Risky Pleasures - Brenda Jackson [68]
They were now a twosome and did practically everything together. He usually got to the warehouse before she arrived at work, and each morning he would be her first customer before she officially opened. They would sit and talk over coffee and pancakes before her two staff members arrived. And he always dropped in for lunch and then at the end of both of their work days—around three in the afternoon—he would come in and sit while she closed up for the day. Then they would either go to his place or hers for something to eat. Occasionally, they would dine somewhere in town.
She could not ignore the cold stares she got from all the young women who just couldn’t understand why the town’s most eligible bachelor preferred hanging on to the woman who had broken his heart instead of moving on to someone else.
Leah sighed, deciding not to think about that any longer. She glanced around. Reese had built this house for her years ago, but when she had left town he’d felt hurt and betrayed. Eventually he’d sold it to Jocelyn. Jocelyn had sold it back to him when she’d gotten married to Sebastian Steele and moved away.
A part of Leah knew that the reason Reese had wanted the house back was because he was hoping that one day the two of them would live in it as man and wife and raise the family they’d always wanted. He had so many high hopes for them.
“So why did you bring me here tonight, Reese?” she couldn’t help asking as she continued to glance around.
“I wanted you to see the changes I’ve made to the place, especially the basement. And I want your opinion about a few things I’m doing to the windows.”
She nodded and smiled as she stood. “Okay, let me see what you’ve done.”
A couple of hours later he had taken her home and they were strolling up the walkway to her door. He stood back while she unlocked the door. She knew she didn’t have to ask him if he wanted to come inside for a minute because she knew he did. As always, he would kiss her good-night; it was the closest he was able to get to her.
“I really like the changes you made to your house, Reese,” she said to break the still quietness of the night.
“It’s our house, Leah. Always remember that,” he said, unlocking the door for her.
As soon as she closed the door behind him, he touched her hand and she turned to him. This was a part of their relationship they both looked forward to, the only physical part she felt comfortable with. She always knew that no matter how intense the kiss became, Reese would pull back before things got too out of hand. She admired his ability to stay in control. His control gave her the chance—even if only for a little while—to let go and indulge in at least one facet of her fantasies.
She gazed into his face thinking as she always did that at twenty-eight he was a handsome man. Tall, broad-shouldered, dark ebony eyes and skin the color of semi-sweet chocolate. She felt his hands move to her waist and instead of feeling panicky, she felt heat fill her insides.
“Good night, Leah.” His voice was deep and husky.
“Good night, Reese.”
And the moment she said the words, he lowered his head and gently captured her mouth with his and she let go, sliding her own hands around his waist.
She closed her eyes when their lips touched. The kiss reminded her of better times when she had been sexually free and uninhibited. Their tongues mingled, dueled, tangled.
He made a sound deep within his throat. She heard it and was totally aware he had gotten aroused. She could feel him pressed against her stomach. But she wasn’t afraid of it because in the back of her mind a part of her needed this kiss from Reese as much she needed air to breathe.
Slowly, he pulled away and she sensed things were getting too heated. She glanced up at him and he smiled. It was a slow, warm smile that touched her all over. Then he reached out and tilted her face up and leaned down and brushed a kiss across her lips one more time.