Beyond Temptation

CHAPTER TWELVE



She had Mrs. Mims deliver one copy of her records to Brom’s room, and the other couriered to Prayer Park along with an acceptance of Malec’s invitation. She hated to pay for the service when she would arrive there this evening. But, the thought of handing it to him scared the crap out of her. She showered and dressed for a day working with Rupert.



Avery had her heavy coat and bags ready by the door, when someone knocked. She had a feeling she knew who. Going to open it, she then gave a startled sound of surprise as Brom shouldered his way inside, closed and locked the door.



“Don’t think, Avery,” he rumbled, reaching for her, “just feel.”



He pulled her to him, one arm low around the small of her back and the other high, his big hand cradling her head. His mouth covered hers, damp, warm and sweet. He tasted faintly of sugared tea and cinnamon over strong male. Overwhelmed, she stretched up, embracing his neck. The shock of sensation whipped through her immediately. Vaguely, she realized he backed her to the bed.



Brom kept the arm around her waist in place to support her, slowly lowering them both onto the mattress with the other. His words vibrated into her mouth. “Let me taste you some, please.”



Avery allowed him to open her button-up shirt as he situated his big body to her left. Then, she tried to pull the vertical hems back together. He scooted lower, kissed her hands with ardent appeal.



“Let me, darlin’.”



Her reserve failed. Avery let her hands settle upon his shoulders. He opened the catch of her front-hook bra. Vulnerable and self-conscious, she cried out and caught his hands. “I’m still afraid,” she confessed.



Brom gazed at her, green eyes brimming with honesty. “I won’t hurt you, or do anything you don’t like.”



Avery shuddered and nodded.



He moved up to kiss her, keeping his weight on her left. “You taste like Heaven.”



She held him to her, filled with a sense of safety. And, arousal. She gasped as he turned her head aside and touched his tongue to her ear. A spasm of arousal shot to her pelvis. Avery’s fingers combed his thick silky hair.



Then, his hand touched her bared breast. She cried out, unprepared for the shock of sensation. “Brom?”



He nipped her upper lip. “Yes.”



Avery couldn’t stand the idea of his finding out she remained virgin. She did not want him to know. Not now. “Please don’t try below the belt.”



His big hand cupped her breast and she shivered. His warm breath fanned her face. “Only if you invite me to.”



She slowly surrendered to pleasure, letting him kiss her neck and shoulders as he very gently stroked her breasts. Her nipples hardened and she fleetingly considered trying to hide it from him. His hand smoothed down her belly and she felt him grip the hem of his shirt and pull it up from between them, baring his belly and chest.



He swallowed the shocked gasp of sensual delight she gave when he shifted higher, pressing her breasts to his wide chest. A light sprinkling of silky-course hair felt incredibly foreign and masculine. Almost animal. Avery groaned. Brom rumbled low in his throat and his tongue courted hers.



“Touch me, darlin’.”



Timidly, she put her hands on his sides, feeling the strong arch of his ribs under ready, rippling muscle. His weight pressed her a bit more and he purred in a very male expression of enjoyment. The warmth of his skin made her arch up seeking it. Desire melted her pelvis.



Brom lifted his head, breaking the kiss. He stared down at where their torsos touched. Avery blushed and reached to cover herself with her shirt.



“Let me look,” he coaxed, catching both her hands in one of his and bringing them to his chest.



Avery chanced a study of where they rested. The scars made by the many wounds she read about marked his dark skin in strong contrast. It made her acutely aware of his much bigger body, and how much it differed from hers. He released her hands and his stroked her face. She met his gaze. Somehow, lying there staring into each other’s eyes became unbearably intimate.



She shivered and closed her eyes. “I have to go. Rupert’s expecting me.” Her voice sounded breathless even to her.



Brom very gently fastened her bra and buttoned up her shirt. She opened her eyes. He rolled to the bed’s edge and put his feet upon the floor. His shirt remained bunched up a bit. Her gaze followed the contract and stretch of muscle as he stood. Then, her eyes latched upon the intimidating ridge in his jeans.



Avery swallowed hard and rather scrambled out of the bed. She went to take down her mussed hair and recoil it at her nape. Conscious of his scrutiny, she tried not to let him see her hands shaking.



“What do I have to do, Avery?” His softly spoken question filled up the room. A gust of wind made the frames around the windows creak.



“I don’t know what you mean,” she fibbed. Rather than face him, she tucked in her shirt before the mirror.



“I know when a woman wants me,” he murmured, “You do, but, keep pushing me away.”



She turned and walked to where her coat and bags waited. “I was supposed to be at Rupert’s five minutes ago. That’s not pushing you away. It’s keeping an appointment.”



“If you told him you were an hour late on account of rolling around in bed with me, I think he’d understand.”



The mental image made her face flush and her nipples tighten and tingle. “We’ll have to talk about this another time.” Avery opened the door.



He strode over, flattened his big hand upon the portal she just opened, and slammed it closed. She jumped and took a step backward from him. Temper swirled around him in a palpable eddy.



“It’s always another time with us. Have dinner with me tonight.”



Avery couldn’t meet his gaze. “I can’t.”



The silky tone and pronounced burr screamed trouble. “You’re seeing him, aren’t you.”



“Yes.”



He yanked the door wide and stepped out into the hall. His green eyes had a gleam in them that made her rethink her feelings of safety about him. “I’ve gotten myself into a hell of a mess. That much I know for a fact.”



“I’m sorry,” she said miserably, honestly. “I don’t want to hurt you.”



He replied, “Then don’t.”



Brom turned and strode down the hall.



Avery picked up her things and very woodenly locked the door behind her.









Malec’s rest proved troubled. His dreams remained beyond recall upon waking. However, he had the strong impression something had influenced them. He showered and dressed. Taylor arrived to pass along the envelope a courier delivered. He glanced at the printouts, then read her hand-written note. When he finished, he asked, “The arrangements are in place?”



“Yes, sir. Three course meal served in the library before the fire. The green suite is prepared and flowers from the hothouse will be brought in shortly.”



Malec nodded. “Good.”



Taylor gave a shallow bow and departed.



Malec decided he had spent his last night sexually unsatisfied. And, the object of his desire would soon arrive, falling into his calculated web.