by Francis Ray
Chapter Five
LUCIAN NEEDED ANSWERS, and he planned to get them tonight. It was all he could do not to pressure Miranda while they were in the grocery store. Back in the limo she was just as quiet as she’d been on the drive from the lake. When the limo pulled up in front of her house, he helped her out, then picked up the two bags of groceries.
“Thank you, Lucian. I’ll take them.”
“It’s no trouble. Besides, you can’t carry these, the boxed cheesecake, the notepad, and your purse.” Turning away, he went to the front door and waited.
Left with little choice, she followed him to the front door and glared up at him. He stared right back. Her shoulders slumping in defeat, she opened the door. He stepped past her into the entryway. “Where should I put these?”
She bit her lower lip. “I’ll show you.”
Lucian followed her through the great room and into a small but well-equipped kitchen. He placed the bags on the counter and pulled out a carton of milk and a package of cheese.
“I can do that,” she said, placing the boxed cheesecake and pad on the counter and extending her hands.
“There’s no reason why I can’t help.” He deftly stepped around her and opened the refrigerator. He frowned on seeing the meager contents. “You should have gone to the grocery store days ago.”
“It’s unimportant,” she said. “Thank you again.”
He turned. Fear and uncertainty were etched on her face. He never wanted her to look at him that way again. “Miranda, what is it? Talk to me.”
Swallowing, she shook her head and reached toward the paper sack. Lucian moved faster.
With his only though to comfort her, he pulled her into his arms. She might have opened her mouth to rebuke him. Lucian didn’t care. He took advantage of the opportunity to shamelessly remind her of a time when they hadn’t been able to get enough of each other.
They both needed this. He needed to know that he hadn’t lost her. She needed to know that she could never lose him.
The kiss was hot and wildly erotic. While his tongue mated with hers, his hand slid down her slim back to her buttocks, pressing her closer to his straining erection. She moaned against his mouth, her arms going around his neck, pulling him closer.
Teetering on the edge of sanity, he lifted his head and crushed her to him. His breathing labored, he rubbed his cheek against hers, unwilling to relinquish touching her completely.
“Why . . . why did you stop?”
He lifted his head and stared down into her passion-dazed eyes, her lips soft and pouty from his mouth. Her pulse still beat wildly in her throat. “Because when we make love again—and we will—I have to know it’s a beginning and not the end.”
Closing her eyes, she placed her head on his chest. “I’m not sure I can give you that.”
Tenderly he lifted her chin and stared down at her, then wiped the tear cresting her lashes with his thumb. He refused to let the fear he felt be heard in his voice. “All right, then let’s take this one step at a time, beginning with the conversation we should have had years ago.”
Taking a seat in one of the straight-back chairs at the kitchen table, he pulled her onto his lap. “Why did you have to shut me out to have your dream?”
Miranda felt the hardness beneath her hips and wanted to move against it. “Why can’t we just have sex?”
“Because I want more than just sex from you, and I think you feel the same way about me.” His thumb grazed across her lower lip, causing her to shudder. “We haven’t forgotten each other any more than our bodies, our hearts, our minds have.”
Miranda clasped her hands together and looked away.
“Have we?”
“No,” she answered quietly. “I thought I had. No, that’s not the truth.” She drew a deep breath and continued, “I tried to forget you, but I never was able to, not completely. Then I saw the People spread. I was surprised you were single and wondered if the pictures had been airbrushed.”
Lucian lifted an eyebrow. “I didn’t even want to do it,” he confessed, “but Devin thought it would be good for business.”
“That wasn’t all it was good for,” she said, unable to keep the jealousy from her voice.
“Nope, it brought you back to me.”
She started to reprimand him for intentionally misinterpreting what she’d said; then she realized he’d meant what he’d said. “Lucian, this can’t work.”
“Tell me why. I’m listening.”
“The driver is waiting on you,” she reminded him. There was no need to discuss what couldn’t be changed.
“He left as soon as we were inside,” he told her calmly. “And before you jump to conclusions, I called Devin while you were shopping. He’s picking me up.”
“Oh,” she said.
He grinned. “Disappointed?”
“What if I were?” she confessed, surprised at her boldness.
His arm around her clenched, his breathing quickening. “Why is it that you’d rather tempt me than tell me what’s going on inside that head of yours?”
She was no longer surprised that he read her so well. “When did you become so perceptive?”
“When did you become so evasive?”
She started to get up, but his arm tightened. Glaring did no good.
“Talk, Miranda.”
If he wanted the truth, so be it. “You can’t depend on a man.”
“I beg your pardon?”
She sighed in exasperation. “You heard me. Men are undependable. A woman has to take care of herself. Becoming a top fashion designer was my dream and my life. It had to be my only focus.”
“Other women have career and relationships,” he told her.
“Perhaps on the surface, but who knows what goes on behind closed doors?” she told him, her voice becoming tight. “The divorce rate goes up yearly, and the children are left with the fallout.”
“Like you were,” he said softly.
