by Rita Herron
His loud sigh filled her ears, then he was crushing her to him, cupping her face in his big hands and savagely kissing her. As if he was starved for her, he plundered her mouth, teasing and tasting and nibbling at her lips, his hands stroking her back, her waist, the curve of her hips, his body frantically pulling her into his heat. “I’ve wanted you for weeks,” he whispered in a ragged voice.
“And I want you, Zeke,” Paige whispered against his neck.
He threaded his fingers through her hair, his breath hot on her cheek, then gently pulled her face back and forced her to look into his eyes. “You really want this?”
The uncertainty in his voice surprised her, shocked her to the core, and she realized that Zeke was vulnerable himself. He’d been hurt as much as she had in the past. Tonight she wanted to take that hurt away, erase both their past and all the baggage creating roadblocks in their relationship.
“I really, really want you, Zeke,” she whispered, nibbling at his lower lip.
A loud sigh of relief escaped him and he threw his head back and chuckled. “Do you know I’ve dreamt about this so many times I don’t know where to start? I can’t decide whether to throw you down and attack you or go so slow you’ll be beg me to finish before I even undress you.”
His provocative words sent heat sizzling through her, pooling in her belly. However he wanted to take her, she would surrender. “We have all night. We could try it both ways,” she whispered in his ear.
His dark eyes grew smoky, his lids lowering to reveal long dark lashes that no man should ever possess, and the honest, raw need in his face startled her. “I want you every way possible,” he said in a husky voice.
Then he scooped her into his arms and carried her to his bedroom, pausing only long enough to kick the door closed behind him. Paige traced her fingertip around his mouth, memorizing the small cleft in his chin, the curve of his lips, the strong, firm line of his jaw, every detail of his handsome face.
With a low growl he lowered his mouth, his hunger subsiding into something gentle and tender and so loving she almost wept with the intensity of it.
The late evening sun was setting and slivers of red and gold light streamed through the blinds, streaking his hair with golden highlights and setting his skin in bronze tones that resembled the burning embers of a fire. The long lonely nights without him flashed through her mind and she knew that once he possessed her, she would never want to be apart from him again. But she couldn’t think about tomorrow…
“I thought about you all night,” he whispered roughly. “Every night.”
His eyes were dark and unfathomable, his sexy words sending her reservations to the far recesses of her mind. She lifted her fingers, the anticipation making her fumble with his buttons. Taking a deep breath, she eased the buttons from their encasements and parted his shirt so she could run her hands across the soft dark mat of hair covering his bare chest. His sharp intake of breath made her quiver inside and the heat radiating through her felt deliciously sinful and right. He stood stock-still, his eyes closing briefly as if he was savoring having her hands washing across his flat stomach. When her hands roamed to the waistband of his jeans, he trapped them in his own.
“Not yet. I want to look at you.”
Paige’s breath caught as he stroked the tangled threads of her hair away from her face and gently unbuttoned her pink blouse. He took his time, his gaze trapping hers so he could see every nuance of her expression, so his breath mingled with hers. She savored the harsh whisper of his voice when he finally drew away the fabric. His dark gaze seemed to penetrate her skin as he raked his eyes over her body, his breathing slowing as he gently traced the soft swell of her breasts above the lacy-thin fabric of her bra. He seemed to be drinking in the sight of her and she suddenly felt self-conscious. She started to cover herself, but he caught her hands again and shook his head. He slowly reached up and unfastened the front clasp, his breath faltering when the thin fabric fell away.
“You’re so beautiful you make me hurt,” he said roughly.
“I want to look at you, too,” she whispered.
He smiled and stripped off his shirt, tossing it to the floor, as if he was honored to have her stare at his naked chest. His gaze moved over her heavy breasts and then lower, where she had already started to ache for him. Gently he reached out and cupped her weight in his hands. Throwing his head back, he groaned and kneaded her flesh, his mouth nibbling and trailing kisses down her neck, beside her ears, then lower still.
“Zeke?”
