When Taylor woke the next morning, the bedroom was bright with sunshine. She stretched, well rested, then looked expectantly to the pillow beside hers. It was empty, but there was a note on it. She picked it up, but hugged the pillow to herself, inhaling deeply before she flushed as she realized that she was searching for his smell. She had no idea how long he’d been gone, but she missed him.
Had she ever spent a more exciting night? She blushed, realizing how much she enjoyed sleeping in his arms. She adored everything about him from his smell, to the feel of his supple dark brown skin, to his muscular strength. He was so beautifully male. She laughed. She had no idea she would enjoy sleeping with him so much.
Curious, she read that he hadn’t wanted to wake her, but he asked her to join him and his family for breakfast when she was ready. Taylor smoothed the note out, then hurried out of bed.
She dressed in navy slacks and a peach short-sleeved shell. After curling her hair, she added a touch of bronze lipstick to her mouth and a touch of mascara, before she left the suite. She didn’t allow herself to question why she was so eager to see Donald.
Her knock was answered by one of his nieces. “Hi, come on in. Everyone is in the kitchen.” Sissy showed her the way.
Taylor was surprised to find Donald manning the breakfast grill with spatula in hand. “Morning,” she smiled, somewhat nervously.
He grinned when she entered the kitchen. “Hey, sleepyhead. Hungry?” His dark eyes moved slowly over her. He forced his eyes away from her lush breasts and pretty mouth.
Everyone was seated around the breakfast table and exchanged greetings, making room for her.
“Something smells good. You look like you know what you’re doing.”
The others looked at her as if she dropped a bomb. Taylor blushed.
Donald chuckled, coming over to place a full plate in front of her. It was filled with pancakes, sausages and scrambled eggs. He didn’t leave until he had also placed a soft kiss on her lips.
“Donald’s the cook in the family,” Megan volunteered, holding up her plate for another helping of pancakes.
“Yeah. Uncle Don makes the best ribs,” Kimmy said around a mouth full of food.
“Kimmy. You know better than to talk with food in your mouth,” her mother reminded.
“I like his potato salad,” Sissy added, refusing to be left out of the conversation.
Taylor’s eyes went wide. “Aren’t you something.” Her twinkling eyes locked with his.
Carl was watching his brother. He shook his head. Donald had it bad.
The brothers didn’t have a chance to talk until the afternoon. The ladies had gone into town to shop and the guys indulged themselves in a few rounds of golf.
“Are you sure about this, bro?”
Donald looked sharply at Carl, recognizing the note of concern. He didn’t have to explain; Donald knew what he was getting at.
“Yeah. I’m sure why?”
“You haven’t known her long. Why don’t you give it some time? There’s no rush, is there? Hell, man, she didn’t even know you cook.”
Donald shrugged. “She knows now.”
“Seems to me that you’re already in over your head. Give it time. Time to decide her motives. Don’t let the sex blind you.”
“It’s more than sex,” he said bluntly. They could be good together. No, better than good, if she gave them a chance. “I care about her.”
Carl didn’t want to see his baby brother hurt. He knew how the fame, the wealth, left Donald vulnerable to all kinds of scavengers, especially the sleek, beautiful variety. “How do you know you can trust her?”
Donald knew his brother spoke out of concern, but also knew he was wrong. Taylor didn’t expect anything from him. She was reluctant to get deeply involved with him.
“Carl, I know what I’m doing. Taylor isn’t asking for anything. I’ve been pursuing her, not the other way around. She’s not even sure she can trust me. I want her more than she wants me.”
Carl wasn’t sure about the truth of that statement, but he was wise enough not to point it out.
“Hey, what’s the hold up?” Jess asked eyeing them from the green.
Later that day, as Carl watched Donald approach Taylor, he knew that his brother had no idea the kind of heartache that could very well come his way if things with her did not go his way. He was vulnerable and didn’t even realize it. Women considered him fair game. They more often than not saw the income not the man. Carl could only hope that Taylor was different.
“Enjoying yourself?” Donald said into her ear as he joined her in the shallow end of the pool where she was playing volleyball with his nieces and sister and sister-in-law.
