Intent to Seduce & A Glimpse of Fire(46)
The bell on the microwave dinged. Opening it, he discovered a glass mug with a cinnamon stick in it. Hot spiced apple cider?
He knew the moment she entered the kitchen, and he slowly turned to face her. Three months of marriage and he still wasn’t used to the shock of pleasure that moved through him when he saw her in his house and realized that she was his to keep, to cherish. “You’re not naked.”
And she wasn’t. She was wearing one of his shirts, opened just enough to let him know that she was wearing nothing underneath it, and she’d knotted a black tie loosely around her neck. Her hair was mussed and her feet were bare, the toenails painted a pale shade of pink. Desire speared through him.
“I thought I would dress for dinner tonight.”
He glanced at the counter, surprised at the effort it took not to go to her and take her where she stood. But three months of marriage had taught him that sometimes it was better to give over control and go along for the ride.
“New pearls?” he asked.
“Do you like them?”
“I don’t think I want to eat them.”
She smiled then, and he realized that it was the first time she had. And she hadn’t moved toward him yet.
“What would you like to start off with?” she asked.
“My choice?”
“The first one is. Then it will be my turn.”
He wanted to laugh then. But there was something in her eyes beneath the excitement…apprehension?
He glanced again at the selection lined up on the counter. “It’s quite a feast. Why don’t you come here and help me select?”
He noticed the slight hesitation before she moved toward him. Once he had her hand tucked safely in his, he said, “I’m kind of leaning toward the whipped cream and chocolate syrup myself.”
“Good choice. If we top that off with the hot apple cider, I figure we’ve hit at least two-thirds of the food pyramid—fruit, dairy and protein.”
“I’m lucky to have a scientist keeping my diet on track.”
“Want to know what I have in mind for the cider?” Mac asked.
“I always want to know what you have in mind,” he said as he tucked a strand of flyaway hair behind her ear. The apprehension hadn’t vanished yet from her eyes.
“I melted those little red-hot cinnamon pieces in it, so it’s doubly hot. I’m going to drink it and then taste you.” Her hand unerringly found the part of him that she was thinking of tasting.
With a sigh that ended on a moan, he rested his head against her forehead. “You’re going to be the death of me.” Then he carefully removed her hand from his erection. “Before we get to that, why don’t you tell me the reason for the feast. Are we celebrating a special occasion?”
“Yes.”
Now it was his turn to be apprehensive. Had he forgotten an anniversary of some sort?
Licking her lips, she continued, “I did a little experiment today. And then I reran it five times. I wanted to make sure.”
He smiled at her. “You had a breakthrough at the lab. Don’t tell me—let me guess. Wilbur is going to live to be a hundred.”
“Not exactly. I mean, I didn’t do it at the lab. I did it here.”
“Here?”
“It came out positive. All five times. And the pharmacist told me the test has a very high accuracy rating. I’m…we’re…pregnant.”
“Pregnant?” Even as he said the word aloud, he struggled to take it in.
“Yes. That’s why I have to get started, using my research, I mean. I’m going to get fat. I can’t afford to let you get bored.”
“Pregnant.” He was beginning to absorb it. He could tell by the joy that was zinging through him. “You’re pregnant.” Lifting her off her feet, he swung her around and around, then abruptly stopped and set her on the counter. “I shouldn’t be doing that. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” Eye to eye, she studied him for a moment. “You’re happy?”
He grinned at her. “Very.”
Her expression remained serious. “I don’t want to bore you. I don’t want to lose you…ever.”
He kissed her softly, coaxing her into it, pouring everything he felt into it until they were both nearly drowning. Finally, he drew away. “You’re not going to lose me. Ever. And I don’t know how I’m supposed to get bored. There are so many parts of you that I love. So many parts that I’m still discovering. I can’t wait to meet Mac the mother.”
She hugged him then, and he felt her lips curve against his chest. Her sigh moved through him. “Let’s get started on dinner. You grab the chocolate and whipped cream. I’ll bring the cider and the other stuff.”
“Appetizers first,” he said as he quickly wrapped her legs around him and pulled down his zipper.
