His brain turned to mush, grasping exactly what she said, and didn’t say.

  As she opened the door, the scent of flowers wafted. The room decorated in jewel toned cushions beckoned. “It’s really nice.” Micah followed her into the room, noting the careful placement of the cupboard, the ambient lighting.

  “I’ve also put in a small sound system, so I can play relaxation music. I’ve found that helps me to settle in.”

  He grinned. “Sounds like you’ve done a lot of thinking about this. Would you show me?”

  Davina reached out, “Why don’t we go one better? Even though Karly isn’t here, we can still practice the techniques.”

  As he moved to agree, he spotted the flyers she hadn’t yet checked, given they still appeared pristine. “You haven’t had time to look at these?”

  Her hair whipped around her face. “No time. This week has been crazy. But since you’re here, maybe...?”

  Ahh, now here was a problem. He could steer her towards the Kundalini which appealed viscerally, but he didn’t want to give her an opportunity to later feel aggrieved that he’d set the rules between them.

  Instead, he waited as she picked up the first of the flyers and read through it, screwed up her face and moved to the next. The purple flyer sat at the bottom, and her cheeks turned rosy as she skimmed it. The glazing of her eyes a clear sign of her interest and perhaps a level of arousal.

  “Something interesting?” She’d given it her full attention, and at his words she jumped as if she’d forgotten he was there.

  “I… Uh…”

  “You’ve found something that appeals to you?” He knew the timbre of his voice changed, deepening. Couldn’t control his own reaction to her. “Kundalini?”

  “I… Yes.” The breathy quality of her voice took on the strength of a siren’s call.

  “Perhaps you would investigate it with me?”

  He waited a heartbeat, then two.

  She swallowed, and he saw the movement of her throat, the way she damped her lips with the tip of her tongue. That delicate blush tracing down her neck.

  “Yessss.”

  The roar of pleasure didn’t just bloom in his chest, so much as explode, radiating heat and anticipation of what they both had to look forward to. He wasn’t quite ready yet to tell her what he’d placed on his bedside table. The battered and well-thumbed copy of the Kama Sutra and another, a tome on the basics of Kundalini. She wasn’t ready to hear that, and he wasn’t ready to explain that he felt their connection would grow through the practice of this meditation technique.

  Instead, he reached out, slid a strand of hair from her face before cupping her jaw. “Thank you.”

  They wavered, both moving and rolling towards each other, so that they touched at chest and lips. The touch, both reverent and careful. She wasn’t ready for fast and hungry, not yet. He wanted her to take his lead, to follow him into pleasure he knew lay ahead.

  “Let me touch you, Davina. I want to kiss you.”

  Her eyes assumed the glazed look he’d seen before. “Yes. I want that.”

  This time, he opened his mouth, just a little, enough that his breath whispered against her flesh.

  “Come closer.” She sighed and complied, so that they now nestled together, while he wound his arm around her waist.

  “Can you feel me, Davina? Can you feel how my heart pounds for you?”

  “I… Yes.” Her voice sounded strangled. His own thought processes were only held together by the briefest of threads. If he moved too fast, he’d lose control. Not now. Not tonight, he reminded himself. This was about Davina, and helping her to find not just the strong, relationship-savvy woman she could be, but also embracing the sexuality he knew lay beneath her iron-like restraints.

  He stepped away and studied the woman before him, her eyes somnolent, hair tousled and totally ripe. I want to draw her.

  He’d never felt such a strong need to draw the woman he’d been intimately involved with before, keeping both sides of himself separate as much as he could. He’d slept with Karen, but while she’d been his agent, it had been a matter of expediency. This time, it was different. There were depths and layers he wanted to explore with Davina.

  “Will you take off your top for me?”

  His hands mirrored her moves, shedding the cotton shirt as she uncovered herself. Her blouse dropped away, the white cotton of her bra standing out. She reached behind her back; her gaze locked on his and unhooked the clasps. The cups sagged and his mouth dried. As the scrap of material slid to the floor, he hissed with arousal.

