WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN
Page 13
He kissed the underside of her chin, the delicate hollows of her throat, then elicited a giggle when he nipped her earlobe. Laughter was returning more easily to her now. Along with a sultry sensuality that was unaffected, completely natural, and therefore devastating.
He concentrated on making those giggles turn to moans as the moonlight whispered around them … and the past shouted to be heard.
* * *
The gentle splash of water tumbled around them, scented with Barbara's magnolia bath salts. The oversize Jacuzzi tub was perfect for two, and Kenneth was glad she'd indulged in the luxury. Especially as he watched her dip her head forward, then back, allowing a flicker of candlelight to play over her face. The motion created shadow, then light. It was erotic. Hypnotic. And sensuous beyond his dreams.
She reached toward one candle in wonder, her face still flushed with arousal. "I can't believe you did all this. Warm, scented water. Candles. Are you sure you're for real?"
His body sidled toward hers, proving just how real. He was rewarded with a small gasp of pleasure.
"Oh, yes, Gerrard. Very, very real."
Rather than pulling her from the tub and disregarding the bed for the inviting rug that lay close by, Kenneth picked up a soft washcloth. Her eyes shimmered and her mouth curved into an O as though of its own accord when he leisurely soaped her shoulders, then teased the length of skin on her rib cage.
However, her telling flush returned as he carefully soaped each breast, making the nipples pout for equal attention. But it was the telltale pulse at her throat that did him in. Especially when she reached out her hands, delicately searching. Gratefully finding.
It was all he could do not to take her then. Instead, he turned her around, seeing the surprise on her face as he did so. Then he cradled her between his legs, his chest to her back, his hands traveling over the curve of her hips.
"You have nice ideas, Gerrard," she murmured, leaning down to kiss the back of his hand.
It was a sweet, touching gesture and he felt the lump in his throat grow suddenly.
"You're always saying I don't know you that well, Counselor. But the truth is you really don't know me."
Her laugh was gentle as she dipped her fingers into the water and watched it splay onto his forearm. "I know all I need to." Her hands stilled for a moment. "I also know I've trespassed every professional boundary I've ever set for myself." She twisted around, placing her fingers over his lips, her eyes pleading with him to agree. "But I don't want to talk about that now."
He clenched his jaw, knowing how great his own need to talk was, but her expression told him it would be lunacy to do so now. Instead, he reached up to twirl his finger in the curl that draped beguilingly over her forehead. The rest of her hair was piled high on her head, precariously held in place by a single barrette, except for a few tendrils that curled softly near her temples.
Why couldn't she have been ugly, with a houseful of bratty kids and an obnoxious husband? Why did she have to be so damn beautiful?
She swept her thick lashes downward and he remembered that tiny touch of shyness she'd once possessed. Now it was caught up in charm and intelligence, hidden in the wealth of confidence she had acquired. Then she'd been a girl. Now she was a woman.
A complicated woman.
Her fingers were trailing over his thighs, lingering behind his knees, then traveling down his calves. The movement jangled his thoughts. His nerves. His sanity.
When she began the journey again, he stood up, pulling her along with him.
Stepping out of the tub, he reached for her and carried her into the bedroom, ignoring the puddle of water they splashed onto the floor. Wet footprints trailed behind them in the lush pile carpeting. He considered grabbing a towel, then decided against it.
Despite the cool air that greeted them, the lure of water-slickened bodies was too great. The need to unite wet, naked flesh sent them tumbling onto the bed, the polished cotton of the sheets abrading already-sensitized skin.
They came together quickly this time, disregarding tenderness. Greed outweighed gentleness. Passion overruled sensibility.
Moving together as though in practiced ease, Kenneth reached beneath her, lifting her buttocks in his hands to bring her closer. She arched toward him greedily, her long legs muscled and strong as they wrapped around him.
The sheen of moisture made her breasts slide against his chest in a sinuous dance. Catching his breath, he wondered if there had ever been another woman like her.
