'Tis the Season (20 page)

“I can't,” she said. Reality creeping in, she sighed. “What if the kids—”

“I know, I know. Dammit.” He sighed too, still caressing her face. “Stay a little while longer, though? Don't just run back to your room now. I want you here.”

She smiled, the affection in his eyes and voice intoxicating her. The sparse dark hair on his chest tickled her breasts, and she shifted slightly beneath him. “I'll stay a little longer. Believe me, after what we just did, I'd love nothing more than to fall asleep in your arms, and wake up there too. We just can't.”

His gaze sobered. “Lisette . . . I don't do casual very well. I go all-in. I do relationships, or it's not worth my time and energy.”

You have no idea how I feel about you. How much I want this too.
“Same here,” she managed. Her voice felt small in her throat.

“On everything? Everything I just said?” His lips grazed hers with such aching sweetness, a little wave of adoration squeezed her heart. Good Lord, the man was like a heady, universe-expanding drug, and she was already helplessly addicted. “Tell me exactly what you want, Lisette. Please.”

“I want what you want,” she whispered. “Yes, everything you just said. I've never done casual in my life; I don't know how. And I certainly wouldn't jeopardize everything I have here for a meaningless fling. I've thought about it a lot . . . and what I keep coming back to is, I want to really be with you too.”

His smile showered light on her. “Then that's what we'll do.” He kissed her soundly, passionately. “I haven't had a girlfriend in a looong time. This'll be fun.”

“We have to take it slow, Charles,” she said, even as her heart fluttered in her chest. “Have to be careful. Hide it for now. I don't want to confuse or upset the kids.”

“Agreed, absolutely. As long as you understand I don't think of you as some dirty secret.” He rose up on his elbows so he could better hold her gaze. “I'd take you out, show you off to the world. I don't want to have to hide. But yes, because of the kids, we have to be careful at first.”

She had to look away; did he know she was already in love with him? He was so smart, so intuitive, she couldn't imagine it wasn't all over her face. “It's scary, how good this feels. Is this too much too soon?”

He snorted out a laugh. “Maybe. Probably. But it's exactly what I want.” He kissed her forehead. “
You're
exactly what I want.” He kissed the tip of her nose, then her lips, then finally withdrew from her and rolled onto his side, pulling her with him. She curled into his side, savoring the warmth and feel of his strong body. A light sheen of sweat still coated their skin, and she traced her fingers along his chest, tantalized.

He tipped her chin up with a fingertip and pressed his mouth to hers. His kiss was tender, but compelling and softly possessive, as was his gaze. “Make no mistake, sweetheart. You're mine now.” He kissed her again, soft, sweet, and lingering. “And I'm yours.”

Her head swam, and her heart expanded with light and wonder. All the affection and connection she felt with him tonight was tangible. The way he looked at her . . . the tenderness in his caresses . . . what was flowing between them now as they held each other felt true and pure and real.

An hour later, as she tiptoed back to her room, she felt as if she were floating. She slipped into her bed, content and exhausted, a besotted smile on her face. The whole night with Charles had been like a dream. Her eyes closed, and she could see him, recall how he looked as he hovered above her, how his hot, labored breathing felt against her skin, how his hard shaft had filled and stretched her, felt like he was made to fit perfectly inside her . . . then how they'd lain together, kissing and caressing as they talked for more than an hour. When his eyes had grown heavy, she had kissed him good night, slipped out of bed, and gotten dressed. In the two minutes it took her to dress, he had fallen asleep. She stared down at him, all mussed up in his tangled sheets, handsome and appealing as could be. All night, he had been nothing less than perfect.

Now, as she lay alone in her own bed, her body was exhausted, but her mind wouldn't stop. God, she hoped they could somehow make it work. He seemed so sure that they could. But she knew the obstacles facing them hadn't simply disappeared while they were in each other's arms. There would be trouble ahead; she wasn't naïve. But if they were in it together . . . maybe they actually had a chance. She was already in so deep; she would fight like hell to keep it. To keep
him
.

For the moment, she allowed herself to bask in the glow of happiness, post-sex satisfaction, and hope. No matter what happened now, she'd always have the memory of this perfect night. Nothing and no one could take that from her. She just had to believe, like Charles did.

And think of some backup plans for herself, like her nomadic parents had always taught her to do.

Chapter Nineteen

“Happy Thanksgiving!” Tess greeted Charles with open arms, hugging him before leaning down to hug the children. “Oh, all three of you look great. I'm so glad none of you are sick anymore!”

“So am I,” Lisette murmured.

Charles glanced at her and grinned. “I bet you are.” He said to Tess, “She was amazing, taking care of them all week. She deserves a Medal of Honor.”

“I'm sure,” Tess said. “I'm glad you could join us today, Lisette. No one should be alone on a holiday.”

“Thank you all for having me,” she said. “But I'm on duty today so Charles can relax and enjoy.”

He turned to her with a frown. “Nonsense. You're a guest here.”

She looked back at him, her expression giving nothing away.

“Why don't I bring the kids inside so you two can talk,” Tess said. Charles met her eyes and gave the faintest nod, grateful for her intuition.

