by J. M. Madden
Pulling back, he almost gasped at the thought. Love? No. This was just a little infatuation. How did he even know what love was? There had certainly never been any shining examples in his life. His mother and father could barely stand to be in the same room together. Andrea and Robert had had a rocky marriage from the beginning. Andrea had been one of the debutantes Jillian had strongly encouraged Robert to pursue. The longest lasting marriage he knew of was the Faust’s, who had been married something like fifteen years. It was a second marriage for them both but he had certainly never seen them openly show affection. But then, he knew that William had always considered Faust’s son as his own; they were not demonstrative but always aware of each other … smiling, little glances between them.
Then he remembered Tory’s support when he asked her about he and Sarah getting married. With a sigh, he decided he would have to ponder the situation later, because the way Sarah leaned against him made his thoughts veer in another direction totally.
Sarah seemed to sense when things changed, because she looked up at him with a saucy smile. “Did you have something else to talk to me about, Mr. Gallagher?”
Playing along, he furrowed his brows menacingly. “As a matter of fact, I did, Ms. Tyler. Follow me, please.”
Climbing to his feet, he held a hand down to help her up, then continued to hold her hand as he led her through the echoing house, up the curving staircase and down the long hallway to his room. Once inside he wasted no time. Pressing her against the door he began devouring her mouth. Sarah gasped at the assault, and found that his need turned her on more than anything. As he stripped the shirt off her, she could already feel how very aroused her breasts were, achy for him. Clayton seemed to understand that because as soon as he stripped her, he bent down and took her silk covered nipple into his mouth. Sarah almost melted right there. Moaning, she clasped his head to her body and dragged the cup away from her breast, allowing him better access. Clayton reached behind her and deftly undid the clasp, slipping the lingerie down her arms to the floor. Now he had unlimited access. Sarah’s head rolled back and forth on the panel as he continued to ravage her, and at some point when her knees finally gave out they lowered to the floor. Clayton looked around surprised, but with a small shrug he returned to her waiting breasts.
“You taste so good. It is a taste all your own. So unique.”
Sarah was busy pulling his shirt out of his pants, slipping her hands inside to run across his belly. “And you feel incredible.”
Once again she was amazed at how well they fit. Clayton’s body felt as if he ran marathons every day or something. He’d told her when they’d been lying in bed that he got up early almost every morning to work out in the gym in the basement. Sarah had not even known there was a basement, let alone a workout room. She had a feeling she had not even seen a quarter of Hillcroft House in all the time she’d been there.
Sarah could only be thankful to that workout room as she felt Clayton’s hard hands roving over her hips. He did it repeatedly, as if he could not get enough of the feel of her rounded shape against the carpeted floor. Impatient, he popped the button and undid the zipper, pushing her pants and panties down her legs. “I don’t think I can wait much longer,” he growled, once again running his hands over her hips. His erection wedged against her pubic bone almost painfully.
Mimicking his actions, Sarah pushed his slacks out of the way and pulled one of her legs free of her pants, wrapping it around his hip. He pushed into her immediately, gliding deep easily. They both groaned together, and for an interminably long moment, neither moved. Sarah thought she could actually feel both their heartbeats pulsing where they were connected, and she savored that sensitivity. Then they were both racing for that ultimate pinnacle; skin slapping as he thrust into her. Any other time Sarah would have been embarrassed if her body made those sounds, but tonight they were adding to the excitement instead.
Her climax came on her slowly, but Sarah knew she had never felt such awe-inspiring pleasure. Her clenching muscles triggered Clayton’s release, and he gave a last fierce surge before groaning into her neck, clasping her hips in his hands. Sarah cradled him to her as aftershocks twitched through them both, then she let her leg fall to the floor. How could this keep happening? That each time they made love was even better than the last?
After several long moments, Clayton pulled himself out and rolled to the side, collapsing boneless onto the carpet. Rolling his head to look at her, he grinned sheepishly. Sarah thought she had never seen anything as wonderful as that grin.
