On a Gamble (17 page)

Stop it!

Squaring her shoulders, she tried her hardest to ignore the shivers in her belly, and the rapid thud of her pulse. How frustrating. Her mind wanted to stay angry with him, but her body sent other messages altogether. “What are you doing here?”

“Please, can I come in?”

Her fingers shook as she unlocked the screen door. His scent already assaulted her shaky senses, and frayed nerves as he entered.

“Are your grandparents home?”

She narrowed her eyes, and still facing him, shut the door behind her. “No, they’re not. They just left town. Wait, was all this a set up? So that you could be assured time alone with me?”

He held up his hands in defense. “No, I had no idea they were leaving town. Lucky coincidence I guess.”

“Well, what do you want?” Her tone sharper than she’d intended.

Alex stepped closer, making her take one step back. “I came to apologize for lying to you, Charlie. I never meant to hurt you.”

She backed up a little further yet. “Please, don’t . . .” Meeting his eyes, so full of mischief, hope, desire, as if he knew the reason behind her sudden outburst.

In reality, she couldn’t think straight when he got close, and the idea of his awareness of it annoyed her. Because she wished to hell he didn’t have such a strong effect on her. That she’d never fallen in love with him. That he’d never come here in the first place.

“Charlie, I’m sorry I hurt you, and lied to you. But very soon, from day one, actually, being here had nothing to do with the business deal,” then he looked directly into her eyes, “it became about you. I’m in love with you.”

The words spoken out loud made her heart skitter and shake in her chest. Being aware of his feelings, having them spoken out loud, coming straight from Alex, made her breathing cease, and sent goose bumps walking up and down her arms.

The side of her that loved him, desperately wanted to believe him. Fear held her back from fully trusting. Then grandma’s words echoed in her mind, telling her to let go of the past, and allow Alex to love her, to forgive him.

She scoffed, and tried to keep her voice, steady, strong. “And how do I know you’re not lying about that, too? How can I believe anything you have to say, Alex? I’ve been hurt, and lied to before.”

“I know, and I’m sorry, Charlie.” He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a pretty good sized, unmarked envelope, and handed it to her.

She eyed the parcel skeptically, but curiosity got the best of her. Reaching for it, her breath caught as she opened it, her grandpa’s checks, unmarked and intact, greeted her. Starting with the one she’d given him after he’d ripped up the first one. Their first kiss came unbidden into her mind, and a smile crept over her face. She shook her head, freeing the image, as she took the stack of checks out. Leafing through them, she realized none of them were signed. He’d not cashed even one.

Of course he hasn’t. He doesn’t exactly need the money. How foolish can you be, Charlie?

Lowering her head, she tried to digest everything he’d just said, and everything she’d just seen. But nothing could have prepared her for what he’d say next.

“And I resigned from my dad’s company.”

Her eyes snapped up to greet his. “Why would you do that?”

“Because you mean more to me than some stupid business deal, or my dad’s company. I love you, Charlie.”

She met his gaze head-on, and attempted to decipher the truth. Intense brown eyes met hazel, and by the he wouldn’t break, the stark open honesty she found there, she knew in her heart he wasn’t lying. Still, another problem presented itself in her mind. “It’ll be difficult, and I may never be able to give you children, Alex. Have you forgotten about that?”

Conviction shone in his eyes, his voice strong. “No I haven’t, but I don’t care.”

She scoffed. “You say that now.”

“No, Charlie, I mean it. I love you, and if that means adoption then so be it. Or if you want to try for our own, whatever we need to do either way. We’ll be in it together.”

The passionate entreaty in his voice, combined with his words, put her under a magical spell. Slowly, she walked toward him, gazing up into his eyes, seeing the love, and steely resolve staring back at her. It sent shock waves up her spine, and her voice shook as she said, “I love you, too, Alex.”

“Then please, Charlie. Give me another chance.” He whispered against her lips, just before he claimed them in a hungry, searching kiss.

She moaned against his mouth, and her arms wrapped around his neck. The neglected checks slipped out of her hands, and dropped to the floor. Thrilled to feel his heart beating at a rapid rate against hers, she became insatiable. She leaned into the kiss, and wasting no time, grasped his hair, curling it around her fingers. Desperately missing his sweetness, she gave in to her craving. Maybe she was crazy. Maybe her mind was clouded with desire, but she didn’t care. She angled her head to greet his tongue, allowing him into the warm recesses of her waiting mouth. Her stomach tightened, twisting into knots when the evidence of his passion pressed onto her belly.

