He smiled this time, the light reaching his eyes for once. “Yes, I do.” He picked her up and carried her over to the kitchen, where he set her down on the marble bench top. She tried not to squeal as the cold bench top bit into her thighs and instead focused on him. Julian ran his hands up the outside of her thighs, her insides clenching with need. Finally, he tugged at her panties. Obviously, they were going to make love right here. “Lie back.”
Throwing caution, and insecurities to the wind, Samara lay back on the cool marble and let Julian pull her panties down. Nervous bubbles wiggled in her belly, but she did as he asked. Her knickers disappeared down her legs and Julian knelt on the floor, his hands opening her thighs. She lifted her knees, placing her feet on his shoulders as he began to kiss up the inside of her thighs with his soft, beautiful mouth.
She covered her face with her hands, a strange embarrassment sweeping over her as tingles of pleasure curled in her belly. They were beneath bright lights, in his kitchen, and he was about to lick her…
“Oh... wow…” She moaned as his tongue pulsed over her swollen clit, the sensations coursing down the backs of her legs.
He continued to pleasure her as she thrashed on the table. His tongue swiped over her flesh, suckling her clit before delving down deeper down into her body.
“Julian...please... I…”
He stood up and looked down on her, wiping his glistening chin with his hand. “What is it?”
“I want you.”
Satisfaction showed in his gaze as he grinned, lifted his hand, and slid his fingers into place. Opening her, filling her up, and causing a new pleasure to pulse through her belly. He moved his fingers in and out, in the perfect rhythm that made her eye lids begin to drop and her legs to tighten.
He withdrew his hand from her aching cleft and began to unbutton his pants.
She pulled herself up to sitting and attacked his buttons herself, opening his shirt so that she was free to touch him properly. Her hands ran over his hot skin, and pushed his shirt down his arms.
Julian opened his pants and stroked his cock with his wettened hands, then slipped protection on. She would have much preferred there to be no barrier between them, but he’d argued this point already with her.
She held tight to his shoulders and stared into his eyes as he stepped closer.
Julian said, “I want to remember this.”
She nodded and breathed out slowly, opening her legs to accommodate him now that he was fully naked.
He set his thick, arrow-shaped cock head to her swollen lips and slid in slowly.
She bit her lip as hot tears gathered in her eyes. She concentrated on her breathing, his blue gaze connecting with hers as he dove into her body, bringing them together for the very last time. That thought caused more tears as hot, tight pleasure squeezed her belly, and she closed her eyes, dropping her head as the feelings over whelmed her.
His hand shot up and lifted her chin. “No hiding. I want to see you.”
He pulled back and she cried out, shifting forwards to receive him again.
He slammed back in and she screamed, digging her nails into his shoulders.
He moved back again and the emptiness inside her became too much to bear.
He thrust back towards her and she stared straight into Julian’s eyes, his mouth open and his breathing rate increasing as he began to move harder and faster.
They were now both part of the ancient dance, a race to the end.
They moved as one, each receiving and taking as the storm began to lift them up and throw them around.
“Julian. I…”
A hot, huge wave crashed into her and she cried out, squeezing him tightly as pleasure slammed through her. Julian kept moving, prolonging her orgasm until he was grunting, panting, fighting his own release.
She shifted her pelvis forward again, taking him deeper, and then she heard it. That hitch in his breath, that groan. He threw back his head as he thrust, balls deep into her body and let go of that beautiful control he had.
He shuddered in her arms and she kissed the line of his strong throat; then his cheek when he finally dropped down close enough.
The heat settled over them like a cloud and she didn’t want to break the spell. But when he finally did, she let go of any hurt feelings. This was one last night to remember.
“To bed?” he asked as he pulled away.
She nodded as he cleaned himself up, grabbed his bedraggled clothes, and led her into the huge main bedroom.
They made love again and when the sun rose she was still in his arms.
They didn’t have breakfast together, nor really said goodbye.
“I better go, Julian. I’ve got a lot of things to check off before my flight tonight.”
“Of course. Thank you for all your great work over the past two weeks. You really have got this hotel back on the road to recovery.”
Straightening her collar, she ran her fingers quickly through her hair. She’d have to stop off at her room to shower and change, then she’d attend to the staff.
Turning to him, she pasted on her sunniest smile. She’d done a great job, even if she did say so herself, and had a better time than she’d ever imagined.
“It has been an honor, Julian. This job has been an incredible experience. The new managers are all very qualified for their positions, my handbooks are all being printed and should be here this weekend, and I’m only a skype call away if you need anything else.” Something she’d made sure everyone in the hotel knew. Just because she’d be home doing her health retreat thing, didn’t mean she couldn’t fit in a call or two.
“I know. And I have your email. I wish you luck with your future plans, Samara.”
She smiled at him, her heart squeezing tight. “You too, Julian. It really has been an honor to work with you.”
He smiled at her, then headed off into the shower, shutting the door behind him.
Samara managed to get through the day very well. Surprisingly well.
