THIS WAS WHAT she’d been craving. She could feel the heat, the strength, the barely controlled passion in Heath’s kiss. Even though her first instinct was to step back from it, she found she couldn’t. For, in truth, that same heat, those same emotions, had taken over her reason. She felt her body go fluid at his first touch.
Without any thought to the consequences, she leaned into him, letting the passion take her. It seemed so right to be here, with this man. In his arms. Though she knew almost nothing about him, she felt no fear. Only this terrible need. A need that had her returning his kisses with a desperation that caught her by surprise. This was madness. They’d known each other only a few hours. But if it was madness, at least she wasn’t alone in it. She could feel the way his heart thundered, with such fury it seemed to be beating inside her own chest. Could feel the warmth of his breath as his mouth burned a path of fiery kisses down her throat. It thrilled her to know that he was as staggered by these feelings as she was.
“Heath.” Needing to slow things down, she put a hand on his chest. “We ought to think about what we’re doing.”
“Too late.” His mouth curved into that dangerous rogue smile she’d learned to love, then lowered to hers, drawing out the kiss until she had to wrap her arms around his waist or risk falling.
She could feel her blood roaring in her temples. Could feel her bones begin to melt as he changed the angle of the kiss and took it deeper.
She opened herself to him, wanting to give more. And he fed, like a man starved for the taste of her. The need between them excited her even as it frightened her.
While he explored the wonders of her mouth, she drank him in. Here was a man of secrets, dark and mysterious. And she was determined to learn all of them. Who he was, and why he’d stayed here with her instead of returning to his home. But for now she would put aside her curiosity, and any lingering fear, for she tasted goodness in him as well. Though he kept much to himself, she knew without a doubt that he would never hurt her.
When he tugged her sweater over her head, her mind emptied of everything except the knowledge that she wanted him. Desperately. It was her last coherent thought.
Heath ran a finger along the bit of lace covering her breasts, until, annoyed with even that thin barrier, he nearly tore it in his haste. The sight of all that smooth skin, as pale as milk, held him enthralled. For a moment all he could do was stare.
“So bonny, Allison.” His burr deepened, until she thought for one brief moment that she was hearing a voice from another time, another place. “You’re so perfect.” It was Heath’s voice again, softer, with the tones of his homeland less evident.
He leaned forward to run his tongue down the sleek column of her throat.
A little sigh escaped her lips. She could do no more than arch her neck and cling to him as he trailed soft, feathery kisses along her throat to her collarbone. When he dipped his mouth lower to capture one erect nipple, she felt her knees buckle.
Without a word he lifted her in his arms and strode down the hallway toward their rooms. Because his was closer, he stopped and nudged the door open with his hip.
The room smelled of woodsmoke. Someone had prepared a fire on the hearth. The bed linens had been turned down, in anticipation of the night, and candles flickered in crystal hurricanes set on night tables on either side of the bed. A lovely old tapestry rug before the hearth, faded and worn, glowed with the reflected light of the fire.
Heath kicked the door shut and headed toward the bed, with his precious treasure still in his arms. Because he couldn’t wait a moment longer to taste her lips, he paused to kiss her. He realized at once that it was a mistake. The blaze of heat nearly consumed them both. He set her on her feet and covered her mouth with his, while his hands, those strong, clever hands, moved down her back to her waist, where his fingers worked at the fastener of her slacks.
Impatience had her tugging on his sweater, tossing it aside, then skimming her hands across his chest.
“You’re beautiful, too, Heath. So bonny.” The unfamiliar word flowed easily from her mouth. He was, she realized, a feast for her eyes. His body was sculpted, the muscles taut.
At last she was free to run her fingertips over the ripple of muscles that before she’d only glimpsed. The thundering beat of his heart added to her excitement, and she boldly trailed her fingers across the flat planes of his stomach before reaching for the snaps at his waist.
With one quick tug his clothes joined hers on the floor at their feet. They came together in a kiss that spoke of hunger, of need, of wild desperation. All of the things that had occupied her attention for so many years no longer mattered. Not the company in New York, not the important deal that had brought her here. Certainly not the man who had betrayed her with her friend, or the pain they’d inflicted on her heart. At this moment she couldn’t even recall their names. All that mattered was this man, and the pleasure she found in his touch.
“Allison. My sweet, bonny Allison.” He whispered her name like a prayer.
