“If I open my eyes—” she inhaled sharply, “—it will be over. If I look . . . ” She panted around the building pleasure. “If I look at you, I’ll . . . this will be over.”
“Look at me,” he repeated.
She opened her eyes, careful to keep her chin against her right shoulder. He stared at her with ferocity that bordered on animalistic.
“Jared.” Her body tightened around him as the orgasm to end all orgasms overtook her. Her hips rocked, bypassing rhythm and barreling straight toward the road marked pleasure.
He slammed into her quivering, jerking body one more time and stilled. His head tipped back, and his grip tightened.
“I fucking love you,” he growled.
Her brow furrowed, and her head turned to face the stairs. It was as if she’d accidentally walked in on an intimate moment. As if she’d pushed open a door, and overheard something that wasn’t intended for her ears.
He hadn’t meant to say that. Not out loud. I love you—those words didn’t fit. They were on her front stairs.
Maybe he was talking to the orgasm.
She kept her gaze fixed on the floorboards. His movements slowed. She felt him pull out, leaving her empty and wanting. Her body was ready for the second round. Only maybe this time she would sit him down on the stairs and ride him.
Because he’d given her exactly what she wanted. He’d said the magic words. They could mount their horses and ride off into the sunset. Jared Mitchell, the gorgeous billionaire bachelor, loved with her. She wanted to stay right there—finding her way, learning him, and loving him.
“Lucy?” he murmured.
She pushed off the stairs, righting herself before she turned to face him. He’d pulled his jeans up but hadn’t secured them. She could still see the waistband of his boxer briefs. A trail of dark hair ran up from the elastic strip. She followed his sculpted abdomen up to his chest.
“I meant what I said, Lucy.”
Her eyes widened, and her brows arched.
“I royally fucked up the timing,” he admitted. “But dammit, I’m falling for you.” He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. A loud ring accompanied his touch.
She glanced at his pocket. “They’re calling you away.”
Ring! Ring! Ring!
He sighed. “I wish I didn’t have to leave, but I can’t mess up this product launch. I need to get this right. The fund can’t afford another misstep.”
So I’m leaving you behind . . . I’ve heard that line before, she thought.
She shook her head as if hoping to dislodge the memory. This time was different. Jared wasn’t her ex. He wanted to make this work.
“I understand,” she whispered. She leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss to his lips. “You still owe me dinner when you get back.”
“Friday,” he promised as his phone started ringing again. “I’ll see you Friday.”
His phone called out from his pocket, and he stepped back. He withdrew the cell from his pocket and held it against his ear with his shoulder. His hands quickly zipped and buttoned his jeans.
“I’ll be right there,” he said into the phone. “I’m twenty minutes from the airport.”
He ended the call and dropped a brief kiss to her lips. “See you later, princess.”
She waited for the front door to close and then sank down onto the bottom step. She’d won the billionaire bachelor’s heart. Her future suddenly looked bigger than she’d even imagined—and more complicated. He’d flown to Florida to spend an hour with her because she’d wished he could be there to help her out of her gown.
And that makes sense to him, she thought.
But she couldn’t build a future on stolen hours. She couldn’t trust that when she truly needed him, he would drop everything and fly to her side.
“Because I need him now,” she told the empty hallway. “And first thing when I wake up in the morning. And it’s just not possible.”