The front door creaked open, and he turned.
Darcy's mouth fell open.
"Hi, sweetheart." He lifted the bottle in his hand. "Did you want to get drunk again?"
Her gaze flicked to the bottle. "I had enough last night."
«Strange» He clunked the bottle down. "I didn't."
She winced, then quietly shut the door.
He sat on the wicker love seat. "Did it work?"
She approached him warily. "Did what work?"
"Did getting soused make you forget that you love me?"
Her eyes reflected pain as she sat on the end of the wicker chaise lounge. "Nothing could make me forget that." Her expression hardened. "I also remember that you agreed to get yourself eliminated from the show."
"I couldn't leave. Not without talking to you."
"Then send me a telegram." Her eyes flashed with anger. "Are you trying to get me fired? That's what'll happen if you win."
"I won't win. I'll be obnoxious and rude tomorrow night."
"There's no taping for the next two days. The second show airs tomorrow night. You won't see me again 'til Friday. That's the final night of taping. And you had better lose."
"I will. Trust me."
"Trust? Don't make me laugh, Adam."
"I have never lied to you about how I feel."
Her eyes narrowed. "How did you do it? How did you lift a settee with one hand?"
He focused on the overturned rocker. Slowly it rose in the air, then landed in an upright position.
Darcy gaped at it, then at Austin, then back at the chair. "How?"
"Telekinesis."
"Good God, how powerful are you?"
He shrugged. "I feel pretty damned helpless where you're concerned. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and you're brushing me off like it's nothing."
"You think it's easy for me?" She rubbed her forehead. "I have a monster headache."
"Looks like you have two choices. You can either marry me or spend eternity in a drunken stupor."
She glared at him as she massaged her temples. "Oh, thanks. That's about the loveliest proposal a girl could hope for."
He perched on the end of the chaise beside her. "Allow me." He pressed his fingers into her scalp and rubbed small circles.
She closed her eyes. "I shouldn't let you touch me."
"Why not?"
"Because my resistance melts away."
"Good." He moved his hands to her neck and massaged her there. "You hate being cold, sweetheart.
Stop fighting this, and melt with me."
She moaned, her eyes still closed. "I want you to be happy, Austin. How can you be happy with me?"
"I love you. Of course, I'll be happy with you." He focused on his glass of water. It slid across the table to within his reach. He fished out an ice cube, then drew a line with it down Darcy's neck.
She stiffened, her eyes flying open. "That's so cold."
"Yes, but I'm here to heat you up." He nuzzled her neck, licking away the cold trail of water left behind by the ice.
She shuddered. "Do you realize what you're doing?"
"Seducing you?" He skimmed the ice cube along her collarbone, then down between her breasts.
Her skin pebbled with goosebumps. "I can't leave the vampire world. I'm stuck here. You would be forced to share it with me."
"I know." With the ice, he drew two circles on her T-shirt, outlining her breasts. "I just have one question for you."
She shivered. "What is it?"
He rubbed the ice over her nipples, soaking her T-shirt and bra. "Will you still love me when I'm old and gray? Or bald?"
"Of course."
"Then it's settled." He tossed the ice cube onto the table.
"You make it sound so easy." She shuddered. "Shame on you. You know how I hate the cold."
"But you love it when I warm you up." He pulled her shirt over her head. Then, he reached behind her to unhook her bra.
"God help me, I love you." She wrapped her arms around his neck.
Yes! A surge of victory swept through him as he pushed her down onto the chaise lounge. She did love him. She did want him. He made love to her breasts, then unzipped her jeans and tugged them down her legs. They snagged on her sneakers, so he jerked off her shoes and jeans all at once. She lounged on the floral cushions, wearing nothing but red lace underwear.
"You look incredible." He perched on the lounge next to her.
"Thank you." She reached for him.
"Just a minute." He plucked another piece of ice from his glass and studied her panties. "Hmm."
Her eyes widened. "Don't you dare."
"But I promise to warm you up."
She scrambled off the chaise, but he caught the waistband and popped the ice cube onto her bottom.
"Aagh!" She wiggled out of the underwear.
"Wow." He rose to his feet, grinning. "I've never seen a lady drop her pants so fast."
"You rascal." She planted her hands on her hips and looked him over. "We have a serious problem."
"What?"
Her eyes twinkled with mischief. "I'm completely naked, but here you are, still in a suit and tie."
"Oh. No problem." He started to take off his coat, but she stopped him.
"I think I like this." She circled him slowly, skimming a hand across his chest, over his arm, and across his back. "It makes me feel… wild and wanton."
He inhaled sharply when her breasts brushed against his arm. His groin tightened. "I have to admit I like the view."
"So do I." She lifted the end of his tie and ran the tip down her neck and between her breasts.
He grabbed her hips and pulled her against his erection. "Are you ready to be wanned up?"
"Is that a heating iron or are you just happy to see me?" She wiggled out of his arms. "Come." She tugged on his tie, leading him like a dog on a leash.
And he went. Gladly. Hell, he felt like howling. After all, the woman he loved was leading him to the bedroom. And watching her swaying rump from behind was an added bonus.
She stopped when she reached the bed. She turned slowly. "Let me undress you." But he already had his coat and shoes off. Her eyes widened. "You're certainly in a hurry."
"Sweetheart, I'm about to explode."
"Really?" She hooked a leg around him and rubbed her inner thigh against his pants. "Are you suffering?"
"Vixen," he muttered as he loosened his tie and pulled it over his head.
She began to unbutton his shirt with irritatingly slow patience. With a growl, he unhooked his belt, unzipped his pants, dropped them, and kicked them aside. His underwear followed suit, and she was still unbuttoning his shirt.
"Enough." He yanked his shirt and undershirt over his head at the same time. He focused on the door, and it swung shut.
"Wow," she breathed.
With his mind, he pulled the comforter down the bed. Clean white sheets and pillows were revealed. "Climb in, sweetheart."
She snorted. "Well, that's a neat trick, but if you really want to impress me, you'll know how to make the bed, too."
He grabbed her around the waist and plopped her on the mattress.
"And do the laundry. Not to mention the dirty dishes."
"I just love it when you talk dirty." He pushed her down and gave his full attention to her breasts.
With a moan, she splayed her hands into his hair. "I tried to stay away from you. I knew I couldn't resist you."
He shoved her knees apart and settled between her thighs. "I'm here to stay."
She jolted when he tickled her between the legs. She was hot and wet. He spread the moisture around while she trembled and gasped. The scent of her desire lured him in closer. He planted his mouth on her and quickly convinced her that they could indeed find domestic bliss together.