Trinity Falls (11 page)

“It was a mistake.” Ean's tone was flat. “I should have stayed in Trinity Falls. Here people care about me as a person rather than a legal weapon.”

“Are you saying, ‘There's no place like home'?”

Streetlights lit the small smile hovering around Megan's full lips and the twinkle in her chocolate eyes.

Just like that, Ean's tension dissipated. “I guess I am.”

The silence between them was comfortable for several minutes. Ean still hadn't seen an automobile drive down the quiet neighborhood street. But several townspeople walked past them—elderly couples enjoying an after-dinner stroll, teenagers hurrying home after hanging out with friends, families on their way back from the local ice-cream parlor. Ean exchanged greetings and withstood curious stares from all of them. He hadn't missed the nosy neighbors. How long would it take before everyone in Trinity Falls knew Ean Fever had walked Megan McCloud home from work?

Megan pulled her key from her purse as they neared her home. “I understand why you're upset. But if you hadn't accomplished your goal, you would have had different regrets.”

He couldn't argue with that. “You're right.”

“Doreen must be very happy that you've decided to stay. She didn't like your being so far from home.” Megan adjusted the shoulder strap of her purse.

Ean noted the gesture and studied her posture. She seemed uncomfortable. Why? “Mom seemed happier when she learned I was getting my own place.”

“Really?” Megan tossed back her head and laughed. Her demeanor relaxed.

Ean remembered the conversation he'd had with Ms. Helen. For both his mother's and his sake, he was glad he'd taken the older lady's advice.

He smiled at the amusement on Megan's honey-toned features. “Coach George was coming over for dinner when I left.”

Some of her amusement faded. “Ean, you've got to give Leo a chance.”

“I will, but not tonight.” Ean followed Megan up the winding walkway to her front door. “Anyway, I found a town house in Quincy's complex. I'm moving in tomorrow.”

“You have been busy.” She sounded impressed. Her reaction meant more to him than winning any of his multiple high-profile corporate cases.

“Do you believe me now?”

“We'll see.” She tossed him a grin that warmed his body. “Is that the reason you came to the store today? To tell me you've moved out of your mother's house?”

Ean took the keys from her. He was getting used to her sense of humor. Ignoring the question in her gaze, he unlocked her front door. “Not exactly.”

“Then why exactly?” She spoke over her shoulder as she preceded him into her home.

Ean scanned the foyer, noting the corner light she'd left on again. He locked the door and gave Megan back her keys. “I signed the lease on the office space Tuesday and the rental agreement this morning.”

She hung her coat on the coat tree in the corner of the foyer and held out her hand for his. “You've gotten a lot done since I last saw you.”

Ean shrugged out of his jacket and hung it beside hers. “That proves I'm here to stay.” He fisted his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. His palms were sweating like a nervous adolescent's.

“I hope you are.”

Ean searched her features for a sign that she was wavering in her disagreement. He found nothing. “I want to explore this attraction between us.”

Megan's breath caught in her throat. She coughed to dislodge it. “That's direct.”

Ean's features eased into his smile. “I thought you'd prefer that.”

She wouldn't bother to deny their attraction. They'd both know she was lying. Megan led them from the bright foyer to the deeper shadows of the living room.

She settled onto the sofa. “It's never been only a question of when you were leaving. I also don't know whether Ramona will be able to let you go.”

Irritation creased his brow. “She walked out on me.” Ean sat beside her. “We'd been living together for less than a year before she told me she was returning to Trinity Falls with or without me.”

Megan shifted on the cushion to face him. “I'm really not sure, Ean. If Ramona still has feelings for you, I don't want to get in her way.”

Which was much more loyalty than Ramona would ever show her. So why did she care? Because when she'd needed Ramona, her cousin had stayed. And when the town had needed her, Ramona had stayed longer.

Ean shook his head in disgust. “The only thing Ramona wants from me is a New York address. I've told her the same thing I've told you—I'm staying in Trinity Falls.”

Megan's pulse beat harder. She stood and crossed the room, hiding her reaction to his words in deeper shadows. “But your being here may have brought back her feelings for you.”

Ean's touch on her shoulder startled Megan. She hadn't heard him approach. She turned to face him and was caught by the intensity in his olive eyes.

“I don't want Ramona. I want you.” Ean lowered his mouth to hers.

CHAPTER 16

His taste was more than fourteen-year-old Megan could have imagined. Mysterious and dark, tempting her curiosity. Open and bright, sharing all that he was. Megan leaned closer, taking the kiss even deeper. Her control was slipping away. She wanted to get closer. She needed to taste more. She hooked her arms behind his back, pressing her breasts harder against his chest. She sent her tongue after Ean's, showing him what she wanted—his touch, his heat, his essence.

