Redemption in Love (Hearts on the Line)

by Lee, Nadia

  Once she was finished with her snack, she went to the master bath to brush her teeth and wipe the makeup off her face. When she was done, she tossed her robe on the back of a chair and crawled into the deliciously warm bed.

  “Hey,” came Gavin’s gravelly voice.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  “You didn’t wake me up. Something else did.”

  “Oh? Wha—”

  His mouth covered hers hungrily. “You were taking your sweet time in the bathroom. I thought I’d have to go get you,” he murmured.

  “If I’d known you were waiting, I might have hurried.”

  He palmed her butt and squeezed, his hands big and hot. “I’ve been thinking about this since this afternoon.” His mouth sought the sensitive spot between her neck and collarbone and found it. She inhaled sharply as he nipped it, then licked it gently.

  “Should’ve woken me up,” she breathed out.

  “You needed your sleep. And food.”

  His concern touched her. She tunneled her fingers into his thick hair, loving what he was doing with his tongue and teeth over her left breast. He hadn’t reached for the pebbled peak yet, just fondling and touching and kissing around it instead. A delicious anticipatory heat started in her belly. He was torturing her, his breath feather-light over her nipple, and she couldn’t wait any longer.

  “Don’t be a tease.”

  “Never. I take this very seriously.” He flicked the tip of his tongue against her nipple.

  She groaned.

  “Like it?”

  “Love it.”

  He pulled the entire nipple with his lips and sucked strongly. Her back arched as white-hot pleasure shot through her. Her eyes rolled as he increased the pressure, driving her insane with his teeth and tongue.

  “My god,” she moaned. “Please.”

  She felt the vibration of his chuckle on her nipple and came. Pleasure seared through her, incinerating everything from her mind except the incredible ecstasy of his mouth on her breast. Her back arched so hard, she almost dislodged him. She sobbed out her pleasure and the shock that she could come just from having her nipple sucked.

  “My god, Gavin,” she said, her voice barely audible. “That was amazing.”

  * * *

  His wife had no idea what amazing meant if she thought that was amazing.

  What was amazing was the entirety of her.

  Moonlight was coming in through the windows, and Gavin looked at her face. She was utterly relaxed and soft under him, and he wanted to remember the intimacy of the moment, the loveliness of it.

  His cock throbbed against her belly. He could feel the liquid heat between her legs, and what self-control he had slipped a notch.

  Suddenly, Amandine pushed him off her. He let her roll him over, so she ended up on top of him, her strong, slim legs straddling his torso. Her slickness pooled on his skin, her pert breasts high and firm.

  Amazing view from the bottom.

  He reached and caressed the lower curve of her right breast. “I haven’t loved this one yet.”

  She sighed softly. “Not right now.” She held his wrist. “Maybe later.”

  She glided down his body, her cool hair and hard, pebbled nipples brushing his chest and belly. His breathing grew rougher as she traveled sensuously over him, enjoying his body’s reaction to her.

  When she reached his erection, she ran the tip of her hair over the head of his cock. His muscles clenched at the tingling sensation. Jesus, he wanted more, needed more.

  He groaned when her mouth replaced her hair. Her tongue swirled over him like an ice cream cone. She wrapped her hand around his shaft, tracing the veins with her fingertips. He reached for her, but she slapped him away.

  “My show,” she said, her passion-dark gaze on his.

  Her luscious lips surrounded his cock. Her grip was surprisingly strong, and her suction even stronger. Lifting his head, he watched her inhale him, her mouth moving up and down along his length. He had no control over the situation, but for once didn’t care. It was as though the control freak in him had surrendered.

  The pleasure from what she was doing with her tongue and lips snuffed any coherent thought from his mind. He held on with desperate control, trying to delay the oncoming rush of orgasm.

  “I’m too close,” he managed to say in a voice rough with strain.

  “So?” She licked the skin between the head and shaft.

  “You better stop.”

