Fallon woke with a start. Sunshine was streaming through the sheer curtains.
She’d succumbed to every illicit sensation Gage evoked throughout the course of the night. She wanted everything he had to offer. Gage understood and matched her in his unparalleled desire. Not once, not twice, but three times last night, their coupling had been wild and erotic. At one point he’d lifted her legs to his shoulders and she’d arched into him as he’d pumped into her, hard and fast, until she’d panted out his name.
Fallon hadn’t known sex could be that good, that she could literally burn up with wanting for a man. But it was what Gage brought out in her. And that scared her because although it was thrilling, Fallon knew loving Gage was dangerous. They were in a temporary marriage of convenience, one that allowed them to both get what they wanted, though Fallon still didn’t understand what she’d brought to the table. Status? Acceptance into Austin society? She would have given up her status in a heartbeat to have Gage fall in love with her.
Her husband stirred beside her. “Good morning,” he slurred with eyes half open. “What are you doing up? Did I not wear you out last night?” When she didn’t respond right away, he continued. “Then I didn’t fulfill my husbandly duties.”
Gage rolled over, positioning himself above her. “Gage...” she sighed as molten heat formed in her core.
“Hmm...don’t worry. I’ll be gentle.” Slowly he nudged her entrance with his shaft, all the while looking straight at her. There was no hiding behind a façade. Fallon had no choice but to stare into his intense eyes as he thrust deep inside her.
There was a fierce need for possession in his eyes and Fallon was surprised by the depth of emotion she saw there. Did Gage care for her more than she thought? Fallon couldn’t say because he gave her no reprieve. Instead he continued his merciless assault, molding her closer, pressing their bodies together so he could go deeper. Take her higher. Urgency expanded within her until Fallon’s entire body erupted and she saw stars.
She struggled not to give away too much with her expression, but Gage surged inside her again and again and the delicious friction of their bodies caused her to come apart. She clutched at his biceps as another orgasm overtook her. Gage groaned in her ear and she tasted his passion as his tongue pressed past her lips to caress and stroke hers.
When he collapsed on top of her, his breathing slowly began to even out. Then he shifted to his side and relieved her of his weight. Fallon stroked his cheek and traced his mouth with her fingers. The uncontrollable lust and hunger for Gage was like nothing she’d ever known. This man was burrowing into her soul.
“Are you all right?” he asked, searching her face.
“Yes.”
He touched the bridge of her nose. “But you’re pensive. I can see the thoughts whirling around in your brain. Let them go, Fallon, and be present in the moment with me.”
“I am.”
“You’re thinking about later and what comes next. About why it’s so good between us. Isn’t it enough that it is? Can’t we enjoy each other?”
Until it peters out, Fallon wanted to add but didn’t. She nodded.
“Good.” Gage smiled.
* * *
Gage stared at Fallon from his poolside seat at the luxury resort in Punta Cana where they were staying for their honeymoon. He couldn’t resist watching her every move as she made her way to him. His wife was a knockout. She wore a halter-style bikini held together by rings in the center of her bust and along the sides of her slim hips. It did wonders for her cleavage. Her round, pert breasts were pushed up and enhanced for the entire world to see. Although she’d wrapped a sarong around her waist, Gage knew men were looking.
The last several days they’d been soaking in the sun and swimming in the private pool of their beachside villa. Fallon had teased him he was keeping her naked and barefoot. They’d hardly left the villa except for a romantic candlelit dinner he’d arranged on the beach upon their arrival and the one day they’d spent sightseeing and snorkeling. Today they’d finally ventured out to the main building and now Gage wished they were in their private world again. He didn’t like men wanting what was his. Because Fallon was his.
They’d been together in every possible position. He was very imaginative and Fallon had been enthusiastic about all of his ideas, adding a few of her own that had him begging and pleading with her for more. Her soft cries of delight, her hungry moans as their bodies moved faster and came together in mind-blowing release, were overwhelming. When it came to his wife, Gage was insatiable. But it was more than that. He’d thought that once they became intimate, his ache for her would go away. Instead it seemed to have metastasized and he was incapable of controlling himself. He wanted her all the time, but their marriage had an expiration date.
