by Unknown
What had he done for her?
Rafael closed his eyes. He’d enjoyed the sweet pleasure of her body, gotten her pregnant, and tried to figure out a way to keep her at arm’s length. Despite everything, she was willing to let him be a part of her and the baby’s life.
She was truly an extraordinary woman. He’d missed being able to see her, talk to her, touch her. No matter what he did, the ache never left.
His eyes flew open. His parents had been married fifty-five years and had spent only a handful of those days apart before his father passed. Naturally his mother had missed him. There was nothing Rafael or anyone else could have done to fill the void.
“Mama, I finally understand. Forgive me.” He came to his feet. “I have some shopping to do, but I’ll be back soon.” His steps lighter, Rafael headed for his Mustang.
TWENTY-TWO
At half past one in the morning, Rafael straightened from leaning against the trunk of his car when Nathalyia came out of Fontaine’s back door with Jake and Clarice. As usual, they were the last to leave. There was only one other car besides Nathalyia’s. Since Jake and Clarice were holding hands, it appeared that Jake had finally made his move. “Hi, Clarice. Jake.”
“Hi, Rafael. Bye, Rafael,” Clarice said, tugging Jake toward a black Trans Am.
Jake resisted. Rafael waited for some cutting remark. “I expect you to take care of her.”
“I will.” Rafael stuck out his hand. Jake clasped it, looked at Nathalyia, then continued with Clarice.
“Why didn’t you come in?” Nathalyia asked.
“I wanted to think, and it was quieter out here.” Taking her arm, he walked her to the Volvo. “I’ll follow you home, then I want to take you someplace. It won’t take long.”
She hesitated for a moment. “All right.”
Closing the door, Rafael went to his car and pulled out behind Nathalyia, hoping tonight would work out the way he’d prayed it would.
Jake was taking a chance, but it couldn’t be helped. Nathalyia was right. If he waited any longer, Clarice might never forgive him. If he lost her, he’d lose everything. He pulled up to the manned gate at the entrance of the Navarone Estate. The guard waved. The gate began to swing open.
“Jake, you turn this car around,” Clarice demanded. “I can’t believe you’re actually following Rafael and Nathalyia home.”
“I’m not following them.” He drove through the gate.
“Well, what are you doing here?” Clarice asked.
“You’ll know in a bit.” Jake pulled into a circular driveway of a two-story French-manor-style house. Lights shone from every window.
“What are you stopping here for?” Clarice tugged on his sleeve. “Come on, before the owners come out or call the police.”
“The owner won’t call the police.” Getting out, he opened her door. “Come on. It’s all right. You know I wouldn’t get you into trouble.”
Clarice got out of the car. “Gosh, it’s fabulous.”
“Wait until you see inside.”
Wide-eyed, she followed him up the stone steps. “Are you house-sitting or something?”
Instead of answering, he opened the door. Reaching back for her hand, he stepped inside and closed the door after him.
“Oh, my!” Clarice looked up at the soaring entryway, then at the double staircase. She stepped farther into the house. Three arches framed the entrance to the living room and lined up with the three sets of French doors at the other end. “What lucky person lives here?”
“I do.”
She swung toward him, then laughed and slapped him on the shoulder. She frowned, shaking her hand. “I’m going to have to remember not to do that. Seriously, who lives here? They did it in my favorite colors of blues and greens.”
“I know.”
She stared at him. As comprehension dawned, anger swept across her face. She started for the door.
“Clarice,” he called. She kept going. He grabbed her, holding her to him.
“Turn me loose!”
“I was afraid you wouldn’t go out with me if you didn’t think I was poor!” He felt her trembling with anger and talked faster. “You’re so tenderhearted. I knew you felt a little sorry for me because I don’t date and have this face. I didn’t tell you so I could keep you, not to hurt you.”
“That’s so stupid. Are you calling me stupid?”
“No. No. You’re smart, funny, and caring. Please don’t be angry.”
