Chapter 11
It was the scent of coffee that had her stirring and bringing it all back. Last night, this morning. The delicious tingles worked their way through her body and reminded her how well used she was. Her nipples were sore, so was the core of her. Sitting up against the pillows, she allowed her memories free rein.
He had used his mouth on her. A violent shiver shook her as she recalled the intense passion and the way she had screamed out his name. It also had her wondering about other women and was more than a little surprised that she was jealous.
“Oh, good Lord.” She groaned. “Coffee,” she muttered. “That will do the trick.”
But when she climbed out of bed, she laughed when she felt her knees trembling and her nipples tight. She was certainly making up for the years she had never had sex. And it felt wonderful!
She took a quick shower and felt a jolt when she saw his things scattered on her smooth peaches and cream counter. He had obviously shaved, and his razor was still outside of his shaving kit. A damp towel was draped carefully over the rack.
The scent of a masculinity was potent and reminded her that she had never lived with a man. Picking up his razor, she stared at it for a moment, before placing it inside the case and zipping it up.
He had brought in his luggage at some point last night or early this morning while she was sleeping.
She had been dead to the world, and it was no surprise. They had not gone to sleep until the early hours of the morning.
Taking a quick shower, she dressed in leggings and a thick caramel colored sweater. Scooping her hair back into a loose knot, she slid into fleece lined mules and went downstairs to find him.
He was standing by the window, looking out and her first sight of him had her throat going lumpy and her body heating up. He was wearing baggy sweatpants and the slate gray sweater was stretched across his impressive shoulders.
A shiver went through her as she continued to stare at the impressive figure and remembered what he looked like naked. She had spent time admiring his body. The nicks and scars on different parts only gave him added character. Robert Faulkner was no wimpy washed-out excuse for a man.
He was all male and was tough and no doubt dangerous.
And she was married to him.
He turned just then as if just sensing her presence and the look in those hooded hazel eyes had her throat going tight.
“I helped myself to coffee.” He inclined his head to the coffee pot. “There is enough for two.”
“Thanks.” She had to clear her throat. “You don’t eat breakfast.”
“Not usually, no.” his eyes tracked her progress to the counter and watched as she poured coffee. “I was thinking we could go out for breakfast. It’s a fine morning for a ride.”
Taking her cup over to the counter, she sat and stared at him quizzically. “Don’t you have to go to the office? You are just coming from a business trip, and you haven’t been home.”
He wanted to tell her that anywhere she happens to be – was home for him.
“I already sent in my reports, and it just so happens that I am the boss.” A smile ghosted his stern lips as he came over to sit across from her. “You flooded the coffee with cream.”
She glanced at his cup. “I cannot drink it black.”
“You don’t know what you’re missing.” He reached out a hand to tuck a loose strand of hair away. “How are you?” He asked a little anxiously. He had been like a starving child, one who had been presented with a feast after months of deprivation.
He had left marks on her body, practically gobbled her up. He could not get enough of her. Before she came in, he had been thinking about her, wondering if it would be too much to slide back into bed and wake her with his mouth on her flesh.
“I am fine.” She smiled at him. “Wrung out in the most wonderful way. Living with a man is going to be very interesting. Have you ever done it? Live with a woman?”
“No. Never.” He sipped coffee and contemplated taking off her sweater and suckling at her sweet nipples. “It’s going to be quite an experience for both of us.”
She put her cup down and frowned slightly.
“Problems?”
“Are you sure this is what you want?”
He managed to keep his expression neutral. “I could get used to it.”
She traced the edge of her cup with a long, elegant finger. “I don’t know how to be a wife. I am accustomed to living alone and I have grown to like it.” She stared at him earnestly. “We are going to get on each other’s nerves…”
She jumped slightly when he placed one large, tanned hand over hers. “We will deal with it one step at a time. Let us not go borrowing trouble. I have been living on my own since I was eighteen and have become accustomed to it as well. We will adjust.”
She tilted her head to the side and studied his face. “Will we now? And you are qualified to give that assurance because…?”
“I like you.” He smiled inwardly at the inadequacy and the half-truth of that statement. “We like talking to each other.”
