Chapter 15
"You're overdressed," she whispered.
"So, I am." Easing up, he tugged off the sweater and tossed it aside carelessly.
"That's cashmere," she protested.
"So?" He grinned at her. He suddenly felt boyish and carefree. He toed off his boots and then lifted his hips to take off his pants. "You'll find that I don't have much regard for clothes."
His underwear was next and had her humming in her throat. The glaring inks from his tattoos stood out against the golden tan of his skin. Muscles rippled with the slightest movement.
"There's something else." He trailed a hand down her arm and along her ribcage.
"What?"
"I hate shopping. I love you to death and would give my life for you, but that's where I draw the line. You're not going to drag me into any store at all to look at some cute little outfit or a pair of to-die-for shoes. I have an account at Romano's, and they deliver."
"To-die-for shoes?" She lifted tapered brows and delighted herself in running her hands up and down his heavily muscled chest, fingers tangling in the dense dark hairs there. "No one says that anymore. And I happen to like shopping."
"That might be a deal breaker." He kissed the tip of her nose and then trailed his lips over her cheek. "Promise me you won't be dragging me off to stores."
"No promises." She arched beneath his skillful fingers as he cupped her breasts and weighed them in his palms. "What about shopping for furniture or baby items?"
His head jerked up as he stared at her.
Misinterpreting the look, Kara shook her head. "Oh! We haven't talked about children. I want to be a mother. If you don't-"
"Shh." He placed a finger over her lips. "I want children with you. How could you not know that?"
Wrapping her hand around his thick wrist, she swallowed the lump in her throat. "I've often wondered if I would make a good mother. I never had a good example."
Removing his finger, he bent to brush her lips with his. "You're going to make a hell of a mother," he whispered roughly. "Never doubt that. I was thinking December or January, or we could just elope and be done with it."
"As much as I would love that, I really don't want your family hating me before I get to know them. Don't stop doing that," she moaned.
"This?" He was nibbling at her bottom lip, taking little bites, and soothing it with his tongue. Desire was raging inside him, but he was determined to take his time.
"Yes. I can't think."
"No need." He parted her lips, his tongue slowly entering her mouth. "I want you feeling."
"I am." Her hands roamed over his shoulders and back and then moved up to pull the thing from his hair.
All that thick dark silk spilled through her fingers.
Gripping a handful, she directed the kiss, her body arching.
He felt the probing of her nipples rubbing against his chest and knew that very soon, the control would be taken from him.
"I'm feeling everything." She was breathless and weightless, as if she were floating from above.
"Not yet." He lifted his mouth from hers so that he could wander down her graceful throat, putting his tongue to where the pulse was beating like a maddened thing.
He was her first and only. That alone was enough to drive him out of his mind.
She belonged to him only. He was selfish enough to appreciate that he was the only man who had ever touched her this way.
"I want you to remember this. I want my body to be seared on yours." He nibbled at the skin above her nipple, sending shockwaves throughout her body.
"Zane-"
"Shh." As soon as he closed his mouth over her rigid flesh, she went flying! He suckled hungrily, certain that he would never be full. He was craving her with a madness that sent his blood pressure soaring.
"More," he demanded hoarsely as he transferred to the other nipple.
Kara wasn't certain how much more she could take.
Her body was already breaking apart, her heart beating overtime.
Her fingers slid from his shoulders; her nerves shattered.
The pull of his mouth on her nipples could be felt through to the very core of her.
She ached there, the flesh sensitive to the touch.
He trailed kisses down her flat stomach that was now quivering.
When he parted her thighs and cupped her bottom, she called out his name, a frenzied cry that echoed around the room.
His mouth destroyed her completely and had her begging him for release.
He gave it to her again and again until she was limp and trembling with intense passion.
By the time he covered her body with his, she was weak and spent, her arms heavy.
"I can't," she whispered achingly.
"You can," he said roughly. She was a sight to behold. Her lips were parted, her hair untidy. She looked wanton and so desirable, he could barely stand it. Her tightness wrapped around him like a glove, pulling him in.
