“Well,” Rachael giggled, placing a finger to her lips. “We’ve kind of got past a hug I think.”
It was Sabrina’s turn to do a hip dance. “You said what?”
Even in Banjo’s absence, quivers tore through Rachael’s skin. “It wasn’t planned. After the party three days ago, I was so exhausted, I sort of begged him to undress me. That seemed to be the turning point for us, I think. He totally made me feel okay, ousting every awkward feeling I had.”
Shaking with laughter, Sabrina sat down. “That’s a good thing, right? Come on, Rachael. If he’s willing to help you undress and dismiss the awkwardness, then he must find you attractive.”
For a brief moment, Rachael stirred her drink with her straw before she gave voice to her thoughts. “With a man like that you can’t be too sure. He says he’s falling for me. But Banjo’s hunky, sexy and mouthy. He has only come home for a short period to clean up his mum’s finances, yet he’s already sticking his nose in my affairs. Every time I see him, he has no shirt on his back. I should take my eyes off him for my own good. But his body is carved to perfection and his sexy tattoos beg for my touch. No matter how explosive the chemistry is between us, I need to face my problems and get him out of my thoughts because there are things I can never tell him and there’s no way he’s mine.”
“Uh…no one said he’s yours. If you already think that way, maybe there’s more depth to what you feel for him.”
Her friend was right of course, but Rachael was not ready to admit it to herself. “Seriously, you know why I can’t get involved with him. For one, he’s my auntie’s son. He thinks otherwise.”
“Come off it, Rachael! You’re not related by blood. They’re not even your distant relatives!”
Thirsty from the heat and their chat, Rachael took out the straw and drank greedily. “It’s not just that and you know it.”
“Tell him. If he knows, then what?”
Fear clawed her gut. “Then he’ll bolt away.”
“So, you realize he’s shallow and move on.” Sabrina was emphatic.
“You know it’s not that easy. I don’t want to be more vulnerable than I am already.”
“I get that, but love is about being vulnerable, Rachael. Give the handsome dude a break.”
Quick to deny her feelings, she pursed her lips. “Who says I want to fall in love again?”
Sabrina tooted. “Your eyes tell the truth.”
Moaning, Rachael covered her face with both hands. “My eyes have a mind of their own. My lips want him. My head is the reasonable one, so I should learn to listen more to my head.”
“With a man like that staying under the same roof, I’ll throw my reasoning aside. Give it a go girl and be happy.”
Sighing, Rachael linked her palms below her chin. “I’ve too many problems to sort through.”
With one hand on Rachael’s arm, Sabrina murmured. “Everyone has problems. If he’s interested, you’ve got to try. The photo of Banjo surfing had me drooling for days. Happiness comes to those who take risks.”
“Like with you and Mr Out-of-Town-Biker?”
Laughing at her joke, Sabrina nodded. “Yes.”
After they finished their drinks, Rachael walked her friend outside the gate. When Sabrina turned a corner, Rachael made her way inside the house. She found her auntie in the front room and joined her on the sofa. Through the glass windows, they watched birds frolic on the lawn.
Pretending about her feelings towards Banjo for her auntie’s sake was pointless, but Rachael had no idea how to bring it up. Besides, in her heart, she knew her budding affair with him was on a timeline. It would end in another week or two when he steps out of Monaco.
“I want to cook for you and Banjo tonight. What do you think?” Tinu suggested, looking straight at the green leaves bopping in the soft wind.
Completely thrown by the kind gesture, Rachael launched out of the sofa and into her auntie’s arms. “Yeah! Thank you. I’ve been walking on eggshells for two days.”
Ruffling Rachael’s hair with one hand, Tinu laughed. “I’m not as old as you want to believe. You two need time together. Since you can’t go out without coming back exhausted, I’m going to treat you two to a nice dinner.”
“Phew! What a relief. I’ve been asking Banjo if you’re okay with us spending time together.”
“Don’t be silly. If you weren’t attracted to him, I would’ve been surprised.”
Laughing with her hands covering her face, Rachael sat down. “I feel like a school girl.”
