Be My Love Song (8 page)

When he fastened something around her neck, she looked down
amazed. “West! It’s gorgeous, thank you!” She touched the tiny heart, pressing
it against her skin.

“I saw it in a shop on the Strand when I went to order your
roses. It reminded me of you.”

His attention was making her head swim. Maddie laid her head
on his shoulder and he let his hand rove over the bare skin of her back. As
they moved, he shifted her gently until he could wedge his leg between hers,
causing his thigh to rub right against the sensitive part between her legs. She
gasped but didn’t pull away. West stroked her hair and flexed the muscles that
she was pressed against. “Oh, God,” she whimpered as his movements caused her
to ride against him.

“That’s right, baby. Make yourself feel good.”

Maddie closed her eyes and just felt—and she might have
come, right there on the dance floor if they hadn’t been rudely interrupted.

“Well, well, high and mighty Weston Rogers, did you crawl
out from under your rock?”

The slurring angry voice made Maddie cringe.

“Sunny, I believe you’ve had too much to drink.”

“I’ll decide that!”

All of a sudden Maddie was jerked back. She cried out.

“Who is this? Your next conquest?”

Maddie didn’t know what to do. The woman was a beautiful
blonde, even more gorgeous than Tilly. Her beauty made Maddie feel invisible.
Unfortunately, Sunny seemed to see her quite clearly. “He’ll just use you!” She
shook her finger in West’s face. “And he’s not that good in bed. I’ve had better
from bikers I picked up on Stewart Beach.” Her words didn’t seem to faze West a
bit, but they pissed Maddie off.

“Leave him alone. Weston Rogers is perfect. If there was a
problem in bed, I’m certain it wasn’t his fault. Maybe if you were more of a lady,
you’d know the difference between a gentleman and a boor!”

Sunny put her hands on her hips, and Maddie rounded on her.
She wasn’t yelling, not like Sunny, but she wasn’t about to back down. West’s
arm came around her waist and he pulled her protectively back against him.

Sunny sneered at Maddie. “Well, look at you. You’re pretty
mouthy for a plain little piece. You must be one of his precious clients,
because he’d never date someone like you, not after he’s had a woman like
me—not in a million years.”

“Well, that may be.” Maddie couldn’t argue with her logic.
“I might not be his type, but I can certainly defend his honor. He’s a better
person than you’ll ever be.”

“Sunny, it’s time to go.” West raised his hand and motioned.
In a few moments a large bouncer escorted her from the room. She didn’t go
quietly, snarling and snapping and calling out insults to both Maddie and West.

Once she’d gone, Maddie let out a long breath. “She’s
intense.”

West stood still.

Maddie looked at him. “What’s wrong?”

“Is that what you think?” He looked at her intently, eyes
smoldering.

“What do you mean?” she asked, confused.

“Why do you think I asked you out tonight?”

Maddie licked her lips, trying to figure out the best thing
to say. “You’re kind and…” Her lips failed to move.

“Do you think I did all of this because I’m still trying to
playact for your sister? Or do you think I’m paying you back for those Elissa
tickets?”

“Ah…”

Before she could speak, his mouth covered hers and he kissed
her so thoroughly she went up on tiptoe to get more. A few low catcalls from
other men reached Maddie’s ears.

“What does that kiss tell you, Maddie?”

“A lot,” she admitted, but she didn’t elaborate.

“I don’t do anything I don’t want to do. Life is too short
to live to please others. I never attempt to hurt anyone, but I’m here with you
because I want to be.”

“I’m glad.” His words made her tremble.

“How about you? Are you with me because you want to be or
because you’re trying to make a point to your sister?”

Madeline couldn’t believe it, but he sounded unsure.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. You’re the nicest man I’ve ever met. Even
though last night was embarrassing, I don’t remember ever having a better
time.”

“That’s all I needed to know. Let’s eat and get out of here.
I want to be alone with you.”

Chapter
Eight

Candlelight. Soft music. Succulent lobster. Decadent
chocolate.

Maddie couldn’t have asked for a more romantic evening. Long
white tablecloths hid the fact that he couldn’t stop touching her. If he wasn’t
rubbing her hand or caressing her neck, he was sliding those erotically
talented fingers up her thigh—never too high, just high enough to keep her
simmering.

