Temporary (Indelibly Marked #2) (12 page)

“Don’t you worry about what I’m waiting for.” He caught her
wrist and slid her hand around his waist. “You worry about nothing. I got
this.” At last he gave her what she craved and took over her mouth with his
own. He led the kiss, the force, the moment he allowed their tongues to touch.

First, she resisted. Their sex life was always a fifty/fifty
endeavor, sometimes even sixty/forty with her leading, but once he bestowed
that deep kiss on her, complete with encompassing her in his arms and holding
her tight, her defenses melted away. Oh, something had changed all right. The
man took control and she surrendered, wanting to discover his plan.

Like teenagers, they remained in the car, her still in her
seat, him leaning in through the door. The kiss intensified, his hold on her
progressed to caresses over her breasts and down her legs where he snaked his
hand under her dress and kneaded her thighs apart. She had no choice but to lie
back on the seat and pull him down, simply to have his weight on her.

His actions resulted in the desired effect. Her body
overthrew any worry swimming in her mind, her total concentration was only on
Ivan. “I want you. I don’t care if you make love to me here.” Beds didn’t
matter anymore.

“We’re not even close to making love.” He kept her in his
arms and carried her out of the car. “Hold on, you’re feet won’t be touching
the ground for the rest of the night.”

Not caring if her neighbors saw, she curled her legs around
Ivan’s waist and took hold of his shoulders. Overcome with need, she kissed him
as he managed to lock the car and walk the few yards to her front door. All the
while, he continued to carry her without breaking his stride.

In an unplanned but coordinated move, she lifted the flap of
her handbag and he reached in, extracted her keys and opened the door to her
small one-room vintage studio.

Their kisses became more heated, and he pulled back her
comforter before lowering her to the bed.

She slid off her shoes and arched her back, reaching back to
unzip her dress. His whole macho thing produced the desired effect. Her body
was more than ready for him. All of him. Every last inch.

“When are you going to understand that I’ve got everything
under control?” He tore off his shirt, dropping it behind him.

“Ivan?”

“Emily.” He unbuckled his belt and took his time pulling it
out of the loops before letting it fall.

She opened her mouth to ask what he was doing.

He put his finger to his lips and kicked off his shoes. “Be
quiet.”

Though the questions didn’t dissipate, she closed her mouth
and watched.

“Leave your clothes where they are.” He tossed his wallet on
the table by the bed.

Her sheer drapes allowed enough illumination into the room
for her to take in his movements and enjoy the magic. He unzipped his pants and
let them fall, his erection clearly outlined behind his red boxer briefs.

“I will take care of you.” The bed dipped as he joined her.
He moved over her, steady on his knees and with one leg on either side. “Close
your eyes.”

“What are you doing?” Beyond her control, the words left her
mouth, but she did as he asked. She wanted him inside her, quenching the desire
he created.

Though he didn’t speak, she received her answer by his
actions. The answer was in the way he took his time undressing her, lifting her
dress over her head, massaging and kissing her shoulders and chest. It was in
the way he worked his hands and lips lower as he removed her panties with
light, ethereal touches. And the way he smoothly got them both under the covers
and held her close before he removed his boxer briefs and her bra.

His breathing quickened telling her of his arousal. The bed
shook and creaked and as if they were on a raft about to embark on a great
journey.

No rushing, no jokes, no dirty talk, only Ivan and the spicy
sweet scent of his cologne and soap. His smooth, romantic touches awakened
every one of her nerve endings, and she felt the insatiable need to simply be
near him.

“Ivan.” Though she knew he wanted her to remain quiet, his
name escaped her lips.

He silenced her with a kiss and skimmed his fingers over her
breasts, paying each nipple long overdue attention.

She arched her back and accepted every bit of what he doled
out. For years she fought to be the center of his attention. For the first
time, she had no doubt that she was.

At long last he eased his hand down her side, between her
legs. Aside from her increased breathing, her only movement was a lifted knee
to guide him where she wanted him.

He pressed his palm over her, and instinct and extreme
arousal caused her to buck her hips at the simple action.

