Second Seduction Read online

“A new bike but Mom says I have to earn the money for it.” He sighed. “Taking forever.” Davy stared at the table. “I’d like a brother or even a sister but you can’t buy them.”

  Mark nearly spit his coffee. “True.”

  “I used to wish for a dad but I didn’t tell Mom. That would’ve made her sad. She went out a couple of times but I didn’t like the men. Guess she didn’t either. Wasn’t that lucky?”

  “Guess so.” Mark put his cup in the saucer. “You have a dad now.”

  “’Cept you don’t live with us.”

  “Maybe I could work on that.” The waitress brought their food. For a time, they dug in and ate.

  Live with them, Mark thought. That was his plan. If Davy approved the plan was solid. He savored a bite of waffle. He had a second prong to the attack. He hadn’t used protection and he didn’t intend to start. He would have Christa any way he could manage.

  Davy put his fork on the plate. “If you could hire me to do a job or two so I could earn some money I would be closer to buying my bike.”

  Mark nodded. “I’ll find something but I have an idea I need to run past your mom.”

  “You could come home with me. If we take her a piece of coffee cake she’ll bless us.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” When the waitress brought the bill Mark looked up. “Add a piece of coffee cake to go.”

  The waitress winked at Davy. “For your mom?”

  “Yah.”

  “I’ll cut a bit piece.”

  Davy looked at Mark. “Could you give me the money for the tip? Mom always does.”

  Though he’d planned to add that to the bill he checked the total and handed Davy a bill. Once the slip was signed and the box delivered Mark strode beside his son to the house. They entered the foyer. Mark looked at the assortment of photos on the wall. Many showed the inn at different times of the year.

  “Mom,” Davy shouted. “We’re home and we have coffee cake.”

  “Bless you.”

  “See, I told you.”

  Mark straightened. Christa appeared at the top of the stairs. Her hair was tousled. She wore a bright blue robe. He felt an erection begin. The expression on her face told him she knew. Did she feel the same urgent need? As she started down the stairs, he caught tantalizing glimpses of her legs.

  * * * *

  Christa froze on the landing. She grasped the railing so tightly her fingers blanched. Mark and Davy looked so alike. Even their stances mirrored. Ten years ago she’d fallen in love with Mark. She was inches from plunging over the edge again.

  She forced herself to walk. Her robe covered her completely but she knew only a short nightgown was beneath the plush blue cover. As she drew nearer her gaze slid lower. The bulge beneath his fly told her Mark was primed. She felt a burn of desire begin. Her breasts felt full and tight. A pulsing began low in her belly. For a moment she thought about last night and of how much more satisfying the encounter with Mark had been.

  “Mom, we need to talk to you about something.” Davy thrust the container of coffee cake into her hand.

  “And that is?”

  “Can he get me something that I want?”

  Before she had a chance to respond Mark held up a hand. “Whoa, son. I said I wouldn’t buy anything without your mother’s permission. Even then there’s a limit. For now, no motorcycles, cars or speed boats.”

  Davy laughed. “All I want is a bike. The half-aunts said you could afford anything I want.”

  “Your mom’s the boss.”

  Christa led the way to the kitchen where she poured two mugs of coffee. “How much are you willing to spend?”

  "That’s your call.”

  Christa pointed to the chairs. “Sit and we’ll talk.” She opened the container and pulled off a piece of the cinnamon-flavored pastry. “Your aunts have nothing to say or do about what Mark and I decide.

  Davy made a face. “They think they do. They’ll carry on and you’ll give them what they want. All I want is a new bike, not a cruise and new clothes.”

  Mark cleared his throat. “I should go.”

  Christa thudded her mug on the table. “You’re staying. Didn’t you say he was ours?” She put her arm around Davy’s shoulders. “They won’t be here forever. Last night I told them to look for jobs and an apartment. I’m through handing them everything they want.”

  “Will they listen?”

  Christa sucked in a breath. She would remain firm with her half-sisters. That was a must.

