“Is that a lie?”
The door to his apartments was in sight and he lost all patience, lifting a surprised Bronte off her feet so her arms and legs had no choice but to wrap around him.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she demanded breathlessly.
But she wasn’t struggling to get away from him. Her thighs tightened against him as she waited for an answer and he knew that if nothing else, their bodies were on the exact same page.
“I’d rather show then tell, Nightingale. It’s the only way I have of proving what’s true.”
Chapter Five
What was she doing?
When he’d left her this afternoon, she’d known they had to clear the air before things went any further. She had to tell him about everything, including the phone call she’d made to request reinforcements.
He deserved to know.
So why hadn’t she said anything? Why had she spent the evening with William, his friends and coworkers, pretending to be his wife? His real wife.
Because you wanted it to be true.
After some straight talk from Bubbles and Pat at the bar, all her reasons why she and William weren’t a good idea seemed small and unimportant. Excuses to cover up her fear that she’d fallen in love with a man who might not want to stick around once his paperwork came through.
The fact that he’d lied about his mystery woman should have reinforced her doubts. If she were smart, she’d tell him what she knew and get the hell out of town.
But if she were honest, she’d admit she was more relieved than upset that his heart didn’t belong to anybody else.
Because she wanted it for herself.
The Waynes always knew when they’d found the person they were meant to love. She’d believed that, seen the proof, but after too many years of waiting for someone to finally come along, Bronte had given up.
Of course, she hadn’t counted on her own obstinate nature keeping her from seeing what was right in front of her for months. Or for all of their problems to still be there waiting on the other side of her great epiphany.
She was in love with her accidental, temporary, inconvenient rascal of a husband.
He made her feel alive. Made her feel so much she wasn’t sure what to do with it all. It was overwhelming. And the more she learned about him, the worse it got. Her heart hurt for him, her body craved him, and all she knew was that they both had too many damn clothes on.
“What is it, Bronte? Never had a man carry you down the street and up two flights of stairs before?”
She shot him a baleful look. He wasn’t even out of breath. “Set me down, show off.”
“No.” His hands flexed around her curves. “I need you in my arms, Nightingale. You’ve been driving me crazy all night.”
He slid his fingers beneath her silk panties and they both groaned. “Take off your jacket.”
She obeyed quickly, expectation making her heart pound. “Now what?”
In answer, William dragged her down his body, lining her up until she felt the thick weight of his erection gliding over her sex.
“I can feel how wet you are,” he said hoarsely. “That silk is giving away all your secrets, darlin’. I wanted to take my time, but I’m not sure how long I can wait to get inside you.”
“Don’t wait,” she gasped, her hands caressing his neck, his shoulders, anything she could reach. She tore at the buttons on his shirt, surprised at how badly her hands were shaking. “I need you now. I want you, William.”
He made a pained sound and then she was backed against the nearest wall so he could pump his hips hard against her. It felt as if he was trying to fuck her through her clothes.
“She wants me, she says,” he muttered, almost to himself. “Are you trying to make me come in my pants, woman?”
“I wouldn’t mind,” she took his earlobe between her teeth. “As long as the next time you make sure to come inside me.”
One large hand left her hips to yank at the neckline of her dress. “I need to see you. I want to touch these breasts you’ve been teasing me with. Kiss them.”
He managed to push the fabric halfway down her arms, snarling when he realized her bra clasped in the back. “Off. Now.”
Arousal soaked her at his harsh command. He was mouthing kisses along her neck and the top of her breasts, impatience rumbling in his chest as she reached behind her and managed to snag the release. The tangled sleeves of her dress were making it difficult to move.
“Oh God,” she moaned when he yanked the bra down forcefully, revealing her heavy breasts to his gaze.
William’s stare was as potent as a physical caress. “I’ve been starving for this feast, love. For you. Will you give me a taste?”