Chapter 15

He was amused at her shyness when she removed her tampon. He had been incredibly intimate with her and could not understand why she was still so shy around him.

“I still think this is …wrong,” she muttered as she stepped into the huge shower with him.

“Wrong?” He cocked a brow at her as he adjusted the jet spray and temperature. She insisted on having it very hot and he was trying to get used to it.

“’Wrong’ might not be– What are you doing?” she squeaked.

“What does it look like?” he asked mildly as he started soaping her skin.

“Richard–”

“Shh.” He moved the sponge over her throat and headed for her breasts. “You scared the hell out of me.” He concentrated on massaging the scented body gel over the globes of her flesh.

“When I came in and found the place in utter darkness, my heart stopped. When I came into the bedroom and saw you curled up on the bed, I was rooted to the spot.” He had reached her nipple, and as soon as he ran the sponge over it, she inhaled, her body tightening.

She did not have pains with her periods, but there was a heaviness at the base of her belly, and her nipples were extremely sensitive. “I thought you had been diagnosed with a debilitating illness, and I could not bear it.” He finally noticed how still she was. “What is it?”

“Nothing.” She shook her head, her voice thin.

“Are you hurting?”

“No.” She gasped and closed her eyes as he rubbed the sponge over her nipple. “They are sensitive. It happens- Oh!” She cried out sharply when he plucked at the flesh. The atmosphere in the bathroom had changed completely, and the steam that was rising was nothing compared to what they were feeling.

Richard felt his body reacting alarmingly to hers and he knew he had to have her.

“Collette–”he rasped, his hand going to her quivering stomach. “Baby.”

“We can’t,” she moaned. It felt as if she was about to go up in flames.

“We have to. Tell me if you are hurting.” Lifting her against him, he braced her against the tiles. His body was shuddering, his heart pounding so loudly that he wondered if he was on the verge of having a heart attack.

He hated himself for his lack of control where she was concerned, but the lust raging through his body was not going away, and if he didn’t have her, he felt as if he was going to die.

And he was bursting! Guiding himself into her, he closed his eyes and felt the shudder racing through his body. Her blood flow, combined with her tightness and moisture, was electrifying! For a moment, he could not move. Bowing his forehead to hers, he breathed through his clenched teeth.

“I need a minute," he whispered roughly.

Collette was having her own crisis. Her lower body was heavy. His penis buried so deep inside her during her time of the month was so erotic she could hardly bear it. Her nipples were aching, and her body felt as if it did not belong to her. She was feverish with a need so intense that she was actually in pain.

“Now,” she urged, her fingers digging into his shoulders and then his back. Her voice acted as a catalyst to move him forward, and when he did, he could not stop. His thrusts became frenzied, his body spinning out of control.

Her cries rent the air, and he felt his own powerful climax starting. Seizing her face between his palms, he took her lips in a kiss that left them both weak. His knees could not sustain them both, so he had no choice but to slide down and take her with him, arms wrapped securely around her waist.

Collette leaned into him weakly, her face buried against his throat. To his horror, Richard felt himself hardening again.

Lifting her head, she stared at him as she felt him burgeoning inside her.

“I am sorry," he told her harshly. “I can’t stop–”He drove into her, and she felt the climax claiming her again. It did not take long for him to follow, his seed watering the mouth of her womb.

Taking a few minutes to recover, he lifted her up and finished washing her off, his face taut, his mouth tight. Leaving her to finish drying off, he went into the bedroom.

When she came out, he was not there. Her body was still vibrating, her nipples still aching. Strangely, she did not feel any shame for what they did. It had been the most amazing thing she had ever experienced, and it certainly took her mind off the fact that she was not pregnant.

She was sitting up in bed when he came back with a laden tray.

“The housekeeper prepared roast beef. I prepared some sandwiches and some of that jasmine tea you seem to like.” He brought the tray over and placed it on her lap.

“Iced tea as well?”

