Redemption Rains

by A D Holland

  Embarrassed beyond belief, Elizabeth buried her face in one bare shoulder waiting for the young man to leave. Devin smelled of soap and a musky male scent that she recognized from his coat, and droplets of water still clung to his bare chest. She was not sure if it was embarrassment that burned her, or the proximity of his body.

  She resisted the temptation to take her tongue and catch the drop of water that had fallen from his damp hair and now traveled from his shoulder down his chest and over his tight stomach tangling in the patch of hair that started at his navel and disappeared into the towel. Instead, she closed her eyes and buried her head deeper, praying that she would survive without going up in flames. She missed the whole conversation between Devin and the waiter and was stunned when her “husband” stood to show the waiter out.

  With eyes still closed, she could feel Devin staring at her. “What are you doing?” he questioned.

  “I am waiting for you to go back in the bathroom, it is most improper for me to see you like that.” She was proud of the way her voice only cracked once.

  “Don’t tell me you’ve never seen a naked man?” He was incredulous. “How old are you?”

  Shocked beyond reason by this question, Elizabeth threw caution to the wind, opened her eyes, stood up, and stalked at him with fists shaking.

  “For your information buster, I have seen nude men before, several times.” It was only a little white lie; she was referring to the statues she had seen in Paris. Sticking her finger in his face she glared at him standing toe to toe, “And my age is none of your business.”

  Elizabeth’s chest was rising and falling with each angry, labored breath, drawing Devin’s gaze. With an eyebrow arched high, he took her hand and with a little jerk he pulled her into contact with his hard, damp chest. Visibly flinching, Elizabeth raised her head to glare into his smoldering blue eyes. She was so close she could feel his hot breath on her face as he spoke.

  “You surprise me Elizabeth,” his voice was silky smooth. “Exactly how many men have you seen naked?”

  She tried to avert her gaze, but Devin grabbed her chin with his free hand and pulled her lips closer to his. She saw his nostrils flare, the pulse beating in his jaw and felt his ragged breath bringing his hard body in closer contact with her soft curves.

  “Why do you want to know?” she whispered.

  “Because, for some reason I don’t believe that the prim, proper virgin that you are has ever been in such close contact with a man. Am I wrong?” He searched her gaze and she hoped that he could not read her feelings there.

  “No,” he said triumphantly. “I can see that I am not.”

  Elizabeth nervously licked her dry lips. His eyes followed the progress of her tongue with fascination. He leaned forward and tentatively ran his tongue along her trembling lips. As she opened her mouth to protest, Devin deepened the kiss, delving into the recesses of her mouth with his probing tongue.

  The protest died in her throat and was replaced with a small groan of surrender as she leaned further into his frame, molding her soft flesh to his hard one. He released her chin and trailed his hand across her jaw and down her throat stopping at the pulse that beat there. She was melting. Never before had she ever experienced such pleasure.

  Devin released her mouth following the path his hand had just taken; he placed soft moist kisses along her skin. Devin placed her and against his smooth chest. She could feel the beat of his heart tattooing a hectic rhythm that matched her own. He laid his hand on the soft curve of her breast briefly before he reached for the buttons of her blouse. One by one he undid them. As the material parted, he pulled his head back and gazed down at her.

  In a panic, Elizabeth tried to pull away but Devin stopped her, shaking his head. “They are beautiful, don’t try and hide them from me.” His voice was husky and his eyes were dark with passion.

  As he leaned down and placed his lips on the flesh just above the creamy lace material of her bra, Elizabeth shuddered. Feeling her knees go weak she wrapped her arms around his neck. His flesh burned under her fingertips. Elizabeth was past the point of thinking sensibly as she let her fingers trail through his crisp, dark hair. She never thought she would experience this passion with anyone and was shocked when he placed his mouth over her nipple and suckled it through the material. Heat radiated through her body, clouding her mind. She buried her hands deeper in his hair trying to pull him closer.

