Surrender to Temptation (19 page)

She nodded, her hazel eyes warm with feelings he couldn’t describe. With the image of her in his head, he entered the house and brought the phone to his ear.

“This had better be good, Lambert. You interrupted something important.”

“Your attitude stinks. If you weren’t family…”

“Yeah, I’ve heard that before. What is it?”

“We tracked the guy down.”

Chase grinned. He headed toward the den. “Who is he?”

“Patrick Finch. He’s a local guy from Glendale.”

“And his connection to Keira?

“None so far. We’re still digging into his background. Keira is originally from Arkansas and came to L.A. eight years ago. Finch was born and bred in Glendale. Other than the hospital visit, we haven’t found anything to prove they know each other.”

“And the burns? How does he explain them?”

“We’ve checked his medical records. His burns occurred the same night as the fire at the restaurant. He said he was cooking when the sleeve of his robe caught fire. No one bothered to confirm his account.”

Disappointment settled in Chase’s gut. “You think his account is legit?”

“Nope. If there was a fire at his place, he would have used the fire extinguisher or his fire alarm would have gone off. Neither did. We’ve checked his house, and there are no marks to indicate there was ever a fire at his place. We’ve talked to his neighbors to see if they saw him that evening or heard him arrive at the house. So far, nothing. We are checking his credit card activity for that evening in case he stopped by a pharmacy or gas station to buy gas or pain meds. The drive might only be about half-an-hour from West Hollywood, but from his extensive burns, he must have been in pain.”

It seemed like a long stretch, but Chase didn’t want to discourage the detective. At least he now had a name. “Thanks, Ken. Let me know what you find out.”

“On a different note, didn’t you say that Deanna was raised in California?”

“I think so. At least that is what I understood from our conversations. She wasn’t big on talking about her family. Like I told you before, until you mentioned her sister and parents, I thought she was an orphan.”

“I’ll check into her background and see if she went to school with Finch.”

“Have you thought of talking to her sister or parents? If you tell them you want to clear her name, they might help.” Sounds came from outside the den and Chase looked up to see Nikki with a vase of roses. He waved her inside. She placed the flowers on the table and walked around the desk.

Ken chuckled, drawing his attention.

“What’s funny, Lambert?” He pushed the chair back and pulled Nikki onto his lap. He wrapped his arm around her waist and continued talking to Ken. “Is that something you sneaky hackers don’t do?”

“You got that right,” Ken said. “We sneak around, not act like cops, but I like the idea. I’ll have my guy in San Diego make contact. If they’re willing to help, I’ll fly down and talk to them myself. I promised my grandparents we’d take Lucas to see them, so the timing is perfect. Expect to hear from me in a few days.”

Chase put down his cell phone and turned Nikki’s face toward him. “Now, where were we?”

“About to sneak upstairs.”

He laughed, caressing her lower lip with his thumb. It was velvet soft, delicate, and moist. He studied her face. He’d never tire of looking at her. “You are beautiful. Exquisite.”

“Tall?” Nikki asked.

The look in her eyes made his chest constrict. Whoever told her that her height was a problem was a fool. He chuckled and rocked his hips. “With your body fitting mine perfectly like this? I don’t think so, baby. You’re perfect.”

“You’re the perfect one,” she whispered as her hands rose to his face. Her fingers ran over the planes of his face, his ears, and then they came to rest on his lips. She caressed them gently.

He took her finger in his mouth and sucked on it. Nikki gasped. He wanted her now. He replaced her finger with her lips, kissing her like a man obsessed. The kiss was hot and consuming.

He welcomed her heat and reveled in having her in his arms again. Every touch he gave, she returned with equal measure. Every stroke from her fingers made him tremble. He wanted and needed her, and the kiss wasn’t enough.

He stood with her, one arm across her back and the other behind her knees. Taking large strides, he left the den, crossed the foyer, and hurried upstairs, thoughts of claiming her again and again pounding in his temple. She ran her fingers through his hair, kissing him with such ferocity he groaned.

In his bedroom, he threw her on his bed, followed her, pushing her shirt out of the way as he kissed her stomach and moved up. He got rid of her clothes then his, ripping her delicate shirt in his haste. Sweat dotted his body as he kissed his way down her body and back up again.

Nikki held him close as he gnawed on her throat, slowly and meticulously working his way down again to her nipples, teasing, stroking, his tongue dancing circles around the tight nubs while she moaned and writhed. He nibbled on her ribs, stomach, and hips. He slipped his hands beneath her hips, his lips on her thighs.

