“Mother!” Heidi gulped, the heat rising in her face.
Mrs. Lester patted her hand. “Sorry, dear, that just slipped out.”
Mr. Lester sat in the lobby of the hotel, reading a newspaper. He peered over the top of the paper at the sound of Heidi and her mother speaking.
He viewed his wife as she crossed the lobby. “Have you come to your senses, Mary?”
“No, Harold, I have not come to my senses, I have come for my things.”
He leapt from his seat, crushing the newspaper in his hands. “What the devil does that mean?”
She sailed past him, dragging Heidi along with her. “I have a job.”
“What!” His face turned a deep shade of red, leaning toward purple.
“Papa, calm down.” Heidi touched his arm.
He turned to her, his hands fisted as his side. “Calm down? Calm Down? My wife of almost thirty years has announced she has a job. And she’s come for her things.” He swung in the direction of his wife, wagging his finger in her face. “Mary, if you continue with this foolishness, I may have to take steps.”
“Take whatever steps you wish, dear. Now if you will excuse me, I have packing to do.”
Mr. Lester’s shoulders slumped, and he collapsed into his chair. Heidi sat across from him.
“I don’t know that woman anymore. Hell−excuse me my dear−I don’t know either one of you.” He sighed. “Can I at least know where she’s going?”
Heidi cleared her throat. “She’ll be working as a housekeeper for Michael, and living in his house.”
Expecting another eruption, he surprised her by his lack of reaction.
“Michael.” He mumbled. “I have grown to hate the very name.”
Heidi sat, twisting her fingers, and watched her papa slumped in his chair, eyes closed.
“I’m ready.” Mrs. Lester carried a small suitcase. She walked up to father and daughter, and kissed Mr. Lester on the top of his head. “Good night, dear.”
Then she sailed out the front door, head held high.
“I’m sorry,” Heidi muttered in Papa’s direction as she followed her mother.
Chapter Eighteen
“My parents have a date?” Heidi grinned at Michael as they left the store a few days after Mrs. Lester had assumed his housekeeping duties.
“So your mother said. She told me she would fix supper and leave it for me because she and your papa were going on a date.”
Heidi laughed, the sound rippling over him, affecting him like one of his drugs. Today she’d surrendered the usual drab gray work dress for a blue broadcloth, with white collar and cuffs, that matched her eyes exactly. Her riotous blonde curls fell softly on her forehead, and against her flushed cheek. His eyes focused on the plump, red lips that he wanted to cover with his own.
“You know, I think Mother may be enjoying this little bit of rebellion for more than one reason. I can’t remember the last time Papa took Mother out for an evening, just the two of them. This may turn out to be a very good thing.” She glanced at him, her smile bright, eyes dancing.
“Why don’t you come to my house and have supper with me?” His voice came out raspy, as he attempted to control his raging emotions. When she hesitated, he hurried on, “I don’t want to eat alone, and if I know your mother, she’s left me enough to feed the whole town.”
“All right.” Heidi said, and took his offered arm.
The end of winter neared, evident in the sun still resting on the horizon, like a large child’s balloon. The cool air felt good on his skin as they strolled along. He’d left his buggy at home, since the weather had been warmer than usual and would continue for the next few days.
By his calculation, not much time remained in Heidi’s bartered-for month. She hadn’t mentioned anything about leaving, and for the first time in years, Michael felt his determination to spend his life alone start to slip. He could see her on his arm, in his house, in his bed. What would his life be like if he pushed aside his fears, and planned a future? One with a warm, secure home, with children−with Heidi?
The house smelled of fresh baked bread and some kind of stew. His stomach grumbled as he ridded himself of his coat, and took Heidi’s. They entered the kitchen, and worked as a team, as if they’d readied dinner together every day for years.
Heidi whipped an apron around her waist from the hook by the door, while Michael pulled out bowls, plates, cups and silverware. He set the table as Heidi fetched butter, and sliced the bread. After dishing up two helpings of beef stew, they both sat at the same time, grinning at each other, as they settled napkins on their laps. They bowed their heads in tandem as Michael said a quick prayer.
