CHAPTER FOUR

 

 

 

“God, I’m dying here.” Connor moaned as he sank down into the bubbling water. “I’m hurting in places I didn’t even know could hurt.”

“Do you mean your gluteus maximus?” Rey asked as she lounged on the bed, her eyes eating up Connor as he spread his muscular arms across the back of the hot tub. A man shouldn’t be allowed to possess such physical perfection, she pondered. Especially when she’d been so slighted in the same department.

“Yea, my ass hurts. My legs hurt. My lower back hurts.” He met her stare, his eyes full of hopeful teasing. “I think Doug’s right. I need a massage.”

A shiver of awareness passed over Rey. “I don’t think a massage is part of my job description.”

“No, but it’s what couples do for one another.”

“We’re not a couple.” Picking up the bottle of liniment Douglas had given her for just such a purpose, she opened the lid and sniffed. Whew! That was strong stuff.

Connor held out his hand. “Why don’t you join me? You have to be a little sore yourself, we rode a few miles.”

“I don’t have a suit.” She rose from the bed, half afraid she’d strip and join him in a moment of weakness.

“Where’re you going?”

His voice felt like a caress on her skin. “To get a towel for you. I’m trying to preserve your modesty, McGregor.”

“Don’t do me any favors…unless you’ll reconsider the massage.”

Returning with a big blue towel draped over her arm, she let her eyes lock with his. He really was too big of a temptation to resist. She might regret this, but getting her hands on his body was one of her fantasies. A more legitimate excuse might never come along. “Okay, when you finish, I’ll rub your back. But no hanky-panky.”

She was going to do it? Grasping the sides of the tub, he shoved up and out of the water. “I’m through.”

Rey managed to close her eyes just in time, thrusting the towel out in front of her like a bullfighter’s cape and blindly moving toward him. “My God, do you mind?”

“Not at all.” He accepted the fluffy towel, rubbing his face and shoulders, then wrapping it around his hips. “I didn’t want to give you a chance to change your mind. Where do you want me?”

“In Siberia,” she said dryly. At his raised eyebrow, she pointed to the fireplace. “Why don’t we spread a blanket over the rug and you can lay in front of the fire.”

“Sounds great,” Connor began making his way over, easing himself to the floor as she fetched the blanket. When she unfolded it, he helped her spread it out. “Do you want to start with my back?” He realized how eager he sounded and Connor didn’t care.

Start? “Yes, your back is the logical place.” Her breath hitched and she cleared her throat, trying to keep her voice even. “That’s what hurts, doesn’t it?” As he maneuvered into place, she couldn’t help but admire the play of muscles over his body, the width of his shoulders, bulging biceps, and golden skin. Connor looked delicious.

“Yea, my lower back, lower-lower back, and my…front. All of it needs attention.”

He propped his head up on his crossed arms and she licked her lips as her gaze roved down the hills and planes of his back…all the way to his rounded, firm rump. Damn. Rey never knew a man’s ass could look so good. She dug her fingernails into her palms, trying to keep her cool. “Behave.”

Connor chuckled. “I’m always good, Rey.”

Coming nearer, she took a moment to just look at his fine form spread out before her. Going to her knees by his hips, she felt like someone had bought her a ticket to an all-you-can-eat buffet. There were just too many things she wanted to try…and touch…and taste. “So, all those complaints I’ve heard about your performance are unfounded?”

“Completely. I’ll be glad to give you a demonstration of my considerable skills to allay any misconceptions you might have.”

“Stop it.” Rey giggled, giving him a gentle pinch on his side. “Comfortable?”

“No. I seem to be lying on a baseball bat. Any suggestions?”

Rey snorted. “You’re incorrigible. Do you want a pillow to cushion your man parts?”

“Is that the only solution you can think of?” he asked, dryly. When she didn’t answer, he let out a long sigh. “I never knew you had a cruel streak, Cassidy. I’m ready, do your thing.”

Rey felt like she was trapped in the twilight zone. Banter had always been part of their chemistry, but it had never taken on such a sensual tone before.

“Now, this stuff will be cold at first, then it should start to feel hot. It might even burn,” Rey warned him.

“I’m tough, I think I can handle it.” His voice was muffled and altogether relaxed. He was enjoying this.

“Possibly.” But could she handle touching him? Rey wasn’t so certain.

Pouring some of the thick white lotion into her hands, she eyed his broad, beautiful back and wondered where to start. “You said low.” Okay. That was as good a place as any. On her knees, she leaned forward and placed her palms on his back and began to rub the tight muscles.