“God, Paige. Don’t you know how much I’ve wanted to do this?”
She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and suddenly he grabbed her and encircled her with his arms. “I need you, Paige,” he whispered against her ear.
He stopped talking with words and used his hands and his mouth to tell her exactly how he felt. They shifted against the bed, and he shoved her shorts off her hips so they fell in a heap at her bare feet. Shaking with need, he shucked his jeans and underwear in one quick movement and stood before her.
“Oh, Zeke.”
He fingered her hair away from her cheeks, brushing her shoulders lightly with his fingertips. “You want me, darling?”
The endearment made her shiver with want. “Yes, I want you.” She leaned into his arms, reveling at the feel of her tight nipples pressed against his bare chest. “I can’t help it, Zeke, all I’ve thought about lately is you.”
“I can’t stop thinking about you. I want you beneath me. On top of me. I want to be inside you. Over and over and over.” He swooped her up in his arms, his patience evaporating. Raw need swirled inside her as he caressed her body with his hands, stroking every inch of her until she groaned and begged him to touch her more. His lips found her breasts, his tongue sought her nipples, and he laved and suckled her until her body throbbed with a need for release. Then he slipped his fingers into the heart of her, his gaze capturing hers so he could watch the passion flare across her face.
Paige groaned and pleaded and bucked against his hand, her own hands squeezing and kneading his muscles, cupping his buttocks and pulling him close so his arousal brushed against her thighs. He seared her with hot, hungry kisses, swallowing her moans as his tongue plunged into her mouth, his body mimicking the movement of his hand and tongue. Paige cried out and clutched his back, her fingernails digging into his skin as convulsions swept through her in a rage of sweet release and emotions that brought tears to her eyes.
Then Zeke pulled back and gazed into her eyes. “Look at me, Paige. I want to see you when I’m inside you.” Paige could hardly breathe. Zeke quickly donned protection, then slowly thrust inside her. She cried out, arching forward to receive the whole of him. Zeke’s breath became erratic and he pushed himself deeper within her, filling her and stretching her until her muscles convulsed again. She whispered his name, and they began to move, until she came apart in his arms.
He drove his mouth over hers, tasting and consuming the fire she emitted, taking solace in her arms and the warm acceptance of her body, his breath mingling with hers. She whispered his name again, murmuring words of how much she wanted him. A surge of emotions almost blinded her as he finally moved with a guttural sound that sent shivers up and down her spine.
They lay still, panting and reveling in the aftermath of their lovemaking, for a long time. Paige knew that she’d been truly possessed, body, soul and heart, but had it been that way for Zeke? She’d never thought lovemaking could be such an emotional experience. She’d bared her whole heart to Zeke. But could she dare tell him how she felt? Especially knowing his wife would arrive the next day, knowing how much the girls wanted Renee to stay?
He curled his hand around her neck and drew her into his embrace, stroking her back and hair, whispering sweet nothings to her, telling her how much pleasure she’d given him and how he hoped he’d pleased her as well. Finally they drifted off to sleep, sated and content in each other’s arms.
When Zeke woke an hour later with Paige nestled in
his arms, he drew in the sweet scent of her skin and stared at her gloriously beautiful body. He had never had such an emotional sexual experience. It scared the hell out of him. His relationship with his ex-wife had been totally young lust. He had never loved her. Not the way he…
Did he love Paige? He was certain he did, more than he’d ever loved another woman in his entire life. Which meant she had the power to hurt him, even more than Renee had. He’d already made one terrible mistake in his life—and now his two precious children were suffering for it. Could he afford another?
He studied Paige’s soft smile and the way she snuggled into his arms, and knew one thing for sure—what had happened between them was so good, he had to take a chance on it. Telling himself their relationship had nothing to do with the girls was ridiculous. Everything in his life had to do with the girls, because they were a part of him. Whomever he found to share his life had to fit with them.
