Chapter 6
She told herself that as soon as they were headed home, she was going to tell him.
The meal was excellent, the best she had ever eaten.
The atmosphere, candles, flowers to give the area an intimate setting was like something out of a dream.
After the initial stage of feeling awkward, the conversation had flowed freely.
He was very engaging and articulate. He made her laugh and forget herself.
She had to measure what she revealed and that was not something she was accustomed to.
She had always been honest in her dealings with everyone, and it made her uncomfortable that she was not being herself with him.
She liked him, really liked him. He was easy to be around, except when he was touching her or staring at her with those magnetic eyes of his.
Now they were on their way home.
"Where are we going?" She had closed her eyes for a minute when he started driving.
"I was hoping to show you the progress we made with the Lancashire Palace." He glanced at her, brows lifted in amusement. "Are you afraid I'm going to kidnap you, Melanie?"
"No, of course not." She sat up straight and stared out the window at the passing scenery. They had left the rural and was heading into the urban area. Tall towering buildings speared upwards, almost touching the star laden sky.
She had been through this part of town only a handful of times and was fascinated by its growth. It was far different from the area she worked at, that she could not help but the comparison.
He drove through the city and then turned off onto a private road where the buildings were few and far between.
The Palace speared up, white and dazzling under the light of the moon, glowing with elegance.
A long sweeping driveway about two miles long allowed her to see the stunning landscape and elegant sculptures strategically placed.
"You lived here."
"Yes. A bit much, but the place has been in the family for several generations."
"A bit much." Melanie laughed at the gross understatement. "Yes, I can see how cramped it is. You must have been scrambling for space." She was unaware of the slight tinge of bitterness in her voice until he gave her an inquiring look. "I'm sorry."
"No need." Pushing the door open, he came around to open her door.
"I did not mean to sound as if I never appreciated the life I was brought up in and sometimes I take it for granted.
" He held her hand and drew her towards the wraparound porch.
"We will not be able to do the full tour of course, but I just wanted to show you a little of what we're doing. "
"Are we going inside?"
He shook his head. "It's locked up tight.
The guard who was supposed to be on duty tonight had a family emergency.
" He guided her around the side where there was a gazebo in the middle of the lush grounds.
Palm trees waved their leaves in the stiff breeze.
The sound of a stream trickling beneath a wrought iron bridge drew her attention.
"Oh, how breathtaking!" She pulled him over to stand on the bridge and just looked down at the clear water gurgling over smooth stones.
"What do you think?" Letting go of her hand, he stood behind her, curving his body to hers.
"It's spectacular."
"Two tennis courts, basketball, three swimming pools, saunas, a tropical desert, play areas for kids, inhouse theater experiences, live shows and gambling." His chuckle warmed her ear as he bent to take a bite. "It's going to be quite an experience."
"When is the grand opening?" She was having a hard time catching her breath.
"Spring." He turned her to face him. "I'm hoping you'll be there with me."
"Rodney--" Fear spiked along with hope.
"I know I'm moving too fast and am trying to slow things down." His voice thickened as his fingers trailed over one smooth cheek. "I want you."
Before she could respond, he had closed his mouth over hers.
The response died in her throat as desire took on a heady turn.
With a sigh of longing, she lifted her hands and went on her toes to wrap them around his neck.
Feeling her surrender, he dove into the kiss, his hands sliding provocatively over her slender curves.
Sensations thundered through her like a rocket being launched.
When he wrapped his hands around her waist, she clung.
Nothing in her limited experience had prepared her for this maelstrom.
It was like being picked up by a mighty wave and pitched backwards and forwards.
Her heart was beating so hard, it was knocking against her breast.
With superhuman effort, Rodney ended the kiss and forcibly put her away from him.
"Come home with me." His eyes were blazing, a molten fire that refused to be extinguished. "For Christ's sake, I'm on the verge of begging. If you say no--"
"Yes." She whispered a little shakily. Lifting her hand, she pressed it between her breasts as if to keep her heart from plopping to the ground.
