by Lisa Cardiff
“A little.”
“Hmm…” He released her foot back onto the bed.
She exhaled. Honestly, she didn’t think anything hurt right now except when he stopped touching her. Because when he stopped, her body felt achy and needy all over. She covered her face with her hands knowing he could see every emotion, every flicker of desire. She wanted this, but she didn’t know if she could handle it emotionally.
The bed dipped next to her and her stomach flipped. His hands wrapped around her wrists, uncovering her face. “What’s going on?”
Her eyes searched his face and then she sat up. “I am little . . . nervous.” She lowered her voice. “This is a strange situation and quite honestly, I’m still conflicted.”
Surprise flashed across his face, and he ran his hands through his hair, ostensibly contemplating her admission. “Conflicted about me, us, this moment or all of it.”
Shifting onto her knees, she put her hands on either side of his face, then slowly let them drift down to his neck, until she rested them on his shoulders. She bit her lower lip, and his eyes tracked the movement like a predator. “Conflicted might be the wrong word. I think I want to explore this.” She leaned in and brushed her lips across his, then pulled away when she felt his hands wrap around her waist. “But—”
Lucas dropped his hands and shook his head in disbelief. “I thought we were past this. What do you want?”
“I don’t want people to know about us…yet,” she continued.
“Agreed.” He pulled her onto his lap.
“And,” she said, smiling faintly. He groaned. “You have to promise to be honest with me. No secrets. No games. No lies. I don’t want to be blindsided—”
He covered her mouth with his hand to stop her from saying more. “You don’t have to say it. I won’t hurt you again. I promise.”
He released her mouth, and she grinned. “Okay, then we have a deal.”
Threading his hands through her hair, his mouth came down possessively on hers. Her lips parted obediently because she couldn’t resist him any longer. They had unfinished business, and they both knew it. He pushed her jacket off before his lean, muscular body pressed against hers, slowly moving her backward until she felt the mattress against her back.
He brushed her hair away from her face, revealing her neck. When his lips moved to her neck, then to her ear, her breathing became shallow and irregular. Mindless, she arched into him wanting to feel every inch of his body next to hers.
“I could hardly listen to what Jack was saying today at the mine. All I could think about was getting you back here,” he said, his warm minty breath teasing her ear and causing shivers to race down her spine.
“Me too,” she said, wrapping her hands around his neck and kissing him beneath his ear.
“Good. Then, we’re on a level playing field.” While holding her gaze, he started unbuttoning her shirt. Then, ever so patiently, he pushed the sides of her shirt open. Lucas’s eyes burned into her, taking in her pale pink lace bra. “Do know how fucking beautiful you are?”
Regan shook her head, mesmerized by his words, his attention and the hooded look in his eyes.
His fingertips softly grazed the skin on the top of her breasts, but his eyes never left hers. “May I continue?”
“You may.” Smiling coyly, she sat up, slipped one arm out of her shirt then the other.
His eyes zeroed in on her bra, and she felt her nipples harden from the attention. Feeling bold, she reached behind her back and unclasped her bra. Slowly, she slid one strap down and then the other, inch-by-inch, loving the way he watched her.
Lucas didn’t say a word while he studied her. Then he wrapped his arms around her waist. “Come closer,” he said, his voice gravelly.
Shaking her head, she toyed with the bottom of his shirt. “Your turn,” she said.
“Be my guest,” he responded. He leaned back, resting one hand behind him as the other stroked her side and the bottoms of her breast, teasing her and making it nearly impossible to unbutton his shirt. When she reached the final button, her hands were shaking as she pushed the shirt off his shoulders.
In the last six years, she had occasionally thought about the way Lucas looked in college with his body finely honed from a combination of baseball and running. Now as her eyes took in every detail from his perfectly shaped abs, his narrow hips to his firm chest, she was convinced that either her memory didn’t do him justice or that the last six years had been really kind to him.
“Kiss me,” he whispered.
She crawled over to his lap, pushed her skirt up and straddled him, feeling his hard erection pressing into her. She arched into him, her body instinctively remembering what it felt like to be with him and craving him with an intensity that surprised her.
Lucas’s hands tangled in her hair and then one slipped around the back of her neck, pulling her toward him until their lips met. She closed her eyes concentrating on every sensation and shiver flying through her body as he kissed her with such focus and devotion, almost like he needed her in that instant as much as he needed his next breath.
“So beautiful,” he murmured against her lips. His hands slid over her breasts, his thumbs teasing her nipples in hypnotic circles and she arched into him again needing more of…something. And then she felt his mouth replace his hands, sucking gently as a moan escaped her throat.
“Lucas…I need,” she mumbled incoherently as she rocked slowly on his lap. Unable to stop herself, she wrapped her hands around his head, pulling him closer.
“I’ve got you,” he whispered as he bit, nibbled, licked, and sucked with infinite skill until she was desperate for more.
