Everywhere and Every Way(54)

"Screw it," Cal said, looking at the disaster. "I'll make them deal with  it tomorrow. Imagine how surprised they'll be when they figure out we  didn't clean up for them."

Morgan nibbled her lip in concern. "Yes, but the party was my idea."

"You cooked and set up. They clean. We're going to bed."

"But-"

He stopped any further protest by scooping her up in his arms and  carrying her to his bedroom. As hard as she tried to be affronted by the  caveman behavior, she was already wet with need for him. That  commanding streak in him turned her on. He placed her on the bed, then  took a few steps back. Eyes hot and hungry, he studied her, then sat  down in the oversize leather chair in the corner of his room and hooked  one foot over his ankle in a relaxed pose.

She blinked. "Aren't you coming over here?"

His slow grin was wicked and made her belly twist. "I want you to strip for me."

She sucked in a breath. Hesitated. He waited her out, and suddenly her  inner temptress stood up and took over. There was something about the  way this man made her feel that urged her to do things she never would  have thought of. She felt like his own personal goddess: a sexy,  powerful woman with nothing to hide. Morgan loved the way he made her  own her sexuality without apology.

Without answering, she climbed off the bed and stood before him. She was  dressed in simple cream pants and a lilac blouse. But she'd put on her  new bra and panty set today, knowing he'd take it off. Even buying it  made her feel deliciously wicked.

She began to unbutton her blouse, going slow and steady, then dragged  the silk material down over her shoulders, hooking it on her elbows. He  ate her up with those charcoal eyes, taking in the delicate plum lace of  her bra. "Went shopping, huh?"         

     



 

"Yes."

"I highly approve." He cleared his throat. "Continue."

She smiled with pure naughtiness and dropped the blouse on the floor,  then slowly removed her bra as well. Running her fingers lightly over  her breasts and tweaking her nipples, a low moan escaped her lips. He  shifted in the chair, his erection straining his jeans. Dragging her  palms down her belly, she stroked the edge of her waistband, then  snagged her thumbs underneath. Paused. And slowly dragged the pants  down.

"Fuck. You're beautiful."

The matching plum thong showed off her freshly shaved pussy and stubble-free legs. She kicked the pants off her feet and waited.

"Finish for me, baby. You're killing me."

She caressed her outer thighs and grasped the sides of her panties. Pulled them off. And stood before him naked.

He drank her in, and she reveled in the glory of being the woman he  wanted. She straightened up so her breasts thrust out proudly. Let him  take his time. She waited for him to come to her.

"What are you reading now?"

Her mouth fell half open. What had he asked? Her brain was a bit foggy,  and it was obvious he was aroused, but had he just questioned her on her  reading material? "Huh?"

Cal got up from the chair and walked to the bureau. "I was thinking  about our conversation regarding books. Reading. You said you enjoyed  Austen, Dickens. Fitzgerald. You know, boring old classics, dusty with  age." Opening a drawer, he took out a few condoms and laid them on the  table. "Is that what you're still reading?"

She watched him reach inside the drawer, sifting around for something.  What the heck was going on? Morgan fought for sanity. "Umm, I wasn't  expecting a literary discussion right now, but yes, I told you. I like  the classics."

"Interesting. Did you finish up the story on the inn? You know, the one in Boonsboro?"

Uh-oh.

Morgan stared at him with suspicion. "Yes. Why are you so interested?"

His fingers closed around the object he'd been looking for, and he  pulled it out of the drawer. A bright, silky red tie and a pair of fuzzy  handcuffs were laid next to the condoms. The roaring in her ears grew  to epic proportions, and her blood flowed thick and hot in her veins. A  small moan broke from her lips. He knew. Oh, God, he knew.

"Nora Roberts is a popular author," he said conversationally. His  fingers stroked the bright tie in a loving caress. Wetness dripped down  her thigh. "She certainly doesn't write dry history books. Seems you're a  bit of a romantic, Morgan Raines. And from your newest read, a very  naughty, naughty little girl."

