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  “An improvement. Research pays, and today was fruitful, so I hope Monday will be better than yesterday. And what about you?”

  “Jessie and I had a delightful day. She’s a little doll. As you know, I’ve never been around a baby before, much less a little girl, and she’s a sweetie.”

  “So you two are bonding. Will wonders never cease?”

  “I know, it’s surprised me as much as it has you. I should have listened to you weeks ago.”

  “So you don’t regret this marriage?”

  He leaned forward, his knees touching hers, to stroke her cheek with his fingers. It was the lightest touch, yet fiery. “I haven’t regretted it since the day we exchanged vows.”

  “I don’t believe you. After the wedding, when we rode in the limo to the reception, you sounded angry and you looked anything but happy.”

  “Maybe then, but when we danced…” He shook his head. “From then on, no regrets.”

  She smiled at him, knowing he was saying only half. No regrets, but no lasting promises, either. She was still certain that in less than a year, he would walk.

  “If we don’t consummate the marriage, you’d have grounds for an annulment—a simple procedure,” she said, looking at him over her glass as she sipped her wine.

  “Consummate the marriage,” he repeated, leaning close to brush kisses on her ear and neck. “We’ll see about that one.” He leaned away and pushed back his chair to stand. “I’ll put the steaks on. I’ve worked up an appetite.”

  She stood and trailed after him into the kitchen. “What can I do?”

  “Watch me cook. Talk to me.”

  “I mean about getting dinner ready,” she said, smiling at him.

  “It’s ready except for the steaks. Potatoes are baked and still in the oven keeping warm. The tossed salad is in the fridge. And I have a newly baked loaf of bread.”

  “Helga is off today, so you did all this yourself. You’re a multitalented man.”

  “My real talents lie elsewhere,” he said.

  “Oh, sugar,” she teased, “I can’t wait to discover your real talents!”

  “I’ll feed you, darlin’, and then I’ll show you,” he said in a leering drawl that made her laugh.

  They sat on the patio listening to music and talking until the steaks were done, and then they moved to the table. Slices of the fresh bread were featherlight, and the steak, when Savannah cut into it, was delicious. But her appetite fled as she gazed across the table at Mike.

  The evening was a setting for seduction, and she knew it, yet in spite of that she was enjoying every moment. And the lovemaking in the pool had filled her with heated desire. She wanted to be in Mike’s arms and she wanted his kisses.

  They were married, and even if the marriage didn’t last, he might be the love of her life. She suspected she was already in love with him, but she didn’t want to study her feelings too closely yet. And if they made love, if they became husband and wife fully—in body, as well as in name—would that be a stronger tie that might bind him to her when his year was up?

  If she held back, she knew that Mike wouldn’t stick around all year trying to seduce her. He would move on and put her, as well as Jessie, out of his life.

  She gazed across the table at him in the flickering light of the candle. His dark eyes were unfathomable, his heart locked away. She didn’t know what he felt for her, if it was deep or merely physical.

  He pushed back his chair and came around the table to take her hand. “Want to dance?”

  Standing, she walked into his arms. “You haven’t finished your dinner.”

  “Neither have you. I’m not hungry for steak,” he said. Pulling her close, he began to dance around the patio, circling the pool while they gazed into each other’s eyes. All she could see in him was unmistakable desire.

  “Maybe you’re changing, Mike.”

  “Don’t count on that, Savannah. Leopards don’t lose their spots. I’m not going to change.”

  “Maybe we’re both changing.”

  “At least we don’t clash quite as often as we did. Only half as much, I’d say,” he said, and she smiled.

  She ran her fingers along his jaw, feeling the smooth-shaven skin. “Thanks for taking care of Jessie so I could get my work done.”

  “It was an experience I wouldn’t have missed for the world.”

  “So you’ll get up with her tonight?” Savannah teased, and he looked amused.

  “Today was an experience I wouldn’t have missed, but I can skip the night awakenings. You wanted her badly and you knew what you were getting into, so I’ll leave all that night stuff to you.”

  “One minute you’re irresistible, Mike, and the next you’re impossible.”

  “I take it the irresistible moments are outnumbering the impossible ones,” he said, pulling her closer and dancing slowly around the patio. He periodically brushed feathery kisses across her temple.

  They danced slowly while the music played over the intercom, and Savannah was barely aware of her surroundings.

  In a few more minutes a fast song came on, and Mike released her, spinning her around and moving in front of her, still watching her with his smoldering gaze, making her feel utterly desirable.

  She swayed, moving her hips, and wanting to tempt him to toss aside that barrier he always kept around himself.

  He had gotten to her completely. He knew her background, her fears, her hopes and dreams, while his were locked away. She wanted to make him let go. She wanted him to fall in love with her. With her and with Jessie.

  He danced around her, lithe, virile, too appealing. He caught her, spinning her around and then pulling her back into his arms as the piece ended. He swung her down, leaning over her to kiss her hard.

  Feeling giddy and light-headed, Savannah clung to him, wanting to hold him forever. Still kissing her, he swung her up and wrapped his arms around her tightly. She pulled away to look into his eyes. They held such intensity her temperature jumped.

