A Sip of You(46)

“Yeah,” I said, not holding back on the resignation in my voice. “He’s on his way here. I told him even he couldn’t fly in a blizzard.”

Beckett looked at the sky. “It’s not snowing now.”

No, it wasn’t.

We headed back to my condo, and though I told Beckett he could stay, he said he was anxious to get home. I sent as many of the desserts off with him as I could, and then I closed the door and leaned against it.

I needed to get ready. I wasn’t certain what I was getting ready for, but I didn’t want to be caught off guard. I checked my phone again. No more calls or texts from William. Presumably, his plane had been allowed to take off again, and he was on his way. Knowing him, he wouldn’t call. He’d just show up.

I decided to take a long bubble bath. I wanted to warm up after all day outdoors, and I lingered until my fingers were prunes. Then I climbed out and dressed in skinny distressed jeans and a chunky ivory grandpa sweater. I took a little extra time with my make-up and hair. I had a smattering of freckles across my cheeks from my time in the sun, and I didn’t want to cover them up. I dusted a light sheen of powder on my nose, happy to see I didn’t look quite as pale and pasty as I had before the trip, and then slicked on some berry lip gloss.

I padded out of the bathroom, checked my phone again—still nothing—and headed to the kitchen to feed Laird. I’d taken all of three steps when the buzzer sounded.





Ten




William usually circumvented my buzzer, so there was a moment when I wondered if it was really him. But when I pushed the button, he said, “Buzz me in, Catherine.”

My whole body warmed at the sound of his voice. Despite everything, I had to admit I’d missed him. I opened the door as he came to the top of the stairs, and I felt my mouth go dry. He looked so good. His face was slightly flushed, his hair mussed and curly from the damp weather. He wore a heavy black wool overcoat with a red scarf loose at the collar. He carried about six bags of groceries and the bag I’d left in California.

“William,” I began. I didn’t know what I was going to say, but it didn’t matter. He stopped before me, dropped the groceries and my bag, and pulled me into his arms. His mouth was on mine, and he wasted no time teasing or coaxing me. He wanted nothing less than a complete surrender. His tongue filled my mouth, his lips demanding and possessive. Oh God, I wanted to be possessed. I couldn’t help it. The heat I’d felt at just the sound of his voice ratcheted up a thousand degrees, and I melted into him. I pressed against his big muscled chest and my arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer. With a growl, he shrugged off his coat and scarf, and then smothered me with his warmth.

I never could resist William. My body betrayed me every time. But it felt so good to be held by him, to be safe in the circle of his embrace. He never kissed me the same way twice, but each kiss made my head spin and my muscles go weak. I was strong and independent, but something inside me needed the pleasure only William knew how to give me.

His tongue mated with mine in a fierce, passionate battle I knew he would win. And if he won, I won. I nipped at his lips, and he smiled, running his hands down my back as he pushed me against the doorframe and continued to take my mouth completely. I couldn’t nip at him now. He kissed me deeply, and when we pulled apart, I was gasping for breath.

I realized we were still standing in the hallway, the bags at our feet, his coat and scarf in a pile next to them. “It’s been three days since I’ve been inside you.” His hand caressed my face, tracing the line of my jaw. “I’ve missed you, Catherine. Missed you terribly…” His voice trailed off and his hot breath landed on my neck as he trailed light kisses up toward my ear. I arched my neck to the side to give him better access and shivered with anticipation, imagining how good it would feel to wrap my legs around his waist while he thrust hard and fast into me. His erection bulged in his grey trousers. I felt it pressing against my belly and knew he wanted me. I wanted him too, though my emotions were in complete turmoil. As always, the physical connection between us overpowered anything else I was feeling.

He pulled his head back and glanced down at the shopping bags. “But we need to cook and then eat. And we have lots to talk about. You, beautiful girl, will have to wait.”

I stepped back from his embrace. “You should come inside.” I watched as he lifted the groceries and my bag and brought them inside.

He must have seen my frown at my luggage because he said, “I brought your clothes back, along with some of the things I picked out for you.”