Don't Break My Heart (Return to Redemption, Book 6) (8 page)

“Guilt about being happy when her parents are dead.” He
never really thought about it that way, but it made sense.

He ordered two hot chocolates with extra marshmallows from
the waitress and turned back to Trisha. “It’s like Haley’s on an emotional
rollercoaster. First, she’s up, and then, she’s down. Most of the time, I have
no idea where she is on her ride, so I’m constantly misreading what she needs.”

Trisha laid her hand over his on the table. “It’ll take time
for the two of you to adjust and develop your own traditions. You’re right to
make her your first priority. She needs to be reassured she’s not alone—even
when she claims she wants to be.”

“You mentioned some personal commitments last night. Feel
like sharing what they are?”

She shrugged one shoulder. “I just bought a small house that
needs some work and redecorating.”

“Anything I can help with? I’m good with a hammer and a
paint brush.”

“Why do I get the feeling you’re determined to extend this
little fling of ours.”

“Maybe because I am. I want you, Trisha, in every way a man
wants a woman. At my breakfast table, by my side when I go out, and in my bed
every night.”

“That sounds a lot like marriage. Is that what you’re
suggesting?”

He swallowed hard. He wanted that more than his next breath.
But he wasn’t sure he could handle it. “Maybe. While I watched you with Haley
today, I couldn’t help wondering if I’m wrong. She may need more than my
undivided attention.” He paused while the waitress served their hot chocolate.
“The thing is,” he explained after the woman left, “it’s not fair to saddle you
with Haley’s problems. Raising a teenager, especially an unhappy one, isn’t for
the faint-hearted.”

“I’m a high school counselor, Justin. If anyone knows that,
I do.”

“I’m not even sure what the right thing is to do for her.
She’s lost so much. She never had the chance to say good-by to her mother, and
Marc slipped into a coma before we expected and never came out of it. So we
never really got to say a final good-bye to him, either. Haley actually blames
herself.”

“Why? It couldn’t have been her fault.”

“It wasn’t. Marc didn’t want to sedate himself with pain
meds because he wanted to spend more time with her. She couldn’t stand seeing
her dad suffer, so she pushed the button on his morphine pump. He never woke
up.”

“Poor kid. I’d love to be there for her, and six months ago,
I would’ve jumped with both feet and agreed to give a committed relationship
with you a try. But I’m not in the position to do that now. And the fact that
Haley could get hurt if things don’t work out is something you and I both have
to seriously consider.”

“I know. What’s different now than last summer?”

“It’s personal.... as in not something I want to talk
about.” She stirred the marshmallows into her cocoa and blew on it before
taking a sip.

“If it’s something—”

“Why can’t you let it go? Do you want to ruin what could be
two fabulous days and nights together?”

“No.”

“Then let me be clear. When I go home the day after
tomorrow, I won’t be seeing you socially. Can you accept that? If not, we might
as well end this right now.”

“Fine.” He spread his hands. “It’s probably just as well.
Haley’s already lost the two most important people in her life. If I get
involved with a woman, I’m afraid she’ll feel as if I’ve deserted her, too.”

“That’s a definite possibility.”

“I guess I’ll simply enjoy the time I have with you.” He
took a sip of his hot chocolate. “Just promise me one thing.”

“What?”

“That you’ll keep an open mind, and if you feel differently
when we leave here, you’ll say so and agree to date me when we get home.”

“Okay. But that’s highly unlikely to happen.”

At least he had a chance—and less than forty-eight hours to
change her mind.

~*~

After the post-wedding brunch, the party at the hotel hadn’t
ended. The resort had organized games for the guests who preferred to relax by
the fireplace in the large lobby. When Trisha and Justin returned, they
competed in a battle of the sexes, which the women won. The prize was a box of
Godiva chocolates for each of them.

Just what her expanding waistline needed.

“So what’s on the agenda for tonight?” Casey Lambert asked,
cuddling up to her husband, David, on one of the sofas.

“There’s an international buffet, served from seven to
eight-thirty, with a trivia challenge in the cocktail lounge afterward,” Annie
read from a flyer that listed the schedule of activities. “Then, at nine-thirty
there’ll be a group of stand-up comedians, followed by a karaoke competition.”

“I understand BJ flew in some headliner talent for us,”
Tyler added. “It should be fun.”

“Are we dressing up?” Trisha asked. “After that dinner last
night, I’m not sure the second cocktail dress I brought will still fit.”

“I vote for casual.” Justin’s sister-in-law, Sam laughed.
“Because I
know
the other dress I
brought will be too tight—especially after that buffet. Not to mention, my
husband will balk at wearing a tie two nights in a row.”