“Shhh.” He lowered his head to take a nipple between his
lips, and finally offered a little relief when he inched two fingers inside
her.

Only fear that he’d stop made her remain quiet, and she
twisted the sheet in her fist. He granted her enough sensation to make her
ache, but not find full satisfaction.

Once more he found her lips. “Now I want to make love to
you.”

She nodded, whimpering as his fingers left her.

The bed shook as he reached for wallet.

In a small act of defiance, she opened her eyes enough to
catch his hand. “Then make love to me.”

“I need…”

“We’re not with anyone else. I take the pill. We don’t need
it.” Something had changed and they needed a milestone to mark it.

In less than an instant, he dropped his wallet, taking his
position on top of her. “Man, I want you.”

“I’m right here.” She turned his face to hers, and gave him
a passionate open-mouthed kiss.

As their tongues connected as he entered her, for the first
time without any barriers between them. The sensation of being filled and
fulfilled overtook her and served to rouse her desire further.

He moaned and broke the kiss, lowering his head to her
shoulder and grinding his hips to hers in a slow circle.

“Like that.” Though it wasn’t like him to not dig right in,
she relished the way he seemed to hold back. She scratched her nails down his
spine, her fingertips taking in the contours of his muscles, not big and burly,
but slim and strong and inside her. “You okay?”

“Em.” His voice came out strained, but he managed to push
himself up and stare at her. “Incredible.” He brought his mouth to hers as he
made love to her with steady, fluid strokes.

Sex between them was always amazing and exciting, but there
had seemed to be a sense of stolen time, as if they needed to hurry or they’d
be found out. For the first time, he built up gradually, a stroll down the
beach rather than a sprint around a track. She became lost, floating among the
waves of delight their two bodies created. They found the magic time they never
allowed before. The minutes before the burning and the urgency took over forcing
them to their climax.

She raised her knees and moved with him, angling to hit her
in the right spot. “Right there.”

“Yeah, baby.” Rather than speeding up, he lengthened his
stride, driving deeper into her each time their bodies collided. Again he kissed
her, working his way down her throat and gripped her hand. Just like earlier in
the car, he kissed her wrist and sucked her fingers.

His actions both surprised and thrilled her. She and Ivan
were simply making love. Maybe she never understood the meaning before.

Deep within her the throb started, that undeniable twinge
telling her a delicious orgasm lay in her near future. She pulled his ponytail
band out and tossed it aside. His hair fell down around them, tickling her face
and veiling her from the outside world. “More.”

“Yes.” He reached back and caressed her thigh.

“Come on, Ivan.” She wrapped her legs around his waist and
matched his every move.

“Oh, God.” He cupped her backside, holding her in place to
accept his hard, fast, demanding thrusts designed to propel them toward their
climax. “I need to...”

The longing he created begged to be quenched. Her heart
seemed to stop, and she was unable to draw in a full breath. Emily panted.
“Oh!”

“Come, baby. Let me feel it.” His last plunge undid them
both and threw them over the finish line. “I’m there!” His body stiffened.

The pulsing, pounding, exquisite ecstasy took over, made
even more intense by the unexpected heat radiating through her body from his
climax. “Ivan!” She called out to him and dug her nails into his back, needing
something to anchor her to reality as bliss surrounded her.

He continued to hold her and she closed her eyes. Somehow
they found themselves back at the beginning where he moved in slow circles. No
rush to leave her and get rid of the condom, they could enjoy the last few
ripples of pleasure.

“You okay?” He kissed her ear, her cheek, her lips.

“I feel really close to you.” At letting her thoughts out,
she turned away.

“Emily?” He took her chin and made her face him.

She chose to focus on his chest rather than his face.

“Em, I have never felt or been closer to anyone.”

Though she resisted smiling, it happened anyway and she
pressed her palm to his cheek.

“This is how things should be.” He took her hand and for
third time, kissed it. “Never doubt that I want you again.”

Him wanting her was never what she questioned. Maybe things
had changed. Everything appeared different. At last, it felt like they were
together, but it also felt like they’d exiled themselves to a strange limbo, one
she helped create. She wondered what would happen after the lawsuit ended and
things got back to normal. She pulled him down to her mouth once more, wanting
to think of nothing but his kisses.

