No Reservations (19 page)

If she moved off him, she thought she might die of disappointment. If she didn't let him get that tongue on her clit, she also thought she might die. Dilemma, dilemma.

Leah moved, sighing as his cock slipped out of her. She put her hands on the headboard, her knees on either side of his head, her clit hovering over his mouth. His lips and tongue found her, licking and sucking. She was out of control in half a second, writhing, grinding onto his tongue. Coming.

Her body jerked and shuddered as her climax coursed through her, but even before she was finished she moved back down his body to sink onto his cock again. She kissed him, tasting herself. A second orgasm lurked, not unexpected except for how soon it would come and how strong it would be.

Come inside me,' she ordered, looking into his eyes.

His eyes flashed and he gave a smal nod. He bit his lower lip in concentration as he thrust faster, but not harder.

Stil gentle, stil control ed, each rubbing the head of his cock against her G-spot.

'Oh,' Leah cried, surprised at the warmth and sensation flooding her. This was unexpected, this was different. 'Oh . . .

God . . . Brandon!'

His hands gripped her hard enough to pinch but she didn't care. He was coming, she felt him inside her, pulsing and throbbing even as her own body gave over to the waves of ecstasy flooding her. They came together. The world spun.

Leah col apsed against him, breathing hard.

A few minutes later, Brandon's stomach rumbled.

Leah sat up, laughing, and lightly pinched his nipple.

'Very romantic' He captured her hand and kissed her palm.

'Sorry.'

'Don't be sorry,' Leah said and kissed him. 'Sorry's for when you do something wrong.' Brandon blinked, then smiled.

'Were you talking to my mom?' Ah, she was caught. 'Yes. I cal ed her when you were sleeping.'

He didn't ask why. He kissed her again, then wrapped her in his arms and rol ed them both over so they could spoon. His stomach rumbled again, louder this time. Leah laughed.

'I think we need breakfast. The hotel has an amazing buffet. I should go see if Kate and Dix want to go with us.' 'In a minute.'

She gave him the minute, not anxious to get out of bed.

His breath ruffled her hair. Leah turned to face him. Brandon smiled. 'Love you.'

'I love you, too.' She kissed him. 'And Brandon, about. . .'

'Uh uh,' he told her, sitting up. 'Not before I eat.'

She gave him a look that told him she knew exactly what game he was playing, and that she was letting him. 'God forbid you go without a meal.'

He put a hand on his bel y. "You don't want me to lose my strength.' God, no. Who'd fuck me so deliciously tonight?'

'Nobody,' he said with that self-confident surety she loved so much about him. 'Not as good as me.' 'Breakfast,'

Leah said. And later, we'l talk.'

Kate breathed in deep and stretched. As she rose to consciousness she realised the whooshing sound wasn't the waterfal in her dream, but the bathtub in the adjoining bathroom. She snuggled back into the comforting weight of the bedding, not bothering to open her eyes just yet.

The scent on the air meant he was in there shaving. She knew his body. Knew he'd be standing, hip leaning against the marble counter. His movements would be slow, methodical as he started up his neck, whiiick, wivkiiick, as he dragged the edge of the razor over that sweet, hard flesh to remove the hair. He'd already have used the electric trimmer to edge around the line of his goatee.

So utterly beautiful and masculine al at the same time.

She liked the way he was smooth on the exterior, perfectly groomed and dressed. Even in jeans he looked like he'd stepped from a men's magazine. The man was very neatly put together for such a hedonist. But scratch beneath the surface and he was delightful y dirty.

Because it pleased her, she imagined the width of his shoulders tapering down to his waist. The high tight ass, powerful thighs, long legs and hard calves. She knew he'd be naked, that was his preferred mode of dress when it was just the two of them and she couldn't complain. The skin of his ass to the taps of his thighs would be paler than the rest from al those afternoons at the pool in his backyard. Her tan lines were faded due to the depth of winter. But Dix's skin had a golden tone year round.

The thought of the dark, soft line of hair swirling around his bel y button and trailing southwards to his cock brought a shiver. Al Pickles had was a memory. Kate had it within reach. It was hers. Al six feet of handsome, utterly unrepentant male ready to fuck her or carry her heavy bags was hers. He loved her. Flaws and al . Her life was very, very good.

