Uriah's Heart Read online

  She walked right up to me and stopped so close, her breasts almost touched my chest. “Waiting for me?”

  “Of course.”

  Maze looped her arms around my neck and braced her upper body against mine. “Anybody ever tell you you’re a stunningly handsome man?” There was a slight slur to her words.

  I placed my hands on her full hips and gazed down at her from my superior height, uncaring that we stood in the middle of a busy restaurant. “You think so?”

  “Yes.” She nodded emphatically. “It’s not fair. How can any woman be expected to work with such perfection and not...”

  “And not, what?” I prompted, fascinated at this glimpse of her inner self. Normally, Maze was reserved and held herself under rigid control. It was how she functioned in a world that didn’t always understand her nor knew how to cope with people who had her issues.

  “Fall in love,” she finished with a sad sigh and laid her head on my chest.

  I nudged her chin up so she’d look at me. “It’s okay if you fall in love with me.”

  Eyes wide, she breathed out, “It is? Why?”

  “Because I’m in love with you, too.” I noticed the Maître D’ watching us and the growing line of customers waiting to be seated. “Let’s get out of here before they ask us to leave.”

  I placed an arm around her waist and guided Maze out of the restaurant. In one of the nearby ballrooms, a wedding reception was in progress. They’d reached the dancing portion of the program, and the dim lighting set just the right romantic atmosphere I needed. “Let’s dance.”

  “S’okay,” she agreed amiably and followed my lead.

  I walked through the crowded ballroom, greeting people I didn’t know as I took Maze onto the dance floor. Once she was in my arms, I asked, “Do you remember the Barker affair?”

  The Barker affair had been one of those formal dinner deals with dancing followed by a silent charity auction. I intensely dislike the societal airs people put on at those functions, but attendance was necessary for the business connections I made and maintained. Rich is as rich does. Maze had been my date for the evening. Her beauty that night had taken my breath away. I think it was the first time I’d realized what a sexy, attractive woman she was.

  She draped her arms around my neck and I pulled her close, allowing our bodies to brush with each step. Across the room, the bride danced with the groom and several other members of the wedding party crowded the dance floor.

  “We danced all night. My feet hurt the next morning, but it was worth it. I felt like Cinderella at the ball,” she said with a sigh.

  The Barker affair had been two years ago. I hadn’t dated since. I told myself it was because I was too busy, but the real reason for my sexual abstinence was cradled in my arms. Again, I marveled at my stupidity.

  As one slow song drifted into another, I made my move. I started by stroking my fingers down her spine as I subtly shifted her closer. Resting my hand just above the swell of her ass, I kissed her forehead and nuzzled my way down her cheek. Sighing, Maze angled her head to the side, silently encouraging my attentions.

  Slowly, carefully, ignoring the erection straining my pants, I seduced her. Raining kisses over her face and neck, I nibbled both earlobes before finally taking her mouth in a no holds barred kiss. Maze met my tongue stroke for stroke, rising up on tiptoe to get closer.

  I couldn’t wait any longer. Easing her out of the ballroom, I led her over to the elevators.

  “Where are we going?” Her lips were swollen and her eyes glazed with the desire I’d created.

  “Upstairs. Neither one of us is in any condition to drive,” I said. This part was tricky. Getting Maze upstairs was critical to my plan. Would she balk?

  “Okay.” No suspicion in her gaze whatsoever. Just an easy acceptance of the validity of my words.

  A sober Maze would have questioned how I already had keys to a hotel room on what should have been a spur of the moment decision? Fortunately for me, the thought never crossed her mind.

  In the elevator, I pressed her against the wall and continued kissing her. The floor indicator dinged to let us know we’d arrived and I pulled back so we could exit. Based on the number, our room wasn’t too far from the elevators. I hustled her down the hallway and within seconds, had Maze inside and crowded against the door.

  “I want you,” I muttered between kisses. “Say yes.” It felt like I had five hands and all of them were on Maze, touching whatever I could reach.

