In the large bathroom, I look around. Any other time I would have been in seventh heaven. The room, much like the rest of the house, is bright and welcoming with beige tiled walls and floor. There’s a massive shower cubicle with a large rainwater shower head, and set on top of what appears to be a beautiful antique vanity unit is a white ceramic wash bowl. What really stands out, though, is the large oval freestanding bath tub sitting in front of a large window that overlooks the secluded grounds.
Looking through the various products in the vanity unit, I opt for the opulent looking honey and coconut milk bath crème. At first, a sense of unease runs through me, wondering who all these feminine products belong to. Then I remember Carly saying that Craig has never brought anyone here before, so they must be hers or Val’s. I hope they don’t mind me using their stuff.
Pouring a generous amount of the exotic smelling liquid under the running water, I watch as the bath begins to fill with millions of tiny bubbles. I think back to what happened in the bedroom. Craig and I experienced the most wonderful togetherness, and then he drifted off on me. I’m not sure if I did something to upset him or if maybe I said something in the heat of our passion.
I look down to see the bath is full and ready for me. Turning off the taps, I place a tentative foot in the water. The heat momentarily stings, but I climb in and sink down into the water. Fully submerged with my head resting back on the edge, I let out a deep sigh and close my eyes, letting the heat and luxurious scent invade my senses to help relax my wondering mind.
Gentle movements and the sound of swishing water startles me awake from the slumber I must have fallen into. Cracking an eye open, I see a very naked Craig settling down in the opposite end of the bath before he pulls my feet into his lap and starts massaging the soles with his skilful thumbs. A groan of pure pleasure escapes me, and I close my eyes and drop my head back against the bath edge again.
“Does that feel good?” Craig asks. Good? No. Blissful; Extraordinary; Heavenly? God yes.
I enjoy his foot massaging expertise for a few minutes until I feel I need to address his abrupt mood swing back in the bedroom.
“Craig, can I ask you something?”
He tilts his head and looks up at me through his lashes. “Anything you want.” His words are meant to be encouraging, but his tone betrays the apprehension he’s trying to hide.
“What happened back in the bedroom? One minute we’re enjoying the most sensual, intimate experience of my life, and the next you’re turning your back on me and walking away. Did I upset you somehow?”
The pressure from his massaging thumbs stops for a moment before resuming and then slowly moving up over my ankles and along my calves. “I didn’t walk away. I just needed to go down to the car to get our bags. You didn’t upset me. I said everything was fine.”
“Something is obviously bothering you. You know you can talk to me about anything, right? Perhaps I can help.”
“I said everything is fine, Amber,” he snaps as he releases my legs and abruptly stands up, causing water to slosh over the edges. He grabs some fluffy towels from a nearby rack and motions for me to stand too. “Come on, the water is getting cold, and it’s getting late.”
I reluctantly stand and step out of the bath. Craig wraps one of the large towels around me before coving himself. “I’m sorry,” I say quietly as I pull the towel round me tightly and walk past him into the bedroom.
“Amber, wait.” Craig reaches out as I’m walking past and grabs my arm. He exhales loudly. “I’m fine, okay? It’s nothing for you to worry about, so please, let’s just enjoy this weekend.”
“Okay.” I give him a small smile and nod as I continue into the bedroom.
My suitcase is resting on the ottoman at the end of the bed, and I open it to find my nightwear. I pull out the first nightdress I put my hands on. It’s a short black satin number with delicate gold embroidery along the neckline and up the small slit running up the left thigh. I quickly dry off and pull it over my head before grabbing my brush and yanking it through my blonde waves. Throughout, I feel Craig’s eyes on me from the bathroom door.
Pulling the covers back, I sink down into the bed to get comfortable. Craig moves around the room before the sheets move again and he climbs in. His arms snake around my waist, pulling me in closer against his chest and holding me tight. His breath warms my neck while his hands draw lazy circles around my tummy. “I’m sorry, Amber. I really am. There is stuff you don’t know about me that I’m not ready to share with you yet. Please try and understand. Just give me some time, okay?”
