“I’m sorry that the job caused you problems, though,” he said. “I’m really pissed off at Jacob.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Not an option. And I promise you, it won’t happen again.” He looked directly into her eyes. “Nobody’s going to hurt you.”
Somewhere inside her, rivers of feeling that had been icebound and stagnant cracked, broke into pieces, started flowing again. She turned in his arms and straddled him, pushing him back against the couch. His eyes darkened. He looked so masculine and beautiful in the sunlight, filtered through the pale curtains, and she kissed him deeply.
He was all hers.
His fingers let go of her hair and gripped her pelvis as she probed his lips, then boldly pushed into his mouth. The taste of champagne lingered there; she melted into him, one broad shoulder gripped in each hand. He seemed impossibly solid to her, a granite slab of strength and constancy.
The sun brightened his golden hair until it looked like he was on fire. She fitted herself more closely against him, her skin sensitive and tingling. Still holding the kiss, they undressed each other, rocking back and forth on the couch to get the clothes off. Every time Ethan shifted it sent a jolt of pleasure shooting up from between her legs.
He unzipped her dress and pulled it over her head. Then the panties were gone, leaving her bare to his gaze. Yet it was her heart that seemed open and vulnerable now, without the usual shield to keep it safe.
“You’re stunning,” he whispered. He reached for her breasts, cupping the soft mounds in his warm, large hands. He flicked his thumbs against the pointed tips, and she bit her lower lip to contain a moan.
One hand left to travel downward, fingertips running down her ribs and belly in a tortuously slow tour to where she was wet and quivering. He seemed to know her every secret, her every sensitive spot.
And for once she didn’t mind that the man she was involved with knew so much about her.
He wrapped his hand around her ass, while pulling on her nipple. She slowly moved her pelvis against his, wanting him deep inside. But she didn’t want the moment to end too soon.
She opened her eyes and looked at him. His were slitted, his blue gaze brilliant and dark. Passion had flushed his cheeks, and their earlier kiss had turned his lips swollen.
She studied every line of his face, listened to every breath he drew. She wanted to etch this moment forever onto her brain, so she’d never forget it.
After putting a condom on him, she slid onto him, completely ready, and found him so big it was slightly difficult to get him in.
She moved up and down, slowly and deliberately at first, then faster as the heat built. His breathing grew labored, his hands firmer and rougher on her body, marking her. She loved the possessiveness of his touch.
Yes, yes, I’m yours. Do whatever you will with me.
Tension coiled inside her, her muscles tightening more and more as he thrust harder, his hips surging upward.
She screamed her pleasure as he gritted his teeth and emptied himself. She slid forward and wrapped her arms around him, sated and happy.
*
Ethan felt Kerri go limp with sleep in his lap. Normally he would have given in to the urge to snooze a bit, too, but now he brooded.
She always responded so passionately, so openly…but was that the same as emotional openness and love?
The physical bond between them was fine, but without the heart it wouldn’t be enough to sustain a long-term relationship. Kerri had a habit of running away from pain. No one had to spell it out for him. It was obvious from what he’d been able to piece together.
Would she consider staying with him worth whatever pain her family would inevitably inflict on her when they found out about the two of them? Or would she vanish without a word? Ethan was certain they wanted her back in the fold. Pattington had ascertained that Kerri left Hong Kong around the same time Barron Sterling had left for Asia. Too much of a coincidence, especially combined with her discomfort at being in Houston.
His plan to show Kerri that she could be happy and content with him and the people around him had imploded. Damn Gavin and Jacob.
Ethan closed his eyes briefly, not wanting to get angry all over again. Kerri needed to see that what the two of them had was worth staying put for, that they could deal with her family as a team. She had to feel safe, and understand that he’d never let anyone hurt her.
But it was entirely possible that he could fail and Kerri would slip away again, this time forever. Icy fingers of dread took hold of his heart, because he was no longer certain he could do enough to hold on to her.
*
Later that evening, Kerri watched Ethan moving around the kitchen, a sharp knife in his hand. The black apron looked good on him, the first time she’d thought that about a man and an apron. He’d put on a black polo shirt and faded jeans to work behind the island counter. The smells of chicken Parmesan coming together were tantalizing.
Already her mouth was watering. I’m like one of Pavlov’s dogs, she thought. Just seeing Ethan in the kitchen is enough to do it. She’d gain weight at the rate things were going, and would no longer be able to fit into her clothes.