  She pulled on my shirt, dragging the tails free of my pants. “Yes,” she agreed and her greedy hands slid underneath to touch skin.

  Not to be outdone, I had her stripped of her shirt and bra in record time. I took time to admire her breasts. They were small but firm, tipped with pert brown nipples. I rubbed my thumbs over the points and she groaned. Hmm, they were sensitive. Catching her by the hips, I lifted Maze until her breasts were on level with my face and engulfed the areola inside of my mouth.

  She curled her legs around my waist and arched her hips, riding my erection. “Uri! Oh God, that feels wonderful.”

  Only Maze dared called me by the diminutive of my name. Only she was allowed. I switched breasts, marveling at how responsive she was. Was it the alcohol? I didn’t think so. Under Maze’s button down professional persona, I’d long sensed a passionate nature hiding. I was just the man to bring it to the surface.

  Maze gripped my head, holding me to her. She moaned and thrashed her head from side-to-side. I needed to get inside of her pronto.

  I carried her over to the bed and toppled down onto it with her under me. It took a few seconds for me to pry her loose long enough to strip her out of the rest of her clothing. Maze’s busy fingers tackled my belt while I slung off my shirt. I toed off my shoes before shoving everything down and out of the way. Naked, I crawled onto the mattress on top of her, making a place for myself between her thighs.

  There was so much I wanted to see and do, but right now I needed to take the edge off. We had all night and I planned to use every minute of it. I probed her sex to test her readiness. She was slick with desire. I thrust deep and hard, and then froze with my teeth clenched as I called upon every ounce of control I possessed. She was hot, tight, and wet—my favorite things.

  “Brace yourself,” I warned, knowing I wouldn’t last long this first time.

  Then I took Maze with hard, long strokes. The type that staked a claim. She was mine. After tonight, she would never have another lover. “You’re mine, Maze. Say it!”

  “Yours,” she echoed, nails digging furrows into my shoulders.

  I knew it wouldn’t be this easy. Maze was a stubborn woman. My perfect match in every way. This was me laying the groundwork for what was to come. I already owned her heart. The next step was to claim her body before taking possession of her soul.

  Amazingly, I held on long enough for her to climax before allowing myself to come. We dozed as we recovered, and then I woke her and took her again, and again, and again. No condoms. No protection. Nothing but skin-to-skin contact.

  Dawn had broken on the horizon before I finally allowed Maze to drop into an exhausted sleep. I laid propped on one elbow, studying her beloved features. In a few minutes, I’d have to leave.

  Maze wasn’t ready to accept what I wanted from her. She’d seen the parade of women in my life: most of them rich, all of them beautiful, and the majority of them blonde. Based on that history, she’d never believe I wanted her. In time she would because I wouldn’t give her a choice.

  I traced her narrow nose, high cheekbones, and plump lips with a light finger, memorizing her face. Her skin was the tone of burnished gold, and she had the slender, toned body of a woman in her twenties. Why she’d need to consult a matchmaking service, I’d never understand. Maze wasn’t model beautiful, but she was attractive in an understated way. Hers was an inner beauty that snuck up on you and smacked you between the eyes when you least expected it.

  I couldn’t wait to hold our child
in my arms. A sperm bank, I snorted in remembrance. As if I’d let her do such a thing. “Baby, you should have known better. You only have yourself to blame for what happens now,” I whispered.

  After one last brush of my lips against hers, I rolled out of bed and dressed. Phase one of my plan was a success. Time for phase two.

  Chapter Three

  Maze

  There was an evil drummer going to town in my head. My mouth tasted like something had died in it, and my body ached all over. What the hell?

  Slowly forcing my gritty eyes to open, I took in my surroundings. I was in a hotel room, pricy by the looks of it, with no recollection of how I’d come to be there. I tried to raise my head and stopped when the demented drummer went into overdrive. My stomach churned and I held my breath, hoping the stave off the urge to vomit.

  It didn’t work. Hand clamped to my mouth, I lurched and stumbled my way into the bathroom where I was violently ill. It felt like I’d retched up all of my internal organs when I finished. I knelt, one arm braced on the toilet, hoping that was the end of it. A person could live without their head, right? Right now, removing it from my shoulders felt like a viable option.

