by Susan Napier;Kathryn Ross;Kelly Hunter;Sandra Marton;Katherine Garbera;Margaret Mayo
Their mouths came together, a slow, sensual tasting that lasted for ever. And then Oliver bade her kneel in front of him and he took the tab of her zip between his teeth and began to slowly draw it down.
It was one of the most erotic things he had ever done and Anna arched instinctively towards him, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps.
Oliver shuddered and his trembling fingers followed the line of the zip, stroking, appreciating, reacquainting, sending her female hormones into panic. And when he reached the bottom he finally lost patience.
He grabbed a handful of material in each hand and yanked it down over her shoulders, disposing of her bra with equally indecent haste, not content until her breasts were free of the restraining fabric, free for him to take into his palms, free for him to stroke his thumb deliciously over her erect and hungry nipples.
His teeth nipped and tortured, making her whimper with pleasure and ache for more. She held his head against her, loving the feel of his thick springy hair through her fingers.
It was wrong to let herself get carried away when there was no hope for the future, but wrong went out of the window when Oliver kissed her like this. It was almost as though he was worshipping her breasts.
He touched, he stroked; he licked, he sucked, and when he looked up at her there was a feverish light in his eyes. They were a more intense gold than she’d ever seen them, filled with such hot desire that it sent fresh shivers right through her.
‘Oh, Oliver.’ It was a cry she couldn’t contain.
‘Oh, Oliver, what?’ he asked, still suckling.
‘What you do to me.’
‘What I do to you?’ He lifted his head then. ‘Have you any idea how I feel? You’ve worked your spell on me again, made me realise what I’ve been missing. This side of our marriage was never in dispute.’
Anna stiffened, their rare moment of togetherness in danger of being ruined—if it wasn’t already. ‘Are you saying that this is all you’ve ever wanted me for?’ She sucked in her breath as she waited for his answer.
‘It was an important part of it, Anna,’ he admitted, his thumbs still stroking her now screamingly sensitised nipples. ‘A very important part. I firmly believe that if the physical element goes out of a marriage it quickly disintegrates.’
Which told her precisely nothing. Theirs had disintegrated regardless of the fact that they still excited each other. It put his theory firmly out of the running, and suggested, even though he hadn’t actually put it into words, that the delights of the flesh was all he’d ever wanted her for.
And she would be a fool to let it continue when he’d kick her out again as soon as she’d served her purpose. It made her wonder which purpose. Helping him sort his father’s belongings? Or satisfying his carnal desires?
Surely he had Melanie for that? Or was it because he’d been with Melanie and she’d left him frustrated that he was doing this now? The thought was like a bitter pill too large to swallow and she shook her head. ‘I can’t go on with this, Oliver. You’re right—sex is good between us, but it’s not high on my list of priorities.’
Much!
‘This is a mistake,’ she added more quietly now as she tried to back away from him. ‘I don’t know why I let myself get into this situation.’
Some of the light went out of his eyes. ‘I thought it was because you wanted to?’
‘I did, I do, but—it isn’t right. We’re on the verge of a divorce, Oliver. Have you forgotten that? How can we still make love?’
‘I guess some things become a habit,’ he admitted ruefully.
‘Well, it’s one habit you’ll have to get out of,’ she retorted, as she jumped to her feet and began tugging her suit back into place. Her bra was ignored. All she wanted to do was hide her pulsing breasts from his greedy eyes.
But it was the most awkward piece of clothing she owned and as she struggled to get her arms into the sleeves Oliver sprang up. ‘Here, let me help.’
And begin the torture all over again!
‘I can manage,’ she said determinedly.
But it wasn’t easy, especially as he stood and watched, especially when she saw the way his fingers clenched as she finally slid the zip back into place and there wasn’t an inch of her body left for him to feast his eyes on. And yet she felt oddly sad that the evening which had promised such excitement had ended like this.