  Mark covered her hand with his. “Can I make a suggestion about the bike?”

  “Why not? He’s your problem, too.”

  Mark laughed. “Now you’re ready to share. This is my idea. When I was a boy and wanted something my dad said he’d match anything I’d saved. I’d like to do the same for our son.”

  Christa met his gaze. Why hadn’t she thought of that when she’d set out to raise Davy differently than the girls. “Sounds reasonable. Since he has two working parents I’ll do the same.”

  Davy bounced to his feet. “I have fifty-two dollars and ninety five cents.” He headed to the door. “I have something I need to do. What time are we leafing?”

  Christa looked at the clock. “Eleven.”

  “I’ll be at the inn. Come for me there. Some of the guests will be coming or going. They might want help with their bags. I’ll get my money now.” He ran from the kitchen.

  Mark shook his head. “Quite the go-getter.”

  Christa ate another piece of the coffee cake. “He’s a great kid.”

  “Lunch is my treat.”

  “I won’t argue.” She pulled off a piece of the cake and held it to his lips.

  “You’re asking for trouble.”

  “Am I?”

  Mark pushed to his feet. “See you at eleven?’

  Christa shook her head. “We need to set some ground rules. Come with me to a place where we won’t be disturbed.”

  “Where?”

  “You’ll see.” She caught his hand and led him to the stairs. “Davy won’t return unless were late. We have time.” She stood on the bottom step.

  Mark pulled her into an embrace. “Feeling needy?”

  “And you’re not.” Her hand touched his fly. “I want you and I want to have you.” She slid her hand down and felt his erection. “Seems you have a need.” She freed herself and dashed up the stairs.

  He caught her at the top. “Are you sure?”

  “Very. And you?”

  He laughed. “Always when I’m with you.”

  She held his hand and led him to her bedroom. “My room. My bed. My choice. If the door’s closed no one will bother us.” She met his mouth with hers. They kissed until she felt dizzy.

  He stepped back and opened the belt of her robe. One by one he unfastened the buttons. He grinned. “Like opening a present.” He pushed the robe from her shoulders and stepped back. He bent and kissed his way up her legs until he reached the hem of her thigh-length nightie. As he pulled it away, his kissed continued. His tongue flicked her clitoris. She put her hands on his shoulders.

  “Mark, please.” She burned to feel his skin on hers.

  He rose and brushed her lips with a kiss. “Do you want to stop?”

  She drew a deep breath and caught the scent of him. “No, but you have too many clothes.”

  “And what will you do about that?”

  She laughed. “Unwrap my package.” She reached for the edge of his sweater and pulled it over his head. Her hands splayed on his chest and felt his muscles move. Her hands slid down and reached the snap of his jeans. She opened it and ran her hand over the zipper. “Ready, are you?”

  “I’ve only to need to be in the room with you.” His voice emerged as a husky growl.

  She touched the zipper pull. He’d said those words to her years ago. She’d thought his lust had produced the words. Had she been wrong? She wanted to believe in him and them. Slowly she inched the zipper down. His penis emerged, full and ready. As she pulled
his jeans down he growled and the sound sent a wave of desire through her.

  Mark kicked off his sneakers. As he pulled off his jeans he removed his socks. His gaze roamed over her body. “You are perfect.

  Christa ran a finger over his erection. “You’re not so bad either.” Her hand curled around him. She loved the intent look in his eyes. She knelt. “Let me taste you.’

  “Be my guest.”

  She ran her tongue along his shaft and curled it over the top. She slid her mouth along the tip and drew him slowly inward. She slid him in and out in imitation of what she wanted from him.

  “Christa, enough,” Mark said. “My pump is primed and ready to spurt. I want to be in you.”

  She rose and walked to the bed. “Last night I lay here and thought about us and how we were.” Her hands caressed her breasts. He stood beside the bed. Desire rose in his eyes. As her hand slid over her belly, she slid her fingers into her cleft and began to stroke.