“If a woman did the same thing to you, what would you do?” she asked, anger still shimmering in her voice.
This time he was ready. “If she cared about me as deeply as I care for you, I’d consider myself a lucky man.” Slowly releasing her, he stared down into her face. “I love you, Clarice. I’ve loved you for so long. I’d never do anything to hurt you.”
“Do you have any other secrets?” she asked.
“Besides the custom motorcycle, I have a sailboat, a couple of rental properties, stocks, bonds,” he answered. “Martin and several of the customers who came in to Fontaine helped me invest.”
“And you never said anything.”
He pulled her closer. “It wasn’t important. This, you, is what I value.”
Her face tender, she sighed and touched his cheek where the scar was. “I suppose I can be a bit gullible, but thank goodness this time I picked the right man.”
He kissed her, then picked her up and started for the stairs.
“I want to see the rest of the house.”
“How about we see the bedroom first?”
She grinned. “Works for me.”
Jake increased his pace, laughing when Clarice laughed. Entering the bedroom, he didn’t stop until he was by the bed. He placed her on her feet. “I’ve dreamed of this for so long.”
“Me, too.” Her body moved against his in blatant invitation.
Jake tumbled her into bed, his hands reaching for her blouse while trying to kiss her. Finally he freed the last button. Lifting his head, he stared down at her lush body.
“You’re beautiful.”
“When you say it, I believe.”
“You’d better,” he said gruffly, emotions clogging his throat. With trembling hands, he unclasped her bra. “Perfect,” he murmured, his head lowering to nuzzle and kiss the sides of her breasts before fastening his lips on a pouting nipple.
She moaned beneath him, her unsteady hands clasping him to her. He wanted, needed to see all of her. He sat her up to pull off her blouse and bra, then reached for the buttons of her skirt. She batted his hands away.
“I get to look, too.” She jerked his shirt out of his pants and reached for the snap on his jeans.
Too slow for him, he pulled the knit shirt over his head. “Since I don’t want to stop again.” He took off his shoes and jeans. His eyes on her, he unbuttoned her skirt, then inched it down over her hips, taking her panties with it.
He stared up at her, his heart thundering. He was a starving man gifted with a banquet. Rising, his mouth brushed against her quivering stomach and worked its way up to her tempting mouth.
“I love the way you’re built,” she whispered, her fingertips grazing over his broad back, his muscled chest.
His eyes darkened. “I want you so badly. I don’t know where to start loving you first.”
Her breath quivered over her lips. No man had ever looked at her with such longing, such naked desire. She’d always felt self-conscious about her body shape, her large breasts. The hungry, intense way Jake stared at her made those feelings disappear.
“Then we’d better get started.” She kissed him, her teeth nipping at his mouth.
His mouth and hands loved her. In the core of her body she felt the heat and pleasure of him. He was gentle and demanding.
Her legs wrapped around his waist as he drove into her moist heat. She clenched around him, quivered with the Pleasure and rightness of it.
“Mine,” he murmured, and began to move, slowly at first, then with incre
ased speed, taking her higher and higher until they shattered together.
Pressing a kiss to her cheek, he rolled to his side and hugged her possessively to him. “Better than any dream or fantasy.”
His softly murmured words touched her deeply. She angled her head up to find him looking down at her. She felt loved. The thought caused tears to crest in her eyes. She loved him.
“Did I hurt you? What’s the matter?”
Despite the lump in her throat she managed to say, “I’ve never felt this cherished before.”
His lips tenderly brushed across hers. “I wasn’t lying when I said I’d give up my life for you.”
“I know.” She sniffed. “And there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.”
He smiled. “There is one fantasy.”
“If you’ll tell me yours, I’ll tell you mine.”
Laughing, he pulled her to him, kissed her deeply, and said, “It’s a deal.”