“You’ve got that straight.” Nick pulled her close and
nuzzled her ear.

“Name a man here who won’t,” Tyler challenged. “I have to
wear a suit to the office every day. When I’m on vacation, I like losing the
noose.”

“I don’t mind putting on a tie.” Jake shrugged, smiling at
his wife, Maggie. “When I dress up, it substantially increases my chances of
gettin’ lucky.”

The men all laughed.

“I’m actually surprised you and Maggie are still here,” Nick
said. “Didn’t Alex and Emma come home from college for the holiday?”

“They’re spending Christmas with my ex, Roxanne,” Jake
explained. “We’ll celebrate with the kids on New Year’s Day. Since they’re
broke, their gift to us this year was to babysit with Katie so we could get
away alone for a few days.”

“I’d hardly call this
alone
.”
Trisha gestured toward the other four couples seated in front of the fire.

“You only think this is a crowd because you’re still single
with no kids,” Maggie pointed out. “When a mother leaves her baby home, it’s
nearly as good as being alone, no matter how many people are around.”

“Amen,” the other women all agreed.

Great. Trisha released a soft snort. With no one to share
the parenting responsibilities, that would be even more true for her.

She would love to be able to continue her relationship with
Justin, but she’d already committed herself to the challenge of working
full-time while caring for a newborn.

To take on any other responsibilities would not only burn
her out faster than a short matchstick, but it would be totally unfair to
Justin and Haley who needed more support than Trisha could offer at this
crossroad in her life.

Between decorating a nursery, taking childbirth classes,
shopping for the baby, and actually giving birth, she had more than enough to
keep her busy for the foreseeable future.

She must be crazy. What on earth had made her think becoming
a single mother was a good idea?

An active day on the slopes made the international buffet a
welcome addition—and not just because of the abundance of food served. The
quality and unique selections surpassed any multicultural feast Justin had ever
eaten.

Despite how memorable the gourmet meal and trivia contest
were, the improvisational comedians that followed were the highlight of the
evening. Justin couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed so hard.

It turned out the residents of Redemption were master
hecklers, and the performers had risen to the challenge, returning the
audience’s zingers with witty comebacks.

BJ had not only provided top-shelf entertainment for the
adults, he’d also kept the kids amused with a scavenger hunt, a teen movie
marathon, and a video game tournament on the I-pads they’d all received from
Santa at the wedding.

When the final stand-up comedian finished his act, the fun
didn’t end. The teenagers rejoined the crowd in the lounge, and the DJ
coordinated the karaoke competition, during which Haley and Ryan both received
standing ovations.

Afterward, his brother, Nick, glanced at his watch and
slanted a smile at Sam. “It’s after midnight. We can either dance for a while,
or I can take you back to our room and have my way with you. I’m too tired to
do both.”

Without answering, she grabbed his hand and dragged him out
of his chair. “Good night, everyone. Justin, it’s your turn to tuck the girls
in for the night.”

Justin shrugged and glanced at Trisha. “I guess that
eliminates dancing for me, too.”

“That’s okay. I ate too much and am too tired to move,
anyway.” She looked beautiful in the soft lavender sweater and black slacks
she’d changed into for dinner.

He stood and extended his hand to her. “Too tired to walk
Haley and Dani back to their room with me?”

“I think I can handle that short stroll.”

He pulled her out of her seat and murmured in her ear, “How
about something more energetic in your room?”

She twined her pearl necklace around her finger and curled
her lips in a seductive smile. “You
might
be able to persuade me.”

It took a lot longer to get the girls to leave than he hoped
it would. They’d had too much fun and ingested way too many sweets. Haley
chattered at a speed he’d once thought humanly impossible as she recounted
their evening during the trip back to their room. Jamal’s name came up more
often than Justin would’ve preferred. Haley had obviously developed a giant
crush on the boy, and hoped to see him after they got home.

“Ryan told him his band needs a good roadie and sound board
technician. Jamal is thinkin’ about taking the job.”

“Shhh!” Justin took their key and opened the girls’ door.
“Keep it down. Uncle Nick and Aunt Sam are trying to sleep next door.”

Trisha smirked and fired a
yeah, right
look at him. The low chuckles filtering through the
connecting hotel door disproved his claim.

He ignored Dani’s rolling eyes. “You two get your PJs on and
lights out.”

“What’re we doin’ tomorrow?” Haley asked

“I thought we’d go sledding, and then, borrow some
snowmobiles Ben offered to let us use after lunch.”

“Can I come?” Dani asked.

“I think your mom and dad are planning to go with us.” He
kissed both girls on the forehead. “Now goodnight. Make sure you lock the
deadbolt after I leave.”

