He learned that she was bright and funny. She was also kind and compassionate. She did have a romantic streak, but he loved that about her. He saw it when they talked about the eighteenth century and she started tossing around ideas for books. Somehow, she had the ability to make a beautiful story about what was actually a terribly difficult life when compared to modern standards.
They had managed to stay away from the topic of Mark and Daphne. But tonight, she ran headlong into it when they’d talked about Gertrude offering her the watch. Now she seemed sad and embarrassed…and he wanted to fix it.
“Benedict, it was an incredible evening. Thank you again. Now I think I’m just going to turn in.” Her eyes didn’t meet his. She turned towards the bathroom.
“Wait. I need to say something.”
She turned back towards him, a quizzical expression on her face.
He stepped towards her, taking her hands in his. “Sara, I…well…what you’ve done for me, what you’re still doing for me—you know going to Scotland and all—it’s wonderful.”
She gave him a small smile. “Oh. You’re welcome.” She started towards the bathroom again, but he continued to hold her hands.
“There’s more. I don’t know how to say this, and it will probably come out all wrong. But here it goes. I’m glad you turned down the pocket watch. And as terrible as this sounds, I’m glad Mark is a feckless idiot and didn’t recognize the jewel he had.”
Her eyes grew large, as if shocked by his words.
“I’m glad because that combination of events gave me the chance to come here.”
She shrugged. “It seems that Gertrude finds ways to make things happen. I suspect you would have gotten the chance anyway.”
“Perhaps, but I might not have met you.”
“I’m sure she would have made certain there was someone to help you.”
“Sara, you aren’t listening to me, or I’m fouling this up completely. I wouldn’t want to have anyone else helping me. I know I should be sorry on your behalf, that Mark did what he did, and I feel like a cad for saying this, but I’m not sorry.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I’ve grown to care about you.”
“I care about you too.”
“Sara, what I’m trying to say is that I’m growing to love you.”
“You’re…you’re…what?”
The look on her face was adorable and sweet…and dare he think it, hopeful. He chuckled and gathered her into his arms. “I said, I’m growing to love you. In fact, I think I do love you.”
She turned her head to look up at him. “You do?”
“Yes, I do. I love every minute we’re together. I admire your strength and your intellect and your gentle nature. I love the unbridled enthusiasm you show when something pleases you. Very simply, I think you are exquisite. I’ve never felt this way before, but having you in my arms like this feels right. I feel complete and I want you in my arms forever.” He kissed the top of her head, fearing what he had to say next. “I suppose this is sudden and I’ll try to understand if you don’t feel the same way, but I could wait no longer. I had to tell you.”
“You love me?”
“Yes, sweetheart, I do. As the days have passed I’ve realized more and more, my desire to figure out how to become Benjamin Talbot has less to do with what knowledge I could take back than it does with my desire to stay here, as him, with you.”
“You’re sure? I mean, you’re sure you love me.”
“I’m sure. I suppose it’s a good idea to spend more time together. Technically, I have forty-nine days to decide to stay or not, but if I had to make the decision right now, I’d beg you to give me a reason to stay.”
She rested her head against his chest. “I didn’t want to imagine it. I thought I was being my usual foolish romantic self, falling for someone who didn’t feel remotely what I did. I kept trying to talk myself out of it. I don’t have a great track record with men.” She looked up at him, a slightly sheepish expression on her face. “I feared I was in love with the idea of you. But, tonight I realized that wasn’t it at all. I’m fairly sure I love you too. Earlier, when we decided to extend this vacation by another week, it was all I could do not to jump up and down squealing like a little girl. I love simply being with you. I don’t want you to go back either.”
“You don’t?”
“No. A small voice inside me has warned me over and over not to fall in love with you because you were destined to leave. But evidently I don’t listen very well.”
He grinned broadly. “Then it’s decided. We love each other and we are going to do what we have to do to make it work.”
A nervous giggle bubbled up. “Really?”
“Really.”
Her smile was nearly as broad as his own. “Then, yes, it’s decided.”
He cupped her face in his hands and did what he had longed to do for days. He kissed her deeply and passionately. He poured every tender feeling he had for her into that kiss and she responded with abandon.
He wanted her as he had never wanted any woman. He longed to carry her to the bed and make love to her. Finally, with what felt like a herculean effort, he ended the kiss. He rested his head on hers. “Sara, I’m sorry. I’ll find somewhere else to stay.”
She looked stricken. “Why?”
“I wouldn’t shame you, not for anything, but I desire you so. I want to make you mine, but I’ll marry you first.”
“Benedict, I desire you too. Things are different now. I want you to make love to me as much as you want me. More than that, I need you to make love to me.”
“Oh, dear God, Sara.” Could he? He longed to do just that. “Are you certain?”
“Absolutely certain.”
He kissed her again and she returned the kiss hungrily. She removed his tie and unbuttoned his shirt without ever breaking the kiss.
He reached behind her and slid down the zipper of the sleek black dress she wore. He pushed it off her shoulders and down over her hips until it dropped in a puddle at her feet. She wore delicate black lace undergarments that were indescribably sexy.
