Thrill Me (14 page)

Her windows faced away from the tent. Even so, she made sure the curtains were pulled before she turned on the table lamp. Del stood next to one of the two beds, his gaze intense.

Desire tightened the lines of his face. He looked like a man who wanted a woman. Lucky for her, that woman was her.

They stared at each other for several seconds. She thought he might ask if she was sure or wanted to have some other bit of conversation. Instead, he crossed to her and reached for the zipper on the side of her dress and drew it down.

She raised her eyebrows. “How did you know where that was?”

“I've been studying your dress all night.”

“A man with a plan.”

“I have more than a plan.”

He pulled down the straps of her dress. The entire gown slid to the floor and pooled at her feet. Underneath she had on a thong and nothing else.

The room was silent except for the sound of his sharp intake of air. His muscles went tense and she watched as his already-large erection flexed.

“Where's Chase's room?”

The question had her blinking. “Ah, across the hall, two doors down.”

Del was moving before she'd finished speaking. When he was gone, she hesitated, not sure what to do. Fortunately he was back less than twenty seconds later, a box of condoms in his hand.

She grinned. “Like I said, a man with a plan.”

It was the last thing she said for quite a while.

There was the sigh when he crossed to her and cupped her breasts in his large hands as he kissed her. The little moan when he broke the kiss so he could bend over and lick her nipples. The gasp when he swept her up in his arms and lowered her onto one of the beds.

It was the same bed they'd made love in ten years ago, she thought hazily. The bed where she'd lost her virginity that weekend Zane had taken Chase to some science competition.

Everything was different now, she thought, watching Del kick off his shoes. They were both older. Neither of them frightened, inexperienced teenagers. His shirt and trousers hit the floor, then his socks and briefs followed. She got a quick glimpse of his erection as he slid onto the bed and pulled her close.

He shifted her onto her back and kissed her. His tongue pursued and she allowed herself to be delightfully caught. They enjoyed the age-old dance of soon-to-be lovers, exploring, touching, feeling, but with the added benefit of having been there before.

When he lowered his head to take her nipple in his mouth, she knew how it was going to feel. Anticipation sharpened the sensation. As he sucked, need spiraled to her belly, then lower, causing her to swell and dampen. He moved between her breasts, back and forth, taking his time, as if they had nowhere else to be.

She wanted him, wanted this, wanted what would happen when he entered her. But she also needed time to stretch until this moment went on without ending. She didn't want to think about tomorrow or even later. There was just now.

She pushed on his shoulder, urging him to lie back, then leaned over him, so she could decide what happened next. Undeterred, Del cupped her breasts as she explored his shoulders, his chest. She ran her fingers down his belly and captured his penis in her right hand.

“You're playing with fire,” he teased.

“Is that what we're calling it?”

He grinned. “You keep doing that, you can call it anything you'd like.”

She paused to put a condom on him, then he moved his hands to her hips and urged her to straddle him. She braced herself with her hands on either side of his broad shoulders. He moved his hand between her legs and rested his thumb against the very heart of her. Then he began to stroke her swollen, hungry center.

He circled, slowly at first, before increasing the speed. She tried to stay in her head, to not get lost in what he was doing. But it was impossible. Everything felt too good. Need spiraled, taking her closer and closer to her ultimate destination. She wasn't ready and tried to hold back. If only...

She made the mistake of sinking down. Just a little but it was enough. His erection filled her and she was lost. Lost in the feeling of being stretched in the best way possible. Lost in the easy way they fit together and how good it was when she raised and then lowered herself again.

His touch on her clit never changed. He kept pace with her growing desire and up-and-down movements. His breathing matched hers. Their thighs tensed.

She moved a little faster, wondering if it could be better, then had to gasp as fiery pleasure shot through her. It was going to be too much, she thought frantically. Too good, too soon. She wasn't ready. She needed this to last longer.

Her head warred with the rest of her body and quickly lost the battle. Soon she couldn't think, couldn't do anything but raise and lower herself, moving closer and closer to the pinnacle of her release.
Faster
, she thought, feeling that familiar promise barely out of reach. She was almost there.

