The Emperor: Secrets Bared (9 page)

Good old responsible Lori. Never doing anything to make her family fret. It made her more than a little bit angry. Dang it, she wasn’t a child anymore. There was no need to call home.

Margaret really was a ditz though; Tabby was right on that count. She hadn’t even thought to wonder how Lori had gotten home until the next night?

“There wasn’t anything to worry about, and I did try to call, but I couldn’t get through on mom’s phone, and you weren’t home. I left a voicemail message, didn’t you get it?”

“Snoopy must have yanked the cord out of the wall again. Mom needs to train that dog better. I did check my messages though, and you weren’t on there.”

“Well, I did leave a message. I’m sorry you were worried, but I’m a grown woman. I should be able to spend the weekend with a man without calling out the National Guard.”

“What man?”

Tabby’s voice changed from worried to curious. Lori groaned. The minutes were ticking away, and the longer she stayed on the phone the more chance of running into Gideon.

“I’m not about to kiss and tell.”

She whistled. “He must be something else for you to toss caution to the wind.”

“Look, I don’t have a ride, and I need you to come pick me up. I’m at Gideon Adrian’s. Do you know who I’m talking about?”

Tabby screeched. “Hell, yeah, I know who you mean. He’s only the hottest millionaire bachelor on the face of the earth for crying out loud. I mean, he’s always in the society pages. Man, when you decide to go buck-wild, you sure do it right.”

Lori rolled her eyes at her sister’s lingo and looked around the dressing area for her shoes. She spotted them under a chair. Pumps, she quickly discovered, were not at all comfortable at six in the morning. She gritted her teeth as she forced her swollen feet into the tiny bits of black leather. “You wouldn’t happen to know where he lives would 47

you?” she asked Tabby. “It was dark when he brought me here.” She left out the part about being too distracted by the handsome man to pay any attention to directions.

“You’re in luck because I do know where he lives. A friend of mine posed for him once, and she was just too happy to drive me by his house and brag about how great it had been.”

A horrible stab of jealousy tore through her. “What friend?”

Tabby tsked. “Jealous, sis?”

Lori took a deep breath and counted to ten. “Forget I asked. Just please come and get me.”

They said their goodbyes, and Lori let out a sigh of relief. She’d be back in her own apartment soon. She could whine and blubber over the loss of her heart in solitude. Oh goodie.

Lori left the dressing room and used the remote to close the hidden door. Should she write a note? She’d never done the note thing, but then she’d never had a one-nighter either. Err, a two-nighter actually.

She grabbed a pen and an old grocery list from the inside of her purse, then started scribbling out an it was great, thanks bunches when her eyes began to fill with tears.

Well, she’d almost made it home before the waterworks started.

She swiped at her face and propped the note against the sketch he’d done of her.

Lori stared at it, still shocked at the way he’d drawn her. The sketch made her feel special, but that was naïve considering he’d probably sketched hundreds of women. As she remembered Tabby’s words about her friend posing for Gideon, her throat closed up. Oh yeah, she was real special.

She flung her purse over her shoulder and turned around.

Oops. Too late. The sleeping Beast was now fully conscious and leaning against the doorway to the studio. He’d put on a pair of black pajama bottoms, and she barely stopped herself from drooling. The gleam in his eyes had her trembling. He looked as if he wanted to give her another of his titillating spankings. Instead of feeling indignant over the idea, her body betrayed her with a rush of arousal. Drat it! Had she no self-control at all where this man was concerned?

“Damn right I’d like to spank you.” He started toward her. “Going somewhere, love?”

He was back to reading her mind. She wanted to chastise him, but he looked so yummy with his dark hair all around his shoulders and his bare feet. Jesus, even his feet were sexy. She wanted to jump his bones all over again. Dang it, two nights should have held her over. She’d even been prepared to use the memories of what they’d shared to sustain her for the next fifty lonely years.