But it wasn’t only the girls. He’d been attracted to Paige from the start. Her soft laugh, her sweet voice, her understanding nature, her fondness for kids and animals, her creativity. He only hoped she’d felt his love when he’d been inside her, that she would remember those feelings tomorrow when his ex returned. He was afraid to speak of marriage, afraid he’d scare her off.
But just to make sure she couldn’t doubt that he wanted her, he dropped tender kisses all over her breasts and stomach until she stirred and smiled at him languidly. Then he started loving her all over again, determined not to waste a second of their precious time together and hoping when the night was over, Paige would feel bonded to him forever.
Chapter Twelve
Paige woke, feeling totally sated and light-headed from their wonderful night of lovemaking. She had never been more fully loved and satisfied in her life. Zeke was a sensual lover, attentive, tender, but aggressive enough to make her feel as if his passion for her had been feverish. During the night, they’d made love again and again, taking the time to explore, to arouse, to give each other pleasure. But morning sunshine peeked through the windows, dotting the room with slivers of light, reminding her their fantasy night had come to an end.
She stretched and lay on her side, pausing to watch Zeke sleeping for a minute before she forced herself to leave his side. Dark stubble grazed his strong jaw and the dark hair on his chest was so inviting she had to tangle her fingers in its softness just one more time.
“Good morning.” Zeke smiled lazily as he snatched her hand and moved it lower.
Paige’s eyes widened when he suddenly rolled over and pulled her beneath him, covering her with a kiss that woke up the rest of her body in a delicious way. His lips brushed hers, then lowered to kiss the sensitive column of her neck, then he brushed them over her nipples until the rosy peaks hardened and ached. She writhed beneath him, eager to touch his skin, reveling in the way his body responded to her touch. Within minutes, he’d awakened her senses to a crescendo with his heady explorations. She was so aroused she pleaded with him to end the torture.
He rose above her, his hands braced beside her head and stared into her eyes, smiling smugly as his throbbing fullness nudged her heat.
“Zeke, please,” she whispered.
He grinned, his eyes smoky as he drove himself inside her in one slow thrust, then slowly pulled away, teasing her. Rising on his arms, he thrust inside her again with a loud groan. His breath hissed out as he filled her again and again, his expression tight with restraint. Hypnotized by his touch, she was helpless to do anything but savor the sensations his body evoked. She dug her nails in his back, her mind screaming with pleasure as he taught her the depth of her own need. When she soared to the stars, he moaned his pleasure in erotic words she would never forget. And as the turbulence of his passion erupted, she clung to him, aware the intimacy they had shared would bond her to him forever.
Minutes later, he lay spent on top of her, his breathing erratic, his body still magically tucked inside hers, when the sharp peal of the phone invaded their moment of sanctity.
“Damn,” he muttered against her neck. “I wish I could throw that thing out the window.”
Paige chuckled. “Me, too.” She nibbled at his neck and he caught her hand, kissing her fingers one by one. “You are wicked, you know that.” Then he dipped his head and tasted her nipple before finally grabbing the phone.
“Hello.”
Paige propped herself on her side, studying the stark beauty of his nakedness as he stood beside the bed.
“Yeah, Mom, I hear you.” His tone of voice became clipped and Paige sat up. Suddenly uncomfortable, she searched for something to put on, knowing their romantic interlude had been broken and that the girls were on the way home. And that their mother probably would be, too.
“I DON’T WANT you to go,” Zeke said a few minutes later when they were dressed and standing in the kitchen drinking coffee.
“Look, Zeke, we’ve been over this. You and the girls both need some time alone with Renee.”
Zeke grimaced, his stomach rolling, his chest tight with emotions. “I don’t even want to see her, not after the way she’s hurt the girls.”
Paige rubbed her fingers over his hands, noticing how tense he’d become since the phone call. An awkwardness had developed between them that she wasn’t sure how to read. “I know you’re angry with her right now, but for the girls’ sakes, you two have to talk. She’s the twins’ mother and they need her.”
Zeke frowned, knowing there was something about Paige’s tone of voice that was bothering him. And remembering the promise he’d made to the girls. But he was too upset over the anticipation of seeing Renee again and dealing with whatever fallout she created this time to fully dissect Paige’s reactions.
