Just Plain Lucky

by Tesa Devlyn

  On the other hand, he’d been up for the better part of forty-eight hours and suffered from an extreme case of brain fog. Tonight might not be the logical time to decide his future. He edged through the milling guests, smiling and nodding like he hadn’t just lived through the most hellish time of his life. His breakup and divorce with Meredith didn’t compare with the emotions he’d experienced with his son sprawled unconscious on the floor. Not even when Meredith called from Oklahoma City to announce Leif had been arrested for minor possession of a controlled substance.

  Teenage rebellion he could deal with, but not the loss of one of his children.

  “How are you holding up?”

  Liana’s voice drifted through his thoughts.

  He glanced down. She’d slipped to his side without his notice. “Like a zombie. Have a cup of coffee with me?”

  “Sounds like a good idea.” Her lips quivered with a small smile. Her eyes were moist, and strained. She’d been crying and probably hadn’t gotten any more sleep than he had.

  His protective instincts spurred him to place his hand on her back and guide her to the coffee urn. He didn’t care about the looks of interest sent their way, or the inevitable gossip to follow. The incident had been in the morning paper and he would continue to follow Frank’s trial.

  He didn’t care about complications. He loved her.

  The truth hit him like an arrow through the heart. He loved Liana Campbell enough to face down any kind of scandal. He’d be at her side during whatever happened with Frank—if she let him.

  “Sugar?”

  Michael blinked. “What?”

  “Would you like some sugar?” Liana held up the sugar bowl and a silver spoon.

  Heat flared through his exhausted body and refueled his mind. “I’d love some.”

  Her checks flushed and her breasts lifted against the curve hugging gold sweater. The need to kiss her—right here, right now—nearly drove him over the edge of propriety.

  “Think we could go for a drive?”

  Her eyes widened. “Now?”

  “Yeah. Now.”

  “This is Brittany’s party as well as Meagan’s. Not to mention, Leif’s probably tired.”

  Michael added a heaping spoonful of sugar to his coffee. “You’re right. I’m not thinking straight.”

  Liana inched closer and her scent filled his head like an aphrodisiac. “I want to be alone with you too.” Her voice turned soft, intimate.

  Parts of him woke up with full force, but not to just have her with him tonight, but every night for the rest of their lives. “There’s something I have to tell you.”

  “I hope it’s not all talk.”

  He stifled a groan. “Don’t do that to me in a crowd, Campbell.” He fought the urge to sweep her into his arms and carry her out the door like in an old John Wayne movie. “I want more than talk, sweetheart, but as you pointed out, tonight is about the kids. We’re committed to stay with the kids.”

  “Yes, the kids are exhausted. We can’t leave Leif alone after the trauma he’s been though, and Brittany’s been jumpy and emotional all day.”

  He sipped the hot, fragrant coffee and willed the caffeine to travel straight to his blood stream. “Okay...I don’t think I can wait until tomorrow to say what I need to say.”

  “Me either,” she whispered.

  His body twanged like a guitar string. He wanted to make love to Liana and sleep in her arms. Together, they’d heal from the nightmare her ex had caused. They’d face everything together. The hours of mental anguish, and his son’s blunt remark about his lack of intelligence if he let Liana go, had cleared things up for him. He couldn’t pass up the love of his life.

  He wrapped his fingers around the thick white mug and edged closer to her. “Talk to me, because I can’t go through another night without knowing we’ll make it through this.” He brushed his lips over her hair. “At the very least.”

  “Shari, great party.”

  Liana’s greeting penetrated his daze. Michael blinked, stepped away from her and smiled at their hostess. She smiled back, but one dark brow rose in a look her kids probably dreaded.

  “Yeah, well, I didn’t come over here for compliments. I think you should let Brittany stay with Meagan tonight so you can go to Michael’s and put Leif to bed. The kid’s weaving on his feet with exhaustion, and his dad’s about ready to jump your bones. In my dining room.”

