by Nana Prah
He removed his hand from the sensitive area, stroking it down her inner thigh as he crooned soothing words. “It’s okay. We’ll go slow.” He nipped her earlobe. “Say my name,” he whispered, flooding her lower belly with heat.
“Adam,” she breathed out.
His chuckle intrigued her. “Just making sure.”
He was teasing while making love. Point of correction, having sex. If she didn’t keep the experience in perspective, she’d end up falling in love with him. Sex. Just Sex. Never had she experienced such playfulness. She liked it.
“Lift your hips.” His voice came out rich as honey.
She bent her knees, placing her feet on the bed to help her lift, and he slid her panties down her legs and off. Her knees came together of their own accord. He kneeled on the mattress gazing at her naked body. “You don’t shave.”
The wooden paneled ceiling became the most fascinating thing in the room as she avoided his eyes. “I trim up top, but I shave the lower part.” She’d never enjoyed looking like she was twelve. She figured the hair was there for a reason, so she kept it.
When she couldn’t take his silence any longer, she looked at him. His expression was hungry. Straightening her legs, he half lay on top of her. So much for slow and pleasurable. Disappointment welled up within her knowing he’d get to the purpose of their encounter much too fast.
She resisted when he attempted to spread her legs.
His eyes held her, mesmerized. “Open for me.”
She parted her thighs.
“More, sweetheart.”
She did as he ordered. The gentleness of his hand tickled as he moved down her belly. All giggles fled when his fingers shifted lower and in between her folds.
“You’re so wet,” he rasped, voice filled with awe.
She struggled to hear him as his finger touched her swollen bud. This time, she was prepared for the erotic pleasure. Bending her knees, she widened her legs farther. The mild muskiness of her scent filled the air. Slow, sensual circles, alternated with strokes. Oh my goodness.
He left her clit and dipped a finger inside her entrance bringing out more of her essence to fondle her clit. She lifted her hips to meet his hand winding in rhythm with his mind numbing ministrations.
The pressure built. She undulated her hips faster, moaning as his warm, wet mouth sucked her nipple. “Come Esi, let go for me.” The sweet torment continued. “Say my name.”
She was almost there. She moved faster and she flew over the precipice.
Spasms of pleasure tore through her as she cried out, “Adam.”
He’d wanted to bury himself in her as she came apart, but his need to have her enjoy this singular pleasure kept him still. He admired her as she lay with her breasts heaving.
He placed a tender kiss on her lips.
“Oh my goodness.”
“I told you.” Pride in his sexual prowess had him gloating.
She held his face in her hands. He turned to kiss her palm. “I didn’t believe you. I was wrong. So wrong.” She pulled him down for an open-mouthed kiss.
Her hands slid down between them and touched him. His eyes closed as she stroked, eliciting a groan. He delved his tongue into her mouth and shifted so he lay between her thighs. He reached between them and rubbed her hardened bud. She’d have a second orgasm, he’d make sure of it.
“Oh, Adam.”
Bracing himself on his elbows, he whispered, “Guide me in.”
She held him to her entrance. He slid into her inch by inch, while holding her gaze. She was wet, tight, and amazing. When he was in to the hilt, he stayed still, wanting her to get accustomed to him. He rasped out a breath as she ground her hips against him. He took his time pulling out and sinking back in. His movements slow and deliberate. He kept up the unhurried pace until her hips bucked under him.
She’d be the death of him. He slid into her a little harder, and she lifted her hips to meet him with each thrust. He bent and kissed her lips, their sweaty bodies in perfect harmony, leading them towards fulfillment.
He shifted and reached between them, rubbing her clit. “Come, Esi.” He ordered as he held her gaze. He’d never seen anything more beautiful than the smoldering passion in her eyes.
She circled her hips as he drove in. “A…little…faster.” She panted out each word.
When she tightened around him, spasms overtook her. He thrust in hard once, then one more time, calling out her name as he collapsed on top of her in an ultimate state of bliss.
They lay unmoving. He had no desire to leave her warm shelter.
“Adam, you have to get out.”
She was right. He raised himself onto his elbow, kissing her swollen lips. Her hands held the back of his head as she kissed back with tenderness.
He ended the kiss and gazed into her eyes as he pulled out. The tightening of her thighs around him and her gasp as he left her told him she missed the contact as much as he did. Pressing his lips to hers in a quick peck, he rolled to his side, and got out of the bed. She looked glorious lying in his bed naked, sweaty, and well sexed.
“I’ll be back.”
He wanted her in his arms, but didn’t stop to analyze why. He rushed though the removal of the condom, cleaning himself, and urinating. Disappointment filled him when he returned to see her sitting on the side of the bed putting on her shoes. “Why are you dressed?”
She didn’t look up at him. “Um, we’re finished.”
The words stung. Most women would have been waiting for him to cuddle with her. He’d been looking forward to holding her. Not something he did with the other women he brought home. Once they’d had sex, he kicked him out of his bed to hang out in the living room or kitchen then he took them home.
