‘I need you, Brent, and I’ll admit I want you, so does that mean you’ve won whatever game you’re playing?’
‘It wasn’t a game, isn’t a game.’
‘You got your promotion and then you got to play out your fantasies. Isn’t that enough, Brent? Game over?’
‘I would have got the promotion anyway, Cat.’ He rested his chin on her head and sighed.
‘So you lied from the start?’
‘I was appealing to your kind nature. You didn’t have to agree. I didn’t force you into anything; we wanted each other and you were just about to dodge the issue and disappear. You could have said no.’
‘I could. But you tricked me into all this.’
‘Are you sorry, though? Do you regret it?’
‘No, but ’ She paused, looking for the right words, the right feeling.
‘But what?’
‘Shut up while I think. Look, Brent, sex broke apart my family; it ruined my engagement. It’s ruled my life enough and I’m not sure it should.’
‘It wasn’t just sex. Your dad might have been out of control ’ he felt her flinch ‘ but you’re not. You were turned on last night, sending out signals to every man in the place, and they were hitting on you, but you didn’t let it control you, Cat, you kept it for me. And as for that git of a fiancé ’ he felt a lump in his throat that didn’t belong ‘ your passion wouldn’t destroy what was right for you; it would make it stronger. I’d say it just showed it wasn’t right. Emotions, not sex, hold two people together.’
‘Exactly.’
‘I did this because I wanted you, Cat. Isn’t that enough?’ She shrugged and the feeling of unease grew in him. ‘I can’t make you stay; it’s up to you. If you want the divorce …’ His words drifted off. If she wanted to go he should let her, he’d wanted to own her, to know every bit of her. He’d wanted her trust, and she’d given it. But it was a hollow victory. He didn’t want an unwilling wife; he wanted the real deal. Or nothing. ‘Come on.’ He pulled her to her feet, held her, a lump blocking his throat as she wrapped her arms round him. ‘I can ring the solicitor if you want.’
‘I can wait.’ She pressed herself closer. ‘I want to wait; I don’t want to go yet. Brent.’ She was so close to him now, her head against his chest. Her familiar smell filled his senses. ‘When this ends will we still be friends?’
He rested his chin on her head, closed his eyes. He didn’t want to let go, but he wanted her mind, body, and soul, willingly shared. ‘That very much depends on how it ends, darling.’
Cat jumped as the mobile vibrated on the glass table top.
‘Surprised it makes any noise after you threw it at me.’
She grinned. ‘It wasn’t at you, or it would have been you with the damage, mate.’
‘Ouch.’ He ruffled her hair, leant over to pick it up. His eyes dimmed instantly and Cat felt a chill run through her. ‘I’ve got to go out; if you still want to talk we’ll have to do it later.’
‘What is it?’
‘Nothing. I won’t be long.’
‘Brent?’
‘It’s ’ he looked straight at her and for a moment his eyes were blank, then he seemed to pull himself together ‘ not important.’
‘Trust me.’ Her soft words stopped him dead, words he’d said to her often enough. He stood clutching the phone, and she could see the indecision. ‘Please.’
‘My dad’s taken a turn for the worse.’
‘For the worse?’ She raised an eyebrow. Didn’t she know anything about this man outside of the bedroom? The only man she’d ever felt, hoped she understood just a little bit.
‘He was taken into hospital a couple of weeks ago, I think …’
He was telling her now, even if he hadn’t before. ‘I’ll come with you.’
‘There’s no need, really.’
‘Brent.’
‘Cat, leave it. It honestly doesn’t matter. I’ll sort it.’
And in that second she suddenly saw that he was doing what she always did, which was why she hardly knew him. He’d forced her out in to the open, forced her doors open, but she’d never fought her way into his life, never tried to look behind his defences. ‘I can’t leave it, Brent.’ He looked like he was going to fight and she could feel her insides tense up. ‘I’m coming with you.’
He opened his mouth as though to object again, then his eyes softened and she felt as if he was letting her in. He dropped his mobile into his pocket and half smiled.
‘Stubborn cow aren’t you?’
Chapter Eleven
‘Where are your parents then?’ They sat on hard plastic chairs, the smell of disinfectant and fear encircling them. Weak, murky coffee dregs stared from discarded cups.
‘Mum died six years ago, committed suicide.’ She traced her foot along the thin line of the floor tiles.
‘Oh.’
‘No wise words?’ She looked up, expecting more from him, but he was just watching her intently.
‘I don’t know what it feels like to have that.’ He gave a wry smile, shrugged. His voice was soft, and he tightened his grip on her hand. A hand she had offered him for comfort when they arrived. ‘Sorry I shouldn’t pry.’
‘I don’t mind.’ She met his steady gaze, and suddenly realised that she didn’t. She was happy to share. ‘I think she had too many demons locked up inside her. Maybe if she’d told someone, let go of the bitterness … I didn’t understand then. I suppose she’d never really let her emotions out …’ She paused; her mum had always been there, but had she ever shared anything? ‘You know, I don’t know what she wanted, what she hated, what she was afraid of, none of that stuff at all, and I only just realised. That’s so bad, isn’t it?’
‘Not really, you were a kid. Little girls aren’t supposed to understand adult minds.’
‘But I was old enough when she died.’
‘She was still your mum, though, Cat, even if you were all grown up.’
‘I wish I’d understood her a bit. No one did, not even Dad. I think she scared him.’
‘That I can understand; you women are a scary lot.’ He squeezed her hand, smiling to show he didn’t mean it, was just trying to help.
