The Promise (Thunder Point #5)(48)

“So you didn’t accept the offer?” Scott asked.

“No. I think visiting her office is a good idea before making a final decision.”

“So, you’re staying in Thunder Point your full three months?” he asked.

“Unless you’d rather I just leave now.”

“Not a chance. I have a proposition....”

“Indecent?” she asked with one raised brow.

“Incredibly decent,” he said. “We’ve got a month and change. Let’s have some fun.”

“Sex?” she asked.

“God, I hope so. But I was going to suggest a few other things. Let’s go into the mountains to see the sights, let’s check out the redwoods south of here and look at the beaches up and down the coast. Let’s learn to paddleboard. We should date and play and hang out. And there’s one thing I’d really love to cash in— You said if we were friends, you’d take me to the farm. We’re friends, right? Can the kids come? They’ve never seen a working farm, and they love animals. I’ve discovered I love Basque food as much as I love Basque women.”

“We also have a clinic to run,” she reminded him.

He smiled. “Yes, we do. And you have the baby coming.”

She nodded. “Adele. The middle of September.”

“There’s a lot to do in the next several weeks.”

* * *

On the drive home from dinner they talked about all the things they could do, and she realized what a brilliant strategist he was, distracting her from the negative side of this deadline on both her job decision and their relationship and focusing instead on the positive, the fun they could have for the next several weeks. It was like a free pass. She’d never known a man so well in such a short period of time. It felt as though she’d known him for years, not weeks. She didn’t have the slightest sensation of doubt until they stood together at her front door. That’s when she was suddenly hit with misgivings. Can I do this? Really?

He pulled her into his arms, gently. He kissed her soundly. He was a great kisser—sensual, thorough, delicious and tempting. Against her slightly parted lips he said, “Let me come in, Peyton.”

“Are you sure you want to?” she asked. “When all is said and done, this could turn out to be complicated for us. Please, be sure.”

“I’m sure. I want to be alone with you. Unless you’re hiding a couple of little kids in there....”

She shook her head. “We’d be very alone.”

“I want that. I want you,” he said, running a hand along the hair on her shoulder, caressing it, stroking it. He lifted a sheath of her hair to his face and kissed it, breathed in the scent.

She was waiting for one of the better-known, clever lines. Let’s not fight this any longer. I know you want this as much as I do. But instead he said, “I’ll never hurt you. I promise.” And she pulled on his hand, drawing him inside. Turning and leaning against the wall, she pulled him against her for more kissing. He threaded his fingers through hers, held her hands against the wall on either side of her and pressed himself against her. “Feeling you against me...it’s the best feeling I know,” he whispered. He began to unbutton her silk blouse, very slowly, stopping every few seconds to kiss her again. And then he pushed the blouse off her shoulders, and it slid to the floor. She wore only a silk camisole under it, and he drew in his breath at the sight. “Whoa,” he said softly. “Come with me. Let’s get rid of some clothes....”

She just laughed and let him take her hand and lead her to the bedroom. It was such a small place, he didn’t need directions and he didn’t take very many steps. He got rid of his own shirt and shoes in a split second and advanced on her again, burying his lips in her neck, inhaling, licking, nuzzling. His hungry hands found the button on her slacks, and he slid them over her hips. She was wearing white silk panties that were loose and flared and matched the camisole. All silky, flowing fabric... He could make them disappear with hardly a touch, and she wished he would, but he just put a hand to his heart instead. He took slow, even breaths.

“Come on, Scott,” she said, reaching for his belt. “Let’s level the playing field here.”

“Right,” he said, helping her. “I like that idea so much.”

He got rid of his pants, leaving him in boxers. She slid back on to the bed and waited for him to join her. He crawled on the bed and reclined next to her, taking her in his arms. “This is good,” he said, his hands running all over her silk underwear, pausing for a moment under the curves of her br**sts. He slid one hand under the loose leg of the flared boy-cut panties, grazing her belly and sliding to the inside of her thigh. “This is a very fine fashion idea,” he muttered against her lips. His fingers roamed.

“I had no idea,” she whispered. “I’ll have to get some more....”

“I just want to touch every single part of you.”

“All right,” she said. Then her hands began to move, and she slid them down inside his boxer briefs. “Maybe you should just take these off.”

“Anything you want. And these should go, too,” he said, clutching a fistful of silk. “But, damn, don’t let them get too far away. Just looking at you in these is enough to bring me to my knees. You’re so beautiful.” Then, almost reluctantly, he lifted the camisole over her head and gently pulled down the briefs. He gazed down at her. “I take it back. There’s nothing more beautiful than you, just you.”