"Yes." Consequences be damned. Tonight was going to be for her and whatever happens then so be it.
But she could not go home with this ache between her thighs.
"Thank God." With a wild laugh, he picked her up and practically ran to the car.
He strapped her in himself, before hooking his belt. Throughout the journey that took them from the seclusion of the hotel and into traffic, they did not speak. She had her head turned away as she gazed sightlessly at the traffic whizzing by.
She would have time for regrets in the morning. She could always tell him she'd changed her mind, but she didn't want to. She had needed anyone the way she needed him right now. It was almost like a physical ache inside her. Like a fever that refuses to be quenched.
"We're here." His quiet voice had her jolting slightly. Opening her eyes, she stared at the lovely old brownstone with the shimmer of the river behind it.
She had seen photos of his place on the internet of course. Housekeeping had done a spread on the outside, just the outside with its lovely landscape and gentle flowing river.
She unhooked her belt when he came around to open the door. Taking her hand, he linked their fingers and walked to the massive glossy brown front door.
"I'll give you the tour later." He told her as he uncoded the alarm.
"But for now--" Spinning her around, he pressed her against the door and closed his mouth over hers.
Any vestige of uncertainty or doubt she had slowly dissolved.
This was where she wanted to be. With him.
She clung, meeting his lips, his tongue, passion for passion, desire as thick as molasses poured through them.
He lifted her into his arms, his mouth still fused to hers and fumbled his way up the spiral staircase. He somehow managed to find his bedroom, shoving the door open with his foot, his mouth still devouring hers hungrily.
Striding to the bed, he placed her on it gently and stepped back.
"I want to see you." He told her thickly.
"Lights on." The soft glow of the chandelier flooded the room, allowing her to take in the magnificent furnishings and the width of it that could have easily hold her bedroom and her son's with space left over.
She came up on her elbows when he went on his knees before her.
"What're you doing?"
"Taking off your boots." He drew the zipper down and took them off, long fingers sliding over the silk of her stockings and sending jolts of electricity all over. Pushing the dress up, he peeled the stockings off, his eyes holding hers.
Her breath hitched, her skin heating as he trailed his fingers over her bare skin.
"Beautiful."
"Rodney--"
"I've wanted to do this since the first time I laid eyes on you."
"You wanted to have sex with me."
"I wanted to touch you to figure out if your skin felt like silk. It does."
"Oh God." She moaned.
Taking the dress over her head, he stared transfixed at the flawless caramel complexion and the rise of flesh over the transparent butter yellow lace.
"You're so beautiful." The tight hold he had placed over his control was slowly eroding. Determined to give her the utmost pleasure, he started at her feet and worked his way up to her thighs.
By the time he reached the apex, she was moving restlessly, her head twisting on the mound of pillows. First it was his fingers and then his mouth, trailing light kisses along the insides of her thighs.
"I can't." She whispered achingly, fingers clutching at his hair. "Please. I can't."
"I want you to need me even a fraction of the way I need you.
" Rising, he hurriedly took off his clothing and toed off his shoes.
Her eyes drifted over the magnificently proportioned body.
His chest was wide and covered with a smattering of dark brown hairs.
He was tanned all over, his belly washboard flat.
His hips were narrow. Her eyes shied away from looking further.
"Don't tell me you're shy?" He chuckled hoarsely as he slid in next to her.
"And if I am?" She was happy for the reprieve as her system was screaming for release.
"I think it's utterly adorable." He lowered his mouth to hers, nibbling at her bottom lip and sending the sparks shooting through her body. She turned to him, sliding one foot between his powerful thighs. A groan escaped him when she nudged at his throbbing arousal.
Twisting his body, he had her beneath him, his lips trailing down her cheek to the hollow of her throat.
She smelled like something he could feast on for days, months. Years, the rest of his life. Desire was raging inside him like a tornado. He had to have her now. It had to be now.
Rising to his elbow, he reached into the dresser drawer and took out a packet of condoms.
Rising to his knees, he tore open the packet and shook one out, his hands shaking. It took him two frustrating tries before he was fully covered.