Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
G iggling, Meg nearly tripped getting off the elevator. Rob quickly wrapped a steadying arm around her waist. “Careful, Teach,” he murmured in her ear. As they reached the door to the penthouse, Rob surprised her by turning her to him and leaning down to kiss her. She could taste the wine they shared on the boat on his tongue as it swept into her own mouth, enticing her to play. She raised her arms to his shoulders, her fingers running through his dark hair. Rob’s own hands traveled around her waist, rubbing lightly, seductively over her back.
Only with Rob had she ever felt so carefree and happy, without a worry in the world. She spent her entire life working. In high school she held down a part-time job to help with the bills while studying non-stop to earn good enough grades to get a scholarship. Unable to afford the cost of living on campus, she spent her college years driving the forty-five minutes home every night to care for her dying grandmother and then her ailing mother. So much of her life spent working and worrying and caring for others.
This time with Rob in a tropical paradise was healing parts of her she didn’t know were injured. She laughed and joked with ease. The Meg she was at home would never have consented to spend a weekend with a virtual stranger. Hell, her at-home persona would never have agreed to share the room even platonically. She’d lived a lifetime in this single weekend and it saddened her to think about her return to the real world.
Rob seemed to notice her quiet pensiveness. “Hey, why the long face?”
“I was just thinking about leaving here tomorrow. Rob, if I don’t remember to say it, the past three days have been the best of my life and I will never forget everything you’ve done to make them so special.”
“We still have tonight and tomorrow morning, Meg. Let’s not waste that time worrying about the end.” Meg’s heart stopped at the word ‘end.’ How would she ever be able to walk away from Rob without a backward glance? No doubt, he was used to short-term relationships, but her heart was bleeding at the thought of never seeing him again. Shaking off her unwanted concerns, she beat down the practical Meg and brought back the new version of herself, the one who lived for the moment.
Rob unlocked the door to the suite and she started to walk in, but Rob stopped her, tugging at her elbow. “Before we go in, I should warn you that I fully intend to ravish you.”
Meg laughed, despite the effect his words were having on her body. Every moment in his presence only strengthened her desire for him. No sooner did he leave her body, then she literally had to stop herself from begging him to come back in. Never had she been so wholly consumed by a man’s touch.
Reaching up, she placed her palm on his cheek, his five o’clock shadow tickling her fingers. “Thank God,” she whispered as she stood on tip-toe to place her own devastating kiss on his lips.
The two continued kissing even as they stepped into the room and Rob shut and locked the door behind him. Turning her, he leaned her against the door, lifting her legs. “Wrap them around my waist,” he commanded and Meg’s passion mounted even higher. Heady with the feelings he was evoking in her body, Meg pulled him closer, her fingernails digging into his bare shoulders. She secretly rejoiced as his lips left hers burning a path across her face, nipping lightly at her ear, before drifting down her neck. His teeth, tongue, and lips devoured everything they touched. She loved these moments, right before he took her, when she sensed he wanted her every bit as much as she wanted him.
“Meg,” Rob murmured, gathering her hands in his one of his own, pulling them above her head, holding her still for his amorous assault. It was clear he meant to direct their passion again. With his free hand, he pulled her bathing suit to one side and Meg sensed he would rip it off of her if he could. Rob’s fingers plunged roughly into her wet pussy and Meg reveled in his lack of finesse. Always in control, Meg discovered she much preferred this wild man before her to the suave Rob she’d grown accustomed to. A man as frantic to be inside her as she was to welcome him in.
Her pleas fell from her lips before she could think better. “Please,” she whimpered as his fingers tormented her quivering flesh. Two fingers became three and Meg couldn’t stop the climax that was attacking her with devastating speed.
“Oh God,” she cried out as the orgasm ripped through her body. Her cries seemed to break what little control Rob had over his own body and she gasped as she felt him push into her. Over and over, he came into her—hard and fast—just as she had requested that first night. The banging of her back against the door only vaguely made its way to her ears as she reveled in the feelings he was producing in her body.
“More,” she demanded and his cock took on a life of its own, pounding inside her as she clenched her inner muscles around him, demanding he fill her, stay with her, never leave her. The strength of her next orgasm shocked her to the core considering she thought the first had been powerful. He joined her in her climax, both of them shouting their pleasure and pain together.
She was so fulfilled and happy that she couldn’t conceive of his not feeling the same way, which is why his first word left her so perplexed.
“Fuck,” he said, in a much less than pleased tone.
Opening her eyes, she saw him looking at her, not angry, but chagrined.
“Rob?”
“Are you on the pill?”
At his question, she realized why he was so upset. In their frantic rush to devour each other, they’d forgotten the condom. Her stomach dropped to her feet and she felt all the blood leave her face.
