Lost in a Stallion's Arms (Kimani Romance) (15 page)

T
he Stallion airplane sat fueled and ready on the airstrip. When Luke’s limousine pulled up, he was ready to take flight and Luke paused in the cockpit door to greet the pilot.

“We’ll be ready to depart in a few minutes, Mr. Stallion,” the man said.

“Thank you.”

Passing his suit jacket to the stewardess and loosening his tie, Luke made himself comfortable in a leather seat. He pulled a folder of paperwork from his leather satchel, readying himself to get some work accomplished on the flight.

He still didn’t understand why John had insisted he fly to their Atlanta offices to personally pick up documents that could just have easily been shipped via air express. But John had insisted, commanding Luke to honor the request.

Minutes later he gestured for the stewardess. “Is there a problem, Louise?” he queried, looking down to his watch. “We should have taken off by now.”

“There’s no problem, Mr. Stallion. We’re waiting for one more passenger.”

“One more? Who?”

“I’m not sure, sir. Your brother called and instructed us to wait for a second passenger. They should be here very shortly.”

Luke nodded his head, reaching for his cell phone. He assumed one of his brothers had decided to join him. Dialing the office, he wanted to check which one was causing the delay.

Before the call was connected, Luke heard the stewardess greeting someone at the door. Turning about in his seat he was surprised to see Joanne coming into the cabin. He was even more surprised when she revised the flight itinerary, instructing the pilot with a new schedule.

“I don’t think so!” Luke exclaimed, jumping from his seat. “What are you doing here?”

Joanne nodded her head toward the pilot. Behind them the copilot was closing the cabin door.

“Pilot, this woman isn’t flying with us today.”

“Yes, I am,” Joanne stated firmly. “You really should sit down. We’ll be taking off soon,” she said as she eased past him, moving to the leather seat opposite the one he’d occupied.

Luke spun in the direction of the cockpit instead. “Pilot, shut this plane down now and escort this woman off the plane, please!” he exclaimed loudly.

The gray-haired man in the pristine uniform smiled politely. “I’m sorry, sir, but that’s not possible.”

“Excuse me?”

“We have explicit instructions from John Stallion, sir. I’m told the lady will explain.” The man gestured with his head to the back of the plane. “You’ll need to take your seat, Mr. Stallion. We’ve been cleared for departure.”

Luke shook his head as he moved back to his seat. The entire time Joanne’s gaze was locked on him. Avoiding her stare, Luke dropped down into his seat. He scanned the tabletop for the cell phone he’d dropped there. He lifted his folder, peering beneath it.

Reaching out her hand, Joanne pressed a warm palm against the back of his hand. She whispered his name. “Luke.”

Snatching his hand back as if he’d been burned, Luke glared at her. “Where’s my cell phone?”

Joanne smiled sweetly. “You’re not going to need it.”

“Excuse me?”

“Where we’re going, you’re not going to need it.”

Luke sat back, his arms folded harshly across his chest. He took a deep breath and held it, trying to contain the rise of emotion threatening to explode from him. “What’s this all about, Joanne? Why are you here?”

“We need to talk, Luke. This was the only way I could think to get you alone where you have to talk to me.”

“Have to? Woman, I don’t have to do anything. And the last thing I’m remotely interested in doing is talking to you.”

Joanne locked her gaze on him. Exasperation fueled her words. “You really are a stubborn ass, Luke Stallion.”

Luke bristled. He pointed his index finger at her, ire painted across his face like bad makeup. “When we get to wherever we’re going, you had better find your own way back to Dallas. I’m sure your father will be able to arrange something for you. Until then, don’t say one word to me. Not one word. Understand me?”

Joanne shook her head. “Don’t you even want to know where we’re going?”

The Gulfstream jet was sailing along at an altitude of 26,000 feet. They’d not been in the air for very long, and Joanne had already grown weary of Luke and his silent treatment. They only had another hour or so before they’d be landing, and he still refused to speak to her.

Luke had reclined his seat, lying on his side to face the window away from her. He’d dozed off to sleep or had pretended to. But what he wasn’t doing was trying to make things better between them. Joanne shook her head. If nothing else, he was determined. His brothers had said he would be.

