A Risk Worth Taking (12 page)

He nodded, closing his eyes. When he opened them after a couple seconds, they were the color of the sea after a storm. “Listen, don’t judge Heather because what happened was my fault too. She had an affair after we had Grace. In retrospect if I’d paid more attention to her, she wouldn’t have sought comfort with someone else. She needed something and I wasn’t giving it to her. She found someone who would.”

That explained a truckload of his behavior.
It also put her in a bind. Did she want to risk reciprocating with her own truth? She took a deep breath, hoping he’d offer her the same level of understanding as he did his ex-wife. “I can’t judge Heather because I’ve been there and done that.”

His eyes widened as if she’d slapped him, but he needed to hear this. She twined her fingers with his. “Jackson’s father was one of my dance instructors at Julliard. I knew he was married, but I believed him when he told me he was divorcing his wife.” She closed her eyes as the memory of that ugly, but long ago scene played in her mind. “He started singing a different tune when I told him he’d gotten me pregnant.” She opened her eyes to Grant’s compassionate face.

“That’s different. You were young, and he took advantage of your innocence. Heather knew what she was doing.”

She shook her head. “Emotions can really cloud people’s judgment and experience doesn’t always help. If it did, it would have helped me tune into the fact that the last guy I dated wasn’t being honest with me.”

“Married?”

“Believe me, the second I found out, I sent his sorry behind packing. My integrity is an important part of who I am.” She clinched his fingers, willing him to believe. “As long as I’m with you, there will only be you.”

Grant let out a breath. “Now it’s you who knows the exact thing to say.” Then he grinned down at her. “That goes for me as well. Now that we’ve got that settled, can I buy the car to make up for my stupidity?”

“No, but you can take me back to your place, and I’ll let you find another way of making this up to me.”

Chapter 13

“I feel sure this day has turned out to be far more of an adventure than you expected. Why don’t you close your eyes and relax for a few minutes.”

It would take more than soft music and a warm behind for her to relax. Grant pulled onto Georgia 400 and they rode the dozen miles between the mall and his place in silence.

Things changed once he had them inside the gatehouse. Before she could take more than a step inside, he took her hard against the nearest wall. “God, I need you,” he growled, pressing his mouth against hers. “I need to know we’re okay, to hold on to you.”

She breathed in deeply, willing herself to forget the past couple hours. The scent of sandalwood filled her head and the rasp of his whiskers against her skin brought back luscious memories of yesterday. Putting their issues aside proved harder than Grant’s firm embrace.

“Me too,” she said, feeling the weight of the past pressing against her. The future wasn’t feather light either. She clenched her fist by her side as he continued to feather kisses down to her collarbone.

He pulled back to look at her. His mouth turned up in a grin that revealed one of his dimples. “I think what you need is a glass of wine and a back rub.”

She leaned into his body, determined not to let their problems steal what she had right in front of her. “That sounds wonderful. When you’ve got my shoulders down from around my ears, then you can have your wicked way with me.”

Grant guided her over to his sofa then began tugging off her flats. He finished by drawing her legs up so she was reclining and handed her the remote. “Why don’t you pick us out a movie for later while I open a bottle of wine?”

Abby flipped through the choices available on his on-line account as she scanned his living room. When she’d been there the night before, she’d been too preoccupied with his ministrations to notice much about the cottage. The best thing she decided after checking out the huge wall mounted monitor and ugly recliner was the soft leather sofa she was curled up on. She pulled a chocolate-colored blanket off the back of the sofa and sank deeper into its softness.

After a few minutes he returned, a pair of large wine glasses cupped in one hand. He handed one to her before slipping under the blanket and waggled his eyebrows. “Relaxed yet?”

“Getting there.” Abby brought the glass to her lips to hide her silly grin. Against his charm, she was a crayon left in the sun. She took another sip then set her glass on the coffee table. “Which would you prefer, action or comedy?” she asked, figured one of the two categories was a good bet.