  “Devin,” she moaned. He released her breast and returned to her lips, devouring them like a man starving. Elizabeth's knees gave way with passion. Devin lifted her up in his arms with a satisfied groan and carried her toward the bed. His eyes were almost black with passion, as he looked into her face. His skin was flushed with the heat that matched Elizabeth's own body, the pulse beat uncontrollably in his jaw. He sat her down on the bed gently and pressed her deeper into the mattress with the weight of his own body. His legs tangled with hers. He was threading both hands through her hair as he raised his head to look at her with hooded eyes. They were so close, shoulder to shoulder, chest pressing against chest, thigh against thigh. He was so hard where she was so soft and they fit together like two spoons. Then Elizabeth felt the evidence of Devin’s arousal pressing into her stomach. She was not a child and she knew what was involved when two people made love but she was shocked at the size of him and was suddenly frightened of the pain it could cause her. She stilled in his arms, Devin felt it instantly. She could not hide the fear in her eyes from him, but instead of soothing her fear away, he lifted himself away from her and off the bed. She watched him walk away from her, tightening the towel around his waist.

  "I think that after that display I have proved my virgin theory true, Miss Windsor," his voice was devoid of any emotion, his actions smooth and in control as if the passionate lovemaking they had just engaged in had never happened. Both his words and his actions shocked Elizabeth. Her body now chilled where heat had previously burned it. He felt nothing; it was all an act to prove he was right. She sat up on the bed, pulling a pillow in front of her like a shield.

  "What do you mean?" She didn't think that he heard her whispered question, but then he turned and looked directly at her. His face held a bored expression; his clear blue gaze was cynical.

  "I mean that I don't do virgins. They are not my type. Too much inexperience, a man has to work too hard to enjoy himself," he turned back toward the bathroom.

  "So, Miss Windsor, I guess that will be the first and last glimpse, touch or taste of this naked man." He walked into the bathroom and shut the door.

  Tears welled up in Elizabeth's eyes as the feeling of despair engulfed her. How dare he use her that way? He had no right to treat her like that. Who does he think he is? She stifled a groan as she buried her head in the pink pillow and cried so hard her body shook. After about five minutes of this self-morose, Elizabeth realized that he wouldn't be in that bathroom forever and there was no way she was going to endure his masochistic chauvinism another minute.

  She jumped off the bed and went to the closet grabbing a pair of black loose lounge pants that tied at the waist and large white cotton blouse that pulled over her head. It was collarless but the neck and the long sleeves were both lined in satin, giving it a touch of class. Elizabeth reached further into the closet and pulled out a white pair of Keds and slipped them on her bare feet. Grabbing her purse off the settee, she headed for the door, praying that Devin would not reappear until she had time to flee. Quietly she opened the door and looked out into the empty hall. She stepped out and pulled the door closed behind her with a click.

  Taking a deep breath she started walking toward the elevator. Not sure what she was doing, or where she was going; all she knew was that she had to get some space between her and Detective Kane. At least until she could sort out her feelings for this man. She should hate him, but she couldn't get past the mushy, light headed response she had to his lovemaking. She decided that she would call Samuel; if anyone could calm her down and make her feel bette
r it was her stepbrother.

  Chapter 6

  She found herself seated at a secluded booth in the bar at the back of the hotel. She had a couple of bad moments when she stepped off the elevator and was spotted by the concierge, but with a slight explanation of having to "pick up some things" at the hotel drugstore she waved the enamored little man off with a knowing smile.

  Dialing the phone the waitress had provided her, Elizabeth waited for Samuel to answer. What if he wasn't home? Should she leave a message?

  "Hello," Samuel's voice came across the line.

  "Samuel, it’s me Elizabeth," she found herself whispering.

  "Elizabeth. Where are you?” Samuel was almost shouting, afraid that someone might over hear him; Elizabeth ducked further into the dark booth.

  "Samuel, please don't shout. I just don't think I could take that right now," Elizabeth sobbed. "It has been horrible. The man who is guarding me is a brute and I am forced to share a suite with him in this resort."

  "What resort? Exactly where are?" his voice was lower but the sense of urgency was still there. "I want to know who you are with and where you are staying right now Elizabeth."

