Bachelor Unforgiving (13 page)

“I'm curious why you feel that way.”

She shifted in her seat and watched his gaze move from her face to the glimpse of bare skin on her thighs, just like she had wanted it to do. When his gaze had slid back to her face, she said, “You make it clear how things stand between us every chance you get. I've decided I wouldn't want to get back with you even if the possibility was there.”

She forced back her smile from the glare that came into his eyes. “And why is that?”

“Because I could never love a man with such an unforgiving nature. A man who expects me to be perfect, thinks he makes no mistakes, when I know he's certainly made a few of his own.”

“You think I want a perfect woman?”

“Doesn't matter what I think. And to be honest I no longer care, Virgil.” She eased off the sofa. “Now if you don't mind, it's getting late and I plan to go to early-morning church service tomorrow.”

He eased up out of his chair, as well. “So you're in agreement that we should be lovers?”

“I'll think about it and let you know,” she said, heading for the door to let him out. She knew he thought he would be staying a little longer, but she would do things on her time and not his.

“When will you let me know?” he asked when he stood across from her in the foyer.

“Soon.”

“How soon, Kara?”

She thought he sounded pretty anxious. “Before the end of the week.”

He was silent for a minute before saying, “Then maybe I need to leave you with a little persuasion.”

“You can try.” She knew Virgil Bougard didn't like to be dared.

He reached out and placed his arms around her waist to bring her closer to the fit of him. “I presented you with my action plan, Kara. Now for a sample of that action.” And then he lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her with a desperation that made her toes curl and shot arrows of pleasure throughout her body.

When she parted her lips on a breathless sigh, he took advantage of the opportunity and swept his tongue inside her mouth in a smooth delicious stroke. She settled into his kiss, pressing the lower part of her body against him. And when he deepened the kiss, she could feel her heart stir in the pit of her stomach as their tongues tangled, mated voraciously, ravenously and urgently.

He was doing more than giving her a sample. Virgil was trying to erode her senses while kissing her with pure, unadulterated possession. Hadn't he said that any affair between them would be nothing more than sex? Then why was he kissing her as if he intended for her to be a keeper?

He finally broke off the kiss, and then as if he needed to catch his breath, he pressed his forehead against hers. That was good because she definitely needed to catch her breath. But then, before she realized what he was about to do, he eased back and reached out a hand to open the first few buttons of her dress, exposing her breasts. He stood quietly for a moment, not saying anything as his eyes simply feasted on her bare breasts. She felt her nipples harden even more before his gaze.

He reached out and cupped her breasts in his hands, running his fingers across the budded tips. When he lowered his head and sucked a nipple in his mouth, Kara's breathing escalated and she got weak in the knees. Reaching up she grabbed hold of his shoulders for support. And when he licked the nipple he was holding hostage, she forced back a moan.

To her detriment he didn't stop there. Reaching down he finished unbuttoning her dress all the way to the hem to find her naked. Without breaking from his torment of her breasts, he slid his hand between her legs.

* * *

Perfect
, Virgil thought, when Kara parted her legs for him. When it came to multitasking, he was a pro. With his mouth on her breasts and his hands stroking her between the legs, he was proving just how much of an expert he was. He'd always enjoyed this, priming her with foreplay before getting down to the real business of easing inside her. He would stroke her back and forth, over and over again, while enjoying the sounds of the moans she would make, the way her breathing escalated and her body trembled.

His mouth moved to her other breast, and without letting up, his fingers continued to stroke her below. He loved the sounds of her purrs. It had been a while since he'd heard them and hearing them now made him realize what he'd missed. To be honest, he had missed her. He would admit that. They had been good together and could be good together again. At least this way, which was the only way he wanted. Sex, sex and more sex.

When he heard her groan his name, he knew his fingers were about to push her over the edge and he wanted his tongue to join his fingers when she toppled. He quickly released her breast and dropped to his knees, widening her legs in the process. She screamed the moment his tongue replaced his fingers and he gripped tightly to her thighs while his mouth locked down on her. He greedily began lapping her.

“Virgil!”

And then it happened for her and nothing, not even the feel of her fingernails digging into his shoulders, could make him stop and pull back. He needed her taste like he needed to breathe. It was only when he felt the last spasm pass through her body that he slowly released her thighs and reluctantly pulled his mouth away. But not before getting in one final intense lick. And he couldn't pass up the chance to place several nips around her womanly folds.

