* * * *
Sarah spent the next day in the hospital, and when the doctor gave her the okay, Bridget had taken care of everything. She made sure that all of her medical records were sealed and even went as far to have all those on the floor to sign a confidentiality agreement. Concealing her departure with a fine-tooth comb, no one knew anything, thought anything, or assumed anything as Bridget ushered Sarah out of the hospital. She even had the hotel cordoned off as she swept Sarah through the lobby doors. No reporter could get within a hundred yards of her. Sarah had to admit, she did her job very well. As she helped her upstairs to the penthouse, Bridget walked her through the double doors and handed her the room key and wasted no time barking orders.
“Okay, doc says you’re to take it easy. No moving around, just relaxing. She said you can lie down all you want, but you can only sit for an hour or so. I will have your medicine brought up as soon as it arrives. I have removed all the phones in the suite and the televisions. That was Mark’s idea, not mine,” she said, rolling her eyes, and continued.
“I made sure there are plenty of books for you to read, and here,” she said, handing her a new iPod. “Mark has assured me that you will like the selection. Also, I took the liberty and had some clothes brought over from Remington’s. Don’t worry, Rem is real good at what he does and very discreet.
“Now, Mark won’t be back until later tonight, and he is under strict orders to go directly to bed when he gets home. So please don’t allow him to finagle you into talking all night. Oh, before I forget, Mark wanted me to give you this,” Bridget said, grabbing a new BlackBerry out of her bag. “I don’t know why he wants you to have one since you don’t even like them, but here ya go. Now, if you need anything, I am speed dial two, and butthead is number one. If I don’t answer right away, it’s because I am yelling at my own butthead.” She smiled.
Sarah stood and watched her fly about the room, making sure everything was as she wanted it, and then head to the door. “Shit, I almost forgot. Bucky wants you to call him when you’re settled, but don’t tell Mark I told you. He will rip my head off. Okay.” And with that, she left.
Sarah looked around the large penthouse suite and was not surprised. The rooms were beautifully decorated, only the best for him. She figured it was what he was used to, and as she walked around, she admired the expensive Louis Vuitton couches, the Tiffany lamps, and the exquisite oriental rugs. Everything shined and sparkled. There was an adequate kitchen off to the left, stocked with everything she could ever need. There was a small office down the hall that looked like something right out of an old English library. With the dark bookshelves and mahogany desk, the room was warm and inviting. She continued down the hall and walked into the bedroom.
“Oh dear lord,” she whispered as her eyes were drawn to the large California king bed. It was huge. She could sleep for weeks and never touch the same spot twice. The silky yellow-and-purple comforter was hand stitched with little rosettes, and a soft white shag rug lay under the bed. The curtains, made of the same material, pooled at the floor, allowing the bright sun to shine into the room. It was magnificent.
She walked over to the closet and opened the doors to find his clothes hanging off to one side, all lined up and neatly pressed. As her hands moved across his clothes, she could smell him. She noticed the clothes that Bridget had ordered for her and was surprised to find out that they were all casual, and made for comfort. She smiled and reminded herself to thank Bridget later.
Sarah was exhausted, and as she looked back at that bed, she couldn’t help herself. She walked over and pulled back the covers, sat down, and kicked off her shoes. Removing her jeans was a little harder, as she had to bend over, which caused her some pain. She managed to remove her bra and decided it wasn’t worth it and left the oversized Rebels sweatshirt on. Climbing into the big bed, she sank into heaven. Even if she wanted to, she couldn’t keep her eyes open one more minute.
* * * *
Mark walked into the hotel a little after nine that night, and he was aching all over. All he wanted was a hot shower and a soft bed. Lazily, he strolled through the lobby when Bridget met him at the elevator doors. She stood aside and let him pass and then pressed the penthouse button and waited for the doors to close.
“How is she?” he asked, leaning against the elevator walls.
“She’s sleeping.”
“Has she eaten anything?”
“Not since before we left the hospital. I had dinner brought up for her, but she didn’t eat. I did wake her to make sure she took her meds, but then she went right back to sleep.”
“Okay.”
“Mark, is there something you want to tell me?” Bridget said, looking right at him.
“No, why?”
“Since when does a woman who took a spill in a lake need prenatal vitamins?” she questioned.
“Maybe the doc thought she needed the extra boost to her immunity.” He smiled.
“I’ll give you boost, and you won’t like where my foot lands! When were you going to tell me? Didn’t you think that was something I needed to know? Seriously, how can I do my job effectively if you keep information from me?” she ranted. “Does she even know?”
“Yes, she knows.”
“The press is going to have a field day when gets out.”
“Well, if you would lower your voice, they won’t get wind of it. So keep it to yourself,” he said, getting angry. He was so relieved when the doors opened and he could escape from her ranting. He walked past her and entered the penthouse and closed the door.
The room was dark as he made his way toward the bedroom. He didn’t even bother turning on the light, and walked over to her and smiled as he saw her sleeping peacefully. Leaning over, he kissed her head.
