Caught in the Act (Independence Falls 2)

’d come after her when it would have made more sense to turn away. To risk so much, he had to be driven by more than desire.

Katie bit her lower lip, drawing it into her mouth. Maybe, just maybe, this man saw her for who she was, and who she wanted to be, and refused to walk away.

“I wouldn’t be here if you weren’t,” he added, holding out a fork.

She took the utensil and poked at her eggs. Liam had a list of reasons to walk away from her, but instead, he’d come after her, refusing to give up. Of course, there was always the chance this was a ploy. She’d brought him out here intent on revenge.

She looked up, noting the way Liam studied her with his jaw set in a firm line. She believed in his yes. Somehow, they’d rebuilt the trust he’d shattered years ago. If they hadn’t, she wouldn’t have opened up to him last night, sharing pieces of herself she kept locked away.

And Liam had to know by now that she was not the weak link in the contract negotiations. If he was here, it was for her.

Part of her wanted to be his. But beyond these walls, it wasn’t possible. This man was rooted in this town. If she wanted to be true to herself and her dreams, having him in her life was impossible.

Katie set her fork down beside her untouched eggs. Regardless of what waited for them on the other side of the lake, the fact that he was here now mattered.

“I’m not hungry anymore,” she said, sliding off her stool. He watched her, his egg-filled fork raised to his lips. While she’d been lost in thought, he devoured half his plate. She smiled, turning to the door and reaching for the bottom of her shirt. “At least not for eggs.”

She drew the T-shirt over her head and tossed it behind her, stealing a glance at Liam. He’d set aside his breakfast. The hunger in his gaze—it was for her. But he didn’t follow her.

“Before we go there,” he said, his tone low, rough, and downright needy. “There are things I need to tell you—”

“No. We only have a few hours before the outside world interrupts,” she said. “Let’s not bring it in here.”

He shook his head. “Katie, you don’t understand.”

“Please.” She knew that if this moment fell apart, if they turned the conversation away from desire and fantasy, they might never get back here again.

“I would hate to leave before I fulfilled my promise,” she added.

Without waiting for a response, she headed down the hall, stripping off her jeans. She heard footsteps followed by a low growl of approval. Excitement pulsed through her as she stepped into the master bedroom and turned to face him. He’d abandoned his clothes in the hall and now stood before her naked and incredibly turned on.

And powerful—she could feel his energy from across the room. He was keeping it on a tight leash, one she wanted to snap.

“Right here, in this room,” she said softly, slipping out of her underwear and tossing it aside. “I’m all yours.”

He moved to her, reaching for her, running his rough palms over the curve of her waist, moving higher, skimming the sides of her breasts. She let out a soft moan. But he didn’t stop. His hands moved to her shoulders and down her back. He paused when he reached her bottom, cupping and squeezing. Her breath caught as he lifted his hands away. The anticipation . . .

“Liam,” she whispered.

His hands returned to her backside, brushing back and forth before lifting away again.

“Do you fantasize about taking me over your knee?” she murmured, looking up at him, taking in his heated gaze as her body warmed to the naughty image in her head.

“That’s up there,” he admitted, lowering his head and capturing her lips. She arched into his touch, running her tongue over his lips. He broke away, leaving her panting.

“I want to make you mine, Katie.”

His words felt like a caress touching her breasts, running lower, down between her legs, leaving her wet and aching.

“Is that something you want?” he asked, releasing his hold on her and stepping back.

“I suppose I could play the bad girl.”

Liam let out a low chuckle. “Yes, honey, you could. Now turn around.”

She obeyed his commands, struggling to keep her breathing under control. She’d never allowed a man to spank her. With the way her body felt so close to coming, just from the promise of it, she wanted to try.

“Grab the bedpost,” he ordered, his hands moved to her hips, drawing her back until she was bent at the waist. “You’re sure about this?”