Harlequin Desire January 2021--Box Set 1 of 2 by Maisey Yates (inspirational books .TXT) 📗

“When did I say that?”

“The first night we slept together—or shared a bed, I should say.”

“Oh?” Nina replayed the tape in her mind. He couldn’t hold that against her! She was bent out of shape that night. “Nothing after drowning really counts.”

“Nina, I’m the mistake women make after a few drinks at a party. I don’t want to be something you regret.”

“That’s not possible.”

“Kiss My Ass” video notwithstanding, he was a good person. No amount of mean tweets and mean-spirited magazine articles was going to change her opinion of him. He was the man who dived into a pool, fully dressed, to rescue her after she’d spent the afternoon tossing back vodka shots. That man was the real MVP.

“I’m the woman who has never taken a guy home after a couple of drinks. Not ever.” He arched his brows as though impressed. She immediately set him straight. “I don’t say this to brag. It’s not fun. I overthink and overanalyze everything and everyone.”

“So, what’s your take on us?”

“Well…here I am in Miami, in this gorgeous mansion. By some strange twist of fate, I met a man. He makes me feel like a goddess, but I wish he’d stop treating me like one, because I’m ready to be reckless and toss caution out the stained glass windows.”

His grin broke like the dawn of a new day. “I’m your guy. Reckless behavior is my specialty.”

Nina rushed to him, grabbed him by the lapel of his exquisite blazer and drew his mouth to hers. This time, he crushed her with his kiss. She reciprocated, exploring his mouth, taking his moans deep into her own. As the night breeze brushed her bare back, Nina was reminded of where they were: out in the open, perilously exposed. That feeling of being watched returned, and it was all but confirmed by the sound of footsteps in the courtyard. Julian didn’t miss it, either. He groaned in frustration and pulled away to look around. Nina shivered, already missing his touch. She froze when she heard him say, “Hey there, Pete. Still on the clock?”

Pete! Why was he lurking around?

“On my way out, Mr. Knight,” the driver replied. “Good evening, Ms. Taylor.”

“Good night, Pete.”

Nina grabbed Julian’s arm and led him along the shadows of the cloisters toward the elevator. They passed the door to the bell tower. Julian pushed on the iron handle, and the heavy wood door swung open to a narrow stairwell with steep steps winding up to the top. Nina shot him a warning look. “Not in these shoes.”

He glanced down at her delicate heels. “Thought you were ready to be reckless.”

“I did say that, didn’t I?”

Julian drew her into the stairwell and shut the door behind them. He hunched low before her and ran his hands along her calves. His fingers found and worked diligently to loosen the many buckles and straps of her sandals. Then he eased them off and tossed them aside. When he was done, he looked up at her. “Race you to the top.”

“I don’t think—”

He charged the stairs before she could dissuade him.

“Hey!” Nina cried. Her competitive nature kicked in, and she might have caught up to him if she hadn’t stopped to gather her shoes before giving chase, then stopped midway to catch her breath. Julian stood waiting at the top of the stairs, hands in his pockets, a slice of moonlight adding extra sparkle to his cocky smile. She glared at him, and he laughed—the laugh of a man who had everything going for him. Nina vowed that he would have the absolute best sex of his life tonight.

“Come on,” he said. “You’re not dizzy, are you?”

“I’m fine. Thanks.” Nina reached the landing and, panting still, ignored his outstretched hand. She stole a moment to take in her surroundings—a circular space with a bleached wood floor and a steepled ceiling. The metal bell swung from an arch facing the courtyard. A built-in bench hugged the walls.

“It’s so beautiful,” she said, in a whisper.

“Absolutely.” He came to stand behind her. “But there’s a chance we may be admiring different views.”

He swept her braid away from her neck and pressed his lips on each knot of her spine. Her back to Julian’s chest, she shivered in his arms. He threaded a hand through the slit of her dress and brushed her inner thigh. She covered his hands with hers and inched it higher. When his fingers brushed between her legs, meeting the wet silky fabric, Nina’s back arched, and a moan escaped her. He cupped her face and drew her back for a deeper, more intimate kiss before pulling back.

“Here’s my dilemma,” he said, speaking softly. “I want to take you up to bed and I want to take you right here.”

Those options were not mutually exclusive as far as Nina was concerned. She swiveled around to face him. “Can’t you do both?”

“Sorry.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. “I hate to disappoint, but I’m not prepared.”

“Is that all?”

Nina slipped out of his embrace and searched around in the semidarkness for where she might have dropped her small purse. It was clear across the floor. She picked it up and pulled out a square foil packet from the zippered pocket. “Problem solved.”

He smiled wickedly. “If you were hoping to get lucky tonight, I hope it was with me.”

“Don’t flatter yourself. I’ve kept one in every purse since college.”

“I love a girl with a plan.”

She made her way back to him on tiptoe, holding up the packet within two fingers. “Women have plans. Girls have hopes and wishes.”

Julian’s expression darkened as he focused on her. “Scrap your plans. Tell me what you wish for.”

That was easy. She didn’t have to mull it over. She had wanted to see him naked from the day they’d met. “Take your clothes off.”

He took her hand and brought her wrist to his lips. “Please and thank you go a long way, Nina.”

“All right,” she said, her pulse skipping.