Chapter
Eleven

“Hey.” Ivan stopped before ringing the bell at Shane and
Lindsay’s.

“Hey.” Emily rooted around in her purse.

He leaned over and tried to get a peek inside. Something
about the contents in there fascinated him.

She pulled out a little pouch, selected a lip gloss and managed
to apply the makeup to her mouth without the use of a mirror.

“Don’t do that.” He elbowed her.

“What?” She returned the little bag to the bigger bag.

“We’re just at Shane’s. You don’t have to look hot or
anything.”

“I hardly look hot, unless you mean a hot mess.” With a
shake of her head, she smoothed her hair down.

“You look like you just got out of bed and are ready to get
back in it.” Well, he was ready to get back in it. Actually, he never wanted to
leave it. “I should have never tattooed you this morning.” In his post coital
haze he ended up with her in one of the private rooms at Permanent, adding more
to her side piece.

“You can’t let me have a half finished tattoo.” She patted
her freshly dressed side, lifted her finger to ring the bell and stopped. “I
asked you if you wanted to stop before we came here.”

“I didn’t want to hurt your side.” He tapped his foot.

“So why are you staring at me like that now? Wouldn’t it
still hurt my side?”

“But then you put on that lip gloss. The flavored one.” Fine,
he was whining and he knew it. Emily plus cherry lip gloss was his favorite
taste combination.

“Well, maybe if you stop moping, you’ll find the lip gloss
somewhere besides your lips.” She lifted her finger to ring the bell. “I have
the kind that tingles too.”

His hunger dissipated for a much more welcome sensation. If
they ran fast they could still ditch their visit for a few hours. “Let’s make
this visit fast.” He wouldn’t be kept from tingling lip gloss and caught her
wrist.

“You’ll have to set your tingle to simmer. I’ll be gone most
of the night.” She freed her arm and rang the bell.

“I thought you weren’t going to dinner with anyone else.” He
crossed his arms.

“No, we discussed that. I figured you could feed me before I
left.”

“Where are you going again?” Though he asked the question
maybe one hundred times, he never received an answer, only got reminded he had
a tattoo tonight.

“You have to do that tattoo tonight.”

Before he had the chance to continue whining, Carson thrust
the door open. “Come in, come in, close the door behind you.” He dashed away.

“Ivan?”

“Come on.” Thoughts of tingling gloss vanished and he took
her hand, yanking her in the direction of living room. The baby. Maybe he or
she was on the way. But no, it was too soon.

By the time they traveled the few yards, his heart pounded
as if he raced a flipping mile. “What’s happening?” He flung Emily into the
room and braced his hands on his knees, his throat burning with every breath.

“Quiet!” Shane yelled.

Ivan lifted his head toward Shane and Lindsay in their bed
with Carson in a chair next to them. All three sat wide-eyed and tense as if
they were about ready to hear the verdict to a murder trial.

He turned to what held their focus. The television?

With her mouth half open Emily shook her head, but they both
remained silent until the show broke for commercial.

Shane, Lindsay, and Carson groaned.

“They always do that, right before something good.” Carson
hit the arm of his chair. “We’ve been waiting for a week!”

“This is bull, we’re never going to find out who was in the
cabin with Teresa the night she got amnesia and Baily was at the lighthouse.”
Shane fell back on the pillows.

“It’s okay.” Lindsay ran her hand across the top of Shane’s
Mohawk. “You’ll live.”

“Soap operas?” Emily jumped in front of the set and hit the
off button. “You nearly gave us a heart attack and you’re watching a soap
opera?”

“Hey don’t you diss on our program,” Shane shot back.

Emily leaned forward, putting her hand on her forehead.

Damn,
Ivan wondered. What should he do now? His arms
ached to hold her. Anything to do with the baby or the lawsuit flung her right
off the cliff. The edge was too shallow.

“Em?” Carson stood.

“What’s going on? We’re just having a meeting.” Shane sat
up.

