Chapter Seventeen

Maya stared out the window of Roarke’s black Lotus, lost in her thoughts. It was some time before she noticed they weren’t headed in the direction of his condo. “Where are we going?”

“My house.”

She bit her lip and wondered if she should protest. The condo was their meeting place. His home seemed almost too intimate. Too personal. She closed her eyes as her body tingled with desire. It didn’t matter where they made love, as long as it was soon. “Okay.”

He turned down a quiet street lined with large homes, but nothing that was too ostentatious. The Lotus turned into the third drive on the left and stopped before a two-story Mediterranean with terra-cotta tiles.

Roarke opened his door, but didn’t get out. “Are you coming in?”

She knew this was the last chance he would give her to back out. Maya moistened her dry lips, and then grasped the handle of the door. She let it speak for her as she opened it and slid out. “This is your house?”

Roarke got out of the car, and they walked up a set of wide, shallow steps made of textured cement and painted white. “For about six months.”

“Why did you move from the condo?”

He took time to unlock the door and let her precede him into the deliciously cool interior before he answered. “I got tired of living in a building where there was no privacy.” He grimaced as he recalled the neighbor who always dropped by—sometimes to borrow something or invite him for dinner. In reality, she had consumed him with her eyes on each impromptu visit. Never mind the huge rock she had worn on her hand.

The irony didn’t escape Roarke as he caught sight of the diamond on Maya’s finger. He dropped his keys on the standing table near the door with a twist of his lips. How his ethics had plummeted.

Maya eyed the spacious interior—white floors, white walls, and black furniture—with round eyes. She had never been inside a house like it. A step separated the entryway from the rest of the house, and she stepped up and walked into the living room. A massive entertainment center dominated one wall of the room. She recognized a flat-screen television and small speakers in the corners of the room that provided surround sound. Bobby would love this place.

But he wouldn’t love what she planned to do here. A sudden chill seized her, and Maya rubbed her bare arms.

“Would you like me to turn down the air conditioner?”

She shook her head and licked her lips again. “I’m thirsty. Could we get something to drink before…?” Maya trailed off, unable to say the words even though she had been the one to bring them to this point.

He nodded. “Follow me.” Roarke led her into the bright kitchen and walked to the fridge. “What are you in the mood for?”

Maya shrugged. “Water?”

He pushed aside a bottle of juice to take two bottles of water from a flat on the second shelf. After he had handed it to her, they stood in the middle of the kitchen to drink. Once their thirst was quenched, an awkward silence hung between them. Roarke racked his brain for something to say, but drew a blank.

All he could think about was her naked form sprawled across the crimson silk sheets on his bed upstairs. How did he get her from here to there though?

Maya sat the bottle on the counter and cleared her throat. “Can I see the rest?”

His eyes widened for a moment before he realized what she meant. “Sure.” He took her hand to lead Maya through the rooms on the lower level. They climbed the curved staircase together and emerged onto the second floor. He showed her the guest rooms and his office before he stopped in front of his bedroom door. “This is where I sleep.”

Maya swallowed audibly as he pushed open the white door. She still held his hand, and she could feel the moisture between their palms. Was it his sweat or hers? Maybe both.

She followed him inside and caught her breath. A huge, four-poster, black lacquered bed took up most of the middle of the room. Black furniture that matched the decor was stationed strategically around the walls to maximize space. Highly polished hardwood absorbed the thunk of her sandals’ heels as she walked farther into the room and stopped before the fireplace. A luxuriant black rug stretched across the floor in front of the hearth, and she almost knelt to touch it. Only the knowledge of how gauche her actions would be restrained her.

When she turned around, she found Roarke’s solemn eyes on her. “It’s beautiful.” Maya kicked off her sandals as she walked over to the bed. It rested on a pedestal, so she didn’t have to bend down to touch the satiny red comforter draped across the bed. She turned back to look at him again and saw the hunger in his eyes that she knew was reflected in hers. She forced a smile as she sat on the bed. “This is so comfy.”

He nodded as he walked over to her. “You should try lying down on it.”

Maya stretched out until she lay completely on the bed. Her stomach chittered with nerves as he sat down beside her. “Heavenly.”

Roarke ran a finger down her bare arm. “Absolutely.” He moved his hand to the top button of her vest shirt where it met at the valley of her breasts. The lacy cups of her red bra were just visible from this angle.

Maya put her hand on his. She wasn’t sure if it was to stop him or urge him to continue. He must have taken his cue from the desire that burned in her eyes, because he flicked open the top button, and then the next and the next, until all five had been undone. Maya closed her eyes as his hand settled on her stomach to rub back and forth in slow circles.

Roarke’s breath caught in his throat as he eased open the vest shirt to stroke her stomach. His hand traveled up to her left breast, and he rubbed the nipple through the lace of the padded cup. He groaned as she squirmed against his hand. Her lips were moist and invited him to kiss her. He shifted positions so he could lean down to press his lips against hers.

Her eyes flew open as he brought his lips against hers. They had only shared one kiss, and it had been almost platonic. As his tongue traced her lips, Maya moaned low in her throat. When he pulled his hand away from her breast, she protested wordlessly.

