For the Sake of Their Son (The Alpha Brotherhood #5)(14)
Author: Catherine Mann

The man had a rugged charisma that oozed machismo.

Heaven help her, she wanted to dive right in and swim around, luxuriating in the sensations. The tingling in her br**sts sparked through her, gathering lower with a familiar intensity she recognized too well after their night together.

This had to stop. Now. Because mistakes she’d made this time wouldn’t just hurt her—or Elliot. They had a child to consider. A precious innocent life only a hand’s reach away.

With more than a little regret, she ended the kiss, nipping his sensuous bottom lip one last time. His growl of frustration rumbled his chest against hers, but he didn’t stop her. Her head fell to rest on his shoulder as she inhaled the scent of sea air tinged with the musk of his sweat. As Elliot cupped the back of her head in a broad palm, his ragged breaths reassured her he was every bit as affected by the kiss. An exciting and yet dangerous reality that confused her after the way they’d parted a year ago.

She needed space to think through this. Maybe watching the wedding and seeing all those happy couples had affected her more than she realized. Even just standing here in his arms with the feel of his arousal pressing against her stomach, she was in serious danger of making a bad choice if she stayed with him a moment longer.

Flattening her palms to his chest, Lucy Ann pushed, praying her legs would hold when he backed away.

She swayed for an instant before steeling her spine. “Elliot, this—” she gestured between them, then touched her kissed tender lips softly “—this wasn’t part of our bargain when we left South Carolina. Or was it?”

The night breeze felt cooler now, the sea air chilly.

His eyes stayed inscrutable as he stuffed his hands in his tuxedo pockets, the harsh planes of his face shadowed by moonlight. “Are you accusing me of plotting a seduction?”

“Plotting is a harsh word,” she conceded, her eyes flitting to the baby in his stroller as she scrambled to regain control of her thoughts, “but I think you’re not above planning to do whatever it takes to get your way. That’s who you are. Can you deny it?”

His eyes glinted with determination—and anger? “I won’t deny wanting to sleep with you. The way you kissed me back gives me the impression you’re on board with that notion.”

Her heartbeat quickened with visions of how easy it would be to fall into bed with him. To pick up where they’d left off a year ago. If only she had any sense he wanted her for more than a connection to his son.

“That’s the point, Elliot. It doesn’t matter what we want. This month together is supposed to be about building a future for Eli. More of―” she gestured between them, her heart tripping over itself at just the mention of their kiss, their attraction “―playing with fire only risks an unstable future for our son. We need to recapture our friendship. Nothing more.”

Her limbs felt weak at even the mention of more.

He arched an arrogant eyebrow. “I disagree that they’re mutually exclusive.”

“If you push me on this, I’ll have to leave the tour and return to South Carolina.” She’d seen too often how easily he seduced women. He was a charmer, without question, and she refused to be like her mother, swept away into reckless relationships again and again. She had a level head and she needed to keep it. “Elliot, do you hear me? I need to know we’re on the same page about these next four weeks.”

He studied her through narrowed eyes for the crash of four rolling waves before he shrugged. “I will respect your wishes, and I will keep my hands to myself.” He smiled, pulling his hands from his pockets and holding them up. “Unless you change your mind, of course.”

“I won’t,” she said quickly, almost too forcefully for her own peace of mind. That old Shakespeare quote came back to her, taunting her, Methinks the lady doth protest too much.

“Whoa, whoa, hold on now.” Elliot patted the air. “I’m not trying to make you dig in your stubborn heels, so let’s end this conversation and call it a day. We can talk more tomorrow, in the light of day.”

“Less ambiance would be wise.” Except she knew he looked hunky in any light, any situation.

Regardless of how much she wanted to go back, she realized that wasn’t possible. They’d crossed a line the night they went too far celebrating his win and her completing her final exams.

It had never happened before she had a plan for her own future. The catalyst had been completing her degree, feeling that for the first time since they were kids, she met him on an even footing. She’d allowed her walls to come down. She’d allowed herself to acknowledge what she’d been hiding all her adult life. She was every bit as attracted to Elliot Starc as his fawning groupies.

What if she was no different from her mother?

The thought alone had her staggering for steady ground. She grabbed the stroller just to be on the safe side. “I’m going back to the room now. It’s time to settle Eli for the night. I need to catch up on some work before I go to sleep. And I do mean sleep.”

“Understood,” he said simply from beside her. “I’ll walk back with you.”

The heat of him reached her even though their bodies didn’t touch. Just occupying the same space as him offered a hefty temptation right now.

She shook her head, the glide of her hair along her bared shoulders teasing her oversensitized skin. “I’d rather go alone. The palace is in sight and the area’s safe.”

“As you wish.” He stepped back with a nod and a half bow. “We’ll talk tomorrow on the way to Spain.” He said it as a promise, not a request.

“Okay then,” she conceded softly over her shoulder as she pushed the stroller, wheeling it toward the palace where they were staying in one of the many guest suites. Her body still hummed from the kiss, but her mind filled with questions and reservations.

She and Elliot had been platonic friends for years, comfortable with each other. As kids, they’d gone skinny-dipping, built forts in the woods, comforted each other during countless crises and disappointments. He’d been her best friend…right up to the moment he wasn’t. Where had this crazy attraction between them come from?

The wheels of the stroller whirred along the walkway as fast as the memories spinning through her. That night eleven months ago when they’d been together had been spontaneous but amazing. She’d wondered if maybe there could be more between them. The whole friends-with-benefits had sounded appealing, taking it a day at a time until they sorted out the bombshell that had been dropped into their relationship: a sexual chemistry that still boggled her mind.