He kneaded the small of her back, slipping his fingertips under the elastic of her peach panties. The slippery sensations of skin, silk and water brought a groan from deep in his throat.
Her tongue answered his, and her hands grasped his shoulders, small fingers digging erotically into his tightening muscles. He cradled her bottom, lifting her easily, pulling her against him as she bobbed in the cool water. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and his body reflexively arched against hers. He cursed the fabric separating them.
She moaned his name, and he felt himself move to the ragged edge of control.
Not here, he managed to say, but he kissed her longer and harder and deeper.
Then
His hand closed over her pert breast, and she gasped out loud.
The stairs were only a few feet away. He could do this. He moved toward them.
Without breaking the kiss, he mounted the short staircase in the shallow end of the pool. He carried her across the deck, past the towel rack, snagging his running shorts before taking her into the dark warm depths and privacy of the pool house.
She drew back, blinking her glazed eyes before glancing at the daybed in the small, dimly lit room. She seemed to hesitate. This is a bad
He strummed the pad of his thumb across her swollen nipple, and she sucked in a breath. Her thighs convulsively tightened around him, and he felt a shot of raw lust cascade through his body.
He already knew this was a bad idea. It was a terribly stupid, reckless idea. But he was far past caring.
He captured her mouth with his, kissing her deeper still. His hands slid over her satiny skin. He inhaled her scent, tasted the sweetness of her mouth, groaned in near ecstasy when her small hands stroked from his chest to his waist and below.
He sat back on the daybed, flicked the clasp of her bra, then tossed the delicate garment aside.
You are gorgeous, he groaned, caressing her breasts all over again.
She tipped her head back, her eyes going shut, the apex of her body pressed tight against him. He rotated his pelvis, savoring the sensation. Her hands clasped his thighs, each fingertip a pinpoint of sensation.
He feathered a touch along her inner thigh, traced the edge of her filmy panties, slipping inside until she gasped and squirmed against him.
He caught her moan in a hot, deep kiss, while he stripped off his boxers, groping in his running shorts for the condom in the pocket.
He found it, but her panties were in the way.
He fisted his hand around one strip of lace. Cursing in frustration, he jerked the fabric and it easily tore away.
Devin wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her gorgeous body against him, kissing his neck, his ear, his temple, running her hands through his hair and holding tight.
He bracketed her hips with both hands, slowly pushing his way inside her, inch by amazing inch, feeling her hot body clasp him. He bent his head and kissed one nipple, drawing it into the cavern of his mouth.
Lucas, she cried, and he thrust all the way home.
Her lithe body molded around him, and instinct took over as he pressed and withdrew.
The hot summer air surrounded them. The scents from the garden swirled in. The glow of the yard lights seemed to dance through the window, while the sensations of Devin hijacked his brain.
She kissed him.
Deeply at first.
Then more gently, more slowly, as if she was savoring the sensations.
Her body matched his thrusts, her breathing deep and steady.
She cradled his face with her hands, drawing back ever so slightly, gazing into his eyes, hers glowing midnight, sparkling with blue diamonds.
He slowed the rhythm, while they stared at each other. Neither said a word, but their communication was finally clear, crystal clear, no pretense or posturing between them.
He tried to hang on.
He desperately wanted to stop time. Right here. Right now. Forever.
But instinct took over. His pace increased, and her eyes fluttered shut. She clung tighter, and he rose higher and higher until her cries pierced the summer dark, and he followed her over the edge.
His heart thundered. His lungs dragged in air, his body desperately trying to recover from their cataclysmic lovemaking.
Devin melted against him, her hot body obviously spent, sweat mixing with pool water on his slick skin, and he laid back on the daybed and hugged her to him. He stroked her wet hair, kissed her temple, smoothed his hands down her bare back.
Hoo, boy, she breathed in his ear.
You okay? he asked softly.
She was silent for a long moment. Define okay?
I didnt hurt you?
Her body quaked with a brief chuckle. Im not hurt. Surprised, maybe.