“I have never made love on the floor before,” he told her, a bit of wonder in his voice.
Giggling happily, Sarah rolled on her side to run her eyes down both of their mostly dressed bodies. “And I have never made love with my clothes on before. But that’s twice in two days you’ve gotten me to.”
Clayton leaned up on his own elbow and gave her a lingering kiss. Sarah caressed his beard, and somehow he was lying across her again, running his hand down her side. Looking down at her, with his brow furrowed, Clayton shook his head. “Why can’t I get enough of you?” he rumbled.
Smiling happily, Sarah clenched his taut butt cheeks in her hands and arched her hips up into him, encouraging him. “I don’t know, but I hope you never do.”
Opening her mouth, she almost told him she loved him, but something held her back. Would he believe her if she told him? If she were in his position, she would be wary of every woman she came in contact with.
Though it was agonizing, she held her tongue. They had just connected on such an elemental level, but now was perhaps not the best time. Clayton was too no-nonsense to believe she was speaking from her heart, and not merely overwhelmed with post-coital emotions.
They ascended to the bed eventually and made love once more during the night, then fell asleep contentedly in each other’s arms.
Chapter Fourteen
‡
The next day was Saturday, and they both slept in. When Clayton did finally get up for a shower, it was almost ten o’clock in the morning. Sarah told him to go ahead, she was going to sleep just a few more minutes, and closed her eyes to the tempo of the pounding water.
Sarah was not sure exactly what awakened her, but when she opened her eyes, Mrs. Gallagher stood over the bed glaring down at her, impeccably dressed, as always. Clayton was nowhere to be seen, but Sarah heard the shower still pounding away.
The older woman shook her head and planted her elegant hands on her hips. “I just do not understand what he sees in you. You have no class whatsoever, you have no breeding at all, you have the mouth of a ranch hand and you are by far the biggest woman I have ever seen him with. I simply do not understand. What is your appeal?”
Sarah struggled not to cover up more than she was, and show how uncomfortable she was. She was lying on her back, and as far as she could tell everything important felt covered. Blinking several times to sharpen her focus, she regarded Mrs. Gallagher. Since it seemed to be an honest question, Sarah answered it as such.
“That’s easy. I make no demands on Clayton. I like the man he is and I don’t think he needs to change a thing about himself, except maybe have more self-confidence in his personal life. He’s smart and funny and feels things more deeply than any other man I’ve ever seen. And he is generous to a fault.”
Mrs. Gallagher scoffed and shook her head again. “You have no idea what you are talking about. Clayton would not allow himself to be swayed by his emotions or by a woman like you. And of course he’s being generous if he’s sleeping with you. But let me tell you something. Whatever trinkets he’s given you, hang on to them, because it is all you’re going to get. He certainly will not marry you.”
Sitting up, Sarah held the sheet to her front and pulled it around her behind. The woman really was as thick as a brick. Why couldn’t she understand? “I feel bad for you, Mrs. Gallagher, because you think everything revolves around money. Clayton has not given me a single piece of jewelry, a flower
or anything. That’s not what I meant when I said he was generous. Time spent together, understanding between each other, laughter, are more important than any thing he can give me you could stick a price tag on. Clayton could be walking the streets penniless, and I would still like, no, love spending time with him.”
Mrs. Gallagher still looked down at Sarah as if she were a nasty bug that had crawled onto her high heeled shoe.
“Don’t you wish, even just a little bit, that you had somebody to love you just for you?” Sarah continued. “Not because you’re rich, or attractive, or know all these important people. If you lost everything tomorrow, had not a single cent to your name, no status, no limo, no designer clothes, who would talk to you? Who would bring you soup if you were sick? Do you have anybody in your life that is an honest-to-God friend?”