“Your mother is as good a cook as her daughter,” Michael said, his eyes alight with mirth.
Heidi swallowed, and wiped her mouth. “It’s amazing since she’s had a cook for years.”
“It seems your father is a successful businessman.”
Heidi nodded. “He owns a few companies, mostly factories. He also has interests in a railroad, and I think a lumber mill, but not in Oklahoma. Oh, and he has a silver mine in Nevada, but I’m not sure if it’s producing much anymore.” She chewed thoughtfully on a piece of bread.
They ate in silence for a while, until Michael pushed his empty bowl away, and leaned back in his chair. “Where does Clarence fit?”
She shrugged. “He works for Papa.”
Michael raised his eyebrows. “Really? You told me a while ago his mother and your parents have known each other for years, but I didn’t realize he worked for your father.”
Heidi leaned her elbows on the table. “Yes. He started in one of his factories, but the last couple of years, Papa has been teaching Clarence different things about all of his businesses.”
For the first time, parts of the puzzle fit together. Manfred’s almost obsession with marrying Heidi, when she’d told him, as well as her parents, she didn’t want to marry him. The few times he’d seen Clarence and Heidi together, he didn’t leave with a feeling of genuine affection on the man’s part. He treated Heidi more as a possession than someone he cared for, and wanted to build a life with.
Mr. Lester taking Clarence under his wing, so to say, spoke loudly. Did Manfred think his position in Lester’s businesses would improve when he married the daughter? In fact, now that he gave the idea some thought, that seemed certain.
Clarence’s insistence he and Heidi’s parents had agreed to the marriage, had made him curious at the time, but now made perfect sense. Michael would bet the Lesters offered some type of inducement to her fiancé. As if Heidi needed anything to induce someone to marry her! She was beautiful, sweet, loving, funny, and smart. And the list could continue.
So what are you waiting for?
****
The warmth from the fireplace had nothing to do with the rise in Michael’s body temperature, as well as other body parts. He and Heidi sat on the sofa in front of the fire, side by side, staring into the flames. The kitchen had been cleaned up, and the dishes washed and put away. She’d agreed to stay for a while since it was still early.
Michael turned, and leaned his arm on the back of the sofa. Her eyes met his, her face flushed, a distinct hitch in her breathing. Ah, she feels it too. He slid closer, attracted like a piece of metal to a magnet. “Heidi.”
“What?”
The word came out a sigh, her sweet breath a perfume as he lowered his head, and moved his mouth over hers, touching the softness of her lips. Then he exploded like a summer storm. All the pent up desire he’d buried for the past weeks rose up to torture him. He had to have her, had to feel her body under his. His lips were hard and searching, wanting, begging for an end to the agony of having her near every day and not touching her this way.
He pulled her close as his tongue slid along her lips, searching for entry. When she moaned softly, he pushed his way in, trying not to frighten her with his passion, but her mouth tasted like honey, soft and warm. He swept his tongue throughout, deepen
ing his possession, making her his. His hands moved to her head, crushing the curls as he’d wanted to, for so long. Shaky fingers slipped into her hair, releasing the loose bun, leaving her abundant waves to tumble over her shoulders.
He pulled away, and leaned his forehead against hers. “I’ve dreamed of this, of seeing your hair down, running my fingers through it.” They both panted as if completing a race. Watching him with darkened eyes, she ran her tongue over her kiss-swollen lips, and he groaned, taking her mouth once more in a searing kiss. Again he slipped his tongue inside, sweeping her sweet mouth, over all the sensitive parts. He released her lips, and kissed his way over her jaw, down her neck. She tilted her head, giving him better access, a breathless sigh escaping her lips.
Heidi slid her hands up his chest, leaving a path of fire in their wake. She tugged at the hair at the back of his neck, pulling him closer as he continued his assault. Slowly, his hands moved up from her waist, settling on her ribs. He rubbed his thumbs over her nipples, then cupped the soft globes of her breasts, which filled his hands more than her slight figure suggested.
