Midnight (McKenna Chronicles Book 1) (37 page)

“So
good,” I murmur into him. Our lips mold together, taking, giving and offering
what we both need so badly. After a few moments I pull away, drawing in deep
gulps of air as I duck my head into his neck, reveling in all things Colin. He
rubs my back, holding me against his chest as it rises and falls in recovery.
In a moment he tips my chin so I have to look at him, his mouth open as if he
wants to say something, but I catch him off guard, speaking before he does.
“Does this mean I’m a part of the mile-high club?”

At
first his eyes widen, lips rising to smile, and then he’s laughing, pushing my
hair from my damp forehead. “Baby, you’re exactly what I need.”

He
breathes into me as his mouth touches mine again, at first sweetly and then
with an unending, longing radiating to my heart. Breaking away to look into his
smoky bewildered blue eyes, I brush my lips against his and slide off of his
lap. Colin stares at me, hands reaching for my hips to pull and hold me still
in front of him.

“God
damn it, Charlie,” he breathes, crushing his head into my stomach. Wrapping his
arms tightly around my backside, he clenches me. Shit, maybe this wasn’t a good
idea. He doesn’t appear as relaxed as I’d hoped he would.

Holding
him for untold moments, I run my hands through his soft hair, luxuriating in
him, in us. Eventually he moves back in the chair and I dip my head to kiss
him. A brief touch of my lips to his. When I pull away to re-dress, he watches
intently.

“I
wanted to be with you. I hope you don’t mind my interruption.”

He’s
silent for another moment as he rights his pants and tucks in his shirt. My
anxiety rises with each passing second, waiting for his reply and then he grabs
me so I’m cradled on his lap. “For the most part I’ve had a shitty day and
this, you . . .” He hesitates to kiss me thoroughly, leaving me breathless. “.
. . gave me a new perspective.”  

I
laugh. “That’s exactly what I was hoping for.” For one more relaxed moment I
rub my nose against his, knowing he needs to finish working. “I’ll let Evan in
and leave you two to business.”

Brushing
my fingers against his lips, I slip away to head for the door.   

~

It’s
not long after I leave Colin that he and Evan move smoothly back into the main
compartment of the plane. Evan slips gracefully into a chair in the back and
Colin moves to me on the couch. His eyes are light and slightly wicked as he
gazes at me, sinking down next to my side. I look up into his warm stare,
smiling shyly. I’m still surprised by my behavior, but I blame it on reading
too much
Cosmo.

“What
are you reading?” he asks, looking at the turned over magazine next to me.

Shit,
caught in the act. “Nothing.”

He
reaches easily over my hips to lift the magazine, scanning the cover, laughing
as he reads it aloud. “One hundred dirty sex questions answered.” His eyebrow
rises, but he isn’t done. “You on top, the fierce new secret to success?”

I
can’t help the flush steeling slowly up my cheeks. Colin is smiling like the
Cheshire cat, grinning from ear to ear. “And I thought you were a scholar,
Charlie.”

I
swat his bicep, tearing the magazine out of his hands. Wrapping my arms around
it I hold it against my chest, pouting.

“Charlie,
baby.” He moves to catch my gaze. “I’m teasing.”

I
blush again, not capable of sharing my feelings about this. Not here, not now.
I can’t look at him. I don’t know why I’m so emotional about his joke.

“It’s
nothing. I’m just tired and hungry.”

He
doesn’t believe me, his eyes hesitant as he searches my face for the truth.
 

I’m
thankful he latches on to the latter and doesn’t hound me for an explanation.
“Hungry? Would you like me to ask Mrs. Brenner for something, or we can stop to
eat before heading to the hotel. We’re about to land, what would you prefer?”

“Would
you mind if we pick up some takeout and eat it in bed?” I ask. I really just
want to relax and be alone with Colin.

He
smiles warmly. “Anything you want, baby.”

Removing
one of my hands from the magazine he grips it tightly in his. I set the
Cosmo
down and practically climb onto his lap, snuggling into his side, closing
my eyes. His nose presses into my hair, breathing in deeply. I love this man
with every part of my being. A sudden and inexplicable need to cry engulfs me
with the enormity of feelings I have for him. Shit, what’s wrong with me?

