A Reluctant Enterprise Page 19

  “When you look like that, what do you expect?” Sylvie tried to chalk her honest words up to jet lag, but Aeron’s presence, looking so sexy and cute in that shirt, was the real reason.

  “You like?” Pinching the hem on either side of her legs like she was holding on to a skirt, Aeron twirled. “It’s a very important T-shirt. First and only time I ever river-rafted. Horrible experience, but I’m proud now. At least I did it, even if it scared me shitless.”

  “You’re brave. I’m not a water creature if it isn’t about doing laps in a pool. I hope that doesn’t make me too boring. It does sound dreary, though, when I mention it.”

  “Nah. I’m the same way. I have branched out into swimming in the lake back home. It’s really clean and nice, better than any pool.”

  “Perhaps if I don’t make an idiot of myself, I may get invited back?” Her own audacity stunned Sylvie.

  “I’d love for you to come back to the Adirondacks. We don’t get many do-overs in life, and I’d like for you to share my room there. Tit for tat, as they say.”

  “They do? Does anyone really say tit for tat? To a Swede that sounds really…naughty, in a funny and quirky kind of way.” Sylvie stepped closer. “I should hit the bathroom before I fall asleep standing up.”

  “Please come back before I’m out cold, okay?” Aeron pulled the covers back and was about to climb into the bed when she stopped herself. “Which side do you sleep on?”

  “Any. Usually in the middle.”

  “Wow. Okay. I’ll just pick my favorite side, on the left, and wait for you.”

  “All right.” Sylvie walked into the bathroom and also didn’t recognize her reflection in the mirror. Instead of the weary, annoyed, and reluctant woman she usually saw, she gazed at someone with startling blue eyes, glowing complexion, and a tremulous smile. Part of her couldn’t wait to get back to Aeron, and the other part feared the strong emotions rampaging inside her.

  Sylvie showered and brushed her teeth. Then she realized she’d forgotten to bring any sleepwear in with her. Muttering, she wrapped a bath towel around her and padded out into the room.

  Chapter Twenty

  Aeron had never seen anything as enticing as the sight of Sylvie Thorn entering the room wearing only a towel. Little drops of water still clung to her shoulders, and her toweled hair lay in messy ringlets down her back. She muttered something barely audible.

  “Is that Swedish you’re speaking?” Aeron laughed and looked up from her cell phone. Her breath caught, and the hand holding her phone fell down on the bed. “I—I’m just asking because I can’t understand a word.”

  “Probably. It’s a saying. What’s not in your head, you have to have in your feet. Approximately.”

  “And it means?” Now Aeron devoured her with her eyes, and the green fire in them made Sylvie’s thighs tense.

  “That I forgot my nightgown.” Sylvie shook her head at herself and picked out one in indigo satin, then returned to the bathroom. She came back only moments later. Aeron’s mouth dried until it was impossible to swallow because of how stunning and, yes, hot Sylvie looked in the nightgown that was about the same length as her own river-rafting T-shirt.

  Sylvie rounded the bed and took a moment to plug in her phone to the charger. “I have another cord here. Does your phone need charging?”

  “Yes, thank you.” Handing over her cell phone, Aeron realized how little it took from Sylvie for her to ignite, as the mere touch of fingertips against her hand gave her goose bumps. Sylvie looked completely unaffected, but then again, she was the one who’d kept gasping at the sight of Aeron before, so perhaps she’d just reeled herself in while showering.

  Sylvie crawled into bed, pushing and moving pillows this way and that. Was she nervous? Or was she a fussy sleeper? Aeron didn’t mind. Scooting down, she reveled in the soft pillows and smooth bedsheets. “I like your bed.”

  “I’ll tell Mom you said so.” Yes, definitely a blend of humor and nerves in Sylvie’s voice.

  “What a crazy day, huh?” Aeron wanted to slide closer, to regain the connection, but was afraid that Sylvie would throw herself out of bed on the other side and break her neck or something.

  “That’s the Thorns for you.”

  “I really only care about one Thorn.” There. It was out. The words passed her lips without effort, and now Aeron did her best not to hold her breath.

  “Really?” Sylvie rose onto her elbow and leaned toward Aeron. “I’m not an easy person to care about sometimes, as you’ve noticed. I have enough insecurities and hang-ups to share with the neighbors. You can’t say such things flippantly. You realize that, don’t you?” Her blue eyes were almost violet in the dusk.