“Appetizers?” Her breath hitched as she took him in.
“I’m very hungry.”
“You are?”
“Oh, yes. And the appetizer is always the first step to enjoying a great meal. You do like to take everything one step at a time, right?”
“Absolutely,” Mac managed.
The laughter, the overwhelming joy welled up between them as they began to move together in a steady and familiar rhythm.
“We’ll take it slowly,” Lucas promised as he struggled to do just that. But already he could feel her climax begin to move through her. As always, his own control began to slip away. Drawing her closer, he spoke softly. “And when you reach the heights, I’ll be right there…with you. Always.”
And he was.
A GLIMPSE OF FIRE
Debbi Rawlins
This is for Steve and E.
I’m so glad you found each other.
You’re everything I write about.
CHAPTER ONE
DALLAS SHEA CHECKED HER WATCH and then shoved her keys and two twenties into her jeans pocket. She’d planned on walking the eighteen blocks up midtown but now she had to catch a cab or she’d be late.
“Oh, good, you’re still here.” Her roommate burst out of the tiny bathroom they shared while she pulled her long red hair up into a ponytail. Behind her a heap of towels lay near the foot of the ancient claw-foot tub.
Dallas sighed. The woman was the consummate slob. Funny, spontaneous, ambitious and a loyal friend but a total slob. “Not for long. I’m on my way out.”
“Can you walk Bruiser first?”
“No.”
The furry black mutt heard his name and came from behind the green floral couch, which was the extent of their tiny living room, wagging his tail, looking up at Dallas with soulful black eyes. He had to be up to seven pounds by now—big difference from three months ago, when Wendy found him scrounging for food in an alley near Nineteenth Street.
“Please, Dallas. I’ll make dinner.”
Giving Wendy a dry look, Dallas headed for the door, trying to avoid looking at Bruiser. If she did, she’d give in. “That’s what you said the last time.”
“I came through, didn’t I?”
“Hot dogs from Howie’s cart is not my idea of dinner.”
“Come on, please. I have an audition.” Wendy hopped on one leg as she pulled on a tennis shoe over her purple tights. “It’s really important. A new musical and they need twelve dancers. This time I’m going to get it. I know it. Right here.” She pressed a palm to her tummy. “This is gonna be my big break.”
Dallas undid the dead bolt. Then hesitated, reminding herself this wasn’t her business. But Wendy was crazy for chasing after these jobs. Sadly, at twenty-nine, she was already too old for Broadway. A new crop of eager, energetic young twenty-somethings were getting all the gigs.
She looked at her friend and then down at Bruiser, whose expectant eyes met hers, his tail still wagging. Even he’d already figured out what a pushover Dallas was.
Sighing, she opened the door for Wendy. “Go.”
Grinning, Wendy hopped toward her as she slid on her other sneaker. “You’re the best.”
“Be careful of those feet. I need your share of the rent.” Dallas scooped up Bruiser before he made a break for the open door, then grabbed his leash off the hook on the wall. “Don’t worry about dinner. I’m meeting Trudie.”
“Tell her I said hey.”
“Break a leg,” Dallas said as Wendy slipped out into the hall and closed the door.
She put Bruiser down and crouched to secure his leash. “What are you looking at me like that for? Huh?” She stroked his curly black fur, laughed when he licked her chin, rearing back just in the nick of time to avoid a sloppy kiss.
“Okay, boy, I know it’s been a while since I’ve had a date but I like my guys a little taller.” She stood, grabbing the plastic bag she needed to clean up after Bruiser.
In a way she envied Wendy. She never gave up. Her optimism and enthusiasm seemed boundless. Even after she’d lost the contract with Revalyn last year. A week after her twenty-eighth birthday, the company decided they needed someone with younger-looking hands for their print ads. Thank God feet didn’t age as quickly.
Dallas sighed. Boy, was she glad she’d gotten out of that world quickly. She’d modeled for a year during her senior year in college. After the blowup with her parents when they’d cut her off, she’d needed the money. But that had been enough. There had always been someone taller, slimmer, prettier. She’d hated every minute of it.