Nanny Behaving Badly (17 page)

Lyle responded with inciting teeth. Inching his way around her breasts and avoiding the tips where she wanted him most. Upping the tempo of his fingers, he moulded, stroked and tormented.

He paused and his eyes burned dark heat. ‘I need to know you’re sure.’

‘No stopping. I like you fast and forceful. We’ve stalled for way too long.’ Maddie ran her hands over his chest and took charge of a blistering kiss.

He needed no further urging, pulling her close, his hands firming on her buttocks as he wedged her tight against the desk. He swept her hair from her neck, kissing from earlobe to sternum. Every touch caused tremors as he held her tight against his erection, then he undid his trousers in a deft move.

‘I didn’t stall for sport, Lyle. I’ve tried for professional distance but you only distracted me more.’

His lips and tongue dipped into the hollow of her throat. ‘We aren’t hurting anyone.’

With a gaze dulled by arousal, Lyle took her mouth. It was a kiss long, deep and drugging. A mouth so gentle yet sinful it entranced her as their love swiftly grew primal and fierce. His head lowered to blow the puckered skin of her nipples. He gently suckled then lathed with his tongue before pushing her to lie back. She arched as she felt those tantalising kisses lower and dip.

He licked around her navel as his fingers slid into side-tie lingerie to remove them. Wearing easy-access underwear now felt like kismet as his hand slid through her moist curls to open her.

For Maddie, an impatient force buzzed live. The hot, potency of him touching her intimately was a frenzy trip.

She wanted full nakedness now.

He slipped his fingers inside her folds and gently flicked. The action drew a gasp from deep in her throat and she opened wider against his hand. He swooped and his mouth took over and the room swiftly disappeared. All that existed was Lyle.

He made her cry out as his mouth thrilled her. He pulled back for a moment and let his fingers explore then he stoked faster again with his mouth. Each light rhythmic pressure made her body implode. She knew she was so near the edge.

Maddie’s head fell back as she neared climax. Trembling, her fingers clamped his shoulders as Lyle rose and pushed between her thighs. She felt the tip of him close and ready. He seized a condom from somewhere, rolled it on, then gently slid to fill her.

Gasping at his fit she wrapped him close to urge him deep. She murmured, ‘I must be a thrill seeker too.’

‘Never doubted.’

The coiled tension of foreplay transformed into passionate abandon.

Lyle took charge, gauging her needs so exactly she cried out. She widened for each thrust, at first slow and steady. Then he heightened the pleasure by splaying her legs with his hands, building pace. She arched so her breasts brushed his chest. It was so much more than she’d dreamed possible.

‘More ... that’s it, Lyle!’

He quaked around her and she contracted her inner muscles to compound the sensation, delighting in his groans of approval. She relished that he was pounding inside her, clearly losing it too in their multiple thrill chase. It blew her mind realising they’d both evaded this. Yet they’d been missing the best hit of all.

His tongue took her mouth and as she urged him for more even as she neared completion. She relished it as Lyle tensed and cried her name, knowing she held him in her power. Knowing they were both falling faster and harder than she’d ever known possible.

Maddie climaxed moments later and his long thrusts of satisfaction echoed her pleasure. Her deepest yearnings had been gloriously fulfilled.

As Lyle kissed her cheek, she whispered his name – lost in his bliss.

Maddie luxuriated in the expansive, smooth cocoon that was Lyle’s bed. The sheets smelled divine and were gossamer against her skin.

It was only when her wrist watch emitted an alarm beep signal that she was hauled into a new world of sated wonder that still promised more.

Her body felt revitalised. Exercised past satisfaction.

Yet an edge of trepidation curled. Maddie pulled the bedclothes closer. When she turned, her eyes met Lyle’s. Their legs were entwined – his virile, hard, strong in every sinew.

‘Good morning.’

They’d ceased the fight against nature and succumbed to the places their hormones had beckoned. The result – hours of private conference in his tiny Ice Café office concluded by attentive love in his bed. Her boss-turned-friend-turned-lover smiled, watching with questioning eyes. Eyes that lingered and probed and went right to her core. Lyle was a man who’d treated her so well the scaffolding on her heart was crashing down.

‘I said, good morning, last night took us both by surprise.’ He unclipped her leather watch strap. ‘Time to ditch the wake-up call. Since I’ve finally got you to myself.’

‘What time is it now?’ she asked in a husky croak.