  “You’re beautiful, Savannah,” he said in a husky voice, his fingers going to the top button of her blouse to twist it free. He leaned down to kiss her throat and she closed her eyes, relishing every stormy sensation he caused, running her hands over his shoulders and through his thick hair. She gasped with pleasure while he continued to twist free more buttons and trail kisses lower in the hollow between her breasts.

  He shoved away her blouse and unfastened her bra to push it off, her clothing falling around her ankles while cool night air rushed over her bare skin. Mike cupped her breasts in his hands as he lowered his head to stroke her nipple with his tongue.

  Clutching his shoulders, she cried out, wanting him desperately. With trembling hands, she tugged his shirt out of his jeans, pulled it over his head and tossed it aside. Eagerly, she ran her hands over his bare shoulders and chest.

  “Mike,” she breathed softly, knowing she was hopelessly lost.

  “You’re not going to turn me away tonight, Savannah,” he said in her ear. “You want to make love as badly as I do. We both want to hold each other and kiss and not stop all night long.”

  As she wound her arms around his neck and her breasts pressed against his warm, bare chest, she knew he was right. She had fought this night, dreamed about it, worried about it, and now it was here.

  “Proceed at your own risk, Mike. I want your heart. I want it all. I want you to stay and never leave.”

  “Shh, darlin’. The future is now. This is what we have and what we want.”

  “Oh, yes!” she exclaimed, standing on tiptoe to kiss him, fleetingly remembering when he had intended to fly out of Texas and her life forever, yet here he was in her arms and married to her.

  His arms tightened around her, and he kissed her in return, scalding kisses that replaced thoughts and conversation with feelings and need.

  She knew he intended seduction, but so did she. She wanted to make love, wanted to know him intimately, wanted to stroke and touch all of him and drive
him beyond that iron-bound control he always kept.

  He raised his head slightly, his dark eyes stabbing into her. “You proceed at your own risk, Savannah. I want your body.”

  Desire, a double-edged sword, sliced into her. Even in this there was a clash of wills, a determination in their lovemaking and a difference of purpose that tore at them both.

  “You better guard your heart well,” she said. “And remember, I’ve warned you.” She rubbed her hips slowly against him. “You’re here right now in my arms. Walk out of them now, Mike,” she said while she caressed his hard manhood and then leaned down to take him into her mouth and stroke him with her tongue.

  Winding his fingers tightly in her hair, he groaned. He shook and her pulse vaulted madly.

  Then he reached down, his hands going beneath her arms to haul her up against him. His mouth descended possessively on hers. His tongue thrust deep, repeated thrusts that signified the sexual act, that tormented and drove her wild.

  “Kiss me, Savannah,” he said against her lips. “Kiss me while I love you into oblivion and demolish you with kisses,” he whispered. “Do you like me to touch you here?” he asked, stroking her nipple and making her moan and cling to him.

  “Do you want to be caressed and touched here?” he whispered next. “Do you like this?” he asked as he drew circles on her stomach with his tongue,

  She wound her hands in his hair and then slid her hands over him while her pounding heartbeat drowned out his voice. She had let restrictions go, and now she wanted everything with him. Exploring his hard body, she tried to give him the exquisite torment he was causing her.

  Yet even in their lovemaking, she still felt that battle of wills. She wanted to seduce him into a lifetime of loving. He wanted to seduce her into his bed for the coming months.

  He picked her up to carry her to a wide, padded chaise longue and lower her into it, coming down beside her to take her into his arms and kiss her while his hands roamed over her. He pushed her gently onto her stomach, moving beside her to trail kisses along her nape, his tongue stroking her, moving down her back, while his hands played over every inch of her.

  He moved to the backs of her thighs, his breath warm on her sensitized skin, making her quiver. She rolled over to grasp him. “Mike, come here!” she cried as she put her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss.

  In moments he moved away to trail kisses down to her breasts, drawing slow circles with his tongue and then moving lower, until he was between her legs and kissing the insides of her thighs.

  She opened her eyes to find Mike watching her with a look that was devastating in need. He shifted her, raising her hips, his tongue stroking her intimately where his fingers had been. She gasped and closed her eyes, her fingers clutching his shoulders.

  “Mike, oh, please, come love me,” she whispered.

  “I want you to want me, darlin’. To really want me,” he said.

  She cried out, her hips arching against him while he sent her skyrocketing, one need shifting to another. Her pounding heart smothered all other sounds. She was hot, aching, wanting him.

  He straightened and she looked up at him.

  “Savannah, are you protected?” he asked.

  “No, I’m not.”

  “I’ll take care of it,” he said, moving away to get a packet from his jeans and returning to her.

  “Mike!” she gasped, coming up to take his thick shaft in her mouth and try to drive him to the same desperation she felt.

  Mike tangled his fingers in her silky hair, closing his eyes, and for a minute, relishing her caresses and her tongue on him. He was burning with need for release, wanting her beyond his wildest dreams, but he was going to make this last and drive her into a frenzy of passion.

  Suddenly he knew if he didn’t stop her ministrations, he would lose control. He pushed her back on the chaise and stretched out beside her, caressing her, then leaning away enough to take her breast into his mouth. At last he raised his head, looking at her, certain she was the most beautiful woman on earth.

