“No?”
“No. I…uh…I don’t know much about sex. My previous experience ended in disaster and I haven’t tried since. I was eighteen at the time.”
“What?” He reached over, picked her up and set her in his lap. When she closed her eyes and leaned away from him, he held her closer to him. “Sweetheart, you were a kid. You weren’t supposed to know anything. How old was he?”
“Nineteen,” she told him, sniffing to keep away the tears. “I thought I was in love with him, but it was nothing compared to what I feel for you and with you.”
He knew she wasn’t telling him everything, because he could feel her body tremble. “You were both children, Denise. Animals are born knowing how to make love, but humans have to learn. Unfortunately, we learn by trial and error. I want you to forget about the past. That was child’s play and has nothing to do with us.” He brushed a kiss over her cheek.
“I’ve been staring at these things for the last four hours,” he said as he surveyed her breasts. “You must think I’m made of iron.”
“I don’t understand what you mean,” she said.
He didn’t believe her. “Kiss me. I want my tongue as deep inside your mouth as I can get it. Kiss me. I need it,” he said, surprised at the groan that spilled out of him. He began exploring every crevice, simulating what he’d planned to do to her later, possessing her. She brought his hand to her left breast, and he needed no urging. He put his hand inside the dress and began squeezing and massaging her nipple until she squirmed and shifted in his lap.
“What do you want, baby? Tell me,” he implored. “I want this nipple in my mouth.”
She freed it from her dress and held it out for his pleasure. He stared at her breast for a second, then sucked it into his mouth. Her moans excited him.
“You like it? Talk to me,” he said and began sucking it in earnest.
“Yes. Yes, I love it, but I can’t—” She held his head to her breast. “Why can’t you take me inside and take me to bed? Scott, honey, I’m losing my mind.”
He let his free hand ease into the slit in her dress and up her bare thigh until he felt the string that held her panties.
Her buttocks shifted frantically against him, but he ignored his throbbing need. He pressed his finger to her clitoris and began to rub in a circular motion.
“Honey, I can’t stand it. I want you inside me. Now.”
He stood with her in his arms, looked around him and thanked God for the darkness. He’d forgotten that they were on the balcony. He took her to the bed, undressed her and then took off his own clothes. She was lying on the bed before him, totally exposed. She reached for him, touched him and he jumped to full readiness. When she opened her arms and parted her legs, he climbed atop her body, wrapped her in his arms and thought he’d die from the pleasure of holding her naked form to his.
“If I can’t manage to hold out long enough to satisfy you, don’t panic, sweetheart. I’ll get it done before I leave this bed.”
“I know it’s been a long time for you,” she whispered and reached for him, but he moved away. It was their first time, and he had to give it his best shot. He kissed her cheek, eyes, nose, lips and throat, gently skimming her flesh. When he got to her breasts, he told himself to enjoy them another time and sucked them only long enough to fire her up. Kissing his way down her body, he licked her belly and her thighs, and she began to undulate wildly. He stilled her, hooked her legs over his shoulder and plunged his tongue into her. Her screams split the air as she thrust her body up to him. He found that sensitive spot that would guarantee sexual satisfaction, massaged it and then twirled his tongue around her clitoris. She bucked and undulated like a snake seducing its quarry, spilling love liquid across his tongue.
He wanted to give her more, but he was afraid he wouldn’t last. He kissed his way up her body, looked down into her eyes, which were nearly black with desire, and smiled. “Slip this on and take me inside,” he said, handing her a condom.
Seconds later, he was storming inside of her. She braced herself between his thighs and rode with him. The tension began to build until she thought she’d die if she didn’t burst wide open.
“Honey, I’m so full. I feel like I’ll die if I don’t explode. What’s happening to me? Why do I feel like this?”
“I’m loving you. I want you to feel like that,” he said. “Be still, baby, or I’ll lose it.”
She tried to obey him, but she needed release so badly. He began to thrust deeply, hard and fast, letting her feel his strength, his power, and she thought she would die as tremors shot through her body.
