“Beautiful night, isn’t it?” he said. His voice was huskier than before. She lowered her hands. “It’s so beautiful, I wanted to reach out and touch it.” She glanced up at him. “I’m sorry, I got fingerprints on your glass.”
He shook his head. “Don’t worry about that. My housekeeper comes in once a week and wipes them down. Touch it again if you want to. Put your whole hand up there.” He removed his arm from her shoulders and stood behind her, taking both hands into his and placing her palms flat against the cool glass.
Kyla shook her head. “She’s going to wonder what the hell you were doing in here.”
He leaned closer until his body touched hers. Then his breath against her neck sent a tingle throughout her whole body. He whispered in her ear, “I know what I want to be doing in here.” He kissed her neck while holding his palms flat against the backs of her hands.
Long suppressed sexual urges rose up in Kyla in a way she’d never expected. Her head fell back into the crook of Miles’s neck as he continued to whisper in her ear.
“You taught me some things about vegetables, but I’d like to teach you some—”
The doorbell rang.
“Ugh,” Miles grunted and lowered his face into Kyla’s neck.
She hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath until just then. She released a deep sigh.
Miles removed his hands and took a step back. “Glenda and Quan, I damn near forgot about them.”
Kyla lowered her hands and turned around. She’d forgotten about them, as well.
Miles reached out and caressed the side of her jaw. “I could always tell them to go away. Or better yet, pretend we’re not here and don’t answer the door.”
The smoldering look in his eyes said they were about to get into trouble if he didn’t answer the door. “I think you should answer it. I mean, you just invited them over.” What they needed right now was a diversion.
The doorbell rang again. He lowered his head, placing his mouth on Kyla’s. She held onto Miles’s shirt, too afraid to completely pull him in. After a quick but nice kiss, he stepped back.
She noticed Miles adjusting himself as he crossed the room. Arousing him had not been her intention, so she hoped he was thankful for the interruption. She sat on the sofa and leaned back, trying to look relaxed.
“Well, it’s about time,” Glenda said as she strutted in. “We were beginning to think you’d changed your mind.” Quan strode in behind Glenda, smiling like he’d won the lottery.
“No, not at all, come on in. I was uh...just giving Kyla a little tour,” Miles lied as his guests entered.
While Miles went into the kitchen to prepare drinks, Kyla had the opportunity to chat with Quan. She learned more about his philanthropic work as well as his interest in agriculture and farming.
The foursome resumed their dinner conversation until the doorbell rang again. This time, Glenda opened the door and another couple walked in. Miles introduced Winston, his lawyer, and his wife. They’d just happened to be in the area, so Glenda had invited them over. For the next two hours they drank, talked politics, and tried to solve the world’s problems.
Kyla could feel her eyelids getting heavier, but hadn’t realized she’d dozed off until her body leaned into Miles’s. He sat next to her in the middle of a serious debate about why the U.S. didn’t help Africa more. She quickly righted herself, pretending she’d wanted to snuggle up next to him.
“Are you okay?” Miles asked, as he sat back and placed his arm around her shoulders.
She slid into the spot between his chest and arm as if she was meant to be there. She nodded and tried to look awake, but her eyelids were so heavy.
“No, you’re not. What would you be doing if you were home right now?” he asked.
The other couples continued to chat as if they hadn’t noticed Miles pull away from the conversation. Kyla lifted his wrist and looked at his watch. “At a quarter to twelve I’d probably be under the covers.” She held a hand over her mouth to stifle a yawn.
He leaned in and whispered in her ear, “That sounds like an invitation.”
Kyla bit her bottom lip. As much as she would love to stay with Miles tonight, she didn’t want to be the cause of his breaking his vow. “I didn’t mean for it to be.”
“I know you didn’t. That’s what I like about you.”
Glenda moved from her chair to the arm of Quan’s and then leaned over to whisper in his ear. They looked in Kyla’s direction, but she was too tired to care what they were saying.
“Well, folks, Quan and I are going to call it a night. I have to be back at McCormick Place by nine, so I need to get some sleep.” Glenda stood up.
“We’re right behind you,” Winston said as he stood and reached down to help his wife up.
Everyone was leaving. Kyla sat up, instantly wide awake. They’re about to leave me alone with Miles!
Glenda gave Kyla a hug. “I’ll see you in the morning.” Then she released her and held her at arm’s length. “Get a good night’s sleep.”
“I think I’ve already started,” Kyla said, referring to her nodding off.
Glenda held a hand up, shielding her response from the rest of the group. “I noticed.”
Kyla shrugged. So much for her efforts to look engaged. After hugs all around, Miles walked everyone to the door. While he was there, Kyla scooped up the glasses from the table and carried them into the kitchen. There was no way she could repay him for the conference, but she could show her appreciation by cleaning up.
Under the sink she found the dish liquid and started washing the glasses. She knew when Miles returned he’d tell her to stop, so she hurried.
“You don’t have to do that,” Miles said as he walked up behind her. “I told you, I have a housekeeper. All I have to do is place them in the dishwasher.”
