Holiday Heat Read online

  “I have absolutely nothing to hide from you,” he said gently. “I’d like to hope that you feel the same way.”

  She glanced away for a long, quiet moment, then her gaze returned to his, her reserve firmly back in place. “I met Martin at a mutual friend’s party, and he pursued me, until I finally gave in and went out to dinner with him. Once we started dating, things between us seemed to turn serious very quickly.”

  Matthew remained silent, listening, holding her close in his embrace and offering his caring and support the only way he could.

  “Martin was a very successful lawyer, and I was always aware of the differences in our social standing when we were with his friends or colleagues. And when I tried to talk to him about my concerns, he’d dismiss them as inconsequential, promising me that those things didn’t matter to him.”

  Her fingers absently traced the seam at the collar of his shirt, her gaze focused on something over his shoulder. “After nine months of seeing one another, he told me he wanted to get married and have kids. And just when I let my guard down and allowed myself to believe that maybe, just maybe, I could fit into his life and be what he wanted, I discovered that he didn’t want those things with me after all. Something better came along for him.”

  “I can’t imagine what that would be,” he said in disbelief.

  She inhaled a deep breath and looked back at him. “He met a sophisticated, well-bred woman who came from a wealthy family and had political connections that suited his career. And suddenly, he decided that an elementary school teacher didn’t fit his image as a lawyer, and that was the end of that.”

  Matthew swore, low and succinct, furious at the other man’s callous treatment. “Martin was a fool to let you go,” he said gruffly. But that jerk’s loss was definitely Matthew’s gain. If he was able to get around the insecurities Faith’s ex-boyfriend had instilled in her.

  Her lips pursed tightly. “No, I was the fool, for letting him sucker me in with all the right words and for allowing him to use me the way he did.”

  He hated how disillusioned she’d been, but understood it well and used it to his advantage. “You and I seem to have something in common with our past relationships.”

  She frowned at him, her disbelief plain. “I can’t imagine how, unless your fiancée was fooled by you, as well?”

  That judgmental remark should have stung, but didn’t, because Matthew now understood Faith’s pain and felt it as his own. “No, I was the one who was almost fooled by Alison.”

  She stared at him in the flickering candlelight, her expression perplexed by his statement, and he explained while he had the chance.

  “I don’t deny that I was the one who broke things off with Alison, but not until I discovered that she was using me. I overheard her talking to a friend on the phone about how she was finally going to become a surgeon’s wife, and just how she planned on spending my money. She’s not the first woman whose looked at me and seen dollar signs or the prestige of being a doctor’s wife, but Alison hid it better than most. So, just like you, since then, I’ve been cautious about who I get involved with.”

  She digested that information, seemingly shocked by the revelation. “And what about your reputation for ‘playing around’, for being a love ’em and leave ’em playboy?” she asked curiously.

  “I won’t deny that the gossip about me around the hospital has run rampant the past year, but it’s pure exaggeration and rumors.” It was time to set the record straight, to lay the truth bare, because with Faith it mattered what she thought of him. “I told you, my reputation is highly over-rated. Yes, I took a few of the nurses out for a casual, friendly date, but none of them got more than a peck on the cheek at the end of the evening.”

  He drew small, soothing circles with his thumb against the base of her spine, and felt some of the tension in her body drain away. “With all the women at the hospital, it’s worse than a men’s locker room when it comes to gossiping about the opposite sex. And after my broken engagement, I guess I became fair game. After I took one of the women out for a cup of coffee, the next day I heard through the grapevine that the two of us made out in her car before I took her home. Then I went out with another nurse, just to a movie, and the next thing you know gossip was circulating that she’d spent the night at my place.” He shook his head, still unable to believe how the stories about him had snowballed. “It was as though everyone was trying to one up each other, and no one wanted to look like they’d been rejected by me when every woman had already reported how good I was sexually.” He rolled his eyes at that.

