She kissed the hollow of this throat, then down his sternum.
“I want to see what’s mine.”
Her words and touch lit a challenge in him.Did their marriage have to have a time limit?Could he make her want to stay with him?He looked into her eyes that were luminous in the muted moonlight.He was an expert in negotiating deals, getting what he wanted.Wouldn’t making their marriage be one more negotiation?One more deal to close?
There was so much he wanted to learn about her, but perhaps his best chance would be to persuade with his body, which would have more power than his stilted words.He cupped her cheek, stroking his thumb under her jaw.
“Thank you for taking this unexpected journey with me.And if we chose to take our partnership to a physical level…”
“Have sex.”Ayana nipped his thumb and smiled cheekily.
“Sex,” he repeated, relaxing some, “was not part of the contract.I hoped, but, whoa—” He cut off as she cupped him through his new jeans.
“That feels a lot more than just hope, Telford.We’re both adults.I wanted to get your clothes off over our first lunch that you didn’t want to have with me.”
“That was the champagne talking.”He pushed back.
He knew he was physically attractive.But he didn’t have Cam’s easy personality or banter.His money too was likely the bigger draw than he was.
But Ayana didn’t seem to find his lack of charisma off-putting.She was honest.Upfront about her goals and needs, but she also seemed invested in his work and goals to create a legacy for his friend.She’d asked insightful questions, taken notes, probed him to share his ideas and feelings.
She would often join him in the suite while he worked, quietly knitting or crocheting or working on her online shop and website.But she also didn’t let him get lost in his work—urging him to join her at the gym or a walk or grabbing a coffee.
“I invited you to lunch before the champagne,” she reminded him.“You intrigued me.I was up for an adventure, and I felt like you were holding everything back.You have so much in here…” She kissed his forehead.“And you hide so much in here…” She touched his chest.
“And while the idea of marriage was”—she made a face, and an expression he couldn’t describe chased across her features before she shrugged—“not in my plans ever, but my curiosity got the better of me.”
“Why wouldn’t you want to get married?”He imagined she’d get hit on daily.
Who could resist her?
She looked down at her now folded hands on his thigh, and he wondered if he’d ruined the moment.Of course he had.He should drive back to the hotel.He shifted into drive.
She covered his hand on the gear shift.
“I know you are curious about your family and ready to explore your past.I want that for you, Telford.I want to help.But I don’t want to ever look back at where I escaped from.I want to only live in the present.”
Escaped.The word upset him.Raised his protective instincts.
“And the future?”He forced himself to ask.
“We have now, Telford.”She lifted her hands to his cheek.“That’s enough.The future’s never promised.”
He looked at her—the tousled, shaggy pixie cut, the wide set almond eyes, high cheekbones, heart-shaped face, with a generous, quick-to-smile mouth above a pointed chin, slim, almost androgynous body and colorful, multi-textured clothing.All of it said free spirit.
And yet.
She was as alone as he was.Independent.Cautious in a different way than he was.
He took her hands in his, willed his body to settle.Sex had always been easy.A physical pleasure and release.But with other women, he was always ready to leave.Close the door, go home and shower.Be alone again.It wouldn’t be like that with her.But more importantly, he didn’t want it to be.She was special.And he intended to show her.
*
The pub wasfairly full when they arrived back at the Graff, and Telford—holding Ayana’s hand—quickly crossed the lobby.
Anticipation bubbled in her blood, even as a small voice warned her that she should go slow—that intimacy with Telford wouldn’t just be an impulsive fun dive into pleasure, easily forgotten when the sun rose.They were married.Sex was bound to change things between them.But Ayana, was tired of playing it safe and looking over her shoulder—even as she did an automatic scan of the lobby.
She saw him tucked back in the shadows—a slim man, dark Wranglers, long-sleeve tee and barn jacket and dark hat.