“I’ll take that as a no,” he replied.
“They make me nauseous,” she answered. “Oh Rob, I’m so sorry.”
“You’re sorry?” His tone was one she couldn’t quite understand.
“I’m sure it will be alright.” Even though she knew it wouldn’t be. After all, she’d been conceived during her mother’s one night of youthful indiscretion.
“I’m glad you’re so sure,” he replied with what she thought might be sarcasm.
Pulling away, she felt as though she’d been sunk into quicksand up to her neck. Her body was going into a full scale panic attack—her arms and legs refusing to move. This was why practical Meg existed, she thought. Reliable, boring Meg would never have made such a mammoth mistake.
“I have to get out of here,” she whispered, willing her body to move. Before she could take a step, Rob picked her up and carried her to the couch, settling her securely on his lap.
“I’m the one who is sorry, Meg.” Tucking her head in the crook of his neck, he rested his cheek on the top of her head. She felt her body give way to the fear permeating it as she began to shake.
“Oh no, sweetheart, please,” he implored. “Please don’t worry. You aren’t alone and you never will be. I would never leave you to deal with this by yourself.”
“My father--”
“Was a bastard,” Rob finished for her. “And he clearly doesn’t know what he missed. Who in their right mind wouldn’t want you, Meg? You’re perfect.”
His kind words went a long way to soothing her, yet she couldn’t help but ask the question haunting her. “If I’m pregnant?”
“If you are, we’ll deal with it. Together. I meant what I said. You aren’t alone, Meg. I promise.” Bending down, he sealed his vow with a gentle kiss that was nearly her undoing.
As he kissed her, Rob foolishly prayed his sperm would succeed. He’d started several times today to tell her the truth about his identity, but she had taken such delight in the day, he couldn’t bring himself to ruin it for her. Her enthusiasm when she realized they were going out on the water had been priceless. She’d never been in a boat. He had so many things to show her, to share with her. Rob felt himself wishing he could give her the world on a silver platter.
So, his plan to come clean hadn’t been successful and now he’d failed her again by forgetting to use protection. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, here he was silently hoping she was carrying his baby because for the first time in his life, Rob Madison was faced with the very real possibility that he might not get something he wanted. And as selfish as it sounded, he was willing to do anything to keep her. He wanted her—not just for this weekend—forever. Unfortunately, money wouldn’t buy Meg Williams. He suspected his wealth may actually be a liability and as the days passed, he found himself running out of options.
He had to tell her the truth. As he felt her small hands in his hair, he suddenly realized he couldn’t make any more excuses. Meg deserved the truth from him. Shaking himself for his uncharacteristic cowardice, he took a steadying breath. He was Rob Madison, for God’s sake. He never shirked from a challenge and he certainly never backed down from something that he wanted.
“Meg,” he began, but he was interrupted by a knock on the door. Rob cursed the timing of the person on the other side. “I suppose I should answer that.”
“I suppose you should.” Her voice was still a bit shaky. “While you do, I’ll slip up and take a shower. I must look like a wreck.” She ran her hand through her tangled curls.
“You look gorgeous. Meg,” he added, lifting her face up to his. “I meant what I said. Everything will be fine.”
The grateful smile she gave him with had him kicking himself again. She didn’t deserve his continued deception. He was determined to get rid of their unwanted company and put things to right. “Wear something pretty and I’ll take you out for a nice dinner. Maybe we can stroll down Lover’s Lane afterwards.”
At her blush, he knew she recalled all the things he promised they would buy at the marketplace. The very thought of it had him going hard as he considered all the ways he still wanted to make love to her. He watched as she walked to her room, shutting the door softly behind her.
Yet another knock, louder than the last came. “I’m coming,” Rob yelled as he opened the door.
“Finally,” a shrill, familiar voice chided and Rob barely had time to step aside before being run over by Shelly Thompson-Rhodes, her beleaguered husband, Seth, and her sister Tara.
“Shelly,” he said in surprise. “What are you doing here?”
“What kind of greeting is that for your dearest friend in the world?” she admonished. Rob attempted, yet suspected he failed, to paste on a pleased smile. Truth be told, Shelly was his oldest friend, although old is not a term that would ever cross her lips. Shelly’s parents and his had been fast friends forever and Rob knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, their hopes were dashed when Shelly chose to marry Seth Rhodes, an eminently prominent neuro-surgeon, rather than him. Despite Shelly’s numerous faults, she knew as well as he did a marriage between them would be nothing short of a disaster. Unfortunately, she didn’t feel the same would be true for him and Tara. She took every opportunity available to her to push the two of them together and much to his chagrin, Tara seemed to feel she owned some sort of territorial rights to him, regardless of the fact, he’d never expressed any interest in the shallow girl.