She shrugged. “I know, but it makes me feel better to do something after—” Kyla flinched as Miles’s hands slid down her arms and his body pressed against her back. “What are you doing?”
His hands found hers under the water. “Helping you wash glasses,” he responded in his husky voice.
The heat from his body prevented her from thinking straight. She released the glasses as their fingers intertwined. Miles slowly caressed her hands while kissing his way down her neck. She closed her eyes and tilted her head to the side, giving him full access, hoping he wouldn’t stop there.
“Did you enjoy yourself today?” he asked, his lips inches from her ear.
She tried to speak, but found it hard to form a sentence. What is this man doing to me? With every breath, her whole upper body rose and fell. She nodded and uttered, “Uh-huh.”
He whispered in her ear, “Watching you do the dishes is kind of sexy.”
Kyla let her head rest on his chest again and took a deep breath. And doing dishes like this is almost unbearable. “I’ve never heard anyone...refer to washing dishes...as sexy,” she said between breaths.
“Then maybe just having you here is what’s turning me on,” he replied before kissing the top of her head. His hands gradually rose from the water and rested on the edge of the sink. When she turned her head to look at him, he leaned in slowly, and her body trembled in anticipation. His warm breath met her lips as his tongue sought her mouth. She forgot all about the damn glasses.
He kissed her in such an urgent fashion that they both forgot their hands were wet. He moved to the side of her and pulled her hands out of the water, wrapping them around his neck.
Her desire for Miles was something she’d been struggling with from the minute she’d laid eyes on him. Miles was unlike any other man she’d ever met, and the more time she spent with him, the more she wanted him. A little voice in the back of her head told her to slow down and remember his vow, but the fire growing inside of her was so powerful she ignored the voice and caressed his head i
n her hands.
Miles devoured her mouth, kissing her as if this was the last time they’d ever see each other. He turned her completely around with her back to the counter. Her legs were slightly parted, and he wedged one leg right in against her heat. His growing erection pressed against her pelvic bone. He moaned several times as he pressed his thigh into her, forcing her legs wider apart. Suddenly, he released her mouth and took a step back.
She readjusted her stance while catching her breath. Miles breathed as if he’d just run a marathon. He collapsed against her again and dropped his head into her neck.
“Kyla.” He whispered her name in a strained voice that she didn’t recognize.
She knew he struggled with his desire to make love to her and his desire to keep his vow, but the breathless way in which he said her name drove her crazy. She pulled up his shirt until it was out of his pants. He stepped back again and she started working on the buttons. She needed to touch his naked chest and then wrap her arms around his body. Miles put a hand under her chin, raising her face until he captured her mouth again.
She undid the last button and threw his shirt open. Sweet Jesus! There was his magnificent chest again, scar and all. He lowered his arms as she pulled the shirt down until it landed on the kitchen floor.
He ignored the shirt and wrapped his hands around her waist, pulling her away from the counter, closer to him. Kyla’s hands slid around his waist. They stood there, holding each other, breathing deep, afraid of what came next. She waited for him to make the next move, but she knew what she wanted him to do.
Instead, Miles took a deep cleansing breath and lowered his head. “I think I’d better take you to your hotel.”
She squeezed her eyes tight. No! Her body craved his touch, caresses, kisses and anything else he wanted to do to her. She’d fantasized about their lovemaking almost every night.
Miles stepped back and stared down at her, tracing her face with his eyes. She lowered her arms and looked away, unable to take the tempting rise and fall of his chest. He picked his shirt up from the floor.
“I don’t know what I was thinking, bringing you up here in the first place.” He reached out and pinched her chin between his fingers. “I know how weak I get when I’m around you,” he admitted in a low tone.
Kyla took his offered hand, and he led her back to the sofa. She understood his struggle, but she was having one of her very own. “You just wanted to extend the dinner party. You probably weren’t even thinking about me at the time.”
He stopped and turned to her. “I’m always thinking about you.”
The flutter in her stomach subsided as she reached for her purse. Miles put his shirt back on but left it hanging outside of his pants. “Let me grab my keys,” he said, then turned around and ran into the side table, swearing at himself as he held his knee.
He snatched up his keys from a bowl sitting near the edge of the kitchen counter and walked toward the door. Kyla followed him, hoping he wasn’t mad at her for tempting him. Since he’d turned her on, as well, and had her panties soaking wet, she figured they were even.
He stood holding the doorknob. “I uh... I—”
“Miles, you don’t have to say anything. I respect the vow you’ve made, and I totally understand.”
He tilted his head, and the corners of his lips turned up slightly. “I made that vow in good faith, waiting for the right woman to come along.”
“I know. I didn’t mean to tempt you,” she explained.
He lowered his head and opened the door. Kyla took a step, and then Miles took her by the arm and pulled her back. He closed the door.
“I don’t want you to go,” he said, as he took her hand into his. And then he looked up into her eyes. “I mean, unless you want to go. But if you want to stay...do you want to stay?”
