One Night with Prince Charming (Aristocratic Grooms #2)(26)
Author: Anna DePalo

Nevertheless, she chose a guest bedroom with cheery yellow-and-blue-chintz upholstery and a white canopy bed. She showered in the adjoining marble bath, and then wrapped herself in a plush blue towel.

The house was clearly appointed with luxury throughout, she realized. Before now, she’d only been in Hawk’s home to talk with Lucy, and she’d never been on the upper levels.

As she came out of the bathroom, Pia eyed the bed. It was tempting to allow herself to sink onto it and revel in its comfort. The mattress and the counterpane seemed soft and thick. In fact, the whole bedroom was decorated in a way she’d have aspired to in her apartment if she’d had the money. Instead, she’d contented herself with the budget version of many items.

Turning away from temptation, she dressed, pulling on an emerald top with a square neckline edged with red ribbon. She paired it with a full taupe skirt, wide black patent belt, black leggings and gold ballerina flats.

Today, the weather was a little cooler, the breeze having a little nip, so she’d pulled some of her fall attire from her wardrobe while packing her gym bag.

When she was done getting ready, she wandered out of the bedroom and down the hall. Stopping before the door of the bedroom that Hawk had pointed out to her as his, she hesitated just a moment before knocking.

When Hawk opened his door, however, she found herself swallowing and wetting her lips.

He wore a crisp white shirt and black pants, and his hair was still damp from his shower. He exuded a virile magnetism.

Why must he look so effortlessly but devastatingly attractive?

And then he looked at her, his eyes making a quick but thorough perusal.

He smiled, slow and sexy, and Pia felt her heart thump.

“A gorgeous woman knocking on my door. Under other circumstances, my next move would have been to invite you in and—” he winked “—allow my licentious nature free rein.”

She heated. “I—I didn’t want to wander around your house by myself, and I didn’t know where we’d be having lunch.” She decided to try to lighten the moment. “Heaven forbid someone spotted me and thought I was snooping.”

His smile widened. “Which fairy-tale heroine goes around snooping? I can’t recall.”

“No one,” she protested. “A-and I—I don’t believe in fairy tales.”

He took her hand. “Great, then we’ll just have to make up our own story.”

He stepped aside and tugged her into his room.

As Pia glanced around, Hawk made a sweeping motion with his arm.

“This is my bedroom.” He shot her a devilish smile. “In case you were wondering what it looked like. Or should I say, in this tale, the heroine wants to know what it looks like.”

And she wanted him to want her.

The thought flashed through her mind, and she couldn’t deny its truth.

She made a visual sweep of the room. “V-very nice.”

Dark, rich furniture contrasted with stripe and damask upholstery in varying shades of cream and green.

A four-poster bed was dominated by a scrolled wooden headboard.

She parted and then wet her lips.

Her eyes connected with Hawk’s, and she realized that he’d caught every reaction.

She wanted to say something, and then stopped.

“I hate my speech impediment,” she blurted inanely.

He gave a lopsided smile. “I love your verbal quirk.” He leaned close, a twinkle in his eye. “It tells me just how much I’m affecting you.”

She felt flustered because he was affecting her right now. “Mmm…y-you p-promised you wouldn’t bite.”

“Little Red Riding Hood and the Big, Bad Wolf?” he queried as he moved closer. “Okay, I can work with that story line.”

Despite herself, she laughed. “You’re incorrigible.”

He reached out and caressed her arm. “I promised I wouldn’t bite, but that leaves much unbargained territory.”

“I am not Little Red Riding Hood.”

“Of course,” he agreed soothingly. “Not into role-play?”

She gave a helpless laugh.

He ducked his head and brushed his lips across hers.

He made to pull back almost immediately, but then his lips lowered to hers again—as if Hawk couldn’t help himself—and this time the kiss lingered.

Hawk’s arms came around her, and she slid her own up to his neck. They pressed close, hard planes meeting soft curves and fitting together without gap, despite their difference in height.

He tasted minty and fresh, and as his tongue invaded her mouth, she made a sound deep in her throat and met him eagerly.

The kiss was intense, but finally slowed.

“Pia,” Hawk muttered against her mouth. “It’s been too long. How could I ever forget?”

She didn’t want him ever to forget. She wanted him to remember her in the way he’d similarly always be with her.

She’d always remember him. Her first lover.

Suddenly Hawk bent and hooked his arm under her knees, and laid her on the bed. He came down beside her and took her in his arms again.

“Pia.” He brushed the hair away from her face. “You remind me of a nymph or a fairy.”

“I suppose it doesn’t help that I’m wearing ballerina flats today.”

He gave a short laugh. “Even when you’re not in flats, you’re petite.” He brushed her hair so that it fanned out over the coverlet. “I’ve never seen a wood nymph climb a rock wall before.”

She wrinkled her nose at his words as his delicious weight pressed her into the mattress. “I can just imagine what I looked like from the ground.”

“I had trouble stopping myself from reaching out and doing this,” he said, caressing her leg. “Oh.”

Hawk shifted, his knee wedging between her legs as he leaned over her. He kissed her then, sipping at her lips and lazily tracing their outline with his tongue.

“L-lucy will come home,” Pia breathed against his mouth.

“Not for a long time,” he whispered back.

Pia felt his arousal press against her, evidence of his growing need. Mirroring his response, her ni**les felt tight, and a moist heat had gathered between her thighs.

She shifted. “Why did I bother getting dressed?”

Her remark elicited a low chuckle from him, and she felt it reverberate through his chest.

He placed a moist kiss near her ear. “Don’t worry. We can remedy the situation.”

True to his word, he made quick work of her shoes and leggings, and then settled himself between her legs.