Claiming His Secret Heir

“Let me.” He canted closer, his focus shifting to her eyes.

The heat ratcheted up so much it was a wonder they weren’t melting snow.

She could feel her heartbeat quicken, the answering spark she’d always experienced with this man. Time and distance hadn’t broken it. Even forgetting him completely for weeks on end hadn’t erased the response she had to him.

By the time his mouth brushed hers, she had somehow crept closer to him, her hands slipping under the vest he wore to rest on the flannel shirt over his chest. His heart sped quicker, its rhythm synchronized with hers in a dance she remembered all too well.

He tasted like whiskey, a straight shot that imparted a stronger burn than any drink. She let the feel of his kiss fill her whole body, the nerve endings coming to life from the roots of her hair to the most intimate heart of her being. His tongue coaxed and toyed with hers, slowly at first. Then harder. More demanding.

Her pulse pounded faster. She breathed in the sandalwood of his aftershave and fresh pine all around them, her senses all attuned to the pleasure to come.

Until Damon slowed the kiss again.

Stopped.

Pulled back just a fraction of an inch.

Caroline’s fingers clutched at his shirt, holding him. Wanting him.

It took a long moment for her to return to the moment and the picnic. The feast he’d carefully planned for her. The bodyguard protecting them, who’d no doubt gotten an eyeful. Dragging in gulps of cold air, she hoped the winter chill would put out some of the fire inside. She forced her fingers to unclench from where she gripped his shirt. Thank goodness they were in a public park with a baby in the carriage beside them or she might have toppled him onto his back and lost herself in the feel of him.

“You had a little bit of marshmallow,” he explained belatedly, reaching up to graze her upper lip with his thumb. “Right here.”

Even now, his touch sparked a powerful need.

“Then I’ll have to be careful with my next taste.” She picked up her mug for another drink, grateful for something else to focus on besides Damon’s touch. The way he looked at her.

“No need,” he assured her, reaching toward the sled full of food to drag the cheese board closer. “The pleasure was all mine.”

His wolfish grin was very male. And even as he goaded her, she knew her defenses would never hold if he kissed her again.

CHAPTER NINE

After sledding and a picnic, Damon thought Caroline seemed more relaxed. They’d made a plan for dinner in front of the fire in her suite, a location he didn’t even have to lobby for since she wanted to stay close to Lucas and his room was on the same floor as hers. Her bedroom had a sitting room with a table, and she’d suggested it would be more relaxing to have a simple meal up there as opposed to the formal dining space.

That she wanted to unwind around him seemed like a personal victory.

He pushed the baby’s carriage across Fifth Avenue while the bodyguard who accompanied them pulled the sled with the picnic hamper and leftovers. Damon hadn’t wanted Caroline to overexert herself, and it had been a busy day already.

“So I’m going to feed Lucas while you relax for a little while.” He reminded her of the plan as they approached the huge town house. “Just text me when you’re ready for dinner and I’ll have it brought up.”

“Thank you.” She hugged her arms around herself. The temperature was dropping now that the sun had dipped low on the horizon. “It was fun getting outdoors today. It made me realize how long I’ve been cooped up inside, between caring for Lucas and being sick.”

Damon didn’t remind her that she’d been a prisoner in her father’s home as much as she had been in Mexico. He hoped with time she would comprehend the depth of her father’s betrayal. Did she understand that Damon would never allow Lucas to be near Stephan Degraff again?

“Speaking of which, I confirmed an appointment with a highly respected local therapist for you tomorrow.” He unlocked the door to the town house, unwilling to bother the staff inside. Besides, they had enough witnesses to private conversations with the security lurking behind them. “Maybe she’ll have new ideas for helping you recover your memories and your health.”

If Caroline recovered her full memory, it would go a long way in convincing her to stay away from her father. Assuming, of course, she was genuinely committed to starting this marriage over. He had at least ruled out his concern that she might be conspiring against him with her father. Damon believed she was invested in discovering the truth.

“Thank you.” She stepped inside while he held the door for her. “I’d like that.”