Caroline's Seduction (Montgomery Family and Friends) Read online

  Kyle and Sarah both searched the faces gathered around the table, but Caroline wasn’t there. “She must have left already. I’m sure she’s very busy, Sarah. Just make sure you thank her in person at school Monday and that you send her a thank you card as well.”

  “Oh don’t worry dad, this is the best present ever and I will definitely be sure to thank her! Maybe you should too,” she whispered so that only her dad could hear.

  ****

  Caroline jumped when the doorbell rang. She glanced at the clock. It was after nine. Way too late for visitors even on a Saturday night. The doorbell chimed twice more. Whoever was at the door didn’t have much patience. She shoved aside the papers she’d been grading and warily walked to the front door. She lifted the corner of the curtain and peeked outside. She recognized Kyle’s silhouette. She dropped the curtain and opened the door just as the doorbell peeled out for a fourth time.

  She put her hands on her hips and glared at her visitor. “It’s late Kyle. What do you want?”

  Kyle looked at Caroline, really looked at her. She was just as stunning as she’d been four years ago with that gorgeous red hair and those wide blue eyes that right now were throwing out sparks of fire. “I came to thank you for the Urgent tickets. Sarah was thrilled.”

  Caroline allowed herself a genuine smile. “Good! I’m glad she liked them. Most of the girls at school have been talking about the concert for days. I figured even if you got her tickets already she could take a couple of friends.”

  Kyle gave her a ruthful twist of his lips. “Actually I tried to get tickets, but I didn’t have any luck. Needless to say she was ecstatic over your gift. I think it was the highlight of the party. She wanted to thank you, but you’d already left.” He gave her a condemning stare.

  Caroline raised an eyebrow at her accuser. “I’d just met Jenna,” she gave him a sarcastic grin. “You know Jenna, your personal assistant. She sure was surprised to see me at Sarah’s birthday party by the way. Maybe you should do a better job keeping your assistant in the loop.”

  “My personal business is none of her concern.”

  Caroline arched another eyebrow. “Oh really you could have fooled me! She was all over your personal business the last time I saw the two of you together if I remember correctly.” She ran a hand through her already tousled hair. “This is a ridiculous conversation. It’s late and I have things I need to do before I go to bed.”

  It was Kyle’s turn to arch a brow. “Is that an invitation?” He didn’t wait for her to answer. They’d been building to this since they’d laid eyes on each other again. He took that final step into her apartment and closed and locked the door behind him. He tangled one hand in her auburn hair. The other arm he used to anchor her waist firmly to his body.

  Caroline was helpless in the face of the desire that coursed through her body. Even though it had been years her body seemed to recognize and instantly respond to Kyle. She saw him bend toward her for a kiss and she stood on her tiptoes to meet him halfway. Her body shuddered when their lips finally made contact with each other. Her lips voluntarily parted to let him inside. A moan escaped from those parted lips before she could stop it. Caroline was vaguely aware of being lifted and carried down the hall. She felt the soft cotton of her bed’s quilt beneath her. She thought about calling a halt to their lovemaking. She knew it was crazy to become involved with Kyle again, but no words would come. She couldn’t stop it. She wanted him and she needed this. She would worry about the consequences later.

  Kyle caressed his hands over her body and noted the change in her breathing, as well as the hardened nipples pebbled against the tight cotton t-shirt. “I love the way your body responds to mine,” he whispered.

  They separated and begin tugging at clothes. Within seconds a pile of discarded clothes lay tangled on the floor of Caroline’s bedroom. She opened her arms and welcomed the weight of Kyle’s body as he settled between her legs. He placed his erection at the center of her welcoming sheath.

  Caroline came to her senses just in time. “Condom,” she screeched. “I don’t have any condoms. What about you?” Her big blue eyes looked up at him and she hardly dared to breathe.

  Kyle left her long enough to snag his jeans from the floor. He found his wallet and rummaged through it until his fingers came out with a square foil packet. He held it up for her inspection.