“If you could loan me thirty Ghana cedis, I’ll get a taxi,” she said.
What was wrong with her? He’d just had the most mind blowing sex in the history of his life. Hadn’t she felt the force of the experience?
“It’s late. I can take you home. Or how about if you spend the night, and I’ll drive you home in the morning?”
Her whole body seemed to stiffen as she focused on clutching her bag rather than on him. “I should get home now. I have to prepare for work tomorrow.”
He pulled on his underwear and trousers, recalling her hands as she slid them down his legs. He hardened. He had to have her one more time. Yeah, like a drug addict.
She stood, and he moved to stand in front of her. Searching her eyes for any sign of how she felt, he wasn’t able to read her. He rubbed his lips against her silky smooth cheek and then her nose before landing on her lips. She returned the kiss with ardor. When she placed her hands to his chest, he was sure she could feel the rapid beating of his heart. She ended it by pushing herself way.
His stomach tightened when he focused enough to see the glistening of moisture in her eyes as she turned away.
“Put your shirt on.” Her voice trembled.
He didn’t understand what was going on. Why the sadness? Not just hers, but his, too.
Chapter Nineteen
Esi would have been better off taking a taxi. The ride to the apartment had every muscle in her body tense, as if she suffered from a case of tetanus. Adam tried to make small talk, but stopped when she didn’t contribute more than one syllable answers. She’d applied her self-preservation tactic. But instead of shutting him out, she wanted to crawl into his lap and stay there, forever.
Except he didn’t do forever.
When they got to her apartment, she rushed out of the car as soon as it came to a halt. She’d gotten the gate unlocked when he touched her shoulder.
“Esi?”
Crap. “Yes?”
“Turn around.”
She did as he requested. His hand was gentle as he placed a finger under her chin to tilt her head up. “What’s wrong?”
Why was he being so kind to her? Didn’t he know it was tearing her apart? “Nothing.”
“That’s garbage. Tell me.”
>
How could she admit that she’d fallen in love with him? Someone who wanted nothing to do with marriage. She should’ve seen it coming and tried harder to prevent it. Now the damage had been done, and she had to persevere.
She forced the corners of her lips up. “What makes you think something’s wrong?”
“You’ve been acting weird ever since we made love.”
“Had sex.”
He sighed. “Whatever.” His hands massaged her shoulders and stoked a fire deep within her. She had to get away from him before she did something stupid. Again.
“Do you regret what happened?”
“I’m a grown woman. I understood the consequences going in. I’m fine. Really. I have a long week ahead of me with work, and picking up the car.” She smiled. “You won’t have to worry about getting a call from me when I’m out on a date and have been ditched.”
He grimaced and nodded. “Right. Well then, good night.”
“Good night.”
He leaned in to kiss her, but she moved her head to the side so his lips touched her cheek. He persisted as he nibbled her now supersensitive skin. She moved away, her throat tight. “I’ll see you at ward rounds tomorrow.”
She turned and walked through the gate so he couldn’t see the tears streaming down her face.
***
Act cool and he won’t notice he’s broken yet another heart.
How could Esi behave as if last night hadn’t happened, when seeing him stride through the door made her nipples tighten?
You have survived other heartbreaks, and you’ll get through this one.
She hadn’t slept a wink last night. Thoughts of their lovemaking had kept her awake. Promising herself it would be the last time she’d dwell on the encounter, she indulged in fantasies of what could have been. A night spent in his arms. Resting her head on his strong chest as he had held her.
They would have made love at least one more time with as much passion as the first. In her fantasy, his deep voice confessed his love. He’d professed his willingness to commit to her and drifted off to sleep from exhaustion. They’d get married, adopt the two children he loved so much, and produce one or two more together. Living happily ever after.
As the sun had shone through her window that morning, Esi had found it difficult to leave the world of love she’d created. She would rather be snuggling with the fantasy Adam who returned her love in her dreams than be alone in her own bed. With a heavy heart, she’d dragged herself out of bed and got ready for work. She dreaded having to see him again.
The moment had arrived. As he greeted the midwives, he treated her as he did the others. Pain sliced her already raw heart open.
His cheerful disposition made her grunt her answers. Why should he get to be happy when she was shrouded in misery? The other midwives looked at her with curiosity and disapproval. With an extreme effort, she tried her best to behave more like the Esi they knew. Ward rounds took forever to finish. Her emotions couldn’t take the insult of being so close to him. She had to distance herself, otherwise she’d fall apart in front of everyone.
What would happen if she ever met him on a date? The thought made her vision turn red. She wouldn’t be able to handle it. Needing time away from being anywhere near him, she decided to schedule her one month leave. If God was merciful, she’d only have to endure his presence for the rest of the week.
“Can I please speak to you about Mrs. Hanson?” Adam asked.
It took her a few seconds to realize he’d spoken. “Sure.”
She followed him to the area outside the labor room.
Out of sight from the others, he smiled. “Would you like to go to dinner with me tonight?”
It took effort to drag in a breath. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
“Why?”