And knew there hadn't been.
She was the true original. He'd simply mastered his duplicity. She reached for him and he relinquished the thought, knowing only that they had now. Perhaps no more.
But there was now.
* * *
Barbara sat primly in her chair at the plaintiff's table. She felt Kenneth's approach and smelled the distinctive tang of his cologne before she heard him. Grateful that her client hadn't arrived yet, she slanted a smile toward Kenneth.
"You're looking mighty pleased with yourself this morning, Counselor."
"I took some good advice, Gerrard."
A corner of his mouth lifted in a grin. "What was that?"
"That I loosen up and drop my briefs."
His grin broadened. "Then I'll have to concentrate on more advice."
She gave in to the urge to flirt shamelessly. "Why? Weren't you satisfied with your first advice?"
Watching his breathing deepen, the tick in his jaw flare to life, she smiled.
"I don't know. Perhaps we should repeat the first round so I can make a better determination."
She felt some of his heat reach her. The linen of her tailored suit suddenly seemed stifling. At this rate, it was going to be a long day in court. Glancing around to make certain they were alone, she lowered her voice. "I found Hershey's Kisses instead of cereal in my Cheerios box this morning."
"Must be a new marketing strategy," he replied easily.
She met his eyes, making her own sultry. "Works for me."
He glanced pointedly at their surroundings. "You trying to torture me, Counselor?"
"Could be, Gerrard."
"Today will take forever, you know."
She shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant although silently agreeing with him. "Maybe we can manage a few minutes alone."
"What do you suggest? That we go to the storage room and take inventory of each other?"
She felt the heat of a flush building in her cheeks. It was ridiculous at her age to be embarrassed, but the truth was she'd like nothing better than to escape with him.
"Actually, I was thinking about lunch," she replied, twirling a pen between her fingers.
But he was shaking his head regretfully. "Can't. I have to meet with the board at Bakewell."
Her eyebrows lifted.
"Don't go all paranoid." He leaned forward, lowering his voice to a confidential whisper. "I'm not going there to reveal all your secrets – like the fact that you're ticklish behind one knee and not the other." He trailed his fingers over her wrist. "It's just a progress report. But tonight—"
"I have a cooking class," she interrupted, just remembering at that moment, thinking at the same time she could cancel the class. Swallowing, she regretfully moved her wrist away, knowing she had to stop his assault on her senses. It wouldn't do to forget they were in the courtroom.
"I can think of something to cook up," he replied, his expression conveying the temperature of his thoughts.
"You could go with me," she improvised, remembering she'd promised to attend and share a special recipe with one of her classmates. "And then we'd have the rest of the evening together."
"Bribery?"
"If it works, Gerrard."
"Something I'd better not let my client know," he replied dryly.
Glancing up, Barbara saw her own client headed their way. And from the expression on his face, it was clear Mr. Delight was wondering why she was having such a cozy chat with opposing counsel.
"But—"
"Later," she whispered anxiously.
Kenneth glanced up and saw Pete Delight dosing in on them. Nodding, he moved to his own chair.
Mr. Delight frowned as he sat down heavily. "I didn't know we were negotiating for a settlement."
Barbara felt a clench of apprehension, especially since she hadn't given the case a moment's thought in the past twelve hours. "We're still in place for the trial, Mr. Delight."
"I'd hoped so, with the splash in today's papers, but just now you and Mr. Gerrard didn't look to be on opposite sides."
"It's only on television that the lawyers are slicing and dicing each other every moment. It's smarter to do business when you can be civil with the other side."
He slanted a glance at her. "Is that advice for my benefit, little lady? After my brawl with Matthews?" Mr. Delight gingerly patted his side. "I can still feel your last subtle hint."
She kept her tone purposely even, free of expression. "Be assured that your legal representation is as sharp as ever."
"Better be, little lady. If my case is compromised, you will be, too."
