“So are you, woman. I discovered you’re irreplaceable.”
Rachel laughed merrily as Quentin lifted her in his arms and hugged her. “Put me down before you hurt yourself,” she protested.
He nibbled at her neck. “I won’t, because you’re as light as a feather.”
She looped her arms around his neck as he carried her up the stairs, down the hall, and into her bedroom.
Quentin placed her feet on the floor and gazed into her upturned face. One of his greatest victories was within his grasp and joy suffused him at this triumph. He unbuttoned her tailored ivory jacket, slipped it off her shoulders, and laid it on the nightstand. He removed his golf shirt and dropped it to the carpet. As he trailed his fingers up her sleek arms and cupped her jawline between his hands, he said in a husky tone, “You’re so beautiful and tempting. I’m lucky no man has snared you. I don’t know what I would have done if I’d found you married at the reunion.”
“Qr if you’d been married when we met again.”
“Fate is shining on us; we were meant for each other, I’m sure. It just took us twelve long years to get our heads straight.”
Rachel smiled as she replied, “It does appear that way, doesn’t it?”
“Yep, it does.” He pulled her slip straps over her arms and let the undergarment dangle over a pleated ebony skirt. As his adoring gaze drifted over her supple flesh, he unfastened her lacy beige bra and discarded it. Quentin embraced her again with their warm skin in stirring contact as his mouth seemingly devoured hers. Rachel experienced a flood of heat and tingles as her breasts pressed against his fuzzy chest. Her mouth slanted across his with eagerness to taste him and to take the pleasures he offered with tender generosity. Her body felt so responsive. In a burst of golden happiness, her heart yearned for what was to come, for she remembered well the delights he had given to her. She felt the evidence of his own desire pressing against her and took pleasure from the rapid beating of his heart. She was glad he shared her arousal. She noted how his fingers quivered as they worked their way down her back with sensual teasings to unbutton her skirt. Afterward, it and the slip snaked to the floor around her ankles; she stepped out of them and kicked them aside. He eased his hands inside her pantyhose and panties and grasped her buttocks, kneading them with gentleness as his mouth lavished attention on hers. She trembled when he teethed her earlobe and his hot breath teased her ear. His lips roamed her neck and shoulders from side to side as his hands traveled up her rib cage, covered her breasts and massaged them. She pressed kisses to his forehead and sighed dreamily as his thumbs toyed with her taut nipples. She liked the feel of his muscles as they rippled from intoxicating motions. She liked the smell of his cologne and the taste of juice on his breath. She loved the way he touched her with such talent and gentleness and appreciation of her figure. Though the room was well lighted by filtered sunshine, no modesty troubled her, for she was too enflamed to be hindered from her quest.
Quentin’s mouth sought hers and claimed it feverishly. Soon, their legs were too weak to stand longer. He knelt and removed her hose and panties, after sliding off her low heels. He kissed both knees before rising to discard his shoes, pants, and briefs.
As he did so, Rachel grabbed the floral spread and flung it off the bottom of the bed, along with the many throw pillows. She yanked down the top sheet and reclined, eager for him to join her. As he did so, her gaze took in his superb form. His body was a thing of sculpted beauty. She lifted her arms in invitation and he was embraced by them.
After several heady kisses, Quentin’s lips, tongue, and one hand teased and stimulated her breasts, causing their peaks to stand tall and rigid as if enticing him to linger. His other hand drifted down her stomach ever so slowly and provocatively and into the core of her womanhood; there, his eager fingers played in satiny folds. He found it arousing to excite her beyond will and thought, to realize she wanted him as intensely as he wanted her. He felt her hands teasing over his chest and back, and savored her touch. He leaned back his head and gazed into her green eyes, so full of desire for him and—if he wasn’t mistaken and prayed he wasn’t—glowing with love. His fingers below became bolder as they prepared her for complete lovemaking, which would come only after she was writhing with unrestrained passion.