  “Your pants,” Micah requested as his fingers found the clasp of his belt, loosened it, and he dealt quickly with the hook, button, and zip. He slid the pants and underwear down as she followed suit.

  “This isn’t quite what I had in mind.” Her voice whispered in the fraught silence, and he couldn’t control the rumble of a laugh.

  “Maybe, but it’s a hell of a way to spend time together.”

  He toed out of his shoes and kicked off the puddle of clothing at his ankles as she followed suit.

  His body tightened as she stood there, nude in the soft lighting. He reached for her hand, shivering as their skin connected and nerves jumped. It felt like arcs of electricity raced beneath his skin as he moved closer.

  * * *

  Davina couldn’t pull her gaze away. Micah stood before her, his hard cock engorged with desire from beneath the thatch of dark, curly hair at his centre. His face tight and flushed with a hunger that she knew was on hers, too.

  God, how hungry she was for him and his body. But it was more than that. But Davina shied away from thinking about the emotional. Not now, when pleasure bloomed between them. Instead, she moved closer, so her nipples brushed against his skin. Her arousal ratcheted up another full notch, and she inhaled, his scent overwhelmingly spicy and male invaded her senses.

  “I want to touch you, Micah.” The words boldly tumbled from her lips before she swooped in, kissing him in hot, hungry surges, tongue tangling in the warmth of his mouth. Her hands played down his body, gripping his flanks so he’d crowd further in.

  He nibbled at her neck, and she arched, form reacting instinctively as his fingers weaved magic.

  Between her legs came the pulse of desire, hot and damp. She craved him in every way.

  Davina reached up, tugged him to the centre of the room and the mound of cushions.

  With a bold move, she sank down, pulling him along so they both reclined on the soft fabric.

  “Love me, Micah.”

  His grin deepened. “My pleasure, my lady. Let me start with your gorgeous breasts.”

  Trailing his fingers along her exposed flesh until they reached the distended nubs, circled them, and Davina moaned, wanting so much more. “Suck them.”

  Glancing down at her, the sensuous view drugged her. His grin feral, he lapped at her skin, but refused her request. The act left her mewling, “Please.”

  “Not yet beautiful.”

  His tongue trailed down her belly toward the centre of her hunger and she writhed beneath him, wanting so much more but knowing his intentions. When he fitted his mouth between her legs, flicking at the nub of her clit, she almost screamed, her mind riding the pleasure waves that screamed through her.

  “Not yet,” Micah growled, but the orgasm rippled through her. It was only as she surfaced from the storm that she recognised the slide of fingers inching deep within her, and the wildness took over again. Now it was faster, the ruddy hue of his skin, the straining of his erection dictating his actions.

  Davina gripped Micah by the arms and hauled him up into her body. “No. This time I want you with me.”

  The kiss they shared was musky with the taste of her own juices, and she dove into the carnality of their actions.

  He twisted in her grasp, but she was faster, turning him over against the cushions mounded high. “I need you now, Micah. Inside me, buried deep and filling me.”

  He grunted as she mounted him, her legs sliding along his lean flanks, her form trembling wildly, then gave a low throaty laugh. “I aim to please, my lady.”

  She slid down, her body welcoming him like a glove. The sensation of fullness shattering her composure and the coil of tension spiked her pleasure. This time, her orgasm was wild, splintering her mind and soul. “Micah,” she screamed, giving up control as he thrust deep. Fingers gripping her hips as he sought his own release.

  When it came, he roared his pleasure, the long line of his neck exposed as he gave her every bit of himself.

  Her chest shuddered; spent by the aftermath of their pleasure.

  “Thank you.” The whisper of breath tickled her neck as tears pricked.

  Unable to speak, Davina merely nodded and cuddled in, hoping she hadn’t made the biggest mistake of her life.

  Time passed. It could have been hours or long moments as Micah lay there, spent by their wild exertions in her meditation room. His mind whirling with thoughts. He wasn’t sure either of them was prepared to consider them just yet. As the night drew in, they both chilled down in the autumn evening and he spoke. “Bedroom?”