  “Sylvie. Calm down. It’s me, Maeve’s screwed-up daughter, you’re talking to. Neither of us had a perfect childhood—or even close to it. But I had Paulina and you had your mom. We survived. We made a life. We can carry on turning our lives into what we want. You’re almost there with Classic Swedish Inc., and I’m making a decent living from my book sales. That’s my fuck-off money. I don’t need a life of luxury with everything the DeForest fortune entails. Honestly, I don’t want it. I only agreed to our deal because Maeve was honoring a promise to you—and even if part of me is jealous that she didn’t do the same with anything she promised me, I still want you to reach your dream. Also, I’m dying to get to know Maeve, and having read half her diary with her thoughts, I’m getting there. But please, don’t think you’re any worse off than I am. We’re both pretty damaged in some ways.”

  “That just goes to show it doesn’t matter that I’m forty and you’re twenty-six. You’re still smarter and more mature than I am.” Sylvie pushed a persistent strand of hair behind her ear. “Want the naked truth?”

  “Is that a trick question?” To lighten the mood, Aeron wiggled her eyebrows.

  “I’ve wanted you from that first day at the lawyer’s office.”

  Aeron closed her mouth, opened it to speak, and closed it again. “You…what? Even in the Adirondacks?”

  “Especially then.”

  “I’m stunned. I mean, I knew you found me attractive, judging from the kisses and the looks you gave me, but even before then? Wow.” Aeron shook her head, trying to clear her mind. “Just wow.”

  “Wow? Such eloquence from a writer.” Clearly Sylvie’s mood was going in the right direction. She scooted closer. “Did I hurt you beyond repair?”

  “No. I have something to confess.”

  Sylvie had raised her hand as if to caress Aeron’s hair, or forehead, but now she let it hover for a moment and then put it down again. “What?”

  “I overheard you berate yourself on the staircase, and that made me realize I was taking something personally that had more to do with you and your experiences than with me. I was pretty arrogant to put me and my insecurities first, as I did feel rejected—which is the theme song to my life story so far, as you can imagine.”

  “You’re too hard on yourself. I guessed that was part of how I’d hurt you, yet I kept pulling back more and more.”

  “Hence us being damaged goods. That said, I still care about this particular Thorn. I can’t help it.” Aeron’s voice sank to a whisper. “And I’ve dreamed of kissing you again, Sylvie. That and more.”

  Sylvie gasped, and then her mouth pressed against Aeron’s and sucked her lower lip in between hers.

  Groaning, Aeron wrapped her arms around Sylvie’s neck and her damp hair tickled Aeron’s arms, sending shivers up to her scalp and down her spine. “Oh, damn,” she moaned against Sylvie’s lips. “This…you feel amazing…so hot…”

  “And you’re gorgeous. And sexy. Ah yes, and hot too. Scorching.” Sylvie raised her head and smiled down at Aeron. “And I can’t believe you’re here.”

  “In Sweden?”

  “In Sweden. In my bed. And in my arms.” Sliding one hand up under Aeron’s T-shirt, she cupped her right breast tenderly. After massaging it gently, Sylvie plucked at the hardening nipple with her f
ingertips, all the time looking into Aeron’s eyes as if searching for something. “I want to see you.”

  “Then push my shirt up.” Aeron let go of Sylvie’s neck and reached back for the headboard with both hands. This movement arched her back and pressed her farther into Sylvie, who was now busy shoving the shirt up above her breasts.

  “You’re stunning.” Sylvie lowered her head and drew circles around Aeron’s breasts with her tongue. “And you taste exquisite.”

  “I want to taste you as well.” Aeron rubbed her thighs together and wondered if Sylvie had noticed how drenched she was between her legs. Her lace boy briefs were already soaked.

  “You will, but right now, you’re mine.” Looking up with a devilish gleam in her eyes, Sylvie was gorgeous. Her long hair lay around her shoulders like a damp, wavy mantle. The way her eyes had darkened made her complexion look even paler, except for the redness of her cheeks. Her lips, half-open and swollen, looked so tempting, Aeron had to force herself not to reach around Sylvie and kiss her again. Aeron wanted Sylvie to do anything she wanted right now, to take charge. She yearned to know what Sylvie wanted to do to her and what making love with Sylvie Thorn would be like.

