Laura reached for Dallas’s hand and used her other to brush the tangle of hair from her face. Wind, fresh and chilly, whipped down the beach and dumped waves ashore in an explosion of white foam. She buttoned her coat and lengthened her stride to keep up with Dallas. Soon they were running, and she was laughing until she strained for breath.
“Remind me why we’re walking along a cold beach.”
“Because it’s good exercise,” he said, his blue eyes laughing down at her. “I like the beach. Smell the fresh spring air.”
Unable to restrain her return grin, she ran her fingers over his cheek, a surge of emotion welling inside as she wrinkled her nose. “I smell seaweed and something dead.”
“Ah, but think of the fun we’ll have thawing out. A hot beverage or two. Sharing a shower and lazy sex to seal the deal.”
“A man with a one-track mind. I like it.” She more than liked the idea. Despite her inner clang of protective alarms, she’d fallen for Dallas. It was an insidious craving that never went away, a welling of joy when she spent time with him. The constant laughter, the desire to learn more about him, and then there was the sex.
Mind-blowing sex. Hot, glorious sex. Stupendous sex.
“Are you cold?”
“No, you made sure I dressed in warm layers.”
“Do you want to walk farther? To the rocky outcrop.”
“Let’s go.” Her phone rang from the depths of her jacket, vibrating against her hip. She burrowed, scowling when she saw her parents’ number on the screen. “Blast, I should have left my phone in Napier.”
“Answer it. We can walk at the same time.”
“Hello, Mother,” she said, guessing her mother would be the intruder. She was wrong. “Dad? Is something wrong?”
“Your mother said you’re not staying at the apartment.”
“That’s correct,” Laura said.
“Where are you staying?”
“With a friend.” They were treating her like a child. Again.
“That’s not the deal we made when we allowed you to leave Clare.”
“No, it’s not,” she agreed.
“Good.” His heavy sigh whispered down the phone, and she imagined him sitting in his office, irritated because he’d had to interrupt his schedule to deal with one of his children. “You will move back to the apartment, and get your mother off my back.”
“No.” Laura didn’t hesitate. Whatever the consequences, she needed to stand strong for independence. While her sisters and brother might bow to their parents’ wishes, there was more to life than money and tradition.
Another sigh whistled down the phone. “I’m sorry it has to come to this, Laura, but if you don’t return to the apartment, I’ll withdraw your allowance and make sure the charity rescinds their job.”
Laura’s heart thumped in three hard beats and sudden tears stung her eyes. She stopped walking, anguish ripping away her good mood.
Blackmail—pure and simple.
Most parents wanted their children to leave the family fold. Most parents were happy for their offspring to strike out on their own. Most parents encouraged independence. Hers looked on their children as tools for betterment—a gauge of their success.
Good marriage. Check.
Good social standing. Check.
“Laura, are you there?” Testiness coated her father’s voice, an impatience to get the job done and return to his routine.
“I’m here, Dad.”
Dallas reached for her hand, a trace of anger taking possession of his mouth, snapping in his eyes. Laura squeezed his hand.
“Good, we’re agreed.”
“No.”
“No?”
Laura almost gave a watery chuckle at his astonishment. In that moment, she’d have given anything to witness his expression. “I’m spending the weekend down the coast with a friend. I’ll move the last of my stuff out of the apartment as soon as I return to Napier.”
“I’ll notify the accountant to stop your allowance. Don’t contact us until you come to your senses.” The phone clicked in her ear.
“Wow,” she said.
“What’s wrong?”
“Dad is stopping my allowance. He also said he’d make sure I lose my job at the charity. They don’t even know I haven’t worked there for ages.”
Dallas turned her to face him. “Are you okay?”
“I’m stunned my parents want to control me so much they’re willing to use blackmail.”
“You can move in with me.”
“Thanks, I hoped you’d suggest that. As long as I budget, I’m fine for money and can contribute to the household expenses. Did I tell you every temp job I’ve had so far has offered full time employment? I’m waiting for the perfect job, one that presents a challenge. The owner of the temp agency told me she’s pleased with her decision to take me on and wishes she could clone me.”
“You’re doing a great job with the pub accounts.”
“Thanks.” She shoved her phone back into her pocket. “I wish I’d never brought my phone.”