I
snuggle into him, clenching my eyes shut to keep the tears at bay, focusing on
his heartbeat and his steady breathing.

~

An
hour later, we’re lying in bed with beer and pizza. Colin removed his shirt and
pants and is eating in just his boxer briefs. Very un-presidential, but very,
very hot. I smile, sipping my beer to hide it. Colin peers at me. Taking a huge
bite of pizza, he stops chewing for a minute as he questions my smile. “What?”
he mumbles with his mouth full.

I
tilt my head. “Nothing, I’m just enjoying the view.” I look at his chest,
traveling slowly down to the evident bulge in his shorts. Laughing as his eyes
darken, I change his direction. “Don’t get any ideas. I’m hungry, for food this
time.” I laugh again at his thwarted expression.

“Okay,
but let me know if you change your mind. I’m more than happy to comply.” He
winks playfully.

My
insides churn at his offer. “I’ll be sure to let you know.” I take a bite of
pizza, turning my head to the TV and away from Mr. McPerfect, spread
seductively on the bed.

Testing
his relaxed mood I ask, “I thought the Montgomerys were in Kansas City. Why
didn’t we see them?” I watch him carefully for signs of a pending quarrel.

He
remains content when he answers, “They were there, but they had their own
itinerary. Ella is meeting with the volunteer groups throughout the state to
coordinate our next steps, and John has a fundraiser.”

“They
stayed behind?”

“Yes.
After dropping us off in Florida, Captain Greene turned around and will bring
them here in the morning.” He takes another big bite, making me smile again.
I’m surprised when he remains at ease. I thought this would be a hot topic.
Maybe our evening antics tamed the beast within and I can pump him for more
information.

“Are
you keeping them away from me on purpose?” I ask.

“Yes,”
he answers before taking a long drag from his beer, looking at me over the tilt
of the bottle as he does it.

I
can’t help but laugh at the ultra-simple answer. So I ask a simple question in
return. “Why?” I keep the smile on my face to let him know I don’t want this to
turn into an argument; I’m just curious.

He
stares into my eyes for more heartbeats than I can count before responding. “I
promised to protect you, Charlie. I intend to honor my promises. Ella and you
are like sugar and vinegar: you’re the sweet part and she’s sour.” He smiles
and tosses his pizza crust in the now empty box. “Ella and John are difficult
in many ways. I recognize most of my family and friends, the people important
to me,” he reaches for my free hand when he says this and my heart free-falls,
“find them off-putting at best, so I’ve chosen to keep them separate from us.”

“Is
that why John and Ella weren’t invited to the Kellys’ fundraiser?”

He
nods. “For the most part. A long-standing angst between the Kellys and
Montgomerys occurred many years ago; they’re very different families with
disparate beliefs. They couldn’t be further apart in principles.”

“What
do you mean by that?”

Shrugging,
he says, “The Kellys value family and loyalty above all else; they’re a
tight-knit group that protect, support and love each other through the highs
and lows in life.”

“A
lot like you.” He’s very much described how I perceive him.

A
small, sad smile lifts his lips. “Maybe. The Montgomerys are not as tight-knit.
John and his wife, Joan, barely speak to one another anymore. They married
because they were in the same social circle, not out of love. John’s career
always took precedence over his family and he became distant from them.”

This
lifestyle is so opposite to the Colin I know. “What is it about John and Ella
that binds you to them, Colin?” My voice is hesitant, but this is truly the
question I can’t figure out.

Our
hands remain connected, the heat passing between us. “It’s complicated, Charlie.”
His voice is low. “I was a part of their circle for a long time, friends with
Ella before I began dating and then married to Abby. That entire time I was
ensconced in their family and their unerring support of my career.

“When
my family fell apart it didn’t affect John’s approval and advocacy of either of
those things. He’s a political machine and a tremendous help to my career. I
appreciate that and his belief in me.”