Compromised. The word rang in her conscience. Although used to threats, idle or otherwise, from self-important clients, Barbara wasn't accustomed to feeling the spurt of guilt that said she'd blurred the lines between professional and personal. Even though she'd questioned herself, demanded strict guidelines, she hadn't expected to be reprimanded by her client.
Certain after last night that she could control both aspects, now she wondered. Warmed until a moment ago by the memory of the previous evening, now Mr. Delight's words chilled her.
Glancing over at Kenneth, she doubted she could relinquish her relationship with him. At the same time, she wondered if she could sacrifice a career-making case.
Should she resign from the case? And who would benefit? She would be costing both the client and her firm. No other attorneys in her firm were prepared to step in and take over for her. It had taken months of preparation to acquaint herself with the issues, to know them as well as she knew… Her thoughts scattered suddenly. As well as she was beginning to know Kenneth.
You said "no" once before, an inner voice warned. What did that get you?
Regret.
Cold and lonely, regret spun insidiously, endlessly. It was part of why she'd turned to Kenneth. Why she considered giving up everything else that was important to her.
The clerk called for the court to rise as the judge entered, his robes billowing as he strode to the bench. Carefully Barbara filed her thoughts away. Mentally compartmentalizing them – one of her greatest strengths as an attorney. Realizing as she did that it was no longer an easy task.
* * *
Barbara was still quiet as they entered the cooking school. She'd noticed Kenneth's concerned glances, but she hadn't revealed the thoughts that had plagued her all day. Even confiding them to him would be compromising her client. It was an untenable position, she realized. One she still wasn't sure how to resolve.
To his credit, Kenneth hadn't plagued her with questions, seeming to tune in to her reflective mood.
Chatter, along with the sound of spoons hitting bowls and knives being sharpened, traveled down the corridor. The pungent aroma of chopped onion and garlic competed with fresh basil and rosemary. The sizzle of pure butter and rich olive oil greeted them, as well.
"Are we late, Counselor?"
"No, some people come early to try out their new recipes before class. The teacher doesn't mind – it's a great way to get the onions chopped ahead of time." She smiled, thinking that this class had once been the highlight of her week. Now it seemed like a distraction, despite the burdens weighing heavily on her mind.
He tweaked her nose, then slid an arm around her waist. "Good to see you smiling. Looked like you were carrying around a Tonka truck full of cement."
She did smile then, not a full smile, but she couldn't shed her worries that easily. "Only a Tonka toy truck?"
"I'd hate to see you buried under half a ton of cement. Might mess up that razor-sharp lady lawyer look."
Frowning, she glanced down at her suit. "I can't always ditch my occupation when it's convenient."
Kenneth whistled. "Whoa. Hit a nerve, I see."
"Barbara! You've got to taste this! It's my best effort yet!" An elf of a man, all white hair and whiskers, stood expectantly just inside the door, beaming with anticipation and pride. He held out a tasting spoon.
"Tony!" Barbara turned distracted eyes from Kenneth to her classmate – one of her favorites, the one she'd promised the recipe to. "Great to see you. Let me introduce Kenneth Gerrard."
The two men shook hands around the spoon.
Barbara shared her smile with both men. "Kenneth would love to taste your newest creation, wouldn't you, Kenneth?"
She had the distinct impression that he was gritting his teeth, but his mouth eased into a smile. "I'd be privileged, Tony."
Kenneth took the spoon. Barbara watched and waited.
Kenneth tasted, swallowed, then blanched. His face twisted before he managed to look duly appreciative. She suspected it took quite an effort for him not to shudder. While Tony was an enthusiastic cook, his imaginative combination of spices and foods such as garlic-and basil-seasoned Apple Bake could be pure torture. Thinking about the last time she'd been his guinea pig made her wince for Kenneth.
"Thanks, Tony." Kenneth slanted her a telling glance. "And you, too, Barbara."
