Chapter 7
“I’m sorry.” He whispered a few minutes later when he found the strength to move. Sliding off her, he cradled her against him and remained silent. Sonya curled her fingers into the damp hairs on his chest, her body still vibrating.
One leg was trapped between his powerful thighs, the hairs slightly ticklish. She had no idea what to say or if there was anything to say.
She had done it for the first time and never expected anything like this. She had no regrets and was glad that it was him.
“Do you mind if I ask you something?” His voice vibrated against her cheek.
“I have no one to compare you to.”
His chuckle had her smiling. “I don’t think I need validation.” His fingers were stroking her back. “You ‘re thirty…”
“Thirty-one. June was my birthday.”
“I don’t think I have ever heard of a thirty-one-year-old virgin.”
“Well, you have now. But technically, I am no longer a virgin. And like I said before, I never met anyone I wanted to do it with.”
“Which brings me to my next question. Why me?”
She moved her shoulders restlessly. “I never planned it. I did not come here with you thinking that I was going to get rid of my virginity.” Her fingers curled into fists, snagging some of his chest hairs.
“I rushed in here because I heard you shouting and…” She shook her head. “You were naked, and I realized that I wanted you. It is that simple or that complicated.” She lifted her head and met his inscrutable gaze.
“You don’t have to make a big deal out of it. I am not going to start making any demands on you. I am aware that women are always chasing you for one reason or another, but I am not one of them. As soon as this arrangement is over, we can go our separate ways…” Her voice petered off at the furious look on his face.
“So, you’re just using me?” His deep voice was deceptively soft, sending shivers up and down her spine.
“No! How could you think that?”
“I don’t know, Sonya. We just shared something significant – I just took your innocence, and you are casually referring to the fact that we could merrily go our separate ways. Is it that easy for you?” His mouth twisted in a sneer. “Or is it because of who I am? Robert Faulkner, the poor scholarship kid who is never going to be in your league.”
“Please stop it,” she whispered huskily. “That is not the case and you know it. I just did not want you to think that I am demanding anything from you. I was the one who put you in this position, inconvenienced you. I am just giving you a way out…”
She heaved out a breath. “I don’t want to be married, Robert. I have seen what it does to people. After I have satisfied my mother enough, I fully intend to go on as I was before. I want to continue dedicating myself to my work.
There are so many things to see to and I…” She lowered her gaze to his very impressive chest. Everything about him was impressive. She had caught sight of his erection, and her heart had been in her throat, thinking that he would tear her apart. But he had been gentle and careful, until the passion had taken over and then he was not.
Tilting her chin up, he stared at her. “Is this a one-time thing?”
“I don’t want it to be,” she whispered, “you excite me, and I have feelings for you. But I am just letting you know where I stand.”
He studied her face for a moment, his expression hooded, never allowing her to see what was roiling inside him.
How could she bring him such unbelievable joy one minute and was now plunging him in utmost despair? But he was not about to allow her to shake him. He had come this far; fate had brought them together when he believed there was no hope, and he was not about to let her go.
“Robert?”
“I want to make love to you again.” He decided that only thing he could do at this moment, was to lose himself in her and show her how much she needed him. He was going to make her need him, yearn for him the way he had always yearned for her. Starting now.
“But first…” Letting go of her, he climbed out of bed and headed towards the bathroom.
Lying back against the pillows, she had the pleasure of admiring his magnificent physique. He was well muscled, without bulging. His shoulders were broad, his back tapering down to a taut buttocks.
She felt a shiver when he walked back from the bathroom. His chest was wide, the dense dark brown hair tapering to a washboard stomach and his sex… Her breath caught as she allowed her gaze to linger.
He sat on the side of the bed and lifted a washcloth. “I cleaned myself off in the bathroom, now it’s your turn.” He told her hoarsely. “Will you allow me to do so?”
Her mouth went dry as she realized what he was saying. “Yes.”
