by Jules Wake
She closed her eyes. Of course, it was. The Christmas hampers. His eagerness to chat in the pub whenever she saw him. The secrecy of her visits to the stables when she was a child. A memory of him weeping at her mother’s funeral. He’d always been in the periphery of her life, but she’d never thought anything of it. He was her mother’s boss.
‘Why didn’t I see it? It’s so obvious now.’
‘You had no reason to question that Vittorio was your father.’
‘True and I don’t think Nan ever realised. She assumed Sir Robert was still taking an interest in us because Mum died while she was working for him.’
‘No, she didn’t. She was convinced Vittorio was your dad. I suspect Sir Robert has had to keep things well hidden because of Lady Mary. She could never have children. I hear she’s in a hospice now.’
‘Do you think he’ll want to … know me?’
Will lifted her chin with his hand and stared into her eyes. ‘Why wouldn’t he?’
She shrugged uncertainly.
‘Lisa, I’m pretty sure he would welcome it.’ And then added fiercely. ‘And if he doesn’t it’s his loss.’
Tears filled her eyes. ‘I didn’t think I wanted family or to need anyone. But I was wrong.’
‘Whereas I seem to have got more than my fair share.’
Lisa’s eyes widened. ‘Oh God, Will I’m sorry. I hadn’t even thought about that. Your dad, except he’s not. How do you … what do you call him?’
Will’s face closed down and he shifted slightly, as if wanting to put distance between them. ‘All makes sense now. Why he was always so detached and so quick to disapprove of me. I went to see my mum.’ He sighed, his face crumpled and his Adam’s apple moved up and down, the tendons in his throat tense. As he turned his head away, suddenly stiff and distant, Lisa reached a hand up to quickly swipe away the lone tear, her heart aching for him. Avoiding her eyes, he kissed the inside of her wrist as he continued, ‘She … she thought it was amusing. Laughed, when I asked if my dad knew he wasn’t my dad.’ He shook his head in silent disbelief. ‘Do you know what she said? “Well, darling, he’s never asked for a paternity test, but I’m pretty sure he knows. I think Alice might be his, so that’s alright.”’
Lisa gasped and put her arms around him.
He tried to shrug them away. ‘I shouldn’t have expected anything else.’
Shame washed over her. ‘Yes, you should. You deserve better, Will Ryan. You deserve to be loved because you’re a wonderful man.’ She held his face between her hands and said fiercely because she meant it and it didn’t matter if he didn’t love her back, ‘I love you and don’t you ever forget it.’
She felt him go very still, his eyes searching her face as if he didn’t dare to believe it.
‘I love you, Will.’
To her surprise, a look of relief filled his eyes, which made her heart speed up. It was quickly followed by a more penetrating look of satisfaction and possession. When his mouth curved into a slow, serious smile, it did something strange to her insides, as if a thousand butterflies were beating their way out.
Without breaking their gaze, his lifted his hand and, with his thumb, stroked her cheekbone. ‘Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome,’ she smiled back.
‘Of course,’ his thumb stopped. ‘I don’t have to tell you because … you should bloody well know by now …’ Warmth bloomed, racing through her veins at his oh-so-serious expression.
‘I do …’ She nodded and her eyes suddenly twinkled up at him, ‘but it would be quite nice to hear.’
With a sudden movement, he scooped her up onto his lap, pulling her close, his mouth touching her cheek, so that she could feel his lips as he punctuated each word with a gentle kiss. ‘I. Love. You.’
Then his mouth slid along her cheek to her lips.
The first foray of his tongue touching hers sent a curl of excitement through her, along with a flush of heat. She kissed him back, letting the pent-up hunger take charge. At first they explored each other’s mouths, testing and teasing in a slow, all-the-time-in-the-world leisurely dance, becoming accustomed to each other’s rhythm. Gradually their steps became more intricate as they gained confidence, the gentle pace upping in tempo, their breathing more fractured.
Will’s hand grazed her back, cupping her bottom and pulling her snugly to his body, where she could feel the hard length of him and couldn’t resist pressing up against him with a half-swallowed moan.
