Foreign Affair (28 page)

Turning, he opened the door to the cabin and left her.

Chapter Twenty
-
Two

Tyler adjusted his bag over his shoulder and shook his head. His feet were starting to ache from walking down the damn dirt road, but the pain didn’t compare to the ache in his heart. Damn, how could he have been so stupid? Both of them?

His chest tightened, making it a struggle to even breathe. Once he reached the road he’d have to hitch a ride and ask to be dropped off at the nearest store. Maybe he could get a cab out here. Even if it cost him hundreds of dollars, it would be worth it to get the hell back to New York.

A new thought hit him, and he reached into his back pocket for his wallet. What if Stephanie had taken his credit cards so he’d be truly stuck? He pulled out his wallet and a piece of paper fluttered out with it.

What the hell?

Frowning, he leaned down to pick it up. It was a note. He unfolded it, unease sudden in his gut.

Tyler,

Look, I don’t know what happened between you and Lena, but I have no doubt that you guys belong together. I’ve known Lena my entire life, and I’ve never seen her so loopy over a guy. So completely and utterly in love. You belong together, and that’s why I arranged for you guys to be alone for the week. So whatever it is, an argument, a misunderstanding, I hope you guys can clear it up. You’re the reason she didn’t marry Keith. (And, by the way, I
owe you the biggest freaking thanks for that.) So make things right and don’t hurt her. Or I WILL have to kick your ass.

~ Stephanie

Tyler’s heart pounded. His mouth went dry.
No
. Was it true? Had he just made the biggest fucking mistake of his life?

He turned and glanced back down the tiny road he’d just spent the last half hour walking.

Lena wasn’t married? But he’d...she’d never actually said she was married. His mind flashed back to their lovemaking this morning, and how their fingers had been intertwined.
No ring on her finger
.

“Oh, my God.” He tightened his grip on his bag and sprinted back up the road.

Lena rolled onto her back and gasped in another breath, unable to stop the sobs that rocked her body. She’d given herself to him again. Again, when she promised herself she’d never let it happen.

And now he’d just ripped open the wound over her heart, the one she’d tried so hard to heal, and this time she was positive she wouldn’t recover.

She swung her legs out of bed and stumbled to the bathroom. Turning on the shower, she put the spray on the far end of cold, wanting to jolt any remaining tenderness for him from her body.

She stepped under the stream and cried out, shivering as the icy water hit her skin. She ground her teeth together and let it run over her, taking it as somewhat of a punishment for being so stupid.

“Never again.” She shook her head, sending droplets of water flying.

Goosebumps covered every inch of her skin, and her teeth chattered. The hot tears that spilled down her cheeks were a contrast to the water. Her knees went weak, and she fell to the floor in the shower.

Her body grew numb under the cold water. She pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, tucking her head down as she sobbed.

The bathroom door smashed open, and the shower curtain drew back.

“Oh, God, Lena.” Tyler kneeled down and slid his arms around her, pulling her out of the shower. “What are you doing? Why is the water so cold?”

Tyler was here? He’d returned? Her mind tried to process the information, but her teeth chattered too hard. Her body shook against him as he carried her into the bedroom.

He slipped her bathrobe on her and belted it around her waist. Urging her to the bed, he pushed her beneath the blankets and then slid in next to her.

She blinked, confusion swirling in her head as she stared at him. Already warmth seeped back into her muscles.

“Why are you here?” She tried to compute what was going on. “You left me. You said you never wanted—”

“Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t married?” He ran a hand down the side of her face.

“Married?” she repeated. He’d thought her married? “I didn’t marry Keith. I broke off the engagement the day Keith showed up in Paris.”

His eyes closed. The anguish on his face puzzled her.

“Tyler? Why did you come back?”

“I’m so sorry, Lena.” He shook his head. “I’m the world’s biggest asshole. I thought when you came to New York you were just looking for another fling. And that you were married—”

“But I told you I wasn’t looking for a fling,” she reminded him, her heart pinching at the reminder of New York. “And the things you said...”