“Sheesh!” he hissed. “That’s damn cold.”

Wait for it…

“Gah…fuck! That’s damn hot!” He bowed his back, but Rey kept rubbing.

Okay. Yea. She liked having her hands on him. “Do you want me to stop?”

“No,” he moaned. “It’s got to get better, right?”

“I don’t know.” Her palms were pretty warm too. “Wait. Dang.” She was having trouble with the angle. “Hold on, I’ve got to move.”

Connor glanced back over his shoulder, just in time to see her straddle him. “Is this when the hanky-panky starts?”

Rey snorted a laugh. “No. I’m all business here.”

“Right. Business.” He let out a long sigh. This was beginning to feel good. “You want me,” he told her, his voice confident.

“Don’t flatter yourself. We’re business partners.” She put some more liniment on her hands and delved beneath the towel to the more tender flesh of his tush.

“Wow!” he exclaimed. “You’re mean!”

“You’d be wise not to forget it,” she mumbled, realizing her move on top of him hadn’t been a smart one. All her girl parts were stretched out and rubbing on the hard as rock muscles of his ass.

“I’d never forget one thing about you, Cassidy.” He spoke softly, “You’re too important to me.”

His words stole her ability to breathe. She kept working his muscles, scooting farther down, inching the towel lower over his mouth watering rear. “Oh, really? When’s my birthday?”

“October the 16th.”

Okay. “What’s my favorite food?”

“Anything with cheese.”

“Movie?”

“Something scary…oh, I remember. The Others with Nicole Kidman.”

Rey laughed. “All right. I’m impressed.”

“You play the piano like an angel and the license tag on your car is B56-S72.”

Those last revelations left her speechless.

“See, I told you. Nothing about you goes unnoticed with me. Did you know I used to sneak over to the music hall and listen to you play?”

Rey was stunned. “No, I didn’t.”

“I always wondered why you didn’t pursue a career in music.”

“If I had, I wouldn’t be here with you, would I?”

“No, and I’m glad you’re here. I can’t imagine facing my days without you in my life.”

Rey’s hands slowed, her attention fractured. She was about to comment when Connor continued speaking. “I just don’t know that much about your childhood here in East Texas. Care to elaborate?”

“Not really. There’s not much to tell.” Rey shrugged, uncomfortable with the subject.

“You can tell me anything, you know. I’m your friend.”

“Yes, you are.” And she needed to remember that. “Well, as you know, I have one sister.”

“Right. A former Miss Texas, I believe.”

“The beauty of our family. You met her once, didn’t you?” Rey’s voice dropped to just above a whisper.

“At a party, yes. That girl was something else.”

“She was very taken with you. I hadn’t heard from her in years, but she made sure to contact me afterward to let me know you…” Rey let her words trail off.

“Hey, I didn’t sleep with her, Rey.” Connor said, urgently.

But he had kissed her. “I didn’t say you did.” She cleared her throat, pushing the unhappy topic from her mind. “Anyway, my folks were preoccupied with Robin. My mom was obsessed with beauty pageants and dresses. I think she lived vicariously through my sister. My dad worked himself to death trying to fund her obsession. My sister won several titles, but there was no money in it.”

“And you, what were you doing during this time?”

She didn’t have the beauty, but she had the brains. “Taking care of things while the rest of the family traveled from pageant to pageant. Going to school. Learning. Playing the piano.” Being ignored. She could remember trying to talk to her family at the dinner table and nothing she said seemed to register with them. “Preparing to be your top-notch assistant.”

“Is that why you are the way you are today?”

Rey stiffened. “What do you mean?”

“You’re all work and no play. While I appreciate your efforts, you need to make time for yourself.” He paused and waited for her to reply, but when she didn’t, he continued. “In all the years we’ve worked together, I’ve never really known you to have a social life.”

“I do have a private life, Connor.” Lackluster though it may be. She didn’t really want to discuss this now, she’d much rather get lost in the joy of touching him.

“Like the dairy farmer, Jeremy Benjamin. Was that his name?”

Rey’s eyes widened. She couldn’t remember what name she’d made up. “Something like that.” Agitated, she kneaded a little harder and turned the tables. “Why are you the way you are, Connor?”

“You mean my philandering ways?”

“I think it’s more than that,” Rey mused. The whole scenario seemed surreal. They were talking about important things, not just business. And she had his body beneath her fingertips… “Why are you so afraid to love anyone? You flit from woman to woman like a fickle bee in a field of flowers.”