Joanne’s morning conversation with John and Matthew Stallion had lasted almost three hours. It had taken her the first hour to tell them about herself and her father and to make them understand that nothing that had happened between her and Luke had anything to do with the takeover attempt.

She’d spent the second hour convincing them that she loved Luke more than anything else. She’d fought back tears trying not to let her emotions overtake the moment. There had been too much at stake. She’d been desperate for them to know that she had not lied. Everything important to her had depended on them believing that she had not betrayed Luke or the Stallion family.

The last hour had been spent planning. It had been her idea to steal Luke away for a little tête-à-tête. John had helped facilitate the finer details. Both brothers had hugged her warmly and wished her well. Now here she was trying to wear down the wall Luke had put between them.

Moving to the seat beside him, Joanne cradled her body around his frame. She wrapped her arms around his waist and gently caressed his arm, his side, his hip. She half expected him to pull away from her, and when he didn’t, she pressed herself in closer, brushing her breasts and pelvis against his backside.

Luke kept his eyes closed tight. The woman’s presence had knocked him off balance. Realizing his brother had helped her pull off this little transgression surprised him completely. And he was still angry, still confused, still searching for answers. But for the moment he was relishing the sensation of her hands, having missed her touch like he’d not missed anything before. So he didn’t open his eyes. He didn’t move at all, allowing himself to linger in the moment of her sweet caress and hold on to it for all it was worth.

“So, are you ready to talk yet?” Joanne asked softly, still drawing a path against his shirtsleeve.

Luke took a deep breath. He shifted his body against the seat, moving to lift himself up and turn himself around to face her. His anger had cooled substantially. Now he was simply curious, more questions spinning through his head than should have been allowed.

“Why did you lie to me?” he asked, finally meeting her stare. There was an edge to his voice, the wealth of it rapping at Joanne’s confidence.

“I didn’t lie…or at least, I didn’t mean to. I’m more guilty of omitting the truth. I never said much about myself or my family at all. You formed your own conclusions based on what folks from the center were telling you.”

“So, where did you grow up?”

“In Kessler Park.”

“With your parents?”

“Just my father. My biological mother lives in Paris. I spent one month out of the year there with her.”

“So you speak French?”

Joanne giggled as she nodded her head.
“Oui, je parle français.”

“Who is Mrs. Brooks? And Marley?”

“She was our housekeeper but had more to do with raising me than anyone else. Marley is her daughter and my very best friend.”

“So why the deception?”

Joanne spent the next half hour trying to explain to Luke what growing up with Charles Lake had been like. She spared him no details about her life, even chastising him for assuming things about her based on what folks at the center had told him.

“They really don’t have a clue,” Joanne said with a quick shrug. “I didn’t want my wealth to be an issue for me with the clients.”

Luke nodded his head slowly. “So just how wealthy are you?”

A slow smile pulled at Joanne’s mouth. “When and if we ever need a prenuptial agreement, I’ll let you know.”

Luke laughed. “The girl’s got jokes!”

“I have a question for you,” Joanne said softly.

Luke eyed her curiously. “So ask it.”

“Why did you turn your back on me? Why wouldn’t you talk to me? We both said how important it is for us to communicate with each other. Why would you do that to us?”

Luke paused. “Because I was afraid that me letting my guard down had jeopardized what my brothers have built over the years. You have to understand, Joanne, they raised me. I’d have nothing if it wasn’t for Mark, Matthew and John. Especially John.

“And I let my guard down with you. I trusted you because I believed in us. I was afraid that I had made a horrible mistake and they were being made to pay the price, as well. It would have been one thing if you’d used me and I lost something. It’s something all together different if my whole family has to suffer.”

Joanne shifted her body from his, replaying everything he’d just said in her mind. Tears swelled full and hot against her eyelids. She brushed the saline away with the back of her hand. Luke drew a finger along her face, pausing to cup a palm beneath her chin. He lifted her face until her stare met his intense gaze.

Joanne fell deep into the loving look. The dark reservoirs were hypnotizing. A faint bead of perspiration beaded on Joanne’s top lip. Leaning toward her, Luke motioned as if he intended to place a kiss upon her lips, but he didn’t. Joanne gasped softly, her own mouth quivering with anticipation. But his lips never met hers, the pilot coming over the intercom to interrupt them.