  Mark knelt between her wide-spread legs. “I’ve something better than fingers.” His shaft replaced her fingers and he rolled it over her labia and clitoris.

  Jolts of erotic currents rolled through her body. She wrapped her legs around his hips. “Mark. Mark.” Her cries turned to gasps and she was poised on the edge of an explosion. He thrust three times and erupted in conjunction with her. After shocks continued to ripple as her breathing slowed.

  Mark gazed into her eyes. “Ready for another ride.”

  She stroked his sweat-covered chest. “Even you aren’t that able.”

  He chuckled. “I know but it’s a great thought.” He pulled her close and kissed her gently. “With you each time is an adventure and more potent.”

  “I know.” Sadness crept into her thoughts. The time would end and she would have to let him return to his life. Though he would return to visit Davy how long could she keep from demanding more?

  “We need to do something about this attraction," he said. “I want years not days with you.”

  “Do you mean that?” How could she be less than skeptical? Did he mean to turn every visit to Davy into a sexual encounter with her?

  “I do. Give me a minute to recover.”

  Tears burned and she tried to hide them. “You’re insatiable.”

  “Could be.” He leaned on one elbow and looked down at her. “First we need to talk.”

  Knowing what he would say she nodded. Was this the beginning of the end?

  He clasped her hand. “We’ve been very active and I haven’t used protection. Have you?”

  “I’ve had no reason.”

  He placed their joined hands on her abdomen. “You know what happened ten years ago. That’s not an option today. Marry me.”

  Christa drew a deep breath. “How? I live and work here. You live in New York. Until I find a buyer for the inn I’m stuck. I want to go back to college and finish my degree. A long distance marriage isn’t a good idea.”

  “Agreed.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “You don’t need to stay here until the inn is sold. You don’t even have to sell. Find someone to run the inn. We can have one of the cottages set aside so we can visit several times a month. There are colleges in New York. Think about it.” He pressed a kiss on her lips. “We’d better shower and get ready for out lunch date.”

  “You’re right about that.” She pressed her face to his chest. “As to your other plans, I need time.”

  * * * *

  Mark stepped into the shower and began to wash. When the door opened wide enough to admit Christa he grinned. He captured her for a kiss. “Wish we had more time.”

  “We don’t but if you wash my back I’ll do yours. You have no idea what a luxury that can be.”

  “I have a good idea.” He took the cloth from her. “There’s no one to do mine either.” He rubbed the soapy cloth over her back and bent to kiss her shoulders. As the warm water rinsed the soap away his lips moved along her spine. He felt a response and wished they had more time to explore.

  “Why such a big shower? Four people could fit comfortably.”

  “My father’s idea. During ski season he rented the house. Four bedrooms, three with bunk beds. We lived in the cottage where you are.” She reached for the cloth.

  “Thus the amenities there.”

  “My step-mother would have lived there year round. She liked the smaller space and the Jacuzzi.”

  He felt the cloth touch his back. “Where did you sleep when you came home from college?”

  “On one of the couches.” She sighed. “That’s one reason I only came for winter break and summers.”

  “Will you marry me?”

  She laughed. “I thought you were giving me time to consider.”

  “I have.”

  “Ten minutes?”

  “Seems enough for me.” He wrapped his arms around her. “I think I’ll keep you here until I have the answer I want.”

  “And if Davy comes looking for us.”

  He groaned. “That would cause a problem.”

  “I’ll tell you tonight. Our son might not like the idea.”

  “I think he will.” He turned off the shower and snagged two towels. “I love you.”

  “Mark.”

  “I mean it.”

  Christa wrapped her arms around him. “I love you.”

  “We’d better get dressed before I take you here on the floor.” He grinned. “You’ll be attending a double wedding in December. My sisters.”

  She made a face. “Do not consider a triple header.”

  “No way. If Davy agrees, how about next Saturday.”

  “I haven’t said yes yet.”

  “You will.”