“At least you know where your phone is. I hope my cell phone is at the house. It’s either there or at the pub.”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure your brothers will take care of any problems. We’ll panic if O’Grady’s makes the news headlines tonight. Otherwise, I’m sure everything is fine.”
“Good point,” he said, snatching a kiss.
“Race you to the outcrop. Loser buys the winner an ice cream cone,” Laura said and started running.
Half an hour later, they sat in the corner booth of a café. A waitress arrived and they decided on coffee and a blueberry muffin, fresh from the oven, instead of ice cream. Dallas’s hard thigh crowded hers, and his arm was slung along the back of the booth. She cuddled up to him while they waited for their coffee to arrive.
“I think I might buy a T-shirt.” Her chin angled in the direction of the connected gift shop. “A souvenir to remind me of this weekend and to commemorate the true start of my independence.”
“Let me buy it for you.”
“Thanks, but I’d prefer to pay for it myself. You can pay for the coffee. After all, you did lose our race.”
He reached for her hand, laced their fingers. “I’m proud of you.”
The owner of the café arrived with their coffee and muffins, interrupting their talk, but Laura reveled in his soft words. Her parents never gave compliments, never encouraged their children. They were about doing the right thing and keeping up with the offspring of their friends and acquaintances. A part of her envied the easy relationship Dallas had with his siblings and parents. While she hadn’t met any of them, it was easy to hear the threads of love weaving through their banter, at least from Dallas’s side of the conversation. His parents rang or contacted Dallas via computer most days.
Her parents called her when she displeased them.
Almost as if she’d summoned them, her phone rang. Her mother, she saw with a quick glance at the screen. She might as well get this over now, then she’d switch off her cell and relax for the rest of the weekend.
“Hello, Mother.”
“How could you?”
Laura scowled and moved her phone farther from her ear. “I don’t want to argue, Mother.”
“Are you with James?” Her mother’s voice turned coy, and Laura rolled her eyes. Of course, that would make everything better. Exchanging one prison for another.
“No.” No point repeating that James was happy with Steven. Her mother heard what she wished to hear.
“Who are you with?” her mother demanded.
“You haven’t met him.”
“Him?” Her mother’s voice was another ear-ringing shriek. “I thought you were with girlfriends. Some of those girls who work with you at the charity place.”
“No,” Laura said. Dallas was holding her free hand again, offering silent comfort, and she appreciated his support. Yet another difference. He didn’t judge.
Her mother sniffed. “Don’t coming crying to us if you get pregnant.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Laura said. “Besides, we’re using condoms.”
Dallas’s brows shot up, his wicked wink stirring a flash of heat and directing it straight to her pussy. She squeezed her thighs together, savoring the frisson of pleasure.
“I don’t know what we’ve done to deserve such a disrespectful daughter. I’m sure you’ll come to your senses soon.” The phone clicked in her ear.
“Another hang up,” Laura said and placed her phone on the table, staring at it as if it were a viperous snake. “Both my parents are furious at my behavior. No doubt, they’ll report to my siblings, and I’ll receive more irate calls.”
“You’re upset.”
“I wish they’d treat me like an adult. I received a good education and I wanted for nothing while growing up, but a prison is a prison.” She cut a portion off her muffin and popped it into her mouth. “This is delicious. I should try to make these. Is it weird my cooking repertoire is full of posh dishes?”
“Bizarre,” he said. “Can you make bread?”
“I’ve never tried.”
“When you have a spare afternoon, you should pop into the kitchen at the pub. Harry, our cook, is amazing. He’ll teach you as long as you don’t mind acting as his sous chef.”
“I’d love that.” Laura sipped her coffee and gave a happy sigh. Delicious. Her phone rang again. “My oldest sister.” She let the call go to voice mail and took another sip of coffee before switching off her phone. “Much better. I don’t want to spoil the rest of our weekend.”
“What happens if they find out who you spent your weekend with?”
“I’ll face that problem when I come to it, but I’m not going to lie. If they hit me with the truth, I don’t intend to deny it.” She ran her fingers over the top of his knuckles. “You make me happy. And that’s enough about my family. How are things at the new pub? When will it open, and will I get an invite to the opening?”
