The Sweetest Seduction, Breakaway Hearts (20 page)

She strolled to one of the massive columns supporting the barn and leaned against it, her back to him. “I didn’t know you owned me.”

“Damn it, Lia.” He was behind her faster than she realized. “What kind of game are you playing? There I was, trying to comfort you after your loss, and then you up and disappeared without a word.”

She spun around, her gut churning like Lake Michigan on a windy day. “You’re the one who told me give up my restaurant and move in with you.”

His brows drew together. “No, I didn’t.”

“Yes, you did. I distinctly remember you telling me to move in with you and let you take care of me. Well, here’s a newsflash, Adam. I don’t need anyone to take care of me.”

“That’s not what I meant at all.” A spark of anger flared in his deep blue eyes, and his shoulders formed a stubborn line. “I was merely trying to relieve you of the burden of dealing with the fire damage.”

“By forcing me to give up the restaurant.”

“Ugh, I can’t believe you’d think that.” He turned away from her and paced the length of the barn several times before remembering the folder in his hand. “Just take a look at this.”

She opened the folder and skimmed the first page. Her chest tightened, and a warm glow ignited in the pit of her stomach. “You’re renewing my lease?”

“Yes.”

“B-but what about Schlittler and that man threatening to sue you?”

His eyes narrowed. “How did you know about that?”

She let the contract dangle from her fingers. As much as she still wanted it, she didn’t want to have Adam deal with the repercussions. “I’m sorry, Adam, I can’t sign this.”

He took the papers and heaved a deep breath. “Let’s start from the beginning, Lia. It seems we’ve both fallen victim to yet another misunderstanding, and I’m not leaving until we lay everything out on the table. Let’s start with this. I want to renew your lease.”

“I don’t want to cause any trouble for you.” She lowered her eyes, staring at the terra-cotta-colored dust on the ground. If he wanted honesty, then she at least owed him that. “I accidentally saw that e-mail about the lawsuit thing.”

“And you were willing to give up your restaurant for me?” A brief glimpse of shock flashed across his face before he composed himself. “Don’t worry about Ray. He’s full of hot air. I’ve already taken care of that matter.”

“How?”

“Let’s just say he has several high-end call girls on his speed dial and doesn’t want that information, or anything else my private investigator found on him that will jeopardize his reelection campaign, leaking out to the press.” He waved the contract in front of her again. “Now that you know that, will you sign your lease?”

“I—” She licked her lips, her mouth dry with indecision. “Why would you want me over Schlittler?”

“Besides the fact you’re an amazing chef and he’s an ass?” He closed the space between them. The contract disappeared into his briefcase, which fell to the ground when his hands found her hips. “Let’s just say I have a little thing for you.”

The erection hardening inside his pants was anything but little. She circled her arms around his neck and leaned into him. Her lips found his with instinctual ease. Desire flooded her veins as the kiss deepened, making her forget about all the reasons why they’d never work out as a couple. All she cared about was here and now.

When the kiss ended, Adam asked in a raw voice, “Why did you leave me, Lia?”

“I was scared.” Those three little words slipped out before she could form a more appropriate reply, but they summed up the confusing turmoil of feelings she had whenever she came near him.

“Why?” He ran his hands up and down her spine in slow, steady strokes while he waited for her answer, his gaze never wavering.

She drew in a shaky breath. “When I heard you say you wanted me to move in with you and let you take care of everything, all I could think about was the last time I found myself in that situation. I know I don’t fit the mold of the perfect little housewife you deserve—”

“Who said anything about you becoming a housewife?” He placed a quick peck on the tip of her nose. “When I invited you to move in with me, I did so because I want you in my bed every night. And when I offered to make sure you’ll never worry about a thing, I meant that I would handle the insurance adjusters and paperwork and permits and everything else that needed to be done to get La Arietta open once again.”

He released her long enough to pull out his iPad and tap on a folder. Images of the half-repaired restaurant filled the screen. One by one, he scrolled through them for her. The plaster that had been ruined by the water had been torn down and replaced. The scorched tables and chairs had been cleared out to make room for plush seats with real leather upholstery. In the kitchen, top-of-the-line appliances gleamed under the lights. La Arietta was like a phoenix rising from the ashes, more beautiful that it had been before.

The last image was the sign that greeted people when they got off the elevator. Underneath it was a smaller sign that said “Under repair, but reopening soon.”

Her throat choked up, and her eyes burned. Now it was her turn to ask why.

“Because I want you to enjoy your passion.” He kissed her again, his tongue seeking confirmation of her feelings with every pleading swirl, every timid flick. “I love you, Lia.”

The tears she’d been fighting to hold back spilled over. “I love you, too, Adam.”

A grin flashed on his face before he pulled her back into his arms and covered her mouth with his again. All restraint vanished. It was the hallway all over again. Desperate kisses. Tugs on clothing. Roaming hands that yearned to feel flesh. Desire that overwhelmed common sense.

The straps of her sundress fell off her shoulders. Adam was tasting the newly exposed skin when the barn door opened with a bang. They flew apart like they had the night on the boat, half-naked and flushed.

Giovanni stood in the doorway, his mouth hanging open. Then a sly smile curled his lips. “What is that American saying? A roll in the hay?”

Lia pressed her burning cheeks into Adam’s back. Her mother would definitely hear about this before the night was over.

Adam reached around for her hand, placing a chaste kiss on it as he pulled her strap back up. “Perhaps we should hold off until we get someplace where we won’t be interrupted.”

“Good idea. You know how large families can be.”

“Without a doubt.” A twinkle appeared in his eyes, one that spoke of many sensuous nights tangled in the sheets. “I hope you’re up for the challenge.”

