False Pretenses (12 page)

“That’s the aim, sweetheart.”

She looked into his eyes, frowning. “Is this payback for what I said?”

“You think I would punish you by not letting you come?”

“I don’t know.”

She tried reading his expression, but couldn’t determine what he thought or if he was still mad. Was this on purpose? Did he intend for them both to find satisfaction? She opened her mouth to demand to know the answer, but he brought her down hard on his cock, and she screamed in delight. He turned and strode toward the closed door, but rather than open it, he thumped her against it, withdrew his cock, and thundered home in her pussy again.

“Yes, yes!”

Now her hands shook, and her thigh muscles spasmed so much, she teetered on the edge of an orgasm. Unable to hold on to him, she depended on his strength, but he had no problem pinning her to the door and thrusting into her over and over.

“How can I deny myself this, let alone you?” His words were slurred, lust filled, and heavy. “You have no idea how tight your pussy is and how little I can resist being inside it. Do you feel the way you squeeze me?”

“You’re so big,” she whimpered.

“No, you make me swell.”

“Nathan.”

“Damn it, woman, what you do to me.” He pounded her harder, and his pelvis rubbed her clit each time, driving her desires higher. In the morning, she would be sore, but right now…
let it never end
…

Nathan hung one of her legs over his forearm. The other he shifted farther until her ankle rested on his shoulder. Her ass rose and spread, and still he ground deep into her wetness. The moist sounds their bodies made as they came together, along with the slap of their flesh meeting, took her plummeting over the precipice. She shouted his name one last time, and then she couldn’t hold back even if she tried. Her orgasm took hold, and she sobbed in pleasure. Nathan didn’t stop pumping into her until he, too, found his release, and then his pace eased, slowing to stillness.

He let her stand, but her knees gave, and he zipped her into his arms again.

“It’s okay. I can—”

“Shh.”

He nodded toward the doorknob, and she opened it for him to carry her through to the bedroom. By now, with all their lovemaking, they were dry, so she didn’t protest when he laid her on the bed. Longing to be in his arms consumed her, but he didn’t deny either of them the pleasure. He sank down beside her and stroked her hair from her face.

“You’re beautiful. Do you know that?”

She suppressed a smile. “Who me?”

“Silly woman.”

He didn’t need to see how his words affected her, so she lowered her head and nestled against his neck. She shivered when he ran a thumb over her anus.

“I want to take you here. Is that okay?”

“What?”

“If you’re afraid, I won’t. Don’t worry about it.”

She looked at him. “I’m not afraid.” She’d had it before and liked it with the right man who knew what he was doing. Did Nathan? Usually, she didn’t go so far with a lover unless they were in a committed relationship. Despite the temporary status of her and Nathan, she wanted to do it with him.
Which is probably why I shouldn’t.
“Oh crap, we didn’t use a condom.”

Her words couldn’t have been more of a splash of cold water on him. He sat up. “Is there danger of you getting pregnant?”

“No.”

He studied her face, and she could just guess what thoughts roamed his mind. She had no reason to try to trap him, and it was his ass that teased her in the bathroom and wouldn’t let her go. He’d first seduced her, not the other way around. She saw when he came to that conclusion.

“I apologize.” He rose from the bed. Something told her the sex wouldn’t continue tonight.
Damn
.

She rose and found a clean nightie from the drawer and drew it on. Then she clicked off her bedside lamp and climbed into bed. Nathan moved around in the bathroom a while, but she ignored him. Eventually, he came to bed, and she pretended to be asleep.

“Alyssa.”

“What?” She tried to keep emotion out of her tone, but failed.

“Turn around. I want to hold you.”

Something warmed inside her. She resisted a little longer and then rolled over. He drew her close to his bare chest, and she luxuriated in the feel of him. They were just a bit too intimate for her liking, but she melted into his hold anyway. He encircled her in his arms and stroked her hair. When he pushed a leg between hers, she let him, and they snuggled tight from chest to thighs. After some time, she began to drift off, forgetting everything except Nathan.