“And the sex is….?” She took a deep breath and struggled to find the right word for what was in her estimation, something other worldly. There was no way to fully describe how he made her feel.
“Satisfactory?” His thick dark brown brows lifted teasingly. “Better than that?”
“So much better.” She let out a shaky laugh. “But seriously, what if you want to - I don’t know – have sex with someone else?”
He pretended to consider. “Should I ask your permission?” He grinned at her dark stare. “No? Then I suppose I will have to try and be content with what we have.”
She rolled her eyes at him, and he barely stopped himself from snatching her up and kissing her senseless. “My mother has been married several times.”
“I am aware. So?” He sipped the now cooling coffee and watched her carefully.
“Divorce is the in thing when it comes to celebrities,” she pointed out.
“I hardly qualify.”
She snorted. “Yes, you do. You are the boy wonder.”
“I am certainly not a boy, being all of thirty-five.”
“Men are not known to be faithful.”
His eyebrows shot up. “That is a very broad statement. I could say the same about the female species.”
She put down her cup and tapped her fingers on the spotless green and yellow countertop. For someone who did not know how to cook, her kitchen was a designer’s dream. But so was the rest of the house. It showed him how much she liked her comfort. “What’s going to make us different?” She asked challengingly.
“I happen to like you.” He grinned as she stared at him in shock.
“And you think that’s a basis for a happy marriage?”
“I think it’s a start. I also happen to know several members of my club who are extremely happy.” He pointed out. “We could become one of them.”
“You have a lot of money.”
“And?”
“I am not shabby and when I turn thirty-five, I inherit a sizable trust fund. It will in no way compare to your vast resources…” She bit her lip. “I started reading up on some of those resources. A chalet in Switzerland?”
“We should go there for a week. It is quite enchanting.”
“A vineyard in Tuscany?”
“I happen to like wine.” He told her smoothly.
“Oil wells, apartment buildings…”
“Is there a problem?” He asked with raised brows.
She raised her shoulders in a shrug. “It is a lot. I want you to know I don’t want your money. I am quite comfortable off and – God!” She blew out a breath and he waited in amusement. “When I asked you to do me that favor, I never thought I would – we would be…”
“Husband and wife in the real sense of the word?” He supplied helpfully, enjoying her state of confusion.
“Precisely’ She took a sip of coffee gone completely cold. “I don’t know anything about you.”
“What would you like to know?” Rising, he gestured to her cup. “Refill?”
She nodded and watched as he walked with that confident long stride of his to the coffee pot.
“Uhm…” She took the cup from him and took a sip. “I know something of your past.”
“Which was not pretty.” He reminded her mildly, watching her closely.
“When you started making money, how did you feel?”
A smile curved his lips. “You sound like a reporter. I was asked that very question too many times to count. How about you ask me something more personal?”
She thought about it for a few seconds. “How many women have there been?” She bit back a laugh at the startled look on his face.
“I…” He cleared his throat and took a sip of coffee. “Not that personal and I never kept count.”
“That much, huh? Should I be concerned?”
He had to admit to himself ruefully that she had ruffled him and that was not easy to do.
“Shall we change the subject?”
Her smile widened. “What if I don’t want to?”
“Then you will be having this conversation by yourself.”
She was about to go further when she noticed the reddish tint to his tanned skin. Her eyes widened when she realized that he was embarrassed. “I cannot believe it.”
“Believe what?” He busied himself, lifting the cup to his lips and taking a fortifying sip.
“You are blushing.”
“I am most certainly not.” His deep voice had turned clipped and formal and had her laughing.
“Oh, my goodness!” She laughed harder and had him glowering at her. “Perhaps I should continue the conversation.”
“Then you would be the only one participating,” he told her stiffly.
“Okay, fine.” She tried to contain her mirth. “All right Mr. Faulkner, how about that breakfast, you promised me?”
His relief was so apparent, she had to steel herself from teasing him further.
“Good idea.”
Within minutes, she was ready. He had chosen not to change, and she kept what she was wearing and added ankle length boots. Tugging her hair free, she brushed it out and grabbed a jacket and her pocketbook.
“Love the car.” She told him as they stepped outside and onto the driveway.