  She took in a large gulp of air and then watched as Kyle quickly slid on the condom. Then once again she was accepting his weight as he settled over and around her. She felt the tip of his erection nudge her entrance. Their lips met again in a frenzied kiss then she felt Kyle enter her in one powerful thrust. She felt her soft flesh give way to make room for Kyle. Her nerves sizzled wherever he touched her which at this point seemed like everywhere. She could feel her body tighten in preparation for the release it knew was to come. She felt Kyle increase his thrusts and she was lost in the pleasure he gave her.

  She arched her back and raised her hips to deepen his penetration. She wanted all of him even if it was for just a short time. She felt his hands circle her hips and she turned all control over to him. Their sweat slicked bodies rubbed against each other. It felt so good. He felt so good. Then her entire body tensed. She screamed his name just before her body convulsed in waves and waves of released pleasure.

  Kyle heard her scream his name right before she tightened around him. It was all he needed to send him over the edge with her. He thrust once more then stilled while spasms of release moved through his body.

  Caroline felt Kyle still. She buried her face against his shoulder. She couldn’t fight her body’s instinct to cuddle afterward. She felt Kyle tense and then move away.

  “I need to take care of the condom,” he said in a terse voice.

  Caroline wasn’t going back to the clingy vine she’d been before. She pointed to a door across the room. “The bathroom’s in there.”

  She waited until he disappeared before jumping out of bed. She grabbed her silk robe from the hook next to the bed and put it on. Her vulnerability was returning and she just couldn’t face him naked. She tightened the sash just as he walked back into the bedroom.

  He gave her a one sided smile. “I guess a repeat is out of the question then?” He was half-shocked to realize he wasn’t joking. Something about Caroline made his body primed and ready to go.

  “Not likely. Go home Kyle.” She picked up his clothes and thrust them into his arms. “This was a mistake. I don’t have any desire to relive the past. You wanted me to move on, so I’ve moved on. Get out and leave me alone.” Before he could try to change her mind, she walked into the bathroom. She closed and locked the door behind her. She didn’t think it was likely, but she couldn’t take the chance that he’d try to follow her into the cramped space.

  She let the silk robe slither to the floor. She turned on the water and adjusted the shower taps until steam filled the tiny bathroom. She had always found hot showers to be therapeutic in their calming effect. If ever she needed a balm to her spirit it was now. She stepped into the shower stall and let the water and steam surround her.

  She forced everything out of her mind until it was blank. Much like she had been after the miscarriage. She felt the numbness envelop her and she embraced it. Finally the water began to cool. That was one of the things she hated most about apartment living, there was only so much hot water available. She turned it off and stepped out of the shower. She grabbed a towel and briskly dried herself before putting the robe back on.

  She walked into the bedroom took one look at the messy bed and striped the sheets. She balled them into the hamper. She’d wash them tomorrow. Right now she just needed them out of sight. She quickly made the bed with clean sheets. Then she went in the kitchen grabbed a bottle of water and downed a sleeping pill from the bottle she kept around when she was having nightmares and couldn’t sleep. She’d used a lot of those sleeping pills in the months directly after the miscarriage. She hadn’t had to use them before tonight in a
long time, since moving to Florida as a matter of fact.

  ****

  Kyle fumed all the way home. His legendary cool had totally deserted him. All he could think about was getting Caroline under him and in his bed again. It made absolutely no sense. He’d never obsessed over a woman before. He’d never had too. Usually he was trying to get rid of them not the other way around. Caroline was turning into one big challenge. A challenge he was looking forward to pursuing. For now he would give her space. He’d let her think she was winning and that he’d backed off. Her guard would drop and he’d be there to take advantage. He knew that one time back in her bed had not been enough. He needed more.

  ******

  Caroline enjoyed the music of Urgent from backstage. She was having fun hanging out with the Montgomery sisters. She’d never really thought about all the work that went on behind the scenes at a concert. Now she was seeing with her own eyes everything it took to make such a huge show a success. There must be a hundred people or more running around back here and not all of them were just enjoying the show.