Chapter Ten

Alyssa came downstairs the next morning well rested if a tad sore between her legs. Just outside the dining room, she caught the sound of angry voices and paused. Maybe the family needed some time to sort out whatever their issues were. Nathan had left their bed early with a note to her that he had something to take care of. He would meet up with her in the afternoon. For some reason, she thought of Natasha, but pushed the woman from her mind. The more likely explanation was probably work. The man never rested. She’d like to see the day he had no responsibilities whatsoever.

Something Piper said pulled Alyssa from her thoughts. “I can’t go because I’ve…got a prior engagement.”

“What prior engagement?” Lydia demanded, and Alyssa thought the woman sounded like her son. She had never imagined Lydia angry, but now that she was, her tone matched Nathan’s. That surprised her because she would have thought he got the controlled and calculated trait from his dad. “Explain to me why we agreed to spend time with Dad this week, and even when you’re here, you act like you want to be somewhere else. Now you’re saying the rare time Dad is strong enough for an outing, you’re busy. Even Nathan says he’ll be back in time. So who is this person you’re seeing?”

“It’s someone important to me.”

A shiver raced down Alyssa’s back. If she didn’t miss her guess, Piper was ready to come clean, and she would not be around to witness the possible fallout. The Cordes were friendly, and in the face of Nathan bringing home a black woman as the love of his life, Leo Corde had not batted an eye. What would he feel about his daughter being gay? No one could predict that. Either way, she would not be around to find out.

Forgoing breakfast, Alyssa darted down the hall and took a side door outside. She removed her sandals and started around the path to the back of the house and down to the beach. Only when the long stretch of shoreline came into view did she remember Cullen’s invitation to come where they’d first met. Damn, she was not feeling him today, or any man for that matter. Nathan’s actions and attitude the night before confused her, so she wanted time to think on her own.

She turned in the opposite direction than the one she’d taken that morning of meeting Cullen, but she hadn’t taken three steps before she heard him calling her name. Didn’t the man have work to do? Or was he the type to slip out and do his own thing when no one was looking?

“Alyssa, wait,” he called and jogged over to her. Even his movements were fluid and graceful, his sculpted calves golden brown from the sun. He looked as good as the last time, dressed in white shorts and a white T-shirt.

“Don’t you ever work?” She smiled. “How’s it going?”

He grinned. “Not when the boss is away on business.”

So she had been partially right. “Don’t I know how that is. Even on vacation, they are not.”

“Can I take you to lunch? Better yet, I have use of my boss’s boat. We could make a day of it.”

Her eyes widened. “Won’t he find out? I don’t want you to lose your job.”

He held up his hands as if that explained it. “I’m a jack-of-all-trades. I drive the car, sometimes the boat. If minor repairs are needed…”

Oh, he was the chauffeur, not a servant in the house. If his employer had left the islands, of course there wouldn’t be work. She sighed. “Listen, I appreciate your offer and your interest in me. If this was another time and place…” She bit her lip. “Maybe we can catch up when we’re in New York, but right now, I’m with someone. He’s…” She thought of Nathan. What could she say? Not the truth. If Cullen’s boss ran in the same circles with Nathan, and Cullen told him of her fake status, it could get around, and the Cordes did not deserve that. Not with all they dealt with in Leo’s health already. “He’s important to me.”

Cullen’s gaze flashed anger, but then it was gone. He smiled and took her hand. “I understand. Damn my timing, huh? I hope you’ll give me a chance to be your friend. I feel like we get each other. If not, I’ll just have to hope to see you in New York. Can I give you my number?”

She hesitated and then nodded. After all, things with Nathan were coming to a close. That could not be avoided. She wouldn’t be his mistress, and he hadn’t offered anything else.

Cullen stroked her cheek. “I hope he recognizes what he has.”

She lowered her gaze to the sand. “Thanks. I have to go.”

By the time she reentered the house, all lay in silence. The dining room had been cleared out, but the moment she crossed the threshold of the room, Talia appeared. Alyssa started. “Oh, Talia. Is it okay if I make myself a sandwich in the kitchen? I know I’m late for breakfast.”

“No, ma’am. You can’t serve yourself.”

Alyssa rolled her eyes. “I think I can, and I will.”

The maid followed her through to the kitchen and hovered while Alyssa searched the refrigerator. The cook stared but said nothing. Alyssa had the feeling they both thought her insane.

