Lust and Lies 04 - Pretty Maids in a Row

"How dare you do that to me?"
    He raised one eyebrow. "How was I supposed to know it was a secret?" He turned his back on her and studied a picture on the wall.
    "That was the most infantile display of male ego I have ever witnessed. If you had any decency, you would understand that I don't want to hurt him."
    He whirled around on her. "Oh, no? There were a number of people in Florida who knew we were sharing that motorhome. Add to that how many people saw us at dinner, the symphony, the zoo and the bar. How long did you figure it would be before your lapdog heard about us? If I'd known you wanted to be discreet, believe me, I could have arranged it."
    "Oh, I'm sure you could. I heard cuckolding husbands is one of your specialties."
    His expression hardened as he stared down his nose at her. "The last I heard, you weren't married. At least I don't pretend to be faithful to one person while I'm screwing my ass off with another one."
    She bolted from her chair and closed the distance between them. "No. You'll just screw your ass off with any woman that stands still long enough."
    He grabbed her upper arms and yanked her hard against him. "Like this? You're standing still. Since I'm nothing but a walking prick, I should just take what I want right now and the hell with you." His mouth crushed hers with brutal intent, demanding she submit to his greater strength, insisting she accept his will over hers. He paid no heed to her frightened whimper as his fingers tangled in her hair and tugged until she opened her mouth for his deeper assault.
    But, moments later, he couldn't ignore her rigid body or the dampness on her cheek.
    Though he didn't release her, he gentled the kiss and stroked her face with trembling hands, wordlessly begging forgiveness. He made love to her mouth until she relaxed and was almost kissing him back. Ending the kiss, he continued to hold her in a possessive embrace with her head pressed to his chest. "You make me crazy. Do you know that?"
    She nodded. "But it's only fair since you do the same to me."
    "I guess I wasn't very nice."
    "No." She sniffed. "But neither was I."
    "Are you going to tell Philip you're seeing me?"
    "Yes. He doesn't deserve to hear it from someone else."
    "I've never been jealous before. I don't like it."
    She tilted her head back and looked at him with a surprised expression.
    David smiled at her. "After what I just pulled with Philip, I'd rather confess than have you think I'm just a complete asshole. Ever since you told me you're on the pill, I've had these visions of the two of you... I know I have no right to ask about your relations with other men, and I should drop this while I'm ahead, but like I said, this is new to me."
    Holly felt a flurry of pure feminine satisfaction at his discomfort. "You can ask, if you're willing to answer the same question for me." His immediate reaction let her know she had asked for something he considered completely off-limits.
    Then he raised his eyes heavenward and sighed. "I haven't been with anyone else since the first time I saw you."
    Another flurry tickled her lower abdomen. She was tempted to keep him hanging, but her experience with his temper discouraged that notion. "I told you before. I take the pill because I have horrible, irregular periods without it. Philip and I are close friends. We work together and often socialize together... but I go to bed alone." She didn't see any point in mentioning the unsuccessful attempt she'd made a few weeks ago.
    "Good," he said simply but his expression seemed to contradict the word.
    Holly's intercom buzzed in time to prevent him from making more of a fool of himself. While she spoke to Evelyn, David grabbed a tissue and wiped the smudged makeup from under her eyes and the lipstick from his mouth.
    She hung up and clucked her tongue. "My appointment's waiting in Philip's office and I'm not ready. As illuminating as the past half hour has been, please believe me when I say, I don't ever want to start another day this way. Now, please go away."
    Instead of obeying, he pulled her back into his arms. "I want three things first."
    She groaned loudly. "What now?"
    "A kiss." She touched her lips to his for a split second. "Hmmm. I should have been more specific. Next, come away for the weekend with me, to an incredible place I know up in the mountains." When she hesitated, he added, "My editor gave me the time off to follow up on that story we talked about. I've done some checking and I'll be