Up and down, his thumb in place, rubbing in time with his thrusts. The end was inevitable. The only questions was—

“Del!”

She gasped his name as her climax rocketed through her. Every cell in her body cried out as she came. His free hand clamped onto her hip and held her in place as he thrust in deep, and she lost herself.

When they had both finished, he pulled her close and held her.

“Maya.”

Her name was a breath. An exhale. The sound cut through her, opening her until she was completely bare to him in every way possible. With that vulnerability came a truth so sharp it finished the job of separating her from the facade she'd been hiding behind for the past ten years.

The reason she hadn't fallen for anyone else, the reason she'd never found love, was because she couldn't. Del had claimed her heart and to the best of her knowledge he'd never given it back.

She was, after all this time, still in love with him.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

T
HE
NEXT
MORNING
, Maya avoided looking at herself in the bathroom mirror. While it made putting on makeup somewhat complicated, she was terrified of what she would see in her eyes. She tried to tell herself it wasn't as if there was a reader board proclaiming in bright letters “I'm in love with Del.” At least she hoped there wasn't. In the end, the need to apply mascara defeated self-preservation. She sucked in a breath and stared at her reflection.

Except for looking a little tired, no doubt due to not getting home until after two in the morning and then being unable to sleep, she seemed to be the same. There was no telltale expression of guilt or confusion. No newly formed
I love Del
–shaped birthmark. She'd escaped unscathed.

At least on the outside.

The inside was a totally different matter. To be honest, she had no idea what had happened. Or when. She couldn't believe she'd been in love with Del for the past ten years and hadn't known. That was impossible to imagine. She'd been happy. Living her life. Having a career. Surely she would have noticed ongoing unrequited love. Which meant what? That lingering feelings had just...lingered? That Del sparks had been smoldering this whole time, waiting to be brought to life?

Too many questions and not enough answers
, she told herself as she collected her bag and headed out of the house. She paused to water her geraniums, then walked briskly to Brew-haha. Coffee was the obvious first step. Then maybe a thorough list or two would help her clear her mind.

She was in love with Del. The thought repeated itself in time with her steps. They'd made love in her old bed, and it had happened.

Okay, she was pretty sure the act of doing it hadn't caused her to fall for him. The sex had been great, but without magical powers. But the intimacy had caused the revelation. Even more confusing was what to do now.

She told herself she didn't have to do anything. She could continue with her regularly scheduled life and pretend nothing was different. Under the right circumstances, denial was perfectly healthy. Actually that made the most sense. Del was only going to be in town for a few more weeks. When he was gone, she would revisit what had happened and figure it out. But until then, she was going to stick her head in the sand and make like an ostrich.

Twenty minutes later, she had taken the first sip of life-giving coffee. She was still deciding what to do next when she saw Elaine walking Sophie toward the park.

Maya waved at her friend, then hurried toward her.

“You're up early,” she said, hugging her. “How are you feeling?”

Elaine smiled at her. “The same as I was when you called me yesterday morning to check on me. Good. Tired, but getting through.”

Maya bent down to greet Sophie. The beagle wiggled to get close for pats, her happy tail wagging.

“We decided a walk would be good for us,” Elaine said. “Want to join us?”

“I'd love to.”

They started for Pyrite Park, Sophie in the lead. The sweet dog stopped to sniff regularly.

“We missed you at the wedding yesterday,” Maya said.

“I know. I was actually feeling okay, so I could have gone. But when I got the invitation, I just wasn't sure. Tell me everything.”

Maya immediately flashed on being in bed with Del, his body over hers. The sensation of skin on skin was so intense, so real, for a second she thought she was back in time.

She quickly pushed the thoughts away. Although Elaine was her friend, she was also Del's mother. There was no way they were having
that
conversation. Talk about TMI.

“Phoebe was beautiful.” Maya pulled out her smartphone and pushed a couple of buttons. “I took a few pictures before the wedding.”

Elaine looked at them. “She looks wonderful. So happy. Good for them.”

“I agree. Zane was nervous, which was great fun. They're a sweet couple.”

