A soft, snoring sound pulled her from her disturbing thoughts. With a frown, Amara turned her head, glanced down, and found a man slumped forward in an armchair at the side of her bed, his dark head and brawny arms resting on the mattress near her hip. Another snuffling sound escaped him, and she smiled, recognizing that tousled dark hair and the strong, gorgeous profile as Reece's. It appeared he'd fallen asleep while watching over her, and the caring gesture warmed her deep inside. A brief recollection flashed inside her head, of Reece's lips on hers and a wild, deep kiss, unlike anything she'd ever indulged in. She knew Reece, and along with that certainty came the knowledge that he made her feel safe, secure, and desired. But she had no idea what was his role in her life. Was this man her boyfriend? Lover? Friend? Judging by the awareness and intimate longing swirling within her, Amara was guess
Reece washed his hands, then splashed cool water on his face, trying like hell to push away the guilt eating at his conscience. He dried the dampness from his skin with a paper towel and shoved his fingers through his hair in a paltry attempt to tame his unruly morning hair. Amara believed he was her fiancé. When the nurse had made that announcement, he'd witnessed Amara's surprised expression and had held his breath, waiting for her to ask him if it was true. Much to his relief, she didn't question it, which saved him from outright lying to Amara's face. For now… Bracing his hands on the edge of the sink, Reece stared at his reflection in the restroom mirror, noting the lines of exhaustion at the corners of his eyes. Undoubtedly, he was lying by omission, because he planned to use the ‘fiancé’ pretense to his advantage, to remain as close to her as possible so he could protect her until he nailed the source of her fears the
"I'm going to leave, but I'll be back in a little while," he said straightening. Dread flared to life in Amara’s eyes."Where are you going?" Her panic-stricken expression clutched at him, and he instantly tried to soothe her anxiety."Precious, I need a shower, shave, and a change of clothes. And you need to rest. Are you afraid to stay alone?" Reece asked gently."Just a little nervous," she admitted. "I feel so… disoriented, and you're the only person I recall.""Tell you what, baby… Here's the buzzer for the nurse, and if you need me for anything at all, here is my cellphone number." Reece wrote it down and set it by her phone.“Call me no matter what… even if it's just to hear my voice." Amara inhaled deeply as if inflating her courage."You must think I'm a complete basket case." No, he didn't think that at all. Her nerves and fears were legitimately based, but she didn't need any more stress to deal with at the moment."I'm not
Sitting across from Reece at the small, cozy kitchen table, Amara reached for her second slice of ‘Quattro Stagioni’ pizza, still absorbing the fact that she and Reece lived together in his two-story house. So far, she'd only seen the lower level of the structure, and she had to admit not only to herself but to Reece as well, that nothing looked familiar. She'd racked her brain for a niggle of recognition, but Reece had gathered her in his strong arms and told her to be patient and give it time. His closeness, warmth, and arousing male scene was all it took to soothe her frazzled nerves. She'd clung to him because he made her feel safe and secure, and as though she belonged in his embrace. In his life… From there, she'd relaxed and told herself to enjoy the man so willing to cater to her every whim and desire. A man who inspired decadent fantasies and a hunger that had nothing to do with the food she was feasting on. Amara to
Reece yanked off his clothes, flung them onto the small leather couch in his downstairs office, and pulled on his cotton sweatpants, forgoing a shirt as he always did at night. Sitting behind his desk, he picked up the piece of paper with the florist's name and phone number he'd written down at the hospital earlier, intent on focusing his restless energy on business. Instead, sinful, brazen thoughts ruthlessly intruded his brain... Thoughts of Amara upstairs in the bathtub, naked and wet, her skin soft, sleek, and fragrant.“Damn…” Reece whispered. The vivid mental image of touching all that feminine flesh with his hands and tasting it with slow, leisurely licks of his tongue gave him a thick, rampant hard-on, which was becoming a too frequent occurrence when it came to her. One that was getting more and more difficult to control. He shifted in his seat, which did nothing to help ease his throbbing discomfort. Reece groaned a
Satisfied that he'd return later, Amara snuggled deeper beneath the blankets, sighed, and let her lashes drift shut. Unplugging the phone in the room so Andy's call wouldn't disturb her, Reece went back to his office, knowing it would be hours until he joined Amara in his bed. He wanted her deep asleep and unaware of him before he dared to slip under the covers with her. Ten minutes later Andy called back with the information Reece was waiting for."‘This guy isn't stupid, Reece,’" Andy said, a thread of disgust in his voice. "‘He paid cash for the flowers and gave the cashier what I highly suspect is a bogus name and an address that isn't his.’" Reece shook his head in disbelief."You ran a check already?""‘Yep, and you're not going to like what I'm about to tell you.’" Feeling distinctly uneasy, Reece stabbed his fingers through his already mussed hair."Give it to me straight, Lewis." The request was unnecessary. Andy wasn't one to
Knowing he'd tormented her enough, Reece pulled her panties down her long legs and off, tossed them to the floor, and slid his palms back up the insides of her slender thighs until his thumbs finally grazed the outer folds of her feminine flesh. He looked his fill of her, so plump and pink and glistening. And so uninhibited he knew she'd allow him anything at all. It was a heady, dizzying thought. Reece raised his gaze to her face, taking in her flushed cheeks and those unwavering green eyes waiting for him to make her feel alive, and cherished, and desired. It was a simple task from his perspective, and he separated the slick folds of her sex with his fingers and stroked her slowly, seductively. A deep, throaty, on-the-edge moan escaped Amara, and her body undulated for a more explicit touch. Done toying with her, Reece settled himself between her spread thighs, slid his hands beneath her hips, and pressed an intimate, open-mouthed ki
Reece groaned deep in his throat as soft, warm lips nestled against his neck, smooth hands caressed his chest, and long, slender limbs tangled around his legs. The dream filtering through his mind and arousing his body was so erotically intense, like his fondest, most carnal fantasy come to life. He fought the consciousness that beckoned, somehow knowing if he allowed himself to wake up, the provocative dream would dissipate, and he wanted to enjoy the inviting sensations rippling through him. Wanted to let the fantasy continue and see where it led. His mind filled with images of Amara, putting her in the starring role of temptress. A damp, ravishing mouth traveled lower, spreading sensuous kisses across his collarbone and down his chest to his nipples. A wet tongue stroked, laved, and he groaned as teeth scraped across the rigid tip. Finely textured sweeps of her hair tickled his belly, heightening his need as her hot, moist breath siz