“Oh, yes. The weather is simply wonderful and so is your family.” She especially liked Megan. She was so easy to talk to.
Her smile had him thoroughly enchanted, hating every second of the day that they had been apart. This weekend was not working out as he had planned. He had hoped to have her all to himself.
“What you need is a little height on your team,” he boasted, knowing what he needed was a taste of her sweet mouth. His keen gaze devoured her generous curves in a black one-piece suit, cut high at the thigh.
“Oh no! That is not fair!” Megan complained, yelling for her husband to come and join them. He had been comfortably relaxing beside the pool.
“That will never do. Carl!” Margie called.
Soon it became apparent that the grownups were having more fun than the kids. Shouts and laughter and giggles filled the air. Taylor was exhausted by the time they called a halt and went to change for dinner. It turned out to be a real family affair, with aunts, uncles and cousins included as they grilled salmon steaks beside the pool.
“Get enough to eat?” he asked quietly, close to her ear.
Taylor laughed. “I’d say.”
Although Donald had not been far away all evening, she couldn’t help wishing that she didn’t have to share him with the others.
He laced his hand with hers. “Come on. Let’s go walk off some of this food.”
“Where are you two off to?” his sister asked. Her husband and older brother both looked at her in disbelief. “What?” she demanded.
Jess eyed his wife’s soft mouth. He gave her a hard kiss, asking, “Has it been that long, baby?”
Megan could not help the blush that rose in her pretty brown cheeks.
“Later…” Donald called after them. He pulled her along with him.
“Hey. What is the rush?”
“Sorry, sweetheart. I love my family, but I’m about ready to toss all of them in the pool.”
“Why is that?” she giggled.
“You know why,” he said impatiently. His idea of a walk was around the outside of the hotel, through the lobby, and straight toward the door of her suite.
“Donald!”
His eyes were on her mouth. “Open the door, Taylor.”
She was laughing so much she could hardly turn the key in the lock. Donald took over. His patience was nonexistent.
“What are you doing?” He was right behind her. “Stop!” she shrieked as he was stalking her. “Donald!” She raced across the room. “Will you stop!” She was laughing so hard, her side was beginning to hurt.
Donald had no intention of stopping until he had her where he wanted her. He grabbed her by the waist and lifted her off her feet. They came down on the overstuffed sofa together with Taylor on top of him. She was giggling so much that he still couldn’t kiss her. But it didn’t matter, nothing mattered but finally having her in his arms.
“You are terrible. Some walk!”
Chuckling, he said, “I’d had it with sharing you. I’m all for you getting to know the family, later. This was supposed to be our time. We’ve barely had two minutes alone all day. One tiny good morning kiss was all I got.”
Taylor crooned in her throat. “You poor neglected baby.” She placed a soft kiss on his throat. “I’m so sorry.”
“And well you should be,” he scoffed, angling himself so that he could cuddle her cheek. His eyes lingered on her tantalizing lips. He licked her mouth, before pulling her fleshy bottom lip into his mouth to suckle. “I need you,” he admitted in a gruff whisper.
She sighed, loving the feel of him and wanting nothing more than to be right where she was, against his wide chest. She, too, had been unable to think of little else but Donald and the wonderful night they had shared. She was as eager to be alone with him as he was to be with her.
“Mmm, you are so sweet, so sweet…” he whispered. She was so warm and incredibly soft. She fit perfectly in his arms. “Adams didn’t have the brains God gave a toad. He had no idea what a treasure he lost.”
Having always considered it the other way around, Taylor decided she liked his interpretation better. “Donald...” she whispered his name with longing, shivering in response to the heat of his forging tongue.
Taylor was all woman and she belonged to him. He had no intention of letting her go. When she opened her mouth, giving him full access, he groaned deep in his throat. He gathered her as close as he could. Her lush breasts were cushioned on the wide expanse of his chest. There was too damn much material separating them. He wanted her bare, open to his hands…to his mouth, to his throbbing shaft.
Taylor was dazed by the heat of his kisses, each deeper and wetter than the last one. She moaned in protest when his mouth left hers. She’d pulled his shirt free of his jeans in order to caress his back and shoulders. His skin was supple, like velvet over steel.