Leaning back on his haunches he looked up at her. Holding her gaze, he licked his lips, wanting her to know just how much he'd enjoyed her taste. Her face glowed from the effects of her orgasms and he thought she looked utterly beautiful.

Virgil recalled a time when seeing such a look on her face would make him crazier in love with her, so crazy he couldn't think straight. He blinked and quickly pushed that particular memory from his mind.

Slowly easing up from the floor, he didn't say anything but proceeded to button up her dress, ignoring the way his fingers trembled while doing so. More than once he had to rework a button when it kept coming back open.

When he had refastened all ten buttons he met her gaze and said, “Let me know your decision soon, Kara,” in a voice that sounded husky to his own ears. “What we just shared was merely an appetizer. Let me know when you're ready for the full-course meal.”

And then, after giving her lips one final lick , he leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “Sleep well tonight.”

And then he opened the door and left.

Chapter 14

K
ara woke up the next morning and for the longest time she just lay there and stared up at the ceiling. Last night had been round one and of course Virgil hadn't played fair. In fact she was convinced he hadn't been playing at all. He was deadly serious in his conquest of her, and all in the name of sex. But then, it didn't take much to recall that's how things had been the last time. He'd started out wanting nothing more than sex from her, but in the end they had fallen in love.

A part of her wanted to believe, had to believe, that it could be that way for them again. Virgil might think he wanted just sex, but it was up to her to show him she wasn't a just-sex kind of woman. Never was and never would be. He had his guard up and would continue to keep it up, but a part of her felt she'd been able to jump the first hurdle.

That meant she had to be on top of her A game because he was definitely on top of his. Even now her body was still stirring in passionate bliss from last night. While standing in the middle of her foyer, he'd taken her breasts, drawing them into his mouth, tugging, laving and sucking on them, torturing them with his tongue. He had pleasured her and made her remember things she had tried to forget. And if that wasn't bad enough, he'd used his mouth between her legs and made her come not once but twice. The man's mouth was definitely a weapon of deadly seduction.

Knowing Virgil, he would expect her to call him today, but she had no plans to do so. Nor would she call him tomorrow or the day after that. He thought the ball was now in his court but he was wrong. She would keep it in hers even if it killed her. It was her intention to let him think about what he was proposing, because if he thought she wouldn't come up with a few plays of her own then he was in for quite a surprise.

* * *

“Pam, did you receive that call I'm expecting from Kara Goshay?” Virgil asked his administrative assistant.

“No, sir, not yet. Do you want me to give her a call?”

Although he was tempted to take that option, he said, “No. That's not necessary.” It had been three days and as far as he was concerned it was three days too long. He needed her to make a decision but, knowing Kara, she was probably trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. Personally, he didn't see the big deal, especially after what happened at her place Saturday night. She either was for them becoming lovers or not. He had a feeling she was stalling and that was unacceptable.

He glanced up when he heard the knock on his door. “Come in.”

He stood when his father walked into his office. “Dad? I thought you and Mom were leaving for Houston today.”

“We are but our flight doesn't leave until late this evening,” Matthew said, easing into the chair in front of Virgil's desk.

“Would you like a cup of coffee?”

Matthew waved off the offer. “No thanks. Your mom and I had breakfast with Anthony and Claire at the Racetrack Café.”

Anthony Lassiter, Uriel's father, was dating Claire Steele, aunt to Mayor Morgan Steele. A few years ago, Anthony's wife of over thirty years had asked for a divorce so she could date younger men. Virgil knew the divorce had left his godfather Anthony emotionally damaged. Virgil was glad he seemed happy now. Anthony and Claire had been seeing each other for about three years now and everyone was hoping for an announcement of something permanent. Evidently a second chance at love was possible for some people.

His father sat forward in the chair, a hand on Virgil's desk. “I understand Ellie is giving Uriel a birthday party next month at the lake and that Winston and Zion are coming home to attend. It will be nice to have all my godsons in one place again. Your mom and I were on that cruise when Winston and Ainsley came home in February.”

“Yes, it will be good for all of us to be together. Do you know if all the godfathers will be there, as well?”