“Look at me, baby. I want you to love me. Open your eyes and look at me.” She heard him, but he’d poleaxed her, and she couldn’t answer.
“Don’t hold back, sweetheart. Let go!” She tried hard, but it wouldn’t come. “Baby, don’t strain for it. Let go and trust me. I’ll give you what you want.”
The storm became a hurricane, twirling, tossing, shattering her. He was in her, over her, on her, under her and all around her, rocking her. Suddenly the pumping and squeezing turned into a wild throbbing, and she began to pant for relief. Her thighs quivered. She released her hold on him and flung her arms out wide, succumbing to his onslaught.
“That’s it, baby. Yeah! Give yourself to me.”
“Oh, Lord,” she yelled as he hurtled her to the stratosphere, dropped her into sinking quicksand. And then, blessed relief, as she cried out, “Yes. Oh, yes!” But so befuddled was she by her own orgasm that she didn’t know he’d splintered in her arms, as vulnerable as a baby sliding from the womb. Thoroughly shaken, she held him to her as tightly as she could and, with eyes wide open, she stared beyond him. He hadn’t said he loved her.
Chapter 6
Lying on his back with his arms around Denise, Scott tried to sort out his confusion and separate it from the joy he’d just experienced in her arms. She’d been desperate to have him inside of her, and she’d welcomed him without reservation when he entered her, but he couldn’t dismiss the feeling that she’d withheld something of herself. She’d wanted and needed release, but hadn’t been willing—or maybe able—to let him give it to her. He’d practically had to force her to accept what was happening to her, and he couldn’t imagine that they could continue for long, or that their relationship could develop much further unless she told him why. She wanted to give, and she had tried to open up to him, but some demon from her past had interfered. He’d get it out of her if he had to blackmail her.
He gathered her close to him and luxuriated in the warmth of her female body naked beside him. So long. It had been so long, and he’d been so hungry for so many months. Yet, in spite of that, he’d been able to control his awesome need to explode the minute he entered her and to hold back and give her what she needed.
He turned on his side, braced himself on his forearm and looked down into her face. “How do you feel, sweetheart?” He knew she’d had a powerful orgasm, because he felt it along the entire length of his penis.
Her hand caressed his chest, and he bucked when it skimmed over his pectoral. “I’m lying here wondering how I lived so many years without knowing I could feel like that. Does it always happen that way, or only the first time? I can’t begin to describe it. How do I feel? I don’t understand it, but I know you have an important part of me. And that no matter what happens between us in the future, that part will always be with you. Physically, I feel great. Emotionally, I’m in shock.”
“Shock? Why?”
“I don’t know. I guess it’s because you can always walk away, and I sense that I won’t feel like that without you.” She turned on her side, facing him, then wrapped her arms around him and whispered, “Don’t be stingy. I want to feel like that again. I wonder if I’ll ever get enough.”
If he told her that she had to level with him, to let him know what held her back initially, preventing her from experiencing fully what they could have together, she’d probably think she hadn’t satisfied
him, and that would be far from the truth. There was more, much more for both of them, and he wanted it all—for him and for her.
She curled into him, stroking and caressing, not knowing that her touch would get her what she wanted. He sensed her frustration when she asked him, “Was it as good for you as it was for me?”
“I don’t know how to judge that,” he said, smiling to lighten the gravity of her question. “I know it was heaven on earth for me.”
More assured, she wiggled against him. “I want some more.”
“So do I,” he said. “But you could be a little sore. It wasn’t easy getting into you.”
“I’m not sore, and if I am later, it will be worth it.”
He fell over on his back. “Do whatever you want with me.”
She leaned over him and kissed him as he’d kissed her, adoring his eyes, ears and nose before claiming his tongue into her mouth and climbing on top of him. Knowing that it could be over quickly, he restrained her.
“Don’t rush it, baby,” he warned.
