There's Always Tomorrow (Immortal Series)

by Alice Addy

  Tony laughed. “Yeah, or something.”

  He carried Sophie through the huge pocket doors and into the formal parlor. Very gently, he placed her on the sofa and pulled a lightweight blanket over her. She was still plainly stunned at seeing the way he lived.

  “You stay here and rest, and I’ll get you some hot tea. How does that sound?”

  “A cold coke sounds better, and then I think we need to talk.”

  Tony nodded and fled from the room. What was he to do? He hadn’t thought about his home or his lifestyle being a problem. Of course, it had been nearly sixty years since he’d invited anyone into his private life. He pulled the tab back on the can and poured it over ice. If he were lucky, she’d understand. He’d make her understand. Tony shook his head, wondering when had she become that important to him?

  He found some stale biscuits and placed them on a porcelain saucer next to the crystal goblet containing an ice-cold coke. A pressed, linen napkin lay folded to the side. A flower would have been nice. After making a quick check, he decided everything appeared, as it should. While carrying the tray into the parlor, Tony could feel his throat start to close and his palms becoming wet with sweat. How much should he tell her? He worried.

  He set the tray down on the priceless enameled side table, flicked open the napkin and placed it across her lap. “I hope this helps,” he fretted.

  The beautiful woman continued to stare at him. “Who are you? What kind of place is this? What happened back there on the waterfront? I have a funny feeling you and my boss are not exactly who you pretend to be. Am I right?” She reached for a cookie. “These are stale,” she protested, as she spit the crumbs into her napkin. She reached for the coke, when she noticed it was being served in a stemmed goblet.

  “Good God, Tony. Am I supposed to drink from this or toast to your success?” She was too thirsty to wait for an answer as she brought her lips to the glass. The cold, carbonated beverage filled her mouth, and she had to admit, it tasted divine. “Oh, this is soooo good.”

  Tony smiled, uncomfortably, “I’m glad you like it. Look, Sophie. There’s a lot I need to explain to you …”

  “No shit, Sherlock,” she mumbled, sarcastically.

  Tony frowned. “There’s no need to be crude, Sophie.” She looked like such an angel, but her vocabulary was anything but. “I really don’t think you’re up for it tonight, and I know I’m not. Can we put explanations off until tomorrow? Grant might have a few things to say to you, as well.”

  Sophie drained the glass and placed it on the tray. “I suppose that’s okay. Can I get a shower? I’m filthy and I’ve got cuts and scratches all over my legs where that sick bastard dragged me. I’m still not too clear on what happened.”

  Tony hit his forehead with his hand. “Damn! I’m a moron! Of course you’re hurt and need some medical attention. I looked at your injuries, before I brought you here, and none seem to be too serious. However, they’re painful, I’m sure. At least nothing’s broken.” He smiled briefly, as he remembered the feel of her silken flesh under his hands, as he had checked her for broken bones. “Your wounds will need to be cleaned out and bandaged. I’ll take you to your room and run you a hot bath. After you’re clean and ready for bed, I’ll bring in the first-aid kit.”

  Sophie flashed her brilliant smile and asked coyly, ”Will you carry me, Tony?”

  Tony grinned. “It would be my pleasure, little one.” He placed his arms under her and lifted her high, as if she weighed no more than a small child…but this lady was no child. Underneath her dirty sweater and torn slacks, he could feel her soft curves. She was all woman and she was ready to be loved.

  As he gently carried her up the stairs to the front guest bedroom, she made soft, pleasurable sounds, as if she wanted to burrow deep down into his arms and stay for a lengthy period of time. He felt her butt wriggle up against him. Oh, yes. He was certain she was ready, and so was he.

  It was heavenly torture. Sophie had insisted that Tony stay in her bedroom while she bathed in the adjoining bathroom. She said she was afraid to be left alone, if even for an hour. He could smell the lilac scented bubble bath he’d added to the hot, steamy water. Tony could hear the quiet splashing of the thick washcloth, and could imagine the sweet-smelling water running rivulets down her slender arms and legs. Her breasts would be wet and slippery. Oh, how he’d love to kiss her pouty nipples.