No man had ever touched her like this before. One moment as gently as if she were a fragile flower. The next with all the fury of a firestorm, creating a need so desperate it had her pulse pounding and her breath burning her lungs. Now all she could do was hang on as, with hands and mouth, he took her for the wildest ride of her life.
Though the bed was mere steps away, it may as well have been miles. Neither of them was willing to slow the passion that was sweeping them along in its tide. Too weak to stand, they dropped to their knees.
He found her, hot and moist, and drove her to the first breathless peak while she clung to him, dazed and breathless. Before she could recover her senses he lay down and drew her into his arms.
The thought of taking her, hard and fast, had him trembling with need. He was desperate for the release that only she could give him. But he wanted so much more. Calling on all his willpower, he slowed the pace, hoping to draw out the pleasure as long as possible.
He kissed her, long and slow and deep, while his hands moved over her, exploring, arousing. And all the while he watched her in the flickering firelight, loving the way she looked, her eyes focused on his, her lips parted as she struggled for each ragged breath.
With lips and fingertips he teased her breasts until she moaned in pleasure and opened her arms, inviting him to join with her. But still he held back, wanting to take her and himself to the very edge of madness.
He loved the way she looked, her body damp with sheen, her eyes heavy-lidded with passion.
“Heath.” His name was a hoarse whisper, torn from her lips as she shuddered once more with pleasure.
They came together in a kiss that nearly shattered both their hearts. A kiss that spoke of a driving, desperate hunger.
Heath knew he could wait no longer. The need had become a wild and raging beast inside him, taking over his will.
He entered her with a fierceness that startled him. But when he tried to slow the pace, she surprised him by wrapping herself around him, urging him to move with her, matching her strength to his as they began to climb.
“Allison.” He hadn’t expected this explosion of need between them. It caught him by surprise as he framed her face with his hands and found himself drowning in her eyes. Eyes that were wide and focused on him with an intensity that touched a chord deep in his heart.
Their breathing was shallow as they continued to climb higher and higher to the very pinnacle. For a heartbeat they seemed to tremble and pause, pierced by the most exquisite jolt of pleasure. They stared into each other’s eyes with matching looks of wonderment. Then together they stepped over the edge. And shattered into a shower of stars.
“Are you all right?” Heath lifted his face from her neck to brush a finger over her cheek. Just the slightest touch, but she moved against it like a kitten.
“Ummm.” It was all she could manage.
They lay, still joined, cushioned only by the rug.
“I didn’t mean to be so rough.” He muttered an oath. “I took you like a savage on the floor.” He started to pull away, but she stopped him.
“We took each other, as I recall.” Now it was her turn to touch a hand to his cheek.
His quick grin went straight to her heart. “We did, didn’t we?”
“Ummm.” Again that purr of pleasure.
“A woman of many words, I see.”
That had them both laughing.
He shifted, rolling to one side and drawing her into the circle of his arms. “You’re amazing, you know.” He traced the outline of her lips with his fingertip.
She bit it lightly. “You’re not half bad yourself, Heath Stewart.”
He brushed his lips over hers. “I was inspired by the dazzling woman in my arms.”
She pulled away a little to look into his eyes. “Are you hoping to flatter me?”
“Is it working?”
“Maybe just a little.”
His smile grew. “Good. Sorry about the floor.”
“Well, next time we might want to try the bed.”
He tipped up her chin. “So, you’re saying you wouldn’t object to a next time?”
She met his look with just a hint of a grin. “I think I could be persuaded.”
“Maybe this will help.” He ran his hand along her side until his thumb encountered the swell of her breast, sending the most amazing jolts through her system. As he caressed her, he covered her mouth with his in a kiss that had the breath backing up in her throat.
“Oh, yes.” When he lifted his head she wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him back for another. Against his lips she whispered, “I could definitely be persuaded.”
“Ah, Allison. You’re so sweet. So generous. So . . .”
At the unexpected rush of heat they came together in a kiss so hot, so searing, they wondered that the floor beneath them didn’t begin to smolder.
Once again the bed was forgotten as, with soft sighs and moans of pleasure, they were carried away by the storm raging between them.
Heath’s voice was muffled against her throat. “Tell me more about your childhood.”
Sometime during the night they’d finally made it to the bed, where they’d fallen into an exhausted sleep. Now, with the only light coming from the gleaming coals on the hearth, they lay together, talking softly, as comfortable as old lovers.
