15. The Mesquite Tree
CHAPTER 15
The Mesquite Tree
Nikki
He lifted the front of my dress and tucked it inside the waistband, where my spaghetti straps hung loose, while the one still strung around my nipple. I sighed and shoved my fingers into his hair again. Henry slid his hands up the underside of my thighs and fastened my leg over his shoulder. With his gaze never leaving mine, he moved my thong out of the way and drew circles on my slit with his tongue, over and over until I melted under his touch. He breathed me in. Omigod. When he’d said he wanted to taste me, he meant it.
“Henry.” I thrust my hips forward.
“I’m right here. Do you trust me?” His words vibrated across my core.
“Yes,” I whispered.
Or maybe I screamed it; I couldn’t tell. I couldn’t hear anything except my heart drumming in my ears and Henry’s voice. My body ached with need, need for Henry. In spite of everything that happened and all the time we spent apart, my feelings for him never changed. I couldn’t keep lying to myself anymore. I wanted to feel again.
He pulled gently on the strap tangled on my breast as he drank more of me, blowing soft air and licking until I finally exploded. My orgasm came hot and slow, in waves at first and then all at once. All this time, I’d never allowed myself to fantasize about Henry or what he’d be like because I knew this couldn’t happen between us. Because I’d thought I needed to let him go. I was wrong. Henry and I were meant to be together. He was the only one for me. I leaned on his shoulder, feeling disoriented but also feeling so alive.
“You taste better than I imagined.” He kissed and sucked around my navel, kneading my ass as he rose to his feet.
When he met my gaze, he licked his lips and yanked at my strap to tease my hard nipple some more. I was a puddle of desire at his feet, and based on that satisfied smirk on his face, he knew it. He knew he could have any part of me right now.
I placed my hand on his chest, where his heart pounded as hard as mine. Maybe it was the side effects of the orgasm. Maybe I wasn’t thinking straight anymore. But right now, we belonged together. We owed this to ourselves. After so many years of loneliness, we’d earned this moment.
“I want all of you.”
He pressed his forehead against mine. “Me too,” he groaned, a low, sexy groan. “But not here.”
What was wrong with me? This was his mom’s room. I slammed my body against the wall to keep myself from screaming in frustration. He cradled my neck and kissed me sweetly as he slid the straps of my dress up my arms and over my shoulders.
“Believe me when I tell you that it physically hurts to leave you right now.” He pushed his erection against my leg. “Let’s go home. ”
I pressed my palms against the wall behind me to keep from reaching out to him. “You better hurry,” I whispered.
With a pained expression on his face, he left the room. I sat on my heels, pressing a hand to my forehead.
Love was for fools. What the hell was I doing? I couldn’t fall for him again. Henry made it so hard to concentrate on anything else.
I had to focus. The job came first, always. I was in Paradise Creek for Lisa. I repeated this mantra a few more times until the humming in my body subsided and I had this desire for Henry under control. After a few calming breaths, I stood and adjusted my dress.
I hadn’t come to Cavalier Manor to have sex with him. I came here to test a theory. To find out if Tessa was guilty or just another victim. Henry was convinced his mom had lied to him all these years. After our encounter with Scott a few nights ago, a small part of me agreed with him. He hadn’t said it, but I was willing to bet that not only did Henry believe Tessa planned all this in complicity with his uncle, he also suspected she had something to do with his dad’s murder as well.
The day Henry and I came to the manor to rescue Tessa, Henry had been so distraught to find his mom gone we didn’t do a proper sweep of the bedroom. I knew better than that. We hadn’t even checked the bathroom where Tessa kept money stashed away. I went into the bathroom and headed straight to the standing cabinet in the corner, where I went through all the medicine bottles. What exactly was Tessa’s illness that she needed all this crap? I shook all the bottles until I found one that didn’t rattle but was heavy. The date on the bottle was from a few months back. I twisted the cap off and took out a roll of money. If Tessa was the mastermind Henry thought, why would she keep cash around?
I put down the toilet-seat cover, and I plopped myself on it. When I was fifteen, after I had decided to run away, I came back to the manor to steal from Tessa. Back then, I’d been convinced she let me see where she kept cash stashed away in case I needed it one day. What had Tessa been afraid of back then? Why the contingency plan? What was she afraid of now? Something didn’t add up here. She was sick one day and then completely fine the next, dining with Jonathan as if they were old friends. What had happened? He’d held her captive all these years, and suddenly for no good reason, he’d grown a conscience and let her go? No, men with a conscience wouldn’t hire scumbags to rough up their nephews. Scott’s words echoed in my mind, and I shuddered. Had he lied to save his own skin? Had Jonathan really sent him to kill Henry? Too many questions and not one solid answer.
I sat there, taking the room in, searching for a better hiding spot than a medicine bottle. If Tessa was planning to escape, she’d need more than money. She’d need some kind of insurance. Then I saw it, the cracked tile under the cabinet. I cocked my head and lowered myself to the floor. Was this it? I crawled the rest of the way, with my gaze fixed on the loose tile. In the gaping hole underneath was another bottle of pills. I didn’t bother to look inside of it. Whatever was in it would no doubt get Tessa out of hiding.