  Warmth filled her. Of course he would, he cared for her and he was finally letting it show. He was worried and wanted to protect her himself. Letting her emotions reign full for the first time in their entire relationship, Elizabeth sobbed into the phone. "Oh Samuel, I miss you so much. I have been so frightened. I don't know how much more of Devin Kane I can take."

  "Is Devin Kane the detective guarding you?" he questioned.

  "Yes, he is a brute who is only worried about seeing this Vincent Servano behind bars, no matter who it hurts," Elizabeth took a deep breath and related as much of her story to Samuel as she could, skipping over the scene that took place in the bedroom earlier. There was no need to worry Samuel more with that knowledge.

  "I don't know what to do now Samuel. I can't stay here but I am stranded except for the money Father gave me."

  "I don't want you to go anywhere." Samuel's voice was suddenly hard. "Listen to me Elizabeth; you must go back to this Detective Kane."

  "But Samuel, you don't know what he is like," Elizabeth replied. "He hates me and does everything he can to belittle me. I can't endure such treatment." She suddenly felt guilty over her sudden outburst. She was ashamed of sounding so whiny. She knew the statement was not true when she spoke it. It was not Devin’s attitude she couldn't handle, it was his body. All he had to do was look at her with those sizzling blue eyes and she melted into submission. Her shameful thoughts were interrupted by Samuel's voice, which was surprisingly cold and hard. She couldn’t remember him ever talking to her that way.

  "You will endure it for as long as you have to," Samuel's voice was relentless.

  "Samuel, you are scarring me. Please don't be that way," Elizabeth's voice broke on a sob.

  "What I am saying is that you have to endure it as long as it takes for me to get there. You should not have to be alone with that man. It is not proper and I will not stand for it."

  Elizabeth was filled with relief. She gave him the name of the resort and what suite they were in and begged him to hurry for her sake. He made her promise that she would return to the room and not leave it again until he was there and then rung off.

  She sat there for another minute or so thinking back over the conversation she just had with her stepbrother. A little voice in the back of her mind kept niggling at his reasoning for coming here. Because he loves me and has finally realized the truth and wants to protect me. Right, why was he so short with you on the phone? And he never calls you that horrible nickname. What game was he up to? Nothing, quit second-guessing yourself. She was angry with herself for letting Devin Kane, a stranger; take advantage of her and then doubting her stepbrother, whom she had loved forever. You are insane, she told herself. Elizabeth shook her head to erase the thought and turned to exit the booth. She would go back to the room and act like nothing happened and when Samuel arrived, she would demand that they leave and go somewhere else. Devin would have no choice but to leave since Samuel would threaten to blow their cover.

  Unfortunately, Elizabeth didn’t take a key with her, so when she reached her room, she was forced to knock on the door and wait for a reply. None came. She knocked harder; still no reply. What should she do? Had Devin left searching for her or was he sitting in there listening to her knock with no intention of letting her in the room? She looked up and down the hallway in confusion when she spotted the maid pushing her cart of clean linens.

  "Excuse me," E caught the maid's attention. She was an older, Hispanic woman with gray hair poking out of her uniform cap. "Pardon me, do you have a key I could barrow?" The woman looked blankly at Elizabeth. "I have locked myself out of the room and my husband sleeps so soundly that he will never hear me knocking." Elizabeth stumbled through her excuse, praying the woman would not pick up on her nervousness.

  "I am sorry Senora, but I do not understand?" the maid spoke in broken English. Frustrated Elizabeth tried to better explain.

  "My spouse is sleeping," she made a gesture of sleeping too elaborate. "I forgot my key. The door is locked." She walked to the door and turned the handle as an example. "Do you have a key?" Elizabeth pointed at the lock on the door. The maid's face lit up with understanding.

  "Of course, Senora, I have a key," smiling, the woman reached into her pocket and pulled out a ring of keys. Locating the correct one, she inserted it in the lock and turned the handle. Elizabeth released a breath of relief, thanking the kind maid as she walked through the door. With a click she closed the door behind her and was instantly aware of the silence that filled the room.

