Guilty Pleasures: A Collection (20 page)

He smiled, seemingly relieved that she hadn’t shut him out, and it amazed her that this strong, confident man had a few vulnerabilities of his own and wasn’t afraid to display them with her.

He stared deeply into her eyes, his own so dark and beautiful, like twin windows into his soul. “I want you to know that I’m falling in love with you.”

His declaration was more than she’d anticipated, and she shook her head in denial. “Matthew . . . no.”

“Yes,” he refuted softly. “What I feel for you is real Faith. I want you for more than just one night. I want you forever. All you have to do is trust me and believe in yourself and what you feel, too.”

That said, he framed her face in his hands, kissed her, and made her
feel
. He rocked against her, into her, and every muscle clenched, pulled, and tightened around his shaft. He growled against her mouth and thrust into her, deeply, then deeper still, pumping in a hard, steady rhythm that had her hips lifting off the bed, straining, seeking yet another end to the thrum of desire coiling tighter and tighter within her belly. Her climax rolled through her, lifting her body against his, stretching her nerves to the breaking point one last time.

She whimpered as she came, stunned at this man’s sexual and emotional power over her, and he was right there with her . . . her name a sweet promise on his lips as he lost himself in the same immense pleasure consuming her.

#

Flat on her stomach, replete and sated after a night of the most erotic love making Faith had ever known, she eased awake by slow degrees. She was disappointed to find herself alone, but judging by the scent of coffee teasing her senses, she guessed that Matthew was in the other room, waiting for her to eventually join him.

Smiling at the provocative, unforgettable memories dancing in her head, she buried her face in her pillow, inhaling the intoxicating scent of Matthew, sex, and all that they’d shared in this big bed. Seemingly unable to get enough of one another, they’d made love numerous times during the night. Hot and hurried. Slow and languorous. Intense and demanding. In ways that had thrilled Faith and allowed Matthew to fulfill a few male fantasies he’d whispered in her ear.

She’d surrendered to him in every way. A scary prospect, that. Scarier still was the knowledge that Matthew was falling in love with her. And if she was honest with herself, she’d been fighting her feelings for him for months, too. He’d just been able to verbalize his emotions, while she’d clung tight to insecurities for fear of being hurt again.

She’d asked Matthew for one night of unforgettable sex, and he’d given her that and a whole lot more. He could have reaped the benefits of a one night stand and enjoyed their time together and been on his way in the morning. That’s what she’d expected him to do since she’d fallen victim to the gossip about him around the hospital. But now she’d learned a lot about Matthew, and one of the most important traits he possessed was that he was a man of integrity—when it came to his work, his family, and his relationships. When it came to
her
.

Last night he’d told her that all she had to do was trust him and believe in herself and what she felt inside. A part of her was still scared and cautious, but listening to her heart, she knew she couldn’t just walk away after last night. She wanted more with him, and that meant taking chances and opening her heart to the possibility of love.

Because ultimately, Matthew Carlton was a risk she was willing to take.

#

Matthew glanced up from the morning paper he was perusing when he heard the bedroom door open, not certain what to expect from Faith the morning after. Especially after he’d bared himself to her, physically and emotionally.

She was wrapped in one of the hotel robes, the hair he’d tousled during the night brushed so that it fell around her shoulders in soft layers. She strolled across the expanse of space separating them, and unable to gauge her mood or read her expression, he offered up a smile, despite the anxious feeling settling in the pit of his belly.

“Good morning,” he greeted.

“Morning,” she murmured, her voice husky with remnants of sleep.

“Would you like some coffee or fruit?” he asked, motioning to the continental breakfast he’d had room service deliver for the two of them.
If
she stayed long enough to eat. Then there was the one present he still had left to give her, a Christmas gift he wanted her to take with her, no matter how this morning ended.

“Maybe in a little bit,” she said, and slid onto his jean-clad lap, surprising him with the playful move, until she spoke her next words. “Thank you for the most unforgettable night of my life. Never would I have imagined that sex could be so incredible, and you more than fulfilled my Christmas wish.”

So, she was still thinking in terms of sex and an affair. His hopes plummeted, but he managed, just barely, to keep calm instead of making demands. “It was my pleasure.” He reached for the gift on the table, wrapped in bright Christmas paper. “I have something I want to give to you, and I won’t take no for an answer.”