  Sylvie moved up and latched on to Aeron’s neck. She licked a blazing trail from Aeron’s clavicle to her ear. As if she knew Aeron’s preferences already, she refrained from sucking on her earlobe or sticking her tongue in her ear, but instead she very lightly outlined the sensitive shell.

  Shivering, Aeron slid her legs up around Sylvie. Now she knew Sylvie could feel the dampness between her legs, but she didn’t care. She just wanted to have this wondrously amazing woman as close as possible. Aeron closed her eyes. It was as if their skin fused and the blood in the veins sang the same song. Sylvie’s scent of soap, lotion, and sex was enough to drive Aeron crazy. She abandoned the headboard and pushed her fingers into Sylvie’s hair.

  “You feel so good. So damn good.” Aeron groaned and undulated against Sylvie’s stomach. “I want you so much. I have since…even before the Adirondacks.”

  “Me too. I wanted you even before you started looking at me that certain way you do.”

  “I do?”

  Sylvie raised her head. “Yes. You do.”

  “Come to think of it, Sylvie, so do you. You’ve looked at me like you wanted to devour me sometimes.”

  “Astute observation.” Sitting up, Sylvie tugged her nightgown off and then Aeron’s T-shirt. Their panties went the same way, and now it was Aeron’s turn to discover just how wet Sylvie was. Groaning, she flipped them over, unable to resist the urge to do some devouring of her own.

  *

  Sylvie melted into the soft bed as Aeron’s tongue explored her mouth in one long kiss after another. As Aeron rested on one elbow, her free hand found Sylvie’s right breast, cupped it gently at first, but soon rolled the nipple between her fingers.

  “Oh, God, don’t stop,” Sylvie said against Aeron’s lips. “No matter what, don’t stop.”

  “Trust me. I have no intention of stopping.” Aeron spoke calmly, but her voice trembled.

  “Thank God.” Sylvie took a deep breath. “Please. Use your mouth.”

  And Aeron did. As if Sylvie’s wish was all she needed to hear, Aeron explored every inch of her body with her tongue. Parting Sylvie’s legs, Aeron slid down, nipping at her inner thighs with her lips. “May I?”

  “Anything,” Sylvie whispered. “I want you so much.”

  “Oh, sweetie.” Aeron blew gently at the damp curls between Sylvie’s legs. “I crave you.”

  Sylvie couldn’t breathe. Aeron’s words, together with her tongue parting Sylvie’s slick folds, were enough to send convulsions throughout her. The fire, because there was no other word for it, erupted, spread, and when Aeron pushed her tongue flat against her clitoris, she cried out, belatedly muffling herself with a hand over her mouth.

  “Yes,” Aeron said against Sylvie’s pulsating folds, “you must be quiet. So very quiet.”

  Whimpering behind her hand, Sylvie wondered if that was at all possible. The orgasm was already building with startling momentum. It traveled through her system, and when Aeron sucked the small ridge of nerves into her mouth and let her tongue flick rapidly against it, she whimpered Aeron’s name over and over. She came so hard, the release bordered on painful. Curling up around Aeron, she forgot to be quiet as the convulsions rolled over her, one after another. She sobbed, feverishly stroking Aeron’s hair, and another orgasm erupted, though not as strong but longer, sweeter. Sylvie eventually relaxed and went limp.

  Aeron kissed her way up Sylvie’s body until they lay face-to-face on the pillows. Pushing Sylvie’s hair out of her face, Aeron smiled gently. “Are you all right?”

  “Mmm-hmm.” She felt afloat. Sylvie couldn’t remember ever feeling like this after having sex. This was more than a physical release. She wasn’t sure what made it so different…oh, God, who was she trying to fool? Of course she did. The difference began and ended with the woman next to her. Still feeling rather weak, she raised a hand and cupped Aeron’s right breast. “Now where was I?”

  “When I so rudely interrupted you, you mean?” Aeron snorted. “I think you were paying attention to my—oh, my…”

  Sylvie bent forward and took the pebbled nipple in her mouth. Sucking and gently chewing, she made it grow diamond hard. Not until Aeron whimpered a “no more, please” did she let go, and then only to roll Aeron onto her back so she could reach the left one.