He lowered her to a reclining position, unbuttoned her blouse, then smiled at the perky pink bow at the top of her chemise. He stared into her eyes, as he pulled the end of the ribbon, releasing the tie. His stiff fingers released the small pearl buttons on the front of her chemise, then spread the flaps apart, exposing two perfect white breasts, plump, with rosy nipples already hardened, begging for his attention.
His breath hitched as his gaze roamed over her face, neck, down to her breasts. “My God, you’re beautiful.” Almost a whisper, his voice rasped in reverence.
Heidi moved to cover her breasts with her hands, but he caught them, and kissed her fingertips. “No. Don’t ever hide yourself from me.” Moving her hands to either side of her body, he lowered his head and touched the tip of one nipple with his tongue. Heidi jerked. Michael smiled as he swirled the nipple, then took the hardened bud fully into his mouth and suckled.
She moaned softly, and moved her hands to his hair, running her fingers through the strands. The gentle touch of her slender fingers ignited him further.
Michael moved to the other breast, as Heidi gripped his head, pulling him closer. She began to move her body, her legs restless.
He worked his way up her chest to the soft skin of her neck, to her jaw, her lips, and took her mouth with a bruising possessiveness. He ended the kiss, his lips moving against hers as he spoke. “I want you, Heidi. No matter how much I try to tell myself ‘no,’ the agony won’t stop.” He buried his face against her shoulder and whispered, “I’ve never needed anyone as much as I need you.”
“Yes, Michael, yes. I want you too.”
The whisper shot straight to his groin. Yes. A simple word that would change his world. He could never let this woman go once he made love to her. She fired his blood, her essence burned into his mind. Somehow reminding himself Heidi exemplified ‘forever’ didn’t help. All his defenses had disappeared. She’d worked her way into his heart, and he wouldn’t let her go. Ever.
“Sweetheart, you need to be sure. Once I take your innocence, it’s gone forever.”
“I don’t care. I want you to make love to me. Now. Tonight.”
Her face flushed, her eyes darkened with passion. If he’d thought her beautiful before, now she literally took his breath away. Her lips swollen from his kisses, her breasts gently moving as she took each shuttering breath. Blonde curls hugged her face, trailing down to rest on her slender shoulders. His soul was lost, and there would be no turning back.
His hand cupped her face. “Your mother won’t return for hours, but I won’t make love to you for the first time on a sofa.” Before she could answer, he stood, scooped her into his arms and headed to the stairs, taking them two at a time.
He entered his bedroom, and slid her down his body, her naked breasts rubbing against his shirt. His lips took hers in a crushing kiss, while his hands slipped the top of her dress and chemise off her shoulders. Then he knelt at her feet, tugged the dress the rest of the way down. She stepped out of it, clad only in her drawers, stockings and shoes.
Michael removed her shoes and pulled the drawers down, revealing her most private place to his eyes.
****
With Michael at her feet, her naked body completely exposed to him, she should have been embarrassed. Instead a feeling of rightness, of the inevitability of this moment coursed through her. In a few minutes Michael would be her lover. She clutched his head as he placed kisses on a spot she’d never imagined a man would put his mouth. Heat spread from there, up her belly, across her breasts, causing tingles on her nipples where his mouth had been before.
Michael stood, taking her head in his strong hands. His thumbs moved over her cheeks as his lips came coaxingly down on hers. He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her.
She wanted to feel his skin, run her hands over his bare chest. Leaning back, she unbuttoned his shirt, moving the material aside. His muscular chest was feathered with brown curls, narrowing on his belly, and like an arrow, disappeared beneath his belt. Her hands looked small as they roamed over his warm flesh. His muscles rippled under her hands, and he tipped his head back, his eyes closed.
Even more daring, she pulled his shirt from his pants and pushed it off his shoulders. When she reached for his belt, his hand covered hers, and he smiled. “Let me.”
Her eyes grew wide when his pants lay bunched on the floor, and he presented the evidence of his desire. “Michael.” She shook her head, her mouth dry. “It’s too big.”
