How To Seduce An Heiress: The Reluctant Heiress / Pride After Her Fall / Project: Runaway Heiress

Kisses became hotter, deeper and more passionate and she didn’t notice his hands at the buttons on her pants. He pushed them down, standing and setting her on her feet to let them fall around her ankles.

He paused, stepping back to lift one of her feet to remove her boot and sock and then he moved to the other foot, standing to hold her hips while his gaze drifted slowly over her. “You’re lovely, so beautiful,” he whispered. He yanked off his boots and socks, tossing them aside. When he stood, she unfastened his belt and pulled it free, dropping it and unbuttoning his jeans to push them off. As he kicked them away, he pulled her into his arms.

This was the time to stop if she was going to, but she had already made a decision that went against everything she had practiced. Take a chance with Garrett tonight. Tomorrow she could say no. She had never had a weekend like this one and might not ever again. She gazed into his gray eyes that were heavy-lidded, filled with sensual promises. She wanted him to an extent she had never wanted any man. She wanted to be loved by Garrett. She could take what she wanted, and then go back to her resolutions and her safe life.

Garrett drove all thoughts away with his kisses and caresses.

Her insides knotted, fires building low in her. He sat and pulled her onto his lap against his thick rod, caressing her while one hand dallied lightly along her legs, moving to the inside of her thighs, heightening desire.

Continuing to kiss her, he leaned over her while his fingers went beneath the flimsy bikini panties. She spread her legs slightly, giving him more access, moaning with pleasure and need.

He touched her intimately, kissing her, his other hand caressing her breast while his fingers were between her legs. Pleasurable torment built as he stood again to peel away her panties.

Freeing him, she removed his briefs, caressing his hard manhood, stroking and then kissing him. He closed his eyes, his hands winding in her hair while he groaned. In seconds, he raised her up, looking into her eyes.

He picked her up once again, carrying her to the bedroom, placing her on the bed and then shifting to her ankle to kiss her, trailing kisses along her leg to the back of her knee. Gradually, his tongue moved up the inside of her thigh. Writhing, she closed her eyes while he moved between her legs, driving her wild with his tongue and fingers.

She sat up swiftly, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him down. He held her tightly, kissing her fervently.

“Garrett, I don’t have any protection,” she whispered.

“I do,” he answered. He left, and in seconds returned with a small packet, which he opened. He spread her legs and knelt between them to put on the condom and then he lowered himself.

He started to enter her and she wrapped her legs around him. As he lowered himself and thrust slowly, he stopped. “Sophia,” he said, frowning and sounding shocked.

She held him tightly. “I know what I want,” she whispered.

“You’re a virgin,” he said, starting to pull away.

“Garrett,” she whispered, holding on to keep him from leaving. “Love me,” she whispered. “I want you to,” she said before kissing him passionately. He hesitated a moment and then slowly pushed into her, sending a sharp pain that was gone when he filled her and slowly moved in her.

In seconds she rocked with him, lost in desire. The tension increased. Garrett was covered in sweat, moving with her, trying to pleasure her while urgency grew. And then all control was gone. He pumped fast and she met him, clinging to him as relief burst and rapture poured over her.

“Garrett,” she cried out, holding him tightly, spinning away in ecstasy, oblivious of all else.

He shuddered with his release and then showered kisses on her, slowing as his ragged breathing calmed.

They were finally still, wrapped together, her heartbeat returning to normal. She held him tightly while her fingers played over one muscled shoulder.

“You should have told me,” he said.

“It didn’t matter.”

“Yes, it did. I tried to avoid hurting you.”

She framed his face with her hands and kissed him lightly. “You couldn’t hurt me,” she said and saw something flicker in the depths of his eyes that was like a warning bell to her, yet had it been her imagination? The warmth in his eyes now enveloped her and she pushed away her worry.

He rolled over, keeping her with him, their legs entangled. He combed long strands of hair away from her face and smiled at her. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered, kissing her lightly.

“Garrett, when I flew up here, I was certain this would never happen,” she said, running her fingers over his bare shoulder.