“Hmm.” He was avoiding her eyes, and she realized that he was probably berating himself for making love to her just now.

“Unsweetened.”

He nodded.

“You hate unsweetened iced tea.”

“I am acquiring a taste for it.” He finally looked at her. “Did I hurt you?”

“No.” She bit into her sandwich and closed her eyes as the roast beef melted against her tongue. “So, you can stop beating up yourself. I wanted it as much as you did.”

Green eyes searched her face as if to find out the truth behind that statement.

“It should not have happened," he said gruffly.

“It did and I loved it.” Leaning forward, she touched his strong jaw. “And I would do it again.”

“Collette–”He groaned and moved his mouth into her palm. “What are you doing to me?”

“Loving you like I have never loved another,” she whispered.

After they finished the meal, he held her against him until they fell asleep.

*****

“My divorce is final, and Lenny and I are going to be celebrating it by going to Greece.” Janice’s face was animated as she took a sip of her hot chocolate.

Collette had her own amazing news, but she was going to be sharing it with her husband first and foremost. It had been two months since the crushing blow of her not being pregnant, but things had changed. She had gone to the doctor for a checkup and was told she was in good health, and there was no reason why she could not conceive.

Janice had called her to have lunch, and they were now at the restaurant where Richard had first noticed her. The press still followed them around, especially since her husband and several of his artists had won some coveted awards.

“Are you really in love with him?” she asked her sister quietly. She cared for Lenny and had her misgivings about her sister’s true feelings toward him. They were practically living together, and he was very generous where she was concerned.

Janice gave her a sharp look and shook her head. “You will never believe that I have changed, will you?” She asked resignedly.

“I have Collette. I am no longer that selfish bitch that brought you so much pain. I spent years trapped in a miserable marriage, and I figured that was my punishment for doing what I did to you.” She sighed. “I never really loved him, you know. I just wanted him because he belonged to you.”

“I know.”

Her sister stared at her sadly. “I am still trying to forgive myself. Lenny–”A soft smile flitted around her lips. “He is so supportive, and he has been such a source of strength to me. I am the one who is supposed to be strong for him, but he is like a rock.

I love him.” Her smile brightened. “And I have been asking the Lord to give him a few more years so that I could show him how much I really love him.” She laughed softly.

“He tells me like it is. He does not coddle me one bit, and we have arguments which usually end up with us going to bed.” Tears clouded her eyes. “I have been given a second chance. It still hurts that I am never going to have a child, but I have Lenny, and that’s enough. Do you believe me?”

Collette smiled at her sister. She recalled years, months gone by when she could not bear to be in the same room with her. Now, her life was filled to capacity with a man who adored her and was not afraid to show it. She could forgive anything.

“Of course, and I am happy for you. Is he going to marry you?”

“We are waiting for a little bit, but yes. I am so happy, Collette, and I never thought I would be.”

“Neither did I.”

*****

She dismissed the housekeeper as soon as she reached the loft. The euphoria she felt after receiving the long-awaited and anticipated news followed her through the day.

She had gone back to the agency and had scarcely been able to concentrate on the accounts. She now exclusively handled all her husband’s accounts, much to Babs’ delight. She had also told him firmly that she would not accept any handouts.

“I don’t want you to be handing me the job just because I am your wife.” He had taken offense to that and reminded her that he was a shrewd businessman.

“I wouldn’t be handing you the job if I knew you were not competent enough.”

And she believed him. He had been true to his word. When it came to business, he dealt with her like any other employee. They had had some clashes over the ideas she had put forward, but nothing ever interfered with their relationship.

They left work at the front door and became husband and wife when they were home. She loved that about him. Her husband was incredibly busy and awfully good at what he does, but he always finds time for her. One Friday he had come home and suggested that they fly out to New York to take in a play that a friend of his had produced.

Afterward they had dinner at Balthazar and then spent the night at a hotel he had shared in.

