Stormy Passion (45 page)

This was dangerous.

He would leave her soon, and if she put a
stop to everything now, at least she could salvage her pride.

And just when she decided that it was the
best action for her to take, Taylor's kiss became different from
the last time. He kissed her softly, flicking his tongue over her
mouth. She tried to ignore the aching tenderness that grew deep
within her. His lips grew seductive, demanding, and with the
slightest pressure from his mouth, she willingly parted her lips
for him.

She felt the firmness of his desire pressed
intimately against her stomach while his lips moved on hers,
robbing her of the ability to think.

She couldn't breathe.

She wanted more.

Her hand crept between them and began to
unbutton his shirt. She had to feel his rough skin. When the last
button come loose, she slipped open Taylor's shirt and glided her
arms around his waist all the while taking in his sandalwood
scent.

Brenna felt like a drug addict in need of a
fix. Her hungry mouth became more insistent each time his tongue
thrust inside. Her willpower crumbled until nothing was left but
shreds. Hidden emotions that lay rusty like an old hinged door
sprang to life, and when she thought she would suffocate, Taylor
raised his head and whispered huskily, “Look at me, Brenna.”

She gasped for air. Her body burned. And she
longed for the closeness they once knew. His hands slid to her
throat and rubbed the tender flesh there, finding every sensitive
spot she had. Her body ached and she didn't want him to stop. He
couldn't stop! Reluctantly, she opened her eyes.

“
I want you, Brenna. I want
you more than I've ever wanted anything in my life.” Taylor's heavy
breathing surprised her, and she knew he fought for some measure of
control. “If you don't want this tell me now.”

This was her chance to get out gracefully ...
to be honorable. But as she stared into Taylor's stormy, blue eyes
she knew a part of him loved her or, at least, wanted her. All
these years she'd deprived herself of the one man she had truly
loved. But this time she would have a part of him. If only for
tonight. “Love me, Taylor,” she whispered, her voice thick.

He clasped her to him as if he was afraid he
hadn't heard her correctly. Trailing kisses down her neck, his
right hand pulled her shirttail from her slacks. He fumbled with
its buttons and when they wouldn't cooperate, he jerked the garment
open, sending buttons flying in every direction. Just as quickly,
he removed her blouse, and with a flick of his wrist, it fluttered
to the floor.

“
M--my foot,” Brenna
finally managed to whimper. “I'd better get off it. Will you help
me?”

“
I like that invitation.”
He grinned and lifted her, taking her over to the high, four-poster
bed. But as he placed her on the bed she managed to hit him in the
jaw with her cast.

“
I'm so sorry,” she gasped.
And seeing his stunned expression she smiled. “How is that for a
left foot to the face?” she teased. “Are you hurt?”

Taylor rubbed his jaw. “You throw a mean
punch, lady.”

Brenna couldn't help her light laugh. “Maybe
I can't do this, after all.”

“
Lady, you're not
discouraging me that quickly. I can take a few more punches.” He
grinned as he began removing his clothing.

“
Does your foot hurt
much?”

Brenna propped up on her elbow and watched as
Taylor disrobed in front of the fireplace, slinging his clothes
impatiently across the chair. Her foot wasn't the thing that ached,
but she ignored his question as she feasted her eyes on him. The
orange glow bathed his chiseled features and his raw sex appeal
sent chills running over her body. She didn't miss anything. Those
broad shoulders and firm muscles tapering down to slim hips that
led to the very spot that made her cheeks burn hot.

There was a husky tone in his voice. “Do you
like what you see?”

She'd been caught, she realized and
half-smiled. “Come closer,” she teased, motioning with her index
finger. “I can't see you all that well.”

Taylor chuckled and obeyed her command. He
stood there staring down at her with a look of appreciation, and
she responded the only way she could by holding up her arms and
extending an invention. She loved him and he knew it.