Rafael opened the door to his house and stepped back for Nathalyia to enter. It wasn’t anything like the elegant house she lived in. It was filled with comfortable furniture and wonderful memories. He watched her face closely.
She went directly to the pictures on the end table in the family room. She picked up one of him on his bike when he was about ten. “I bet you were a handful.”
“Adventurous. Can I get you anything to drink?”
“No, thank you.” She put the picture back and faced him. “Why am I here?”
He stuck his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “You’ve never shied away from the tough questions. I’ve always liked that about you.”
She waited.
His hands came out of his pockets. “Don’t look at me as if I don’t matter,” he said.
Her eyes widened at the harshness of his voice, but she remained silent.
“I’m sorry,” Rafael said, worry creeping though him. “I’m messing this up. Please sit down. You should be sitting down.” When she didn’t move, he went to her and urged her to sit down in an overstuffed chair. Instead of moving away, he knelt.
“I want you to look at me the way you used to, as if you couldn’t wait to be alone with me.” His hand moved over his head. “I know I ruined your life.”
“What?”
“You had everything, and then I came along, thinking I knew all the answers.” He came to his feet, turned away, then went back to her. “I knew you weren’t experienced, but I went after you anyway. I wanted what I wanted.”
She folded her hands in her lap.
He knelt by her again and tilted her head up. “I didn’t realize that it went far beyond wanting until I was faced with the possibility of never having you in my life again.” He blew out a breath. “When you told me about the baby, I was shocked, then glad. I acted like a jerk when you said it wasn’t mine.”
“I’m sorry about that.”
“My fault again. Nothing used to bother me for long, but I couldn’t get past the fear that I was losing you and our baby. I never felt so helpless or afraid in my life,” he confessed. “I’ve made mistakes. I even tried to forget you by trying to date.”
She snatched her hands from his. Chuckling, he reclaimed them. “I made two dates, canceled both because my unit went out on calls, and never thought about the women again. I was miserable without you. I finally accepted that you’re the only woman for me.”
Her lips trembled.
“No crying,” he said desperately. “I’m going to keep working on you until you look at me the way you used to because I finally realized you’re my life. Without you in it, I’m just going through the motions.”
“Exactly how do you propose to do that?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Catching her around the waist, he leaned backward, taking her down with him, his lips finding hers. She felt good in his arms. “I’ve pictured you here with me—walking on the beach, sitting on the back porch, just like my parents used to.”
Her head came up, her face softened. “Your parents loved each other very much.”
“Yes, they did.” He came to his feet, pulling her with him. “I’ll take you home. You need to rest. But if you’re free tomorrow evening for an hour, I’d like you to go with me. Barron is coming home and some of us plan to drop by for a small homecoming party.”
“I’d like that.”
“Great. I almost forgot.” He went to a drawer and pulled out an oblong wrapped box. “You’ll need this.”
She frowned at the pink wrapping paper and white silk bow. He grinned. “Open it.”
She slid the ribbon off. Her eyes widened. “Dominoes.”
“It was on your list, remember? You can play when you come for Sunday dinners. This Sunday Helen and Maureen will draw straws to see where we’re having Thanksgiving dinner. Cooking for all of us would be too much for Brianna, and Celeste is busy planning the wedding. If Maureen wins, I’d like for you to go to Charleston with me. We can ride up with Sam and Helen. If Helen wins, I can pick you up.”
“You want me to have Sunday dinner with you and spend Thanksgiving with you?”
“Not just this Sunday, but every Sunday you can make it. We’re flying to Houston for the wedding. I checked flights this afternoon,” he told her. “I know the restaurant is closed Christmas Eve so we could go up on the twenty-third. The rest of the family will already be there. We all want you there with us.”
“You want me to be a part of your family celebration?”
“You are a part of the family. One more thing. Wait here.” He returned from the kitchen with a bag of cotton candy. “This is for you.”
He was telling her and showing her that he wanted her to be a part of his life. He’d be there. Opening the bag, she bit into the confection, tasted the sticky sweetness that evaporated almost instantly on her tongue.
