Be Mine Read online

  His nostrils flared as he breathed out.

  Patience. He’d sate himself soon enough.

  But she was like a startled cat whenever he got too close, her claws out and ready to strike. He’d have to change his tactic. He pushed away from the bannister with purpose and sauntered into the kitchen.

  * * *

  Aura finished the last stitch on Mrs Carthers’ blue dress and cut it free from the sewing machine. She stood up and stretched as the music playing through the MP3 speakers changed from a dulcet aria to a soothing piano melody accompanied by pipes and guitar. No words this time, just soaring notes loud enough to fill the entire room and keep the rest of the world outside. The entire music mix was playing on a loop and she’d heard this tune before. How many hours ago was that?

  She picked up the dress and inspected it. A job well done, even if it had taken the better part of an afternoon. Not that she’d had anything else to do the whole day.

  Lunch had been quicker and quieter than she’d braced herself for. Other than offering one brief sentence complimenting her cooking, Nathan had said little else, and as soon as he’d finished eating, he’d excused himself away saying he had work to do. She hadn’t dared repeat the doctor’s warning about working too hard, especially since the set of his jaw had indicated he wouldn’t take any such warning kindly.

  Logically, she should have been delighted when he returned to his room. The less time spent around him, the better, wasn’t it? But she couldn’t shake the dull sense of loss sitting like a heavy stone inside her.

  With a sigh, she took the dress to the wardrobe and pulling out an empty black cover, carefully eased the dress into it. She zipped the cover up and hung it back in the wardrobe then ran her hand across the other covers hanging there, coming to stop on the one containing Lisa’s Valentine dress. Two more days to go. Hopefully Lisa would love it as much as she did.

  Her gaze came to rest, as it always did, on the black cover at the very end of the row, and she bit her lip. She’d come close to throwing it out once, but hadn’t been able to. Doing so would have severed the one connection she had with Nathan, no matter how painful it was to remember it.

  She pulled the cover from the wardrobe and laid it out on the cutting table.

  She’d thrown this dress into the wardrobe when she was eighteen and it had remained there, ignored, but never forgotten. Then two years later, after Ralph’s funeral and in a fit of depression, she’d pulled the dress out again. Nathan hadn’t come to the funeral. His own father, and he’d chosen to stay in New York where he’d been working at the time. She’d hated him for that. She’d wanted to see him, because when he was close, her world felt right.

  That day after the funeral, tears streaming down her face, she’d taken a scissors to the red dress he’d derided at the wedding. She’d shredded it. And there it had lain on her sewing room carpet for days, like strips of blood, a reminder of her shame and pain.

  But it was also a reminder of him. Something he’d touched the day he’d kissed her for the first time, and she hadn’t been able to let it go.

  She pulled the zip down on the cover and spread both halves apart, exposing the dress inside. A one-shoulder bodice in beaded red lace flowed seamlessly at the narrow waist into floating layers of floor-length red velvet chiffon, which revealed a discrete thigh split when worn. It was a far cry from the short, strapless affair she’d worn to the wedding, at an age when she’d thought fashionable and sexy meant showing as much skin as possible.

  She’d grown up a lot since then, but not enough to get Nathan out of her mind.

  She ran a hand over the delicate red fabric. If she had any sense, she’d let this dress go. This was the sort of dress the chic blondes he dated wore, not someone like her with needle calluses on her fingertips and nowhere to go.

  What was she even doing wanting Nathan like she did? She barely knew what to say when she was around him. How on earth did she think she was going to match him in the seduction stakes?

  She stepped back from the dress, shaking her head.

  A sharp knock sounded on the sewing room door. “Aura.”

  Startled, she spun around and stared at the closed door. Oh crap. Nathan.

  “One minute,” she called out, pulling the zip up on the dress cover and shoving it back into the wardrobe. She switched off the MP3 player, plunging the room into stark silence and opened the door.

