The Tycoon's Secret Affair (The Anetakis Tycoons #3)(23)

“Open your legs for me, yineka mou. Welcome me inside.”

She could barely make herself respond. She shook and quivered as he settled between her thighs, his shaft nudging impatiently.

And then he was inside her in one smooth thrust.

She cried out and gripped his shoulders, her nails digging deep.

“That’s it. Hold on to me. I’ve got you.”

Their lips fused, their tongues tangling wildly as their bodies met and retreated. Pressure built until she simply couldn’t bear it any longer. Her release exploded with the force of a hurricane.

He followed, surging into her, over and over, his husky groan filling her ears as he poured himself into her.

She closed her eyes, allowing sweet fuzzy bliss to encompass her, and when she gained awareness, it was to Piers’s arms wrapped tightly around her, her body tucked into his side.

His lips moved through her hair as his hand went to cup her backside in a possessive gesture. She melted bonelessly into him and sighed in contentment. The wispy hairs on his chest tickled her nose and whispered across her lips, but she didn’t move. She felt safe. More than that, she felt loved.

Jewel awoke the next morning to Piers sitting on the side of the bed holding a tray with breakfast and a single long-stemmed rose. He had only a pair of silk pajama bottoms on, and her gaze was drawn to his muscled chest, a chest she’d slept on for most of the night.

“Good morning,” he said. “Are you hungry?”

“Starved,” she admitted as she sat up in bed.

Then she realized she was still nude, and she yanked at the sheet, a hot flush surging up her neck and to her cheeks.

Piers caught her hand, stopping the sheet from its upward climb. “Don’t be shy with me. I’ve seen and tasted every inch of your sweet body.”

She slowly uncurled her fingers and relaxed her tense shoulders. He leaned in and kissed her long and slow, his lips exploring hers. This fantasy he spun allured her, drew her in and surrounded her in its firm grip.

A night of making love, breakfast in bed, tender kisses and gentle words.

If only it were all real.

Was he playing with her? Toying with her emotions? How could he act with such caring when he thought she was a liar and a manipulator?

“I’d give a lot of pennies for your thoughts right now.”

She blinked and looked up to see him staring intently at her. No, he didn’t really want to know what she was thinking. It would put the frown he so often wore right back on his face, and right now, she enjoyed the odd tenderness in the dark depths of his gaze.

“I’m thinking this is a nice way to wake up,” she said with a smile.

He rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip and then trailed his fingers over her cheek, pushing back the wayward strands of her hair.

“Eat your breakfast. Your appointment is in two hours.”

An appointment she’d forgotten in the aftermath of her wedding. She was scheduled for a sonogram as part of her pre-op workup. Afterward, she’d have more blood drawn and talk to the scheduling clerk about when she would be admitted to the hospital.

He placed the tray over her legs then handed her the utensils. “I’m going to go shower and shave. I have a few calls to make, and then I’ll drive you to your appointment.”

She glanced at his lean jaw, shadowed by the night’s growth. Unable to resist, she lifted fingers to touch the hard edge of his chin and brushed the tips over the rough surface. His eyes closed as he leaned into her palm.

“Thank you.”

He pulled away. “You’re welcome. I’ll leave you to eat now.”

She watched as he walked away, his long stride eating up the floor. Despite the fact she had a delicious meal in front of her, her thoughts were of Piers in the shower, water sluicing over his muscled body. If she were daring, she’d go join him, but she had to admit, she had reservations about approaching him. So far, she’d allowed him to make the moves. It gave her an opportunity to study him and to figure out more about this man who’d upended her life.

Again she looked down at the sparkling diamond on her third finger. The weight was odd. She hadn’t grown used to it yet, but she was fascinated by the sight and also by the meaning. In many ways it was a stamp of possession. She belonged to someone.

Realizing she’d spent too much time daydreaming, she hurriedly ate. After showering and dressing, she ventured downstairs where she found Piers in his study on the phone.

When he looked up and saw her standing at the door, he held up one finger to signal he’d be just a minute and then turned back to the phone.

Not wanting to intrude, she retreated back to the living room to wait. He wasn’t long. He was tucking his phone into his pocket when he strode into the living room.

“I’ve arranged for a chef for the time we’re here. He’ll arrive this afternoon in time to prepare tonight’s dinner.”

“You didn’t really need to do that. I was only teasing.”

“On the contrary. It was an excellent idea. You certainly don’t need to be on your feet cooking, and if it was left to me, I’m afraid you’d grow tired of my limited culinary repertoire.”

“You’re shamelessly spoiling me,” she protested, though it sounded weak even to her.

He half-smiled, something flickering in his eyes. It was that same look he always seemed to wear around her. “That’s the idea.” He looked down at his watch. “Are you ready? We ought to leave now in case traffic is bad.”