Chapter 7
The plans involved the massive fireplace in the living room with a thick fluffy blanket spread in front of a blazing fire. And making love in front of it.
Now they were lying dazed and shaken by an inferno that made the fire crackling in the hearth seem like a small trickle.
He had hypnotized her, that was the thought that entered her frazzled mind.
He had used his mouth, his hands, and his very impressive sex to cast a spell and now she was hooked.
And she wanted more of him. The taste, scent and feel of him were insidiously embedded inside her and there was no escape.
It was no longer about his money. It was all about him.
She jerked slightly when he clamped his fingers on her chin to turn her around. Amber eyes, made more golden by passion, studied her face.
"You're thinking too much."
"Am I?" She tried to twist her face away, but he held on.
"Hmm. You're thinking that this is going way too fast and we've only just met."
"Add psychic powers to the rest of your talents.
" She tried for sarcasm, but her voice was too shaky to carry it off.
She had excused herself twice to call and check on her son and felt the guilt eating away at her.
She had never done anything like this before and the more she told herself she was doing it for them, she realized how thin it was beginning to sound.
She was doing it for him.
"You're upset. Tell me why."
"I'm not." She shook her head when he merely lifted one thick brow.
"Not with you."
"With yourself then? Why?"
"This is getting away from me."
"You're going to have to explain that one to me."
"It's complicated."
"Try." He insisted.
"We just met and we barely know each other."
His amused expression and eyes flickering down to her naked body denied that.
"This is sex."
"Is it?" Letting go of her chin, he used both hands to cup her cheeks.
"It feels more like a spiritual experience to me.
I've never felt this way about anyone before, and I've been around the block a time or two.
I know when a meeting of bodies is just slaking a thirst. This is not it.
We have a bond. I felt it when I first saw you. "
"I wasn't looking for this, for you. I was about to make an excuse and leave the bloody function, because I was bored and then you walked in. I call that divine opportunity."
Fear spiked and enveloped her as she stared at him.
"You don't know what you're saying."
His lips quirked at that.
"I do believe that I know what's what. You're scared."
"And you're not?"
"A little." He laughed at her baffled expression. "More than a little. I never expected this."
"We should slow things down."
His expression turned cold.
"No."
"Rodney."
"How slow do you expect us to go? After this. What? Take a step back, think things through? That sort of thing?"
"Yes!" She cried, eyes bright. "See if this is something we really want."
"Are you saying you don't want me?"
"Don't be stupid." Dragging her chin away, she scurried towards the wall and drew her knees up to her chin. "That's undeniable. I would be lying if I said that. But it's too much, too intense. I never thought..."
He moved over to join her.
"You never thought it would be this intense." Clamping his hands on her arms, he turned her to face him. "I wasn't looking for this either. I was burned pretty badly in the past."
"You don't know me!"
Her eyes slid away from the intensity of his.
"Then tell me what I need to know."
"I'm overreacting." Her breath was strangled inside her throat. "I... This is new for me."
"Me too." He continued to stare at her quizzically. "All right let's just stay away from the heavy for now. Is that okay?"
She nodded. Acting on impulse, she moved into him. His arms closed around her immediately and held her close.
"All right?" His deep voice rumbled against her cheek and soothed her scattered nerves.
"Yes."
"Good. Let's just lie here for a minute."
They did just that and afterwards, he made love to her so slowly, so gently that it had her weeping in his arms.
*****
"I wish you would stay."
"I have things to do, and you have an early meeting." She pointed out as she slid on her boots.
"I could reschedule." He could not believe his heart was wrenching at the thought of her leaving. He didn't want to behave like a lovesick idiot, but that's where he was heading.
"I can't."
"What about a day in the week?"
Panic came and went.
"I'll let you know."
"Are you having second thoughts Melanie?" he asked her quietly.
He was sitting on the bed next to her, watching her closely.
"You know that's not the case." Rising, she came to stand between his thighs. "You have me hooked."
"Is it just the sex?"
"And if I say yes?" Wrapping her arms around his neck, she played with the hair at his nape.
"Then I'd say good for me. It doesn't matter what got you that way, as long as you stay hooked."