  “Now why would I do such a thing?” She then took him in even deeper, all the way to the back of her throat.

  His eyes rolled back in his head. He was so close, but he wanted her to come again with his cock in her mouth.

  “Touch yourself,” he said. “Play with your clit. Make yourself feel good.”

  He raised his head and watched, making sure she followed his instructions. She put a hand between her legs; her face flushed with hot pleasure.

  Scorching heat snaked through him as he watched her pleasure herself while sucking his cock. He couldn’t hold back any longer.

  “I’m going to come,” he panted.

  Her only response was even stronger suction and more furious movements of her hand over her sex. An unbearable rush of pleasure welled up and ripped through him. He came with a hoarse shout.

  She swallowed every drop and convulsed in climax herself. God, she was beautiful in orgasm, her face twisted with almost torturous ecstasy.

  He pulled her up and held her tightly, his breath fanning her skin. He wished he could tell her how he felt, but he was no poet. There weren’t words eloquent enough to express what was in his heart.

  So he merely said, “Thank you.”

  For being in my life. For giving us another chance.

  She snuggled closer. “My pleasure.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  THE LLOYDS DEVELOPMENT HEADQUARTERS IN HOUSTON was housed in a modern skyscraper that shimmered in the Texas heat. The family had started the business here, but now only the members directly involved in running the company stayed in the city, while the rest lived wherever they wanted.

  Gavin went through the cool and airy lobby to the executive floor at the very top of the building. A well-groomed receptionist looked up from a wrap-around desk. “May I help you, sir?”

  “I’m here for the board meeting.”

  She studied him for a moment then said, “Mr. Gavin Lloyd?”

  Gavin nodded. It wasn’t a particularly difficult guess. Even though Jacob was the better-looking one, both of them displayed their Italian heritage, whereas Ethan was a blond carbon copy of their father.

  “This way, please,” she said, and led him into a hall.

  The conference room had bagels, donuts, cubed melon and pineapples, smoked salmon and various types of cheese, plus coffee, tea and three types of fruit juice. Gavin felt the skin between his eyebrows tighten. Did anybody have any idea how bad of a shape the company was in?

  He helped himself to a cup of coffee and a few slices of the salmon. He was the first one in and had ample time to settle down in his seat, designated as such with a name-plate.

  Soon TLD executives in good suits and even better shoes started filing in. A few came by to say hello, but he barely acknowledged them. Instead, he pretended to be checking something on his tablet and observed the executives surreptitiously.

  All of them had the right degrees, background and connections. They all played golf at the same country club—one he knew that Jacob belonged to. Their young, nubile wives played tennis whenever Catherine was in the mood. They spoke a bit too loudly, their manners somewhat exaggerated, like actors uncertain on their stage.

  Jacob, what the hell were you thinking? These men looked as expensive as a diamond necklace, but far less bright. Gavin wouldn’t have hired them to run a copier, much less a multi-million dollar company.

  Ethan arrived soon after everyone had taken their seats. The chest and shoulders he’d developed during his bodybuilding
years mandated that he have all his suits custom-tailored. That size, plus the serious expression on his face, gave him quite a bit of presence as he took the seat at the head of the table. He was accompanied by a gorgeous redhead with knife-like eyes and an unfriendly mouth. The woman sat down on his right.

  Interesting.

  Gavin settled back and let his older brother and his…whatever…run the show.

  * * *

  Amandine fidgeted in her chair, a cup of hot chocolate steaming on the table in front of her. The café wasn’t crowded at this time of the day. The morning rush had passed, and the lunch crowd wouldn’t show for at least another hour. She fingered an earring, then dropped her hand with a sigh. Why was she so nervous? She just needed to talk to Pete face-to-face. And better to do it sooner rather than later. Hopefully he wasn’t still mad about the possibility of her divorcing Gavin.