“There you are, Alyssa.”

She turned at Leo’s voice and found him leaning hard on a cane. “Are you okay, Leo?”

The older man glanced around the expansive kitchen. “I don’t think I’ve been in here. Odd. Talia, two sandwiches, please. One for me and one for Alyssa. Join me in the dining room, won’t you, my dear?”

She couldn’t ignore him and sighed. While he had relayed the message to Talia, the cook was the one who started on the food. Alyssa gave in to defeat and followed Leo. They took seats at the table, and soon Talia brought iced tea for her and coffee for Leo. He waited to speak until she left. Breakfast hadn’t been that long ago, but apparently Leo wasn’t in the dining room when Lydia and Piper argued. Of course they wouldn’t have done it with him around and risk overtasking the man.

“How is my son treating you? Has he spoken of a ring yet?”

Alyssa froze in the act of sipping her tea. “Um, not yet.” Damn, she couldn’t continue to lie to him, not in his face and with him looking so feeble. Their sandwiches arrived, and she busied herself taking a bite of hers while her appetite evaporated.

Leo winked and patted her hand. “You have nothing to worry about. I think he will soon if I know my son.”

You don’t know him at all, it seems.

“I’m not holding my breath.” She could have bitten her tongue at how harsh she sounded and scoured her mind for words to mend the situation.

“Sounds like you two have had a spat?”

She cursed Nathan for putting her in this situation. “Not exactly.” Then she tried for the truth. “Sometimes he pisses me off. I mean, last night he said we were going to a beach party, and we get there, and it’s some stuffy hotel shindig. A blonde bimbo insulted me, and that fool took her side. Crap, I must sound like an immature brat.”

“You sound like a woman who demands to be treated with respect. There’s nothing wrong with that. I prided myself on raising my kids to respect others no matter their station in life. Everyone has value. Perhaps I need to have a talk with the boy.”

Alyssa shifted in her seat, wanting to escape. Leo did not need to get involved. “I’m good. Thanks. I can handle him.”

The man’s eyes sparkled despite the tired appearance around them. “I knew you were the right one as soon as I saw you.”

She could find nothing to reply to this.

Leo leaned toward her and lowered his voice. “Let me let you in on a little secret about dealing with Nathan.”

“Um, okay.”

“Whatever he says or does, give him the benefit of the doubt if it upsets you. He is a good man, and often there’s more to why he does what he does than you know.”

So what did she do with that little tidbit? Leo hadn’t really given her much to work with in understanding Nathan. Even if he did, she was not a doormat. Leo might or might not know his son, but he didn’t know her.

“I’ll keep it in mind,” she said rather than question him further.

Lydia appeared in the doorway. “There you two are. I wanted to let you both know we’re having guests for dinner tonight.” The way she almost bounced into the room spoke volumes, but Alyssa decided not to speculate on why. Maybe Lydia got off on having people over. Of course, some did. She almost never had visitors, but that wasn’t by choice. If her neighborhood were better, she would entertain. As it was, she had a hard time convincing Trinity to visit. Instead, they spent time together at her cousin’s or at her uncle’s house.

Lydia’s popping about giving instructions to Talia, Aziz, and the cook somehow prevented her from getting around to sharing who was coming to dinner. Extra maids were called in to give the house a good scrubbing, although Alyssa hadn’t spotted even a speck of dust in the place. She managed to stay out from underfoot of all the activity. She swam in the pool, walked the beach, and took an afternoon nap. The idleness after the long hours running her bookstore felt incredible. She might as well soak it up.

The white dress she chose for the evening featured ruching at the center front, highlighted with a rhinestone-and-beaded brooch. The halter V neckline extended over her shoulders to crisscross in the back. She loved the soft material and how the dress ended just above her knees—not too short or too long, a simple style yet elegant at the same time. When Nathan strode into the room, she was just slipping into medium-heeled silver slingbacks. He paused upon spotting her, and she waited for the verdict.

“Incredible.”

Pleasure warmed her from head to foot, and she lowered her gaze to hide it from him. “Thanks.”

He strode over and rested his hands at her waist. When he leaned in to breathe deep at her neck, she bit her lip at her body’s reaction.