All That I Need (Grayson Friends) (24 page)

His lips closed over the fruit topping. “Carmen’s quite a cook if I can’t mess it up.” Taking Fallon’s fork, he fed her a bite.

“Delicious.”

“Just like you.” He shook his head, took his seat, and picked up his fork. “How did the writing on the article go?”

“I finished it.”

“Good. The one you did on the auction was fantastic.” He picked up his glass. “You’re a wonderful writer.”

Pleasure spread across her face. “I like what I do and I hope it shows in the writing. I have several more to finish before I fly to Playa del Carmen.”

He placed the glass on the table without drinking. Giving up what you enjoyed doing wasn’t easy. “So you’re still going?”

“Yes.”

Lance picked up his fork, but he no longer felt like eating. She was leaving him, and there was nothing he could do to stop her.

“You know they recommend a diving partner, someone you trust to go down with you.” She speared an asparagus, chewed. “You interested?”

His head lifted. He stared at her across the table. She read him too easily, but for once he was glad. “You’re not going scuba diving.”

“How do you plan to stop me?” she challenged, switching to eating cheesecake.

There was only one way and they both knew it. But even if he went, he wasn’t sure she’d listen. The important thing was that she wanted him with her. He cut into his tenderloin. “I’ll think of something when the time comes.”

Fallon laughed. “You can try, but my money is on me. My father called me strong willed.”

She was certainly that, but she was also incredibly giving and she lit up Lance’s life as nothing had before. “We’ll see about that.”

“I plan to go home first to see my family and find a doctor,” she said slowly.

“I want to be there when you tell them about the baby.” His eyes narrowed. “Megan already doesn’t like me. She won’t make it easy for either of us.”

“Probably.” Fallon pulled her cheesecake in front of her. “But I like you, and so will Mother.”

Fallon had said the words that meant so much to him so easily. “You want another slice?” Only fragments remained on her plate. When she didn’t answer he cut another slice and put it on her plate. “You don’t want Carmen to think you didn’t like it.”

“You shouldn’t tempt me this way.”

“It’s the only way I can tempt you,” he murmured.

Fallon cocked her head. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that. You’re a hard man to resist.”

He was definitely hard all right. Sleeping together in the same bed tonight would test his control to the limits, but he’d do whatever it took to keep Fallon’s trust and be with her.

*   *   *

Fallon tried to act casual as they walked back to the cottage after cleaning up the kitchen. She couldn’t quite manage. The kiss they shared had made her tremble with desire. She tried to push the need to the back of her mind, but it kept coming back.

A secretive glance at Lance, his shoulders hunched, his hands in the pockets of his slacks, and she knew he was experiencing the same problem. Usually neat, he’d untucked his shirt when they began clearing the table. The reason was obvious: he was trying to hide his growing desire.

Sleeping together tonight wasn’t a good idea—unless they planned to do more than just sleep.

Lance opened the door and Fallon entered the cottage. She didn’t stop until she was in the master bedroom.

Lance looked everywhere but at her. “I think I’ll take a walk. You go to bed. I’ll be back.”

She touched him on the shoulder as he turned away. He looked down at her. She saw desire swirling in the black depths of his eyes, but she also saw tenderness and caring. Even before they’d made love, he’d gone out of his way to please her. Tonight, he’d spent hours on the phone cooking so she wouldn’t be disappointed. He’d shown her he cared so many times, that it wasn’t just sex, just as he was doing now.

“I don’t think a walk will fix what’s bothering you.” She slid her arms around his neck. His eyes widened; his hands bracketed her waist. Perhaps she was the one who should show she had faith in him. “Let’s see if this will.”

His hands on her shoulders stopped her. “I-I’m on the edge here. If I kiss you I don’t know if I can stop.”

“I don’t want you to stop.”

His eyes shut tightly, then opened. “You just started feeling better. Maybe—”

“Maybe you should stop talking and kiss me.” She grinned. “I’ll be gentle with you. Promise. Let me show you.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips against his.

With a shaky groan, he pulled her to him. She fitted her softness to his hardness. The gentle kiss heated and mating tongues became demanding. His arms tightened around her, bringing her closer, as if he was starved for the taste of her.