He showered light kisses on her temple down to her ear. “I actually hadn’t planned on it either. I didn’t think you’d want to make love.” He propped himself up on an elbow to look down at her, gazing intently. “I’ll never hurt you, Sophia. I’ll never be like your father.”

“Shh, Garrett. Let me enjoy the moment now,” she said lightly, touched by his statement. She noticed his voice had deepened, his words sounding heartfelt. She combed his brown hair back from his forehead. “This was a one-time thing. I’ll go right back to my former resolutions because that’s the safe way to live and protect my heart,” she said.

He kissed the corner of her mouth lightly. “We’ll see what the future brings,” he whispered, placing more kisses on her throat.

She ran her fingers along his jaw. “This was perfect. I’ll always remember it.”

“I agree with that. Monday night I want to see your house, particularly your studio.”

“That’s a deal. But I think you’ll be disappointed. My studio is just an art studio with all the mess that goes with painting.”

“It’ll be fascinating.”

“If it is, you do lead a boring life.” She smiled at him and shook her head in wonder. “I’m amazed there isn’t one particular woman in your life right now.”

“There is definitely one particular woman in my life right now.” He kissed her again on her throat and shoulders.

Through the night they made love and at dawn she fell asleep in his arms. Sometime later, she stirred and looked down at Garrett. The sheet was across his waist, leaving his chest bare. Even in sleep, his looks fascinated her.

She had no regrets. Garrett excited her more than any man she had ever known. He was intelligent, interesting, fun to be with, exceedingly sexy. She thought she could still keep her heart intact as long as she ended the intimacy when they returned to their regular lives in Texas.

But could she do that? She was realistic enough to know that she was not wildly in love. She was certain she could say no to intimacy.

She leaned down to kiss his shoulder so lightly her lips barely brushed him. His arm circled her waist, pulling her down against him as he slowly opened his eyes. He rolled over while she opened her mouth to tell him good morning. Before she could say a word he kissed her and all conversation was lost.

It was almost two hours later when he held her in his arms while sunshine spilled into the room.

“I have a suggestion for the day,” he said. “I’ll cook breakfast and then we can ski. Or I’ll cook breakfast and then we’ll stay right here in the cabin.”

She laughed. “I say we cook breakfast and ski because that’s what we came here to do. And we’ve been loving it up for hours.”

“And I’m ready to love it up some more,” he said, rolling over on top of her to end their discussion.

He finally cooked breakfast at one. They ate beside a window with a view of the mountains that surrounded the small town.

“Do we have time to ski for an hour?”

“Of course,” he replied, looking amused. “It’s my plane. We can ski for three hours if you want, or longer.”

“One hour will be sufficient and then I’ll be ready to go back to Texas.”

“One hour it is. But there’s no need to rush back to Texas.”

“Garrett, it’s over.”

He paused, gazing into her eyes. He cocked his head to one side. “Don’t make up your mind hastily. You might change how you feel.”

She shook her head. “No. Last night was special and I wanted it to be with you, but we won’t pursue it because that could to lead to heartbreak. I’m not taking that chance.”

“You’re scared to live, Sophia.” His gray eyes darkened slightly. He looked away and a muscle worked in his jaw, a more intense reaction than she would have expected. For an instant, anger flashed like a streak of lightning and then was gone.

“Maybe I’m just exercising caution and waiting for a deep, true love. This weekend was a brief idyll in my steady life.”

“You’re an artist and I doubt if there is any way you can describe your life as ‘steady.’”

“Let’s clean up and go ski.”

“I have someone who will come in and clean after we’re gone. We’ll spend our time on the slopes.”

She hurried to dress, thinking about their conversation and wondering if she could stick by her declarations. She had never expected to have this night of love and yet she had made the decision clearly and rationally and she had no regrets.

But she began to wonder: Was one of the consequences of her actions last night falling in love with Garrett?

She mulled over the question, unable to answer it. She didn’t feel the same toward him as she had before they’d made love for hours. And to her surprise, the night simply made her want to be with him more, not less. Could she stand by her resolutions, do what she knew she should do?

Could she avoid a heartbreak with Garrett? Or was she blindly ignoring the truth that she might be falling in love with him already?

