Two of a Kind (Fool's Gold #11)(61)
One way or the other.
He wanted to tell himself it would get easier with time, but he wasn’t sure he believed that.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
FELICIA WOKE TO the absence of sound. She was alone in the big bed in Gideon’s room. She rolled over and saw it was nearly three in the morning. Gideon should be back from the radio station by now, but once again he’d decided to sleep somewhere else. Assuming he slept at all.
He’d gone running with Angel and Ford the day before. She’d hoped hanging out with his friends would help, but he’d been distant afterward. She wanted things to be better between him and Carter, but didn’t know how to facilitate any changes in their relationship.
She turned on a lamp and used the restroom, then decided she was going to find Gideon. If nothing else, he needed to sleep. She brushed her teeth and combed her hair, then pulled a short robe over her thigh-length summer nightgown. With Carter in the house, she didn’t think it was a good idea to walk around partially undressed.
She passed through the living room and made her way out to the deck. Gideon was stretched out on one of the lounge chairs. She knew he was aware of her approaching, but he didn’t bother to look at her. Instead, he stared up at the stars.
“Ever been to the Southern Hemisphere?” he asked, still studying the sky. “It’s all different down there.” He looked at her. “Feel free to give me a lecture on the placement of various star clusters. I’m also interested in your thoughts on the expansion of the universe.”
She looked into his eyes. In the darkness of the night, she couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but she felt his pain. It radiated out from him, warning her he was a wounded animal and she should do her best to keep herself safe. Only she wasn’t interested in safe. Not with Gideon. She wanted to help, and barring that, she wanted to be near him. He was avoiding Carter, and by avoiding his son, he was avoiding her.
She grabbed his hand and tugged. He was big enough and strong enough that she wouldn’t be able to get him to move without his cooperation. Not unless she used some warrior moves she’d been trained for. Luckily he cooperated and rose to his feet.
“What?” he asked, staring into her eyes.
There were dozens of things she could have said, but suddenly none of them mattered. She continued to hold on to his hand as she drew him inside, then led him to the master bedroom.
Once there, she closed the door and locked it, then dropped her robe on the floor. Her nightgown quickly followed. She slipped out of her panties, then waited.
One eyebrow rose. “Direct,” he said, his voice low and velvety.
“I’m not very good at games,” she told him, willing to wait him out.
“You’re very good at games. You win all of them.”
She smiled. “Regular games. Not the boy-girl kind.”
He didn’t smile back. He cupped the side of her face, then slid his fingers through her hair. From there he trailed his way down her back. When he reached the top of her hip, he slid down the curve, across her belly and up the center of her ribs.
Heat followed him, burning her skin and making her want to squirm. But she forced herself to stay completely still, letting him take charge. When his hand closed over her breast, he leaned in and kissed her.
The combination of his mouth on hers and his fingers stroking her breast aroused her to the point where she couldn’t think. An unusual but appealing circumstance. Sensation ruled. The insistent, erotic stroking of his tongue against hers, the light whisper of teasing as he gently squeezed her tight nipple before rubbing it. She went from aroused to desperate in the space of a second and wrapped her arms around his neck.
As she pressed against him, wanting to feel his body against hers, he began to explore her. He ran his hands up and down her back before squeezing her butt. She arched against him, bringing her belly in contact with his erection. Muscles clenched as she imagined how much she would enjoy having him push inside her.
He withdrew slightly and kissed his way along her jaw. When he reached the sensitive skin below her ear, he licked and she moaned. She reached for his shirt—one with buttons down the front—grabbed firmly and pulled. She applied just enough pressure to cause the fibers to rip and buttons to pop.
Gideon straightened and looked down at his now-destroyed shirt. “You could have asked,” he said with a slow, sexy grin. “I would have taken it off.”
“I’m asking now. And not just the shirt.”
“Demanding.”
“I think I’d be comfortable taking charge, if that arouses you.”
“Maybe later.”
He quickly stepped out of his jeans and boxers. The shirt fluttered to the floor, and he was naked.
She immediately reached for his penis, wanting to touch him. The tangible proof of his arousal excited her nearly as much as the physical contact. Although she would be hard-pressed to say that it was better than having him stroke her br**sts. Or kiss them. Or lick her clitoris. If she had to put the three of them in order, she would have to admit that—
Gideon swore under his breath, then pushed her toward the bed.
“You can’t do that,” he growled.
“Do what?”
“Look at me like that.”
“I was looking at your penis.”
“Same thing.”
He drew back the covers and urged her onto the mattress. After pulling open the nightstand drawer, he tossed a couple of condoms next to the lamp and joined her on the bed. As soon as he was horizontal, he drew her against him, holding her tight and kissing her deeply.