She snapped her mouth open to cut him down to size when a familiar voice drawled, ‘Still pushing your luck, Jason?’
Jason turned and Conall walked past, jostling him out of the way without breaking his stride.
Jason Abercrombie might be a big bull of a man but Conall topped him by a couple of inches and the honed power of her husband’s body contrasted sharply with the running-to-seed bulk of his half-brother.
Conall wrapped his arm around her waist and peered down at her. She knew that look. Concern.
‘I’m okay,’ she whispered, planting her palm on his chest, soaking up that delicious sensation of solidity and familiarity. Everything was better with him close. ‘But I’ve had enough.’
‘You’re sure? If he’s touched you or—’
‘No!’ Greer felt the restless energy vibrating through Conall and read the dangerous set of his jaw. She murmured, ‘I don’t want a scene. He’d like that. Don’t give him the satisfaction.’
Eventually Conall nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. Yet instead of turning to speak to his brother, he drew her closer and dipped his head.
Without a second thought, Greer leaned up, pressing against him as their mouths met, and suddenly everything was all right. The kiss began gently but inevitably the long-banked fire burst into flame as he cradled her head and she opened for him, losing herself in the vortex of passion they created between them.
The taste of him, that rich woody scent and the feel of his arms around her were so dear and exactly what she needed. No wonder her hands clutched his shoulders as if never wanting to let go.
How, why had she kept her distance so long? Had she really needed time to clear her head or was she punishing herself? Or him? Whatever the reason, distance wasn’t the answer. Being with Conall felt as natural as breathing.
When they finally drew apart Jason was muttering something under his breath but Greer didn’t listen.
Reluctantly she turned to face her brother-in-law. Discontent made his fleshy face ugly. It was hard to believe the two men were related. They were so different.
Conall drew her towards the path, walking between her and his half-brother. Scowling, Jason opened his mouth but before he could unleash any poison, Conall leaned across and said something in his ear Greer couldn’t make out. She saw the older man flinch back, eyes wide with dismay.
Then she and her husband strolled across the terrace, his arm holding her close to his side.
‘Let’s find our hosts and thank them so we can leave.’
Greer looked up. Even under the bright lights, Conall looked at ease, as if nothing untoward had happened, but he held her so close she felt his rigidity. For a minute there she’d really thought he was going to flatten his half-brother.
‘You’re sure you want to go?’ She glanced around the glittering crowd. Billionaires and powerbrokers were everywhere, even a couple of Serene Highnesses. ‘Should we at least stay for the firework display?’
Obsidian eyes met hers with a look that made her fully aware of her feminine needs. It felt as if her skin didn’t fit anymore. It was too tight to contain the need clawing at her.
‘If you’d like to stay we can. I’ve done what I needed to do. As for fireworks…’ His slow smile was an exercise in seduction. Her core turned molten and she leaned closer. ‘We can manage those elsewhere.’
* * *
They were silent on the limo drive to their hotel. But, despite his fury over Jason’s behaviour, and his impatience at being denied the satisfaction of felling him with one solid punch to his self-satisfied face, Conall’s primary emotion was happiness.
For Greer had kissed him the way she used to. Without reservation. With no shadows of doubt.
Sheer elation kicked as adrenaline raced through his blood.
His wife was always the one who ensured everything went smoothly. He could be impatient and tunnel-visioned when focused on achieving his goals. After all, he’d learned at his father’s knee. Patience and the ability to listen and consult had taken years of practice. Greer was the one who smoothed his rough edges, should they ever show.
But she hadn’t given a damn about social niceties when she’d melted against him tonight. When he’d kissed her he’d have sworn she had nothing on her mind buthim. All the guests could have been standing watching them and it would have made no difference. Greerwantedhim.
And they’d held hands all the way back to the limo.
She must have been relieved when he’d interrupted Jason, but relief alone didn’t explain her reaction.
He opened the door to the presidential suite and ushered her inside, watching the undulating sway of her walk in high heels with something akin to pain in his lower body.
His need for her was so great but he knew sex alone couldn’t restore their relationship. That was what he had to remember, even when she paused to look at him over her shoulder, her smile a combination of hesitancy and a siren’s invitation.
