Colters' Lady (Colters' Legacy #2)(52)

The ache grew in her chest as she struggled with her emotions. “Maybe I just didn’t feel like I deserved to have people to love me,” she whispered.

“Aw, Lily. You have such a big heart. I can’t imagine anyone not loving you, and furthermore, if it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to make damn sure that not only do you know you deserve it, but that you expect it.”

She dropped her gaze to the cat who’d snuggled into her arms.

“She deserves a home and someone to love her too.”

“I have this feeling that you’re going to be impossible to ever win an argument with,” he said ruefully. “I can’t think of a single reason to tell you no.”

Lily lifted her gaze back to Michael. “So I can keep her?”

He dragged a hand through his hair and pulled it behind him in a makeshift ponytail. “Yeah, you can keep her. God help me. Dillon’s going to have a coronary.”

“Dillon doesn’t like pets?”

“More like the thought of a cat scratching up his custom wood is going to give him a seizure,” Michael said with a grin.

“I’ll take good care of her and keep her off Dillon’s wood,” Lily said solemnly.

Michael pulled her in and kissed her hair. “I’m just giving you a hard time, baby. We’ll pack her up after I’ve finished my exam. She’ll need worming I’m sure and we should treat her for fleas before we take her into the house. I have cat food here and we can bring a few bags home so she’ll have what she needs.”

“And a litter box?” Lily asked. “I don’t want her to be outside in the cold. She needs to stay inside.”

“And a litter box,” Michael agreed. “She can take up residence in the mud room.”

Lily clapped her hands together in delight and then threw her arms around Michael, scaring the cat in the process. She leaped to the neighboring counter and stared suspiciously as Lily danced around the room, holding tight to Michael.

Michael laughed. “Easy there. You’re making me dizzy.”

“Thank you,” Lily exclaimed. Then she reached up and kissed him full on the lips.

He caught her against him, cradling the back of her head in his palm as he kissed her. His tongue slid along the seam of her lips, demanding entry. With a breathless sigh, she opened and let him in. His taste seeped into her mouth and floated through her veins until all she could breathe, smell or taste was him.

When he drew away, his eyes were half-lidded and glittering with desire. His hands wandered idly over her hips and up her sides to her br**sts.

Then he walked her back until the small of her back met the edge of the exam table. He planted his hands on the table on either side of her, effectively trapping her.

“Shouldn’t we be going?” Lily asked innocently.

“Kiss me again, and I’ll take you and your cat home for dinner.”

“Bully,” she grumbled, but she melted against his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck.

He smelled good. Tasted even better. She delved her fingers into his hair, letting the strands slide over the tips as he kissed her senseless.

They were both hungry and breathless. His arousal pressed into her belly, hard and urgent.

The cat meowed and jumped back onto the exam table to run against Lily’s side. Michael drew away with a muffled curse when the cat sank her claws into his arm.

“Damn cat. Already encroaching on my territory,” he grumbled.

Lily giggled and leaned into Michael. “Take me and our new kitty home and feed us. We’re hungry.”

Lily fussed over the food and water bowls and then made sure the litter was situated just right before locking the cat into the mud room until she was better acquainted with her surroundings.

When she went back into the living room, Michael was standing in front of the couch, his eyes hooded. She was immediately wary. Arousal and lust was heavy in the air. Thick, so thick it prickled up her nape.

She stopped in the doorway, her hand resting on the frame. He was looking at her like he was about to pounce. Her pulse raced and her breath caught in her throat until her lungs burned.

He crooked his finger in her direction. The power in his gaze and the command in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine.

Her legs wobbling, she took halting steps toward him, stopping a mere foot in front of him.

“Tell me, Lily,” he said in a silky voice. “Just how grateful are you that I let you bring your cat home?”

She battled a smile, but played along. Then she leaned up on tiptoe and brushed an innocent kiss over his lips. “Thank you. I’m very grateful.”

“Then get on your knees,” he growled.

Her eyes widened and fire pooled low in her belly and tightened every muscle in her groin. Erotic images buzzed through her mind as she imagined precisely what he wanted to do.

Nervous bubbles scuttled around her stomach as she slowly went to her knees in front of him. His expression was fierce, demanding, his face drawn into harsh lines.

He slowly unzipped his jeans, the rasp loud in the silence. He loosened the waist, shoved them just over his hips and pulled out his cock.

Letting his pants fall to just below his waist, he reached out with his free hand and grasped her behind the neck.

“I can be demanding, Lily,” he whispered. “I like control. Don’t let me overpower you, though. If I ever go too far, say the word. I’ll back off.”