Whispered Promises (16 page)

“I said, I'm Dex's replacement. The name's Trevor Grant. I'm project foreman for Madaris Explorations. Dex couldn't make tomorrow's meeting, so I'm here in his place. All of this has been cleared with Adam Flynn.”

Corinthians's anger drained abruptly. Complete humiliation took its place. She tried to take a step back, but Trevor Grant wouldn't let her. He placed his hands around her waist. “Take your hands off me, Mr. Grant.”

Trevor gave her a crooked smile. “No can do. I won't run the risk of you fainting at my feet again. Now, where were we? Ah, yes, introductions.” Trevor's gaze held hers intently. “I'm still waiting on a name.”

“Then wait on.”

A mirthless smile curved Trevor's lips. “All right, so you want to play hardball. I think I'll just call the head honcho at Remington Oil and find out what the hell is going on. Maybe he'll be able to explain why some half-dressed woman entered my hotel room wearing a robe full of condoms, claiming to be an employee of Remington Oil.”

Trevor's eyes darkened. “You can tell me who you are, or you can explain your actions to Mr. Remington himself. Got it?” he growled.

Corinthians glared up at him. “Yes, I got it.” She then swallowed deeply. “May I have my robe first please?”

Trevor's brows narrowed. He gazed at her thoughtfully before saying, “No. I happen to like what you're wearing.” He continued to stare at her. “And don't pull some sort of stalling act. I'd like to have a name before midnight.”

Corinthians knew from this moment on, she would despise this man forever. “I'm Corinthians Avery.”

Trevor was completely stunned. “Corinthians Avery?”

Corinthians became livid. She leaned toward him with hands on her hips, and her dark brown eyes flashing. “Mr. Grant, I'm leaving whether you like it or not.” With that said and done, she walked around him, grabbed her robe off the chair and put it on.

The quiet seductive rustle made by the silk material she wore echoed in the room. Trevor thought his eyes were going to pop out of his head when she had stomped across the room for her robe. She had the best shaped behind he'd ever seen. Hell! She had the best shaped everything! Before she reached the connecting door, he called out to her.

“Aren't you forgetting something?”

Corinthians turned around. “What?” she snapped.

“These.” He held up the packs of condoms.

She tinted furiously, but not to let him get the best of her, she lifted her chin and gave him her haughtiest glare. “You can have them.”

Trevor smiled and Corinthians thought she would melt then and there. He had the sexiest smile.

“Thanks,” he said. “I'll be saving them to use one day. Maybe when I see you again.”

Corinthians knew an overwhelming urge to use her fingernails to claw Trevor Grant's face up. Never before had one man driven her to such anger. “Don't hold your breath.”

Trevor's smiled widened. “Good night, Ms. Avery.”

Without responding, Corinthians went into her room, slammed the door behind her and locked it.

Trevor's laughter could be heard throughout the suite. He sobered somewhat when he remembered the words Dex had used earlier that day to describe Corinthians Avery. He'd said something about easy charm, polished manners, real prim and proper, well-bred, nice and likable.

As Trevor made his way back to the bathroom, he couldn't help wondering when Dex had last seen the wench.

Caitlin was on her hands and knees, looking under the bed for her missing bedroom slipper, when she heard a soft tap on her door. She took a deep breath, knowing it had to be Dex. “Come in.” In her position on the floor, she had to tilt her head back slightly in order to look up at him when he entered the room.

“What are you doing, Caitlin?”

She shrugged, coming to her feet. “I was looking for my bedroom slipper.”

He nodded. “I made some more tea tonight. I thought maybe you'd like a cup.”

She noticed he wasn't carrying the serving tray of tea but held a single cup. “Yes, thanks,” she said, taking the cup he was handing to her.

“Be careful, it's hot.”

A corner of her mouth lifted. “Just the way I like it. Where's yours?”

“I had a cup already, downstairs.”

“Oh.” Evidently he hadn't wanted to share her company over tea as he had done the other night. Confused lines etched her brow when he made no effort to leave the room. “Would you like to have a seat?”

“Nah, thanks anyway. But we do need to talk about a few things.”

“A few things like what?” she asked, sitting down on the edge of the bed and sipping her tea.

“The movers, for starters. I wasn't sure how you wanted to handle things regarding your move from Fort Worth. We can leave here and go there and get you all packed before heading to Houston.”

“Hmm, what do you suggest?”

“Whatever you want to do is fine with me.”

Caitlin nodded. She was aware of the fact that, unlike her job that was out for the summer, Dex had taken the last few days off work to be with her and Jordan, not to mention that important business meeting he wouldn't be attending in Austin tomorrow. She couldn't ask him to make those kinds of sacrifices any longer. “I live in a leased furnished apartment, so other than clothing and a few personal belongings, there's really not a whole lot to be moved. I have another three months before my lease expires so there's no hurry for me to pack up things in Fort Worth. If you don't mind, I'd rather we go on to Houston. I can go back to Fort Worth later. I brought enough clothes, so Jordan and I have plenty to last us for a while.”

“All right. What are you going to do about this place?”

Caitlin's emotions suddenly reeled under Dex's question. It had been one she'd avoided asking herself. Things had been different when she had left to move to Fort Worth. But now with her father gone, leaving here would seem so final. So permanent.

“Caitlin?”

She met Dex's gaze, hoping he wouldn't see the tears she felt misting her eyes. “I'm going to start packing Dad's things up tomorrow, but I don't think…”

Dex came and sat next to her on the bed. He took the cup of tea from her trembling hands and placed it on the nightstand. He gathered her in his arms. “Hey…” His voice was soft, gentle. “It's okay. You don't have to do anything you don't want to. You've had a lot to deal with this past week. If you need more time to take care of things here, we can delay leaving for Houston for a while.”

