Whispered Promises (20 page)

He returned her smile, letting his gaze roam up and down her small, shapely figure that was covered by a white, ballerina-length nightgown. “Why are you still up?”

Caitlin met his gaze. She thought she saw annoyance in their dark depths. She'd tried convincing herself she should be in the guest room asleep when Dex came home, but for some unexplainable reason, she had waited up for him.

Tearing her gaze away, she looked down at the boxes sprawled by her bare feet. “I was trying to organize some of your papers that I found tossed on the desk in your study. I hope you don't mind.”

Dex shrugged. “Why should I mind? I've been meaning to take care of them and kept putting it off. Thanks for doing it, but you really didn't have to.”

Caitlin smiled. “I didn't have anything to do after Jordan went to bed. Have you ever thought about putting this stuff on computer? It would save you a lot of time and space.”

Dex's eyes reflected amusement. “Probably would, but if you're suggesting I do it tonight, forget it.”

Caitlin laughed, then her expression became serious. “You look tired.”

Her whispered evaluation of his physical state brought a wry smile to Dex's lips. “Yeah, I am. The meeting lasted longer than I expected,” he said, taking her hand and leading her toward the sofa.

Dex thought about his meeting with Trevor. They had made a conference call to Adam and Corinthians. As best as Dex could, he had explained the situation to them. Everyone was totally surprised Caitlin was Halston Parker's daughter and didn't want to sell Shadowland. Adam had been extremely upset with Malone Land Developers's handling of things, and had indicated that he would be speaking directly to S. T. Remington about it. He was more than sure that Remington Oil would sever all ties with Malone Land Developers.

When they sat down on the sofa, Caitlin relaxed against Dex, letting her head rest on his chest. “How did Trevor's meeting go with Remington Oil yesterday?”

“Remington Oil changed their mind.”

Caitlin lifted her head to meet his gaze. A look of confusion covered her face. “What do you mean?”

“They've changed their mind about the entire project. And without the project, there's no need for Madaris Explorations' services.” He decided not to tell her everything.

“Oh, Dex. I'm sorry. I know how much getting that project meant to you.”

“Don't worry about it. There'll be other projects.” He stood. “If you don't mind, I prefer not discussing this anymore.”

“All right, I understand.”

“I take it Jordan went to bed long ago.”

Caitlin smiled. “Yes. Your phone call earlier this afternoon pleased her immensely. When she first woke up from her nap, she thought you had gone back to Australia. She tried waiting up for you tonight, but couldn't. She had a lot to tell you.”

“Oh? Such as…?”

Caitlin's smile widened. “For starters, she just loves our new home and has found the perfect tree out back for you to build her a tree house. She wants it to be a smaller version of this house.”

Dex laughed.

“That's not all, Dex. She thinks the backyard is plenty big enough for her horse.”

Dex raised a brow. “What horse?”

“The one she's going to try to convince you she needs.”

Dex roared in laughter. “Is there anything else?”

A resigned smile curved Caitlin's lips. At first she had decided against telling Dex about Jordan's third request, in hopes that Jordan would forget it. But Caitlin knew just how persistent Jordan could be and felt at least he should be prepared when he saw Jordan in the morning.

Dex noted Caitlin's hesitancy. “What else does she want?”

Caitlin took a deep breath. “She wants a baby sister or a baby brother.”

Dex's dark-eyed gaze pierced her intently. “You may have a problem with that, Caitlin, but I don't,” he said more harshly than he intended. He rubbed the back of his neck. “Look, I didn't mean to snap at you, but I have a lot on my mind right now. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a shower and then go to bed. Good night.” He left the room and headed up the stairs.

Caitlin straightened her spine as she watched his departure. Standing, she walked over to the window and stared out into the darkness as she thought about her relationship with Dex.

Suddenly, Bev's words came back to her in a rush…
Don't be afraid to follow your heart, listen to your mind, stand behind your convictions, and don't be afraid to take risks. The only failure lies in not trying…

She released a heavy sigh, knowing what had to be done before she and Dex could rebuild their marriage. He needed a lesson in forgiveness, and the way she saw it, the best person to give it to him was the one he couldn't forgive.

“I love you so much, Dex,” she whispered, inhaling slowly. “And I will use my love to fight you and to break down your defenses. I have to believe that love draws love.”

Dex's exhaustion vanished under the hard, steamy spray of water that ran through his lathered hair and soaked into his skin. He turned his face into the nozzle as the hot water rushed down the curve of his back, then trickled down his legs.

Minutes later he stepped out of the shower and dried off with a thick velour towel. Leaving the bathroom, he entered his semidarkened bedroom. A faint movement near the vicinity of the bed caught his attention. Caitlin stood there looking innocently seductive. The vision before him was like something out of a dream. It beckoned him to come closer.

But he didn't.

“Caitlin?” Dex asked in a whisper.

Caitlin found her gaze locked with Dex's. He stood in the middle of the room wearing a towel wrapped around his waist and another draped around his neck. He studied her with dark, compelling eyes, making her pulse race.

Her breath caught in her throat. Deep within her a spark of desire was ignited by the look in his eyes. His gaze was reaching out and touching her. A ripple of excitement surged throughout her body. Silence between them was so thick in the room it could have been cut with a knife.

“It's my time to serve the tea. I think you're the one who needs relaxing tonight,” she finally said, indicating the serving tray holding the cup of tea she'd placed on the nightstand. “I may as well warn you, it's not Whispering Pines's finest, but it was the best I could do.”

“Thanks, it smells good.” He walked over and picked up the cup. “Where's yours?”

Caitlin sat on the edge of Dex's bed. “I thought we would share.”

Dex turned and fixed a surprised gaze on her face. “All right.” He picked up the cup. “Here, you can take a sip first.”

