Mad for you in Madrid (Building Love Book 3) Read online

  He gathered her in his arms before opening the door. “Yes, you are.”

  Her heart fluttered. “Do you always come on this strong?”

  “Nope.”

  “You don’t need to flatter me. I’m here, aren’t I? Not much of a challenge.” Her hand touched his chest.

  “Trust me, you’ve proven to be quite the challenge.” He punched in a security code, turned a key, and faced her. “I’m not trying to flatter you, Lori. I’m simply trying to be with you. I’m not going to give you cheap compliments or a bunch of lies.” His brow furrowed. “Come inside. It’s silly to talk out here.”

  She followed him in, her heart pounding. Her leap of faith had led her to his front door. Now all it had to do was carry her to Daniel’s bedroom.

  Immediately inside the entranceway, Daniel dropped his keys on a marble sideboard, metal clinking against the white stone. Two archways, one to the left and one to the right, led to different rooms off the foyer. Directly in front of them was another end table. This wider one was made of wood. A crystal vase was set inside a clear glass box. The vase was clearly valuable, but then again, so was the whole house, including the elegant marble floor and stairway, which were trimmed with dark wood.

  “This place was in bad shape when I bought it. I did the renovations myself.”

  “You did a wonderful job. I’ve barely stepped inside and I’m already blown away.”

  She watched his face flush with pleasure from her compliment. If only her body could cause a similar reaction in him. Someplace lower down . . .

  “Thanks. Now that we’re here, should I answer your question?”

  “What question?” she asked, her eyes blinking in confusion.

  “You’re wondering whether I regularly take women here. The answer is, no.”

  Damn, he’s good. How’d he know? “I wasn’t thinking that.”

  He gave her a lopsided smile. When he looked at her like that, her toes tingled. “I want a relationship with you. In order to do that, we need to be honest.”

  “I am being honest,” she protested.

  He arched a single eyebrow.

  “Mostly,” she muttered.

  “Admit it, I was right.”

  “Mostly,” she lied, laughing. “This is all happening so quickly. I’m not used to getting this much attention. I’m not used to someone like you, either. You’re confident. Independent. Successful. I’ve always been intimidated by people with those traits. Yet I find myself drawn to you.” She cleared her throat to stop her voice from cracking. “I was horrified by my bad manners in Las Vegas. I was angry to have lost you. Worse, I was disappointed in myself for not having fought for what I wanted. I let my mother boss me around. To please her, I did what she wanted. I should have pleased myself instead.”

  Daniel picked up her hand and led her up the staircase. “It’s time to please both of us.”

  Their shoes scraped the marble steps in their haste to get upstairs. Her heart raced. Finally, on the third landing, they stopped climbing. She panted, out of breath. “Thank God. Birds don’t nest this high.”

  He laughed. “As long as you don’t fly the coop.” He swept her up into his arms and carried her down a hallway.

  She giggled. “Being a captive is kind of kinky. Bring it.”

  “I intend to.”

  Chapter 21

  Lori’s gaze flickered around the dimly lit room. Gauze curtains let in the light radiating from the lampposts below. A warm glow surrounded. She noticed two end tables, an antique floor lamp and a king-size bed that dominated the sparsely furnished room. The bed’s coverings were rich and lush. Everything was decorated in complementary tones of gray.

  “Last chance to back out,” he said quietly, nuzzling her neck.

  Lori snuggled herself against him, her head against his chest. “I’m not backing out. I want this, too.”

  “What is it you want, Lori? Tell me. I am hoping for something more than just one night. I want a chance at a relationship. I know we will have many things to figure out. It won’t be easy, especially since we live on separate continents. I’m willing to plunge in to see where things take us, if you are.”

  “Yes.” Her voice sounded strange, confident and carefree.

  He laid her down on the bed then tossed his tuxedo jacket onto a side chair she hadn’t noticed earlier. Quickly, he tugged off his bowtie. His shirt he unbuttoned at a torturously slow pace.

  “If you’re trying to tease me again, it’s working.” Ignoring his laughter, she pulled his shirt out of his pants. She hurried to unbutton from the bottom while he started from the top. Moments later, their hands met. His shirt fell softly on the floor. Fingers intertwined against his bare torso. The feel of his warm skin sent a tingling sensation through her. She drifted her fingers across his nipples. His chest tightened, and he groaned.

  How a man as busy as him had time to exercise, she had no idea. The lightest amount of dark-blond hair dusted his golden skin. Each muscle individually defined. If the top of him looked this good, what would the rest of him look like? Her hands drifted toward his pants to find out.

  “Not yet,” he scolded. He picked her up and repositioned her on the bed. She felt a pillow placed behind her head. The softest one she had ever felt. Yet not as soft as his hands. He pressed his body against her and trailed his fingertips down her face. Heat coursed throughout. Her breathing became shallow, sharp gasps.

  “I want you so badly,” he whispered in her ear, his Spanish accent intensifying.

  She preferred Spanish anyway. The language’s lyrical tones were as sexy as Daniel. She made another grab for his pants.

  “Patience,” he admonished, eyes twinkling in amusement.

