“But… but do you know what was the worst part?” I asked.
Peter started to shake his head. “Care to enlighten me?” he asked.
Maybe, maybe not. But throwing caution to the wind, I clasped his cheek.
“I could have died,” I said.
“Don’t even think like that,” Peter said.
“But I… I don’t think I could have gone on of you weren’t with me. Because knowing you and… and losing you would have been more than I could…”
My voice stuck in my throat, and as tears started to stream down my face, Peter arched his body forward and wiped away the weeping that was all too real.
“I’m here,” he assured me. “You can’t shake me that easily.”
Somehow I laughed under the force of his weak joke, and as I fell back to his side, I breathed into his mouth and started to kiss him again. He tasted like triumph as I curled my arms around his back, and when I could no longer distinguish the sound of his heartbeat from mine, I focused on his stare and fondled his face.
“Same here,” I promised. “And now… now I’m happy again.”
His kiss was light before he spoke. “All I’ve ever wanted.”
Peter stretched up even as he kept my hands in his, and I waited for him to make the next move.
“Take care of me,” he asked. “I only need your hands.”
Sighing softly, my body surpassed the flickering of my mind, my hands moving on instinct alone as I stripped away the clothes that I had so recently brought back to his body.
“Let’s see a little more of you, too,” he said.
I didn’t resist as he pulled my clothes away. My own bruises hit his eyes, and he groaned until I kept his hands close.
“Here I am,” I whispered. “Is… is this what you want?’
“Yes,” Peter groaned.
Peter’s body turned this way and that in perfect rhythm with my touch, and as soon as I had him bare, I bit down on my lip and focused on his discolored marks. If we had still been trapped in the plane or under the harsh lights of the hospital room, I would have had no choice but to wince at the sight of his injuries. But here and now, in a place where I might be able to care for him, I just brought my lips to his battered flesh.
“More than my hands, Peter,” I said. “I think you need all of me.”
I touched his sides, trying to bring the curve of each contour to a place where it would burn into my memory and stay there, emblazoned. My lips followed my hands, and I felt as if his taste was searing my tongue so that I could feel his essence in my mouth as long as I was able to draw breath through my teeth. Peter’s body turned into every kiss, and as I worked my mouth towards his and found myself trapped in his eyes, I held my breath and sighed at the feel of his hand on my face.
“A little more,” he said. “I… I want to paint you.”
Cocking my head to the side, I thought that he might be more dazed than even he realized.
“Maybe… maybe you should just lie still for a while…” I suggested.
“I know where I am, Caroline,” he said. “And I want to show you what you do to me. What you are to me.”
I didn’t, couldn’t, speak as he eased me to my back. His strength suddenly surpassed any wounds, and when he was over me, looking down with a soft stare, I lifted my lips to kiss his fingers.
“What am I to you?” I asked.
“Just relax, Gypsy.”
“I think that’s supposed to be my line,” I whispered.
“I’m taking it back.”
He pressed his finger to my lips, and I lost his stare as his mouth moved to my feet. Lingering there, he sucked my toes carefully, slowly. Every time his tongue touched my flesh, I shivered and cried out for more. Peter took his time with my feet, his mouth finally reaching my ankles as he kissed my shin and reached up my legs. His hand was at my thigh as his mouth moved between my legs. Every kiss, every flick of his tongue, felt as if he was staking a claim to my body. My soul was singed, and the thought of any man every touching me again made no sense.
Because no lips, no hands, could ever rival his.
“Peter… you really should…” I moaned.
His lips left my pussy as he moved up my sides, and he crushed his lips into mine and drew me close to his chest. I let my fingers splay across his skin, and when he pulled back to the point where I could look into his eyes, Peter smiled and fell into my shoulder.
“So do it,” he demanded in a soft, sweet tone. “Take care of me, too.”
