Tempted by a Carrington. Linda Hudson-Smith

himself, he’d never ask her to move.

       Another couple entered the model, and Lanier and Dallas regrouped then quickly exited. The man looked as if he recognized Dallas but said nothing.

       Lanier giggled. “Did you see how hard that guy was staring at you?”

       Dallas shrugged. “He was probably trying to place me.”

       Dallas’s fame was merely a part of what he did for a living and nothing to do with who he was as a man. Some sports figures got caught up in the fame game, but not him. Dallas was grounded and he loved his fans and enjoyed meeting them. Superstar attitude was not in him.

       Dallas grinned. “Houston’s the ham in the family, and he loves his megastar power. He has settled down a lot down since meeting Kelly. She brought him down to earth in a hurry.”

       “She certainly tamed that big old Texas boy.”

       “Yeah, and my parents are totally gone on Kelly. I wonder when they’ll walk down the aisle.”

       Lanier looped her arm through Dallas’s. “They’re smart not to rush into anything, even if they are perfect for each other.”

       Dallas outlined Lanier’s heart with his finger. “Are we?”

       Lanier shut her eyes. “Not as perfect as I want. It’s on me, though. I have lots of imperfections. I want to give you my all, and I’m working hard to get it right.”

       Dallas frowned. “The last thing I want is for you to do hard labor in this relationship.” If it didn’t come to her naturally, he feared they’d never work as a couple. Thinking she might not love him enough to marry him was upsetting. Yet, deep down inside, he felt loved by her.

       As the couple moved through the next town house, Dallas was quiet. His carefree mood had changed to more reserved. Lanier made him think hard and worry too much about what was happening inside her head, yet she was also the only one who could make changes in herself.

       Dallas had no desire to change Lanier, but he wanted her to be totally confident about her feelings for him. Forcing a time frame on her wouldn’t help, either. But he didn’t plan to wait forever for her to make up her mind about loving him enough to marry. Perhaps she just couldn’t love that hard. But there was no in-between for him; it was all or nothing.

       As soon as they’d entered the last town house, Lanier perked up. “Oh, my goodness, look at this place. It’s beautiful, the kind of home I’ve dreamed of! I know I haven’t seen it all, but I love what I see.”

       Moving into the spacious kitchen, Lanier’s hands lovingly swept the granite counters. That all appliances were stainless steel had her tickled pink.

       “Look here, Dallas. An entire stainless package is standard instead of an upgrade.”

       Dallas grinned and grabbed her hand, steering her toward the wrought-iron staircase.

       Lanier stopped on the stairway. Turning to Dallas, she cupped his face between her hands. “This is it! I feel it. I probably should look at a few more complexes, but I bet I’ll end up right back here.”

       “This one really is great. Have you thought about buying instead of leasing? I can set you up with my Realtor. Just say the word and it’s done.”

       “Maybe I will. I’m sure it’s better to buy a home than pay rent and end up with nothing to show for it.”

       Lanier and Dallas rapidly made their way up the few remaining steps. They entered the master suite and the glowing expression on Lanier’s face said it all. “How huge is this! Oh, my God, check out the bathroom with that fabulous tub. I can imagine us in it together.”

       Dallas could imagine it, too. The thought of Lanier straddling him in the tub caused a rise in his manhood. He made a mental note to coerce her into the bathroom Jacuzzi at his house.

       Lanier’s wild enthusiasm over the largest town house had Casey smiling. “I’ll work up both sets of figures for you. If you finance with us, we pay closing costs and offer ten thousand dollars in upgrades.”

       Lanier looked hopeful. So many things rushing around in her brain suddenly made her feel off-kilter. Leasing or buying was a big step. Knowing she had excellent credit had her worry-free. If the price was right, Lanier was sure she could accomplish it.

       Smiling, Lanier took Dallas’s hand. His gentle squeeze was reassuring.

       Lanier held up her forefinger. “One more question. Are the locations of leased homes and purchased homes mixed together in the same neighborhoods?”

       Casey shook her head. “Purchased homes and leased ones are set apart by brick perimeters. Security gates are provided at both entries.”

       Gathering up all paperwork related to the complex, Lanier shoved them in a manila folder Casey had given her. After shaking hands with the manager, she and Dallas were ready to go.

       The moment they stepped out into the sunlight, Dallas brought her into his arms and kissed her thoroughly. “I guess I can tell you now.”

       Lanier hunched her shoulders. “Tell me what?”

       Dallas laughed. “We fell in love with the same town house.”

       “I’m glad you approve. I felt the chemistry in spades. The rooms seemed to reach out and embrace me. The master suite has everything I could want. It wasn’t my bed, but it was sure summoning me to try it out,” she said, laughing. “My imagination got away from me in there.”

       Dallas kissed the tip of her nose. “Mine was right there with yours. I’m glad the air conditioner was on.”

       Lanier laughed. “I love it when we’re on the same page.”

       Taking Lanier’s hand in his, Dallas started walking toward the car. “It happens to us a lot.” He glanced at his watch. “Let me get you back to Haven House so I can go home and lay down for a while. Resting before practice never hurts.”

       Envisioning him up to bat, Lanier swung their entwined hands back and forth. “I love to see your muscles ripple when you’re on deck.”

       “In that case, I’ll try to give you a real good show.” He flexed his upper arm muscles. “Iron clad,” he joked.

       Lanier smiled. She loved his muscles and his strength, but she particularly loved how protected she felt nestled in his powerful arms.

       Dallas had a hard time leaving Lanier’s warm embrace. She had come into his arms as soon as they had entered the house. She was kissing him as if she couldn’t get enough of his mouth, and he was returning her moist kisses with unbridled passion. Knowing this would probably end with him taking a cold shower, he still couldn’t pull away. His manhood was stiff as a board, grinding up against her body with tender force.

       Lanier loosened the buckle on his belt and then lowered his zipper. She wasn’t in control of herself and she didn’t care. Reaching inside his fly, she found his erection and began moving her closed hand up and down his shaft.

       Losing his hands in her hair, he tugged gently. Tilting her head back, his tongue licked up and down her throat. Unbuckling her belt, he removed it and slid the slacks halfway off her hips. As his hands slid into her panties, she gasped wantonly. For only a fleeting moment she thought of where they were. She easily convinced herself that foreplay was not intercourse.

       Continuing to pump her hands up and down his sex, she wrapped her hands around him tighter. Bringing him as much pleasure as she could was what was on her mind. She wanted to send him off to his nap with something hot and sweet to think about.

       As Dallas’s fingers probed inside of her, it was all she could do to remain standing. She was wet and hot and he was hard as stone and his breathing was jagged. In the next instant, she felt the ripples of a powerful climax wending its way throughout her inner chamber. Dallas muffled both of their moans of fulfillment as he covered her mouth with his.