Chapter Nineteen
Aknock atthe door startled Miranda. Her hand shook, sloshing wine over her wrist. She sucked the liquid up, her heart pounding in her chest. She took a deep calming breath and straightened her robe, her skin rubbing against the white silk, exciting her further. As if the two-hour delay wasn’t anticipation enough. Her skin tingled and burned, her nipples like hard little diamonds rubbing against the material until she almost moaned with the sensation. At the second knock, her core swelled and clenched, as if on command for Lucas.
She gripped the back of the chair for a moment, willing her body to calm but that wasn’t happening. She slowly walked to the door and opened it, staying in the shadows of the entranceway. Fortunately, it was Lucas because she hadn’t checked, lust clouding her judgment.
Lucas leaned against the frame, his face tense, a bottle of wine in his hand. His eyes widened when he saw her, then darkened with lust.
“Damn, Miranda.” He groaned, then pushed through the door, shutting it firmly behind him and engaging the lock with a loud snick. “I thought I told you to be naked. A robe, even one as sexy as that one, doesn’t count.”
A shy grin spread across her face, along with a blush. She shrugged out of the robe and let it fall off her shoulders to pool on the floor beneath her. “Is this better?”
He rested the bottle on the end table next to the door and reached for her. “Yes.”
They came together in a rush. He lifted her against the wall and kissed her as if his life depended on it. She twined her arms around his neck and her head fell back as he peppered his way down her throat, to the tops of her creamy breasts, tonguing the tops, then working his way down to take a tip in his mouth, sucking hard.
“Wait.” She gasped. “Not here. Down there.”
He followed where she pointed down a hallway. “One floor? Thank God.”
He carried her down the hall and to a sensual paradise.
*
Miranda stretched andmoaned at the delicious soreness throughout her body. Sex was much better exercise than going to the gym. More fun and she got to stay in bed. Win-win.
She reached out to the other side of the bed. It was rumpled but cool to the touch. When had Lucas left? She suppressed a flash of disappointment. After all, it was nothing more than she had done in Florida. Maybe she deserved it. She lay back against the pillow and closed her eyes. The day after Opening Day was always an off day for the team, but business departments met as usual, though some came in a little later. She had time before she had to be in. One of the perks of being the boss.
A sound from the down the hall caught her attention. She rolled out of bed, yawning, and grabbed her robe. Belting it, she wandered down the hallway and stopped abruptly. Lucas, wearing only his jeans, slung low over his hips, was busy at her stove, opening and closing cabinet doors. The sense of relief almost brought her to her knees.
“The pans are below the stove.” She offered.
He jumped at her words, then grinned a sheepish smile. “I was hoping to have breakfast going before you got up. Did I wake you?” He bent down flashing a bit of skin at the top cleft of his ass and claw marks on his back.
She flushed. “I need to trim my nails.” She hopped onto one of the bar stools at the breakfast bar and propped her head on her elbow, hesitating to say what was on her mind. “I thought you had left.”
He paused, but didn’t turn around. “I almost had to, if I couldn’t find the pans. Good thing you keep your fridge stocked.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
He placed the pan on the stove and turned on the burner.
Finally, he crossed the small space and took her face in his hands. “If you want me to leave, I will. But I’d rather stay.” He pressed his lips to hers, a gentle, fleeting kiss that ended almost before it had begun.
She curled her hand around his arm to pull him back but he separated from her. “No more of that if we want to eat.”
She made as if to slide off the stool. “What can I do?”
“Nothing.” He slid a cup of tea across the counter. “I can use a teapot at least. Drink your tea and relax.”
Feeling a bit superfluous, she sipped her tea and watched him whip up a couple of omelets and make toast. “You know your way around a kitchen. Unusual for a man who lives out of a suitcase.”
“I’m with most teams for an extended period of time, a few months at least, so hotels and restaurants get old fast. Most teams keep apartments or have deals with management companies for short term housing for players who are traded. They’re great for privacy and not having to go out all the time.”
“Sounds kind of lonely. Do you ever get together with people from the office? Oh wait, you don’t get involved.” The last was said without any real heat, just a teasing tone.
He laid a bowl of fruit on the breakfast bar. “Not like here, true. I’m usually too busy to be lonely.”
“Are you? Or do you just keep yourself busy?” She popped a blueberry in her mouth. “Do you have a girl in every city?”