Touching his cheek, I lightly kissed him, the taste of my juices still on his lips. The heat of his breath hit my brain like a quick shot, downed in haste or on a dare, but as soon as I moved away from him, my mind was clear, my eyes focused as I suddenly found my body hovering over his. His desire was firm against my thigh, and I shifted to the side of his hips and pressed my knees to the bed.
“I’m right here.”
Falling into him, onto him, I gasped at the feel of my flesh encasing his. Peter pulsed inside me, and he started to stretch closer. Her lips were at my breasts, suckling my soft flesh as I found his hard back and raked my nails into his flesh. When he groaned, I started to pull away, horrified at the thought that my lust might cause him further harm.
“Don’t stop,” he muttered. “You… your hands feel so good.”
I took him at his word when he kissed me again, and my nails moved deeper. Even as I didn’t scratch, I struggled to bring all of him under my body. And when my hands weren’t enough, I fell into his chest and kissed him there. My hair spilled across his body, and Peter pressed me closer as his pulse intensified between my legs. I moved to meet his thrusts, his possibility feeling like a fire. But even as I burned, as I smoldered, there was no pain as he consumed me. For a second, I shuddered at the thought that I was somehow back on the plane, falling to the earth without knowing if I would draw another breath, if I would ever hold him again. But here he was, under my arms, my kisses frantic about his neck as his hands slipped under my rear. With a grateful moan, Peter brought me closer still, and I felt his release spilling into my flesh as he gripped my shoulders and found my eyes.
“Tell me you’re with me,” he whispered. “I need you… I need you with me.”
Nodding into his neck, I settled against his chest. As he finished inside me with series of smaller thrusts, I moved to meet his body, and when his pursuit finally came to a halt, I wrapped my arms around his waist and kept him close, kept him inside me as I moved my fingers down his arms and took his hands in mine. Peter stayed there, let me hold him there, and as he calmed around me and I felt as if I might slip into sleep, his fingers were under my chin, and I met his eyes.
“I’m here,” I said. “You have me.”
I lay in his arms, his hold tightening as his firmness came to a rest. But even without the intensity of his pursuit, I could still feel him savoring my flesh, and I arched my body to do the same as I peered into his eyes.
“So that’s you… that’s you painting me?” I managed to ask.
“Not bad, right?”
“Might be a masterpiece,” I muttered. “Peter, I…”
I wanted to tell him, started to tell him, that he was everything that I had ever wanted. That I would follow him into any danger and know that he would protect me. But before I could even utter another word, sleep enfolded me, and I fell into darkness in the space of his strong arms.
Chapter Five
Waking slowly, I felt a twinge of pain as I moved my arms over my head. It took me a few seconds to remember what had happened to bring me to such a sore point. My first thought was the memory of Peter over me and inside me. That explained the sensations coming back to life as they raced under my skin, and I snuggled against my pillow, wanting nothing more than to enjoy the memory of the moment and dream of how it felt to have him…
But then the rest of the night came back in full force. There was another source of my injuries, and when I felt the other side of the bed and
found him missing, I shot up straight and scanned the room.
“Peter?”
Peter was not answering my call and was nowhere to be found, so I pushed the sheets aside. Paying no mind to my nakedness, I started towards the door when it suddenly pushed open. A scream left my lungs, and I fell to the floor, burying my head in my hands, the memory of Swanson barging into the room flooding my senses. Where was Peter? And what was going to happen to me now?
“Caroline?”
My head shot up, and I saw Peter in fresh clothes with a tray of two coffee cups and a brown paper bag. Not knowing how or why he suddenly looked so clean, I sprang to my feet and took him in my arms.
“Where were you?” I begged. “I woke up and you were… you were gone. Again!”
My body was wracked with sobs as he folded me into his arms, and Peter made no sound as he held me and stroked my back. The feel of his hand on my flesh slowly calmed me to a place where I found rest and felt his lips dotting my hair.
“Don’t be scared,” he said. “You don’t have to be afraid anymore, Gypsy.”
