Betrayed (10 page)

Chapter Eighteen

M
cKenzie sat at
the bar and sipped leisurely on her martini. It was her second one, and she still didn’t know what she wanted to do. No. That wasn’t true. She knew exactly what she wanted to do. She wanted to let Byron take her to his cabin, slowly peel her clothes away, and make her forget everything bad in her life, make her feel something good. She had never thought sex would be a good experience, but for some reason, she knew it would be excellent with Byron. How she knew that, she would never know.

She took another sip and tried to form words, tried to tell Byron what she wanted. Nothing came from her throat — for some bizarre reason, it felt parched — so she sipped from her glass again.

What was wrong with her? This wasn’t about love, or even about affection —far from it — but she knew what it was going into it, so what would be so wrong with discovering her body, with being a little selfish for the first time in a long while? Not that she expected complete satisfaction from any man.

Byron was handsome, devastatingly handsome, and she had no doubt that he would make her feel more sensations like the ones she felt when he kissed her. Sure, he had money, but she didn’t care about that. It wasn’t as if they were going to be a couple. This was about sex, and nothing more. She actually despised most men with money because they thought that they owned anything and everything they wanted because of it.

But this was so…so…clandestine, so forbidden. It was also very unusual for her. But, at the same time, she felt a certain amount of freedom in letting down her guard, in focusing on her needs. If only she could accept what he was offering, then she could be free of her worries.

After another half hour, he turned and looked at her. “What’s it going to be, McKenzie? One bed…or two?”

* * *

Byron sat at the bar, inhaling McKenzie’s sweet scent, feeling as if he wouldn’t make it if she chose not to stay with him. Yes, he’d ambushed her with this place, and yes, he was pushing her, but he wasn’t doing anything she didn’t want to do.

She wanted to stay in his room. She wanted to let go. She just didn’t want to admit that’s what she wanted. She was stubborn, but what he didn’t understand was why. Sex wasn’t something new for her — the woman had been the madam of a very successful and very exclusive escort service.

Maybe this was her payback for the way he had approached her in the beginning. Yes, he knew she was a liar, and he knew she was out to get whatever she could get. But all women were like that. And though he never needed anyone, he somehow seemed to need her.

All he had to do was sleep with her — maybe one night, or maybe a few — and then he’d be able to begin purging her from his system. If he called a truce for a short time, she might give in, and give him his freedom.

Byron knew how to be romantic, how to put on a song and dance to impress a woman. It was just something he hadn’t cared to do in a long while. If a woman weren’t interested, then he would move on, because there would always be a line of eligible women waiting right behind each other — salivating over the chance that he would bed them.

No brag, just fact.

Was she was telling the truth about her sister? He wanted to believe it was just another lie in a long string of lies, but the pain in her voice, the sorrow in her eyes — that couldn’t possibly be made up. Or could it?

He couldn’t forget how well his mother had been able to lie. So he had to harden himself to McKenzie — no, no double entendre there. Yes, her story could well be all lies, something to soften him up… But this was something he could verify — if he cared enough to do so.

This whole trip, though, was obviously a fool’s errand. She’d made her living by stringing men along, teasing them, keeping them panting for her wares. And if her sob story had a shred of truth in it, she might not be ready to accept what she needed and share his bed. Time to cut his losses, he decided.

Just then, her head turned. “Let’s go to your cabin, Byron. I’d like to see it.”

Byron could have sworn his heart stopped beating for a few seconds as she whispered those words. She’d set down her empty glass and was gazing at his throat. She refused to look him in the eyes.

He stood up like a flash and held out his hand. “This way,” he said. He didn’t want to give her a chance to change her mind.

They walked silently from the lobby bar and made their way down a small path to a large cabin, the lights welcoming, the heavy curtains keeping them from seeing inside until he opened the door and held out an arm for her to enter.

He’d been to this place before. It was a favorite retreat of his when he wanted to get away from the city, wanted time to think, wanted to be left alone. He’d never before brought a woman there — and that was something he definitely refused to analyze.

Though the cabin appeared rustic from the outside, the inside had all the modern conveniences that he was too spoiled to give up, and it boasted granite countertops, top-of-the-line stainless-steel appliances, hardwood floors, plush rugs, and a rock-faced fireplace with a stack of wood next to it.