  Nathan was leaning against the doorframe and she stared up at him, licking suddenly dry lips with the tip of her tongue.

  His eyes narrowed on the move. “It’s six. You’ve been stuck in here for hours.”

  That long? She rubbed a hand over her forehead. She hadn’t even realized she was hungry until now. “I’m sorry. I’ll get you some dinner.”

  He shouldered his way past her, stepping into her sanctuary and going to stand in the middle. His hands were thrust into his jeans pockets, and his big frame made the room seem smaller as he stood there and glanced around him. “Nice. No wonder you keep busy.” His gaze latched on to the cork board above the cutting table and the various designs pinned to it. He moved closer to study them. “These your own designs?”

  “Yes.” She followed him into the room, coming to stand rather uncomfortably by the table.

  “You’ve sewn them?”

  “A few, yes. I have private clients… mostly folk in Langley.”

  “They’re quite good. You should have your own label,” he mused.

  She bit back a snort of derision. Her own label? It was a throw-away remark for him. In his world designer labels could probably be created with the snap of moneyed fingers, but in her world it was the dream of a lifetime. Still, he wasn’t to know that.

  “Maybe one day,” she answered evenly. “I’m already saving up to open my own little shop here.”

  He turned then and studied her. “You’ve changed, Aura.” Taking his hands from his pockets, he reached out and stroked a gentle fingertip across her cheek.

  She shivered at his touch, barely managing to keep her voice steady. “I’ve grown up, Nathan. Can’t stay naive forever.”

  He smiled at her words, letting his hand fall back to his side. “I’ve made us dinner, so if you’re ready…”

  She gaped at him. “You made dinner?”

  “Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for.” He grinned and indicated the open door. “But taste for yourself before you judge.”

  Blinking in disbelief, and unsure exactly what she was going to find in the kitchen, she went to the door.

  7

  The hallway was filled with the inviting aroma of herby meat. Aura followed it to its source and there on the kitchen table were two plates arranged with seared steak and vivid sautéed vegetables. A gravy boat brimming with rich brown gravy stood between the plates next to the bottle of red wine she’d bought and two empty wine glasses. And in the middle of the table, two lit white candles had been stuck into old, mis-matched metal holders. Mum had kept those candles in one of the back cupboards in case of a power cut, which hadn’t happened in many years. Aura had even forgotten the candles were there at all. Nathan must have rummaged through all the kitchen drawers and cupboards to find them.

  “I had no idea you knew how to cook like this,” she said, stunned. “It looks fabulous. Wine and candles too.”

  “I was the main cook when Andy and I were in university.” He pulled out a chair for her. “Granted, my abilities may be limited to a few simple meat dishes, but it’s good to try my hand at it again.”

  She sat down, hiding a grin at the heap of dirty pots and pans in the sink. He must have made noise like a thunderstorm with all those, yet she hadn’t heard.

  Dinner was wonderful. Nathan spoke about his skiing trip before the accident, and then explained a little about the investment deal Astreca was aiming for. Andy and he had developed sought-after software that secured data transactions in contactless payment systems. The wealth that patent had brought in had allowed them to expand Ast
reca by buying up other software and hardware systems in the financial sector.

  “We’re too big to ignore now.” He grinned over his empty plate. “And I keep the controlling stake, so we’re not open to any takeovers. Investment is the only way anyone can come in on the party. And they all want to. They’re after whatever slice of the pie they can get.”

  He came alive when he spoke of his work, his gorgeous features brimming with excitement as he used his hands in short, sharp movements to emphasize his points.

  Aura sipped her wine and listened avidly, not wanting to say or do anything that could break this enchanted moment between them. When had he ever spoken to her like this? When had they even shared a proper meal like this, just the two of them?

  It most likely had little to do with her in reality. He was probably this animated whenever he spoke to anyone about Astreca and what they were developing, but right now, she was the one blessed to be on the receiving end of all that electric passion and she wasn’t going to lose a moment of it.