He kissed her as if he’d never get enough. She kissed him back the same way. This was what she wanted, what she needed.

His head lifted, his breathing labored, his gaze searing. She trembled. Only this man could scatter her thoughts and fill her heart with love.

Reaching around her, he grabbed the comforter and flung it aside. Clothes were quickly cast aside. Taking her in his arms again, he placed her on the bed, then followed her down. His mouth fitted itself to hers. His hands tenderly caressed and stroked her breasts, her stomach. She squirmed beneath him.

His hands explored the soft curves of her body, his lips following. He’d never needed anything more than to make this woman his forever. His lips brushed against her nipple, causing her to arch and moan.

Slowly his hands skimmed downward, past her thigh and back up to her woman’s softness. She twisted restlessly against him, her hands clutching his shoulders.

He slid his hand under her hips and brought them together. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and she buried her face in the crook of his neck. Together they found the slow tempo and moved their bodies in perfect harmony.

Again and again he surged in and out of her until they went over together. She gasped and clung to him in ecstasy. He clung to her for a long moment before finally having the strength to roll to one side, taking her with him.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Better than all right.” Her words were breathy. She kissed him on the shoulder.

“You’re right. That definitely beat a walk.” His breath shuddered in and out, but he had a smile on his face. His hand stroked up and down her sweat-dampened back.

A pleased smile on her face, she climbed on top of him. Her finger traced the lower curve of his lip. “I’m always right.”

Chuckling, he shook his head, then framed her face with his hands. His face grew serious. “I want this to work between us. I’m trying to find my way. I don’t have any parameters or experience to go by.” He blew out a breath. “If I get it wrong a time or two, give me a swift kick, but please don’t walk away.”

If she hadn’t been in love all the way, she would be now. He needed her and was still afraid that she’d walk away as others had. He couldn’t see that he had her, that all he had to do was forget the past and let himself love her.

“Fallon.”

She saw the uncertainty in his face and leaned over to kiss him. “I told you, I fight for what I want.”

His eyes closed briefly. “You have me.”

Not in the way she wanted, but she prayed that would come. Her hands closed around his manhood, felt it pulse and expand. Air hissed though his gritted teeth. “I certainly do. Now, let’s see what I can do with you.”

*   *   *

Lance woke up with a smile and made sure Fallon had one as well. He kissed her awake, made sure her nausea was gone, then loved her slowly, completely. Afterward they made love in the shower. She was her old playful self. By the time they left the cottage for the main house, it was close to nine.

Carmen was in the kitchen. Francisco had come to work as well. Lance and Fallon were happy to learn Ms. Fuente was doing better. Carmen’s mother-in-law was sore that morning, but thankfully she had no broken bones.

Before they took their seats for breakfast, Fallon praised both Carmen and Lance for the wonderful meal the night before. Carmen graciously gave the credit to Lance. He gave the credit back to her. “My skills are limited.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Fallon said with a straight face.

Lance was glad the orange juice wasn’t in his mouth. He placed the glass aside. Fallon certainly made life better. He planned to take every opportunity to be with her. “Carmen, do you think you could fix a picnic basket for us for lunch?”

“Yes, Mr. Saxton,” she said. “This time, I’ll do all the cooking.”

Fallon’s eyes had widened with delight. “I haven’t been on a picnic since I was a little girl.”

“Then it will be my pleasure to take you.”

Chapter 16

Not only did Lance take Fallon on a picnic, but over the next few days he took her on a tour of places outside of Santa Fe that she had missed. It was fun being with her, seeing her smile. He looked forward to the night, when they would make love and she would go to sleep in his arms. At the same time he dreaded it because it meant her time of being with him was winding down. He planned to go with her to Playa del Carmen, but what happened after that?

Sitting on the deep-cushioned seat of the outdoor bench near the pool Friday afternoon, he went over his plans. “Let’s see. I’ve made all the travel arrangements to Austin, including a hotel, and booked a seat on the flight you’re taking to Playa del Carmen. Did I leave anything out?”

“No, but I don’t want your business to suffer because you’re with me,” she told him.