Ean tightened his arms around her waist, pulling her body to his. He plunged his tongue into her mouth, stroking her moist cavern with a suggestive pulse. Megan groaned deep in her throat. She'd dreamed of this. Her hips picked up their rhythm, moving against him with her own demands.

Ean shifted his hands lower to her hips, taking hold of her buttocks and raising her against him. Even with the layers of clothes between them, the sensation of his desire pulsing against the apex of her thighs set Megan's body on fire. She tore free of his lips and threw back her head with a gasp. Her muscles ached. Her nipples tightened. She wanted more. She drilled her fingers into his shoulders.

Megan's eyes popped open at the feel of Ean's knit sweater beneath her hands. “Off.”

He froze, loosening his hold on her. “What?”

“Your sweater. Off.” Her words croaked.

Ean smiled as he set her free. He stepped back and, with his left hand, pulled off his sweater, letting it drop to her carpet.

His body was a masterpiece. Broad, molded shoulders, sculpted pecs and hard, flat abdominals. Dark hair lightly covered his chest, leading a tempting trail to the waistband of his denim jeans. She could stare at him all night. She'd rather lay with him, instead.

Megan lifted her gaze to his. She cleared her throat. “Your body . . . It's incredible.”

The look in Ean's eyes made her damp. “Your turn.”

“Yes.” She raised her arms to unbutton her suit jacket.

Ean stepped forward and nudged her hands aside. “Let me.”

“All right.” Her voice trembled. Was it nerves or need?

He took hold of her jacket. His fingers lingered on the bottom button. He leaned closer to her, pressing his face against her hair.

“I love the way you smell.” His voice, low and husky, shared a secret in her ear.

Oh, God.
This
was seduction.
She'd never experienced it this way before. “It's soap.” Her heart was beating too fast. She could barely speak.

“It's you.” His breath was warm against her neck.

The first button came free. Megan swallowed. Ean's finger traced her exposed skin. Her stomach muscles fluttered. The jacket tugged slightly as he released the second button. Two more to go.
Hurry! Hurry!

Ean planted a butterfly kiss behind her ear. “Your skin is so soft.”

Megan sighed. The third button came undone.

He stroked his tongue along the side of her neck. “You taste so sweet.”

Megan moaned. The fourth button released. Ean trailed kisses to the curves of her breasts. As he peeled the jacket from her, her bra snapped free. How . . . ? Who cared?

Ean kissed and licked his way across her breasts, then opened his mouth and took her nipple.

Megan gasped. The fire at her core burst into an inferno. She cupped Ean's head closer to her as his teeth grazed her nipple. His tongue licked. His lips tugged. The pull carried deep inside her to echo between her legs. She needed to end this pressure. She wanted to feed this ache. She offered her other breast for Ean's attention. Her hunger swelled.

“Ean.” She panted his name. “Protection?”

Ean raised his head. Through the fog of her desire, Megan noted his tense expression and the glow in his olive eyes. He was hungry, too.

“My wallet.”

“Get it. Now. Please.”

He'd been confident. Thank God.

They made quick work of kicking off shoes and stripping the rest of their clothes. Megan was mesmerized by the strength of Ean's passion. Her nipples tightened. Her body moistened in response.

Ean took the condom from his wallet with hands that weren't quite steady. He turned to her. He wanted to take it slow. He wanted this to be a night to linger. He ached to touch and taste her . . . everywhere. He wanted to learn what she liked. He wanted to deepen her pleasure. But he didn't think he could last that long. Just looking at Megan's long, graceful figure drew him to the edge. He loved her small, perfect breasts, her hands, her feet. But it was her eyes that drew him. He could gaze into those large chocolate pools for an eternity.

Megan took the condom from him, then dropped to her knees. Ean's eyes widened. He'd never expected this. His pulse quickened. His muscles grew even more tense. With her gaze locked with his, Megan guided him into her mouth. It was hot and wet. And hot. Megan's tongue slid along his length. A tremor rolled from his toes to the top of his head. Straining for control, Ean closed his eyes and leaned his head back. He needed to rest his hands on her shoulders to steady his shaky legs. His body moved as she drew him into a rhythm with her lips and her tongue. Her hot, wet tongue. His breathing became ragged. His body began to burn.

No! Not yet. Ean forced himself to step back, freeing himself from her mouth. “No more.” His words were a desperate gasp for control.

Megan stood and grinned at him. “Can't you handle it?”

Ean was surprised he could laugh. It helped him gain some control over his arousal. “I want to come inside you.” He took the condom from her, then lifted her into his arms. “But not yet.”

“Where are we going?” Megan glanced around as he carried her toward the staircase.

“That floor doesn't look all that comfortable for what I have in mind.” Although it was torture, holding Megan naked in his arms when he was fully erect. He should have thought of that before he'd let her make love to him with her mouth. Ean groaned.