  Her gaze bleary, Davina rose and took his hand, leading him out of the room and into the next. He padded behind her, checking the sway of her body, the outline of her figure and wondering not for the first time what she’d look like immortalised on canvas.

  Her bedroom was spare, and he felt an echo of how she lived her life. Carefully devoid of frills and personal items.

  Without a word, Micah tugged back the covers as she did on the other side of the bed and they both slid beneath them. For a moment Davina remained still, holding herself like fragile glass that may shatter at the merest touch.

  He waited, knowing she needed time, given the unfamiliarity of their situation. “You never shared this bed before, have you?”

  Her head turned. “No.”

  “Why?”

  Her gaze slid away, looking over his shoulder. Was she going to order him home? Ignore the question? Long seconds passed.

  “I… They never mattered before.”

  He wondered if she understood just what she’d revealed and contained the smile. He could wait now, because there was no rush. In time, she’d be able to share her thoughts with him.

  So, he waited, and gradually the tension in her body melted away. Her eyes closed as he waited, his arm around her shoulder nestled close, and she slept.

  Their passion had clearly exhausted her, taken so much out of her, that she dozed, her head lolling slightly, and he watched, mesmerised as she slept.

  As Davina snuggled in, Micah wondered if tonight was the first time she had vocalised her fear, not of rejection, but of not knowing how to love someone. Of taking the chance on a relationship.

  Previously unwilling to consider such a thing, suddenly it was vitally important that he keep her close and grow whatever was between them. To teach her that love and futures didn’t always end in divorce. That sometimes they could last forever, just like his parents and his brother.

  Her family had let her down, and he couldn’t understand how or why that had happened. How could her parents refuse to accept that their actions had caused her to fear a future and not only take responsibility but also take steps to rectify the situation? Could he be the one to make a difference in her life? He wanted that with a desperation that stole his breath, and he endured a sensation of hyperventilation that lasted long seconds.

  “I’ll make you understand, Davina.” She snuffled, and he waited, sure for a moment she’d wake, but Davina rolled slightly and the muscles of his belly that had tightened released again. “You deserve so much more, and I’ll do everything I can to make you see that. That’s my promise to you.”

  In that moment, as the silence stretched, his arm numb from the weight of her head, truth shone like the brightest beacon. He loved her.

  Chapter

  Eight

  Waking in a strange bed never put Davina in a good mood.

  Waking in her own with a man was a different kettle of fish. Heart beating wildly, Davina felt sure she’d hyperventilate soon. How did this happen? Even as the thought bloomed, she knew she’d allowed it to happen. After a truly rotten week, where her defences were low, she’d invited him to spend the night. I never do this!

  The sound of the shower gave her a moment to think. The bed was empty beside her, and she whispered a silent word of thanks. She scrubbed her hands over her eyes and half levered up, glanced for the alarm clock, and a heavy feeling invaded her guts. Nine o’clock. A moment of panic gripped her before rational thought took over. Saturday. It was Saturday.

  At the peal of her doorbell, Davina rolled off the bed, grabbed her dressing gown from the bedroom door, and stalked toward the front of her apartment. She dragged the cotton over her nude body and cinched the belt before reaching for the door.

  Elyse grinned at her, then pushed past. “Hey Dav! I’m out of coffee and thought…” Elyse’s words trailed away, and Davina squeezed her eyes shut, aware of what her best friend would see.

  “Umm…” Micah spoke and when Davina opened her eyes, she saw the way Elyse gawked.

  “Oh. My…” A smile, sly and more than a little interested, had Davina wishing her friend far, far away. “So, you’re the meditation partner?”

  “You needed some coffee? I’ve got a jar in the cupboard.” She spun quickly and retreated, passing Micah, who winked. “Gah!”

  “I was just grabbing my clothes. But I’ll wait in here.” Micah retreated into the bedroom, shutting the door firmly as Elyse trotted behind her.