I turn in his arms, stretching one arm across his firm chest and propping my chin up on his pec so I can look up at his face. “I’ll try, Craig. I won’t pretend to understand, because I don’t. I hate secrets and things being kept from me, especially after how David treated me.” I place a gentle kiss on his chest and snuggle into him before closing my eyes.
“Soon, okay? Soon, I promise everything will be fine. I care a great deal for you, Amber, and I can’t risk losing you. I won’t lose you.” His last few words barely register as tiredness consumes me and drags me off to the blackness of slumber.
***
I’m cold.
I’m shivering, huge body juddering quakes.
Freezing hands snake up my body, coming to rest on my neck and squeezing slightly.
“You. Are. Mine.” a deep dark voice rumbles somewhere near my ear. “Mine,” it repeats in a terrifying howl.
Where am I? I look around me and all I see is dark woodland. I’m being held against the trunk of a large tree, the bark biting into the bare skin of my back. I turn my head to see who or what is holding me, but there is nobody there, just an unseen force keeping me trapped. I frantically look around for someone to help me, but all I see are dark shadows, swirling and moving, joining together to become a giant unidentified being.
Forces now grip my wrists and breasts and I can’t move. I try frantically to wriggle and fight free, but my body is frozen. All around, I hear blood curdling whispered chants of “mine” and “soon,” “Mine” and “soon,” over and over. I open my mouth to scream, but nothing comes out.
I need to get away, but I don’t even know where I am. The grip on my throat, wrists and breasts increases, and I’m struggling to breathe. I dart my eyes to the right and see Craig standing with David. They are both laughing and joking about something. Craig slaps David on the shoulder, and they walk away into the trees, neither looking back, leaving me alone, completely alone.
The tightness around my throat intensifies, and I suck in a deep breath, trying to get oxygen into my lungs. Suddenly, my restraints disappear and I’m falling. I’m falling through branches and leaves and cackling shadows.
My eyes spring open, and I sit bolt upright as I try to suck in a deep breath. My wide panicked eyes dart around the room, and it takes me a moment to realise I’m in Craig’s bedroom. Shit, that was some scary nightmare. I quickly untangle myself from the bedding, swiping the tears from my cheeks, and try to quietly crawl from the bed so I don’t wake Craig. I desperately need a glass of water so I make my way toward the bedroom door.
Without any street light filtering through the windows, the place is pitch black. I have to feel my way around so I don’t trip on anything.
I manage to make my way out of the bedroom and through the living area without incident. Once on the stairs, enough light filters in through the porch windows to ensure I don’t take a dive down them, and I safely make it through into the kitchen. I can see what I’m doing in here courtesy of the strips of light hiding underneath the wall units, so I begin searching through the cupboards until I find the glasses. I grab one and pour myself some ice cold water from the fridge. I quickly gulp down half the glass of water, savouring the coolness on my parched tongue and throat.
Placing the glass down on the counter, I lean forward and hold onto the edge for a few seconds and take some deep calming breaths, trying to rid my mind of the grotesque im
ages from my dream that seem to be hanging on. I pick up the glass again, and as I turn around, a scream explodes from my throat when I catch sight of a man sitting on an armchair by the French doors in the living room. He is wearing only boxer shorts and a plain white t-shirt, and with the halo of light surrounding him from the lamp behind him, he looks almost angelic. Almost.
“Jesus Craig, you scared the shit out of me… What are you doing down here? I thought you were asleep.”
“I couldn’t sleep.” He keeps his eyes locked on mine as he brings a glass to his lips, takes a drink, and then places the glass down on the small table beside him. “What about you? Why are you not snuggled up in bed?”
I tear my gaze away from him, remembering my dream and the look on his face as he walked away from me, laughing with David. “I was thirsty. I needed a drink.” I decide not to tell him about the dream. If I do, he’ll want to know what it was about, and I really don’t want to recount it.
