High-Society Seduction (9 page)

Of course, concealing her body’s reactions from him was impossible—nor did she want to—but that was all she wanted him to see. If he discovered that he affected her more with one touch of his finger, one crook of his smile, than any man had ever done before him, he might just use that against her when it came time to resolve their family issues. She couldn’t allow him that.

Lord, she was thinking too much, she decided, gladly welcoming his kiss, pushing all thought to the back of her mind. His mouth enticed her to open her lips fully, and she slid into a moan as his tongue swept in…and swept her breath away, the effect no less than searing.

Then he took his time playing with her tongue, but soon he must have needed air, too. He broke off the kiss and sucked in a solid gasp of oxygen before grazing along the top of her shoulder, his fingers pushing the thin strap of her negligee aside, letting it fall partway down her arm, baring her skin for his warm lips. He did the same to the other side, then moved back to gaze at the sight of her bare shoulders lashed by the silk material.

He groaned and kissed her again, his hand working its way down to her hip, sensually caressing every inch he touched through her nightgown. The blood in her veins turned syrupy and pooled low in her belly. Her nipples ached for him to lower his head and suck their throbbing tips, and she eagerly awaited his mouth on her breasts. Instead, he got on his knees and lifted the hem of her nightgown, sliding the silky fabric up and over her head, leaving her only in her panties. His gaze glittered through the moonlight, burning a path over every single inch of her. The impact made her head whirl.

And then he was running his palms over her breasts in an outward circular motion, making her take a shaky breath as he targeted her sensitized nipples. Her head pressed back on the pillows as she let him have his way for long, glorious moments, his touch wonderful.

Suddenly, she wanted to see him, too. And to touch him. Normally, she wouldn’t feel so forward. She’d never had such a strong urge to reach out for a man…to know every inch of him…. It should be scaring the hell out of her, but she couldn’t think past the moment. She pushed herself to her knees, bringing them face-to-face.

She was first to reach out, surprised a little that he’d let her take the lead. Her palms tingled as she moved over his hot, dampening chest, her fingers prickling at the heavy beat of his heart beneath the smooth skin and wisps of masculine hair.

“You surprise me,” he said gruffly, as her hands advanced over his rib cage. “I thought you might be shy.”

She stroked his firm stomach. “You thought wrong.”

A challenge flew from his eyes. “Wrong?” He reached out and slid a finger down under her panties with exact precision, through her curls, parting her. She almost came undone when he began a delicate manipulation, her head falling back as he continued the action, her bended knees weakening. She wasn’t sure how long they would hold her up.

He laughed low in his throat. “No, I don’t think I was wrong at all.”

From somewhere she found the strength to straighten up. This had suddenly become a game of who would succumb first. Oh, she knew she couldn’t win—not the way he was making her feel—but she’d give it a damn good try….

“Then you’d better think again,” she murmured, deliberately slipping her fingers under the waistband of his pajamas, slowly pushing them down to his knees. She took in the sight of his manly hips, the arrow of curly hair, his shaft hard and fully erect, ready to take, to conquer and to totally consume her.

Reaching out, she slid her hand around his thickened length, then proceeded to stroke him. “Oh, yes, dead wrong.”

Without warning, he flipped her backward onto the mattress.

Her eyes widened. “Hey, that’s not fair.”

“Tell it to someone who cares,” he drawled.

Then he shed his pajamas, and her panties soon disappeared. His kisses became deeper and hungrier as she returned each one. He ran his hands over her, touching places that came close again to making her lose her head. Hot on her trail.

“Adam, please,” she begged, when he rubbed himself between her thighs, then moved away, leaving her wanting. “I need you.”

“Shh.” He reached over to the night table.

She turned her head on the pillow and watched him take a condom from his wallet. “You knew I’d sleep with you?” she said half to herself, but she wasn’t angry with him. She couldn’t be. She just wanted him inside her.