Gideon’s wicked smiled told her he’d caught her thoughts. Great, just what she needed. As he made his way across the room, Lori stiffened her spine. Resisting him wasn’t going to be easy, but she was determined to hang onto at least a morsel of her dignity.

48

***

Lori might be trying to run, but she was just as attracted to him now as she’d been last night and the night before. Gideon wasn’t above using the knowledge to his advantage.

Only a few feet away now, Gideon reached out and stroked her cheek with the tips of his fingers. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

She shrugged. “There was no reason to wake you.”

“You don’t think?”

“No, I don’t,” she whispered.

“You spent two nights with me. We’ve made love more times than I can count, and you’re just going to walk away without a word?”

Her expression changed to annoyance. “Isn’t that what casual is all about? No strings? No promises?”

Gideon let his fingers travel over her chin to her neck. “I thought we’d established this isn’t casual.”

“Did we?”

“I don’t feel like letting you go, and I’m not amused by your Dear John note either.”

She stepped out of his reach. “You can’t tell me you want a relationship, Gideon. We only just met.”

He advanced on her, but she retreated. He stopped and held out his hands. “I’m not going to hurt you so quit cowering.”

“I’m not cowering,” she muttered.

“You’re acting as if I bite.”

“When you touch me, I can’t think straight.”

“Fine, I won’t touch you.”

“And stay out of my head. You did promise.”

“That was yesterday. The statute of limitations is up.”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I won’t let you walk out of my life. Not without a fight.” This time when he moved forward, she didn’t try to evade him. He kept his hands at his sides and growled, “Fair warning, love, I fight dirty.”

She crossed her arms over her chest, making Gideon aware she wasn’t wearing a bra. Christ, trying to hide breasts as bountiful as hers was an act in futility.

“Too late, Tarzan, I already called my sister.”

She addressed him as if he were an unruly student, which only served to turn him on. Every little thing she did turned him on. “Then she’ll be disappointed she made the trip for nothing because you aren’t leaving.”

“Good gravy, you can’t just decide to keep me, Gideon. I’m not one of your statues.”

Gideon shook his head. “Good gravy? For an English teacher you sure do have a 49

rather unique vocabulary.”

She edged back the slightest bit. She was aroused. He’d been in a constant state of readiness since he’d seen her.

“I’m forever trying to come up with ways to keep from cursing. I wouldn’t make a very good role-model for my students if I’m cursing left and right, now would I?

Although, you make it difficult, I’ll admit.”

“Don’t leave,” he murmured.

She started to protest, but Gideon stopped her with his finger to her open lips. He leaned down and cupped her chin in the palm of his hand, then pressed his mouth to hers, savoring her tiny whimpers. He licked the soft plumpness of her lips and drifted his hand down to cup her breast. She shuddered and he was lost. Gideon was edgy and restless. He wanted to devour, to take what he wanted. To make her scream in pleasure and pray it’d be enough to keep her with him.

His tongue delved into her mouth and played with hers, teasing and tempting, driving them both mad. He heard something drop to the floor; then Lori flung her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, pushing against him in a desperate bid for more.

One taste, one touch, and Gideon was on fire. What was wrong with him? Suddenly it was clear as day. Being with Lori had made him feel whole. She turned his cold house into a home. He’d never wanted a woman living with him, but he could easily imagine it with Lori. Waking her every morning with kisses, listening to her talk about her day in the evenings. He wanted it all, and he was going to start by driving her exquisite body wild with pleasure. He wanted to see her jade green eyes drift closed in dreamy satisfaction. Knowing what her wrinkled dress concealed was too much temptation to ignore.

He was determined to prove to her the difference between the tepid, half-hearted relationship she’d had with Rick-the-dick, and the hot, soul-deep relationship they could share if she only gave him a chance.

Afterwards, if she still wanted to leave, he’d have to find a way to let her go.

50

Lori pulled back, breathless, chest heaving. “I-I can’t do this, Gideon.”

“Yes. You can, dammit.” He let her pull away, but only because he had other plans.