“I beg your forgiveness,” he answered. “Of course, I am delighted to see you. Simply surprised.”
“Well,” Shelly answered, “that’s better. We were cruising the islands on our yacht when we heard you were here. We simply had to dock and see you. It’s been far too long since you’ve come to stay on Martha’s Vineyard with us. Tara’s beginning to feel neglected.”
“I cannot imagine why,” Rob said through clinched teeth, unwilling to deal with Shelly’s matchmaking schemes when he was having the time of his life with Meg. Meg had changed him in some inexplicable way that left him with little patience for behavior he used to tolerate with nary a second thought.
Shelly was nothing if not exceedingly astute. “Are you feeling well, Robert? We’ve been here several minutes and you’ve yet to notice my new hairdo or remark on Tara’s lovely dress. We did go to special pains for you, darling.”
Ah, of course, Rob groaned. He’d committed a major faux pas, failing to follow the social niceties expected by the Thompson-Rhodes of the world. Without a thought, Rob slipped into the familiar character he played, noticing for the first time, how much it chafed.
“Forgive me, Shelly. It is simply that you’ve caught me totally unaware and then appearing so lovely, I’ve been left doubly-speechless.”
Obviously appeased, Shelly and Tara teetered at his insincere praise. “Seth, how are you?” he asked, anxious for an escape from the two women.
“Quite well,” Seth replied, “quite well. Managed to schedule a couple months of R and R from the practice. The girls were chomping at the bit to get out and about.”
Rob swallowed his sarcastic reply, well aware that Seth, since landing the very wealthy Shelly Thompson, was little more than a token figure head at his successful practice leaving the real work to his partners. Shelly kept him on a tight leash and would not accept more than his total attention and devotion. It was the main reason she and Rob would never have been a compatible match. He was far too independent for Shelly’s tastes. However, as far as Rob could tell, Tara would be perfectly content to share his name, homes, and money while making few demands on his time. Obviously, Shelly realized this as well and was quite anxious for the advantageous union, regardless of Rob’s feelings about it. He successfully evaded her maneuverings for the last two years. Meg’s appearance in his life had only managed to solidify his conviction that Tara was the last person on earth he wanted to marry.
“Well, you have always been a good man, keeping your girls happy,” Rob replied, the words leaving a bad taste in his mouth.
“Robert Madison, I swear I don’t know where your manners are. We’ve been here ten full minutes and you’ve yet to offer us a drink,” Shelly said.
“And I do apologize for that,” Rob added quickly, suddenly anxious to get rid of his unexpected guests before Meg reappeared from her room. This heartless trio would blow his cover in a matter of seconds and Rob wasn’t willing to have his real identity revealed in such a fashion. “However, I’m afraid you’ve caught me at a very bad time. I was about to shower and head out to an important meeting,” he lied.
“A meeting? At this time?” Shelly asked, somewhat suspiciously. “Robert, it’s nearly five o’clock. Surely you haven’t planned a meeting in the midst of your vacation.”
“Actually, an unexpected opportunity has fallen into my lap. You know me, Shelly, not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.”
“What type of opportunity?”
“Ah well, Shelly,” he hedged. “I find as I get older, I don’t like to talk about business ventures until the deal is done. Getting a bit superstitious.”
“You, superstitious? Ha!” Shelly answered. “Ridiculous. What are you up to, Robert? I find it very hard to believe you have anything so pressing you would miss the opportunity to spend Valentine’s Day with Tara. Especially after all the fuss she’s gone to for you.”
Glancing behind Shelly, Rob watched Tara throw him a come-hither look as she thrust out what appeared to be a new pair of breasts. Dear God, Shelly was relentless and Rob felt a trickle of sweat bead at the back of his neck as he counted the minutes remaining before Meg returned. Suddenly, her habit of showering and dressing quickly seemed less endearing. He needed more time.
The sound of a door opening behind him, as well as the shocked faces on the three people in front of him convinced him that time was up. Turning slowly, Rob felt his heart skip, despite his panic, at her lovely appearance. She had donned a simple sundress, the same color as her cornflower blue eyes. Her hair was still damp, but she left her long, brown curls loose the way he liked them best. Her face was more made-up then he was used to as she added light blue eye shadow to her usual lipstick and mascara combination. He recognized the special pains she’d taken and he’d never seen her look more beautiful.
Her friendly smile caused him an uneasy pain as he could hear the women behind him sharpening their claws.
“Meg,” He crossed the room quickly to meet her as she approached. “You look beautiful,” he murmured in her ear as she graced him with a delighted grin. “Come and meet some of my friends.” Placing a protective arm around her waist, he turned to face the firing squad, praying silently for a reprieve.
