Frost on My Window (17 page)

Sean continued, “I dreamed of that sound, Leah. Night after night, lying in my empty hotel bed after hanging up the phone, I wanted you so bad I couldn’t see straight.”

His lips closed on mine and I wrapped my arms around him. Sean’s teeth grazed my bottom lip gently before he laid claim to my body with his hands. There was no restraint in Sean’s kiss. I tasted in his kiss a hunger and longing that matched mine.

My nipples flattened against his chest, aching, boiling. I pulled my mouth from his and moaned low in my throat as his lips moved downward across my skin towards my breasts.

“Sean.” I could only gasp as I felt his fingers gently caressing the fold within my inner thighs. Every nerve in my body seemed to pulse in time with his fingers.

I twisted my fingers in Sean’s hair, pulled his head back and kissed him. I wanted to make him burn just like me, make him hunger for my body just like I wanted his. He covered my face in tiny kisses and soft bites. It took all I had to pull away and quickly step out of the Jacuzzi.

“What?” came Sean’s voice, and I bent to pick up the towel. “Why’d you leave me, Leah?” he asked as he moved to get out of the water.

The sound of my husky come-hither laughter echoed in the steam-filled room. I let my gaze drift over the sight of his body, making sure that the desire I felt showed in my eyes.

“I didn’t leave you, Scottish. Why don’t you come over here and let me dry you off?” I waved the towel in Sean’s direction.

“You’ve got a naughty look in your eyes,” he said, stepping out the Jacuzzi.

“Are you afraid?” I taunted, putting my hand to my waist.

“Do I need to be?” Sean asked as he reached to put his arms around me.

“No touching,” I ordered, taking a step back.

“What kind of game are we playing?” He raised an eyebrow as I sneaked behind him and began to dry his back.

“It’s called no touching,” I answered.

“Hmmm, what are the rules to his game?” he whispered, trying to move in close.

“You can’t touch me,” I said slowly.

“But you can touch me?”

“Yes,” I answered before placing a long slow kiss on his chest and gently raking my fingernails over his thighs.

The sound of his raspy in-drawn breath was all the gratification I needed. Moving away, I tugged on the towel Sean was holding, urging him towards the bedroom.

“Now lie down and close your eyes,” I instructed. I stood by the bed and watched as Sean slid between the sheets. His eyes never left mine as I edged into the bed until I was leaning over his chest. “Remember, no touching,” I warned.

“What happens if I break the rules?” Sean asked.

Instead of answering, I leaned in over his chest, letting the tips of my breasts skim across his chest as I kissed him on his lips.

“You don’t want to know,” I cautioned, enjoying the way Sean’s pupils dilated. I loved the feel of his eyes on my body and the knowledge that I could bring him pleasure. Slowly, I let my finger trail down his body and followed each touch with a kiss and slow lick. The closer I came to his waist, the more restless his body became. And when I found him ready and I touched that place that brought me such fulfillment, his shout was all the encouragement I needed.

“You’re killing me, Leah,” he cried out.

“No, I’m about to take you to heaven,” I announced, moving to straddle him.

Sean and I moved together as one. I felt him move upward, plunging deep, filling me as I sank down. I closed my eyes, wanting to savor the fullness, but Sean wasn’t having it. Before I knew it I was pinned beneath his body with my arms around his waist.

“Sean…” I pleaded as he withdrew.

“Again,” he groaned as my hips moved in tune with his.

I opened my eyes, staring blindly, unable to focus for the darts of pleasure rippling through my body.

“Sean, please,” I called out as my legs wrapped around him, urging him closer.

“Now, sweetheart.” He thrust deeply as I closed my eyes and wave after wave of sensation crashed over me. I turned to look at Sean as he rolled over, pulling me into his arms.

“Are you all right?” he asked, his hands gently stroking my back as I rested my head on his shoulder.

“If I felt any better, Scottish, it’d be against the law.” I barely managed to gather enough energy to smile.

Sean’s laugh was more a quiet rumble. “You never cease to amaze me.”

“Surprised you, huh?” I whispered.

He raised an eyebrow and stared into my eyes. “I love you, Leah Russell.”

Those words stopped my heart and left me speechless. Long after Sean had fallen into sleep I lay staring at the ceiling, wondering when I’d wake up. Wondering when the dream would end.