When
I don’t ask anything else he sets his empty beer bottle on the table, moving to
lie directly next to me. I run my fingers through his soft waves. As I do, he
closes his eyes and we sit in silence for a moment. Colin surprises me when he
continues talking. “I don’t want John or Ella to interfere with what we have.”
His eyes open to look at me, studying my expression. “You’re an important part
of my life and I will protect you in any and every way I know how, spare you
from pain. Ella is an angry woman; I won’t subject you to her negativity. I
decided after our visit to New York you shouldn’t have to endure another
encounter, such as the one you did. I’ve tried very hard to establish
boundaries with John and Ella when it comes to you. I want to protect you, keep
you safe.”

Oh,
Colin. How I love him. Sliding down, so my face hovers over his, I let my lips
connect with him in a fiercely passionate duel of wills, Colin trying to take
me as his and my need to do the same with him.

We
forget everything around us, scrambling to remove our clothing, to revel in
skin against skin. Without any preamble he slides into me and begins a slow
sensual movement, his hips pushing up, filling me over and over. We lie on our
sides, his hands gently holding my face as our mouths move slowly against one
another, the tips of our tongues mimicking the movement of our bodies dancing
sensually together. My leg wraps around him, pulling him deeply into me with
each thrust of his hips, my foot drawing him closer. I move my lips to his neck
to bite and suck on his delicious skin as I climb higher and higher while he
stretches and fills me completely with each thrust.

The
heat of his harsh breath pushes against my neck as he closes in on his release.
I want to come with him, find fulfillment together, so I let Colin take me,
leaving all of my questions and inhibitions behind, concentrating on him, his
need and desire to protect me, to love me in his own way.

“Colin.”
I whisper his name as I crash over the edge, falling spectacularly. He thrusts
once more, deeper than all the rest, pulsating and throbbing within me as he
comes. Groaning into the curve of my neck, he stills, and I revel in the sweet
undiluted moment when we are one. I squeeze and grip him tightly, taking
everything he’s capable of giving. I love him; oh sweet Jesus, I love him so
much.

For
long moments, I mindlessly run my hand down his back, admiring the definition
of his muscles as they twitch from exertion. Suddenly I’m overcome with sadness
to think that in two days I’ll be without him for almost a week. At the time I
made plans with Ali and my family, six days didn’t seem so long; today, it’s
endless.

Colin
pulls his head from my neck, a sweet smile lifting his lips as he brings them
down to meet mine. Moving my hands to his hair I hold him to me, playing with
his mouth.

“You’re
sweet, baby.” His nose rubs gently against mine. Slipping away from me, Colin
lays his head on my chest so I can continue to run my hands through his soft
curls.

My
thoughts run toward tomorrow and his appointment to which I won’t attend, a
meeting between him and a powerful businessman he hopes will support him in his
run for president. I frown when I remember I’ll be alone for much of the day.

“What
time are you leaving tomorrow morning?” I ask, trying to keep the melancholy
out of my voice.

I
feel him tense before he answers. “Eight. Why don’t you come with me?” His tone
is casual, yet based on his body language, I have the feeling his request is
premeditated in some way.

“I
can’t do that. This is a private meeting; it’s inappropriate for me to attend.”

He
leans up to look at me. “There’s plenty for you to do. Scott’s offices are
located in a district with shopping and an art museum. You could spend the
morning there. I should be done by lunchtime; we could eat downtown.” He’s
determined to convince me to go with him.

“That’s
very tempting, but I would really like to spend some time outside. Enjoy the
sun before we head off to another cold and rainy state.” I smile, hoping it
will ease his concern.

It
doesn’t work. Colin frowns. The three lines that appear between his eyes when
he’s angry appear as soon as I decline his invitation. “Charlie . . .” His tone
tells me he’s going to get into the
I don’t want to worry about you
line,
so I interrupt him.

“I’ve
asked you to tell me what’s going on and you won’t, so I'll make decisions
based on what I want to do, and I want to play poolside.”

He
rolls off of me, sighing, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Charlie, it’s
nothing for you to worry about.”

“Tell
me,” I growl.

He
hesitates for a minute, weighing out what he wants to say. “There’s an overly
zealous campaign fanatic out there who wants my attention, that’s all.”  

I
lean on my elbow so I can look at him. “That’s all?” I’m incredulous at his
lackadaisical attitude. “What the hell, Colin? Do you mean a stalker?” The man
with the camera bursts in my mind. “The guy taking pictures this morning?”