His mouth nuzzled hers, breathing in her scent that was already filling his nostrils. He moved leisurely at first and then had to increase the pace. His breath was harsh, his body driving into hers. He wanted to leave his mark, to brand her so that the entire world knew she was his.
When she arched, he deepened the kiss, swallowing her cries as she exploded around him.
He followed right behind her, his body shuddering, a groan ripped from his chest as he poured himself into her.
"I think I've gone blind," she murmured as soon as she was able to catch her breath.
Lifting his head, he peered at her. "That's because your eyes are closed."
"Oh." She opened them and just smiled at him. "There you are."
"Here I am." He kissed her softly. "I'm crushing you."
"Hmm." She prevented him from moving by wrapping her legs and arms around him like tentacles.
"Baby, I'm going to press you into the mattress."
"I don't mind. Just a few minutes more. Wow! I could do this all night."
His chuckle warmed her heart. "You've become insatiable."
"Whose fault is that?"
"Mine." He brushed his lips against hers. "Really, sweetheart, I need to move."
"All right." She let go so that he could edge to the side and bring her with him.
"Mother is going to try and convince you to wait six months for the wedding."
"Will she?" The reminder that she was going to meet his parents put a damper on her euphoria.
Seeing the cloud gathering over her face, he tilted her chin up. "I promise you, it's going to be fine. I just need you to trust me."
"All right." Her fingers unclenched, and she spread them over his chest. "What should I wear?"
"Clothes would be nice." He grinned when she poked him in the chest.
"Is dinner formal? Of course it is."
"Wear whatever you like." He shrugged carelessly.
"You're no help," she complained.
"I told you I don't care much about fashion. I usually drive them to despair by donning a pair of jeans and a T-shirt with a sports jacket."
"I have to do better than that."
He nipped at her bottom lip and thought how natural she felt in his arms. "You look good in whatever you have on. You especially look great in this getup." He brushed a hand over her bottom.
"You would think so." She couldn't believe she was actually flirting with a man. But he made it so easy. "You're a guy."
"My cross to bear." He was busy exploring her neck.
Her fingers traced the tattoo on the side of his neck.
"Getting used to it?" he murmured.
"I am. It suits you."
Lifting his head, he stared at her in amusement. "Really?"
She continued to trace the outline. "Really."
"Hmm." Bending his head, he continued to nibble on her throat. And before long all conversation ceased.
*****
"You cannot be serious." Michelle Stanhope stared at the couple, a frown marring her normally smooth brow. "You cannot possibly expect anyone to pull off the planning of a wedding in a month."
Kara floundered and looked to Zane to respond.
She had changed her outfit four times, much to his amusement, and had settled for a snug-fitting apricot wool dress with a short jacket.
Her hair was brushed back from her face, and she was wearing diamonds in her lobes.
Zane had given her a ring, an exquisite emerald and sapphire in an ancient setting that had been passed down through generations to the Stanhope brides.
"If you don't like it, I can always buy you something else," he had told her.
But she loved it and had told him so.
"I'm not prepared to wait." The stubborn look on Zane's face was something his family was familiar with.
"But darling-"
"Mother, there are people who specialize in these things." Zoe aimed a smile at Kara, with the intention of comforting her.
The manor had intimidated her: the stone facade, the towering windows, and the huge grounds with their blaze of flowers and sculptures at strategic places.
An arbor with wisteria wrapped around the latticed finish overlooked a stream.
From a distance, Kara saw a tennis court and a pool house big enough to host a family of six.
The massive oak doors had been swept open by a uniformed maid who greeted Zane like a long-lost son.
The interior took her breath away. There were silk wallpapers, pricey artworks on the walls, and glittering chandeliers. The dining room was large, with windows facing the east side of the property and a stunning view of peonies and red and white roses vying with dahlias.
His mother and sister were dressed in silk and had exquisite and obviously expensive jewelry draped around their graceful throats. She was made to feel welcome but could not help but think that she had been transported to another world. And the man she was in love with was heir to all of it.
It was enough to have her heart thudding and her palms sweating. As if aware of her inner turmoil, Zane took her hand in his and squeezed gently. Reassurance flowed from him and had her relaxing.