Scandalous

“I already ruined things, honey. And you deserve much more than an apology.”

That was the second time he’d called her “honey” and she loved it. There had never been a relationship in her life since her parents’ death that warranted an endearment. She hadn’t realized that she’d even been missing it. But hearing Tony say it now, hearing the gentleness in his tone, the affection, she decided she liked it very much.

Since he seemed determined to talk about it, Olivia asked, “Why exactly are you apologizing?”

“Because I lost my head. I gave you nothing.”

“Not true.” Oh how she loved feeling his hard, lean body pressed against hers, the contrast of his firm muscles and his hair-roughened legs and his warmth. She tightened her arms and rubbed her nose against his chest, loving his morning musky scent. He always smelled so good, so sexy. So like himself. It made her dizzy and weak to breathe his delicious scent. “I’ve never made anyone lose their head before, Tony. I think it’s a rather nice feeling.”

He gave a strangled laugh, then tangled his hands in her hair to make her look at him. “I’ll take the blame, especially given the fact I’ve never made love to a woman without a condom before. Feeling you, Olivia, all of you, was a heady experience.”

She felt stunned by his admission. “Never?”

“Nope. I’ve always been the cautious sort, even when I was just a kid. But you’re to blame just a bit, too, showing up here in that getup.” He ran one large palm down her side, rubbing the material that was now bunched at her waist. His voice dropped to a low rumble when he whispered, “I almost died when you opened your coat, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to draw another breath without getting inside you first.”

And he thought he hadn’t given her anything? With her heart racing and her throat tight with emotion, she kissed him again, getting quickly used to the feel of his mouth on hers. When he lifted his head this time, she was very aware of his renewed erection and the way his arms were taut with muscles as he restrained himself, holding his chest away from her.

Tony watched her so closely, it was hard to speak, but she forced the words out, for some strange reason, wanting to tell him her thoughts. “I was half afraid you’d laugh, that I’d look ridiculous. Though I love wearing sexy things, no one sees me as a sexy woman.”

“You’re sexier than any woman has a right to be.”

“Tony…” The things he said made her light-headed.

“It’ll be our little secret, okay?” He began tracing the small red marks left behind from his morning whiskers. That long finger moved over her throat, her breasts. He stopped at her nipples and lightly pinched, holding her between his finger and thumb. He watched her face as he tugged gently, plucking, rolling her flesh until she groaned. Olivia wanted nothing more than to make love with him again.

But Tony was suddenly lifting himself away. “I have to shower and shave,” he said in deep, husky tones. “Despite what you say, I don’t like leaving burns on your skin.”

“No.” She tried to protest, to hold him near, but he only stood up then lifted her again. The way he cradled her close to his heart was something else she could get used to.

“You can shower with me, Miss Anderson, then I’ll see about attending you the right way.”

“I loved the way you did things.”

“You didn’t come.”

A flash of heat washed over her mostly naked body. He had such a blatant way of discussing things that excited her despite her embarrassment. “I…I enjoyed myself.” She sounded defensive and added, “But I’m supposed to stay still for a while.”

“I can promise you’ll enjoy yourself more when I do things properly.”

He seemed determined to fulfill her demands, when she now felt horrible for having made them. She didn’t want this to be only about base satisfaction, a series of touches meant to excite, with no emotion involved. It was the emotion that she’d been craving for so long, that felt so good now. But there was no way she could say that to Tony, not after she’d told him she wanted to be privy to his excellent technique.

An idea came to mind, and as he stood her inside the shower stall, she said, “Aren’t we supposed to wait two hours before doing this again? To give you time to…to replenish yourself?”

Tony stepped in behind her and began working the teddy up over her shoulders. When he finally tossed it outside the shower and stood looking at her completely bare, Olivia knew he’d have his way. He took a long time scrutinizing her, and that gave her a chance to look her fill also. He was such a gorgeous man, so solid, his body dark, his muscles tight.