  Between songs the ladies filled each other in on the latest gossip. This was the first time Caroline had seen Aubrey and Annabel since she had run out of the summer barbeque. Everyone was full of questions about Kyle. She shrugged her shoulders and gave them the same answer every time. “Kyle’s in the past. I don’t want to relive the past. I’ve moved on.” Of course she noticed the looks of disbelief each sister gave her, but she stuck to her refrain throughout the night. Maybe if she said it enough she’d actually believe it too, eventually.

  Kyle tugged on his ear and figured the ringing might be gone in a week. If he was lucky that is. He had to admit that a little physical discomfort was worth it. He watched the excitement spread across his daughter’s face. She bubbled with anticipation as they made their way backstage. The coveted backstage passes were clutched tightly in her hand. She’d talked about nothing else for the past several days. She was more excited about this concert than she’d been about the homecoming dance, and that had been a very big deal in their house.

  Even with all the activity backstage, Kyle’s eyes were immediately drawn to the auburn haired vixen across the room. She reminded him of Caroline. The redhead turned in profile while she hugged a dark haired man, Kyle instantly recognized as the lead singer of Urgent. The intense jealousy struck Kyle the same instant he realized it was indeed Caroline hugging the rock star. A hundred questions were running through his mind. Did she know him? Were they involved? Is that how she got the tickets for Sarah that he’d been unable to produce? Did every other man pale in comparison to the rocker? Is that why she’d literally kicked him out of her bed and called him a mistake?

  He did not like this at all. He realized his hands had curled into fists and he was clinching them by his side. He forced himself to relax. Introductions were in order. He squared his shoulders and started forward. That’s when he noticed the pretty blond hanging onto Hampton’s arm. She seemed somewhat familiar. He felt Sarah tug at his arm. He’d forgotten all about his daughter.

  “Look dad it’s Jay’s Aunt Aubrey! She’s married to Matt Hampton you know. That’s how Caroline was able to get the tickets even though they were in great demand. “Look there’s Caroline and Jay’s mom! Sarah left her dad’s side and happily skipped up to the Montgomery women.

  Kyle pushed aside the feeling of relief that swamped him at the realization that the other man was not romantically involved with Caroline. He sauntered forward. He watched as his daughter first hugged Caroline and then Abigail Montgomery Blake. He caught Caroline with his stare and was satisfied to see her pupils widen and her breathing increase. She wasn’t as immune to him as she’d like to pretend. The sooner she admitted that, the better off they’d both be.

  Caroline felt trapped by the amber eyes holding her in their thrall. This was the first time she’d seen Kyle since they’d become intimately reacquainted with each other. She felt three pair of Montgomery green eyes and two pair of warm brown eyes watching her closely and knew she had to act normal or she’d be fending off questions and good-natured accusations for the next year at least. She loved the Montgomery sisters, but that didn’t mean she wanted their interference no matter how well meaning it was.

  “Mr. Wakefield,” she greeted with a voice that wasn’t quite steady.

  Kyle arched an eyebrow and smiled. “Ms. Johnson,” he drawled in that sexy southern accent. “I didn’t know you’d be here tonight. We could have ridden together had I known.”

  Caroline felt her toes curling at the delicious sound of his voice. She had to grab on tight to her thoughts to keep them from wandering to areas best left alone. “Actually I’m not going back tonight. I’m staying at a hotel.”

  “What a coincidence, so are we.” And the look he sent Caroline warned her that had been his point all along.

  She ignored his comment and focused her attention on Sarah. “Have you met Jay’s Uncle Matt yet? He was kind enough to make sure I was able to get the tickets and backstage passes for your birthday.”

  Sarah shook hands with both Matt and Aubrey. “Thank you so much! It was the best birthday present ever. Jay talks about his family all the time and of course we meet briefly at the family barbeque at Mrs. Blake’s home!”