“No. I'm fine,” she said, giving him a shaky smile. “I just haven't decided what I'm going to do with this place yet. I guess I can sell it, rent it out or lease it.”

“You don't have to make any decisions now. Give yourself time to think about it.”

She stared at him. Considering their history she was overwhelmed by his kindness and understanding. “Thanks, Dex. You've really been understanding about everything. Your being here has helped me get through a very difficult time.”

“You don't have to thank me.” He looked at her and an unwanted familiar emotion gripped him. It was an emotion he fought each and every time he was around her. He wanted to make love to her so badly that he ached. He wanted the feel of her mouth under his, and the feel of her body beneath him. There was only so much a man could take. “Caitlin,” he said, his voice deeper, husky with desire.

“Yes, Dex?”

His gaze flicked to her mouth and back up to her eyes. He shook his head to clear his mind. She didn't have the faintest idea of what he was going through; what he'd been going through the past few days. It wasn't just about getting her into his bed. It was about getting her there and keeping her there. But the decision of when, that would be hers. A part of him hated the thought of how much he wanted her. The last thing he needed was to allow Caitlin to become enmeshed in his emotional needs. Needs he'd been able to contain for the past four years.

“Dex?”

He stood. “Nothing. You better get some sleep. I hope the tea relaxes you. I couldn't help noticing how tense you were at dinner.”

Caitlin stood. “I had a lot on my mind.”

Dex nodded. “Good night, Caitlin.”

Her gaze fastened on his. “Good night.”

Ever so slowly, Dex bent his head and touched his lips to Caitlin's in a kiss intended to be chaste. But the feel of her warm mouth beneath his was too much for him. His mouth settled on hers, moving very slowly, sensuously, coaxing her lips apart. He then deepened the kiss, his tongue stroking her, tasting her, fueling her passion and igniting his own.

A throaty groan escaped Caitlin's lips as she accepted the deep exploration of Dex's tongue inside her mouth while he held her body firmly against his. Her hands went around his neck, pulling him closer. She could feel the rapid beat of his heart as her breasts were flattened against his chest. His musky, masculine scent intoxicated her, and a throbbing ache began growing deep within her. She burned from the heat, leaning into him for support.

Caitlin felt herself being lifted into Dex's strong arms. With their mouths still joined, their tongues still hotly mating, he placed her on the bed then joined her there. Stretching out next to her, he untied the belt at her waist and slid one hand inside the opening of her robe, feathering his fingertips across her bare skin left exposed by her short, skimpy gown. Her skin tingled from his touch, and the desire within her began leaping out of bounds. She fought for control. Her upbringing dictated that sharing a bed with someone involved love and commitment. And although she and Dex were legally married, until she felt their marriage was on more solid ground, she couldn't be intimate with him. She pulled away. “No, Dex, I can't—”

Dex gently pulled her back into his arms. “Shh, it's all right, baby. I won't do anything you don't want me to. Just let me hold you. I need to hold you for a while.”

Caitlin heard the deep longing in Dex's voice. She heard the need in it, too. It was so deep, so intense, it almost shattered her resolve, broke her resistance. But a part of her held back. It was the part of her that believed in the true meaning of making love. She couldn't give in to him just to satisfy their sexual hunger, their bodily urges and their rampant desires. There had to be more between them, something a lot deeper and more meaningful than mere lust.

Dex tenderly held Caitlin in his arms. Although at the moment he was totally frustrated, a part of him admired her and respected her decision to hold back. His hunger for her went deep, but he wouldn't be completely satisfied until he possessed all of her. And he couldn't do that as long as she couldn't fully accept the way the relationship had to be between them. She wanted something from him that he could not give her again. The pain went too deep. There could never be promises of love between them. Not ever again.

After moments of contented silence with Caitlin in his arms, Dex leaned over and kissed the tip of her nose, her lips and the side of her mouth. “No matter what, Caitlin, I will be a good husband to you and a good father to Jordan.”

Caitlin heard Dex's words and knew them to be true. From the moment they had met, he'd come across as a man of honor. He had proven it countless times during their brief courtship. At no point had he tried taking advantage of her innocence. He'd always been the perfect gentleman, always treating her like “his lady.” And now she knew that with that same sense of honor, he was accepting what he felt to be his obligation to her and Jordan. He was not a man to turn his back on his responsibilities. Dex Madaris was a man who took care of his own. A part of Caitlin believed that in the end, her father had known that.

“I believe you, Dex,” she said softly as he continued to hold her.

They were silent for several minutes, and then Dex spoke again. “I better go.” He pulled himself up and sat on the edge of the bed.

Caitlin also sat up. “Dex, I…”

“It's okay,” he assured her, whispering against her forehead. He slid his arm around her waist, and she leaned against him. “Everything's going to work out all right, Caitlin.”

“I hope so,” she replied.

“It will. We're in it for the long haul. We have the rest of our lives.”

She nodded, yawning.

Dex stood. “You're tired. You need to sleep, and I've kept you up long enough.” He drew her up gently into his arms. “Good night, Caitlin,” he whispered before kissing her on the cheek. “Sleep well.” He then turned and walked out of the bedroom.

Corinthians threw the overnight bag on her bed and immediately went to the telephone. She had to dial the number twice. Her nervous fingers just didn't want to cooperate.

“Hello?”

“Brenna, can we talk?”

“Corinth? Where are you?”

“I'm at home.”

“At home? What's wrong? I thought you'd made plans to spend the night at the hotel.”

“Oh, Brenna, tonight was a total disaster.”