Rachel pressed kisses to his nose, cheeks, and chin. She could hardly wait for him to enter her. She looked into his hungry blue gaze before he lowered his head to enthrall her breasts once more.
Rachel grasped his manhood and caressed it, bringing forth groans of pleasure from him. His body was strong and firm, sleek and appealing. He was in excellent physical condition and was almost sinfully handsome. His fingers were long and deft and drove her wild. She drifted her hands over his back, shoulders, arms, and sides.
“You’re testing my self-control something fierce, woman.”
“Mine was lost the moment you touched me. My body is like an oven.”
Sensing she was ready to receive him, Quentin rolled to his side, retrieved a condom from the nightstand, and donned it. At first, he permitted only the head of his engorged organ to enter her, as the contact was almost staggering to his whirling senses. After sucking in a breath of barely calming air, he slowly sank deeper into her moist heat. It was as if electrical currents were racing within his body. Every fiber of his being—emotional and physical—craved her.
Rachel eagerly welcomed him inside her. She felt his every motion with heightened sensitivity and thrilled at the sensations he aroused as he thrust and retreated countless times, something within her loins began to wind and coil tighter than a mainspring.
Quentin could barely maintain his control as Rachel entreated him with caresses and movements. The fire within him blazed higher and hotter and his very essence begged to be unleashed. His muscles rippled and his hips labored as he drove onward in his quest to sate them.
Heat and tension mounted in Rachel’s body with every passing second. His hands fondled and caressed her as she did the same to him. She returned each kiss with fervent ardor.
When the climactic moment arrived, which he sensed from her coaxing responses, he kissed her deeply and sought glorious fulfillment.
On the brink of release, Rachel gasped in delight and arched her back. Then, it happened. Her heart sang with happiness as she was swept away in the throes of rapture.
After her release began, he hastened his movements, raising and lowering himself upon her, and allowed himself to surrender as well as sheer ecstasy consumed him. Jolt after jolt of pleasure shot through him as his hard length throbbed and contracted in her loving receptacle.
They kissed and embraced tenderly, their hearts pounding as they gazed into each other’s eyes and smiled. Each perceived how special and fulfilling their lovemaking had been and how attuned they were to each other.
He kissed her, caressed her cheek, and cradled her in his arms. He had enjoyed sex with other women, but never with the total satisfaction he received from this one. Yep, he decided serenely, they were as well matched as a pair of his handmade boots. He said, “Wonderful, Rachel. You’re the best thing that’s happened to me in and out of bed.”
She smiled, nestled against his chest, and agreed. “I feel the same way.” She was aglow with love, happiness, and contentment. “Your individual stats in today’s game are excellent: completions for all attempts, no fumbles, and no penalties; a Superbowl performance, Quentin Rawls.”
He chuckled at her comparison to his cherished sport. “I’d say this game was a tie, and a high scoring one, wouldn’t you?”
Rachel’s fingers drifted over his torso as she replied, “Absolutely, and I’m your biggest and best fan.”
“My only fan, Rachel; that I promise you.” I love you, woman, but I’m afraid it’s too soon to make that confession; it could scare you off or make you feel pressured to respond in like kind before you’re ready. Surely that intelligent mind of yours can guess my feelings for you. I believe you love me, too, and I can hardly wait to
hear those words escape your lips.
The doorbell chimed several times, then a persistent knocking on the solid oak surface. Rachel tensed. Did someone know he was here? A neighbor? A friend? A stalking reporter?
Quentin lifted his head. “Are you expecting anyone?”
As the bell continued to chime and the knocking increased in volume and rapidity, Rachel fumed over the intrusion that spoiled the relaxing aftermath. “No, but somebody is determined I answer the door.”
Quentin rolled to his side and looked at her. “Are you going to?”
“Dressed like this?” she jested to relieve her tension as her gaze motioned to her nakedness. And perfumed with passion’s unmistakable scent? “I’ll look through the peephole to make sure it isn’t an emergency. I’ll be back in a minute. Stay here; remain quiet and think about me.”