Youre surprised? He drew back so that he could look into her eyes. I saw that one coming a mile away.
She shook her head in denial, but he wasnt going to let it go that easily.
He caught her gaze once more. Are you saying Im the only one of us whos been fantasizing all week long? She glanced off to the side without answering. Admit it, he cajoled.
This time, she dropped her forehead against his. Theres something wrong with us. Were healthy adults?
Were making a bad situation even more complicated. Devin?
Yes?
Its okay to take a break here. We can easily restart the fight again tomorrow. Cradling the back of her neck, he gently laid her head against his shoulder. For the moment, he just wanted to hold her close. He wasnt ready to let go.
Are you declaring a truce? she asked, voice muffled.
A truce is better than a stalemate, he sighed, settling her in the circle of his arms, burrowing his face into the crook of her neck and inhaling her fresh scent.
She relaxed against him, her lips brushing his hairline as she spoke. Just until breakfast, okay?
He kissed her neck, then he kissed her ear, then he drew back and kissed her swollen lips, once, then twice, then a third, long time. Until breakfast, he agreed, feeling arousal pulse through his body all over again.
In the breakfast alcove off the Demarcos big kitchen, Devin kept her attention studiously on Amelia in the high chair, spooning rice pablum into the babys mouth, while various staff members worked in the kitchen.
Across the table, Lucas had long since finished an omelet and was sipping his second cup of coffee.
Is that enough, sweetheart? Devin asked as Amelia pursed her mouth against a spoonful of pablum.
Amelia kicked her feet in response and reached her hand out for the small bottle of apple juice sitting on the table. Devin swiftly wiped Amelias mouth and handed her the colorful juice bottle.
Is that the plan? asked Lucas, voice flat. Devin glanced around and realized the kitchen had emptied of staff.
What plan? she asked cheerfully, without meeting his eyes. Instead she mopped up the splashes of pablum from the high-chair tray before taking a bite of her toasted blueberry bagel that had long since gone cold.
We pretend it never happened?
I like it. Devin nodded and wiped the high-chair tray with the damp cloth. Its a pretty good plan.
In the cold light of day, she couldnt believe shed had sex with Lucas, in the pool house, with bohemian abandon.
Shed yelled.
She wasnt a yeller.
What had gotten into her? What must Lucas think? Look at me, he told her. She didnt. Why? Are you embarrassed?
No. Not exactly. Okay, yeah, embarrassed would be a good word. She made sure the corners of the high-chair tray were spotless.
Because theres nothing
Lucas. At the end of her rope, she set down the cloth and glared at him. Can we not talk about this?
He paused, looking uncertain. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.
Im fine. Im great. Ive got a lot to do today.
Amelia was running low on diapers and applesauce, and Devin was determined to get some writing done at nap time.
Lucas cleared his throat. We still need to talk about Steve. We still need to talk about the nanny.
I do have a life, you know.
He went silent for another moment. I never said you didnt.
It cant all be about your agenda. My agenda is to take care of Amelia. Well, so is mine. Good. Then we agree.
Amelia dropped her bottle on the hardwood floor, and Devin bent to retrieve it.
She sat upright again. I doubt very much we agree on anything.
His eyes flared with determination. We agreed last night.
Devin brought her hands down on the tabletop. Are you going to throw last night up in my face forever.
I meant we agreed to face the truth last night. And eight hours isnt forever?
Amelia had grown tired of sitting in the high chair and started to squirm.
Devin reached over and untied her bib, folding the damp fabric and placing it on the table. She squeezed the latch on the high chair tray and slid it forward, reaching under Amelias arms to lift her out.
Lucas stood up. You are completely rattled.
No, Im not. But she knew he was right. Last night had seemed like a good idea at the time. Okay, it had seemed like a great idea at the time, but now she realized that by sleeping with Lucas she had given him the advantage.
Because, while he seemed perfectly capable of casual sex, Devin found her feelings for him hopelessly confused. On the one hand, she wanted to fight him. She needed to keep fighting him for Amelias sake. On the other hand, she found herself wanting to continue the truce.
