Chapter 8
She didn't want him holding her hand. She tugged but he just held on.
She saw the evidence of the press here and there and women eyeing her darkly before turning their avid gazes on him.
He didn't seem to notice any of it. The man was gorgeous, powerful, and wealthy, and she supposed he generated interest wherever he went.
A frown touched her brow as she noticed a burly man trailing behind them.
"Is it my imagination or is this guy following us?"
He barely glanced over his shoulder as he negotiated his way through the throng of people. "Guard. There's usually one or two around." Before she could ask why, they had reached Jackson's group.
She had met the two brothers years before and had been tongue-tied for the first few minutes before she realized how down-to-earth and simple they were.
Now seeing them again, it was the same as before.
Jackson greeted her with a cheeky smile, pulling her forward and kissing her cheek while clapping Landry on his shoulder.
It occurred to her that the two were friends and club members.
Jason smiled at her, eyes dancing. Both men were happily married and immensely confident in their abilities to create magic.
Jason's sculptures were works of art and displayed in some of the most well-known museums in the world.
Jackson's blue eyes kindled with interest as he took in the proprietary hold his friend had on Kady.
He was about to make a comment when Landry stopped him with a quick shake of his head.
Obeying his friend's silent entreaty, he launched into a discussion with the group of men standing there, which included several from their club.
When Kathy came to commandeer Kady, Jackson took the opportunity to steer his friend to a quieter section.
"You two looked cozy." He had a glass of whiskey in his hand. As much as he was part of the scene, he had never had the taste for champagne and thought French wines too pretentious. That was ironic because he happened to own a vineyard in Alsace. He often said it was an investment.
"I need something a hell of a lot stronger." Landry muttered. With an imperceptible nod of his head, he had a server coming forward to take his order.
"Have you told her?" Jackson asked quietly, studying the younger man's face.
"No." Taking the glass from the server, he took a deep fortifying sip, his eyes trained on the woman who occupied his thoughts and his dreams.
"Did you know she was going to be here?"
"No." He shook his head, a smile curving his lips.
"That was some luck."
"I prefer to call it fate." He shrugged when Jackson lifted his brows. "I'm half Irish and we believe in that stuff."
Taking a sip of his own drink, Jackson turned his head to glance over at the party of people, his wife included.
He had fallen in love with her even before she knew he existed.
A chance meeting had thrown them together.
He had used an unusual request from her to get close to her.
She had saved him. His adopted parents had done part of the job, and of course his career, but she had completed it.
Christ! He had no idea what he would do without her. It still scared him how much he adored her. Landry had confided in him several years ago when he was in Italy, the reason he had left so hurriedly.
"She seems to be coming around."
"Does she?" Hope flared inside his heart. "I intend to stay on her until she has no other choice but to forgive me for running."
"You didn't run, my friend, and it's time you stop beating up yourself about an action caused by a so-called friend of the family. If your parents had not shipped you and Kathy out of the country, God knows what would have happened to you."
"You don't think I tell myself that every damn day?
" he hissed. "Every day, I would sit, try, and justify hurting the only woman I've ever loved.
She's still hurting." Bitterness flooded his tone and caused him to take another sip.
"She poured out her feelings just recently and I despised myself.
Hurting her took a chunk out of his very soul.
I sat there and took everything she said and could not do a damn thing, could not say a damn thing to defend myself.
" He drank some more and wished fervently that it would help to drown out his regret and grief.
"I can tell you something that will probably cheer you up."
Landry snorted. "I seriously doubt that."
"She's not over you, not by a long shot."
"That's what I'm counting on."
***
A subtle movement of his head had the guard melting into the shadows. His sister had told him earlier that Kady-Ann had asked about their presence and commented on it.
"Oh, I wish you could tell her, darling." She had blurted out in frustration.
But he could not in all honesty get her involved. As it stands, he might be putting her in danger, just by being near her. But Christ forgive him! He could not stay away!
