Chemistry of Desire (10 page)

I
t seemed like a corny idea, to go riding around to look at Christmas lights, but it was the perfect opening Emily had been waiting for. She was a bit relieved to leave the house, truth be told. She felt just a little out of place among all the happy, gorgeous married people. Ayanna and Johnny, Billie and Johnny, Nick and Dakota, plus their gorgeous children; it was just a bit much for her. She didn’t have anything in her life to match their domestic bliss; all she had was an abnormal bunch of diplomas and awards and certifications, most of which weren’t even framed. In addition, she also felt the beginnings of a giant crisis of conscience.

These were truly decent people who’d managed to find love and were lucky enough to start beautiful families. And here she was, skulking around trying to start some mess. The twinkle of the beautiful Christmas lights down Lakeshore Drive felt like little pricks in her heart or something. Guilt began to nibble at her toes and work its way up her body. But Todd’s cell phone rang, and it wasn’t the same ringtone she remembered from yesterday. It was a musical version of the universally recognized tune from many, many porn movies, the “boom-chicka-wow-wow” sound. And he answered it quickly, instead of ignoring it.

The woman on the other end was speaking loud enough to wake the dead, so Emily could hear every word. She wanted Todd to come to her place for a late dinner or early breakfast or Roman orgy or something. Emily stared fixedly out the window and deliberately ignored the conversation. The guilt vanished, leaving steely resolve in its place. Any man who had a separate “hot hoochie” ringtone for his adoring fans and who juggled women with no shame was ripe to get taken down. She was actually grateful the call had come in. While she waited for him to get off the phone, she looked around the SUV.

The interior of Todd’s vehicle was like an intimate cocoon just for the two of them. His iPod provided low, sexy music, and the climate control
made it warm and comfortable. Outside, the sparkling lights really were enchanting to observe. Emily willed herself to be relaxed. Although she was pretty angry, she wasn’t practiced in deceit. She wanted to start a casual conversation that sounded genuine, but she didn’t trust herself to do it well. Todd, however, showed no reticence at all. As soon as the call was over, he opened right up.

“This was the best idea Jason’s ever had, other than marrying Billie. I’ve been thinking about you all day,” he said charmingly. “All night long I’ve been trying to think of a way to get you alone, and this was the perfect opportunity.” He reached over to take her hand, and she was so startled she had to fight the urge to jump.

“This is nice,” she agreed. “But why did you need to get me alone? That sounds kind of ominous.”

“On the contrary, I owe you an apology. Many, many apologies, as a matter of fact. And I’ve missed you, Emily. I had one of the best times of my life with you and I screwed it up with my big mouth.”

She stared at him, glad that the interior darkness made it impossible for him to see the look of disdain on her face. How the hell did men do that? Todd sounded so damned sincere, as if he meant every word he was saying. The guy was good,
she’d give him that. “So you missed me and you owe me an apology,” she murmured. “Is that your story?”

“That would be the condensed version of my story. The long version is that I’ve said things I didn’t mean and I handled things badly and I find you irresistible and I want to get to know you all over again.” He clasped her hand, giving it a firm, gentle pressure.

Emily hesitated only a second before putting her free hand on top of his and stroking it, using the sensitive tips of her fingers to trace gentle patterns on his warm skin.

“That sounds like an interesting basis for discussion, at the very least. When do you suggest we get started?” she asked in a voice that she hoped was just low and sexy enough to entice him without sounding ridiculous.

The sound of his voice when he replied “How about right now” let her know that she had succeeded.
So let the game begin.

“Todd, this place is gorgeous. Did you decorate this yourself?” Emily was looking around his spacious loft with great interest and admiration. After Todd made his “getting to know you better” play, it had taken them a surprisingly short time to get to his building. He put away their coats and turned on the music before going to the kitchen area to
pour something to drink while Emily explored the place. She was completely sincere in her compliment; the place was a triumph of modern design.

It had high ceilings, heated hardwood floors, exterior walls that were the original brick and oxidized copper tiles on the interior walls. Huge windows gave him a great view of the city, and there were even more features and amenities that she’d never seen before.