Roarke chuckled as he buried his hands in her hair and pulled her closer. Their tongues met, and she stroked hers across his, which made him shudder. He lay on his back as he brought her up to rest on top of him. Her mouth was instantly more accessible, and he pushed his tongue in deeper and elicited a moan from her.

Maya’s eyes widened as he explored the interior of her mouth. His erection pressed into her thigh and strained against the confines of his clothing. She was so hot. Had she developed a fever? She didn’t think she had ever felt like this before—not even in the throes of an orgasm.

Roarke pushed her away slightly to smile up at her. “You’re so soft.”

“And you’re so hard.” Maya couldn’t hold back a giggle. She wriggled on top of him and pressed her thigh against his shaft.

“I’m amazed after the incident at the spa.” He winked at her. “You inspire me to new heights, love.”

As Roarke kissed her again, Maya wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held him tightly. His tongue traced a path from her mouth to her ear, where he nibbled on the lobe. Their eyes were inches apart, and she got lost in his deep brown depths. It was like she had drowned in an ocean of… What?

There was a vulnerability to his eyes that she saw beneath the heat of passion. Approval, joy, and tenderness mingled with his obvious desire. Did he see the same things in her eyes? Was her love for him blatantly obvious?

She gasped at the thought, which drew a concerned look from Roarke. He immediately stilled his mouth on her lobe. How could it be? When had it happened? Did she really love Roarke?

He looked up at her with an uncertain expression. “Are you all right?”

Maya nodded, unable to speak. The gentle expression on his face was like nothing she had ever seen from Bobby. It was obvious he cared for her and was compassionate. Both qualities Bobby lacked in his makeup. This man was everything her fiancé should be, but wasn’t. She should be feeling guilty, but all she felt was the joy that swept through her when she realized she was finally in love.

“Maya?” His eyes had darkened. “Are you okay? Do you want to stop?”

She shook her head. If she opened her mouth, the words would fly out. That could ruin everything. What if Roarke didn’t feel the same? It was a game to him, and any declaration of love might send him away.

She couldn’t lose him—not yet, anyway. While she couldn’t keep her emotions hidden forever, she could for an afternoon.

Roarke pushed the shirt off her shoulders and unfastened the front clasp of the bra. As her breasts spilled free, he pressed his face to them and basked in the moment. He’d had a few lovers, but didn’t think he had felt this way before. But he had never been in love before now. He didn’t shy away from the revelation as he had done in the past. This time he embraced it, determined that she would feel the same way about him. Someday Maya would be his, not Bobby’s. If he had patience. In the meantime, he had her body if not her heart.

A groan ripped from his throat as Maya pushed her hands under his shirt and flicked her nails across his nipples. He moved his face to take possession of one of her plump pink nipples. He grinned around the bud in his mouth when she groaned and ground herself against him. Maybe now wasn’t the time for patience.

“Roarke.”

“Hmm?” He licked the nipple as he squeezed her right breast.

“Roarke.” Her tone was more insistent, and Maya slid her hands down his stomach to the fly of his white pants. She stroked the length of him through the cotton material, pleased to feel him jump under her hand.

He moved his lips from her nipple. “What do you want?”

“You.”

He grinned. “Soon.” Roarke pushed her off him and stood up to remove his clothes. As Maya started to undo her slacks, he said, “Let me.”

She paused and stared up at him. He joined her on the bed, clad only in a pair of black silk bikinis. Maya ran her hand across his buttocks. “Nice underwear.”

Roarke fumbled with the button and zipper on her pants and finally got them open. He touched the lace of her red panties and flirted with the lips of her mound. “Yours too.”

She shrugged. “I had some advice about underwear.”

His chuckle turned to a gasp when her hand traveled around to grasp his shaft. He pulled her away. “Not yet.”

“But…”

“In a while. This time I want to be inside of you.”

She lay back as Roarke pulled off her pants. Maya’s eyes felt heavy, but the rest of her body tingled with desire. She held out her arms as he knelt on the bed, but he ignored the invitation.

Instead, Roarke settled down more toward the foot of the bed, between her thighs. He pushed them apart to make a nest for himself, and then stroked her warmth through the lacy red panties. She arched against his finger and moaned. He propped his chin on his elbow so he could see her eyes. “Do you like that?”

She rolled her eyes at him and hissed as he plunged his finger inside her shallowly. She could feel the warmth of his digit surrounded by the lace, and the sensation made her tighten her thighs.

Roarke gently slapped her left thigh. “Relax.”

Maya’s mouth dropped open when he did that, but she wasn’t offended. It was obvious he wanted to play with her, and she found she liked it. “You like to spank?” Her voice was a throaty whisper.

Roarke shrugged. “Only naughty girls.” He blushed at the lie. He had never spanked a woman in his life.

A grin teased at the corners of her mouth. “I’ll have to see how naughty I can be.”

Roarke’s eyes widened at her words, and he wondered if she really wanted him to spank her. With an air of experimentation, he pulled on her hip so one of her cheeks was exposed. He lightly tapped his hand against the flesh revealed by the thong. To his surprise, she giggled and purred at the same time. “You like that, don’t you?”