Stealing kisses was exciting, but if he wanted to drive her mindless with pleasure, it would take more than locking lips.

Gideon looked down at her bent head and knew her mind was in turmoil. He could only guess at that because she was trying hard to block him. It infuriated him even as he admired the strength of her will. She wasn’t a woman he could control and dominate, not unless it was what she wanted.

Gideon titled her head back and forced her to look at him. “You can’t tell me you don’t want me,” he said gently. “I won’t believe you. Even with you blocking me out, I can see it in the way your body responds to me.” He held her gaze as he slowly lowered himself to his knees in front of her. Her eyes rounded, and there was a fire he hadn’t seen in them. “Before you leave I want one last taste.” She started to protest. He could see the way her cheeks bloomed pink at his erotic words. In the bright light of day, she was becoming embarrassed and overwhelmed all over again.

“You wouldn’t deny me this last request, would you, love?” Gideon grabbed handfuls of her dress and tugged it upward, slowly exposing the lower half of her body. She licked her lips and moaned his name. With her lower half uncovered, he could see her black satin panties. They were delicate and feminine, like her, but they were in his way. He took hold of them in both hands and yanked, easily tearing them in two. Lori yelped.

“I’ll buy a new pair,” he promised. “Hell, fifty new pair.”

Gideon tossed them aside and stared at her glistening mound. Her soft curls were damp with arousal. He was suddenly starved for her.

“You’re so goddamn sexy. Sexy and wet and ready.”

“Oh, Gideon.”

The need in her quivery voice urged him on. “Put your leg over my shoulder, baby.”

She was unsteady but eager as she did as Gideon instructed. The position put the apex of her thighs directly into his face. It was a major turn-on. She looked a little bit awkward and wobbly in her pumps. Gideon grasped her hips and pulled her to him. He kissed her clit then growled, “I want your juice on my tongue before you leave. I want it there forever.” Gideon spread her open with his thumbs and exposed her. He leaned in and licked her slit, then his tongue moved inside her body, and his hands clasped onto her bottom bringing her closer. Gideon was swept away on a sea of desire as emotions rocked his body and tore at his heart and soul. He delved deeper, his cock throbbing as he felt her inner muscles clench around him. Lori raked her fingers through his hair and clutched onto him. She moaned as he flicked his tongue over and around her clit, time after time, until her thighs started to quiver and her body began to spasm out of control.

51

Without warning, Lori shuddered and screamed as she came into Gideon’s hungry mouth.

She all but slumped over him, and he relished the feel of soft curves, totally replete, leaning on him for support. She was vulnerable and trusting, and it pulled at him. He gently kissed her swollen nub one more time, then pushed her away just enough so he could stand. He was careful to keep a hold on her as he stared at her quick breathing and heavy-lidded eyes. Christ, he wanted to have this with her every morning. To see her smile in just such a way, just for him. It would be more than enough to make him a happy man.

“God, you do fight dirty.”

The words were so unexpected and Gideon laughed. “I did warn you.”

Her lips tilted up and his stomach jumped. What was she thinking? He still couldn’t see into her thoughts; the brick wall she’d erected was firmly in place. He didn’t have to wait long to find out what had put the twinkle in her eye though.

“Yes, Gideon, you did warn me, but two can play at that game.” She tugged her dress back down and lowered herself to the floor. God, he’d never survive it.

“Uh, didn’t you say your sister would be here soon?” Maybe she’d get lost on the way. It was a wishful thought, but he sure as hell didn’t want anyone interrupting what she was about to do.

“Yes, but it didn’t stop you, did it? You did what you wanted anyway. Now, it’s my turn. I want your taste. I want it on my tongue, and I want it there forever, Gideon.”

“Christ,” he groaned. He loved the way this woman’s mind worked. With her silky mass of tangled honey hair drifting down her back and those big green eyes smiling up at him, Gideon knew the truth. He was in love with her. He’d never in his life felt the emotion, but he was no fool.