Wine & Roses

by Susan Hughes

  Abby sighed, delighting in the flare of luscious heat as his thumbs caressed, slowly circling her nipples, now taut with arousal. Sliding her hands slowly over his hips and around his back, she settled her mouth against his throat, feeling his pulse flutter delicately against her lips. Her kisses elicited a shudder and a groan of pleasure from deep in his chest; the evidence of his desire for her gave her a sense of satisfaction, while stoking the heat pooling in the pit of her stomach.

  Using memory to determine the location of the bed, she inched closer to it, urging Jason along. Once her legs touched the side of the mattress, she crawled onto it, pulling him down with her. Without hesitation Abby gathered the fabric of his pajama top in both hands and yanked it over his head, discarding it. Bending her head, she skimmed her lips and tongue over the firm muscle of his chest, delighting in the hot, salty taste of his skin. She longed to touch and kiss every inch of him, and intended to do so, hooking her hands into the waistband of his pajama bottoms to help him wriggle out of them.

  “Abby, are you sure?” Jason asked, as his pajamas came to rest in a pile on the floor.

  “I didn’t plan this, but … I’m sure.” She wasn’t certain what had changed her mind, or whether she’d even thought about her impulse before acting on it. Maybe it was the blackness of the room that emboldened her. All she knew was all at once it felt like the perfect time and place to be in Jason’s arms, and to give herself wholly to him.

  Rising from the mattress, he gathered her against him as he rolled over, laying her down with her head against the pillow. Abby smiled to herself, relishing his warm weight along the length of her body. He kissed her ravenously, his lips migrating down the ridge of her jaw to her sensitive earlobe. Draping her arms over his back, Abby moaned softly, agonizing need rippling through her.

  “We can stop if you want to, Abby. As difficult as that might be,” Jason said against her cheek, his voice rough with arousal.

  Though she appreciated him offering one last chance to change her mind, she didn’t want to stop at all. Everything she felt now, in her heart and in her body, was amazing and so different from anything she’d experienced before. Jason’s caresses were so tender, and so generous, she couldn’t get enough of them.

  “I don’t want to stop,” she told him. “It’s just … I don’t want you to be disappointed.” As the thought invaded her mind, she reproved herself silently for allowing it in, and blinked back sudden tears that burned behind her eyes.

  “Why on earth would I be disappointed?” He skimmed his fingertips gently along her cheek, awaiting her answer.

  Abby released a long sigh. “I suppose you might as well know. Colin didn’t think much of my lovemaking. He said I was cold and unresponsive. I suppose he was right.” Though she hadn’t voiced it before, she realized she had come to believe her husband’s appraisal of her, and had blamed herself for his rejection. “I don’t want to be that way with you.”

  “I see,” Jason replied thoughtfully. Abby held her breath, regretting her confession as she waited for him to continue. What must he think of her now?

  “Tell me,” he said at last, “did Colin ever take the time to make sure you were satisfied, or did he think only of himself?”

  Taken aback by the question, Abby didn’t know how to answer at first. She hadn’t enjoyed intimacy with her husband all that much, and had believed it to be her failing, not his. But Jason knew as well as she did that it was part of Colin’s nature to dismiss the needs and desires of others, even his own wife.

  “That could have something to do with it,” she admitted. “He was selfish in many ways, and I suppose this was no exception. He always seemed to be in a hurry.”

  “There’s no hurry now.” His tone low and sensual, Jason let his hand drift down to her belly, the backs of his knuckles stroking lightly, making her flesh quiver. “We’ve got all night.”

  Shifting his weight to his knees, he freed both hands to leisurely trace the soft curves of her hips, stroking her thighs and then moving between them, teasing her with feather-soft caresses. She drew a sharp breath.

  “Lie back and relax.” He bent to kiss her lips again before his focus wandered downward. With his hands and mouth he explored her body patiently and methodically, seeking out the most sensitive areas. Reluctant to selfishly receive such attention without reciprocating, Abby nonetheless did as instructed, closing her eyes as she let the exquisite sensations wash over her. Each gentle stroke fuelled her mounting need, a delightful warm pocket slowly gathering in her belly.