Or, more likely, that she had fallen in love with him that first night she met him?

They skied and returned to his condo by five after eating burgers on the way back. Garrett made a call to his pilot. “He’ll be ready. I told him we can be there by six.”

“I can be ready in just a few minutes. After all, I didn’t bring much.”

“I’ll call him back and make it thirty minutes from now. Or maybe I won’t,” he said, his voice dropping. He tossed his phone on a table and crossed to take her into his arms, holding her tightly as he kissed her.

Their passionate kiss lengthened until clothes flew and they made love again with a desperate haste.

By seven, they were airborne. She looked below as twinkling lights disappeared and the night swallowed the plane.

“Garrett, it was a wonderful weekend,” she said.

He leaned close to kiss her briefly. When he straightened up, he met her gaze. “It was a wonderful weekend,” he repeated. “An unforgettable one, Sophia. I hope we have more unforgettable moments together. A lot more,” he said.

“I don’t think that will happen,” she said. “We’ve both avoided any lasting relationship so I don’t expect one to happen now.”

“The heart is unpredictable.”

“You sound like a romantic,” she said, amused.

“That’s the first time in my life I’ve ever been accused of being a romantic.”

“Maybe I see a different side to you.”

He smiled at her.

“When will you let me paint your portrait?”

“I’d love to have anything you paint, except a painting with myself as the subject. I can’t exactly see hanging it in my house.”

“Everyone should have a portrait painted. It’s for posterity. You’ll change your mind, and when you do, remember that I’d like to paint it. You have an interesting face.”

“Another first. I’ve never heard that before either. I think you’re seeing different things in me from what everyone else sees.”

“I see good things.”

“Sophia, listen. I want to be in your life for a long time.”

“I’m all for continuing to get to know each other, Garrett,” she said carefully.

He leaned close, placing his hands on both arms of her chair. “I hope you never change your mind,” he said, startling her with his sincerity, a look of deep sorrow on his face.

“What is it, Garrett?”

He sat back and smiled at her, looking himself again. “I just hope we can keep spending time together.”

While they talked, she thought about the past twenty-four hours and was still amazed at how her life had taken an unexpected turn since meeting Garrett.

It was after ten by the time they reached her house. “If you have a moment, come in and I’ll show you the studio.”

“Sure. Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today?” he teased.

They walked through a wide entry hall that had a twelve-foot-high ceiling. A circular staircase curved to the second floor. Double doors opened to a dining area on one side of the front hall while columns separated the hall from a formal living area.

He paused to look at Louis XVI furniture on the polished oak floor and an elegant marble fireplace. “I’m surprised. I expected you to have something rustic to match your paintings.” One of her landscapes hung above the mantel. “That’s a superb painting. No wonder you kept it.”

“Thank you. I enjoy it. Mountains and a stream—I’ve been there and I like to look at the painting and remember.”

She took his arm. “Come on. I’ll show you the kitchen and my studio.”

They entered a blue-and-white kitchen with ash woodwork and a casual dining area. “Now I can picture you in your house when I talk to you on the phone,” he said.

Switching on lights, she led him into another spacious room. “Here’s where I spend most of my time.”

He stood looking at her studio with easels, drawing boards, a wide paint-spattered table. Paintings hung on the walls and stood on the floor. Empty frames of various sizes leaned against a wall. Garrett prowled the room and then paused at the large windows overlooking her patio and pool area. Crystal-blue water filled a free-form-shaped pool that had two splashing fountains.

He turned to her. “I like to see where you work. Now do I get to see the bedrooms upstairs?”

She smiled at him. “No, you don’t. It’s getting late and we’ve had a long weekend.”

“So I’m not allowed to see your bedroom.”

“You don’t need to,” she said, smiling at him as she linked her arm in his.

“I’m having the grand tour tonight but I still want to take you to dinner tomorrow.”

“I look forward to it,” she said as they walked to her front door.

Before they reached it, he stopped to face her, placing his hands on her waist. “This weekend was incredibly special,” he said in a husky voice.