“Is Uncle Pierce here?” Thomas asked her hopefully.

“No, honey,” Tess said, taking Myles by the hand. “He and Abby are with her family today. But Uncle Dane and Aunt Julia are here. And there are already really yummy appetizers out; you'll like them. Come on.” She ushered the three kids down the long, wide hall of the original Harrison mansion. “We're all in the back den,” she said over her shoulder.

“We'll be right there,” Charles said, then turned to Lisette, jaw set. He lowered his voice. “When I invited you to come with us for Thanksgiving, it wasn't just so you could watch the kids.”

“Initially it was,” she pointed out, equally quiet so no one could hear.

“Well, that was more than a month ago. That was before . . . You're not on the clock today. You're here
with
me.”

“I appreciate that,” she replied. “I really do. But Charles . . . how will it look if I don't act like I always do?” She stepped closer and whispered, “I have a role to play here. Every holiday, you've invited me along graciously, and I've watched the children so you were free to mingle. That's how it's always been. I can't go in there and suddenly start acting like anything other than the nanny. Don't you realize that?”

He held her eyes as her words sank in. She was right, of course.
Shit
. “Okay, I know you're right. But I want you to enjoy yourself.”

“I will,” she said. Her dark eyes took on a playful sparkle. “I get to look at you all day, and you look very handsome. We're here together. I'm more than fine.”

He gazed down at her, this dark, sweet beauty who'd stolen his heart. The sides of her hair were pulled up, but the rest flowed freely down her back. Her outfit, a simple chocolate-brown dress and matching knee-high leather boots, was lovely on her. She was so damn pretty. He looked at her and smiled. Yes, they had roles to play today. But having her there . . . it felt good. And it felt right. “I wish I could kiss you right now,” he whispered.

“Hopefully later,” she whispered back.

“Definitely.”

She smiled as a hint of color bloomed on her cheeks. Dusting something off his shoulder that likely wasn't there, she straightened his navy blazer and whispered, “Maybe we could do a lot more than kissing?”

“Oh, God.” A rush of heat flushed his face and zipped through his veins, pure scorching lust. “Don't make me hard now; I won't be able to walk in there. And there's got to be fifty people here. Dad doesn't do anything small.”

She stepped back from him with a smirk. “Then I'll be very glad to stay on the sidelines with the kids. I don't like crowds.”

“I've noticed.”

“I also . . .” Apparently thinking better of what she was going to say, she shook her head and took a step forward. “Forget it. Let's go.”

“No. Tell me.” He blocked her way and stared down at her. “Please.”

She huffed out a breath. “I don't like being around your father. He's . . . not a nice person.”

“Unfortunately, I know that very well.” Something in Charles simmered . . . anger, disdain, and protectiveness. “Wait. Has he ever done anything to you that—”

“No, no! Not at all. He likes to put the hired help in their place; that's all. He looks at me like I'm . . . Well,
he's
aware of the class differences, even if you aren't. Let's leave it at that.” She shrugged. “I just stay out of his way. Everything's fine. I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry.”

“Don't be. I'm glad you told me how you feel.” Charles sighed, and something gnawed at him. She was right to stay out of his father's way. His father could be ruthless, and Charles knew it better than anyone.

God only knew what the patriarch would do if he found out Charles and Lisette were together now. The old man had nearly managed to wedge Pierce and Abby apart with one attack, and they'd been on more solid ground at that stage than Charles and Lisette were now. Sudden concern laced with anxiety flooded him, and he gripped her elbow. “Listen to me. If he ever,
ever
does anything to upset you, you have to tell me. Right away. I'm serious. All right?”

She frowned at him in consternation, but murmured, “All right.”

“I mean it. Promise me.”

“Of course. I promise.”

With a firm nod, Charles placed his hand at the small of her back. “Let's go.”

* * *

Later that night, Lisette lay back on her bed and closed her eyes. The kids were on the phone, talking to their mother for the first time in a while. Lisette would put them to bed as soon as they were done. It wasn't as if they had school the next day anyway . . .

There was a soft knock on her half-open door. Lisette opened her eyes to see Charles standing there. Fresh from a shower, his dark hair was still damp, his glasses had replaced his contacts, and he wore simple navy pajamas. He looked adorable, and she smiled as she yawned. “Hi.”

“Were you sleeping?” he asked. “Kids are ready for bedtime. Myles said he came in to get you and you were asleep, so he came to get me to tuck him in.”

With great effort, Lisette sat up. She felt a little woozy. “I'm just exhausted. I'll go and—”

“Are you all right?” Charles peered harder at her.

“I've been really tired for days,” she said as she stood. “I think I'm just rundown from this past week, maybe even got a touch of what the kids all had.”

He nodded. “Makes sense. You had a long, rough week with them. It's no wonder you're still tired. I can put the kids to bed just fine, you know.”

“No, I'll do it.” She swept her hair back over her shoulders.

“We'll do it together.” He raised his hand to caress her cheek. “This weekend, you can catch up on some sleep. You need to take care of yourself, too.”

“I'm fine,” she assured him. “But yes, some extra sleep this weekend would be great.” She squeezed his free hand, then brushed past him to move into the hallway.