Donald unbuttoned her blouse and didn’t pause until he had unclasped her bra and her softness filled his hands. He nearly lost his head. She was so exquisitely lush.
“Taylor…baby, I knew you would be like this, wonderfully soft, beautiful.” He dropped his head, licking his way across a brown, full globe until he reached the dark brown nipple. He laved the aching peak until it stood out hard and sweet as a plump raisin, only then did he suck it.
She nearly screamed from the attention as the red-hot flames of desire flared along her nerve endings pooling in that womanly center between her legs. She whimpered deep in her throat causing quivers to race down his spine and he intensified the suction as his caressing hand squeezed her other breast.
She managed to gasp his name, unwittingly rubbing her aching mound against the hard muscle of his thigh.
“Is it good, sweetness?” he asked, his voice hoarse with desire.
He took his time ignoring his body’s demands that he hurry, the elemental relentless urge to bury himself inside her sweet heat. He had waited too long to have her…to taste her. Taylor was a shivering mass of raw pleasure when he turned his hot mouth to her other breast. He laved the pebble-hard tip before applying the intense suction they both enjoyed.
She said his name, crossing her legs and squeezing her thighs in an attempt to ease the emptiness deep inside. It hadn’t been like this before. That time with Alex could not compare to being with Donald. She had never known that a man could relish a woman’s breasts the way Donald was enjoying hers. When she was close to sobbing her enjoyment, he lifted his head and looked deep into her eyes.
“Tell me. Tell me if you want me as much as I want you.” When she would have nodded her agreement to whatever he asked, he clarified. “I’m asking if you are ready to take me inside your body?” He couldn’t make himself any clearer. He didn’t think he could turn back once he had felt her wet heat.
Taylor caressed his cheek, her mouth sweet against his. “I want you.”
She would not have believed it if she hadn’t witnessed it. She let out a whoop quickly covering her mouth with her hand as he lifted her into his arms and held her against his chest.
“Have you lost your mind? Put me down before you hurt something.”
Donald ignored her protest as he crossed to the bedroom. Closing the door with his foot, he said, “Sweetness, I bench press 250 to 300 pounds. You’re a lightweight.”
When they came down on the bed together, his weight pressing her into the mattress, his mouth claimed hers over and over again. When she recovered her senses she was as bare as the clay she was born. He had systematically stripped her. Some of her clothes were on the bed, some on the floor, some even on the chair. He was still fully dressed.
“No,” he said when she would have covered herself with the sheet. His hungry gaze stroked her entire caramel-colored length. “You’re beautiful.”
Taylor blushed, her eves on him. “Hurry...I need you.”
He stood beside the bed and began to undress. He handled his clothes with as little regard as he had handled hers. She watched his every movement, mesmerized by the beauty of his body. When he unzipped his jeans and shoved them down his hips and legs, then kicked them away, she swallowed a gasp. His briefs were next. She did gasp aloud then. His sex jutted powerfully as he approached the bed.
At his knowing smile she blushed again. He knew she was fascinated by that very male part of him. His long body was an endless play of finely tuned muscle over a teakwood brown frame.
He was a warrior. For tonight he was her warrior. His tremendous power tempered by tenderness. His rich ebony eyes drank in the lush beauty of her long curvy body.
“Tell me. Tell me how much you want me.” He growled the demand deep in his throat, his voice as heavy as his sex with need. The flare of his wide African nostrils and the set of his generous mouth spoke of an unyielding intent.
“I want you…now.”
Donald smiled, sure that she didn’t know what she was asking him to speed along. He shook his head as he sat down near the foot of the bed. He kissed each rose-lacquered toenail in turn, his heated eyes never leaving hers. He lifted her right ankle and leaned down to lick the ankle were the gold heart shaped charms glimmered against her soft skin.
“Donald...” she said impatiently, longing for his mouth on hers, his hands squeezing her breasts. But she didn’t ask…she was too embarrassed to ask for what she wanted.
As he tongued her delicate ankle, his gaze was on the long expanse of her gorgeous legs. She had breathtaking thighs…so soft. His shaft pulsed with urgency. He watched the way she quickly looked away.