“Good.” Climbing over her, he parted her thighs gently, his eyes meeting hers before drifting down her stomach. There were shadows inside the room, the only light was the flickering embers from the fire burning inside the hearth, but it was enough for him to see her clearly.
Sonya’s fingers curled into the quilt when he touched the warm washcloth to her core. Twisting the end around his finger, he inserted it slowly, rotating it, inching in and using the cloth to wipe her clean. His head lifted to look at her as he continued his ministrations. Nothing had ever felt so erotic.
Sonya had to bite her lip to stop from screaming, but the expression on her exquisite face spoke volumes and had his sex surging to life.
“Are you sore?” He asked her thickly.
“No. A little.”
“Do you want me to stop?”
“No.” She rolled her head on the pillows, her breathing shallow. “No.”
“Are you certain?” He went in deeper.
“I am. “Oh Robert,” Her hand gripped his wrist, her body arching. “Robert.”
“I want you to come.” I want to see your face.” Removing his fingers, he got rid of the cloth and inserted his fingers inside her. “Come for me baby.” He urged.
She did. Her body shuddering, her eyes wide as she cried out his name.
When he climbed on top of her, she was dazed and disoriented, her body still vibrating. He entered her slowly, mindful of the fact that he might hurt her. A groan escaped him as she sheathed him, her tightness closing around him like a well-worn glove.
Capturing her lips with his, he swallowed her cries as she climaxed again. He followed behind her quickly, his body shuddering as he emptied himself inside her.
He could not get enough of her. He had suspected as much, but it was proven. He gave her a few minutes and apologized when he became hard again.
Easing away from her, he turned her back to him, so he could spoon her and told himself firmly that he should allow her to get some sleep. She was wilting and she must be hurting as well.
“Go to sleep.” He whispered wrapping his arms around her waist. Within minutes, he heard her even breathing, indicating that she was fast asleep. But it was not so easy for him. With her body pressed up against his, her buttocks settled snugly on his crotch, he was having a difficult time of it. And he had a lot of thinking to do.
She had given herself to him. He was the first man for her. No one had ever had the privilege of being with her.
She had kept herself chaste. He had witnessed that jerk, Jason, kissing her several times, deep emotional kisses and had wanted to die, right after he smashed the bastard’s face in. But they had never gone all the way. For that, he wanted to weep in relief.
She had this misguided notion about marriage, and he was going to cure her of it. He couldn’t let her go. He had been resigned to the fact that he would never be with her, but it was different now. Completely different. He was going to bombard her, make love to her until she realized that they belong together.
Shifting his head, he stared at her profile. Her hair was tangled from his fingers and she looked beautifully disheveled and well loved.
God, how he loved her! He thought achingly. That emotion was something he handed out sparingly. He had loved his mother of course.
She had tried to do her best by him. And he loved his sister and would do anything for her. But no one had ever touched him the way Sonya did, and no one would ever do so again. He was irrevocably hers and always would be. He was just going to have to show her that.
*****
She stretched languidly and wondered why she felt so sore between her thighs. Then her eyes flew open as memories assailed her.
She felt wonderfully used. And wanted to be used again and again. Sitting up, she searched the room, disappointed to find it empty. A glance at the clock showed her that it was half of nine. No wonder he wasn’t on the bed next to her.
With a soft laugh, she hugged herself and allowed the memories of last night to wash over her.
Obviously, they were attracted to each other, and the man had a talent. With his tongue, his fingers and that beautiful part of his anatomy that was so impressive. She was happy that she waited for him.
She had no idea what that meant, but she was not going to start thinking and analyzing. She was going to go with the flow and see what happened.
With that in mind, she climbed out of bed and went to the bathroom. The scent of coffee was calling her.
A few minutes later, showered and feeling like a new person, she ventured into the kitchen to find him standing by the window.
Her heart shuddered to a stop and then picked up as she stared at him. He had showered and was wearing a pair of casual sweatpants and a thin black sweater that molded to his muscular frame. His coffee brown hair was windblown and when he turned to look at her, she felt her stomach levitating.