Struggling to hear his words and just listen, just believe, I dared to lift my eyes to his, and as soon as I saw his kind stare and felt his lips light on mine, I calmed further and held him closer.
“I’m not,” I started. “But where… where were..?”
“First things first,” he commanded in a gentle voice. “You’re shivering.”
He brought me back to the bed, and he wrapped the sheet around my body. As soon as I was covered, my heart started to calm, and he stroked my cheek.
“Of course you’re right,” he said. “It was never a good idea to leave you. Look what happened last time.”
My mind flashed back to Swanson’s assault again and I took Peter’s hands and hung my head.
“That was bad,” I whispered. “So why… why would you do it again?”
“Oh, Caroline.”
I didn’t resist the feel of him bringing me into his arms, and as soon as I smelled his clean flesh and dragged my lips down his face to meet his kiss, I was ready to claim him with my mouth again. But I suddenly pulled back and repeated my question.
“I… call it a surprise,” he said. “First of many.”
He reached for the brown bag, and before he could tear the staple away, I shook my head even as I stayed in his eyes.
“Is it wrong that I’m starving?” I asked.
“Totally normal,” Peter said. “Now, here.”
Unable to finish my thought, I let him sit at my side as he unfurled the brown paper. I saw a slim pink box secured with a single strip of tape. Peter picked the tape way with the force of one nail, and as soon as he flipped he box open, my eyes fixed on a variety of Danish just waiting for the taking. The smell of fruit and frosting wafted into my nose, and I turned to face him with as small smile.
“That looks nice,” I said.
“Just nice? Come on! When was the last time you even ate anything?”
I could hardly remember as I watched him separate a small piece of pastry from the pile, and my lips parted as he brought it before my mouth.
“We need to keep your strength up,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. “And a little sugar rush never did anybody any harm.”
Maybe, maybe not. But I still bit down and felt the gelatinous strawberry dancing across my tongue. Biting down on its flaky surroundings, I felt the sweetness swirling down my throat, and when my tongue needed another taste, Peter was right there, feeding me again, and I nibbled his fingers as I took more of the Danish in.
“That’s my girl,” he said. “Starting to feel better?”
Pushing his hand aside, I took what was left of the Danish in my hand. Munching greedily, paying no mind to the crumbs falling across my breasts, I ate heartily, and as soon as the Danish disappeared down my throat, I wiped my mouth with my back of my hand. Peter pushed the sheet aside and rubbed me off. A part of me felt ashamed for making such a show of myself, but he just kissed the top of my head and pressed the rim of one of the coffee cups to my lips.
“Bet you need to wash it down.”
The light, sweet taste was a kind of paradise, and as I swallowed and sighed, I felt his arm steadying me in place, and I gazed into his eyes.
“So… maybe we’re okay now?” I nervously asked.
“I promise that…”
His words were stopped by the sound of someone pounding on the door. I shuddered and wrapped the sheet tightly around myself, but Peter pressed the coffee cup into my hands and kissed my cheek.
“Nothing more to fear,” he said. “A friend is calling.”
I didn’t sip as I kept my eyes on the door. As soon as he got it open, Morgan was there, balancing a bunch of boxes under his arms.
“Where do you want these, Sir?” Morgan asked.
“Right on the bed,” Peter ordered. “So she can reach them.”
Morgan did as he was told, and he smiled into my eyes as Peter snapped him back to total attention.
“Sir?” Morgan asked.
“Think it’s time you gave me my card back,” he said.
“Your…? Oh yeah! Right!”
Morgan handed the plastic over, and as he pocketed the card, Peter pushed his hand into his other pocket and handed over a fresh stack of cash.
“Doubt we’ll be needing you for the rest of the day,” Peter said. “See if you can find yourself a girl or something in this burb.”
Flipping the bills, obviously counting them quickly, Morgan bowed his head and flashed me a smile.