There was no need for modesty between them. Soon they would be lovers. There was no place for secrets in this room…in this bed. She had no idea what she was in for. But he knew how he planned to pleasure her.
There would be no urgency. This was no mad dash to the finish line.
“Relax, sweetness. Close your eyes. Close them and concentrate on how you feel.” His warm hot mouth moved steadily up her shapely calf to the bounty of her petal soft inner thigh.
When she instinctively tried to keep them tight together, his hands cupped her outer thighs, stroking her, soothing her.
“Baby, we have no secrets. Nothing to keep hidden from each other.”
“I-I-I’m not trying to hide from you.”
“Good,” he crooned, caressing up her inner thighs, relishing the softness of her skin. “Open for me, Taylor…give me your sweetness.” His breath warm on her flesh caused goose pimples to rise.
“Why would you want to...” her voice broke off. She couldn’t say it.
Donald read the uncertainty. Caressing her cheek, he said, “I want you, every delectable inch of you.”
"But…"
Moving up her curvy length, he settled himself at her side. He offered her one deep hungry kiss after another until she was trembling all over with need. He caressed her, sliding his long fingered hands over her shoulders, down her back. Lifting and cupping her soft behind before he slowly began caressing her neck, his large strong hands, were gentle…arousing.
“You feel so good, so good,” he whispered huskily as he stroked her tongue with his. “It’s all about pleasure. You give me pleasure by letting me hold you, caress you, tongue you, baby.”
Taylor trembled, “Mmm,” she moaned, stroking down his arms to the thick wall of his chest. “It gives me pleasure to touch you,” she whispered, her face pressed into the place where his shoulder and neck joined.
He shivered, loving her caresses. He gently cupped and squeezed her sex. He whispered, “Let me touch you.”
Taylor trembled; her lips caressed his neck as she gradually relaxed her thighs. He didn’t rush her. He concentrated on his caressing fingertips stroking the cottony soft thick hairs covering her mound. He let his fingers play, alternating gentle squeezes and teasing the plump folds, while his forefinger gently worried the tiny nub at the top of her womanhood.
Her sexy moans were driving him wild with longing, but he controlled his need. Her enjoyment accelerated his own pleasure as he continued his short, shallow strokes. His eyes were on hers. He watched the way her lids fluttered and closed as the maddeningly sweet caresses continued on and on. Her breath was coming in quick uneven pants.
“Relax…enjoy,” he crooned close to her ear. His fingers slid over and around that feminine bud until she was slick from her own juices. His own breath quickened as he trembled in delicious anticipation. He wanted to drown his senses in her sweet scent and taste. But he held back, knowing she wasn’t ready for that degree of intimacy.
As his questing fingertip moved deeper and deeper, Taylor gradually opened herself like the petal of a dew-kissed rose. He did not consider stopping until she was gloriously wet and inviting. His stroking fingers told him that she was not only incredibly responsive, but incredibly tight. He didn’t want to cause her pain yet as wet as she was, she still would not be able to accommodate him easily.
Donald dipped his head concentrating on the marble hard tip of one breast, his stroking finger continuing to caress her clitoris.
Taylor was whimpering as the pleasure flared and sparked almost out of control. Her whimpers of pleasure built until he covered his mouth with hers as she climaxed, shivering and shuddering in his arms.
Donald knew he couldn’t wait. He had to be inside her now. He slipped on a condom before he slid between her thighs and eased himself to the entrance of her body. Her moistness on the broad crest of his sex caused him to tremble with raw pleasure. Slowly moving against her, he pressed forward into her tight passage. He could feel her tightening around him...tightening against him. He knew he hurt her. He dropped his head whispering to her, soothing her but he didn’t slow nor did he stop. He couldn’t. He was only halfway in and felt as if he were dying. He closed his eyes, saying her name as he plunged deep into her wondrous tight heat.
“Oh, baby…” he marveled. “You’re so sweet, so sweet.” He struggled to stay still…not to hurt her more…give her time to adjust to his size.
Taylor, having barely recovered from the incredible pleasure, was overwhelmed by the unyielding pressure. She tried to relax, to accept, but intrusive memories from the past caused her body to tighten with fear.
