Playing For Keeps (The Alpha Brotherhood #3)(38)
Author: Catherine Mann

“I didn’t know for sure until you just confirmed it. You have a great eye.”

He filled a crystal champagne flute, then a second. “One of my friends recommended this guy who does great work renovating historic homes, blending the old with the new while still listening to the owner. I didn’t want this to be some showplace for magazines that no real person would ever enjoy. I wanted this for me…for you.”

“But you didn’t know we would see each other again when you bought this home.”

“And still, every decision I’ve ever made has been somehow tied to you.” He passed the crystal flute to her, tiny bubbles fizzing to the top. “While we were dating, I used to make lists of all the things I would give you someday.”

“I’m sorry I made you feel like I needed more.” She sipped the champagne. “That wasn’t fair to you.”

“You were a teenager with parents—very wealthy

parents—who loved you.”

“Parents who spoiled me, you mean.”

“I was a defensive teenager, full of pride and resenting like hell that I couldn’t even drive you to the movies in my mom’s old rust bucket of a car because she worked nights and needed it.”

She tapped the edge of her glass to his. “What else was on that list?”

“Jewels. Houses. A car to make out in, a car that wasn’t bought by your dad. And flowers.” His slid his hand around a vase of fresh-cut roses on the bar. “An endless supply of fresh flowers.”

“I love the flowers, outdoors and here.”

“I had plans for those flowers over there.” He pulled a creamy-white rose free from the vase.

“Like what?”

“Bed of petals upstairs. Bath with petals down here.” He plucked a handful of petals from the heavy bloom, sprinkling them into the bubbling springs. “And always with you naked.”

“You, too, of course.” She set her glass down along the edge of the pool.

“That can be arranged.”

* * *

Celia couldn’t remember a time she’d peeled off her clothes so quickly. Not since she and Malcolm had gone skinny-dipping in the river near where they liked to park and make out. Luckily, he was pitching aside his clothing just as speedily before refilling their champagne glasses.

And placing a row of condoms along the ledge.

Smiling over her shoulder seductively, she walked down the steps. The water was a hint too hot, then completely perfect for melting tensed muscles. Her quick acclimation made her wonder if perhaps she’d been overthinking things. Maybe they could take this romance one day at a time. Simply enjoy each other and unlimited sex, making up for all the lost years when no one else came close to touching her in that very special way.

The steaming water wrapped around her waist, lapping higher and then teasing along her br**sts until her ni**les beaded. The slick stone floor under her feet was warm and therapeutic, as well. She hadn’t expected even her toes to feel pampered by the experience. Bubbles flowed around her and under her, caressing her between her legs and along her br**sts erotically. Deliciously.

“Oh, my God, this is…just beyond what I could have needed. Did you dump Xanax into the water?” She winced at her own word choice, glancing at him sharply. “Okay, that was a weak attempt at a joke.”

“Was it some kind of Freudian slip?” His handsome face creased with concern.

She waded through the steam and over to him, standing toe to toe, needing to read his eyes as she spoke. “I have to know that you’re not freaked out by the fact that I’ve had a breakdown. I have to know you’re not going to handle me with kid gloves for fear I’ll have a panic attack.”

His hands fell on her shoulders, curving around to her back. “The urge to protect you is strong, and it was there long before you told me anything about medications or the stress after…the baby was born. I can’t promise I won’t go Cro-Magnon if someone threatens you. But I can promise I would have reacted the same way regardless.”

With those few words, he wiped away her concern. “Good enough for me.”

He walked backward, guiding her with him until he sat on a stone seat cut into the pool and pulled her into his lap. “When we were together before, I hated that I didn’t have the cash to take you on real dates. I planned all the ways I would romance you when I had money.”

“I treasured our time together. You put so much thought into what we did, just like you have here.” She sipped her champagne, enjoying the tickle to her nose almost as much as she enjoyed the feel of Malcolm’s muscular legs under her. “Even back then I knew what you did was tougher than tossing money around. Like the way you planted a sunflower at the spot where we first kissed.”

“I stole a sunflower from the side of the road.”

“It was sweet.” She stroked back his stubborn lock of hair, teasing the familiar texture between her fingers. “Don’t wreck the memory.”

His hands slid up to cup her br**sts, his thumbs teasing lazy circles until she beaded even harder against his touch. “I wanted to buy you flowers and take you to the homecoming.”

“I don’t care for football anyway. I just wanted to be with you.” Sparks of pleasure shimmered from her br**sts, gathering between her thighs. Wriggling to face him, she straddled Malcolm’s lap, his hot, thick erection pressed between them. “Amazing, but I want that exact same thing from you now. More specifically, I want you to be inside me.”

“You won’t get an argument from me.”

She reached past him for a condom, then slid her br**sts along him, the bristle of his chest hair a tantalizing abrasion against her ni**les. She sighed her pleasure, the head of his erection nudging against her, rubbing against the tight bundle of nerves aching for release.

With deliberate attention to detail, she sheathed him underwater, stroking the length of him and cradling his weight in her hands until his head fell back with a groan. She knew his body well again after their time in Amsterdam, but he’d been the one orchestrating their experience there. She savored being in control now.

“Celia, darlin’, you’re killing me…” His jaw flexed with restraint, muscles bunching and twitching. “Celia…”

“How much do you want me?” She angled closer, digging her fingers into the corded biceps bulging under her touch and rubbing their bodies against each other. Rubbing his erection between her cleft and against her stomach. But still she held herself back from giving them both what they wanted.