“This is Seth Rhodes and his lovely wife, Shelly.”
“Pleasure to meet you.” Meg shook their hands in her no-nonsense way and Rob watched the subtle raising of Shelly’s eyebrows as she took in every aspect of Meg’s appearance.
“Of course it is,” Shelly mumbled and Meg looked inquisitively at Rob.
Ignoring Shelly’s rudeness, Rob gestured to Tara. “And this is Shelly’s younger sister, Tara.” Rob smiled inwardly as Shelly hissed at his mention of her elder status. Shelly was extremely sensitive to any mention of age and Rob was pleased to manage his own revenge through the introduction.
“Nice to meet you,” Meg repeated, obviously wondering what response she would receive from this sister.
“Yes,” Tara purred, looking down her nose at Meg. “Indeed.” Moving closer, Tara managed to insinuate herself between Meg and Rob with an ease that caught him unaware.
“What a surprise to meet one of Rob’s little,” she paused for effect, before adding rudely, “friends.” Placing a proprietary arm on his, Rob started to look at Tara with new eyes. In one sentence, she’d made it perfectly clear to everyone in the room that she considered Meg nothing more than a whore, insinuating she wasn’t the first and, most likely, wouldn’t be the last. In the past, he felt Tara was as much a pawn of Shelly’s machinations as he was, but now he wondered who was truly pulling the strings.
Managing to shake off Tara’s possessive hand, Rob moved back toward Meg, anxious to shield her from the wolves he’d unleashed on her. However, he was shocked when she took the initiative to grasp his hand in her own. Meg glanced into his eyes with an enigmatic look. “Shame on you, Rob. You should have told me we were expecting company. I would have dressed up.”
Rob nearly burst into laugher at her imitation of Shelly and Tara’s snotty imperiousness. Winking at her sheer nerve, he replied with as much remorse as he could muster, “I’m so sorry, my dear, but you have to believe me, their visit is a complete surprise to me.”
“Yes,” Shelly added, attempting to enter their conversation. “We knew Robert would be pleased with our unexpected arrival. You see, he is so terribly fond of Tara. We all grew up together and Robert is forever inviting her to visit.”
Rob had to physically stop himself from growling at Shelly’s bold faced lie, but Meg beat him to the punch. “Oh,” she said, “I’m not surprised. Of course Robert would have a soft spot for a young woman he loves like a sister.” She drawled his name in pure country club style, shocking him to his core.
Studying her face, Rob suspected he was seeing a truly angry Meg for the first time since her run in with George the night of the storm. Her face was flushed and her eyes were shooting sparks all over the room.
Determined to bring this painful interlude to an end, Rob turned to face his unwanted guests. “I do hate to cut this reunion short, but as I said earlier--.”
“Oh yes,” Shelly interrupted, “your business meeting. You know, Seth, I’ve just had a thought. It would be terribly impolite of us to leave this lovely young woman alone while Robert’s out amassing another fortune. Meg, darling, you simply must join us for dinner tonight.”
Rob stepped forward quickly. “Actually, Meg and I have dinner plans after my meeting.”
“Then for drinks,” Shelly added, undaunted. “I insist, Robert. You know I consider you a brother as well and I’m very interested in getting to know your new friend.”
“I would love to join you for drinks,” Meg answered before Rob could offer a suitable excuse.
“Meg.” Rob was desperate to stop the disaster that was unraveling before his eyes.
“Rob,” she said softly, “they’re your friends. And apparently, you have a fortune to make?”
Hearing the confused question, he cursed. “Meg.” He pulled her aside, despite the rudeness of the gesture. “You and I need to talk. Please don’t go out with them.” Rob felt the walls of his lies closing in on him.
“Robert, darling,” Shelly said loudly, no longer masking her anger. “I thought you were in a hurry. You must know we’ll take very good care of your friend.”
“I’m a big girl, Rob,” Meg replied softly, “and it’s just a drink. I didn’t realize you had a meeting.”
“I,” don’t, he started to say, but the word got caught in his throat. “I wish you would stay here.”
“Embarrassed by me?” she asked and Rob understood how much Shelly and Tara’s insults had hurt her.
“Don’t be silly,” he said before Tara’s voice came across the room.
“Honestly, Rob” she teased. “You would think we were a school of piranhas circling around your little goldfish. It’s just a drink. We won’t even leave the hotel. We’ll go to the bar downstairs. Come on Meg,” Tara added, a twinge of a dare to her words. “We’re all friends here, aren’t we?”
Meg pasted on a fake smile and stiffened her spine. “Of course, we are.”