  As the warmth grew to a more insistent heat, she felt her breath come faster and she reached up to grip his shoulders. Arching her back, she clung to him, her heart hammering and her body rigid with expectation as her desire swelled into waves of deep, shimmering pleasure that cascaded through her in a dazzling rush.

  Fighting to catch her breath, she raised her eyes to Jason’s face, a barely visible outline above her. A glimmer of light from somewhere, perhaps the headlights of a passing car slipping through the break in the curtains, caught his eyes and sparked off them like polished gems as he met her gaze.

  “Make love to me now,” she breathed, gathering him closer.

  * * *

  Jason woke with her sleeping form curled against him, her supple curves fitting neatly alongside his larger shape. Releasing a deep breath, he relaxed into his pillow, contentment settling over him. Abby’s auburn curls tumbled about her head, ticking his chin, and he gently brushed the strands away from his face, careful not to jostle the bed. Though he longed to stroke her bare arm, or bend his head to kiss her shoulder, he was reluctant to do so and wake her.

  Touching her was something he’d felt compelled to do since the moment they met, and having been given free reign last night, he had relished the chance to freely explore her body. Her response to him had aroused him to incredible heights; the knowledge that he was able to please her gave him immense satisfaction.

  More than this, Jason realized he was falling in love with Abby. He wasn’t quite sure what to do with the emotion, or whether loving her frightened him or made him ecstatic. He was still too steeped in the heady glow of their lovemaking to think about what the future might hold. Here and now, he felt content to lie with her and let the slow, steady rhythm of her breathing lull him back to sleep.

  Before he could close his eyes again she stirred, stretching her long legs before rolling onto her back. Her eyes flickered open, gazing up at him as a soft smile touched her lips.

  “Morning,” she said sleepily, reaching up to stroke his cheek with her fingertips, as though to assure herself that her night with him hadn’t been a dream.

  “Morning, Abby. Did you sleep well?”

  “Very well.” Glancing down at the sheet draped over her waist, she realized her breasts were exposed and quickly gathered the sheet up to her neck. Still clutching it as she sat up, she pushed back her unruly hair, frowning. “I must look dreadful.”

  “You look beautiful,” Jason said, meaning it. Without make up, and with her hair tousled wildly, she looked natural and radiant.

  Her smile returned, touching her eyes. “So you weren’t disappointed last night?”

  “Quite the opposite. You?”

  “I was only disappointed that it had to end.” Her smile turned sweetly bashful as colour rose in her cheeks.

  Jason propped himself on one elbow, facing her. “It doesn’t have to end.”

  “I’ll be gone for three weeks,” she reminded him, referring to the book-signing tour she’d be leaving on in a few days. He’d almost forgotten about it.

  “I’ll miss you every moment.” He bent to kiss her shoulder. When he looked up, he saw a crease between her brows, her eyes holding a troubled look. “What is it?”

  “Jason, you know I’m nine years older than you,” she said. “Doesn’t that bother you?”

  “Why should it?”

  “Because … because you’re still a young man. You’ll want a young woman, o
ne who can give you a family.”

  So that’s what was bothering her. “Abby, I’m not looking to get married right now. Or anytime soon. After the disaster of my last engagement, I’m in no hurry at all.”

  Her frown deepened, and Jason realized at once that his reassurances were misplaced. Oh, hell. He should have talked to her about this before. He’d implied to her that he was falling in love, and it was the truth, but the rest of it … marriage and babies … he just couldn’t think of those things right now. He believed that Abby loved him, too, and he wanted her to feel that way. But maybe to her, being in love meant a promise of something permanent. He wasn’t sure he could give her that promise.

  “I didn’t mean—”

  “It’s fine, Jason.” She smiled stiffly. “I feel the same way. I was married for twenty years. I plan to stay single for a good long while.”

