A Billionaire for Christmas(43)
She was lucky to have had the financial resources to fund her long sabbatical. In the end, though, how would she ever know if it was time to leave the mountains? And what if she decided to stay? She had proved her independence. And in her eyes and in her home he saw peace. Did that mean she couldn’t see herself finding happiness—and perhaps a family—anywhere but here?
He played with her hair, removing the elastic band that secured her braid. Gently, he loosened the thick ropes, fanning out the dark, shiny tresses until they hung down her back, covering his hand in black silk. Holding her in his arms as a friend and not a lover was difficult, but he couldn’t push her away.
Phoebe saw herself as a coward, but that was far from the truth. Though she had been at the top of her game, she had wanted the baby that threatened to disrupt her life. Even in the face of disappointment, knowing that her fiancé was not the man she thought he was, she had been prepared to work at the relationship so they could be a family.
Leo admired her deeply.
Her eyes were closed, her breathing steady. It had been a long, busy day, and an emotional one for her. Leo knew their timing was off. Again. Even with Teddy sleeping soundly, Phoebe was in no shape to initiate a sexual relationship with a new partner. Perhaps if they had been a couple for a long time, Leo could have used the intimacy of sex to comfort and reassure her. As it was, his role would have to be that of protector.
A man could do worse when it came to Phoebe Kemper.
He stood, prepared to carry her to her room. Phoebe stirred, her long lashes lifting to reveal eyes that were still beautiful, though rimmed in red. “What are you doing?”
“You need to be in bed. Alone,” he clarified, in case there was any doubt about his intentions.
She shook her head, a stubborn expression he had come to know all too well painting her face with insistence. “I want to sleep in here so I can see the tree. I’ll keep the monitor with me. You go on to bed. I’m fine.”
He nuzzled her nose with his, resisting the urge to kiss her. Her aching vulnerability held him back. “No,” he said huskily. “I’ll stay with you.” He set her on her feet and went to his room to get extra blankets and a pillow. The bearskin rug in front of the fire would be a decent enough bed, and from there, he’d be able to keep the fire going. He brushed his teeth and changed into his pajama pants and robe.
By the time he returned, Phoebe had made the same preparations. It was colder tonight. Instead of her knit pj’s, she had donned a high-necked flannel nightgown that made her look as if she had stepped right out of the pages of Little House on the Prairie. The fabric was pale ivory with little red reindeer cavorting from neck to hemline.
The old-fashioned design should have made her look as asexual as a nun. But with her hair spilling around her shoulders and her dark eyes heavy-lidded, all Leo could think about was whether or not she had on panties beneath that fortress of a garment.
If the utilitarian cloth and enveloping design was meant to discourage him, Phoebe didn’t know much about men. When the castle was barricaded, the knights had to fight all the harder to claim their prize.
She clutched a pillow to her chest, her cheeks turning pink. “You don’t have to stay with me. I’m okay…really.”
“What if I want to?” The words came out gruffer than he intended.
Her eyes widened. He could swear he saw the faint outline of pert nipples beneath the bodice of her nightwear. She licked her lips. “You’ve been very sweet to me, Leo. I’m sorry the night didn’t go the way we planned. But maybe it’s for the best. Perhaps we were rushing into this.”
“You don’t want me?” He hadn’t meant to ask it. Hated the way the question revealed his need.
Phoebe’s chin wobbled. “I don’t know. I mean, yes. Of course I want you. I think that’s painfully obvious. But we’re not…”
“Not what?” He took the pillow from her and tossed it on the couch. Gathering her into his arms, he fought a battle of painful scale. It seemed as if he had wanted her for a lifetime. “Only a fool would press you now…when you’ve dealt with so much tonight. But make no mistake, Phoebe. I’m going to have you. No matter how long the wait.” He stroked his hands down her back, pulling her hips to his, establishing once and for all that she was not wearing underwear.
Had he detected any resistance at all on her part, he would have been forced to release her. But she melted into him, her body warm and soft and unmistakably feminine through the negligible barrier of her gown. He had belted his robe tightly before leaving his bedroom, not wanting to give any appearance of carnal intent.