It didn’t take him long to remove his clothes and jump in the shower. When he was done, he found himself climbing into the bed, pulling her close into him. Closing his eyes, he thanked God once again that she was okay. He knew he couldn’t imagine his life anymore without her. There wasn’t anything in this world he wouldn’t do for her. He wanted to protect her, to make her feel safe and loved.
He could feel the soft movements of her breath as she slept within his arms. “I love you,” he whispered.
* * * *
Sarah didn’t say anything as she lay there next to him. She had heard him come in, and she didn’t even flinch when he moved her closer to him. She welcomed the warmth of his body and loved the feel of him as he wrapped his arms around her.
The whole day she allowed Bridget to come in and order her around, waking her to take her medicine, trying to insist that she eat, and even taking her calls for her. She knew that she was doing it because Mark had asked her to, so she never complained.
Sarah wanted so desperately to reach out to him and say those words, but she couldn’t. She wanted to touch him, to love him, but she was scared. She had so much she wanted to say to him. To tell him that her sun and moon rose within his eyes, to give him all the love she felt inside.
Living in her own world for so long, distancing herself from any form of affection or love, she just couldn’t allow herself to say the words.
God yes, she loved this man.
She would walk the earth just for one single kiss, one hug, and one soft embrace, but to give herself freely meant that she would have to open herself to the possibility of heartbreak and loss. She wouldn’t be able to handle it if something happened to him, to not have him there when she woke up. She knew it would be the last straw, and she would finally break.
Her whole life she had become accustomed to loss. First it was her parents, then her career, then William. When Mark left her in England, he inadvertently hurt her. After getting used to wiping her own tears away and trying to prove to herself that she didn’t need anyone, the pain of moving on became less and less. She made herself believe that if she distanced herself, the hurt wouldn’t matter. She wasn’t so sure anymore.
A single tear fell from he
r face, and she wished, oh God, she wished she could just say what was in her heart. She wanted to so badly.
“Don’t cry, baby. I can love enough for the both of us,” he softly whispered as he wiped away the lonely tear.
He knew.
The shock floored her.
She knew he was smart, but he had managed where others hadn’t, and he had finally broken through that damn wall she built to find a helpless, scared woman who ran from love. Sarah was just too afraid to let herself get close to anyone, in fear that they would leave.
She spent the majority of her life running from people, never settling long enough to get comfortable. She thought as he held her, how much more could she take before she finally broke and just gave in?
When he met her in England, she was so removed from reality, she never allowed herself to get close. But deep down, she knew he had broken through the façade she portrayed.
That one night, she allowed her true self to emerge. Even if only for a little bit, she allowed herself to feel love once again, and in that moment they had created something divine. Then, after the fight with his brother when he took her into his arms and kissed her, she responded to his touch. She knew he felt it when she kissed him back. She had so many scars that were not going to go away easily. She had to realize that and come to terms with it. Because if she didn’t, she knew he would not be able to help her.
She knew he loved her deeply and did want to be with her, but she had to find the courage to meet him halfway. She was not the only one who had scars and demons. He fought them every day, too, but he was learning how to deal with them. Hers would always be there, hidden behind some door in her head waiting to emerge once again, but until that happened, she tried to live life as best as she could.
“Sarah,” he said softly, trying to get her attention. She wasn’t listening. She was crying. He tried again this time, turning her face to his. “Sarah.”
“Yes.”
“Do you love me?” he asked. His expression softened as her crying increased. Mark couldn’t take it anymore, she was so close, so warm. With his finger under her chin, he lifted her face again and leaned down and kissed her lips.
It was a passionate kiss, a kiss between two lost souls, one of acceptance and joy. Her warm lips moved softly across his, tasting him once again. He was intoxicating and gentle. She returned the kiss with all the passion she had within her, and something inside her woke.
The windows blew open, and the bright sun shined. She felt like she was being pulled into the warmth. Giving into the feeling, she succumbed to it, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him into her as she deepened the kiss.
Sarah was taken aback at the emotional release and held him tighter, as his soul met her halfway. She parted her lips, welcoming him into her warm mouth.
He sighed. So did she.
The moment their tongues touched, a million bursts of light flowed through her, and she gave herself freely to him. She needed him now more than ever. Slowly moving her hands across his body, she needed to feel him, to once again have him beneath her fingertips.
Shifting toward him, she leaned herself into him, exploring his body as if it was the first time, memorizing every curve, every muscle, every detail.
She loved that Mark was a gentle and patient lover, allowing her to discover what she truly felt for him. Helping her to remove his shirt that she wore, she bared herself to him. Her taut nipples ached as he lowered his mouth to them. Her body reacting to him from the slightest touch, she gasped, “Oh my.”
“Just feel, my love.”
She shivered as he took her nipple into his mouth, tickling it with his tongue.
She purred in pleasure. The sound, foreign to her, drove him forward as he nipped and lightly bit.
Sarah arched her back, giving him better access as she began to grind her pelvis against his hard cock. She was in heaven and with no intention of returning as she moved her hands down his chest. She wanted to be closer to him, to feel all of him, every pleasurable inch of him.
