The Tycoon's Secret Affair (The Anetakis Tycoons #3)(22)

His hand covered hers, idly stroking the tops of her fingers as he turned to the others and told them that he and Jewel were ready to go.

There were hugs, polite kisses and teasing good-byes. Piers hugged each of his sisters-in-law, and she could tell that he regarded them with great affection. It was quite a change to the way he looked at her with so much distrust in those dark eyes.

And then they were on their way. Piers had left the limousine to the others and called for a car to pick them up. The ride home was quiet, and finally, unable to stand the tension, she turned her head in the darkness of the backseat only to see him staring at her, those dark eyes nearly invisible.

“What is bothering you, yineka mou?”

“Are you expecting a wedding night?” she blurted.

White teeth flashed as he smiled. It was a decidedly predatory smile, and it sent shivers down her spine.

“But of course. You’re my wife now. A wedding night usually does follow a wedding, does it not?”

“I…I just wasn’t sure, I mean this isn’t a real marriage, and I didn’t think you wanted much to do with me.”

“Oh, I intend for it to be very real,” he said softly. “Just as I intend for you to spend tonight and every night in my bed.”

Ten

A ll she had to do was say no. It wasn’t as if Piers would force her. Jewel stepped from the car, her hand in Piers’s as he pulled her to his side. A shiver overtook her when the night chill brushed her skin, and she unconsciously moved closer to his warmth.

The question was, did she want to tell him no? And what purpose would it serve except to make him further distrust her and her motives?

As soon as the thought materialized, she clenched her teeth in anger. If the only reason she could muster to go to bed with him was so that he’d trust her more then she needed a serious reality check, not to mention she needed a few more brain cells.

Admit it, you want him.

And there it was. She did. The one night they’d shared burned brightly in her memory. She was married to him, and she wanted him to love her. She wanted him to trust her, and neither could happen if she maintained the distance between them.

Determined to embrace her marriage without being a martyr, she slipped her fingers tighter through Piers’s and hurried alongside him into the house.

“I know today was hard for you, yineka mou. I hope it wasn’t too taxing for you and the baby.”

Had he changed his mind about making love to her? It sounded like he was offering an out. Or was he simply giving her the choice?

“I’m perfectly all right,” she said softly as they stepped into the foyer.

He turned, putting his hands gently on her upper arms. “Are you?”

She stared back, knowing what he was really asking. Slowly she nodded, her senses firing in rapid succession.

“Be sure, Jewel. Be very sure.”

Again she nodded, and before she could say or do anything else, he pulled her to him and covered her mouth hotly with his.

He swallowed her breath, took every bit of air and left her gasping for more. How was it he made her so weak? She sagged against him, clutching desperately at his shirt.

His tongue invaded her mouth, sliding sensuously over her lips and inside, tasting her and giving her his taste.

“Sweet,” he murmured. “So sweet. I want you, yineka mou. Say you want me too. Let me take you upstairs. I want to make love to you again.”

“Yes. Please, yes.” She gasped when he swung her into his arms. “Piers no, I’m too heavy.”

“Do you doubt my strength?” he asked in amusement as he mounted the stairs.

“I’m huge,” she said in exasperation.

“You’re beautiful.”

He carried her through the doorway to the master bedroom and laid her carefully on the bed. With gentle fingers he slipped the thin straps over her shoulders and let them fall. He tugged farther until the dress eased over her sensitive br**sts, the material scraping lightly at her ni**les.

Farther and farther, it inched over her belly, then to her hips and finally down her legs. When it swirled around her ankles, he pulled it free and dropped it on the floor.

Sharp tingles raced up her legs when he rasped his palms back up to her hips where he tucked his thumbs underneath the lace of her panties. Then he lowered his mouth and pressed a kiss to her taut belly as he slid the underwear down and then free. Her legs parted in exquisite anticipation as his mouth traveled lower and lower still.

Cupping her behind, he gently spread her wider, and his tongue found her in a heated rush. She arched off the bed, twisting wildly as pleasure consumed her.

His mouth found her again and again, gentle and worshipping. It was hard to breathe, hard to think, hard to do anything but feel. Her orgasm built, and every muscle in her body tightened in response. Just when she knew she couldn’t bear it any longer, he pulled away, and she whimpered in protest.

“Shhh.” He murmured to her again in Greek, raining soft words over her skin as he moved up her body. How had he gotten his clothes off without her noticing?

Flesh against flesh, smooth, comforting, a balm to her reeling senses. His mouth closed around one taut nipple, sucking and tugging. One hand cupped her rounded middle, his fingers splayed possessively over their child. It was the first movement he’d made to actually acknowledge her presence, and she wondered if he even knew what he was doing.