“Are you sure you want to walk into the Clare pub at my side?”
“I’d be honored.”
Dallas set his coffee cup down and brushed a kiss over her cheek. “Patrick is grappling with the staffing requirements. He’s still looking for a cook and kitchen staff.”
“The behind the scenes stuff fascinates me. I’ve never thought about the things required to run a business. So much juggling to get everything done.”
“That’s the challenge.” Dallas drained the remains of his coffee, and settled back while she ate the last of her muffin. “Are you ready for T-shirt shopping?”
“Yes. Why don’t you have T-shirts for the pub? You could use it for a staff uniform too. A lot of pubs have their own T-shirts on sale.”
“Because none of us has thought of it,” he said. “Great idea.”
“What you need is a catchy slogan and a decent quality T-shirt, maybe a typical style and one of the slim-fit ones for women. Two colors. Black and perhaps the teal color from your sign outside the pub, and you’re good.”
“I’ll bring up the idea with Quinn and Patrick next time I see them.”
“Really?”
“Don’t sell yourself short, sweetheart. Initiative is a prized quality with employers. You have it in spades.”
She chose a tight-fitting shirt in baby blue. It bore flowers on the front and the name of the beach underneath. Dallas paid for the coffee while she purchased her T-shirt, using the new debit card she’d received when she set up an account at a different bank to the one the rest of her family used. A petty sense of satisfaction filled her as she tapped in her pin number to complete the transaction. Independence was a heady thing.
Back at the lodge, they stripped off their clothes and climbed into their private spa bath, which was big enough for two. Laura tipped a scoop of bath salts into the water and soon bubbles covered their skin and the scent of lavender and mint filled the air.
“If I venture into the O’Grady kitchens, one of your brothers might see me.” Laura kept her eyes on his face. Beneath the water, she skimmed a hand up his calf and ran a finger over the back of his knee.
“Yes, that could happen.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
“I don’t like hiding. It cheapens our relationship.”
His words thrilled her, and she found herself nodding. “So we’re agreed. I can visit you while you’re working and if your cook agrees, I get to learn new things in the kitchen.”
“If that works for you.”
“It does. Do you want to kiss to seal the deal?” She sidled closer to him, sliding her hands over his naked shoulders.
Dallas lifted his hands to cup her face. He stared deep into her eyes, silent for so long anxiety rippled to life in her. “I love you.”
Laura released her breath in a slow puff of air. She replayed his words. Yeah, he’d said them. “An O’Grady loves a Drummond?”
His happy expression blanked, giving her a quick flicker of hurt before he reached impassive. “Yeah.” He pulled away from her and went to climb out of the bath.
“No.” Panic cleared her mind. “Don’t go. You took me by surprise. Please.”
Dallas sank into the water again, tension evident in his stiff shoulders. Laura swallowed, aware of the need for caution.
“We haven’t known each other for long,” she said. “I care for you. I enjoy your company, and when we’re apart, my thoughts are with you. The thing is we’re fine when we’re alone, but what happens when our families find out? I…I worry they’ll make life difficult for us, and we’ll crack under the pressure.”
“We have options, Laura. If things become too difficult, we leave Napier and start fresh elsewhere. All you have to do is believe in us as much as I do.”
Laura felt a smile struggle for freedom. “Oh, I want this, Dallas. You’re the one I want, but what about your family? You love your brothers, and your business is here.”
Dallas lifted her onto his lap and pressed her against his chest, holding her in a manner that screamed safety. Security. “I know. But remember this. There are always different ways to approach our problem. Remember that if the situation becomes nasty. We have each other.” The certainty in his voice fueled her determination. He was right.
“Thanks for the pep talk. I’ve already started to change things in my life.”
“They’re things you were planning to do anyway.”
A sigh whispered from her. “True. The real test is still in front of us.”
“What say we forget about everything and enjoy our time together? I intend to tease you until you’re screaming for release. Then I’m going to dry every inch of your trembling body.” His hand brushed over her ear, his husky voice seducing her with little trouble.
She pulled back to stare at him. When did she get so lucky? “And then what?”
“And then I’m going to fuck you blind.”
Their gazes connected. Her tongue flicked out to moisten her lower lip and his eyes tracked the movement.