His deft fingers helped remove the rest of
her clothing, and he joined her in bed, sliding his scalding flesh
next to hers. Her dormant body sprang to life and her moans mixed
with the sleet pelting against the glass windows. His hand stroked
her back. Lower and lower his kisses trailed down her throat,
across her chest and finally to a pale pink nipple, which he took
into his mouth. His tongue teased her breasts.

She had forgotten. God, she'd forgotten how
wonderful their lovemaking had been. His fingers teased her legs
until she opened them, and he found her soft wet flesh.

Taylor felt her jerk and writher under him,
and he knew by her actions and tightness that she'd been with no
one else. The thought was like an erupting volcano and shook him
with desire. She was wet and warm and ready. He braced his weight
on his elbows and shifted on top of her.

Her mouth parted and he took the invitation,
kissing her with long, demanding kisses while his body rubbed
intimately against her pelvis, teasing, yet promising things to
come. He wanted to be a part of her so badly his arms shook.

She clung to his shoulders and Taylor found
he couldn't quit kissing her, and he couldn't get close enough. And
when she arched her body, his tortured frame throbbed all over.

Taylor wasn't sure if he was in heaven or
hell.

She trembled. He had to have her now. He tore
his mouth from Brenna's and waited for her to look into his eyes.
Only then did he position himself. And when he drove into her
slick, pulsing flesh, he had the satisfaction of seeing her eyes
grow wide as he filled her completely. He wanted to go slow. He
wanted to remember every minute detail, but desire urged him on.
What if he woke up and found she was just a figment of his
imagination?

He began slowly moving. God, she was
wonderful. Her flushed body mingled with the heat from his.
Together they moved in a wild rhythm that peaked with a burst of
white light and continued with spasms of delight until nothing was
left but two drenched bodies, clinging to each other for
support.

With what little strength he had left, Taylor
rolled to his side and pulled the covers over them.

Neither said a word. The roar of the fire and
the pinging of sleet hitting the window panes lulled them both to
sleep in each other’s arms.

The buzzing alarm clock intruded on their
blissful slumber. Brenna reached over Taylor and slapped the
button. “That's better,” she mumbled sleepily before snuggling next
to his warm body.

“
Don't you ever get a day
off?” Taylor asked.

“
Not when we have guests.”
She rolled over and prepared to sit up. “I guess I'd better get
dressed.”

“
Wait a minute.” He
snatched her back into his arms. “I know I've probably complicated
things after last night.”

Oh, God. He has regrets!
Brenna
cringed. Her muscles tightened, but she didn't say anything.

He rubbed her arm, slowly as if he were
contemplating his exact words before speaking. “I have some
thinking to do. You have some thinking to do.”

Brenna cast her gaze down unable to look at
him. “I guess this was a mistake.” She didn't want to see the
regret in his eyes.

What a fool she must look like to him.

Chapter Ten

“
That's not what I'm
saying,” Taylor sighed, then leaned back. “I don't know what I'm
trying to say.” His puzzled expression didn't provide Brenna with a
clue as to what he really thought. “We have some talking to do, but
first I'd like to get to know you all over again.”

Brenna's heartbeat fluttered at the base of
her neck. Had Taylor really thought about what he was saying? And
was there just a glimmer of hope for them in the future? Tears
gathered in her eyes, but she knew now wasn't the time to get
emotional. She raised her eyes to his, trying to look into his soul
for the truth. “Let's take one day at a time. No questions. No
answers.”

“
Agreed. That is for now,”
he said. “Nothing heavy. Just touching and feeling. And, my dear,
you do feel wonderful.” Taylor turned her in his arms toward him
and gently kissed her eyes, her nose and, ever so tenderly her
mouth.

She smiled at him, wishing he would remain
here forever, but knowing it was impossible. It was so easy to
forget they both had other lives that didn't include each other.
“It's time to go to work, and time for you to go to your room.”

“
But I like yours better,”
he joked while rubbing his thumb across her chin. “It's much bigger
than mine.”

“
It's one of the perks of
being the owner. But if Lisa finds you in here there will be some
tall explaining to do.”

