After a moments fumbling, he swore beneath his breath and ripped off the buttons, tugging off his shirt. Her bra went next, and they were skin-to-skin, kissing their way to another plane of desire.
After a moments fumbling, he swore beneath his breath and ripped off the buttons, tugging off his shirt. Her bra went next, and they were skin-to-skin, kissing their way to another plane of desire.
She found her hands going to his belt, releasing the buckle, popping the button, pulling down the zipper, even while his kisses roamed from her mouth to her neck and down to the peaks of her breasts. He stripped off her shorts in a heartbeat, then dispatched the rest of his clothes.
Again, they were skin-to-skin, with nothing between them. The world outside his bedroom, his bed, his hands and his lips ceased to exist. Devin longed to get closer, to press harder, to wrap herself around his magnificent body and travel to paradise all over again.
You amaze me, he rasped, both hands cradling her face as he planted long, wet kisses on her swollen mouth.
She shifted her body, moving beneath him, kissing him hard and deep in return. She lifted her knees, wrapping herself around his hips, gasping his name as primal urges swept through her, robbing her breath and curling her toes.
His hand slid down her body, over the curve of her waist, across her hip, cupping her buttocks, and tugging her to him. He thrust, and she gasped, groaning in relief at the exquisite sensation of becoming one. A buzzing started in her ears, obliterating everything but Lucass voice.
He told her she was beautiful, that she was amazing, that hed never felt this way before, and that he never wanted to let her go.
The buzzing moved through her body, from her abdomen, to her breasts, to her thighs and to her toes.
His rhythm increased, and she arched her back. His hand found her breast, and sensation nearly blinded her.
She felt his muscles clench to steel, and she curled her body around him, hanging on tight and letting wave upon wave of pure released wash over her.
It was long minutes before her breathing slowed down.
Lucas was a hot weight on top of her, and she felt cocooned between him and the pillow-topped bed.
His hand stroked her face, and he gently kissed her temple, her cheekbone and the corner of her eye.
Im late, he told her, the regret in his tone convincing enough to take the sting out of his words.
I know, she said and gave him a nod.
Shed let it happen. Shed actually taken her bluff to its final conclusion. She wasnt sure how she felt about that. But it was probably better if he left right away. Both her brain and her emotions were a jumble of confusion.
I have time for a shower, he said, and the next thing she knew, he was lifting her from the bed, setting her gently on her feet and guiding her to a huge marble bathroom.
The shower was magnificent, and so were Lucass hands.
Feeling warm and fresh, and preposterously euphoric wrapped in a fluffy, white terry-cloth robe, it wasnt until Lucas left her in her own room to change that she realized they hadnt used birth control.
She gripped the nearest bedpost, did a quick calculation on her fingers and realized the risk was minimal.
With a sigh of intense relief, she slumped down on the bed, wrapping her arms around her body and hugging tight. What on earth was happening to her here?
Lucas awoke in his bed the next morning thinking about Devin. His business dinner had run late. Hed briefly considered knocking on her bedroom door after hed come home, and climbing into her bed to hold her in his arms. But he wasnt sure if hed be welcome. He wasnt at all sure what to make of yesterday.
Talk about a complete one-eighty.
When hed caught her snooping around Konrads room, hed got the impression their physical relationship was going to be a one-time thing. He wasnt happy about that. Who would be happy about discovering such an amazingly passionate woman, only to have her snatched away?
But he was prepared to accept her decision. With everything going on around them, it wasnt fair to push her. He hoped theyd at least agreed to a postponement of the court battle, although Devin hadnt exactly said that out loud yet. But the court battle would one day come. And theyd be on opposite sides, and it would be bloody complicated if they were also lovers.
Lovers.
Lucas tossed back his quilt.
Was that what they were now? Did Devin intend for them to make love again? She must. It wasnt like theyd accidentally fallen into each others arms yesterday. Shed obviously make a deliberate decision to seek him out.
In his bed.
He grinned at the memory, folding his hands behind his head and staring at the ornate ceiling above him. So, was the next move his? Maybe shed expected him to show up in her room last night.
How would she feel about sleeping together with Amelia right next door? Silly question. Amelia was only nine months old. And the mansion staff was nothing if not professional and discrete.
He glanced at his clock and decided he had a couple of hours to spare. Hed shower, find Devin and see if he could get a sense of where this thing between them was going.