  Not having the strength to stand, I crawled over to the tub to rinse my mouth. While I was at it, I swallowed several handfuls of water and waited with bated breath to see if my stomach would rebel. Thankfully, the water stayed down.

  Gradually, I became aware of the cold porcelain creeping into my skin and realized I was naked. The insides of my thighs were wet and sticky. This did not bode well. There was a big blank spot where last night was supposed to be. Unfortunately, thinking only made my head hurt worse.

  I managed to push to my feet long enough to empty my bladder. I sat there with my elbows on my knees and my hands propping up my head. How much had I drunk? I’d only experienced a hangover once in my life, back when I was in high school, and had sworn then never to repeat it.

  As I huddled there in abject misery, bits and pieces of the night before floated through my mind. Please let it have been a dream, I whispered to any deity who might be listening. Please tell me I didn’t embarrass myself by having sex with Uri.

  The ache between my legs and the tenderness of my sex told its own story. Not only had I engaged in sexual activity, but had done so multiple times. Groaning, I buried my face in my hands. Part of me wished I could remember more of what happened. A woman should remember something that was sure to never be repeated again in her lifetime. Another part of me wished I could forget completely.

  Better Uri than a complete stranger, the more optimistic side of my nature declared.

  What if Uriah Baines was in the other room waiting? What if he’d heard me puking up my guts? Seen my hair sticking up all over my head and my face looking haggard? The thought froze me in place. The shock of it even made my head cease drumming for all of two heartbeats.

  You would have seen him had he been there, the more rational part of my brain argued.

  I didn’t know if that were true, considering the condition I was in, but it made me feel better so I went with it. Once Uriah had woken and realized what he’d done and with whom, he probably hadn’t been able to get out of this hotel room fast enough. Good thing I never had to see him again. I’d probably burn up in flames of embarrassment.

  I didn’t know what time it was, but if I thought I was embarrassed now, that was nothing compared to how I’d feel if housekeeping entered and found me sitting on the toilet. The thought was enough to galvanize me into motion. Showering would have to wait. All I wanted to do was escape.

  My clothes were folded and stacked neatly on the bench at the end of the bed. I hadn’t done it. It must have been Uri. On them sat a note written on hotel stationary.

  Call when you get home and let’s talk.

  Uriah.

  I balled the paper up and tossed it into the trash. Not going to happen. There was nothing to discuss. Uriah Baine was a part of my past. I had a plan and last night’s events wouldn’t derail it. Another woman would view last night as the beginning of something wonderful. I didn’t have that luxury.

  Uriah Baines had made Forbes Fifty Richest Men’s list, and the top twenty-five of GQ’s Most Eligible Bachelor’s list. Men like him did not marry women like me. Keep playing with Uriah and I’d end up old and alone. A woman who had a fantastic career and plenty of money but not much else going for her.

  Dressing quickly, I braced myself to do the walk of shame. Had I complained that my life was in a rut? As new experiences went, this was one I could have happily lived without.

  Eight weeks later...

  I stalked into Uriah Baines’ office, torn between anger and frustration. He leaned back in his chair, a satisfied gleam in his eyes. “Come back for your old job? The position is still open.”

  Tossing my purse onto the empty chair, I planted my hands on my hips and glared at him. “Did you do it on purpose?”

  “Do what?” He tried to appear innocent, but it was something he was physically incapable of doing. Hardness was stamped in every line and crease of his face.

  I felt my left eye began to twitch. Something only Uriah had the power to make it do. “Get me drunk and pregnant.”

  His gazed scanned my body. “Are you? Pregnant, I mean. You don’t appear to be drunk, though I suppose you could simply be good at hiding it.”

  “Yes, I am. Damn you.” I was so mad I could spit.

  “Are you sure the baby is mine? What happened to your grand plan?” One eyebrow rose as he continued to scrutinize me. “It had something to do with a dating agency and artificial insemination, didn’t it?