It wasn’t clear to Maddie whether he was as effected as she
was, because he could carry on a conversation with seeming ease while she had
to concentrate to string words together.

“Tell me more about Windswept’s history.”

She swallowed hard, thinking she’d do better if his
fingertips weren’t feathering about three inches above her knee. But she
wouldn’t ask him to stop if the tide quit coming in. “Windswept was constructed
in 1840 by my father’s great-grandfather. Even before that, there was another
home on the same spot that my family lived in during the time Jean Lafitte
reigned supreme. He called Galveston Campeche and there’s the legend of the
‘three trees’ being on our property, a place where Lafitte fought the Karankawa
and perhaps where he buried the wife he loved so much.”

“So, your family has lived in that spot for generations.”

“Yes, Windswept housed wounded civil war soldiers after the
Battle of Galveston and my family took in as many as possible after the
hurricane of 1900.”

“I knew that, I’ve read as much as I could about the
hurricanes that have devastated the island.”

“Roosevelt and Eisenhower both spent a night at the
Windswept. My ancestors were quite the entertainers. I’m afraid I’ve fallen
from grace since then.”

West squeezed her knee. “I’m impressed and even more
determined that Windswept be saved and restored to fulfill the code requirements.”

Maddie looked sad. “Well, I’ll know more once I visit the
bank and talk to my family. Why my father didn’t give one of us a true
controlling interest, I’ll never know. I think maybe he always had hopes we’d
work together instead of pulling apart.”

“I’ll help you, Maddie.” He leaned forward and kissed her
cheek.

“I want you to help me, but I also have to be able to pay
for your time and services.” She shook her head. “Let’s not think about this
tonight. I don’t want to worry.”

“You’re right, let’s go home. The best part of the evening
is ahead of us.”

* 
*  *

Once they’d made the decision to leave, Madeline was in a
dream state. He was constantly touching her. Gentle. Tender. Protective. He
drove her to his home, a beach house overlooking the bay. She was breathless by
the time they’d climbed to the sunroom on the third floor, but it had nothing
to do with exertion and everything to do with anticipation.

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” West breathed against her neck as
he stroked her back from between her shoulder blades to the sensitive spot at
the base of her spine. “This dress is killing me.” He turned on some music and
they danced next to the full glass wall, the moonlight glittering on the crests
of the waves like diamonds. His kisses intoxicated Maddie and soon he slipped
her dress from her shoulders, his lips caressing every inch of skin he exposed.

Maddie’s own fingers were busy unbuttoning his shirt. When
she pushed it from his shoulders, she buried her face in his neck, kissing and
licking, scraping her teeth on the spot that he’d confessed made him wild. And
it did. He growled his arousal, picking her up and strolling from the back to
the front and up another set of stairs before he laid her gently down on his
bed. “Will you let me love you, Madeline?”

“Please, yes.” She sat up while he pulled her dress over her
head and then he groaned, covering her breasts with his palms. Maddie arched
her back, pushing the tender mounds into his palms, moaning as he touched and
petted, playing with her nipples until she was delirious with need. “West?” she
implored, asking without words for his mouth to give her relief.

He bent to her, taking one delicate bud between his lips and
sucking, making her writhe and tremble. Feasting at her breast, he let his hand
glide down her body to tease her beneath the delicate silk that covered her
mound.

“I want to touch you too.” She urged, tugging at his pants.
Standing over her, he undressed. He was magnificent—broad, big, muscled. His
manhood was proud and erect. Maddie reached out and let her fingers stroke him
and he moaned, closing his eyes and throwing his head back.

“God, you’re driving me mad.”

“Come down here.” She held out her hand, and he went to her,
his big body covering hers. She opened to him, spreading her thighs, making
room for him. He kissed her over and over again, their tongues sliding and
tangling, their breathing hard and desperate. She combed her fingers through
the hair on his chest and gave in, sinking her teeth into the skin right under
his shoulder, and he shuddered.

“God, what you do to me,” he groaned. Lowering himself just
enough, he rubbed his chest across her breasts, loving the way she writhed
beneath him. “Feel good.”