He took the remote and clicked on the first choice he came to, a documentary on ancient Egypt. Then his hands tunneled under the blanket to travel the length of her body. “Doesn’t matter, the movie is just an excuse to make out for a couple hours.” He pressed her down to the sofa with his body and began torturing her earlobe with tiny nibbles.

With every inch of her skin between her neck and her shoulders attended to, he kissed his way across her cheek. As his lips touched hers, his kisses became urgent, conveying his desire for her better than the sweetest words. He licked at the seam of her mouth and she eagerly opened for him. His tongue caressed her own, igniting a firestorm of lust that threatened to consume her.

Finally, she could take no more and pushed against his shoulder. Her breaths came in hectic pants, making her feel as though she’d been dancing for hours instead of only their tongues doing the tango. “What are we, a couple teenagers?”

He sat up, pulling her with him. “I feel like one when I’m with you. Now that I’ve finally gotten to make love to you, it’s all I think of.” He took her hand, pressing it against the front of his jeans. “See what you do to me.”

She traced the outline of his length. “I’m glad I have that effect on you.” Mirroring his demonstration, she slid his hand under the collar of her blouse so he could feel her heart pounding. “Since this is what you do to me.”

The corners of his mouth turned up. “I was beginning to think I was never going to get past your defenses. The Pentagon could take lessons from you.”

He looked at her from beneath hooded eyes as he slid his palm down to capture her breast. His cobalt blue eyes and the feel of his fingers against her sensitive flesh set off a chain reaction. Her nipples pebbled, desire uncurled in her belly, and moisture pooled between her legs. Abby shook her head. “I can’t seem to remember why I ever thought this was a bad idea.”

Grant leaned in till their foreheads met. His voice was a deep purr. “I know I promised you a back rub, but I have a better idea.” He combed his fingers through her hair then stood. “I’ll just be a couple minutes.”

The sound of water piqued her curiosity and had her on her feet. She followed her ears through his bedroom till she found him in a white-tiled bath. The marble countertops and double sink barely registered in light of the Olympic sized bathtub.

Grant turned when she entered, spreading his arm over the jetted tub. “I don’t have any candles or fancy bath oil.”

Abby sat on the platform surrounding the tub and trailed her fingers through the foaming water. “No, this is perfect.”

Gone was his playful banter, replaced with a scowl that made him seem more warrior than lover. He tugged her to her feet and began roughly working the buttons of her blouse. When he’d finished, he pulled it from her shoulders and slipped his hands over her stomach to begin stripping off her jeans. Still on his knees, he hooked his fingers under her panties and eased them down her hips. Then he pressed a kiss at the apex of her thighs. “I want to spend hours worshiping you with my mouth,” he moaned onto her sex.

Abby widened her stance and pulled him harder against her, more than willing to let him have his wish. Far too soon, he pulled back and stood. He cupped her breasts, tweaking her nipples through the fabric of her bra before reaching around to unclasp it. “The water’s ready. Get in.” Grant held out his hand while she stepped into the hot water.

“God, that feels good,” she groaned.

“Scoot up,” he commanded.

Obeying, Abby opened her eyes in time to see a pair of muscular legs and a hard cock pass in front of her. He eased in behind her, urging her to use him as a pillow once he’d settled in the water. She tilted her neck in invitation, loving the way he nuzzled the soft spot behind her ear.

Grant breathed in deeply. “You smell like heaven.”

Abby sank into his embrace, letting the hot water play over her breasts. “You’re right. This is better than just a back rub. I’m going to stay in here till I get pruney.”

His chest moved against her back as he chuckled. “How long does that usually take?” His hands slid around her body and began stroking her breast.

“Hmm,” she groaned. “Hours.”

“I’ve got forever,” he murmured in her ear. Then he hooked his legs around hers, spreading her open. The churning water felt lovely against her tender folds and a deep moan escaped her lips. “I think you’ll like this even better.” His fingers left her breasts to slide between her legs. God, he was right. With her legs held down by his, she could only accept his exquisite torture. Her orgasm built deep within her, as his finger traced circles around her clitoris. “Come for me baby,” he commanded. She did. Gripping his legs for support, she came apart in a glorious release that left her breathless.

