Cross My Heart

by Celeste O. Norfleet

  “And now you’re not?” she asked.

  “Brenda, my sister, was the trusting one. She believed in people—their basic goodness. Even when she saw such ugliness around us, she believed. I always thought that that made her weak, but I see now that she was the strong one—not me. She always told me that people weren’t as bad if you give them a chance. I never did. When she died, she took that trust and belief with her. Once I became famous, I saw that I was right. Everybody wants something from me—the fans, the media and the studio—everybody. Except you.” He turned and looked at her as if seeing her for the first time.

  Natalia allowed him to talk freely. She knew that he needed to rationalize his feelings and understand that not everyone stood against him.

  “Trust,” he began again as he turned away. “I could never understand that until I came here. I lived my life through my career, the characters I play. I never expected to have a family or children. That way I never needed or allowed myself to trust anyone.” He turned back to her. “Then you came along. You want to know what all this is about. It’s about me finding my life, my real life, here, in this place. I don’t want to lose what I found here.” He studied her reaction as she moved closer.

  She stood in front of him. “You won’t lose it. You’re not alone anymore, David,” she said. “I’m here whenever you need me.”

  David wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her close, then reaching up to stroke the side of her face lovingly. “Natalia, you’ve turned my world upside down. I’m always gonna need you.”

  She smiled. “Right back at you,” she said, leaning up to kiss him tenderly. Slowly and meaningfully, their lips pressed gently in sensuous seduction, as the kiss gained a whole new meaning. Passion had been ignited and the fervor of wanting more began. She pressed her tongue to his mouth and he opened. She led, he followed.

  When the kiss ended, he looked into her eyes, knowing without a doubt that he had released his past, because now he saw only his future with her. “Brice asked me today if I liked his mommy.” She nodded, remembering the exchange. “I told him that I did, that I loved his mommy. It occurred to me that I never told you. I love you.”

  Her heart beat faster. It was filled with more than she’d ever imagined. She reached up and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight as she melted into his embrace. This was where she wanted to be, in his arms forever.

  As their lips parted he looked at her lovingly. “I should go,” he said.

  She shook her head. “You should stay.”

  “Natalia…”

  “Make love to me,” she whispered.

  “But the boys are…” he cautioned.

  “The boys are just fine,” she assured him while caressing his face. Smiling, she kissed him again, then took his hand and led him upstairs to her bedroom. She walked him over to her bed and with her hand planted on his chest, sat him down then stood between his legs.

  He took her hips and pulled her even closer. With their eyes fixed on each other, he slowly pulled the front zipper of her top down, opening her blue sleeveless sweater and revealing her skimpy lace bra. His eyes lit up with sparkling delight at the sight of his treasure. He pulled the sweater free from her shoulders and tossed it on the bench at the end of the bed. She moved closer still. Her lace-covered breasts met his line of vision exactly. She watched as he licked his lips and smiled wantonly. “Looks like you want something,” she whispered seductively. He nodded slowly.

  Without a second thought, a wayward boldness inflamed her passion. She leaned in, pressing the tips of the lace to his mouth. He opened his mouth and licked the scant material. The sensation of his tongue tasting her nipple sent burning ice through her body. She shivered and arched more, giving him exactly what he wanted. She rested her hands on his shoulders as he nibbled and tantalized the lace while holding her waist secure.

  Slowly, she leaned back even more. His mouth puckered, trying to get the last lick. Trembling slighting from his assault, she began unbuttoning his shirt. Each button took particular focus as his hands began moving up her bare legs beneath her flared skirt. When she finished, she removed the shirt, tossing it on top of her sweater. She gazed at him with pleasure. His chest was magnificently toned with tight firm muscles rippling down to his stomach. His arms were tightly knotted with thick bicep and tricep muscles. She ran her hands over his chest and arms, feeling the solid power of his strength.