  Would he ever get his fill of her? he wondered. Her skin was pearly, flawless, her cheeks pink, her lips red from his kisses. She was pink and white and blond, and her body, with its creamy, lush breasts, tiny waist and long legs, was pure temptation. He stroked her leg, his hand sliding between her thighs while he kissed her breast. She was responsive to his every touch, and a bonfire of desire for her built in him, more than for any other woman he had ever known.

  Never had he wanted a woman as he did her. Never had one disturbed his sleep, caused him constant upheaval, changed his life the way she had.

  He wanted to make love to her all night, wanted to make her want him the way he wanted her. He wanted all her fire and passion. Awed by her beauty, he felt as if he was under her spell. She could never imagine how many of his waking hours he thought about her, how many of his sleepless nights he ached with wanting her. She was in his erotic dreams, yet in dreams as elusive as she had been in real life—until now.

  Now she was here in his arms, naked, eager, loving him in return. He slid his hands between her legs to touch, explore and stroke her while he kissed her thoroughly.

  Her hands were all over him, burning him alive. Sweat poured off his body while he tried to hold back and keep control of his body.

  Savannah cried out, her hips arching against Mike as she pulled him down to kiss him. He spread her legs, moving between her thighs…Suddenly he straightened.

  He was on his knees between her legs, aroused, handsome, his dark hair a tangle over his forehead. His brown eyes blazed into her, and he leaned forward slightly to trail his fingertips over her breasts.

  She gasped, drinking in the sight of his male perfection while he paused to get the packet, open it and slide on the condom.

  And then he lowered himself to her, kissing her as she felt the warm tip of his shaft touch her lightly, tormenting her and driving her to arch her hips, while she pulled his trim buttocks in an effort to bring him closer.

  “Mike,” she gasped.

  “I want you to really want me,” he repeated, and then dipped his head to kiss her again.

  She wound her arms around his neck and kissed him, and then he thrust slowly into her and withdrew and she cried out, aching for him. He thrust again, slowly filling her, hot and hard.

  Her next cry was drowned by his mouth covering hers. She could feel the sweat on him, feel his pounding heart, and then all her awareness was focused on his body, his manhood.

  He moved slowly, easing out and then thrusting into her, driving her wild with desire. And then his control was gone.

  She moved with him, desperately trying to reach a brink, united with him at last, wanting to absorb him and wanting to give herself to him.

  “Savannah, ah, darlin’!” Mike gasped. “My love!”

  Above her roaring pulse, she heard him cry out her name, heard his exclamation “my love,” but she knew he was in the throes of passion and not making declarations of lasting love.

  And then she couldn’t hear anything over her own pounding pulse. She was lost to sensation.

  When release burst, she cried out his name. Colors exploded behind her tightly closed eyelids as ecstasy consumed her.

  “Savannah! Darlin’,” he gasped, and she felt his shuddering release.

  They slowed, moving together, both drenched in sweat, hearts pounding, and gradually, her breathing began to slow. As Mike showered kisses on her face, murmuring endearments to her, she turned to him.

  He kissed her—a long, slow kiss of satisfaction and union.

  “You’re mine at last, darlin’,” he whispered, and raised his head to look at her.

  She gazed into his eyes, and her heart missed a beat at the warmth she saw in the depths of brown. In that moment they were closer than ever, and she was joyous to be in his arms.

  “You’re beautiful,” he said. “I don’t want to stop holding you or kissing you or looking at you.”


  She stroked his jaw and smiled at him. “I don’t think you can do all three at once.”

  “Sure I can. I’ll show you,” he said, kissing her and running his hand along her hip, up her rib cage.

  When he raised his head, she opened her eyes. “That was two things. You couldn’t look at me at the same time.”

  “Sure, I did. You closed your eyes. Keep them open and see.” When he leaned down to kiss her again, she closed her eyes, relishing his tender, leisurely kiss. She opened her eyes when he stopped and raised his head.

  “You have to keep your eyes open, Savannah,” he said, smiling at her.

  “I can’t,” she said, and they both laughed. He leaned down to nuzzle her neck.

  “You’re wonderful, darlin’. This was the best night of my life.”

  Her heart did a flip and she held him tightly, relishing both his words and the intimacy with him. “It was the best night of my life, too, Mike,” she murmured solemnly, wondering how much was passion and euphoria and how much he sincerely meant. She suspected it was the former.

  “Mike, this is decadent. We’re on the patio….”

  “It’s private. We’ve got bushes, and beyond the bushes there’s a high fence with lots of yard in between the two and lots of yard all around us before there’s another house. We’re as private as in my bedroom, but I vote to adjourn to the bedroom. This chaise leaves something to be desired.”

  “You’re complaining?”

  “About the chaise, not you, darlin’. Never you.”

  “Never until our next argument,” she said with a smile, raking her fingers through his hair.

  “Ah, Savannah, you’re special,” he said, stroking her cheek.

  She smiled up at him, wondering what he really felt, knowing there was still so much of his life that was a blank to her, shut away from her and, she suspected, shut away from all others.