Jillian Gallagher dropped her eyes and pursed her lips, paling subtly. For a long moment, she did not say anything, but when she did, it was exactly the response Sarah had expected. “I did not come in here to talk about my life. I came to talk about Clayton’s.”
“Why?” Sarah interrupted. “The man is thirty-four years old. Is there a reason why he isn’t supposed to decide how to live his own life? You seem so concerned that he not marry me. Honestly, the subject has never come up between us. If he asks me though, I can guarantee you I will say yes. Not because he has a lot of money, but because I think he would love me and any kids we have. He is an absolutely wonderful man with a lot of heart, and I would be lucky to have him.”
Mrs. Gallagher gave a very un-ladylike snort. “Kids, right. I’m surprised you’re not pregnant already.”
“I would love to be pregnant by your son, pardon me, stepson. But I’m a little too old fashioned to put the cart before the horse like that.”
Sarah’s gut clenched as soon as she stopped speaking, realizing her blunder. Damn! Her mouth had gotten her into trouble again. No one was supposed to know about his familial status. Jillian’s gray eyes narrowed when Sarah corrected herself, and Sarah knew she was in for it now. Her stomach clenched. Clayton’s stepson status was supposed to be a secret.
“He told you, didn’t he? That he’s not my son? I should have known.” Taking a big, outraged breath, Mrs. Gallagher took a step toward the bed, with her finger pointed. “Listen to me, you little bitch. If this gets out, I will know exactly who leaked it. And you will pay dearly. You can kiss any thought of an art career goodbye, because I will not rest until you are destroyed.”
Sarah could not help but snort as the woman sputtered in front of her. Instead of the threat it was meant to be, the words came out sounding lame, an empty threat. “Oh, please. How trite can you be? Chill out, lady. I would never hurt Clayton the way your family has over the years. That’s what makes us different, and you can’t understand that. I’m glad he’s not related to you by blood, and you know what? I think that down inside he’s glad, too. I have a feeling Clayton’s real mother was a wonderful, loving woman, and that’s where he gets his caring nature that you’ve tried to stifle all these years.”
Jillian threw back her head and laughed sharply. “Oh you think so, do you? Let me tell you something about Clayton’s mother. She was trash, just like you are, and when she decided she didn’t want to keep her little boy, she sold him to his father for a lousy ten grand. Gerald told the boy his mother had died and he stopped asking questions about her.”
Sarah was shocked to her very core. Clayton’s mother didn’t die when he was a toddler, she gave him up. She sold him. Oh, my god, this will tear him to pieces, she thought, and some sense told her that it was no longer just the two women in the room. Looking up, her gaze collided with Clayton’s in the bathroom doorway. The pain and anger in his eyes was fearsome. His towel-wrapped body was totally dry and Sarah had a feeling he had heard most of her conversation with Mrs. Gallagher, not just the end. The shower still ran in the background.
Mrs. Gallagher finally realized Sarah was looking beyond her shoulder, and turned.
“Clayton, it’s not what you think…” Mrs. Gallagher held an elegant hand out to her stepson, and Sarah was surprised to hear a note of concern in her voice.
“And what is it I think, Mother?” he snapped out. “Tell me. You seem to have my past and my future mapped out for me, so tell me what I should think right now.” Standing in the doorway, wrapped in a towel, he crossed his arms over his impressive chest. When his stepmother refused to say anything, Clayton continued. “Let me tell you what I think! I think I’m sick and tired of you trying to pull strings in my life. Lord knows, you’ve been doing it since I was a child and I understand it will be a difficult pastime to give up, but give it up, you will. There will be no more going out with your friend’s daughters in the hopes I will settle down with somebody you approve of and can control the way you control Andrea. And I think you will be on the next commercial flight to France.”
At this, his mother gasped. With a somewhat evil smile, Clayton stepped further into the room. “Yes, somehow I just know the Clarion jet is down for repairs. Or it will be as soon as I make a call.”
