing Robin noticed as Amersen ditched his clothes like a man possessed. The second thing she noticed was that he had a perfectly sculptured physique—smooth tanned skin, broad shoulders, a flat washboard belly and a Celtic tattoo circling one bicep. And she managed to notice it all while she was still pulsating from experiencing the most torturously intense orgasm of her life.

  And then all she could think about was how she wanted more of him.

  All of him.

  By the time he was back on the bed, he’d dragged her thong down her thighs and was kissing her hotly—mindless, drugging kisses that made her abandon all coherent thought. His hands were all over her, over her shoulders, down her back, her behind, between her legs. He teased and caressed; he urged and encouraged. He was, she realized as she came again some minutes later, the most utterly unselfish and astonishing lover she had ever had.

  And the more they touched, the more she learned. She discovered she could make him tremble by kissing his neck. She could make him moan by tracing her tongue over his navel. When she took his hard length in her hand, he offered words of encouragement that might have shocked her, but his sexy accent was like a potent aphrodisiac and drove her to do more. There was nothing particularly practiced or skilled about her technique, just an eagerness to please, and that was obviously enough. She touched him freely, with her hands, with her mouth, making him crazy, making him laugh, making him moan.

  That was what stunned her the most. Not the erotic heat. Not the mind-blowing pleasure. But the way they were completely in tune with each other. There was no awkwardness, no reserve. Just complete and unabashed trust.

  “Robin,” he pleaded, his voice an agonized whisper. “I can’t take any more.”

  Robin looked at him, her hair draped over his chest. His expression spoke volumes and she experienced a delightful sense of satisfaction. Without another word, she grabbed the foil packet on the bedside table and handed it to him.

  He sheathed himself and then settled between her legs, nudging her entrance. Robin knew she was ready for him, and then finally he was inside her. She looked up, matched his gaze and barely blinked as he began to move. Nothing could have prepared her for the sensations he evoked.

  Then he kissed her, their tongues dancing together as he created a slow, steady rhythm. He made love like he did everything—with hunger and confidence. And then he changed positions, rolling them over until she straddled him, and he held her hips, moving her back and forth in a way that was sinfully arousing. By the time release claimed them, he was back on top, driving into her with so much passion and intensity she could barely contain the scream of pleasure that formed in her throat. He kissed her as he shuddered, smothering her moans, making her mindless—and making her more connected to him than she ever had been to another person in her entire life.

  When he rolled off her, he was breathing hard, his chest rising up and down. Robin’s whole body was pulsing from the aftermath, every cell super sensitive.

  “I think I am lucky I did not have a heart attack,” he said in between heavy breaths.

  She chuckled and closed her eyes. “Yeah, but what a way to go.”

  She heard laughter rumble in his chest. “True.”

  “And you’re in pretty good condition.” She trailed her fingers along his side, delighted to find he was ticklish. “You’re probably one of those annoying people who’ve never been ill in their life.”

  “Wrong,” he said, eyes still closed. “I was a sickly child. Asthma,” he explained and pointed to the inhaler on the bedside table. “It still gets me occasionally.”

  Robin rolled onto her side. “I think I like you more knowing you’re not completely perfect.”

  He laughed again and then excused himself for a moment to go to the bathroom to dispose of the condom. When he returned, he flopped back onto the bed heavily, sliding beneath the c
overs.

  “That was really great sex,” she said, smiling as she peeked sideways.

  His eyes were shut. “Yes,” he agreed, laughing softly. “You are a noisy lover. I expect a complaint any moment from the concierge.”

  “Ha!” she said and tossed a pillow in his direction. “All your fault.”

  He was smirking. “I am happy to take the blame. It is good for my ego.”

  “I don’t think your ego needs any inflating,” she remarked as her hand made its way beneath the covers and worked its way along his thigh. “But if you need something else inflated...”

  He laughed and rolled, pinning her beneath him. “Insatiable woman.”