Without donning a robe, Rachel left the room, almost tiptoeing so her footsteps couldn’t be heard outside. She peered through the revealing device, then observed her brazen visitor’s actions in anger and amazement.
Concealed by drapes and soft shades over windows covered by reflective sunshields, Rachel knew she could not be seen. Peeking around the edge of the breakfast-room arch, she watched Janet Hollis walk to the Florida room, wade through shrubs, and attempt to see inside the house! She observed as the nosy woman even leaned an ear close to the window. Since the only gate to the backyard was locked, the nervy woman could not get inside the area to pry, though she made that effort, and also tried to see into the garage, only to be thwarted by the window shades. Rachel hurried to the casual section of the living room, eased the shade aside only a smidgen, and saw Janet depart. Rachel lingered until she was certain the bold creature was gone, then rejoined Quentin who had tossed the top sheet over his hips and legs.
She slipped into a satin robe, the fury was clear in her voice as she disclosed her findings. “Would you believe that was Janet Hollis, Quentin, and that she snooped around outside. How dare she spy on me! I know that’s what she was doing.” She related all of the woman’s actions to him as he stared at her in astonishment.
“You think she saw me arrive and park in the garage?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care, the little witch. She dislikes me and considers me an outsider, so she’s dying to ruin me.”
“I’m sorry if I’ve done anything to cause you embarrassment.”
Rachel halted her movements, and smiled at him. “You haven’t. This was the best afternoon I’ve spent in ages. Why don’t we shower, dress, and go out to eat? It’s dinnertime.”
“That suits me.”
“You take the shower and I’ll take the tub; then we can be ready quickly.”
“In case she returns?”
“No, because I’m starving—for food this time, Mexican food and perhaps a margarita. Maybe two,” she joked with a grin.
“Let’s get moving then, woman. I’m hungry, too.”
The phone rang just then and Rachel glanced toward the white one on the bedside table. “I’m not answering it; I bet it’s that sneaky Janet. On second thought, it could be one of my daughters or a friend. You jump in the shower while I go into the office and listen to the answering machine.”
“Screening your calls, eh?”
“Today, yes.” She hurried into the room down the hall as the machine clicked on.
“Rachel, this is Janet. I just came over to discuss a matter with you, but I suppose you were too busy to come to the door or to answer the phone. Have a nice time, and I’ll talk to you about it later.”
The moment Janet hung up and the machine clicked off, Rachel erased the annoying words and innuendo. She wondered if her neighbor was speculating about her lover’s presence and their actions or knew the truth, had been spying and was certain she was home with the football hero. Janet was surely going to be a thorn in her side about Quentin in any case.
And what, she fretted, about that pesky reporter? Was Todd Hardy also lurking in the shadows and scribbling nasty notes about them to put into print for all to read? What damage could he and Janet do to her budding relationship with Quentin? Would wild rumors spread and stain her reputation? Would be she ostracized by her social circle? How could she live in a town and travel in a group that viewed her as trash, as they did poor Carrie Simmons? She asked herself if she was risking too much, everything, anything, for love?
Don’t think about that complication tonight, just enjoy your time with Quentin. I’m going to take a chance with you, my darling, but we have to be careful and alert.
Ten
On Tuesday, Rachel hung up the receiver after phoning Janet. She was even more annoyed with the woman after Janet told her she could not remember what she wanted to discuss. Rachel was convinced now that Janet was being snoopy and intrusive. She told herself she was not going to allow Janet to aggravate her or to cause problems, but that was easier said than done. To work off her tension, Rachel exercised on the treadmill, then showered before sitting down to work on the celebrity auction to raise funds for the library extension.
Several times during that task, she halted to make notes on future chapters of her novel in progress, or to think about Quentin.
At six, Quentin arrived and parked his rental car in the garage.
