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He wanted to treat her to an evening out as a special thank-you for how she’d helped Caroline. Will’s throat tightened and emotions gripped him when he thought about the change in his niece.
Ava had been all he had hoped for and more. The breakthrough had come sooner than he had expected. She was fabulous with the little girl. Ava was just the person Caroline had needed: not too gushy, not too remote. Lost in thoughts about Ava, he dressed in his navy suit, finished combing his hair and left to wait in the downstairs study.
He heard a faint rustle and the click of high heels on the polished wood floor. He turned and his breath was gone as if he had received a punch in his middle. He couldn’t keep from staring as he walked toward her.
“Ah, you look stunning,” he said, crossing the room to her while his gaze went over her sleeveless red dress with a low V-neck and short skirt. Its plain lines hugged her tiny waist. Her hair was looped and pinned on her head with a few loose strands. Desire burned, hot, intense. He wanted to carry her to bed instead of taking her out for the evening, but that was impossible.
“Thank you,” she replied with a smile.
“I won’t be able to see anything or anyone tonight except you. You’re a very special woman.” How could he hold her past summer? He wasn’t going to want to let her go. The idea surprised him, but he was as certain as he could be. He wanted her in his life and the thought of her walking out and saying goodbye was unacceptable. When had he developed such strong feelings for her? When had he ever known a woman as special?
“Shall we go tell Caroline good-night?” she asked, breaking into his thoughts.
“Yes. I thought about doing it before I came down, but I wanted to wait until you were ready.” He wanted to do everything with Ava by his side.
Together they walked upstairs to the playroom. Before they reached the open door, Will stopped her when they heard Caroline’s laughter. His insides squeezed and his throat knotted. Joy and relief rocked him and he tried to control his reaction.
“Listen,” he said. “I thought I’d never hear that again.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “She’s laughing,” he repeated, thinking her childish laughter was the most wonderful sound in the world.
He looked at Ava with a burst of gratitude. “I was right about you,” he whispered. “You’ve transformed our lives by finding the way to reach her.” He stared at Ava, certain he had never known a woman he cared as much about. Beautiful, breathtaking and she was so much more. For the first time in his life, he was thinking about a serious, long-term relationship.
He took Ava’s arm to enter the playroom. Rosalyn sat in a chair while Caroline ran around the room chasing Muffy, who had a toy in her mouth.
“Uncle Will, look at Muffy,” she cried and laughed again.
“Catch her.”
He didn’t trust his voice for a moment as emotions tore at him. His eyes burned and he was overwhelmed again.
“She loves for you to chase her,” Ava said, filling in for him when he didn’t speak.
He pulled himself together. “Want me to catch her?”
“Yes, please,” Caroline answered.
“She’s been having a very good time with the dog,” Rosalyn said, smiling broadly at him.
Will reached out to grab Muffy’s toy, catching a leg of the sock monkey. Muffy gave a playful growl and pulled, shaking her head and yanking the toy away from Will. When she dropped the monkey, Will snatched it up to hand it to Caroline. “Throw it for her, Caroline. She’ll run and get it.”
Caroline threw the sock monkey, squealing with delight when Muffy ran after it.
They stayed longer than he had intended, but he couldn’t bear to leave when he saw Caroline laughing and having fun.
Finally, Muffy stretched out on the floor, and Caroline sat down beside her to pet her.
“She’s worn out now,” Will said, picking up Caroline. “We will tell you goodbye, but we’ll be home later. I’m taking Miss Ava to dinner.”
He kissed Caroline’s cheek and she hugged him tightly.
“I love you,” she whispered.
He felt as if he had received another blow. His knees felt weak and he held her close, again having to get a grip on his feelings. “I love you, sweetie, more than anything,” he whispered. He leaned away to smile at her, hoping she didn’t notice his eyes were teary.
He turned to Ava, who stepped close. “Good night, Caroline. We’ll be back after a while.”
She brushed a kiss on Caroline’s cheek and Caroline reached out to hug her. Ava took her from Will and hugged her lightly. Will drew a deep breath, realizing he might not ever want to let Ava go out of his life. She was rare, special. He watched her set Caroline down. “Good night. Rosalyn, have a nice evening.”