  Michael’s cheeks heated. “You’re very perceptive.”

  “Very observant, anyway. So, what do you think? When the guests leave, I can run Brittany home for her overnight bag. We’ll feed Oscar, unless you want to. Honestly, apart from giving you two some time alone,”—she cupped her hand around her mouth—“a change of scene could be good for Brittany. Meagan’s been very upset and would love it if Brittany stayed. Besides,”—Shari laid her hand on Liana’s arm—“Brittany loves Michael. You two are the center of her stability now. Having you together will help her through the days to come.”

  Michael resisted the strong urge to hug Shari. He glanced at Liana, something he couldn’t get enough of. “What do you think? Are you all right with going to my house?”

  Her shoulders rose and fell on a sigh. “Thank you, Shari. You’re always there for me, old friend.”

  “Hey, enough of the old stuff. It’s my pleasure to help. Think you can hang out for a while? Brittany and Meagan asked if they could formally thank everyone for coming.”

  “Yes, of course we’ll stay.” Liana swiped at a tear and hugged Shari.

  Michael’s heart overflowed with a powerful emotion he wasn’t sure he’d ever experienced. He was forty years old and his life had just become complete.

  ****

  While Liana went home to pack Brittany’s overnight bag, feed Oscar and grab her own essentials, Michael drove Leif home and settled him into bed. His son might be sixteen, but he’d been through a life-altering trauma and needed to be pampered.

  “Don’t worry about me, Dad. I’m just tired. I’m glad you and Liana are trying to move past the Frank nightmare. I like her. A lot.”

  Michael squeezed Leif’s shoulder and backed out of the bedroom. It felt damn good to have his son home and on the mend.

  He built up the fire in the stone fireplace, rolled back on his heels and flinched when he hit a sore spot on his still tender feet.

  He hoped Liana liked his house. He loved every square foot of rustic charm, but what would Liana think of all the wood and stone? Being a designer, she might prefer her house. Did he want to change his entire life style in order to make their relationship work?

  Lucky meandered out of Leif’s room and stared up at him. Her tongue hung out one side of her mouth.

  “Are those pups wearing you out?” Before they knew it, the pups would be running around and needing homes.

  The doorbell rang. Lucky softly ruffed.

  “It’s okay, girl. It’s your old friend, Liana.” Michael’s sore feet were beginning to talk to him, but he hurried to the door. He swung it open and feasted his eyes on the woman who had occupied a good share of his thoughts and actions over the past few months. “Come in.” He swept his arm out, and bowed over it. “Welcome to the Saxon home.”

  Liana stepped into the slate foyer a smile brightening her tired eyes. “Lucky! It’s so good to see you, girl. How are the kids?”

  “The kids are asleep in Leif’s room.”

  Liana hugged Lucky, straightened and gazed around the dining room and through the arched doorway into the kitchen. “I never thought I’d get here.”

  “Me either.” He shifted from one foot to the other. What did she think? Acting like Lucky, he followed her into the living room. She stopped in front of the fire and held her hands toward the warmth. “It’s beautiful, Michael.” She looked over one shoulder and the other, her gaze held on the plywood over the broken door. She let out a huge sigh, visibly shook off the melancholy and smiled at him. “Of course I didn’t expect anything less. I’ve seen your wo
rk. I knew your house would be special.”

  “You know all about me, do you?” Relieved she liked his house and didn’t mention the evidence of Frank’s break in, Michael moved to her side and brushed his fingers over her hair. His body went rock hard, but this time he let it. They were alone in his house. Leif was asleep and not about to interrupt them.

  Michael had never brought a woman home, didn’t think it was proper with a teenage boy in residence, but Liana was different. She wasn’t a one-night stand. She was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

  Liana moved closer. Michael’s amber eyes flashed brown and gold in the firelight and drew her toward him.

  When Shari offered the solution for them to get together tonight, she’d nearly jumped up and down and cheered, but they weren’t in the clear yet. Big issues still stood in their way.

