eyes widened, her lips parted and her breasts lifted as she sucked in air. He drew her into his arms, his forehead resting on hers. He heard her bag hit the floor and felt one arm encircle his waist. The other hit his chest between them.
It felt good, so good. But not enough. He ached for something unattainable, something that didn’t exist. He’d have to settle for whatever she was prepared to give. For being close and building up memories that wouldn’t turn sour in acrimony.
She leant into him, and had to be aware of his harsh breathing, how hard his heart was thumping. How aroused he was.
He bent his head. She lifted hers to meet him. He kissed her gently, using every ounce of restraint he could muster, shuddered as her fingertips pushed up his chest to trace a fiery path over his already heated skin. Her unique aroma stirred him with every breath.
He teased her lips into opening, and tasted sweet coffee, mellow wine and Lauren. Encouraged by her muted sighs, he strengthened his hold, stroking and caressing, binding her to him. Only when his lungs screamed for air did he break the kiss, trailing his lips across her neck.
Her eyes moved under closed lids. Her trembling vibrated through him, or were his tremors affecting her? He willed her to look at him and his heart slammed into his ribcage when she did. Gold specks glittering, her hazel eyes smouldered with desire. She wanted him. Primal macho pride surged through him.
But before he allowed himself to accept what her eyes were offering, that same pride decreed he be totally honest, even if it meant she didn’t stay. He pressed her head to his shoulder, not wanting to see her expression change, fighting for a softer way to tell her.
There wasn’t one. He watched his breath stir her hair as he forced out the words.
‘One thing life’s taught me is there’s no rose-covered cottage with two dogs and a cat and a happy-ever-after waiting for you to find it. Flowers don’t last and having a one true love is as rare as a priceless diamond.’
She made a strangled gasp into his shirt. He cupped her chin, raising her head until their eyes met, and felt a strong urge to take it all back just to see the pain vanish. He couldn’t. He wouldn’t deceive her.
‘I want you, Lauren. I want to make love to you so badly it’s driving me crazy. But I won’t lie. I don’t believe in soulmates and endless romance, I’ve seen too much anguish caused when others have. However, I do believe in and expect complete fidelity.’
Lauren’s heart twisted. Someone had hurt him, broken him, making him doubt every other woman he met. She fought for composure. If she gave in to desire, she’d be the one counting the cost.
Her heart didn’t care, deeming every moment spent with him worth any pain. There was no yesterday, no tomorrow, only now. There was only Matt Dalton, his skin hot under her hand, his body trembling in sync with hers and his heartbeat pounding against her breast.
She inhaled, drew in ocean spray and aroused male. Wanted, ached for more. All-consuming heat coils spiralled from her core. Her fingers itched to unbutton his shirt and caress the muscles it defined.
‘Matt?’ A dry whisper, pathetically weak for the powerful emotions controlling her.
Passionate blue eyes darkened, his nostrils flared, his lips parted. Something akin to euphoria swept through her. He was no longer the aloof, self-contained executive of fourteen days ago. This was primal man. And tonight she would be his.
‘Lauren. I...’ Rough. Grating. Emotional.
She touched one finger to his mouth. ‘No promises. No tomorrow. Only us tonight.’
With a triumphant growl, he scooped her up, claiming a conqueror’s kiss as he strode towards his room. To that massive bed with its rumpled sheets and pillows sure to smell of ocean waves.
* * *
The sudden shudder from head to feet took Matt by surprise. His body resonated with the aftermath of the most intense, satisfying sex of his life. As if they’d been transported to a new dimension where only they existed. Lauren had been his, totally, utterly his from the moment he’d lain beside her, kissing and caressing her, moulding her body to his form.
Tightening his arms around her, he held on, riding out the incredible feeling, wishing he could see her beautiful face and her lovely expressive eyes. There was only the faintest light seeping round the edges of the window blinds, only enough to see shadowy outlines.
She was stroking his chest, threatening to reignite the fire that had consumed them both. His willingness to be engulfed by the flame warred with the suspicion that she didn’t realise the fervent effect her gentle action evoked.
He placed his hand over hers, sought and found her lips. Keeping the kiss soft and light, he tried to let her know how he felt, elated yet humble, primal yet emotionally moved.
Her soft sigh motivated action.
‘Don’t go away.’ He went to the ensuite, turned on the light, then left the door ajar, allowing subdued light to spill into the room. Bunching up the pillows, he slid into bed and nestled her tight against his side, her head on his shoulder. Her breath blew across his chest, tickling his skin in the nicest sensation imaginable. Her hand lay over his rapid-beating heart.
He’d never initiated after-sex talks, curtailed them as quickly as possible if his partner did. This new desire to learn all he could about Lauren was unnerving and compulsive, so not him. Confidences led to familiarity, which equated with vulnerability. And that he’d determined never to risk.
He stroked her hair for a moment, pressed a kiss on her forehead.
‘Why are you so wary of guys like me? Maybe not me so much any more, but it’s there. With Alan too.’
Lauren didn’t answer. Her body stiffened, she stared at his chest, and her fingers curled. Idiot, he’d pushed too soon. If he could see her face...hell, he knew what he’d see. Fear. Reluctance.
He’d had no choice but to tell her about his father, had given her no reason to believe she could confide in him.
‘There was a woman in London I’d known and dated for quite a while. I liked her a lot, though after I wondered if she’d shown her true self to me at all. We shared mutual interests and friends, got on well and I believed we could have a mutually advantageous marriage. It’s surprising how many people settle for that. Love wasn’t a factor at all.’
He had no idea why he’d confessed his humiliating experience unless it was to show her she could trust him, that she was different from other women he’d known. His calm, rational approach to the relationship with Christine was worlds away from the mind-blowing emotions Lauren aroused simply by being in the same room.
She stirred as if preparing to pull away. He held on, needing contact, and rushed the end of his embarrassing story.
‘Luckily for me I discovered she was also involved with a married man before I proposed. I ended the relationship immediately.’
She raised her head and he was stunned by the honest sympathy in her eyes, not a hint of disapproval for his cold approach to a lifetime commitment. He kissed her, holding back the passion that flared. Having her confide in him was paramount even if he wasn’t sure why at the moment.
‘We’ve