She tried to speak, couldn't, then tried again. "You read my Kindle."

"Yep. I grabbed it to check something on the Internet quickly. Imagine  my surprise when I discovered the current scene with Amy and Brad. Quite  hot." He clucked his tongue and faced her. The full force of his  masculine presence whipped around her. His eyes glazed with lust and a  determination that wracked shivers from her body. "I took the liberty of  checking out your library to see what else I was missing. There wasn't a  Dickens in the bunch."

"Cal-"

"I'm going to do very bad things to you tonight, Morgan Raines. You won't need a safe word."

"Cal-"

" 'Cause all you have to do is say yes."

He stopped in front of her. His thumb pressed against her lips, dragging  them open. Her tongue flicked out to taste him. He leaned in, and his  breath struck her with each deliberate word. "I'm going to make some of  your fantasies come true tonight, baby. What's your answer?"

The floodgates broke open and she reached for him, tangling her fingers  in his thick hair and offering her naked body up to every filthy thing  he wanted to do to her.

"Yes."

His mouth came down on hers, and he delivered on his promise.


Hours later, Cal listened to her breathing in the silence. Stroking her  back, he relaxed in the tangle of damp sheets and held her. Her leg was  thrown over his thigh and hooked around his knee. Her silvery hair  spilled over his arm and caught slivers of moonlight that leaked through  the half-open window.

He couldn't let her go.

When Dalton had brought up her next job, his gut clenched and he fought  to keep his shit together. She seemed to hesitate, as if she struggled  with her decision to leave again as much as he was struggling to see if  she'd stay. He didn't have the answers, but Cal knew he'd do anything to  make it work. She completed him. Oh, God, he was channeling stupid  Jerry Maguire, but it was damn true. He liked the man he was around  Morgan Raines. He saw a bright future that was completely cliché and  wonderful. Dogs, children, chaos, having fights, making up, making love,  building houses. He wanted it all. He wanted it with her.         

     



 

"Morgan?"

"Yeah?" Her voice was tinged with the thread of sleep. Her warmth seeped into his skin.

"I love you."

She stiffened. His heart banged against his chest, and dizziness  threatened. Cal hadn't said those words to anyone besides Felicia. Oh,  crap, he was so stupid. Women didn't want to hear that type of  declaration after sex. They wanted it in the daylight, in a romantic  setting, with more of an explanation of why he loved her. He'd screwed  up. Could he take it back and tell her later? No, it was done. Ruined.  He squeezed his eyes shut and trapped an aggravated groan. This was bad.

"I love you, too."

The words hit his ears and his heart at the same time. A quiet joy  settled into him, found a home, and stayed. She loved him. And they'd  work out the rest later.

She didn't say anything else after that. She didn't have to.

Cal held her tight and they lay together in the dark.





chapter twenty-one







Yes, I'll expect you here tomorrow afternoon," Morgan said briskly.  "I'll pick you up from the airport and take you straight to Harrington .  . . No, everything's in order, and you'll be ready to spend the first  night in your new house . . . Good. Call me if there's any questions or  issues. Safe travels."

She clicked off the phone and dragged in a breath.

It was almost showtime.

They'd worked tirelessly and nonstop over the last weeks as all the  final details pulled together to create a livable home. Morgan stood on  the newly paved path¸ looking up at the gorgeous blending of brick and  stone, the two giant columns that set off a wraparound porch. Two  smaller decks were strategically placed above the porch so an onlooker's  eye would be drawn to the center and caught in the impression of sheer  power and grace. Each precious curve and piece of wood had been lovingly  picked and it seemed to show in the aristocratic lines of the house.

Purple plums, rosebushes, African grass, pear trees, and an array of  distinctive landscaping swirled through rainbow rock to a private deck  with a hot tub and a gorgeous cedar-built sauna and outdoor shower.  Elegant French doors opened up to the back of the house and led to a  private circular staircase connected to the master bedroom. The  Rosenthals could easily leave their own oasis in secret and be straight  at the hot tub without walking through the house.