Finally Will took Ava’s arm and they left. Instead of leaving the house, he led her to the library and closed the door. He turned to face her and she looked at him questioningly.
What was going on?
Eight
“Why are we in the library?” she asked.
As he crossed the room to stand closer, Ava’s curiosity grew.
“I have to tell you,” he said. “When I picked Caroline up tonight, for the first time since Adam’s accident, she told me she loved me.”
“Oh, Will!” Ava exclaimed. “I’m so glad. I didn’t hear her. How wonderful.”
“It is. So is her laughter and her joy in that goofy little puppy that isn’t even house-trained yet. And now to have her tell me she loves me. It was monumental. I’m taking you out tonight to thank you. And I have something for you. It’s a gesture of thanks for what you’ve done.”
“I think what you’re paying me covers that, Will. You don’t need to buy a present for me,” she said, moved and amused. “Really, Will. You’re paying me a fortune.”
He pulled a small gift box from his suit pocket and handed it to her.
Surprised, she looked at it and then at him as she accepted it. “This is so unnecessary. I’m thrilled, too, over Caroline. It was heartbreaking to see her shut away in a world of silence.” Ava tore away the gold paper and ribbon.
“I intended it as a thank-you for the little responses we’ve had. Now it’s become a gesture for an even bigger thank-you for tonight and how much she has opened up,” he said, his voice growing husky with emotion.
She opened a long black velvet box and gasped at the necklace it contained. Set in gold, every other stone was either a sparkling diamond or a brilliant emerald. Shocked, she looked up at him. “Will, I can’t take this. It’s worth a fortune.”
“That doesn’t even begin to express my gratitude.” He lifted it out of the box. “Turn around.”
He placed it on her, fastening it behind her neck.
She crossed the room to the mirror. “I can’t imagine wearing this anywhere. I need a bodyguard with it.”
He smiled. “I’ll be your bodyguard.” He walked up to place his hands on her shoulders. “It’s a token thank-you. You’ve worked a miracle.”
“Oh, please. I think little Muffy worked the miracle.”
“Which was your idea. No, the necklace is a thank-you which you definitely deserve. I want you to have it, Ava,” he said in a husky voice. “You mean more to me than any woman I’ve ever known.”
His words thrilled her. Was it just part of his seductive ways? Or did he sincerely mean what he said?
Will glanced at his watch. “Now we should go. We’re a little late on our schedule. Since the helicopter belongs to me, it will still be waiting.”
“Thank you. I just can’t believe this. I keep wanting to look at it,” she said, glancing once more in the mirror.
He took her arm and they left. In thirty minutes they were airborne, heading south.
It was after nine by the time they landed in on the helicopter pad on his yacht in the Gulf. Deck lights glittered and she heard a band playing.
“You hired a band?”
“I wanted this to be special for you. Since we’re running late and have to get back tonight, I’ll give you the tour after dinner.”
“Fine.” She was still intensely aware of the elegant necklace she wore. So far they had seen only people who worked for him, which suited her because she couldn’t get accustomed to wearing something so valuable.
They took an elevator to an upper deck where they crossed to a single table set with white linen. Deck lights and torches burned, giving a soft glow in places, dark shadows in others away from the lights. She wondered how long the band had been playing, but knew they had fair warning when Will would arrive because of the chopper.
“Will, this is beautiful. It’s not as hot out here as it is in the city.”
“What’s really beautiful is the woman I’m with. And exciting.”
After they had been seated with wine ordered and poured, Will raised his glass.
“To your success, with all my gratitude,” Will said, holding his glass in a toast.
With a faint clink she touched his glass with hers. “I’ll drink to my success. I want my school to be all that I hope and have dreamed about.”
“You’re the right person for it.” He stood and held out his hand. “Would you like to dance?”
“Of course,” she said, taking his hand. She went into his arms, feeling his warmth, dancing with him. “You lead a charmed life, Will Delaney,” she said.
“Sometimes. There’s the money and the businesses, which I like. But there’s the other side that hasn’t been charmed. My mother walked out when I was fourteen, and my brothers and I were shuffled around at schools for a couple of years. I’ve lost a brother, and then this latest with my father’s death and Caroline, which was a tragedy of giant proportions. So all has not been charmed.”
