She headed for her bathroom, showered with her favorite strawberry-scented wash, shaved, and followed up with creamy lotion to moisturize her skin. She dried her hair, letting it fall around her shoulders.
Then she climbed into bed and waited for Lucas to come home.
* * *
Lucas was disappointed to find the lights out when he walked into the apartment. He’d been hoping Maxie would still be awake and watching television. Waiting for him? He wouldn’t be that presumptuous, but nothing wrong with wishful thinking.
He tossed his keys into the holder on his way to his room, pausing outside Maxie’s closed door. He stood, listening to the quiet in the apartment and the sound of his own breath, as he strained to hear any noises inside.
He tipped his head against the door, imagining her asleep in her bed, blonde hair tousled over the sheets, pale skin lit by the moonlight from the window.
Shit. He really had it bad.
Of course, he’d been wanting her his entire life.
He lifted his head and stepped back, about to go to his room, when her door opened, and his breath caught in his throat. She stood before him in a black teddy, her breasts full and plump over the lace trim, the V between them cut deep, revealing her enticing cleavage. His gaze traveled lower, his mouth watering at the sight of the see-through material molding to her waist and full hips.
“You’re home early,” she said, meeting his gaze.
“Those things bore me.”
“The company too?” she asked, obviously referring to Arielle.
He raised one shoulder. “We’d both done enough of the meet-and-greet. I couldn’t wait to get home.” His voice dropped an octave, his meaning clear. He hoped. He wanted to get back here. To her.
He let his stare roam over her gorgeous body silhouetted in the doorframe. “Where are your long-sleeve pajamas?” he asked.
“They weren’t suitable for my needs.” She stepped closer, her meaning clear.
His heart began to pound harder in his chest. Yes, she was coming on to him, but she was also taking a different stand than she had when she’d backed off a few weeks ago. He needed her to be sure.
Then again, she was greeting him in lace lingerie. Did he really need any more obvious indication than that?
He slid his finger beneath the thin strap holding up the garment and traced the indentation in her flesh. “So this is for me?”
She managed a breathy nod. “I’ve been waiting for you to get home.”
“Why the change of heart?” he asked.
She slid her tongue across her glistening lips. “I want you, Lucas. I always have. I decided it’s our time.”
He couldn’t argue with that logic. Instead he acted. He lifted her into his arms and headed for his bedroom, aware he was one step closer to his ultimate dream.
* * *
Maxie wrapped her arms around Lucas for the walk to his room, her heart soaring, desire racing through her. With every step he took, her barely clad body molded enticingly against his. Her nipples abraded against the lapels of his jacket, and her sex rubbed against his hard erection. Sparks of need rushed over her, making her want more.
She threaded her fingers through his hair and inhaled his delicious masculine scent while rubbing her pussy against his cock.
“Slow, or I’m going to explode,” he said, just as he pushed through his door and walked them into the darkened room.
He laid her down on the bed, then reached for the lamp on the nightstand. “I want to see you naked,” he said gruffly.
Her cheeks burned with embarrassment but she understood. “I want to see you too.”
“Your wish is my command.” He unhooked the bow tie, tossing the black strap onto the floor.
His next move was to undo the cuffs. Then he attacked his shirt, one button at a time, until he reached the bottom, shrugging off the shoulders and adding it to the pile of clothes at his feet.