  Really? This is how he wanted to play it? Striding jerkily to my purse, I reached inside, pulled out the ultrasound photo, and slammed it down on his desk.

  Uri reached for it and examined it. “If I’m reading this right, it says you’re about eight weeks pregnant.”

  “The agency I signed with hasn’t sent me out on any dates. They’re still processing my application. The only man I’ve been around in the last two months is you.” I wasn’t sure why the agency was taking so long but I was beginning to have my suspicions. I braced my hands on the desk rather than reaching for his neck. “I know you can be a bastard, but I didn’t think even you would stoop this low. We obviously had sex. You didn’t use protection. Did you think getting me pregnant would keep me working for you?”

  A mask fell over his face. “Is your opinion of me so low, Maze? Yes, I had unprotected sex with you, hoping it would end in pregnancy, and it wasn’t so you’d continue being my personal assistant. Would you like to know why I did it?”

  “Yes, I would,” I growled, wondering what lie he’d invent.

  He stood and braced his hands on the desk so that our faces were inches apart. “I want more.”

  I straightened, suddenly wary. “More like what?”

  “Marriage, kids, pets, a white picket fence.” Uriah came around his desk, slowly stalking me as I backed away from him. The door halted my movements. He loomed over me, large and intimidatingly male. “What I want most is you, Maze.”

  My heart gave a few hard thumps and I braced my hands on the door, fighting sudden dizziness. “No, you don’t mean it,” I said, voice barely above a whisper.

  He planted his hands on either side of my head and leaned in close. “Don’t I?”

  We stared into each other’s eyes from inches away. His held determination. Mine, I’m sure, revealed the confusion I felt. Finally, I shook myself. In a much firmer voice, I said, “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I’m not buying it.”

  Uriah shrugged before swooping in for a kiss that made my head spin. “Okay.”

  He turned and sauntered back to his seat, leaving me standing there bewildered and off-balanced.

  “We’ll have to continue this discussion later. I have a meeting in less than ten minutes and need to be in the conference room when they arrive. I’m sure you understand,” he said.

 
; “Yes. I need to return to work.” I’d taken an extended lunch break to see the doctor. I hadn’t been in my position long enough to request a full day off. I turned the doorknob and opened the door.

  “Don’t forget your purse,” Uriah reminded me.

  I collected my purse and exited his office after one last suspicious glance over my shoulder.

  

  “Maze, can I see you in my office?” Mr. Henderson said over the intercom.

  “Sure thing. I’ll be right there.”

  I grabbed a pen and pad off the desk and went to Henderson’s office. After a brief knock to announce my arrival, I opened the door and stepped inside. I hadn’t heard from Uriah since I’d stormed into his office last week and frankly, the suspense was making me twitchy.

  Mr. Henderson was a large older man in his sixties with a boisterous voice and a kind heart. As Uriah had said, Henderson had made no secret of his desire for me to come and work for him as his executive assistant. Many of his job offers had been made in front of Uriah. While I enjoyed my new position, it didn’t hold nearly the same challenge as my previous job.

  Henderson glanced up from his computer. “Maze! Come in, come in. Why didn’t you tell me? Did you think I wouldn’t understand? I hope you know me better than that.”

  I blinked at him, my confusion evident. “Tell you what?”

  He tilted his head to the side. A small frown appeared. “Why, that you’re leaving us, of course.”

  My jaw sagged before I snapped it shut. “Leaving? Says who? I have no intention of quitting. I love my job.” It was an exaggeration, of course, but no way would I tell the boss I was bored silly.

  Henderson rubbed his jaw while considering me closely. “I spoke with Uriah Baine this morning. He said the two of you were getting married, and that he hoped I understood that he wanted his wife with him.” Henderson grinned, emphasizing his bulldog like jowls. “I always knew there was more going on between the two of you than simply business. I guess it took you leaving to make Baine realize what a good thing he had sitting under his nose. Regardless, I’m sure you understand the conflict continuing to work for me would create, with your soon-to-be husband being my main business competitor.”