Maya held up her thumb and forefinger to indicate a little. She was too breathless to speak as he pulled down her underwear. His hand came down on her butt again, with just a bit more force.

As he did that, his other hand went to explore her folds. The combination left Maya a confused mass of sensations. When she arched against his fingers, his hand hit her buttocks with more force, which caused a sting to linger. It was impossible not to rub herself against his fingers though. Surely her cheeks were pink now, but she didn’t care. It felt too good to ask him to stop.

He bit back a laugh as she turned into a babbling, giggling hedonist before his eyes. He watched carefully until her eyes closed, and she clenched her hands together. He moved quickly and rolled her onto her back to bury his face between her thighs.

Maya screamed as his tongue invaded her. She felt him jerk, before he stopped. “Keep going,” she forced out through clenched teeth.

“Are you okay?” His voice was muffled.

She nodded before she realized he probably couldn’t see her. “It surprised me.” She wriggled against him and waited for his heavenly tongue to begin its conquest. When he flicked it over her clit, she cried out again, unable to care if there were servants in the house or neighbors who could hear her cries of passion.

As Roarke continued his velvety kisses, he felt her body shudder and twitch with each flick of his tongue.

She sobbed with pleasure, and moisture flooded his mouth. Right before she was about to come, he withdrew.

Maya’s eyes popped open. “What are you doing?”

He grinned at her angry tone. “I want us to go together.”

She shook her head. “I can’t…not during… Please?” She wanted to scream as he slid up her body, farther and farther away from her mound. “Don’t do this, Roarke. I need to…”

“Explode,” he finished for her as he positioned his shaft at her entrance. “You will. I promise.”

She sighed. It would do no good to protest. She resigned herself to another disappointment as he slowly filled her. She moaned at the length of him, and her body adjusted with an ease that surprised her.

Buried inside her wet folds felt like heaven. Roarke let her moisture flood him as he stayed in her and didn’t move. As her hips started to buck, he let her body persuade him to move. He withdrew almost completely, and then filled her again. Maya’s harsh breaths expressed her pleasure more than any words could, and Roarke did it again.

Maya trembled on the edge of climax, but she knew that he wouldn’t last long enough to push her over the edge. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth as he plunged into her again. She felt his finger stroke her clitoris, and her eyes popped open. She stared into his brown depths as he continued to thrust into her while he manipulated the nub. She threw her head back as shockwaves washed over her from the epicenter between her thighs. Maya buried her hands in his hair as she orgasmed and thrust against him with a sob as her body convulsed.

He couldn’t wait any longer. With her first shudder, as her muscles tightened around his shaft, Roarke let his climax sweep over him. He pulled her closer, and she strained against them. For a moment, it was as if they were one person as their satisfaction pulsed through them. Their heartbeats were simpatico, and a mingled cry came from both of their throats before Roarke collapsed on top of her and held her against him. He rubbed his face in her soft hair as her hands moved to his back. He never wanted to let her go, and he pulled her even closer.

Maya held onto him as if he was her lifeline. Maybe he was. She wanted to stay with him forever, but she knew she would have to leave. First, she had to settle things with Bobby before she could think about a discussion of the future with Roarke.

***

“Are you sure you want to take a cab? I can drive you.”

Maya shook her head as she did up the last button on her vest top. “A taxi is fine. You look too comfortable to move.”

A rueful grin curved across his face. It was true he didn’t want to move. The only thing that would make the moment more perfect was if Maya stayed with him. He almost asked her to, but knew she would refuse. Bobby expected her at home, and the afternoon’s events hadn’t changed that. She was still Bobby’s girl—for now.

She hesitated at the doorway and looked back at him. She half-hoped he would ask her to stay. When he didn’t, Maya sighed and twisted the knob. “I’ll see you Friday?”

Roarke put his hands behind his head and snuggled against the pillow. “Unless you want to see me sooner?” He kept his tone deliberately light in an attempt to mask the serious undertones.

She wanted to, but Maya was afraid of his reaction to her sudden enthusiasm. She couldn’t handle a rejection right now until she sorted things out with Bobby. Either way, she knew she couldn’t stay with her fiancé—not after she had realized she loved Roarke. Even if it was all just a game to him, it had become serious to her. It wouldn’t be fair to Bobby to pretend that she still loved him just to have a safety net in case things ended badly with Roarke. “I can’t. Work and all…”

Roarke sighed. “Friday it is. Do you want me to walk you down?”

She shook her head. “I’ll be fine.” Maya wanted to say so much more, but in the end, she turned and left the bedroom. She was halfway down the stairs when she heard him call out to her. Her heart stuttered and she hoped he was about to ask her to stay. She gripped the banister and turned around. “Yes?”

He stood at the top of the stairs in the nude. “You left your earrings on the nightstand.”

A horn honked in the driveway to indicate the taxi had arrived. “Bring them with you Friday.” Maya hurried down the stairs and out the door before she blurted out a confession or begged him to let her stay. It was too soon, and she was too uncertain. Besides, she owed Bobby an explanation before she stayed overnight with Roarke—if he wanted her to.