Wordlessly, he broke the kiss. Picking her up, he cradled her in his arms, and climbed the stairs. Scattering fervent, wet, open-mouthed kisses on her neck, down onto her throat, as every fiber, every nerve ending, and every crevice flared with desire. Wanting, needing, begging for the release only he could give, her eyes drifted shut, as she rolled her head back. Exposing the skin he so skillfully and eagerly nibbled. She hungered for this man, a hunger that would never be fully quenched.

It didn’t seem quick enough for her, but they finally reached her bedroom. Gently, she kicked the door shut, still cocooned in his arms.

He angled his head toward the bathroom, and must have spied the tub. Filled up and ready to go. Playfully, he wiggled his eyebrows up and down. “Shall we? I’d hate to waste it.”

Despite having made love with him countless times, the idea of them fooling around in the tub, had her drunk already, and she’d had not one drop of wine.

He set her down, and she faced him. Locking eyes with him, her fingers itched to touch him, yet she hesitated. Anticipating, waiting, her nerves nonsensically got the best of her, as though it was the first time.

“Turn around, Charlie,” he murmured huskily.

Damn. His voice, raw with desire, needy with hunger, already turned her on. Silently, she did as he asked.

Gently, reverently, he reached around and untied her robe, letting the material flutter open like butterfly wings. She swooped in a breath, her mouth sapped of moisture. Then he placed both hands on her shoulders, and heartbreakingly slow, almost too slow, slid the thin material off. She watched as the robe fell, pooling at her bare feet. He unhooked her bra, and it quickly joined its companion on the floor. Sucking her tummy in, she didn’t know how much longer she could take this sexy torture, and he’d only removed part of her clothing. Not that she’d had much on to begin with.

Using just his thumbs, he hooked into her panties, and removed those as well. Until she was naked to his penetrating gaze, her backside touching his still clothed front. Warm air kissed her skin, and she was dying to have his lips join the party. But she waited, anticipating the pleasures yet to come.

“Alex, you’re killing me here.” Her voice a soft whisper.

She became completely unhinged, as he kissed his way up from her shoulder blades, pausing at the tender flesh of her neck, and moving to her earlobe, gently taking it between his teeth. “I’ll join you in a moment. I’m a bit overdressed.”

His sinful words, combined with the magic he worked on her neck, sent shivers through her.

Entering the water, still warm to the touch, engulfed her in its heated embrace. She reclined both arms on either side, watching as he made haste in removing his clothing. Mouth salivating at the sight, because he was magnificent, no matter how many times she’d watched him disrobe. Each time proved to be more erotic than the last, more mouthwatering and sinful to watch.

As his gaze connected with hers, his expression grew dark. A passionate haze lowered his eyes to half-mast, and she bit her lower lip. Her eyes roved shamelessly over his nudity.

Oh my goodness . . .

She raised a brow, because in the bright daylight of her bathroom, she lapped him up. Drinking him in like a tall, cool glass of iced tea, and thoroughly enjoying the view. His perfectly chiseled chest, with just a light dusting of dark hair, that eventually dwindled into a thatch of hair that covered his cock, which already stood proud and erect. Shoulders wide, strong. Jesus, she’d almost forgotten how he looked in broad daylight, the sun bathing his magnificent form.

He quirked a brow, as if silently asking a question.

Boldness overtook her, as she murmured, “Just enjoying the view.”

Finally he joined her, and she scooted forward to allow him room. Her bottom nestled into his very turned on front, and a slow smile covered her face. She leaned into chest, savoring this precious moment, in his strength, and comfort.

Lowering her lashes, she turned her head, snuggling into the crook of his neck. He grasped her chin, and without warning, covered her lips. Devouring with an abandon that had been absent in previous kisses, he effortlessly parted the seam of her lips with his tongue. She yielded, relishing the feel of his lips on hers. He kissed her like a starving man who’d die if his hunger went unquenched any longer. In a passionate tangle, she invaded his mouth with her tongue.

