Wicked Torture (Stark World 3)

There, on his palm, is the ring he gave me a decade ago in Los Angeles. The engagement ring I threw at him in anger when he left me for Darla.

My hand flies to my mouth, and when I look at him, it's through eyes filled with tears. "I don't understand. You're not giving this to me?"

"Not yet. This isn't a proposal." His mouth curves up. "But I wanted you to know that a proposal--and the ring--is coming. Until then, I hope you keep it in your heart. And here," he adds, then takes my left hand and kisses the place where the ring will be.

I swallow through a throat clogged with tears. "I think that's the most romantic thing anyone has ever done." I lean forward, then kiss him tenderly. "Will you do something for me?"

"Anything."

"Make love to me, Noah. Slowly. And very, very thoroughly."

"Sweetheart, it will be my pleasure."

20

He didn't remember falling asleep, but waking up was a pleasure. The brush of Kiki's hair over his skin. The soft pressure of her lips against his bare chest. Her naked body straddling him as she sweetly kissed her way higher and higher until she finally claimed him with the kind of kiss designed to make a man come awake.

Very awake.

With a low growl, he pulled her to him, then shifted his weight to flip them over. She squealed and laughed, now flat on her back and pinned beneath him.

"Don't start what you can't finish," he teased.

"Oh, no, mister. That was a wake-up call, not a booty call. Because we're due downstairs in twenty minutes, and I'm not going without my faux-ance."

"Your what?"

"Fake fiance," she explained. "Except not truly fake. So maybe pre-ance?"

He wasn't sure if he should laugh or kiss her, so he settled for both, and only stopped because she wrestled her way out from under him, then grabbed him by the hand. "I promise to make it up to you later," she said. "But right now, we're supposed to have lunch with Celia. It's important."

"I know. I'll be good." He grinned as he slid off the bed, pulling her to her feet beside him. "And when we get back to the room, I'll be better."

"I like that plan." She wrapped her arms around him, her warm, naked body pressed against his. "Thank you."

He slid his hands down, cupping her bare ass and pulling her tight against him, so that there was no way she could miss how hard he was. "Thank me later," he whispered, then took her mouth in a slow, soft kiss.

When they broke apart, she was a little glassy eyed, which was fine with him. She hurried to get dressed, and though he considered joining her in the shower, they both knew that would only make them late. That would be fine with him, too--hell, it would be fine with him to cancel. Not because he didn't like Celia, but because he hadn't yet had his fill of Kiki.

Then again, he doubted he'd ever have his fill of her.

But late would irritate Celia, and at the moment, Noah was all about ensuring that he continued to have the approval of Kiki's best friend.

They found her at a table with a view of the city. The hotel's restaurant was on the top floor, and boasted both ocean and inland views. "Wasn't yesterday the most freaking amazing day ever?" Celia asked as she hugged each of them in turn. "Matthew Holt likes us. He really likes us!"

"I know!" Kiki's voice held the same level of excitement as Celia's, and Noah basked in their joy as they spun out plans and dreams. They'd make it--he firmly believed that.

Hell, they would have made it before if he hadn't broken Kiki's spirit and shattered her drive.

But that wasn't a problem this time.

This time, he wasn't going anywhere.

When the girls wound down, Kiki leaned against him as they scoped out the menu, then ordered. The waitress left, and Celia started to outline the day. "Eden and Kristi can't make it here this weekend, but you and I can clean up a few of the melodies for the lyrics you sent over, and then we can record some tracks together. I went ahead and booked some studio time."

Celia looked at Noah, as if daring him to raise alternative plans.

"Sounds great to me. You two mind if I watch?"