Lovers & Liars (12 page)

“Good.
I miss you in my bed.”

“Me,
too.” He took her in his arms again and kissed her long and hard. She melted
against him, wanting him totally and completely. He stepped back, his eyes dark
with need.

She
pushed on his chest, and he moved farther away.

“Not
on the couch. I’m not going to be one of those. You’ll have to wait for the
weekend.”

He
took a few seconds to catch his breath. “Whatever you say. I can hardly wait.
Making love to you with the sound of the waves in the background. Incredible.”

That
almost swayed her. She came to her senses. “So what’s on the list this
morning?”

“Contracts.
Come in here. Geez, I hope I can get my concentration back.” His gaze swept her
body, lingering on her curves. “Maybe you’ll have to wear a suit of armor to
the office, or I’m not going to get any work done.”

She
chuckled, grabbed her notebook and gave him a gentle shove. “Let’s go, movie king.
Last week’s box office figures for
Hustle
and Dance
came in. I want to show you something.”

“What?”
he asked, moving toward his office door.

“The
trend seems to be that the smaller markets are outperforming the bigger ones,
based on percentage of population.”

“Why
do you think that is?”

“People
in the smaller markets haven’t seen the show on Broadway.”

“You
may be right. We need to quantify this and put together a plan for all our
movies from musicals. We need to examine shifting more advertising dollars into
those markets. Great catch, Erica.”

She
beamed at him, grabbed a folder off his desk, and followed him into his private
office.

* * * *

Gunther
pulled up to a carport in his
Ferrari
.
Erica got out while he grabbed the luggage. The house didn’t look like much
from the road.

“The
beach is private. No public access,” he said, leading the way in.

When
he opened the door, Erica’s mouth fell open. The inside was all white—walls,
ceiling, sofa, chairs. The living room had a large, sectional sofa facing
sliding glass doors. Outside, the surf was breaking within an easy walk. To the
right was a small kitchen with black granite counters and barstools on the
other side of a pass-through. To the left, an open area with a round table in
sea green
Plexiglas
and six chairs.

“It’s
beautiful!”

“Just
wait. There’s more, a ton more.” She followed Gunther into a small bedroom with
a queen-sized bed. The room was also white, with a blue and green sea motif
bedspread and curtains. The floor was beautifully polished, light wood.

He
put their suitcases down and opened a closet door. “Use this and the little
dresser.”

Then,
he took her by the hand and showed her the upper deck. He opened the glass
doors. Outside were chairs and a small, round table plus a
Jacuzzi
. To the right was a huge gas grill and small refrigerator.

They
walked down stairs to a small, lower deck with two comfortable chairs facing
the ocean. There was an outdoor shower, too. Through another set of sliding
glass doors, they came to a den with another sectional sofa facing the sea and
a bigger dining area than upstairs with a rectangular table that seated ten.

“There
are a couple more bedrooms, but we don’t need those.”

“This
place is amazing.” Erica turned around and around, taking in all the details,
from the modern painting in yellow and blue to the white wood cart crammed with
exotic liquor and wine bottles.

“I
love it here. My place in town is small. One bedroom. I come here every weekend.”

Erica
plopped down on the sofa, kicked off her shoes, and propped her feet up on the
glass coffee table. “I’m not surprised you spend downtime here.”

“Who
said anything about downtime? I have to work while we’re here. I’m sorry, doe-eyes,
but you know how it is right now.”

“Then
I’ll cook.” She held out her arm, while slipping her shoes back on. “Give me
the keys, I’ll go to the store.”

Gunther
glanced at her hand then her face.
“Keys to the
Ferrari
?”

“I’m
not stealing your car. It’s just a mile or two.”

Still,
he hesitated. “Trust issues, Gunther?”

“My
car?”

She
wiggled her fingers. He sighed, reached into his back pocket, and peeled off
two one-hundred-dollar bills then placed the items in her palm.

“Anything
happens to that car and I’ll find you.” He pointed at her, his mouth raised in
a half-smile.

“I’ll
be careful. I promise.”

“Do
you know how to drive stick?”

She
nodded.

“And
you know how to cook?”

She
nodded again.

“Don’t
be long.”

She
kissed him quickly and headed for the driveway.

Erica’s
heart beat quickened as she turned the key in the expensive vehicle.
Gunther’s baby. Don’t mess up.
Her
nerves were on edge as she eased the gorgeous car out onto the street. She
remembered spotting a small, tony gourmet store on their way to Gunther’s
house. She bought elegant food and drove home without incident.

Gunther
plucked the keys from her hand after she entered the house. “No accidents?”

She
shook her head. He let out a sigh, smiled, ruffled her hair, and returned to
the sofa, where he had spread out some papers and had his laptop open. Erica
unpacked the groceries, humming the song “
Sway”
as she put away the groceries and donned an apron.

She
gathered the ingredients for a pesto sauce her mom made. She planned to have it
over fresh pasta. A salad of artichoke hearts, baby arugula, vine-ripened
tomatoes, hearts of palm, and
calamata
olives was
next on her list.

After
that, she mixed up some melted, fine bittersweet chocolate with a touch of
heavy cream. She coated strawberries and juicy orange slices, then put them on
waxed paper to cool. Gunther stood up to stretch before joining her in the
kitchen.

“Something
smells good.” He snaked his arm around her waist and nibbled on her neck.

“Could
it be world’s most expensive aftershave?”

“It
could be dinner or you…or both.” Nibbles became kisses.

She
giggled when his lips tickled her. “Don’t get me started. Dinner is almost
ready.”

“I’d
like to have you for dinner.”

