by Lee, Nadia
“You have over a month left,” she whispered, then leaned closer and kissed him gently.
Her hands rested on his chest, then traveled along the strong muscles on his torso to his wide shoulders. She gripped him there and deepened the contact, willing him to understand what she felt for him—what she wanted from him.
His mouth softened under hers. He didn’t grow aggressive or take control the way he usually did. When she moved over and settled on his lap, she felt his cock hardening against the confines of his pants. Her sex clenched. He’d never been able to hide his body’s hunger for her.
“Let’s just go to bed,” she whispered into his ear.
“Jesus.” His voice was harsh with suppressed desire. “You’re on bed rest.”
“Modified bed rest,” she said. “Dr. Silverman said we can still fool around, just no intercourse.”
“You sure?”
She rocked against him. “Very.”
It was more than enough encouragement. She felt him grow harder and thicker through the layers of clothes between them. He scooped her up in his arms and climbed the stairs to the second floor. She buried her face in his neck, loving the effortless way he carried her, how delicate and desirable he made her feel. All male and clean, he smelled amazing. She only needed a whiff of his hot scent to be ready.
He placed her on the bed and studied her with his eyes dark and glittering. The light in the room was on low and romantic, and he looked like he wanted to fall on her and take her hard.
“Fuck.” He ran a hand over his mouth. “I don’t know if I can be gentle. It’s been so long.”
“It’s been just as long for me. If you don’t hurry, I might have to pounce on you.”
That made him chuckle, and some of his tension dissipated. Incredible how she always seemed to know how to calm him.
Slowly he pulled the thin silk sundress off her body. She shimmied to help him get it off. His nostrils flared when her black-trimmed pink lacy undergarments were revealed. With unsteady hands, he unhooked her bra and let the cups fall to either side. Her breasts rose and fell steadily, only because she was trying hard to modulate her breathing. He skimmed his hands along the plump curves, then along the side of her still small waist, triggering electric pleasure on her skin, and tugged her panties down.
Panting softly, she watched him, her body bared except for the bra straps hanging from her arms. He was still fully clothed, his navy suit exquisite on his lean frame. He spread her legs as widely as possible, his hands hot on her thighs. His gaze lingered between her legs, and she grew even wetter and hotter.
“Come to me,” she whispered, her arms stretched.
“Not yet.” He pressed his lips against her inner thighs. His breath fanned against the sensitive flesh.
A tremor went through her body. “Gavin…”
“All I have to do is look at you and kiss you, and you’re already so wet for me.”
She panted softly. His words deepened her need for the pleasure only he could give.
“I’m glad the doc said we could still do this. I’m going to make you come until you can’t remember your own name,” he vowed.
She quivered and spread her legs even wider for him.
* * *
Gavin couldn’t believe how slick she was. He didn’t even have to touch her there. He could feel it.
He nibbled along her trembling inner thighs. Her breathing hitched, then shuddered out.
A soft sigh here, another there.
How could she even think of leaving when she responded to him like this? What other man could love her the way he did?
She was glistening with need, her body tight and waiting. He blew gently on her clit. The moment he tongued it, Amandine made a soft wanton sound. Ah my lovely wife.
He pulled the small nub into his mouth. She tasted oh so delicious—salt and honey. Her hips jerked upward, desperate for more. He sucked on her clit strongly, using his tongue to strum it. He could feel the pleasure coiling in her, and knew she was close.
“Yes, yes. Just like that,” she panted.
When she was about to come, he lessened the suction and teased the opening of her hot little sex. She moaned. “More,” she begged.
He kept on teasing her, taking her to the brink of pleasure again and again with his tongue and mouth and hands until she was making animalistic sounds of need. His cock pulsed, throbbing with an insistent need to bury itself inside her.
No. No. Can’t do that.
He unbuckled his pants and freed his cock. It sprang out, its head wet. He pressed his face between her legs and pumped into his tight fist. Amandine flung her legs over his shoulders, and he savored the desperation with which her heels dug into his back.
He pulled back a little. “I want you to come for me. Fall apart for me.”
She lifted her head to look at him. Her eyes were dark with need. “Yes. Anything for you, Gavin.”
Her answer fueled him and he licked and sucked hard while thrusting into his fist. It didn’t take that long to push her over the edge. Her back arching off the bed, she screamed. She was stunning in her pleasure, her response unguarded, her taste sharper and deeper with the orgasm.
A hot climax rushed toward him. He thrust one final time and came. Pleasure seared all his nerve endings. He wouldn’t have noticed if the world burned down around them.
When his breathing became more even, he shed his clothes and joined her in bed, pulling her body close to his. Her eyelids drooped, her face flushed and soft with satisfaction. She put an arm around his chest and buried her head in the crook of his neck.
“That was unbelievable.”
“You good?” he asked.
“Better than good.” She sighed as her body melted into sleep.
Gavin hugged her. A small anxiety gnawed at him as he recalled their conversation in the kitchen. He thought his answer had been honest and true, but apparently, it wasn’t exactly what she’d been looking for.
Or had it been some kind of test? If she’d been truly dissatisfied, would she have kissed him and seduced him?