Elaine linked arms with her. “When are you going to find a nice young man and settle down?”

“I have no idea. I'm open to meeting someone.”

Which had been true until last night, Maya thought, wondering if maybe she could get a timing pass on the lie.

“Any sparks with Del?”

If Maya had been swallowing at that moment, she would have choked. “You're my friend. I love you, but no. We're not talking about me getting together with your son.”

“Why not? Don't you think he's wonderful?”

Maya relaxed. Now she could be honest. “I do. And he's leaving and I'm not.”

Which was easier than admitting that while he'd seemed to enjoy himself last night, when he'd dropped her off at her place, he hadn't said a word about them getting together again. Not romantically, anyway. Obviously they would see each other at work.

“Del does love to travel,” Elaine agreed with a sigh, and pointed to a bench. “Let's sit there.”

Once they'd taken their seats, Elaine unfastened Sophie's leash. The beagle immediately began exploring the area, without going too far.

Elaine watched her. “I worry about Del being alone. He's not the type to settle down, but he needs someone.”

“Not everyone wants to be paired up.”

“Del does. He doesn't talk about it, but he wants to be married. He's a lot like me. Connections are important to him.” She looked at Maya. “You might like to travel.”

Maya allowed herself a three-second fantasy of seeing the world with Del, then pushed it firmly out of her consciousness. “No matchmaking. Del and I are working together. That's all.”

Except for the sex. But she wasn't going to mention that.

“Fine. I won't push. I'll daydream, but I won't push.”

“Thank you for that.”

* * *

M
AYA
SPENT
THE
rest of Sunday worrying about Monday morning. She didn't sleep well for a second night and was running out of concealer tricks to hide the fact. Her stomach was a mess, her brain swirling, and by the time Del strolled into the studio, she was ready to run screaming into the night. Or morning, as it were.

“Hey,” he said cheerfully when he saw her. “How was the rest of your weekend?”

“Good,” she said cautiously, searching for hidden meaning in the words. Only there didn't seem to be any.

“I'm glad. We're really interviewing an elephant and a pony?” he asked, sitting in the visitor chair by her desk. “Did I read that right?”

“Priscilla and Reno are a unique love story. They won't actually be talking. We'll interview Heidi Stryker, their owner.”

“I don't know. I suspect an elephant has a lot to say.”

“Because they never forget?” she asked.

“That's the rumor.”

He grinned at her as though nothing had happened between them. Which, she realized, both relieved and devastated, was probably how he saw things. They'd hooked up for one night and now they were working together again. The evening had been nice, but without emotional significance.
Oh, to be able to compartmentalize like a man
, she thought. How did they do it? Was it a brain function thing or a hormone thing or the evolutionary equivalent of dumb luck? He was male and got to put their night together in perspective. She was a female and the act of their making love forced her to admit she was in love with him. How was that fair?

Not that there was going to be an answer
, she told herself. Therefore, the smartest course of action was to move on.

“You ready?” she asked. “We should collect our gear.”

Del nodded and they stood. Before she could walk out of her office, he gently touched her arm.

“About Saturday,” he began, his voice concerned. “I had a great time. Better than I remember, which is saying something, because what I remember was pretty damned good.”

Tension eased as she was able to breathe again. “Me, too,” she murmured.

“You okay?”

That made her smile. Because a woman would approach the whole conversation differently. With an explanation of what might have happened, what did happen and what could have happened but hadn't. That would be followed by a detailed analysis of everyone's feelings.

“I'm okay,” she said, not sure it was true, but willing to fake it until it was.

“Good.”

He released her arm and she headed toward the studio to pick up her camera. On the way she realized she'd been telling the truth. She was okay. In love, but still okay.

* * *

B
Y
NOON
THEY
were done with their interview. Maya had a meeting at City Hall, so dropped Del off in town. He was about to head home for some lunch when he spotted Aidan walking toward Brew-haha. His brother looked a little pale, considering the time of day and season. Del turned toward him.

“Hungover?” he asked as he approached.

Aidan sighed. “Yeah. There was a blonde and there was tequila. I'm not sure which was more deadly.”