He followed her until they reached the kids' rooms. “I'll take Thomas first.”

“I've got Myles,” she said.

“Um, Lisette?” He moved closer to whisper in her ear. “After the kids are all asleep, can I interest you in a glass of wine?”

“Only if you take me to bed right after it,” she whispered back.

His eyes lit with seductive pleasure. “That was the plan.”

* * *

Forty-five minutes later, Charles and Lisette sat in the den enjoying a glass of Cabernet and each other's company.

“It was a nice Thanksgiving,” Lisette said from her end of the couch.

“It was,” Charles agreed. “I was glad you were there.”

“That's sweet.” She took a sip of her wine. “I got to talk a little with Tess and Julia. They're both lovely. I'm finally getting more comfortable around them.”

“Really?” He cocked his head, studying her. “I never realized you were
un
comfortable around them.”

“A little bit. Um, in case you never noticed, sometimes I'm painfully shy,” Lisette said with a wry grin.

“I noticed,” he said, chuckling.

She smiled and took another sip from her glass.

His eyes glided over her, taking her in. Her hair was down and loose, her body clad in a black top and leggings, her legs tucked beneath her. She was adorable and sensual at the same time. Best of all, she seemed at ease, relaxed, and her eyes . . . they were sparkling. She was happy to be there with him. No power play at work here. She wasn't there because she felt coerced; she liked him.

He held out his hand. “You're too far away. Come closer.”

She couldn't hold back the smile that spread as she scooted over to him. He slid his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his side. “That's better,” he murmured. He lowered his lips to hers, sipping from them languidly. “Mmmm . . . I wanted to do this all day,” he whispered between kisses.

“Me too,” she said. “But I should put this glass down before I spill wine everywhere.”

“I have a better idea,” he said. “Why don't we take this up to my room? I like to be able to lock the door when I have you in my arms. Shut out the whole damn world.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

He kissed her, lingering on her lips. “It will be. I promise.”

* * *

Charles locked the bedroom door behind them, took her wineglass from her hand and set it down, then pulled her into his embrace and kissed her. “I might have lied,” he said, kissing her again as his hands ran down her back. “I might not let you drink that wine right away.”

“Oh, really . . .” Her head fell back as he trailed his open mouth against her skin, hot and demanding. “I might not be too upset about that . . .”

“I knew you were a reasonable woman.” He fisted his hand in her hair and took her mouth with his, crushing her against him.

They quickly undressed each other between kisses as they made their way to the bed in a flurry of mouths and hands and gasps and sighs. There were no words; their kisses became frantic and consuming, their hands greedy as they roamed over each other's bodies. When she reached down in between them to grasp his cock, it was already rock hard. A rough groan escaped him at her touch.

“I love how you feel,” she whispered as she stroked him.

“Holy hell, that's so good,” he breathed, his hips rocking with the rhythm her hand set. He kissed her deeply, his tongue plundering as his hands lifted to squeeze her breasts. She gasped into his mouth, but kept stroking him, driving him insane with need as the incredible sensations shimmered through him. They kissed wildly, her pace increased, and he almost lost control right then.

“Stop, wait,” he gasped. “I want to be inside you when I come.”

Without a word, she pushed him onto his back and straddled him. He looked up at her, delightfully surprised by her aggressive move, then watched as she positioned herself and slid down slowly onto his cock. She was already slick and ready for him, her wet heat taking him in deep. A long, low groan rumbled out of him as his fingers dug into her hips; she set her hands on his chest, and she began to ride him.

Watching her move, her eyes closed and lips parted, her cheeks rosy and her hair falling around her face, her breasts softly bouncing as she rocked on top of him . . . she was mesmerizing. He thrust up into her, guiding her as she moved, pushing deeper inside her.

“You are so beautiful,” he rasped. “So damn beautiful.”

She smiled down at him and rolled her hips, grinding into him hard. They both moaned from the intense pleasure of it. Her head fell back as she found her rhythm, grinding into him and moaning as she rocked.

“Christ,” he whispered. “That's so good. Too good . . . ah hell . . .”

He moved a hand over to find her clit and rub it with his thumb. She cried out and bucked; her passionate response made him almost come right then. He kept moving his thumb in circles, pressing into her, her soft moans now wild cries. They moved faster, grinding, rocking, until she called out his name and the orgasm hit her hard, making her shudder and moan as her hands gripped his torso. He thrust twice more and followed her over the edge with a long groan, burying himself as deep inside her as he could as he took his release. They rode out the waves together before she collapsed on him in a quivering heap.

The only sound was their hard, labored breathing. His hands ran down the long curtain of her hair, smoothing it back from her face as she panted on his chest, spent.

He brought her face to his to cover it in tiny kisses before sealing his mouth to hers. They kissed until their racing hearts slowed, until their breath came easily again.

“I could get used to this,” he said.

She snuggled into his side. “You think so, huh?”

“I know so.” His arms banded around her, holding her close. “How about you? Think you could get used to this?”

“All too easily,” she admitted. “It just . . . still doesn't seem real.”

“It's real,” he whispered, and kissed her soundly.