* * *

I woke up the next morning to an empty bed and the smell of coffee. Taking a moment to stretch, I reached over and put on the white robe laying across the chair. Just as I reached the end of the hallway, the sound of Sean’s voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Damn it, John! Leave it alone! I don’t give a shit about what they want. This is what I want. Do your job and get those jackals to back off.”

Pause.

“That’s right. It’s my life, my obligations. I won’t have Leah being the main course of a media feeding frenzy. Do whatever it takes, but keep them away from her.”

I walked in as Sean slammed the tiny cell phone down on the table. “Good morning,” I called out.

Sean’s frown softened as I stood on my tiptoes and placed a kiss on his lips. I fought the urge to snuggle into the clean, crisp smell that surrounded him. The look of tenderness in his eyes melted what was left of the ice surrounding my heart.

“Good morning to you, too, love. Hungry?” he asked, giving me a hug.

“Starved,” I admitted as Sean raised an eyebrow.

“Good, because I’m about to make you the best omelet you’ve ever had.”

“That’s a pretty big boast, my friend,” I said before turning to pull down two coffee mugs.

“Trust me. You’re going to like this omelet,” he said while spraying the pan.

I smiled and gave him a pat on the rear as I passed on the way to the fridge. “I already do,” I teased.

“You’re wicked, Leah,” he said with an easy grin.

“Hmmm.” I opened the well-stocked refrigerator and pulled out the cream.

“It’s such a great day outside, I thought we’d pack a picnic basket, saddle the horses, and have lunch out on the mesa.”

I leaned back against the countertop and watched as he expertly folded the golden brown omelet.

“No, thanks,” I said after taking a sip of coffee. I just wanted to stay right there, safe from prying eyes, helicopters, and clicking cameras.

“Come on. Don’t tell me you’re afraid of riding Cloud, not after the other day.”

I looked at Sean over the rim of the cup. “So are you going to tell me about what’s got you yelling at your best friend and publicist so early this morning?”

Sean glanced up quickly and then back down. “Do you want mushrooms in your omelet?”

“Sean,” I warned. “Yes, I want mushrooms in my omelet, but don’t try to change the subject.”

He sighed. “The volume of calls about you has increased. Everybody wants to know about you.”

“No,” I corrected. “They want to know what it is that attracts you to me. What in this ordinary, everyday black woman.”

Sean placed the omelets on two plates and headed towards the dining room table. “Even on your worst day, there’s nothing ordinary about you.”

“Thank you for the compliment, but cut the flattery and tell me what’s going on.”

“John wants you to take some interviews. He thinks that it’ll calm the press down.”

“You don’t believe him, do you?” I questioned, taking a seat at the table.

He shook his head, “I don’t think they’re going to back off.”

“I can handle it, Sean.” I was lying through my teeth and we both knew it. In the space of a week, I’d jumped out of the frying pan into the fire.

“I know.” He took a bite of breakfast before putting down his fork. “I just don’t want you to have to deal with it.”

“Thank you,” I said, reaching across the table and taking his outstretched hand. “Nothing’s going to change in the next couple of hours, so why don’t we just enjoy this good breakfast and spend the day in bed watching TV?”

“Leah…” Sean started.

I interrupted by pointing at him with my fork. “Nope, don’t want to hear it. Today is our day. Let’s worry about tomorrow later.”

His lips curled into a smile and I let out a sigh as he went back to eating. Tomorrow I’d have to wake up from the bed I’d made and all I could do was hope—hope that the sky fell, a politician slept with an aide, that some celebrity got arrested or married, anything to keep the harsh light of the media from burning me.

Chapter 18

I had spent the best week of my life in bed or on a horse. I sighed, looking straight ahead through the Jeep’s windshield.

“You like Arizona, don’t you?” Sean asked as we drove along the empty highway towards the airport.

“I do.” I loved the mesas and the cacti, the sweet silence interrupted by the call of a lone coyote. There was peacefulness to the desert.

“Ever since you came here, you’ve been happy. Are you sure you want to go back? I can still turn the Jeep around.”

“No. I can’t hide forever. My parents are coming back in a few days, Sean. There’s no way they’re going to miss all that stuff in the news.”

“You could call,” he suggested.

I rolled my eyes. “There are some things you can’t do over the phone.” I laughed.

“I’d be more than willing to be there with you, Leah.”

“Oh, no,” I half shouted, then calmed down. “I know that you only want to help, but the best thing that you can do for me is to stay away until the reporters find another target.”