“Ms. Lake, we’ve been cleared for landing, ma’am. If you and Mr. Stallion would please fasten your seatbelts. Thank you.”

Joanne pulled back slightly, her gazed still locked with Luke’s. The stewardess came to check on them both before returning to her own seat. Luke leaned his shoulder against Joanne’s. He moved his mouth next to her ear and whispered.

“So, just where have you kidnapped me to?”

Joanne allowed a wide grin to bloom across her face. “Kiawah Island.”

J
oanne had been enamored with Kiawah Island since she’d been a little girl. She’d been nine years old the first time she’d visited the South Carolina low country, one of few vacations she and her father had actually shared together. With its ten miles of pristine beach, sun-washed rivers and marsh and abundant wildlife and nature, it had become one of the best places for her to spend her time.

Joanne had loved Kiawah so much that on her eighteenth birthday her father had gifted her the multimillion-dollar property on Flyway Drive. The home was oversized, sitting on nearly two acres that boasted 180 feet of bulkhead along the expansive waterfront. The main house had an adjoining two-bedroom pool house and a 225-square-foot lighthouse-inspired watchtower. It was more house than Joanne would ever need for herself alone, but it was a welcome place to lay her head at night when she visited.

Joanne could tell by the expression on Luke’s face as he took in the expanse of landscape around them that Kiawah had grabbed his attention just like it had grabbed her.

Stepping from the rental car, Joanne watched him as he gazed out over the water, inhaling the scent of salty oceanic air. The midday temperature was exceptionally warm, a brilliant sun sitting high and full against an equally exquisite canvas of bright blue sky.

Luke abandoned his necktie and jacket completely as he made himself comfortable. He undid the top buttons of his white dress shirt and rolled up his long sleeves. “This is nice,” he said, following behind her as she headed for the front door of the home. “Very nice.”

Joanne tossed him a quick glance over her shoulder. “Thank you. This is one of my favorite places in the world to come to.”

Luke nodded his understanding as he stepped through the home’s entrance behind her. Looking around, he took in the home’s heart pine floors that extended from the foyer into the great room with its mahogany ceiling and beams, stone-surround fireplace and three sets of French doors that opened onto an expansive patio and deck.

Luke stepped out onto the deck, which overlooked the marsh. Joanne followed behind him.

“This place is haunted,” she said with a soft chuckle. “Kiawah was originally inhabited by the Kiawah Indians. They say the British came in and purchased it for a sum of cloth and beads. When the British took over, the land became inhabited by hundreds of African slaves on two plantations. Hundreds of black men, women and children died here, and it’s whispered that their spirits roam through the lagoons.”

Luke’s eyebrows were raised as he listened intently. When Joanne had finished, he shook his head. “I swear, woman, you’ll say anything to get me into your bed,” he teased, a sly smirk on his face.

Joanne laughed. “I’m not afraid of ghosts. You’re the one who likes to sleep with all the lights on.”

He laughed with her. “And if you ever tell anyone, I’ll deny it completely.”

She shook her head. “My lips are sealed.”

Changing the subject, Joanne moved toward the rear door. “We need to run into town to get some food. There’s nothing in the pantry and even less in the fridge.”

Nodding, Luke followed her back inside and out the front door.

Luke pushed the grocery cart as the two meandered through the grocery store. As Joanne collected the staples that would last them for their extended weekend, Luke tossed sugary junk food into the cart that they really wouldn’t need.

“I swear!” Joanne exclaimed, removing a box of chocolate crunch cereal from the carriage. “You don’t really eat this stuff, do you?”

“This stuff is good. It flavors the milk chocolate,” he said, putting the box of cereal back in.

“But I’m cooking French toast for breakfast.”

“This isn’t for breakfast. This is for a snack.”

Joanne smiled, shaking her head. “You’re killing me!”

An hour later, after the food was situated in the large kitchen pantry and the refrigerator, Luke was pouring himself a large bowl of chocolate-flavored flakes. He poured a second bowl, covering it with milk and pushing it across the counter toward Joanne.

“Taste this. This is the best.”

Still shaking her head, Joanne lifted a spoonful to her mouth, slowly savoring the flavor. A wide smile pulled at her lips. “This is so wrong,” she said, laughing. She took a second mouthful, settling herself on the cushioned stool beside him.