“Yes, oh yes, please, I need you.”

“Are you safe?”

“Yes, I just want you, just you.” Maddie raised her hips,
wanting to feel what she’d been missing—but wanting him more. Just him.

Shaking with need, West let himself sink down on her,
letting Maddie feel his need, fitting himself to her body so he could pleasure
her without taking her completely—not yet.

Madeline whimpered, moving against him. “I can’t believe
this. I can’t believe we’re…”

“Loving one another,” he whispered. “Take me in your hand.
Guide me in, Maddie.”

With shy fingers, she touched him, rubbing her hand gently
up and down his length. He moved in her hand, and she bit her lip, in wonder of
this man and her seeming power over him. Lifting herself, she began to join
them, fitting the broad head to her tender opening. And as he pushed in, she dug
her fingers into his shoulders, surrendering herself to the ecstasy.

West took his time. She was tight, much tighter than he’d
expected. Lord, it felt so good. He wanted to take her by the waist and thrust
in, but he didn’t. He took his time, rocking his hips, relishing in the very
feminine little breaths fanning his cheek. “Are you okay?”

“Yes,” she whispered, “don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”

West clawed the sheets, forcing himself to go slow. She was
fire, sparkling beneath his attention. Her feminine channel was greedy, opening
for him. Her heart rate matched his. His need built, but he’d go slowly if it
killed him. There was no way he could miss it. His Maddie was untouched. He was
her first. West felt humbled. How had he found her? “Maddie, my Maddie,” he
growled as he pushed on in, taking her, possessing her, determined to give her
as much pleasure as she was giving him.

“West!” Her cries echoed in the room. The only other sound
was their breathing and the breaking of the distant waves on the shore. “You
feel so good,” she moaned.

West moved in such a way as to give her ecstasy. He knew
where to touch, how to grind down, where to rub so she flew apart in his arms,
convulsing in sweet waves that grabbed onto him, causing him to explode within
her.

She held on, and he rested his head on the pillow next to
her face, holding himself up so his weight wouldn’t be too much. “Thank you.”
She stroked his hair, running her other hand over his back. “You’ve made my
dreams come true.”

West needed her closer. He eased off and pulled her next to
him, kissing her lips tenderly. “You’re the dream, honey. I’m so glad I met
you.” She exhaled, and he rubbed his hand up and down her arm. “Will you stay
with me or do you need to go home?”

Maddie sighed. “I’d rather stay. I’ve never felt more
comfortable or content. But I suppose I need to go home. It’s a busy time and I
am the boss.”

“I’m doing the boss.” West snorted, kissing her on the end
of the nose. He helped her up, and she redressed. He pulled on a comfortable
pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. “I’ll drive you home, but I’m walking you to
the door and I expect a goodnight kiss.”

“I think I can handle that.”

The moon seemed brighter, the ocean more magical. Maddie was
a little sore between her legs, but in a very good way.

“I want to know what’s going on,” he told her. “Let me hear
what the bank says and if your family gets to be too much, call me.”

Maddie smiled. Considering his caring attitude, her troubles
were almost worth it. “Okay, I will.” She wanted to ask him when she would see
him again so bad she could taste it. But she didn’t want to seem desperate.

As promised, he walked her not only to her door, but through
the lobby and up the elevator to her private suite. To her surprise, Morgana
waited inside and her face was distinctly tear-streaked. When she saw Weston
and Madeline, she frowned and left the room.

“Oh, someone didn’t have a good Valentine’s Day,” he said,
somewhat sympathetically.

“Looks like it.” Not that Morgana would welcome it, but she
would check on her in a bit—but first, she had something really important to
do. An honest to goodness goodnight kiss with a sexier than sin man. She gazed
up into his eyes. “I had a wonderful time tonight.” She touched her throat.
“Thank you for the necklace…and everything.”

Her blush made him smile. “You’re always thanking me. This
was mutual pleasure, sweetheart. I wouldn’t have traded this time with you for
anything.”

There was something about the way he phrased the last part
of his sentence that made her uneasy. Was their time over? “Me neither.” She
chose to ignore her twinge of anxiety.