Lucas’s hand slid between them and she lifted her hips to grant him access. Pushing her panties to the side, his hand circled her moist heat in a steady rhythm until he found a particularly sensitive spot and she cried out. He really did remember everything about her. She should stop him or be self-conscious about what was happening between them, but right then she only wanted more of him. She’d missed him so much and not until this moment had she allowed herself to acknowledge that fact. If this didn’t work between them again, she would be devastated, but she couldn’t worry about that right now.
Within minutes, she threw back her head allowing the bliss she’d been deprived of for so long explode.
He wrapped his hands around her, pulling her close. “God, I missed you,” he said as he nuzzled into her neck.
Lucas’s breath was thick and labored, just like hers, and she couldn’t help smiling. She affected him as much as he affected her. “Mmm…” She traced the contours of his back with her fingertips.
He chuckled and the vibration tickled her chest. “Mmm…I second that.”
She felt his hardness between her legs and she dipped one of her hands into the front of his pants, wanting more. His hands wrapped around her wrist, stopping her from reaching her desired destination. “No.”
Her eyes flew to his and she froze, fearing he already regretted their actions and they hadn’t made it very far or not as far as she wanted at that moment.
He leaned his forehead against hers while his hands lazily roamed up and down her sides. She wanted to relax and melt in his touch, but she didn’t understand why he wanted to stop. Without any explanation, he kissed her on the corner of her mouth, then picked her up and eased her off his lap on to the edge of the mattress.
“That’s it?” she asked disbelievingly. “You’re going to stop there. No explanation.”
He smirked and stood up.
She tried not to stare at him, but even mad and confused she loved the play of his muscles as he moved.
Leaning over, he brushed his finger along her bottom lip. “As much as I want to throw you back on the bed and continue what we just started, we can’t.”
“Huh…why not?” she asked, fearing he would tell her he’d changed his mind. If he backtracked now, she didn’t think she could hold back her tears even though she promised hers
elf not to shed one more tear over him years ago.
He chuckled. “I like your enthusiasm, but you’re going to have to save it for later because we have to be at Sweet Basil in less than an hour.”
“Oh shit!” She said, jumping off the bed and running toward the bathroom. “Why didn’t you say something earlier?”
“You’re very distracting. But don’t worry, you still have twenty or thirty minutes to get ready,” he answered, following her in the bathroom.
“Oh my God,” she said, looking into the mirror seeing her tangled hair and puffy lips. “I look like I just woke up.”
“Not even close.” He moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her toward him until her back was pressed against his chest. “I love the way you look.” He buried his nose in the crook of her neck, nuzzling and kissing her.
She closed her eyes, ready to agree to anything if he kept touching her like that. His hands wandered up her sides, cupping her breasts. “Are you sure we have to go?” she whispered, savoring every touch.
He stepped back, releasing her, and she had to force herself not to beg him to touch her again. “Unfortunately, we do, but I’ll make up for our interruption when we get back here tonight.” Walking backwards out of the bathroom, he winked at her. “See you downstairs in twenty minutes and wear a dress.”
“I thought it wasn’t formal,” she said, covering her torso with a bath towel.
“It’s not, but a dress has other benefits.”
Chapter Nineteen
“So are you sure you can’t squeeze a round of golf in tomorrow afternoon before your flight?”
Jack was definitely living it up while vacationing without his wife.
Lucas shuddered as Jack flagged down the waiter for another glass of Stranahan’s on the rocks. “As much as I’d love to play a round, we have a couple things to finish up before we leave.”
Jack shook his head before draining the last drops of amber whiskey from his glass. “You should live life to the fullest before you settle down and get married. God knows, once you get married you might as well hand your man card over to your wife. You’ll only get to do it if she agrees to release you from the marital prison.”
Regan held her hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh.
Jack’s eyes focused in on her. “Sorry, no offense.”
“Not taken,” she responded.
“See, even Regan knows it’s true. She’s not even going to bother arguing otherwise.” Jack slammed his glass down on the table, and Lucas cringed fearing it would shatter. “So, now that I have a captive audience and I’m being double billed for the pleasure of your company, why don’t you update me on the case.”
Lucas picked up his glass and took a drink of water, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. Drinks, salad, appetizers, and a main course and now Jack wanted to discuss the case. They’d already done that this afternoon and at least twice this week.
Briefly, he glanced at Regan, who was sitting in the booth next to him. She didn’t look the least bit annoyed that Jack wanted to draw out this dinner for another hour. In fact, she appeared mildly amused the entire course of dinner and that made him absolutely crazy. He made damn sure she wasn’t aroused and unfocused the entire dinner. Maybe he shouldn’t be so considerate next time.
Lucas launched into a long-winded explanation that was nearly identical to the one he’d recited that afternoon.
Jack nodded, more interested in his fourth or fifth drink than the conversation.
“Regan is investigating any social connections between Jennings and any principles at North Relief.” Lucas moved his hand from his lap to her bare thigh, his fingertips moving in a circular pattern. “Have you made any progress?”
“Progress?” she asked, turning to look at him, her eyes wide.
