Page 43 of It Takes a Thief
Once I’m out of sight, in her attached bathroom, I toss it in the garbage can, lean a hand against the wall and take a moment to compose myself.
What the fuck just happened?
My body is still tingling, every sense heightened, and my emotions feel stripped raw. I’ve never felt so much before. It’s starting to freak me out. Pulling in a deep breath, I glance at my reflection in the mirror, expecting to see someone else, maybe? But it’s just me. Looking a little stunned, a lot disheveled and so fucking satisfied.
Whatever this is, it’ll pass, I tell myself, wetting a washcloth with warm water. What choice do we really have? After delivering her safely to Arcadia, I’ll go back to Denver. Getting attached or wanting more would be pointless. Besides, it breaks another rule. I mixed business with pleasure so that rule is shot to shit. Although, technically, I work for her parents.
At this point, splitting hairs and looking for loopholes is pointless. The best thing, the most logical thing, is to simply enjoy each other until we go our separate ways. Besides, she’s a princess with an entire kingdom; I’m a commoner and a thief. Merging those two worlds? Impossible.
When I walk back into the room, Merritt is sitting up, looking as wonderfully rumpled as me. She shoves her long hair back as I sit down on the edge of the bed. The mattress sags beneath my weight and I pull the sheet back.
“I’m sorry I hurt you.” I gently clean between her legs. At first, she stiffens but gradually begins to relax.
“Guess it was unavoidable,” she murmurs, cheeks flushed.
When I’m done, she reaches for her robe, pulling it on as she slides out of bed. My gaze skims down her slim legs. Unbelievably, my cock twitches with interest. After just having the best sex of my life, he’s ready for round two.
She sends me a shy smile that melts my heart a little. At the same time, she brings out my dominant side. I’ve never been possessive over any woman before, but Merritt makes me want to drag her off to my cave and hide her from other men.
“Did I say I’m finished with you yet?” I wrap my arms around her and pull her against my naked body, eliciting a pleased moan from her pink lips.
“I need to use the bathroom. And finish the cupcakes, if you want to help?”
That’s right. It’s her birthday and we should celebrate it a little more before I drag her back to bed. Besides, I could eat a couple of cupcakes after all that hard work.
“Okay. Let’s refuel.”
“You might want to, ah, put on some pants?”
I give her a wicked grin. “Why bother? I plan on taking them off again very soon.”
“Linc!”
She sounds positively scandalized, and I chuckle, reeling her in for a steamy kiss. As she melts into me and makes a sexy little sound in the back of her throat, hands winding around my neck, I realize she trusts me completely. Everything seems to fade away as we focus on each other and the connection between us that keeps deepening. It’s grown roots, and they’ve planted themselves in my heart. I nip her bottom lip then suck on it. The playful move makes her pull back with a giggle.
“Okay, princess, you win. I’ll put on some pants and meet you downstairs.”
She nods, and I watch her saunter over to the bathroom, those hips swaying provocatively. My mouth waters and I shake my head. It definitely looks like I’m going to be breaking another rule. It’s kind of stupid, anyway, if I really think about it. Who doesn’t do repeats? If something is that good, why not indulge some more? Besides, it’s still the same day, so it should be considered a continuation or extension, I rationalize.
After slipping on a pair of low-slung pajama bottoms, I follow my nose to the kitchen, where another batch of cupcakes is already baking. Mer strolls in a minute later and starts frosting the cooled ones. Sitting down on the stool, I watch her work, really taking her in. Maybe in an entirely new light. I’ve never seen anyone so pretty. Almost doll-like. Her features are small and delicate, and everything about her is graceful and elegant, reminding me of a ballerina. I wouldn’t mind if she’d sit and spin, er, pirouette, on a certain part of my anatomy.
“What’re you thinking?” she asks softly.
I reach for the other knife and dip it in the frosting, trying to clear the dirty thoughts from my mind. Or, at least put them on hold for a bit. I know she must be sore and, if I were a gentleman, I wouldn’t already be contemplating round two. And three and four.
I’m no gentleman, though.
“Just about how damn amazing you are,” I tell her, smearing the icing on the cupcake.
“You’re pretty amazing, too.” She presses her lips together, as though she isn’t quite sure if she should say more. But then she blurts out, “I had no idea it could be like that. Thank you.”
Is this woman real?
“I’m the one who should be thankingyou.” I lower the knife and reach for her hand, tangling our fingers. Out of the blue, as though someone whispers it in my ear, I hear,“She’s the exception to the rule, Lincoln. Treat her like it.”
Ma?The words are so clear, I turn my head, almost expecting to see my mother standing in the kitchen with us. Impossible. She’s been gone for so long. But she’s also the only person who called me Lincoln.
There’s no one there, of course. I have this entire place rigged with cams and a kickass alarm system, so I’d know if anyone got inside. Although, I suppose you can’t keep a ghost out.
