A Catered Romance (16 page)

In her heart, she’d always hoped this day would come, had craved him, wanted him—body and soul. Nothing else mattered but him and the fulfillment she knew only he could give.

He pulled away and took her face between his hands. “I want you. Now.” In one fluid motion, he ripped off her apron, then grabbed her hand and drew her out of the kitchen.

“What about the food?” she asked.

“Forget the food. I’m hungry for you.”

<><><>

Together they went through the dining and living rooms to the marble foyer. Still holding her hand, and without a word, Tom led Mary Beth up the stairs to a long hall. The bright paintings that hung on the soft white walls passed by in a blur of colors.

Part of her brain urged her to run, told her she was crazy to take a chance on Tom again. But she couldn’t, didn’t want to. She’d wanted him for longer than she could remember. Her body needed him. Her soul craved him.

A dim light beckoned from the open doorway at the end of the hall. He pulled her into the room. A small Tiffany lamp shed a golden glow over the pale beige walls and rich green spread that covered the king-sized bed.

Then everything was forgotten as Tom gathered her in his arms and looked deeply into her eyes. “You’re sure about this?”

She touched his face. “More sure than I’ve ever been about anything in my life. I want you.”

Joy radiated on his features. “I feel I’ve waited a lifetime to hear you say those words.”

He took her lips in a kiss filled with tenderness and longing. Moaning, she pulled him closer, telling him with her body how much she wanted him.

He let out a soft groan and slid his fingers into her hair, massaging the back of her head while his tongue sought hers. She willingly gave herself to him. He tasted of coffee and mint and the essence that was his alone.

Tom left her mouth to trail tiny kisses down her neck and nibble at the sensitized skin. A slow heat burned through her and she ran her hands over his well-muscled back, glorying in his powerful body.

Then he kissed her mouth again, his kiss fiercer and more demanding. A desperate kiss that met an answering need deep inside her. She felt boneless, restless, her breasts straining against her blouse, begging for release. She held onto him, tunneling her hands through the thickness of his hair. Liquid fire raced through her veins, consuming her. She let out a moan of protest when he pulled away.

“Mary Beth,” he said in a ragged voice. He lifted her and carried her to the bed, easing her gently onto the silk coverlet.

He looked down at her, an expression of wonder on his face. His eyes darkened, and she sensed he struggled for control. He leaned toward her and began unbuttoning her blouse, his fingers sure and steady, his gaze intense. The raw desire in his eyes heated her to her core. When he’d loosened her blouse, she sat up and discarded it, throwing it to the floor.

He reached behind her to unhook her bra, freeing her breasts to his burning gaze. With hands that shook slightly now, he slid off her shoes, then her slacks, tossing aside each item until she lay before him clad only in her white silk thong.

His breathing shallow, he reached out and lifted strands of her hair, letting them slide through his fingers, his touch gentle, almost reverent. His hot blue gaze trailed over her body, scorching her as if he’d touched her. “You’re more beautiful than I could have imagined.”

Her body on fire, she held out her arms.

“Soon, sweetheart. Soon.” With a wicked smile, he slipped her thong from her, leaving her completely naked to his worshipful gaze.

He undressed quickly, then stood before her in all his naked glory, a god come to life. His well-defined chest muscles glowed golden in the dim light. A sprinkling of black hair covered his chest and arrowed to his private parts. She gasped at his strength and size.

Unable to speak, she feasted on him, caught up in his beauty.

He sank onto the bed and knelt before her. His scent of aroused male surrounded her, ramping up her need for him. He reached out and grazed his fingers over her breasts. “I’ve wanted to touch you like this.” His voice caressed and his fingers burned like white-hot fire on her fevered skin.

When he rolled one of her pebbled nipples between his thumb and forefinger, she arched her body, urging him to take more. He dipped his head and took her nipple into his mouth, laving and sucking. Releasing a low groan, she grasped his shoulders, smoothing her hands over his firm skin, pulling him closer.