“I was hoping.” He sheathed himself before slowly entering her, and then he began the heated thrust of his body. It was slow, it was deliberate, and it sent shock waves of sensation pulsing through her veins.

And when she finally did lose her head, Adam did too, locking them together on an unstoppable journey until they exploded their release.

Last time he’d felt like that had been with Maddie.

Bloody hell!

He dropped his eyelids again, pushing all thoughts of his late wife to the back of his mind. This wasn’t the time or place to be thinking about the woman who had introduced him to love.

When he opened his eyes again sometime later, Jenna was looking at him. “I see you’re not an early riser.”

He gave a low chuckle and pushed himself forward against her. “I wouldn’t say that.”

She blushed. “You know what I mean.”

“No, show me.”

Her hand touched him and he was instantly lost. Afterward they showered together, made love again, then dressed and headed downstairs.

Adam had to admit he was surprised by her. Other women wanted to talk and decipher everything, sometimes wanting a declaration of love or commitment, yet Jenna seemed to be happy to just be with him.

And when they walked into the breakfast room to find Todd and Chelsea there alone, Jenna didn’t gloat, like the other women he knew would gloat at being made his lover. In a way he wished she would, rather than being sensitive to Chelsea’s feelings. It was what they were here for after all.

Yet how could he fault Jenna when her actions were showing him a depth of character he was only now beginning to appreciate?

“Good morning,” he said, holding a chair out for Jenna but smiling at Todd and Chelsea. For a moment the other couple sat there in a kind of stony silence, making him suddenly aware of the tension in the air.

Then Todd put on a forced smile. “Good morning. Did you both sleep well?”

Adam sat down next to Jenna, but he watched Todd. “Yes. What about you two?”

Todd’s smile was tight. “Terrific. This country air has me sleeping like a log.”

“I’m glad someone did, then,” Chelsea snapped, much to Adam’s surprise. He felt Jenna startle, too.

“Chels…” Todd said in a warning tone.

For a second Chelsea looked as if she would snap at him again, but then she seemed to realize she had an audience. She pulled a face. “Sorry about that. I’ve got the beginnings of a headache.”

Adam remembered what Todd had said about Chelsea’s female problems, but her excuse just now didn’t gel. It had been too glib.

“Perhaps you should go lie down,” Jenna said sympathetically.

Antagonism flared in Chelsea’s eyes, then banked, and she put on a bright smile for everyone to see. “No, I’ll be fine.”

At that point Adam suspected that Chelsea’s ill health was more likely due to her jealousy over seeing him and Jenna in bed together last night. For a brief second he wondered if he hadn’t unwittingly dumped Jenna in the middle of something impossible, but then he remembered she was tough. If Jenna could handle
him,
she could handle Chelsea.

The arrival of the other guests in the breakfast room brought a flurry of chatter. Chelsea seemed to go into overdrive, her eyes extra bright as she turned into the perfect hostess. It didn’t disguise the hint of hostility in the air, though after watching her send one or two dark glances at her husband, Adam had to wonder if this was more about Todd than not.

“So this morning we have a lot of activities to get through,” Chelsea said now. “There’s tennis, horseback riding and swimming to choose from, or you can choose all three—if you’re game,” she joked, with a wink. “And after lunch I’ve arranged for a tour of a local winery. I can guarantee you’ll love it,” she enthused just a little bit too shrilly.

Adam saw Jenna dart a look at him, and he knew instantly what she was thinking. He agreed. He didn’t want to stay any longer, either.

“I’m afraid we can’t stay, Chelsea,” he said, placing his napkin on the table. “Jenna and I both have to get back to the city for another commitment that’s come to light.”

“But you can’t!”

He stiffened in anger. No one told him what he could or couldn’t do, especially not someone who had no claim to his time.

Chelsea seemed to notice she’d made a mistake, but that didn’t quite stop her. “Surely you can stay, Adam,” she said in a pleading tone. “Please say you will.”