This unit had only one bedroom, but two full-sized bathrooms, plenty of cupboards and drawers, and a decent-sized living room with a plush couch and a couple of overstuffed chairs.

“They even have books and magazines sitting out,” McKenzie said as she slowly looked around the cabin.

“I hope you like it,” he said, making sure his voice gave nothing away — especially none of the anxiety he was suddenly feeling.

“It’s beautiful.” She turned toward the bedroom and he could see the tension in her eyes.

“I need a shower, McKenzie. I’ll use the one out here in case you want to use the master bath.”

Byron didn’t give her a chance to say anything. Instead, he grabbed his bag, shut himself in the bathroom and took a second to lean against the door. What he should do was shower, walk from the bathroom naked, and ravish her.

It was what they both wanted, after all.

What he did was shower, shave and then get dressed. He’d promised her dinner. It would be better for both of them if they had some fuel inside them to sustain their nighttime activities.

When he came out, the cabin smelled of peaches, and he closed his eyes for a moment and inhaled, thinking he could get used to entering a room and having this experience over and over again.

Shaking his head with frustration, he pushed that thought out of his head. He was a loner, and preferred it that way. There was no need to change anything in his life. Just because he appreciated a woman who took care of herself didn’t mean he needed to make a fool of himself over her.

He found McKenzie in the bedroom, looking in the mirror as she combed her wet hair. Their eyes connected in the mirror and she smiled what he would have thought was an innocent smile coming from anyone else. “The shower was heaven,” she said with a nervous giggle as she set down the comb.

And Byron couldn’t resist her any longer.

Taking a few short steps, he turned her around, and pulled her to him, bending and capturing her lips. He wanted her to know what she was missing by continuing to resist him, but after a single minute of his lips on hers, he wasn’t sure any longer who was being taught a lesson.

His hands slid down her back, his palms cupping her sweet derrière, and he tugged, lining her hips up with his, letting her feel how hard he was now — how hard he was each time they were in a room alone together. Hell, they didn’t even have to be alone. Since their first kiss, he always seemed ready in an instant to plunge into her sweet, hot folds.

When her soft sigh of surrender slipped into his mouth, he knew he could walk her backward, strip her clothes from her and thrust inside her. Somehow, knowing that helped to ease the pain he was feeling.

His lips softened as he gently traced her mouth with them, but he finally pulled back, triumph filling him at the desire shining in her eyes.

“We can finish what we’ve started, McKenzie, or I can feed you first, like I promised.” Oh, how he hoped she’d take option one.

He could clearly see the conflict raging within her, and then he saw when she decided. Damn!

“I really am hungry,” she croaked out, and the tremor in her voice made him feel much better about being rejected yet again.

“Then I will feed one hunger,” he said before a big smile overtook his lips. “And then I’ll feed the other.”

She said nothing as he turned to leave, but he felt her follow him from the room and then from the cabin. As they strolled back toward the lodge, Byron found himself seeking McKenzie’s hand. She didn’t try to pull away from him as they walked along the trail.

He held the door for her as they entered the small restaurant, and they were soon seated on the back patio, deck heaters warming the area, the smell of pine trees filling the air.

“This is pretty amazing, Byron,” she said with a sigh as she looked out into the dark gray of the night. The moon was nearly full, illuminating the hills, but there wasn’t much of a view at this time of night.

“In the morning, this place is spectacular. I love sitting on the deck at the cabin, watching the sun come up, and hearing nothing but the sounds of the birds singing. Sometimes, I forget what it sounds like living in the city, where traffic drowns out any and all other sounds.”

“That sounded slightly romantic, Byron. You’d better be careful what you say,” she said with a sidelong glance under her full eyelashes and a smile that took his breath away.

“Well, then, we’d better look over the menu and figure out what we’re going to eat. I wouldn’t want to get too mushy and destroy my reputation,” he said.

Though a reflex had made him instantly put up his defenses, something inside him resisted it. He wanted to be a different person this weekend, wanted to speak of sunrises and sunset, and birds singing. But that wasn’t who he was. That wasn’t what this was about. It was about sex, and nothing but sex. And if he weren’t careful, Byron would get a lot more than he was bargaining for, and that wasn’t something he was willing to accept.

No. It was much better to focus on sex and pleasure, and it was much better for him to remember exactly who McKenzie Beaumont was. She used to run a bordello. She certainly wasn’t the innocent face she was trying to show him and the rest of the world right now.