He turned his attention to her other breast, stroking, massaging, sucking until she writhed under him. Skimming a hand down her body to her stomach, then lower, he followed with his lips, kissing a fiery trail to the soft skin of her thighs. Ravenous for him, she surrendered to the hungry exploration of his hands and mouth. He caressed her mound, kissing the soft curls, then lifted his head to look into her eyes.

His hot gaze still on hers, he gently pushed one finger, then another, into her, moving in and out in a slow, deliberate seduction. She gripped handfuls of the silk coverlet, wild with need for him, for his possession.

She felt herself sliding over the precipice. When he pulled his fingers out, she uttered a tiny cry and reached for him. She’d been so close. Her body cried out for completion.

He straightened and slid off the bed, pulled open the drawer to the bedside table, drew out a foil wrapped package and slipped on protection. Then he eased back onto the bed and gathered her to him, kissing her mouth, her face, her neck.

Positioning himself over her, he entered her slowly, carefully, drawing out, then in again, in an exquisite torture that left her breathless.

With one hard thrust he pushed completely inside her, filling her. She shifted to accommodate his size and wrapped her legs around his hips, meeting his every thrust.

Her climax came swift and hard in unrelenting waves, rippling through her, drowning her in passion.

“Cat Eyes,” he cried out, then his body shook with the force of his own orgasm.

She was where she belonged, in Tom’s arms. Their lovemaking went beyond the physical to the spiritual. She’d always known it would be like this with him, that he’d fill the empty places in her body and her heart. She loved him, had loved him for a long time. Tears sprang to her eyes. Would he break her heart again?

<><><>

Hours later, showered and dressed in terry robes, they sat in the kitchen and devoured what food was still edible. “This is the best meal I’ve ever had,” Tom said, taking a sip of wine. “You’re a genius.”

She laughed, feeling happier than she had in years. “It’s not much of a meal. The duck’s ruined. We’re left with caviar, salmon, salad and dessert.”

“And each other.” His eyes darkened and he leaned across the table and brushed a light kiss on her lips. “You’re all I need.”

Happiness and anxiety knotted her stomach. Was she all he needed? Or would he tire of her once the first flush of passion wore off their affair?

CHAPTER TEN

“W
hat is going on with you and Tom?”

Mary Beth dropped the paper towel she was using to clean the counter in the catering shop kitchen and swung around to face Gail. “What do you mean?”

Eyes narrowed and arms folded across her chest in a “take no prisoners” stance, Gail glared at her. “I’m worried about you and I want to know what the deal is between you two. You’ve been seeing each other since August and it’s now October. Tom never takes you out. It’s either his place or yours. Is he ashamed of you? Does he think he’s better than you because he’s rich?” Gail’s nostrils flared in indignation.

Her partner’s words sent tension swirling through Mary Beth, forming a tight knot in her stomach. The ecstasy of being with Tom these weeks—the passionate lovemaking, the shared laughs—was tempered by the fear he would leave her again. Gail continued to stare, an expectant look on her face.

“It’s something like that,” Mary Beth said.

“That rat!” Anger sparked in Gail’s eyes. “To think I liked him. I even pushed you two together.”

Mary Beth held up a hand. “Simmer down. You’ve got it wrong.” She blew her breath out. “Partially wrong anyway.”

Gail combed her fingers through her unruly curls. “Pulling taffy is easier than pulling anything out of you.”

“Don’t you have to go home?” Mary Beth glanced at the clock. “Isn’t your family waiting for dinner?”

“I’m not budging till you explain.” Gail jutted out her jaw.

“There’s nothing to explain.” Mary Beth could barely acknowledge her uncertainties to herself let alone share them with someone else.

“Damn it, Mary Beth. You’re my best friend. My partner. I don’t want you hurt. There are times you look happy and contented. At other times you look as tightly corked as an unopened bottle of champagne that’s ready to pop. If Tom’s ashamed of you, dump him. You’re too good for him.”