“Thanks.” Opening the passenger door, he waited until she was seated before going around to take his seat.
Sonya settled her butt on the buttery soft leather of the souped-up coupe and closed her eyes briefly as he backed out of the driveway.
“Where are we going?”
“I haven’t decided yet. Any favorites?” He glanced at her and smiled as she pushed her seat back and stretched her legs out. He loved this side of her, relaxed and carefree, a smile touching her lips. After breakfast, he has every intention of taking her back to bed. But first, he figured it was only fair to feed her first.
“There is a diner just a few miles away that serves the best pancakes this side of town. It is a mom-and-pop place and the owners are friends of mine. I make it my duty to try out all of the food places in a five-mile radius.”
“Because you don’t cook.”
“Precisely.” She slid him a smile. “And I am not ashamed to admit that I haven’t the slightest interest in learning. I can boil eggs though.”
“Good to know. Luckily, I happen to like boiled eggs.” He was laughing at her, and she poked her tongue at him, sending his passion into overdrive.
He had to take a breath to steady himself.
“What’s the address?”
She told him, and he gave the voice command. After a few minutes, they turned into the small parking lot and found a parking space beneath a sprawling oak tree with wide open branches.
Hopping out, he came around to open her door. “Cold?” He asked solicitously, when she shivered slightly.
“A little bit.” She wrapped her jacket around her more securely as they made their way towards the door the old-fashioned oak door.
Pushing it open, he stepped back and waited until an elderly lady made her way out. Sonya watched as he patiently adjusted her brown paper bag for her. The woman smiled at him gratefully as she moved away.
Sonya felt something shifted inside her as she watched him. He was so patient. He was tough and jaded, but there was a gentleness about him that was highly appealing.
“You, okay?”
She shook her head and preceded him into the dim interior. “I think she was crushing on you.” She told him teasingly.
“Who?” Taking her elbow, he guided them inside.
“The old lady.”
“Now you’re being ridiculous.”
“Right.” She laughed at the look he gave her, before turning to greet Monica, who came bustling towards them with open arms.
“Sonya, my dear! It’s been several weeks.”
“I know. I have been busy.” She returned the woman’s hug, before turning to introduce Robert.
“Monica, this is my husband, Robert Faulkner.” She was so intent on greeting the woman, she never noticed the unbelievable expression on his face. His heart went still and then picked up speed and he could feel his body shuddering.
“Husband?” The woman turned to him with a beaming smile. “I know you, don’t I?”
“You might. He is a big deal.” Sonya said with a smile.
“Oh, my dear. I am so happy for you. And such a handsome man. I like them tall and lean.” Monica gave him an admiring look. “Come, I have the perfect table for you. One where you will have some privacy.”
She bustled away with them following her and showed them to a table in a corner of the room. The place was not packed, but had a few people sitting around, eating stacks of pancakes, with the scent of bacon and sausages permeating the air.
“The usual?”
“Yes. Robert? Coffee and some fruit.”
The woman looked so disappointed that he relented and told her that he would have some pancakes and sausages as well.
“Good.” Clapping her hands, she went away to see to their orders.
“I think she likes you.”
“Does she?” He waited until she was seated before sliding across from her. “How often do you come here?”
“At least twice a week. Whenever the weather gets too much, I have them deliver. Remember, I don’t cook.”
“How could I forget?” He teased.
“I have to keep reminding you.” She told him loftily.
“No reminders necessary.”
Their meals were brought, with a full pot of coffee.
He stared at the stack of pancakes on her plate and lifted his head to stare at her.
“Don’t judge,” she warned.
“How do you eat that much and still remain so slender?”
“Good genes and a lot of energy. And I don’t eat like this every morning.” Leaning forward, she lowered her voice. “We did expend a lot of energy, between last night and this morning.”
His body tightened at the mention of what they participated in, just this morning.
“You should eat up.” He told her casually, his eyes saying what his lips weren’t. “I am suddenly feeling incredibly energetic.”
Her heart stopped and started up again with a quick fluttery beats that was making her dizzy. Tearing her eyes from his, she concentrated on the stack of pancakes as if her life depended on it.
“Something wrong?” He asked, tongue in cheek.