  Pete came in, right on time, dressed in a dark charcoal suit. His suits weren’t tailored—probably didn’t make enough to do that yet—but she smiled to see how he was emulating Gavin in so many ways. She knew it was her younger brother’s life goal to have the same money and success as her husband.

  He got the largest-sized cappuccino and joined her. “You look good.”

  “Thanks.” She’d taken care that morning, putting on a peach-colored Chanel raw silk sheath dress and matching sandals. The café was close to the firm, and there was no telling who might have come in. “So do you.”

  Pete stared into his drink, then at hers, then out the café window. Finally his gaze settled on her face. “Hey, look… I’m sorry. I’ve been a total jackass.”

  Well. That was unexpected. “Don’t worry about it. You were probably just shocked.”

  “I was. I thought…” He chewed his lower lip, looking at her from under furrowed eyebrows. “Aren’t you happy with Gavin?”

  “I love him so much that there are times my heart aches. But…it’s not that simple.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “He doesn’t love me. Not the way I need to be loved.”

  Pete closed his eyes. “Jesus.” He took a couple of big gulps of his drink. “You’re still hung up on that fantasy you have about Mom and Dad, aren’t you?”

  “I know you didn’t like Dad, but he loved Mom.”

  “He loved the fact that he had a woman willing to put up with his bullshit. Telling her ‘I love you’ was a small price to pay.”

  “Pete!”

  “C’mon, Amandine. I know guys who use that line with every single girl they meet. For some weird reason, women just fall apart when a man says the L-word. But those guys…” He swore. “They don’t love the women they’re saying I love you to. Once they’re done playing in the girls’ panties, they’re outta there. Gone.” He snapped his fingers.

  “Good god.”

  “You’re lucky because you’ve never met an asshole like that. And maybe a little naïve.” Pete finished his cappuccino. “It’s easy to tell a woman you love her, but the follow-through is tougher. You gotta provide for her, make sure she never lacks anything, that she’s happy, cared for… It’s hard, and that’s why men—well, the ones who are worth a damn, anyway—won’t make that kind of commitment lightly.”

  Amandine blinked. Of all the things she’d expected Pete to say, this wasn’t one of them. When had her little brother matured so much?

  “If things between me and Gavin don’t work out, is it going to be bad for you at the firm?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “Could be awkward. But if you’re really unhappy with Gavin, I’ll deal.”

  “I’m sorry. I know you really want to live in L.A.”

  “It is what it is. I’ll find a way.”

  She rested her elbows on the table. “Why here? Most finance guys want to be in New York City. And a job offer from Sterling & Wilson is nothing to scoff at.” From what she’d overheard, Barron Sterling didn’t hire idiots, or even average performers.

  “Well.” Pete shifted, crossing his legs. “There’s the beach.”

  Her eyebrows rose. “You haven’t been surfing since college.”

  “The weather’s great.”

  “Which you never take advantage of since you’re always working.” She pinned him with the “don’t bullshit your older sister” stare.

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh…a woman” —he coughed into his hand— “might be involved.”

  “Ah.” A woman? He probably meant women. She sat back, not at all interested in hearing about her brother’s sex life.

  L.A. had loads of hot women, many of them aspiring actresses. No wonder her brother loved the city. She polished off the whipped cream floating on the top of her hot chocolate. “Believe me, I hope things work out between me and Gavin more than anyone. I appreciate your concern and advice, Pete.”

  “Not a problem. Let’s do lunch next time. I found this great Italian place that has killer garlic toast.”

  “That sounds delicious. But don’t you eat at your desk?”

  He gave her a charming grin. “I can always make time for my sister.”

  * * *

  After her three o’clock snack, Amandine walked down the hall to the studio. She was carrying the sketch of Gavin she’d done in Thailand, intending to recreate it life-size on canvas.

  Color will be a challenge, she thought. The details of the room, the light and so on were a little fuzzy. But the work didn’t need to reflect objective reality. If that were the case, she could’ve just snapped a photo. This was about her memory of her husband, her impressions and feelings.