  As it turned out, Aeron’s smooth skin was delicious. Sylvie sampled one area after another, licking, nipping, and when she reached Aeron’s hips, she carefully nudged the slender thighs apart. “You’re beautiful,” Sylvie said with a catch in her voice. “You’re irresistible.”

  Aeron was squirming beneath her. “Please…” She trembled as she pulled her knees up, looking at Sylvie with such trust, she could barely breathe.

  “You don’t have to beg. Ever.” Sylvie cupped the swollen folds, ran her fingers deeper and deeper in between them, and found Aeron’s clitoris to be as big and hard as her nipples. Running her fingers on either side of it, she used her other hand to explore the opening just below. “Inside?” she asked quietly.

  “Yes. Yes!” It was Aeron’s turn to cover her mouth to stay quiet. Muted whimpers escalated when Sylvie entered Aeron with two fingers.

  “Like this?” Sylvie bent over Aeron, greedily absorbing the expression on her face. The light in Aeron’s eyes burned so brightly there was no reason to doubt how this was affecting her. Sylvie began a deep thrust with her fingers and buried them to the hilt every time she reentered Aeron. The silky feel of Aeron made her own arousal return to life. “Raise your right leg,” Sylvie said, so out of breath at the sexy, beautiful sight before her, she gasped between each word.

  Aeron pulled her leg up as Sylvie moved, making it possible for Sylvie to slide her wet sex along Aeron’s smooth thigh. “Fuck, Sylvie…you’re, you’re driving me insane. I can’t wait…I just can’t…”

  “Don’t be silly. Just come. Come with me, darling.” Sylvie pressed herself harder against Aeron’s thigh and increased the speed of her fingers pumping between her legs.

  “Yes!” Arching off the bed, Aeron now had both her hands over her mouth. “Oh, fuck, yes, yes, yes…” She ended her words with a long, soft wail, shaking before she collapsed beneath Sylvie, who reached yet another smaller orgasm that kept going until she grew so weak again, she had to push herself to the side not to crush Aeron.

  “Shit…” Aeron clawed for Sylvie and pulled her closer.

  “Not a very romantic word, but it does aptly describe how I feel as well. Shit indeed.” Sylvie pressed her lips against Aeron’s.

  They both smelled of luxurious soap and sex, which Sylvie greedily inhaled. Never in a million years had she thought she’d give in to another woman as she’d just done to Aeron, nor feel so free the very first time making love.

  “It was the first one that came to mind without having to go
through every superlative I know…but then again, you deserve all of them.”

  “Next time we can bring a thesaurus.” Sylvie kept giving Aeron little kisses and caressed her in slow, small circles with her hands.

  Aeron rested her head against Sylvie’s shoulder, with one hand against her breastbone.

  “Good idea.” Aeron tipped her head back and kissed her neck, just below her earlobe. “I can feel your heart starting to slow down.”

  “Hmm. That can easily change.”

  Chuckling, Aeron took one of Sylvie’s hands and pressed two fingertips to her neck. “You’re not the only one climbing down from that mountaintop we ended up on.”

  “We sure did fly, didn’t we?” Sylvie could feel the slowly diminishing flutter under her fingertips.

  “Yeah, we did.”

  Sylvie wanted to talk more, really make sure Aeron saw how important this was and not just an enjoyable one-night stand, but her eyelids refused to stay open. As she sank farther into the bed and sleep began to overtake her, she heard Aeron murmur something.

  “What?” Sylvie struggled to remain awake.

  “Never been like this. Ever.”

  Sylvie drew a deep, trembling breath but was still too exhausted to open her eyes. “I know,” she murmured and hoped Aeron heard her. “Same here. You. Special.”

  And then she slept.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  The fifteen-meter-tall maypole, clad in birch twigs and branches, stood against an indigo sky. Earlier that morning, men and women had pulled at ropes, shouting in Swedish to each other as they secured it in place. Around them, other adults had kept children out of the way and called out what had sounded like not-so-helpful advice, judging from how it was received.

  What amazed Aeron the most was watching Daniel Thorn in the thick of it, pulling at one of the ropes with all his might. His face was red from the exertion, but he smiled broadly and cheered everyone else along. Even now as he joined in the dance around the maypole, he seemed tireless. He had one child on each side of him, and they were doing some odd movements to what sounded like some folklore song. The lawn was filled with hundreds of people of all ages—dancing, sitting at picnic tables, or lounging on blankets like Sylvie and she did.