Erica’s
pulse jumped and her insides fluttered.
Don’t
fall for him. He’s going to break your heart. But he’s so sexy and sweet.
Gunther Quill, sweet? Alert the media!

She
laughed at her own joke.

“What’s
so funny?”

“Nothing.”

He
cocked an eyebrow at her. “You’re not telling the truth.”

“It’s
private. Come on, dinner is ready.”

He
carried the big bowl of pasta pesto outside to the small table on the deck. Erica
had set it with linen placemats, silverware, and wine glasses earlier. She
grabbed the salad, a bottle of wine, and a corkscrew.

While
they ate, she stared out at the constantly rolling waves. The Pacific was
beautiful.

“Did
you bring your suit?”

“Bathing
suit? Yes.”

“Good.
I love to take a little swim after dinner. Relaxes me. Helps me sleep.”

I know something you can do to help
you sleep.
She smiled at him.

“What?”
he asked, putting a forkful of pasta in his mouth.

“Nothing.”

“Too
many secrets, Erica. I hate secrets. Give.”

“I
was simply thinking of another activity you could do that would help you
sleep.”

He
laughed. “That goes without saying.”

She
got goose bumps at the thought of him in the big bed. She met his gaze with
hers and sensed the heat between them. “Is it private enough to go skinny
dipping here?”

“Unfortunately
not. But there’s always skinning dipping in the
Jacuzzi
.”

A
tingle went up her spine.
Naked with
Gunter in the Jacuzzi!
“Sounds like a plan.” She covered her excitement by
cramming some salad in her mouth.

When
dinner was finished, Gunther helped with the dishes. Afterward, he pulled her
into his arms for a kiss. Erica pushed up against him, wanting more. He gripped
her butt and squeezed. She tightened her arms around his neck.

“Want
me?” he whispered.

“You
know I do.”

He
chuckled. She ground her hips into his, and it was as if she’d hit a starter
motor. He slipped his fingers under her tank top, feeling her skin and popping
her bra open. Before she could blink, he had stripped her top off and was
tugging her shorts down. When she was naked, he stood back, admiring the view.

“You’re
perfect. Perfectly beautiful.” His eyes glowed. “And all mine,” he murmured.
Taking her by the hand, he led her into the bedroom and pulled the covers down.

Am I all yours?
Suddenly
bashful, she quickly slipped under the sheet. “Drop ’em, mister,” she ordered,
motioning with her hand. He obeyed, shedding his shorts and T-shirt.
He’s the one with the perfect body.

He
crawled up the bed, his sinewy, muscular frame moving with grace and power. The
stare of his eyes, darker than espresso, sent a chill through her. His need,
evident on his face, matched her own. When he reached her, he pounced like a
puma, holding her wrists to the mattress with his strong hands while his mouth
ravaged her mouth, neck, and chest.

Resisting
at first, Erica relaxed and let desire rule. Every touch stoked her inner fire,
the heat of passion melting her fears. She parted her legs, winding them around
his in a gesture of submission.
Take me,
dammit.

“Do
you want me?” he asked, his voice rough in her ear.

She
sighed.

“Say
it.”

“I
do.”

“Say
it!”

“I
want you, Gunther, inside me. Hurry.” With a smile on his face, he reached down
to touch her. His fingers dipped into her easily. She arched as he thrust them
in again and again. She moaned, “You. The real thing. You.”

He
nipped her breasts then licked, sucking on her peaks until she cried out.
Before she could say anything, he eased her knees up, covered his shaft, and buried
himself inside her. He braced himself as he moved in and out. Erica placed her
hands on his cheeks and drew his lips to hers. She invaded his mouth, and he
responded, his tongue dancing with hers.

As
he picked up speed, she glided her hands down his neck and chest, then around
to embrace him. The words “I love you” swirled in her brain, dancing with her
senses.
Shut up, shut up.
She kept
her emotions to herself, wanting to share with him, but afraid. He filled her
completely, physically and emotionally. He had taken over her heart.

“Oh,
God, doe-eyes,” he muttered, closing his eyes and picking up the pace.

She
rocked with him, her hips bucking in sync with his. He shuddered and thrust
hard three times. She called his name as they climaxed together. Pleasure shot
through her body, calming her. Gunther dropped down, resting his head on her
chest. She stroked his forehead, combing his hair back.

“Oh,
baby. That was…monumental,” he whispered, moving his hand to caress her breast.

The
lovers stayed frozen together. He kissed her chest, and she played with his
hair.
If I could stay
like this forever…
Erica
closed her eyes. Her imagination fired up, flashing images of Gunther and her
in this house day after day, season after season. Contentment washed through
her veins.

“Penny
for your thoughts.” he said, lifting his head to make eye contact. She smiled,
but didn’t speak. “You’re zoning out on me again. You do that sometimes. One
minute you’re here, and the next, you’re gone.”

“Do
I?”
Stop dreaming about what you can’t
have.

He
nodded, pushing up on his hands and rolling off her. He washed up in the
bathroom, returned, and tucked Erica in. “I’ve got to finish a few things. I’ll
be along soon.” She frowned, sticking out her lower lip. He chuckled, kissed
her poutiness, and padded out of the room.

Erica
dozed lightly until the bed dipped down. Her eyes opened to see Gunther’s
shadowy figure move beneath the sheet. He stretched out flat on his back. She
inched closer, snuggling her head into his shoulder, and sighed.
Now, I can sleep.

“Goodnight,
doe-eyes,” he said, closing his arm around her shoulders.

“Goodnight,
my darling,” she whispered, with eyes half-closed.

“You
called me ‘darling,’” he said.