  She chuckled. “I’ve decided I’m going to give up chocolate and just do this instead.”

  “Good idea.” He kissed her and then looked a little solemn. “Robin...why did you change your mind about this? Yesterday you said—”

  “I know what I said,” she cut him off. “I changed my mind because the truth is I was mad at myself for not taking what I wanted. Life is too short. And then after what Evan said, I just—”

  “Evan?”

  She shrugged lightly and traced a finger along his jaw. “I found out today that both my brothers knew my ex had been cheating. They had caught him red-handed and never breathed a word to me. I’m sure they would have let me get engaged and then get married.” She made an irritated sound. “I felt betrayed and angry.”

  He looked serious. “Perhaps they were simply trying to protect you?”

  “By lying to me?” She shook her head. “That’s not protection. That’s them trying to control my life. Anyway, it doesn’t matter now.”

  “It does if you’re here because you wanted a little revenge or are trying to prove a point.”

  She scowled. “That’s not why I’m here, I assure you.”

  He kissed her again, and she felt his growing arousal pressed against her. “Glad to hear it,” he whispered as he trailed his mouth down her neck.

  They made love again, hotter, wilder, with more laughter and passion and a kind of easy companionship. The more they touched, the more they kissed and caressed, the more Robin felt herself falling. Hard. Because as the night turned into morning, she knew she had feelings for Amersen that were beyond physical attraction.

  Way beyond.

  She’d never imagined she would fall in love with him. Lust, yes. But not in love with a man she hardly knew. And yet, on so many levels, she felt as though she knew him, and that he knew her, better than anyone.

  Afterward, they slept, legs entwined, hands linked. When she woke up, there was a tiny sliver of light peeking through the side of the heavy blinds, and she rolled over to avoid getting morning sun in her eyes. Amersen lay on his stomach, one arm flung out over the edge of the bed, his dark hair a stark contrast against the white pillowcase. The sheet was draped low, exposing his back and hips. His smooth skin was so inviting her fingers itched with the need to touch him. She noticed a mark on his shoulder blade and another at his ribs. Love bites. Symbols of possession and passion. She probably had a few herself. She ached in places she’d forgotten could ache—but it was a heady, evocative kind of feeling. He was undeniably skilled in the bedroom and had brought her to the peak of pleasure several times. He brought out her wild side, the passionate part of her nature that she’d kept under wraps for too long. Her passion...and her heart.

  Robin sucked in a long breath, feeling like such a fraud. Her great plans the night before—about taking what she wanted and not living with regret—those plans now seemed to be laughing in her face. Her insides were inexplicably tight, her breath sharp and painful, and as she looked at him, she was desperate to touch him but also unwilling to wake him up. If she did, they would make love again. And she wasn’t sure she could bear it.

  Wanting him was one thing. Having real feelings for him—loving him—that was another thing altogether. Because he didn’t feel the same. He’d wooed her, he’d pursued her for days with his sexy voice and undivided attention...but she was savvy enough to know it was all part of the endgame. For this. For a night of hot sex and fun. Amersen Beaudin didn’t do relationships...he’d already made that abundantly clear. He hadn’t said he was staying in Austin any longer than planned. He hadn’t made any promises. He’d been himself, and she’d fallen for his smooth line of seduction like any woman would.

  But she wasn’t about to let him see she wanted it to be any more than that.

  She shimmied off the bed and looked around for her clothes. She found her shoes, her bra and her dress and quietly put them on in that order. Her thong was harder to find, but she eventually spotted it at the bottom of the bed, twisted up in the sheets. He stirred and she stilled instantly, caught like a rabbit in headlights.

  He groaned and rolled, exposing way more of himself than was good for her libido. She dragged her eyes away and pulled on the thong.

  “Bonjour,” he said raspily and turned onto his side, taking some of the sheet with him. He looked her over, a sexy smile curling his mouth. “You are dressed?”