  “You’ve been holding out on me, girlfriend.”

  Davina gritted her teeth. “No. He turned up and things just…” She shrugged, at a loss for words that didn’t reveal her inner turmoil over the situation.

  “Uh, huh. So, uh, the meditation was worthwhile, I take it? Maybe I should go join up.” Every muscle in Davina’s body twitched, and it took a ferocious effort on her part to release the roaring emotions.

  “You can.” The full jar sat to the left-hand side of the pantry and Davina snatched it out. “Now, not meaning to be rude but…”

  Elyse cocked her head to one side and smiled as she accepted the bottle. “Yeah, you do. I’m a third wheel, so I’m out of here. But I’ll want to talk to you later. Too much to talk about. Toodles.”

  Elyse sashayed down the hall, and the front door closed with a click as Davina waited, heart thudding wildly. “Of all the days,” she muttered.

  Micah appeared through the now opened bedroom door. “Clear?”

  And now for problem number two.

  “Yeah. I’ll grab your things.” She headed for the meditation room and collided with him. Almost falling, his hands caught her, towel slipping so his damp nakedness was only a light cotton layer from her own suddenly aroused body.

  “I… uh…”

  He tugged her closer, and she felt the interest that tickled her belly. “Your clothes?”

  He grinned, the colour of his eyes deepening, as did the creases at the corner. “Can wait.”

  The kiss was leisurely, while Micah sipped at her lips Davina’s will turned mush-like. When he drew away, she sighed, her mind exhausted by the sexual pleasure and the aftermath of emotions she was wholly unprepared for. “Oh, I wish…”

  “What do you wish, Davina? Tell me.”

  A ball of sadness lodged in her chest, and while her mind screamed, hold your tongue, the words slipped out. “I wish life was easy and your words were promises I could rely on.” She turned away, hiding the burning of her cheeks.

  He caught her chin, the grip soft but compelling. “Why do you say that?”

  Tears stung her eyes, and the fiery blaze of her crimson cheeks gave away her discomfiture. “Because guys say stuff in the heat of passion. Things they believe they mean, but when the crunch time comes, they know they don’t, and they walk away.”

  “Who did that to you, Davina? Who walked away?” He gathered her close, so the wild beating of her heat echoed within him… His hard chest pillowing her form.

  “I…” If only it were that simple. Her father had left. Then every one of her stepfathers. She’d seen firsthand how her mother had tried again and again.

  “Davina?”

  She shook her head, hoping he’d stop asking.

  The tension in his body as he waited urged the words from her throat. “I’ve seen it. I see it every day. At work. I saw it with my father. My stepfathers. It doesn’t work. They don’t stay.”

  Now Micah vibrated, “so that’s what you think of me. Here only for the bang but not—”

  “No!” she screamed the words, needing him to understand the jumble inside her mind. “No, you’re different, but I’m scared!”

  His sigh echoed in the sudden quiet. “I know you’re scared. Hell, I wasn’t looking for more than sex either, Davina. I don’t know…” Micah stopped, as if the words were stuck in his throat. “Being sure of what I want? That’s hard to work out, but I do know I want the opportunity to show you how good it can be. I want you to trust me and this thing between us.”

  Tugging away, Davina attempted to dodge him, sliding into the room, but he followed, his very presence crowding her.

  “I don’t—”

  “How about—”

  Both spoke at the same time, and she couldn’t help but goggle at the sexy naked man before her. “Please, you go first.”

  Micah cocked his head to the side. “Alright. How about we strike a medium? We don’t talk about the deep emotions. Let’s just explore the friendship with benefits option first.”

  Her frown must have telegraphed her distrust.

  “It’s not just about the sex. Actually, the sex, as great as it is, is like the cherry on top. An added benefit. But you get to know me, I get to know you…” His eyes glinted in the darkened room and Davina pondered his words.

  “And if this goes nowhere?”

  “We walk away. Both of us agree it was a learning experience.”