Then he pushed her knees apart and nipped his way to her inner thighs. He separated her tender folds and tasted her. She cried out and bucked, almost pushing him off her. With his hands cupping her lovely derriere, he swirled his tongue in and around her. Nikki quivered and moaned, spreading her legs wider to accommodate him.

Blood roared in his veins as he pleasured her. His body shook with need. He’d had his share of women. Bedded and pleased them, watched them fall apart in his arms, but they held nothing to this woman and how she made him feel. He wanted her with such intensity it hurt, yet he would not stop until she was fulfilled.

She clutched his head, her nails digging into his scalp as she moaned her pleasure. He feasted on her like a starved man, growling and watching her quiver. Something about her made him wild, drove him a little crazy whenever he touched her.

Her release, when it came, was powerful and fierce. The tremors still shot through her when he positioned himself.

“Look at me,” he ordered.

Her eyelids heavy, lips swollen from their kisses, she stared at him. Her hips lifted, legs lifting up and wider as she offered herself to him. Slowly, he slid into her. His eyes almost crossed at the feeling. She moaned, her eyes not leaving his.

He paused after filling her and savored the moment, but she wasn’t having it. She pushed against him. He gave her what she wanted, lifting and sinking, his strokes starting slow then picking up speed. She bucked and ground against him. He knew she was close to coming again.

He reached down and took her lips in a tender kiss, which was opposite the deep thrust of his hips. Her legs folded and wrapped around his back as they pushed and strained. His strokes were deeper, harder, and faster. She clung to him, and his name escaped her lips.

They came together, crashing and burning. He threw his head back and yelled her name as the waves curled and exploded through him, leaving him weak and spent.

CHAPTER 14

The change in their relationship didn’t escape anyone on the farm. Mrs. B caught on first when she caught them kissing again. She just grinned and shooed them out of the kitchen. Again. Chase didn’t try to hide the fact that he wanted Nikki. He used every excuse to touch her, steal a kiss.

“You need the disclaimer checked by a lawyer before I add it to the website,” Nikki said when Chase entered the den.

He walked around the desk and peered over her shoulder, studying the homepage. “That’s beautiful.”

“It’s your ranch, and thanks to Dean, you can now share it with the world.” The home page had the logo and the mission statement he had selected. The slide of photographs showed the ranch from different angles and the ranch hands with the horses. Chase even agreed to have several pictures of him and Thunder added.

“Are you almost done?” he asked.

“Just need to finish the database and add a few links. Want to see?”

He scooped her up, sat, and pulled her down on his lap. “Show me.”

“You see the links on the left? They lead to each mare’s pages, where her pedigree is outlined. I still can’t believe you know who their great grandparents are.” She clicked on a link. “The links on each page take you to the stallions you chose to mate with the mares. As they have more foals, we’ll add them and the stallions. This link leads to the ‘About the Ranch’.” The page showed more pictures of the ranch, the land, and the history of the land. There were pictures of each ranch hand along with his background information.

Chase chuckled. “When did you talk to the guys?”

“When I worked with them. Mac often has a lot to say. Tucker and Winston gave me their information a few days ago. Tucker has an impressive resume. Do you think they’ll like these?” Winston’s picture showed him working with the pregnant Philly. In another he was with Mac. Dean had captured Mrs. B in the kitchen doing what she did best. “Whether you want to add Big Joe and Little Joe is up to you, but it would be nice to have pictures of you with everyone, including Mrs. B.”

“I’ll talk to Dean. Why do I need a disclaimer?” Chase asked.

“I’m going to add links to the websites of the stallion ranches, which I hope will have their pedigrees. I’ll also need all associations you belong to like the Hanoverian, Quarter horses, Arabian, as well as where you buy the feed and horse products. The disclaimer will say you are not
responsible for the content, accuracy, or opinions expressed on these other websites and don’t approve or endorse them, if anyone leaves our website and accesses these third-party sites.”

Admiration flashed in his eyes.

“Standard website mumbo-jumbo,” Nikki said.

He chuckled and nuzzled her neck. “There’s nothing standard about what you do, Nikki. I’ll have my uncle draft something and e-mail it to us. How come there’re no pictures of you?”

“Because I’m not really part of your staff. I’m just passing through. Here today, gone tomorrow.” She would be leaving soon and was trying not to think about it.