"Is that right?"
"Hmm. Christ, I already miss you." He groaned, running his hands up and down her back.
"I'll be back. I'll try and swing it for a day in the week."
"Is that a promise?"
"Rodney."
"Right." Drawing her close, he inhaled her scent. "Let me take you home before I end up tying you to the bed."
"Unless you're going to be tying yourself there with me."
"Not a bad idea." He drew her down on his knee and nuzzled at her neck before closing his mouth over hers.
"Rodney." She felt like crying. "Rodney."
"Yes." He took her lips again, driving the kiss even deeper. When he finally lifted his head, they were both dazed with passion.
"All right." He had to take several deep breaths to try and steady himself. "All right. Let's go." Plucking her off his lap, he gripped her hands for a minute, face harsh, eyes a molten gold.
"We're going."
The drive home was done in partial silence, each busy with their own thoughts. Melanie could not relax. If things were different and there was no way she was ever going to regret having her son! If things were different, she would be inviting him inside to spend the night.
But none of it was real. She should really quit while she was ahead. But wasn't it too late? She thought in despair. She was already caught up in the intrigue, the damn romance. The novelty of a man who made her feel as if she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
The way he looks at her, the way he touched her. The fact that he wanted her to stay.
"We're here."
She jumped slightly at the sound of his deep voice.
"Yes." Unhooking her belt, she shoved open the door before he could come around and stood there waiting for him to round the hood. "I don't want you to come in."
"I think that's a good plan." He started to reach for her and changed his mind. Putting his hands into his pockets, he rocked back on his heels. "I want to kiss you."
"No." She shook her head wildly. "No." If that was not enough, she held out her hands as if to ward him off. "Just no."
"All right." He lifted a hand. "Keeping my distance. Is it okay if I call you?"
"Yes. Later." She still stood there.
"I should go."
"You should."
They lapsed into silence and just stood there with the wind dancing through their clothing.
"This is ridiculous." He muttered. They came at each other at the same time. Lifting her up, he spun her around before seizing her lips. She clung, returning the kiss with unrestrained passion that staggered him. His hands gripped her tight as he deepened the kiss.
Setting her down, he put her away from him, breathing erratic.
"Call me."
She nodded and walked away without looking back.
Letting herself inside, she stood there at the window, waiting until he drove off, before going upstairs to get rid of the borrowed clothing. She was going to have to do some dry cleaning before putting them back where she found them. Donning her own clothes, she stared at herself in the mirror.
In the past, she had been satisfied with the things she had but now realized that something had changed. The cashmere had felt so good against her skin. The moisturizer and cream she had "borrowed" felt like silk.
Turning away from the mirror, she picked up her bag and grabbed her keys. It was time to get back to her world. The one where she belonged, the one where her son was waiting for her.
*****
"Mom!" He raced towards her as soon as she hopped out of the vehicle and flew into her arms. "Where were you?" he demanded as soon as he wriggled free.
"Out with a friend."
"What friend?"
"A friend." Tucking her hand through his, she started walking towards the front porch.
"Is it a guy friend?"
"None of your business." She flicked a finger down his nose as they went up the steps.
"Grams made some stew with lots of vegetables." He wrinkled his nose. "It's nasty."
"You will eat what's set before you and be done with it." Imelda came rounding the corner of the room and gave him a beady eye. "Dinner is ready."
"Grams, you didn't have to go to any trouble. I was planning on grabbing David and just heading home."
"I made enough for an army, so you and your son will sit your butts down and enjoy the fruit of my labor." With that said, she sailed into the kitchen.
"She said 'butt'." David chortled.
"I have ears. Go wash up."
"Can I pick out the carrots?" he asked hopefully. "And the potatoes?"
"No. Go."
Grumbling under his breath, he rushed off towards the bathroom.
"What can I do?"
Her grandmother looked up from the soda bread she was slicing.
"You can tell me what the hell is going on. Who is this man? And why haven't you brought him home to meet us?"
Busying herself with taking out the bowls, Melanie avoided the question for a minute.
"We'll talk after supper."
"All right. Set the table. I'm starving."