“Self preservation. I didn’t mean a word of it.” He cupped both her cheeks now and brushed his mouth across hers, sending more tingling heat through her body. “The only thing real was when I told you I loved you an hour ago.”

Her pulse jumped.
He did love her
? “Tyler—”

“I’m sorry, Lena. I’m so sorry.” He kissed her again, sliding his tongue between her lips to stroke against hers.

She pulled away. “Tyler, I lied, too. I should have told you about Keith while we were in Europe. And at times I came so close—”

“It doesn’t matter, sweetheart.”

“Yes, it does. I was in love with you. I was just so convinced you’d think me despicable and I would lose you.” Her eyes filled with tears again. “And, in the end, I did.”

He stilled and desperation flickered in his gaze. “You love me?”

Lena sighed and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Of course I love you, Tyler. I came to New York to tell you that.”

His breath came out ragged against the top of her head. “Damn. I am such an asshole.”

“Maybe a little bit.” She smiled and gave a soft laugh. “But I wasn’t much better.”

“You know,” he murmured, running a hand down her back. “I think we’d better send Danny and Stephanie a big box of chocolates along with a thank you card. Because I don’t think we’d have had a chance in hell without their interference.”

“Give that man a raise,” she murmured, her pulse quickening. “You know, it’s going to be awfully hard. You commuting from New York to Seattle to see me.”

“Well. I’m hoping you have a big apartment.” He pressed a kiss against her forehead. “Because I’m transferring to the Seattle office as soon as possible and moving in until I can convince you to marry me.”

“It’s tiny, but I’ve got a big bed.” Warmth moved through her body, and her heart skipped a beat. “And I won’t need much convincing.”

“That’s too bad. I was kind of looking forward to it.” His hand slipped low on the neckline of her robe.

“Well, since you put it that way. Convince away…” She smiled and pulled his head down to hers.

About the Author

Shelli is a New York Times Bestselling Author who read her first romance novel when she snatched it off her mother’s bookshelf at the age of eleven. One taste and she was forever hooked. It wasn’t until many years later that she decided to pursue writing stories of her own. By then she acknowledged the voices in her head didn’t make her crazy, they made her a writer.

Shelli currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her daughter. She writes various genres of romance, is a compulsive volunteer, and has been known to spontaneously burst into song. You can visit her at
www.shellistevens.com
and join her newsletter at
www.shellistevens.com/contact

Look for these titles by Shelli Stevens

Now Available:

Trust and Dare

Theirs to Capture

Four Play

Foreign Affair

Seattle Steam

Dangerous Grounds

Tempting Adam

Seducing Allie

Chances Are

Anybody but Justin

Luck be Delanie

Protecting Phoebe

Holding out for a Hero

Going Down

Command and Control

Flash Point

Coming Soon:

He’s going to show this wedding crasher just how dirty the outdoors can be.

Seducing Allie

© 2011 Shelli Stevens

Seattle Steam, Book 3

Allison Siegel is out to stop a wedding. With one of her best childhood friends about to marry a gold-digger, who wouldn’t at least try to stage an intervention? Apparently, her
other
childhood bestie, Clint.

The minute Allie grew out of her sneakers and into her curves, Clint’s hormones went ballistic. But she had eyes only for Ken, so Clint made himself scarce, even after the relationship fizzled. Now she’s back, looking better than ever—and hell-bent on sabotaging Ken’s wedding. So Clint knows he needs to do whatever it takes to head her off at the pass.

Kidnapped! Allison can't believe it. Now she’s stuck in the Montana backwoods fending off nature’s friends, and fighting a losing battle to resist Clint—the sexiest forest ranger on the planet.

Clint has big plans for Allie. Not only will he convince a city girl that she needs to embrace her inner nature freak, but he's going to prove there's sparks flying in more places than just the campfire.

Warning: This book contains a city girl out of her element, a forest ranger determined to keep her there, and a campfire seduction hot enough to melt more than just marshmallows.

Enjoy the following excerpt for
Seducing Allie:

“You liked it when I kissed you this morning.”