She suspected he intended to return the favor, but then they were swept into the class. The instructor asked the students to take their places. A general buzz ensued as greetings were exchanged, aprons donned and stations readied.
Confident and remarkably at ease, Kenneth took his place next to Barbara, offering the teacher a smile that had her obviously melting.
Suzanne Sims, the instructor, was an attractive woman in her early fifties who tried valiantly to look forty. Her blond hair was a touch too platinum to be real. But she exercised regularly, keeping her voluptuous figure in shape, despite the delicacies she sampled in her cooking classes. And it was clear she fancied the new addition to the class.
"Barbara, would you like to introduce your friend?" Suzanne purred, never taking her gaze from Kenneth.
Making the perfunctory introductions, Barbara suddenly saw Kenneth through the teacher's eyes. Glancing around, she noticed a healthy amount of interest on the part of most of the female students, as well. Slanting a glance at Kenneth, she realized that he recognized the attention. And he was enjoying it.
In fact, he winked at Suzanne as he smiled broadly. Barbara felt a slow burn building and recognized the emotion with surprise. She was jealous because other women were showing interest in Kenneth!
He tipped his head just then, granting her a private smile that said his only interest was in her. And the swoosh of relief that hit her stomach made it clear that her feelings for him were growing, leaping and spinning out-of-bounds.
Suzanne clapped her hands together. "Let's get started." She ticked off items on her fingers. "Bowls, knives…" Her voice trailed off momentarily. "Mr. Gerrard, you can take the station next to mine. Otherwise you won't be able to participate. And I'm sure that Barbara wants you to enjoy your evening with us."
Shrugging, Kenneth disguised his smile as he moved toward the front of the room. Barbara fumed silently, but dutifully pulled out a mixing bowl from beneath her station. Tony passed her a plate of chopped onions, garlic, leeks and celery.
"Thanks," she managed to mutter.
The older man rewarded her with a thumbs-up sign, and she smiled, distracted for a moment.
As Suzanne settled into her teacher's role, she discussed the dishes they would be cooking that night. One was a chopped veal concoction that sounded suspiciously like meat loaf. As Suzanne outlined the recipes, Kenneth obl
igingly held up each ingredient, looking like an oversize, burly magician's assistant.
But the class appreciated his humor, laughing as he came up with more and more inventive ways to showcase each item. Rolling her eyes, Barbara fell in with the humor, as well. Admiring his complete lack of self-consciousness, she giggled as he brandished a zucchini as though he fenced with an invisible opponent. It was hard to believe that this was the same high-powered attorney who made his colleagues shake with fear at the thought of facing him in court. Apparently cooking school was a less formidable battleground.
That or the bedroom.
The thought popped into her head, warmed her down to her toes and then lingered to send a mellow feeling of content through her.
Just then Kenneth juggled two cantaloupes, making it appear that he held a dozen rather than the easily managed duo. Then he pretended to drop one, rescuing it at the last moment. Instead of admonishing him, Suzanne joined in with the laughter of the other students.
Barbara's own lips curved into a smile despite the riot of emotions he caused. She'd always had a weakness for the class clown. Starting with Billy. Now… Her eyes widened. In some ways, it was as though she'd recaptured Billy. Kenneth was as much of a class clown as Billy had been. Then she shook away the thought. It wasn't fair to Kenneth to continue comparing them. Especially since he was no substitute.
He grinned at her and waved.
No, Kenneth didn't need to stand-in for anyone else. She loved him for himself.
And she did.
Hopelessly, irretrievably.
When had the game turned into something deeper, richer?
Feeling her heart clutch, then open to chasm-like proportions, Barbara watched Kenneth as he continued entertaining the class. As she watched, he would turn suddenly, sending her that special, intimate smile that said his thoughts centered around her.
Suzanne simpered, the class giggled and Barbara kept falling in love. Maybe Dani had been right. Fate, destiny, whatever you wanted to call it, had handed her another chance. One she didn't have to turn down.
One she didn't want to turn down.
* * *