  “The past twenty-four hours have been terrible.” She risked rejection and wrapped her arms around his waist. She leaned back to stare into his beautiful eyes. “Besides the horrendous worry about Leif and Brittany, I couldn’t imagine another night spent wondering what you thought of me, and if you’d ever want to be with me again.”

  He ran his palms up and down her back, cupped her bottom and pulled her against him. “I’ve gone through the same hell, Liana. You and I no sooner had issues to work through when Frank appeared and hurt Leif. Sometime today, I realized I can’t blame you for Frank’s actions.”

  “I’m relieved to hear that because I have no control over Frank. At the same time, he would never have done—what he did—if you weren’t connected with me. This morning, Brittany confessed she told Frank about you. She really likes you and thought Frank would understand. She had no idea how deep his possessiveness and bitterness ran.”

  “Of course she didn’t. Brittany and I’ve clicked since day one. I don’t hold either of you responsible for Frank’s vengeance. Not anymore. I just thank God Leif’s okay.”

  “Me too, Michael. He’s such a good boy.”

  Michael chuckled. “Don’t let him hear you say that. He’s sure he’s a man. I can’t wait for you to meet Trinity. She and her brother call each other often, so she knows all about you and Brittany.”

  “Oh really?” She looped her arms around the back of his neck and pulled his mouth down to hers. “We’d better be quiet so we don’t give them something more to talk about.”

  “I think we’ve said enough. The rest can wait until later. Right now I need you in my arms.” He rubbed his hard ridge against her softness and feathered kisses up and down the side of her neck.

  She moaned and her mind whirled with pent up passion. She forked her fingers through his hair. “Where’s your room?”

  In answer to her question, Michael swept her into his arms and carried her through an arched doorway to a hall with two doors. “Is Leif’s room next to yours?”

  “One is to my office and this,”—he shifted her weight while he leaned down and opened the door to the right—“is my bedroom.” He flipped a switch. Several lamps sent a warm golden glow over the room.

  “Michael, it’s beautiful.” Liana cranked her head to take in the private space of the man she loved. The king-sized bed dominated one end of the large room with a dark, carved chestnut headboard and footboard, and a gold and brown paisley bedspread. The night stands were massive, the lamps, burnished bronze.

  On the opposite wall, a crackling fire in the stone fireplace promised many cozy nights. Two club chairs flanked the hearth. He gently let her slide down his body and her feet sank into the thick wool area rug on the plank floor.

  She wandered to the French doors. “I can’t wait to see the view.”

  He slipped his arms around her middle. “Not too masculine for you?”

  “Not at all. I love the Mediterranean flair.”

  Michael chuckled. “You can’t resist studying the decor.” He laved her ear with his tongue and pulled her bottom against his hardness.

  Liana moaned and wiggled against him. “Sorry, it’s second nature to check out a new room.” She turned in his arms. “You’re what I really want to study tonight.”

  Being with Michael was so different from being with Jack or Frank. Foremost, she was crazy in love with him. She was also more mature and knew what she wanted. They came together on a much deeper level than she’d ever imagined possible. Michael was an amazing person, inside and out.

  She fumbled with the button on his slacks. “You’re not making this easy,” she murmured against his lips, thrilled when his mouth tilted into a smile.

  “Why’s that?”

  “Part of you is making itself so known it’s hard to get your pants off.”

  “Let me help.” He reached between them and pushed his slacks over his hips, “Damn, my boots. Okay, let’s get undressed so we can do what we want.”

  Liana’s heart fluttered with love and excitement. She gazed at him the entire time they undressed, and marveled at his broad shoulders and muscled chest. The night they’d shared in her bedroom had been the first and hurried. She hadn’t taken the time to study him in all his glory.

  She laid her clothing over the back of a club chair; the new boots placed side by side. She was excited and nervous. They’d made love before, but this time was different. This time, they’d survived a near tragedy.