“Hey, I’m too sexy for love, or at least that’s what the tabloids all say. I enjoy playing that field.”

“Be serious.” She popped him on his naked ass and he laughed.

“Okay. If I were to psychoanalyze myself, I’d say that my parents gave me a lot of things, but attention wasn’t one of them. They were more concerned with getting ahead and making a place for themselves in society than they were about me. Maybe we were both neglected by our folks, yet we reacted in different way. You turned inward, became an introvert and I became the opposite.”

“I think we’re oversimplifying. You specialize in keeping people at arm’s length, especially women.” At his amused chuckle, she backtracked. “I don’t mean physically.” She rolled her eyes. “You keep your arms full of as many ardent females as possible. I mean, emotionally, you never give anyone a chance to get close to you.”

Connor looked over his shoulder at her. “You don’t call this close?” At her exasperated look and sigh, he laughed. “We’re close, Rey. I depend on you and I hope you know you can depend on me. You’ve helped me make my dreams come true. How about you? Do you have any dreams I don’t know about?”

Rey bit her tongue. Yes, she wanted it all. A home, a husband, a family. Those were touchy subjects, however. “I’ve always wanted to be a concert pianist, play Carnegie Hall.”

“Wow, when you dream, you dream big.”

A little secret smile graced Rey’s lips. She wouldn’t tell Connor how that particular dream was within her grasp. But to achieve that goal, she’d have to relinquish the one she shared with this man. Some things were worth the sacrifice.

“I’m surprised, Rey. I thought I knew everything about you.”

Easing farther down his body, Rey began working on his legs. “You know enough, I think you see too much, actually.” Next, he’d be telling her that he knew about the crush she’d had on him for years.

“Just relax,” she whispered when she felt him shift beneath her. His thighs were strong, hair-roughened, and as thick as tree trunks. A little moan escaped her lips as she worked his sore muscles – over and over – from his knee all the way up…

“Rey!” Connor moaned her name. “I’ve got to turn over.”

“Why?” she panted. She was getting into this. Having her hands on him, touching him this way was amazing.

“I’m…hurting.”

Rey moved instantly. “Sorry. What did I do?”

Connor rolled over and then…it was obvious. His cock popped up and raised a tent, making Rey’s eyes wide. “Sorry,” he murmured, “I was getting rug burn.”

She didn’t know what to say. Handing him the liniment, she muttered. “You can do your front.”

Connor laughed, shaking his head. “That kinda lube could kill a man.”

Rey scrambled to her feet. “That’s enough.”

“Don’t you want to finish the job, beautiful? I sure could use the help.”

“Stop. We’re just friends, remember?” She had to put some distance between them. “I’m going to take a walk. I’ll meet you downstairs for dinner.”

“Wait!” he called, but she was out and gone before he could say more. “Christ.” Connor tried to stand up. There was no way he could catch her. Between his sore muscles and his swollen dick, moving wasn’t the easiest thing in the world to accomplish. “I’m not through with you, Cassidy,” he groaned as he began to take a few steps. “In fact, this is just the beginning.”

…A little later, Connor grumbled to himself as he slowly made his way down the stairs. “I’m walking like an old man.” 

“Good.” Karin’s voice sounded behind him. “You won’t be able to outrun me when I chase you.”

Ignoring the pain, Connor sped up a little. “Give me a head start, will you?” he muttered, grateful to see Doug come around the corner. “Where’s Rey, have you seen her?”

“Yes, I have.” He beckoned Connor. “She’s taking a walk down by the lake. I’m sure she won’t be gone long. Come into the den, I have something to show you. A courier just delivered the blueprints I had drawn up.”

“Great, we’ll talk numbers. I think Rey should hear this, though. Do you mind if we wait on her?”

“I’ll see if I can find her,” Karin offered, pulling on a jacket that was hanging on the back of a chair. “Pour me a drink, Doug. And if you haven’t made our dinner reservations, maybe you ought to do that.”

Doug nodded, but frowned as soon as his wife left the room. “Have you ever noticed how pushy some women can be?”

Connor laughed. “Yea, I have. Although, I don’t think they have a monopoly on the characteristic. My father was the world’s worst.”

“I only met your dad once, but like mine, he made some wise investments.” Doug led him to a large desk. “Have a seat.” He motioned to a chair, then began to take the cap off a round container holding the blueprints.

“Yes, Dad bought some acreage from the last surviving owner of the old Bailey ranch. The Colorado river cuts right through it. He foresaw Austin’s westward expansion long before anyone else did.” Connor shifted in the seat, trying to find a comfortable position. “Your father did something similar, I take it.”

