Lil opened one of the French style doors and gasped with pleasure. The penthouse was just high enough to give a clear view of not only the river, but a good portion of Boston. “It’s beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it. That will make this easier.”
The hair on the back of her neck went up.
“Make what easier?”
Jake turned, his hands casually pocketed. “You can’t go back to your place.”
“No…” She looked around in stunned refusal.
“Yes.”
“You can’t–”
He motioned to the room around them with one hand. “It’s already done. As you saw, you’ll find that whatever you need for Colby is already here. Your personal things are being shipped over or stored as we speak.”
“I already told Dominic that I wouldn’t take his charity. I don’t want this place.”
“That was before your interview.”
“I fixed that. The interview won’t air.”
“Lil, it’s not that simple. Even without airing, your interview has caught the public’s attention. And that means paparazzi…”
“Why would people care about me? I’m not marrying a billionaire.”
“No, but your sister is and that is a fact that, no matter how much you’d like to pretend it doesn’t matter, does.”
“I won’t stay here.”
“You don’t have a choice.” His expression hardened.
Her mouth went dry. “What does that mean?” Was he threatening her? Jake was smooth, but he was no one’s lapdog. Although he deferred to Dominic, she didn’t doubt that he was a force to be reckoned with on his own.
He approached her and spoke in a tone she was sure he used during his business negotiations. “It means it’s the only course of action that makes sense and you’ll see that once you calm down.”
Of course he wasn’t threatening her–he’d have to muster up enough emotion to do that.
Lashing out, she said, “Really? Once I calm down? Forgive me for having an emotional response to manipulation. Sorry that unlike you I don’t blindly follow Dominic’s orders. We’re not all his puppets.”
Lil felt a slight triumph as her barb brought a flush to his cheeks. Still, his voice remained maddeningly even and rational. “Luckily, your opinion of me has nothing to do with the outcome of this situation. You’ll stay here, not because Dominic told you to and not because I told you to; you’ll stay because you and your daughter are no longer safe at your old house. If what you said earlier is true and you do base all of your decisions on her welfare, then you’ll accept this as necessary.”
How easily he threw her words back at her.
Lil hugged Colby closer. Stuff like this didn’t really happen, did it? “There has to be another way. What if I said yes to temporary security?”
He shook his head calmly. “You’ll have security here.”
“You can’t do this,” she said desperately.
“It’s done,” he replied with a finality she couldn’t accept.
“I can’t believe Abby went along with this! How could she think she could just spring this on me and I’d be okay with it?”
He shrugged. “She may not know I’m here.”
“So, this isn’t even her idea? It’s her crazy lover’s? But why send you? Anyone could have broken the bad news to me.” The answer came to her with sickening clarity. “Oh, wait, you’re the fixer, right? That’s what Abby told me. Dominic breaks all the rules and then sends you in to smooth it over. I’m just a problem he sent you to fix.” She hated that her accusation ended with what sounded suspiciously like a sob.
Jake approached, his expression softening with concern. “Lil…”
She put a hand up to stop him. Oh, no, pity would only make this worse. “No, don’t say anything else. I get it. Excuse me.”
Dominic had sent his right-hand man. I must be a bigger screw up than I know. Lil picked up the diaper bag and headed back toward the bedroom. She needed a moment to collect her thoughts, to take all of this in. She sat on the edge of the bed and absently offered Colby one of her snacks and a bottle of formula.
After satisfying her immediate needs, Colby fell asleep in Lil’s lap. Lil crossed the room and tucked her into the white crib. It was obviously an expensive one and whoever had set up the room had taken the time to add a mobile that matched the one hanging above her crib in Lil’s home. Abby knew about this penthouse. She might not know about today’s bait and switch, but she’d definitely played a part in decorating these rooms. Her soft, maternal touch was evident in all of them.
Some of Lil’s anger dissipated. She couldn’t really blame them for thinking she needed to be protected–contained.
She looked down at her daughter and thought, So much has changed, and nothing has really changed at all.
But it will, Colby.
It will.
Jake was seated on the flower print couch when Lil returned to the living room. He stood as soon as he saw her.
Neither said anything at first.
Lil broke the awkward silence. “Do you really think we’re in danger?”
Jake loosened his tie as if he suddenly found it a bit constricting. “Dominic has as many enemies as he has allies and it only takes one.”
Lil spoke, scanning the main area of the penthouse. “How long will it take for this to pass over? Surely people will forget about me when the next story catches their attention.”
“There is no going back. The sooner you accept that your life has changed, the easier it will be on you and Colby.” The even tone of Jake’s voice grated.
Some of Lil’s anger returned. “How can you say it like that? I didn’t choose this. I don’t want this.”
He stood and approached her calmly. “What do you want me to say, Lil?”
She flung angry words at him. “I want you to look like you care that this is ruining everything for me. How am I going to take my final exam tomorrow? I can’t even get out of my driveway…oh, wait, I don’t have a driveway anymore. Just this…this…” She waved her hand around referencing the penthouse.