Meanwhile she opened his belt and was unbuttoning and unzipping his trousers. When they fell to his ankles, he broke the kiss, kicked off his shoes, and divested himself of everything but his boxers. Then he pulled her back into his arms, kissing her on her lips before moving down the column of her throat to her breasts. He lifted them out of their delicate lace covering, kissing and suckling until she moaned with pleasure.
“Come to the bed with me, sweetling. Let me love you.”
“I want nothing more. I adore you, Benedict, and more and more I forget that you aren’t from this century. But you aren’t and I need to explain something to you before we go on.”
“It can’t wait?”
“No. But it will only take a few seconds.” She stepped away from him, into the bathroom and was back immediately. She had a couple of small square packets in her hand. “This is called a condom.” She stepped closer to him and caressed his hardness through the fabric of his boxers. “It’s a thin sheath that we cover you with. It keeps me from becoming pregnant and provides other protections.”
He smiled. “I actually know what a condom is. There were condoms in the eighteenth century. As I understand it, they don’t work terribly well.”
“Oh, that’s right, I’d forgotten. But if I remember correctly, they were made out of animal intestines or linen and I suspect they didn’t work all that well, not to mention the fact that they probably didn’t feel very good. But now we have new materials and technology. They are extremely thin and they are effective.” She opened one of the packets and handed him the condom from it.
The edges were rolled up but the end of it was very delicate. He was incredulous. “How could this possibly work?”
“You put it on the end and roll it down.”
He laughed. “I’d gathered that much, but it is so very thin. It seems as if it would break.”
&nbs
p; She grinned and, taking it from him, unrolled it then held it to her lips and blew into it. It expanded to many times its regular size, without letting the air escape.
“Well, I’ll be damned.”
“Like I said, new technology. At some point, we can decide together whether they’re necessary, but I think it’s the best thing for now.”
“Of course.”
She handed him the other packet and gave him a cheeky smile. “Now, where were we?”
He scooped her into his arms, causing her to giggle. “We were going to bed.”
He laid her gently on the bed and knelt beside her. His hands roamed freely over her body before cupping her breasts and brushing his thumbs gently over the peaks. “Tell me, my beautiful brown-eyed girl, how do I remove this lace contraption?”
Sara laughed and reached behind her, releasing the garment before she removed it and tossed it to the floor.
“Perfect,” he murmured as he continued to caress her breasts. He planted kisses on each of them, and suckled lightly, causing them to pebble. Then he trailed kisses down her abdomen, stopping briefly at her navel before moving lower. He slid his hands under the edge of her lace panties.
“Do you need help with those?” she asked coyly.
“No, this is old technology. I think I can manage it,” he said with a grin before slipping the delicate lace over her hips and down her legs. He took a moment to gaze on her beauty before lowering his head and beginning the path of kisses again.
She too explored his body with her hands, her feather light touch inflaming him. When she trailed her hands down to his hips and over his buttocks before bringing them around to caress his rigid length, he groaned. “Ah, Sara, my love, I can’t bear it.”
She smiled. “I like having that effect on you.”
“Then it’s only fair I do the same for you.” He touched her between her legs, stroking her sensitive nub, eliciting a moan.
She raised her hips toward him. “Mmm. I don’t think I can bear it either.”
“That, my precious girl, is the plan.” He continued to stroke her as she writhed under him. He teased and caressed, bringing her ever higher and then slowing the pace.
“Oh, Benedict, please, I want you so desperately. Please…”
“I can deny you nothing.” He knelt between her legs. “But you might need to help me with this.” He opened the packet and held up the condom.
“With pleasure,” she said, taking his hardness in her hand and deftly sheathing him.
He returned his attention to her until she was arching against him again, then he moved his hands under her, lifting her and joining with her in one firm stroke. She rose to meet him, seemingly lost in the primal act, which irrevocably connected their souls. He watched as she was overcome with the shuddering waves of her climax. Watching her fly apart in his arms almost stole his last bit of control. Nothing could possibly be more beautiful.
He held still for a moment as she panted, recovering from the intense sensations. Then while still joined with her, he stroked and massaged her. But this time, because he knew she’d be sensitive, he only touched her indirectly.
“Mmm. I like that.”
“I thought you might.”
He brought her higher and higher once again, this time moving within her as he touched her. He wanted to watch her come again but the sensations building within him were almost too much to control. Then the muscles at her core contracted repeatedly around him as she shattered again in ecstasy and he too found his release.
He held his weight off her as he caught his breath. Then he gently withdrew from her and lay beside her on the bed, still panting.
“I’ve never…it’s never been…oh, Benedict, that was amazing.”
“I have to agree. You are perfect, in every way.”
She smiled, blushing slightly. “I…I’m glad I please you. You’re pretty wonderful yourself.”
Chapter 9
Sara could scarcely believe how her life had changed so drastically in a matter of days. This experience had been beyond her wildest dreams. She thought she was a romantic, thus she’d blamed previous failed relationships on herself, believing she had misinterpreted signals. And that was probably accurate because she’d had no idea what true love really was. Benedict was a strong, constant, loving presence. Even when she wasn’t with him, she felt connected to him in a way she couldn’t describe. She absolutely adored him and had to pinch herself when she thought about spending the rest of her life with him.