“Yes, we all plan to be there.”

Virgil nodded. “Good. Then it will be like old times.”

When Matthew didn't say anything for a minute, Virgil had a feeling there was something on his father's mind, so he decided to ask. “Dad, is anything wrong?”

Matthew shook his head. “I wouldn't say anything is wrong, Virgil—it's just, your mom and I are concerned.”

He arched a brow. “About what?”

“You and Kara. In fact, we're more concerned about Kara than about you.”

“What do you mean?”

“What I mean, Virgil, is that when you told us last week that Kara would be the woman you would be seeing exclusively while she worked on improving your image, we had our concerns. And after this weekend, our concerns have increased.”

Virgil didn't understand. “What concerns?”

“You and Kara have history and I hope you're not using this as an opportunity to get back at her. To deliberately hurt her like she hurt you.”

He remembered Uriel had thought the same thing. “I wouldn't do anything like that,” he said, annoyed his parents would think that he would. “My seeing Kara has nothing to do with revenge. She was the most logical woman to make what needs to be done believable.”

“I agree, but we don't want you doing anything out of line with her.”

Virgil had to fight back the temptation to tell his father that whatever he did to Kara was none of his business. He wasn't a teenager who needed his parents meddling in his affairs. Out of respect, however, he decided to speak his next words carefully, but still make sure his father got the message to back off and let him handle the situation without any interference. When it came to business, because his father was the CEO of Bougard Enterprises, Virgil had no choice but to let him take charge, but when it came to his personal life, Virgil had no problem drawing the line.

“Dad, there's no reason for you and Mom to be concerned about anything that goes on between me and Kara. She knows where we stand and what will never be between us again. She apologized for believing the worst of me and I accepted her apology. We've moved on and we're only pretending interest in each other for Bougard Enterprises' sake.”

Matthew nodded. “Your mother and I know what the plan is, but we also saw how you were looking at Kara on Saturday.”

Virgil blew out a breath. There was no need to pretend ignorance because he was well aware he'd been caught checking out Kara a few times. “She's a good-looking woman.”

“We know that and your mom feels she will make some man a good wife. And since it won't be you, when this is over she intends to introduce Kara to Dr. Alvin Lynwood. Your mother just hopes that the time Kara is spending with you, trying to improve your image, doesn't tarnish her own.”

Virgil sat up in his chair. He'd never met Dr. Lynwood but knew he was the man who'd replaced his mother as president of the college when she'd retired. His mother liked the man a lot and had mentioned on more than one occasion what a great job she thought Dr. Lynwood was doing. But Virgil couldn't believe his mother would try setting Kara up with another man. And how could they think being with him could mess up Kara's image?

As if Matthew saw the questions in his eyes, he said, “Your mother sees nothing wrong with introducing Kara to Dr. Lynwood since you've made it known on several occasions there will never be anything between you and her again.”

“Yes, but that's not the point.”

Matthew frowned. “Then what is the point, Virgil? You've certainly moved on with other women and I'm sure Kara has dated other men since the two of you parted ways four years ago.”

“I'm sure none of those men were anyone my mother introduced her to,” Virgil said, trying to curtail his anger. “And why would Mom think the time Kara and I are spending together could have any bearing on her image?”

“Think about it, Virgil. I'm sure you've seen the article and photos in
Flo on the Ro
this morning. From the looks of it, Flo's posse was out in full force at the commencement ceremony on Saturday. The two of you are linked back together. That's good news for you, but what happens when, in a month or so, your image has improved and then it appears that you've broken things off with Kara?”

Before Virgil could respond, Matthew stood. “Well, I'd best be going now. Your mom gave me a list of errands to do before we can get to the airport later. We'll text you when we get to Houston to let you know our plane landed safely.”

Moments after his father left, Virgil was still sitting behind his desk. How could his mother think about hooking Kara up with Dr. Alvin Lynwood? Didn't the man just get a divorce from his wife sometime last year?

The buzzer on his desk went off. “Yes, Pam?”

“Kara Goshay is on line two.”

Virgil ignored the increased beating of his heart. “Thanks.”

He quickly went to his second line. “Kara?”

“Virgil. I was wondering if you'd like to join me for dinner.”