Donald sensed the change in her, knew that, as prepared as she was physically, mentally she was not. His voice was deep and reassuring as he whispered words of encouragement. Telling her how sweet she was, how perfect for him. His hands and mouth were never still as he caressed her, loved her. He did everything he could to keep himself still, allowing her time to adjust to his size.
There was nothing small about him and he had no choice but to accept that. But the hot sweetness of her body was quickly eroding his self control.
Taylor’s eyes were liquid brown as she clung to him. She was unprepared for the rush of raw need flooding her as his questing fingertips returned to the tiny center of her femininity. While the pressure didn’t ease, wave after wave of unrelenting pleasure caused her to move against him needing his hardness deep inside, instinctively tightening her inner muscles.
Donald cried out at the exquisite erotic caress that tantalized his entire length, causing him to increase his movements. His upper body was off the bed as he used the powerful muscles in his hips and thighs to plunge again and again deep inside her moist heat.
Over and over again he reveled in her sweet heat while Taylor clung to him, calling his name, begging for something she couldn’t even name. Donald knew what she wanted and he gave her one hard thrust after another, until he felt the fluttering strokes of her body as she climaxed. He was a stroke behind her. He called out her name as he gave himself over to the sheer pleasure of his own powerful release.
Donald collapsed on top of her before he recovered himself enough to roll to his back and pull her into his arms. Taylor offered no protest. Her long feminine body intertwined with his as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Donald was the first to speak as he nestled against her throat. “How are you?”
“Good. How are you?” she teased, snuggling even closer to him.
Donald was not in a playful mood. “Don’t pretend with me, Taylor. I know I hurt you.”
She started to shake her head, then stopped, touched by his concern. “I’m a little sore. I’m just not used to making love.” She flushed, in spite of her best effort not to. She felt as if she were in over her head. She had never had such an intimate discussion with a man.
“You’re small. I tried to go slow, give you time to accommodate me.” Donald repressed a groan. She had not only been small, but unbelievably tight. She fit him like a wet, slick glove. The thought had him erect, ready for more. He had a high sex drive. And, quite frankly, it had been a long dry spell. What had happened between them had not been about sex. He had made love to her. The difference involved how he felt, about her. He cared for her, more deeply than he had even imagined.
She was so warm and caring…special. She had been more than worth the wait. He didn’t want her sore to the point of discomfort. That was what would happen if he took her again and again the way he longed to do.
She may have been inexperienced, but she had pleased him thoroughly. He could not remember experiencing such an explosive climax. There was no comparison. But then he had never felt so strongly about any woman before.
“What’s wrong?”
He looked surprised. “Nothing.”
“You looked so serious. You were frowning,” she whispered, as unspoken fear rose inside of her. She hadn’t pleased him.
Disturbed by his intense reaction to her, Donald didn’t know how best to answer. He sighed, uncertain what to say.
“Thank you for being so patient with me. You were so gentle.”
Gentle was not an adjective he could accept. He had been horny as hell and he’d lost control at the end. Damn it! He’d enjoyed her so completely that he couldn’t think past the magic of having her in his arms.
He snorted. He was furious at his loss of control. “I lost control. I could have really hurt you, sweetheart.” He was not proud of the way he had rammed himself to the hilt, not easing up even as his body erupted and emptied inside of her. No, he had nothing to be proud of. Yet he had never been so sated in his life. He felt the release down to his toes.
Taylor shook her head, her soft hand stroking over his chest. “No, you were wonderful. I had no idea it could be so exciting.”
His kiss was warm and tender, causing her eyes to fill from the tenderness of the caress. As he cradled her against him, he wondered if he could ever get enough of her sweet magic. He had fought the battle with her resentment and won. Could he win it all?
Her hand rested on his flat concave stomach, bare inches away from the crown of his shaft. He closed his eyes as his body ached for the warmth of her caress. He reminded himself that it was much too soon for her. If she touched him there he would be rock hard in an instant. It would not take long, not with Taylor.
She leaned over and kissed him softly, then snuggled even closer, closing her eyes too, feeling secure in the shelter of his arms. Although she knew he was aroused and longed to touch him…feel his steely hard length, she was still so unsure of her own sexual appeal. She would leave the choice to him.