“What do you think about that?” he asked in the same tone he might use when inquiring about the weather.
“Yes.”
His brows rose. “Yes? I’m going to take what I need, demand everything.”
“Yes,” she repeated.
“Well, good.” And his lips crashed down on hers. Dominant and using every bit of experience he’d gathered over the years, he kissed her until she wanted to purr. He nibbled her bottom lip, giving a hint of pain. The sweep of his tongue soothed the sting, and she gripped his shoulders, clung, enjoying the ride.
Pleasure shimmered along her skin, rushed through her veins. Stole her breath. This was love, her mind screamed. This connection was more than lust. He was right. It was love and worth the fight.
When she shivered, he set her back in the water and turned on the tap to add more heat to their bath. He played with her breasts, shaping the weighty globes and tugging on her nipples. The hum of pleasure heightened, and she squeezed her thighs together in an effort to hold the buzz of enjoyment.
He laughed, watching her through lazy eyes. “Enough of that, sweetheart. Spread ’em for me. You’re not ready yet.”
“Am,” she corrected. “I could get myself off in two seconds flat.”
“Ah, but the pleasure would be fleeting. This will amp up the sensations. And every time you think of our lovemaking, you’ll recall this weekend. I’ll spoil you for other men.”
“I don’t want another man.” Nothing less than the truth.
In answer, he ran his hand down her calf.
“Isn’t that going the wrong way?” she asked.
“My way or you’ll strike enemy fire.”
“Well, since you put it that way.” She made a buttoning motion across her lips. His sexy lips quirked and she caught a flash of white teeth before he turned off the tap.
Clever, clever fingers rubbed her foot, hitting the right spots to make her sigh in enjoyment. She sprawled in the lavender scented water, letting him tend her while desire burst over her like a desert flower bloomed after the rain.
“You’re very skilled.”
“I like making you feel good.” His gaze settled on her lips and remained until the urge to moisten them came upon her again. His eyes seemed to stroke her in a physical manner, making her aware of her body and heightening the rest of her senses. “When I please you, by extension, I please myself. I test myself by holding back my release, and when I allow myself to come, my orgasm is intense.”
Fascinated by the personal glimpses he allowed her, more questions bubbled to the surface. “Is that why you give me a climax sometimes and hold me afterward?”
He lifted her leg and tongued the dimple at the side of her knee. “Yes, that’s why.”
“At the start, I thought you might be playing me.”
There was no mistaking the astonishment on his face. “Why didn’t you ask?”
“I didn’t want to spoil things. It was an ostrich-stuck-in-sand kind of moment.”
A delighted smile curved his lips then, and it was beautiful to see. She basked under the brightness of his blue eyes, his grin making her feel treasured and beautiful.
“You normally ask questions.”
“Yeah, I know.” Her breath stalled when his fingers teased the tender skin of her inner thighs. “Not far to go.”
“Quiet or I’ll stop and make us both suffer.” His voice grew stern. “Close your eyes and imagine swimming in a warm pool. Think about a tropical forest and dappled sunlight on the ground. Imagine a waterfall and the silkiness of the water against your bare skin.”
“Yes, sir.” Her eyes drifted closed and she followed his orders, the change of his tone telling her he expected obedience or she’d suffer the consequences—a stinging bottom.
As soon as she settled, his fingers crept nearer to the prize. Heat prickled through her, over her. She held her breath, wanting to extend the heady pre-orgasmic thrill. His touch got to her, revved her until she wanted to howl like an overused engine suffering from a lead-foot driver.
After what felt like a perfunctory amount of touching and a protest burned her lips, his hands cruised to other erogenous zones. His touch still sizzled and pushed passion and heat through her, but it was a gentle flow, while she craved a hard, crashing pulse—the way an adrenaline junkie craved his next fix.
“Your breasts are beautiful,” he whispered against her ear.
She started, the flimsy jungle scene in her imagination busting apart.
“I could squeeze your breasts together and fuck them.”
“Yes.” Heck, she was easy. She enjoyed everything he did to her, everything they did together.