Ivan balled his hand in a fist. He should be able to comfort
her. What the hell was he doing? If he touched her, after Shane knocked him
out, he would be forced to explain, and that would leave him exposed to losing
everything. Not able to help himself, he stepped over and placed his hand on
her back. “You okay?” She was either crying or seething.

Carson approached and leaned over his sister. “Are you going
to yack? Shane blows chunks every time Lindsay does.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Ivan peeked at Shane, making
sure to store that tidbit into the
something to hold over Shane later
file.

“I thought you were taking care of my sister.” Shane
narrowed his eyes at Ivan. “She’s the baby and we have to protect her.”

Emily groaned.

If his life was normal, Ivan would have leaned back on his
heels, crossed his arms and after a good round of ribbing about Shane’s
sympathy vomit, would have explained that he took care of Emily to the tune of
three orgasms last night. However, nothing was normal anymore.

He longed for normal, but since that wasn’t happening any
time soon, he defended himself and Emily in his own way. “Maybe, just maybe,
since things are a bit dramatic with the baby and running businesses and
everything else, could we ask that you turn the amplifier down on your own
issues, and only turn up the volume when Lindsay is shooting out a kid?”

“I’m sorry.” Shane shook his head. “I’m trying here. The
other day I stopped by to give her a picture of the baby and caused her to
practically melt down.”

Ivan faced him and crossed his arms. “Do you think that
could be a sign that we’re a little stressed out?”

“I’m the one waiting for a baby with a wife in bed.” Shane
lifted his chin.

“You’re watching soap operas while your sister and I hold
down your fort.” It took every bit of strength to keep quiet about the lawsuit.

“Stop it!” Emily shot up. “Shut up! Fighting is no good for
any of us!”

He and Shane glared at each other. Fights between them were
rare but they happened. Through the years they argued about everything from a
broken CD, to girls, to relationships. However, now he needed to defend not
only himself but Emily. If he and Shane went at it, Emily would suffer. What
would her position be? Would he have her on his side? How did everything end up
in such a colossal mess?

He broke the stare and turned to Emily still hunched over
holding her stomach. One more stressful issue would do her in. He held up his
hand and slipped into his role of peacemaker. “I think we are all fighting for
the same team. Team baby. We’re just worried about all our players.” At the
moment he was more worried about Emily than Lindsay.

“Sorry, man. I know you only want the best for us. You’re my
family.” Shane reclined.

His lungs filled with air.
Family.

“See, it’s cool.” Carson put his arm around Emily.

She sucked in her breath the moment his hand grazed her
side.

Once more Ivan willed himself to stay put, but no doubt
Carson hit the freshly inked tattoo.

“What?” Carson jumped away. “What’s wrong?”

Emily shoved her brother out of the way. “Some
apprenticeship, make sure you don’t miss your program.” She dropped her bag on
the carpet, kicked off her pumps and stomped over to Shane.
“Get-out-of-my-spot…now.” Her tone was as serious as if she found her black
eyeliner on sale and needed a ride to the store.

Without another word Shane saluted her and slid out of the
bed.

Emily took her position, kissed her hand and put it on
Lindsay’s stomach. “Please be a girl.” She kissed Lindsay’s stomach and lay
down. “Or a boy, I’m good with either one of those.”

Lindsay combed her fingers through Emily’s hair. “Are you
okay?” She looked right at Ivan and widened her eyes.

Ivan wanted to ask the same question, or preferably join
Emily in bed. Except for the time he spent on her tattoo and their date, he
hadn’t really seen her stop. Every waking moment of every day she literally ran
between her tasks. Even later when they should be together, she was on some
mystery errand. He gave Lindsay a slight shrug willing her to do something to
help.

“Hey. Look what I got.” Lindsay took a catalog off the side
table. “I didn’t want to make any decisions without you.”

Shane motioned for him come to the couch and they sat and
watched the women.

Emily lifted her head, cuddling up to Lindsay as she opened
the book. “Aren’t we supposed to have a meeting?”

“First things first.” Lindsay turned the pages.

“She’s going to be an awesome mom,” Shane said with a grin
and crossed his legs.

“Totally.” Even though they were only looking through a
catalog, Lindsay might as well have been reading a bedtime story. He kept his
focus on Emily. One second she was ready to beat someone, the next, crumbling.