  Chapter Six

  Mark settled in the front passenger’s seat of the Jeep and fastened his seat belt. He would rather drive and use his car but there wasn’t room for three and the bike they planned to buy. When he’d offered to drive Christa had laughed.

  “My car. My neighborhood. I know the roads.”

  “I’ve driven to town.”

  “Won’t hurt you to be a passenger. Are we going to argue? Not a good idea.”

  She was right. He wanted nothing to ruin the rapport between them. He was nine tenths of the way to obtaining his goal. Though she hadn’t accepted his proposal she would. Once he spoke to Davy there would be no contest. Mark turned to look at his son.

  Though belted in, Davy managed to bounce. “This is so cool. Two of my wishes in one day.”

  Mark chuckled. “The third will take some time.”

  Christa glanced at Mark. “Just what is this third wish?”

  “When the time is right you’ll know.” Mark turned his head to hide a grin. A brother or sister for Davy might already be in the works.

  “He can’t tell you,” Davy said. “It’s our secret.”

  Mark winked. “When it happens there’ll be no question that you’ll know.”

  Davy hooted. “That’s a good one. Mom, are we going the back road. I want to show Dad the hill we slide down.”

  “Maybe on the way back.”

  Twenty minutes later they reached the small town. Christa stopped at the bank to deposit last night’s receipts. They found a parking spot and walked to the bike shop. Mark watched Davy try a half dozen bikes before selecting a silver with red trip. “Almost like your car, Dad.”

  Mark sucked in a breath. Warmth infused him. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to his son calling him Dad. His gaze met Christa’s. Her smile spoke of understanding.

  After loading the bike in the back of the Jeep, Davy and Mark strolled along the wide street while Christa ran errands. Mark studied the pair. They were his, or would be as soon as he made the bond official. “Where for lunch?”

  “The diner,” Davy said. “We always eat there on Saturday. They make the best burgers onion rings and shakes. You can have anything you like on your burger. Mom always gets blue cheese.”

  “Sounds good.” For a moment Mark wondered how Davy would handle the mov
e. Would he be angry about leaving his home?

  “You’ll enjoy the food,” Christa said.

  “More than at the inn?”

  Christa tapped his arm. “No food snobs allowed. We’re not talking gourmet but the burgers are level above fast food or the take-out you used to like.”

  “Still do.” This is wonderful, Mark thought as he savored the bacon cheddar burger with caramelized onions. He watched his son devour not only a cheeseburger but half the family-sized platter of onion rings. He glanced across the table and caught Christa’s gaze. “After the breakfast he downed I can’t believe he’s eating this much.”

  She laughed. “His appetite for food is almost as big as his father’s for other things. Are you sure you want to consider feeding him when he hits his teens?”

  “I can afford that. You ready to say yes.”

  “Perhaps.”

  Davy looked up. “What are you talking about?”

  Mark looked at his son. “That’s your mom’s and my secret. When it’s time you’ll know.” He reached for the check.

  Davy finished the last of his chocolate malted milkshake. He slid toward the edge of the booth. “Come on. I want to try my new bike. Can I call Sammy and see if he can come over?”

  “Sure,” Christa said. “Maybe he can spend the night if you promise to behave.” She turned to Mark. “By Monday everyone in the area will know about the bike and you.”

  Mark handed Davy the money for the tip. ‘Don’t forget this.”

  Christa chuckled. “You learn fast.”

  “Looks that way.” He stopped at the cash register to pay. Davy dashed outside. Mark reached for Christa’s hand. “See if you can find a sitter for tonight. I want to go ring shopping.”

  “Aren’t you getting ahead of things?”

  He grinned. “I want to take you to dinner and spend some time alone with you at the cottage. I need you.”

  “Again?”

  “And again.”

  “I’ll see what I can do about a sitter.”

  “Your half-sisters?”

  “Not on a bet even if they’re available. Weekends are their time for fun and games.”

  “Wouldn’t want them to give up their fun.” He paused. “They won’t be living with us.”

  “Already decided they wouldn’t be living with me. Told them to find jobs and an apartment.”