Sara Orwig - Lone Star Legacy

“Oh, yes it is. We can argue that one later tonight,” he said, his breath warm on her ear.

Her heart jumped and beat rapidly. “Your attention should be on the stage.”

“It is. Somewhat,” he added. “I’d really rather look at you.”

“You will see me plenty this summer. Tonight and this moment, shift your attention to the stage. I’m enjoying the performance immensely.”

“Good. So am I,” he said, settling back, taking her hand and lacing his fingers through hers. “So am I,” he repeated, smiling warmly at her.

As the house lights dimmed they became quiet, and while still aware of Will, she was caught up in the music until it was over.

When the applause finally died, they turned to leave. “That was wonderful. Beautiful voices,” she said.

“Let’s go have a drink. The evening is still early.”

“Hardly early,” she replied, amused that he would say so when it was almost midnight. “A drink is fine,” she replied, unable to resist accepting.

As usual.

He took her to a private club where they had a window table with a panoramic view of the city lights below. After ordering brandies and talking while they sipped, Will stood and took her hand. “Would you like to dance?”

“Yes,” she answered, knowing this was turning into the type of evening she had tried to avoid and should keep from allowing to happen again. As she stepped into his arms, all her caution and guilt disappeared. Will was breathtakingly appealing and she danced with him as if floating on a cloud. An old ballad played softly while Will held her lightly. They danced, legs brushing, her arm on his shoulder, her hand high on his back, the soft wool of his coat beneath her fingers. He was warm, close, his aftershave enticing. His dark gaze was on her as they danced, fanning desire into flames.

She was at a loss for conversation, wanting to dance away, just the two of them, and kiss him, knowing he wanted the same. She barely noticed when he danced to a darkened area, pushed open a door and stepped onto the terrace, taking her in his arms to continue dancing.

A breeze caught strands of her hair, blowing a few against her cheek.

“Beautiful,” he whispered and her heart beat rapidly.

“It is beautiful out here,” she replied without looking around. She still couldn’t tear her gaze from his. Her heart continued to race while they moved slowly in time to the music. Will danced around a corner to a more secluded place on the terrace where there were no other couples.

“Will, the music is fading,” she said, her heart drumming. She should stop him, go back, get out of the situation. Instead, all she wanted to do was pull him close and kiss him. As if they had the same thought, he stopped dancing and his arms slipped around her waist, drawing her close against him. When his attention shifted to her mouth, she couldn’t get her breath.

Winding her arms around his neck, she tilted her face up as he leaned down. His mouth covered hers, opening her lips to kiss her deeply. His arms tightened. She pressed against him and kissed him in return.

Her pounding pulse drowned out all other sounds and her heart raced while she clung to him, knowing she would never forget this night, never forget knowing him. She wanted so much more than kisses, wanted to caress him and love him.

She might as well be tumbling downward in a spiral she couldn’t stop. Yet they were on a terrace with people nearby.

“Let’s go home,” he whispered with his breath warm on her ear.

“Yes,” she replied, sinking deeper into involvement, breaking promises to herself, deciding to worry about it later.

He took her arm and they walked inside to get her purse. The moment the elevator doors closed to leave them secluded and alone, Will drew her into his embrace and kissed her. She returned his kiss, but then stepped away.

“Will, we’ll be in public when the doors open and you’re rather well-known. I don’t recall seeing a picture of you kissing someone in an elevator. I don’t want to be the first.”

He smiled. “There will not be a photographer waiting, I promise.”

“Anyone with a cell phone will do, and can sell the pic.”

“I’m not that big in the news. I don’t think they could get a dollar.”

“We won’t argue that point. We’re on the ground level,” she remarked and stepped off the elevator.

During the drive home, she tried to bank desire and get to impersonal topics. She chatted about Caroline, moving on to everyday events and began to cool, become composed and regain a bit of control over herself. By the time they entered his quiet house, she had overcome the wanton feelings that had run rampant at the club.

“Will,” she said, “it’s been a great evening. I had the most wonderful time and enjoyed the opera enormously. Thank you for a memorable time.”

“I had a great time, too,” he said, turning for the stairs.

Relieved that he was willing to call it a night, she walked beside him as they headed to her suite. At her open door, she paused to face him.

He placed his hand over her head on the doorjamb and leaned closer, placing his other hand on her waist. Her pounding heart was loud in her ears while his hand was as hot as a brand.

“Will, it’s been a wonderful evening. It ends now,” she said, wishing her voice were firm instead of breathless.

“This night can’t possibly end now,” he whispered, moving closer, his arm tightening on her waist as he walked her backwards into her suite and closed the door.

“Will—” His mouth ended her words and his arm pulled her hard against him as he leaned over her and kissed her deeply.

She intended to stop him, wanted to for the first seconds, but then succumbed to her own desires and his. The battle she waged with herself was lost before it begun, even when it flashed through her mind that she was getting more entangled with him each time they kissed.

Her head spun and heat pooled low in her, desire igniting and burning hotly. All the desire she had felt when she had danced with him returned swiftly. She ran her fingers through his thick hair. His neck was warm. His arousal pressed hard against her.

Clinging to him, she kissed him as passionately as he kissed her. Her other hand pushed his coat off his shoulders and then he wriggled slightly so that his coat tumbled to the floor.

His hand drifted down over the curve of her back, over her bottom to pull her up tightly against him.

Wanting him, she shifted her hips, barely aware of his fingers combing through her hair and pins flying. Locks fell over her back and shoulders and he trailed kisses down to her throat. She twisted free the top buttons of his shirt to run her fingers over his warm skin. His hand lightly slipped along her throat and then he caressed her breast, and she moaned as she clung to him.

“Will, we have to stop.”

“You don’t want to,” he whispered in return, showering kisses on her face and throat. He caressed her nape, sending tingles spiraling from his touch, and then she felt cool air. Will pulled the zipper at the back of her dress, slowly opening it and letting his warm fingers trail over her skin.

She stepped free of his embrace, gulping for air, trying for some semblance of control before she succumbed completely to his loving.

“This wasn’t in my plans and it could wreak havoc with all of them. It’s good night now, Will,” she said, stepping back again to keep distance between them. Her heart pounded.

He stood still, his shirt open, his hair tangled on his forehead and his mouth red from kisses. He was aroused, ready for love. She wanted to step back into his arms, kiss and love him. He was sexy, appealing, almost irresistible except common sense was surfacing. She had already crossed lines and let him destroy barriers she could never put in place again with him.