The cruise had become such perfection, she’d nearly forgotten about Mark and Daphne. But Sara realized it was probably too much to hope that they could avoid the two for the entire trip. Two days before the end of the cruise, Mark ambushed Sara at the breakfast buffet.
“Christ, Sara, is this where you’ve been? When we didn’t see you in any of the specialty restaurants and you didn’t show up for any of the trips Benjamin’s secretary arranged, I assumed you were hiding in the cabin getting room service.”
“Wow. Do you really think your little stunt with Daphne would have me cowering in my stateroom? You think pretty highly of yourself, don’t you?”
“That’s not what I meant, gorgeous. I was concerned about you.”
“Well, you needn’t have worried. Benjamin and I have been having a wonderful time.”
“Benjamin? You’ve been with Benjamin this whole time? I just assumed he’d flown home from Corfu.”
“Well, he didn’t. I intended to but he talked me into staying.” Zing. Sara landed a direct hit. The expression on Mark’s face was a priceless combination of shock and jealousy.
However, Mark recovered his composure quickly. “He talked you into staying? You expect me to believe that? I’m his best friend, remember. I know him better than anyone and Benjamin Talbot would never do that.”
“Believe it,” came Benjamin’s voice from behind her. “I talked her into staying and clearly you don’t know me as well as you thought. If I see value in something, I make sure I don’t lose it. Now, clear off. Sara doesn’t need the likes of you panting after her.” He took Sara by the arm and started to lead her away but stopped. He turned back to Mark. “And by the way, you’ve lost the right to call me friend.”
“Ben, wait. You aren’t going to throw away years of friendship over Daphne, are you? Hey, man, it was one little indiscretion. That’s it. Just that one time. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I had no idea she meant so much to you. She’s heartbroken over this. You should talk to her.”
Benedict just stared at him.
Sara herself was speechless. A little indiscretion? Just that one time? Thoughts of the condom wrapper she found on the hotel room floor flitted through her mind. She’d bet everything that it hadn’t just been one time.
Perhaps their silence made Mark believe he’d struck a chord. “Really, Benjamin. She’s completely torn up. All three of us go way back. You need to give her a chance.”
“No, Mark. I don’t. If she’s heartbroken, it’s not because of any love for me. And if you and I were such very good friends, you wouldn’t have done what you did.” Benedict turned and walked away with Sara, ignoring Mark’s plea for reason.
When they were out of earshot he asked, “Are you okay, Sara?”
She smiled up at him. “Surprisingly, I am. Thank you for backing me up.”
He grinned. “My pleasure.”
~ * ~
The next confrontation was with Daphne.
That afternoon, Sara and Benedict were in the stateroom when someone knocked on the door. Benedict looked through the peephole and frowned. “It’s Daphne,” he whispered.
Sara shrugged. “I guess Mark told her you hadn’t flown home,” she whispered back.
Daphne knocked again and Benedict opened the door.
“Benjamin, sweetheart, I’m so sorry.” She managed to force some real tears as she wrapped her arms around him. “I love you. How could you do this to me?”
Benedict set her fi
rmly away from him. “I told you. I don’t share. Go on back to Mark now.”
Daphne glanced at Sara. “You don’t share? Well, perhaps you should tell Sara that. She’s the one that orchestrated this whole thing. She made it all up to take you away from me and she’s been screwing Mark behind your back all week. I thought you had left and she was trying to get him back. I didn’t know she was two-timing you.”
Benedict actually laughed. “Give it a rest, Daphne. I have been with Sara every minute since that first morning. I know perfectly well that she hasn’t been alone with Mark for a single instant. Not to mention that after all you’ve done, I would be hard-pressed to believe anything you say, even if I didn’t absolutely know it was a lie.”
“Benjamin, come on. You know she can’t be what you need. She’s vanilla through and through. She won’t satisfy your appetites. You need a willing partner for that and you can do anything you wish with me. No hard limits. Imagine how good that will be.”
Sara could scarcely believe what she was hearing. She guessed it shouldn’t surprise her that Benjamin had a taste for kink but somehow it did. She also figured Benedict had no idea what Daphne was talking about.
Thankfully, it appeared as though the vanilla reference and his new-found love of ice-cream helped him fake it. “I like vanilla. In fact, I love vanilla. I find it very satisfying. Daphne, you aren’t welcome here. I’ve moved on and so should you.”
Daphne glared at him for a moment before stomping out. “You’ll regret this. Both of you will.”
Benedict shut the door behind her and grinned at Sara. “Somehow, I doubt that.”
Sara laughed. “She wasn’t talking about ice-cream, you know.”
“I thought not. It was rather clear when she offered herself to me in any way I wished. I guess there are men in every century with a taste for…shall we say, the unusual.”
“You weren’t tempted?” Sara teased.
“Not in the slightest. Because she can’t be you, and you are the only flavor I’m interested in.”
What if I Fall: The Pocket Watch Chronicles Page 10