STAY THE NIGHT (The Phillips Family Book 1) (13 page)

   
“
Thank you for saying that, Angelica.  It's important to me that you see me in that light.  I don't want ever to be a disappointment to you.  Your opinion matters to me more than you can imagine.
”

   
“
I'd never love a man I can't respect and who doesn't respect me.  That's why I worried when I found out you're wealthy.  It's important that you accept who and what I am and just as important that I understand and accept who and what you are.  I believe that people can change, but they don't do it for someone else, they do it for themselves if that's what they want.
”

   
“
I do understand that you run deeper than you pretend at times.
”

   
“
I chatter like a magpie because I love hearing your response and watching your reaction.  It's not a test to gauge you, it's me.
”

    He gathered her in his arms, slid down off the pillows while he kissed her.  He whispered,
“
I want to make love to you one more time before we sleep.
”

    She curled closer to him, her way of giving her consent.

    She woke on the far side of the bed from him and rolled on her side to see if he still slept.  He watched her and she said,
“
I dreamed I was smothering last night.  I woke and had my face buried in your chest.  I got claustrophobic and began to perspire.  My heart raced.  That's why I moved to this side of the bed.  I'm sorry, Cray.  I don't know what else to say.
”

    He scooted toward her and stroked her arm and down her leg. 
“
Hey, it's okay.  However you're most comfortable sleeping is fine, honey.
”

   
“
I can't stand someone crowding me.
”

   
“
Did that happen last night when we made love?
”

   
“
No, oh, God, no.  I love your touch, when you're on top of me, when you're in me.  No, it's when I sleep I can't bear feeling restrained.  Cray, do you have time to make love to me this morning?  I think it must be a nice way to start the day.
”

    He gathered her in his arms and said,
“
The day I don't have time to make love to you I want you to kick me to the side of the curb and step on me as you leave me for good.
”

    She laughed and said,
“
That's rather harsh, but I won't forget.
”

    He pulled her on top of him and said,
“
I'm lazy this morning.  You do the work.
”

   
“
Are you just going to lie there?
”

   
“
Entice me to participate.  I dare you.
”

    She climbed off of him and he said,
“
Where are you going?
”

   
“
To pee, brush my teeth and get one of those disgusting rubber things.  You'll need it in place because when the seduction begins you won't want to stop.
”

    He chuckled as she walked to the bathroom and said,
“
You Scandinavian girls are well versed in the art of making love.
”

    She stopped mid-stride and said,
“
Do you want to explain that remark?
”

   
“
I formed that opinion last night, honey.
”

   
“
Quick recovery, darling.
”
  She wiggled her butt at him and he laughed.

    A few moments later, she straddled his legs, holding the condom over his erection and said,
“
I've heard that ladies of the evening have a knack of putting a condom on her John with her mouth.  Should I try that, darling?
”

    His erection jerked and stood straighter.  She laughed and said,
“
You like that idea.  Let's see how this works.
”
  She held the condom behind her teeth in a perfect circle and lowered her head toward his straining erection.  Grasping the base of him, her mouth lowered, rolling the latex over him as his eyes never left her mouth and moans escaped.

    She sat up straighter and said,
“
That wasn't hard, but you are.  We'll do that again soon, but without the rubber.  It doesn't taste very good, but you will.
”
  In a quick move, she lowered her breasts to his chest and devoured his mouth with hers.

    Their passion flared, ignited, then burned.  She lowered herself on him and sighed when he filled her.  She wiggled her hips to accommodate him and then moved slowly against him while their tongues tangled.  Her need for release accosted her from nowhere and she moved faster on him.  She rose higher on him.  He cupped her breasts, his mouth on her nipple, not gentle, demanding and when she gasped, he raised his hips under her, pushing deep, touching her g-spot.  Her eyes glazed in the throes of her orgasm and as she came down from the high, he rolled her to her back and pounded in her, felt her clench him and build again.  She writhed during her second release and he shattered with her.

Chapter 7

    Afterward, she showered and when he stepped in behind her, she turned, smiled at him and buried her face in his shoulder.  She lifted her head, gazed in his eyes and said,
“
I love you.
”

    He cupped her face, brushed his lips against hers and said,
“
And I love and adore you.
”

    While they washed each other, she said,
“
Cray, we're good together.  We'll be happy together.  I want to plan our wedding.
”

    He dropped the sponge he'd been using to wash her and crushed her to him. 
“
When?  Tell me when and what you want me to do to help.
”

    
“
What are your plans for the day?
”
Cray asked while they dressed.

