Nora Roberts Land(94)
He wove his fingers through her hair and lifted her onto her toes. His chocolate eyes smoldered with more than desire. Their gentleness had her body moving into him with new confidence.
“Orange couch or bed?” he asked with a seductive smile.
“The bed. Definitely the bed.” Bringing him there would be another way of making him part of her life.
He undressed her slowly in the dim light from the drawn shades. As his hands drew off her bustier, the buzzing increased in her head, and in her body. She pressed his palms to her breasts and let her head fall back. By now, he knew how to circle her nipples to make her gasp. Pluck at them until she moaned.
And still he moved slowly.
When she tried to undress him, he drew her down to the bed. “No, watch.”
She watched him slide his clothes off, the line of electricity intensifying through her body. He took her breath away, so defined and strong. When he was naked, he stretched out over her, arms bracketed on either side of her head.
“Just feel.”
Even though his whole body was corded with tension, he touched her with gentleness. Kissed her with tenderness. Caressed her with a reverence she could only think of as cherishing.
When he guided her over the first peak, she arched back, letting the feelings wash over her like sunlight on snow.
She opened her eyes, wanting to look at him, and he brushed a lock of hair back from her forehead. She knew the control he exerted over his own needs wasn’t easy.
“Be with me,” she whispered, touching his cheek.
He came into her inch by slow inch, resting his forehead against hers. Their union felt like a merging—so right. When the crest came for both of them, their hands found each other and gripped. Waves of pleasure washed over them.
After he left the bed, she fingered the crease in his pillow, realizing they’d journeyed somewhere new together.
She wasn’t sure what to think about that.
She turned to her side, rolling around words in her mind.
Nora Roberts Land.
The One.
Pleasure. Trust. Fear.
When he came through the bathroom door, all chatter in her head ceased. He tucked her against his side, stroking her skin softly.
No one said anything. No one needed to.
When he finally picked up his watch, he sighed. “I really do need to go now.”
They both dressed. When they came out of her bedroom, he took her hand.
“I’m almost sorry we didn’t use the orange couch. Not too many people can say that.”
At the front door, a smile shimmered on her lips. “Well, it’ll be waiting for you when your company leaves.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Reaching into his pocket, he handed her his Swiss army knife. “Don’t let Sommerville have the last word. Hack the flowers up and stomp them to bits if it’ll make you feel better.”
It was still warm from his body. She curled her hand around it. “Okay. Thanks.”
He’d given her his gloves—and now his knife. Funny how they warmed her heart in a way flowers never had.
He settled his hands on her waist and gave her a slow, deep kiss. “It’ll be all right. You’ll see.”
His voice tightened at the end of the sentence. Was he trying to convince her or himself? After what they’d shared in her bedroom, she wasn’t sure either of them knew where they were going.
They’d have to talk about it soon. Her stomach flipped. How would he feel about her writing an article about him being her hero in Nora Roberts Land? Was she ready to even admit he was The One?
She was pretty damn close.
Her fingers cinched his navy scarf. “Have fun with your family. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Can’t wait.” He walked away and then angled back, kissing her again before leaving.
The roses made her nose twitch. She fingered her crystal necklace, studying the bouquet. She realized she didn’t need to pulverize Rick-the-Dick’s flowers. Her anger had floated away. There was a new peace inside her. She felt…solid and centered—nothing like the wobbly mess she’d been in New York.
She took the bouquet to their elderly neighbor’s house to brighten her day. How was that for progress?
***
Tanner reached for his phone only to set it aside again. Damn Sommerville. The flowers had driven his point home. He wouldn’t think twice about fucking with Meredith directly and letting her know Tanner was scum. That would stop the article in a heartbeat.
Sommerville didn’t miss her. He got off on people’s weaknesses.
And now he was preying on Tanner’s.
If it wasn’t for David, he’d tell Sommerville to go to hell and march right back in and tell Meredith the truth in the hopes that she’d listen and forgive him.