This time she made good her escape. Standing, she wrapped her arms around her waist. “Yes, like me, but it was tougher on my mother, who believed a man when he said he’d love and cherish her forever. He left us with nothing. We had to move back with my grandparents. She taught me never to be dependent on a man.”
“She taught you,” he repeated incredulously, coming to his feet.
“Yes.” Miranda paced the length of the small kitchen. “If it hadn’t been for her I might have lost my academic scholarship and everything I dreamed of becoming to help both of us.” She stopped pacing and turned to him. “The morning after spending that last night with you she was waiting for me. We were spending so much time together my grades were suffering. I realized that I couldn’t go on seeing you.”
“You realized that, or was it your mother?”
She shoved her hand through her hair. “It was my decision. I know it may be difficult for you to hear, but I chose my career over you then, and I’d do so again. My career will always come first.”
He’d asked for it, and she’d given it to him. He’d come in second, maybe third, and always would. “You couldn’t make it any clearer.” He thought he saw her wince, or was that what he wanted, hoped to see . . . some sign that she wasn’t as cold and unfeeling as she had sounded?
Or had Miranda made the best decision for herself at that time? He’d never had to worry about his tuition or his grades. He’d been blessed with wealthy, loving parents and a sharp intelligence that let him finish summa cum laude. Miranda, on the other hand, had worked as a waitress to earn extra money, and made many of her clothes. He might not have liked her decision, but it had been hers to make. Now he was the one with a decision to make.
“So you don’t expect me to be around very long, and you think I’ll bail if things get complicated.” It wasn’t a question.
“Both of us have busy careers,” she said. “It’s just the way things are.”
He grunted and turned away. Miranda almost reached out for him, but clenched her fist ins
tead. It was best. “What are you doing?”
“Finishing putting up the groceries.” He opened the refrigerator and placed the butter and orange juice inside. “You want the meat in the freezer or refrigerator?”
She stared at him. “Didn’t you understand what I said?”
“Every word.” He left the groceries and went to her. “Now hear me. Maybe I wasn’t mature enough to handle your decision while we were in college, but know now that in any relationship there has to be some give and take. I understand how important your career is to you. You have a right to be proud.” His arms circled her waist. “All I ask is that you try to find time to fit me into your schedule.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You aren’t the humble type.”
He nuzzled her neck. “I can learn to be a lot of things.”
She sank more heavily into him, turning her head to give him greater access. “I’m leaving in a little over three and a half weeks.”
“Then we’ll just have to make every moment count.” He picked her up and started out of the kitchen.
She bit him on the earlobe. “What about the groceries?”
“They’ll keep. I won’t,” he practically growled.
Laughing, feeling freer than she had in months, she pointed to the bedroom she was using. She’d take this time with Lucian and deal with the consequences later.
He eased the partially closed door open with his shoulder, then strode inside. Miranda had just time enough to reach the dimmer, throwing a soft light into the room and revealing the king-size bed in the middle.
Lucian flicked back the ecru duvet cover. “I don’t think I could have gone much farther.”
She palmed his face. “I’ve dreamed about you being here with me.”
His sharp intake of breath cut through the air. “You won’t regret letting me into your life again.”
Miranda didn’t want any promises. They could have only this time. “Love me.”
They tumbled into bed together. Once their clothes were shed, he worshiped each part of her body, relearning her taste and craving her softness. Her panties and bra were black and lacy bits of expensive nothing, unlike the plain white ones she’d worn while they were in college.
He rolled over her and made her his in one powerful lunge. Her silken walls closed around him. It was all he could do not to release. Her long legs wrapped around him, drawing him deeper, more snugly within her. He closed his eyes as a feeling so intense it shook him rolled though him.
Looking down into Miranda’s face, her lips slightly parted, her eyes dazed with desire, he felt himself falling in love. “Miranda,” he whispered her name, emotions clogging his throat. “Sweet Miranda.”
“I’ve waited so long for this, for you.”
His mouth and body fused with hers. Spinning out of control, he felt her release and his at the same time. Together they tumbled over the precipice.
He’d never felt so content. Miranda was curved against him, her arm around his neck. He never wanted there to be a time when they couldn’t be this way. “Loving you is like nothing I’ve ever experienced.”
He felt her tense beside him and struggled not to press the issue. Deep down she might want permanence in their relationship, but he knew she didn’t believe it was possible. She cared for him, but didn’t believe in him enough to let go of the past and trust him.
He kissed her bare shoulder. “I’d better go put up the rest of the groceries.” She started to get up, but he stayed her with his hand. “I can do it.”
Miranda smiled up at him. “Thought you said they could keep.”
“I might have stretched it a bit, since you bought ice cream.” Kissing her again, he bounded out of bed and reached for his pants. Unlike when they were in college, she didn’t tuck her head in embarrassment. When and how had she become so blasé about a man’s nudity?
“You have a beautiful body,” she said, staring at him with open admiration.
He tried unsuccessfully to keep the jealousy out of his voice. “Glad you approve.”
Sitting up in bed, she dragged the sheet up with her over her breasts. “My first job was an assistant designer for menswear. After a while you become a bit jaded and it’s just a body you need to clothe. You, on the other hand, make me very glad to be a woman.”