Doug nodded, laughing wryly as he spread out the papers. “Yea, he bought thousands of acres of worthless, drought stricken desert, hoping there would be enough grass to graze a few hundred head of cattle.”

“Lucky you, the acreage just happened to be sitting on the world’s largest reservoir of oil.”

“I’d say we were pretty fortunate.” Doug pointed to the drawings. “What do you think about this floor plan?”

…Outside, Rey stood on the pier, staring out at the peaceful waters of Toledo Bend lake. She could remember swimming here on school outings, camping here with the youth group from church, and walking along the shore with her high school boyfriend. The memory brought a smile to her face, she and Randy had spent some good times together. He’d been her confidante and she’d been his. They’d shared everything, even the turmoil he’d gone through when he revealed to his family that he was a homosexual. “Just my luck.” Her only serious boyfriend and she’d turned him gay.

“Luck? Do you feel lucky, Rita?”

When Rey heard Karin’s voice, she jumped. “Not at the moment, no.”

“The men are waiting on you so they can go over some numbers. To save my life, I can’t understand why Connor thinks he needs you.”

“Thanks for letting me know.” Rey hugged herself against the chill, refusing to let Connor’s ex-girlfriend rattle her cage. “I do feel lucky, actually. I was just recalling my life here in this little backwater town. This lake played a big role in my life. My grandfather worked for the company who built the bridge across the lake and my father had a part-time job being a fishing guide. I had some good times here and some not so good.” Rey laughed at the irony. “But who would’ve ever thought I’d be back as part of a multi-million-dollar deal to build a fabulous resort on these same waters?” She gave the woman who considered her a rival, a big smile. “Yea, I guess I am lucky.” As she edged by, Rey half expected Karin to push her into the chilly lake.

“He won’t stay with you.” Karin followed her off the wooden pier, their footsteps echoing on the planks. “He never stays with any woman very long.”

“Is that why he only dated you for about a week?”

“We dated more than a week,” was Karin’s growled reply.

“I don’t remember it that way.”

“You don’t have what it takes to please Connor, Rita. He requires constant stimulation from a woman. Beauty. Sensuality.”

Rey smiled as she walked a little faster toward solid ground – just in case. “I think I provided him with quite a bit of stimulation this afternoon and I plan on giving him even more tonight.”

So there.

 

*  *  *

 “This is a nice restaurant,” Connor studied the menu. “Lots of Cajun and Creole dishes. What do you recommend, Doug?”

“The oysters on the half shell are fabulous and so are the crab cakes with remoulade sauce.”

“I’m having the oysters,” Karin almost purred her choice.

“Great, I think I’ll try the crab cakes,” Connor folded his menu and placed it on the corner of the table.

Rey noticed several women in the restaurant pointing at Connor and whispering. She straightened the starched white napkin on her lap, reaching up to brush a lock of hair away from her face. “I think I’ll have the blackened redfish.”

“Good choice.” Doug brightened. “Our guests will enjoy coming to Natchitoches for a day trip.”

“I agree.” Rey sipped her tea. “There are several plantations to explore and during the holiday season, the Christmas decorations on the Cane River are world-famous.”

“Steel Magnolias was filmed here, wasn’t it?” Karin asked, munching on a breadstick.

“Yes, it was,” Rey answered, a little shocked that Karin was being so affable. “There’s even a tour to take people around to some of the locations used in filming. We could highlight that in one of the brochures.”

“Good idea.” Doug held up his glass to Rey. “If you ever get tired of working for this city-boy, let me know.”

Connor spoke up quickly, “Our business relationship has changed over the years. The company belongs to Rey also, she’s my partner.”

“Ah, yes, I knew that.” He lifted a glass to Rey. “You’re a lucky man, McGregor.”

After they placed their order, Doug stood, offering Rey his hand. “Would you care to dance, Miss Cassidy?”

“Why, thank you.” Rey was blushing a bit from all the praise. “I’d love to.”

Connor watched them go.

“Well, aren’t you going to ask me to dance?” Karin asked.

“I wasn’t planning on it.” Connor stated flatly. “Plus, I have an excuse, that horseback ride left me stiff as a board.”

“I have fond memories of you being stiff as a board.” She leaned forward. “I know why you didn’t order the oysters, you don’t need them.” Rising, she held out her hand. “So, come on. For old time’s sake.” When Connor just sat there, she touched his arm. “Don’t embarrass me, Connor,” she warned him with an edge to her voice. “I can promise you’ll be sorry.”