  “Maybe you’ve got extra time to spare. I don’t.” She tugged at his trousers again.

  He captured her wandering hands. “You’re very naughty.” A slow smile spread across his face. He pinned her wrists to the bed, stretching her arms over her head. Then he kissed her neck. Down to her collarbone. Further south until his teeth gently nipped the soft, stretchy fabric of her green dress. He slid the collar down until a pink lace bra was exposed.

  He traced the outline of her bra with his tongue. A moment later, the cups of her lace bra were down, her breasts exposed. The air felt cool against her skin. Until his warm breath was upon her. His tongue licked her nipple, making her breasts heavy and swollen with need.

  When the collar of the dress could stretch no more, he lifted the dress up from the bottom and then held her wrists again. The extra fabric, like her bra, became bunched up around her waist. “Daniel, wouldn’t this work better if we take the dress off?”

  “Not for me.”

  “I’m sure you paid a lot for the dress. I don’t want it ruined.”

  “Ruined? Best money I ever spent.”

  She giggled. “You’re into clothing kink, huh? A first for me.” How can I laugh when I’m this turned on? She forced herself to focus. “Please, Daniel? I love this dress.”

  He shot her a wicked smile. “I’ll buy you three more.”

  She shook her head. “It’s not just the dress. It’s the fact that you bought it for me before we even became . . .” Her words trailed off. Damn. Why did I even start this sentence?

  “Lovers,” he suggested easily.

  “Yeah. That.”

  He chuckled. “How you can be mostly naked and still shy, I have no idea. You are a delightful bunch of contradictions.” He released her wrists.

  She sat up to slip the dress over her head, leaving her wearing a lace thong and a bra pushed down below her breasts.

  His hands wrapped around her back to undo the bra’s clasp. When the undergarment fell off, landing on the bed, his eyes darkened. “You are gorgeous.”

  Her heart ski
pped a beat. No one had ever told her that before. Even if someone had, it could not possibly have been said with the same amount of longing. A desire she was sure echoed her own. She kissed his lips. Gently at first. Then his arms wrapped around her waist and the kiss deepened until he released her to remove their underwear. Then their mouths opened and tongues touched.

  He shifted, positioning himself on top of her. He moved his mouth from her breasts to the soft plane of her belly.

  Her mind dipped and ebbed. The room spun. Nothing made sense except the feel of him against her body. A sensation of shivers moving like ripples.

  His mouth continued to explore. His arms wrapped around her legs. He kissed the inside of her thighs. “I am going to make love to you, Lori. Surround myself in you. Be inside you. Be one with you.”

  Sensations vibrated everywhere. A sea of tingles increasing in strength. She willed herself to relax and drift into the powerful waves. The intensity grew stronger. The feel of his mouth on her when he kissed. Each kiss burning hotter. When his mouth touched her core, she ignited; a human flame.

  All of a sudden, Daniel climbed off the bed. She rolled over and propped herself up on her forearms to watch him rummage in the nightstand. “You’re not quitting, are you?”

  “Never. I’m no quitter.”

  “Good. I want the follow up to that.”

  He bit back a laugh. “Follow up?” he said, pretending to be offended. “You should never call the main event a mere follow up.” He handed her a square foil packet. “I could do this. But I’d rather feel your hands on me.”

  Trembling hands took the packet from him. As soon as she tore it open, she rolled the condom over his hard length. His skin pulsed in her hands. She splayed her fingers out and stroked, but only for a moment. Somehow, he’d managed to get her body underneath him once again.

  He lifted her knees up and spread her legs wide. Then he slid himself inside her. Slowly. Deliberately. She trembled from the overload of sensation. He leaned down to kiss her mouth. His pace quickened. She groaned into his mouth. Her body engulfed in the sweet torment once again. Until a tsunami of pleasure washed over her.

  She felt his body slow, then ripple inside her. For another minute, he held still. Panting, he touched his forehead to hers. His arms wrapping around her body, holding her until they both came down from their heights.

  Chapter 22

  Lori awoke to sunlight filtering through the curtains. A sense of belonging filled her. Daniel’s house, though unfamiliar, felt like home.

  “Good morning,” he murmured, kissing the top of her head. “Glad you’re awake. Did you sleep well?”

  “Mm-hmm. You were right,” she answered, snuggling against him. “Last night’s main event wasn’t a mere follow up.”

  She felt his body shake in silent laughter. “Mujer loca,” he muttered. “Good thing for you I like my women a little crazy.” He shifted his body to wrap an arm around her waist. “Last night was amazing. I knew it would be. You’re an amazing woman.”

  “Thanks. That means a lot.” She swallowed. “You have so much faith in me.” She kissed his naked chest. “I’m gaining confidence. Making my own decisions.” She lifted her head to smile up at him. “I’m glad I decided to be with you. It would have saved us time if I caved right from the start.”

  “True. I’m glad we only lost a few days.”

  “Yes, but things could have turned out worse. Suppose you hadn’t hired my mother’s firm? Without that random stroke of luck, our paths never would have crossed again. I would have spent the rest of my life wondering what if.”