“I didn’t do anything but write checks,” Todd admitted. “My sister-in-law, Billie, did all of this. She used to be a model, but now she renovates houses. And I mean she does the contracting work, not just design. Look at these glass tiles in the kitchen. She put them up herself,” he said proudly.

Emily walked over to take a look. The kitchen was stupendous, and the green glass subway tiles were beautiful. There was a glass counter at the bar that was about an inch thick and travertine marble on the floor. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” Emily murmured. “I can tell you from experience that tile is pretty tricky to put up correctly, especially glass tile. I am really impressed. Can I see the rest of it?”

Todd took her hand and led her around through the rest of the place, consisting of a huge bedroom area, an office space and the bathroom, which looked like a photo in an upscale design magazine. The dwelling was open and airy, yet designed for
privacy with opaque glass pocket doors to separate the bed and bath from visitors. Todd seemed pleased with her enjoyment of his home as he led her back to the living room. He seated her on one of his long leather sofas and picked up a remote control.

“Okay, this is like one of my favorite parts of the place. Watch this,” he said. He pointed the remote at a slate table with a large aquarium on it. It was half-filled with glass pebbles and there was no water and no fish. Suddenly a fire began to flicker, to her surprise. He pointed it at a copper wall sculpture and water began trickling down.

“Now that’s just brilliant,” Emily said. “Billie can build a house for me any time.”

Todd was next to her on the sofa by then, using the handy remote to lower all the other lights in the room. “She’s a great contractor and designer and mom. She’s just a fantastic woman, period. She and Jason are so happy together it’s ridiculous. I’ve never known Jason to be so content in his whole life. My brother is an extremely fortunate man to be married to her.”

Emily didn’t doubt his sincerity, but his words annoyed her for some reason. How hypocritical of Todd to be praising his brother’s marriage when she knew what a whore he was. She sipped her drink moodily and was jarred back to the moment by his hand on hers. She turned to face him with a
carefully concealed smile. He was looking at her so intently that she had to break the silence. If he wanted to say something, she’d help him out. She found it difficult to look into his eyes, for some reason, so she fixed her gaze on his lower lip.

“This is really good, Todd. What is it?”

“Some organic nonalcoholic spumante I got. Passion fruit and raspberry.”

“Nonalcoholic? Really?”

“I can’t be drinking if I’m going to drive you home.” He ran a finger down the side of her cheek. “I couldn’t let anything happen to you.”

It would have been music to her ears if it had been anybody but Todd speaking the words. It was annoyingly sweet to hear him say them because they meant nothing but they sounded so true. She put her almost-empty glass on the console table behind the sofa and turned to face him. He kept talking to her in that damnably sexy voice.

“I told you that I owe you some major apologies. First of all, last night’s performance was just ridiculous. I had no business going off on you like that. It was pure jealousy, that’s what it was.”

Emily looked bemused. “Jealous of Jared? Seriously jealous, Todd? I find that hard to believe.”

He gave a harsh laugh. “Believe it, baby. I was ready to snap him in half like a twig. I’m not proud of it, but I own it,” he said candidly.

“That’s just one of my transgressions, as you
well know. Last night, I was very negligent in not telling you how gorgeous you are. I was so surprised when I saw you that my common sense took a vacation and instead of complimenting you, I acted like an idiot.” He shook his head and looked genuinely regretful. “You have to know that I truly thought you were perfect when we were together on Hilton Head. I really did. I meant everything I said to you. You were and are a beautiful, beautiful woman. It just never occurred to me that you could improve on perfection.” He put his hand into her soft hair and stroked it gently.

Staring at his mouth wasn’t a good idea after all. He had a slightly pouty lower lip that she knew for a fact could work magic, so she tried actually looking into his eyes. Mistake number two. His eyes were filled with what appeared to be honest admiration and real feeling. She’d never really appreciated his eyes, but they were one of his best features. They were large and expressive and fringed with long eyelashes that a lot of women would have killed for, or at the very least, they’d pay a lot of money to attain them. He sounded as if he meant every word he was saying and he looked both sexy and romantic, but she had to ignore that if she wanted to keep the upper hand. She pounced on the last thing he’d said, something about her improving on perfection.

