Seducing the Photographer (At First Sight) (2 page)

Meg left the car and popped the trunk. What would happen if she kissed him the way she’d dreamed of since he’d come aboard as a staff photographer.

Do not go there.
Rule three – Resist the lure cast by dreamy eyes and a buff body.

She wheeled the chair to the passenger’s door. “Steve, wake up. You’re home.” She opened the door.

He reached for her. She ended up sprawled across his lap. Though his eyes were closed his mouth found hers. Heat sizzled from the touch and shot to her core.

“Danger,” a voice shouted.

“Enjoy,” another whispered.

His lips parted. His tongue brushed across her mouth. Heat increased.

She must resist. He would accept everything she had to give and walk away. She would be left with bruised and battered emotions. She pressed her hands against him and pushed away. “You don’t want to do this.”

“Seems I do,” he said. “You’re blushing. How far does the red extend?”

Meg nearly cracked her head on the car frame. “You’re not going to learn.”

He winked. “Is that a challenge?”

She pointed to the wheelchair. “Get in. I’ll deliver you and your things so I can check in with Allie. She hasn’t answered yet.”

“Try the restaurant. Better, we could check there.”

“I don’t think so.” Her object was to see him home and leave before desire changed her mind.

He transferred to the chair. She handed him the camera bag and her overnight bag. She fastened his duffle to the handles. She pushed him to the door where a guard let them in.

“Welcome back, Mr. Morgan. She do this?” The older man guffawed.

“Not her. A mountain.”

While Steve entered the closed mail room Meg ran down the hall to her sister’s door.
Please be there,
She pressed the buzzer, waited and pressed again. When there was no answer, her shoulders slumped. A series of yawns made her realize how tired she was.

Steve arched a brow. “You set?”

She shook her head. “She’s not at the apartment. Once I have you safely stowed I’ll call Five Cuisines.”

The elevator ride of a single floor lasted too long. Steve’s scent permeated the small space. She felt an urge to break all her rules of life. That could bring disaster or delight. Being torn between sanity and madness made her want to cry. Her lips still burned from the kiss. Her breasts felt full and the throbbing low in her belly reminded her of an urgent wish to be with Steve.

He handed her the apartment key. She opened the door and pushed him into the large living room. Moving the wheelchair across the plush dark blue carpet was a chore. She finally reached the hall and then his bedroom. As they entered she glanced through the large window and saw the moon reflected on the river’s dark waters and the distant lights of the bridge.

“Nice view. Almost like the one from Greg’s place.”

“Should be. His apartment’s just below.”

The bedroom wasn’t what she’d expected. The scene wasn’t set for seduction. Plain deep green drapes matched the spread and the carpet. The furniture was dark and masculine.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” Had she really asked that question? The gleam in his green eyes said she had. “I mean…to make you comfortable.” What imp had grabbed her tongue? She felt her face and neck heat.

Steve laughed. “Now there are several things but I won’t ask…yet. You need to make a call.”

Meg released a sigh of relief. She retreated to the living room and dialed Five Cuisines. “This is Meg. Can I speak to Greg or Allie?”

The words the woman spoke sent Meg’s thoughts crashing. “They left after second sitting was underway. They’re headed out of town for two days.”

Meg landed on the couch with a thud. Was this a joke or a stroke of fate? Now she had to drive back to the city something she’d hoped to avoid. She’d been on the move since five AM without a break. She was too tired to drive to the city. The temptation to stay here tugged like she’s landed in quicksand.

“Meg, could you give me a hand?”

Steve’s shout propelled her from the couch. Steve wheeled from the bathroom. “Can you undo the cast boot?”

“Sure.” She loosened the Velcro straps and slid the boot free. “Where do you want this?”

“By the bed. Hopefully I’ll be able to put it on during the night.” He moved from the chair and shifted his body on the bed. “Did you reach Allie?”

Watching the play of his muscles as he reached the bed held her attention. “What?”

“Your sister?”

She shook her head. “Seems she and Greg are taking the weekend off. I wish she had told me this morning. Let me settle you before I leave.”  She paused. “Is there a hotel or motel nearby?”

"There’s a small motel but at midnight they’ll be full.”

“What about a B&B?”

“None."

Her shoulders slumped. “Guess I’m heading home.” She covered her mouth with a hand to hide a yawn.

“Stay here.” He grinned. “I won’t be jumping your bones.”

She caught his scent and turned away. Temptation held her in a vise. “I’d better go.”

“And have an accident. How do you think I’d feel? The guest room is down the hall.”

Her reason to escape vanished. She could handle being along with him.
Right. Wrong!
For better or worse she would stay. A problem rippled through her thoughts. Her rules of life were in danger of shattering.

Chapter Two

Steve watched Meg disappear from sight. With a few false starts and a small gouge in the hall plaster he managed to maneuver the wheelchair to the kitchen. Silently he cursed the healing scrapes and bruises running down the right side of his back from shoulder to his hip. The one on his right upper arm had needed stitches and he wondered if the skin had split again.

He also ached, not from the injuries, but desire. He wanted Meg. He had since the day he’d met her. He knew she had noticed how his cock had grown hard and pressed against his fly. That reaction occurred every time he encountered. He always fought the urge to take her any time and anywhere.

He opened the refrigerator and pulled one of the items from the shelf. Allie must have left the eggs and cheese during her recent stay. Using the handle of the silverware drawer he opened a beer and took a swig. He set the bottle on the table and opened the plastic container of pain pills. Just as he was about to swallow two with beer he heard a sound and turned. Meg entered the kitchen. His body, though a field of aches, reacted.

