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Keeping his gaze locked with hers, he bent his head to her center and covered her with his mouth. Instantly, her head tipped back into the bank of pillows behind her and her grip on the sheets tightened until her knuckles went white.
He smiled to himself as he used his lips, tongue and teeth to drive her to the brink, only to keep her from going over. He held her on the edge deliberately, feeling her shake and shiver, knowing what her body wanted, knowing how she craved it, because he did, too.
Again and again, his tongue laid claim to her and Wes knew he’d never hear anything more beautiful than the whimpering sighs sliding from her throat.
“Wes, please. Please.”
He laid her down and reached for the bedside drawer. Grabbing a condom, he sheathed himself, then leaned over her to sheathe himself again...inside her. He entered her on a whisper, and she sighed at the sense of completion when he filled her. Wes closed his eyes and stayed perfectly still for a long moment, savoring the sensation of being held inside her body. The heat, the slick feel of her surrounding him. Then he opened his eyes, looked down into hers and murmured, “Enough.”
“Now, Wes,” she said, gripping his hips even as she lifted her legs to wrap them around him. “Now.”
“Yes,” he murmured and lowered his head to kiss her. His body rocked into hers, and he fell into a frantic rhythm, his hips pounding against hers, pushing them both faster, higher until release hung just within reach in the darkness. They lunged for it together and together they shattered, holding onto each other as they took the fall.
And with her wrapped in his arms, Wes closed his eyes and held her tight.
Nine
The following night, they left Caroline in Bobbi’s care and went to dinner at the Texas Cattleman’s Club. Isabelle had always loved the place, for its history, its meaning to the town of Royal. It had never bothered her that it had traditionally been an all-male private club. Heck, she figured women liked time to themselves, too. But now that women were welcome as members, she loved the changes that had only been started the last time she was in Royal.
There was a different feeling to the place. Not exactly feminine, but at least a few of the rough edges seemed to have been smoothed over.
“It’s been a while since you’ve been here,” Wes said, tucking her hand through the crook of his arm.
“Five years,” she said, glancing up at him. He looked gorgeous, of course, but then Wes Jackson would have to work at looking anything less than amazing. His black suit was elegantly tailored, and the deep red tie against the white dress shirt looked great. His hair was ruffled—she didn’t suppose it would ever look anything but. And she liked it that way.
She was wearing a long-sleeved navy blue dress with a full skirt and a scooped neckline that just hinted at the cleavage beneath. Her black heels added three inches to her height, and she still had to look up to meet Wes’s gaze. But she saw approval and desire in his eyes, so it was worth it. “Do you still come here for lunch every week?”
“Usually.” He nodded to the waiter and headed for his favorite table. Wes seated Isabelle then sat down opposite her. “It’s a good spot to get together and talk business.”
Wine was served after a moment or two, and Isabelle’s eyebrows arched. “Ordered ahead of time, did you? Think you know me that well?”
“Yes, I do.” He leaned across the table and smiled. “Your favorite here is the chicken marsala and a side salad, blue cheese dressing.”
“I don’t know whether to be flattered that you remembered or appalled that I’m so predictable.”
“Be flattered,” he said. “You’ve never been predictable, Belle. You always did keep me guessing. Still do.”
“I’m glad to know that,” she said and took a sip of her wine. Setting the glass back down again, she looked at him, sitting there with all the quiet confidence of a king. He was in his element here, and she was on his turf. She’d have done well to remember that, but sadly, it was too late now. Isabelle had tumbled right back into love with the man, and there didn’t seem to be a way out that didn’t include a lot of pain.
“Thank you,” he said, throwing her off balance again.
“For what?”
“For agreeing to stay into next week. To talk to the specialist with Caro.”
They hadn’t spoken about that since the night before, but then really, what was there to say? He’d caught her in a weak moment, Isabelle told herself. Naked and wrapped up in his arms, she might have agreed to anything. So she could hardly be blamed for putting off leaving for a few more days. Besides, Caroline loved it here.
Her little girl spent hours in the stable with the head groom, Davey. He was teaching her about horses and had already taught her how to brush her pony, Sid, named after her favorite character in the Ice Age movies, and feed him. Caroline was thriving, with both of her parents at her side, with Bobbi and Tony. Not to mention Robin and everyone at the Houston office.
She was a sweet girl and people responded to that, making Caroline feel like a princess wherever she went. In fact, Caro hadn’t once asked about going home. Which should, Isabelle thought, worry her. When they did eventually leave, it would be a hard thing for Caroline. It was going to be nearly impossible for Isabelle.
“You’r
e welcome,” she said, shoving those dark thoughts down into a corner of her mind. “I’m interested in what the specialist has to say, too.”
“Good.” He lifted his glass, looked past her and sighed. “Damn it.”
“What is it?” She made to turn around, but he stopped her.