She grinned back, running her fingers through his hair to smooth it back into place. “Absolutely. You’ve become my new passion.”

His breath caught. A look of surprise flickered across his face, followed by an intense emotion that made her heart swell. “Then I will do all I can to keep that passion alive.”

Hand in hand, they strolled back to the manor house, oblivious to the people around them. Tomorrow, they would talk business. Tomorrow, they would go over the repairs to La Arietta and the terms of the lease. Tomorrow, they would make plans to move her things into his condo.

But tonight, they would enjoy the simple pleasures of each other under the warm summer moon.

Breakaway Hearts

The Kelly Brothers, Book 2

by

Crista McHugh

Chapter One

Ben Kelly had been slammed against the boards many times during his hockey career, but never quite like this.

Hailey, the woman he’d met at the Vancouver Whales game hours ago, was giving him a full body check he welcomed. She threaded her fingers through his hair, holding him close while her lips devoured his during the glass elevator ride up to his hotel room.

He made no attempt to push her away. He dug his thumbs into the back pockets of her jeans, his hands cupping her perfectly rounded ass as he bore the brunt of her assault and followed with one of his own. A moan rose from her throat as his tongue delved into her mouth. The subtle strawberry taste of Red Vines still lingered there, only adding to the sweetness of her. She’d been eating them when the Kiss Cam had zeroed in on them during the game, and she’d lured him closer using one,
Lady and the Tramp
style. When their lips met, what had started out as an odd spark of attraction had exploded into full-blown desire. By the end of the game, he knew he needed to get her to his hotel room, pronto.

She wiggled ever so slightly against his hard-on.

Now it was his turn to moan.
Can this damn elevator move any faster?

Finally the ding announcing their floor sounded, and Hailey pulled away, laughter filling her bright blue eyes as she placed one final nip on his bottom lip. A dimple cut into her left cheek as she gave him a playful grin.

Ben dug into his pocket for his room key, his hand brushing against the condom Caleb had blatantly shoved into it when he’d pulled his brother aside after the game and asked if he wouldn’t mind sleeping in another room. Normally it was his younger brother who was picking up the girls and dragging them away for a quick romp, not him. Ben preferred to take things slowly, to observe and act once he’d ruled out other alternatives. Spontaneity was not part of his nature.

Which made tonight so strange.

Well, that, and the woman he was taking back to his hotel room for what had the potential to be the most mind-blowing sex in his life had hair that matched her eyes. Not his usual type. He tended to prefer women who were quiet like him, demure with conservative hair and makeup. When she’d sat down next to him, he’d been all too ready to dismiss her as some alternative puck bunny until she’d started rattling off hockey stats like Don Cherry. The girl knew the game almost as well as he did. The next thing he knew, she had him completely roped into the conversation. By the time they ended up on the JumboTron, he’d completely fallen for the girl with Smurf-colored hair.

Hailey took his free hand and pulled him out of the elevator. “Where’s your room?”

“That way.” He led her down the hall, his heart racing, and waited for warning bells to go off. Instead, his doubts grew smaller with each step he took. He’d never imagined that a one-night stand could feel so right.

His hand shook when he slid the key into the card-reader, but he couldn’t tell if it was from performance anxiety or the fact Hailey had wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and was already unfastening his belt.

“I can’t wait to get you naked,” she whispered in his ear.

The ache in his dick tripled. “The feeling is mutual.”

The door banged open, and it was his turn to pull her along. She kicked it shut behind her and immediately locked lips with him again. The hunger of her kiss stole his breath away. He navigated the narrow hallway blindly, too focused on trying to get her formfitting Vancouver Whales T-shirt over her head. By the time they tumbled onto the nearest double bed, they’d both managed to strip down to their underwear.

By God, she was gorgeous. Tall and slender with lean muscles rippling under her flawless pale skin, she was built like an athlete, with only a hint of feminine curves. Her blue hair spilled out around her head like a pool of water, and that dimple in her left cheek practically dared him to kiss it.

“Are you coming?” Her gaze fell to the bulge in his boxers, and a matching dimple appeared in her other cheek.

All the blood rushed from his head to his groin. If luck was on his side, he’d be coming in a few minutes. He found his jeans on the floor and pulled out the condom, placing it on the nightstand. It was his unspoken question to her. Did she want to continue? Or did she want him to stop?

She picked up the foil packet. “Thank God you have one of these. I’m on the pill, but it never hurts to take extra precautions.”

The last bit of his hesitation vanished. He was going to get laid tonight, and he was free to enjoy every minute of it.

She tossed it back on the nightstand and yanked him down so his body covered hers. The silkiness of her skin reminded him she was all woman. Her long, slim legs wrapped around his hips and pressed him against the heat of her core, feeding the need welling up inside him. Even though she still had her panties on, he could feel how wet and ready she was for him every time she ground against him.

After what felt like an eternity of thirty seconds, he managed to unhook her bra and fling it across the room. Her breasts were small, easily covered by his hands, with the most delicate pink nipples. He ran his thumb over one of them, and she shivered.

Her response intrigued him. He repeated the movement, watching the almost imperceptible tremble flow through her body. In his nineteen years, he’d only been with two other women, and neither of them had responded to his touch like Hailey did.

But then again, neither of them awakened the same level of all-consuming lust in him like she did. He wanted all of her. He couldn’t wait to get inside her, to experience how tight she’d be around him as he slid into her, to hear her scream his name as he made her come. But first he needed to know how she’d react if he took one those pretty pink nipples in his mouth.

She gasped when his tongue grazed it, and she arched her back, pressing her breast further into his mouth. A moment later, a moan followed as his teeth grazed the sensitive peak.