  She took a step back and took his hand for him to stand up. He did. With deliberate agility, she allowed herself the pleasure of touching him. Her hands surged and flowed, teasing him to madness. His guttural groans increased as her nails etched across his burning skin, leaving tantalizing marks of pleasure. She boldly unbuckled the belt and unzipped the front of his pants. They fell to the floor. The bulge of his desire called out to her. She touched and caressed and gently scratched the length of him, raking her nails and finding his pleasure points. His body shuddered and his jaw tightened with steadfast restraint. She smiled, liking the power she wielded over him.

  She leaned in and licked his nipple. Then she nibbled and licked mercilessly, sending his body through a myriad of rapturous longings. He grabbed her arms and held tight to still her. The dam was breaking. It was his turn.

  Mastering the moment, he captured her face and leaned in, kissing her hungrily and fiercely. Mouth to neck to shoulder then back again, he kissed her in a frenzied trail of lust. His hands touched, kneaded and teased—both mindless and focused. The unrestrained passion set her body on fire. He was everywhere, all over her, all through her. Then he slowed to loving tenderness. He kissed her. His tongue dipped into her mouth, dancing with hers. Near breathless, she moaned, feeling the all-encompassing caress of his mouth. Then gently he again rained kisses down her neck to her shoulders and down the front of her body. He kissed, nibbled and licked the lace bra as he sat down on the side of the bed and unsnapped the front clasp.

  The weight of her breasts opened the bra instantly, but didn’t release it completely. He buried his face between the sweet swell of her breasts and tenderly kissed them. Natalia quivered as a surge of excitement took hold of her. Watching him, seeing his mouth on her, was intoxicating. Her legs felt weak and every nerve in her body tingled. Slowly, he nudged the lace apart, freeing her breasts for his pleasure. He pulled it down from her shoulders and immediately captured a nipple in his mouth. He suckled, sending shock wave after shock wave through her body. He licked her with the flat of his tongue then held their full weight and devoured her fully. She moaned, dropping her head back and biting her lower lip. Then he pressed both breasts together; taking them both into his mouth at once, he devoured her.

  Breathless, she leaned forward to hold and stroke his face. He looked up into her eyes as she leaned down to kiss him. Eyes closed, heart pounding, she was entrenched in the pleasure he gave her. He reached around to the skirt’s waistband. Finding the zipper, he pulled it down and released her skirt. It dropped to the floor and she stood before him in panties, pearls and heels. David looked down the length of her body and nodded his delight. She was breathtaking and she was all his.

  Natalia watched as he encircled her breasts with his hands, then pressed his thumbs to her already hardened nipples, causing her body to quake uncontrollably. The stimulation was mind-blowing and it appeared that he was nowhere near finished with her. He stood, took her hands and raised them above her head. “Hold on,” he whispered into her ear. She nodded, grabbed hold of the canopy’s top and held tight as he moved all around her body, caressing, kneading and touching her freely. He trailed torturous kisses and maddening nibbles down her stomach and around the elastic waistband and then to her core. His mouth was hot and her body was on fire as kisses rained down all over her.

  With labored breathing she gripped the wooden post above her head tighter as he moved to stand behind her. He reached up, feeling her hands on the posts. Slowly he drew his hands down the length of her arms to her neck. He kissed her should
ers then moved his lips down her arms to her thighs. He knelt down and caressed her rear, gently rounding her cheeks with the palms of his hands. His touch was like molten lava, melting her skin with each stroke.

  The sensuous intensity of his actions made her writhe with desire. Standing became nearly impossible. He pressed close. She felt his hardened penis behind her. As he continued kissing her, he circled to cover her breasts again as he tantalized her nipples between his fingers and the palms of his hands. She sizzled and moaned. She released the post and reached back to wrap her hands around his neck. Holding on to him, she closed her eyes and dropped her head back as his assault continued. Kissing her neck and shoulders, she covered his hands on her breasts with her own. Then, as the space between their bodies vanished, they began to move in a syncopated rhythm.