Flying upstairs, she took a leisurely soak in the tub before donning a new emerald green robe that left nothing to the imagination. Brushing her hair until it shone, she left it loose around her shoulders and went downstairs to prepare the shrimp salad.

A bottle of non-alcoholic wine was resting in a bucket of ice. She had grabbed some flowers, gardenias and baby’s breath from a florist on the way home and put them in a vase that was in the center of the table.

He had called earlier to say that he was on his way home.

Stepping back, she pressed a hand over her flat stomach and she studied her effort critically. She did not get the opportunity to cook for her husband and felt a thrill in doing so now.

Her heart leaped into her throat when she heard the doors swinging open. Deciding to stay where she was, she turned to face the open doorway and waited for him to come to her.

“Ah, here you–”his voice trailed off into silence as he caught sight of her. She was standing in front of the warm glow of the fire in the hearth, and the thin material she had on revealed the outline of her body.

Richard felt his knees going weak and the blood rushing and settling in one area of his body. He had removed his tie, which was a good thing because he felt as if the air was being cut off from his throat.

“Are you just going to stand there?”

“I might.” He had to clear the huskiness from his throat. “What’s this?” He gestured toward the table, giving himself time to recover.

“I made dinner.”

“Is Ms. Hall ill?”

She rolled her eyes at him. “I wanted to cook for my husband, anything wrong with that?”

“No. Do I have time to go and take a quick shower?”

“Barely.”

He stood there for a few seconds as if not knowing what to do next before turning around and bounding up the stairs.

She was placing a bowl of fruits on the table when he returned, carrying the scent of his bath with him into the room.

“Hi.” Grabbing her around the waist, he nibbled at her neck. “You smell good.”

“So, do you.” Leaning back against him, she wrapped her hands around his.

“How was work?”

“Nuh uh.” Turning her around, he cradled her face and brushed his lips against hers.

“Remember the Golden Rule?”

“No discussion of work when we step past the threshold.” Her hands crept up his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin through the thickness of his black sweater.

“Precisely.” He nibbled at her lobe. “You cooked.”

“Hmm.” She was lost in a sea of sensations as his lips feathered over her flesh. “Just something I put together. I gave Ms. Hall the evening off and told her not to prepare anything. I spoke to her over the phone, but I could feel the air crackling over the line.

She does not like anyone to invade her territory.”

“Does she know you are the woman of the house?” he inhaled her seductive scent and wondered if she would be offended if he suggested that they go upstairs. He could feel her slender curves beneath the flimsy material and knew she wasn’t wearing anything else.

“I think she needs to be reminded.” She finally found the strength to push him away.

“Dinner is ready. I would like you to pour the wine.”

He groaned and tried to reach for her again, but she danced away with a laugh.

“Spoilsport," he grumbled.

Taking the bottle out of its icy bed, he studied the label with a frown. “Non-alcoholic? Is something–”his eyes widened fractionally as he stared at her. She was beaming, her dark brown eyes dancing.

“Collette?” He could scarcely breathe. “Darling?”

“I wanted to wait until dessert to tell you.”

“Tell me what?”

Moving toward him, she took the bottle and put it on the table before taking his hands in hers. “How do you feel about a September baby?”

He went still and could swear that every bone inside his body had frozen. He had told her just a month ago that he did not care if they had a baby. All he wanted was her, and he meant every word. Besides, he thought it was too late for them—for him. But now, hearing that they were going to be parents, he felt his insides turning too much.

He was silent for so long that she felt her happiness dimming to be replaced by anxiety.

“Richard?”

He blinked her into focus and felt the love bursting through every part of him. She had entered his life and given him so much, more than he had ever dared hoped for.

“How are you?” he asked hoarsely. “How did you– Are you nauseous? Do you need anything?” His expression turned anxious. “And what the hell are you doing cooking? You should be lying down.

Have you eaten – Jesus!” He gripped her arms tight and released her suddenly as if he was afraid he was breaking her. “Oh darling.” His eyes glittered with tears. “A baby?”