Tilting her head closer, taking every last drop of his potent, hypnotic, addictive nectar. She moaned into his mouth when he grasped one of her breasts, palming it until the nipple puckered. The water making her extra sensitive, she arched her back, greedy for more. And he responded, holding her tighter, tweaking the erect nipple between his thumb and forefinger. Soon, it wasn’t enough, and she turned, until her chest pressed tightly against his. Water sloshed over the side of the tub, but she was past the point of caring.

Eager flesh met eager flesh, as she continued to become drunk off his kisses. She cradled his face, as his erection pressed into her belly. His hand palmed her breast, the other took a sultry trip down her back. Grasping her bottom, he slid two fingers into the crevice of her buttocks, and moved further down. Fondling the folds between her legs, already aching. She tilted her hips upward, seeking his touch. The cool air hit her bottom, opening for him as far she could. The confines of the tub making it difficult, as her body instinctively took what it craved, and swept her away with its urgency.

Curious fingers continued to explore her feminine flesh, the wetness pooling at a rapid rate. His groan of entreaty into her mouth, nearly undid her. But he didn’t stop, pinning the back of her head with his other hand. The drugging kisses growing deeper, hungrier, as his tongue continued to tangle with hers, until finally, she had reached her breaking point.

Hurriedly, she broke the kiss. “I can’t take this anymore. Please, take me to bed.”

Alex’s features darkened, his eyes heavy lidded, and had lost focus. He pressed one last salacious kiss to her mouth, and wrapped his arms around her, moving as one until they both stood. She grabbed a nearby towel, and wrapped it around herself, exiting the tub. He followed suit, and feeling bold, she turned, dropping the towel slightly, but not all the way. His ravenous gaze fixed on her; as though she were the most gorgeous sight he’d ever seen.

As he took a seat on the edge of the bed, and reclined on his elbows, he didn’t bother to cover his nudity. The intense, heated look in his eyes almost brought her to her knees. Her center throbbed, pulsated with unfulfilled longing. Her heart picked up speed, knowing this time wouldn’t be like the others. Because there were no more lies between them, no barriers, no hidden identities. This morning, she wanted to take her time, and experiment, explore, because she’d never felt freer with him than she did right now.

Never once taking her eyes off of his, she grasped the towel with deft, shaky fingers and eased it off. Until it lay in a damp forgotten heap on the floor. She walked toward him, leaned over, and whispered, “I want to touch you, Alex, but I have one rule. You can’t touch me.”

She sat down, tucking her legs in, and nestled herself between his parted thighs. Laying her hands on his chest, her pulse raced with excitement when he hitched a breath, and she knew she had him right where she wanted him. Continuing her sensual exploration, she moved her hands to his shoulders, reveling in the smooth muscles, reaching his stomach. She stopped just short of his groin.

Charlie looked up, and saw the heat, the intensity reflected in his eyes, like molten lava. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and it made her shiver. She realized how much patience he exerted in doing as she asked. As though he wanted to take his time as well, and the realization of it hit her like a bucket of ice-cold water.

Scooting closer, she leaned in and pressed her lips against his. But before she knew it, he’d toppled her and she was underneath him, nearly depleting her frail lungs of much needed oxygen.

Face-to-face, the warmth of his body, and the snow-white comforter made her feel all lit up inside. She hated to plead, but sometimes his silence unnerved her. “Would you say something please? Your silence is killing me.”

Charlie’s spine did a happy dance as he brushed a lock of damp hair aside, cradling her face within the palm of his hand, and said, “I love you, Charlie.”

Her stomach clenched, loving the sound of those four precious words passing his lips, and knowing she’d never tire of hearing them. So overcome, tears threatened behind her eyelids, and slid down her face before she could stop them. Gently, his fingers swiped the moisture away, the intimate action, and this intense, beautiful moment with Alex, made her want to cry harder.

Stroking the side of his face, she brought him closer and leaned her forehead against his. “I love you, too, Alex.”

“Now, let me show you,” he whispered.

Charlie hitched a breath, as her entire being felt his rousing words. He leaned over, placing a reverent kiss on her forehead. Before going lower still, trailing kisses along her cheeks, past her jaw, and moving to the skin above her breasts. Placing moist, sweet kisses there, and that familiar throb continued to pulse, making her want to possess him. Not wanting to wait another minute. But she simply breathed in through her nose and out, allowing this moment to pass slowly. Closing her eyes, she relaxed her hands at her sides.