He knew her brother lived two hours away and that her family had lived two hours in the other direction when she was growing up so the area was familiar to her.
He saw the flash of a shadow in her gaze and she shook her head. Her first lie.
Still, she looked almost pained by it as she floundered to move the conversation to something else.
“She’ll love the food, too. The breakfasts are usually just cold cereal and fruit or maybe oatmeal, but lunches and dinners are quite a thing here. Everyone comes out of their rooms if they can, and there are desserts with every meal.” She patted her middle. “I’ve put on some weight since I got here.”
“Have you been here long?”
She dabbed her brush to the flowers on the canvas she’d been working on when he approached her. “Oh, quite a while. I like it here. Your mother will, too. You should bring her for a visit.”
Evan shifted to his feet. He could see one of the staff working their way over to them and he wanted to be away before the man could approach and question what he was doing on the property.
“I’ll do that. I think I might be able to convince her to move to a place like this. Thank you for talking with me.”
She gave a distracted nod as he walked away and he hoped he hadn’t pressed hard enough that she’d become suspicious. He didn’t know if she’d run if she did. With her medical needs, it wouldn’t be easy for her to pick up and leave without notice.
Still, he would sit on the place until he got in touch with his client. After all he’d gone through to find her, he wanted to make sure he was able to collect the fee Turner Carson was willing to pay for the safe return of his wife.
Chapter 25
Joy came to his cabin this time and Kaeden had to admit it shocked him to see her standing on his doorstep. Not disappointed at all, but surprised.
He hadn’t expected it after the way she’d closed up when he had pressed her for details about her life.
He wanted to continue to press. Wanted to find some way to reassure her that he wouldn’t harm her, that he’d only help if he could.
Fuck that, he’d find a way to help. If only she’d trust him.
So, yeah, he wanted to push, but he didn’t. He wanted to feel her in his arms again and that just made him a selfish dick.
He never claimed to be more. And maybe after he made love to her for half the night, he could find a way to get her to trust him enough to open up.
So when she showed up on his doorstep, he didn’t hesitate. He thanked God he’d chosen to stay in one of the small cabins on the property instead of in a room in the main lodge, and pulled her inside.
He didn’t stop with that. He pulled her to him, joining their bodies and their mouths, taking her in a kiss that he hoped would tell her all he wasn’t willing to say.
He didn’t know if this was what she had planned when she came to his door, but she didn’t argue or push him away. She reached up and twined her arms around his neck and kissed him back, making his body tighten and stand at fucking attention for direction from her.
He ran his hands down her back and reached to cup her backside, pulling her closer. But it was no good. There were too many layers of clothes between them and his body was screaming out its protest.
He began to tug at her shirt, pulling it up and only breaking his kiss for the small second it took to pull the fabric up and over her head. He made quick work of removing her bra and then he sank to his knees, letting his hands skim over her soft curves as his mouth found her nipple. He teased and tasted with his tongue, loving the responding whimpers and moans that came from her.
She was so damned responsive and every time she moaned, his dick grew harder until it was painful. It felt like it was going to break through his zipper.
He shifted back and undid his pants before reaching up to pull his own shirt off. He was going to have to stand to get his pants off, but he wasn’t ready to do that yet.
He reached for her, pulling her to him again and bringing their chests together, skin to skin, as he closed over her mouth again. Their tongues tangled and he knew the minute he entered her, he’d lose all control, his mind turning over to the overwhelming sensation of being inside this woman.
He didn’t want that too soon.
Instead, he stood and led her back to his bed and nudged her down on it. “Lay back,” he said and then began to work her pants and panties off. She started to cover herself but he stopped her, pulling her arms out to the sides as he let his gaze travel the length of her body.
She was incredible splayed out on the bed for him.
“Christ, Joy, you’re beautiful. So damned beautiful.”
He lowered his mouth and this time, rather than going for her breast, he trailed his lips over the soft skin at one wrist and then up the inside of her arm. She squirmed and gasped and he kept moving. Her shoulder. Her collar bone. Neck. Then down between her breasts to her stomach.