Chapter 10
He had to make love to her. It was either that or start a conversation without knowing the words to say.
Tilting her chin up, he studied the bleak look in those spectacular eyes that had the most amazing effect on him.
He touched his mouth to hers. When she responded, a little hesitantly, he forced himself to take it slow.
He didn't want to scare her off. He wanted to make her forget the horror of her past even for a little bit.
He could not go back and erase her past, so this was the next best thing.
Easing his tongue into her mouth, he savored the taste of her.
Sharp, sweet and very addictive. Twisting slightly, he laid her back against the pillows and continued to kiss her with slow easy movements as if they had all the time in the world.
Reining in the need to possess and take, he deepened the kiss, his hands framing her face.
Her hands came around his neck, fingers tangling the hair at the nape of her neck. Her body curved and bowed towards the lean hard length of his, as she sought comfort and received so much more.
She had no idea why she had poured her heart out, but it had felt right. Now she was lost in a sea of desire that was threatening to overwhelm her.
"Not yet." He whispered against her lips as she started to move restlessly beneath him.
"I want to see you. Touch you." Lifting his upper body off hers, he gazed at the flawless skin. He could not resist trailing a finger over her cheek. "You're so beautiful."
"My face is too bony." She protested huskily.
"I'm the one looking at you and all I can see is beauty." He bent to nibble at her bottom lip, sending white hot darts straight to the core of her.
Her hands clenched and unclenched as she fought to settle. Her heart was thudding inside her chest, and she was hot all over.
Sliding slowly down, he used his mouth on her neck and throat, enjoying the taste of her. She smelled of sex and her exotic scent.
"I can't get enough." His mouth hovered at her breast, his breath fanning her heated skin.
"Kenneth."
"I love when you say my name." His tongue flickered over the tight bud and he heard her sharp intake of breath. He took his time. He wanted to savor and that's exactly what he was doing.
Shoving back the horrors she had been through in her past, he concentrated on giving her the utmost pleasure. He was making it his duty to make her forget.
Even if it was killing him. Even if he was so hard, he could hardly stand it.
His lips journeyed from her breasts to her flat stomach, now quivering. His hands cupped her hips as he descended even further. The musky scent of her was designed to drive him mad. When he pressed his mouth on the hairs covering her sex, she reared up, not used to such intimacy.
His hands kept her anchored as his tongue slid right into the musky scent of her.
The orgasm was immediate and vicious and had her calling out his name, her body shuddering helplessly. Taking his time, he waited until she was a quivering mass, before sliding up and covering her body with his.
His expression was fierce, the passion stark and evident on his attractive face. He slid inside her slowly, his eyes holding hers as he went in deep. Emotions clanged and shuddered through his body, giving him pause. The need for her was so overwhelming, it caused him pain.
Bending his head, he rubbed her lips open and started to move.
She moved with him, flesh against flesh, hearts beating in tune to the passion that had risen to impossible proportions.
Within minutes the two were lost in a sea of desire so sharp, it felt as if they were being carried away with it. By it.
She came again, body already wracked and weakened. She felt battered and bruised, not certain she could withstand another. It was too much, too fierce. He followed her, pouring into her as his mouth swallowed her cries as well as his groan.
He held her against him, hands rubbing up and down her back as he made sure she slept. When he heard her even breathing, it was only then that he curled against her and fell into sleep.
*****
The moon was still high in the sky when he opened his eyes and became aware of his surroundings. At some point during the night, she had thrown her leg over both of his. Tipping his head down, he studied her face. Her lips were slightly parted, and she was snoring.
Tenderness ebbed and flowed inside him as he continued to stare at her.
She had denied being beautiful and he suspected that her parents had a part in her low self-esteem.
His expression hardened, and his lips tightened as every damning word she had spoken came back to haunt him. Taking extra care not to awaken her, he moved away slowly, inch by inch until he was no longer holding her.
Pulling the sheets up, he covered her up to her neck and bent to kiss her on the forehead.