Connor threw down his napkin and stood up with a wince. “Fine. You don’t have to resort to blackmail.” Once they were on the dance floor, he made sure to hold her at arm’s length. “About all I can do is stand here while the music plays.”

“That’s all you need to do. I just wanted to be in your arms again.”

Connor almost shuddered. What had he ever seen in this woman? “Douglas is a good man. You should have more respect for him than you do.”

Karin didn’t answer, nor did she have the good grace to show a shred of guilt.

“I can do things for the resort, Karin, I have connections and know-how. This is going to be a great deal for both of us, if you don’t ruin it.”

“Both you and Doug have more money than you could ever need. When will it be enough?”

Connor considered Karin’s question. “I guess when I find something else that fascinates me half as much.”

“What? Like Rita? I don’t understand why you’re with her. She’s not attractive. She’s a plain, flat-chested, little…” She slipped a hand down between them, aiming directly for his crotch.

“Whoa, watch it.” Dropping her other hand, Connor stepped back from her. “You don’t talk about Rey in my presence. I think it would be better if you keep your opinions and your hands to yourself.”

A few yards away, Rey was learning more about Douglas’ stamp collection than she’d ever wanted to know. “That’s fascinating, I had no idea there were so many different stamps in the world.”

“I have about fifteen-hundred and the most I paid for any one stamp was one-point-three million.”

“Gracious! That’s a lot of money,” Rey was about to say more when Connor approached them.

“Excuse me, may I cut in?”

“Of course,” Doug graciously replied, relinquishing Rey into Connor’s arms.

Rey stiffened noticeably and Connor’s lips compressed in disquiet. “About the massage, I’m sorry if I offended you.”

Rey shrugged. “It was my fault, I got a little touchy-feely,” she admitted without looking him in the eye.

“Not at all.” Connor bent his head to look straight into her eyes. “Your touch was welcome. Karin’s, on the other hand, was not. She copped a feel on the dance floor.”

Rey couldn’t help herself, she giggled. “You are so mistreated. Women just can’t get enough of you. Every time you’re on a talk show or appear on the news, you increase your following.” She looked over his shoulder at a group of young women eyeing Connor. “Right behind you is a whole enclave of admirers. I think they’re ganging up for an ambush. And you probably need to check your phone, I’m getting the overflow. Some are contacting the office because they think you might be dead.”

Connor let his eyes rove over Rey’s pretty face and sexy dress. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I can’t think about anyone else but you.”

Rey’s mouth dropped open. “So, this is how it’s done. Very impressive.” She tried to remained unmoved as the hand at her waist moved up to caress the bare skin revealed by her backless dress. “Are you trying to keep your skills honed? Your charms don’t work on me, you know.”

“No? Shall I take that as a personal challenge?”

Rey shivered in his arms. “No, I don’t think so. I won’t be a source of amusement for you. That’s not part of our agreement.” Touching his shoulder with more affection than she wanted to admit, she reminded him of a very important fact. “Let’s not forget that we have to work together when this is over.”

Connor started to argue when Doug motioned that the food had arrived. He escorted Rey back to the table and held her chair while she was seated. There was no denying how he felt, Connor was bothered by what Rey had said. He’d always known she didn’t approve of his lifestyle, but he also knew they had common ground. His request for her help had seemed like the perfect idea. After all, who did he trust more than the person with whom he was creating an empire?

There was no denying things had changed between them, or at least on his part. What started out simply as a way to secure a lucrative contract had transformed into something else entirely. Oh, he’d known the accidental kiss he and Rey shared was worth exploring, but now there seemed to be more at stake. He felt like he was on the verge of a discovery.

Taking his own seat, Connor was quiet as they began to eat. He was trying to decide his next move. If there was one strength he possessed, it was selecting a goal and strategizing the best way to get there. All he had to do now was figure out what he wanted.

“More wine, sir?”

“What?” The waiter’s question startled Connor from his reverie. He was surprised to see everyone watching him. “Sorry,” he included everyone in the apology, “I was wool-gathering.” Addressing the waiter, he covered his glass. “No, no more for me. I think I need to keep a clear head.”

“Good idea.” Doug waved the waiter away. “So, where do we stand? What do you two think so far?”

Rey waited for Connor to take the lead. She had mixed feelings and she wasn’t sure if this quandary was the result of financial parameters or the push and pull of the personal relationships complicating the matter. “Go ahead,” she murmured, nodding for Connor to speak first when their gazes met.

