Modern Romance December 2019 Books 5-8. Jane Porter

all that matters.’

      And then he closed off.

      ‘And those guests you couldn’t find to say goodnight to?’ she pressed, wanting some reaction from him.

      ‘I’ll see them at the airport tomorrow. Tonight is for you.’

      For sex, she assumed. Not that she didn’t crave Luc’s body, but she wanted more from him. She had other concerns on her mind, notably an unborn child.

      ‘You’re taking a lot for granted,’ she observed, steadying herself on the hand rail.

      ‘Yes,’ he agreed. ‘I want to spend the night with you.’

      Her pulse went crazy, but she had to accept that nothing had changed. How many times had they been together without Luc opening up? And she had to know the father of her child. They could be so close in so many ways, and complete strangers in others. He shut her out when she needed to be sure that Luc bore no resemblance to her own father. She couldn’t bear that. She wouldn’t bear it, and neither would her child. No infant should be shunned, and if Luc was incapable of expressing his feelings, then perhaps she should keep him at a distance. What was it in his past that had made him so insular? She was bad enough, but he was gold standard when it came to hiding his feelings. If she couldn’t find out tonight, what chance did she have?

      ‘We will talk?’ she pressed.

      ‘Of course we will,’ he promised.

      ‘When?’

      ‘Soon.’

      ‘Should I be satisfied with that?’

      He raised a brow and smiled down, forcing her to realise that she had underestimated his devastating appeal. Luc only had to look at her a certain way for her scruples to vanish. ‘No, we can’t,’ she protested as he dragged her close.

      ‘Where does it say that in the rule book?’ he murmured. ‘You carry around a very heavy rule book, Señorita Winner, but it’s not one I care to read.’

      ‘Seriously, Lucas…’

      ‘I intend to be very serious indeed, as I’m dealing with an emergency situation.’

       One more night with the man she loved. What could be wrong with that?

      Everything, Stacey’s cautious inner voice suggested. You’ll miss him even more when he’s gone.

      So be it, she concluded as Luc drove his mouth down on hers.

      Arranging her to his liking, with her legs around his waist, he supported her with his big hands wrapped around her buttocks.

      ‘Are you sure I’m not too heavy?’

      ‘What do you think?’ he said, slowly sinking to the hilt.

      She was thinking that she would never get used to this…to Luc wanting her, and to the feeling of completeness that gave her—or to the size of him. ‘What do I think?’ she asked on a gasp. ‘Take me gently.’

      ‘Gently?’ he queried as he drew back to plunge again.

      ‘The baby,’ she reminded him.

      ‘I can do gentle,’ he murmured, proving this in the most effective way. ‘Though you should know that babies are quite resilient.’

      With a smile she shook her head. ‘You did your research on that too?’

      ‘Let’s find out,’ Luc suggested, and from that moment on he had her exclaiming rhythmically as she urged him on to take her repeatedly on the journey to the top station. It was long enough for several mind-shattering bouts of pleasure, and by the time they’d straightened their clothes and stepped out of the small cabin, she was committed to spending the rest of the night with Luc. Anything else would not only be wrong, it would be inconceivable. She wanted him too much to resist him. Pregnancy had made her mad for sex, and Luc was only too willing to help her with that.

      They fell on each other the moment they entered his chalet. The inside of the front door proved a useful surface as he took her again, and while she was still whimpering in the aftershock of pleasure, he carried her over to the sofa in the living room and pressed her down. ‘Again!’ she demanded fiercely as he moved between her legs.

      Luc gave her everything she needed and more, and it was only when she quietened that she thought to ask if they were alone.

      ‘If we weren’t to begin with, I imagine you’ve frightened everyone away by now with your screams.’

      Balling her hands into fists, she pummelled him weakly. ‘That’s not funny, Lucas.’

      ‘Oh, but it is,’ he argued as he rolled her on top of him. ‘I’m going to strip you, and make love to you again, and you can scream as loudly as you like.’

      They moved from sofa to rug in front of a glowing fire where they made love until she fell back, exhausted. ‘I’ll never forget this trip…or you…us…’ she whispered as Luc soothed her down.

      ‘That sounds like goodbye,’ he commented, frowning as he pulled back his head to stare into her eyes with concern.

      ‘Not yet, but soon,’ she whispered. It was inevitable.

      ‘Not yet,’ Luc agreed, brushing smiling kisses against her mouth, ‘because first I’m going to take you to bed.’

      ‘To sleep in each other’s arms,’ she murmured contentedly as he sprang up and lifted her.

      ‘To sleep in each other’s arms,’ Luc confirmed.

      He watched her sleep. This was fast becoming one of his favourite occupations, he had discovered. Was this caring warmth inside him a sign he was capable of feeling something and could master the guilt?

       Was this love?

      He huffed a cynical smile. He’d always liked Stacey. A lot. As a teenager she’d driven him crazy, and now he admired her like no one else. But love? Love was dangerous.

       She’s the mother of my child.

      The warmth inside him grew at the thought. There was no one he’d rather choose for that role than Stacey. Brimful with character, integrity, intelligence and determination, she would make a wonderful mother.

       On her own again?

      If anyone was equal to that task, it was Stacey.

      Could I really stand back and let her do that after everything I saw when she was younger? This woman who’s been starved of affection will be abandoned again?

      Not abandoned. He’d always care for Stacey and their child. She didn’t need the additional burden of his guilt to carry around, so this was for the best.

      She looked so peaceful he didn’t want to wake her. Exhausted from working tirelessly on behalf of his guests and from making love for most of the night, she’d earned her rest. He’d speak to her later about future arrangements when everyone else had gone.

      Slipping out of bed to take a shower, he shrugged off the memories crowding his mind of warmth and peace and happiness. They belonged to someone who deserved them…deserved Stacey. She could safely sleep on. The first departure for his guests wasn’t due until noon, by which time she’d have a chance to don her professional face and head out with her usual sense of purpose to smooth everyone’s passage home.

      Her work rate pricked his conscience. He wanted to wake her and make love to her again, but instead he was heading out to make sure there were no hitches for her to face. Her charges were his guests and ultimately his responsibility. She’d done enough and more besides. He’d catch her later at the airport with a token of his appreciation to thank her for all she’d done.