“You want your things back, Tessa? You’re gonna have to come get them yourself. And while you’re at it, you’re going to help us prove Lisa’s innocence.”
I fished my purse from the bedside table and shoved the bottle and Tessa’s money in it. With my heart racing in anticipation of seeing Henry again, I peeked through the small opening between the door and the threshold. The corridor appeared empty, so I slipped out of the bedroom and rushed downstairs.
“Ms. Swift, leaving so soon? ”
I rolled my eyes and turned to face the mayor.
“Yes. I’m suddenly not feeling well. Must be the heat.”
“Oh. Can I get you anything? Here, have a seat.” Jonathan gestured toward a chair.
“No need, darling. Maybe you could assist with my car?”
“Of course.” He ushered me out the front door.
Outside, a few cars were parked around the massive stone water fountain. Despite all the bad memories, this place was breathtaking with its sparkling lights and tall trees lining the driveway all the way up to the gate, a half a mile down the gravel road.
“Are you sure I can’t get you anything else?” Jonathan walked me to my Tesla.
“Thank you for an incredible evening, darling. Give my regards to Francesca.”
“Of course, I will.” He lowered his gaze for a moment.
Whatever he and his wife had going on wasn’t my problem. With a quick wave, I climbed into the car and drove off to the Cavalier Hotel. Henry had called it home, and I’d nodded in agreement, not thinking on it twice. Was he right? Had I finally found a home in Paradise Creek? No, not without Lisa.
The lights inside the lobby were turned off, and the curtains drawn. I parked on the street in my usual spot behind Henry’s beat-up truck. A bubble expanded in my chest and forced a giggle out of me. I deserved a little happiness, didn’t I?
I crossed the threshold and flipped the deadbolt. A jazzy tune played over the speakers as Henry sat at the bar, still wearing that tuxedo like he was born in it. He looked hot and so comfortable in his own skin, while I was ready to jump out of mine.
“What took you so long?” He stood, his eyes full of promises when he looked me up and down.
“I couldn’t just leave. I had to thank our gracious hosts.” I placed my purse on the counter, took his glass of whiskey, and sipped.
He bit the inside of his lip, his gaze on my mouth. A small jolt at my core made my legs press together. God, I was ready for him again.
“Is whiskey your drink?” He poured another two fingers in the same glass.
“Right now it is.” I took another swig.
“You’re nervous.” He sat on the barstool and placed his hands on my hips.
I shook my head once and stepped closer to find my place between his thighs. He surveyed my face as his long fingers slid up to my waist, the curve of my breast, and finally landed on my clavicle, where he pressed against the beat of my heart.
“I’ve spent the last fifteen years trying to replace this thing I feel when I’m with you. But every girl, every woman I ever met always fell short.” He pulled at the lock of hair brushing my arm. “After a while, I convinced myself that whatever I felt back then wasn’t real. That I imagined it, made it up.” His thumb slid across my mouth. “Now that you’re here with me, I know what we had was real. I missed you. All of you. Your stubbornness, the way you see the world like anything is possible, the way you fill a room with energy every time you walk in, and how you’re incapable of telling a proper lie.” He chuckled. An electric charge unfurled near my core. He cradled my neck and kissed me. His mouth was demanding, as if trying to make up for all the years when all we had was a chaste kiss in a dark tunnel. “I never stopped loving you, Nikki. Please tell me you want to try.”
I sighed, a deep moan that let out feelings I’d buried deep inside my soul the day I woke up under the mesquite tree and realized Henry wasn’t coming. I pushed his tuxedo jacket off his shoulders and let it fall to the floor while my fingers swiftly unhooked the studs of his shirt. I wanted this man more than I ever let myself want anything in this life. I wanted Henry Cavalier, the man who could not only see me for who I was, but he also loved me. Just me.
“I want to try.”
He stood. The barstool scraped the marble floor before it fell on its side. He pulled away from me long enough to take his shirt off and undo his pants. The hair dusting his broad chest did things to me, and I couldn’t wait any longer.
“Now, Henry.”
With his lips on that soft spot behind my ear, he pushed the folds of my dress up. His erection rubbed against me. Even through the wet fabric of my thong, I could feel the length of him. He slid his hands up the side of my thighs and lifted me onto a barstool. A part of me said we should slow down, but a bigger part wanted to be with Henry now.
As my ass teetered on the edge of my seat, I reached behind me and took a condom out of my purse. Never in a million years would I have guessed that my return to Paradise Creek would include me rolling on a condom over Henry’s steel-hard cock while he watched me with eyes full of want.
He didn’t bother moving my thong out of the way. Instead, he pinned me against the counter, ripped the delicate lace, and entered me. I gasped and met his gaze while the moment sank in.
We were finally together.
He groaned and moved in deeper, pressing his open mouth against my neck. I ran my hands over his shoulders, followed the line of muscle to his bulging biceps, down to the ridges on his belly. God, he felt incredible as he thrusted into me. Somehow between the condemned hotel, this town, and tonight’s gala, I’d learned to trust Henry. The time we’d lost didn’t matter anymore. We belonged together…always had. Wi th my legs wrapped around his waist, I leaned back to give him full access. His response was to hold me tighter to him.