“Another memento?” she murmured as she took the present from him and lightly touched the gold bow on top.

“Yeah, something like that,” he replied gruffly.

She shifted on his thighs as she ripped off the paper, and the lapels of her robe gaped open, offering him a view of the creamy slope of her breast. He hardened in a rush, aching to take that soft mound of flesh in his hand, his mouth . . .

She opened the box, peeled back layers of tissue, and gasped when she revealed the beautiful prism she’d admired down in the boutique yesterday. “Oh, Matthew.” She pressed a hand to her heart, her eyes filling with moisture. “How did you know I secretly wanted this?”

“Because I was watching you with that prism and how fascinated you were.” He went on to explain to her what he saw in that crystal, the different facets that reminded him so much of her, and each brilliant layer that represented such an intriguing part of who she was.

“Thank you.” She stroked her fingers over the glossy surface before putting it back in its box and setting it back on the table. “I’ll treasure it always.”

Still, he couldn’t read her tone, and all he could think was the worst . . . that he hadn’t been able to sway her last night to believe in him. Frustration welled inside of him, and unable to be passive about the situation any longer, he let his thoughts be known. “Dammit, Faith, I’m not letting you walk out of here today, leaving me behind and acting as though we never spent the night together. A night that was way more than sex.”

She blinked at him, seemingly taken aback by his sudden outburst. “I could never do that—”

“Forget falling in love, I’m in love with you,” he said, forging on determinedly and stating his case before she could stop him. “And I know you felt things last night, an intimate connection that superseded a mere affair. I know everything between us has happened quickly, and I know it scares you, but I’d never deliberately hurt you like that jerk you were dating did. I don’t care that you’re a school teacher and I’m a surgeon. Those differences don’t matter to me, and they won’t make a bit of difference to my family, either.” He knew he was rambling, but couldn’t help himself because he didn’t want to give her the opportunity to say no to him. “I swear we’ll take things slow and easy, one day at a time until you realize how serious I am, but in order to do that you have to give us a chance.”

“I know,” she said softly, affectionately.

His mouth opened, and then he snapped it shut again and frowned, certain he’d misheard her. “Excuse me?”

She pressed her cool palms against his cheeks and in her eyes he saw enough emotion to make him believe in true love, soul mates, happily-ever-afters and them. “I wasn’t going to walk out of here today. Not without you by my side. I woke up this morning, and after everything that happened between us yesterday, everything we shared about our pasts and relationships, I knew that you’d be the one person I could trust with my heart.” A small, teasing smile tipped the corner of her mouth. “And I figured if there was going to be any gossip about the two of us at the hospital, it ought to be fact, not fiction.”

He laughed, and reassured that this wonderful woman was his, he lifted her up so she was sitting on the table, then stood, pushing her knees apart and slowly sliding his hands beneath the hem of her robe and up her soft, smooth thighs. “It’s Christmas Eve, and I want you to spend tonight and tomorrow with me and my family.”

“I’d love to,” she said happily, and sucked in a breath when his fingers encountered her soft, wet heat.

He grinned rakishly as other more pressing matters made themselves known. “God, I’m suddenly ravenous.”

“Me, too.” Knowing exactly what he was starving for, he watched as she untied the sash around her waist, and with a shrug of her shoulders the robe slip down her arms and off.

Faith sat there, gloriously naked, trust and love shimmering in her eyes, along with a wealth of passion for him. Cupping the back of his head, she brought his mouth to her breast and murmured, “Breakfast is served.”

Janelle Denison is a USA Today Bestselling author of over fifty contemporary romance novels. She is a two time recipient of the National Reader’s Choice Award, and has also been nominated for the prestigious RITA award. Janelle is a California native who now calls Oregon home. She resides in the Portland area with her husband and daughters, and can’t imagine a more beautiful place to live. When not writing, she can be found exploring the great Northwest, from the gorgeous beaches to the amazing waterfalls and lush mountains. To learn more about Janelle and her upcoming releases, you can visit her website at:
www.janelledenison.com

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TOO WILDE TO TAME

BORN TO BE WILDE

WILDE FOR HIM