   
“
I'm calling my gynecologist first thing and going to the pharmacy to fill the prescription.  Why do you ask?
”

   
“
You're not wasting any time.  I just remembered the attorneys we retain are having a holiday reception beginning at three.  They're located a few floors below us, so it's in the same building.  I'd like you to go with me if that suits.
”

   
“
Yes, I'd like that.  Cray, if what I'm about to suggest is inappropriate or not to your liking, I want you to tell me.
”

    He looked at her with a puzzled expression. 
“
Okay, what's on your mind?
”

   
“
I'd like to bring lunch to your office at noon and then sit in on your meeting at one.
”

   
“
I don't have a problem with that, but I wonder why.  Does business interest you?
”

   
“
Everything you do interests me, Cray.  It's one more way to get to know you better when you're in your working element.  We're talking marriage already, so it's important we take a crash course in what makes each other tick.
”

    He kissed her and said,
“
I love chicken salad sandwiches with a dill pickle and one of those small bags of chips.
”

   
“
How should I dress for the reception at your attorney's office?
”

   
“
I'm partial to the blue wrap-around dress you wore the other night for dinner.
”

   
“
Why?
”

   
“
You're gorgeous in it and there's easy access,
”
he said, grinning at her.

   
“
Then by all means I'll wear it.
”
  She gave him a come-hither smile and he embraced her and kissed her before leaving for the office.

    A few minutes before noon, Angelica exited the taxi and stared up at the tall building in front of her.  She had the correct address because he'd told her, but he didn't tell her the floor number.  She entered the lobby and walked to the receptionist, glancing at the attractive young woman's name. 
“
Hello, Debra, I have a noon appointment with Phillips Enterprises, but I'm not sure which floor or elevator to take.
”

   
“
They occupy the top three floors.  Is there someone in particular you're meeting?
”

   
“
Yes, I'm meeting with Cray Phillips.
”

   
“
Aren't you the lucky girl?  He's drop-dead gorgeous and he always says hello when he  arrives in the morning, but he never stops to chat no matter what I do to attract his attention and believe me I've done everything except wrestle him to the floor.
”

    Angelica laughed. 
“
So he's immune to your charms.
”

   
“
Yes, more's the pity.  I'm not the only female in this building who'd like to hook-up with him.
”

   
“
Perhaps he's gay,
”
Angelica said, wanting to laugh at the absurd notion.

   
“
I cannot bear to think that.  Take the elevator on your left to the fiftieth floor.  That's where his office is.  You're very pretty.  Stop here on your way out and tell me if his pupils dilate when you meet him.
”

    Angelica laughed harder. 
“
Shall I send you a wedding invitation?
”

   
“
No.  The day he gets married I'll spend that day curled in the fetal position on my bed, sobbing.
”

   
“
Oh, my, I hope it doesn't come to that,
”
Angelica said and walked toward the elevators.

    Angelica entered a beautifully appointed reception area on the fiftieth floor and smiled at the woman behind the reception desk.  The woman stood and said,
“
Cray told me to be expecting you Miss Andersson and asked I take you to his office immediately upon your arrival.
”

   
“
How do you know I'm the right person?
”

   
“
He described you to perfection and told me what you'd be wearing.  Right this way, please.
”
  She tapped on Cray's closed door and he asked her to enter.

    He rose from behind his desk and walked toward Angelica, his gaze never leaving hers. 
“
Thank you, Constance.  That will be all.
”

    Cray took her coat she had slung over her arm, hung it on a coat tree and then embraced her. 
“
You take my breath away every time I see you.
”

   
“
I brought lunch for three,
”
she said,
“
I thought Mona could join us.
”

   
“
Mona is eating lunch with the managers and accountants to be sure they have their ducks in a row by the time we get there.  I'll eat her lunch.  I'm starved.
”

    Cray had a round table, seating four in one corner and she spread their lunch on that.  He held her chair while she sat.  As they ate, she said,
“
I learned from the receptionist in the lobby that you have a legion of female admirers and it frustrates them because you're friendly, but don't stop to chat or invite them on dates.  I suggested you could be gay.
”

     He threw back his head and roared. 
“
Leave it to you to protect your interests.  It's not necessary, honey.  I'm yours.
”

   
“
She wants me to stop back before I leave to tell her if your pupils dilate when you look at me because she says I'm pretty.
”

   
“
Did you agree to do that?
”