Still imitating him, her lips went to his pectoral, and then she sucked his nipple into her mouth. He hardened and jumped to full readiness. “Baby, take it easy,” he said and moved her away, but when she started to kiss his belly, he flipped her over on her back. If she ever got his penis into her mouth, he feared that he would embarrass them both. When he was once again sure of his control, he’d welcome it.
“You didn’t like it?” she asked.
“I loved it, but I’ve been celibate for more than two and a half years, and I’m not sure of my control.” He sucked a nipple into his mouth and nursed it greedily, until she began to squirm. And when his fingers touched her clitoris, she moaned as if in agony.
“Get in me. I want to feel you in me.”
The liquid gushed over his hand, and he rose above her. “Don’t think of anything that’s ever upset you. Think about us, you and me. Think about what you know I’m going to do to you tonight and nights to come.”
“I will,” she said as he eased into her. He didn’t bother to drive slowly. Her rhythmic gyrations threatened to bring him to climax before they’d barely begun. He found that special place in her vagina and drove fast and furiously until she screamed.
“I’m dying. Hold me. Oh, Lord. I can’t stand it,” she said and erupted all around him.
“Don’t move. Baby, leave it right there!” he cried out, and came apart in her arms. It was the wildest, most life-affirming sex he’d ever experienced. He stared down at her and kissed the tears that dripped onto her cheeks.
With his arms around her, he asked, “Why are you crying?”
“It—it scared me. I don’t know how to handle this.”
“You aren’t supposed to ‘handle’ it. You accept it and thank God for it. Some women are unable to climax.”
“Really?” Suddenly she pinched his buttocks. “You stay away from them.”
Proving that he could give as good as he got, he winked at her. “Keep me as happy as I am right now, sweetheart, and I’ll buy my own ankle monitor and give you the key.”
“I’ll bet. Sounds like a pretty good idea,” she said, stroking and caressing his back.
“Yeah? Don’t get carried away.”
For the remainder of the weekend, they explored the island, frolicked in the ocean, bought presents for friends and relatives during the day, and at night they ate scrumptious dinners, danced and made love. As they flew back to Washington, he wondered about their future. She suited him in many ways, but because she hadn’t shared with him what it was that haunted her—and he was sure there was something—he didn’t feel free to confide in her.
He arrived at work that Monday morning feeling good. In spite of his misgivings, he didn’t feel conflicted about his relationship with Denise. “Good morning, sir,” his secretary greeted him. “The undersecretary wants to see you at nine-fifteen. He has your file. You’ve got just enough time for a cup of coffee. I’ll have it in a minute.”
“Thank you, Midge. I didn’t have time to get any this morning.” He went into his inner office, brushed his hair, which had been disheveled by the wind, and straightened his tie. Midge brought the coffee and a croissant, and he enjoyed both with more speed than he would have preferred. Then he went into his bathroom, brushed his teeth and headed for the fifth floor.
The undersecretary stood and extended his hand as Scott entered the large, elegantly appointed office. “It’s good to see you, Mr. Galloway. You did an impressive job in Lithuania, but I expect you’re eager to spend some time here in the States.”
At those words, Scott relaxed. It seemed that he wouldn’t have to refuse an immediate overseas assignment. “I am indeed, sir.”
“That’s a tough post for a single man.”
“It certainly is. I’ve already decided that I’d prefer to have a family if I’m sent to a similar post.”
“I’ll bear that in mind. I’d like you to head up our division of immigration policy. We need hard-nosed, bold initiatives to deal with our current immigration problems, both legal and illegal. How about it?”
“I appreciate your confidence, sir. You have my assurance that I’ll do my best.”
“Great. If you have any questions, problems or enemies—” he half smiled “—I’m here to help. Your office will be on the fifth floor, southeast corner. You begin at once, and you will continue to be officially addressed as Mr. Ambassador. I’ll send out a press release this morning. Good luck.”
“Thank you.” They shook hands. He returned to his office on the third floor and began cleaning out his desk.
“I’m moving to the fifth floor, Midge. Do you want to come with me?”