She tied up all her loose ends, managed to speak to the staff, and even have a beautiful, albeit fast dinner, as she was running out the door.
Leaving the hotel was so far away from her first experience when she’d arrived two weeks ago, she could barely believe it. This time, the maitre’d called her a taxi, the doors whooshed open on their own, and there was a tour bus arriving on the doorstep to check in.
She left Hawaii with a smile on her face and knowledge that she’d done a great job.
However, the ache left in her chest as she watched Waikiki disappear beneath a cover of cloud as her plane took off, told her that Julian would not be as easy to forget as she’d originally hoped.
CHAPTER 6
“The baby looks perfect. Measuring a little big for twenty weeks, but that’s still within normal limits. You are one very lucky woman, Samara.”
Samara couldn’t tear her eyes away from the ultra sound screen where her baby moved vigorously around, almost as though it were trying to run away from the probe pressed into her belly.
“I am. So, lucky.”
Her obstetrician took the metal paddle away and the screen froze on the last image of her little one.
It was four months since she’d left Hawaii, and three months since she’d realized she was pregnant. The most incredible and terrifying moment of her life so far. The fear had been immediate, followed swiftly by disbelief and then a warmth of love that she’d never expected.
Against all odds, she’d conceived the baby her specialists had sworn was almost impossible, in a body she’d been told may not be able to carry a child at all.
She’d held her breath until that first ultrasound at twelve weeks, when despite the fear gnawing at her insides, she’d hoped and prayed for a good outcome.
The Universe had delivered for her. Her life was now even better than she’d ever imagined. Seeing the baby’s little heart racing away on that first screening caused tears. They hadn’t stopped since. Tears of joy, tears of
relief, tears of hormones that she couldn’t quite control.
Thank goodness the nausea had finally stopped. She’d lost ten pounds in the first trimester. She hadn’t been able to keep anything down.
“All done here. You can get dressed and I’ll see you at your next appointment.”
Her obstetrician handed her a print out of her baby’s profile and she gripped it tight. Her parents would love having this picture. She’d have to scan it and email them when she arrived home. “Thanks, Alex.”
He left her alone and she got to her feet, checking her phone and seeing another missed call from Julian. Her stomach tightened with unease.
What did he want now? That was the third time he’d called in three days.
She’d managed to avoid seeing him since Hawaii. There had been a few phone calls, emails to staff, and even a few video conference calls with decorators for the hotel. Despite her original reservations on working through this year, she enjoyed it. She’d been happy to help him follow up with the work she’d started, and had billed the King hotel empire for her time.
They’d paid for all her nursery furniture and stroller already, just in the overtime she’d done since leaving.
Everything was going so well in her life, she found herself holding her breath some days, waiting for something bad to happen.
Her business was ticking along, her two protégés were doing very well in her absence. She was seeing a chiropractor, a naturopath, and doing pregnancy yoga regularly. Her parents were happy and debt free, and she had a healthy baby growing inside her. Everything was perfect.
Her phone tinkled and she glanced down to see Julian’s ID once again. She groaned and switched it off, throwing it into her handbag. She paid the doctors bill with a swipe of her credit card and made her way out of the clinic.
Julian couldn’t find out about her pregnancy. He’d made it very clear that this was never on the cards for him. And yet, no matter how often she told herself that she was doing the right thing, the guilt she felt every day at keeping it from him ate at her heart.
She wanted to tell him, so much. But she was terrified to. Would he be angry with her? More than likely. Would he demand DNA tests? She shuddered at the thought. Would he never want to see her again, or worse, would he demand his parental rights?
No. She wouldn’t lose her baby. It was not an option.
She walked the few blocks home, stopping for a soy latte—her one for the week. She’d cut back on most unhealthy foods, but she just couldn’t give up her little bit of chocolate and caffeine.
Her reflection beamed back at her as she passed by the many sky rise buildings. She wore a coat today to stave off the fall chill, but her figure-hugging navy dress beneath showed her basketball bump nicely.
She smoothed her hand along her baby and kept walking, a list of emails that she needed to send off running through her head. As she approached her building her eye caught a flash of something silver as an expensive foreign car pulled up at the curb.
Rummaging through her large Hermes bag for her keys, she turned away toward her building. It was such a luxury to have a car in New York. The street was littered with yellow cabs and not much else.
“Samara.”
She froze, her fingers still clinging to the keys in her hand. She knew that deep, cool voice too well. Panic ensued with her heart stumbling to the starting blocks, and then racing off. Ants crawled all over her skin with feverish pace. Her belly!
She wrapped her coat around herself and tied the belt as tight as she could. When she turned around she’d managed to plaster a smile onto her face, but her knees were trembling where she stood.
Julian King. The man of her dreams. Literally. His blue eyes, hot words, and incredible love making skills still haunted her nightly hours.
He stepped in front of her, his eyes wide, his hands out stretched.
“You are one hard woman to find.”
Hardly. I didn’t even think of moving apartments.