  Tony closed his eyes and tried to force the image of a naked Sophie from his mind. He knew if he dragged his hand over her flat tummy, it would feel like the smoothest silk. Even her toes excited him. His own body was consumed with fire and he’d never been harder in his life.

  “Tony...I’m finished. Could you help me out of the tub, please?”

  At the sound of her soft voice, Tony jumped to his feet, even before he knew what she was asking. Help her out? Wouldn’t she be naked? “Are you sure you need my help, Sophie?” he croaked. “I mean...you don’t have any clothes on.” That was a stupid thing to say, he moaned. Perspiration popped out all over his forehead, causing him no small amount of embarrassment. After all, he was old enough to be this young woman’s great, great, grandfather. He could close his eyes and hand her his robe before she stood up. Or…he could feast his eyes on her luscious, wet naked body. If she wasn’t shy, why should he be embarrassed?

  Tony ran to his room, grabbed his cashmere robe and returned to the guestroom. Holding his breath, he noticed his hand shaking as he turned the handle on the bathroom door. It swung open easily, immediately freezing him in his tracks. Heaven smiled down on him, as Tony got a delicious eyeful of blonde, curly-haired goddess, standing completely nude in the tub, with water droplets kissing her soft pink flesh. His feet felt glued to the floor and his eyes were on the verge of exploding, as he stood there, mesmerized by her splendor.

  “Tony, bring me a towel, please,” Sophie, asked, softly. “I’m freezing.” She held her hands out to him, allowing him to see her in all her naked glory. She was not the least bit shy when there was something she wanted—and she wanted Tony. He had saved her life. He had been there for her when she needed his protection, and surprisingly, she discovered she had fallen in love with him.

  Slowly, and almost reverently, Tony approached the golden vision dripping water onto his floor. She smelled like a beautiful flower garden after a summer shower. His heart was up in his throat, making it nearly impossible for him to speak. He felt like a young boy seeing a desirable woman for the very first time. As he draped the soft towel around Sophie’s creamy shoulders, he noticed his hands were still trembling.

  “Oh, Sophie,” he sighed. “My God, but I want you.” He leaned down and kissed her waiting lips. His hands stroked her back as he pulled her close to his chest. He could feel her heart beat in synch with his own. Her mouth tasted like fruit and she felt so good in his arms. She was soft and supple, all glorious woman. “Sophie,” he groaned. He led her to the bed, their lips still searching for the other’s mouth. Never before had he been so excited. This was going perfectly, he thought.

  What was that he heard? He listened as his tongue tangled with hers.

  He heard it again. Laughter? Was she laughing? “Damn it, Sophie!”

  She pulled away and the all-out giggling commenced. The sound of her delightful giggle filled the silence of the room, and was as effective as a bucket of ice water.

  Tony sat staring at the devastatingly beautiful woman practically sitting on his engorged lap, and laughing at him. Never had his kisses been the cause of such hilarity.

  “Sorry, Tony. But you make me so happy. I love you to pieces and I know you love me too. I can tell you do, by the large bump in your pants.” She giggled some more. “I knew we’d fit. I love, love, love you,” she exclaimed. Again, she giggled.

  She was driving Tony mad.

  He reached out and grabbed her by her shoulders, holding her tightly, trying to calm her exuberance. “How old are you, Sophie? God, you act like a teenager. I never said I loved you. Hell,
we barely know each other. The last thing I’m looking for is a relationship. This was just letting off a little steam, celebrating life. Calm down, or I’m out of here.” Tony had no idea how fierce he appeared or how frightening he sounded. He recognized the darkness inside of him that he tried to shield from most outsiders, but this woman had gotten inside his barrier.

  “I need some air,” he growled.

  Sophie quieted, but her smile blossomed all over her delightful face. “You can’t get out of here, Tony. This is your home, remember?”

  “Sophie …” he growled in warning.

  No sooner had he said her name and shot angry arrows out of his hypnotic green eyes, than the young girl buckled and gave into tears.

  Tony wasn’t expecting the great sobs and the torrent of tears that suddenly flowed down her face. Her fragile body quaked with grief. Sophie was always filled with such goodness and light. He thought her incapable of such devastating emotions. What had he done? He felt like a total schmuck.