“Don’t worry. Have fun and see how it goes. There’s nothing as wonderful as a budding romance. Ride along, Rachael.”
Joy rocked her body. “I thought you would ask me to stay away from Banjo. I didn’t know he had such a big personality. I’m infatuated. At my age and with all my complications, it’s shocking.”
Auntie Tinu patted her arm. “I want you to be happy. If Banjo makes you happy, that’s good. Get dressed tonight and enjoy your dinner.”
Feeling chuffed at Tinu’s warmth, Rachael leaned over and gave her auntie a hug. “I love you so much, Auntie Tinu. You’ve resolved the confusion in my heart. God bless you for me.”
“Bless you too, my Rachael.”
Tinu patted her god-daughter’s shoulder, whose smile was as huge as a heated balloon.
According to the dinner invitation Rachael found on her bed, she walked down the stairs at seven p.m. dressed in a Janique black evening gown that moulded her figure. Forget her baby bump! The sleeveless dress with a deep neckline in front and at the back looked great, just the same way she felt tonight. Against her seductive quarter cup bra enmeshed in her one-piece swimsuit, her nipples peaked without restraint. And Banjo had not even turned up yet.
Heading straight for the poolside on her strappy, silver mid-heel sandals, Rachael took a deep breath. Her fingers trembled even though there was no sign of Banjo or Tinu. And her heart pounded. When she rounded the corner of the house, Rachael screamed, bending low, completely thrown by the sight. “Wow! This is so beautiful!” The best romantic setting she’d ever seen in her entire life stared back at her.
Right in the middle of the swimming pool, a dining table floated on the surface. Red roses arranged in a heart shape bordered the table laid out with cutlery, glasses, food and drinks. Racheal did a quick look around. Fairy lights twinkled from the trees, and up in the sky, the stars also beamed their approval.
Rachael stood with her hands akimbo and her mouth wide open. From behind, she felt strong hands wrap beneath her breasts. And she moaned, holding on to Banjo’s arms. “I’ve never seen anything like this. I’m speechless.”
Grazing his day-old whiskers along her cheek, Banjo dragged in a deep breath. “It’s beautiful because you’re here with me. You’re gorgeous! And absolutely elegant in your dress.”
The sensitive flesh underneath her breasts tingled and she arched her back as sizzling tornados ripped through her body.
Very slowly, Banjo’s fingers glided down her waist, to her hips. Thunder bolts lit up her crown, weakening her knees.
“My legs are shaking, Banjo. I’m honoured to have your mom do this for us. I never thought I could have you. With her blessing, it feels even more amazing!”
Gradually, Banjo turned her around and he locked her in a tight embrace. Beneath the countless stars, they stood, breathing in sweet fragrances.
“I had no idea I was going to feel this way when we met, Rachael. It feels right and I’m happy you feel the same way.”
All her fears took flight. “I really do, Banjo. There’s nothing I want more than to be your girl.” After his mom offered to cook them dinner, she concluded her affair with Banjo was meant to be, after all.
Banjo braced her shoulders with his arms, a sexy gleam in his eyes. “Then be my girl, always. The age thing doesn’t bother me. I want you. All of you.”
“Then I’m yours always, I promise.”
Banjo crushed his mouth overs hers in a heated kiss t
hat left both of them shaken. Deepening the kiss, she twirled her tongue into every nook in his mouth while her fingers grazed his bare back. “And I’ve come to accept that you prefer to remain shirtless even on our first dinner date.”
Drawing crazy patterns on her back with his fingers, Banjo shook his head. “Our second dinner date. First one was at Le Vistamar. I love promises because you can’t go back on them.”
“I don’t break my promises,” she boasted, trailing her finger along the written word on his neck. “Why write death on your neck?”
“Do you cringe when you see it?” he drawled in his Italian accent she found extremely sexy.
To answer his question, she skimmed her palms across his chest and abs. And he breathed in harshly, his abs stiffening beneath her touch.