Rachel smiled and caressed his cheek. “You look tired,” she observed.
“I’m beat; that isn’t my normal kind of work. Thanks for getting me in to see the mayor on such short notice; I liked him. He had a few of the councilmen with him. They appeared interested in the project, particularly liked the idea of possibly combining baseball and football at Heaton Stadium. They’re going to talk it over and get back to me in a few days.”
“That’s great news, isn’t it?”
“For Bill and his group of investors, if they decide on Augusta. What has me peeved is that Todd Hardy. He was hanging around outside the mayor’s office today. I’d bet my Superbowl ring he’s following me. In fact, he rode behind me for a long way after I left the building. I had to do some clever driving to lose him, but I finally did. That should tell him I’m on to him and, if he doesn’t back off, he won’t get that interview from me.”
“Why don’t you relax in the Jacuzzi with a glass of wine and some soft music?”
Quentin warmed to that provocative offer. He pulled her into his arms, kissed her, and murmured, “If you’ll join me.”
Rachel grinned and said, “Sounds like what I need to relax me. You pour the wine and bring it up while I get the Jacuzzi going.”
Rachel handed him two plastic glasses from a past pool party. “There are several kinds of wine in the refrigerator, but I’ll take the blush. Here’s the corkscrew and two stoppers.” She left him to do his task while she attended to hers.
As the Jacuzzi filled with water laced with Oriental-scented bubble bath, she took candles from a drawer, placed them around the large tub, and lit them. She laid out thick towels and washcloths, then turned on the CD player in the entertainment unit in the bedroom, already loaded with disks and the selector set on random picks of romantic songs. She didn’t care if she was being wanton; she desired him wildly, and she remembered sharing another sensuous time long ago in a ship shower. Her body glowed and her spirit soared at the thought of being with him again. She could not imagine ever feeling reluctant to hop into bed with him when she knew the blazing and unrestrained lovemaking that was in store for her. She adored him. She felt so alive and carefree in his presence and arms, whether they were in bed or not. He made her feel desired, special, important. There was no denying they were well suited. There was no denying she loved him and wanted to marry him. She prayed that everything would work out for him in his career or in a new one; she prayed her children and friends would accept him in her life; she prayed outsiders would not intrude and spoil their chance for happiness. Please be the man I think you are and be sincere with your feelings and words.
Quentin joined her as she undressed and stepped into the water. He set down the
winefilled glasses, glanced around at the seductive setting, and smiled. He stripped and entered the tub, facing her and stretching out beside her, the lengths of their bodies touching. “Yep, just what I need,” he said, as the silky fluid flowed around them.
Rachel pressed the control button and the Jaccuzi began to swirl the water, coaxing more bubbles to life with its movements. She lifted her glass and sipped wine as her gaze roamed his handsome face and muscular torso. Locks of ebony hair toppled over his forehead and almost grazed his thick brows. When he grinned, creases halted just before making dimples in his cheeks, and his blue eyes seemed to sparkle with affection and delight. His angular jawline was beginning to reveal a slight five-o’clock shadow which made him look sexy and rugged. She noted the cords in his neck and the hollows near his collarbone. Her gaze drifted over the rises of his pectorals and the flat tautness of his abdomen. The arms which he rested along the tub’s edge in separate directions were powerful—one, a legendary “golden” talent. She knew the heat on her flesh was from the encompassing water, but the flames within her were from rampant desire for the man nearby.
Over the sound of the Jacuzzi, they chatted about his meeting and her afternoon work while they allowed themselves to relax and the water’s movement to quell their troubled moods. He offered to give her an autographed football to use in the auction; she was grateful and made a mental note to add it to her list. Her hand massaged his right calf and foot as his did the same to hers at the other end of the tub. A layer of fluffy white suds concealed her breasts, but her bare shoulders aroused him with the promise of her complete nakedness. When the tub was filled to the right level, Rachel pushed the brass handles to halt the flow.
Anything For Love Page 18