Ally had told him about Ted’s betrayal with her friend, and realized that it no longer mattered to her in the least.
“I want to know everything about you. What you were like as a girl. Where you lived. How you spent your time.”
“I told you. I was an Army brat. We lived in half a dozen different countries, and all over the U.S.”
He lifted his head to study her. “I know you moved a lot. But did you like it?”
“I didn’t dislike it. That was just our life.” There was a long moment of silence before she added, “I tried to like it for the sake of my parents. Every time I started to make friends in my neighborhood, or in my new school, it was time to move on. And because my mother was sick a lot, I didn’t want to burden her with my problems. But every time the order came to move on, I dreaded it.”
“Was your father any help?”
“He tried. But the Army was his life. What energy he had left was saved for my mother. With her, he was patient and gentle.”
“That’s nice to hear. It explains why you’re so patient and gentle.”
“Am I?” She seemed genuinely surprised.
“I suppose you think you’re one tough cookie.” Heath played with a strand of her hair. Before she could object he touched a finger to her lips. “So you kept it all inside and dealt with moving on the best way you could.”
At her little nod he smiled. “Maybe that’s what all kids do. Make the best of their lives, and try not to burden those they love.”
“Is that what you did?”
“I wasn’t as successful at keeping my unhappiness a secret as you.”
“Why were you unhappy, Heath?”
When he offered no words she turned to him, studying the gleam of firelight in his eyes. “It’s time for the truth, Heath. You’ve ducked and dodged and very cleverly changed the subject whenever I got too close to it. I’ve trusted you with my truths. Now you have to trust me with yours.”
After several long moments of silence he nodded. “That’s only fair.”
Deep in thought, he stood and crossed to the window, keeping his face averted. “My mother walked out of my life when I was five. I never saw her again.”
For a moment Ally was speechless. She’d thought his problems, like hers, were with a former lover. “How awful. What about your father?”
He gave a dry laugh. “My father couldn’t handle being dumped. To prove something to himself, and to her, I suppose, he chased so many women, it became something of a joke. Let’s see. There was a faded French actress. An over-the-hill London model. The wife of a well-known politician. The only time I saw my father was on the front page of the tabloids.”
Hearing the pain in his voice, Ally slipped out of bed and hurried across the room to take his hands in hers. “I wish I could change what happened to you, but I can’t. But there is something you can do.”
Heath stared at their joined hands. “What’s that?”
“You can forgive your father and mother.”
When he opened his mouth to protest, she touched a finger to his lips to silence him. “I know it isn’t easy to forgive something so deep, so painful. But it’s necessary if your poor heart is ever going to heal.” She looked up at him. “My father once told me something I’ve never forgotten. He said that most of us do the best we can with what we have.” Ally lifted his hands to her lips and kissed each palm. Closing them, she pressed them to her heart. “I know this can’t ease your childhood pain, but whenever you need a kiss, Heath, here is mine, ready to soothe you.”
At the sweetness of the gesture he drew her close and pressed his lips to her temple. “I’ve never known anyone like you, Allison. You’re the sweetest, most generous woman I’ve ever met. I think you truly are an angel. It’s funny. I’ve seen the terrible things love can do to people. But it wasn’t until now, until you, that I realized it can also do wonderful things. I believe that somehow in this place we’re being touched by magic.”
She pushed a little away. “Heath—”
He stopped her protest with his lips on hers. “You realize that something special is happening here, don’t you?”
“I don’t know what to think.” She rested her hand on his chest and found the strong, steady beat of his heart oddly comforting. “You know I don’t really believe in such things as monsters in the lake, or magic spells.”
When he offered no argument she gave a long, satisfied sigh. One of them had to be sensible. “That’s better. I have no doubt that very soon now Sir Malcolm will come to a decision. Whether my firm buys Hamilton Hall or he sells to our competitor, I’ll be on a plane back to New York within the next day or two, and this wonderful idyll will be over.”
For a moment he merely looked at her. Then the smile returned to his eyes, and his voice roughened with passion. “Then we’d better put whatever time we have left to the best possible use.”
He gathered her close and ran hot, wet kisses along the column of her throat, while his hands moved over her, starting fires wherever they touched.
Everything that had happened before was forgotten as they tumbled into a world of breathless sighs and whispered secrets. A world of unbridled passion and the most exquisite pleasure Ally had ever experienced.