Byron tried making idle chitchat for a few minutes. But their waiter came, took their order, and brought bread and drinks, and the conversation died out. Soon he was lost in his own head while their meal was served, and they ate in silence.

When they finished, he signed the check, then found himself taking her hand again as they made their way back to the cabin. His heart pounded as they drew near, and he felt the nervous tension in her body, but he was done with all the games.

They’d come to this place to discover each other. And that’s exactly what they were going to do. The moon cast a glow over their walk back, the breeze cool enough to keep her locked tightly to his side.

When they arrived back at the cabin, Byron stopped after he opened the door. He looked down, gazing into her eyes. He wanted no doubt in her mind about what was going to happen the second they stepped over the threshold.

“If you don’t want this, we need to part ways right now,” he warned her, lifting his hand and letting it trail through her hair.

“Wh…what do you mean?” she stuttered, a shiver traveling through her.

“You know exactly what I mean,” he said, his voice firming the slightest bit from the restraint it was taking him to say this. “The cabin right next door is mine, too. Tell me no right now, and I’ll leave you here and we’ll both have a very unsatisfying night.”

Her face blanched just a little, and he could see that she didn’t want to say the words. She wanted him to take the choice from her. He wasn’t going to show her that kindness. He wanted her to admit how much she wanted him.

Still, he held his breath, afraid that she would refuse, that she would deny them both. But he pushed that fear aside. She was his for the taking — she just needed to say the words.

His heart stalled as her lips opened and he waited for her final verdict.

Chapter Nineteen

Y
es.”

She couldn’t say anything other than the one word she needed to say or fear dying right there on the front porch of this cabin in the woods of Idaho.

Byron’s eyes widened just a bit, and she could see raw need practically vibrating off him. It gave her the confidence of knowing she was making the right choice — at least, the right choice for now.

It was obvious when the last of Byron’s patience broke. He grabbed her hand, dragging her across the threshold of the cabin, and without another word, he pulled her into his arms. After he kicked the door shut, his mouth captured hers in a hungry kiss.

Yes, she needed this man. No more worries flitted through her brain as his mouth and hands stoked the fire building up within her. Could something that felt this right ever be wrong? No way.

She threaded her fingers through his hair as her body arched into his, and she rubbed her aching core against his straining erection, desperate for their clothes to disappear. “I need you,” she whispered huskily when he released her lips so he could trail his tongue down the side of her throat.

“I’ve been wanting to hear those words for a while now,” he growled before lifting her into his arms. He carried her to the bedroom and set her down gently beside the bed.

Her skin was on fire as he began removing her clothing, kissing each new area of skin as he exposed it. When he dropped to his knees, pulling her jeans down with his hands and trailing his lips across her thighs as he exposed them, she trembled before him, barely able to keep from falling backward.

His mouth came back up, and his tongue slid along her thigh before moving upward and gliding across her stomach. Her knees couldn’t take it anymore, and they gave out, sending her sliding backward onto the luxurious bed behind her.

“Mmm, are you feeling weak, McKenzie?” he asked with a husky chuckle. Before she could reply, he began removing his own clothes, and her throat tightened at the male beauty before her.

Perfection.

He was pure, unadulterated perfection, and she found herself wanting to trail her tongue along his skin like he had done with her. “You’re taking too long,” she gasped, making his fingers stall as he looked at her with such fire, she didn’t know how she wasn’t burned.

He quickly shed the rest of his clothes, grabbing several condoms from his pocket before tossing his pants aside. He climbed onto the bed with her and immediately drew her into his arms.

Skin to skin had never felt so right. She arched into him, loving the feel of his hard planes against her soft curves. They were a perfect fit. She knew they’d fit in every way possible. She knew this was right.

“Pure silk,” he murmured as his lips glided across her collar bone before moving down to caress the tops of her breasts. She gasped as his tongue circled her peaked nipple before he sucked it into his mouth, making her arch off the mattress and grab his head to hold him right where he was. “And greedy,” he murmured, pulling away from her just long enough to speak, then diving right back in and sucking her aching body.

When he crawled back up her body and turned her on her side to face him, she finally had the chance to explore him. Her hands seemed so small as she splayed them on his tanned skin. She pushed him onto his back and took her time kissing the salty muskiness of his neck before moving down and flicking her tongue across his exquisite pecs.