Trisha waited in the hallway while he hung their
please don’t disturb
sign on the door.

He jabbed the elevator’s up button.

“My room is one floor
down
,”
she told him.

He stepped onto the elevator and pulled her in behind him.
“I want to stop at mine first to grab some clean clothes for tomorrow.”

“Aren’t you being a bit presumptuous, assuming I want you to
spend the whole night with me?”

“Am I wrong?”

“No.” She shrugged and grinned. “I just want you to work to
convince me.”

He pushed the emergency stop button and pressed her against
the elevator’s wall. “Oh, baby, convincing you to let me stay will not be
work
,” he whispered in her ear, nibbling
it. He cupped her bottom and lifted her, spreading her legs to wrap around his
waist as he ground himself into the cradle between her thighs. “It’s pure
pleasure.”

The emergency bell rang, making him flinch. Without lowering
her, he reached over and released the stop button. The elevator lurched upward.
When the doors opened, he carried her to his room and braced her against the
hallway wall while he dug his keycard from his pocket.

Once inside the room, he lowered her to the bed, stripped
her sweater over her head, and released the front clasp on her bra. Rather than
removing it, he slid the lacey scrap of lingerie up her arms and quickly wound
the straps around her wrists, imprisoning them over her head.

“You’re pure evil.”

He chuckled and yanked off her boots before peeling her
slacks and panties off together.

When she lay there stark naked except for her pearls and
black knee socks, he stood back and stroked his chin. “What shall I do with
you, now that I have you at my mercy?”

“I thought we were collecting a change of clothes and going
to my room,” she reminded him, her eyes wide and breasts heaving.

“I guess not.” He kicked off his loafers and then slowly
plucked open the buttons on his black sports shirt while she watched him stroll
around the bed, studying her from every angle. “Damn, Trisha. Do you have any
idea how sexy you look right now?”

“I didn’t realize my old knee socks were so tantalizing.”

“Don’t forget the pearls.” He certainly couldn’t. He reached
over and arranged the necklace on her bare chest. “They complete your ensemble.
I just wish I’d bought them for you.”

“Thank you. Are you planning to get undressed and join me in
this bed? Or are you gonna leave me tied up naked and alone all night?”

“Patience. Good things come to those who wait.”

She visibly shivered, and her nipples tightened into two
swollen points. Was it eager anticipation or a chill her body had reacted to?
He’d left the thermostat at over seventy degrees when he’d changed his clothes
earlier, so he doubted she felt cold.

“Are you warm enough?” He pulled off his shirt and T-shirt.
“I’d offer you a blanket, but that would ruin the scenery. I could turn the
heat up.”

“I-I’m okay.”

“You can see why I couldn’t help wondering.” As he unbuckled
his belt with his left hand, he circled one of her nipples with his right index
finger. The longer his finger rotated, the faster her breasts rose and fell
until she practically panted. He pinched the crest, and her breath caught in a
loud gasp.

“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” He sat on the mattress’s edge
and rolled both of her nipples between his fingers.

“No,” she squeaked two octaves higher than usual.

“Good. Because the last thing I want is to cause you any
pain.” He stopped for a second to strip off his socks and then dipped his head
to suckle one breast while he continued tweaking the other.

Her spine arched, lifting her chest. “
Pleeese
, Justin.”

“Please what?”

Her head thrashed back and forth. “I don’t know,” she choked
out. “Aren’t you gonna take your pants off?”

“Sorry. I need to keep them on.” Otherwise, the next time
she started pleading with him, he’d be inside her faster than she could say
please
.

As he slowly slid his palm down her abdomen, her legs
gradually parted. The closer his hand got to the juncture of her thighs, the
wider they spread.

He licked her nipples and chuckled at her eager squirming.
As he brushed the edge of her mound, she wiggled higher on the bed, bringing
his searching fingers closer to where she clearly wanted him to touch her.

Nope. Too soon. If he made this night one she’d never
forget, then maybe she’d think twice before telling him she couldn’t continue
seeing him.

He dragged his hand back up her body to her breast and
continued licking, sucking, and tweaking her nipples, making her mewl like a
kitten.

“Please, if you don’t stop, I’m gonna come.”

He lifted his head. “Isn’t that the point?”

“I mean without you.”

“But I’m right here.”
Having
a great time whipping you into a sexual frenzy.

“Don’t you want to come too?” She pouted.

“All in good time.” He gritted his teeth. If he had his way,
it wouldn’t be for hours. Unfortunately, his lower half had other plans.

She struggled with her bindings as he drew her nipple back
into his mouth and sucked harder than before. He scraped it lightly with his
teeth, and she shuddered, crying out, “Yes!” The faster he suckled her, the
higher her hips bucked and the louder she moaned. “Oh, yes, Justin, yes!”