He cocked his head to the side, a hint of amusement in his smile, as he moved his fingers under the hem of her dress. “With your investigation of potential personal relationships between Jennings and anyone at North Relief.” Regan didn’t respond, and he liked that he finally had her attention again. He was becoming addicted to the way she looked at him. “Are you feeling okay? Your cheeks are a little flushed.”
“Right,” she responded, clamping her hand around his wrist while keeping her face completely neutral. “I haven’t found anything concrete, but I think it’s only a matter of time.”
“Exactly,” Jack added. “There’s always something happening behind closed doors or under the table, hidden from view.”
Regan choked on her water and then her fingernails dug into Lucas’s wrist. He tried to pull his hand back, but she held it there for a minute as she lifted her napkin to her face with her free hand. “Jennings definitely seems like the type for backroom deals,” Regan answered.
“You’re telling me. I know exactly how he works. I was his partner for way too long. Last week, my son asked me about a real estate development deal and I told him, partners are for dancing not business.”
A half an hour later, Jack climbed into a shuttle as Lucas and Regan watched from a bench near the covered bridge in Vail Village.
Regan turned to Lucas. “I can’t believe you did that to me in the middle of the restaurant with Jack sitting three feet away. I thought I was going to die of embarrassment.”
“I gave you fair warning when I told you to wear a dress,” Lucas said laughing at the blush that stained her cheeks.
“I thought you wanted to see my legs, nothing more.”
Lucas wrapped his arm around her shoulder pulling her closer to him. “Then you don’t know me very well.”
She frowned trying to stand up, but he wouldn’t let her. “Apparently not. What would you have said if Jack noticed? What were you thinking?”
Touching her at dinner was risky and completely out of character, but he couldn’t stop himself. After six years of telling himself he had to forget her, she was finally back in his life, and he wanted to take advantage of every moment because, quite frankly, he was afraid it wouldn’t last. They had enough emotional baggage to fill an eighteen wheeler so the odds were against them, but that didn’t mean he’d give up easily. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. Forgive me?” Not knowing what else to say, he cupped her face with both hands and kissed her softly on the cheek and then brushed a gentle kiss across her lips, hoping the gesture conveyed what he couldn’t say. He thought time was against them.
She exhaled and then leaned in to kiss him back. “You’re forgiven.”
A light breeze blew through her long auburn hair pushing it in front of her face. He reached up, tucking it behind her ears. “We skipped dessert. There’s a candy shop around the corner. Do you want to get something before we leave?”
“I don’t know,” she said, hesitating.
“Come on.” He stood up and grabbed her hand pulling her up next to him. “I know you like caramel apples.”
She laughed. “Okay. You know I can’t say no to that.”
Walking down the street, he liked the feel of her hand in his, almost like they were really a couple. Nobody knew them. They were just one of many couples strolling through the streets enjoying the live music that poured out of the bars. Being with her like this, in the quaint little chalet themed village with all the shops and restaurants made him want more than just a couple days because he thought the pressures of work, friends, and family might cause their tentative truce and rekindled moment to implode.
“What are you thinking about?” Regan asked, interrupting his thoughts.
Lucas pulled her closer to him, kissing her. “I’m just glad you came with me.”
She stopped walking and turned to face him. “Me too,” she said simply.
Chapter Twenty
Regan hated to admit it, but she didn’t want to leave tomorrow. She wished she and Lucas could stay hidden in their little bubble in the mountains for a couple more days.
As they walked into his house, she didn’t know what to expect. Would he deci
de to put the brakes on the relationship for the day? It was progressing faster than she initially wanted, but now she didn’t want to walk away. It had been so long since she had spent the night with anyone, and now with the possibility glimmering right in front of her, she wanted him with her, in her bed or his. She didn’t care as long as he didn’t play any games with her head tonight. She needed honesty and him.
Lucas closed the door behind him and reached for the purse that dangled from her shoulder, tossing it on the entryway table. The car keys and his jacket followed her purse. He stared at her then, his eyes lingering in all the right places making her body sing with desire. Without saying a single word, he stalked toward her, wrapping one hand underneath her knees and the around her upper back as he lifted her.
“What are you doing?” she asked, squirming as he carried her up the stairs.
“Taking you to bed.”
When he finally released her, Regan realized that they were in a bedroom—not hers. The room was decorated similar to hers, but the accents were more masculine. The camel colored leather chairs in the corner had gray, black, and red plaid pillows. A large flat screen television hung on the wall above a black dresser. On the far side of the room was king-sized bed with white linens with a perfectly matched red and gray plaid throw blanket along the bottom.
She turned toward the bed, her hands trembling with the enormity of the situation. “This is a nice room,” she said, avoiding his eyes. “Do you always use the same room when you come here?”
Walking up behind her, he placed his hands on her tense shoulders, rubbing lightly before moving to her upper arms trying to help her to relax. His arms drifted lower until his hands rested on her hips. “Yes,” he whispered, bending his head until it was next to her neck. “Is your neck still really sensitive?” he asked, his lips grazing her skin with so much unsaid emotion and sensuality, her knees wobbled.
Her breath hitched as she leaned into him, and she could feel his lips curve upward against the sensitive skin of her neck. “I thought so,” he murmured.