Happy, she rol ed from bed and padded through the doorway to stand and watch Dix shave, i kinda liked the five o'clock shadow thing you had going. You looked like a wicked pirate.'

He turned, laid the raior down and moved to her in two long strides. 'I am a wicked pirate, darling Katherine. You know I covet your booty. Can I raid you?'

She laughed as he kissed down the side of her neck.

'My sails are unfurled, I'm so ready to be boarded and raided.'

'Get in the bath. I figured the sound would wake you. It's stil quiet out there so I figure we've got a while before Leah and Bingo wake up. Maybe we can al grab breakfast.' He paused, raking his gaze up her body slowly. 'After.'

She grinned, pausing to press a kiss to his shoulder as she passed to get to the giant tub. A groan of pure pleasure slipped from her lips as she stepped in and the water enfolded her like a lover. God, she loved hot baths. Showers were for when she didn't have enough time and she just needed to be clean and run out the door. A bath was a treat, a way to press the luxury of stil ness into your routine. You didn't need special potions or goo, you just needed a large tub, hot water and twenty minutes. A long hot bath was better than a drink and almost as good as sex. Almost.

'What are you trying to butter me up about?' she asked, al owing herself to float in the water.

'You wound me with your suspicion.'

'Mmm. I'm a sharp cookie. Isn't that what your mother said? I like your mother. She's not nearly as crazy as mine.

Plus she doesn't like Pickles, another point in her favour. She told me, your mother, not Pickles, that you were a wily one and to keep an eye on you. Said you got it from your father.'

'I see I was wise to limit the amount of time the two of you had alone.' The water rose as he stepped in and she automatical y leant forwards so he could sit behind her. She relaxed again, leaning against the hard wal of his chest.

Your mom is awesome. Dare I even say, spunky? Yes, spunky. Kendal is a lot like her. A girl could do a lot worse than to have agrandma like her. She cal s me, you know. Your mother."

'She does? It doesn't surprise me, she does like you and she's always been the sort to go her own way. Should I ask what you two discuss or remain blissful y ignorant?'

'Wel , she cal ed after I met her the first time at that barbecue at your house this summer. She said it was to thank me because she was so very polite and al .' Kate laughed.

'But then she just came out and got nosy because we both knew why she was real y cal ing. She wanted to get the low down on me. You can learn a lot about a man by meeting his mother. Thank God you can get past my insane mother to love me anyway. But your mom, she's sharp. And not just because she likes me. Although that in and of itself is a very powerful indicator.'

'I notice you didn't real y answer my question.' His voice held amusement, not anger.

'We talk about al sorts of things. She tel s me about the stuff the women in her neighbourhood get up to. She likes to chat. I like to listen to her. She makes me laugh. I took her shopping a few weeks back so she could get her holiday presents taken care of. She gave me these baby pictures of you.' The gesture had been as warm as it had been an unmistakable stamp of approval.

'How come you didn't tel me any of this before now?' He began to massage her shoulders with the fragrant soap.

'It was weird to say. I didn't want to come off like I was bragging. It's not like it was a secret. I've told you stuff about it.

Like she gave me her recipe for that cinnamon bread you love so much. How'd you think I got it? And your dad stares at my boobs when I go over there, albeit he can be as sneaky as you. You must get that from him.'

His laughter jiggled her a bit. 'He told me it took a while but I'd final y grown into some very fine taste in women. Said I should kidnap you and bring you here to Vegas to marry me.'

She leant back a moment and then turned around. You know I love you, right?'

His smile softened even as his hands automatical y headed to her breasts. Yes. Of course. Don't sound so dire, you're going to freak me out.'

Am I as total y lame and passive-aggressive as your ex?

No. I'm a big girl and quite capable of saying what I mean.

Don't be an idiot. Do you think I'd be here with you if I was going to break up with you?'

He used the shower attachment to rinse her off and she soaped him up, taking extra care to make sure his cock was squeaky clean. 'I'm wary. My cock and my heart are in your hands. I've been asking you to marry me and to move in and you keep saying no.' You know why I'm saying no.'

