“Are you trying to be romantic again?”
“Oh, you’re talking about the hiking boots? They weren’t romantic enough, huh?”
She thought a moment. “It certainly wasn’t what I expected. I mean, when you said to dress up, I thought—”
He did a little twirl and took a bow. “I was taking you dancing. That was a beautiful gown you had on, but I had fun taking you out of it.”
She laughed. “We almost didn’t get out of the house on time, let alone eat breakfast.”
“But we did, because we’re a team.”
He looped his arm through hers, beat his chest with his other hand and bellowed, “And we’re ready to conquer the world!”
“You’re silly,” she said, laughing. “Must be the altitude.”
“I’m serious, baby. There’s beauty in the rainstorms of life. You and I are living proof.”
He stuck one leg out in the air and waved it around. “Plus our matching hiking boots are pretty darn cool.”
She set the picnic basket down on the grass and opened it. “Maybe we better eat before you start quoting sonnets.”
He grinned and spied the picnic basket that he’d had catered especially for them. There was a selection of assorted sandwiches, fruit salad, fresh brownies and sparkling water.
“I guess you’re right. No more wowing you with my romanticisms. I vote for lunch.”
He helped her spread out the red-plaid blanket, and then they sat down. While Sonya set everything out, Trent navigated to his music app on this phone and turned on his small Bluetooth speaker.
He raised his bottle of water and clinked it with hers. “Bon appétit!”
They opened their sandwiches and ate silently.
Trent was thankful that Sonya wasn’t the type of woman who talked incessantly. She seemed content to let conversation ebb and flow naturally, and if there were gaps, it didn’t mean their mutual interest was waning. Even better, she didn’t act bored when he talked about his job, and when he told her that his wealth kept him grounded, she completely understood and seemed almost thankful.
He never knew Sonya’s father, but he felt sorry for the man who had squandered most of his hard-earned wealth away through his addiction to gambling so there was nothing left for his only daughter.
He had more than enough money that if he ever wanted to walk away from Waterson Builders and start his own company, he could. But he was committed to supporting his family’s vision, and he had his future to think about, too. One that he hoped would include Sonya, if she were willing.
“I’d love to show you my home someday. I’ve got a gourmet kitchen that I rarely get to use. You and I could make some mean PB&Js in there.”
“That’s one thing we have in common—neither of us enjoy cooking.”
“But it would be so much fun to learn.”
She put down her sandwich and replied quietly, “I’m going to ask you a question, and don’t take it the wrong way, okay?”
He felt his heart drop. “I’ll try. What is it?”
“Do you think we’re seeing too much of each other?”
He set down his sandwich, no longer hungry due to the tone of concern in her voice. “No, as a matter of fact, I wish I could see you more often.”
“When I officially open the studio, my time will be more limited.”
“I realize that, and I’ll adjust. I know it’s tough starting a new business.”
She nodded and lowered her voice. “Thank you. It’s just that I feel like things are moving too quickly sometimes. I don’t want you to be disappointed.”
A trickle of fear crept up his spine. Trent wasn’t afraid of much, except losing Sonya.
He cupped her chin and looked deeply in her eyes. “I could never be disappointed by you.” When she moved away, he asked, “What brought about this concern?”
Tears came to her eyes. “I guess I’m just afraid of what’s next. There are so many unknowns, with regards to my studio. Will I get enough students? Will they like me? Can I handle the parents? And most of all, can I teach what I know about ballet effectively?”
Trent pulled her into a hug. “You will be successful, and you know why? Because you love what you do. When my brother dropped the home repair class in my lap, I have to admit, I was scared. I wondered if I could do it. But it’s actually been really easy and fun.”
Sonya sniffed. “Have the women been concentrating on the lesson or have they been distracted by your tool belt?”
He shrugged, but was secretly pleased at the hint of jealousy in her voice. “Do you want me to ask them? Maybe do an in-class survey?”
She slapped his thigh lightly. “Of course not, although, it might be already around town that we’re dating.”
“How do you know?”
“I ran into Violet while shopping at that new lingerie shop in town.” She put her hands over her mouth. “I wasn’t supposed to tell you.”
He tapped his chin with his index finger. “Come to think of it, Violet’s seductive glances toward me have drastically reduced. I was feeling unlusted, but I guess that explains it. She must know I’m yours.”
He cradled her face in his hands. “And I want the whole world to know you’re mine.”
They shared a tender kiss as the Pacific Ocean tumbled far below them. He wished he could make love to her on the beach, but unfortunately there was no access.
He stood up and reached for her hand, and when she was near him, he pointed up the coast.
“See that house?”
The sun had broken through the clouds, and Sonya shaded her eyes. “That one, way down there? The one that looks like its hanging off the cliff?”
He laughed. “Yes, it’s only an optical illusion, but that’s where we are headed after our picnic. We’ve got the whole place to ourselves.”
She threw her arms around his neck. “Can we go now?”
He was relieved at the desire in her eyes. “No more talk about us seeing each other too much, promise?”