  She laughed, clearly humored by it all, and he was glad that she was able to find levity in the situation. “That must have done wonders for your ego.”

  He shrugged, knowing that his ego was firmly in tact. “I’ll admit, it became a huge source of amusement, but it never occurred to me that the rumors and gossip would hurt my chances with a woman who truly meant something to me.” He tenderly stroked his knuckles down her cheek. “You’re that woman, Faith.”

  Her eyes widened, but despite all that he’d revealed, her uncertainties were still a tangible thing, lingering in those guarded eyes of hers. “Matthew—”

  Again, he pressed his fingers to her lips, silencing her. “I don’t want to talk anymore, Faith.” He’d given her enough to think about, and now he wanted to show her that what was between them was different than what they’d each experienced in their past relationships. That he was different than the man who’d used her, then destroyed her trust.

  Grasping his wrist, she pulled his hand away, the insecurities in her gaze giving way to the same desire and hunger racing through him. “Then what do you want to do?”

  “I want to make love to you… all night long.” He dropped a kiss on her bare shoulder and trailed his lips up to her ear. “What do you say we take this into the bedroom where I can love you properly on a big, soft bed?”

  Chapter Six

  Faith’s stomach tumbled as Matthew’s choice of words flitted through her mind and her heart, adding to the many conflicting feelings swirling within her—especially the need to trust in him and all he’d told her, but his warm, damp mouth and the slow slid of his hands along her back to her bottom were wreaking havoc with her thought process. At the moment, the only thing she knew for absolute certainty was that she ached to make love with him, too. And hopefully, in the morning, she’d be better able to sort through her emotions and put everything back into perspective before they went their separate ways.

  With that decision made, she took his big hand in her smaller one and led the way back into the bedroom. He turned on the lamp next to the bed, casting a soft glow in the room, and she caught sight of the condoms he’d left on the night stand. When he stood in front of her again, his eyes adoring and filled with breath-taking emotion, she felt yet another chink in her armor fall away. This time, though, she didn’t have the will to fight her surrender to this man who made her feel new and exciting things.

  He lowered his head, and she met him halfway, her lips parting eagerly for his. The kiss they shared was slow and sensual, his mouth soft yet firm, his tongue lazily seducing her mind and senses.

  Moaning, she arched closer to his hard, muscular body. She twined her arms around his neck and felt his hands lift to her hair. He pulled out the clip holding up the heavy strands, and then the silky mass was tumbling around her shoulders and he was sifting the tresses through his fingers, tugging on them gently, adding to all the other deliciously arousing sensations rippling through her.

  Kicking off her shoes, she dragged her flattened palms across his shoulders and down his chest. She found the buttons on his shirt and started unfastening them, wanting him naked. Wanting to feel his strong, powerful body beneath her fingertips, against her lips—just as his lips were skimming down her neck, his tongue tasting, his mouth open, his breath damp and hot. She pulled the hem of his shirt from his trousers and shoved it off his broad shoulders at the same time he lowered the z
ipper on her dress and gently pushed the outfit in the same direction. She felt the fabric slither down her body, along with her strapless bra, leaving her dressed in a very scanty lingerie ensemble.

  She shivered as the cool air hit her bared skin, and her nipples puckered tight. She laughed, the sound more nervous than she intended. “It’s chilly in here.”

  He glanced down the length of her, taking in her full breasts and the garter, panties, and stockings that encased her long legs. The grin that curved his mouth was pure sin. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ve got enough body heat for the two of us and I promise I’ll warm you up.”

  She believed him, because beneath the hands she’d flattened on his chest, his flesh was hot, feverish. “You can warm me in a minute,” she said, and splaying her fingers, she glided her palms down his torso to his belly, which clenched beneath her touch. “I want to have my way with you first.”

  He groaned as she leaned forward and laved his nipples with her tongue while her fingers unbuckled his belt, undid his slacks, and let them drop to the floor. She slid her hands into the waistband of his briefs, cupped his taut buttocks in her palms, and dragged his underwear down his thighs as her mouth traversed a path lower, tasting his skin and inhaling his all male scent.