Connor folded his napkin and laid it by his plate. He realized he’d eaten most of his meal automatically, with no memory of doing so. “I think you have a good plan and I think we could bring it to life for you. My prime concern at this point is attracting clientele. The big draw to Whispering Pines wouldn’t be the amenities of the resort itself, we have to play up the locale.”

“I concur,” Rey interjected her viewpoint. “As beautiful and comfortable as the resort would be, it can’t exist on its own. We won’t be offering a unique spa experience or a world class golf course. What will draw people here will be a combination of the amenities and the experience. The lake must be the focus. We need to key in on people who want to enjoy the lake and want to do so in first-class comfort.”

Doug leaned forward, hanging on to their every word. “Tomorrow, let me take you out on the water. I have a party boat. We’ll spend the morning on the lake and you can see for yourself what Toledo Bend has to offer.”

“We’ll be ready,” Rey agreed. “I love to fish.”

Karin shivered. “Not me. I’d rather lay out on the deck and catch some rays.”

“That sounds interesting,” Connor covered her hand on the table. “I know one Rey I’d love to catch.”

Connor’s flirtatious comment caught Rey off guard and she completely missed the murderous look Karin gave her.

 

*  *  *

Once they were alone in their room, Rey tried to get everything back on a normal footing with Connor. Taking her laptop, she crawled up in the bed and opened it. “I am so behind answering emails. When we get back to Austin, we’ve got our work cut out for us.”

Connor wasn’t in the mood for work. He came to the bed and took the laptop out of her hands. “Not tonight. We’re on vacation.”

Rey frowned, trying not to notice that he’d taken off his shirt and his chest looked in dire need of kissing. “Since when? This is a business trip of the most important kind.”

“You work too hard. It’s time you learned how to play.”

Rey didn’t like the sound of that. “What are you up to, Connor?” She scooted up to lean on the headboard, pulling the covers up over her bare legs.

Connor laid her computer on the coffee table. “You look sexy.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.” She blinked at him, the color rising in her cheeks. Gone was the pink kitty tee, tonight’s ensemble was a UT Longhorn nightshirt that had definitely seen better days.

He bit his bottom lip, trying to stop smiling. She was delicious, tugging on the shirt and pulling it tight over those luscious little tits of hers. “Nope, not kidding. You’re sexy as hell. Cuddly.” He could see her nipples, they were swollen and ripe.

“Connor, please…” Rey bowed her head, pulling her knees up to hide her breasts. When she did, she realized he could probably see up her shirt, so she lowered her legs and grabbed his pillow to hold in front of her.

Connor considered her point. Was he thinking clearly? Probably not. This was Rey, not some woman he could love on today and leave tomorrow. “I’d love to please you, if you’ll let me.”

Rey felt her chest tighten. This was so hard. “We don’t need to pretend here. No one’s watching.” She raised her head, surprised to see a look on his face so intense it made her tremble.

“Who’s pretending?” He wanted to unwrap her like a long-anticipated gift. “I want your lips to be swollen from my kisses. I want your soft, naked body to be flushed with desire…for me.”

 “Why are you doing this?” For years she’d tamped down her attraction for him, she’d accepted the fact that her feelings for him could go nowhere. Over time, she’d managed to compartmentalize those emotions so they could function as a team. If she allowed this to happen, all of those unrequited yearnings would rise up and overwhelm her. “Are you just bored? Can’t you wait for someone you’re really attracted to?”

A low rumbling growl came from Connor’s chest. “You want to know why? And it’s not because I’m bored. Hell, no. I’m unbelievably attracted to you.” He began to walk slowly toward her. “From the moment my kiss to your cheek went awry, I haven’t been able to get you off my mind. I don’t know how in the hell I’ve worked beside you every day and missed this. I went out with Daphne that night and I didn’t touch her. I spent time with Serena, Veronica and Troian, I didn’t touch any of them. I couldn’t.”

Rey was stunned. Speechless. She couldn’t breathe. It was as if Connor were speaking a language she barely understood. “You couldn’t?”

He was so close now, right at the foot of the bed. His eyes held hers and refused to let them go. “No, and do you know why?”

She shook her head.

“You’ve been after me to change my ways and it looks like you’ve accomplished your goal. My attention has been diverted from the women who want me…to the only woman I want. You.”

Rey shook her head. “I’m not sure you know what you want.”

Connor put one knee on the bed, then the other. Slowly, he began to draw nearer, rising over her to cover her body with his own. “Oh, I’m very sure. I want to show you how good it can be between us. Will you let me?”