Turning away, she went to the nurses’ station and picked up the admissions book. “I’m going to the nurse manager’s office. I’ll be right back,” she told her colleagues.
“We’ll keep things quiet,” Martha said.
They all knew good and well it would be impossible fulfill that promise.
She walked out the door, leaving him to follow. When he shortened his stride to match hers, she looked straight ahead.
“Quarshie—”
“Adam,” he corrected.
“Last night was great. You know how to make a woman happy in bed.”
“Give me a chance.” He winked. “I’ll give you pleasure outside of the bedroom, too.”
Esi found it difficult to swallow as an image of them having sex in her kitchen filled her mind. She stopped and rounded on him. “Do you ever want to get married?”
“You know the answer to that. No. But that shouldn’t stop us from engaging in fantastic sex.”
She puffed out a breath of frustration. He’d lost his mind, while she’d lost her heart. “I can’t do it. I need a man who will want to commit and marry me. Maybe not now. But someone who knows he’ll be able to eventually. You’re not that man.”
“We could hook up while you’re searching for that man.”
Esi didn’t think she could hurt any more. She’d been wrong. Looking down at her chest, she made sure it hadn’t been stained red by her bleeding heart. She wouldn’t even try to explain, because he didn’t possess the ability to get it. “No, Quarshie.”
“It’s Adam.” He ground out. “You nearly split my eardrum screaming it last night. You should be able to say it in a conversational tone now.” She pivoted and continued walking.
“There won’t be a repeat of last night.” She had to be strong. Surviving was what she did best. This misery would pass, and she’d be a better person for it. Right now, the pieces of her heart were tiny and it would take time to repair the damage. Why did love have to be so uncontrollable? Of all the people to fall in love with, Adam would’ve been the very last.
“I don’t agree with your decision, but I respect it. How about going to dinner with me as friends?” His eyes held a glimmer of hope.
They’d almost reached her destination. Her words got stuck in her throat, but she forced them out. “No. We can’t be friends. The best I can offer you is cordial colleagues.”
She was unable to decipher the look that flashed across his face.
“You’ll change your mind.”
He was a confident bastard. She had changed her mind over twenty times during the conversation, but she had to protect herself. Being with him, as a friend or lover, would not benefit her in the long run.
“Have a good day.” She hesitated. “Adam.” Then walked into the office without a backward glance.
Chapter Twenty
They were struggling through simple conversation, but the woman sitting across from Adam didn’t seem to mind. I never had difficulty talking with Esi.
He’d compared the two women all evening long. For the past week, the stubborn midwife had been on his mind. He found himself in the labor ward when he wasn’t consulting or in the operating room, so he could be near her. She was always professional and friendly which made him feel horrible.
He wanted his playful, smart-mouthed Esi back. Not this nice, soppy, woman she’d become.
Why wouldn’t she allow them to enjoy themselves until they got tired of each other? Do you think you’ll ever get tired of her? He ignored the question.
Focus on the date. She had a smoking body and a beautiful face, but something was missing. Yeah, she’s not Esi. No matter. She’d given every indication of being willing to share a bed with him. He’d take full advantage of her offer.
As she angled forward and squeezed her breasts between her arms so they were a fraction of an inch from popping out of her dress, Adam frowned. By now, he should’ve had a semi hard on. Not even a twinge of desire.
He imagined Esi naked in his bed with her back arched as he sank deep inside her. His penis sprang to life. Clearing his thoughts, he returned his attention to the date. She licked her lips in an obvious sexual advertise
ment, but he felt nothing.
For the hundredth time that day, Esi’s raptured expression during her orgasm came to mind. He became semi-erect. The fact that just thinking about her caused him to be aroused scared the hell out of him. After paying the bill, he rushed Sandra…Selina or whatever her name was out of the restaurant. He settled her in his car and took off to Achimota.
“You’re taking me home?”
“Yes.”
Her voice was breathy when she spoke. “I thought we could go back to your place. My house is full of family members, and we won’t have any privacy for you know….”
She’d finally said something to entertain him. “For what exactly?”
“You know.”
A few weeks ago, Adam would have turned around and headed to his place. This evening he continued on to Achimota. “I have a busy schedule tomorrow.”
Stephanie or Shantelle gave a pretty pout. “Too bad. How about tomorrow evening?”
He’d be honest with her. “It’s not likely.”
“Why?”
“I don’t think we’re compatible.”
“Compatible? We haven’t even done anything yet. How do you know?”
“I just do.”
“Eliza told me you were this hot shot doctor who could show me a good time in bed. But you won’t even take me there. What’s the matter? Have you gone soft?” Venom dripped from the last word. “Wait until I tell her the truth about you.”
He gritted his teeth, willing himself to remain silent. He’d created a reputation, but to hear it come out of a stranger’s mouth galled him. He was more upset with himself than anything else. How had he let his life get so twisted?
He had gone soft, but not in the way she’d insinuated.
Damn Esi for showing him something more than his enjoyable playboy life. Damn her. She could keep her wittiness and shove it in the garbage with her intelligence and hardworking nature.