‘I think I might go and catch up on some more work, after all,’ he announced gruffly
Their eyes met and held and Anna saw sadness but she hardened her heart. She’d done the right thing. Emotional blackmail wasn’t the answer. ‘Don’t do it on my account. I’m going to bed.’
But not to sleep, not for a long time. She’d had so many sleepless nights since their marriage ended. So many nights when she’d lain awake thinking about Oliver and the good times they’d had. Could still have, if their experience earlier was anything to go by. But what good would it do? How would it help when at the end of the day he’d still divorce her?
The next morning Oliver was waiting for her at the breakfast table. He looked devastatingly casual in a pair of grey linen trousers, a blue shirt and a grey and blue cotton sweater—certainly not as though he was going to work up at the Hall.
Had he decided that their close proximity would be too much for him if she was going to insist that he keep his hands off her? Had he decided that putting distance between them was the only solution?
Anna didn’t know whether to feel happy or sad. When she’d stopped him making love to her she hadn’t wanted him to back off altogether, she’d simply wanted to cool things between them.
‘I thought we’d have a change today,’ he said cheerfully as she took her seat at the table.
Anna frowned, her heart spinning. So he wasn’t rejecting her! ‘What did you have in mind?’
‘Maybe a trip on the river? Though it could be a tad cold. We could go into London, perhaps—shop, sightsee, take in a show?’
‘I think you’re forgetting I used to live in London,’ she reminded him.
‘As if I could forget anything about you.’ His voice seemed to go down an octave as he spoke, his eyes warm as a summer day as they looked into hers.
Anna felt a tremor run through her. ‘Actually, I am homesick for the city. I think I’d like that.’ There would be safety in crowds, unlike if they went river cruising when it would be just herself and Oliver. In London they’d be jostled and pushed and there’d be absolutely no chance of intimacy.
Even sorting Edward’s stuff, there was always a forced togetherness which did nothing for her state of mind. A day away from it, a day doing something different, was exactly what she needed—what they both needed.
They caught the train and were in London by midmorning and Anna thoroughly enjoyed strolling through the streets with Oliver. They explored the food hall in Harrods, ate lunch in style at Rules, one of London’s oldest restaurants, and she tried on a blue and green chiffon evening dress which would be perfect around Christmas time. Although it was horrendously expensive Oliver persuaded her to buy it, and then settled the bill himself as she changed back into her street clothes.
‘You shouldn’t have done that,’ she declared huffily. The expression on his face when he’d looked at her had frizzled her insides. It had suggested that he would get as much pleasure in stripping it off her as he would in seeing her in it.
Dark brows rose. ‘I can’t buy my wife clothes, is that what you’re saying?’
‘I’m no longer your wife,’ she retorted.
His face shadowed but the next second he smiled with apparent unconcern. ‘I can still buy you a present, can’t I?’
Anna’s pleasure was bittersweet. It wasn’t quite the answer she would have liked.
They went to a show afterwards, an obscure musical that Anna didn’t understand but which she pretended to enjoy, clapping energetically in all the right places and flashing Oliver approving glances.
All the big shows had been fully boo
ked, this was the only one they’d been able to get tickets for, and over dinner afterwards Oliver said, ‘You were very enthusiastic over that musical. I wasn’t altogether sure it was your type.’
Anna wrinkled her nose. ‘It wasn’t. It wasn’t yours either, was it?’ They knew each too well to hide their true feelings.
‘So has it spoilt your day?’
‘Not at all,’ she said immediately, fervently. ‘I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself. I feel guilty, though. You took time off work to organise things at the house and instead you’re squiring me around.’
‘Which I wouldn’t have suggested if I hadn’t wanted to do it. You’re still a pleasure to be with.’
So why had he kicked her out of his life? Was this the moment to tell him about Chris, to explain exactly what she’d needed that thirty thousand pounds for? Would all be forgiven? Would she be satisfied with that? Or would she still feel disillusioned because he’d thought the worst of her in the first place?