Stroking her with his eyes, he caught her fingers with his own. “I almost died two years ago when I was skiing in the Swiss Alps, so I decided to have a keepsake.”
“Well, thank God you survived.” Embers kindled in her chest as she pulled her hands out of his grasp and locked them around his neck.
“Are you hungry?” Banjo asked, swirling his tongue along her lower lip and nipping the corners.
“Not really.” The beauty of the setting was her meal for the night.
Taking her arm, Banjo led her to the makeshift bridge by the pool. Then he bent down, lifted her in his arms and carried her across the bridge to the dining area in the middle of the pool.
Giggling in his arms, she pasted kisses on his tattooed chest and along his neck.
A grunt burst through his mouth. “Keep up the fiery kisses and we’re going to end up in the cool water,” he threatened.
She scraped her fingers along his collar bone instead, laughing at the way his body vibrated against hers.
“We can just sit and chat until hunger sets in,” Banjo suggested when he set her down. Then he pulled out a chair for her. “Sit down, Gorgeous.”
Too many butterflies scampered in her belly as she took her seat. Gorgeous? She had not felt attractive in years. Not even when she was dating Kelvin. Not with the bump. Initially, learning to accept her figure was a tough battle. But Banjo saw her as gorgeous and that was all she needed to keep in mind.
“What a sexy man you are, Banjo Ricci. Is there anything I don’t know about you?”
Pouring her a drink, he laughed. “Do you know what I do for a living?”
“Tell me.” She smiled up at him. And he squeezed her arm.
“I fit sports courts on luxury boats.”
“Sounds pleasurable. And I think you would look great sprawled on a luxury boat without a shirt on, playing basketball.”
“Absolutely. Sounds like the perfect dream for you and me. Not the playing basketball game for you. But horse playing aboard a yacht with you sounds like something I would relish. Would you?”
Sitting quiet for a moment as if giving the idea a thought, Rachael grinned after the short pause. “Perhaps kissing you would be the fun part for me and maybe hugging you all day long while lying on the deck.”
Quick on his feet, Banjo was beside her. He gave her his hand and she put hers in his warm large palm. Then he slinked one arm around her waist and the other one stretched out as he swayed along to the beat of their hearts.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she rested her head on his shoulder, secure and nervous all at once. “What’s one thing you’ve not done, you wish you had?”
“Getting married.”
Her heart tightened at his riposte. Lord! He did not have to give the question a second thought.
“And you?” His breath fanned her tresses, sending large doses of electricity to her toes.
Pressing her face on his skin, she sighed. “Go on a luxury cruise with someone I love. It may never happen.”
“That can be arranged without a doubt.” The words flowed out of his mouth with ease and his fingers caressed her back.
Yearning seized her body at the impossible notion Banjo could fall in love with her.
“I don’t doubt we’ll be happy together,” he whispered as if he was afraid saying it aloud would make it untrue. “Do you think so?”
Tremors migrated through her chest and she gripped his shoulders. Although the talk about the future was a little unnerving because she never imagined being in his arms, she found herself saying, “I pray I can make you happier than you’ve ever being in your life.”
“With God, all things are possible. Start now,” he teased, locking his lips with hers in a heart-stopping kiss that left her struggling for air.
When he lifted his head, he gazed at her for several minutes. And she showed him every corner of her heart, except the part that still made her cringe at night.
“Give me your heart, Gorgeous.” It was a sensual plea that drove her deep into his hands and she hoped, into his heart.
“Will you give me yours?” she asked, slightly alarmed at his request.
“Willingly. But only if your heart is mine.”
“It will eventually, trust me.”
Before she could duck, Banjo swirled her around and hugged her from behind. He cupped her breasts and stroked her cleavage with a tenderness that warmed her body and soul. Burned her chest. Singed her heart.
Her heart slammed against her chest and she moaned out loud, filling the night air with her fiery cry. For several minutes, he cuddled her breasts and stroked her nipples. Helpless to stop him, blistering voltage coursed through her and she whimpered in his arms. Loving his every touch, yearning for him and whispering his name, she arched her back and gave in to his caresses.
