Roberta Leigh - It All Depends on Love

by Roberta Leigh

  'I'm not clairvoyant.' Tessa rose. It brought her close to him, emphasising the difference in their height, and forcing her to tilt her head to watch his face. 'After Ingrid's accident, when you discovered my identity and we said goodbye, why didn't you give me an inkling that you cared for me?'

  'Pride,' he stated baldly. 'You acted as if you couldn't wait to get away.'

  'What's happened to your pride now?'

  'I bet you enjoy probing with a scalpel,' he muttered, turning away from her. 'Go on, laugh at me. I deserve it.'

  The pain in his voice was too much for her, and with an incoherent murmur she bridged the short distance between them and clasped her arms around his waist.

  'I love you,' she said into his rigid back. 'I have almost from the moment I met you.'

  With an exclamation he swung round. 'Then it wasn't all an act, as you said?'

  'No. But I had pride too.'

  He groaned and pulled her close. 'What a lot of time we've wasted.' His body was trembling, his skin damp from emotion as he spoke. 'Tessa, Tessa, these past months have been hell for me.'

  'For me too.'

  She lifted her face and his head lowered to hers. Their ips met, their touch tentative, as if neither was sure of the other. But as their mouths remained close and his breath mingled with hers, the urgency of their desire for each other surfaced. Their hands moved to touch, legs to twine, bodies to merge, and suddenly they were devouring each other with long, drugging kisses as tongues explored and sweet moisture was absorbed.

  With a groan, Patrick pushed her away, though he kept his hands on her. 'Darling, we have to talk!’

  Fear drew the blood from her head and she went dizzy. The moment she had dreaded was here, and, aware she couldn't continue running away from it, she allowed him to draw her on to the settee beside him. He did not speak, and her fear deepened as she waited.

  Scanning her set face, he expelled his breath on a sigh. ‘I don't have to say it, do I?'

  'No.' Her voice was faint and she cleared her throat and said it again. 'No, you don't.'

  'Good.' His relief was palpable. 'All we have to decide on now is a date for the wedding. As far as I'm concerned, the quieter the better.'

  'No, Patrick!' Pulling her hand free of his, she jumped to her feet. 'I can't agree to it.'

  'Then I'D leave it to you, darling. But it means us facing a barrage of publicity and—-'

  'I'm not talking of our marriage!' she cried. 'There won't be one anyway.'

  'Tessa!' He reached for her, but she evaded him.

  'It won't work, Patrick. Even if I agree to do as you ask, I'll never manage to stick to it. I love you with all my heart, but I can't turn my back on the gift I was born with.' Helplessly she began to cry, uncaring that he saw, feeling she was being torn in two and would never be whole again.

  'Darling, don't!' He was beside her, his voice pleading as he put his arms around her.

  She yearned to lean against him, but instead tried to pull away, scared lest the touch of his body should weaken her resolve and make her utter worthless promises.

  Aware of her resistance, he tightened his hold. 'You've got it wrong, my love. I'm not expecting you to stop being a surgeon. Did you think that's what I meant?'

  'Yes.' Slowly she raised her head. 'You always said you didn't want a wife with a career.'

  'Shows what a bigoted fool I was!' Taking a handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped away her tears. 'I've changed my opinions, Tessa.'

  'Because you have to.' Her sadness was in her voice, and, hearing it, he gave her a little shake.

  'That's not true. If I felt as I did months ago, I'd probably try to lay down the law again. But I have changed. When you walked out of my life, when I believed I meant nothing to you, I touched rock-bottom.' He paused, his eyes darkening with the memory of it. 'I went through hell. Tough enough and hot enough to burn away my stupid prejudices. I don't fancy a bimbo as a wife. I need a woman who can match me mentally as well as satisfy me physically. Who is a person in her own right. And if she considers it her right to be a doctor, a baker, or a candlestick maker, then I'll happily accept it and will do whatever I have to to make the marriage work.'

  Listening to this impassioned statement, Tessa didn't doubt he meant what he said. But would he feel the same when they were man and wife and the first flush of passion was over?

  As if privy to her thoughts, he dropped his arms away from her and went to stand by the bookshelf. 'I'm not saying all this in the heat of desire. I've thought it out from every angle, I promise you. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, Tessa. There will be many occasions when I’ll resent your work, be irritated because you can't come with me on my travels. But as compensation I'll have a wife who is a happy and satisfied woman—which will be worth whatever compromises I have to make.'

  Only then did Tessa's fear die. Hearing Patrick weigh op the pros had worried her; hearing him admit the cons reassured her totally.

  'I'm prepared to compromise too,' she said, moving towards him. 'Marriage is a partnership, Patrick, and I intend playing my part in it. I'll lessen my workload, and when you go on long trips I will go with you.'

  'You won't find me giving you an argument on that!'

  'We'll never argue.'

  'Yes, we will. But the making up will be wonderful!' He hugged her tightly. 'Thank God the career question is settled. Now let's change the subject.'

  'Did you ever go to bed with Ingrid?'

  'What?'

  'You said we should change the subject!'

  'Not to that. She's in the past.'

  'You haven't answered my question though.'

  'Will you believe me if I say I haven't?'

  'Yes.'

