Not here, she whispered, cursing the fact they were in full view of the other guests.
Afraid well shock the royalty?
Afraid you have more in mind than a kiss.
I have way more in mind than a kiss.
That will have to wait until we get home.
Define home.
The ranch.
Lucass hand tightened on her rear end, snuggling her up against his body. Uh-uh. No way. He jerked his head to one side. See that big building over there? Thats the Gulf Port Grand Hotel.
Were not staying in Houston.
Oh, yes we are. You dont get to tease me like that, then expect me to make it all the way back to Dallas.
Tease you?
The underwear.
You bought the underwear.
You wore it.
It matched the dress.
His gaze went to her neckline again. Youll be lucky if I make it to the hotel.
What about Lexi and Byron? Its his airplane.
You dont think I could get my own airplane down here? And Byron already has a reservation at the hotel.
He does not. Devin refused to believe Byron intended to seduce Lexi. Not that she thought Lexi would object. But it sounded as though they hadnt even kissed yet.
Lucas surreptitiously stroked the pad of his thumb along her collarbone. He bought her three dresses and an emerald watch, you dont think hes hoping for a romantic ending to the night?
Devin allowed herself a small shudder at the touch, but then she determinedly pushed his hand away. You bought me a diamond necklace, she accused.
He grunted. And I expect you to put out.
Are you trying to pick a fight?
No. Absolutely not. He twined their fingers together. Why? Are you getting mad?
No, she admitted. Then she reached out and straightened his silk charcoal tie and ran her palms down the front of his shirt. She curved her mouth into a sultry smile. And, just so you know, I am going to put out.
Oh, man, he breathed, his hand convulsing over hers. Get me to the limo.
Ten
In the giant bathtub of the Gulf Port Grand Hotel suite, Lucas handed Devin a flute of chilled champagne. He couldnt remember ever having a bubble bath before, but he loved the feel of Devin naked in his arms. Her slick little body was cradled between his thighs, and she lay back against his chest so that he could rest his chin on her fragrant hair.
What are we celebrating? she asked as she accepted the glass. Candles flickered in every corner of the room, and her skin glowed under their radiance.
He touched his crystal glass to hers. To changing our pattern, he proposed.
Were definitely not fighting, she observed.
And Lucas was hoping to keep it that way. He took a sip of the bubbly liquid.
Devin did the same. Whod have thought wed have Steve to thank.
Lucas coughed on the champagne bubbles. Steve doesnt deserve thanks for anything.
Devin selected a fresh strawberry from the glass bowl at the edge of the tub and popped it into her mouth. Ive decided to picture him home, alone in his sterile penthouse, rubbing his miserly hands together, unaware that hes headed for a life of loneliness and despair.
Nice picture. Lucas chuckled. I like it.
Unlike you and I, Devin continued, sliding her wet leg along the inside of his thigh, who are making the most of our enforced partnership.
Is that what were doing?
What would you call it?
Let me see. He pretended to ponder. He wrapped his free arm around her waist, enjoying the heat of her skin and the way she fit to his body. He tipped his face against her hair and couldnt resist giving her a gentle kiss. Bliss, he told her.
She bit into another strawberry. Bliss for us. Despair for Steve.
And justice for Amelia.
Devin leaned her head back. I think Monica would approve.
So would Konrad. Lucas watched the candlelight flicker against the butter-yellow walls. It reflected back from the frosted bay window and made patterns against the ceiling. Thank you, Devin.
She twisted in his arms, splashing water against the side of the tub. For?
For agreeing to write the letter. For taking a chance on me.
Do you miss Konrad? she asked, leaning her head against his shoulder where she could look up into his face.
Very much. Lucas took a sip of the champagne. You know, it sounds trite, but it really is lonely at the top. Ive been surrounded my whole life with people who want something from me. Ive never known who to trust. I never know who my friends are. But Konrad was always there. And now hes not.
Lucas stopped talking, not sure why hed confided in Devin.
I missed Monica when she got married, said Devin. And some nasty, terrible little part of me was glad when she left Konrad to come home.
Youre not nasty, and youre not terrible, he felt compelled to point out. She was compassionate and protective, supportive and loving, and Amelia was lucky to have her in her life.
Maybe, Devin answered. Of course, Id have supported her unconditionally if shed decided to go back to him. But Ive spent very little of my life without her. Until now.
Lucass heart went out to Devin. What happened to your parents?
My dad left years ago. With his secretary if I remember the fights correctly. I never did ask my mom what happened. And I havent a clue where he is. She took a breath. Mom died when I was twenty. Monica was nineteen. Amelia seems like a miracle.
I agree, said Lucas, smiling when he thought of his adorable niece. Did I tell you I changed her messy diaper yesterday?