As the kiss deepened, passion took over and they passed the point of no return, hands on bare skin, touching and stroking. Somehow Will had pushed the fabric of her t-shirt aside, while she’d pulled the shirt from his jeans to run her hands up his warm back. Her hips urged forward in sinuous motion, mirroring her desire. She gasped when his hand slid up one thigh.
‘Not fair. You’ve got too many clothes on,’ she whispered.
He grinned. ‘Seems fine to me.’ He bent and dropped a whisper of a kiss above her breast, before sliding his mouth down, inexorably towards her nipple, which had already puckered in readiness, yelling yes yes here.
‘Mm,’ she moaned, squirming at the dart of pleasure, as much heaven as torment. His hand at the top of her thigh halted, a calloused thumb circling with hypnotic arousal, which had her shamelessly opening her legs. ‘Will,’ she pleaded as his hot, wet mouth did delightfully delicious things to her nipple, tugging and teasing, sending shafts of hot white heat southwards.
All of her burned with eager restlessness. With an impatient groan, she rubbed her hand over his jeans, looping her finger around the button and dragging the zip down, touching him through the jersey boxers.
In response, his breathing quickened and his mouth descended again. It enveloped her nipple, his hot tongue and the fierce pulling sensation making her whimper. It was too much; she was on fire. She arched upwards, blindly fumbling for the fastenings of his jeans, desperate to feel his skin on hers.
He lifted his head and stared down at her. ‘Need a hand?’ he asked, a knowing, smouldering look in his eye that made her shudder.
‘Oh God, yes,’ she said with heartfelt enthusiasm.
Together they wrestled off his jeans and as he worked his jersey boxers off, she finished unbuttoning his shirt, her hands straying to slide across his toned stomach, skirting the line of dark blonde hair.
Sensation exploded when he touched her, the idling hand that had been caressing her thigh moved back into place, lulling her into a false sense of security, and without warning, one delicious finger slid into that intimate spot, wet and slick in readiness. Hardly able to bear it as he teased the tender nerve endings, she let out a strangled cry, sucking in a harsh breath as he rubbed her hot flesh with slow, firm strokes, relentlessly driving her on, oblivious to her increasingly incoherent murmured moans that punctured the quiet air.
Her hips had a life of their own. Any moment now she was going to burst. She grasped his forearm, trying to slow him down.
He pulled back for a second, eyes glinting wickedly. ‘Too much for you.’
Her chest heaved, but she was pleased to see that his was doing the same.
‘Mmm.’ Her voice came out in a breathy squeak. She shifted position and pushed him back, her hand roving over his body, taking control to give herself a chance to catch up with herself. ‘The balance of power is all wrong.’
With a feline smile, she touched her lips to his throat and moved downwards, taking her time exploring his chest and flicking her tongue over his nipples, her insides tightening at his quick flinch and tiny involuntary sigh. Enjoying herself, she took a leisurely inventory, skimming down over the firm pecs and the dips of his abdomen, relishing the feel of his skin.
It was hard to keep her resolve and not throw herself on him and kiss him and beg him to slide into her, the idea of which every part of her body seemed to support, but she wanted him to be as hot, bothered and desperately squirmy and antsy as she was. Her hand worked downwards, teasing him as every now and then she�
�d take a side trip and glide her fingers over his hips as she took her own sweet time, exploring every dip and dent of his body, although she was getting as turned on hearing his tiny sighs and indrawn breaths.
He let out a throaty groan, calling her name when her hand finally dropped low enough to touch the hard length of him, which stood proud, straining for her touch. With the top of her finger she circled the tip, feeling herself dampen as he bit back a soft groan and she saw his hand fist into the sheet. She dragged one finger down the shaft, slowly, slowly. When she reached the base, where the coarse hair sprang up, she opened up her hand and circled him, pushing up with one smooth motion before sliding down the hard length in measured strokes.
Just as his breathing evened out and he was sighing with pleasure, she upped her pace, deliberately wanting to tease him and bring him to the same half-delirious, desperate state she was in.
‘Jesus, Lisa, what …’ His head fell back on the pillow, a faint sheen of sweat on his forehead. ‘Stop! Ohhh … stop.’ His panted pleas turned her inside out and when he grabbed her hand and pushed her onto her back, she opened her legs.