  And most importantly, her hopes.

  Amandine entered the studio and stopped, staring at the unfinished work on the easel. Dark colors covered what few streaks of dull red and yellow she’d started out with. There was something stark and sorrowful about the piece. She normally finished every painting she started, but her insides grew cold at the idea of finishing this one.

  The painting was something she’d worked on during a particularly difficult period in her life, and her misery had poured out onto the canvas. It seemed crazy to try to finish it now, when she felt so much more hopeful.

  She took it down and turned it against the wall. Then she rooted around in the built-in storage unit, searching for a suitably sized blank canvas.

  Ah-ha! Her lips lifted. Perfect. Carefully, she pulled the sheet out.

  “Hey! Don’t move anything big yourself.”

  She looked over a shoulder and there was Gavin, dressed in another of his classic European suits. The gorgeously tailored silk molded to his broad shoulders and strong lines. Her breath caught as her body tingled with memories of the previous night.

  “It’s not heavy,” she managed to say in a normal tone of voice.

  “Still.” He strode over and took the canvas from her. “You could lose your balance.”

  She sighed inwardly. “I’m pregnant, not drunk.”

  “Where’s Brooke?”

  “In the office, trying to sort out my art supplies and other stuff from Thailand.”

  “Since I’m here, let me help you.”

  She stepped back. It was easier than arguing with him. He set up her easel with the blank canvas. “What are you going to paint this time?”

  “Oh.” She cleared her throat. “It’s a secret.”

  “A secret? Now I really want to know.”

  “It’s kind of a private work.”

  “Will I be able to see it?”

  “Mmm… Not sure.”

  “Are you worried I’m going to hang it in my office?”

  She choked. “No. Trust me, you don’t want to see me working on it.”

  He raised a dark eyebrow. “Why not?”

  “Because…” She grasped for a good comparison. “Art is like hot dogs.”

  There was a pause. “Hot dogs.”

  “Yes. Everyone likes the end-product, but nobody wants to know what goes into making one.”

  “I’ve…never heard it put quite like t
hat before.”

  “Clearly, whoever you talked to were not artistes,” she said primly, settling on her stool. “So how was the meeting?”

  He took an armchair by the glass walls. It had been put there by an interior designer who thought people would need a comfortable chair to appreciate Amandine’s artwork. But she hated having people around when she painted, and made a mental note to get rid of the thing.

  “Bad,” he said, his expression dark.

  “How bad?”

  “Very. You want to know the sordid details?”

  “Well, sure. It’s a family matter, right?”

  “It’s just that you’ve never really been interested.”

  “I was, but I didn’t want to bug you since you were always so busy. But if you’ve got the time, I want to know more.”

  Gavin scratched the tip of his nose. “It started out bad, and then got really nasty. The company’s in trouble, and it looks like someone’s been embezzling funds.”

  “Wow. So once Ethan took over he started finding problems?”

  “He brought in someone else to do the detective work. But he made some of the presentation.”

  “I’m not surprised. He’s busy, isn’t he?”

  “Yes, but I don’t like who he hired.”

  She blinked. Gavin had good instincts about things like this, but she imagined Ethan did too. Ethan helped lead a multinational conglomerate, and she couldn’t imagine how he could do that if he was a poor judge of character. “Why not? Who did he hire?”

  “Some woman named Kerri Wilson. Her background is impeccable from what I’ve been able to piece together so far. Yale undergrad, Wharton MBA. Was a VP at Goldreich Stanley.”

  “Is that a big deal?”

  “Yeah. It’s one of the biggest and most prestigious investment banks out there. Anyway, she was able to figure out that Jacob’s been lying to everyone all this time, most likely with the collusion of his executives.”

  “Wow. That’s great.” Amandine flushed. “I mean, it’s terrible Jacob lied, but great she discovered that problem.”

  Gavin narrowed his eyes. “It’s too convenient.”