She stood there watching him struggle with every conceivable emotion and felt her heart swelling. “Yes,” Taking his hand, she pressed it against her flat stomach.

“Dr. Grayson says I am very healthy, and I am not nauseous, not yet. And I feel great, so great that I am not going to say anything about you hinting that I am not supposed to do anything.”

“Sweetheart.” His fingers spread over her stomach, and he felt the warmth of her skin through the flimsy material. “I adore you.”

“I know. Now how about dinner–”

“No.” He shook his head. “If you don’t mind, I would like to hold you in my arms for a while.” Without giving her any choice, he lifted her up and went into the living room, where he lowered himself into a comfortable armchair. “When did you find out?” “I suspected a week or two ago, but I did not dare hope.”

Her fingers trace his strong jaw. “After the disappointment last month, I decided to make certain. I went out and bought some home pregnancy tests two days ago, and they were positive, But I wanted to confirm it with a doctor.”

“Who is this Dr. Grayson?”

“An OBGYN we did something for a year ago. She is very professional, and I had a specific reason for choosing her. She specializes in difficult pregnancies. Her patients are mature women, and she works with them every step of the way.” “Can she be bought?”

“Richard!”

His hands cradled her face. “I hate to point it out to you, darling, but we are in the spotlight.”

“I trust her, and I am not switching doctors,” she warned.

“I will have to have her checked out.”

She glared at him. “Are you trying to ruin my moment?”

“I am sorry, baby.” His eyes were bright, his body quivering. “I never dreamed–”He buried his face in her neck and took several breaths. “I am making a hell of a mess of everything because I don’t know how to react.”

Clamping her hands on either side of his face, she raised him up until they were face to face. “Tell me you are happy,” she whispered.

“Is there any doubt?”

“I need you to say it, darling.”

“As long as I live, I will cherish you and this baby. You will know every minute of the day that you are loved.”

“Much better. Now, can we please go and have something to eat? I am starving.”

He crushed her to him, breathing in her scent. “We cannot have the mother to be experiencing hunger. You are, after all, eating for two. Just let me hold you for a few more minutes.” His hand went to her stomach, and he felt the shudder wracking his body.

“Will you still love me when I am swollen and misshapen?” She combed her fingers through the thick softness of his hair.

“Even then.” Tilting her chin up, he brushed her lips with his. “As long as you continue to give me as much sex as I crave.”

“You are always craving sex,” she told him dryly.

“Precisely. “He grinned at her. “Keep it coming and you have nothing to fear.”

Leaning forward, she bit him on the bottom lip and sent a jolt straight into his system.

“Christ, baby.” He drew in a deep breath. “I am afraid dinner will have to wait for about half an hour. There is another more pressing yearning that cannot wait.”

*****

They ate in bed.

“I wanted this to be special. The table was set, I bought flowers, and everything and it was all for nothing.”

“Shut up and eat your vegetables," he ordered, popping some grapes into her mouth.

“Is this the way you are going to be ordering me about?” She mumbled around the fruit.

“I am going to be checking on you every minute of the day. We need to instruct Ms. Hall to stock up on more fruits and vegetables.” A frown touched his brow. “Did you get any medication? Should I buy you anything?”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Vitamins? Iron– hell, I don’t even know what I am supposed to do. Was I too rough?” His expression turned anxious. “I shouldn’t have made love to you that second time. What if I did something to hurt the fetus?”

“Stop.” Clasping his beloved face between her hands, she kissed him. “We are encouraged to have as much sex as we want. And I happen to love when you make love to me, so don’t you dare stop.”

“Oh darling.” He rubbed his lips on hers. “How the hell did I get so lucky?”

“I think I am the lucky one.” Her eyes were moist. “I thought there was nothing left for me except my career. Oh Richard! I love you so much.”

Removing the tray, he pulled her against him, and for a long time, they stayed like that.