Chapter 9

He tried his best not to notice her, but that was impossible. He had also contemplated not attending the function, but since he was the guest of honor, it would not have been prudent.

The citizens had turned out in droves. It amused him to have people walking up to him and introducing themselves as if he was a stranger. Even though he was tempted to shout out that he was born here, had grown up in this very town, he managed to curb the desire to do so. The bonfire had been lit with ceremony and pomp.

The mayor had waxed eloquently, droning on like a typical politician and had the spotlight shone on him for nearly half an hour, until people had started to get restless and bored. Then he had asked Axel to say a few words and he had done just that.

His speech had been brief and to the point. His parting shot: "I think you have listened to enough speeches for the night. Let the fun begin." Had been met with a rousing cheer. Now children were running around, with parents gathering in groups and shooting the breeze.

The ceremony was being held in the recently renovated park. A path had been cleared and the bonfire was contained by placing grills around the blaze. A trestle table was placed in one corner, straining with the amount of food and the atmosphere was one of conviviality.

His mother and sister were surrounded by friends. A live band was playing upbeat music on the makeshift dais, and he had been asked to dance by several women who were hoping he would take one of them back to his place.

But his only interest was the exquisite beauty who had arrived ten minutes ago, wearing painted on denims, knee-high boots and an aquamarine sweater and brown leather jacket. She had joined the group where his mother and sister were, and he could see her laughing as she accepted the hot cocoa that had been handed to her.

His eyes narrowed when he noticed the owner of the pub hanging at her side and whispering in her ear.

"Quite a turn out."

He jumped reflexively when he heard the voice at his elbow.

"Bert." Tearing his eyes away from the couple, he turned to greet the owner of the hardware store and the man his mother was friendly with. "How are you?"

Bert cleared his throat and gazed across Axel's shoulder, his stance undeniably nervous. "Your mother said she told you- uhm- I just want you to know that I would never do anything to hurt her…"

"Oh, I believe you won't." There was just enough steel in Axel's voice to have Bert's eyes flying to his. "Or you have me to answer to."

"Of course." Bert bobbed his head quickly. "Your mom is a beautiful woman and a kind one too. I would rather cut my arm off than do anything to cause her pain."

"Which one?"

"What?" Bert blinked at him in confusion.

"Which arm?" Axel kept his face straight even though he was amused at the intensity on the man's angular face. He liked the owner of the hardware and had known him since he was a boy.

"Uhm…," the older man shifted from one foot to the next and tugged at his thick brown sweater. "That's a joke, right?"

"Is it?"

"I…"

"Stop giving the man such a hard time." Cathy chided, sliding a hand through her brother's arm. "Of course he is joking." She smiled at a very relieved Bert. "Mom sent me over to rescue you and she also said you should join her on the dance floor."

Bert's eyes darted to Axel as if seeking his permission. With a nod of his head, he sent the man on his way.

"Is it any wonder, we are reluctant to introduce you to anyone?"

"I was just messing with him."

"You were doing it deliberately." Lifting her head, she studied his handsome face. If her mother had not dispatched her posthaste to intervene on Bert's behalf, she would have come over anyway. She had noticed the way he was watching Ellie and how the girl was avoiding him, which told her without a doubt that there was something there.

"Tom seems to be taken with our visitor."

Trying to keep his face expressionless, he shrugged as if he was unconcerned. "He should not get too attached. A woman like her would never settle for someone living in a small town."

"You know her that well?"

"I know the type." He was trying his best to contain himself and not to look as if he wanted to march over there and tear her from the man's arms. They were on the dance floor and making a spectacle of themselves.

Damn her! They had spent the night and morning together and now she was pretending as if she wanted nothing to do with him. And why the hell did he care anyway? She was free to do whatever she pleased.

"Why don't you ask her to dance?"

Jerking his head towards his sister, he frowned at her as if just realizing that she was there.

"I would rather ask you to dance." His careless smile came as he guided her towards where the other couples were gyrating to the lively music.

"I am your sister," she pointed out. "And Gregory is waiting in the shadows for me." She shot him an accusatory look as they swayed to the music. "He is afraid of you."

"The way you are behaving, it's as if I am sprouting horns." He chided her mildly. "Relax, I like your guy. He seems like a decent type. Hardworking and sincere."

"And yet within minutes of meeting him, you told him that if he hurt a hair on my head, you would break his arms and then his legs." She glowered at him, and he returned the look mildly.

"Just looking out for you."

"For a man who tends to keep his personal life to himself, you have no qualms about dabbling in ours."

"I am an open book."

"Did you spend the night with her?"

His eyes bored into hers, but she did not flinch.

"That's none of your business."

"Then that's a yes. And here you are dancing with your sister, instead of going over and letting Tom know that she is taken."

"She is not. At least, not by me."

His curt tone should have warned her that the topic was not up for discussion, but Cathy was determined see him find happiness. She had seen the way he looked at Ellie and was pretty sure it was more than just attraction there. The chemistry between them was evident, even from a distance.