Chase frowned, but he didn’t comment.

“We’ve been invited to my Aunt Siobhán’s place for dinner,” he said. “What do you want me to tell them?”

Nikki frowned. “Do they breed horses?”

“Cows. Aunt Siobhán said if we can’t go, they’ll come here.” He planted a kiss on her lips and stood with her. Slowly, he set her on the desk, pushed her knees apart, and slid between them. “I want you with me. The entire county knows you are here, and everyone is curious. I hide you a little longer and Aunt Siobhán will start making phone calls.”

Nikki had no idea what phone calls had to do with her, but she let that pass. “County? Why?”

“Little Joe does nothing but talk about you. We can go any time.” He cupped her face and kissed her, taking his time, totally bending her to his will. “Unless, of course, you don’t want to go,” he whispered against her lips.

How could she say no? She watched him walk away while telling her heart to stop leaping. The man had a way of turning her into a blabbering idiot.

It was another hour before Nikki left the den. She found Mrs. B in the kitchen with her feet up. At first, she thought the woman was peeling onions. But then she realized the housekeeper’s eyes were closed.

“Mrs. B?”

The older woman looked up. “Oh hello, dear. I must have dosed off. What time is it?”

“Almost noon.”

“Oh, Lord. I must make lunch.” Her feet landed on the ground with a thud, and she winced. When she stood and swayed, Nikki gripped her arms and pushed her back down on the chair.

“You are not okay, Mrs. B.” Nikki touched the woman’s forehead. It felt clammy. “Why don’t you rest your feet and I’ll whip up something for the boys?”

Mrs. B shook her head. “No, I… Can you?”

“Of course, Mrs. B. Go lie down. I’ll see what is in the pantry.”

“I was going to make chili, enough for lunch and dinner. I have the meat defrosted and ready to go, but—”

“I’ll make my mama’s favorite chili.” It took more cajoling before the housekeeper allowed Nikki to help her to her quarters, which were on the other side of the kitchen.

Nikki studied the spices and smiled. There were two things she could cook with certainty, chili and pot roast. She peeled a medium-sized onion and cut it in half. Onion juice flew to her eyes, causing them to water.

“What are you doing?” Chase asked.

She wiped her eyes. “Trying to make lunch.”

“Are you crying?”

The laughter in his voice had her lifting her head. “It’s the stupid onions.”

“That’s because you’re cutting it the wrong way.”

“There can’t possibly be a wrong way of cutting anything.” She chopped more chunks, her eyes burning.

“Oh yes, there is. And you are using the wrong knife.”

The opportunity was too good to miss. Time her man stopped running away from cooking. She threw the knife down. “I can’t win. I bet the size of the onions is also wrong.”

Chase chuckled and walked to the counter to study the big chunks of onions. “Depends on what you are cooking and why.”

“Chili. I’m making lunch and dinner today.”

“Like hell you are. Where’s Mrs. B?”

“She’s not feeling well, Chase. Her skin was clammy, and she almost keeled over when she stood.”

Concern flickered across his face. Chase left the kitchen. Nikki knew he’d gone to check on the housekeeper. She left the onions alone and peeled two garlic bulbs. Chase walked back into the room and chose a different knife from the knife holder.

“This is how you cut onions for chili, sweetheart.” He stood behind her, directing her hand. “Smaller sizes. Strips are for stir fry.”

He was good and efficient. But his hard body, pressed against her, was distracting. She pressed against him.

“Behave,” he whispered in her ear.

He made it so hard. “Then quit distracting me or there will be no lunch or dinner tonight.”

He stole a kiss and then got bottled water from the fridge and sat on a chair away from the stove. It broke her heart to see the wariness in his eyes, but at least he was staying. She got the meat and put it aside. Aware of Chase watching her, she scooped spices in a skillet—ancho peppers, oregano, paprika, coriander, cumin, and chili powder.

“What are you doing now?” he asked.

“Planning on cooking and blending the spices.” She cooked the spices on low heat for two minutes and then poured the mixture into a spice grinder. Chase was no longer leaning back. He watched her every move with morbid fascination. It must be hard to be paralyzed by fear while someone else did something you love.

“Have you ever cooked chili before?” she asked, keeping her voice light.

“No.”

“I’m grinding the spices into a powder, which I’ll add to the chili.” Under his watchful eyes, she explained every step. He asked questions but kept his distance, until Nikki finished adding all ingredients, lowered the heat, and covered the large pot.