  But just then, he raised his wine glass to his lips and took a sip, his silver gaze steady on her. The kitchen fell into silence and something subtle shifted in the atmosphere between them. Nervousness uncurled in the pit of her stomach and placing her own nearly empty glass on the table, she looked down at her plate.

  Well, here they were, after a delicious dinner, wine and entertaining conversation. If ever a time existed to seduce him, this was it. She licked her dry lips and glanced back at him.

  He was studying her, waiting, as if inviting her to make a move.

  “Do you… um… Do you….” God! Why had her brain dropped into a coma at this crucial moment? Cheeks burning, she stared back down at her plate. “I’d better wash up,” she mumbled.

  He reached beneath her chin and tilted her face up so she was forced to meet his piercing gaze once more. “Leave it for now. We still have some wine left. What say we take it to the living room and relax for a bit?” Amusement glinted in his eyes. “Doctor’s orders, after all.”

  Heat rushed to her cheeks again at his touch. Ugh, she probably looked like a beetroot by now. Willing her racing heart to ease off, she nodded. “I’d like that.”

  Nathan followed Aura into the living room, the half-full wine bottle in one hand and their empty glasses in the other.

  If he had his way, they wouldn’t be touching any more of the wine tonight. They wouldn’t have time. The gentle sway of Aura’s hips as she walked enticed him and his stiffening erection strained against the prison of his jeans, reaching for what it had wanted for days now. Nah, who was he kidding? Years.

  He subtly shifted his weight on his feet as he walked, and on reaching the nearest sideboard, deposited the bottle and glasses on top of it.

  Aura had sat down on the leather chesterfield couch, scooching herself up at the furthest end of it as if she was trying to make herself disappear from his sight. Like that was even possible. Even when his eyes had been covered, just having her in the same room as him had got his body thrumming with awareness and his shaft jumping for action.

  He studied her hungrily as she sat there fidgeting with the hem of her t-shirt, not looking at him. Her pert, rounded breasts strained against the white material of her t-shirt and his hands itched to rip everything off her and free her sexy body to his eyes and mouth.

  She shot him a look from beneath thick dark lashes, her green eyes wary as she pushed back her black curls with an unsteady hand. Damn. Was she still nervous around him? He’d wanted to show her at dinner that he was human too. Someone she could talk to, touch, hold. What was she used to with men? How did they usually approach her? He’d never needed to bother before. Women usually hunted him, not the other way around.

  He slipped a hand into his jeans pocket, feeling the foil-wrapped condom there. This night only had one ending, and if it took more wine to get there, then so be it.

  The tip of her tongue peeked out to lick her lush lips. The small movement grabbed his attention and excitement snaked through him. She wanted him. It was writ large in her eyes.

  He clenched his jaw. To hell with wine and waiting.

  Aura watched nervously as Nathan sauntered towards her. The hard determination in his eyes making her quiver inside.

  God, but he was magnificent. If only she were more experienced. She’d have jumped up, thrown her arms around his neck, and kissed his seductive lips like she ached to do. She’d have boldly shown him how much she wanted him without the need for any words.

  He came and stood in front of her, and she tipped her head back, unable to tear her eyes from his intense silver ones. He hunkered down, lowering his height so that his eyes were level with hers. “I want you, Aura, and I intent to have you, so tell me now if you don’t want this.”

  She gaped, unable to believe her ears for a second, and then a fierce thrill coursed through her. Yes! He did want her.

  But then her stomach rolled in trepidation. What if she disappointed him? Would he realize she was a virgin? He may not want her if he knew she’d never had sex before… But he wouldn’t know if she said nothing. Men didn’t notice these things in the heat of the moment, did they?

  She wanted this. Wanted him, more than her next breath in fact. She could do this.

  Think. How would the sort of experienced woman Nathan dated react?

  Steeling herself, she leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips, before pulling back and gazing into his intent eyes. “I want you too.”