She moved closer and looked from the beer to the pills. “Are you trying to kill yourself?”

“Would you care?” He watched the play of emotions sweep over her face. He grinned. When she didn’t answer a surge of hope swamped him.
Hope?
He wanted her in his bed for a romp and a way to scratch an itch.

He closed his eyes. Just how interested was she? He recalled the kiss. She had responded. Her erect nipples had pressed against his chest. If he didn’t act like an ass he might lure her into his bed.
For a time.
He’d figure how long after he’d had her.

“Here.” She thrust a glass of water into his hand. “You should be in bed. If your leg was elevated and your arm supported by pillows you would have less pain.”

While he chased the pills with a glass of tap water he watched her finish his beer. She pushed him into the bedroom and waited while he slid onto the king-sized bed. She supported the cast and used a pillow to elevate his leg. She used another to support his arm.

“You’re good at this,” he said.

“As you know I have two brothers who get themselves into accidents.”

He reached for the phone. “Have to make a call.”

“At midnight?”

“Need to leave a message for my sister. She’s an ICU nurse and keeps her answering machine on at all times. She listens to the messages and only answers the ones she wants.” He tapped the number and paused before speaking. “I’m home. Call tomorrow. I know you’re at work so I’ll manage. Do not send Ben.”

“Have a problem with him?”

“Love the boy but not as a caregiver. He’s my thirteen year old nephew and a disaster in sneakers.”

Meg stared at the wall. “If you need a caretaker I could stay until Sunday evening.” She clapped her handover her mouth.

Steve laughed. She hadn’t meant to offer. He liked the red flush on her face. She’d jumped, not into his bed, but close enough. He grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers. The red spread to her neck. By Sunday with luck he would see how far her blush extended. He winked. “Could you help me undress?” Her quick intake of breath and pursed lips made him grin. “You’re safe. I can’t chase you around the room. I’m at your mercy.”

She edged closer and untied the sling supporting his shoulder and arm. “Oh,” he gasped.

“Did that hurt?” She brushed her fingers over his arm and shoulder.

“A bit but your touch helps. You could kiss it and make it better.”

“You are full of it.” She reached for the bottom of his tee shirt.

As her fingers skimmed over his abdomen he sucked in a breath. Being unable to act on his wants was going to kill him. “Meg,” he growled.

Mischief gleamed in her blue eyes. “I won’t hurt you.” She trailed her hand over his chest as she raised the shirt. She drew the short over his uninjured arm and his head. Carefully she eased the cloth from his right arm. She gasped. “Those are some nasty bruises.”

“I can feel them but the only ones I’ve seen are the ones on my arm. The doctors in Nome said I was healing and should exercise. You could help me.” Her blush sent heat to his groin.

Her hands hovered over the waistband of his sweats. “I suppose you want these off.”

He nodded. “Skin’s my choice for sleep. And yours?”

Her face turned scarlet. “I won’t remove your underwear.” She inched the pants over his hips.

He groaned. If she didn’t hurry they would hang up on his cock. When his black boxers and his desire were exposed her mouth gaped.

“It’s all me,” he drawled.

She tugged the sweats over his feet and pulled the sheet over him. “Night.” She bolted from the room.

“What, no good night kiss?” he called. One chance gone but tomorrow would bring more. In the morning he would tempt some of the rules of life she followed. He’d heard her brothers’ joke about Meg’s Rules of Life.

What if he failed? Not a chance.

He shifted in the bed until he found a more comfortable position. What would Meg be like in bed? He slid into a fantasy inspired by the kiss they’d shared. How she’d found the strength to break free surprised him. Without her help he might have made his way to the building but not to bed. With his body screaming for release he slid into the nightmare plaguing him since the fall.

Just one more shot. He stepped back. His foot slipped on a rock. He fell and slid down the slope heading for a cluster of rocks. “Help!” he shouted.

“What’s wrong?”

The voice was Meg’s. He opened his eyes and saw this wasn’t part of a dream. “Nightmare. I fell down the mountain again.”

Meg stood at the foot of the bed. She wore a silky thing that reached the middle of her thighs. Her long tanned legs were nicely shaped. As she moved closer he noticed the way the fabric clung to her breasts. “Do you always wear things like that to bed?”

“Do you have a problem with my choice?”

He sat up. “Actually I hoped you preferred skin but this isn’t bad. Except I can’t move. Want to tuck me in and kiss me good night. Would keep the bad dreams away.”

On her way to the door she glanced over her shoulder. “I may be tempted but I’m strong. Good night. Sweet dreams.”

“With you as the centerfold they will be.”
Sweet dreams, no way. They were going to be spicy.

*  * *

Meg retreated to the guest room. She sat on the edge of the bed and covered her burning face with her hands. Why hadn’t she grabbed her robe before answering his cry for help? The shout had been so full of panic and desperation she’d feared he’d fallen out of bed. Why wasn’t she like Allie who wore overly large jerseys for bed? Meg knew the answer. She loved the feel of silk against her skin. At least this one was opaque. Why had she felt naked beneath his stare? His gaze had sent embers glowing low in her belly.

She groaned. Just down the hall was a man with who had caused her to shiver with desire. He was ready for hot and heavy. She’d seen the way his erection had tented the sheets. She had to remain cool. She was tired of walking in the wrong direction on a one way street.

She slid beneath the sheets and added new rules specific to this situation.
One. Do not think about the kiss making you burn and your toes curl. Two. Do not drool over his buff body. Three. Do not give into the itch to stroke his tanned skin. Four. Do not consider passionate love-making.

Except she wanted to break the rules. She closed her eyes. As she drifted to sleep she recited her old rules and added the new.