"You're cold." Before she could button up her coat, he was doing it for her. When he had insisted on walking her out, she had said no, but he ignored her. And now they were standing in the shadowy parking lot, while the wind whipped through the leaves on the trees.
Kady felt her muscles clenching as he continued the thorough task of buttoning up her jacket. When his hands settled on her neck to push her hair back from the collar, she could not stop the tremors.
"No." She shook her head when she saw his eyes darkening. His fingers lingered, stroking the side of her neck, sending tingles along her spine.
"I want you." he breathed, taking her in. Her scent surrounded him; her nearness touched a chord inside him that was almost unbearable. Her face was turned up to him and his eyes zeroed in on her lush mouth. She had painted it an enticing gold that shimmered under the light of the moon.
He didn't just want to taste; he wanted to devour and take and take until he swallowed her whole. The need inside him had teeth that were tearing through him viciously.
"No." she repeated and found the strength to slap a hand on his chest as he started to move in. "No. I can't." Her fingers curled into the silk of his sweater. The warmth of his skin had her swaying.
"Come home with me." he whispered hoarsely. "We need each other. I need you. Kady-Ann, don't deny me..." His fingers tightened on her neck.
She knew what was happening and could not stop it. She didn't know if she wanted to. She certainly did not have the strength to resist. The more time she spent with him was the less she could lie to herself into thinking that it was over between them.
Her head lifted in anticipation, the breath strangled in her throat.
Her limbs were weak and rubbery. If he had not been holding onto her, she might have dissolved to the pavement.
His breath mingled with hers, sending tremors through her body.
The hand that had been pressing on his chest to stop him slid up to curve around his neck.
Her heels had her at eye level. His jade green eyes had darkened to almost black. The wind whipping through the trees and fluttering leaves was forgotten. Everything else ceased to exist. His fingers tightened on her neck as his head descended.
His lips crushed hers. When her lips parted, a groan was torn from his chest. Wrapping his free hand around her waist, he drew her closer.
He wanted the heat of her body, needed to feel the shape of her.
Even through the layer of clothing, he could feel her warmth.
Heat sparked and then burst into flames.
With a shattered groan, he plunged his tongue into her mouth.
The sudden invasion had her gasping, her fingers digging through his thick hair. The kiss took on a ferocity that left them stunned. He wanted to feel her; he was dying to feel her flesh against his. Her breasts were mashed up against his chest, the nipples boring a fiery path through his skin.
Tilting his head, he changed the direction of the kiss, deepening it. Desire as white-hot as lava roared through their bodies.
It was not enough. He needed her lying down so he could explore.
Dragging his lips from hers, he gripped her hair in one hand so that he could trail fiery kisses down the side of her neck and her throat.
His tongue lingered on the pulse beating wildly.
He could feel her heart pounding. The evidence of her desire for him was his undoing.
Lifting his head, he stared at her lips swollen by his kisses. He was as hard as steel.
"We'll take my car. I'll have someone drive yours back to my place." he said thickly. There was no doubt in his mind that she would come home with him. Not after this.
"No!" she found the will to refuse him, even though to her shame, she desperately wanted to say yes.
The man could kiss! she thought dazedly.
He knew which buttons to push to have her in a puddle at his feet.
But she couldn't simply roll back the clock and forget what she had gone through years ago.
She would be a fool to do so. The conviction strengthened her resolve even more.
Pushing away from him, she pressed the alarm and unlocked the vehicle.
"Kady-Ann." His deep voice had a note of puzzlement that gave her a pause.
Whirling to face him, she had to quell the urge to brush back the thick lock of hair that had fallen over his forehead. "You cannot expect me to simply fall into your arms like a ripe peach, do you?"
His thick brows lifted arrogantly. "You just did."
Humiliation and anger stormed through her and it took that to banish the incredible desire coursing through her body.
"Well, call it a lapse of good sense." Her eyes flashed at him. "Don't you dare touch me."
"Afraid?" he taunted, his face rigid with impatience and despair. He wanted to force the issue. Christ Almighty! He could still feel the imprint of her slender curves against his. He could also swear that her nipples were branded on his chest.