“It was for me,” she said, looking up into his gray eyes that mesmerized her as always. Desire filled them and her heart drummed loudly.

“You’re special, Sophia. I mean what I say. I never expected to feel the way I do toward you. From the first moment, knowing you hasn’t been at all what I expected. So quickly, you’ve become important to me,” he added with a solemn expression.

“So you had expectations about meeting me? That’s interesting.” In some ways, she wanted to cover her ears and stop hearing his words because she was falling in love with him and it scared her. But Garrett’s words wrapped around her heart. He, too, looked as if he were wrestling with something, so their attraction was taking an emotional toll on him, too. “You’ve become important to me, too, Garrett,” she whispered. She stepped close, going on tiptoe to kiss him.

Instantly his arms banded her waist and he leaned over her, kissing her hard.

As if unable to control her own actions, she twisted free his buttons swiftly, her fingers shaking, while she still kissed him.

He tossed off clothes and peeled away hers and in seconds, he lifted her while he kissed her.

“Protection, Garrett?”

“I have it,” he said. When he picked her up again, she locked her long legs around him as he lowered her on his thick rod to make love to her.

Crying out, she climaxed, going over an edge while colors exploded behind her closed eyelids.

He shuddered with his release. “Sophia, love,” he said in a gruff, husky voice. The endearment made her heart miss a beat.

She moved with him until they both began to catch their breath. He gave her light kisses and finally set her on her feet.

“Now I do need to be directed to a bathroom somewhere in this house.”

“There’s one in the guest bedroom at the back of the hall, across from my studio. Clean towels will be out.”

He leaned down to kiss her again, then gathered his clothes. She picked up hers, pausing to watch him walk away. He was muscled and fit. He looked strong, masculine, sexy. Her gaze ran down his smooth back, over hard buttocks and then down his muscled legs. He was hard, solid and breathtaking.

She gathered her things and headed to her own bathroom off her studio.

In a short time she returned to the front hall to find him waiting by the door. When she reached him, he pulled her close to kiss her tenderly.

“I don’t suppose I’m going to be invited to stay the rest of the night.”

“As adorable as you are, no invitation is forthcoming.”

“Let me take you to breakfast again. I’ll want to see you in the morning.”

She laughed. “Garrett, that’s crazy. And I can’t go. I have appointments.”

“I want to be with you.”

“Again, Garrett, this has been a special weekend I’ll never forget.”

He kissed her again. When they moved apart, he opened the door and stepped outside. “Thanks for going with me.”

After he left, she locked up and went upstairs to her bedroom.

Had she just done the most foolish thing of her life by making love with him? She hoped not. There was no denying he was becoming more significant to her all the time. In her room she spun around just as she had outside the restaurant in the falling snow in Colorado. Exuberance, excitement, memories dazzled her. Shoving aside worries, she thought about their loving, remembering Garrett in moments of passion, his magnificent body, his tenderness, his heat and sexiness. His kisses held promises and temptation. It had been one of the most wonderful weekends in her life.

She sang as she hurried to shower, moving as if by rote while she replayed the weekend in her mind.

Was this love? Was she already wildly in love with him?

Five

A car was parked at the gate of Garrett’s estate. As his lights shone on it, the door opened and Edgar stepped out, patiently waiting.

Garrett’s heart dropped. He knew why Edgar was waiting for him.

He put the car in Park and stepped out to walk to Edgar. His mind raced. Had Edgar already told Sophia? Was he here at Sophia’s request or because of his own anger over Garrett’s duplicity?

The gatekeeper stood in the doorway of the gatehouse. “I tried to reach you on your cell,” he said.

“It’s all right,” Garrett said. “I know Mr. Hollingworth.” He turned to shake hands with Edgar, relieved slightly to see Edgar offer his hand.

“Sorry, Garrett,” Edgar said. “I know this is a late hour, but I want to talk to you in person. This isn’t something to deal with over the phone.”

“That’s fine. Come up to the house and we’ll talk. You can follow me in.”

“Thanks.”

Garrett returned to his car to drive through the gates. Edgar turned in behind him. At least he had been civil, which was a hopeful sign. More than he expected from Sophia when she discovered the truth about his connections.