“Give me those lips.” She lifted her head, and he held her
chin, rubbing his lips over hers, which gave Maddie chills. This time it was
her who took charge, framing his face and kissing him just as she’d always
dreamed of doing to a man she loved. She gave, she took, she worshiped his
mouth with everything in her. And when she pulled away to look into his eyes,
he pulled her close for more. If he hadn’t been holding her so tightly, Madeline
might have slid to the floor. “Oh, mercy,” she whispered.

“You are so damn cute.” West laughed, kissing her again.
“I’ll call you.”

She wanted to ask when, but she refrained. And when he left,
she sagged against the door, weak in the knees.

“Well, I see you’ve been a busy little bee,” Morgana said
sarcastically from behind her.

Turning, Madeline looked at her sister with amazement. “You
have something snide to say when I don’t have a boyfriend and you have
something snide to say when I do. There’s just no making you happy.” When there
was no sharp retort but a sniff, Madeline had to ask, “What’s wrong?”

Morgana’s face crumpled and she began to sob. “Sergio dumped
me. He said I was a bitch and impossible to please. He put me out at the pier
and left me.”

As much as Madeline wanted to say something mean, she
couldn’t. This was her sister. If she tried real hard, she could remember
teaching her to swim and playing dolls together. She could remember the picnics
their father took them on and how hard she’d cried the first day Morgana had
gone to school and left her behind. “I’m so sorry.” She put her arms around her
and gave her a hug.

Morgana let Madeline hold her for about ten seconds before
she pushed away. “We really have to sell this rat hole now. I need to go to New
York with some of the girls and I need lots of spending money and new clothes.”

Madeline didn’t argue. She just picked up a few things in
the kitchen and retired to her room. As Tilly had said, she would worry about
all of this tomorrow and tomorrow would be here in just a few hours.

* 
*  *

“Miss Cross, I don’t want you to get your hopes up. This
still has to go to the committee but writing a loan for this much money,
especially when you don’t hold full interest in the property will be next to
impossible. Are you sure you can’t get your sister and mother in here to sign
with you?”

“I don’t know, I can ask.” She knew the answer would be no,
she just hated to admit it to this stranger.

“Well, do. I for one would hate to see the grand old
Windswept disappear.” He walked her out of the bank into the bright winter
sunshine. She was only a block or two from West’s office, but she didn’t feel
comfortable dropping this bomb on him. Madeline didn’t want him to think she
was asking for his help at a reduced rate or anything. Because she wasn’t. She
would rather let Windswept go than take advantage of anyone. For the first
time, Maddie started to consider what life might be like without her beloved
Bed and Breakfast.

Her only other option was to contact a lawyer and see if
there was any clause in the will or the deed that would help her at all.
Frankly, Maddie didn’t know of one and doubted the possibility—but again, she
had to try.

When she arrived home, things were hopping. Some of the
guests were staying for Mardi Gras and some were packing to go home. Madeline
stood at the desk and bid some farewell, booking several for weekends later in
the year. Late spring and early summer would see the beaches filled to
overflowing.

She wondered if Juliana and Hugh were still in residence.
Morgana always stayed with her, but their mother had separate quarters on the
first floor in the back with a private entrance. She didn’t want to think where
Hugh was sleeping. Since they’d arrived unannounced and hadn’t asked her or her
help for a key, they were undoubtedly sharing the suite—if not a bed. Maddie
shuddered.

News of her failure would reach their ears soon enough. She
really couldn’t see any way out of her dilemma, but she wasn’t one to leave a
sinking ship. If Windswept was going to go down, she’d ride it till the last
wave topped the widow’s walk. For a few minutes she just walked around,
surveying her home. There were many valuable antiques, but even if she stripped
the place and sold them all, it wouldn’t be enough. All of her assets were tied
up in this old mansion. Maddie didn’t have enough savings and her car wasn’t
new or worth enough to matter. She had no valuable jewelry, other than what
West had given her. She smiled and touched the heart. And its great value was
more in what it stood rather than the money it could bring. No, if her mother
and sister wouldn’t sign the loan, she guessed the Windswept would be replaced
with a shiny new Beaumont resort. To see such a great piece of the island’s
history vanish made her sad, but not as sad as knowing the last tie she had
with her father and his past would be gone.