  'Good. And the answer is no, I never have. I suppose I was tempted at the very beginning when she first came to work for me, but it's my policy not to mix business with pleasure.' He grinned. 'Though I did it with you, come to think of ft. But then you were special.'

  'I was?'

  'Let me show you how special,' he said ardently, rubbing his thighs upon hers.

  'That's just what the doctor was going to order!'

  They didn't make it to the bedroom. Passion flared fast and strong, overwhelming them and flinging them into a vortex which spun them out of control. His broken apologies were negated by her passionate urging as she matched him movement for movement, her body expanding to accept him, her smallness tight around him, sheathing him, inflaming him until he was no longer in control and exploded within her in a gush of fire that pervaded every fibre of her being.

  They came to their senses on the floor, and as she moved gingerly he raised his head from her breast and levered himself off her.

  'Did I hurt you?' he questioned huskily. 'You're so small and fragile, I——-'

  'It was wonderful.' Her eyes were misty. 'I wish I were more experienced for you.'

  'I don't.' His mouth found her tumescent nipples, moving from one to the other as he sucked them into hard peaks. 'I never thought I'd be the first,' he admitted.

  'Someone had to be!'

  'At the risk of being called a chauvinist pig, I have to say I'm glad it was me.'

  'So am I.'

  She stroked his thick, chestnut hair, then let her fingers glide over the strong back. His body stirred and she felt the powerful surge of his desire, giving a little gasp as, with one swift movement, he rose with her in his arms and strode into her bedroom.

  'I can't have you complaining of a bad back!' he murmured into her mouth, and, laying her gently upon the bed, began caressing her.

  This time he took her slowly, refusing her urgent pleas to enter her, quieting his movements when she became too aroused, and gradually bringing her to such a trembling peak of desire that she was begging for him as he slowly, slowly penetrated her.

  His manhood was as teasing as the tongue stroking the hollow between her breasts, entering and withdrawing until she frenziedly clutched at his buttocks and pulled them hard dow
n, the movement pushing him deeper into her. His shout of ecstasy was her victory, for he was too far gone to withdraw, and swelled and throbbed against the soft cavern of her womb.

  'Stay still,' he pleaded thickly, and she did as he asked, remaining motionless until the conquered became the conqueror once again. Only when he grew and thickened did she teasingly gyrate her hips, the fierce contractions of her body leading him to the brink and beyond as, with another great cry, the liquid of his life gushed into her.

  Tessa awoke first, enjoying the sight of Patrick's head on the pillow next to her, and the weight of his hand on the softness of her belly. He still looked tired and pale, but his features were relaxed, and there was a calmness in his sleeping face which had not been there previously.

  Her tummy rumbled and she became aware of being hungry. The bedside clock showed midnight, and ruefully she remembered her supper of two eggs. Not much sustenance bearing in mind the energy she had just expended! Pretty sure Patrick was also going to be hungry when he awoke, she carefully slid from the bed, donned a housecoat and went into the kitchen.

  As she turned on the light, Henry lifted his head and thumped his tail on the floor.

  'Good morning to you too,' she said happily. 'But be a good boy and go back to sleep.'

  The shaggy head lowered on to the two front paws, and soulful eyes followed her from refrigerator to table to sink. Heart melting, Tessa dropped him a piece of the cold chicken she was slicing for sandwiches, and when a plate was piled high and set on a tray, together with a thermos of hot soup, she carried it into the bedroom.

  She didn't get beyond the door. Convulsed with silent laughter, she watched as Henry, lying full length next to Patrick, was busily licking his idol's ear.

  'Mmm,' Patrick murmured, his back moving erotically. 'Don't stop, sweetheart.'

  Responding to the soft tone, Henry's licking grew more enthusiastic.

  'Mmm,' Patrick repeated. 'Where did you learn that little trick?' Eyes still closed, he turned. 'Come closer, sweetheart.'

  As he put out a languid arm for her, his fingers clasped a furry body. With a roar he opened his eyes, and with another roar leapt from the bed and took a swipe at Henry.

  Limp with laughter, Tessa nearly dropped the tray.

  'I'm glad you find it funny,' Patrick bit out, chasing Henry from the room and. closing the door. 'What the hell's this damn dog doing here?'

  'He had an operation on his hip, and I'm taking him back to Greentrees.'

  Patrick stared at her askance. 'Don't tell me you operated on Henry!'

  'Don't be ridiculous.' She choked back another gust of laughter.

  'I don't wish to see hair nor hide of that hound once we're married!' he asserted. 'If necessary I'll electrify the wall round the house.'

  'You wouldn't!'

  'Try me.'

  'Not till I've drunk my soup. I'm starving.'

  'That wasn't what I——-' He halted, a smile tugging the corner of his mouth. 'It's a good thing you didn't have a video camera to record this little scene.' , 'It would certainly have given our children a good laugh!'

  Sandwich raised to his mouth, Patrick stopped. 'Another comment like that, and you won't be eating for another hour!'

  'All I mentioned were children!'

  He lunged for her and brought her down on the bed. 'That does it!'

  His body heavy on hers, she stared into his blue, blue eyes.

  'Know something?' she said in a little-girl voice. 'I'm not in the least bit hungry!'