He stood above her, sending her hormones into overdrive. Her body wasn’t concerned with why they were there, it tensed and tingled. His eyes dilated and his breathing changed to match her own. Without touching, they synchronized on a level that was foreign to both of them. In that moment, there was no yesterday, no tomorrow–just two people fighting off an attraction that defied what either of them thought they wanted.
He groaned and slid a hand beneath her hair, cupping her head, and pulling her to him. He kissed her with an unexpected flood of passion; a passion her body leapt to match.
It was not the timid kiss of one who was testing a new flavor, but rather the bold claiming of a man who had tasted and returned with a hunger. Lil closed her eyes and lost herself in a wave of pleasure. His other hand slid across her backside, lifting her against him. Her skirt bunched beneath the strong hand that held her, kneading her ass through the cotton material.
He pulled back slightly. “We can’t do this,” he said, his hot breath warming her lips.
She looked up at him, desire impairing her ability to provide a witty comeback. Her body was sending wild sensations from every area their bodies touched. She wanted, needed, to feel more of him.
“I meant what I said about anything between us being a bad idea,” he said huskily.
His words doused the heat within her. She tore herself out of his embrace and adjusted her skirt. “Then you seriously have to stop kissing me,” she said angrily.
He ran a frustrated hand through his hair, mussing it the way she would have gladly done had he not been such a jackass.
He said, “Obviously, there is a certain amount of attraction between the two of us.”
“But you think Dominic won’t approve?” she goaded. She wanted to hurt him as he was hurting her.
“I don’t care what Dominic thinks, but one of us has to stay focused on–??
? He stopped himself.
“On?” She put a hand on her hip and waited.
“Business. Just business. Listen–” he started.
She cut him off. “No, you listen. Why are you messing around with my head today? This whole forced move has done enough of that, thank you. I’ve got an exam tomorrow morning that I’m probably going to fail because I should have been studying today, but I already blew that. If I can figure out how to get my hands on my books, I might be able to use this time while Colby is napping–not that I’ll be able to concentrate after this.” When he looked like he was about to say something Lil held up a hand and said, “Please don’t explain again why we can’t be together. I’ve heard just about enough of that. Just leave.”
Jake paced restlessly before her and ran his hand through his hair again. “You’re hurt.”
Lil snorted. “You’re delusional. Sure, you’re sexy and rich and women probably fall at your feet all the time, but to hurt me, I would have to care about you, which I don’t. Whatever attraction you feel–ignore it. That’s what I’m doing.”
He looked a bit bemused.
She stopped and shook her head. “You stopped listening at sexy, didn’t you?”
A slight flush spread across his cheeks. “I’ve tried to ignore it,” he said softly.
She folded her arms protectively across her chest.
He moved closer and ran his hands from her tense shoulders, down her arms and pulled her gently toward him. “You’re not my type,” he said almost to himself.
She stubbornly kept her arms folded, even as his hands slid lower and encircled her waist.
“You’re definitely not mine, either,” she replied. “You’re way too uptight.”
He eased her against him again and said, “You’re far too unpredictable.”
Her body tightened and quivered. She met his eyes boldly. “You never listen.”
A half smile curled the corner of his mouth, “You never shut up.”
Time stood still and the air around them sizzled. She bit her bottom lip as the tension mounted and she gave in the temptation to feel him against her. Sliding her arms up and around his neck, she fit perfectly against him and his mounting excitement. “So, we agree.”
With one strong move, he lifted her at her waist, rubbing her deliciously against him. “Yes.” He swung her higher, forcing her to wrap her legs around him to steady herself. With one step, she was partially seated on the table behind the couch. He tossed a decorative bowl onto the cushions below and rested her more fully there, exploring her mouth with his while his hands slid beneath her skirt and followed her long legs down to remove her shoes with a flip.
Strong hands ran up and down the length of her legs as if he could not get enough of her, as if he were memorizing every curve and corner of her. His kisses moved from her mouth to her neck. Exploring. Tasting. His hot breath licking at her. She steadied herself with her hands on his shoulders.
He spread her legs further apart and slid a finger beneath the silk of her panties and between her eager folds. With painstaking thoroughness, he explored and caressed. When he found the spot that made her shudder against him, he lavished it with attention. Each stroke increased the building heat within her. She wanted to feel him inside her, claiming her.
She squirmed against his hand, leaning back as her excitement replaced coherent thought. He filled her center first with one finger and then as she welcomed that with a moan, he inserted another and moved back and forth within her. Lil cried out as the pleasure became more than she could contain.
She nearly wept in protest when his kisses and his hands stopped simultaneously.
He eased her further back and slid her panties out from beneath her. With another deft move, her skirt was bunched around her waist, her bare ass exposed to the cold of the table and her warm center once again opened to his attentive fingers.