“I made coffee and eggs.”
She cleared her throat. “Thanks. I didn’t realize it was so late.”
“You were sleeping so peacefully, I decided to leave you like that.”
She reached for a cup and poured the brew.
“Is it still raining?”
“A little, yes.”
She felt him come up behind her and lost her breath. “I was planning on us going for a walk, but we’re going to have to stay in.” His hands closed around her neck. “Not that I mind.”
He turned her to face him, lifting her chin up. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Her gaze landed on his lips, and she felt the yearning at her core.
“How are you?”
“Fine.” She wanted him to kiss her.
“No side effects?”
“No.” Her fingers clutched his sweater as she lifted her head eagerly.
“I am happy about that.” When he brushed his lips against hers, she could not hide her disappointment. “Want more?”
“Yes.”
“Take more.” His lips seized hers and had her reeling and clutching at him. His tongue plunged into her mouth as he hauled her up against him. Sonya wrapped her arms around his neck, going on her toes as she returned the kiss with an ardor that matched his.
Tearing his mouth from hers, he fought for control.
“How badly do you need coffee?” He rasped.
“It can wait.”
“Thank God.” Swinging her into his arms, he took her back to bed.
*****
“What happened here?” She trailed a finger over the raised scar above his left nipple that was partially covered by chest hairs.
“A knife fight.”
Her brows lifted as she stared at him. Their limbs were tangled together after a desperate bout of lovemaking that had started at the door. His hazel eyes met hers as he waited.
“You could have been killed. When did it happen?”
“When I was eighteen. In a bar, in a seedy little town in Texas. The bastard thought that because I was young, he could rough me up and take away the money I had worked so hard to earn. I showed him that he was mistaken.”
“But he hurt you.” She traced the scar.
“He ended up in the ER with a broken nose and several broken ribs.”
“Oh!” She continued to caress the scar.
“Does that disturb you?” He asked her quietly.
“What?”
“The violence.”
“Sort of. I was just thinking you could have died.” She noticed another one next to his navel. “This?”
Tilting her chin up, he peered at her. “Are you sure you want to know?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” He demanded. “My life was far from pretty. I went through hell to get to where I am now. I hurt people, not intentionally, but I was on my own and had to fight my way.
I slept in old buildings to save money and when I bought an old banged up truck, I slept in it for a while. I had to be aggressive in order to survive and did whatever I had to. I am not certain you would understand.
Her eyes flashed. “I am not some delicate China piece that’s going to shatter.”
“You were privileged and sheltered.” His mouth twisted slightly. “I bet the only bad thing that ever happened to you was not getting the exact shade of red you wanted on your car.”
Her eyes blazed at that, and she was ashamed that he thought she was so shallow.
“Is that how you think of me? That I am so insulated that I don’t know what is happening in the world?”
He felt regret pouring through him at the injured look on her face. “I apologize.” He told her softly. “I shouldn’t have said that”
“No, you shouldn’t have.” She pushed at him, but he refused to budge.
“Please.” He gripped her chin and bent his head to brush her lips. “Forgive me.”
She capitulated, because she was not proof against the desire, he brought out in her. With a sigh, she moved into him as he deepened the kiss.
*****
The sun came out that afternoon, at least a watery version of it, that did nothing to warm the place up. But it was enough to have them layering up to go for a walk after a very delicious meal of pork and beans.
He didn’t hold her hand, even though he was dying to. He had made love to her three times before forcing himself to stop. They had had their meals in bed and taken a shower together. He did not want to stop touching her.
He was ignoring the work he had brought with him, and he noticed she was not reaching for her briefcase either. Spending this time with her was precious and he did not want to waste a minute of it.
“Everything is so green and lush.” She breathed in the clean air. “I love going for a walk after the rain. It’s as if God just washed everything clean, just getting rid of the dirt and pollution.”