At least that was the verbal agreement they had. At the time, Gage hadn’t seen a problem. He assumed he’d be ready to move on when the hunger and passion subsided. Plus, he had a plan in place to take over Stewart Technologies once he had enough stock. He’d already purchased a substantial amount on the open market with his holding companies. Now it was a matter of finding those investors who were eager to sell.
Gage tried not to think about how this would affect Fallon. He couldn’t. Business was business. What they shared was something altogether different. Something that was just between them. Special, even.
“I arranged for our massages on the beach,” Fallon said as they retreated to the loungers in their private cabana.
“Sounds marvelous.” Gage eyed her as she removed the sarong from around her slim waist to reveal the barely there bikini that covered her curvy bottom and the patch of curls between her thighs. Thinking about when he’d been buried there this morning had his penis stiffening in his swim shorts.
Fallon reached for her drink, a fruity concoction inside a pineapple. He’d opted for a beer. “I had to do something. Otherwise, we’d never enjoy any of the resort’s luxurious amenities.”
“I have all I want right here.” His eyes scanned hers. She blushed as she always did when he talked about their lovemaking. Over the course of the last four days, he’d made it his mission in life to help her shed her inhibitions. They’d made love in the shower, pool, hot tub, even on the beach near their villa. That had taken a little more coaxing, but once his hands and mouth had been on her, Fallon had given in and allowed him to have his way with her.
He smiled at the memory.
“What’s so funny?” she inquired.
“Just remembering the other night on the beach.”
Fallon’s face flamed.
“And hoping for a repeat.”
“You’re terrible, Gage. And that’s not going to happen. We could have been caught. If anyone had found us, I would have been so embarrassed.”
“Trust me, babe. We weren’t the only ones out there,” he replied. “This is an adults-only resort, known for honeymooners and anniversaries.”
Fallon shrugged, placed her pineapple on the table between the loungers and eased back. “We’ll leave them to their shenanigans. I prefer the privacy of our villa.”
“And where’s the fun in that?”
Their butler, James, came to the cabana, interrupting the moment. “Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, can I get you anything? Another refreshment, perhaps?” He nodded to their drinks on the table. “Or a light snack?”
“I would love some fresh fruit,” Fallon said. “And maybe some cheese and crackers?”
“Another beer for me,” Gage answered.
Once James departed, Gage turned to Fallon. “I have a very special evening planned for our last night here.”
“I can’t believe the honeymoon is nearly over. Why did we only give ourselves five days?”
“Because someone—” he glanced in her direction “—is a workaholic and refused to take the entire week. But don’t you worry, I will make tonight unforgettable.”
* * *
Gage made certain the evening was beyond Fallon’s wildest imagination. After their afternoon massages, they’d gone back to the room where her husband had turned showering into an erotic experience. He’d thoroughly soaped and washed her body with his hands before falling to the floor in the oversize super shower and loving her with his mouth. Then he’d hoisted her off her feet and made passionate love to her against the tiled wall while water pounded on his back. Fallon had melted into a sea of lust as she did whenever she was around him. His every touch, kiss and possession caused an inferno of passion to consume her.
Eventually they’d left their villa and ended up on a yacht for a sunset cruise Gage had arranged. It took them around the island while they enjoyed a four-course meal prepared by a private chef in the state-of-the-art kitchen belowdecks. The captain had given them a tour of the yacht’s modern amenities when they’d come aboard; it had a kitchen, living area, dining room, two guest bedrooms and a master suite complete with a king-size bed and full-size master bathroom.
Now they were on the deck, lying on the plush recliners and stargazing while drinking Cristal. Fallon had chosen to wear a simple color-blocked maxi dress in deep orange, navy and white, pairing it with low-heeled white sandals. It was nautical and comfortable. Gage had opted for linen trousers and some sort of tunic shirt he’d picked up during their one and only sightseeing trip. But all she could see when she closed her eyes were those broad shoulders, chiseled eight-pack abs and trim waist.
Fallon felt fulfilled in Gage’s arms. For the first time in her life, she was beginning to understand the addiction to sex. It hadn’t even been a week and she wanted Gage with a pride-destroying hunger. She, who had never needed anyone, needed him.