  “Sophie, Sophie, shush darling. I didn’t mean it. I’m an ass, remember? I don’t always say the right thing. I didn’t mean to make you cry. Oh, stop it, Sophie. Please, stop,” he pleaded.

  She sniffed and hiccupped a few times, but soon she was able to speak coherently. “I’m sorry, but I do love you, Tony. I can’t help it. Believe me, I’d rather find someone younger.”

  Tony bristled at her comment. He wasn’t that old.

  “From the first time I saw you, I knew we’d end up together. Didn’t you feel anything for me?” She sniffled a few more times. Surely, she wasn’t mistaken. She was hot and he was needy…maybe.

  Tony gave up. Once again, he pulled her into his warm embrace. “Sweetheart, I feel something very powerful for you, but I doubt that it’s love. You’re a beautiful and desirable woman. It may simply be lust, I feel.”

  “You think I’m stupid and too young for you, don’t you?”

  Tony chuckled. She wasn’t too far off. “I never thought you were stupid. I find you most refreshing, in fact, but you are very young, my dear. I am much older and, as you’ve discovered, I can be hard to get along with. You are my opposite, darling.” Tony started to relax and was relieved to discover his erection had disappeared. At least, he didn’t have to deal with that any longer.

  “I don’t care how old you are, Tony. I will always love you. The women in my family only love one man for their entire life. So what if you’re a grouch? I can change all that. Give me a chance. If you don’t fall in love with me, I promise I will remain alone...forever.”

  Tony chuckled, and ruffled her glorious hair. “Oh, precious,” he sighed, “you are too adorable for words. I’m afraid that if I allowed myself to fall in love with you, I’d just end up hurting you. There are things about me that you wouldn’t understand or even believe. Not good things.”

  “I’ve seen and heard plenty while I’ve worked for Mr. Paulsen. He’s very mysterious, too. But everyone needs someone to love, Tony. No matter who they are or what they’ve done. I know you need my love. Trust me.”

  Tony didn’t know why, but he knew, instinctively, that he could trust her. For the first time in many years, he knew he could rely on a woman to stand with him. As young as she may be, she had a certain maturity in her soul. Maybe she was one of the old souls people were always mentioning. The one thing Tony was absolutely sure of, he had been happier in the last few days, since he’d met pretty Sophie, than he’d been in over a hundred years. Now, if he could just say that to her, without sending her screaming and running for the door, maybe he’d have a chance at true happiness, once again.

  They sat on the bed, with Tony rocking Sophie gently, back and forth, until she quieted and her breathing slowed to a normal pace. His mind was in turmoil. What should he do, he wondered? Should he follow his heart or his head? Ignoring the past, doomed one to repeat it, but being too afraid to take a chance on love, was not living.

  “Tony?” A small voice whispered in his ear.

  “Yes, darling?”

  “I’m hungry,” she sniffed.

  Now it was Tony’s turn to laugh. “You are a funny little thing. What can I get for you? If I can’t find it in the kitchen, I’ll send out. What do you want?”

  Sophie thought for a moment. “Do you have graham crackers and warm milk?”

  “Ick!” he groaned. “You’ve got to be kidding, right? I’ve got champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries. A fine caviar can be found in the pantry, at all times.”

  “Oh, yuck! You don’t really eat those things, do you?” Sophie blurted out. “I like pizza and Chinese take-out. You do too, don’t you?”

  Tony grimaced. “Only when I have to eat it. Do you like fruit? I know there must be some in the house. Coffee? I could get you some espresso.”

  Sophie rolled her eyes. “I’d never get to sleep... hence, the hot milk. Duh! You come from a different part of town, don’t you?”

  Tony set her aside and stood up, looking down at the curly-headed little pixie reclining on his big bed. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you, Sophie. “We’re from two different worlds.”

  Sophie sighed, and crawled to the edge of the mattress, allowing the bathrobe to hang open. She stood up on tiptoes, and placed her arms around Tony’s broad neck. “We may be from different worlds, Tony,” she cooed, “but there is one thing that we can both enjoy.” She kissed his chin, then his cheeks and the tip of his perfect nose. She settled on his firm lips, coaxing them apart with her tongue. She heard him moan and felt his strong hands settle on her hips. He would be hers.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  He’d never slept better. Tony rolled over and threw his arm around the soft pillow nestled close to his side. It purred.