“No, I guess it hasn’t. That’s true for everyone, I suppose.”
“No sad faces or gloomy thoughts on this night, though. This is a celebration. I feel like dancing on the table and shouting from the rooftop. I’m so happy about Caroline. There’s no way to tell you.”
“I’m happy, too, and glad for both of you. She seemed happy tonight. Take very good care of that little dog.”
“Actually, I’ve thought about getting her another one so she has two. That way if something happened to one, we would have the other. Besides, the dogs would be fun for her and company for each other.”
“Ask her and see what she would like.”
“That I’ll do. Is there any way I can help you with your school plans? I have a lot of available resources.”
“I’m doing quite well so far, and with the salary you’re paying me, I can afford to go ahead with my plans without worrying about grants. Thank you for the offer.”
“Enough about business, too,” he said. “This is great. I’m glad to have you here. I wish we could take the weekend and sail south, but we need to get back. I want to stay near Caroline right now.”
“I agree. I think you need to.”
“You, too. You’re part of this at the moment. I saw how she hugged you tonight. She doesn’t do that with others.”
“I was deeply touched.”
“Some other weekend before the summer is over, we’ll return and take a few days. I can show you some spectacular waters.”
“Frankly, your pool in Dallas is beautiful and more than adequate.”
“I don’t have a band and dance floor at my house—actually, I can have one if I want, but I haven’t ever done so. Now for a sexy, breathtaking woman, I might rustle one up at home, but I like it out here on the water. I’d like to show you some sights.”
“I doubt if that will happen.”
“You can’t foresee the future, and I think you would have a grand time.”
“I’m sure I would have a grand time,” she remarked dryly. “That’s part of the problem. I don’t want anything to distract me from my plans for my future. It’s so easy to get sidetracked and have moments slip away and opportunities lost,” she said, thinking about her dad, who had been offered a wonderful sum to sell his Lubbock store and turned it down just before a national chain store opened near him and his business fell off, never to build back up to what it was. She remembered the job offer Ethan had had, their decision to stay and finish school instead. If he had taken the offer, he might not have had the accident.
“I’m not robbing you of your opportunities,” Will said, bringing her back to the moment.
“No, because I’m not going to let you,” she replied, more for herself than him. Then forgetting her declarations, she became silent, relishing the dance and being held in his arms while they moved around the open deck. Breezes tugged playfully at locks of her hair. The music was great. She would remember this night forever.
There couldn’t be many nights in her life like this one. She focused on him, gazing up into his eyes while they danced. The electric current between them escalated. A night to always remember, a man she had fallen in love with even though she didn’t want him to know it. Burning desire—the night, the man—all made her want to take what she could and then lock away the memories.
The notion startled her, teased and tormented. The excitement, the exotic night on a yacht, the diamonds and emeralds—Will himself—everything was causing a turnaround in her life. She had been determined to guard against such temptation, yet now she couldn’t keep from considering it. The temptation expanded, grew strong. She weighed that against looking back with regrets.
Intending to avoid further complication in her life, she tried to bank desire and curb the wild thoughts. Enjoying the dance, she focused on Will, thinking he had to be the most handsome man she had ever known.
“You’re quiet. Nickel for your thoughts.”
“You’ve raised the proverbial penny,” she said, smiling. “I’m thinking what a great night this is and how fun it is to dance with you.”
“Ah-ha, at least I’m in there somewhere.”
“Of course. How could I overlook you? My dashing employer.”
“Dashing—I haven’t ever been called that. My grandfather might have been. I still need to work on my image.”
“Dashing is good. Dashing is exciting.”
“In the eighteenth century it was,” he said, teasing her.
“Still is in my books.”
“I would definitely prefer to hear sexy….”
“I’m sure you would, but we’re not going there. Besides, if I told you that, it would go to your head.”
“Not so, I think it would go somewhere else instantly,” he replied with amusement.
The piece ended and the band launched into a fast number. Will began to dance and she danced with him, moving around him, enjoying the physical release as much as she liked watching him.