“Maybe it was the combination.”

They walked into the shop and got in line. Aidan went first and ordered a large black coffee. Del got a latte. While he and his brother had both had the same outcome of their weekend, for Del it had only mellowed him.

He'd been telling the truth when he'd spoken with Maya earlier. Being together had been better than he'd remembered. They'd always had chemistry, and that hadn't changed. But now there was an added element. Maybe experience, maybe maturity. Either way, he'd spent all of Sunday with a stupid grin on his face. It had been a long time since he'd felt the need to grin after sex, and he planned on enjoying the feeling for as long as possible.

He waited for his latte, then joined Aidan outside. His brother sat at a table covered by a patio umbrella, carefully out of the sun. Del sat across from him.

“How much did you drink?”

“You don't want to know.”

“I guess not.”

He'd seen Aidan with a different woman every weekend. The man was into volume. Del considered asking why Aidan didn't want something more. After a while, the whole “all cats are gray in the dark” thing got old. There was more to life than getting laid. There was caring, connection. Maybe that was why being with Maya had been so good. They had a past and now they were friends who worked well together. He knew her, understood her. Genuinely liked her.

Making love under those circumstances was about as perfect as it got. If he had his way, they would be naked together right now. Because he still wanted her. Not that he was going to get his way. The rest of what they were doing was too important. But that didn't mean he couldn't think about it.

“What?” Aidan demanded, his voice a growl. “You have a stupid grin on your face.”

Del chuckled. “I'm a happy guy.”

“Go to hell.”

Del ignored that. “How's business?”

“Good. Busy.”

“You've done a great job growing the company, Aidan. You should be proud of yourself.”

“Like I had a choice.”

Del put down his coffee and pushed back his chair. “Okay,” he said, knowing they'd been moving toward this moment from the second he'd gotten back to town. “You win. We'll do it, right here, right now. I'll give you a free first punch.”

Aidan's bleary-eyed stare sharpened. “What are you talking about?”

“Settling it. You've wanted to have it out with me since you saw me. So let's do it.” Del allowed himself a slight smile. “I'll go easy on you because of the hangover.”

Aidan shook his head. “I'm not fighting you.”

“Why not? You're pissed. Let's deal.”

Aidan put down his coffee. “I'm pissed? Is that what you call it? Fine. I'm pissed. I'm pissed and angry that you betrayed me, you selfish bastard. You took off. I was eighteen years old and you didn't even bother to give me a heads-up. You disappeared, leaving me to take care of everything. I didn't have a choice. You took that away from me.”

“I know. I'm sorry.”

Aidan glared at him. “That's not good enough.”

“That's all I've got. An apology. I can't go back and change the past. To be honest, I don't know if I would. I couldn't stay, Aidan. Not after what happened. At first I was running from Maya, but then I figured out I wasn't cut out for a life in Fool's Gold. I never would have made it.”

He drew in a breath. “But how I did it was wrong. I should have talked to you. I should have explained what was going on. And I should have checked on you. I was wrong about all of that. I handled the situation very badly. I hope, with time, you'll be able to accept my apology.”

His brother leaned back in his chair. “I will if you'll stop talking,” he grumbled.

“Hurting your head?”

“You have no idea.” Aidan rubbed his temples, then turned to Del. “You were a total shit.”

“Agreed.”

“I'm doing better with the business than you ever could.”

“I won't argue.”

“Did I mention you're a shit?”

“Yup.”

“Fine.” Aidan's mouth turned up. “Want to hear something crazy?”

“Sure.”

“I like running the business. The way it's growing, the new tours. They're fun. I like the tourists. I have great people working for me. I didn't plan on this being my life's work, but now that I'm stuck, it's turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Del stared at him. “What? Then why have you been acting like such a dick?”

“To mess with you. You dumped everything on me without asking. That was cold, bro.”

Del swore under his breath. “You're twisted, but I respect that.” He raised his to-go cup. “To you, little brother. You done good.”

Aidan did the same. “You haven't done bad yourself. You sold your business for a lot of money.”