Whoa. Had he actually made her come without ever fully
touching her below the waist?

She writhed and squirmed on the bed, moaning, clearly caught
in the grip of her climax. “Yes!!! I’m dying.”

He slid his finger into her silken sheath and stroked her to
prolong her orgasm. Damn she was drenched.

Her body pulsated around his finger for what seemed like an
eternity. He’d never seen a woman’s climax last so long. Just as her body began
to relax, he stroked her faster and pushed her toward another peak.

“Oh, Justin. Please! I can’t come again!”

“Yes, you can. Ride the wave,
mi amor
.” He tweaked and teased her nipples with his other hand,
alternating between them as she shrieked and thrashed, all the while pumping
her hips harder and faster, forcing his finger deeper into her. With a loud
cry, her entire body stiffened in one long convulsion. A few seconds later, she
went completely limp and silent—almost as if she’d passed out from the intense
pleasure.

“
Querida
?”

When she didn’t answer, his pulse pounded in his ears. Oh,
no. Had he pushed her too far? “Trisha, baby, answer me.” He unbound her
wrists. “Are you all right?”

Her mouth curled in a satisfied smile as her body elongated
in a sensual stretch. “Hmmm. Better than just all right.” She rolled onto her
side and snuggled into the pillow. Within seconds her breathing fell into a
deep steady rhythm.

What the hell? Had she actually fallen asleep?

His shaft throbbed painfully beneath his tight fly—almost as
if his dick screamed,
I knew we should’ve
taken her when she begged us. This is all your fault, asshole! You and your
hair-brained plan to make her love us so much she won’t be able to walk away.
Well, look where that got us, Einstein.

~*~

The distant sound of running water woke Trisha. She opened
her eyes and a shaft of sunlight stabbed her retina. Holding up her hand to
shield her eyes, she cringed as she glanced at the other vacant side of the
bed.

Oh, damn. She’d actually fallen asleep on Justin after he’d
given her the most erotic, mind-blowing sexual experience of her life thus
far—and probably ever.

Being bound and compelled to submit to whatever he chose to
do to her for however long he liked had been a tad frustrating at first and
then downright exasperating. But in the end, when he refused to let her come
down from her orgasm and pushed her to a higher peak than the first climax, the
pleasure had bordered on painful. And then.... she’d come like a runaway train.

Her nipples tightened from reliving the ecstasy, and her
face turned red-hot as she recalled the way she’d pleaded and shrieked her
pleasure. It was a doggoned miracle the people in the two rooms next to
Justin’s hadn’t called 911 to report a murder.

Or maybe someone had. She’d conked out into such a deep
sleep, for all she knew, Justin could’ve had the coroner banging on the door to
make sure she was still breathing.

At least her stomach felt pretty good this morning. Somehow
she had to make it up to him. She picked up the foil packet he’d left on the
night table and crept into the steamy bathroom. She watched him wash his
magnificent body for several moments before opening the door on the glass
shower stall.

“Good morning.” He smiled and kissed her long and hard.

She soaped her palm and smoothed her hand down his belly and
stroked him, working up a lather. “Hmmm, I was afraid you were taking care of
what I should’ve last night.” She handed him the condom. “I’m so sorry I passed
out on you.”

He kissed her on the nose. “It’s okay. I kind of asked for
it. And you’re here now.”

“It was fantastic.”

“I’m glad.” He tore the foil wrapper open with his teeth.
“But as punishment, there’s no foreplay for you this morning.” He rolled on the
protection, pressed her back against the tile, and hoisted her to straddle his
hips.

Who cared? Thinking about what he’d done to her last night
had left her more than ready. Before she could even wrap her arms around him,
he plunged himself inside her and began pumping his hips at a furious pace that
could give a racecar’s pistons some competition.

The harder and more frenzied his thrusts grew the deeper he
penetrated her until the head of his penis slammed repeatedly into what could
only be the mysterious G-spot she’d read about. The pounding started an orgasm
totally unlike any she’d ever had before.

“Oh, yes!” Her cry of pleasure echoed off the bathroom tile
and sounded deafening.

“Oh, Trisha! You’re incredible.” He groaned, thrusting even
faster and harder than she believed possible. “Oh, man, that’s good. Keep
coming, baby.”

White-hot pleasure rocketed through her, leaving every nerve
ending tingling like a shower of sparks had fallen on her. She shuddered at the
glorious wave of bliss as Justin continued driving into her like a man
possessed. How he kept his legs from giving out was a complete mystery. At this
point, any mere mortal should’ve collapsed in a heap.