He was way beyond a description like dashing. He was sexy, hot, virile. What fun he was. But how many hearts had he broken? She suspected a fair number, and she was skirting close to allowing herself to become one more on his list.
When the music ended he smiled at her. “Ready to sit and cool down or do you want to keep dancing?”
“We’ll sit and cool for a short time. Actually, I could dance all night if I had a chance, because I haven’t in such a long, long time and I love to dance.”
“That is an incredible shame,” he said, taking her arm to steer her toward their table.
As soon as they were seated, the waiter appeared with salads.
“Will, this is really special and so very nice of you.”
“I told you, I’m grateful. Ava, you can’t wear that necklace every day..”
She laughed. “I certainly can’t. I will rarely wear it. It’s too beautiful to take out of the house and too fancy to wear except for special occasions. Very rare in my busy life. A teacher with diamonds and emeralds—not likely.”
“Not impossible. But I want you to have something simpler that you can enjoy every day.” He produced another box and handed it to her.
Startled, her eyes widened. “Will, this is too much! You can’t give me something else.”
“I can and I am. Take it. I want you to have it. It’s another token of my appreciation. Go ahead and open your present.”
She stared at the box and then at him again. He waited patiently and she shook her head as she reached for it. “You shouldn’t have. Though I know the words are lost on you.”
“Yes, they are. I should have. You really should have whatever you want.”
She opened the box and lifted out a watch with a silver band, studded with diamonds. “This is beautiful. It’s a gorgeous watch. Thank you so much.”
“Thank you, Ava. You’ve changed our lives completely.” He raised his glass. “One more toast—to one of the best teachers ever, a beautiful woman, an unselfish, caring soul.”
She touched her glass with his. “Thank you. I’m touched, and the gifts are overwhelming.”
“Enjoy them. You’ve helped Caroline immeasurably. If she can escape her world of silence and sorrow, I can’t tell you what it will mean to me and my family and, of course, to her.”
“She’s the sweetest little girl, Will.”
“I think so. I loved my brother, and I want to do this for him and for her. He trusted me with her care, and I’ve felt as though I’ve failed him terribly every day since his accident—until today. Today, because of you, I felt I was living up to Adam’s trust in me. That’s important.”
Impulsively, she placed her hand over his. “I know it is.”
“You’re important, Ava,” he said in a husky voice, wrapping his hand around hers.
Candlelight and torchlight flickered across his face, highlighting his strong cheekbones and straight nose, throwing his cheeks in dark shadows. His eyes were midnight, impossible to tell his thoughts. Slipping her hand away from his, she looked away. Her appetite had fled. Desire was a raging fire, burning away everything else.
She picked at her salad, knowing she should eat and should try to get him out of her mind. She looked at the beautiful watch. The small diamonds glittered in the yellow lights. The night was surreal: his yacht; a sexy, breathtaking man; gifts of diamonds and emeralds. A night such as she had never known. How could she continue to resist his charm and seduction?
“Now I really do have a penny for your thoughts,” he said in a deep voice, leaning toward her.
“No, I will never tell you. It would definitely go to your head.”
“At least that’s good news. You’re not eating.”
“Yes, I am, and it’s delicious.”
Standing, he came around to hold her chair. “I think we have time now for that tour of my yacht. We’ll come back to dinner.”
When she stood, he took her hand. His hand was warm, enveloping hers. “I suspect we are ruining a wonderful dinner by leaving now,” she said.
“No, we won’t. Neither one of us is particularly hungry. You’ve barely eaten a bite. Wait until you work up an appetite.”
Hunger had fled because she was fluttery over him—something she would never admit.
“So tell me about your yacht.”
They entered a glass elevator to go down two decks. When they emerged, he steered her into a passageway. “I’ll show you my cabin.” He entered an elegant room that was as comfortable and outfitted as some of the living areas in his mansion.
As he turned her to face him, she drew a deep breath. He stood inches away and his dark eyes conveyed desire that set her heart racing. Wrapping his arms around her, he drew her into his embrace to kiss her.
She was lost from the first look into his eyes. She closed her eyes, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him in return, reaffirming the excitement that simmered between them and her own longing. How long since they had last kissed?