Grant buried his face in her hair. “I love making you come.”

“Me too,” she purred, as she twisted in his embrace so she faced him. The head of his cock bobbed at the surface of the water, teasing her. She reached for the condom she’d spied on the far edge of the tub, tearing greedily at the foil. “Raise your hips,” she ordered. Grant wasn’t the only one with a bossy streak, and her recent orgasm had only fueled her need for him.

He did as she asked, letting her sheath him. Drawing his legs together and gripping her hips, he guided her down on top of him. Abby felt wonderfully full and stretched as she seated herself fully in the cradle of his hips. “I want all of you.”

Grant kicked back his head, his eyes clenched and his mouth forming an O as he exhaled. Placing her palms against his shoulders, she set a rhythm of thrusts and retreats that sent the water crashing against their bodies. She drew her core along his length, clinching him with her internal muscles. His face contorted in a mixture of pleasure and agony, making her blood sing at the heady power she had over him. She flexed her hips again and watched him come apart beneath her. As he met her thrusts again and again, another orgasm rolled through her. She collapsed against his chest, his still-hard length inside her.

“Mission accomplished,” she breathed. “I’m officially relaxed.”

They lay in each other’s arms, letting the cooling water lap against their bodies. Grant tilted her chin. “I think we better get out. If we get any more relaxed we’ll be in danger of drowning.”

Sliding from beneath her, Grant stepped out first before pulling Abby to her feet. With one hand he reached for a towel while lifting her from the tub. Then he folded the wide expanse of fluffy cotton around her and scooped her into in his arms. “I want you in my bed,” he announced, carrying her into the other room.

He flipped back the comforter and eased them both onto the bed. “Are you warm enough?” he asked after settling the blanket back over them.

She could only nod her response. The fact he’d loved her to the point she was wordless as well as boneless must have pleased him. Grant let out a very masculine purr and settled his body next to hers. He was everything she could ever desire in a lover: honest, passionate, and giving.

As they lay spooning each other, unexpected tears formed in Abby’s eyes.
Oh God!
As the salty droplets slipped down her cheeks, she realized she was falling in love with Grant. Surreptitiously she swiped them away.

Now was not the time to ponder the depth of her feelings for him or worry about what they’d do when she left for London. His considerable erection had begun pressing against her hip.
They had this moment and that was all anyone was guaranteed.
She reached behind to caress his length.

He thrust against her palm. “Is it okay that I want you again?”

“More than okay,” she chuckled. Her body was already wet and ready for him.

He rolled her over on her front and parted her legs with his. She heard the telltale rip of foil and then he entered her from behind. Grasping her hips, his thrusts were sharp and needy and in a few moments her desire matched his.

He reached around to grasp her breast, eliciting a deep moan from her. God, his calloused fingers did something wonderful to her. The spiraling tension wound through her core and when he flexed his hips against hers, they came together in an explosion Abby thought would rip her in two.

Grant collapsed against her, pressing her onto the bed. “I never knew I could need someone so much,” he groaned. After easing out of her and disposing of the condom, he drew her into his body

They lay together, him trailing a lazy hand over her hip. “Penny for your thoughts.”

Several seconds passed before he answered. “I’m wondering if I should risk starting another argument.”

Her imagination shot to the land minds they tripped that afternoon. “Better have it out.”

A faint smile played at his lips. “This is not a birthday present since you don’t have those.” He reached to the nightstand and pulled out a rectangular, black velvet box.

Her fingers trembled as she pried open the lid. A line of magnificent blue stones set in delicate white gold twinkled up at her. Taking her hand, he fixed the bracelet to her wrist. “You can call it an apology for my behavior earlier.”

She turned her wrist so the stones caught the light. “Oh, Grant, it’s spectacular.”

“You like it?”

“No, I love it. You didn’t have to do that.”

A grin softened his chiseled features. He clutched her hands, turning them over to press kisses into her palm. “I know, but I wanted to.” When he looked up his eyes sparked. “I hope when you wear it you’ll remember that you mean a great deal to me.”