delivery?â
A huge bundle of roses appeared from behind his back. âRight here, maâam. Do I rate a tip?â
âYou bet.â She gripped his tie and pulled him closer, all teasing gone. âI need you inside me. Right now.â Her fingers dug into his shoulders. âPlease, Tate.â
One last time.
She closed her eyes, hiding the sadness he wouldnât miss.
The force of his body came as a shock, pinning her against the sheets while his hands circled her waist. Whispering her name, he shoved aside the sheet and studied her full breasts. âGod help me, Iâll never get enough of you.â
She was already aroused, already slick and restless with desire, and his fingers made her gasp with pleasure. âNow,â she said hoarsely, pushing up against him. âDonât talk, Tate. Donât think. Just
do
it.â
His clothes dropped in layers and then he pulled her astride him. Cara closed her eyes as his fingers found her with unerring skill. He pinned her hips and filled her in one deep thrust, taking her with brooding urgency.
For one blind moment the threats were gone, the worries forgotten. She gasped his name, shocked at the speed and intensity of the climax that ripped through her. She was barely aware of him watching her.
When she finally opened her eyes, he began the whole process again, until they both lay sweaty and exhausted, with the covers tangled around them and the faint scent of perfume drifting from the roses scattered over the floor.
Â
âDo you have any idea how much I love you?â
Hard fingers trailed over Caraâs face, but she didnât open her eyes.
It was too soon for words. She needed to prepare, to close her heart, which was still racing from the amazing sex sheâd just had.
No, not sex. Something far deeper and infinitely more complex.
The skin at her neck prickled, and she looked down to see three diamonds glittering against her skin, strung like tears from a silver chain.
âFor your wedding dress.â Tate smiled uncertainly. âIf you want different stones or something bigger, you can exchange these. I already spoke to the jeweler about that. The girls thought they were just right.â
âYou showed them to Sophy and Audra?â
âI figured it was a girl thing. They know you better than anyone, plus theyâre brutally honest, the way only kids can be.â
The stones were clear and bright, like the old yearnings Cara couldnât suppress. âTheyâre perfect, Tate.â Suddenly the diamonds felt unbearably cold. âBut theyâre far too expensive.â
âTo hell with expense. Iâm not getting married ever againâand neither are you, if I can help it.â
Something tore at her throat.
Be hard,
she thought.
Do it now.
âI canât take them.â She pressed the chain into his hand and stood up. Behind her the phone rang, but neither moved. Tate cursed at the sound of his assistantâs voice on the answering machine.
âSorry to disturb you, Senator.â There was a discreet cough. âIâm afraid that call youâve been waiting for just came through from London.â
Tate ran a hand through his hair. âI need to return this one, Cara. It will only take me ten minutes, then we can talk.â
The call made it easier.
She nodded calmly and picked up her clothes. âI have to shower. Donât hurry for me.â
He was staring at her, a puzzled look on his face. âWhatâs wrong?â
Cara picked up her overturned shoes and studied them dispassionately. âNothing.â
Everything.
âItâs been a long day, thatâs all. Make your call, please.â
Standing beneath the hot spray of the shower a few minutes later, Cara locked her arms and took in long, shuddering breaths. It wasnât normal to feel so much, to know someone simply by the echo of a footstep or the brush of his hand. It had to be
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