She tried to think. Didn’t he realize what was at stake? A thousand questions remained to be answered, but all Rey could do was focus on his face – his eyes, his lips. God, she wanted him. “I’m not a risk-taker. You know that. What if…?”

“What if it’s good? What if it’s amazing?” He brushed his lips with his. “God, you’re sweet.” Another kiss, harder this time. “What if it’s the best we ever have?”

Rey answered his kiss with one of her own. “You think the risk will be worth the reward?”

“Oh, yeah, I do. Trust me.” His whispered words set Rey on fire.

She opened her lips to protest, but he seized the opportunity that allowed him unfettered access. “So, sweet.” As his tongue slid over hers, his hand came up to cup her face and his big body settled down on hers, not crushing, just insuring she couldn’t move away. Rey wanted to melt into him more than she wanted to breathe – but she just couldn’t. Putting up her hands, she stiffened, pushing on his chest. The pressure she put on his powerful body went unnoticed, he just kept kissing her, sliding his arm beneath her, lifting her closer to his rock-solid form. 

“Connor, no,” she protested on a whisper.

“Yes, Rey, yes,” he insisted, rolling to his back and bringing her with him.

Rey could have moved then, but she didn’t. With each breath, she surrendered more of herself – giving, offering all she was, sinking into him, letting him support her. He gave her more and more kisses, one beginning before another could be finished. Intimate strokes of ecstasy, secret caresses of promise.

“You like this?” he asked, his mouth wandering from her lips to the soft curve of her neck, hunting the visible thrum of her pulse.

“Too much,” she answered, quivering as he nipped a sensitive spot, soothing the sting with the tip of his tongue. Her whole body throbbed, her pulse pounded in her breasts and between her thighs. Rey was burning up with desire. “This is just like I thought it would be.”

“You’ve been thinking about this? About us?” Connor asked as his hands moved feverishly over her body, his fingers slipping beneath the bottom of her shirt and teasing the silky skin of her delicate back.

Rey was filled with an overwhelming urge to move. She could feel his erection beneath her hips and it was all she could do to keep from scrubbing against him. Breaking the kiss, she sat up, her attention moving from his face to his chest. “I want to touch you.”

“As long as two can play.” He grasped the ends of her T-shirt and whisked it over her head before she could protest. “Fuck, Rey.” Connor couldn’t help but stare.

Rey’s hands came up to cover her breasts.

“Don’t.” He took her hands in his and pulled them down. Connor was completely entranced as he watched a blush rise on her beautiful body.

“I’m small,” she stammered. “I’ve always been so sensitive…”

“Let me see.” He framed her breasts and pushed them together, rubbing the nipples with his thumbs. Her gasp made him smile. “Yea, I guess you are sensitive.” He palmed both nipples and rubbed in concentric circles, loving how her mouth opened and her eyes got this adorable unfocused look.

“I didn’t mean that kind of sensitive…” She bucked on top of him as he tweaked the sensitive peaks, rolling them between his fingers. “Oh, God!”

“Beautiful.” Connor was making himself happy, kneading and molding her breasts. They were a perfect size and the perfect shape, the swell above her nipple was almost as large as below. “All natural and so responsive.” Tugging her down, he buried his face in her soft cleavage. “Can I kiss them?”

“I…oh, yes…please.”

To his utter delight, she cupped her breasts and presented them to him. He groaned, availing himself of what she offered. Parting his lips, he brushed them across one distended nipple, relishing how stiff and hot they were. “I bet they’re going to taste sweet.”

“I don’t think – oh...” Rey threw her head back and clutched Connor’s shoulders as he began to lick around her nipple, then closing his lips over it to begin sucking lightly. She felt the delicious tugging deep in her core. As he moved from one breast to the other, Rey thought she might faint from the pleasure. She tangled her fingers in his hair and held his head tight to her eager flesh. “Don’t stop, oh, please don’t stop.”

Her euphoric reaction to his lovemaking sent his own arousal skyrocketing. “That’s it, baby, you’re so beautiful.”

Rey was past coherent thought. She’d never been so excited. Moving back and forth, she rubbed her hungry clit on the hard ridge of his cock. He seemed to revel in her touch, nearly purring as he nuzzled a path from one breast to the other, leaving a trail of fiery kisses in his wake. “Oh, Connor, I need…I need.”

She was just about to fly apart in his arms, Connor could feel it. His head was swimming and his own control was almost nonexistent. “Let me give you what you need, baby.”

Knock! Knock!