"Tom is monopolizing her."

"Obviously, she wants to be monopolized by him. It's none of my business."

"You are just going to ignore her for the rest of the night?" She persisted, ignoring his infuriating look.

"Precisely. I am going to take my leave right after this song is finished and go back to my place."

"Mom will never forgive you." She protested. "You are the guest of honor."

"I have already said my piece and the mayor had his crowning moment, there is nothing else for me to do here."

"Except claim a dance or two with Ellie."

The song had ended, but she held his arms to stop him from marching off.

Leaning down so that his eyes were on level with hers, he murmured. "Mind your own business." Tempering the words, he kissed her cheek. "Go and enjoy that boyfriend of yours and stay out of my affairs."

Before she could respond, he was already striding away. Suppressing the urge to go after him, she watched as he walked over to their mother and whispered something to him.

With a heartfelt sigh, she turned away to go and find Gregory.

Ellie could not believe he had not even greeted her. She had been telling herself that it was fine that he had not called her after the time they had spent together and had gone about doing her work, but it stung. And she was furious with herself for caring. He was obviously a prick. She would do well just ignoring him.

Take a page out of his playbook and pretend as if what they had shared last night meant nothing to her. She had arrived at the bonfire after dressing carefully, expecting him to even walk over and say hello, but that had been expecting too much from a man like him.

Tom as well as several other males had been vying for her attention the entire night and she had forced herself to respond to them, all the while acutely aware of him surrounded by almost all the single women in town.

No doubt he was getting off on the attention. Now he was leaving and had not even had the decency to come over and acknowledge her. Well to hell with him! She certainly did not need this – she did not need him.

She would enjoy the night and flirt with Tom as she tried to forget what a prick he was. Even though her heart was aching, and the evening had been spoiled for her.

Forcing a smile on her lips, she turned her attention to what Tom was saying to her.

*****

Parking in the usual spot right in front of the flowering hibiscus bush, she sat behind the wheel and stared out at the encroaching darkness. She had spent twenty minutes after he left trying to enjoy the activities but had decided to come back to the cottage. She was going to try and get some work done and do her best not to think about him.

He wasn't worth a second of her time.

Pushing her door open, she stepped out just as the shadow loomed in front of her. Cutting off a scream, she watched as the object of her misery bridged the distance between them.

"It's about time." His deep voice sent shivers up and down her spine, but she chose to ignore it as well as the pleasure she felt at his unexpected appearance.

"What are you doing here?" Making a production out of closing the car door and tugging on the sides of her jacket, she used the opportunity to wipe her expression clean.

"That should be obvious."

"Well, it's not."

He studied her mutinous expression for a second before reaching for her arm. "You are pissed."

"I am perfectly fine and tired. You should go home."

"I was expecting the pub guy to accompany you." He kept his hand on her arm, even though she tried to wrestle it away. "There were others sniffing around as well. Did you give them your number?"

Inserting the key into the lock, she ignored the question and marched in. Taking off her jacket, she hung it on one of the hooks just inside the doorway. Heading into the kitchen, she slammed the kettle down and turned on the knob. "Say what you have to say and get out."

Biting off a sigh, he moved up behind her, trapping her between the counter and his hard muscled body. "You were expecting a phone call."

"Where you are concerned, there are no expectations."

"I told you that I am not interested in a relationship."

"Neither am I.' She shot back at him. "Now that we have established what we don't want, will you please leave me the hell alone?"

"No!" His hands spanned her small waist, before moving up to cup her breasts. "No strings, which translates to no phone calls the day after." His breathing accelerated. Her nipples were rigid, belying the rigid non-response of her body. "We enjoyed each other well enough…," his hands drifted to the edge of her sweater.

Pushing it up, he groaned softly when he felt the warmth of her skin. "But I want you. Damned if I don't." He deftly unhooked the front clasp of her bra so that he could palm her flesh. "And you would be lying if you tell me, you don't want me too."

"I don't want you." She whispered. The kettle on the stove was forgotten and all she could concentrate on were the sensations racing through her body. She was playing with fire and should stop while she was ahead. But his touch, the press of his body against hers, was making her weak and needy.

"Liar." He whispered against her neck. His thumbs were barely glancing over the nipples, and he was taking advantage of the graceful curve of her enticing flesh. He nibbled at the skin and sent sparks of flames throughout her body, sending her blood rushing to the core of her.

She did not protest when he tugged the sweater over her head and dropped it onto the floor. The shrill whistle of the kettle had him pausing, but not for long. Reaching over, he turned the knob off and turned her to face him.

Sliding the dark blue straps off her shoulders, he lifted her onto the counter and stepped between her thighs. His hands cupped her neck, his thumbs lifting her chin.

"I wanted to tear that guy from limb to limb because he was touching you." His voice was harsh, his eyes the usual intense golden eyes with the flecks of green.

"But I don't have a claim on you, do I? "One hand drifted to her bottom lip where he could not help but stare in fascination at the alluring shape, made even more so by the bold red color she had applied.