Lyle watched Maddie pull the bedclothes closer with the smudge of a frown as she fluttered those sleepy dark lashes.

‘Past nine.’

He saw concern darken her face, and felt irked at the instant retreat. Last night she’d been everything he’d ever dreamed she could be – uninhibited, wild at times, provocative yet gentle, loving, coy, unsure. Sometimes greedy and wanton; the thought caused an inner grin. He hadn’t minded in the least. But he minded the woes on her face right now.

Sensibility had returned at too fast a pace, shattering the unveiled private Maddie he wasn’t ready to lose yet.

‘Last night,’ he said, watched her eyes drift away, ‘I’ve no regrets and I want you to be sure of that. My private life won’t short-change Josh. This won’t mess up the mix. It doesn’t change anything.’

She nodded slowly but her fingers were still bunched. ‘Good to hear.’

‘Feisty Maddie, where are you?’

‘It’s a lot to take in. I guess it’s just light of day syndrome.’

He sat back in bed and ventured, ‘I understand your reservations about private lives staying that way, so I’m not asking you to sleep in my bed when Josh comes back. We’re cool, we’ll take things slow and easy.’

Maddie listened intently. ‘Don’t get me wrong, it’s not because last night wasn’t great. It was, I just don’t want risks that go wrong. I’m trying to stay level-headed.’ Maddie reached over for the oversized towelling robe at the end of the bed. ‘Can I wear this?’

In seconds she had pulled it on – thick fabric, more distance between them.

‘I’m not crazy about this rush to escape me,’ he said, tweaking the edges of the robe’s lapels.

‘Can I go and make us breakfast?’

And before he knew it she’d be showering and messing up his plans for the day.

Lyle stared hard into her eyes as she tried to evade him. ‘Listen. You’ll have free time; we’ll get your replacement au pair lined up. There’ll be other opportunities. Though we’re still technically alone for the rest of the day. Josh won’t be back until evening, and I’m great at warming-up duty.’

‘You warm me up just by looking at me, Lyle.’

His tone became earnest. ‘You’ve set the pace, slow and steady.’

She shrugged her shoulder, and with one deft move Lyle slipped the robe open. He pinned her before cupping her face, kissing her, then lowering her back against his bed. Lyle lowered his lips to the glossy skin of her cleavage. How could he possibly resist her?

‘What’ll it be? Swim, shower, or breakfast in bed? My choice would be bed without the breakfast.’

She slanted her eyes, and Lyle was hard in an instant – feeling her close, smelling her, in his bed. He wanted Maddie like he’d never wanted any woman. She bit her lip, driving him crazy. Nearby he glimpsed her fetching lacy lingerie scrap thrown on his bedroom rug.

He had to have her or he’d implode.

‘Remind me where we left things?’

‘Slow down, rally guy. Always keen for speed.’ Maddie pushed him onto his back, then slid across to straddle him. ‘My wild side wants to play.’

‘My Maverick Maddie – ’ Lyle gave a sharp moan as his eyes closed.

His conscience screamed slow – but his body wasn’t listening.

Josh’s return saw some normality return to Acorn Lodge – and progress.

A new au pair, Lilia, had been signed at Rhombus Recruitment and after interviews Lyle booked her up. Maddie found herself busy managing The Grassmarket Café, which Lyle had asked her to take charge of. She was also tied up doing handovers but Lilia proved eager and was soon ready to take over nanny duty.

Lyle kept his promise to Maddie. Slow and steady. Obeying rules.

So she found him cooking dinner, behaving impeccably. Sneaking his arm around her, but only when they were solo. Snuggling up and wrapping her in his embrace only when Josh was in bed. Indulging in ardent yet restrained kisses – but those had her wishing she hadn’t set such strict terms. It would be so easy to respond and follow him upstairs to his bedroom
.
Resistance was killing her. Slowly and painfully.

They went out for Thai food banquets when he learned how much she adored them. He took her beachcombing with Josh, something she’d done in Maine as a kid with her own mom. Armed with gum books, fishing nets and tin buckets for the spoils, their beach adventures caused forgotten memories to resurface. She should feel glad about elements of her past, not put fences around sharp hurts.

On the beach, while Josh examined his treasures, Lyle tucked her windblown hair behind her ear. ‘It’s never been like this before. I can’t be with you enough.’

‘Careful, Lyle. Josh might get confused and ask questions.’

‘How can I hold back when it hurts? Trust me, Maddie.’