“Come here,” he says in that deep, husky, voice of his that immediately sends tingles to my lady areas and starts my heart pounding a sensual tribal beat in my chest. I quickly shuffle over to him and stop just short of his stretched out legs. In the dim light, his eyes look darker, almost black, and with only the reflection of the small lamp shining in them, he looks dangerous. Desire mixed with the residual fear from my dream flood my emotions, and I don’t know whether to jump him or run. The decision is taken from me when Craig reaches out and pulls me down onto his lap.
I am sprawled across his thighs, my legs dangling to the side. When I lean back against his chest, he places his palm under my chin and tilts my head. He searches my eyes as though he’s looking for the meaning of life in them, and obviously not finding the answers he was looking for - or maybe he did – he crashes his lips against mine in a toe curling kiss that leaves me wet and needy. He tastes of alcohol, Whiskey maybe, and I realise that he had been sitting down here alone, drinking away his sorrows. It breaks my heart that he feels he cannot talk to me about things that are bothering him. Instead, he would rather sit alone and brood. I wonder if he has always been like this. I decide to try and find out from Carly, if I get the chance to talk to her alone.
Craig tugs at my left thigh, wanting me to shift round to straddle him. Without breaking our kiss, I manage to manoeuvre my legs so I am facing him with my knees bent on either side of his firm thighs. His obvious arousal grazes me as I shift to get comfortable, and I whimper as a spark jolts through my body, making me tingle with anticipation all over.
Craig nuzzles my neck, licking and kissing his way up from my shoulder to the sensitive area below my ear. When he sucks on the flesh there, I groan out loud and wriggle on his lap. He sucks in a harsh breath and places both hands on my hips, effectively pinning me in place and stopping my movements.
He nips at my earlobe and then plants his nose in the hair at my temple, inhaling deeply. “You always smell so sweet. It makes me so fucking hard.” His words send shivers across my skin, making my already aroused senses flip into overdrive.
I’m getting ready to beg him to take me when, in one fluid movement, he has his erection free of his boxers. He slides his hand down between our bodies and rubs along my folds. He must be satisfied with the state of my wantonness, because before I know it, I am being lifted slightly and pulled down, his iron hard shaft impaling me in one swift movement. I briefly close my eyes and throw my head back with a groan as I savour the feeling of being filled by this man; this mystery man, who despite my reservations has still managed to capture my fragile heart. I just pray he wraps it up safely and protects it with all he has.
Craig begins to shift his hips in a rhythm of gentle thrusts and circular movements.
“Craig,” I croak in a voice that sounds nothing like me. “What about Carly?”
“Shhh, if we’re quiet, she won’t hear a thing.” He grips my hips tighter and encourages me to lift and fall with him. Soon passion consumes me, and I’m moving on my own accord, driving us both forward. Craig’s hands reach up and pinch my nipples through the satin of my nightgown, and I can’t stop the moans of pleasure that vibrate through my throat.
Familiar twinges start to invade my belly and my thighs begin to tremble. I clamp my hands on Craig’s shoulders, gripping him tightly as the building pressure overwhelms me. Sensing my impending orgasm, he pulls my face to his, pressing his lips against mine, so that when I cry out his name, the sound is muffled by his relentless tongue exploration.
“You are so fucking sexy when you come,” Craig pants as he thrusts his hips higher and faster until he buries his face in my neck again and pushes one final time as he lets out a deep, drawn out groan that is the sexiest sound I have ever heard.
He presses his forehead against mine, his eyes still closed, and lets out a deep sigh of contentment. “Fuck me…that was an unexpected surprise, Miss Merchant.” He places a kiss on the tip of my nose then pushes me back slightly so he can look at me. “I-”
I place two fingers over his lips. “Shh, it’s okay, Craig. You don’t need to say anything.” I don’t want the beauty of the moment spoiled with words.
He pulls me back against his chest and hugs me tight.
“So, are you going to tell me the real reason you came down? You looked as white as a ghost when you first came in,” Craig asks matter of factly, as though he hasn’t still got his twitching cock buried deep inside me.
