Effortless (26 page)

The bubble bath won out as the place to start. I went upstairs and filled the tub, which by the way was the size of a jacuzzi, while Alastair poured the champagne. I caught him staring at me from the mirror and grinned.

“Like what you see, chief?”

“I will once you get out of that dress.”

Turning around to face him, I placed my hands on my hips. “You’re awfully frisky.”

“You don’t say?” He slipped off the suit jacket and unbuttoned his shirt. I got that awesome weak in the knees feeling watching him undress. Moving in slow, calculated strides he crossed the bathroom, stalking me like a lion. Every muscle in his toned, athletic torso moved with fluid beauty. My mouth watered. Staring into his hooded eyes wiped my mind clean of any thoughts, even the great ones about how freaking hot he was.

Reaching around me, he shut off the water.
Jesus, he smells good
.

“Do you want to finish undressing me?” How he managed to make that question sound illegal in a hundred countries I’ll never know. Not having to be asked twice, I ran my hands down his bare chest and traced along the edge of his waistband. My plan to seduce him with slow and deliberate actions flew out the window the second he wet his lips and moaned softly. I may or may not have torn the button off his pants when I wrenched them open.

Amused by my lack of control, he shook his head and backed away. “There’s no rush.” He removed the rest of his clothes and fixed a dark stare on me that ignited a fire in the pit of my stomach. Skimming his fingers over the swell of my breasts and down to my hips, he kissed me and gradually unzipped the dress. Goosebumps scattered along my skin as the soft silk material glided down my body. It hit the floor with a sigh, pooling at my feet.

“Leave the shoes on,” he said, unhooking my bra and removing it with ease. Taking a step back, he devoured me with dark, molten eyes. “You are exquisite.” Mischief lit up his face. “You’re coming with me.”

In one fluid motion, he picked me up and tossed me over his shoulder. I squealed, not knowing what was happening. I heard my shoes fall to the floor with a thud. Next thing I knew, he was walking at a fast clip down the stairs and out the back door.

“Alastair,” I yelped. “I’m naked and it’s freezing. What are you doing? We can’t be outside like this.”

My feet hit the cool grass and I nearly bolted back to the house.

“Not so fast,” he said, draping a robe over my shoulders. “Feel better?”

I hugged the plush robe around me and gave him a dirty look. He just grinned and proceeded to spread a blanket out on the ground, all the while still remaining stark naked. I looked around and realized that we were, for all intents and purposes, alone. I couldn’t see another house or even any street lights.

“Are you going to keep me warm or stare into the unknown all night?”

Smiling up at me, he’d already put on his own robe and made himself comfortable on the blanket. I knelt down next to him and sat back on my heels. He mimicked my stance and pushed the robe off my shoulders. I shivered, both from the cold and from nerves.

“Nobody is here, Lia. This house is secluded.”

“What abo—”

He cut me off with a searing kiss, letting his hands roam freely over my body. Every caress warmed and calmed me. Pulling me down next to him, we curled up together, snuggled under the warmth of our robes. I felt so small staring up at the sky. The stars and Milky Way seemed to stretch for an eternity, their distant beauty so vivid I wanted to reach up and touch them.

Alastair leaned his head so it rested on mine as I splayed my hand on his stomach. If anyone had told me a year ago that I’d be lying on a blanket —naked— outside in the middle of the night on an island I had no idea existed, I would have laughed in their face.

“What are you thinking about?”

I lifted my head and gazed down at my gorgeous husband. “You.”

He smiled, brushing my hair back over my shoulder. Bowing his head, he swallowed hard. “Tell me what you want.”

I tilted his chin up so I could look into his eyes. “I already have it.”

* * *

Alastair and I strolled lazily along a dusty path that wound its way up a cliff overlooking the English Channel. A cottony layer of clouds blended into the cobalt sky while a soft breeze tickled my shoulders. I couldn’t help but notice how the rocky coastline seemed to frill the island like a cupcake wrapper. Waves pounded against the cliffs as seagulls circled overhead. Smiling, I still felt like this was paradise.

Draping his arm over my shoulder, Alastair stood quietly with me as we gazed out toward the horizon. It stretched endlessly, beckoning us with the promise of a clear, bright future. I knew the journey would be far from perfect but it was
our
journey and we’d already survived so much.

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

“A little.”

We’d spent the majority of the morning lounging in bed before finally taking that warm bubble bath we’d abandoned last night. Needless to say, we also missed brunch with my family.

“We can go into town and grab some lunch if you’d like.”

“Maybe later.”

He glanced at me out the corner of his eye. “You’re turning down food? Stop the presses.”

“Hey.” I punched him lightly in the arm. “I’m not turning it down, you muppet. I just said ‘later.’”

The sound of his throaty laugh drifted on the chilly breeze. I stood in front of him so I could hook my arms around his waist. The early afternoon sunlight reflected off his rich, dark red hair accentuating the chocolate flecks.
Stunning as always, Holden
, I thought with a smile.

The corners of his eyes crinkled as he returned my smile. “What’s got you so happy?”

“Some guy.”

“‘Some guy,’ huh?” He smirked and I knew that meant I was in trouble. Fast as lightning, he grabbed my waist and tickled me hard. My shrieks and peals of laughter bounced through the quiet air as loud as cymbals. I managed to break away from him and ran several yards down the gravel path, still laughing. He caught me in no time and held me close.

“Amelia Grace Holden.” The way my name rolled of his tongue with such ease thrilled me. “No matter where you run, I will always catch you.”

“Lucky for you, then. I want to be caught.”

I felt her before I saw her.

“Everyone’s waiting for you, birthday boy.”

Lia grinned and leaned against the wall in the penthouse office. Her chestnut hair hung in tousled waves at her shoulders. A short burgundy sundress hugged her hourglass figure, accentuating her curves. The sight of her did what it always does to me. One year later and I still had zero control over how she made me feel.