Just when she would have willingly peeled off her gown, he dropped his hands and murmured behind her ear. “I’m not going to push you tonight.”
Feeling empty in an instant, she cried out his name and pressed her body against his own.
“Gorgeous, look at me,” he said, spinning her to face me. “I’m going to take it slow. I want you to trust me with your heart.” He placed his palm on her breast and she curved her back, inviting his caress. Banjo kissed the corner of her lips and swiped one finger around her left nipple, groaning her name in her hair as he clearly fought the thunderstorm raging through him.
“We need a swim, Rachael,” he grunted. “I can’t stop touching your boobies. And I’m not even trying to stop. I find you alluring!”
“Then strip off my dress! I’ve a one-piece swimwear beneath.” She could not wait to quench the firestorm welling up inside her. Her whole body felt as if it were ablaze already.
A golden light streamed into his eyes. “Are you sure you can handle swimming with me?”
Nodding without uttering a word, she lifted her hands. “Get it off and find out!”
Squatting, he clutched the hem of her dress and lifted it off in one tug. Cool breeze fanned her semi-nude body. Banjo dragged in a quick breath as his eyes roamed her cleavage. Her strapless, red swimsuit kept her breasts and nipples out of sight, but her cleavage still spilled out of the material. Unable to move, his scorching gaze caressed her body. She did not shrink away, instead, with one hand on her hip, she did a slow spin in front of him.
Banjo whistled as his eyes revealed his hunger. Crowding her space, he sneaked one hand at her lower back and breathed along her neck. “With curves like that, you could have me begging for sex all day long. You’re mine. Even while you’re pregnant with someone else’s child, you’re mine, Rachael. In sickness and in whatever else life throws your way, you’re mine! Do you understand?”
Excitement shot down her neck, through to her nipples and straight to her crown. “I’m yours? Then, you’re mine,” she parroted, reaching for his shorts and unbuttoning it with an acute sense of urgency.
Grinning at her, Banjo took off his black cargo style shorts and dumped it on the seat. His butt-grabbing boxers left her speechless. But she had no time to marvel about his toned butt cheeks because he grasped her hands. And together, they leaped into the cold water, making splashes and scream
ing at the top of their voices, breaking the stillness of the evening air.
Out of the pool after a short and fun swim, Banjo snatched a white towel from the lot provided and dried her hair and body. Her boobies jiggled and her bum swayed to his touch. Heat immediately bathed her skin, licking away the coolness from the pool.
Then she reached for another towel and attempted to return the favour. When she bent low to mop his crotch, he side-stepped her, howling as if she had fondled his balls. “I’ve not even towelled your balls yet,” she protested.
“No need. I can help myself. I think we should stroll to the beach and roll around on the sand. For one, the beach would be almost deserted and we can do whatever we want.”
“By that you mean have sex on the beach?”
Bursting with laughter, he went after his shorts lying astray on the bridge. “I wouldn’t put it like that. A bit of horse play, lying on the beach next to each other while we stare at the stars, sand playing, falling together, painting your backside with sand and flowers, embracing the waves and having it crash around us was all I had in mind. If sex is on yours, I’ll oblige without complaining.” A wink followed straight after.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she tightened her fingers around the towel. “Why do you joke about something so serious?”
“What? Having sex or not having sex?”
A scandalized whisper leaped out of her gut. “Neither. I want to spend time with you here or on the beach or anywhere else. No sex!”
“There’s no need to say it like you don’t want it here and now.”
His words skimmed her skin with burning intent. Standing in her semi-nude state, she wrapped herself in a dry towel. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go and find out who wants sex and who doesn’t.”
“Coward!” he breathed in a low murmur. “Why go to the beach for sex when we can get it right here?”
When he sprinted across the tiled floor on to the lawn, she dodged behind a tree, giggling, her body primed with sexual hunger.
Catching up with her, he clamped her boobies from behind with his strong fingers and caressed her nipples. Flame kissed her beaded tips hardening them to dark coins, firing desire through her chest down to her crown.
You're Mine ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance Page 10