“Oh, yes, sir. If there’s anything I hate, it’s breaking in a new boss.” His eyebrows shot up. “I mean, getting used to a new boss,” she amended. “When are we moving?”
“Now. Mark’s secretary will give you the room number.”
The minute he’d settled into his new office, which was twice the size of the one he’d just vacated, he telephoned his father with the news.
“I’m proud of you, son. And I’m so glad that you’ll be staying in the States for a while. I hope you’ll take advantage of this and Ms. Miller. I like her a lot.”
He couldn’t help laughing. “She likes you, too. If I didn’t know any better, I’d be jealous.”
“Hmm” was his dad’s response.
“You’ll probably read about it in tomorrow’s Washington Post.”
“I’ll look forward to that.”
However, MSNBC reported the news from a wire service, and when he returned from lunch, he had a call from one of its program directors.
“Mr. Ambassador, MSNBC is on the line. Do you want to take the call?”
“I’ll take it.”
“We’d love to have you on Today’s Issues, our eight o’clock program tonight. I know it’s short notice, but we can accommodate your schedule. You can appear by remote satellite from our Washington studio.”
“I can do that. But seven is as early as I can get to the studio.”
“That’s fine. We’ll get the information from your secretary and have a car for you at six-thirty.”
So much for his date with his grandmother. He telephoned Denise first, but had to leave a message. “I have some news, but I’ll wait and tell you about it when we speak. Stay sweet. Scott.”
“I forget what a big shot you are,” his grandmother said, after he explained to her why he couldn’t keep their date. “I still think of you as my little Scottie. Knock ’em dead. You know I’ll be watching.”
He left voice-mail messages with his father, his brothers Matt and Doug, and Heather, advising them of his TV appearance. After that, he prepared for a briefing on immigration issues.
By the time he reached the studio, Scott had familiarized himself with the administration’s immigration policies well enough to handle any softball questions. Fortunately, the host of the program didn’t assume that he wa
s an expert on immigration issues and confined his questions to what changes he’d like to see rather than to how the changes should be brought about.
“Naturally, I hope for the time when we’re no longer faced with these immigration problems. I look forward to our developing relevant policies and to their strict enforcement.”
Their interview dissolved into talk of Scott’s tenure as ambassador to Lithuania and his accomplishments there. “Would you go back?” his host asked.
“For a visit, yes. I left a few friends there—but not on assignment.”
“Congratulations on your new assignment, sir. I hope you’ll be willing to talk with us again soon.”
“My pleasure. Thank you for inviting me.”
He had declined the station’s offer of dinner, so on the way home, he stopped at a gourmet deli and bought his dinner. He had enjoyed the interview, but the host had been previously disposed to liking him. He knew better than to expect softball questions at interviews. When he entered his apartment, he heard the phone ringing and rushed to answer it.
“Hi, Nana. How do you think it went?”
“Perfect. I’m so proud of you. I’m glad you’re staying in one place.”
“Thanks. Better watch that. It won’t always go so smoothly.”
“Maybe not, but you’ll always shine, son. Just keep it between the lines.”
“I’ll do my best, Nana.”
He wanted to talk to Denise. He couldn’t enjoy his success unless he shared it with her. He hadn’t realized how much he wanted her to take pride in his accomplishments. He left a message. “I need to talk with you.” He didn’t bother to identify himself. If she didn’t recognize his voice, it wouldn’t matter, anyway.
As an empty feeling began to settle over him, his cell phone rang and a glance at the caller ID raised his spirits. “Hi, buddy, what’s up?” he asked Judson.
“Man, I watched that program, and you were cool enough to freeze water. Pamela, Drake, Heather and I viewed it together. You made us proud, a great excuse for a round of first-class champagne. Can you come out here this weekend? Saturday’s Velma’s birthday, and the Harringtons use any excuse to have a big party. Bring her a present, and if you’re on good terms with Denise, bring her, too.”
A Compromising Affair (The Harringtons) Page 11