Jillian Gallagher stuttered incoherently. “You don’t mean this Clayton. You don’t mean to kick me out. What will people say?”
“Oh,” he said softly, “but I do mean it. And it’s past time I did it. And I don’t really care what people say. Most of them know that what you show the world is false. I’m sure many will be happy to see you go. I know I will be. I know Sarah will be.” He shook his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe you came into our bedroom the way you did to deliver your threats and insults. I’ve lost count of the number of apologies you owe her.”
Sarah wanted to sink into the mattress then and there, but the woman’s cold eyes found her and ran over her once again. But she bit back what Sarah could tell she wanted to say. Perhaps what Clayton was doing and saying had actually begun to sink in, and she had some small hope of redeeming herself, because she nodded her head. “You’re right, Clayton. I’ve behaved abominably to Miss Tyler ever since she’s been here and I apologize.”
Sarah and Clayton were both surprised the woman uttered the words, but Clayton rallied quickly. “Good, now get out of my bedroom. William will make your reservations. Everything you don’t take with you will be shipped at a later date.”
“Clayton, please.” Jillian held out her hand and let it tremble visibly.
“No. We’re done.”
Jillian’s eyes flashed fire before she turned away and went through the doorway. After a couple of seconds, they heard the hallway door slam with her exit.
Sarah collapsed back on the bed in relief. Thank goodness that was done.
Clayton had turned away to stare out the window. Her heart ached as she thought about what he had heard. Crawling out of bed, she snatched up a robe and crossed to stand behind him. Slipping her arms around his waist, she held him tight, gently kissing his shoulder blade and resting her head on his back. Clayton’s hands pulled her arms tighter around him and they stood like that for a long time. Eventually he turned to face her. “I’m sorry your stay here has been difficult.”
Sarah shook her dark hair out of her eyes as she looked up at him incredulously. “My stay hasn’t been difficult at all. Just a couple of the people I met.”
She smiled engagingly, trying to ease his heavy mood, but he continued to frown down at her. “I feel like you’ve been under attack ever since you got here. That’s my fault. If I hadn’t wanted you in the house close to me, you never would have been subjected to that, and I apologize.”
Sarah huffed out a breath, looking down at the floor. The man was trying to take responsibility for everything. He’d just found out his mother had sold him when he was a child, but he was worried about her.
Grabbing his hand, she pulled him to sit on the side of the bed, and turned with one leg on the mattress. Her fingers danced gently over his as she tried to decide how much to tell him. He had had a lot to take in today, with what his stepmother had said, and
she didn’t want to add to his burden, but she felt she had to be clear to him about her feelings, and her ready support.
“Clayton,” she started slowly, “there is no way on earth you can ensure anybody’s happiness but your own. It’s not your fault your stepmother is difficult. I think you’re a saint for having put up with her this long.”
Clayton snorted, looking at the rumpled bedclothes and her in his robe. “I’ve definitely not been a saint.”
“You know what I mean.” A soft smile spread her lips, but slowly faded away. “I think I’ve corrupted you.”
“No more than I’ve let you. Actually I’ve enjoyed every single second of being with you.”
Smiling again, she leaned forward and rested her hand on his rough jaw. “And I’ve enjoyed my time with you too. You’ve shown me what a spectacular man you are and I have such respect for you. In spite of your family, you’ve turned into what a strong man should be.” Pulling her hand away, she folded them nervously in front of her, one thumbnail worrying at the other. With a sigh, she decided on a different tack altogether.
“I’m sorry you had to hear about your mom that way.”
Immediately his face closed down. He straightened at the edge of the bed. “It was not something I expected to hear today.” Actually, she was sure he’d never expected to hear that at all, and he was still trying to process the information.
“Well, I want you to think about something,” she told him softly. “Jillian may have been lashing out when she said that. She manipulates everything else to her advantage, so why not manipulate this information as well? I think, maybe, you should look into this.”