Sonya gave him a quick kiss and they cleaned up their picnic odds and ends. Once the basket was packed, they set off back to his truck.
The house was a five-minute drive from the cliffs, and when they arrived, Trent glanced over at Sonya for her reaction.
Judging from the smile on her lips and her wide eyes, she was pleased with the arrangements. “Honey, all this is for us? It’s gorgeous.”
Trent got out of the car. “Three bedrooms and two baths of fun and seclusion.”
He joined Sonya, who was still gazing at the dwelling. It pleased him that she seemed to like it so much.
“There are so many windows,” she said in an awed tone. “And there’s a solar panel on the roof.”
“Yes, but note all the trees surrounding us. There’s plenty of shade on the home. That panel provides much of the power.
“This is one of our concept homes. It was actually designed by Liza. My family loved it so much, we decided to furnish it for seasonal rentals rather than sell it outright.”
“That’s a great idea. I can’t wait to see inside.”
“I thought you’d never ask.” He grabbed their overnight bags from the back seat. “Let’s go!”
They entered the home, and he stowed their bags next to the grand stairwell that led to the second floor. Sonya slipped out of her hiking boots and headed toward the great room.
He did the same and followed her. “What do you think?”
She went on tiptoe and twirled around in her socks. “This is the most beautiful space I’ve ever seen.”
The large room was glassed-in on all sides, except for the roof. Tall sycamore trees provided shade from the midafternoon sun.
“Wait till you see this.”
He grabbed her hand, opened the patio door and led her out onto the deck. “The v
iew of the ocean is even more magnificent. Just don’t look down,” he warned. “Remember the cliff?”
But Sonya did anyway and swooned into his arms. He caught her easily.
“I gotcha,” he said, holding on to her waist tightly. If he had a choice, he’d never let her go.
“I swear, I’m not afraid of heights,” she assured him. “I once flew over the audience’s heads during a performance.”
He stroked his fingers through her curly hair. “This is where you belong. Here with me. I want to protect you. From whatever and whomever frightens you.”
She tilted her chin and stared into his eyes. “What if what I’m most afraid of is us?”
He placed his hands gently on her shoulders. “Whatever it is that we feel for one another, we can handle it. Just as long as we are honest with ourselves and each other.”
She gave him a shy smile. “I’m kind of glad for rainstorms.”
“Me, too.” He caressed her hair. “How about a tour of the second floor?”
“I’d love it.”
He swooped her up in his arms, and after sliding the patio door shut, carried her upstairs. He didn’t stop moving until he reached the master bedroom.
The ocean-view room had many windows with sheer drapes held back by large gold tassels. The queen bed, modern in its circular design, blossomed with lots of cream-colored pillows and a luxurious dark blue duvet with gold piping.
As soon as she was on her feet, Sonya began unbuttoning his shirt. If she wanted him naked first, he was happy to oblige.
He let his arms hang at his sides. Her fingers worked quickly, almost feverishly. As every button was loosed, she planted a kiss on his skin.
Finally, his shirt fell to the floor, and he kicked it out of the way.
She took a step back and admired him. Her smile was a bit devious, like someone who was about to indulge in something a little naughty. It made him harden even more than he already was.
Sonya stepped toward him and placed her hands on his chest. His muscles twitched involuntarily when she moved her palms lightly over his nipples. They budded up, and he gasped at how her movements upon his sensitive skin had caused such an immediate reaction.
“Do that again, baby.”
She did as he commanded, and when she was done, licked each tender bud just once. The sensation from her tongue traveled all the way down to his knees.
He fell in front of her and buried his face between her thighs. Her scent was muted through her clothes but he wanted to wait for her signal to remove them from her body.
What he couldn’t wait for was to kiss her there. It was one of his favorite places on her body to pleasure her.
Without warning, he pressed his lips just under where her zipper began. The fabric was already a little moist, and he enjoyed the moan that poured from her lips.
She stroked one finger alongside his jaw, and his eyes followed her movements when she slipped it inside her shorts, loose at the waist, and touched herself there.
Trent felt he was almost going to burst as he watched her finger move inside the fabric, to places he couldn’t get at yet, for what seemed like forever. He worked his lips expectantly, until her finger emerged, glistening with her juices, which he promptly licked clean.
She leaned down and kissed him, sharing in her taste.
“Want more?” she asked, and he didn’t even have to nod, before she performed the same movements.
He remained kneeled before her, mesmerized by her hips swaying enticingly before his eyes. She stroked his face, then herself, gave him a taste of her wetness and captured his mouth in a blistering kiss.
He was in a daze, just watching her pleasure herself; the next thing he knew, he was unbuttoning her shorts.
She didn’t put out a hand or tell him to stop, so he let them fall to the floor. He hooked his thumbs on her panties and shoved them down.
He sat back on his haunches, and took a moment to admire her femininity, before placing his hands on her bare bottom. He edged her closer to him, until her toes touched his knees. With his fingers, he gently spread her outer lips, plump and slick.