“Have fun, Miss,” he said. “I have a feeling I will.”
With that, he was gone, and Peter closed the door tightly. Twisting the lock in place, Peter turned back to the room and pressed his hands behind his head.
“Still hungry?” he asked.
I nodded, and he offered me a choice of soft, sweet cheese buried in frosting. I munched happily and took another sip of coffee. As my stomach settled and my hunger for food subsided, I grabbed his hand and kissed his cheek.
“So what’s the deal with Morgan?” I asked.
“You suddenly have secrets from your husband?” Peter teased.
I joined in his laughter, but I steadied my stare and looked back to the boxes.
“Not me,” I said. “But you’ve obviously been up to something.”
“Can you blame me for wanting to look fresh and pressed for you?”
There was no denying the fact that he looked divine, that he smelled even better, and as I started to speak, Peter settled close to my side and kissed my brow.
“And I thought a little shopping spree for you was also in order,” he said.
“Without me?” I asked.
“I have some idea what you look good in.”
“Bet you do,” I grinned.
Pushing the sheet aside, I felt his eyes scanning my naked flesh, and Peter laughed as his fingers swirled around my breasts.
“You didn’t have to even step out the door,” I teased.
“Point taken,” he agreed. “But somehow I think we’re asking for trouble if you pull a Lady Godiva.”
I stepped away from the bed, letting my hair spill across my shoulders, just covering my breasts.
“But if you can snag a horse, I’d still give it a go,” I promised as I flashed him a mischievous smile.
Peter pulled me into a kiss, his hands circling my breasts. As I drew the hot breath from his lips into my lungs, his fingers slid down my back, and upon meeting his eyes again, I arched my eyebrows and waited to see if he was game to the idea of throwing caution to the wind. Our luck had held out this long, so why not see how far we could…?
“Just look in the boxes,” Peter murmured as he deprived me of more of his embrace.
I started to pout when he pulled a chair close to the edge of the bed and pressed his fingers to his chin. Curious to see what he had bought, I pried open the parcels and started picking through swathes of tissue paper.
“Oh… n
ice!” I exclaimed.
The first box contained a royal blue blouse with swooping bell sleeves accompanied by a gray skirt that flared at the hem. Holding the garments before my bare body, I moved to the mirror and nodded my approval at the image staring back at me from behind the glass.
And a quick glance over my shoulder revealed Peter’s own pleasure, but was he admiring my clothes or my back side?
“Thank you,” I said as I let the items fall to the bed and moved to sit on his lap.
“Wait!” he said, holding me back. “There’s more. Please, take a look?”
Planting a quick kiss on his cheek, I saw a pair of wedge shoes that would complement the assembled outfit perfectly. And in the next box, a lacy white thong accompanied by a matching bra.
“Do not tell me that you let Morgan see these?” I challenged as I dangled the undergarments before his eyes.
“What’s the problem?” Peter challenged. “I would say his taste is impeccable.”
Unable to hide the shock that started to cross my face, my lips began to part when Peter was on his feet and touched his fingers to my arms.
“Joking,” he assured me. “I had the girl in the shop pick them out.”
Examining the silky lace again, I nodded my approval and touched my hand to his chest.
“Then she’s the one with impeccable taste,” I countered. “But…”
“But what?” he asked as I wrapped my arms around his waist and peered into his dark eyes.
“Why the rush to get me into my clothes? Is our trip over before it even started?”
“Look at you,” Peter said with a hearty laugh. “We almost fall from the sky, and still you’re ready for more.”
“Naturally, but if you’re not game…”
“Be serious,” he said. “I know it’s not quite Aruba, but we can still make a day of it. I thought maybe you’d want to do some of your own shopping. And I saw a nice little bistro where we could grab some lunch. What do you say?”
Wild horses couldn’t stop me, and I nodded quickly as I moved to the bathroom to shower and dress.
The Corrupt Billionaire COMPLETE Box Set Page 19