A car sounded in the driveway and Paige pulled away, her stomach churning when she noticed a small, red convertible pulling into the driveway with a tall, beautiful blonde at the wheel. Zeke’s mother and the girls parked behind them and they all exited their cars at once, Summer and August shrieking and running into their mother’s arms excitedly. Zeke’s jaw tightened, emotions clouding his eyes.
Tears clogged Paige’s throat at the touching sight of the homecoming scene. She clenched her hands into fists, her nails biting into her palms. She called herself all kinds of names for not rushing home sooner so she could have avoided the scene entirely.
The door swung open and suddenly Summer and August bounced inside, yelling happily. “Mommy’s here, Mommy’s here!”
The blonde breezed into the house wearing a short, tight skirt and a tank top that accentuated her generous bosom. She threw her arms around Zeke and kissed him with a mind-boggling passion that sent Paige’s hopes sinking to the hardwood floor. With her heart in her throat and Zeke in his ex-wife’s arms, Paige slipped out the back door without even being noticed.
“I TOLD YOU the house was jinxed,” Paige told Amelia two days later as they sipped margaritas on her patio.
“I can’t believe he’d take her back,” Amelia said, licking the salt around her glass. “Not after the way she hurt those poor little girls. She doesn’t deserve it.”
“I don’t know what he’s going to do,” Paige admitted, feeling hopeless. Especially since Renee had been staying at the Blalocks night and day since she arrived. “Zeke’s a great father, a wonderful man. He’d do anything for his children.”
“Yeah, but he doesn’t have to reconcile with his ex. They could stay divorced and divide up the time.”
“That’s what we said about Eric,” Paige said, her fears growing sharper.
“I’m sorry.” Amelia poured Paige another drink. “But just because Eric was a dog doesn’t mean Zeke is. Have you even talked to him?”
“No. Renee has been sleeping over ever since she arrived.” That had hurt the worst. Knowing another woman was in his house, maybe in his bed.
“Maybe they’re not sleeping together,” Amelia suggested in a weak voice.
“Maybe. But you didn’t see his face when his ex kissed
him. And she’s so beautiful.” Paige sighed, tears stinging her eyes. “Summer and August were so excited, too. I even wanted their mother to stay, just so they’d be happy.”
Amelia patted her hand sympathetically. “You are such a mush, Paige.”
“I know.” She threw up her hands and stood, brushing the moisture from her damp cheeks. “Enough about my troubles. You want to try on your wedding dress?”
Amelia jumped up, her bracelets jangling. “Of course. I can’t believe the wedding’s almost here.”
Only three days, Paige thought, glancing at the collection of bracelets dangling around Amelia’s arm. “And this time you’re getting a ring, not another bracelet.”
“Yep,” Amelia agreed. “This wedding’s going to come off without a hitch.”
ZEKE’S HANDS tightened on the windowsill as he stared at Paige’s house, wondering why she’d disappeared the minute Renee had arrived. She hadn’t even said goodbye. He watched her house, hoping for some sign of life, but the shutters were drawn, the house dark, almost as if Paige had dismissed him from her life.
Then, Derrick’s car pulled into the driveway and his blood began to boil. Surely Paige would tell him to get lost. She’d made love to Zeke—she couldn’t possibly consider seeing that man again. Could she?
Scrubbing a hand over his face in confusion, he sighed. When Renee had first arrived, the girls had been ecstatic to finally see her. Then Renee had bulldozed her way into staying in the guest room and he hadn’t known what to say, not with Summer and August pleading for him to agree.
He’d never forget how upset they’d been when Renee left the first time, and he’d never forgive her for hurting them. He’d hoped Paige would hang around for moral support, especially after they’d made love all night, but it was as if she’d slept with him, then trotted back home to her own life. He’d thought they’d bonded that night, had hoped she loved him.
Her front door opened and Derrick stepped inside. Dammit.