But tonight was going to be for her. Whatever happened next would happen.
She roused herself from her reverie when they turned into the garage of a new all-suites hotel.
“My temporary home,” he explained, helping her from the car and leading her to the elevator. “I haven’t taken the time yet to look for something more permanent. Most of my time’s been occupied with learning about the company and getting ready for this name change and a new product line.”
They said little as the car ascended smoothly.
Her heart thudded with mixed anxiety and anticipation. Fourteen years had passed since she last felt Luke’s hands on her body, his mouth on hers, his hard erection entering her and joining their bodies. The images took possession of her brain and buried any reasonable objections she could think of.
Luke put his arm around her and leaned his cheek against her hair, sensing her anxiety and offering her reassurance. Then the doors slid open and they walked silently down the thickly carpeted hall to a door Luke unlocked.
“A little ostentatious.” He ushered her into a large suite furnished in what Julia could only call stark opulence.
“How nice.” She spoke softly as she walked into the living room. “Certainly not your average hotel suite.” A wall of windows opened to a spectacular view of downtown San Antonio. Couches in butter-soft leather were grouped for conversation, and against one wall, a fireplace was surrounded by an entertainment center.
“But no television.” That surprised her since Luke was a huge sports fan. Where did he watch his games?
“In the bedroom and the guest room. Also in the den. I often work at home on the weekends.”
“There’s a den, too? And another bedroom?” She was amazed. The so-called suite was beyond any accommodation of this type she’d ever seen.
“The place was built for corporations requiring a residential facility available twenty-four seven.” He waved his hand at the space. “A little much for me, but Connell Wilson has a permanent lease on it and at least it’s comfortable.
“It’s certainly luxurious.” She was making idle conversation, hugging her coat to her chest, stalling to give her nerves time to settle.
“But not homelike,” he told her in a quiet voice. “Right now I’m not too interested in discussing accommodations, though.”
Standing behind her, he reached around and undid the buttons on her coat, slipping it off her shoulders. Almost casually, he turned her to face him. “God, Julia, I have missed you so much.”
“I… I’ve missed you, too, Luke.” God, had she.
He cupped her face with his hands, his eyes searching hers. “I have so much I want to say to you, so many questions to ask.” He rubbed his thumb gently over her lower lip.
There went the butterfly wings in her stomach again. She knew where this was going and she was far from ready for that discussion. Maybe she’d never be ready.
“Can’t we just enjoy tonight? Can’t this be enough?” She didn’t know if she was strong enough to take him into her life, to deal with the complexities of this relationship and the inevitable fallout, especially with Courtney hovering over everything like the Sword of Damocles.
“No, Julia. Not anymore.” His face was inches from hers. “I let you walk out of my life once. I can’t do it again. I want a lot more than this one night.”
“You do?” She could hardly breathe.
“Yes. I want it all. But if one night is as much as you can give me right now, I’ll start there.” The tips of his fingers brushed her cheek.
Her skin tingled beneath the feathery caress and her heart now pounded so thunderously she thought it would burst from her chest. She trembled, as much from trepidation as from desire.
“I don’t know what’s wrong here, Julia,” he persisted, his lips almost touching hers. “I only know that right now I have to have you, have to make up for the lost years.”
His nearness was overpowering her, drowning her, making her forget about everything else. The rush of need and desire that consumed her melted her body.
“All right,” she whispered. She’d worry about tomorrow later.
His mouth came down on hers, fierce and hard, claiming it. Claiming her. When she opened her lips for him he tangled his tongue with hers. And just like that the yesterdays began to fade away. She was transported back to the cabin in the snow, bathed in the heat of the fireplace. For a minute, she even thought she smelled the heady scent of pine.
“I love you.” He spoke the words into her open mouth. “I never stopped.”
She hesitated for just the briefest second, and then the words escaped from her mouth with a life of their own. “I love you, too, Luke.” And she did. Body and soul. Why try to deny it?
He took a step back from her, his hands still holding her face. “I have a great bedroom,” he said. “You ought to see it, you know.”
“Of course.” How could she say no when he looked at her like that?
He took her hand and led her to a door at one end of the living room. It opened into the largest bedroom Julia had ever seen. To one side was another wall of windows facing downtown, the lights of the city twinkling like a myriad of candles against the black night sky. Across from the bed, which looked large enough for a family of four, was a brick fireplace. Luke picked up a small remote control from the nightstand, pressed a button on it, and the fireplace leaped into flame.
“You have no idea how much you still turn me on.” He began unfastening and removing her clothes, letting them