“You shouldn’t handle this alone.”

“You mean my parents?”

“No, I mean everything.” I could hear frustration barely checked in his voice. “I want to help you,” Sean said.

My voice softened. “I appreciate that more than you know. You’ve become my knight in shining armor, you know that?”

He briefly glanced my way, then returned his attention to the road. “You’re just saying that.”

I shook my head. “You know me better than that. I only say what I mean. You’ve saved me from my worst enemy.”

“Who’s that?” he asked.

“Myself.” I laughed.

“I want you to stay.”

“We can’t hide out here forever, Scottish,” I said, using my nickname for Sean.

“We could try.”

I sighed and turned to look outside at the passing scenery. “Are you deliberately trying to make this harder than it already is?”

“That depends. Is it working?” he asked.

“Would it make you feel better if I said yes?”

“Yes, Leah, it would.”

“Then feel better, Sean,” I replied honestly.

Several heartbeats passed before I asked, “So when will you be back in New York?”

“Pretty soon, I think, but I don’t have to be back in the studio until next month,” he answered.

“That’s good,” I said as Sean brought the Jeep to a stop next to the curb. I turned to pick up the pet carrier.

“No, let me get that.” He jumped out of the Jeep and went around to the back.

I hopped out the passenger side and was immediately greeted by a curbside check-in attendant.

“Good afternoon, miss. Where are you flying to today?” he asked.

“Leah!”

I turned around to see Sean standing by the Jeep. “I’ll meet you in front of the ticket counter. I’m going to park the car.”

“Okay.” I smiled before turning back to the airline associate. “Sorry about that that.”

“No problem. Will you be checking two bags?”

“No, just one. I don’t think my cat would appreciate flying in the cargo hold,” I joked.

“Okay, looks like you’re set. Final destination LaGuardia Airport, New York City. Your flight leaves out of Gate D4. Have a nice day.”

“Thank you. You do the same,” I replied, giving him a two-dollar tip before stepping through the automatic glass doors.

Stepping into the airport terminal was like stepping from an oven into a freezer. The refrigerated air sent chills up and down my arms. Looking at my watch, I saw had about an hour before the plane was scheduled to depart. With Simba in hand, I took a seat near the ticket counter and waited for Sean.

I had to wait only a few minutes before I spotted the familiar swagger coming in my direction. I noticed the way female heads turned as he walked towards me and smiled. Sean bent over and kissed me on the cheek before picking up Simba’s bag.

“So, do we have to put the big guy through X-ray?” Sean asked.

I shook my head, laughing. “I don’t think so.”

“So are you ready to go?”

“To be honest I really don’t want to go. Simba doesn’t, either.”

“Good, I don’t want you to leave, either.”

By the time I looked up we’d walked through the terminal and had reached the waiting lounge outside of the security checkpoint.

Sean gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “Hey, there’s something I need to do. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.” I took a seat at the window and pulled out the
Essence
magazine I’d picked up at O’Hare on my way to Phoenix. I tried to read the articles but found my mind drifting.

“Leah?”

“Hmmm…” I looked over to find Sean lounging in the chair beside me.

“Are you okay?”

I turned, giving Sean a reassuring smile. “I’m fine. Just a little sad.”

“Why?”

“I hate saying good-byes,” I replied.

“This isn’t good-bye, Leah.”

I stood up and took a step back. “I know, but it feels like it is.”

“Trust me. This is only the beginning,” he boasted.

I rolled my eyes as he gave me a wink before pushing his sunglass back up. “You are something else, Sean Andrews.” I laughed as we held one another’s hands. Before I knew it, the announcement came over the speaker and we both stood.

“Time for you to go.”

I blinked my eyes to clear away the hint of tears before meeting his gaze. “Thank you for a wonderful time.”

“Can I get a kiss before you leave me?” he said, giving me a devastating grin.

I took a step towards Sean and, uncaring of the prying eyes, kissed him full on the lips.

“Good-bye, Scottish,” I whispered, feeling regret twist in my stomach.

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We would like to begin boarding American Airlines Flight 1168 to O’Hare International Airport. We will be boarding by row number. Anyone in rows one to ten, please beginning boarding.”

It took me less than ten minutes to pass through security. As I boarded the DC-9, I carried Simba’s carry-on in my left hand and sorrow in the other. All I wanted was the strong, sensitive, sexy man who gave me butterflies in my stomach and dreams of happily ever after.