Beauty in His Bed (5 page)

“Is fixin’ to run Sheer Passions
.
” As he closed the door, he leaned against it, crossing his arms. “Spend the day with me.”

Amy noted the predatory look in his eye.
Spend the day
was really only a euphemism for
let’s have sex.
Not that the idea didn’t have merit. In fact, she started to burn just thinking about it. But why was he choosing her? Because she’d be gone in another day or two?

Shaking her head, she mumbled, “I don’t know why you’d want to.”

When she glanced up, his expression had stiffened. Forbidding. Straightening her shoulders, she lifted her valise and stepped closer, nudging him with her free hand.
Just let me leave.
But he didn’t move aside.

“Why?”

His voice was low, dangerous, and utterly intoxicating.

“
Why?
”

He swooped to catch her lips.

This was no half-hearted goodbye kiss. This was a full blown I-have-to-have-you-now kind of kiss. The suitcase dropped from her numb fingers, hitting the floor with a
thunk
. Amy didn’t much care. She was too busy staving off the waves of pleasure induced by Seb’s mouth.

How could any man kiss her with such passion? Amy felt like a supermodel beneath his touch, even though she was far from it.

As if he’d heard her thoughts, he reversed their positions, pressing her against the door. Still making his case. Was he this passionate in court, about his causes? For an instant, she envisioned herself in his environment, watching him fight for what he believed in. And enjoying a kiss like this when he won.

She let the thought melt away. It would never happen. But now, for this moment, he was all hers. She wanted to feel the same way he’d coaxed in their explorations last night. She surrendered herself to his touch. Determined not to think of anything but the passions he induced.

Seb seemed enraptured with her. His hands feverishly wandered her body, cupping, kneading, molding her to him. All the while, he thrust his tongue into her mouth in mimicry of what he clearly meant to do with her body. He wanted her. And oh, how she wished he’d hurry.

Had she really tried to leave thirty seconds ago? Now she could think of nothing but getting closer to Seb. She wanted the same mind-numbing pleasure he’d delivered to her yesterday.

When she started to fumble with his belt, he gave up all pretense of foreplay. His hands shot to the button on her jeans. His deft fingers worked it free. She remembered other deft strokes those same fingers had delivered her, shivered as he tugged down the tab and bent to rid her of the fabric. He ripped away her underwear at the same time. Would he take her slow like last night? Or hard and fast against the door? Either way, she wanted to feel his skin pressed intimately against hers. Standing, he shed his pants, simultaneously pulling out a condom. She encouraged the movement.

His fingers worked to open the packet while he returned to devouring her mouth. She savored his rich, dark coffee taste. Closing her eyes, she reveled in the exquisite friction of his tongue against hers. Then he lifted her leg.

Against the door, it is!
Her pulse quickened with anticipation. She’d never been particularly adventurous in sex, but Seb brought out the hoyden in her. Off-balance, she was completely at his mercy. He didn’t seem to mind supporting her extra weight. She reached around their bodies, curling her fingers around his stiff erection, and guided his cock to her entrance. He slid home.

Oh, God.
She forgot about being self-conscious as ecstasy flooded her. Holding her steady, he set a frenzied pace. She tried to match, but could only helplessly wait for his next move. With each pass, the cool wood of the door proved a counterpoint to his heat. Each thrust tightened her, sending blinding jolts of passion. Her moans mingled with his like their breaths as their mouths melded.
So close…
When Seb slid his thumb between their bodies, seeking out her sensitive clit, she reached her peak.

Seconds later, Seb joined her.

Her sex spasmed. She held herself in place for as long as possible, fighting to hold onto the feel of Seb deep inside her. With a last groan, he slid out, severing the contact. She fought to catch her breath as she lowered her foot to the ground. Her legs didn’t want to support her. Leaning on Seb, she let him lead her to the bed, where she drifted off to sleep.

* * * *

Much later, Amy slipped into Seb’s bathroom alone. He was busy making the rice dish he’d promised her. Meanwhile, she decided to take another shower. After all the time they’d “spent” together today, she needed to wash some of the sweat off her body.

As soon as she stepped under the spray, her mind turned to the man making her dinner. A part of her–perhaps a bigger part than she cared to admit–wanted to trust him. The Seb he’d shown her today was a good man. Sexy, attentive to her needs, but funny and thoughtful as well.

Why are you thinking thoughts like these?

Within days she would be gone. Back to New York, back to her old life. It didn’t hold the appeal it once had. New Orleans was more vibrant. Being here made her feel more alive. Or maybe that was all thanks to the man she’d shared most of her time with since arriving here.

Again, Monique’s words echoed through her head. Begging Amy to stay in New Orleans. Could she make the move?

You’re being ridiculous. Even if you decided to, what you and Seb have is only temporary.
It would dissolve the moment she stepped onto a plane heading north. Hardening her heart, she concentrated on washing and rinsing out her hair.

The bathroom door opened. A minute later, Seb stepped into the shower with her. She felt his heat like a brand, even without turning around. He slid a hand around her hip, fastening her to him. She felt every hard inch of him, from his chiseled abs to the erection prodding her ass. With his free hand, he plucked the soap from her fingers.

After lathering his palms, he set it aside. He started at her shoulders, soaping, kneading her muscles until she thought she might collapse from the pleasure. Then his fingers slid around, moving over her breasts. His cock twitched against her backside.

“Again?” The weary word escaped her lips without her permission. Over the past twenty-four hours, she’d had more sex than in a month with Tim.

Why was she thinking about Tim? Since meeting Seb, all thoughts of her ex had been blessedly absent. But strangely, the thought of Tim didn’t hurt so much anymore. Sure, it definitely wounded her to think about how he’d left her for a slimmer woman, but while she was in Seb’s arms, she couldn’t bring herself to care. Seb made her feel sexy. Desirable. He never turned off the light or conducted his amorous activities under the covers. Even now, in the shower, he could see her body through the steam. And from the erection he sported, he liked what he saw.