Right now he wasn't interested in dinner. He needed an answer to his proposal. “And what about what I suggested to you Saturday night?”

“I'll give you my answer at dinner.”

If he thought she was deliberately stalling before, he was even more convinced of it now. “Fine. Where do you want us to meet for dinner?”

“My place at seven. And bring a bottle of wine. Goodbye.”

And before he could say anything he heard the definite click in his ear.

* * *

Kara glanced down at herself one more time before heading for the door. Virgil had arrived. When she'd called him today, she had decided she'd made him wait long enough for her decision. The goal was to not appear too eager and she would certainly continue that trend tonight.

“Who is it?”

“Virgil.”

Dismissing how much she liked hearing the sound of his voice, she steeled herself and then opened the door. The man standing there holding a bottle of wine in his hand nearly took her breath away. How could any man look so insidiously handsome and utterly sexy?

“Kara.”

“Virgil.”

When she didn't move and just stood there and stared, he smiled and asked, “May I come in?”

Too late she'd realized what she'd been doing. “Yes, of course.” Standing aside as he entered, she caught the scent of his aftershave and immediately thought he smelled just as good as he looked.

“Here you are,” he said, handing the wine to her.

“Thanks.” She walked ahead and said over her shoulder, “I hope you're hungry. I prepared lasagna.” She knew how much he loved lasagna, especially hers.

“I can't wait.”

And before she knew what he intended to do, he reached out and pulled her to him. “Hey, not so fast,” he whispered against her lips. “What have you decided?”

She looked up at him, stared into the penetrating dark eyes. “I'll tell you over dinner.”

“I want to know now.”

She raised an arched brow. “What's the rush?”

That, Virgil thought, was a good question, and one for which he didn't have an answer. He had been anxiously awaiting her decision since Saturday and saw no reason for her to delay it any longer. Since she had asked him, he knew the response he could give her that would have credence. Pulling her closer to him, plastering himself against her, he said, “Feel me? Now ask me your question again.”

He figured the huge boner practically poking into her pretty much spelled things out for her. They were standing in her foyer again and he had no problem stripping her naked and taking her here and now. Although he liked the outfit she was wearing, a cute floral-print sundress, he'd rather see her wearing nothing at all.

She pushed back from him and smiled. “Okay, I feel you. Let's eat.” She walked off and he frowned as he followed her toward the kitchen.

“You know where the bathroom is to wash up,” she said, moving over to the stove after setting the wine on the table.

He glanced across the breakfast bar at her, trying not to recall that he'd taken her before right there. She was moving around her kitchen as if she'd completely dismissed him for the time being. Had she forgotten about the screams his fingers and mouth had elicited from her the last time he was here? If so, then maybe he needed to remind her.

Instead of moving in the direction of the bathroom, he moved around the breakfast bar and headed straight toward her. She looked up at him, surprised. “That was quick.”

He smiled. She thought he'd washed up already and was definitely wrong about that. Instead of saying anything, he took the spatula out of her hand and placed it on the kitchen counter.

“Virgil? What do you think you're doing?”

Instead of answering, he swept her off her feet and into his arms.

“Put me down!”

Refusing to do what she asked, he headed toward the living room. Once there he eased down on the sofa with her cradled in his arms. Tightening his hold he kept her firmly planted in his lap when she tried to wiggle out of it. “Stay still, will you?”

She glared over at him. “Why should I?”

“For this.”

And then he lowered his head and before she could draw her next breath he slanted his mouth across hers. At that moment he needed her taste more than he needed to breathe. As he intended, the kiss was quick, hot but thorough. It got her attention just as he'd meant for it to do.

And now that he had it... “So what's it going to be, Kara? Are you willing to accept my terms?”

She surprised him when she leaned up and licked across his lips causing his groin to tighten. She wrapped her arms around his neck and captured his gaze. “It depends.”

Her calm response had his gut tightening. “Depends on what?”

“On whether you accept
my
terms.”

A funny feeling settled in the pit of his stomach. “And what terms are those?”

She didn't say anything for the longest time and then she finally spoke. “It's a favor, actually. I mentioned to you last week that I would be replacing the carpeting in here with hardwood floors. They're ready to get started. That means I'll need a place to stay for at least a week or two while it's being done. So in other words, Virgil, I need to move in with you.”