Mary Beth leveled her gaze at Gail. “Don’t be hard on Tom. I’m the one who doesn’t want anyone to know we’re together.”

“What?” Gail’s gray eyes widened. “I’ve got to sit.” She pulled out a stool and plopped down. “Have you gone completely bonkers? It’s obvious you’re in love with him. Why hide it?”

Mary Beth tugged on her braid. “Because he’s not in love with me.” Just saying the words caused a dull ache to gather in her chest.

“How do you know he doesn’t love you?” Gail asked. “It’s hard for some men to say the words.”

“I know. He calls me his fantasy. His Cat Eyes. He’s playing out our unfinished business from high school.”

Mary Beth glanced across the room to the windows. Shades covered the darkness outside. Just as her heart had closed against intimacy for so many years. She’d opened a little to let Tom in again. And she’d pay the price.

“Have you told Tom you love him?” Gail asked.

Mary Beth turned to her friend. “I told him once. Long ago. And look what happened. To Tom I’m still the girl from the wrong part of town. The girl who’s different. Once I cease to excite him, he’ll go back where he belongs. They always go back where they belong.” She clasped her hands together, fighting the bitterness that seeped into her. “My father left us to go back to his own kind. And we never saw him again.”

“Damn it, woman. Tom is not like your father.” Gail’s gaze locked with hers. “Have you ever talked to Tom about that incident at the formal?”

Mary Beth shook her head.

“Why not?” Gail asked.

Mary Beth slid her gaze from her friend’s accusing stare. Old hurts simmered in her, threatening to bubble over. She pressed her back against the counter edge.

Angling her chin, she faced Gail. “I learned many years ago that some things are best left alone. If you bring them out, they’ll just hurt you all over again.”

Gail’s expression softened and she slid off the stool to approach Mary Beth. “Oh, honey, you’ve got it all wrong. And your mother had it all wrong by not letting you talk about your father. You need to talk to Tom.”

“No, I can’t. I wish I could open to him, but I’m afraid of what I’ll dredge up.”

The jingle of the front door bell intruded. Mary Beth let her breath out, relieved to put an end to their conversation. She didn’t want to talk about Tom. She still hadn’t sorted out her relationship with him in her own mind. Sure, they had great sex—sex that got hotter each time they were together. But she felt more for him than just the physical, and that’s what scared the hell out of her. She liked being with him, felt complete with him, as if she’d been searching for him her whole life. Their closeness whetted her appetite for more, so much more, from him. Would he give her all she craved? Could he?

“Anyone here?” Tom’s voice boomed from the reception area.

“We’re in the kitchen,” Gail called out.

At the sound of Tom’s voice, Mary Beth’s heart seemed to take a flying leap out of her chest. She slid her gaze toward the kitchen doorway.

Tom sauntered in. A smile curved his lips when he saw Mary Beth. They stared at each other, the atmosphere charged between them. He took her breath with his beauty. His dark blue suit enhanced the deep color of his eyes. With his white shirt unbuttoned at the top and his tie loosened, he looked incredibly alluring. She wanted to devour him.

“If you two don’t mind, I have to leave,” Gail said. She grabbed her jacket and purse from the hook on the wall.

Mary Beth thought she mumbled good-by to Gail, but Tom’s nearness clouded her mind.

“Hi, Cat Eyes,” he said. He walked slowly toward her, his body moving with the easy grace she knew so well. She barely noticed the sound of the outside door shutting behind Gail.

He stood so close only a whisper separated them. Her insides quivered like half-baked soufflé. Her bones seemed to dissolve.

Tom took her chin between his fingers and lowered his head to brush his lips over hers.

Standing on her toes, she wound her arms around his neck. His kiss sent delicious shivers dancing along her skin. She savored his taste of coffee and mint.

He drew his mouth from hers and looked into her eyes. His breath warmed her cheeks.

“I missed you,” he said.