At the house, he led Edgar into the library where a decanter of brandy and small crystal glasses sat on a mahogany table.

“Would you care for brandy?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Shedding his jacket, Garrett poured two brandies although he had no interest in drinking. He handed a glass to Edgar.

“You’re more than CEO of a Houston property management firm,” Edgar said. “You’re CFO of Delaney Enterprises in Dallas. I assume the property management business here is a sideline of yours.”

“It actually was started by my dad,” Garrett said. He looked at Edgar, waiting for the rest. When Edgar didn’t continue, Garrett asked, “Have you told Sophia yet?”

“No.”

“I’ll tell you what I’m doing here and why I haven’t told her about my connection,” Garrett said, proceeding to run through his history with the Delaneys and his purpose in meeting Sophia.

“I intended to get to know her so she would at least let someone talk to her about meeting with Will Delaney. So far, she won’t even talk to their lawyer, much less to any of them. Edgar, I don’t know what details she’s told you, but she stands to lose an enormous inheritance and cost the Delaney brothers theirs. They are as innocent in this as she is.”

“I know,” Edgar said, swirling his brandy in the snifter and then looking up to meet Garrett’s gaze. “She’s told me. That’s why I’m here. First, I don’t want her hurt.”

“I don’t want to hurt her either. I hate keeping this secret from her. I’ve come to care very much about Sophia. To be honest, I’ve thought about resigning, but I have deep obligations to the Delaney family.”

“Don’t resign. I want you to succeed. I want Sophia to get her inheritance. It’s absurd for her to toss aside that kind of money. I came to see you to learn what you intend and to make certain you’re not going to hurt her. I feel like a father to her.”

“I will try in every way I can to avoid hurting her.”

“Sophia is very cautious with men. Therefore, she’s rather naive. As far as the Delaneys go—I hope to heaven you succeed in making her listen.”

“They want to know her and want her in their family. But they didn’t even know she existed until the reading of Argus’s will.”

“Why am I not surprised. That man was arrogant.”

“There’s one grandchild, Caroline Delaney, who is five years old. This will hurt her, too,” he said, pulling out his phone and touching it. He crossed the room to show a photo to Edgar.

“Great heavens!” Edgar exclaimed, taking the phone to stare at the picture. “Except for the curly hair, she looks like Sophia. Actually, Sophia and this half brother bear a strong resemblance.”

“Yes, they do.”

“Does Sophia know about the child?”

“She has to because Caroline is in the will. There’s a trust for her. Caroline’s mother walked out when Caroline was a baby and the oldest brother, Adam, was her father. When he was killed in a plane crash, Will became Caroline’s guardian. Caroline has lost enough in this life.” Garrett put away the phone, retrieved his brandy and sat again.

Edgar sipped his brandy. “I’ll do what I can, but I can’t keep her from looking you up. I’m amazed she hasn’t already. She must like you and take you at your word.”

“I think she’s been reassured because Jason Trent knows me. She knows I have a business here and you had already met me. I’ve had her to my house and now we’ve spent a weekend together.”

“Believe me, that’s unlike her. She’s very cautious and I’m sure she’s already told you why.”

“Argus again and his treatment of her mother. I’m not Argus or even close, and not one drop of his blood runs in my veins.”

“True. I hope you can talk some sense into her for her own sake. It’s absurd for her to toss aside that fabulous inheritance. She doesn’t have the kind of money to be so blasé about it.”

“Thanks for letting me try to work this out. I just want her to talk to Will and to think about what she’s doing to them and herself.”

“If I can help in any manner, let me know.” Edgar took another long sip of brandy and set down his glass. “I’ll go now. I’m relieved to hear your purpose and I hope you succeed. I’ll stay out of this until I’m asked to do otherwise.”

He offered his hand and they shook again. “Thanks, Edgar. I appreciate it. I intend to tell her soon and I hope that doesn’t end her speaking to me.”

“I can’t help you much if it does. Sophia has a mind of her own and is quite independent. She grew up that way.”

At the front door, Garrett walked out on the porch. “Take care, Edgar. The gates will be open.”