She wondered if he enjoyed the sight of her near as much as she did him, but then he met her gaze and there was such heat in his green eyes, and more emotion than she could ever wish for, she forgot her own questions.

Tony inched closer to her until their bodies were touching from the waist down. His hard erection pressed into her belly, stealing her breath. His hands came up to cup her breasts. “You don’t have to watch the clock, honey. I promise you, it’ll take me at least that long to get my fill of looking at you and touching you.”

Her heart thumped heavily and she could barely talk. “Tony?”

“It’s called foreplay, Olivia. I intend to make up for the orgasm you missed—and then some. We’ve got all the time in the world.”

Thirty minutes later, their still damp bodies tangled in the covers on his bed, Olivia knew she’d never survive two hours worth of this. Tony was gently lathing one nipple while his fingers were busy drifting over her hip and belly, pausing every so often for an excruciating moment between her thighs to torment and tease her until she groaned and begged. He used her own wetness as a lubricant, sometimes pressing his fingers deep, stretching her, other times circling her opening, sliding over ultrasensitive flesh.

He laughed at her soft demands, his fingers gently plucking, rolling. “Easy, sweetheart. I promise, you’ll appreciate being patient.”

“No. No more, Tony. I can’t stand it.” There was a touch of tears in her voice, but she was too new to this, too unskilled to rationalize an ending that she’d never before experienced. Tony kissed her softly on her parted lips, then whispered, “Trust me now, okay?”

When she felt Tony’s cheek, now smooth from his shave, glide over her abdomen, the only thought she had was of finding relief. Every nerve ending in her body felt taut, tingling. There was no room for modesty, for shyness.

His hands curved around her knees and she willingly allowed him to part her thighs wide, leaving her totally exposed to his gaze. She felt his warm, gentle breath, the damp touch of his tongue. And then his mouth closed around her, hot and wet, and his teeth carefully nibbled.

No, she’d never survive this. She arched upward, again begging, feeling the sensations so keenly she screamed. He tightened his hold on her buttocks, holding her steady, forcing her to submit to his torment.

And then it happened and she was only aware of unbelievable pleasure. Tony encouraged her, controlled her, and when the sensations finally began to ebb, he eased, soothing her until she calmed.

When she opened her eyes—a move requiring considerable effort—Tony was beside her again, his hand idly cupping her breast and a look of profound interest on his face. She blinked at him, not understanding that look, and he said without a single qualm, “You’ve never had an orgasm before, have you?”

Her only recourse seemed to be to close her eyes again. But Tony laughed and kissed her nose. “Don’t hide from me, Olivia. Talk to me.”

“We’re not supposed to be talking.”

“No? Well, don’t worry. We’ll get on to making love again soon. But answer me first.”

Disgruntled by his personal question and his persistence, she said, “It never seemed particularly important before. Besides, I told you my two attempts at this failed.”

“Your two attempts with a partner.” His voice gentled. “That doesn’t mean you couldn’t have—”

Her eyes rounded when she realized where this questioning was going, and it seemed imperative to divert his attention. “Aren’t you supposed to be…uh, excited right about now?”

His smile proved she hadn’t fooled him one bit. But to answer her question, he lifted her limp hand, kissed the palm, then carried it to his erection, curling her fingers around him. For one brief instant, he held himself still, his eyes closing as her fingers flexed. Then he gave a wry grin. “I’m plenty excited. But I’m also enjoying you most thoroughly.”

“You’re embarrassing me, is what you’re doing.” She said it with a severe frown, but he only chuckled.

“Why? Because I’m feeling like the most accomplished lover around? You screamed, Olivia.” He cupped her cheek and turned her face toward him. “Look at me, honey.”

There was that endearment again. She opened her eyes and stared at him. The tenderness in his gaze nearly undid her.

“I’m glad I could give you something you’d never had before. It makes this all seem very…special.”

“Tony.” She rolled toward him, wanting him again, right now, unwilling to wait another instant.

And then the doorbell rang, and she knew she might not have any choice.