He took a deep breath and stood, the sight of him looming over her so magnificently male and pissed off dried her mouth. 'Get out of there.' He handed her a towel after she'd pul ed the plug and gotten out. She dried off and reached for her lotion until he made a frustrated sound and pul ed her into the bedroom. The curtains glided open, revealing the glory of the morning.

'Here's how it's going to be.' He turned and her eyes went to his cock. 'You're not going to sway me with that fuck-my-mouth face. Not right now.'

She couldn't help it, she laughed and fel back onto the mattress. 'You make me so happy. Even when you boss me around. I shouldn't tel you that, it'l only go to your head. But you do. Now, what is it you're going to attempt to dictate to me?'

He harmmphed and got into bed beside her. 'You wil move in with me. I just made arrangements with a realtor yesterday to find us a house in Lancaster. It's halfway between your job and mine. I told him we needed plenty of bedrooms so we can have an office to work from home and also so the girls can have a bedroom there. You can take the train in or drive.'

One of her brows rose and he met it with a rise of his own. He wasn't going to give up on this.

'You thought you'd just go ahead and do it without even consulting me?"

'Shut up about that. You knew I was near the end of my patience with this. You know what kind of man I am and you stuck around, so guess what, pffft.'

Her eyes widened and then she laughed, kissing him in the hol ow of his throat. 'You're lucky I'm so tolerant of your pushy ways.'

That was a good sign, he thought. She wasn't trying to argue with him yet. But he knew how he handled this next bit would sink him or make their being together a reality.

'I know your biggest concern is the girls and, believe me, I appreciate that more than I can say. Especial y in light of how their mother is using them right now. So this is what I'm going to do to address that. Right now they are with Eve three weeks of every month during the school year because Eve's place is in the district boundaries and is only half a mile from their school. So in the week they're with me, I'l stay at my old place with them. Just until they're both done with school. On breaks they can stay at our new place because I want them to be used to it and to understand, without any doubt, that you and are together. Yes, before you speak, yes, it wil change their lives, but Kate, they're not children, they're smart, wel -

adjusted teenagers. Seventeen and fifteen, they know I love them, they know they're my priority but they also realise I have a life. You can keep your condo or sel it, whichever you prefer. But I expect you to marry me by the end of this coming year. Counsel or, you may present your rebuttal.' He waved a magnanimous hand at her.

She tumbled him to his back and climbed astride him.

'Pickles?'

He groaned. 'Up until that, this was going in a veiy nice direction. What about Eve?'

'What about Eve, indeed. I'm going to be painful y and selfishly honest here. I've held my tongue because I love you and I don't want to lose you or to look like an evil bitch. But, if you real y do mean to marry me and for us to live together and not wait two more years, I have to get this al out.'

He sat up, leaning in to kiss her. T want you to be honest with me. I love you, dumbass. You're not going to lose me. We can work through just about anything.'

She nodded. 'We'l see how you feel when I'm done. It's real y al about Eve. Here's my thing, Charles, I hate her. I want to punch her in the face every time I hear her stupid, whiny-baby-helpless-girl voice. She's everything I have to prove I'm not when I'm on a case. She's why women are judged so harshly.'

'I agree. Now fuck me while you're talking. It's much easier to work out a solution with your cunt hugging my cock.'

She rose up and angled him the way she liked and slid down over him. He'd known she was ready, she always was when they were together and goddamn if that didn't make a man puff his chest up a bit.

'Such a multi-tasker. Back to the subject and don't blame me if you can't keep hard because we're talking about her?

He made a face. You're the one talking about her, but as long as it's your body hovered over me, and your pussy around me, what the fuck do I care?'

She smiled and he relaxed a bit. 'OK, then here goes. If I'm in, I'm in for real and for good. Which means I'm Mrs Dixon, capice?. I'm your wife and I don't share. That means if I take this step, it's al the way. I don't want to have Sunday dinner with your ex-wife. I never want to have dinner with her and I reserve the right to not go to events when I may have to see her. I don't want her to have a key to my house, I don't want her to ever enter it to start with. I know that makes me selfish but there it is.'