“Interesting,” Chase said.

“Really? How do you figure that? You were way over here while I was over there,” she teased, joining him and doing what was becoming second nature, sitting on his lap.

He kissed her bare upper arm, dragging his eyes from the stove. “Was that a family recipe?”

Nikki chuckled. “In a way.”

“Do you have it written down somewhere?”

“No. It’s in here.” She tapped her head. “I’ll add more salt, pepper, maybe more spices as it cooks until I’m happy with the results.”

He winced. “So it’s a trial and error recipe?”

She grinned. “Yep. And no complaining, Master Chef Fitzgerald.” She finger combed his hair. “If you have a problem with my style, then kick me out of the kitchen and take over.”

He laughed, but he didn’t sound amused. “What are we eating with the chili?”

Nikki hadn’t thought of that. There must be crackers or bread somewhere. At least she hoped so. She left Chase’s warm lap and went to check the fridge’s contents. Nothing. She searched the big freezer and the pantry. No bread, but there were bags of frozen dinner rolls.

“Can we cook these?” She pulled out one of the bags and showed it to Chase.

His blue eyes lit up with suppressed laughter. “If you plan to eat at five. It takes about four hours for the dough to rise.”

Nikki groaned.

Chase got up. “Okay, I see I must come to your rescue.”

What followed awed her. He got the flour and other ingredients from the pantry, and lined them on the kitchen islands. Working fast and efficiently, he made the dough, explaining why he was using bread flour, a certain type of yeast…

“Did you always know you wanted to be a cook?” Nikki asked.

“Not at the beginning, but after I met my godmother’s French cook, I was hooked. She owns a vineyard in Santa Barbara—”

“The one who gave you that rare wine?”

He nodded. “We’d visit her with Mom. While Baron would follow her around and bug her with questions about her antiques and art collection, I’d pig out on Pierre La Varenne’s dishes. Pierre was a genius. Every dish was a work of art and created to please the palate. At first, I’d just eat everything he gave me.” He grinned as though reliving the memory, and Nikki grinned back. His enthusiasm was obvious. “Then I started to ask questions. Before long, I was watching then helping. By the time I finished my bachelors and went to the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, I’d already learned a lot.”

She’d seen his eyes light up with enthusiasm when he talked about his horses and flash with amusement when he shared childhood anecdotes, but this was the first time she saw passion. Like something bigger and brighter pulsed through his veins. The only other time she’d seen that look in his eyes was when they made love.

He made enough to make two dozen lumps of dough, set them on two greased baking sheets, and covered them with large dishtowels.

“That was fast and amazing,” Nikki said.

A sheepish smile curled his lips. “It’s just bread. Set the oven temp to three-fifty and leave the dough to rise for half an hour. I’ll be back.”

He was gone before she could say anything. Nikki stared after him, wishing she could call him back or follow. Just bread. Yeah, right. The man literally came alive when he cooked. Chase was a sexy man, whether he was on top of his horse or hauling bales of hay or just lounging in bed, but Chase in the kitchen was something to behold. It was a serious turn-on.

Sighing, she stirred the chili. A sound came from behind her, and she whipped around just as Mrs. B entered the kitchen.

“What are you doing up?” Nikki asked.

“I thought I heard Chase’s voice. Was he here? In the kitchen?”

Nikki nodded. She put the lid back on the chili pot and lifted the edge of the dishtowel. “He made these.”

“He did?” Mrs. B laughed. “I would have loved to see that.”

An idea popped into Nikki’s head. “You know what I think? I think you should be sick for a few more days and let me take over your kitchen.”

“Oh no, dear. You are a guest, and I cannot take advantage of your kindness like that.”

“No, you don’t understand, Mrs. B.” Nikki gripped the housekeeper’s hands and peered at her. “I only know how to cook a few dishes, and even those don’t always come out the way I expect. If you are not feeling well and I’m struggling to cook for all of us…”

Mrs. B’s eyes widened when realization dawned. “Oh. I get it. He’ll come and help you.”

“Exactly. Now go to the patio and put your feet up. You’re looking a little pale.”

They exchanged conspirators’ smiles. Then the housekeeper left the kitchen. Half an hour later, Chase entered the kitchen. “It smells good.”

“Tastes even better.” She scooped some with a wooden spoon, swiped with her finger, and offered it to him. He gripped her wrist and directed her finger to his mouth.

“Hmm, tasty.” He kissed her. “Is it done?”