The Billionaire's Matchmaker(34)

Wanting to draw her closer, he nearly raised his hands, but they were holding a pot. He couldn’t remember why, so he stepped away, set the pot on her foyer table, and reached for her. She came into his arms willingly, and that was all the invitation his body needed.

They kissed again, and he made short order of her shirt and white lace bra. This time, though, she lifted his T-shirt off. She also went for the snap of his jeans. He barely noticed. Her soft skin seduced his hands, filled his fingers with curiosity and the need to touch and explore.

So he did. He let his hands glide along her arms, down her back, while his tongue laved her nipples. She groaned and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. A few of his more magical moves popped into his head but she shifted seductively against him and instinct snapped inside him. He grabbed her bottom, levered her against the wall and pushed himself into her.

He didn’t bother to stop a moan of pleasure. She was perfect, wet and every bit as hungry as he was. He thrust only a few times before her orgasm overtook her. And that nearly pushed him over the edge, but he held on. He wanted her to come again. So he slowed his pace, ran his lips along her jawline, kneaded her breasts until her breath hitched. Then he thrust into her again and again, until she cried out his name.

That, he realized, was what he’d wanted to hear. His name on her pretty lips. He let himself go.

A few seconds later, sated and cockily proud of himself, he began to come back to earth. But when he looked down into her face he realized he’d done it again. The only permission he’d gotten from her was a response to a kiss.

“Oh, God. I’m sorry!”

She laughed. “For the wall?”

“For taking the decision to make love out of your hands.”

She ran her fingers up his chest and linked her hands behind his neck. “I sort of liked it.”

“I wanted you to have choices.”

She shrugged. “I did. I know I can always say no, and you’ll hear. But I like it when you take…” she caught his gaze, “control.”

Everything male in him stirred to life. “Really?”

She ran one finger along his cheek, down his chin. “You can be bossy in the bedroom.” She glanced behind her and smiled. “Or up against the wall any time you want. As long as we’re equals the rest of the time.”

He kissed her. Long. Deep. Enjoying every sensation.

He’d never before met a woman he liked as much as he liked her. His last coherent thought after he carried her up to her very Zen yellow and gray bedroom was a slight acknowledgement that liking her so much might actually ruin his perfect plan not to have a relationship.





Chapter Six



During the next six weeks, Marney created some of the most spectacular jewelry she’d ever designed. Though she normally worked day and night when she was in creation mode, with Dell coming over for supper every evening, she found it easy to quit when he arrived. Some days he brought food. Some days she made food. Other days they ordered pizza or Chinese food and had it delivered.

She could have given Charlie back to Gabby, but T.J. was still organizing his Chandler’s Cove office. Bonaparte had been overseas since January and didn’t show any signs of coming home, so Gabby was grateful that Marney could keep sweet Charlie for a few more weeks. With Dell sleeping at her house until midnight every night that he didn’t work, she felt totally protected. But, frankly, Charlie was the only one Marney could talk to about Dell.

“Remember how I wondered what sleeping with Dell would make me?”

Charlie barked.

“I’ve finally figured it out.”

He tilted his head.

“It makes me happy.”

Charlie barked twice.

She turned off her computer, grabbed her purse, and tapped her thighs twice. Charlie raced over and she lifted him into her arms. “You’ve been so sweet over the past six weeks that I’m not making you walk ever again.” She kissed the fur between his ears. “I’m carrying you everywhere.”

At her house, she threw together a simple supper of salad, French fries, and thick steaks to be grilled once Dell arrived. At exactly six o’clock, he opened her kitchen door and stepped inside.

He didn’t hesitate. He yanked her to him and kissed her so greedily, her heart about stopped.

Breathless, she pulled away. “Okay. I was going to put the steaks on as soon as you got here, but I’m thinking you might be hungry for something else.”

He nuzzled her neck. “I just might be.”

She laughed.

“How about sex first and steak second?

“Sounds good.”

He kissed her again, then scooped her up and took her to the bedroom.

…

Two hours later, he glanced at his watch and groaned. “Damn.”

She sat up in bed. “Damn what?”

“I have to be in Chicago this weekend. I promised my mom I’d leave tonight and be there on time for a little gathering with a few out-of-town relatives.” He jumped into his jeans then grabbed his tennis shoes and socks and fell to the edge of the bed to put them on. “My niece is making her first communion  .” He glanced back at her. “A big deal in my family. So I have to be there from the night the out-of-towners arrive until the last glass of champagne is done Sunday afternoon.”