Caitlin shook her head. “No, I made it for you. You can go first.”

Dex nodded and took a sip. He smiled. “Not bad.” Being careful of the hot liquid, he held the cup while Caitlin took a sip. His stomach clenched deep inside when she deliberately found the place where his mouth had touched on the cup, placed her mouth there and took a sip.

“You're right, it's not bad. But I can think of something better,” she whispered, holding his steady gaze. “To relax you.”

“Something like what?” Dex asked, his voice husky. He placed the cup back on the tray.

“Mmm,” she said as her gaze scanned him from head to toe, letting him know she was very aware of the fact that he was standing before her seminude. She looked up and met his gaze once again. “Me. Tonight I'm serving tea and…me.”

Dex stared down at her, hoping he had heard her correctly. “Tea and you? That's a mighty hot combination, Caitlin. Are you sure?” he asked, his voice raspy, husky.

A smile tilted Caitlin's mouth. “Yes, I'm sure. I'm ready for a real marriage, Dex. I know what my feelings are for you. I've been dealing with them since the day you returned. I love you. I always have, and I always will.”

Dex stood very still, stunned by her words. Her voice was soft and breathless, and her eyes were filled with the love she'd just proclaimed. Reluctantly he pulled his gaze from hers. He wanted her, but a part of him couldn't place his heart in her hands again. And it was only fair that he let her know up front just how he felt. He met her gaze again.

“I care for you, Caitlin, but—”

“It's okay, Dex. I have enough love for the both of us right now.” She reached out her hand to him. Dex gazed at her outstretched hand. His hand was unsteady as he took it into his, their fingers joining. He gently pulled her to him.

Standing on tiptoes, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her smile was soft and sensual. “Thanks for bringing me home, Dex.”

He cupped her face and lowered his head. He had meant for his kiss to be gentle, soft, tender. But it was none of those things. It was hard, fierce, aggressive. It unleashed all the passion and desire that had been dormant the past four years. Those emotions had been untouched and unconquered by any other woman. Caitlin had a patent on them. They were hers and hers alone.

He reached out and gathered her into his arms and placed her on the bed, kissing her uncontrollably. His tongue stroked hers over and over again. She brazenly returned the kiss, igniting his passion and feeding his fire.

He reached out and touched her, letting his fingers follow the path of his heated gaze. “I want you so much.” He braced himself on his elbow to stare down into her eyes. Memories filled his mind of how things had been for them the first time they had made love. He wanted their coming together now to be as special as it had been then. Already he was burning for her with a need that went beyond anything he'd ever known. All he wanted to do was to feel her beneath him as he'd fantasized this past week. But first there was something he had to do; something he wanted to do.

Dex stood and walked over to the dresser and opened the top drawer. Coming back to the bed, he placed a velvet box in Caitlin's hand.

A lump caught in her throat. Without opening the box she knew what was inside. Her wedding ring. Nervously, she lifted the lid to gaze down at the beautiful gold band embedded in white velvet.

“It was hard for me to remove this ring from my finger,” she said softly. Shadows of pain and regret haunted her eyes.

Dex removed the ring from the box and placed the wedding band on her finger. “And it was just as hard for me when I got it back.” He gazed into her eyes as he lifted her hand to his lips. “Now it's back where it belongs.”

He straightened, slowly removing his towel. The hungry look in his eyes told Caitlin just how much he wanted her. His aroused body showed just how much he desired her. Her eyes took in the magnificent build of him. She watched him through passion-glazed eyes as he slowly came to her.

“My memories didn't quite do you justice,” he said slowly removing her gown. “You're more beautiful than I remembered.” An arousing glow lit his gaze as it fell upon her naked body. He wanted her desperately.

“There's something you should know, before you go any further,” Caitlin said breathlessly, encircling his neck with her arms.

“What should I know, sweetheart?” he asked, leaning down. His lips placed small kisses on her neck and the side of her mouth, while his fingers stroked lightly along her inner thigh.

She met his gaze. “I'm not protected.”

Deep emotions shone in Dex's eyes. “Neither am I, Caitlin. I've been unprotected since the moment I first laid eyes on you.”

Caitlin's heart swelled with love for him. They were referring to two totally different things. He was admitting that with her, he was vulnerable, unguarded.

“Love me, Dex. Please make love to me.”

“I will, baby.” He kissed a path down her neck, moving lower. Her skin felt soft and smooth, and he wanted to taste every inch of her.

Her nails dug into his shoulder blades as he sweetly tormented her. It seemed every fiber in her body was responding to him. The molten ache he had created inside of her was almost unbearable. She let out a little cry; his name escaped her lips; her sensual pleas begged for fulfillment.

He whispered soft words in her ear as he continued to build the fire between them. She clung to him, quivering with a turbulent need as he continued to touch her. His hands moved over her body, stroking her, gently kneading her, and making her breast swell even more fully in his palms.

Dex's stomach muscles tightened with anticipation. He was going through sheer torture and couldn't deny their heated desires any longer. Positioning himself between the dark, soft thighs, he pulled her tightly to him. He slipped his hands beneath her, lifting her hips to receive him and entering her in one smooth thrust. Planted deep within her, he filled her completely. Her tightness encompassed him, and he could tell no other man had made love to her since him. That realization almost made him lose control.

His mouth caught hers in a deep kiss that fired their passions into glorious splendor. He began moving against her, taking her with slow, deep and gentle thrusts.

Caitlin arched against him, caressing his strong body, reacquainting herself with him as he moved inside her. Her nails bit into his back and shoulder as he drove deeper and deeper. She wrapped her legs around him, stroking him with her hips as the slow, erotic rhythm he'd set earlier increased. Dex began moving more rapidly, more urgently. His thrusts became harder, stronger. Her breath came in short gasps and her body was strung to its maximal cord.