  Seconds later she turned. He held tight to her waist as he ravaged her body again. His body was already hard and now the sight of her nearly sent him over the edge. All he could think about was the feeling of being deep inside her, burrowing in and out, deeper and deeper.

  She crawled onto the bed then crooked her finger, motioning for him to join her. He did. She lay back as he removed the last barrier between them. He looked down the length of her naked body and smiled. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered, “but we’re gonna have to be creative because I don’t have condoms.”

  “I do.” She reached over into her nightstand drawer and pulled out several small packets, smiling. “A hopeful gift from my sisters.”

  “Remind me to thank them one of these days.” She nodded as his mouth, hot and wanting, clamped onto hers and his hand slipped between their bodies. He traced a burning trail over her breasts, down her stomach then between her legs. The mindless kisses did little to distract her from the pleasure he was giving her. He toyed with and teased her, sending wave after wave of rapture through her body. She dug her nails into his shoulders, holding tight as she felt her body soaring. With relentless zeal he took her beyond the point of wanting. She wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him even closer. She moaned her pleasure, reeling from his actions. Her thoughts spun wildly, caught up in the whirlwind of ecstasy. He was fierce and gentle and bold and tender all at the same time.

  “Now, David, now,” she whispered into his ear. “I need to feel you inside me.” She lay back, taking him with her as he positioned himself above her. He rose up to look down at her. His smile was placid and focused. Anticipation raced through her body as he hovered close, but still so far. She raised her hips, feeling his hardness at her entrance. David pressed down into her. She gasped as he filled her—thick, hard and long. Her body shuddered.

  He rocked his hips into her, pulling in and out slowly. She echoed the rhythm he set. Together they moved as one, sending blinding streaks of ecstasy through their bodies. Natalia’s arms held as her hands roamed over his back. The tempo increased as desire unfolded and unrestrained passion surged. Each vigorous thrust stoked the fire that ravaged them. The pace intensified, and he plunged deeper and deeper. She took him readily, over and over again, climbing higher and higher.

  The building rapture swelled as they bumped hips faster. Then, slowing, they reset the pace, only to go faster still. He groaned, she moaned. She gasped, once, twice, holding her breath each time as he continued to enter her, all of him, tip to base. Then one last press swept them up in a swelled surge that plunged them over the peak. They erupted. Rapturous pleasure streaked through their bodies. Both went rigid as fulfilled climactic orgasms washed over them.

  Sated and breathless, he collapsed to lie on top of her for a brief instant, then moved beside her, wrapping her in his arms and holding her tight. Her mouth was swollen from kisses and her body was weakened and wasted. Flushed with the heat of their lovemaking, she closed her eyes and snuggled closer.

  Natalia laid her head on David’s shoulder and inhaled the spicy scent of his cologne. She savored the sensation of being in his arms. For a brief moment the wish that this would last forever danced through her head. But she knew better. It was what it was, a sweet diversion and a lovely memory, a cherished keepsake to recall again and again. Instinctively, she cuddled closer. She sighed heavily, knowing that he’d be leaving soon.

  “Natalia,” he spoke softly. She took a deep breath, humming her response. “I love you,” he whispered with a gentle kiss to her temple. She looked up into his eyes. They sparkled with sincerity and adoration. He nodded, smiling assuredly. “I love you with all my heart. In you I’ve found everything I ever wanted and needed. I love you, I’m in love with you, everything about you—your body, your mind and your spirit, your heart.”

  She smiled, speechless, as tears threatened to emerge. “David…”

  “No, there is no reasoning and this isn’t some kind of afterglow declaration. There is only feeling. This is real, as real as it gets. My heart is full, bursting with love, and you’re the reason why.”

  “David,” she began again as tears filled her eyes, “you don’t love me. You can’t. We don’t even know each other.”

  “You’re wrong,” he said.

  “It’s the family thing,” she reasoned. “Tonight, us, together, me and my boys, you were swept up in the feeling of closeness, family and love. It makes sense.”