Sliding off the bed, he used the light from the moon to pick up the overnight case he had brought with him and left to go into the next room.
He had brought workout clothes, thinking that they could do an early morning run. Dressing quickly, he made his way to the front door and opened it. Stepping out into the cool sharp April air, he breathed in deep and turned towards the winding path.
Ignoring the wind sliding through the protection of his clothing, he set off briskly, his thoughts muddled.
What she had told him was incomprehensible and utterly surreal.
He had been brought up in a household that was filled with love.
His parents had been very involved in his life.
His mother had been his biggest cheerleader.
His father had made sure to attend his games.
His mother and uncle had been there to help him with assignments. He had taken all of it for granted. He had been loved but never spoiled.
Coming to a halt on top of the incline, he stopped and took several deep breaths.
Lights flickered on and off and from where he stood, he could see the playground and the local high school.
Shoving his hands in his pockets, he rocked back on his heels, a frown touching his brow.
He had wanted her to tell him the truth and now that she had, he had no idea what to do about it.
He could suggest counseling and wondered if she would refuse.
Taking his phone out, he typed in the name 'Sylvan Copeland', and a wealth of information flooded the page.
He had heard of the incident of course, but as it had not been of interest to him, he had not pursued it.
He had also heard his father and uncle talking about it.
Now, he read in detail, his heart hammering as he read about the trial. Aria Copeland. The press still had an avid interest in her whereabouts. Knowing them and having experienced their relentless pursuit, he realized they would not stop until they knew where she was.
Putting away the phone, he tucked his hands into the pockets of his sweat top. No wonder she had fled, he thought grimly. They had investigated her as well but had found nothing to charge her with. He could not imagine how scared she must have been.
He found himself wondering how on earth she never suspected that her father was a lying cheating scumbag.
She had been working at the same law firm.
Surely there must have been signs. The man and several of his partners had stolen several million dollars.
Had she just turned a blind eye? He knew he was going to have to tell his father and uncle and knew they were going to regard her with suspicion.
He could not bear that.
But wasn't he doubting her as well? He was in love with her, there was no doubt there, but for a smart woman, could she have been so blind and na?ve? How could she not have known what was happening under her very nose?
Closing his eyes briefly, he fought to get rid of the questions plaguing him.
He was certainly not going to add to her misery by throwing questions at her.
He had to believe she had not been aware of what had been going on in her father's law firm.
Sighing deeply, he turned to go back to the cottage.
*****
She woke to the enticing scent of coffee and the memories of how she had unburdened herself to a man she barely knew.
Sliding up against the headboard, she spent a few minutes of nail-biting anxiety and doubt, before swinging her legs off the bed and going to the bathroom.
It was no use worrying about it now. If he was turned off, it could not be helped.
Dressing quickly in black leggings and a chunky black and white sweater, she brushed her hair and went to get some coffee.
She had a moment to stand just inside the doorway, admiring his wonderful physique in the ash gray jogging suit, before he turned to look at her.
"Hi."
"Hi." His smile came easily, warming her heart and melting away her doubts.
"I hoped I did not wake you. Coffee?"
"I would sell my soul for a cup."
"No need." He poured another cup as she came into the kitchen and scanned her face for any signs of what had transpired last night. Relief flooded him when all he saw was a relaxed expression and her lovely smile.
Dropping a kiss on her lips, he wrapped her fingers around the cup.
"What are you up to today?"
"I thought I would take a drive into town." She sipped the excellent brew and watched as he refilled his cup. "You?"
"I have to make some stops and then meetings. I'll be occupied for most of the day." He glanced over at her. "Why don't we take in a movie later?"
Her tapered brows lifted. "Movie?"
He nodded. "I want us to go out on a date. Movie and dinner."
"At the Italian restaurant?"
"Or another of your choosing. What do you say?"
She sipped some more and contemplated. "No scary movie. I don't have the stomach for it."
"What about action?"
She considered, head tilted to one side and looked so adorable, he wanted to scoop her up and take her back to bed.
"I happen to be a huge fan of Sylvester Stallone."