“So hard,” she murmured as she reached his stomach, her hands preceding her to his thighs, and the beauty that lay between them. “So solid…” Her words were a reverent whisper as her hand circled his throbbing manhood.

Not hesitating in the slightest, she leaned down and tasted his satin head, its salty flavor exploding in her mouth.

“McKenzie… I’m too close to embarrassing myself for you to do that,” he groaned, and he reached hands into her hair and tugged.

She ignored him and let her mouth sink down deeper onto his thickness while her fingers gripped him tightly. “Mmmm…” she moaned, the sound muted by his flesh filling her mouth.

“Enough!” He sat up and pulled her head off him, and then flipped her onto her back and covered her body with his. The pure heaven of feeling his manhood resting along the seam of her core made her whimper. He slid his hands beneath her and tugged her hips upward while he rubbed along the outside of her heat, soaking his erection with her arousal.

She reached for him, needing to guide him inside her, but he gave her a look of victory as he pulled his hands from beneath her and grasped her wrists, then pinned them above her head, trapping her beneath him.

“Take me now, Byron,” she begged, but he just leaned down and kissed her again, silencing her in the most efficient way.

Spreading her thighs wider, she bent her knees and pushed against him, wriggling beneath his solid form as she tried to force him to enter her.

“You are enough to test a saint,” he groaned as the tip of his erection slid a couple of inches inside her heat.

“Then take me, damn you,” she told him. “We’ve both suffered enough.” She, pushed upward again, desperate to have all of him.

He pulled back and she whimpered in protest. This game of his wasn’t to her liking. She was ready to feel pleasure, and he was holding back. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to pull her hands free.

He released his hold and she immediately wound her fingers in his hair and pulled his mouth back to hers. She devoured his lips, slipping her tongue inside his mouth and capturing his hungry groan.

But before she could pull him inside her, he pulled those precious couple of inches out of her then released her mouth, and trailed his lips down her body again, this time making a beeline to the part of her that ached the most.

When his mouth circled her core and he swiped his tongue across her painfully swollen bud, she felt her release coming. Within seconds he had her crying out as her body shook in ecstasy. And then the room darkened as her body clenched repeatedly in what seemed a never-ending paroxysm of bliss. So, this was what sex was all about. Now, she understood how she’d made so much money over the years.

“Now you’re ready, McKenzie.”

She opened her eyes to find him poised above her, and then with one solid push, he thrust inside her wet heat, making her cry out.

The air whooshed out of her lungs as he paused, his entire length buried within in, her walls still pulsing with the pleasure of her orgasm. She’d never felt anything like this before.

“How are you so tight?” he groaned. But she didn’t want to talk. She wanted to feel more pleasure.

She moved her hips upward, needing him to plunge in and out of her. He placed a hand on her hip and held her in place. “Wait,” he groaned as his eyes closed and his head leaned back, a look of utter pleasure filling his face.

Finally, he began moving, pulling his hardness almost completely from her before he pushed back hard inside, rocking her entire body. This time, they both groaned together at the pure pleasure of the movement.

Barely before her first orgasm ended, she felt an immediate pressure build again, and her eyes widened as she looked into Byron’s eyes, his narrowed as he began moving faster, filling her over and over again.

Then he leaned down and captured her lips as he grabbed her hip and drove hard and fast within her needy body. A cry was wrenched from her and he took it greedily as she began convulsing around him, an orgasm even more intense than her first.

He thrust inside her again, and then once more, before his body tensed and he buried his mouth into the curve of her neck, his loud groans vibrating against her skin as she felt him pulse inside her.

After an endless amount of time, Byron’s body sank against her, their skin hot and slick, their breathing shallow, their initial hunger sated.

“I’ve never…,” she began to say before letting her words trail off. She couldn’t tell him that.

“You’ve never what, McKenzie?” he asked against her ear, his tongue tracing the outline and making her shiver.

“Nothing,” she murmured. She couldn’t believe the way her body was responding to his tongue.

“I have ways of making you talk,” he said. His mouth returned to her neck and started sucking on the tender skin there.

“And I have ways of making you forget to question me,” she warned, her hands sliding down his back and over the firm muscles of his buttocks.

“Witch,” he said so quietly she wondered if she’d heard him right.

But she felt a twitch from his still buried erection, and then she felt him begin to move again. All talking was forgotten as he began making love to her once more.

She was terrified. This was something she could get all too used to.