He vaulted out of bed, a spring in his step as he moved through the motions of his shower and shave, wondering as he did if hed find her at the pool, or maybe theyd taken a walk to the gardens. Or maybe, if he was lucky, Amelia was with Teresa and Devin would be free for the next little while.
It was Wednesday, so Lucas selected his usual white dress shirt, buttoned the front and the cuffs and twisted his tie into place with practiced ease. Shrugging into his jacket, he passed the computer and hit a key to bring up his calendar. Maybe he could get away with spending the entire morning here at the mansion. He grinned to himself for the hundredth time. Maybe he was premature in putting on his suit.
His email program came up, and he reached for the mouse to shrink it out of the way. But then his gaze caught Konrads name in the list of recently-viewed emails.
What on earth? Who would-
But then the date registered, and he recognized the text. He dropped down into the chair, noting three of Konrads other emails had been recently opened.
Reality hit him like a ton of bricks.
He twisted his head to stare at the messy bed.
She hadnt been here to proposition him yesterday. Shed hadnt heard him come home early and been overcome with passion and desire. The woman had been caught red-handed, and shed slept with him to cover it up!
And she had the gall to question his ethics?
Lucas continued to stare at the emails, bitter disappointment fueling his anger. He told himself that at least he knew where he stood. Unfortunately, it didnt make him feel any better.
He pushed back the chair and rose to his feet. Then he straightened his cuffs and collar and paced deliberately for the door.
Her room was empty as he passed it, and so was the nursery. There wasnt a soul in the foyer or the great room. He caught a glimpse of Teresa down the hall, but she took one look at his face and veered off into the library. She was alone, and that fact told Lucas that Amelia was with Devin.
It wasnt until he made it to the kitchen that he heard voices. They were coming from the breakfast alcove that overlooked the pool. Lexis laughter. Good. Devin couldnt be far away.
But then Byrons voice responded. It wouldnt have been so bad. His tone was laced with a deep chuckle. But the bulls name was Clementine.
Lucas came around the corner.
Youre making that up, Lexi accused from where she sat on one of the curved bench seats at the round table, but there was a distinct thread of laughter to her voice.
I swear its the truth, said Byron, as Lucass entrance caught his attention. Look, theres Lucas. Lucas can tell you- Then Byron did a double take of Lucass expression. Whats wrong?
Wheres Devin? Lucas reflexively glanced around the room, moving so he could see to the far end of the kitchen and peering past the window planters into the yard.
Did something happen? asked Byron, coming to his feet.
Shes out with Amelia, said Lexi, worriedly watching Lucas.
Lucas? Byron prompted.
I need to talk to her, said Lucas. He was doing his best to keep his temper in check, but the more he thought about Devins behavior, the angrier he became.
What kind of a woman broke in to a mans email account? What kind of a woman slept with a guy to cover her tracks? She was one amazing actress. He could have sworn-
Mr. Demarco? Teresa suddenly rushed breathlessly into the room, her feet slipping on the linoleum as she rounded the corner. She braced her hand against the counter. Somethings very wrong out there.
With Devin? Lucas automatically asked, fear pushing out his anger.
Out where? asked Byron.
Out front, Teresa answered. At the gate. Theres a big crowd of people.
Wheres Devin? Lucas was already heading for the hallway.
I didnt see her. Teresa shook her head. Not out front.
What kind of a crowd? asked Byron, he and Lexi on Lucass heels as they all rushed down the hallway.
They have cameras and microphones.
Reporters? What would bring reporters to the estate?
Lucas pulled out his phone, pressing the speed dial number for Theodore Vick, talking to Teresa while the line rang. Whens the last time you saw Devin? he demanded as he crossed the foyer and yanked open the door.
They went to the park, maybe an hour ago.
What park? Did the reporters have anything to do with Devin? Was she up to something more sinister than snooping through his private correspondence?
The young womans eyes went wide, and her voice quavered. Beside the marina. She took Amelia in the stroller.
Some of those are the big guns, said Byron. SNN, The Evening. He lengthened his stride alongside Lucas.
What the hell? Lucas shaded his eyes. Hed had plenty run-ins with the press in the past, and he had no desire to make tonights evening news. At the same time, he needed to know what brought them here.
I can go down there alone, Byron offered.
No thanks, said Lucas, giving up on Theodore and making up his mind to take the bull by the horns.
If this was something Devin had cooked up
If shed somehow decided engaging the press would help her cause