Yes, she dared. She loved this man. She knew that without a doubt. And now, whatever the consequences, she was ready.
She was sliding her hands under the waistband of his sweatpants when she felt firm hands on hers.
“Celine, stop now or else I won’t be responsible for my actions.” His voice was hoarse, his breathing labored. She knew he was trying hard to resist her.
But she wouldn’t let him get away. Not this time.
“You won’t be responsible,” she whispered. “I will.”
With a groan he reached for her and hauled her up so he could capture her mouth. He gave her a searing kiss that told of pent-up passion and want.
And then, ever so gently, he pushed her away, sat up and shoved his T-shirt back down.
Celine stared at him in shocked silence. It took several seconds before she could speak. “What are you doing?” she asked, totally bewildered. “Why did you stop me?”
Tucking the T-shirt into his sweatpants, almost as if to shield himself from her, he looked at her with an expression she could not figure out. “I had to stop you. I didn’t want you doing something you would regret.”
“But I wanted it,” she said. “I’m ready, Pierce. I really want this.”
He stared back at her, his face a reflection of the battle raging inside him. But then he shook his head. “No. You don’t. Not yet.” He got up and when he looked back at her his face was serious and his lips tight. “I’m going to turn in now. I suggest you go to bed.”
Then he turned and walked to the door and just like that he was gone.
Celine sat on the couch, unable to move. Tonight had turned out to be one of the worst nights of her life. She’d come to Pierce ready to give him everything, and he refused the one thing she had to give. What else could she give a man that had it all? What else but herself?
But he’d rejected her most precious gift and now she knew it was no use trying. She’d never be good enough for Pierce D’Amato.
CHAPTER NINE
The days that followed were difficult for Celine. It was hard having to put on a cheerful face, laughing and playing with Kylie, when inside she was dying. Each time she was in the same room with Pierce she felt the heat of embarrassment rise in her face as the memory of his rejection came rushing back. Each time he spoke to her she avoided his eyes, not wanting to see amusement or scorn reflected there. She would not be able to live with that. When she left she wanted to remember the good times she’d had in this house. She did not want to spoil those memories any more than they’d already been blemished by that night.
By the following week, though, things began to improve. She’d finally accepted the fact that outside of their working relationship there would never be anything between her and Pierce. Of course, she’d known that from the beginning. Still, she’d been stupid enough to let herself fall under the spell of their situation living under his roof, spending so much time together. She’d forgotten her role. Now, though, things were back in perspective. She knew where she stood and she would never let herself forget it.
After that talk with herself things got a whole lot better. She began to laugh again and Kylie, who’d had to put up with her distraction, looked relieved that her old Celine was back. As for her interactions with Pierce, she kept them light and amicable. She did not seek out his company but she no longer avoided being in the same room with him as long as Kylie was there, too.
Being alone with him was another matter altogether. Her body seemed intent on betraying her, her breath growing shallow and her nipples puckering anytime he came near. But she did her best to hide her response to him. She only hoped he could not sense the depth of her inner turmoil.
Then one morning something happened that made Celine realize that she wasn’t the only one who was suffering. She woke up to the sound of soft sobbing and sat up to find Kylie curled up in the bed beside her.
“What’s wrong, cherie?” Celine’s heart lurched. Had Kylie been hurt? She threw back the covers so she could see the child’s body. No, she looked fine. She pulled away the hands that covered the little face. “Are you hurt?”
Kylie shook her head and began to sob louder.
Celine gathered her in her arms and hugged her close. The child’s tears soaked through the top of her nightgown. “Hush, hush,” she soothed as she rocked her in her arms.
“I miss my mommy,” Kylie wailed then began to cry anew, the force of her sobs making her whole body shake.
Celine felt like a knife pierced her heart. Poor Kylie. She’d been so absorbed in her own problems that she hadn’t been there for the child as she should have, keeping her so busy she would have less time to dwell on her loss. She cursed herself for being so thoughtless. “Oh, Kylie, I know you do,” she said softly, tears filling her eyes. “Just cry, cherie, let it out. I’ll take it all. Just cry.”