Trent tried to swallow his desire, but all he wanted to do was to devour her flesh, as slow and as long as she could take it. He let go of her buttocks and with his fingers found her most sensitive part.
He touched the tip of his tongue there, and she crumpled over him, making him lose contact. He slid his lips over her flat abdomen and clutched her ass to keep her near him. She moaned his name and straightened, clapping her hands on either side of his head. Quickly, his tongue darted and probed, licking her everywhere that was moist.
After a while, she cried out as her body started to convulse, and she fell to her knees on the carpet. He caught her and laid her down gently. Her legs fell open and he dove in and licked her insides until her hips began bucking uncontrollably.
“Hold on, baby,” he gasped.
Trent swore as he tore off his clothes, almost losing his seed in the process.
Now completely nude, he swiftly penetrated her and ground out her name as he began to thrust inside her.
“Sonya, Sonya.”
He took it slow at first—pumping, pumping. He watched as she threaded her fingers through her hair, elbows perpendicular to the ceiling.
“Sonya, Sonya.”
Her upper half was still clothed, and he could see the edges of her nipples poke at the fabric of her T-shirt as she writhed on the floor.
He bit each one lightly with the edge of his teeth, never stopping his movements below, and she murmured his name in response.
Her body held him in a vise he never wanted to escape and she gave him free rein to pleasure them both.
When her moans turned to high-pitched mewls, he knew she was almost there.
“I love you, Sonya,” he gasped and thrust into her one final time. “I love you so much.”
She hitched in a breath at his words and clamped her legs around him tight, and the world stopped spinning for a moment. He captured her lips in a kiss, and their tongues devoured each other as they exploded together in sensual agony.
* * *
When their breathing slowed and heart rates returned to normal, Trent picked Sonya up in his arms and laid her on the bed. She felt heavier than before, and he knew it was because she was exhausted, and so was he.
Although the sex was incredible, it bothered him that she had not responded to his profession of love. He felt a pain in his heart that should not have been there. Did she even hear him? He didn’t regret the words at all, but now he wondered if she felt the same way.
He gazed into her eyes and he saw that they were moist.
“Trent?” she muttered weakly. “I-I’m sorry.”
He knew why she was apologizing, but he didn’t want to discuss it right now. If she didn’t love him, he didn’t even want to think about what that might mean.
He smoothed her hair back from her forehead. “There’s nothing to be sorry for,” he soothed. “I’m going to run us a bath.”
He started the water in the jetted tub, poured in some soap bubbles and checked the temperature. Then he stood in front of the toilet to take a leak. It was a long time before he could go, his body still calming down from their lovemaking. He washed his hands and face, turned off the water.
Sonya took her turn, and when she called him back in, she was already lounging in the tub.
At the sight of her wet, soapy body, he hardened again and she smiled.
He’d never wanted a woman this much before in his life.
So much for a rest, he mused, and quickly got in.
She’d pinned up her hair, and he longed to tug it loose, but he knew she’d probably get mad.
When he eased in next to her, to his surprise, she stood up and straddled his legs. Droplets of water beaded and drippe
d down her breasts and onto his face before she slowly descended without saying a word.
He sucked in a deep breath when she slid his penis inside her. She was even hotter than before. Yet, she still didn’t speak.
He grabbed hold of her breasts, and Sonya began to swivel her hips. She felt so good, and he wanted to continue, but something wasn’t right.
He moved away from her, and slid out of her body, feeling more alone than ever.
“What’s wrong, Sonya?”
“Nothing,” she insisted and brushed her lips teasingly against his.
She seemed determined to have him. One of her hands searched underwater and began to play.
“Is there only one participant in this party?” she inquired with a demure smile.
His body, defying his wishes, still wanted her. He wanted to succumb to her again, despite the fact that she’d rejected him.
He brought her hand out from under the water. “Not now. Not until you tell me what’s wrong.”
“I just want to show you that I care about you. Even if I can’t say the same words that you said to me.”
The water hissed and swirled around their bodies as Trent thought about what he would say.
“I always wondered why I never told a woman that I loved her first. Now I know that it’s because you’re the first woman I’ve ever truly loved.”
“You don’t know what you’re saying, Trent. You just got caught up in the heat of the moment, that’s all.”
“Why does me loving you scare you so much?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because I’m starting to feel the same way, or maybe because I’m not. I guess I need time to sort out my feelings for you.”
She trailed kisses up and down his neck, distracting him from the fact that she was slowly lowering her body onto his once more. Her insides were like a smoldering fire, enticing and warm.
His hands inched up her back, massaging her skin as he buried his face between her breasts, and she began to rock and sway. The water lapped at their bodies as they melded and moved together.
I love you, Sonya.
He wasn’t sure if it was the steam from the bath or emotion in his heart, but tears came to his eyes. He wiped them away on her skin as he nuzzled against it. He’d never met a woman with a sex drive that even came close to his, and now he had. He couldn’t turn away from loving her and caring about her, not when his whole soul was at stake.
Winning Her Forever Page 10