No way.
I did, he confirmed.
Devin nudged him with a playful elbow. You have any proof?
Ask Teresa.
Teresa works for you.
You think shed lie?
I think shed say whatever you told her to say.
Youre accusing me of a grand conspiracy over a dirty diaper?
Im saying I saw you turn green that time at my house.
Well, Ive hardened off since then.
Devin set down her champagne glass and dipped her hand below the water. Speaking of hard.
Lucas sucked in a breath. Are you kidding me?
I am not kidding you. She turned to straddle his lap. Her breasts bobbed out of the waterslick, soapy and tantalizing.
He quickly set down his own glass as his body responded to the view. His hands automatically cradled her buttocks, sliding her fully up the length of his thighs. She bent to kiss him, her mouth hot while the steam wafted from the water to fill the space around them.
He cradled her face, kissing her deeply.
Somewhere in the recesses of his mind he asked himself what the hell he thought he was doing. He needed to hold back, keep some space between them. But all he seemed to want to do was bring her closer, hold her closer, let her in on the secrets hed held dear for a lifetime.
He drew back to look at her. Her blue eyes were midnight dark. Her cheeks were flushed and dewy, her wispy hair damp from the steam. He stroked his thumb across her swollen red lips. Then he kissed her, kissed her harder, wrapped his arms fully around her and eased his body into hers.
He breathed her name, his body arching, his heart contracting.
Lucas, she whispered back. Oh, Lucas.
She wrapped her lithe body around him, and he swore he was never going to let her go.
Devin knew she was being influenced by Lucas. But she couldnt seem to help herself. From her vantage point on the cushy deck furniture on Byrons wide front porch, she was watching him roll a big colored ball for Amelia across the expanse of emerald lawn, while Amelia squealed in delight and toddled after it.
I know he seems brash and cocky when you talk to him, Lexi was saying. But hes really very gentle and respectful.
Her laptop in front of her, Devin had been trying to compose her letter to the judge for a good half hour. But she kept getting distracted. Lexi was the latest distraction, plunking herself down on a chair across from Devin, a glass of diet cola in her hand, hair in a messy ponytail.
Are you talking about last night? Devin couldnt help but ask. Like Devin and Lucas, Lexi and Byron had spent the night at the Gulf Port Grand Hotel.
Last night, yesterday, this morning. Lexi took a sip of her drink. I dont know what to think.
Devin glanced around to make sure they were alone. So, uh, did you two
If Lexis bright eyes and flushed face at breakfast this morning hadnt confirmed what Devin suspected, her smile did now.
Lexi leaned forward. I slept with Byron. She compressed her lips on what was obviously trying to be an enormous grin. And I wasnt even nervous. I wasnt uncomfortable. I wasnt even embarrassed. She sat back again. I tell you, Devin, if youd asked me a month ago if wed be having this conversation, Id have laughed in your face.
Thats so great. Devin was thrilled for her friend.
It is, isnt it? She gazed off into space for a moment. I have no idea where it goes from here. I mean, hes talking about coming back to Seattle for a while. But, you know, we really just met.
Devin nodded to Lexis wrist. Let me see that watch.
Lexi glanced down at the diamond face and the delicate gold-and-emerald band. I dont think this is a big deal for him.
I do, said Devin. I think taking you to the party was a big deal. I think bringing you here was a big deal. Lucas says that Byrons barely dated since Lucass mother died.
He talked about her, said Lexi. He misses her. Like I miss Rick.
Thats sweet, said Devin.
Lexi gestured to Lucas and Amelia with her glass. Now thats sweet.
Thats surprising, said Devin. Though, even as she said the words, she acknowledged that it didnt seem at all strange now to see Lucas playing with Amelia. It had been a rocky start, but the two of them had obviously grown very fond of each other.
So, how was your night? Lexi gave a meaningful waggle of her brows.
Are you kidding? We were in a luxury hotel suite. Champagne, strawberries, a tub the size of a backyard pool and a view of the city that stretched for fifty miles.
Thats not what Im asking.
It was strange, Devin admitted.
Lexi gathered herself up on the chair and leaned in closer, eyes alight. Strange how?
Devin tossed a pillow at her. Not that kind of strange.
Im not judging.
Theres nothing to judge. We- Devin stopped herself. Lexi didnt need to know theyd made love in the tub. What was strange, was that it seemed so normal to be with Lucas.
It truly had.
Making love with Lucas, talking with Lucas, sleeping in his arms, even waking up to shower and join Lexi and Byron for breakfast had, for some reason, seemed completely normal. Which didnt make sense. Since they were still most definitely at odds over Amelias future.