The next day, hating the surge of lust that made Amaya’s knees shake, she managed a mute nod while sending a silent prayer heavenward for strength. She had a feeling she’d need it to resist what the reformed bad boy had in mind for later.Amaya’s hand shook as she waved the mascara wand over her lashes, and she blinked several times, grateful she’d chosen the waterproof kind.She’d already been near tears twice, first when she’d opened the door to a gorgeous bouquet of frangipanis and then when she’d carefully hung her wedding dress encased in plastic on the back of the door.Chase had sent the flowers. His note had been brief.For my beautiful brideChase, xWhile the flowers were breathtaking, that one little x had her clutching them and burying her nose in their heady fragrance, her eyes filling to the brim.She wanted his kisses; she wanted him, and no matter how many times she told herself this wedding was a necessity to be free of her past, she knew when she walked up the aisle
"It’s one of the hotel’s best. Not five stars, but this is a small town. Surely you understand that," Chase said and raised his brow at her. "The type of room that allows the occupants to step into a different world and lets all their fantasies come true!"Her head snapped up at his husky tone, her skin prickling in alarm at the basest desire glittering in his eyes."Nice try, Chase. Nice try!" Amaya said with annoyance.Oh, heck, why did he have to go and mention fantasies? It would’ve been hard enough resisting him without the added pressure of envisioning all sorts of inventive ways she could share a room with the hottest guy to walk the earth, possibly seeing him naked, his hair ruffled by sleep first thing in the morning, that sexy smile playing about his mouth..."Whatever this suite is, I’m sure the room will be fine. Either way, you are sleeping on the couch."Could she sound any lamer?"Oh, it’s better than fine. The couch is okay with me though."Amaya inhaled sharply, Chase
To Amaya’s credit, she didn’t look away or take a step back.If he wanted to play, then she could play as well. She thought to herself. Knowing full well that either way, she wanted this to happen, and God knows, she was hoping for something from him too."Oh hell, Chase. You’re wrong. Nothing has gone to plan since Greece. I wondered what your plan was, because frankly, you made my head dizzy with all the unexpected, unplanned things you often do. This is not like you."The flicker of pain in her eyes hit him hard, and he dropped his hands. He gave her space, and she took it, putting enough distance between them for him to feel the loss.He sighed. "Tell me, Amaya, you don’t want to consummate this marriage as much as I do."There, he threw it out, knowing the firebrand she used to be would never back down from a challenge.However, the forlorn bride in a fancy dress staring wistfully out of the window was a far cry from the feisty girl he’d known, and the thought that he’d made her
Chase took several surreptitious breaths, willing his pulse to slow and his heart to stop pounding. At this rate, he’d collapse on the spot if it kept thumping with such ferocity."What?"Amaya’s tentative smile had him gripping the door jamb to stop her from striding across the bathroom, sweeping her out of the bath, and holding her close.Thankfully, only her head was visible; the rest of her delectable body submerged under a bubble cover that threatened to spill out onto the black-and-white tiled floor. Not that the bubbles hampered his imagination. He could picture exactly what delights were hidden beneath those bubbles, and the images weren’t helping his heart rate."Yeah, I couldn’t stay away.""And why is that?"He sighed."I just can’t.""I'm glad."Her tongue flicked out to moisten her bottom lip in a totally innocuous gesture that slammed into his consciousness like a bull ramming a gate in mating season."Are you?"Chase was too old to play guessing games and too wound to f
"Just so you know—if you’re planning on avoiding being seduced, you’ll definitely need more than a robe. Maybe an entire wardrobe." Chase’s voice sounded strained.Amaya could see the bad boy inside was only barely contained. Just the thought of what might happen when he broke out added further to her inner trembling. In a voice that sounded higher than her own, she said, "Well, I wanted to talk about that—""Yes?"His response was so fast it interrupted her mid-sentence, and Amaya gaped at him like an idiot for a moment, her train of thought derailed."You were saying something about seducing me?"His wide grin broke the tension as she remembered how much she liked this man, and she grinned back.She rolled her eyes. "You wish. We have a deal. No touching, no—whatever—this is, after all, business. Just business.""You have no idea how much I miss you," Chase added with a small smirk.His intense tone caused her belly to drop in a frightening free fall as liquid heat pooled in places
Amaya had been a fool to consider letting him share the bed. With the longing look he cast at the bed, she wouldn’t have much choice."Amaya, as attractive as you look in the contraception-on-legs robe, this bed is big enough to fit four people. I’m sure we can share without getting into too much trouble.""Ok. But where is my son?""Don't worry about him; Mary and Tyler took him with their twin, and the nanny was with them.""Okay."She almost would have believed him if the last few tension-filled minutes hadn’t happened. They might’ve agreed to a sex-free wedding night, but, with her belly tumbling with nerves, her skin prickling with heat, and the rest of her buzzing from repressed need, she knew trouble was only a tumble in the sack away.But what choice did she have? She couldn’t subject him to a sleepless night; it just wouldn’t be fair. Or mature.She could do this. Sharing a bed with Chase would be like having a friend over for a slumber party. And guaranteed she’d be the one
Chase stirred some time around midnight, his dreamless sleep disturbed by a puff of air somewhere in the vicinity of his earlobe.His eyelids cranked open a fraction, half-heartedly investigating the source of air, only to snap open as he registered a luscious woman draped over his upper torso, her arm flung proprietorially across his chest, and a leg nudging the vicinity of his boxers.Not just any woman.Amaya.His wife.Whom he wanted to make love to something fierce.Considering the chaste way they’d fallen asleep, he should gently slip out from under her and try not to wake her.But his good intentions evaporated when she snuggled closer, her knee edging towards a fast-growing hard-on, and he froze, gritting his teeth to stop from groaning out loud.He could play the gentleman, but where would the fun be in that? Amaya had always thought of him as the bad boy, and, while a small part of him had thought it was either right or wrong, it only hung around him because she was tempted
The next day.Chase entered the marquee, his gaze immediately drawn to the stunning woman in a white dress chatting with the richest guy in the state.Amaya looked incredible in a soft, clingy Grecian-style dress fastened on one shoulder with a silver clip, leaving her other deliciously bare, her hair piled up with soft golden streaks falling softly around her face, and just enough makeup to enhance her beauty.Hell. Just looking at her from a distance was making him crazy; what hope did he have up close?Sure, she looked like a supermodel tonight, but he still couldn’t erase the image of her clad in that supersized robe on their wedding night.He’d lied about the robe being contraception on the legs. The minute he’d caught his first glimpse of her, framed in the bathroom doorway with vulnerability written all over her face, he’d wanted to cross the room, haul her into his arms, and never let go.That had been one hell of a night.Not for the reason he might’ve anticipated, considerin