“I had a bad dream.”
“Want to tell me about it?” He rubs soothing circles along the length of my back.
“There is nothing much to tell really. It was just a bad dream, a manifestation of recent events and memories I think. I’m okay now… you calmed me down.” I clench my inner muscles to make my point.
He growls and narrows his eyes at me before reaching down and playfully slapping my backside. “Stop that or I’ll be calming you down even more, and this time Carly will have no choice but to hear us when you’re screaming for me to stop.” I gasp. He chuckles and I swat his arm. Bastard.
***
Saturday morning, I wake to brilliant sunshine flooding through the large windows and a view outside to die for. Birds are chirping happily in the nearby trees, singing a harmonious melody to us. I’m lying totally naked on my front with Craig’s heavenly scent invading my nostrils. His lips kissing up my spine cause goose bumps to erupt across every inch of my flesh.
He brings his soft lips to mine for a gentle, good morning, kiss. Tasting coffee and mint on him, I figure he must have been up already. I smile into his mouth, thinking this is a truly veritable feast for my senses so early in the morning.
Craig slowly draws one hand down my body, stopping at my right knee, and then pushes it up the bed. He positions himself between my thighs then lowers his hips to gently ease himself inside me. We make love at a beautifully leisurely pace that leaves my heart swollen and contentment settling over me again.
I shiver and close my eyes as an orgasm shoots through me. Craig, finding his release at the same time, moans softly and stills before dropping down to lay along my back. He reaches his hands up and tangles his fingers with mine, resting them on either side of my head.
Smiling widely, I crane my neck around to look at Craig. “Well, good morning to you too.”
“Good morning, beautiful.” He pushes his torso up slightly and places a gentle kiss on my lips. “Morning sex, I most definitely recommend it.” He kisses me again before pulling away and sitting up. “Here, I brought you a coffee up.” He reaches over to the bedside table and hands me a steaming cup of my usual morning wake me up. Hmm, with Craig around, I might not need it anymore. I giggle to myself and Craig raises an eyebrow. “Something funny?”
I continue giggling and shake my head. “Was just thinking that I may have found my new favourite morning pick me up.”
“Oh, is that so, Miss Merchant?” Before I know it the cup is being ripped from my hands and placed back on the table. I’m pushed onto my back as his lips devour me
, his hard body blankets me, and a steamy make out session rocks my world. I’m left panting and exhausted but surprisingly revitalised.
Yeah, I could definitely get used to this wake up call.
***
I’m sitting at the dining table with Craig and Carly, munching on a delicious breakfast of Croissants and jam, fresh fruit and yogurt and, of course, coffee. This is so much nicer than my usual boring bowl of whatever cereal happens to be on special offer when I go shopping.
“So, what would you like to do today?” Craig asks between mouthfuls of his own breakfast.
“I thought you wanted to stay here for the weekend.”
“Oh I do,” he says huskily looking me straight in the eyes, sending immediate heat straight to my cheeks… and other areas. “But, I thought you might like to go and see some of the sights while we are here.” He smirks and returns his gaze to the paper that was delivered this morning. Harry and Joan really do look after them while they are here.
Carly slaps her spoon into her bowl, making me jump. “I know, I know, I know!” she squeals and places her hands together in prayer like an excitable six year old. “Paignton! We should go into Paignton. Amber will love it there.”
Craig glances across the table at me, one eyebrow raised.
I shrug my shoulders. “Sure, why not.”
“Paignton it is, then.”
***
We spend the morning walking around Paignton Zoo, and I love it. I haven’t been to a zoo since I was a child. It wasn’t something David ever wanted to do even though he knew I love animals. Walking hand in hand the entire time, we marvel at the beauty and majesty of the big cats and take the piss out of each other around the monkeys. I coo over the colours of the parrots, and Craig stood mesmerised by a crocodile that appeared to be staring him out. I’m sure he was getting ready to tug him into a death roll; the croc that is, although with Craig’s spectacular physique, maybe he could give it a run for its money.
Silver Lining Page 19