His chuckle was a burst of warm air, teasing her neck. His teeth fastened on her earlobe, and he bit down. “Almost done, sweetheart.” And he reached for a bar of soap, raising it to his nose to sniff. “This reminds me of summer. My mother loves to garden—not the nice neat rows some people favor. She fills every space with plants and mixes flowers and vegetables together in companion plantings.”
“Do you like to garden?”
“We used to help under protest when we were kids. I’ve been thinking about making some gardens now that the weather is warming. What do you think? Should we grow vegetables?” The entire time he spoke his fingers were busy, searching out tender spots. Dallas made it difficult to focus.
“Y-yes.”
“We can plant some lavender and mint.” Both scents swam around her in the cooling water and from the soap he was lathering onto a cloth.
“Lean forward and let me wash your back.” He suited actions to words, skimming the soapy cloth down her spine, moving onto her arms and legs, her stomach and breasts and last, a brisk, single stroke across her swollen sex.
She hissed at the strike of pleasure, groaned when the sensation didn’t grow. Instead it faded away and settled back on her clit, like a promise for the future.
“Stand up for me.”
Strong hands assisted her to rise, and he scrubbed the soapy cloth over her bottom until her flesh heated. When her legs threatened to buckle, he held her upright and rinsed away the suds, then with a crack of his hand over her buttocks, he urged her from the water.
His wash took place at a much brisker pace, and she’d scarcely picked up a towel when he was beside her, water streaming down his sculpted muscles. Drying took an equally short amount of time before he turned to her with a fresh towel in his hands. He removed the one she’d picked up to blot off the worst of the water, and she stood quiet while he dried her. His cock jutted out in a full-blown erection yet he ignored his desire to focus on her needs.
As he’d promised, by the time they reached the bedroom, her body cried for release, and she was convinced the merest touch of her finger would send her into orbit.
He paused to grab a condom and ripped the packet open with his teeth. A tremor traveled her body as she watched him. He was a visual feast, and she didn’t deserve the care he took of her. “On your hands and knees with your legs spread.”
“I thought the breast-fucking sounded interesting.”
“Another time. Promise, sweetheart.”
The blood in her veins thickened to syrup, slowing her brain function. She stared at him for an instant before swinging her legs over the bed and assuming the position he’d requested. Cool air surged across her swollen folds, the contrast with her hot flesh adding to her desperation.
She felt the weight of his stare the entire time, and when she turned her head, she was mesmerized by his right hand idly stroking his condom-clad shaft.
“God, you’re beautiful. I’m a lucky man.”
“I think I’m the lucky one.” She watched his gaze travel her body and shuddered. Eyes front again, she shifted her weight, felt her liquid desire, her readiness for him.
Dallas crawled onto the mattress. He braced his body over hers, taking the bulk of his weight on his arms. She wanted to photograph him. She wanted to caress his body as he’d touched hers. But she remained on all fours as he’d instructed, her breaths coming in choppy pants.
He slid into her body. They both sighed, and Laura savored the flex of her sheath around his cock. He retreated, an easy withdrawal. This was torture, yet it sizzled, so explosive, so perfect, she couldn’t find fault with his methods.
“Hell,” he muttered, withdrawing until the tip of his cock scraped her clit. Her entire channel rippled, bearing down on emptiness.
“Please,” she whispered.
His hips snapped as he filled her, giving her both the friction and the fullness she craved. This time he didn’t dawdle. Each hard stroke pushed her forward. A strangled cry burst past her lips as the first stirrings of excitement swept her with the force of a rogue wave. But he didn’t slacken or break his pace. The pleasure swelled with each uncompromising stroke into her body. Their flesh slapped together while her spirit soared, gloried in Dallas. He plunged into her, gave a grunt and stilled. A ripple of pleasure came again, but not enough. She closed her eyes, unaccountably wanting to cry.
Dallas held her for an instant longer and withdrew. Immediately, she missed the fullness of his cock, his sheltering frame. And she’d absolutely missed out in the orgasm stakes.
Latex snapped when he removed the condom, while she flopped to the mattress, wondering if she should say something, complain, because she sure as hell felt let down, or rather left hanging.
The mattress moved a fraction and her eyes flew open the instant she felt him between her splayed legs.
“Your turn,” he said, promise shimmering in his sexy, blue eyes, and in that moment Laura toppled past the last of her fears and smack into the middle of love.