The Tycoon's Unexpected Baby (The Abbot Sisters #3) - Elizabeth Lennox Page 0,26

body too languid for anything more than a visual appreciation for the man’s body.

When he reappeared, Pepper was amazed that he was so casual about his nakedness. Then again, she’d been lying here amid her colorful comforter, completely open and naked herself. Immediately, she reached to pull the blanket over her, but he only laughed softly and pulled the material away, replacing his body with the blanket as he pulled her into his arms again. “Talk to me, Pepper. Why were you crying?”

She smiled down at him since he’d lifted her so that she was basically draped over his body. “I was crying because that experience was so beautiful, Dimitri. I never thought it could be so…incredible.”

His hands smoothed down her back, curving around her bottom. She thought about reaching down to push his hands away, but she was just too comfortable to move.

“You’re beautiful,” he murmured.

She smiled, but wasn’t sure what to say. Dimitri looked down at her, saw her smile and relaxed. “I thought you wanted to talk and get to know me,” he teased.

Pepper laughed, and pressed a kiss to his chest. “I’m not sure what else I need to know about you.”

He laughed, squeezing her bottom. “That’s a good start. I like it when a woman is awed by my expertise.” Immediately, Dimitri felt her stiffen and looked down again to find her looking up at him with a wounded expression. “What?” he demanded instantly. “What did I say?”

Pepper felt a cold chill creep into the cocoon in which she’d been happily curled. “Nothing,” she replied flatly, sliding away from him. Thankfully, he allowed it and she stood up, grabbing the throw blanket she kept on the edge of the bed and wrapping it around her.

Dimitri shook his head. “That’s not nothing, Pepper. Talk to me. What happened?”

“Nothing.”

He grunted. “One moment, you’re all soft and sweet in my arms and the next moment, you’re pulling away. Tell me what just happened.”

She shrugged, pulling her hair out from beneath the fold of the blanket. “I just…” she sighed and looked away. “It’s stupid, Dimitri. And I’m hungry.”

“Fine,” he replied, standing up and pulled his pants on. “I’ll order something to be delivered. What are you in the mood for?”

She shrugged and peered out the window. “What time is it?”

“Time for you to tell me what happened,” he replied, gently wrapping his arms around her waist so that he could pull her back against his chest. “Be honest with me, Pepper. I’m not a mind reader. If you don’t tell me what I said, then I’ll probably do it again. I don’t want to hurt you with careless words.”

Biting her lip, she closed her eyes and took a slow, deep breath. “I just…” her chin trembled as she admitted, “I don’t like thinking of you with other women, Dimitri. That’s all. It’s silly, but…I just…!” she sighed, bowing her head. “I know that you’ve been with other women. I also know that it’s ridiculous to think that this might last longer than…well, however long it might last. But the thing is, I just…I don’t like it. Okay?” She peeked at him over her shoulder. “I don’t like thinking of you doing those things with another woman.”

He paused, thinking back to their conversation. He replayed the words in his mind, then closed his eyes. “When I commented on my expertise?” he asked.

“Yes.” The one word came out as more of a whisper, but he heard it and his arms tightened around her waist. She felt the kiss along her neck and shivered.

“No other woman ever made me feel this way,” he said. She heard the sincerity in his voice. “I haven’t been a monk, Pepper. But you’re different. And no,” he chuckled at her dubious glance. “I’ve never said that to anyone else. Ever.”

She relaxed and he turned her around, kissing her gently again.

“Well, that’s a bit nicer, I suppose.”

He kissed her again. “Are you hungry?” he asked.

She laughed, nodding as she reached up to lace her fingers together behind his neck. “Yeah,” she replied. “Very hungry.” And she reached up on tiptoe to gently nibble his lip, just so that he understood that she wasn’t talking about food.

With a growl, he scooped her up into his arms and, instead of returning to the bed, he carried her over to her kitchen table. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He kissed her, his hands moving to lift her legs up. “See,” he nipped at her lip, “I’m also very