“Are those legal documents really that exciting?” she teased.

Her light, melodic voice slinked its way through my bloodstream. It had a slight raspy edge to it, which became more prominent when she was moaning my name. I leaned back in my chair, letting my legs fall open.

“No rest for the wicked, love.”

“Whatever, Holden.” She pushed herself away from the wall and walked towards me. The tantalizing sway of her hips came as naturally to her as breathing. It was one of my favorite things about her. She had no idea how mesmerizing her walk could be and that made it even more desirable. I’d seen it turn more than a few heads when we were out. People have been staring and leering at me my whole life but it was different when they did it to my wife.

Hitching up her dress, she straddled me. I swallowed down a moan, feeling the pressure tighten in my throat and in my pants.

“You’re not allowed to work
at all
today, chief. That includes during your own party,” she said, slinging her arms over my shoulders. I grasped her hips as a way to center myself. Her scent and body were overwhelming my senses.

“I’m not working. I just needed to make sure these were in order for tomorrow.”

“Look at them in the car on your ride to the office.”

Fiery amber eyes locked onto me with determination, boring into my soul. No other person could see me so clearly or so completely. From the first moment she looked at me through the car window I knew she was different and I knew I was in trouble. If I’d had half a brain I would have gone ahead with my original plan and told Paxton to get me the hell out of there. That benefit hadn’t been one of my mandatory social engagements last spring but I’d been advised by my grandfather to show my face.

And then Lia happened. Catching her when she tripped wasn’t part of the plan either. Holding her in my arms and allowing those bright eyes to peer into my soul a second time had caught me off guard.

I had to have her.

I should have walked away.

“You’re distracting me, kitten.”

“Am I?” She leaned close. Too close. I fisted my hand in her hair and pulled. A small intake of breath lifted her chest, making her breasts swell. Her skin flushed and her lips parted. This look would drive me bloody insane for the rest of my life.

“I’m not used to celebrating my birthday. You know that.”

The sharp, stinging pain of guilt over my family’s death commandeered my body. I don’t care how many goddam years have passed. It would remain with me forever. Lia did help make it more bearable. Her touch, her patience, her mere presence made existing more bearable.

“I know,” she said, stroking my cheek. “But there’s cake involved.”

A laugh escaped me before I knew it. That was the effect she had on me. Disarmed and enchanted, I loosened my grip on her hair and held her closer. Her body was so soft and delicate next to mine. I wanted her. I needed her. My urges to claim her endlessly were relentless. And I wasn’t alone. She’d managed to surprise me on more than one occasion with her own insatiable desires.

“Reckon I can’t say no to cake then, can I?”
Or you
. Saying no to her wasn’t in my nature. I mean, Christ, look at her. Lia could bring me to my knees at a moment’s notice. She owned me with those eyes and could tame me with one touch.

“What’s going on inside that head of yours, English?”

I hovered my lips over hers in an effort to slow my racing heart. If I didn’t, I’d lose all control and fuck her senseless where we sat. Not that she’d mind.

The second I felt her hands in my hair I took her mouth. She tasted of champagne. Beneath that was the sweeter, unique flavor that was hers alone. The nonstop pulling of my hair as I kissed her drove me to the edge. I groaned, sliding my hand under her dress and up her leg, running my fingers along the soft skin I craved. Nothing felt better.

“Frisky.” Her full, just-been-kissed-lips pulled into a smile. “Come on. Let’s go.”

No.

Standing up, she smoothed down the dress and held out her hand. I took it because I wouldn’t have been able to stand otherwise. Framed by the panoramic backdrop of New York City, she glowed. And I unraveled. I sat on the edge of the desk and wedged her between my thighs to steady the quaking in my knees.
What this girl does to me
.

Rubbing her thumb over my mouth to remove the gloss, she grinned. “Not a bad color on you.”

“Think so?” I rested my forehead to hers in an effort to delay the inevitable. I didn’t mind spending my birthday with our friends but I didn’t want the extra attention. Staying holed up in the bedroom or this office or anywhere with my wife seemed a more perfect option.

The softness of her lips brushed mine, inciting the riot of emotions I’d spent most of my life suppressing. With every gentle stroke of her tongue, she calmed me. I never believed a kiss could be so powerful until I met her. My world had finally come into focus when she entered my life.

“We’re in this together, Alastair,” she said. “Always.”

I smiled on the inside, relaxing in her embrace. My walls would always be there. I needed them for protection. Not from her though.

“We’ll mingle for a bit.” I smirked. “Then I want to have my way with you in a secluded corner.”

The challenge of my proposition sparked in her eyes. Her brows lifted but I knew I had her where I wanted her.

“We’ll see about that, chief.”

Lacing her fingers through mine, she led me up to the roof deck. We’d been in New York for the past month while I finished some work on our revamped record label. I knew Lia loved being in this city, especially now that her sister and Andrew had moved back at Christmas after finding out they were expecting. Family has always been important to my wife. My own relationship with my family was improving but had a long way to go.

I could now stomach being in the same space as my uncle without feeling as though he blamed me for his brother’s death. We could hold a conversation without being at each other’s throats. It doesn’t erase the fact that I’d been a prick to him while growing up, constantly reminding him that he wasn’t my father. We’d probably never be close but at least we had an understanding.

The closer we got to the top of the stairs, the more I itched to turn around. Lia sensed it and squeezed my hand.

“Focus on the cake, Holden.”

“I’d rather focus on licking the frosting off your body.”

She leveled me with her eyes. “You’re lethal.”

“You love it.”

Her musical laugh made my insides melt. With her by my side, I felt invincible.

Also by Lynn Montagano…

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