  As she shuffled over to swing her legs over the side of the bed, the sheet fell away from her back, the sight of her bare bottom eliciting a stirring of heat in Jason’s groin. Never mind—now wasn’t the time.

  Abby froze as her eyes fell on the rose still lying on the nightstand, now wilting. She turned to look at Jason, her gaze intent.

  “Do you swear this wasn’t from you?”

  “I swear, Abby. Besides, I could hardly have been responsible for the perfume or the lights going out.”

  “Someone must be playing a prank on me,” she said, her irritation from the previous evening returning. “Or it was a bunch of weird coincidences.”

  “There must be a rational explanation.”

  “I’m sure there is.” Still clutching the sheet around herself, Abby stood and headed to the bathroom. “I guess I’ll take a quick shower. You have to get to work.”

  After she closed the bathroom door, Jason sat up, his thoughts lingering on the strange occurrences during the night that had faded so far into the background of his consciousness. As the events were happening, he’d almost been ready to believe there really was something supernatural happening. In the light of day, though, it seemed that there must be an earthly explanation for all of it— whatever that might turn out to be.

  Chapter Eight

  Jason waited until Abby had settled into her chair before taking his own seat at the opposite side of the table.

  “I haven’t been here in ages.” She gazed around the restaurant, a small but elegant establishment overlooking the Niagara River. “I hope the salmon is as amazing as it used to be.”

  Handing her one of the leather-bound menus, Jason smiled warmly. “I come here for lunch all the time, and I had the salmon last week. It melts in your mouth.”

  “Good, then I don’t need to look at the menu,” Abby said brightly, returning his smile.

  A waiter arrived at their table momentarily, and as Jason ordered a bottle of Pinot noir, Abby let her gaze settle on the gorgeous man across from her. He looked dapper in a shirt and tie, his customary attire for a day at the winery. As much as she appreciated his neatly put-together appearance, she couldn’t help but indulge a fantasy involving the systematic removal of those clothes. But that would have to wait for a while; in a few hours she’d be off to the airport to catch a flight to Vancouver. She’d been having the time of her life with Jason, and her enthusiasm for this trip was sorely lacking.

  “Jason, Abby, how are you?”

  Abby looked up to see Lorena Bloom pacing toward their table, beaming a disingenuously broad smile. But then, nothing about Lorena had ever struck Abby as particularly genuine. Nearly sixty, she still dyed her hair jet-black, and there was something odd about the set of her features, likely the result of a few too many surgical alterations—not the least of which involved her ample bosom boosted well above its natural position.

  “I saw you at the opera last night,” Lorena went on without waiting for a reply. “I tried to get your attention, but you hurried off so quickly.”

  “Sorry we missed you.” Jason cast a brief, knowing glance at Abby, who smothered a grin, remembering how hastily they had left the theatre once they spotted Lorena approaching.

  Lorena’s probing gaze settled on Abby. “Abby, you looked absolutely stunning at the hospital fundraiser gala. Was it one of the gowns Colin bought you?”

  Abby straightened in irritation, but refused to let Lorena rile her. “No, it was new.”

  “Well, it was just the kind of thing he would have loved to see you in. It’s still so strange seeing you out and about without him. It hardly seems like a year since we lost Colin.” Lorena let her smile droop, replacing it with a solemn expression. “At these events, I can’t help thinking of him, and how much he would have enjoyed himself. Charity meant so much to him, as you know.”

  Abby dipped her chin. “He would’ve been there, for sure.” But without me, she added silently.

  “Jason, the wine you provided for the event was exquisite,” Lorena went on, turning her attention to him.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

  Her thinly plucked brows puckered. “I suppose you’ve heard about Bree and Stephen Blaine, have you?”

  “Heard what?”

  “About their engagement.”

  Jason’s eyebrows lifted only slightly. “No, I hadn’t heard.”