As if reading her mind, Mark took her mouth once again and pulled her closer to him as he moved gently between her legs, never allowing the weight of his body to fall on hers. Her hand trailed down his back and cupped his firm ass as she raked her nails into him.
“Ahh,” he moaned in pleasure.
Sarah leaned into him, pressing her breasts against his chest as his tongue entered her mouth once again. Without warning, she reached between them and took a hold of his strong shaft, slowly stroking him with her soft touch.
He groaned, “Fuck, baby…that feels good.”
His cock was hard and pulsed in her hand as she caressed it. Her thumb moved over the head as pre-cum leaked from its tip. Her pussy wept as his mouth moved to her sensitive neck. He was stroking the fires within her as he loved on her body.
Raising her leg slowly, she placed the head of his cock at her wet entrance, and sighed as he slid slowly into her slick channel.
“Oh, fuck,” he moaned, slipping deep into her wet cunt. “Damn, baby, I love fucking you.”
Sarah smiled as she took his mouth, kissing him with all that she had as he slowly began to move within her. He took his time as she let him set the pace.
The slow motion was graceful, like a slow dance, as he moved to the music of her heart.
“More, I need more,” she whimpered. “Fuck me harder, please. I need more.” He was playing her too slowly.
* * * *
Mark could feel her pace quicken as she moved around him, and he welcomed the change as his own desires for her were also increasing. Rolling her, he held her hips as she was now grinding away on his throbbing cock. Letting her set the rigorous pace, he just held on to her hips as he pumped upward into her. Her moans became louder as he quickened the dance. “That’s it, baby. Take what you want. Fuck my cock hard. Feel it deep in your pussy.”
She was a vision to behold. The look of pure indulgence on her face, the sheen of her sweaty body, and her soft moans egged him on. God, he loved fucking this woman. She was so expressive, giving everything she had in her just to pleasure him.
Cupping her breasts, he pinched and twisted her nipples, eliciting cries of pleasure from her sensuous lips. “Come on, baby, let go for me. Come, Sarah, come now!”
And just like that, her tight pussy convulsed, spasming in wave after wave around his hard cock. The sensation of her pussy throbbing and milking his cock was his undoing. He was lost within himself under a warm blanket of stars. He watched as they all converged to the center. Then with one last moan, his star burst into a million shooting stars all around him as he, too, came hard, shooting his seed deep within her.
Exhausted, Sarah fell against him, panting hard, and barely whispered, “I do love you.”
Finally, she said those three words he longed to hear.
He held her tightly and wept with joy.
Chapter 17
Sarah woke the next morning, comfortably wrapped in Mark’s arms. Though the sun was barely up, he still slept. Leaning over, she kissed his cheek and gently got out of the bed. She grabbed his robe and put it on as she closed the bedroom doors behind her.
Morning was her favorite time of day. As the world still slumbered, not yet ready to wake, she opened the windows in the suite, letting out the soft smells of the morning dew that had washed away all the aromas of yesterday, ready to start a fresh. The early morning melodies of softly swaying trees, the whistles of the wind, and the soft chirps of early birds were music to her ears. It was magical, and she loved it.
Sarah made a fresh pot of coffee and was about to go wake Mark when a knock at the door surprised her. Looking at the clock, she noticed it was only six seventeen in the morning. Shaking her head, she knew there was one person on this planet that would bother her this early in the morning. Smiling, she opened the door and said, “Good morning, Bucky.”
“Hey, honey, took a chance that you would be up.”
“Come on in. Want a cup
of coffee?”
“Sure. Hey, I brought some of the boys. Do you mind?”
“Nope.”
“Okay, guys, you can set up over there.” Sarah turned and noticed that Bucky had brought some of her old band members and several instruments.
“Bucky, what are you doing? Mark is sleeping. We can’t do this here.”
“Hey, that Bridget woman has gotten on my last nerve. Blame her. She said there was no way you could get to the studio, so I did some research and did you know, the Big Papa John actually recorded his last album right here in this very room. So I figured if he could, so could you. That way if you need to relax, you could. Besides, the championship game is tomorrow, and we need to practice.”
“I don’t think Mark is going to like this.”
“He can get over it. Come on, you and I will have a cup of joe, and the boys can get set up. If it doesn’t work, then we can go back to the studio, okay.” Bucky smiled.
Sarah just smiled. She knew that Bucky knew she wouldn’t complain. She was always too easy and too giving, too easy to appease.
It took almost thirty minutes for the boys to get set up, all while Sarah just sat at the table and watched Bucky bark orders. With the boys all set, Bucky handed her the new sheet music and smiled. “We’re going old school, honey.”
“Are you serious? These songs have all been done before,” she said, worried.
“Yeah they have, but none by a sultry voice such as yours. You just put that spin on them that you do, and my gut is telling me that we are going to have another platinum record on our hands.”
Sarah was going through the sheet music and sighed over some of them, but when she got to the last one she looked up at Bucky, who just conveniently started looking at the ceiling and whistling.
The Texas Rebel [The Armstrong Brothers of Cedar Creek 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 22