  It was dark, except for a lamp that was lit beside the bed and the light streaming out of the bathroom. Obviously the great detective left in such a hurry, he forgot to turn it off. She walked further into the room and stumbled on a towel lying in the middle of the floor. It resembled the one that Devin had been wearing around his waist earlier. Hopefully he remembered to put something on before he left the room. She cringed, imagining Devin running around with nothing but a gun. The image brought heat to her cheeks and a weakness to her knees. Angry for her reaction she threw the towel across the room and stalked into the bathroom.

  She was exhausted and could use a bath. She might as well take advantage of the fact that the detective was not here to get under her feet. She started the water in the huge garden tub. The bathroom was just as decadent as the bedroom, done in the same pink and cream colors. The marble tub was lined with a multitude of bottles full of oils and bubble bath. Deciding to splurge, Elizabeth poured half a bottle of the bubble bath in the water. She walked back into the bedroom to retrieve fresh under wear and something to sleep in. For the first time she realized that all she had with her was the sexy lingerie Margery had bought her. She searched through the drawer and located a long silky nightgown in a dark evergreen color. The spaghetti straps’ crises-crossed along the back, which plunged low; The front was nearly as bad, with little laces tying the front panel together and ending far lower than Elizabeth cared for. As consolation, she grabbed the matching peignoir, made from the same material of evergreen. It had long flowing sleeves and the buttons reached all the way to her neck. She would be covered sufficiently in this, and more than likely be under the covers before the detective returned.

  Elizabeth disrobed and stepped into the tub. It was so nice to soak in a bath. She felt the tension from the past two days ebb out of her muscles as she relaxed back into the bubbles and rested her head against the wall. Within minutes she had drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

  The sound of the bathroom door crashing against the wall brought Elizabeth out of her deep sleep. Water splashed over the edge of the tub and flowed onto the floor. Standing in the doorway was Devin. Jaw working, nostrils flaring, Elizabeth knew without guessing that he was angry but her mind could not think past the fact that he had just burst in on her as she lay naked in the tub. Glanc
ing down, she strategically maneuvered the remaining bubbles to cover her. She realized she must have been sleeping for quite a while since most of the bubbles had dissolved and the hot water had grown cold causing chill bumps to rise on her skin.

  “Detective Kane, you will leave this room at once," she spoke like a princess ordering a servant. "You have over stepped yourself here." Elizabeth was frantically trying to keep the shrinking bubbles in place. The command did not have the desired effect though and she cowered in the corner of the large tub as Devin marched up to her and bent over, placing his hands on either side of her head. This brought his stony glare into direct contact with her disdainful one.

  "I have had enough of your Royal Highness act," he did not raise his voice, he didn't have to. The look in his eyes alone caused Elizabeth to shrink further into the water, hoping she would either disappear or drown and bring her out of this misery.

  "I don't know what you thought you were doing when you walked out of this room two hours ago lady, but if you do that again," he drew close enough she could see the tiny lines that etched his eyes. "I will turn you over my knee and give you the beating you deserve. Do you understand me?" he waited for her response, not moving a muscle except for the little twitch in his jaw. She had noticed that when he was especially angry this happened and she stared at it in amazement. His hot breath blew across her face and she looked at his lips drawn in a tight line. She remembered how silky soft his full lips were when he had been kissing her. She frowned. Those beautiful lips were so hard and uncompromising now. For a split second she was tempted to run her tongue along the edge of them. As she imagined this she touched the tip of her tongue to her own lips, drawing his attention briefly and then his eyes were peering into hers again.

  Elizabeth saw the passion burning in his eyes and was suddenly filled with anticipation, wondering if he would take her into his arms and make love to her as he had done before. Her hands itched to touch his face and rub away the fatigue she saw there. Realizing that she was the cause of that tired, drained look on his face, she did reach up and touch his cheek tenderly. "I'm sorry Devin." She was apologizing for anything and everything, but was stung when he jerked his face away from her touch as if he had been burned.