  His eyes widened in shock, then with a low growl that rumbled deep in his chest, he dropped on to his knees and lunged forward, clasping her face between his hands and capturing her mouth in a kiss fiercer and hungrier than anything they’d shared before.

  Aura sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck, opening her mouth to his demand, giving him everything.

  He pulled her closer, deepening the kiss, tasting her like a man starved, and just as she was about to die of pleasure, he broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against hers, his breathing ragged, his eyes closed tight.

  “I’ve ached for you too long. Let you drive me crazy too long. Did you enjoy teasing me all these years? Wanted me to beg, was that it?” His voice was strained and he spoke between uneven breaths. He pulled back from her a little, dropping his hands to her waist, his silver eyes snapping open to hold hers in a steady, accusing gaze.

  Panic rose in her as she stared back at him. She hadn’t known. And she’d never intended to tease. She cupped his face, and shook her head, looking earnestly at him. “No, I never… I would never—”

  “Then you’ll give me all of you,” he growled, his fingers digging into her waist. “I will take every part of you, bury myself in you, again and again, until you forget every man you’ve ever had before and I finally quench this craving inside me.”

  His words sent electricity snaking through her, making her core clench with need, even as her mind rebelled. He was using her to satisfy a need, nothing more, but then… wasn’t that what she was doing too?

  Her entire being craved him, and she’d take whatever he gave her, for as long as he was ready to give it. And looking deep into his silver eyes, she nodded.

  On a fierce out-breath, he scooped her up into his arms and stood in one fluid movement. His lips claimed hers again as he held her tight to his chest, and she briefly registered they were moving before she lost herself in his kiss.

  * * *

  Her back hit a mattress and he broke the kiss. She was on his bed and he’d pulled back the covers, exposing the white sheet beneath.

  He straightened, his gaze running over her as she lay back against the sheet. “Strip. I want to see you.”

  She blinked and sat up, uncertainty shooting through her. He looked magnificent as he loomed over her, his black t-shirt and denim jeans emphasizing the muscular build of his body, his dark hair ruffled, and his eyes softened to a smokey grey. He was utter perfection, and she was not. She was a little pear, with breasts that weren’t
anything to write home about and rounded hips that meant her trousers were always one size larger than her tops. The thought of his gaze on her too ordinary body had her staring back at him in trepidation. What if he didn’t like what he saw?

  With a groan of desperation, he bent to her then, one knee on the bed to take his weight. “Don’t tease me, Aura. I’m not sure I have the strength to hold on.”

  He swept his lips over hers, and catching hold of the hem of her t-shirt, pulled it up over her head. He threw the t-shirt on the carpet and gazed at her, taking in the white lacy bra that cupped the mounds of her breasts. Her hardened nipples pushed against the flimsy material, and her cheeks flamed as his gaze rested there.

  Then he quickly gathered her to him, and she gasped. He bent his dark head and pressed a kiss to the pulsing hollow of her neck before working featherlight kisses down her chest and over the rapid rise and fall of her breasts. Raising a hand, she ran gentle fingers through his soft hair, holding him to her. But he pulled back a bit, his breath warm on the skin of her chest, and with one hand, reached behind her back and unclasped her bra. Her pert breasts sprang free. He pulled her bra off and threw it beside the t-shirt on the floor, his gaze remaining glued to her full breasts and their pink pebbled nipples.

  She barely resisted the urge to cover herself up.

  “Beautiful,” he murmured.

  Heat rushed to her cheeks at the awe in his voice.

  Lowering his head, he took one nipple in his mouth, while pinching and rolling the other between finger and thumb. She groaned, arching against him, her fingers digging into his hair as wild sensations shot from her breasts to the rest of her. He switched his attention on her breasts, and then kissed along the ripe curve of one, opening his mouth to suck hard at the soft flesh. Pain became pleasure and she shuddered. He’d leave a mark, and that thought alone had her panties dampening. She wanted to be marked by him.