He gave her an amused look, his heart constricting as he stared her. She had donned a pair of faded denims tucked into knee-high boots and the emerald-green sweater was clinging to her curves.
He knew every inch of her body and it excited him that he had unlimited access to her and that he was the only one who did. Her hair was caught up into a haphazard ponytail, with tendrils escaping down her face and neck.
He loved to see her this way. She was not the unapproachable and aloof Sonya Beaumont; he was used to but seemed relaxed and carefree.
“Is that so?”
She glanced at him and smiled. “I know you don’t believe in that sort of thing.”
“I never said I didn’t,” he corrected. They had come to the spot where the river was rushing along, swollen by the heavy rains that had lasted an entire day.
“I just do not believe that a God who claims to love people would allow so much suffering in the world.” Giving into temptation, he took her hand in his and twined his fingers through hers. When she did not pull away, he heaved a silent sigh of relief. “And I had to work hard for what I have now.”
“You don’t believe that. He paved the way for you to gain wealth?”
Lifting their joined hands, he kissed the back of hers, eyes twinkling. “Can we agree to disagree?”
She nodded, not wanting to spoil the wonderful ambience. Very soon they would be getting back to their normal routine.
They would continue the charade for a while and hopefully they would still be seeing each other. She liked him a lot. It was not just the amazing sex that she wanted to continue having, but he had a sharp mind and was very intelligent. He also made her tingle all over by just looking at her.
“What are you thinking?” He asked her quietly.
“Just wondering why you’re still single.” She decided against telling him the truth. Tilting her head to one side, she studied his face. A lock of thick coffee brown hair had fallen over his forehead, and she had to resist the urge to brush it back.
“I never found anyone I wanted to be with,” he responded lightly.
“Holding out for Ms. Right?” She asked teasingly.
His eyes flickered slightly as he turned his head to look over the body of water churning away at breakneck speed.
When he did not respond immediately, she started to apologize.
“No,” he shook his head with a smile as he turned to look at her. “And yes, I was holding out for the right person.” You. He added silently.
“I hope you find her.”
I have. Only, she doesn’t know it yet.
“Ready to go back?” He asked when she shivered.
“Yes. It has gotten chillier than before.” Tilting her head, she gazed at the sky. “I think we are in for some more rain.”
“I believe you’re right.”
She loved the feel of his big hand enfolding hers as they made their careful way back to the cottage. He opened the door and ushered her in, closing and locking up for the night.
“I think I saw a tin of cocoa in the pantry. Would you like a cup?”
“Only if we can drink it in bed.” He stared at her in that deeply intimate way that had her insides turning to jelly.
“I will bring a tray in, she told him breathlessly.
She found him in bed, already naked when she went inside the room. Placing the tray on the table, she sat on the edge to remove her socks.
“If I’m overdoing things, please let me know.”
“What things?” She was dragging off her jeans and kicking them away.
“Making love.” He watched as she took off her sweater and unhooked her bra.
“I cannot seem to stop.”
“I don’t want you to.” She climbed in and would have moved over him to get to the other side, but he clamped his hands around her waist. “I am certainly not complaining.”
“You are so beautiful. In high school you were a stunner, but you certainly improved with age.” His hands slid up to cup her breasts. “I used to love staring at you.”
“Jason hated it.”
His eyes flew to her face. “He noticed?”
She nodded. “Part of why he hated you so much. He thought I was interested in you because I came to your rescue and defended you. He was planning to come after you again and I told him I would never forgive if he did.”
He stared at her curiously. “Why did you? Defend me?”
Her eyes met his as she spread her hands over his chest. “I honestly do not know. I never usually got involved, but there was something…” She frowned thoughtfully. “I really don’t know.”
“Did you feel sorry for me? Was that it? The poor scholarship kid?” He swore viciously and shook his head. “Christ! Forgive me. I always seem to say the wrong things.”
“Let’s not spoil the magic,” she whispered, moving over him.
“I agree.” He muttered roughly. Lifting her up, he entered her until she was completely sheathing him.