Some women fucked casually, without commitment, but Amandine wasn’t one of them. She wouldn’t have opened up to him like that if she hadn’t felt something for him, for their marriage.
He kissed the crown of her head. If he stayed and gave her endless orgasms for their remaining time, would she change her answer?
He didn’t want to leave, and the damned situation with TLD annoyed him no end, but he had to go see his mother tomorrow. He’d already set up the funds. His family members would have everything they needed…except for a few people who seemed uninterested in accepting help—like his bull-headed sister Meredith. His mother was the only one who could get the family to do what he and Ethan wanted, so a short visit to Maryland was in order.
Once his mother took over the matter, Gavin could cut back and focus more of his attention on Amandine. He still had more than four weeks left. A lot could happen during that time.
Chapter Twenty-One
STELLA LLOYD’S SINGLE-FAMILY HOME in southern Maryland was modest by every Lloyd brother’s standards. She used to live in Houston, but had decided to move back to her hometown after her husband’s death.
Her garden was vivid green and healthy. Everyone in the family always made mental notes to look for things to compliment—it was her pride and joy. They also used it to gauge her overall mood. As he walked up to the house, Gavin noticed a small yellow rosebush on one side and frowned. His mother had once had several in the garden, but had ripped them out when Jacob and Catherine announced their engagement.
Stella waved through the living room window and gestured for him to come in. He walked into the house. Its hardwood floor gleamed with a fresh coat of wax. One of the ceiling fans was spinning, creating a soft breeze, and three well-worn couches and love seats surrounded an oak coffee table.
She came out of the kitchen with two tall glasses of iced tea. A little more gray glinted in her long
dark hair, which was twisted into a simple updo. She wore a pair of pretty gold earrings and a turquoise necklace that matched her simple shin-length dress.
They sat down, and she handed him a glass. “Extra sweet, just for you.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Coffee was best taken black, but he preferred his tea almost syrupy with sugar.
“So how are things? Is it true you’re divorcing Amandine?”
He choked and coughed to clear the tea from the wrong tract. “What?”
“It’s on Facebook.”
How in the world…? “Facebook? You barely know how to operate your TV.”
“Eric showed me on his…flat thing.”
Traitor. Gavin made a mental note never to buy a tablet or any other fancy toy for his nephew again. “We’re not divorcing.” He hesitated. Neither Amandine nor he had mentioned anything to Stella so that she wouldn’t be upset, but frankly, he no longer wanted to operate with the expectation that his marriage would fall apart. “Amandine is pregnant.”
Stella’s face brightened. “My goodness. Well, that’s fabulous! Congratulations!”
“If you talked with Uncle Tony, and not just your nosy grandson, you would’ve known we just had our second honeymoon.”
“He’s too busy playing with his new boat to talk. Anyway, I’m glad to hear that. Another baby! They’re so precious.”
Gavin’s insides warmed at his mother’s pleasure. She deserved some good news after suffering the scandal of Jacob’s bigamy.
“You think Amandine can visit before she starts showing?”
“She can’t fly. Doctor’s orders.”
Stella’s face clouded. “Is she all right?”
“Nothing to worry about. Just no airplanes.”
She nodded. “Good. So does this mean you’re cutting back?”
“For a while, yes.”
“You’re going to go back to working like you have been?”
“I can’t cut back forever.”
“For heaven’s sake. You can’t continue to slave your life away at the firm. Besides, what about your child? You’ll have to go to recitals, soccer games… Children take time, even if you have nannies.”
He frowned. He hadn’t thought about that at all.
Stella sighed. “You were planning to go on like you always have, weren’t you?”
“Er…sort of.”
“I didn’t say anything when you got married. I thought… Well, Amandine’s an adult, and she can understand how work can come first. But children won’t, and it’ll wear her out, making excuses for you to the child.”
“But if I don’t work, how am I going to make money? How am I going to provide for my family?”
Stella gaped at him, then snapped her mouth closed. “Gavin Emmanuel Lloyd!”
Uh oh. His mother hadn’t used his full name since he’d turned sixteen.
“I always thought you were one of the smartest kids I knew, but obviously I was wrong. Have you checked your bank account recently?”
“Well, yes.”
“You have over twenty billion dollars according to Forbes. And you’re talking like you have to work to make the month’s rent!” She put down her iced tea and huffed. “I wasn’t going to pry about the photos, especially with you telling me you had a second honeymoon. But you cannot continue to act like you’re single. You can’t work your life away. What will you do with another twenty billion that you can’t with the money you already have? Is it worth missing out on the pleasure of spending time with your wife and child?”
The questions shocked him. His drive had always been all about making more money, becoming ever more successful. Climbing the ladder.
To show that he wasn’t some loser to be tossed away. That he was “more.”
“You hired additional staff for her, didn’t you? She needed somebody, but you couldn’t be there, right?”
He nodded.
“Gavin, Amandine doesn’t want more strangers in her home. She’s not like Catherine. And yes,” she continued in a different tone, “I know Catherine played you and Jacob off against each other. I’m not happy with her, though I don’t think she deserved what she got either.”
