Sara Orwig - Lone Star Legacy

She opened the box and lifted out a watch with a silver band, studded with diamonds. “This is beautiful. It’s a gorgeous watch. Thank you so much.”

“Thank you, Ava. You’ve changed our lives completely.” He raised his glass. “One more toast—to one of the best teachers ever, a beautiful woman, an unselfish, caring soul.”

She touched her glass with his. “Thank you. I’m touched, and the gifts are overwhelming.”

“Enjoy them. You’ve helped Caroline immeasurably. If she can escape her world of silence and sorrow, I can’t tell you what it will mean to me and my family and, of course, to her.”

“She’s the sweetest little girl, Will.”

“I think so. I loved my brother, and I want to do this for him and for her. He trusted me with her care, and I’ve felt as though I’ve failed him terribly every day since his accident—until today. Today, because of you, I felt I was living up to Adam’s trust in me. That’s important.”

Impulsively, she placed her hand over his. “I know it is.”

“You’re important, Ava,” he said in a husky voice, wrapping his hand around hers.

Candlelight and torchlight flickered across his face, highlighting his strong cheekbones and straight nose, throwing his cheeks in dark shadows. His eyes were midnight, impossible to tell his thoughts. Slipping her hand away from his, she looked away. Her appetite had fled. Desire was a raging fire, burning away everything else.

She picked at her salad, knowing she should eat and should try to get him out of her mind. She looked at the beautiful watch. The small diamonds glittered in the yellow lights. The night was surreal: his yacht; a sexy, breathtaking man; gifts of diamonds and emeralds. A night such as she had never known. How could she continue to resist his charm and seduction?

“Now I really do have a penny for your thoughts,” he said in a deep voice, leaning toward her.

“No, I will never tell you. It would definitely go to your head.”

“At least that’s good news. You’re not eating.”

“Yes, I am, and it’s delicious.”

Standing, he came around to hold her chair. “I think we have time now for that tour of my yacht. We’ll come back to dinner.”

When she stood, he took her hand. His hand was warm, enveloping hers. “I suspect we are ruining a wonderful dinner by leaving now,” she said.

“No, we won’t. Neither one of us is particularly hungry. You’ve barely eaten a bite. Wait until you work up an appetite.”

Hunger had fled because she was fluttery over him—something she would never admit.

“So tell me about your yacht.”

They entered a glass elevator to go down two decks. When they emerged, he steered her into a passageway. “I’ll show you my cabin.” He entered an elegant room that was as comfortable and outfitted as some of the living areas in his mansion.

As he turned her to face him, she drew a deep breath. He stood inches away and his dark eyes conveyed desire that set her heart racing. Wrapping his arms around her, he drew her into his embrace to kiss her.

She was lost from the first look into his eyes. She closed her eyes, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him in return, reaffirming the excitement that simmered between them and her own longing. How long since they had last kissed?

Eons, it seemed to her. She stood on tiptoe, kissing him passionately, holding him tightly.

“Ava, this is paradise,” he whispered. “It’s right and perfect for you to be here in my arms.”

She felt the same, yet she had sense enough to know it was all an illusion that would vanish. For the moment it didn’t matter. She wanted his kisses and wanted to kiss him in return.

Her heart pounded and she clung to him tightly. “Will,” she whispered, and then her mouth was on his again as she kissed him passionately.

She wanted him, longed to touch and kiss and explore. Warnings and caution were not heeded. She needed, just once, to do what she wanted because this chance wouldn’t come around again. She was already in love with him, part of his life for now. He had opened up opportunities for her, and maybe that was the most he could give of himself.

She ran her fingers in his thick hair, caressing his nape, sliding her hand down the strong column of his neck.

His hands were at the fastening of her dress. He pulled open the zipper and cool air brushed her shoulders. While he continued kissing her, Will pushed away the dress, letting it fall softly around her ankles.

His hands were deft, light, warm on her as he caressed her back, his other arm still circling her waist.

She moaned softly with pleasure, relishing his caresses, pushing away his jacket, playing her hand over the width of his powerful shoulders. Clothing was a barrier. She wanted to explore and discover. She undid his tie while he caressed and distracted her, but finally the tie slid away and she began methodical work on his buttons.

“This is where we should be,” he whispered, showering kisses on her temple, her mouth, her cheeks then down her throat.

He stepped back to hold her waist while he looked at her. “You take my breath with your beauty,” he whispered. “Ava, this is where we were meant to be from that first moment we met in the Austin restaurant. I’ve wanted you since the first glance into your green eyes. Ah, love, you’re perfection,” he said.

His words spun more magic while his hands were everywhere, feathery caresses that heightened desire. She moaned, closing her eyes, yielding to sensations that seduced. He peeled away her flimsy undergarments.

“My necklace—” she whispered.

“Leave it on. When you look at it you’ll remember wearing it tonight when I made love to you for the first time. Diamonds for your heart, emeralds for your green eyes. I want you to wear it and nothing else.”

Her heart drummed and she kissed him, holding him tightly, knowing she would always remember tonight.

“Just tonight we love,” she whispered, wondering if he heard her or believed her. Could she live up to her own declaration?

“Tonight, love.” He unfastened the clasp to her bra and pushed it off. His hands cupped her breasts, his thumbs playing over taut peaks and sending an onslaught of tingles. She trembled with desire, wanting him, her fingers tugging free his buttons and pulling off his shirt. She caressed his sculpted chest, the muscles rock-hard beneath her fingers, and then slid her hand down his smooth back. She trailed kisses on his neck while her hands worked free his belt and then his trousers that fell around his ankles. He stepped out of them, taking her with him to leave all of their clothes piled behind while they kissed.

A night to remember. A night to regret. Except at this moment there was no discontent, only joy and abandon. Since she had moved into his mansion, she had been living with his zest for life and supreme hope for what he wanted. He was filled with energy and vitality that added to his appeal.

Her hands played lightly over him and then kisses followed along his shoulder, moving lower while her hands pushed away his briefs to free him.

He was hard, ready for love. He pulled her close to kiss her while she clung to him tightly, feeling as if she were spinning away.

Hot, aching for his touches and kisses, she stroked his hard thighs, feeling tight hair curl against her palm. He was muscled, his legs firm, as sculpted as his chest.

His thick rod pressed against her. He rubbed against her, hot and hard, making her moan with need. She spread her legs and slid his throbbing manhood between them, a taunting pressure, fanning desire into a hotter blaze.

She bent down to kiss him, her tongue tormenting him, teasing him and stirring her more. She took him in her mouth, her tongue playing over him.