He twisted his head to look at her. “It’s not. My people can work independently or I wouldn’t have hired them. I was here off and on for weeks preparing for the Yates auction and the auction house got along well without me.”

“Still, I worry.”

He kissed her hand. He kind of liked that she cared enough to worry about him. “Well, don’t. I have this covered. Maybe it would help you feel better if you visited the auction house. I’d like to introduce you to the employees, in any case. What do you say we go Monday?”

“Monday?”

“We could spend the day or a couple of days there, whatever you like,” he coaxed. He wanted her involved in every facet of his life. She needed to know how important she was to him.

“I’m not sure I have anything appropriate to wear,” she finally said.

Lance barely kept from pumping his fist in triumph. “We can go into town this afternoon and get whatever you need.”

“You need to work on the auction,” she told him. “I can drive myself.”

“I’ll give you my credit card.”

Her brow arched. “I’ll pay for my own clothes.”

“Whatever you say.” He came to his feet and reached for her hand. “I’ll get the car keys for you.”

*   *   *

Fallon purchased a stylish red suit, a black sheath, and shoes for the trip. She freely admitted to herself that she wanted Lance to be proud of her when he introduced her to his employees. If they decided to go out at night, she had the black sheath.

She realized she was taking a chance that things would work out between them. She just believed that everything he did for her showed his feeling went deeper than caring. He just couldn’t say the words. Introducing her to his employees meant he wanted her in his personal and professional life.

Her ringing cell phone intruded on her thoughts. Quickly placing her purchases in the trunk, she sat in the driver’s seat and answered the call. “Hello.”

“Fallon, this is Mrs. Youngblood, Richard’s mother. I wonder if I could have a moment of your time?”

Fallon tensed. “Is Kayla all right?”

“She’s fine. In fact, I got your phone number from her, since I didn’t want to intrude on Richard and Naomi’s honeymoon,” Mrs. Youngblood answered. “I’ll come straight to the point. I want Lance and my sister, Irene, to settle whatever differences they have so we can be a family again.”

“Mrs. Youngblood, I’m not sure you should be discussing this with me.”

“I’m not asking you to get in the middle. Heaven knows how Lance would feel about that. I am asking you to see that he comes to the cookout at our house tomorrow afternoon. I asked him to come, but I don’t think he plans to. Has he mentioned it?”

“No.” They were planning on driving to Ghost Ranch, fifty miles north of Santa Fe.

“I thought not.” Her disappointment came clearly through the line.”Please help me help them. Irene is miserable. I caught her crying this morning. She says it’s nothing, but I don’t believe her. I can tell that Jim is worried, too. Lance hasn’t called once. Every night Naomi and Richard call Kayla at bedtime. It’s a reminder to Irene that she’s lost Lance and, if he does have children, she won’t be a part of their lives.”

His aunt was right. Fallon placed her hand on her stomach. She wanted her child to have a loving relationship with his or her grandparents. Lance needed to let go of the past and move on. She just wasn’t sure he could. “I’ll try.”

“Thank you.” There was relief in Mrs. Youngblood’s voice.

“I’m not promising anything,” Fallon quickly said, not looking forward to the conversation with Lance.

“He’ll come if you ask him.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I saw how he looked at you at the wedding rehearsal, and how worried he was when he couldn’t find you later. He cares about you. We couldn’t be happier about you two.”

Caring wasn’t loving, but Fallon wouldn’t lose hope that he’d get there one day.

“Good-bye, Fallon. We’ll expect to see you anytime after twelve.”

“Good-bye, Mrs. Youngblood.” Fallon ended the call, already dreading talking with Lance.

*   *   *

Fallon fully intended to broach the subject of going to his aunt’s house for the cookout, but when she opened the door to the cottage and saw several arrangements of flowers sitting around the great room she forgot all about it.

“Do you like them?” Lance moved from the other side of the door and took her packages.

“They’re beautiful.” She moved to the long-stemmed dark red roses, touched the velvet petals with unsteady fingers, smelled the haunting scent. From there, she went to the woven basket of pink azaleas, the creamy orchids, the fat white hydrangeas in a square vase, before stopping at a terrarium.