  Then she was kneeling before him, his pants and briefs kicked aside and his long, thick erection curving upward, nearly reaching his navel. She licked her lips, fascinated by the size of him. Reaching out, she wrapped her fingers around his shaft, squeezing him gently. A drop of pre-come gathered on the tip, and she used her thumb to spread the silky drop of moisture over the head of his cock.

  His fingers slid into her hair and curved against the back of her head, urging her forward. “Take me in your mouth,” he rasped.

  She did as he asked, enveloping him in the wet heat of her mouth, her tongue swirling and lapping down the rigid length of him. Then she took him as deep as she could and suckled slowly, rhythmically, greedily.

  His entire body shuddered, and he exhaled sharply, dragging her mouth back up to his. He kissed her with an intensity that left her reeling and maneuvered her backwards, until the back of her knees hit the edge of the mattress and he was pressing her down onto the middle of the bed. She went willingly, gasping as he caressed her breasts and plucked at the stiff peaks with his lips and teeth, then soothed her nipples with his soft tongue. His mouth continued down her ribs, scattering hot, damp kisses across her belly, until he was kneeling between her spread legs.

  He sat up, reaching for a condom and in seconds sheathed himself. She was still wearing her panties, and she desperately wanted them off, but Matthew had other ideas in mind. His hot hands skimmed up her thighs, widening them even more, and then his fingers were fanning out over her mound and his thumbs were easing beneath the crotch of her underwear, sliding slowly, unerringly along her swollen folds, her aching cleft, teasing her with the promise of an explosive orgasm.

  She moaned fretfully, grabbed handfuls of the comforter, and arched into his illicit touch, the word “please” escaping her throat. She was hot and slippery wet, trembling, her climax building momentum only to ebb when he deliberately changed the rhythm of his caresses.

  He lifted his head, staring up at her from between her legs. His dark lashes cast shadows on his cheekbones, and his silky hair fell over his forehead, his eyes hungry, primal. “Come for me while I watch,” he murmured.

  He stroked again, one thumb gliding purposefully across her clit and the other pushing into her, then slowly withdrawing, again and again, until she was panting, then screaming and climaxing as the dual sensations washed over her.

  As she lay there, trying to regain her strength to move, she felt him remove her garter belt and slide her panties down her legs, along with her stockings. She expected him to finally mount her, but she was learning quickly that Matthew wasn’t a man who conformed to anyone’s expectations but his own.

  He settled himself between her thighs again, draping her legs over his broad shoulders. He looked his fill of her, stroked his fingers along her slick folds, increasing the heat where he touched her. On a soft, needy groan, he lowered his head, his breath hot against her overly sensitive flesh.

  She grabbed a handful of his hair, certain she couldn’t take another orgasm so soon after the first. “Nooo…”

  “Oh, yes…”

  His tongue touched her first, stealing her breath and stripping her of every last bit of inhibition. His skillful mouth pleasured her, slowly, leisurely, and everything he did to her, every soft, deep, erotic kiss, every lick, every suctioning swirl, felt exquisite. He worshiped her selflessly, leading her to the brink once again, until she was tumbling, tumbling, tumbling over the edge and shamelessly begging him to take her.

  He reared up over her, and she felt the head of his erection slide along her sex, unerringly finding the entrance to her body. She closed her eyes, arching into him and wrapping her calves along the back of his thighs as he flexed his hips and drove into her, high and hard and deep… possessing her completely. Not just her body, but her heart and soul, as well. And she was helpless to stop the invasion. Realized she didn’t want to.

  A sob rose up into her throat, and she gripped his straining biceps, waiting for him to move. Other than his choppy breathing, he remained still, but she could feel him throbbing within her, his entire body taut from holding back.