Lindsay pointed to the page. “What do you think about this
for the baby’s room?”

Emily put her hand to her chest and the color left her face.

Ivan knew what that meant. She had it the day Carson’s
hamster had babies, she had it every time they watched some chick flick and the
hero and heroine ended up together, and she had it before they left when he
said she looked pretty.

“Giraffes?” Emily’s voice came out more as a squeak.

No. Not giraffes, not Emily’s favorite animal. The last time
they went to the zoo they got stuck at the giraffe pit for thirty minutes while
Emily took pictures of giraffes, spoke to the giraffes and then insisted they
find zoo personnel to make sure the giraffes ate a proper diet.

On the bright side, rather than the mysterious event she was
attending that he wasn’t invited to, maybe he could talk her into a ride past
the zoo. They could absorb the good vibes from the giraffes inside.

“Baby giraffes.” Lindsay put her arm around Emily. “What do
you think?”

Ivan almost raised his hand to answer for her, but she gave
her verdict by bursting into tears.

Responding to an ancient male instinct, he, Carson, and
Shane all bolted up from their seats and then stood frozen. None of them truly
knew what to do when a woman cried, except stand as if that would help.

“Emily.” Lindsay put the catalog aside and gathered Emily up
in her arms. “What’s going on? This isn’t like you.”

If they were alone, he wouldn’t doubt what action to take.
He would have held her close, wiped her tears away and waited for her to tell
him. Instead he remained like the rest of the men, still as stone and useless
to the person who needed him most.

Emily hid her face in her sister-in-law’s shoulder and shook
her head.

“Whatever it is we will deal with it.” Lindsay patted her.
“You can tell me.”

“Times like this call for a big brother.” Shane joined Emily
and Lindsay. “Is it a guy?”

“I’m a big brother, too.” Carson went to the foot of the bed
and hit her foot. “Shut up brat.”

Ivan inched closer to them.

Emily shrugged and shook her head again.

Of course it was a guy, and Ivan knew he was the guy.

“Is it that James ass I inked? Tell me and one of us will
kill him for you.” Shane poked her arm.

Lindsay glanced at him.

Ivan ground his teeth together, he better be the guy and not
James.

“No.” At last, Emily spoke.

He almost relaxed, almost, then realized all she answered
was James wasn’t being a jerk to her. Obviously she was upset about a guy, and
she had plans that did not include him. He’d told her no dinner with anyone
else, using it as a metaphor for no anything with anyone else, but maybe she
took the word
dinner
literally. His muscles snapped back to their
tightened state.

“Maybe it’s like Ivan said, all the stress.” Lindsay held
her tight. “I think we have to remember that this situation isn’t easy on
anyone.”

“Hey.” Shane pried Emily away from Lindsay. “I promise I
will keep it calm until the baby. No more worrying, I’ll tell you if there’s
something to worry about okay?” He wiped her tears away. He gave her a hug and
kissed her forehead.

In essence, Shane did everything he should do, but didn’t.

He made his one and only move toward Emily by dragging her
out of her date. A date with someone most women would consider an incredible
catch. His selfish goal was to get Emily to understand that nothing had to
change. That things between them could always be the same.

Standing on the periphery, he realized his error.

They called him family, but if he was family, he could join
them.

He figured he was with Emily, but if he was truly with her,
he could comfort her.

Everything stopped, like the moment in an elevator before
someone pushed a button that led them to their destination. For the first time
he admitted to himself that they couldn’t go back. The problem was, he didn’t
know if he could go forward, didn’t know which button to press.

“Better?” Shane gave his sister one more inspection and
pulled her in for a hug, his arm hitting her side and her fresh tattoo.

“I hope so.” She winced as she pushed Shane away from her
and peeked over at Ivan.

Without a word she told him he should be the one soothing
her, not her brother. Damn everything, she was right.

“Let’s do this meeting, I have to leave soon.” Emily leaned
back.

“Where are you going?” Lindsay asked as she shifted on the
pillows.

Ivan held his breath waiting for the answer. Maybe Lindsay
could wrestle it out of her.