‘When Lilia came, I even wondered if you employed her just so we could sneak away.’

Hurt briefly danced in Lyle’s eyes, then he glanced away to the breakers against the shore. ‘You set the rules and I’ve obeyed them, haven’t I? We’ve only snuck away once.’

Maddie slanted her eyes to tease him. ‘Technically you broke them on café launch night.’

‘Irresistible forces.’

‘You’re certainly one of those.’

‘I should drag you to a sand dune now to prove it.’ His face grew earnest and concerned. ‘Am I pushing? I want a relationship. I’m itching for your night off so I can make love to you as soon as I get through your door. I’ve booked my mother as babysitter specially, I’m not going to deny it.’

Maddie trailed a finger around his ear. ‘As long as we know Josh shouldn’t have to compete for your time.’

‘Never. Solo time with you is my favourite ‘good behaviour’ perk. Trust me to gauge the pace.’

She smiled, loving the way the forceful wind and salt scent only added to his appeal: a strong adventurer, a man of action. Her own Scottish warrior. ‘We have lots of time to get it right.’

‘Trust me to show you’re what I want.’

But for Maddie Adams trust had a scalpel’s edge. Even though Lyle was ably sweeping her off her feet and burrowing into her heart, the tender areas of her heart wouldn’t fix overnight.

Maddie shoved deep the information contained in her father’s latest letter; an offer to come and meet her. She wouldn’t give in to his inducements. Why go over old roads littered with broken glass?

Lyle looked down at her with glittering eyes that told of wicked promise.

‘Of course, if you change your mind and get lost in the night on the way back to your room, I’ll be the one in the darkness, throwing back the duvet. Just in case it crosses your mind.’

She bit her lip. ‘Now, rally guy. Cool those jets.’

Tempting, sure. But not practical yet. Maddie fake-cuffed Lyle and ran full tilt for him to chase her. Running in play. Running in flirtation. Running from how to handle their future too.

When it came to his building blocks, Josh loved empire building. Like father, like son. In fact, Lyle relished their castle-building games just as much as Josh. He’d managed to build an impressive fortress himself on the hearthrug. Well, where was the point in half-hearted play?

Lyle loved to watch Josh concentrate, sticking out his tongue when battling with a turret. It made his heart swell with affection. Needless to say, Lyle had huge crates of blocks in every size, shape and colour possible to indulge his son.

Lyle checked his watch and began counting down to when he and Maddie could snatch time alone later. She’d been on the phone to Paula for almost an hour – he was itching to get her back to himself.

‘One more castle,’ he told Josh, ‘and then it’s bathroom, PJ’s, bed.’

‘Do we have to finish so soon?’

Lyle reached over to stroke his mop of curls. Josh passed him another turret which Lyle attempted to add to his tower – causing the walls to wobble and crash.

‘It’s okay,’ said Josh, stroking his hand. ‘I’ll help you build it up again. That’s what friends do; they help each other. We’ll make it a pizza place like Maddie’s Uncle Marco’s. Like I’m going to have when I work as a pizza chef.’

Lyle stared at his son.The restaurant visit had had a big impact.

Plus, he was genuinely bowled over by his grasp on key concepts.

He told him. ‘That’s a great idea, Joshy.’

Maybe he should talk to Marco? It was clear that Maddie rated her uncle’s welfare highly, and Marco seemed intrinsically linked to her future and her flat. Should he find out more?

Lyle bent over to kiss his son’s cheek.

‘C’mon, pizza professor. Your dad needs building lessons from an expert.’

With a determined grin, Josh led the way.

Maddie realised it was Lyle’s fault.

His fault completely. He was a scurrilous rogue and he deserved to be reprimanded for his misdeeds. He was the one who had put the fantasy vision in her head. Now it wouldn’t budge.

For example, scooting around the house in her nightshirt and accidentally
on purpose
finding his big bedroom door. The hidden delights inside had her jittery, and that was just at the thought. Knowing that he was there, lying big and alive and exciting as heck in that emperor’s regal-sized bed was a mind hex. Maddie stifled a groan of pure frustration.

Bad Lyle. Naughty Maddie.

It was crazy to lie there in a comfortless bed, solo.

She tossed and turned, and could think of little else. Eventually, with a huff of frustration, she admitted that a hot drink might make her sleepy. Wrapped in her robe, she shuffled to the kitchen, wishing her brain and hormones hadn’t turned renegade.