‘You’re the sexiest woman in here, Anna, do you know that?’ His voice had gone so low it sent shivers down her spine, her toes curling in her shoes ‘I want you in my bed tonight. I can’t live with you and not have you; it’s driving me insane.’
Anna’s hopes took a massive nosedive. He couldn’t have made it any plainer what he wanted from her if he’d spelt it out in letters ten feet high. And once the house clearance was finished, it would be goodbye Anna.
Her eyes flashed a heated, brilliant green. ‘If you can’t handle my presence then perhaps I shouldn’t stay. I’m not here for your convenience, Oliver; I thought I was helping with a particularly unpalatable job. If it’s sex you’re after, then ask Melanie—from what I can see, she’d be only too willing to oblige.’
He was clearly stunned by her reaction, his head jerking up, his eyes narrowed and questioning. ‘You can’t mean that, Anna?’
‘Why can’t I?’
‘Because—because things are good between us.’
‘You mean physically?’ she asked sharply. ‘If that’s the only reason you accepted my offer, then I’ll leave in the morning. You can finish off yourself or get Melanie to help.’ She couldn’t help throwing in the other woman’s name again. ‘She’d be delighted, I’m sure.’
‘Let’s leave Melanie out of this,’ he growled.
‘Why should we?’ she shot back. ‘I think she’s very much a part of your life, despite what you say, and I don’t think you need me.’
He closed his eyes for a moment as if trying to shut out her words. ‘You really think that Melanie and I have got back together?’
Anna shrugged. ‘It’s how it looks.’
‘Would it bother you if we had?’
It would hurt like hell, but she wasn’t admitting it. ‘Why should it when our marriage is over?’ she asked instead. ‘You’re free to see whomever you like, do what you like with whomever you like. It has nothing to do with me any more. I think I’d like to go home, Oliver.’ She’d hardly touched her meal but it would choke her to try and eat now.
He didn’t argue. He paid the bill and they left. They took a taxi to the station and neither of them spoke. But there was a half-hour wait for the train so they sat and drank coffee.
‘Today was meant to be a happy occasion,’ declared Oliver, swirling his drink vigorously in his cup. ‘I wanted you to have a good time.’
‘Which I have.’
‘Until I spoiled it by admitting that your body drives me crazy,’ he said with self-derision. ‘Would it help if I apologised, Anna? If I said it was crass and insensitive of me to confess to such feelings—even if I felt them?’
Anna pulled a wry face and lifted her shoulders in a vague gesture. ‘I’m flattered, but I don’t understand. We’re supposed to be separated. Why are you doing this to me?’
It was his turn to grimace. ‘I guess there are some things that never go away.’
‘Like sex, you mean?’ she asked acidly. She tried to forget that it was all she’d thought about when she first met him. There had been an instant chemical flare of attraction, of desire, of goodness knew what, which they’d both mistaken for love.
Which was still there!
But it wasn’t enough. A marriage needed more and she wasn’t going to be sidetracked by that incredible passion again.
Oliver didn’t answer her question. He looked pensively into his cup instead, holding it still now, and Anna guessed she had hit on the truth. She drank half of her coffee and then declared she needed to go to the loo. She didn’t hurry and when she got back it was time for their train.
The journey was uncomfortably silent. There seemed nothing more to be said. It wasn’t until they got home that Oliver asked whether she was still determined to leave.
‘I’ll stay and help until it’s all done if you promise to behave,’ she declared, looking him straight in the eye, making sure he knew she meant what she said. ‘If you want me to, that is.’
Though why she was offering Anna had no idea. She had to be insane. It would be far safer to put as much distance between them as possible because, if the truth were known, she wanted his body as much as he wanted hers. And she had no doubt in her mind that it would always be that way.
‘I’d like that.’ Oliver nodded his agreement. ‘But I can’t—’
‘Make any promises,’ she finished for him. ‘You don’t have control over your male testosterone, is that what you’re saying?’