Eons, it seemed to her. She stood on tiptoe, kissing him passionately, holding him tightly.
“Ava, this is paradise,” he whispered. “It’s right and perfect for you to be here in my arms.”
She felt the same, yet she had sense enough to know it was all an illusion that would vanish. For the moment it didn’t matter. She wanted his kisses and wanted to kiss him in return.
Her heart pounded and she clung to him tightly. “Will,” she whispered, and then her mouth was on his again as she kissed him passionately.
She wanted him, longed to touch and kiss and explore. Warnings and caution were not heeded. She needed, just once, to do what she wanted because this chance wouldn’t come around again. She was already in love with him, part of his life for now. He had opened up opportunities for her, and maybe that was the most he could give of himself.
She ran her fingers in his thick hair, caressing his nape, sliding her hand down the strong column of his neck.
His hands were at the fastening of her dress. He pulled open the zipper and cool air brushed her shoulders. While he continued kissing her, Will pushed away the dress, letting it fall softly around her ankles.
His hands were deft, light, warm on her as he caressed her back, his other arm still circling her waist.
She moaned softly with pleasure, relishing his caresses, pushing away his jacket, playing her hand over the width of his powerful shoulders. Clothing was a barrier. She wanted to explore and discover. She undid his tie while he caressed and distracted her, but finally the tie slid away and she began methodical work on his buttons.
“This is where we should be,” he whispered, showering kisses on her temple, her mouth, her cheeks then down her throat.
He stepped back to hold her waist while he looked at her. “You take my breath with your beauty,” he whispered. “Ava, this is where we were meant to be from that first moment we met in the Austin restaurant. I’ve wanted you since the first glance into your green eyes. Ah, love, you’re perfection,” he said.
His words spun more magic while his hands were everywhere, feathery caresses that heightened desire. She moaned, closing her eyes, yielding to sensations that seduced. He peeled away her flimsy undergarments.
“My necklace—” she whispered.
“Leave it on. When you look at it you’ll remember wearing it tonight when I made love to you for the first time. Diamonds for your heart, emeralds for your green eyes. I want you to wear it and nothing else.”
Her heart drummed and she kissed him, holding him tightly, knowing she would always remember tonight.
“Just tonight we love,” she whispered, wondering if he heard her or believed her. Could she live up to her own declaration?
“Tonight, love.” He unfastened the clasp to her bra and pushed it off. His hands cupped her breasts, his thumbs playing over taut peaks and sending an onslaught of tingles. She trembled with desire, wanting him, her fingers tugging free his buttons and pulling off his shirt. She caressed his sculpted chest, the muscles rock-hard beneath her fingers, and then slid her hand down his smooth back. She trailed kisses on his neck while her hands worked free his belt and then his trousers that fell around his ankles. He stepped out of them, taking her with him to leave all of their clothes piled behind while they kissed.
A night to remember. A night to regret. Except at this moment there was no discontent, only joy and abandon. Since she had moved into his mansion, she had been living with his zest for life and supreme hope for what he wanted. He was filled with energy and vitality that added to his appeal.
Her hands played lightly over him and then kisses followed along his shoulder, moving lower while her hands pushed away his briefs to free him.
He was hard, ready for love. He pulled her close to kiss her while she clung to him tightly, feeling as if she were spinning away.
Hot, aching for his touches and kisses, she stroked his hard thighs, feeling tight hair curl against her palm. He was muscled, his legs firm, as sculpted as his chest.
His thick rod pressed against her. He rubbed against her, hot and hard, making her moan with need. She spread her legs and slid his throbbing manhood between them, a taunting pressure, fanning desire into a hotter blaze.
She bent down to kiss him, her tongue tormenting him, teasing him and stirring her more. She took him in her mouth, her tongue playing over him.
He gasped and pulled her up, carrying her as he strode through an open door. He kissed her hand. She wrapped her arm around his neck, relishing each moment, each kiss and touch. She was in love. Nothing could come of it, but there was no denying it. For now, she was close to him, cherished by him, loving him, soon one with him. Intimacy shared would be remembered forever by her.