In her growing desperation to feel him, she pulled his shirt out from his pants and slid her hands up his rock-hard abdomen, enjoying the feel of his muscles clenching beneath her touch. One of his hands held her head firmly in place while his lips plundered, his tongue circling and teasing hers, while his other hand tickled her outer folds until she was spreading her legs wider for him, begging him to once again use his thumb and magical fingers on her. He did and she was soon jutting against his hand, writhing in pleasure.
She slumped a bit when he removed both hands for a moment and almost came when he tore the front of her shirt open with one powerful move. He pushed one cup of her bra aside and licked her puckered nipple, lapping and nipping at it softly until Lil was moaning and yanking off what was left of her shirt, tossing her bra onto the floor silently begging him to give her other breast equal attention.
Which he did.
She leaned back onto her hands while he continued to worship her with his lips, his tongue, and those wildly knowledgeable fingers. He pushed her gently back until she was fully reclined against the back cushion of the couch and stood above her for a moment.
Then he bent to taste her and she closed her eyes and rode the explosion of heat that rushed through her body. He licked the exposed area of her stomach, the sensitive flesh of her inner thighs and then his tongue followed the path his fingers had. She dug her hands into the fabric on either side of her head, unsure if she could stop herself from begging him to enter her.
She heard the crisp sound of his zipper opening quickly followed by the tear of a condom package and her excitement heightened tenfold.
Take me, she thought feverishly. Take me now.
He wrapped an arm beneath her waist and hauled her up until she was eye to eye with him, the material of his unremoved pants rubbing against the inside of her thighs. Her hands gripped his shoulders through his jacket and she closed her eyes in anticipation.
“Look at me,” he growled.
And she did. She looked into those hot, golden eyes as she felt his tip tease her wetness. A gasp escaped her when he filled her with one powerful move. Her body naturally clenched around him and they began to move in union. He gripped her hips and positioned her so he could go deeper.
Never breaking rhythm, he explored her from within, adjusting and seeking until each stroke sent a shudder of pleasure through her. She gripped at the smooth material of his shirt, pulling him back down to take her breasts into his mouth once again.
His mouth returned to hers and their climaxes were shared, all consuming, and left them both shuddering against each other.
He stepped back and offered her his hand in a gentlemanly move that seemed ridiculously out of place in the scene. She took it only because she suddenly felt over-exposed lying there, quickly breaking contact to reach down for her shirt. When she looked up from securing it the best she could around her and adjusting her skirt, he was already perfectly put together again. If she could ignore the residual throbbing of pleasure between her legs or the places her body was still warm from his touch, it would have be easy to believe she had imagined the entire interlude. Unfortunately, the panties and bra that taunted her from behind him were indeed hers.
“Lil, I–”
She brushed past him and hastily bent to snatch the offending articles of clothing off the floor and stuff them behind the cushion of the couch. What could he say? Nothing she wanted to hear. “Don’t say anything.” She held the front of her shirt closed with one hand and pointed to the door with her other. “Just go.”
Looking much more miserable than any man should after sharing what Lil considered the best sex in her limited experience, he said, “This was…”
“A mistake,” Lil ended his sentence for him. “You don’t have to say it. You don’t have to try to sugar coat this with sweet words. I’m not naive. I know it doesn’t mean anything.”
“Don’t…”
“Don’t what? Don’t say the truth? Don’t acknowledge what we’re both thinking? Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t want to run out that door and forget this ever happened.”
br /> He couldn’t.
“Go, Jake. Go back to New York. I’ll be fine. This was a mistake that we’d be better off pretending didn’t happen.”
He walked to the door and shook his head. “I don’t make mistakes like this.”
“Well, welcome to the human race,” Lil said and slammed the door.
Chapter Six
Jake rode down in the elevator, chastising himself as he went. He was not an impulsive man. Life was a game best played like chess–each move only undertaken after all the possible outcomes had been considered.
Something inexplicable happened to that belief when he came within a certain proximity to one outspoken, fiery brunette. Half the time he wasn’t sure if he was insulted, irritated, turned-on or some bizarre combination of all three.
Now he was in the unique position of being thoroughly confused.
It wasn’t until he stepped onto the curb that he remembered he had driven Lil’s car. Instinctively, he dialed the number of someone who was technically Dominic’s personal assistant, but had become so much more than that to both of them over the years. He had yet to find a crisis Mrs. Duhamel didn’t take in stride.
“Marie, I’m at Lil Dartley’s place. I need a…”
The older woman interrupted his request. “She moved in?”
“Yes, she and Colby are settling in, but since we drove her car here this morning…”
“How did she take it? Was she upset?”
“She was…” Fantastic! That’s the problem.
Oh, hell, what was he supposed to say to the woman who was closer to being a mother figure to him than his own mother ever had been? “She was angry at first. Then…” He didn’t mean for it to happen, but his frustration spilled forth. “It’s ridiculous for me to even be here. This isn’t my problem; it’s Dominic’s. His family, his issue. Have my helicopter readied and at my Cambridge office building. I’ll be flying back in about an hour. I’ll also need a car to pick me up. I left mine at Lil’s house.”