Page 28 of Landry
"No." Taking the glass from the server, he took a deep fortifying sip, his eyes trained on the woman who occupied his thoughts and his dreams.
"Did you know she was going to be here?"
"No." He shook his head, a smile curving his lips.
"That was some luck."
"I prefer to call it fate." He shrugged when Jackson lifted his brows. "I'm half Irish and we believe in that stuff."
Taking a sip of his own drink, Jackson turned his head to glance over at the party of people, his wife included. He had fallen in love with her even before she knew he existed. A chance meeting had thrown them together. He had used an unusual request from her to get close to her. She had saved him. His adopted parents had done part of the job, and of course his career, but she had completed it.
Christ! He had no idea what he would do without her. It still scared him how much he adored her. Landry had confided in him several years ago when he was in Italy, the reason he had left so hurriedly.
"She seems to be coming around."
"Does she?" Hope flared inside his heart. "I intend to stay on her until she has no other choice but to forgive me for running."
"You didn't run, my friend, and it's time you stop beating up yourself about an action caused by a so-called friend of the family. If your parents had not shipped you and Kathy out of the country, God knows what would have happened to you."
"You don't think I tell myself that every damn day?" he hissed. "Every day, I would sit, try, and justify hurting the only woman I've ever loved. She's still hurting." Bitterness flooded his tone and caused him to take another sip. "She poured out her feelings just recently and I despised myself. Hurting her took a chunk out of his very soul. I sat there and took everything she said and could not do a damn thing, could not say a damn thing to defend myself." He drank some more and wished fervently that it would help to drown out his regret and grief.
"I can tell you something that will probably cheer you up."
Landry snorted. "I seriously doubt that."
"She's not over you, not by a long shot."
"That's what I'm counting on."
***
A subtle movement of his head had the guard melting into the shadows. His sister had told him earlier that Kady-Ann had asked about their presence and commented on it.
"Oh, I wish you could tell her, darling." She had blurted out in frustration.
But he could not in all honesty get her involved. As it stands, he might be putting her in danger, just by being near her. But Christ forgive him! He could not stay away!
"You're cold." Before she could button up her coat, he was doing it for her. When he had insisted on walking her out, she had said no, but he ignored her. And now they were standing in the shadowy parking lot, while the wind whipped through the leaves on the trees.
Kady felt her muscles clenching as he continued the thorough task of buttoning up her jacket. When his hands settled on her neck to push her hair back from the collar, she could not stop the tremors.
"No." She shook her head when she saw his eyes darkening. His fingers lingered, stroking the side of her neck, sending tingles along her spine.
"I want you." he breathed, taking her in. Her scent surrounded him; her nearness touched a chord inside him that was almost unbearable. Her face was turned up to him and his eyes zeroed in on her lush mouth. She had painted it an enticing gold that shimmered under the light of the moon.
He didn't just want to taste; he wanted to devour and take and take until he swallowed her whole. The need inside him had teeth that were tearing through him viciously.
"No." she repeated and found the strength to slap a hand on his chest as he started to move in. "No. I can't." Her fingers curled into the silk of his sweater. The warmth of his skin had her swaying.
"Come home with me." he whispered hoarsely. "We need each other. I need you. Kady-Ann, don't deny me..." His fingers tightened on her neck.
She knew what was happening and could not stop it. She didn't know if she wanted to. She certainly did not have the strength to resist. The more time she spent with him was the less she could lie to herself into thinking that it was over between them.
Her head lifted in anticipation, the breath strangled in her throat. Her limbs were weak and rubbery. If he had not been holding onto her, she might have dissolved to the pavement. His breath mingled with hers, sending tremors through her body. The hand that had been pressing on his chest to stop him slid up to curve around his neck.
Her heels had her at eye level. His jade green eyes had darkened to almost black. The wind whipping through the trees and fluttering leaves was forgotten. Everything else ceased to exist. His fingers tightened on her neck as his head descended.
His lips crushed hers. When her lips parted, a groan was torn from his chest. Wrapping his free hand around her waist, he drew her closer. He wanted the heat of her body, needed to feel the shape of her. Even through the layer of clothing, he could feel her warmth. Heat sparked and then burst into flames. With a shattered groan, he plunged his tongue into her mouth.