  Tilting her head to one side, Lorena bent to pat his hand in consolation. “Oh, dear, I’m sorry to have blurted it out so callously.”

  “It’s fine.” His tone betrayed none of the annoyance that must have been building inside him. “I’m happy for them.”

  She offered an indulgent nod. “Well, I just thought that after the way she left you, it might be a sore spot.”

  “Lovely seeing you, Lorena,” Jason said mildly, his smile tight. Abby could see his temples pulsing, and wondered how long he’d be able to hold his temper.

  “Yes, nice to see both of you. Enjoy your lunch.” Recognizing that she’d been dismissed, and satisfied with the discomfort she’d caused, Lorena flounced back to her table to join her husband Sid, who glanced over briefly, appearing perplexed by what had just transpired.

  Jason stared down at his menu. “That woman is insufferable,” he muttered.

  “Don’t let her get to you,” Abby said quietly. “It’s what she wants.”

  “True,” he said, though his jaw remained clenched as the waiter arrived with their wine, filling their glasses before taking their meal orders.

  “Did it bother you at all to hear of Brianna’s engagement?” Abby asked, once the waiter had gone.

  Jason snatched up his glass, taking a long swallow before answering. “Why should it? If anything I feel sorry for Blaine. He doesn’t know what he’s in for. I should warn him.”

  “No, Jason, you shouldn’t,” she said, unsure if he was serious. “He wouldn’t listen to you anyhow. Love can make the most astute of us blind.”

  “And stupid,” he added sharply. “That’s the trouble with it, isn’t it?”

  Abby blinked at him in surprise. “Do you really mean that?”

  Jason drew a deep breath, his tone softening as he met her gaze. “Sorry. No, I don’t mean it. Lorena Bloom just has a way of getting under my skin. Going on about Colin like he was some kind of saint, and implying you should walk around in a black veil for the rest of your life.” Hearing the timbre of his voice begin to rise again, he paused to settle himself. “What Colin Bennett did to my father was callous and malicious, but that was business. The way he treated you, his wife—he shouldn’t get off scot free for that.”

  “Colin’s dead, he hasn’t gotten away with anything,” Abby reminded him. “Besides, you’re the one who advised me to leave the past where it belongs. If I can forgive Colin, surely you can do the same.”

  Jason nodded, offering a conciliatory smile. “You’re right. Let’s forget about Lorena and Colin, and poor old blind Stephen Blaine, and focus on enjoying our lunch.”

  “The last one we’ll have together for a while,” Abby added.

  “What time do you need to be at t
he airport?”

  “About six-thirty.”

  “I can drive you there, if you like,” Jason offered.

  “That’s sweet, and I’d love it. But Marguerite has been dropping me off at the airport for years, and she still considers it her duty. I’d hate to disappoint her.”

  “Ah yes, dear Marguerite,” he said dryly, his jaw tightening again. “My number one fan.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  Jason’s shoulders lifted slightly. “I get the impression she doesn’t approve of me.”

  Abby tapped her fingers on the table, unsure how to reply. She’d hoped to shield him from Marguerite’s misgivings about him, but obviously he was perceptive enough to discern her friend’s negative feelings.

  “It’s nothing personal,” Abby assured him. “She’s always seen herself as my protector, ever since we met at a stuffy cocktail party early in my marriage. I was the new girl in Colin’s social circle, and she resolved to take me under her wing. It can get suffocating at times, but she means well. It’s been a godsend to have someone I can count on to have my back, no matter what.”

  Jason nodded his understanding. “I hope you’ll add me to the list of people you can count on.”

  “You can count on that,” Abby replied, his words warming her. “And it does go both ways.”

  “To counting on one another.” He raised his glass.

  Lifting her own glass in agreement, Abby couldn’t help recalling the last time they had toasted one another. On that occasion they’d saluted the single life, agreeing that relationships were not worth the trouble. Since then Jason had implied he was falling in love with her—a sentiment that had echoed the stirring in her own heart.