  His warm fingers touched her face and gently smoothed strands of her hair off her cheek. “Open your eyes and look at me, Faith.”

  She swallowed hard, instinctively knowing this moment was more than just about hot, unforgettable sex. He was going to make love to her, and he wanted her to be sure she knew it, too.

  Pushing aside the fears and insecurities she’d been carrying with her for too long, she opened herself up to Matthew and met his gaze, taking that first tentative step in trusting him with her heart and emotions.

  He smiled, seemingly relieved that she hadn’t shut him out, and it amazed her that this strong, confident man had a few vulnerabilities of his own and wasn’t afraid to display them with her.

  He stared deeply into her eyes, his own so dark and beautiful, like twin windows into his soul. “I want you to know that I’m falling in love with you.”

  His declaration was more than she’d anticipated, and she shook her head in denial. “Matthew… no.”

  “Yes,” he refuted softly. “What I feel for you is real Faith. I want you for more than just one night. I want you forever. All you have to do is trust me and believe in yourself and what you feel, too.”

  That said, he framed her face in his hands, kissed her, and made her feel. He rocked against her, into her, and every muscle clenched, pulled, and tightened around his shaft. He growled against her mouth and thrust into her, deeply, then deeper still, pumping in a hard, steady rhythm that had her hips lifting off the bed, straining, seeking yet another end to the thrum of desire coiling tighter and tighter within her belly. Her climax rolled through her, lifting her body against his, stretching her nerves to the breaking point one last time.

  She whimpered as she came, stunned at this man’s sexual and emotional power over her, and he was right there with her… her name a sweet promise on his lips as he lost himself in the same immense pleasure consuming her.

  Flat on her stomach, replete and sated after a night of the most erotic love making Faith had ever known, she eased awake by slow degrees. She was disappointed to find herself alone, but judging by the scent of coffee teasing her senses, she guessed that Matthew was in the other room, waiting for her to eventually join him.

  Smiling at the provocative, unforgettable memories dancing in her head, she buried her face in her pillow, inhaling the intoxicating scent of Matthew, sex, and all that they’d shared in this big bed. Seemingly unable to get enough of one another, they’d made love numerous times during the night. Hot and hurried. Slow and languorous. Intense and demanding. In ways that had thrilled Faith and allowed Matthew to fulfill a few male fantasi
es he’d whispered in her ear.

  She’d surrendered to him in every way. A scary prospect, that. Scarier still was the knowledge that Matthew was falling in love with her. And if she was honest with herself, she’d been fighting her feelings for him for months, too. He’d just been able to verbalize his emotions, while she’d clung tight to insecurities for fear of being hurt again.

  She’d asked Matthew for one night of unforgettable sex, and he’d given her that and a whole lot more. He could have reaped the benefits of a one night stand and enjoyed their time together and been on his way in the morning. That’s what she’d expected him to do since she’d fallen victim to the gossip about him around the hospital. But now she’d learned a lot about Matthew, and one of the most important traits he possessed was that he was a man of integrity—when it came to his work, his family, and his relationships. When it came to her.

  Last night he’d told her that all she had to do was trust him and believe in herself and what she felt inside. A part of her was still scared and cautious, but listening to her heart, she knew she couldn’t just walk away after last night. She wanted more with him, and that meant taking chances and opening her heart to the possibility of love.

  Because ultimately, Matthew Carlton was a risk she was willing to take.

  Matthew glanced up from the morning paper he was perusing when he heard the bedroom door open, not certain what to expect from Faith the morning after. Especially after he’d bared himself to her, physically and emotionally.

  She was wrapped in one of the hotel robes, the hair he’d tousled during the night brushed so that it fell around her shoulders in soft layers. She strolled across the expanse of space separating them, and unable to gauge her mood or read her expression, he offered up a smile, despite the anxious feeling settling in the pit of his belly.

  “Good morning,” he greeted.

  “Morning,” she murmured, her voice husky with remnants of sleep.