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but you’re wrong. I’m in love with you, Natalia Coles.” He stroked her shoulder and arm lovingly as he smiled happily. “I can’t stop this feeling. It’s joy and fullness. Every part of my heart feels it, knows it. I can’t deny it and you can’t rationalize it away. It just is. If you don’t love me right now, that’s fine. I’ll be patient, but know that only you can make me turn away, nothing else.”

  “David, I…”

  “Shh, no, don’t say anything right now. I just wanted you to know how I feel. Just be here with me and know that I intend to be with you for as long as you’ll have me.”

  Natalia closed her eyes and snuggled close as tears fell. She was overjoyed and apprehensive and thrilled and scared and most of all in love. She wanted to say so much, but she couldn’t respond. Not because he asked her not to, but because she was scared to. Natalia knew she loved him, too, and she wanted to wrap her arms around him and tell him. But he wasn’t just an ordinary guy; he was famous and his world could turn hers upside down.

  David looked down, sensing Natalia’s stillness. She had fallen asleep in his arms just as Brice had done earlier that evening. He drew a deep breath. Natalia was his and the boys were part of him. That was it. He closed his eyes and listened to the slow rhythm of her breathing and the steady beat of her heart against his chest. He stroked the length of her back and held her closer. He wasn’t willing to let them go—ever. This was his family and it was going to last a lifetime.

  Chapter 14

  The next morning most signs of the heavy downpour the night before were gone. Tree limbs, leaves and scattered debris littered the already dried streets, but other than that, there was nothing. The sky was bright and blue, the sun shone brilliantly and the air smelled fresh and clean. It was like a new day, and a new chance.

  The energy of the morning stoked David. He’d taken one last look at his sons before leaving Natalia’s house. Now all he could think about was starting each morning for the rest of his life just like this one, making love to Natalia and then saying good morning to his boys. He felt a renewed sense of purpose. His life was in balance and he sensed that he was finally on the right path.

  Work was one thing, but now he had found his center, a single point from which to draw strength, a family. It was admittedly something he’d avoided since his sister died. He strolled through the hotel lobby ten feet tall. Fans asked for autographs and photos and he willingly obliged. In his current mood, nothing could derail him.

  Moments later he burst into the suite, still swinging on cloud nine. He was so excited and emotionally charged that he felt as if his body was going to explode from sheer joy. “Pam, Pam,” he called out as soon as he walked in. “Pamela.”
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  “I’m right here,” she said, looking up from sitting on the sofa with a pile of scripts around her. “Chill,” she said. “What’s wrong now?”

  “Are you kidding? Nothing’s wrong. Everything’s perfect.”

  She looked at him strangely. “You’re jolly?”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, I guess I am. I met them and they’re incredible. I need you to go shopping right now, this morning. I’m not sure what they need, so I guess we’d better just get everything you can think of—bicycles, helmets, skates, balls, lots and lots of balls, footballs, basketballs, games, computers, everything. Oh, and for Jayden, let’s see, umm, you’d better get a catalogue. We’ll just check off what we need from it. What’s the name of that kids’ toy store Lenny goes to all the time in Manhattan and Las Vegas?”

  “FAO Schwarz?”

  “Yeah, that’s the one. Call them. Have a catalogue sent over this morning. And don’t forget clothes. I don’t know the sizes, so we’ll have to guess.” Pamela didn’t move. Instead, she looked at him as if he’d gone crazy. “What? What’s wrong? You’re not moving and you’re looking at me like I lost my mind,” he asked.

  “Ya think?” she said sarcastically. “Are you kidding? You haven’t smiled in over a week. Then you go out for one night and you come back a different man? Lost your mind, yeah. I’m leaning that way.”

  “I wasn’t that bad.”

  “Guess again. Last week when you were away you were grouchy, short-tempered and downright mean. You snapped at a reporter, fired your publicist and made his assistant cry. You asked her when she was due. Duh, she wasn’t pregnant.”