Unwelcome thoughts of the next day being their last together managed to intrude, no matter how strongly she fought against it. How difficult would it be tomorrow when they separated? No, she would not worry about that now. For now she would enjoy what they had. Tonight would have to last forever, providing a lifetime of memories. Her sigh was barely audible as she slipped into sleep. Donald hid his disappointment as he, too, slept.
It was early evening when Donald and Taylor said their goodbyes to his family. Taylor was pleased that Megan and Margie invited her for lunch the following week in Detroit. She genuinely liked both women and looked forward to seeing them again.
“Happy?” Donald asked as their plane lifted toward the sky. His strong fingers cradled hers. His dark gaze moved over her soft features to linger on her mouth.
They had had very little time to themselves over the weekend. This was the first time they’d really talked since he’d left her sleeping early that morning. He had reluctantly returned to the family suite to shower and taken an early morning run. He needed the time alone to clear his head, sort out his feelings. When they were together, all he could think about was her.
“Yes. I really enjoyed myself. Thank you,” she smiled. She had selected a red blouse to wear with a navy blue pantsuit.
“Should I apologize for my family?”
“Absolutely not. You have a wonderful family. They are so warm and generous.”
“Money only enhances what’s already there, sweetness.” He looked so comfortable in jeans and a pale blue knit pullover. He moved his thumb soothingly over the back of her hand. “Don’t,” he said, when she tried to pull back but he held on.
“Scott and Jenna are picking me up at the airport,” she said, searching for a harmless topic.
He sighed. “I suppose it’s time we talked about Scott.” He hated the way her pretty mouth tightened. While caressing her cheek, he said, “We’ve put it off long enough.”
“You’re wrong. We don’t have to discuss him.” She reminded herself that, once the weekend was over, their relationship would also end. Scott had nothing to do with what had happened between them.
“Taylor?”
“I don’t want to get into an argument. We have very little time as it is. Soon you’ll be on your way back to Chicago and I’ll be back home in Detroit.”
“I don’t want to argue either.” His kiss was warm and seeking as he parted her lips to receive the hungry thrust of his tongue. The telephone chose that moment to ring. Both were disappointed by the delay when he grumbled then said, “Excuse me.”
The call was business and he put his hand over the mouthpiece, saying, “Sorry. I have to take this one.”
She nodded. “Take your time.”
He squeezed her hand before he walked over to the desk where he’d left his laptop.
Taylor pulled a fashion magazine out of her tote and began flipping through the pages. Determined not to let her disappointment show, she scolded herself for caring. Yet their time together was so short. Even though she had known that, going into this trip, the reality of how rapidly their time together was dwindling was just beginning to sink in. Their weekend was over the minute the plane touched down in Detroit.
They had shared a wonderful weekend. It was only natural for her not to want it to end. She knew they were not right for each other. They were too different. They had nothing in common. While his life was glamorous and exciting, hers was neither of those things. Yet, she told herself it was only natural for her not to want it to end.
No, she wouldn’t complain when they parted. There would be no room or reason for regret. She certainly would not cling or try to change what could not be. In fact, she was convinced that, in the long run, it was better this way. She could go on with her life, happier now that the degrading experience with Alex was finally behind her.
Being with Donald had changed how she felt about men and how she felt about herself. She was confident that her new attitude was a much healthier one. She might be plump, even a bit hippy, but that didn’t mean she was not desirable. Or that she could not attract a man. Yes, her time with Donald had given her much to reconsider.
Taylor trembled when she felt the warm pressure of his open mouth on the side of her throat. He gave her a playful nip, then soothed the tiny hurt with his tongue. “Hi.”
Trembling in reaction, she said, “Hi.” She couldn’t help smiling at him, angling her head toward him. “All done?”
He sank into the chair beside hers. Whatever he had been about to say was forgotten. Suddenly all he could think about was the enticement of her sweet mouth. Slowly he lowered his head and completely covered her mouth with his own. He licked her mouth, first concentrating on the pouty fullness of her upper lip, before moving on to suckle the bottom one. He licked her lips as if she were an ice cream cone and savored her with much enjoyment before he slid his tongue between her lips and ravished the sweetness inside.