“Want a bite?” she asked, feeling absolutely giddy.
“Always.” His mouth nibbled on hers, licked, teased, then nudged her hand with the cotton candy to her mouth. She took another bite, aware of the slight tingling in her breasts that radiated downward. His tongue swirled over her lips, exploring and tasting. By the time she finished eating the cotton candy and he finished licking it away, her body hummed and burned.
“I planned to take you home,” he said, his breath loud, his gaze boring into hers.
He was giving her a choice. She studied his face, then her hands went to the buttons of his shirt. “I’d rather stay here and you can work on me.”
“Nathalyia.” Picking her up, he carried her to his bedroom. He rained soft kisses over her face. She leaned into him and circled her arms around his neck. His mouth settled over hers again, his tongue thrusting deep into her mouth, wanting her to feel the passion, the pleasure.
With a soft moan she opened for him. He hungrily took her offering. Need pulsed though him. His nostrils flared. He breathed in her unique fragrance and felt at peace for the first time since she’d told him she was pregnant.
The kiss deepened. Her heart pounded. Her breasts grew heavy and ached for his touch, his mouth.
She had missed the warmth and security of his arms. His tongue teased and tangled with hers. Excitement and need ran hot though her veins. She heard the rasp of the zipper at the back of her skirt and shivered with anticipation. How she had missed him, missed this. The skirt pooled at her feet and she stepped out of it. Her black lacy bra fell next.
Kneeling before her, he kissed her quivering stomach and laid the side of his face over the place where their child was growing. “I’ll always be here for you and our child.”
Tears crested in her eyes. “I know.” He didn’t know any other way. He was giving her all he could. She’d try not to be greedy and want his love as well.
Leaning back, he stared up at her. His gaze was tender and hungry. Her shivering grew worse. Lowering his head, he kissed the part of her that ached for him. Her feminine core clenched with burning need. She gripped his shoulders to steady herself.
His thumbs h
ooked into the top elastic of her lace panties and drew them down and over her feet. His hot, possessive gaze slid over her. He came to his feet. “You’re all that I desire.”
Her breath caught in her throat. He meant every breathless word. She felt loved and wanted. It was enough. Her hand touched his cheek. “You’re all that I desire.”
His breathing turned harsh. He quickly dispensed with his clothes, all the time his searing gaze on her. “Let me show you.”
His mouth fastened on hers, his tongue gliding over hers as his hands did the same with her body. They were skin to skin, heart to heart. His fingers caressed the arch of her back, the slope of her shoulders, the roundness of her hips. Everywhere he touched, she wanted more. He brought pleasure and need.
Lifting his head long enough to toss back the bedcovers, he lay down with her, his mouth and hands intent on loving her. He didn’t plan to leave one inch of her silken body untouched, unloved.
Nudging her legs open, he moved over her and stared down into her desire dazed eyes. “You will always come first with me.”
With one sure thrust he joined them. She clenched around him. Nothing had ever felt so perfect, so right. She met him thrust for thrust. Wave after wave of exquisite pleasure rippled through them. The tempo built. She spasmed. He followed.
Murmuring his name, she pressed a kiss to the side of his neck. He felt her even breathing and knew she had gone to sleep. Rolling over, he kissed her face and her hair and then fitted her precious body against his. His family. He was going to keep them exactly where they were.
Nathalyia woke up in Rafael’s arms. For a moment, she thought she was dreaming until she felt his erection nudging her stomach. She giggled. “I see you plan to work on me some more.”
Laughing, he rolled on top of her. “You know I believe in practice, practice.” He ran his fingertip over her lower lip. “For a while I didn’t think I’d see you smile, hear you laugh, or make love to you again.”
Her hand palmed his cheek. “I didn’t either. You were right. I was scared. After you left, I figured out what’s important. I love Fontaine, but I love the baby and you more.”