“Not even a bit.” Her pulse went into double time.

“And last night at the bachelor party? You were practically melting in my arms.”

“Talking to girls like this doesn’t actually get you laid, does it?”

“In fact,” he went on like she hadn’t even spoken, “I think you’d like it if I did a whole lot more than kiss you tonight.”

The scent of him filled her senses, sending her mind spinning and making her knees tremble. His hard torso pressed firmly against her breasts and her nipples tightened into hard points against the lace of her bra. She swallowed hard and tugged at her wrist.

“Tell me, Allie. I’ve always wondered how you like it. Are you all about the romance?” His voice lowered to a soft caress. “Do you enjoy it when a man gently sucks on your nipples and brings you to orgasm while playing your clit like an instrument?”

His words sent a rush of hot moisture between her legs and she bit back a groan.

“Stop this,” she begged hoarsely. “Please, Clint.”

“Or do you like it hard?” he went on, ignoring her plea. “Do you want a guy to bite and suck on your nipples until they’re red and marked?” He lowered his head, his breath hot against her cheek. “Do you like to hold a man’s head between your legs—let him eat you as if you’re the fucking blue ribbon pie at the fair?”

Shock ripped through her, from the top of her head to her toes which were curling. Shock and absolute lust. No man had ever spoken to her in such a crude, sexual way before. And more so, no man had ever fucked her hard like that. The idea of Clint being the one to do it and the imagery his words created…

This time a groan did escape and she could feel the dampness of her panties between her legs.

“Or maybe both.” His eyes darkened and he used his free hand to pull her tighter against him. Through the abrasive fabric of his jeans she felt him growing harder against her belly.

“One thing is certain—I’m going to enjoy finding out.” He slid his hand down her spine to her bottom, bunching the fabric of her dress.

Cool air tickled her buttocks, and her pulse quickened as he pulled the dress over her hips. His fingers plucked at the strip of thong between the cheeks of her ass.

“I was wondering about this.” His mouth hovered just above hers. “Whether you wear thongs or just no panties at all.”

“Both,” her voice trembled, and she couldn’t believe she was admitting it. “Sometimes a thong, sometimes nothing.”

Why wasn’t she pushing him away? She should be fighting this—fighting him. But at this moment nothing else mattered except being locked in this sensual power struggle with Clint.

She drew in a ragged breath and before she could reconsider, pressed her body firmly against his.

He gave a murmur of approval. “I’ve been wondering about another thing.”

“Oh yeah?”

His lips brushed across hers, ever so lightly and a tremble racked her body.

“What’s that?” She brushed her lips over his this time.

He followed the strip of her thong down with his fingers, low between her cheeks. With a slight tug, she felt him slip his finger beneath the fabric, before his fingers grazed over the swollen lips of her sex.

Fire raced through her veins and her knees weakened.

“This,” his voice grew hoarser now. “I wanted to know how wet I made you.”

He pushed a finger between the folds and inside her.

“Hell.” His mouth grazed the side of her neck as he pushed the finger deep and began to slowly penetrate her with it. “You’re soaked for me.”

She bit her lip, not so far gone that she would admit the words aloud.

“Allie. My Allie-cat. My seductive little kitten.” He curled his finger, moving it along the wall of her channel. He hit an ultra sensitive spot and she gasped. “Admit you want me.”

“The hell I do.” She moved against his hand.

“Really?” He pulled his finger from her and she cried out at the loss of sensation. “Well, we’ll just have to see about that.”

He cupped her ass and lifted her, carrying her over to the bed before he dropped her down. She bounced once and scrambled to sit up.

Going to his knees in front of her, he grabbed her legs and pulled her to the edge.

“You don’t want me?”

“No,” she lied. The breath locked in her throat as he trailed his fingers up her calves.

“Not even a little bit?” He pushed her dress up around her waist again and bracketed her hips with his hands.

“Not even—” she gasped when he dropped a kiss on the silky fabric still covering her mound, “—a little bit.”