“
Good point,” Taylor
acknowledged, releasing her. He rolled over and slid out of bed,
then headed for her bathroom while she admired his athletic-like
movements.

Taylor shrugged into his sweater and jeans.
When he finished, he turned to Brenna and smiled before returning
to her bedside. She reached up and smoothed a stray strand of
blonde hair off his forehead. He placed a quick kiss on her nose,
then slipped out of her room.

She smiled at the closed door. It wasn't
much, but it was a fragile beginning.

A week later, Brenna was straightening her
desk while humming a tune she'd heard on the radio the night
before. The last two weeks had been wonderful. The inn had run
smoothly and Taylor seemed to enjoy doing odd jobs around the
place. He'd definitely been a big help over the last week. At night
when the work was done, she and Taylor had spent time just sitting
in front of the fire talking and roasting marshmallows. At other
times they would spend quiet minutes, content to be with each
other.

Brenna felt Taylor had become her friend
again--if nothing else. She had avoided asking him about Carol. A
part of her felt guilty, but the other part was selfish and
wanted--no needed--this time for herself.

They had not made love again after coming to
the agreement that they needed time and space to sort out their
feelings. Not that she didn't want to. She had been puttering along
in first gear these past three years, living a celibate life, but
after the other night all her hormones had sprung to life. She had
missed second gear completely, and gone straight to third. Her body
ached for the loving she had so sorely missed.

However, when the logical side of her brain
took over, Brenna knew Taylor was right. They needed to go slow and
see what developed. If anything did. There were many problems to be
solved even though she tried to keep them in the back of her
mind.

The phone rang and Brenna glanced sideways to
the object on her desk. Its persistent jingle brought her out of
her musings as she leaned over and picked up the receiver only to
hear a dial tone. Yet, a phone still rang elsewhere. Searching the
room, she spotted Taylor's bag in a chair. His portable phone was
just visible, its head sticking out of the top of his open
briefcase. She frowned. Should she answer it? Or, just let the
thing ring since Taylor wasn't in the room? She bit the side of her
mouth. But what if it were important?

Evidently, someone wasn't giving up, she
thought as she walked around the desk to the irritating noise. She
picked up the Blackberry and said, “Hello.”

“
Who is this?”

Brenna cringed at the cold, crisp voice from
her past. Her stomach immediately tied itself in knots, and she was
transported back to May 18, l990. Back to the worst day of her
life. Brenna could remember every word said as if it were only a
few days ago.

“
Sign here.”

Brenna flinched at the sharp command. She
slid the papers in front of her and scanned the formal, legal
words. They sounded cold and harsh now that she saw them in print.
Much like the law office she found herself sitting in.

She was being bought off. The bitter hard
facts made her feel dirty ... no better than a gold-digger. But the
choice was hers. She could refuse to sign and marry Taylor
Rothschild, knowing her past would destroy his promising future ...
or take the money that her sister desperately needed for
surgery.

“
Everything is in order,
just as we discussed,” Vivian Rothschild said, her snobbish voice
grating on Brenna's nerves.

“
Could you get me a glass
of water, Mrs. Rothschild? I--I'm feeling a little faint.” Brenna
said as she looked up at Taylor's mother.

“
That's just what I need.
You getting sick.” Vivian shoved her chair away from the solid
cherry wood table. “I'll be back in a few minutes.”

Brenna shut her eyes. So much had happened in
such a short time, she grew dizzy thinking about it. The murder was
on the tip of everyone's tongue. How could her father have done
such a thing?

The man she'd looked up to all her life had
killed her mother, shot her kid sister, and taken his own life. If
Brenna had been home, he'd probably have killed her, too. Quickly,
she dashed away the tears that slipped from beneath her lashes.

Everywhere she went, she could see the
questions in the eyes of the townsfolk ...
is she crazy,
too?
Brenna's eyelids flew up. Mrs. Rothschild was right. How
could Taylor have any kind of career in this town with her by his
side?