“If that’s the case, why didn’t you say so? Why
did you act like I’d turned into a cheap hoochie?” she asked tartly.

“Because I’m not that bright,” he admitted. “I don’t blame you for not letting me off the hook. I deserve it. Go ahead and let me have it. Yell at me, talk about me and call me names, whatever you want to do. And when the dust settles, I’ll still be here because I really do want to make a new start with you.”

She had tried to look away again, but his eyes were so intense she couldn’t do it. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything, Emmie. Words aren’t the only way to show someone what’s on your mind. We already know I don’t do too well with words. I want to show you how I feel about you, because it’s very important to me that you know.”

“It is?”

“More important than anything,” he replied.

He moved closer to her, still playing with her hair. When he bent in for a kiss, Emily didn’t even think about stopping him. She just leaned in to meet him, and their mouths connected in the kind of kiss she remembered all too well. His lips and tongue played over hers, and she gave him back the same passion until they were both breathless. Emily’s arms went around his neck, and he pulled her gently into his lap as they continued kissing.
When they finally came up for air, Todd was the first to speak.

“That’s what I wanted to say, Emmie.”

Emily looked at him intently before lowering her eyelids slightly. “Are you sure? We were a big mistake, remember? Those were your words, not mine.”

“I told you I’m not that bright. Talking isn’t the best thing I do, apparently. I sure messed things up with you. I was trying to say one thing and it came out all wrong.” He tipped her face up with one long finger and kissed her again; outlining her lips with his tongue and tasting her as if she was a Godiva chocolate. “I hope you can believe me,” he added as he ran his hands up and down her arms. He fingered her soft violet sweater. “You look so pretty in this,” he added as he kissed her neck. “And you smell, um…delicious.”

Her hands stroked his chest, the sensitive tips of her long fingers tracing the solid muscles she remembered so well. She stroked the faint outline of the scar on his chest. Moving her hips slowly, she could feel the proof of his arousal against her body. She was as turned on as he was. Every time his lips touched her skin, she could feel the moist heat building in all her most sensitive parts. He murmured her name, and for a few seconds she forgot that she was on a mission. She just lost herself in his arms.

His fingers toyed with the small buttons down the front of her sweater, but he wasn’t too successful in undoing them. Emily braced her hands against his shoulders and leaned away from him until she was sitting up as he leaned back into the throw pillows on the back of the sofa, watching her. She moved her hips slowly and deliberately until he moaned her name again. While he devoured her with his eyes, she carefully undid each button until he could see her violet silk camisole, trimmed in black lace. When she was finished, she pulled the sweater open to expose her black lace-covered breasts. The thin barrier of silk was the only thing between the two of them.

His eyes glazed with desire, and he sat up and lowered his head to her cleavage as he slid the sweater off her body. She shivered as she felt his breath on her and he stopped, concerned.

“Are you cold?”

She shook her head. “Not at all,” she murmured, but she trembled again as he lowered the straps of the camisole and her bra.

“I think you are cold. Come with me. I’ll get you nice and warm.”

Before she could protest, he’d carried her into the bedroom and lowered her to his huge king-size bed. It was neatly made with cool, crisp linens and a thick comforter. On top of the comforter was a big throw that looked and felt like chinchilla. In
what seemed like seconds, she was on top of its furry warmth wearing nothing but her black lace panties and he was next to her wearing nothing at all. He was right; she was now bathed in the most wonderful heat she could imagine. There was another glass fireplace in the room, this one set into the wall. The room was bathed with its flickering light.

Todd lay next to her and kissed her, long and lingering. He looked gorgeous in the firelight, and she was about to tell him so when his hands covered her breasts and his thumbs stroked her nipples, which were already hard and ready for him. His mouth covered one breast and he devoured it, using his lips, his tongue and the slightest tease of his teeth to excite her. The feel of his hot, firm lips and his tongue brought her close to the edge of a climax. She had thought she remembered what his loving felt like, but this was even better than she recalled.