“That’s a little too late now, you had all those years to go back to him. He sat around and waited for you to do so.” Amy bit off a sigh. “At some point in your life, you're going to have to grow up, Mom, and I really think that the time is now. I'm telling you straight up—I'm not attending another wedding.”
“I'm not going to get married again,” she protested. “I just want to concentrate on my dance and add to it. I'm introducing a new routine, a contemporary theme that will attract the younger generation.”
“And then you go home to an empty house.”
“I like my own company, just like you darling. I think you got that from me.”
“Mom, there are times when I'm in my apartment and would like to talk to someone, have dinner with that someone. The main reason I'm not interested in pursuing a relationship is because I do a lot of traveling. You need to reconsider this divorce and talk it over with Bryce or you are going to end up alone.”
*****
“Ready to turn in?” Sal asked as he came cantering over.
“I'm dead on my feet and for some reason the cold is getting to me.”
“I'm just going to check on the horses before I come in. I think Flute was limping a little bit.”
“Want me to come with you?”
Sal waved him away. “Go on in and have a meal by the fire. I got this.”
“That sounds like a very good plan.” Lance nudged his horse and Jet settled into an easy canter. The cold air whizzed by his ear, causing him to settle his hat further onto his head and turned up the collar of his fleece lined coat as he hunkered down to get some warmth. October had come with freezing rain and was making the grounds soggy and uneven in places. They were glad to get rid of the intense heat but if the rain continued, there was going to be a problem. He reached the barn and dismounted, leading his horse into the stall and taking off the saddle before rubbing him down. A stable hand usually did that but sometimes he liked to do it himself. “There you go, boy,” he said gently as Jet bent towards the meal in front of him. “I'll see you in the morning.”
He stopped at the barn door and frowned at the drops of rain coming down. It was too far to the ranch house and his truck was parked in the garage. Shaking his head, he prepared himself for the soaking and dashed out of the barn, not stopping until he was at the front door. By that time, he was soaking wet and chilled to the bone. Pushing the doors open he took off his wet coat and hung it on the peg before taking off his soggy boots and leaving them by the doorway. The housekeeper was going to give him grief for tracking water all over her floor, but he didn't care right now. First a warm bath, then something to eat, and then bed.
“Mr. Lance—”
“I know that I tracked water all over your floor but I got caught in the downpour. I have to go and take a shower before I catch a cold.” He bounded up the rest of the steps before she could say anything and went straight to his suite, pushing the doors open and going into his bedroom. He didn't bother to turn the lights on, so he didn't notice the person lying on his bed. He went straight into the bathroom and, taking off his clothes, went into the large shower install and turned the water on, feeling the warmth invading his chilled body.
He spent a few minutes showering before he turned the pipes off and stepped out, reaching for a towel to dry most of the water off his body. Using another towel, he dried the water from his hair and tossed that into the basket before going into the room. He turned the lights on and was about to take off the towel from his waist when her voice arrested his movements and sent his heart slamming into his chest.
“I cannot believe you went straight to the bathroom and never noticed me. It's not like I'm tiny.”
He turned towards the bed slowly, not daring to believe that she was here, lying in his bed! She'd told him that she wouldn't be here until two days from now and he'd been looking forward to it. “You're here.” He strove to make his voice sound casual, not wanting her to know how affected he was by her presence. She was propped up against the pillows, wearing nothing but the sheets that barely covered her.
“I came in at six and took a cab here. I told Sal not to tell you that I'm here and forgot to tell Ms. Maisie that my being here was supposed to be a surprise. Did she say anything to you?”
“No.” He stood there and couldn't move.
“Now, take off the towel real slow and let it fall to the floor. I want to feast my eyes. It’s been a month.”
He took off the towel slowly and dropped it to the floor. He was already fully aroused.
“Now come on over here and let me explore that gorgeous body of yours,” she murmured.
“I was about to have supper,” he said a little hoarsely as he walked towards the bed.
“How hungry are you?”
“I'm ravenous.” He climbed onto the bed next to her and peeled away the sheets. “Starving.” He ran his hand over her breast, lingering at the nipple. “Have been for a month.” He dipped his head and captured the nipple inside his mouth.
“That feels so good.” She arched her body towards his and dug her fingers into his shoulders. “Don’t stop, baby.”
He pulled the tight flesh between his teeth, tearing a startled cry from her. He lifted his head, his green eyes smoldering as he stared at her. “Did I hurt you?”
“It’s super sensitive because of the pregnancy,” she told him.
“You're pregnant.” He pressed his hands gently over her stomach in wonder. “You're actually pregnant! How are you?”
“Make love now and talk later.”
“Yes ma’am.” He kissed the tip of her nose and then ran his tongue over her full bottom lip, sending shivers all over her body. His tongue entered her parted lips, tongue tangling with hers as he tried to keep the kiss light. But she bit down gently, sending shockwaves throughout his already shuddering body. His heart was thudding so hard inside his chest that it was drowning everything out. He deepened the kiss, his fingers combing through the tangle of her hair spread out onto the pillows. Amy wrapped her arms around his neck and sank into the kiss, savoring the taste of him and his hard body against hers before she ended it and pushed at his chest.
“What?” he whispered hoarsely.
“I distinctly remember saying something about exploring your gorgeous body. Get on your back.”
“Amy—”
“Now, please.”
“Are you always this demanding?”
“As far as I can remember.” She ran her fingers over his chest, feeling the muscles ripple against her touch before she moved next to him, reaching up to kiss his hair-roughened cheek, moving down to the firm chin and then his neck and shoulder. “Please stay sill,” she whispered as she moved over his chest and used her tongue on his nipple. Lance stiffened, his fingers curling into fists. He stifled a groan as she tugged the nipple between her teeth and started nibbling, sending shudders all over his body. By the time she released his nipple and was making her way down his flat stomach, he was close to bursting.
“Amy—”
“Not yet.” She wrapped her hand around his throbbing erection, and he knew then that it was all over for him, or would be soon. When her tongue touched the reddened tip of him, he reacted by reaching down to pull her up and over him.