Taylor moaned with pleasure, allowing herself to sink even deeper into his arms. No one had ever touched her the way he had. No one had made her feel cherished.
Donald took his time, enjoying her thoroughly The kisses went on and on, one light after the other, deepening until they were forced to stop in order to breathe.
His caressing hand cradled her cheek. “I wish I could stay the night with you, sweetness. But I have a meeting in the morning and practice in the afternoon. Even though the season is winding down, my schedule won’t ease up. We’re going into the playoffs soon, which means I’ll have very little time to call my own.”
“I understand,” she smiled, determined to let him see that she was not like the other women who chased after him. She did not expect their weekend to mean they were engaged. Now was all they had. It would be enough. It had to be. She didn’t want to try and hold a man who didn’t understand the word commitment.
“I’m glad you do because I’m not feeling so understanding. I want to be with you.” His voice was thick with desire.
Taylor looked away, fighting back unexpected tears. Deep in her heart she knew she wanted that also. Yes, he knew how to charm a woman. He was a master at it. As long as she remembered it was all perfectly normal for him, no one would be hurt.
“Taylor...”
When she didn’t meet his gaze, he frowned and cupped her chin, raising her face until he could study her eyes. She dropped her lids but not before he saw the sadness she could not conceal.
“Don’t look away from me like that. We’re not talking about forever. Why don’t you come to me next weekend? Fly to Chicago on Friday, stay until early Monday. I’ll send the plane for you.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not? We need to see each other. What could be more important than that?”
“You don’t have to pretend with me, Donald. I’m all grown up. In fact, I prefer honesty.”
“Pretend? What are you talking about?”
“After the plane lands, I know it will be over between us. I can accept that. You don’t have to worry. I don’t intend to chase you down or make your life uncomfortable.” Taylor held herself erect, her head held high. “You will go on with your life and I will go on with mine.”
Donald stared at her for a long moment before he asked, “What did you say?”
“I said…”
“No, damn it. Don’t repeat it. You got kicked in the face by that jackass in college so…” he stopped abruptly, then took a deep calming breath before demanding, “What in the hell made you think that all I wanted was one time with you? Was it something I said?”
“No!”
“Well?”
“I woke up alone this morning. We did not make love before you left and then we spent the day with your family. So naturally, I assumed it meant…” She stopped, then said, “It confirmed what I’d been thinking.”
“I didn’t want to wake you. You were sleeping so peacefully. I went for a run, to clear out the cobwebs.”
“I thought…”
“Look,” he said, pointing a finger at her. “I’m not Alex Adams. I will never be him! Understand!”
“Stop shouting at me. It was an honest mistake!”
“Like hell!”
To say he was livid would be putting it mildly. He went over to the bar and poured himself a drink. He lifted it, then thought better of it. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so angry. He found her view of him alarmingly hurtful. For the first time in a long time, it really mattered what a woman thought of him. He suddenly realized that he hadn’t even begun to explore his feelings for Taylor.
“You don’t trust men in general, do you? You especially don’t trust me.” Deep down he knew he felt more than outrage. It hurt.
“I don’t think you’re being fair,” she insisted. She cared about him. She cared about him more than she had ever dreamed it possible for her to care about a man. She couldn’t have made love with him if she didn’t have deep feelings for him.
It was true that she’d started their relationship thinking the worst of him, she couldn’t deny that. It had taken time, but she had finally seen what a wonderful, caring man he was. What she could not believe was that he also cared about her. From the first, she had considered herself a temporary diversion.
“That’s the way it looks to me.” A muscle jumped in his cheek as if he were grinding his strong white teeth.
“You’re wrong. I trust my father, my brother.”
“You’re not sleeping with either one of them,” he grated bitterly.
“It takes time, Donald. Trust doesn’t happen overnight.” Taylor got up and went over to where he sat at that bar with his long legs braced apart. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was judging you by Alex’s yardstick. It won’t happen again.”
Donald, busy studying the liquor in the glass, didn’t move. Eventually, he looked at her. She stood between his thighs; close, but not close enough. It was the softness in her brown eyes, pleading for his understanding and the sexy pout of her sweet red tinted mouth that eased the disappointment inside of him.
