“And didn’t call or email me afterward!”
“The only time I could have called would have been three in the morning here.” He raked his hair with his hands. “Did you want me to email you? Isn’t that a bit too impersonal? And using the company network? Anyone in IT could have read it. And why couldn’t you call? You have my private number.”
Her expression hardened. “Well, for your information, the timing’s wrong, and I’m quite sure everything will be fine. So don’t worry about getting stuck with a kid you don’t want.”
Damn, she was dense! He let out a breath, trying to regain his equilibrium, and glared at the jewelry box, his hand tightening on it. It was either that or throttle her. This whole situation was a mess. He hadn’t necessarily been expecting a welcome with open arms, but he thought he deserved something more than getting his presents thrown back at him. And being compared to her abominable family.
Natalie’s cat had gone over to the couch and was sniffing the package. He began scratching at the wrapping paper.
“Matto, no!”
She snatched it away from him, but the paper got caught under his claws and ripped open. The silk robe spilled onto the floor. She picked it up before Matto could reach it, and the robe unfurled, the gold fènhuáng vivid against the crimson.
Natalie’s eyes traveled over the embroidery, her lips making small, soundless movements. “Where did you find this?” she whispered finally.
What was this, some kind of trick question? “In Hong Kong,” he said warily.
“It’s…beautiful.”
“I just thought you’d look good in it.”
She blinked rapidly, and Alex frowned. Was she going to cry?
Things were not working out as he’d planned. He felt like he was playing a game of chess where every other move, the pieces changed positions at random.
She launched herself at him, knocking the breath out of him. His arms closed around her automatically.
“That was all I wanted,” she said, her voice muffled against his shirt. “I wanted you to give me time, not money.”
The confusion was still there, but a bit of happiness seeped in and started replacing the anger. Everything she did was a surprise. He dipped his head and breathed through the fragrance of her hair. “I wanted to give you both,” he murmured. “The fènhuáng just took me longer to find.”
Her arms tightened around him, and he wanted to strangle her parents. They must have done a real number on Natalie if she equated extravagant gifts with attempts to buy her off.
Having Natalie wrapped around him like this seemed right somehow, like a homecoming…but there was a little fear, as well. He didn’t want to depend on her for his happiness. He didn’t want anyone to hold that much power over him.
Despite it all, running his hands down her spine, he couldn’t stop himself from saying, “I missed you.”
* * *
He rubbed her lower back, his strong hands stroking her gently, and Natalie sighed with contentment. The clean scent of his cologne and maleness teased her senses, and she trembled slightly.
He kissed her forehead, then her nose. His mouth found hers and shaped itself around her smaller, softer lips. She wanted him right now, but at the same time, she wanted to take it slow, just the two of them and their sw
eet need.
Their clothes fell in a haphazard trail as they moved to her bedroom. She didn’t know when or how he did it, but her panties were gone, and his clever tongue and fingers were pushing her higher until she was ready to go over the edge. Her skin seemed to stretch tighter over her body and burn as they fell onto the bed. She cried out when he thrust inside, and it didn’t take much for them to cling to each other and lose themselves in the violent maelstrom of ecstasy.
They lay on the bed, panting. She jumped when something cold touched her bare skin. It was the choker.
“Even if you’re mad at me for buying this for you, I think you should keep it,” he said. “It suits you.” He considered for a moment. “Plus, the jeweler won’t take it back. And I can’t possibly wear it.”
Natalie laughed. He put the jewelry around her neck. She kissed him.
“You know…I never had a woman jump my bones over a robe and kick my butt over a bunch of expensive gems.” A faint smile curved his lips. “You are truly one of a kind.”
She grinned back at him. “Thank you. I really do like the robe.”
He stretched lazily and ran his hand down her side, tracing the curve of her waist. “I was right. You look good in rubies.” His gaze sharpened a bit. “Really good.”