But boy, was she ever tired. And a little bit sore, to tell the truth.

Seb’s hands traveled over her stomach, aiming for the nest of curls covering her mound.

Amy stiffened. “Seb, I…”

“Shhh,” he whispered against her hair. “I’m only cleanin’,
cher.
Let me take care of you.”

Beneath his kind, gentle touch, she wanted to let him. Wanted to open up, and trust him. More than anything, she wanted to keep him after her visit to New Orleans was over. And how crazy was that?

* * * *

Amy roused to the shrill ring of the phone. Fortunately, not hers. Seb’s gravelly voice answered. “Hello?”

Amy heard the musical lilt of a woman’s voice, though she couldn’t make out the words.

Seb bolted out of bed. “I’ll be right there.”

Rolling over, Amy looked at him in askance. Who would be calling at this time of night?

“I need to run for a spell. Go back to sleep,
cher.
I’ll pass for you later.”

What?
She opened her mouth, but Seb was already shoving his legs into jeans. Within seconds, he’d run out the door.

Where had he gone? Again, that voice filtered through her skull. He couldn’t have a…a girlfriend, could he? She had to know for sure. Despite the late hour, she dialed Monique’s cell. When her friend answered, she asked, “Seb doesn’t have a girlfriend, right?”

“Amy? No, sug, of course he doesn’t. Why?”

Amy swallowed, glancing to the door. “Someone called. He just ran out of here pretty quickly. Guess I can’t hope that was you, huh?”

“He’s not at my beck and call anymore, sugar. But that boy’s as loyal as they come. Don’t worry.”

Even though Monique couldn’t see, Amy nodded. Then her friend’s words registered. “Wait. Anymore? What are you talking about? Monique, did you…”

There was a pause on the other end.
Oh, God.
Monique had slept with Seb before.

“Now that was a long time ago–”

Amy flipped the phone shut. She didn’t want to hear more. God, how could she have been such an idiot? She knew better than to fall in love with a man who looked as good as Seb. Not that she was in love. After forty-eight hours?
Impossible.
But she’d definitely worn her heart on her sleeve these past two days. The way he’d treated her, she’d almost thought he found her desirable. More than desirable. Sexy. Irresistible. But if his type leaned more toward thin girls like Monique, she could be nothing more than a distraction. He was probably out right now with another woman, just like she’d thought.

Man, had he ever made a fool out of her.

Her phone rang. Monique calling back. Amy couldn’t talk to her right now, not in her frame of mind. In fact, she couldn’t continue sitting here, in Seb’s bed, where only hours ago they’d made love. His scent wafted around her, enticing even when he wasn’t in the room. She didn’t want to be enticed. She didn’t want to be reminded of him at all.

Launching out of bed, she dressed in a panic. She needed to get the hell out of New Orleans.

Chapter 5

Seb signed the release form and crossed his arms over his chest. He glared at the door as a short, plump woman was led into the anterior of the police station and given her things. “Mama…”

“Don’t give me that look, boo. He was fixin’ to scout the bayou.”

“At night?”

“Closer to sunset when I found ’im. Should I be taking me a Walgreens beside my house, r’what?”

Sighing, Seb rubbed his head. He smiled in thanks at the officer and led his mama outside. “It’s my job to think of it. I’m the lawyer.”

“Well then boo, why don’t you lessen that fine they say I’m to pay?”

“I’m not that kind of lawyer, Mama. I’ve said this before.”

The blinding light inside the building emphasized the gray threading through her brown hair. If she kept this up, he’d have just as many. He waited until they’d entered the car and he revved the engine before speaking.

“This can’t go on. Even if this yat was a scout for a corporation, you can’t whack ’im over the head. That’s assault, Mama. It’s wrong.”

The woman huddled in the seat, distaste curling her mouth. “And who’re you to tell me? I raised my boy to have respect for his mama!”

“I do respect you, but I can’t keep bailing you out of jail. I won’t.”

Mama flapped her arms. “What are you fixin’ to do at this time of night that’s more important than your mama?”

“Just so happens, I have a visitor.”

The city lights had disappeared as he drove farther into the bayou. He couldn’t see his mama’s face as he drove.

After a moment, she scoffed. “One of your hussies.”

He nearly slammed on the brakes. “She is
not
and I won’t hear you calling her such names.”

Mama didn’t speak, clearly surprised at his vehemence. It surprised him, too. Who was Amy but a stranger he’d met yesterday?

She’s special.

“You got a ring in the nose, r’what? Why haven’t I met this charmer?”

Seb focused on driving. “I haven’t known her for long. I don’t want to scare her away. She ain’t from the bayou.”

Even as he made the excuse, his insides churned. Ring in the nose? He wasn’t in love. Certainly not after two days, amazing though they might have been. Love needed more of a foundation than physical attraction and mind-boggling sex.

Even after he deposited his mama at home and drove back to the city, he couldn’t help but think of Amy. An amazing woman to be sure, and he’d been honest when he’d said he didn’t want to scare her off. She was skittish enough already. One meeting with his family might convince her to return to New York sooner than expected.

He grinned at the thought, until he recalled that he only had a few days left with her at most. He’d better make the best of them. When she left… He didn’t know what he’d do. After all, he couldn’t ask her to stay, could he?

His apartment was dark when he arrived. Good, she’d gone back to sleep. Tiptoeing closer, he sat at the edge of the bed to shuck his pants. Odd, it didn’t feel like she balanced the other side. He reached over, but all he felt was tangled sheets.

Soc au lait!