The vulnerable look in Miles’s eyes rendered Kyla incapable of resisting his offer. “I do, but—”
Miles didn’t wait to hear what else she had to say. He wrapped her arm around his waist and cupped her face in the palms of his hands. When he leaned down for a kiss, her mind exploded with excitement and desire. Her purse fell to the floor as she returned the passion-filled kiss. Moans escaped from deep within his throat, weakening her knees. Her pulse raced as a euphoric feeling spread throughout her body.
Miles picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around his body. The slow R & B soundtrack in the background added fuel to the fire. He carried her into his bedroom and laid her on her back before coming down on top of her. Realizing her fantasy was about to come true, she reached up to unbutton his shirt, then unbuckled his pants and stripped off his belt. The whole time, they never stopped tasting each other. Once she unzipped his pants, he tore at them, pushing them down and off.
He leaned over and slowly helped her out of her pants while caressing and kissing her all over. He moved back up and slid her bra straps off her shoulders as his lips branded their way down her breast to her nipple. He teased her body until she couldn’t take it any longer. He eased his body down next to her, facing her, and gazed into her eyes for a couple of seconds. She reached for his hand and interlocked their fingers, holding them up as he stared at their hands. She could see in his eyes that he was ready to make love to her, and she hoped he could see that she was ready to give herself to him.
Miles brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles before he sat up, lowering his feet to the floor. She wanted to ask him if he was sure about this, but all she could do was run her hand down his back. It was selfish, she knew, but she had to have him. He leaned over and opened the nightstand drawer.
When he turned back around, he had a condom in his hand. She was on her knees now, caressing his chest and yearning for him to kiss her again. In one swift move, he held her by her behind and brought her legs around him until she straddled him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and ground her pelvis against his enormous erection. She rocked against him while he squeezed her behind, pulling her closer against him. She threw her head back, searching for air; she was so hot she couldn’t breathe.
Miles kissed her neck, collarbone and chest as she arched her back, giving him better access to her breast. He left her breathless and lightheaded as he released her breast, picked her up, turned around and positioned her on her back. With her legs spread, he massaged between her legs with the palm of his hand before spreading her lips and teasing her soaking-wet clit. She closed her eyes and stretched her arms out across his bed, which smelled of clean linen and lavender. Her body jumped as her muscles contracted. Miles removed his hand and ran it up her stomach to caress her breast. Then he opened the condom package and slowly rolled it down his shaft. Kyla couldn’t take her eyes off him, she wanted him so bad.
When he slid between her legs, she could feel his body trembling. He hesitated before entering her, so she reached out with both hands and caressed the sides of his face before running her hands behind his neck. He lowered his head and she sucked his bottom lip into her mouth and kissed him as he slowly entered her, stretching her to accommodate him. Kyla opened her mouth, taking deep breaths, allowing her body to adjust to something she hadn’t had in so long.
Miles’s jaw was set and his eyes were smoldering as he looked down into her eyes. “Wrap your legs around me,” he said in a hoarse voice that she hoped to hear often.
She did as instructed, and he stroked slow and steady until she’d taken all of him. Then he stole her heart as he whispered in her ear, saying how much he wanted her as they made love. She ran her hands up and down his back before holding on, as his thrusts became deeper and faster. He took her on a ride to heaven and back, while changing positions a few times along the way.
When she came down to earth, Miles lay behind her, holding her snugly in his arms. They lay there spooning as their breathing returned to normal and the music relaxed their bodies. He got up, made a quick bathroom run and came back to her
.
Kyla could almost feel her body glowing. She tingled all over from the pleasurable sensations Miles had brought her over and over again. He kissed the top of her head and pulled her even closer to him, if that was possible.
“You are an amazing woman, do you know that?” he asked.
She squeezed her eyes closed. What they had just done had caused him to break his vow. A vow he’d made to God. “I don’t feel amazing. I feel horrible. Miles, I’m so sorry.” The bed moved as he sat up.
With furrowed brows he asked, “What are you sorry about?”
“We broke your vow. If I hadn’t come here, this would never have happened.”
He smiled and shook his head. “Baby, I broke my vow because I’ve found the right woman. You!”
Chapter 16
Miles successfully talked Kyla into moving her departure from Sunday evening to Wednesday morning, while at the same time moving from the Wyndham to his Lincoln Park address.
When she arrived at the summit on Sunday, she sucked up every workshop, lecture and networking opportunity that she could. At the end of the afternoon, she was helping Miles’s interns take down the Parker Edmunds booth when Miles walked up behind her. “Was it everything you thought it would be?” he asked, with his mouth practically in her ear.
Startled, she jumped and turned around. A devilish smile took over her face. “Are you talking about last night or this morning?” she asked, referring to the love they’d made again this morning before jumping in the shower.
“Ah.” He wiggled his index finger at her and shook his head. “I was referring to the summit. I think I know how you feel about everything else.”
She cocked her head to the side, then folded her arms. “And how do you know this?” she asked.
He picked up a box of brochures that were on the table next to her and, as if in passing, leaned into her ear. “The same way my neighbors know—by your screams of passion.”
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