He pulled her against his chest, and kissed her forehead. “Sweetheart, it’s not too big. I promise I won’t hurt you. There will be a little bit of pain since it’s your first time, but believe me, it will fit.”
His fingers pushed the curls back from her head, and he held out his hand. “Come.” He led her to the large bed in the middle of the room, its dark green cover with yellow dots like a field of flowers on a grassy knoll.
They lay down, and he took her mouth once again in a mind drugging kiss. His hands ran over her curves, stroking her, sending shivers racing over her heated flesh. She began her own exploration, caressing his broad shoulders, his hard back, ending as she daringly cupped his buttocks, amazed at the difference between her soft body and his hard one.
Heidi floated, entirely caught up in the sensations Michael created. An inner part of her clenched and unclenched, and moisture gathered between her thighs. Michael’s hand cupped her there, humming approval at the dampness he’d found. She jumped when he parted her curls and his finger slid into her body.
“Don’t tense up, sweetheart, let me love you.” He whispered in her ear, and then sucked lightly on her earlobe.
His words sent a jolt of pleasure through her. She shifted her hand from where she grasped his back, and moving forward, touched the length of him pressing against her belly. When her fingers wrapped around the satin covered steel, he groaned her name, and added another finger to her opening, moving his fingers in and out, circling.
Sweat broke out on her body, mixed with his, so their flesh slid against each other. His thumb circled a part of her above his fingers, and gently massaged. He kissed her, stroking her mouth with his tongue, sliding it in and out, like the movements of his hand. Heidi panted, and stretched, reached for something. She moved her head back and forth. Something deep inside was building, teasing her.
“Relax, honey, let it come.”
Let what come? What could he mean? It must be something wonderful, as her muscles tightened, and what she reached for got closer and closer. Michael leaned up on one elbow, and continued his ministrations, as he gazed at her. He scattered light kisses on her forehead, her eyes, her nose, her mouth. “Let go,” he breathed.
No sooner had the words left his mouth, than Heidi’s body exploded. Waves of pleasure washed over her, and a voice she didn’t recognize called his name. Once, twice, three times. As her muscles relaxed, her hands droppe
d from his arms where she’d gripped him. He kissed her once more, and moved over her body, nudging her legs apart with his knee.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to hurt you, but only for a moment.” He slowly entered, her flesh still tingling from pleasure, until he met resistance. He touched her cheek with two fingers, and forced her to look him in the eyes.
“So sorry, honey.” His mouth covered hers as he pushed forward, and a sharp pain shot through her. Heidi whimpered as tears rushed to her eyes, and rolled down her cheek.
Michael held still, and after barely a minute, the pain ended. The fullness felt unfamiliar, but quite nice. He began to slide in and out, slowly, gently, all the while whispering encouragement in her ear. His teeth nibbled at her earlobe, then he blew on it, the sensation of his warm breath creating shivers.
As Michael settled into a steady rhythm, Heidi moved her hips, and met him thrust for thrust. His right hand found her left, and clasped it.
“I apologize. I’ve wanted you for so long, I won’t last,” he muttered as he buried his head in her shoulder. A few more thrusts, then he pulled her close as spurts of warm liquid poured into her.
He spread kisses over her sweat dampened forehead, and her eyelids, and her tears. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, I must be heavy.” He rolled off, cuddling her to his body. The pounding of his heart throbbed against her ear, echoing her own beat. Heidi took in large gulps of air, and turned to look at him. Michael met her gaze, eyes shining, his lips curved in a soft smile. Did she look the same way, back at him?
Chapter Nineteen
Michael regarded Heidi, lying there, flushed and sated. Love shone from her eyes, as he assumed his did too. There didn’t seem to be any point in fighting the inevitable anymore. He loved her, wanted her forever, body and soul. The vow he’d made to himself was finished. Heidi belonged to him, would always be his.
“I want you to stay here forever, but your mother will return sometime soon. I prefer she not find you in my bed.” His finger drew lazy circles around her nipple.
A Prescription For Love: An Oklahoma Lovers book Page 16