Rey froze. “Oh, God…” she muttered, burying her head in Connor’s shoulder.

“Connor!” It was Karin.

“What the hell?” he grumbled, trying to hold Rey in place. “Don’t move,” he told her. “We’re a little busy, Karin!”

“Shhhh,” Rey admonished him, so embarrassed she could die.

“Connor, you’ve got a phone call from someone named Serena. She says she’s certain you’ll want to talk to her, something about a date you have planned.”

Rey felt anger flash through her like a lightning bolt. “A date? I thought you said…” She sprang from the bed and grabbed her UT shirt, jerking it over her head. “I hope you don’t overbook this time, because I’m not covering for you again!” Taking her pillow, she chunked it toward one of the big leather chairs.

Before he could defend himself, Karin rattled the doorknob. “Connor! I can hear you talking, but I can’t understand what you’re saying. Are you going to take the phone call?”

“No!” he bellowed. Tuning to Rey, he could see how upset she was, “I can explain. Just don’t move.” Connor stomped to the door. “Karin, go away. Tell whoever is calling to email me and I’ll talk to them another time.”

 “Sorry to cause trouble, I thought sure it might be important. You two get back to whatever you were doing. Don’t mind me.”

Rey groaned when she heard Karin’s gloating tone of voice. “Oooooohhhhhhh!” Rey chunked another pillow at the door, where it landed with a thud at Connor’s feet. When he started back to the bed, she headed to the chair. “I will not sleep in that bed with you.”

“Well, you’re certainly not going to sleep in that uncomfortable chair.” Connor pointed to the bed. “Get back over here. We can sleep together the way we did last night.”

“No.” Rey shook her head. “I woke up this morning with your head buried against my tits.” When he didn’t look surprised, she realized he’d known all along. “You weren’t asleep! You knew exactly what you were doing!”

She looked like a spitting kitten and he wanted to stroke her till she purred. Connor had to hold himself back, he wanted to pick her up and put her back in his bed where she belonged. “I was lying next to a beautiful woman whom I desire very much. I couldn’t help myself.”

“I think you desire anyone without a Y chromosome. I was just handy, I’m nothing special.”

“Oh, yes, you are.” Connor started toward her. “You are very special to me.”

Rey held out her hand to indicate he shouldn’t come any closer. “I either sleep in the chair or I go down and tell Karin I need another room.”

Connor threw up his hands. “All right, dammit! At least let me take the chair. You sleep in the bed!”

Rey shook her head. “No, I don’t want to. I don’t want to sleep where we…”

Connor studied her face, trying to decide what to do. “Hell!” He picked up the pillow from the floor and tossed it back in place. “I’ll fix all of this tomorrow. I promise.” His head was spinning. How had Serena found out where he was? And why would she call? Somebody in his organization had been a little too free with information. “I’ll get to the bottom of this.”

“Why would Serena…?” Rey almost asked why Serena would call. “No, I don’t want to know.”

“Listen.” Connor went to Rey and captured her hands. She was trembling. “I didn’t tell Serena where to find me, I didn’t give her the number, and I don’t have another date planned with her.”

“Don’t Conner, it doesn’t matter. We shouldn’t have…” She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to get control of her emotions. “Let’s just go back to the way we were, what we have is too important to mess up…with sex.”

Having her in his arms didn’t feel like messing up to Connor, far from it. But now probably wasn’t the best time to make his case. Rey was upset and he was…hard – for her. He probably wasn’t thinking straight himself. “All of this will look differently in the morning, I promise.”

The light was bright enough in the room for her to see that Connor was still aroused. She averted her eyes, pointing to the chair. “Just let me get some sleep.” Things were fast getting out of control. “We have an early appointment in the morning to check out the lake. After that, you’ll have to make a decision whether or not we make this deal.”

“We will make the decision,” Connor emphasized the ‘we’. “Together.”

Rey ran shaky fingers through her hair. “All right.” She picked up a spare blanket from where it was spread across the end of the bed. “Let’s just go back to the way we were. Please. Tomorrow, when we wake up, let’s forget all of this, act like tonight never happened.”

Connor didn’t agree. He didn’t think he could do what she requested. “We’ll talk about this when we calm down.” Crawling into the bed, he lay on his side and watched her trying to make herself comfortable in the chair. “I hate seeing you over there, you belong in this bed with me.” When she didn’t answer, he slammed the pillow, forcing it into a knot under his head. “This isn’t over Rey, so don’t think it is.”

Rey’s only answer was to prop her feet on the ottoman and pull the covers over her head.