She knows…? This was quickly becoming surreal.
She sighed. “In any case, Amandine’s a homebody, an introvert. She just wants peace and solitude in her house.”
“But she’s always been great at dinners and parties…” Amandine had never once complained about having to host an event. She’d been tired afterward, but he’d assumed it was from the prep work and late hours, not because she was an introvert working hard to be an extrovert.
“She needs something that belongs to her, and only her. Think about that.”
Gavin cursed inwardly. He’d hired more and more staff to make sure she was taken care of at all times because he couldn’t always be there for her. He’d done it to assuage his guilt. But he’d never asked himself if that was what would make Amandine happy. Damn it. How could he have been so blind?
“Anyway enough of that.” Stella smoothed her dress. “I’m sure you didn’t come on a workday for marital advice. What’s going on?”
“It can wait,” Gavin said, still trying to process everything. “Let’s have some lunch first.”
He took her to a nearby restaurant where they had a meal focused around New England seafood. As the waiter was clearing the dessert dishes, he said, “I need your help.”
“Tell me.”
He told her about the huge trust fund he’d started for the family members who depended solely on income from The Lloyds Development. Ethan had set something up as well. But they weren’t sure if everyone would take the money.
“Meredith already turned me down,” Gavin said. “I called her a few days ago, and she said to go away.” Meredith’s actual response had been more colorful, but there was no reason to repeat it verbatim.
“Hmm.” Stella’s brow creased. “I see.”
“I asked Ethan to intervene, but I’m not sure if he’s going to be any more successful. Can you help?”
“Of course,” Stella said, her voice decisive. “I’ll host a party for the family. It’s always easier to talk to people in a social setting than some formal board meeting.”
“Great. Thanks, Mom.” Then something else occurred to him. “Are we going to have it at my place or yours?”
“Ideally, mine.”
“Amandine won’t be able to come in that case.”
Stella nodded. “But I think your house would make it appear too top-down, especially with you providing a big chunk of the fund. Mine’s more neutral. If you want, we can have another party at your place to celebrate Amandine’s pregnancy. Then later we girls can plan a baby shower for her. I’m sure Meredith would be thrilled to organize it.”
Gavin nodded. She made perfect sense, and she was correct about Meredith. His sister would love to organize something for Amandine. “I knew you’d have a solution.”
“I always do.” Stella smiled radiantly. “Now, take me home and go make your wife happy.”
* * *
Wrapped in a warm white robe, Amandine lay bonelessly on her bed. On the other side was Brooke, in a matching robe and just as limp.
The masseuses had magic hands. Amandine couldn’t remember the last time she had been this relaxed.
“We should book massages for you every week,” Brooke mumbled, her eyes closed.
“Mm hmm.” She had never bothered before because of her frugal habits. But maybe she shouldn’t cling to her old ways. It wasn’t like Gavin would miss the money.
Luna walked in. “Amandine… Your cousin’s here.”
Amandine jerked around, the relaxed euphoria instantly evaporating. “Catherine?”
“Yes. Would you like to see her?”
What did her cousin want? Had she somehow found out that Amandine had tried to visit? “Um…sure. Yes, that’s fine.”
“Will she be joining you for dinner?”
“I don’t know. M
aybe.”
Amandine had just enough time to sit up and pull her robe together before Catherine strolled in like the queen of the world. An expensively tailored black and red silk dress fit her like a glove, and the air around her smelled like old money and impeccable breeding. Her dark hair curled and bounced about her slender neck and shoulders in artful layers. Careful makeup enlarged her eyes, and pale coral lip-gloss coated her lips. She didn’t look anything like a wronged, heart-broken wife.
Self-conscious, Amandine tugged at her robe. Her face was free of makeup, and her hair was brushed but left unstyled. Forced to choose, people would probably have mistaken her for the heart-broken one.
“Hi, Brooke. Would you mind giving us some time alone?” Catherine said.
Brooke glanced at Amandine, who nodded. She gestured to the masseuses and left the room, quietly closing the door behind her.
When they were in private, Catherine sat down on the edge of the bed, smoothing her dress just so. The silk settled properly to accentuate the stunning lines of her body. “I came by to give you this.” She handed Amandine a wedding band. “Gavin forgot it at my place. I didn’t see it until a few days ago.”
“Thank you.” She took it and rolled it between her forefinger and thumb. “Why didn’t you give it to him?”
“I tried, but according to Hilary he’s up in Maryland.” Catherine studied Amandine. “Are you really going to leave him?”
“What?”
“I saw the photos. Ceinlys does take some good shots.”
Amandine searched Catherine’s expression for a clue about what she was thinking. Coming in person to return the ring wasn’t strictly necessary. FedEx would’ve been more than happy to do the honors.
Catherine took a steadying breath. “If you’re serious about it, the wedding band would strengthen your bargaining position.”
“It…would? How?”
“Think about it. He left it at an ex-girlfriend’s place after finding out that she wasn’t married anymore. Not just any ex, but one he almost married.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“I feel responsible. If it hadn’t been for my bad judgment, you wouldn’t have married Gavin…or him you.”