The Tycoon's Seductive Revenge(25)

A surge of heat swelled in her abdomen. He rode her toward the edge of ecstasy.

“Carter,” she breathed. All sensation heightened, intensifying until she felt the unbearable need for release. “Carter!”

Heat burst through her like fireworks. Dazzling sparks that shot out and touched off every nerve ending, scattering pleasure through her entire body.

She moaned, the bliss of satisfaction rolling through her. His rhythm turned frantic.

Jaw clenched, he wrapped one thick arm around her waist, cupping her chin with his free hand. When her lashes fluttered open, she met his bold gaze in their reflection. His fingertips dug into her hip as he approached climax.

The cords of muscle in his neck strained as he broke eye contact and threw his head back. Carter’s body went rock-hard. His shout echoed through the lighthouse as he spilled himself inside her.

The invisible embrace of their life-long bond wrapped their bodies in soft afterglow. He held her for a few more moments as he regained his breath.

Then Carter gently pulled out, eliciting a shiver from her. As he released her and moved around the space retrieving their clothes, the fever of passion dissipated. She shivered as a cold wisp of air blew through the aged glass panes.

Ellie knew adding emotional significance into their act of passion would be a mistake. Carter confirmed it when he dangled her bra from one finger, his expression remote.

She took her bra from him. “Thanks.”

“No, honey, thank you .” He treated her to a flirtatious smile designed to charm, but it didn’t reach his eyes. And she’d never been the type to dazzle easily.

She faced away so he wouldn’t catch the disappointment on her face. Or recognize the emptiness she suddenly felt inside her, all around her. As though she’d entered a cabin in winter seeking the warmth of a fire, but all that remained were dying embers on the grate.

They dressed in silence.

As she pulled on her jeans, she reminded herself that her own prompts gave him the green light to expend the sexual synergy building between them since he arrived.

After all, if she planned to court his, who was the real winner—or victim—in this sordid circumstance?

“Time will tell,” she murmured to herself.

Carter checked his Moldovo watch, the quartz accents and titanium band glinting in the sunlight. “It’s eleven-thirty.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Trust me, I’d give anything to stay here with you for the next twenty-four hours. But your uncle said there’s a lot to do before the VIPs arrive for dinner.” His lips curved with a sly grin. “I’m sure our excuse would go over well, ‘we were sidetracked fucking all day in the lighthouse.’”

“True.” She contained her disappointment. “Though our male guests might appreciate the visual,” she tossed back, forcing herself to reclaim the role of seductive siren.

Carter frowned, grumbling a response. At the sign of his jealousy, a bubble of pleasure lifted her spirits.

Two can play this game, Carter. Only I have more at stake.

Feistiness spiked her blood, diluting her emotional vulnerability. “Think anyone saw us up here?”

“Don’t know, but it sounds hot.” His lips quirked as the two of them descended the stairs. “Since when are you an exhibitionist?”

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

His arm hooked around her waist, and he whispered in her ear, “When can I find out?”

“Depends.”

“On...” he encouraged.

She locked up the lighthouse and they mounted the horse. “That depends on what you can do for me.”

He swept her hair to the side and nibbled her neck. “I can do a lot of things to you.” His mouth drew on her strongly. “The lighthouse was just a taste.” His teeth grazed her skin. “Now, I want to savor the bite.”

Instantly, he went hard against her. He gave sexy descriptions of what lay in store tonight as the horse galloped toward the stables. Her thighs went damp as he worked her up. Their attraction was insane, like it always had been, never in reprieve when they were within touching distance.

“You’d better behave tonight,” she warned. The horse slowed and entered the stables. “We have to make a good impression on the bigwigs.”

“Can I make an impression on you in the shower?” He dismounted and helped her down. Then he pulled her against him. “Or in the stables. The scent of hay gets me riled up.”

“I think when the wind blows you get excited.”

He feigned a wounded expression. “You think I’m this way all the time?”

“It’s all I’ve ever seen.”

“I wish I could be like this with someone else—would’ve made the past twelve years easier.” An indefinable mix of emotions clouded his gray eyes.