“You are so beautiful.” He paused to inhale before he cupped my breasts and bent down to suck them through the fabric.
I let my head fall back. Heat and pure raw ecstasy built at my core and slowly scattered out in waves. He released the strap from my shoulder and pulled the top of my dress down to my waist.
A smile touched his lips as he drew soft circles with his index finger over my nipple. “I kicked myself earlier for starting things back at the manor. It was so dark in the room I didn’t get to see you.” He palmed my breast.
“Oh my God, Henry.” I gripped his biceps.
“I’m right here.” He kissed my mouth while he continued his relentless torture of that spot inside me. “They stole so much time from us. How are we ever going to get it back?”
I ran a finger over the creases of his forehead, wishing I could wipe all the pain away with my hands. “We steal it back.”
He wrapped his arms around my waist. A small quiver sprang from my center, and I couldn’t hold it anymore. I squeezed tight around him until sweet release found me, hard and hot, branding every inch of my skin. I scratched the length of his back when a second wave exploded inside me. Kneading my hip, he thrust into me again. His lips brushed my nipple as he found his own release.
“Jesus, Nikki.” He braced his free hand on the edge of the counter, taking ragged breaths.
I leaned back on the bar and kissed his hand. He tasted so good. We stayed in the same position—my face on his palm, his lips on my shoulder, and his cock inside me—until our heartbeats returned to their normal rhythm.
“I can’t move my legs. ”
“I should’ve waited until we were upstairs.” He chuckled, slid both hands behind my knees, and picked me off the barstool.
“I’m glad you didn’t. Where are you taking me?” I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my head on his shoulder.
“Where you should’ve slept since day one.” He climbed the stairs.
For the life of me, I couldn’t think of a single reason why I shouldn’t spend the rest of the night in his room. Or the rest of my life, for that matter.
He shoved the door open and dropped me on the bed. “Take off your dress.”
“Wow, you get bossy when you’re naked.” I propped myself on my elbows.
He placed a knee on the edge of the bed, looking down at me, making my skin turn red hot. “That dress looks amazing on you. But I want to see you. Take it off.”
I slid up the mattress. With my gaze fixed on his, I reached up the skirt of the dress and removed what was left of my thong. He sighed and braced both hands on the bed. His chest rose and fell as all the ridges on his stomach strained under his sun-kissed skin. God, the man was gorgeous, and he was here for me. I swallowed and licked my lips. We deserved another chance. I wanted to taste his skin now that he was all covered in sweat, but instead, I did what he’d asked.
Raising my ass in the air, I unzipped the bottom half of the dress. He tugged the velvet fabric off me and tossed it aside. His gaze roamed my body, taking in every inch of me. Desire spread across my belly, and finally exploded in my core, like a mini orgasm. He drank me in, and all I could do was pant.
This man had me panting.
“You are so beautiful.” He removed his shoes and tuxedo pants, giving me a full view of his naked body .
He kept his attention on me as he climbed on the bed and planted open-mouth kisses on my right ankle and the side of my leg. When he reached my hip, he positioned himself on top of me. The weight of his body, the heat of his skin against mine had me in a complete daze.
“So are you.” I rubbed the stubble on his cheeks and pressed my lips to his. I wanted him again. “So, what’s our time frame here? Ten, fifteen minutes?”
“Wow, you get bossy when you’re naked.” He let out a deep, sexy laugh.
The moment I walked into the hotel, I realized I’d been lying to myself. I’d never forgotten about Henry. Men were pieces on a chessboard for me because deep down, I knew they couldn’t be anything more. Henry had my whole heart. He was the man I’d been in love with since we were kids, the only one for me.
All I ever wanted—a family, a home—I had it now, but for how long? He’d said he loved me, but was that enough? Was our love enough? History would tell us no. We’d lost this particular battle long ago. But did we have it in us to win the war this time around?
“What now, Henry?” I traced his eyebrow, the feature that made him look dangerous.
“If it were up to me, we’d stay in this bed for the next ten years.” He bent down and sucked my breast. “But we got work to do, don’t we?”
“What do you mean?” I was only half listening, my mind focused on what his tongue was doing to my nipple.
“Well, we need to figure how the medicine bottle you took from the manor fits into this mad puzzle we’re trying to solve.”
My eyes flew open.
Henry was over me, smirking. “You thought I would just leave the room and not wait to see what you’d do? ”
“You were spying on me?” I hit his chest. Damn, it was hard. I made to scoot away from him, but he pinned me with his body.
“No. But I saw you come out of the bedroom twenty minutes later, looking very guilty. Downstairs, when you took the condom out of your purse, I saw the medicine bottle with Mom’s name on it. What’s in it?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t have time to look.”
“Okay.” He kissed me again.
I pushed him away. “That’s it?”
“Hmm.” He nuzzled my neck. “I was just curious. Tomorrow.” He nibbled behind my ear. “We’ll talk tomorrow. For now, I only want you.”