‘I guess I am.’
‘So it will be up to me to keep you at arm’s length? Very well, I can do that.’ She spoke with confidence but her tingling nerves betrayed her real emotions. Keeping Oliver at bay would be like trying to ward off a hungry crocodile.
But, surprisingly, in the weeks that followed all went smoothly. Oliver never crossed the barriers she had rigidly imposed, though on several occasions she spotted him watching her hungrily.
His very real need of her caused her skin to burn mercilessly, it sent a rash of scary emotions through her veins, and she had to busy herself elsewhere until the feelings went away.
Melanie came to see Oliver several times but on each occasion he told her that he was too busy to take her out, and that he didn’t need any further help. Anna wondered how hard it was for him to deny his body what it craved.
If it was pure sex that drove him, surely Melanie could fulfil those needs? Or had she misjudged him? Did he want to give their marriage another go? Was that behind everything? And, if so, why hadn’t he said? Why didn’t he tell her what he was thinking, feeling, expecting?
Instead, most days he worked in silence, talking only of the work in hand, sometimes saying he’d never realised what a large task it was.
‘You’re forgetting that Edward’s lifetime is here,’ she said as Oliver sorted through file after file in his father’s cabinets, while she kept busy packing the hundreds of books which Oliver wanted to keep.
‘Are you telling me his whole life is being packed into carboard boxes? That this is the way we all end?’
‘I guess it’s something like that,’ she agreed. ‘It’s sad, isn’t it?’
‘And I’ve had enough for today.’ He lifted his arms above his head and stretched and Anna had an imbecilic urge to go to him, to press her hungry body close to his. This constant togetherness was telling on her, making her wonder whether she’d made the right decision.
And if it was telling on her, what was it doing to Oliver? She’d heard him prowling his room at night and once she’d heard him come to her door. He had stood there for a long time before he’d quietly gone back.
She’d become very tense, holding her breath, straining her ears, and wishing, much to her disgust, that he’d give up on his promise and come and make fantasic love to her.
Of course, if he had come in, she’d probably have ordered him straight out again—but the things it did to her simply thinking about it were enough to spin her mind into orbit.
But at least they never fell out. He was politeness itself,
always courteous, always thoughtful, almost too much so. Sometimes she could have screamed at the correctness of his behaviour.
Then one day the perfect veneer crashed. She was on her knees on the upstairs landing carefully sorting sheets and pillowcases into sets when he came storming towards her, eyes like twin flames of fire. ‘I should have known I couldn’t trust you.’
Anna looked up at Oliver in frank amazement. ‘What are you talking about? What am I supposed to have done now?’ And she knew by the look on his face that it had to be something dire.
Chapter Nine
‘I’M TALKING about family heirlooms.’ Oliver didn’t take his eyes off Anna’s face for one single second. ‘Diamonds and sapphires that belonged to my grandmother. My great-grandfather’s gold hunter watch.’
‘And what have they to do with me?’ she asked indignantly, feeling an unhealthy chill steal down her spine.
‘Do you dare to ask?’ he thrust, his face red with rage, ‘when you’re the only person who’s been left alone in this house since my father died?’
Anna went very still and very cold. ‘You’re suggesting I took them?’
‘Who else?’
‘Perhaps you’d like to search my room?’ She found it hard to believe that Oliver was accusing her of theft. One minute he’d wanted to take her to bed; now he looked as though he’d like to strangle her with his bare hands.
Perhaps it was as well their marriage had ended.
This was a side of him she’d never seen before, at least not to this degree. He’d been angry about the money, but this time he was so enraged he was dancing on the balls of his feet and his golden eyes leapt with fire.
‘As if that would turn up anything,’ he tossed scornfully. ‘We both know what’s happened to the stuff, don’t we? That little story about seeing your brother again was nothing more than a cover-up. Well, let me tell you, lady, this time you’ve gone too far. You had a legitimate excuse where the money was concerned, but not now.’
