Maisey Yates - Six Of The Best Of Desire 2016

“Actually, I have a baseball buddy whose wife travels with her dog.” He deserved a medal for making this much conversation when she looked like that. “I think the guy renegotiated his contract to make sure she got to have her dog with her.”

“Oh,” Erika whispered breathily. Moved closer to him, hands resting on his arms. Sending his body reeling from her touch.

“Yes, oh. So what other questions went unanswered today? Bring it. Because I’m ready.”

“I do have one more question I did not dare to ask your sister-in-law.” Her hands slid up to his neck. Pulled him close. Whispered with warm breath into his ear. “Will it mess up your season mojo if we have sex?”

Nine

Erika’s heart hammered, threatening to fall right out of her chest as she stared at Gervais. All the time on the plane and waiting for him tonight had led her here. To this moment. And while the direction of her life may have been still uncertain, she knew this was right.

This was exactly where she needed to be. There was a closeness between them, one she had been actively fighting against.

Gervais’s eyebrows shot upward. “What brought on this change?”

“I desire you. You want me, too, if I am not mistaken.” Direct. Cool. She could do this.

“You are not mistaken. I have always wanted you. From the moment I first saw you. Even more now.”

“Then we should stop denying ourselves the one thing that is uncomplicated between us.” And it was the truth. Everything was happening so fast, but it was undeniable that there was an attraction between them. In her gut, she knew that he would be there to support their babies. But it was more than that.

It was a deeper connection between them. When she had boarded the plane for New Orleans, she hadn’t expected much from him. People had a nasty habit of leaving her, using her for the minimal privileges her royal status awarded her. She’d never expected to be welcomed and treated so well. In the past, her friends were dazzled by the idea of her world, rarely seeing beyond the outer trappings to the person beneath.

She also hadn’t thought his family would be so accepting. It had scared her a bit, how many people were in the Reynaud clan. The number of people suddenly fussing over her and trying to get to know her had been overwhelming.

But they had also been kind. And maybe, just maybe, she’d be able to see past her preconceived notions about family. She had no real idea how to make a family anyway. But with Gervais...

“You’re sure?” His forehead furrowed as he scrutinized her face. The look said everything. This was as far as he’d go without confirmation from her.

“Completely certain.” She wanted to take a chance on him. On them. To give them an opportunity to be a couple.

And now that she’d made the decision after careful reasoning, she could finally allow her emotions to surface. She felt all her restraints melting away in the heat of the passion she’d been denying.

Even as she felt those walls disintegrate, she could sense a shift in Gervais. Like shedding a jacket and tie, he seemed to set aside his controlled exterior as a look of pure male desire flashed through his gaze. He closed the distance between them, his brown eyes dark and hungry while he raked his gaze over her.

He peeled the jersey up and over her head. She shook her hair free in waves that fanned behind her, leaving her rounded breasts bared to his devouring gaze. Heat pulsed through her veins—and relief. She had missed him since their incredible time together two and a half months ago, and she’d worked so hard to keep her desire for him in check for the sake of her babies so that she could make a smart decision where he was concerned. Now it felt so amazing to let go of those fears and simply fall into him.

She’d wondered what he would think of the subtle changes pregnancy had brought to her body. Her full breasts had fit in his palms before; now she knew they would overflow a hint more.

But Gervais’s eyes were greedier for her than ever, and he stared at her with need he didn’t bother to hide. Lowering her to rest on her back, he followed her down to the bed, his touch gentle but firm. His woodsy scent familiar and making her ache for him.

He hooked his thumbs in the sides of her pale blue panties, tugging gently until she raised her hips to accommodate. He slipped the scrap of satin down and off, flinging it aside to rest on top of the discarded Hurricanes jersey. His throat moved in a slow gulp. “That incredible image will be seared in my brain for all time.”

He rocked back for a moment, his eyes roving over her.

Then his gaze fell to rest on the ever so slight curve of her stomach. The pregnancy was still early, but now she realized that the twins had been the reason her pants had grown a little snug faster than she would have expected.

A glint of protectiveness lit his eyes. “Are you sure this is safe? You passed out just last week. I don’t want to do anything that could risk your health.”

She thought she might die if he did not touch her, actually. But she kept that thought locked away.

“The doctor said I am healthy and cleared for all activities, including sex. Well, as long as we do not indulge in acrobatics.” A wicked memory flashed through her brain. “Perhaps we should not re-create that interlude on the kitchen table in your London hotel room.”

His heart slugged hard against his chest. Against hers. She wanted to arch into his warmth like a cat seeking the sun.

“No acrobatics. Understood.” He trailed kisses beneath her ear and down her neck. “I look forward to treating you like spun glass.”

A shiver tripped down her spine, her skin tingling with awareness. Tingles of heat gathered between her legs, making her long for more. For everything.

“I will not break,” she promised, needing the pleasure only he could bring her.

He skimmed a fingertip down the length of her neck.

“Oh, careful, light touches can be every bit as arousing as our more aggressive weekend together.”

She licked her lips. Swallowed over her suddenly dry throat.

“I look forward to your persuasion—once you take those clothes off.” She ran her hands down his chest and back up his shoulders. “Because, Gervais...” She savored the feel of his name on her tongue. “You are seriously overdressed for the occasion. Undress for me.”

His brown eyes went molten black with heat at her invitation, and his hands went to work on his tie, loosening the knot and tugging the length free, slowly, then draping the silver length over the chaise at the end of the bed. And oh my, how she enjoyed the way he took his time. One fastening at a time, he opened his white button-down until it flapped loose, revealing his broad, muscled chest in a T-shirt. In a deliberate motion he swept both aside and laid them carefully over his tie.

Her mouth went moist and she bit her bottom lip. She recalled exactly why she hadn’t bothered with light, teasing touches the last time they were together. His body was so powerful, his every muscle honed. She hadn’t been able to hold herself back the last time.

He winked at her with a playfulness that she didn’t see in this intense man often.

She could not stop a wriggle of impatience, the Egyptian cotton sheets slick against her rapidly heating flesh.

Then all playfulness left his eyes as swiftly as he took off his shoes and pants, leaving his toned body naked and all for her.

The thick length of him strained upward against his stomach. Unable to hold back, she sat up to run her hands up his chest, then down his sides, his hips, forward to clasp his steely strength in his hands. To stroke, again and again, teasing her thumb along the tip.

With a growl of approval and impatience, he stretched over her while keeping his full weight off her. He braced on his elbows, cupping her face and slanting his mouth along hers. His tongue filled her mouth and she knew soon, not soon enough, he would fill her body again.