She laughed and leaned forward as he drew her close. His lips touched hers with a soft kiss that lingered, a shiver caressing her spine as her eyes dropped to half-mast.
Don’t let him know!
She pulled back and held her bag in front of her belly, trying not to look as obvious and awkward as she felt.
“Not really. I’ve answered all your emails and most of your calls. But I’ve been busy too and the hotel seemed to be ticking along just fine. Anyway, Julian, how are you? Long time, no see.”
She was forcing it, and when his mouth dropped into a displeased frown, she knew she was blowing it. Big time.
“What’s wrong, Samara? Have I interrupted something? Are you meeting your boyfriend, or someone?” He looked behind him as though expecting a man to materialize.
She laughed, forcing out the sound. “Of course not. I was just sorting out lists in my head. A bit distracted today. How are you? How’s the hotel going? Trey has sent me photos and I’ve seen lots of good reviews on trip advisor.”
It had made her proud to see so many people flocking back to the hotel she’d helped re-build.
“And you’ve got your money, of course.” His tone was flat and it made her gut twist. Yes, she’d received the bonus she’d been promised if the hotel performed as they’d wanted within the first quarter. Mrs. King had been very impressed with the changes.
“Yes, I did. Thank you.”
Julian glanced up at her building. “Can I come up?”
He took her elbow and turned her. Her feet moving despite her brain telling her to stop.
“Ah, no. It’s not a good time.”
Julian stopped, his hand falling away from her elbow. “You have met someone.”
“No, no. It’s nothing like that. I just want to keep things as they were left. Clean cut.”
“Well, I don’t. Let’s go. I hate talking on the street where everyone can see us.”
He kept walking and somehow she followed along with his plan, opening the front door to her apartment building and got into the lift before she could think of a better way of putting him off.
He pushed the button for her floor and she rolled her eyes. He knew where she lived. She wouldn’t have been able to avoid him even if she’d convinced him to go away today, it was pretty obvious he would have come back and knocked on her door.
Damn. I should have said I had a new boyfriend. He would have left then.
When the elevator opened, she walked out into the hall and fumbled with her keys.
“Julian. What do you want? I really do have lots to do today.”
“I have another proposal for you. A better one. So if you don’t mind, I’d like a coffee and to sit down with you and talk about it.”
His tone brooked no argument and her brain went to mush. She twisted and held the key out, managing to get it into the hole and turning the knob to let her back into the apartment.
She held her breath as she did a quick scan of the furniture. No. Nothing baby orientated that she could see. It was all tucked away in the nursery.
“Coffee you said?”
She walked over to the kitchen and turned on her coffee machine. She hadn’t used it in months. The aromatic smell that had once made her practically moan with delight now made her belly churn.
One of the many things she’d gone off during her pregnancy.
“Cappuccino?”
She put the pod into the machine and heated up the milk, her heart fluttering away like a caged bird. How was she going to get him out of here?
She made his drink and turned around, pushing it across her crowded bench top. Her back was sweating and she was dying to take her coat off but the last thing she wanted to do was expose her pregnancy.
“What can I do for you, Julian?”
His eyes brows did that odd dance when he was surprised by her and wasn’t sure what he should say. “I wanted to see you, what’s wrong with that? You’ve been avoiding my calls and I wanted to check on you, make sure everything was
okay.”
She gestured to herself in general. “Well, as you can see, I’m fine. Travelling along my journey.”
The corner of his mouth kicked up in a cute smile she remembered so well and her tummy fluttered at the sight. “You’re such a hippy.”
She shrugged and crossed her arms over her chest. “Yeah, well. I’m me. And you know that.”
“I do. And that’s why I’m here…. You look different.”
You have no idea.
“Well, I feel different. I’m finally looking after myself as I should. So please, I have a shower calling to me and a conference call later on. Our business is done, Julian.”
He was still staring at her, his eyes surveying her body, skimming over her breasts and lower.
She looked down and realized crossing her arms beneath her breasts had caused her coat to tug against her belly, exposing her curve.
Oh, no….
WAS that the reason she was still in her jacket? Her cheeks flushed pink with the warmth of the room. She was hiding her belly from him. But why?
Julian swallowed the acid in his throat, his eyes lingering around the soft swell of her lower abdomen. Her jacket gaped open, revealing…
“You’re pregnant.”
The words came out like gun shot in the room.
His hands began to shake as he picked up his coffee cup and took a sip, ice running through his veins, vanishing all remnants of heat. Had she gotten herself knocked up after she returned to New York? With IVF as she had planned? Or was it his?
“Whose baby is it, Samara?”
His brain calculated the dates, four months, one week since she’d returned to New York.
He had no idea how pregnant she looked, but he was going to find out the truth, so help him!
“Ah, um...”
Why was she stammering? The question wasn’t that difficult and definitely indicated a hole in her usual immediate honesty.
“Julian, this is my baby, there is no father.”
Tropical Tryst: 25 All New and Exclusive Sexy Reads Page 35