Tempted by a Carrington. Linda Hudson-Smith

“Tsk, tsk,” Lanier scolded. “You know the answer. We’ve never done anything over the top here. The girls may be gone, but their presence isn’t.”

       Dallas swept her into his arms. Pulling her as close to his body as he could, he hungrily engaged his mouth with hers. Bumping and grinding their hips together was sensuous. He wondered who’d be the first one to put on the brakes. His willpower was definitely in doubt.

       Laying her head on Dallas’s chest, Lanier closed her eyes, inhaling his manly scent. With her arms wound loosely around Dallas’s neck, the couple’s body rhythms matched perfectly the sexy, provocative music. If she were anywhere other than Haven House, she’d be tempted to strip and dance provocatively for his pleasure. It wasn’t something she’d done before, but he made her feel uninhibited. The thought of stripping for him had her hot. Lanier could barely wait to make it happen.

       As a much faster paced song came on, Lanier and Dallas let the music take them over. As she ground her hips into his, he pulled her back against him. His manhood rose as he matched her wild, sexy moves. For the next several minutes, they stay locked together, bumping and grinding to the music.

       They headed back to the sofa and sat down to catch their breath. She picked up the remote control. “Where are the movies?”

       Dallas snapped his fingers. “Out in the car. I’ll get them.”

       “Let’s look at the cable guide first. We can surf the movie channels and maybe there’ll be something on. I don’t want you out of my sight.” She blew him a kiss.

       Dallas didn’t care if the screen was blank. Lanier was always doing or saying something that turned him on, without even realizing it. When she’d bent over the CD player earlier, it had taken all his strength to keep from taking her down to the carpet and making wild, passionate love to her. Dallas would never disrespect the sacredness of Haven House, but he had no control over the X-rated thoughts that ran through his mind.

       Stopping on a cable channel, Lanier watched what was happening on the screen for several seconds before she realized it was an erotic flick. She stole a glance at Dallas, but he appeared unaffected by what was on television. Instead of turning the channel, she set down the remote. Without uttering a word, she got comfortable, laying her head on Dallas’s lap.

       Inwardly, she laughed, knowing he was wondering what had gotten into her. If he had turned on an erotic movie, he’d expect her to throw a fit. The old Lanier might’ve been offended, but she was trying to lighten up.

       His eyes darting between Lanier and the television screen, Dallas couldn’t help wondering if she was really comfortable with the heavy eroticism. He didn’t normally watch these types of shows, but her enjoying it made him feel sexy.

       It didn’t take Dallas long to get worked up. He reached for Lanier and kissed her passionately. His hand snaked up under her top and fondled each of her breasts, and his breathing was labored. Just as he was about to unsnap her bra straps, she jumped up, making him feel bad for attempting to heat up her body.

       Lanier’s eyes appeared apologetic. “I’m sorry. I can’t do this here.”

       He stood. “It’s okay. I was out of line, and I’m sorry.” He took a deep breath. “I’m leaving now. I want to make love to you…and I can’t.”

       Lanier felt awful, but she couldn’t bring herself to engage in lovemaking at Haven House.

       This was her fault, she knew. It started with the offer of bumping and grinding while dancing. She had been sexually affected by what was on the television screen, so she should’ve expected Dallas to feel something, too. The erotic movie had made her just as hot as he was.

       He touched his lips lightly to her forehead. “Good night. See you tomorrow.”

       Lanier hated to see their evening end like so many of their past dates. He was sexually frustrated, and she was to blame. She had to change her position about Haven House. It was the girls’ home, but it was also hers. The girls weren’t here, and Dallas had been so close. Now she felt sad and lonely. It had been hard to see him go, and she should’ve asked him to stay.

       In white jeans and a sexy orange sleeveless top, Lanier stepped outside the house to wait for Dallas. She sat on the porch swing and laid her purse beside her. As she looked around at the beautiful flowers and shrubs, she smiled, remembering when Haven House looked like it should’ve been condemned. Instead it had been sold to her and Ashleigh way below market value. A lot of hard work and money had gone into restoring the home to a beautiful property.

       Dallas’s silver Mercedes-Benz came into view. By the time she reached the vehicle, he was out of the car, making his way around to the passenger side.

       He gently kissed her forehead. “Sweetheart, you look gorgeous.”

       Dallas brought Lanier into his arms and kissed her passionately. His manhood readily responded to the mere feel of her, but now was not the time for his virility to react so wildly to her sexiness. Last night’s disappointing episode was enough for him. Holding Lanier slightly away from him, his ebony eyes connected with hers. “Is everything okay?”

       Lanier nodded. “It couldn’t be better. I can’t wait to tour the town houses.”

       Ten minutes later Dallas drove his car through security gates and parked. Leaning across the seat, he kissed Lanier. “Sit tight. I’ll open your door.”

       Extending his hand to Lanier, Dallas helped her exit. Physical contact with her sent another jolt of electricity right through him. All he could do was wish they were off somewhere alone so he could make love to her endlessly.

       Hand in hand, Dallas and Lanier walked through the neighborhood, her eyes drinking in the lush landscaping. She already liked the feel of this place. The atmosphere was peaceful. Living alone still scared her, but she couldn’t move forward in her life without having the experience.

       Opening the office door, Dallas allowed Lanier to precede him.

       “Let’s start with the last model and work our way back to the first,” he suggested.

       “Good idea. Model home sites tend to save the best for last.”

       They entered the model and looked around. Dallas checked for signs of approval or disapproval on Lanier’s face. She was expressionless, making it impossible for him to read her.

       “It doesn’t feel warm to me. It’s nice but lacks something I can’t put my finger on. Trying to imagine it without furnishings is hard. I wish models were empty so visitors could see it frill-free,” she remarked.

       The couple went upstairs, but Lanier still looked unimpressed.

       Dallas pursed his lips. “Ready to move on to the next one?”

       “May as well. This one is not for me.”

       Dallas took Lanier’s hand and led her back downstairs. As they reached the exit, he pulled her to him suddenly and united their lips in a tender kiss. As his sex responded to the feel of her body close to his, his mouth increased the pressure on hers.

       Dallas ended the kiss, but Lanier took up where he’d left off. Her hunger for him had her crazy with desire as she rubbed against his thickened organ pressing against her thigh. Even though she was in public, she had no problem envisioning them making love.

       Raw passion in her eyes made Dallas gulp hard. “In a naughty-girl mood, huh?”

       “You can say that. If I wasn’t worried about someone walking in on us, I’d tempt you to take me right here.”

       Feeling the intense heat of her body, Dallas felt as if he were sweating from within. It was selfish of him, but he’d been fantasizing about her moving away from Haven House. Their lovemaking was restricted because of her position as foster mother. Even when she spent a night at his home, she couldn’t relax completely because she had to remain in control of herself.

       Letting go and completely