Which was why Fallon was looking forward to flying home tomorrow. Life would go back to normal after the craziness of the wedding and honeymoon. She would dive back into work immediately. She had some thoughts on paring down the staff by retiring some of her father’s old friends and bringing in new talent who were forward thinking.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Gage inquired.
“I’m thinking about going home.”
Gage frowned. “I didn’t realize spending 24/7 with me was such a chore.”
Their eyes met.
“Of course not. I’ve enjoyed our time together.”
“But you’re ready to get back to work?” Gage finished.
Fallon shrugged. “There’s much to be done to get Stewart Technologies back on track. I’ll be very busy.”
“Is that your subtle way of telling me that you’ll be too busy or too tired to fulfill your wifely duties? Because that’s not going to fly.”
“No... I—” Fallon wasn’t able to utter another word because Gage’s long body came up and over hers, crushing her against the lounger as his heavy, muscular legs slid on either side of the thin fabric of her dress, caging her in. Her head fell back as Gage gave her a fierce, demanding kiss, plundering her mouth with his invading tongue. He was like a marauder, taking what he wanted.
She felt the weight of one of his palms at her ankles as he slid the maxi dress up her thigh.
“Gage, wait!” Fallon stopped his hand. “What about the staff?”
“They’ve all retired for the evening, per my instructions.” Then he was underneath the hem, his hands searing every inch of her skin. Instinctively, she pressed herself further into his touch. Their bodies shifted and she was able to feel the hardness of his erection against her core. Fallon was needy and hungry—for him and no one else. His body was like a drug. When he touched her, what little was left of her functioning brain gave way to pure lust and all rational thought fled her body.
He lifted his mouth to trail kisses along her face and jaw, murmuring, “I had better get my fill now.”
And so had she.
She feverishly tugged at his shirt. He had too many clothes on. Within seconds, he’d pulled it up and over his head. Electricity buzzed when she felt the crisp brush of his chest hair on her fingertips. She lowered her head and pressed her lips against the wall of his chest, tasting and tantalizing him with no restraint.
“Fallon...”
She liked how his voice was rough and raw with emotion, so she continued her ministrations. But Gage stopped her. Clenching his hands in her hair, he pulled her away so he could crush his mouth against hers in a hungry kiss turned sensual dance. She felt his urgent hands at her waist as he levered himself away long enough to remove the maxi dress and leave her naked save for the thong she’d been wearing. She’d taken to going braless the entire honeymoon.
“I want you so bad,” he growled and cupped her breasts, teasing them into aroused peaks with swirls and flicks of his tongue and nips of his teeth.
“Me, too.” She clenched her hands around the corded muscles of his biceps. The man had a wicked way with his tongue. She arched against his invasion, all the while feeling the hot moisture of need between her thighs that only he could assuage. She began shoving his trousers and his underwear down his legs. He stood long enough to rid himself of the offending garments before they were back together on the lounger.
“This has to go,” he said and gave her thong a gentle tug, snapping the fabric asunder.
That was fine with Fallon; she didn’t care about restraint. She wanted him right here, right now—regardless of who might find them. This is what he’d done to her: he’d made her a mass of need. His hands slid between them to brush the damp curls between her thighs. She was already wet and he easily slid not one but two fingers inside her. She encouraged him by moving with his hand. She was so desperate to come, but he didn’t let her.
“I want to come with you,” he murmured, removing his hands. His legs came between hers, nudging them apart. She spread her legs wider, inviting him in, and he surged inside her in one powerful movement.
Fallon let out a sharp, keening cry of delight and her arms went around his neck as she brought his mouth back down to hers. She was on fire. He pushed in again then withdrew. Fallon wanted to cry out in protest but he surged in further, deeper, than he had before. She wrapped her thighs around him and reveled in the way Gage took her higher, again and again, until there was only them, as connected as two people could be. Fallon arched her hips when he angled himself so he could take her harder and faster. The storm built, swirling until there was nowhere else to go but over the edge. Simultaneously they tumbled into ecstasy and cried out their release.
And Fallon knew, as she’d known for days, that somewhere along the line, passion had developed into love.