Tony seemed inclined to ignore it at first, but the insistent pounding that came next had him cursing and rising from the bed. As he pulled on jeans, he surveyed her sprawled form, then cursed again. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

Olivia waited until he’d stomped out of the room before scrambling off the bed and wrapping the sheet around herself. She went to the door and opened it to peek, then crept down the hall enough to see who had come calling so early. Tony’s brother, John, stood in the entryway, the baby in his arms, and a very worried expression on his face.

Though they spoke in hushed tones, Olivia was able to hear every word.

“I know this is the worst possible time, Tony…”

“You have no idea.”

“Yes I do. I saw the car. I assume Olivia is here?”

Tony crossed his arms over his bare chest and said, “What do you want, John?”

“I’m sorry, I really am. And I swear I wouldn’t be here if there was anyone else. But Mom and Kate went on a shopping spree this morning and won’t be back for hours, and I have to take Lisa to the hospital. You know she wasn’t feeling great yesterday is why we left early. And she’s always so busy with the three kids, she stays exhausted. But she started running a high fever early last night, coughing and having a hard time breathing, and she’s gotten sicker by the hour. I’ve never seen her like this.” There was an edge of desperation in John’s tone when he added, “I can’t watch my three hellions in a hospital and be with her, too.”

Tony immediately straightened, then took the baby from his arms. “Is Lisa going to be okay?”

John looked almost sick himself. “I don’t know what’s wrong with her, hopefully just the flu, but…”

“Don’t give it another thought. Of course I’ll take the kids. Where are the other two?”

“Waiting in the car with their mother. I didn’t want to leave Lisa alone, and I wasn’t certain if you were home.” He leaned out the door and waved his hand to get the kids to come in. “I really appreciate this, Tony. I know you probably wish we’d all go…”

“Don’t be stupid, John. Just take care of Lisa and keep me informed, okay?”

As John stepped out to gather up a packed diaper bag and some essentials for the other kids, Tony rushed around the corner into the hallway and almost ran into Olivia. He had the overnight bag she’d brought in his left hand while he held the baby in the crook of his right arm. He didn’t question her snooping, only led the way into the bedroom. “You heard?”

Olivia could sense the worry in his tone and expression, and was reminded once again how close he was to his family. “Yes. What can I do to help?”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, babe. Here, can you get dressed real quick?” He no sooner handed her the bag than he was rushing to the living room again to relieve John of the children and send him on his way. Olivia closed the door and sighed. It seemed Tony was going to throw her out, which made sense considering he didn’t want her around his family. But it still hurt. While they’d been making love, she’d entirely forgotten everything else in the world, including their twice-damned deal and all the reasons she couldn’t feel what she was presently feeling.

Despite all her reasons for needing to stay detached from him, she wanted to stay and help; she wanted to stay, period. Very much.

Her body was still tingling, her heart still racing from Tony’s sensual torment, but she managed to get her slacks and sweater on before he reopened the door. The baby was still nestled in his bare muscled arm, but that didn’t stop him from coming toward her, then pulling her close with his free arm. “Damn, I can’t believe my luck.”

“Things do seem to be conspiring against us.”

He brushed a kiss over her lips, then surprised her by asking, “Can you stay?”

Olivia blinked, not certain what to say.

“I know our plans have changed, hell, we might even have the kids all night. But…I don’t feel right about all this. It worries me, Lisa coming down sick like that.”

Olivia cupped his cheek, touched by his concern, and warmed by the way he’d included her. “You don’t want to be alone?”

His jaw tightened and his eyes searched her face. He seemed reluctant to admit it even to himself, but then he nodded. “I guess that’s about it.”

“We’re friends, Tony. Despite any other agreements, I’d like to believe that. And friends help friends. You don’t have to worry that I’ll read more into this than exists.”

He stubbornly ignored her references to their situation, and asked, “Does that mean you’ll stay, Olivia? Please?”

At that moment, she would have done anything for him, but of course, she couldn’t tell him that. She looked up at him and smiled. “Yes, I’ll stay. For as long as you need me.”

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