Megan kissed his neck and whispered into his ear, “What do you have in mind?”

“I'll show you.” Ean mounted the staircase.

Megan chuckled. “Lucky for you, my room is right at the top of the stairs.”

“Thank God.”

Ean released her beside her bed, letting her skin rub against his. Megan climbed onto the mattress, drawing him with her. Ean lay beside her. He touched each breast, then trailed his fingers down her abdomen to her hip. “You are so beautiful. Perfect.”

“I want to touch you.” Megan raised her arm.

“Not yet.” Ean caught her wrist and drew her arm above her head.

He lowered his mouth to graze and suckle first one breast, then the other. Megan squirmed beside him until he stopped. Ean rolled away, quickly securing the condom before returning to her side.

His hand hovered above her nest of curls. Ean traced his index finger through the soft patch, pressing against her core. He fed on each gasp and moan as he explored her. Each tremor.

Megan spread her legs wider. “Ean, come in me.”

“Soon.” He kissed each nipple again, then slid down her body. With his eyes holding hers, Ean separated her folds, then he licked her treasure.

Megan's hips shot off the bed. “Ean!”

He kissed her deeply. And continued kissing and licking her as her muscles grew tighter and tighter in the palms of his hands. Her hips pumped in his grasp. A fine sheet of sweat glistened on her naked body. Her breaths panted. Her body twisted. Her passion flowed. Ean's erection hardened to an almost painful point. When her body began to shake, he sought his own release. Ean raised himself above her, then slid deep inside her core. Megan gasped. The sound surrounded him.

Ean groaned, hanging his head as he braced his weight on his arms.
She feels. So. Damn. Good.
He savored the feeling washing over him. It was what he'd been looking for. What he'd been wanting. Home. He'd never made that connection during lovemaking before. Somehow he knew he never would again. Ean raised his head to meet Megan's gaze. The wonder in her chocolate eyes told him she'd felt it, too.

He picked up their pace, arching his back to sink farther into her damp secrets. Megan pressed her hips against his, harder, matching him thrust for thrust. She wrapped her legs around his waist to hold him tighter, still. Her eyes closed. Her cheeks flushed. Ean dipped his head and suckled a pebbled nipple into his mouth.

Megan stiffened. Her muscles tightened around his erection. Ean felt her quivering deep inside as her pleasure burst. She pressed her head back into the pillow and screamed. He cut off the sound with a deep, hungering kiss. Ean gathered her close as the waves crashed over them.

Much later, Megan lay on her back in the bed, pressing the comforter to her breasts. She met Ean's gaze as he sat on the edge of the mattress. His magnificent body was clothed again—more's the pity. He set his palms on either side of her shoulders.

“No regrets.” His rough voice sent shivers down her spine.

Megan traced the chiseled lines of his cheek, then let her hand drop. “Only that you're leaving.”

He touched his lips to hers, hard and quick. Too quick. “I don't want people talking about us, at least not yet.”

She arched a brow. “You don't think they'll know what we did tonight?”

Ean stood. His movements were gratifyingly reluctant. “If I leave now, they'll wonder. If I spend the night, they'll know.”

“If you say so.” Megan tossed off the comforter and rose from the mattress. The chill air puckered her nipples. “I'll walk you out.”

She stretched her arms above her head and arched her back.

“You're killing me.” Ean sounded as though he were choking.

His reaction wasn't a surprise. She'd wanted it. Megan glanced over at him. His hot, hungry gaze followed the profile of her figure. Her skin burned where his eyes touched her.

“You don't have to leave.”

Ean pivoted from her and crossed to the door. “Yes, I do.”

Megan grabbed a robe from her closet and hurried after him. Ean was shrugging into his coat when she entered the foyer.

“What time are you moving into your townhome tomorrow?”

“First thing in the morning.” He pulled her close to kiss her again.

It was an urgent meeting of tongues. A touch to remind them of the hours they'd just shared. A taste that would sustain them throughout the rest of the night. Megan groaned low in her throat. Why wouldn't he just spend the night? To hell with chivalry. She'd tried reasoning with him earlier, but his mind had been made up by the time he'd rolled out of her bed.

Ean stepped back. “I'd better go.”

“Don't expect me to dream about you.” Megan crossed her arms under her breasts and pouted. “I guess, then, I'll probably bump into you sometime tomorrow.”

Ean gave her a half smile. “I'll cook dinner for you.”

She gave him a dubious look. “Takeout?”

He laughed. “I can cook.”

She poked his flat abs. “You're on.”

“Sleep well.” He pulled the front door open and started down the stairs.

“You too.” Megan locked the door and leaned against it. Regardless of what she'd told Ean, she would dream of him. Hopefully, she'd have many more opportunities on which to base her dreams . . . even long after he'd left Trinity Falls.