  Robin nodded. “I have to go,” she said quickly. “I need to get home to change and then go to work.”

  He frowned. “Work?”

  “It’s Monday,” she reminded him, silently wishing he would stop looking so damned gorgeous. “And I have to get to Sterling’s Fortune.” She paused, sucking in breath and bravado. “But maybe I’ll see you there later. I imagine you want to say goodbye to Kate before your flight this afternoon.”

  He was still frowning. “You’re leaving? Now?”

  Robin nodded again. “Yes. So, thanks for a great evening. I’ll never forget it.” She pushed some strength into her legs and walked around the bed. Determined to stay strong and resilient, she bent down and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, then straightened and smiled broadly. “It’s been a lot of fun, Amersen. Goodbye.”

  Before he could respond, she turned and walked from the room, detouring to the sofa to collect her bag before she left the suite, closing the door behind her. Once she was out in the hall, she backed up against the door, knees like Jell-O.

  It’s better this way...

  Better that she made the first move to leave before she had a chance to forget good sense and beg him not to return to Paris. It was over. Done.

  And as she strode down the hallway and toward the elevator, Robin wiped tears from her eyes and realized two indisputable facts—she was in love with Amersen Beaudin. And she’d pretty much sent him packing!

  * * *

  Blown off.

  Amersen didn’t like how it felt. Not one bit. He wasn’t used to it. Usually, he was the one who bailed first. No, not usually. Always. He always left before things got awkward. Sex without consequence. Without strings or expectations. Simple and satisfying. He’d been doing that for years, and not once had a woman ever made the first move to leave.

  Until now.

  He sat up and swung his legs off the bed, inhaling heavily and still imagining he could pick up the scent of her perfume in the room. Hell, he wasn’t even sure it was perfume. It could have been simply soap or shampoo. She was that kind of woman—no frills or fakeness. Honest. Playful. And too damned beautiful for his peace of mind.

  Amersen headed for the bathroom and took a shower, trying—and failing—to wash the intoxicating scent of her from his skin. He dressed, ordered breakfast, packed his things and then called the concierge and arranged for his rental car to be returned and a limo to take him to Sterling’s Fortune.

  By the end of his second cup of coffee, he was no closer to understanding why she’d left. The night had been good. Better than good. They were insanely great together in bed. It had been the hottest and most satisfying sex of his life, and he arrogantly assumed she didn’t have any complaints about his performance.

 
Maybe he was wrong?

  He picked up the unicorn necklace she’d left on the table.

  The man I want to be with is the one who makes me laugh, the one who looks at me and makes me feel like I’m the only woman in the room. You. Just you.

  Her words banged around in his head. Foolishly, a part of him wanted to believe them. And the more he considered how she’d left in such a hurry, the more irritated and resentful he became.

  No one bailed on Amersen Beaudin.

  By the time he arrived at Sterling’s Fortune later that day, he had almost convinced himself that he was going to tell her that. He’d had many long and lonely hours to dwell on her rejection, and he didn’t like how it made him feel. Angry, for starters. And foolish.

  “I look forward to signing the contract for this deal,” Kate said to him. He’d been at the ranch for ten minutes and was so agitated he could barely sit still. He didn’t want an earnest conversation with Kate about business. Because his head wasn’t up for business when he was consumed by thoughts of Robin and how she’d looked racing from his hotel suite as though her heels were on fire.

  “Yes,” he said blandly. “I’m sure we’ll be able to come to an agreement and let the suits on either side sort through the details.”

  She nodded. “We can start working on the fragrance immediately. I was speaking with Robin about it only this morning. She’s so insightful when it comes to mixing scents and finding just the right balance with plant ingredients. I’d give her a job in the lab in a heartbeat if I believed I could get her out of the garden.”

  Amersen didn’t flinch. He sensed Kate was deliberately provoking him by mentioning Robin. But he wasn’t about to get drawn into a conversation about Robin’s career goals. “Can I ask where she is?”