Magnificent Folly - Iris Johansen [50]
For Pete’s sake, she was dithering like a nervous virgin, she thought in disgust. Those passionate encounters on the beach might just as well not have happened. She felt shy and scared, and yet so excited, butterflies were as active as Chinese acrobats in her stomach.
She would definitely change the robe, she decided as she turned and opened the door leading to the bedroom. The brown was more discreet, suited her personality, and she’d feel much more comfortable when—
Andrew was lying naked in the big double bed across the room, tanned and golden, his eyes gazing at her with glowing eagerness. A slow smile lit his face. “I couldn’t wait.”
She drew a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and moved toward him. “You surprised me.”
“I thought I’d present you with a fait accompli. I was afraid you’d change your mind.” He met her gaze. “Have you?”
She moistened her lower lip with her tongue as she stopped before him. “No, but you mustn’t take this to mean more than it does. Just because I want you doesn’t mean—”
“Shhh.” He knelt on the bed, the sheet falling away to reveal the hard length of his arousal. “Stop fighting me. We both know this means more than sex. You’re taking another step toward me.” His hands untied the belt at her waist and parted her robe. “Aren’t you, love?”
He was right. No seduction had really been necessary this time. The decision to accept him in her bed had been her own, and meant more than she wanted to admit. “The lights …”
“Leave them on. I want to see you.” His teeth were nipping teasingly at her right breast. “That flashlight didn’t cut it.” His lips compressed, pulling gently at her nipple. “You don’t mind, do you? You’re so pretty.”
Fire streaked through her, as his tongue teasingly soothed the nipple his teeth had nipped. “No.” She gasped, not even aware of what she was saying. “Anything …”
He pulled her down on the bed, entering her with one deep stroke. She gasped and clutched desperately at his shoulders.
“My sentiments exactly,” he muttered as he rotated within her. “Anything.” His thrusts escalated to a wild, fierce rhythm. “And everything.”
She heard something.
For an instant Lily stiffened, momentarily plummeted back to that terrifying moment at the beach house when Cassie had been taken.
No, Cassie was safe. This was Sedikhan, and Andrew was lying beside her, his heart still pounding hard beneath her ear. But she had definitely heard something, and Andrew must have heard it, too, for he was stiffening against her.
“My God, she’s picking the lock.”
“Who?” Lily whispered.
“I locked the door when I came in, but she’s picking the damned lock!”
The door opened, and Mrs. Muggins glided into the room.
Lily couldn’t help it. She started to laugh.
“It’s not funny,” Andrew said. “How the hell did she pick that lock?”
Mrs. Muggins was humming an Irish lullaby as she paused beside the bed, reached down and carefully drew up the sheet, and tucked it gently but firmly around both their shoulders. Then, breaking into the chorus of “When Irish Eyes are Smiling,” she turned and rolled toward the door. “Sleep tight, now, darlin’s.”
The next instant she was gone.
Lily was laughing so hard, a stitch knifed through her left side. “Does she—” She had to stop for a moment. “Does she always tuck you in for the night?”
“Always,” he said gloomily. “I’m going to kill Mariana.”
“I think it’s kind of sweet.” Lily kissed his shoulder and then began to chuckle again. “But, yes, I definitely do have to meet your sister.”
Mariana was dark, petite, and so charged with energy, it was like standing next to a lightning rod. She was also the frankest person Lily had ever run across.
Mariana breezed into the dining room the next morning when they were having breakfast, and immediately dominated the room.
“Hi, I’m Mariana.” She kissed Andrew on the cheek, solemnly shook hands with Cassie, and winked at Lily. “No doubt my brother’s been maligning me to you, but none of it’s true. Trust me. May I have breakfast?” She plopped herself down in the