  “The rest of your life, huh?” he teased.

  She ignored the rush of heat to her face. There was no shame in honesty. “I was very upset. I thought I’d never see you again. You were the most handsome, intriguing man I had ever met.” She kissed him again. “Or ever will meet.”

  Daniel lazily stroked her naked back. She relished the warmth of his hand. The movement felt almost as intimate as sex. “I should have told my mother no. Stop kowtowing to her. I want to keep her happy but I need to keep myself happy too.”

  “You can’t control another person’s happiness. No matter how much you try.”

  Lori sighed. “I know. I feel like I’m being selfish if I don’t. My mom’s been worse since my dad walked out on her. What he did was awful. It was a piss-poor way of dealing with Mom’s control issues. Ironically, Mom became even more controlling. If anything gets away from her, she goes ballistic. I’m halfway surprised she doesn’t put a choke-chain around my neck and tie me up in the backyard.”

  He muffled a laugh. “You have the most colorful expressions. Were you close with your father?”

  “Close enough I could understand his problem with her. He’s a proud, old-school type of man. He felt my Mom disrespected him and that made him unhappy. That doesn’t mean I understand what he did. I wouldn’t hurt my mother that way. She’s worked too hard to support the family.” Lori’s throat tightened. “I need to find a balance between satisfying my mom and doing what I want. I need to live my own life.”

  “I dealt with my family better after I professionally broke away from them.” He tucked an errant brunette curl behind her ear. “Although last night was not a good example. In fact, it was the epitome of complete chaos.”

  “At least the night was entertaining. In a heart-attack kind of way.”

  He shot her a sexy smile. “Glad I could entertain.”

  She gave him a playful punch on his arm. “You know what I meant.”

  “Of course. You were saying you want to join me on an excursion for breakfast pastries.”

  “Ah, yes, that’s what I meant. Good to know.”

  “Come, let’s get up. There’s a bakery down the street. We’ll be there and back in less than ten minutes.”

  Leaving his bed was the last thing she wanted to do. When her stomach rumbled, however, she agreed. “I forgot to eat last night. Everything was so crazy.”

  “I didn’t eat either. Not that I cared. The only delicacy I wanted to feast on was you.”

  She grinned. “You’re laying it on a little thick, aren’t you? The time is woo me is over. You already got me in bed.”

  “I knew my life would turn out awesome.” He slid his body over her and pressed himself close.

  She trailed her fingers down his back and lightly over his rear. “I thought you wanted to get breakfast.”

  He groaned. “Not if you keep that up.” He shook his head. “I will not succumb to your devilish seduction. I will get you fed. Forget about going with me. You can sleep a little longer. Naked, hopefully. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  “I want to go the pastry stop with you.” She frowned. “I’m going to look stupid wearing a cocktail dress at this hour.”

  “No one’s going to recognize you. You don’t know a soul here. Unless Elias feels like visiting. Which he’d better not.” Daniel slid out of the bed, opened a closet, then walked back to the bed with a white oxford shirt in his hand. “Wear this over the dress. People will think you’re wearing a weird blouse with a skirt.”

  “Not a real fashion statement, but it’ll do under the circumstances. I want to go to the store with you so we can spend more time together.” She felt her face flush. “The time we have left is running out . . .” Her words trailed off. Her throat tightened.

  He leaned over and kissed her. “Let’s not talk about your leaving yet.”

  She nodded and hurried to dress.

  ~ ~ ~

  Daniel smiled at the sight of Lori emerging from his bathroom. Her hair, twisted into an imperfect bun, hung lopsided to the right. She had buttoned his shirt over the top of her dress, the green fabric visible through the white. The end of the shirt knotted at her waist. Her rumpled appearance made him want to tak
e her back into bed.

  “I look like a lunatic,” she said. “Forget the Spanish Inquisition, it’s the Fashion Inquisition I worry about.”

  “I will hire the best defense lawyer in all of Spain. Come, you worry too much. Let’s go.”

  “I must really want your company to be taking the walk of shame.”

  He froze. “You think being with me is shameful?”

  “What? No. A walk of shame is an American expression. It’s when a woman leaves a man’s house early in the morning wearing evening attire because she had an unexpected night of sex.”

  “Interesting expression.”

  “A walk of shame is doubly bad when you’re recognized. Imagine if my mom saw us. She’d go ballistic.”

  “Why would she be mad?” His Spanish accent increased along with his ire. “Am I not good enough?”

  “Daniel, please don’t be angry. It’s not you she would have the problem with. It’s me.”

  “My desire to be with you is sincere. I don’t like my good intentions tossed aside.”

  “Of course,” she agreed. Her lips softly covered his, lightening his mood. “Be patient with me. You’ve taught me to stand up for myself. I’m slowly learning to do what I want. Spending every free minute with you is at the top of my list.”

  Her words danced in his ears. “I’m sorry. I overreacted. Let’s go.”

  She followed him down the stairs, holding her shoes in her hands. When he opened the front door she shoved the stilettos on her feet. “Ready to go,” she said, standing four inches taller.