Luke’s mouth was full, milk dripping over his lips, as he nodded his agreement. “But so good,” he said after swallowing.

Two bowls later, they both pushed their dishes away from their bellies and themselves away from the counter.

“That was dinner,” Joanne said.

Luke rolled his eyes. “That was an appetizer. Food foreplay for us connoisseurs of fine dining.”

Joanne crossed her arms over her chest. “Really? Food foreplay?”

The man grinned, his expression teasing. He leaned in toward her, his voice dropping to a deep whisper. “You do remember the foreplay, don’t you, Joanne?”

Joanne felt her breath slipping from her. Heat suddenly flooded her body, belying the cool air filtering from the central air conditioning. The silence grew thick and heated between them, until Luke chuckled heartily, breaking the quiet.

“Why don’t you show me where I’ll be sleeping,” he said, rising to his feet. “Before it gets dark and I see a ghost or something, okay?”

Joanne laughed with him. “I definitely wouldn’t want you to get spooked.”

Luke grabbed her hand, clasping her palm beneath his own. “Me neither.”

As she gave him a tour of the house, heated anticipation seemed to tease her senses. Joanne found herself quivering with anxiety. Despite their rising comfort levels, the man hadn’t made any overtures for something more romantic. As he stood next to her admiring the second-floor master suite with its his-and-her walk-in closets, lush spa bath with gold limestone countertops and the beautiful gas fireplace, she’d wanted nothing more than to strip them both naked and make love right where they stood.

Instead, she watched as Luke surveyed the surroundings before asking if there was a second bedroom on the floor.

She nodded. “Yes, it has two master suites.”

Guiding him to the end of the hallway, she opened the door to the second bedroom. Luke walked the room’s perimeter, admiring the apothecary-influenced cabinetry, granite shower and impressive marsh views.

Turning to face her, he was suddenly overwhelmed. Her expression mirrored the wealth of emotion he was feeling. He’d hated the tension that had split them one from the other. He’d missed her so hard that it had felt as if he’d lost his heart, the muscle ripped from his chest. Now he was hungry for her. He’d been fighting the sensation since she’d stepped on the plane, and now, as she stood staring at him, his restraint was failing him. He took a step in her direction and stopped.

The longing that had risen between them was tangible. It was overwhelming and copious, leaving both of them shaking with anxiety. Luke took a second step when Joanne turned abruptly, almost racing back to the other end of the hall.

“Joanne!” Calling her name softly, Luke moved quickly behind her, catching her by the arm. He gently pulled her back to him, wrapping his arm around her waist and holding her close against him. “Joanne!” he whispered into her hair, brushing his lips to her forehead.

Joanne closed her eyes, allowing her body to relax into his. Tears suddenly burned hot against her lids. Luke’s strong hands closed around her waist as she spun around in his arms. Pressing her back against the wall, Luke dropped his mouth to hers, his kiss urgent with desire. Joanne’s hunger kissed him back as she wrapped her hands around his neck. Eager tongues danced one against the other as roving hands glided from one body to the other.

Luke’s attention moved to her shoulder, pushing her blouse out of his way as he trailed wet kisses to mark his path. He reversed his course, meeting her mouth a second time. Neither was interested in relinquishing their embrace of the other, both holding on for dear life. Then Luke paused, taking a step away from her. His eyes had misted as he stared deep into her gaze.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, contrition seeping from his stare. “I should have trusted you, and I’m sorry I didn’t. I don’t want anything to ever come between us again. I love you so much!”

Joanne’s tears slipped past her lashes, dampening her cheeks. Luke wiped the moisture from her face, his fingers gently caressing her cheek. He kissed her again and then pulled her along beside him as he moved into the bedroom.

Laying her gently against the mattress, Luke stood tall, staring down at her. She was angelic, sheer perfection personified. Joanne’s mouth was parted slightly, desire seeping from her gaze. It was obvious that she wanted him as much as he wanted her, and his appreciation pressed hard and firm in his slacks.

Sitting upright on the edge of the bed Joanne parted her legs wide enough for Luke to stand between them. She clutched the back of his thighs, her fingers grazing his buttocks as she pressed her face to his abdomen. She kissed his belly button, her heated breath burning hot against his flesh.