“Keep talking like that and the ice cream is on its own.”
“We can always buy more,” she teased.
She didn’t know how much he wanted them to be a we. “Stop tempting me.” He started from the room, then stopped and turned. “I’m going to call Devin and tell him I’ll get a cab home.”
“Then I guess you’d better go put the rest of the groceries up if you want bacon for breakfast,” she said, and this time she did blush.
“You want anything?”
“Just for you to hurry back.”
“You got it.”
After Lucian put the groceries away, he looked around the kitchen to make sure he hadn’t overlooked anything. He saw the white bakery box and lifted the lid. Tucked to one side of the white chocolate cheesecake was a small jar of chocolate-raspberry syrup. The warm syrup was to be drizzled over the cheesecake just before eating.
Sensual memories flooded him. Memories of the first time he had tasted the syrup . . . on Miranda’s finger, then her mouth, before moving on to other delicious areas of her body. He had intended Miranda to see the chocolate syrup tonight and be reminded of the first time they’d made love, a night like no other. The pleasure had been intense and left him feeling awed and powerful and incredibly fortunate to have found a woman like Miranda.
His brows bunched as he recalled the pain her leaving caused. He’d do whatever it took to help her realize they belonged together.
Picking up the jar, he headed back to Miranda. The morning after they’d first made love he’d called his grandmother and given her a rave review on the chocolate-raspberry syrup. It had become one of their best sellers. Lucian often thought he wasn’t the only one who had found another use for the syrup.
A few feet inside the bedroom he heard the shower running, and he smiled in anticipation. Opening the jar, he sat on the side of the bed nearest the bathroom and waited.
Moments later Miranda came out of the bathroom, a fluffy white towel wrapped around her sleek body, an alluring smile on her glowing face. The heady scent of jasmine followed in her wake. “I thought I’d take a quick shower.”
“The next time we’ll take one together, just like before.” He held up the chocolate syrup.
Miranda’s eyes widened and her breath hitched. “I was so scared, but you made the night beautiful for me.”
“You remember?”
“How could I forget heaven?” she asked.
Lucian felt a catch in his throat. “I was nearly crazy with wanting you. I wanted to please you so much.”
“You did. In every way.” She sat beside him and placed her head on his broad shoulder.
His arm curved around her waist. “Making love to you hasn’t lessened the need, the hunger.”
“For me either,” she admitted softly.
“I’ve relived that night a dozen, a hundred times.” He reached for her hand, feeling the slight tremble.
She tucked her head for a moment, then lifted it and met his bold gaze. “So have I.”
Desire raced hot and heavy through him. “Let’s see if our memories did that night justice.” He dipped one of her fingers into the syrup. “We won’t need the ice cream this time.”
With his eyes locked with hers, he smeared the right corner of her mouth, the exact spot where she’d gotten the syrup when they were making sundaes years ago in his apartment. As then, he licked the chocolate from her finger before moving to her mouth. Both of them were breathing erratically by the time the chocolate was gone.
Releasing the towel, he dipped his finger into the chocolate syrup, then rubbed it over her nipples, the insides of her thighs, the dip of her navel. He stretched her out on the bed and proceeded to
drive her wild with desire as he tasted her, savored her. By the time he reached her navel she was moaning his name. He kept going downward until he reached the very essence of her. She gasped in sweet agony, then came undone.
While she was still quivering he entered her, his mouth fusing with hers, his tongue in tandem with the pumping motion of his hips as he drew cries of ecstasy from her lips. The pleasure was pure and explosive. They climaxed in an incredible flood of sensations.
“Lucian,” Miranda murmured. Drained and satisfied, she drifted off to sleep.
Tucking her snugly against him, Lucian kissed her damp forehead. Each time they made love it was more miraculous than the last. Winning Miranda’s complete trust wasn’t going to be easy, but he had no intention of failing. He loved her, and this time she was not getting away from him.
Chapter Six
MIRANDA WOKE with a smile on her face and the warmth of Lucian’s lips on hers. Opening her eyes, she wound her arms around his neck. “Good morning.”
“Good morning.” He bent from sitting on the side of the bed and lifted a breakfast tray. “Scoot up.”
Her eyes rounded in surprise, going from the perfectly scrambled eggs and crisp bacon to Lucian’s pleased face. “You burned water in college.”
“Still do, except for breakfast.” He settled the tray over her lap. “I usually jog every morning and enjoy a good meal afterward. I finally got tired of eating out on the days Sandy doesn’t come.”
Miranda’s hand paused in midair over the toast. “Sandy?”
Lucian’s grin broadened. “Cook and housekeeper. She’s happily married with grandchildren.”
She munched on her toast. “I like her already.”
He kissed her on her lips, then stood. “I’m taking a cab home. It’s almost seven thirty, and I have a meeting at nine or I’d stay. How about dinner tonight at Papas?”
She opened her mouth to accept, then remembered the design. “I’ll be busy today going over details with my seamstress and staff. I need to find the right fabric.” She placed her toast back on the plate. “I might need to fly to New York this afternoon.”