With one smooth, fluid move he slid home and she clenched around him.
The dancing around was over, she urged him on, not that he needed any second invitation. They were so in tune. She’d reached fever pitch and only fast and furious would do.
Chapter 34
‘Wow.’ It was the third time Will had said the word and he seemed lost for any other vocabulary.
Their feet squeaked on the pristine, shiny floor of the hi-tech garage.
‘Which one would you have if you could choose any?’ asked Lisa, her hand tucked in his.
‘The E-type jag.’ Will stopped in front of the racing-green car.
Cam laughed. ‘That’s Laurie’s favourite. I’ll take you for a spin later, if you’d like, and you can try her out on the track.’
Will’s face brightened with boyish anticipation. ‘That would be great.’
‘That will keep you quiet while I spend some time with Laurie.’ She went up onto tiptoe and whispered in his ear. ‘Hush-hush wedding secrets.’
‘I heard that,’ said Cam. ‘I’m starting to get nervous. Don’t suppose there’s any chance you could be bribed to let me in on what she’s planning?’
Lisa’s eyes danced. ‘Well, I could,’ she paused, ‘but then she’s dying to know what you’re planning … and I’m helping you too. It’s probably both in your best interests if I don’t spill the beans to either of you.’
Cam shook his head in mock disgust. ‘Honestly, we’ve bred a monster. Which reminds me, I’ve got a couple of calls to make while Laurie’s out. Don’t worry about locking up, Eddie is around getting everything ready for this afternoon.’
As soon as Cam had gone, Will’s arm snaked around her and he pulled her in for a long, hot, scorching kiss, which left her slightly breathless.
‘What was that for?’
‘Because I haven’t kissed you properly for,’ he looked at the sturdy watch on his wrist, ‘at least one hour and fifteen minutes.’
‘You mean improperly,’ said Lisa, fanning herself and grinning up at him.
‘Not complaining, are you?’ asked Will, his mouth crinkling in that familiar crooked smile. ‘No,’ said Lisa, wary now as he put both hands on her shoulders and drew her slowly towards him before diving straight in and giving in her another thorough kiss, which had her knees almost giving way.
When he lifted his head, he looked a touch dazed too, but managed to ask, ‘Improper enough?’
She nodded, her mouth tingling so much she couldn’t speak.
They walked towards the door of the garage and out into the courtyard. Lisa couldn’t believe she was so lucky, staying in such a lovely place, and now, with Will at her side.
They left the courtyard and rather than go back to the house, they walked out towards the paddock to the side of the house. Leaning on the wooden fence they looked out over the view, down across the flat vale of York, with its patchwork of pale-golden fields bounded by green broccoli floret-like hedges.
Will looked lost in thought as he stared out over the fields. Her eyes roved over his features, gratitude filling her heart. It was hard to believe yesterday that when she’d looked at this same view she’d been so bloody miserable.
‘Stop looking at me like that, otherwise I’ll drag you back to bed.’ Will looked rather pleased with himself. ‘Actually, that’s probably not a bad idea.’
‘I ought to go back soon to do some work. Cam and Laurie have been brilliant. So kind, and I don’t want to let them down.’ She linked her hand with his. ‘You’re going to have to wait, buster.’
‘I suppose I do owe Cam.’ He turned her to face him and moved in front of her, pinning her to the fence with his big, warm body.
‘Whereas I have a bone to pick with him. All that Scrabble nonsense.’
Will laughed. ‘I never thought it would take me that long to get here. Bloody sod’s law there was a major hold-up on the M1. I’d phoned Cam to make sure you were here and told him I was on my way.’
‘The sneaky so and so. I wondered what was up. He and Laurie spent hours desperately trying to prolong the evening.’ Lisa smiled, leaning into him, laying her head against his shoulder. ‘You owe him. He did sterling work. I suspect he hates Scrabble.’
‘He said he’d try to make sure you stayed up, but I was worried you might bolt again.’
‘I suppose Siena told you where I was.’
‘No,’ Will’s body shook as if in silent laughter. ‘Your Nan did.’