"This is just a fling. You leave in a few days and afterwards, we will never see each other again. You go your way, and I go mine." His head lifted to look at her as if he wanted her confirmation, but she said nothing.

"It cannot be any other way. "It sounded as if he was trying desperately to convince himself.

"Whatever." She did not want to say anything else and was certainly not going to disagree with him. Last night and this morning had been a milestone for her – one she had chosen to ignore and not explore. He made her feel things she never felt before and it scared the living daylights out of her.

Usually, she would not be severely affected. She was self-assured and confident and had always been able to walk away from anyone. She was cool and collected and focused on her career. But that was over now. She was falling in love with him, and he had the power to hurt her. Damn him.

His thick brows lifted at her juvenile response. "I cannot offer anything more."

That made her angry enough to push him away. "Am I asking for more?" Dark brown eyes snapped at him and sent his blood pressure through the roof. Christ! She was magnificent.

He had walked away from the function, telling himself that he was headed home, but found his way to the cottage where he spent thirty minutes cooling his heels and smoking a cigar while he waited on her. If she had brought back anyone with her, he was not certain how he would have reacted.

"No." Tilting her head up, he bent his so that he could brush his lips against hers. "You are under my skin." He muttered. Using just the tip of his tongue, he parted her lips and sipped from her mouth.

He had tried to imagine the taste of her, to bring back to memory, the texture of her lips, but nothing compared to the reality. His fingers slipped to her neck and then the back of her head as he angled her head back to deepen the kiss.

His cock grew hard, so much so that it was bursting inside his underwear. Ending the potent kiss, he lifted her in his arms and carried her towards the bedroom.

*****

She was sprawled half on top of him, her breathing still labored. The lovemaking had been frenetic with him practically tearing off his clothes so that he could join her on the bed. His arm was draped over her waist, his fingers idly stroking the skin. Neither of them had said anything and he had once again made love to her without using anything.

He was playing a dangerous game, but he was trying to tell himself that he had not planned any of it. It had been a spur of the moment decision to come here tonight. And once he was here, there was no way he could leave without making love to her.

He had entered her without using protection before and doing so – he was not certain he could use anything when he was with her. A frown touched his brow as he stared at the large by window. Rain had started and was making pinging sounds on the pane. A fire was blazing in the hearth, creating a coziness that was settling over him like a cloak.

Suddenly, it felt right, being here with her this way and it bothered him. He should leave before it got more complicated.

Wasn't it already complicated? The voice inside his head, taunted him. Here he was, wrapped up in her arms and he did not want to leave. And he was not over making love to her. He wanted more. Her slender curves were pressed against him, and he was getting hard again.

Turning his head down, he stared at the short dark brown curls on her crown. He had not said anything, because he had no idea what to say. Shifting slightly, he lifted her on top of him, admiring the drowsy look on her exquisite face.

"Don't fall asleep," he whispered as he settled her on top of him. A grimace touched his face when she sank down and sheathed him completely. "I have plans for us."

*****

He told her little anecdotes about his childhood. She was not recording the conversation, but she knew she was going to recall most if not all he told her.

About him getting in trouble when he was thirteen and acting out. "I wanted to shake off the shackles of responsibilities I had." The second bout of lovemaking had left her shaken and even more worried. She was getting used to having him here right next to her, his strong arms wrapped around her.

"What kind of trouble?" She was looking at him, her head propped on her hands folded on his chest.

"Fights." He brushed back a thick lock of hair from her forehead. "At school. We had to wear hand-me-downs, my sister, and I. Stuff our mother received from the people she was working for and ones she picked up at the thrift store.

I know she was doing the best she could, but I was a child, and I felt resentment that we were forced to live that way." He trailed a finger down one smooth cheek and felt his desire stirring again.

It amazed him that she had the power to fuel this much passion in him.

"I almost beat a classmate to pulp for talking about my old man running off and that's why we were so dirt poor." He shrugged. "It did not sit well with mom." A smile touched his lips. "Not only did I get suspended from school for a week, but I was confronted by a strong lecture that had me feeling so ashamed, that I could not look at her."

His smile turned wry. "Caitlin Lakeside had the ability to turn us into a puddle just by staring at us. She did not have to raise her hand to us, as a matter of fact, she never did. One look was all it took."

"She sounds like a remarkable woman." Her tone was wistful without her realizing it and had him staring at her thoughtfully. He had not meant to reveal so much, and he certainly did not want to hear about the troubles she had as a child. He knew about her mother, because of his research, but he had no intention of going further than that.

"She is." Clearing his throat, he set her aside with the intention of leaving.

"Is that the way you are going to behave every time we are together?"

He was about to swing his legs off the bed when she asked the question. Turning his head to look at her, he felt lust slam into his middle as he did.

"I am tired." He heard himself saying.

"Then go. Please don't let me stop you."

He stared at her for a full minute before changing his mind. Leaning back against the pillows, he hauled her into his arms.