Her comment irritated the hell out of him. It would have irritated him whether he and Jenna were lovers or not, but she appeared to be ignoring Jenna, and that was the height of bad manners. “Sorry,” he said, not sorry at all.

“But—”

Todd pushed to his feet then, sending his wife a hard look before turning to their guests. “How about we all go change into something more casual so that we can start the activities? Chelsea has arranged a selection of sports gear for anyone who may need it.” He glanced at Adam and smiled. “Let me know when you and Jenna are ready to leave, Adam,” he said, silently indicating he had no problem with their early departure. “I’ll see you off.”

Adam nodded, then cupped Jenna’s elbow and pushed both of them to their feet. “I will. Thanks. We won’t be too long.” He led Jenna out of the room, but another couple followed and conversed with them as they went up the stairs.

In the bedroom he was still disgusted by Chelsea’s actions. “Let’s get our stuff together,” he said, striding away.

A couple of seconds passed, then she said, “Chelsea was upset.”

He turned at the entrance to the walk-in closet and saw she hadn’t moved. “It’s because she knew we’d made love last night.”

Jenna blushed a little, even as she looked baffled. “Didn’t she already believe we were lovers?”

“Yes, but seeing us in bed together must have finally hit home.”

She nodded, then a sigh escaped. “I’m glad we’re leaving soon.”

“So am I,” he said pointedly, growing fascinated by her pink cheeks. Thoughts of Chelsea faded from his mind.

As if trying to ignore her own embarrassment, Jenna tilted her head. “Do you really have a commitment in the city?”

This woman was enthralling. “Yes.” Casually he leaned against the doorjamb, slowing things down for a few moments. “I’m committed to making love to you all afternoon.”

Her eyes flared with pleasure. “I see.”

He loved the little pulse that started throbbing at her neck. If he hurried back to her, he could put his lips against it…no, then he wouldn’t want to stop. He’d want to pull her into his arms and make love to her again.

“Come on,” he said brusquely, pushing himself away from the wooden frame. “Let’s pack our things and get out of here.”

Todd was waiting at the bottom of the stairs when they came down. “Chelsea asked me to give you her apologies. She and some of the others have gone to the stables.”

Adam was relieved not to be seeing her again so soon. “That’s fine, Todd. Please give her our thanks.”

Jenna smiled. “It’s been a lovely weekend. I’ve really enjoyed it.”

“I’m glad.” Todd’s expression seemed strained. “And I’m sorry about things this morning.”

Adam looked at his friend with concern. “Is everything okay between you and Chelsea?”

Todd waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t take any notice of Chels. She’s just on edge with…everything.”

Adam wanted to ask if the “everything” involved
him,
only he couldn’t. If he was responsible for Chelsea’s bad mood, he certainly didn’t want Todd to know it.

Just then, two of the male guests came out of the drawing room and saw them standing in the entrance, preparing to leave.

“Hey, there’s the man who’ll remember,” one of the men said, coming toward them. “Adam, what was the name of the guy your father had convicted of fraud? It was about five years ago. Burke something or other…”

Adam froze, then he said tightly, “Milton Burke.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s the guy’s name. He ended up doing a couple of years in prison, didn’t he?” The guest didn’t wait for an answer. “Yeah, old Milt was a professional con man. He—”

“We’re leaving,” Adam cut across him, not caring if he appeared rude. Taking Jenna by the arm, he turned away and strode out the front door of the mansion to where his car was waiting. Their overnight bags had already been put in the trunk, and after a brief farewell to Todd, he drove off the estate.

“Er…are you okay, Adam?” Jenna asked once they were on the road.

He glanced at her. “Never better,” he quipped.

After that he concentrated on the driving, making it clear he didn’t want to talk. He wasn’t angry with her, just with the way things were. The mention of money and fraud back there had called to mind what stood between him and this woman who was now his lover. Stewart Branson was back between them again like a brick wall, though truth be told that wall had never really fallen down.

Dammit, between Jenna’s brother and Todd’s wife, life was getting far too complicated.

And he didn’t like it one bit.