“Just…” She waved her fork at him. “Stop looking at me like that.” She muttered.
“Like what? Something I want to devour?” his voice lowered intimately, increasing the edginess. “I do and I am not going to deny it.”
“Robert…” She moaned when he pressed his knee against hers. “We’re in a public place?”
“I’m aware. Which is why I am restraining myself from kissing you. Do you know…,” he began conversationally as he cut into his pancake. “That you have the most delectable lips? Makes a man want to nibble until he is satisfied.”
When his eyes settled on them, she could swear she was going to melt. “Not hungry?” His eyes danced as he stared at her plate. Her fork was suspended, and she had stopped eating. “Shall we ask the lovely Monica to wrap it up?”
She nodded, not trusting herself to say anything.
*****
“You’re terrible.” She whispered.
“Hmm?”
“Robert. Oh Lord. I cannot take anymore.”
“Want me to stop?” He asked lazily, swirling his tongue over her taut stomach.
“No. Yes.”
“Make up your mind.”
He had made short journey back home and hustled her upstairs where he proceeded to remove their clothing and tumbled her onto the bed. The lovemaking had been hurried and frenzied, leaving them both shuddering from the aftermath of the storm.
“No…” Her body arched as he came up to join her, his fingers brushing back the hairs clinging to her moist cheeks.
“We need to talk.” She allowed herself to be pulled against him.
“Uh oh. What now?”
“We have been having sex without using anything.”
“We have.” His eyes met hers as she propped her chin on her folded hands.
“We should. What do you want to do? I am not ready for a child, and we don’t know how this is going to turn out.” She watched as his face went blank and knew she had offended him. “What I meant…”
“I think I can read between the lines.” He told her coolly. “I might not have gone to a prestigious college, but I am a little over the average when it comes to intelligence.”
“I didn’t mean…”
“Forgive me for overstepping.” He continued ruthlessly. “Why would a pure-bred woman like you want to have a child with someone like me? I might not still have dirt under my fingernails, but the fact remains that I am not in your league and never will be.”
She went still, her dark brown eyes flashing. “Are you quite finished?” She asked him frostily, giving him a glimpse of her lofty upbringing.
When he nodded curtly, she moved away from him and pulled the sheets up to cover herself. “First of all, I am insulted that you would think so low of me. Secondly, I am thinking about the possible consequences.
We are just starting to get to know each other and introducing another person, is not prudent. I happen to think you are a brilliant man, that is when you’re not being an ass.”
He glared at her for a minute, before closing his eyes briefly. “I apologize.”
“Why do you keep doing that?” She demanded, not yet ready to accept his apology.
“Can’t you see what you have done?” She threw up her hands, the movement causing the sheets to slide down over her breasts, nipples still moist from his lips. “You beat the odds, Robert. You made something of yourself. Does it matter so much where you came from?”
“To some, yes.” He acknowledged.
“And you care about the minority?”
He smiled slightly at the frustrated look on her exquisite face. Her hair was artlessly disheveled from his restless fingers and at the left side of her neck, there was a faint bruising where he had sunk his teeth into her skin when the passion overwhelmed him.
She had left several marks on him as well, so he didn’t feel too bad about branding her, and he wanted people to know she belonged to him.
He also want her bearing his children.
“I suppose not.”
“Then stop being such a jerk.”
“I’ll certainly try.” He held out a hand to her. “Forgiven?”
With a slight hesitation, she placed her hand in his, gasping when he closed his fingers over hers and yanked until she was on top of him.
“What was that for?”
“I like having you on top of me.” He murmured, nibbling at her neck. “I also want to cook you dinner.”
She jerked up in surprise and had him grinning.
“Why?”
“Because we’re going to be hungry.” He bit into her skin gently. “We cannot survive on just sex alone, for your information.”
A smile curved her lips, fading as he brushed his fingers on her nipple. “I meant why cook when we can order- Robert!” She moaned.
“Do you have an objection to me cooking you a meal?” His clever fingers were stroking the skin and leaving her breathless.
“None whatsoever. Don’t stop.” She whispered.
“I have to, so that I can do this.” Flipping her over, he entered her swiftly.