His gut clenched. He didn't want things to be this way, but he didn't know any other way around it. Unless his family changed their minds and gave Cyndi a chance, he had no idea if he'd be able to remain working with Burke. Their personal relationship was strained enough as it was without adding work stress to it.
If he left, that would mean he'd have to consider starting his own company. He didn't even want to go there. Not yet. He'd put his blood and sweat into this company for a decade. He'd wait and see what happened. Maybe there was a way they could all find some kind of common ground. No need to make any hasty decisions. In the meantime, he could help Cyndi renovate her place. As of this moment, he was on vacation.
"Is everything okay?"
He realized he'd been squeezing her way too tight for too long. She didn't need his problems on top of her own. They'd talk about it eventually, but right now, he wanted to enjoy just being with her.
"Yeah, I'm okay. I missed you.” He kissed her forehead as he looped his arm around her waist. “Was that Alicia Flint I passed?"
"Yeah. I hired her to take over my legal and business affairs from Harris and Hammond, but they don't want to let go."
Shamus gave a low whistle. “I imagine they don't. Your father was probably their biggest client. They'd lose a heck of a lot of cash if you take your business elsewhere."
"That's the whole point."
He laughed at the way she bristled. “I take it they were less than forthcoming when you went to see them."
"Oh they were plenty forthcoming as long as I let them go on doing exactly what they want and not worry my pretty, little head about business."
Shamus winced as he guided her into the house and shut the door. “Ouch."
Turning, she looped her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his lips. “That about says it all. I don't want to talk about lawyers any longer."
"No.” He nibbled his way down her neck, unable to resist the curving slope any longer. She smelled clean and fresh and irresistible as she snuggled tighter in his embrace. After the stress of the morning, he needed to be with her. “What do you have in mind?” His brain was already conjuring all sorts of ideas, most of them culminating with him buried deep in her welcoming body.
Her fingers traced the buttons on his shirt. “Well, we could go over renovation plans."
"We could,” he agreed as he slipped his hands beneath her T-shirt.
She sucked in a deep breath as his fingers caressed her sides and belly, moving steadily upward. “Or we could have an early lunch."
Shamus nipped at her earlobe before skimming his tongue over the sensitive swirls of her ear. “I vote for an early lunch,” he growled. “I'm starving."
"Mmm. Me too.” She freed one button, then another, until his shirt was wide open. Laying her palms flat on his chest, she slid her hands over the tense muscles.
Last night seemed as if it was days ago. Suddenly, he couldn't wait to touch her, to feel her writhing beneath him. He shifted his hands, cupping her breasts. Her nipples were already tight buds, pushing against the confines of her bra and shirt. Satisfaction poured through him.
Cyndi was warm and welcoming and everything he needed right now. She held nothing back when they made love, giving him everything he asked for and more. Right now, she was making little noises of pleasure as he plucked at her nipples. She clutched at his chest, her short fingernails digging in.
Lowering his head, he skimmed his lips over hers. She moaned and went up on her toes, bringing their lower bodies more in alignment. Shamus reached down and hitched her left leg around his thigh. Cyndi arched her pelvis inward, pressing against his straining erection.
They were both breathing heavily as they struggled to get even closer to one another. Shamus groaned and captured her mouth with his. God, he loved the taste of her, couldn't get enough.
His tongue snaked out, slipping past her lips. She slanted her head to the side, clasping the sides of his face in her hands as she deepened the embrace. Tongues touched and parted and touched again, twining and retreating.
The muscles in his arms strained and ached as he struggled not to just rip the clothing from her body. Cyndi brought out the primitive side of his nature.
Breaking away from the kiss, he sucked in a deep breath. “Let's get this off you.” He grabbed the hem of her T-shirt and tugged. She raised her arms and the fabric slid from her body. The bra was a rich coffee color and he hooked his fingers in the straps and peeled it down her arms. “You are so beautiful.” He plumped one pale mound in his hand and thumbed her nipple.
"So are you.” She pushed at his shirt until he was forced to release her so that she could finish ridding him of it. She tried to wrap her hands around his wrists, but they were too small. Her fingers didn't quite meet. Slowly, she let her palms slide up his forearms until she reached his biceps. Her fingers traced the lines of muscle before moving upward to his shoulders. “You are so darn big."
"That a problem?” He sucked in a breath when her palms smoothed down his chest, her fingers lightly dancing over his nipples.
She peered up through her lashes, batting them coyly. “Nothing I can't handle."
He laughed, entranced by this side of Cyndi. She was playful and sexy and confident. Grabbing her by the waist, he whirled her around until her back was against the wall. He buried his face in her cleavage and breathed in the scent of warm woman. Slowly, he worked his way lower, leaving open-mouthed kisses on her stomach.
Going down on one knee before her, he released the button on her jeans before tugging the zipper down. She braced her hands against his shoulders, but she didn't stop him.
Lifting first her right foot, then her left, he removed her canvas sneakers and socks, tossing them aside. Then he went back to her jeans. Reaching inside the opening at her waist, he shoved the material down until it bunched around her ankles. “Step out.” She raised one foot at a time, and he pulled her jeans away.
Clad only in a pair of coffee-colored panties that matched her bra, she stared down at him. Her blue eyes were glazed with need, her rosy lips parted as she panted. Her chest rose and fell with every breath she took, making her breasts sway.
Cyndi had curves that would make any man drool. Her breasts were ample, her waist curved inward, and her hips flared out. His hands traced the hills and hollows of her body. Her tummy was slightly rounded and drove him crazy. Tugging aside the silk of her panties, he nuzzled her warm belly.
She made a noise in the back of her throat and he raised his head. “My stomach isn't exactly flat. Not anymore."
He had a raging hard-on and wanted nothing more than to fuck her senseless, and she was worried about the curve of her belly. Women were concerned with the oddest things. Shamus shook his head. “I adore your stomach.” He smoothed his hand over it. “The way it curves ever so slightly.” He allowed his fingers to trace the tiny mound. “Very sexy."
"Really?"
"Oh, yeah.” Shamus hooked his fingers in the band of her panties and shoved them down over her thighs. “This is even sexier.” He sat back on his haunches and allowed his gaze to skim over her naked body. “Definitively sexy."
His erection was throbbing like a toothache, so he flicked open his jeans and shoved his boxers aside. His cock sprang free and Cyndi stared at it, licking her lips. He groaned, wrapping his hand around it and pumping up and down. “See what you do to me."
Cyndi was lightheaded as she stared down at Shamus. He'd barely touched her and she was already aching and wet, ready to take him. Her breasts felt heavy, her core damp.
He was so male and strong and gorgeous and hers. At least for the time being. Sitting on his haunches with his large hand wrapped around his erection, he was everything male and elemental. He was unashamed of his sexuality, and that allowed her to relax. He didn't seem to mind that she wasn't exactly slender, but had curves and a rounded belly. In fact, he seemed to be turned on by it, by her.