Luke clasped her face between his hands, dropping his mouth back to hers. His kisses were soft and sweet, intermingled with gentle, light caresses that crossed her shoulders and billowed down her back. Words weren’t needed to express the emotion sweeping between them, her moans and his sighs speaking volumes for them both.

Luke pushed her back against the bed. He eased his knee against her side, lifting himself above her heated body. Kissing her through her clothes, he pulled at the buttons that held her blouse closed, then undid the straps of her brassiere until all her secret charms hidden beneath were fully exposed. Dropping his body down against hers, he resumed his kisses against her bare flesh.

Starting at her belly, he kissed his way up to the luscious mounds above, running his tongue from one to the other. The wetness of his kisses as he lashed at the nipples, which had bloomed full and hard, sent tiny ripples of delight through Joanne’s body, cascading over her spirit.

She whispered his name again and again, the sweet mantra like music to his ears. Pulling at her clothes, Luke stripped her naked in no time. Equally eager, Joanne tugged at his shirt and the waistband of Luke’s slacks until she’d freed him from the confines of his clothes. His naked beauty was intoxicating and Joanne inhaled him, drinking in every square inch of his incredible physique.

Dropping down onto the bed beside her, they lay side by side, their bodies interlocked as they kissed and caressed each other, savoring the sensations being drawn from their bodies. Luke explored hidden recesses and Joanne stroked hardened flesh. Both were damp with perspiration, succulence attesting to their excitement. The moment was simply surreal.

A mutual exclamation filled the warm evening air. Outside, the sounds of mating echoed their lovemaking, seeping through the opened window. Joanne would have sworn the wildlife was singing them a love song.

Luke sheathed himself, the quick gesture coming before she’d even realized he had pulled away from her body and was back again. She cried at the pleasure of his entry, arching her back off the bedside as his sex kissed her own.

Bodies pressed tightly together, they rocked back and forth against the massive bed. Sweat dripped into sweat as short, breathless pants spilled from their mouths. The resounding waves of passion grew quickly as one body fed from the other, both nourishing the other’s rising need.

The sweet music of his moans and her cries filled the night air. Again and again, Luke pressed himself into her, his strokes deeper and deeper, filling her with ripples of lust that exploded in quick, heated bursts. When neither one could take another minute of the pleasure, Joanne screamed his name and Luke screamed hers, both writhing in ecstasy.

From where she stood on the deck outside, she could hear him sleeping soundly, his breathing heavy. He inhaled deeply, then exhaled, his snores low and deep as his chest heaved up and down. Moving back inside the bedroom, Joanne stood in the doorway watching him.

The blankets had tangled around Luke’s feet, the taupe-colored bottoms shining in the dim light. He looked peaceful and relaxed, his expression content. The warmth of their bed beckoned her back beneath the covers, but she needed a few more minutes of quiet before she went.

The alarm clock on the nightstand blazed its neon lights into the darkness. It was shortly after three o’clock in the morning and Joanne hadn’t been able to sleep as soundly as Luke seemed to. She’d risen from the warmth of his body and had wrapped herself in her silk bathrobe. Slipping her pedicured feet into a pair of oversized slippers, she’d been drawn to the outside and the cool, early morning air.

Moving back outside, Joanne stared out over the landscape. A quarter moon barely illuminated the outdoors. Night sounds swept through the darkness. Joanne wrapped her arms around her torso, hugging herself snuggly.

Closing her eyes, Joanne said a prayer of thanksgiving. She had much to be grateful for. She and Luke were slowly rebuilding the connection between them. But she understood it wouldn’t happen overnight and it wouldn’t happen quickly. Communication was coming slow and steady as the two rediscovered the balance that had existed between them.

Making love to the man had been a sweet release. His touch had moved her spirit and invigorated her desire to make things well between them. Luke had touched her heart like no man before him. She loved him and she would do anything to show him how much of her heart belonged completely and totally to him.

Back inside the bedroom, Joanne eased herself back into the bed, drawing a sheet up and over both their bodies. She turned to face him, curling her body close to his. Adjusting the bedclothes over his shoulders, Joanne tilted her head up to kiss that spot beneath his chin.

She was surprised when Luke reached out and wrapped his arms around her, drawing her closer to him. A sleepy smile curled at the edge of his full lips.

“Everything okay?” he whispered softly.