“Honey, please don’t be mad” she whispered, her breath warm on his throat.
“Does it matter?” he asked tightly, his eyes on her mouth.
“To me, yes. I care about you.” Her gaze locked with his.
“I don’t want to lose you,” he barely stopped himself from saying it, realizing that it was true. He not only wanted her sweet, sexy body, but he wanted her to care about him. They had been together such a short time. It wasn’t enough. He realized she mattered to him. He could not let her go.
If he hadn’t been sitting down he definitely would have fallen. He had no idea where the knowledge came from…it was just there, right in his face. He couldn’t ignore it or pretend it wasn’t true. What in the hell was he supposed to do about it? Was he falling in love with her?
“Donald?” She reached out and stroked his throat, near the base, in the sensitive hollow.
He sighed heavily, pulling her deep into the V between his thighs and up against his chest. Black eyes locked with deep brown ones. He held her close, stroking down her back to her waist. The flare of her hips was as tempting as was the softness of her breasts and the sweetness of her lips. His blood heated as he recalled the softness of her sexy behind, the sheer opulence of her breasts, the sweet bounty of her mouth and the tight sheath within her womanly core.
He had nearly gone out of his mind with pleasure last night when he was deep inside of her. He had never experienced such tight, wet heat. It was as if she had been made just for him. She blew his mind. It wasn’t sex. He recognized that he had made love for the very first time in his life. It had been better than anything he had ever experienced with anyone else. Would he ever get his fill of her?
Donald didn’t bother to ask for what he needed, he took it. A sizzling hot, tongue-stroking kiss. One was not enough, so he helped himself to another and yet another.
“I want you in my life,” he whispered between kisses.
She moaned when it was over, leaning her head on his shoulder, her arms locked around his neck.
He nodded. “I’m sorry I lost my temper.”
She smiled, grateful that it was finally over.
“I’m not sure where we’re going, baby. Please, let’s give it a chance. Give each other a chance.”
“Yes,” she sighed, pressing a tender kiss on his cheek. “Let’s.” She refused to focus on her doubts, her fears or even her disagreement with him concerning her brother. For good or bad, she concentrated on how she felt about him. She might not have planned on caring about him nor had she wanted a relationship with him, nevertheless, she acknowledged that she cared very deeply.
There were so many things to consider. Would she be able to cope with him living in Chicago and on the road a good percentage of the time? He was not the average Joe Blow. He was a celebrity whose name was practically a household word. He was news. While he might fit easily into her uncomplicated world, where did she fit in his?
“Come back with me tonight, sweetness,” he said softly. His heart raced at the thought. He knew he was rushing things, but he couldn’t help it. He needed her with him.
“Chicago?” she stammered, uncertain if she had heard him correctly.
“Yes.”
“Donald! How can I?”
He placed his fingertips over her generous lips. “Humor me, will ya? Please, give it half-a-minute’s worth of thought.” The last thing he wanted to do was leave her in Detroit thinking he wanted less than a full-fledged relationship. They were connected now.
“How can I? I have a career and a family waiting for me at the airport in Detroit.” He was asking too much. Yet, surprisingly, she wished she could forget about everything but how much she wanted to be with him.
“Somehow I knew you’d say that,” he said impatiently.
“Don’t you think you’re being a tiny bit selfish? I went away for an entire weekend with you, didn’t I? Isn’t that enough for now?”
“Not hardly,” he acknowledged to himself but thought better of saying it out loud. He flatly refused to offer an apology for wanting to be with her.
She sighed heavily. “We’re fighting again.”
“No. We are negotiating.”
“Who’s winning?” she teased, pleading with her eyes for him not to be upset with her. She was discovering that she hated his anger…adored his smiles. When he put his mind to it, the man could charm.
“We both are,” he said huskily, his mouth lingering at that ultra sensitive point at the base of her neck. As badly as he needed to be in Chicago tonight, he needed to be with Taylor more. “Kiss me.”
She didn’t even consider resisting. She gave him her mouth without hesitation. Each new kiss was sweeter and hotter than the last.