If he’d learned nothing else over the last few days, he knew beyond any doubt that they were truly meant to be together. When they made love, it was simple, erotic, satisfying — and, yes, it seemed odd to say it to himself, but it was easy.
Their bodies molded together because they’d been created to fit perfectly to only each other. But what came afterward was what had at first terrified him to his very soul.
As he used to be, after sex, he was done, ready to get the hell out of there and move on. But Lia changed everything. He could never be done with her. The moment he pulled from her, he felt an emptiness — a loss. The only way to curb that feeling was to gather her into his arms, and hold on tight.
Falling asleep in her arms felt right.
He wasn’t letting her go again — there was no way he could. Maybe Adriane had pissed them all off, but the man seemed to have the right idea.
Maybe it was time to just take Lia and damn the consequences.
The thought of doing just that put the first real smile on his face he’d had since Delzado’s death. Being with Lia over the last few days had eased his body, but thinking of having her forever eased the pain in his heart.
Shane turned in Lia’s direction again and their eyes met. He could see the way his gaze held hers captive, the way her chest heaved. He sent a clear message her way. You are mine, and I’m not letting go.
She bit down on her lip before a secret smile crept up as she seemed to send her own message. I don’t belong to anyone.
Her curls hung loose around her slim neck, and her eyes sparkled as she gazed at him. The slight flush to her cheeks made her look as if she’d just climbed from his bed.
Oh, and the dress.
My, my, the dress was enough to have his body hardening instantly as he imagined peeling it from her incredible curves. He had to thank whoever had picked it out, because it molded to her body like a second skin and wasn’t hiding anything from his view.
Yes, he was ready for whatever excuses she had to throw at him, and this time when they played ball, he intended to win. Not just for the night or the weekend, but for the rest of time.
Lia was going to be his wife. No matter what it took.
With determination and a firm resolve, Shane set down his bottle and took a step in her direction.
The hunger in her eyes was his guiding light.
They were now in overtime, and he was calling a foul. She wasn’t getting away this time.
CHAPTER THIRTY
MS. PALAZZO, TEAR down that wall. That, it seemed, was the unexpected result of Lia’s talk therapy.
As her eyes locked with Shane’s, she wondered what her next move was going to be. Ari and Rachel had finally dragged the entire story from her, and, no, it didn’t help close her off to Shane’s attractions. Instead, it speedily increased her need for him — releasing the floodgates of passion.
While she’d talked about him, she realized that in keeping him at bay, she was mainly trying to protect herself. Maybe because she’d wanted him for so long without him wanting her that she’d built some sort of fortress around her heart.
Whatever the reason, she could no longer keep that solid wall from crumbling down around her feet.
He was the man she loved; maybe it would be best if she just gave in to both his and her own desires. Maybe it was time she grew up and took what was being offered to her. She didn’t need to look for all the reasons they couldn’t be together. It was time to appreciate what she had right in front of her.
Surely she wouldn’t lose herself that way. Her life would gain another person.
But she couldn’t keep from dwelling on her unhappy fears. What if she gave him her entire heart, and the next day he shipped out, only to be taken away from her forever? What would that do to her in the long run?
Could she ever pick herself up off the ground after such devastation? And yet, would it really make a difference at this point? If he were to go away and never return, wouldn’t her heart shatter, even now?
Yes, yes, it would.
Whether she wanted to love him or not, she already did. And if nothing she did at this point would change the way she felt, why not just jump in with both feet?
“Hello, beautiful. Are you avoiding me?” Shane had walked right into her personal bubble and she was glad to see him, her heart instantly picking up speed.
“I was. I decided just now, though, that I want to take you off into a closet, unbuckle your belt and show you how very much I want you inside me.”
Shane’s eyes grew wide, then narrowed sharply. He looked around to make sure no one was listening.
Lia found that she enjoyed shocking Shane. She enjoyed making him blush, making him shuffle nervously from foot to foot. To make this big man uncomfortable seemed to be a mission of hers in life. It was not only amusing, it was also very much an aphrodisiac, at least when she looked down and noticed the effect she’d had on the fit of his trousers.
He wanted her, even after three days of nonstop lovemaking.
Lia was going to give both of them pleasure, and she was going to do it right now. She took his hand and started pulling him from the vast ballroom.
“Lia, we can’t do that here,” Shane said, trying to put on the brakes as she reached the door.
Lia turned, a smile on her lips. “What’s the matter, Shane? Are you worried about what the other guests will say if they see you sneaking off?” she asked with a laugh.
“I don’t want to seem rude,” he said as he shifted uncomfortably, firmly planting his feet.
“Oh, you are a beautiful man. But that’s not it, is it?” She gasped in shock. “You’re worried about my reputation, aren’t you?”
“You’re a lady, Lia. I don’t want anyone to assume anything else. I also don’t want them to think you are simply a booty call for me. You are so much more than that,” he said, his tone very serious.
“Oh, Shane, I didn’t think it possible, but you have just made me want you even more. I am going to pleasure you so well that you won’t be able to walk straight for a week. And after I’ve made sure you’re nice and pleasured, I’m going to throw my head back and receive my own pleasure — over and over and over again.”
Shane couldn’t protest any longer. Lia tugged on his hand and dragged him through the palace, right onto the guarded grounds. Neither Shane nor Lia said a word to the guards as the two of them jogged past.
They made it around a corner, away from any watchful eyes, and Shane couldn’t stand not to feel her lips against his for one second longer.