‘Nan,’ Lisa’s head shot up. ‘But she hates … I mean she’s not your biggest fan.’
‘She might have changed her mind, although she did con me into taking her to bloody Morrisons. And then proceeded to ask me at full volume, from the next aisle, whether I’d ever suffered from constipation and what did I think of syrup of figs.’
‘Sounds like Nan. Was she okay?’
‘Cantankerous. Smart-mouthed. Snappy. I’d say beaming out on normal Nan-channel.’
Lisa shook her head. ‘I know I worry about her, but maybe she will go on for ever.’
‘I sorted out her medication for her.’
‘You did what?’ Lisa did a double-take.
When he explained that he’d taken her to the doctors, Lisa stared at him wide-eyed and exceedingly pissed off. ‘There are times when I could strangle her. Why couldn’t she have told me that her tablets made her feel worse?’
‘I suspect it was her way of trying to protect you. Stop you worrying about her.’
‘Grrr. Now you’re best friends, are you? Do you know what? That bloody irks me! She hasn’t had a good word to say about you for years.’
Will grinned. ‘I had to do some major sweet-talking and she’s no pushover. Problem was, she did think Vittorio was your father. Which is why she was so keen to keep us apart.’
Lisa pinched her lips together. She could imagine all too well how horrified Nan must have been when she’d heard they’d spent the night together. Nan knew plenty of people in the village – it wouldn’t have taken long for her to hear about Lisa staying over. She laughed in relief before adding, ‘And why Dorothea was so anxious to throw us out.’
‘She’s going to be mortified when she finds out.’
‘Is she likely to find out?’ asked Lisa, not imagining for a minute they’d probably ever meet her again.
‘I suspect my mother,’ he wriggled on the bench, his hand working into the pocket of his hoodie, ‘may well spill the beans.’
Lisa rolled her eyes.
‘You probably realise why your mum wanted the ring to go back to Vittorio.’
‘Yes, it all makes sense now.’
‘After you’d left it behind in Rome …’
She flinched. ‘Don’t … I.’
He shut her up with a kiss. ‘Shush. I phoned him. And had a minor heart failure when he said you hadn’t turned up.’ The mock glare he s
hot her promised all sorts of retribution of a rather delicious kind. ‘I went to meet him.’
‘What was he like?’ Lisa laced her fingers through his and let them rest on his jean-clad thigh.
‘Apart from being my older double, which you spotted before you did a runner, actually quite a nice guy when he stopped being … well, I guess he was trying to protect himself as well. He did love your Mum. Really love her. But sadly for him, it was always Sir Robert and he couldn’t bear it, so that’s why he left and never took you with him. I felt quite sorry for him in a way. He’d like to meet you.’
‘I’d like that too.’ She stole a wary look at his face.
‘Vittorio said the ring was mine now.’
Lisa nodded. Of course, it was. The rightful heir – and all that.
‘But,’ he paused, blue eyes suddenly intent, holding her gaze as he brought his hand out of his pocket and held up the velvet box, ‘I’d like to give it to you.’
Her eyes widened and it felt as if a thousand currents of fine electricity rushed over her skin.
His throat convulsed. ‘Neither of our parents, real or stand-in, are the best adverts for fidelity and happy-ever-after, but … I love you.
‘I love you, Lisa Vettese, more than I thought I could ever love anyone. I want you to have the ring. It’s a promise from me that I will do everything I can to make you happy and that you are the one and only woman I could ever envisage sharing my life with.’ His lopsided smile held a tinge of nerves and hope. ‘This is a very badly bungled kind of proposal. I know it’s too early, we haven’t even … lived together … or had a proper date. You might go off me. You might not want me, but I can’t imagine ever wanting to be with anyone else but you. These last few days I’ve done nothing but think of you. I missed you. Tried to think of every reason why this would be a bad idea. And not one of them would stick. I don’t want to make false promises. I’ve seen too many of those, but do you think you might have me if I asked you to marry me? One day?’
Lisa smiled, loving the way that he’d phrased things. Marriage was too big and scary at this stage, but a promise she could cope with. ‘I think it’s a very definite possibility. One day.’