  Turning toward the bed, her breath caught.

  Wedged on one elbow, Michael lay at an angle and the lamplight glistened off his bronzed skin. She slowly walked toward him, and allowed her eyes to devour his handsome face and sculptured body. He might be forty, but he looked far from middle-aged.

  She savored every second. She’d waited too long for the night of her dreams to hurry through it. Bracing one knee on the edge of the bed, Liana crawled onto the high mattress and inched toward him on hands and knees, loving the way his hot amber eyes fixated on her bare breasts.

  He cupped her ribcage and pulled her on top of him. Heated skin to heated skin, they came together. Every external thought and concern vanished with the feel and scent of this ruggedly handsome, and oh, so masculine man.

  His hands and lips were everywhere and stirred every nerve ending to new brilliance. Liana straddled him.

  “Wait, baby. This time I’m using a condom.” He reached toward the nightstand and picked up a gold packet. “You want to do it?”

  The fire in his eyes sent goosebumps over Liana’s body. She opened the packet and with Michael’s guidance rolled it over his hard length.

  “I—” She’d started to voice her concerns, but stopped.

  “What, baby?”

  Why mention that it’d be another few weeks before she’d know if their first time had produced a child? “Nothing. We can talk later. Right now, I just want to feel.”

  She braced her hands on either side of his broad shoulders and slid her hot, wet body over his. She rode him until he rolled her onto her back and pushed them into ecstasy.

  Sometime later, bright moonlight woke Liana. She stretched against Michael’s warm and very naked body and sprinkled his chest and neck with kisses. “Am I dreaming?” he murmured, his voice rough with sleep and lovemaking.

  Liana nuzzled his throat. “If this is a dream, I hope to never wake.”

  Michael tilted her chin with his index finger, and gazed into her eyes. “Making love to you is as natural as breathing. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Liana. I can’t think about a future without you.”

  Liana trailed her fingers down his chest and circled his belly button before she continued the journey. She’d wanted to have this conversation, but after all that had happened, it scared her.

  “I can’t think when you do that,” Michael mumbled.

  “Maybe I don’t want to think.” She moved her hand from her point of interest and snuggled into the covers.

  “I’m proposing to you, Liana. I won’t live together without marriage. I realize,”—he tapped the tip of her nose—“there are things we haven’t talked about. Important
things.”

  “You know more about me than I’ve ever exposed to anyone.”

  Damn, why did reality have to rear its sometimes-ugly head? They’d been wrapped in a cocoon of lovemaking, the moonlight streaming through the windows.

  Why did they have to get serious tonight?

  “The future and how we blend our lives. Where we live, if you continue to work as much as you do. Basic stuff.”

  Liana rolled to her back, sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees. She stared across the room at the blue flame in the fireplace. “I have to support my daughter, Michael. I won’t enter into a relationship to be taken care of. We’ve had this conversation. I worked long hours to ensure a secure future for Brittany despite the alimony payments. Now that’s changed, but I still have to work. Not as much on a regular basis, but there will be times when I’ll be home late for dinner, or have to work on the weekend.”

  Michael pushed off the pillow and sat beside her. “Hey, I didn’t mean to sound like I want you to change who you are. I love who you are, but I want to spend more time with you. We’ll be a team, blend our lives, our children, our homes. I don’t care if I sleep in your bed or you sleep in mine, we’ll work that all out.”

  Liana angled to face him. “It sounds like heaven to me, Michael, but can you handle it if I have to juggle my real estate clients until my design business takes off?”

  “How about if I stretch my plans out next to your plans?” He ran his thumb over her lips, and leaned forward to claim her mouth with his. “How about we both accept we’re individuals and won’t always be thrilled with each other, but we’ll still love each other and make compromises?”

  She smiled against his lips. “You paint a very tempting picture.” She trailed her fingertips down his chest and over his thigh, lightly scoring him with her nails.