Maybe she just wanted to sleep with him again. Or maybe she needed to convince herself that it was more than just lust last night. How could she enjoy sex so much with a man she didnt respect and admire? It didnt make sense.
Nothing made sense this morning.
A staff member entered the kitchen and began clearing up the coffee service from the breakfast bar.
Lucas dropped his voice. We need to talk.
We just did.
We need to be together on this, Devin.
She tucked Amelia against her shoulder. We need to forget it ever happened.
Im not talking about sex, he hissed, and the staff member faltered in her cleanup.
Devin frowned.
Lucas leaned closer. Steve. We need to be together against Steve.
Not now, said Devin with a shake of her head. She needed time to herself. She needed to get her head on straight about, well, everything.
Then when? he persisted.
I dont know. She paused. Tomorrow. Okay? Tomorrow.
Devin. His exasperation was clear. She moved toward the door to the main hallway. Back off, Lucas. I need a little time.
Seven
Lucas tracked Steve down to his executive office on the fifteenth floor of the Pacific Robotics building. It was nearly noon, and sunshine streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the ultramodern, European-styled office.
The desk was stark white, plastic with rounded edges, no drawers and a Plexiglas top that reminded Lucas of a kids toy. The chair matched, molded plastic with white vinyl cushions. While the white shelf unit behind Steve held numerous impressionist glass objects for which hed likely paid a fortune.
His computer was a bright white flat screen with a sleek matching keyboard, there wasnt a single piece of paper in the office. The only splash of color was a metallic abstract painting, in aqua and silver on the side wall. Lucas was forced to squint against the glare.
Lucas, Steve greeted with a smug, half smile as he swiveled his chair back and forth a few degrees. His suit was steel-gray, his dark hair stark against the white background.
The door firmly shut behind him, Lucas advanced on the desk. He folded his arms over his chest. Just what the hell do you think youre doing?
At the moment, Im composing a memo.
You think you can intimidate Devin?
Steve stopped swiveling and sat up straight. I dont know what youre talking about.
You dont think Ill protect her?
Steve scoffed out a cold laugh. I think youll protect your investment.
I cant believe youd target a defenseless woman. Unlike you? Steve sneered.
Lucas pointed sharply with his index finger. I have never
Never what? Never fought Devin Hartley for control of Amelia? Never conspired with Konrad to manipulate Granddads will?
You know thats a lie.
I know nothing of the sort.
You better back the hell off on this one, Steve. I am not letting you anywhere near Devin and Amelia.
Steve laughed at that. What are you, saddling up the white charger now? Galloping on over to the moral high ground? Youd have kicked Devin to the curb months ago if youd been able to get away with it.
Lucas stilled, because Steve was right. If Lucas had found a way to get sole guardianship of Amelia, he wouldnt have given Devin another thought. But that was then. This was now. All he could seem to think about was Devins welfare. And he was not going to let Steve hurt her.
Steve obviously sensed his advantage, because he came to his feet and his voice got louder. You want Amelia because she gives you control of the company. So dont stand there and pretend this has anything to do with Devin.
Lucas leaned in. Youd have her disinherited? Youd have Konrads only child disinherited for your own selfish ends?
Like you wouldnt if it was my child.
I wouldnt, Lucas answered honestly. Much as hed hate Steve having control over Pacific Robotics, he would respect his grandfathers wishes.
You lie almost as well as I do, Steve returned.
Im not going to let you do this, Lucas warned.
You have absolutely no way to stop me, said Steve. Then he lifted his chin, a reptilian smile coming over his face. The high-and-mighty Lucas Demarco, sidelined in his own company. I hope you werent too fond of the corner office.
You think thats what Im fighting for? Status? Lucas was fighting for the financial health of the company, the security of their employees, the interests of the Washington State high-tech sector and the future of his brothers baby girl.
You are staid, complacent and unimaginative. If you had the capacity to even consider enlightened business practices, we wouldnt be having this conversation.