  Caroline listened to Sarah’s continued conversation with Matt and Aubrey. Her concentration slipped away from them when she felt Kyle step in behind her. He was so close she could feel the heat of his body seep into her. Her body wanted nothing more than to let go and relax into him, but she didn’t give in to the desire drowning her senses. Instead she straightened her spine and moved instinctively closer to the Montgomery sisters. Sometimes there was indeed safety in numbers.

  Kyle watched in amazement at the unspoken look that passed between the three sisters. They immediately closed rank around Caroline. He should have been irked that they thought she needed protection from him. Instead he was relieved that she had such great friends to look out for her. It wasn’t going to keep him from pursuing her however. On that one goal his mind was firmly set. Winning back Caroline was going to be a challenge, but he was up to the task! Seducing Caroline back into his bed for the duration of his stay in Florida was going to be well worth the effort.

  Nine

  Caroline clutched the plastic cake container that housed her precious sour cream pound cake. The homemade sugared cranberries and a white chocolate glaze were balanced on top. She managed to wiggle a finger free to push the doorbell. Then she waited to see who would open the door to Joyce Montgomery’s large two-story home. Spending the holidays with the Montgomery family last year had been very special. She loved the way they made her feel like one of the family. This year however was going to be different. This year Kyle and Sarah were included. And there was no way for Caroline to get around that.

  The once budding friendship between Jay and Sarah was now going strong. The two teens were almost inseparable. When given the choice of going back to Atlanta to see old friends or spending the holidays with the Montgomery’s, Sarah had chosen Jay and his family hands down. So Caroline found herself forced to share the holidays with Kyle. She’d thought about backing out and spending the holidays in her apartment alone, but that had lasted for about one miserable second. Abigail had threatened to take the entire Montgomery family including Kyle and Sarah Wakefield and Mason’s brother Brian to her apartment.

  Yeah like that was going to happen. There was no way all of those people would fit inside her tiny apartment. It was okay enough for a single teacher that lived alone, but holiday dinner for ten adults, two teens, and four children? No way! So Caroline had relented and now here she stood on the front porch of the Montgomery matriarch.

  Caroline smiled at Abigail when she opened the door. She wanted to salute her friend, but her hands were full. Instead she sent her a winning smile, “Caroline Johnson reporting for duty. Now you don’t have to bring the masses to my place.”

  “Thank God,” Abigail teased ba
ck. She grabbed the cranberries and glaze before they could fall. “The people might have fit, but all of mom’s food? No I don’t think so. She’s gone overboard again as usual. We have an extra guest too, Evan Scott. He used to be a professor at the local university, but he took a job in South Carolina a couple of years ago. He worked on a joint field project with Annabel and Jonathan about three years ago.”

  Caroline shrugged her shoulders. One more guest didn’t really matter and it might be a good thing. Maybe he’d give her something to concentrate on other than Kyle. “The more the merrier I guess,” she said to Abigail. “What’s he doing visiting over the holidays?”

  “Well I believe he was in town to finish up a long term project he and Jonathan have been working on. They co-wrote an article for an environmental journal and it’s ready for publication now. It sure does make for a very interesting day. My mouth about dropped to the floor when Annabel told me they had invited him to the family dinner.”

  Caroline was confused by Abigail’s frank confession. She’d never known the Montgomery’s to be inhospitable to anyone. “Why is that?”

  Abigail’s eyes got really big and then she covered her mouth with one hand. She quickly dropped her hand so she could talk. “Oh that’s right! I forgot you weren’t here during the Evan years and his name is almost taboo around here.”

  Now it was Caroline’s turn. Her eyes became blue saucers in her face. “What do you mean, taboo?”

  “Well,” Abigail drawled out the word for a more dramatic effect. “Let me get you up to speed on that branch of the Montgomery family gossip. He and Aubrey dated off and on for over a year. As a matter of fact she and Matthew almost didn’t happen because of Evan Scott.”

  “Wow! I find that really hard to believe,” Caroline confided in her friend. “I’ve seen Aubrey and Matthew together on several occasions and they are still so much in love it’s ridiculous.”

  “I know right, tell me about it.”