  No sooner had his eyes shot open, than he literally flew out of the bed, catching his foot in the comforter and landing splat on his face. “Ouch!” he groaned.

  “Tony! Are you all right? What happened?”

  “What are you doing in my bed, Sophie?” he managed to ask, with his lips still pressed against the carpet.

  “Actually, you spent the night in my bed, and it was wonderful,” she sighed, as she corrected his erroneous assumption.

  “But—but how did it happen? I wasn’t going to take advantage of you.”

  She laughed, softly. “You didn’t take advantage of me. Remember the warm milk? I heated some for myself and shared it with you. It obviously did the trick. We cuddled naked for about ten minutes, before you started to snore.”

  Tony couldn’t believe it. “Warm milk?” God, how awful. “I’d never drink that sludge. My head’s so fuzzy, nothing’s clear, but I know I didn’t drink warm milk.” He paused. “Naked! You and me were naked?” he hollered, not believing his ears. Was it possible to sleep naked beside the glorious Sophie and not remember it? Was he losing his mind?

  “Okay, Mr. Barton. Take it easy. I guess you also don’t remember giving me a delicious massage, just before you got up and took something for pain. You said your head was going to explode. You were as naked as the day you were born—and quite impressive, I must say—but you got up and went into the bathroom. I got up and went in search of the kitchen. Did you know this place is enormous? Was it built for a king? I almost got lost on my way back. Sheesh! Anyway, I finally found my way back and offered you sips of my milk.

  “You need graham crackers, Tony. They make the snack infinitely better. At first you made a face and caused me to giggle, but then you grew to like the milk and it’s calming effects. In a few minutes, you started to doze. I was a little disappointed, but cuddling was almost as good as doing it. You know...it?” She blushed all the way to her hairline.

  “How cute,” Tony chuckled. “Not too many women still blush, these days. And I’m glad we didn’t do...it. If we ever do make love, dear Sophie, I want to be conscious. By the way, Sophie, are you telling me that you aren’t an innocent?”

  “A what? I’m not guilty of anything.” She looked insulted.


  Tony laughed heartily. “An innocent is a young lady that has not yet given up her virtue.”

  “Oh,” Sophie mused. “You talk funny, Tony. But it does make me feel a little dumb. Just because I’m blonde doesn’t mean I don’t have a brain.” She stood up and searched for her hot pink thong and bra.

  It was a beautiful display of feminine delights, as she pranced naked across the room in search of her clothing. Tony sat back with his head resting on his arm and smiled. She was truly a joy to behold.

  “I don’t mean to make you feel dumb, Sophie. It’s just the difference in our ages and backgrounds. I was originally born in England, you know. My family was quite wealthy and I attended the best schools. My father was an Earl.”

  Sophie stopped her search. “An Earl? My daddy’s an Earl! He was named after Earl Flynn, the actor. Daddy grew up watching all of his old Robin Hood movies. See? We do have something in common, after all.”

  “Yes, precious, we do. As it so happens, my favorite Robin Hood is also, Mr. Errol Flynn.” Tony shook his head in dismay. Now there was no doubt in his mind that he needed to put some distance between himself and the glorious Sophie, for her own good.

  Suddenly, there was a knock at the bedroom door. “Sir Anthony? If you are in there, Mr. Paulsen has arrived and awaits you presently in the drawing room.”

  “Thank you, Ibsen. Tell him I’ll be right down.”

  Sophie looked as if she had seen an elephant cross the room. “Was that a...butler?”

  “Yes, and his name is Ibsen. He’s been with me since he was a young man. I couldn’t do without him. Now, precious, close your mouth and finish getting dressed before Grant rushes up here and catches you in your birthday suit. I wouldn’t want him to get the wrong idea.”

  Tony grabbed his trousers and a sweater, shoved his stocking feet into his eight hundred dollar loafers, and charged down the stairs, leaving a very bewildered blonde standing in the center of his guestroom, wearing only her pink bra and matching thong.