‘I didn’t even know until after she died that she’d been adopted. She didn’t have a clue about her parents, Dad said. He said she told him she’d been given away like some unwanted Christmas present. Then I guess he did the same to her, so you can understand why his cheating on her like that just finished her off …’
‘Ouch.’
‘Yeah, ouch. I don’t think I ever knew anything at all about her, but I suppose you’re right, you don’t question things like that when you’re a kid, do you?’
‘Or when you’re an adult ’ he grimaced, and she wondered what was going through his head ‘ until it’s too late.’
‘I’m sorry about your parents.’
‘So am I, Cat, but I said my goodbyes a long time ago. Would have been nice for them to see I turned out OK, though.’
‘Is that why you wanted promotion and the works? Before it was too late?’
‘Oooh, amateur psychologist again, eh?’
‘Ha.’
‘Nothing that clichéd, darling, that was all for me. Seeing me all grown up and hitched with a brood of kids probably would have made them happy. To them, it was the ultimate achievement.’ He gave a wry grin.
‘Ah, so that’s why you skipped that bit.’
‘Hang on; I’m married, in case you’d forgotten.’
‘Oh yeah, with a football squad on the way.’
‘I have a marriage based on compatibility.’
‘Physical compatibility.’
He smiled, a sexy smile that warmed the stark surroundings. ‘Nothing wrong with physical; it’s as good a place to start as any. And what about your dad?’ There he was again, subtly heading her off.
‘Hey, you’re getting pushy.’ She grinned and nudged him, let him divert her. ‘He remarried, moved away, as far as I know.’<
br />
‘As far as you know?’
Who was she trying to kid? She knew exactly where he’d gone. ‘To Australia.’ Oh yeah, she’d had to find out even though she’d told herself she didn’t care. ‘I think he felt guilty, and it was easier to run.’ Even when it meant leaving her, running as far away as he possibly could.
‘It usually is.’
‘Mr Mulholland.’ They both shot to their feet as the white-coated figure approached, his face studiously fixed in an expression they knew had been rehearsed too many times. ‘I’m sorry, we’ve made him as comfortable as we can, but he’s in a coma.’
‘He looks happier than he has for years.’ They both studied the tired old face, lifted as it neared the end. She hadn’t stared at a loved one’s face in death’s embrace for a long time; never a stranger’s this close up. Except the features were strangely familiar: the hairline; the proud nose; high cheekbones emphasised by flesh that had sunk further with age.
‘Good.’ She tightened her grip. ‘Maybe he’s not confused any more.’
Brent glanced over and saw a hundred things he hadn’t seen in her before; the quietness, stillness, patience. Things he didn’t have. And she looked strangely happy and relaxed, more confident.
‘Maybe you’re right.’ He looked again at his father; he missed him. Maybe he should have stopped running earlier, so the old man could have seen it. Known he was in a good place. But maybe he did know; maybe that was why he felt he could let go now. He touched the motionless hand briefly, then turned back to look at Cat. ‘Shall we go a walk?’
Cat glanced back instinctively as they entered the park; back across the road at the imposing hotel that dominated the street. Big, opulent, with large windows that she knew reached from ceiling to floor.
‘Someone’s not cleaned the windows properly.’ He leant closer. ‘I can see the imprint of your bum up there.’
Colour rushed to her cheeks and she threw a punch at him, which for once connected.
‘God, you are violent ,woman.’
‘And you are rude.’
‘What’s your biggest fantasy, Cat?’
She paused and he spun her round to face him, looked into the tawny eyes that were flecked with green.
Her thick lashes dropped, shutting him out, her hand slowly stroking the hairs along his forearm. ‘Isn’t having two men every woman’s fantasy?’ Her voice had a husky, wanton edge and he felt his stomach clench. Two men? Another man? He’d set the terms until now and so maybe it was only fair to ask, but to fulfil?
‘Two mouths on my body, one between my legs and the other kissing my mouth.’ She seemed to shiver and he stared at her, mesmerised. Was this really what she wanted? ‘And two big cocks …’
Shit. ‘You want another man?’ He knew his voice was gruff, but this wasn’t turning him on at all. Wasn’t he enough for her? He fought the urge to grab her and prove a point; another man touching her body wasn’t what he wanted at all, wasn’t what he wanted her to want.
‘Maybe. Would you do that for me?’ She still didn’t look up, kept tracing that finger delicately over his skin, sending a new awareness through him.
Could he do it for her? He looked blindly over her head, tightened his grip. He didn’t want to share her; she was his. Christ, the thought of her sucking another man’s cock while he shagged her wasn’t an image he had room for in his head. He took a breath. ‘Is that what you want?’
She looked up then, straight into his eyes, her full lips tipping into the softest of smiles. ‘Not really. I have enough trouble with one.’ She lifted a finger to his mouth and he caught it between his teeth.
‘Really? I want you to be honest. Tell me if that’s what you want.’
‘Really. Honestly. Trust me.’ She grinned. ‘You’re more than enough for me, Brent. I only said I thought it was every woman’s fantasy, but I’m not sure I’m the same as every woman anyway.’
‘Believe me, you’re not the same as any other woman.’ He knew there was relief in his voice, but he didn’t care. He pulled her against him possessively, wanting her to feel his hardening cock.
‘And every woman hasn’t got you to shag them.’ Her grin seemed more wicked then ever and her eyes shone as she reached up on tip toes to kiss him, shimmying her body along his so that he had to fight a groan. She pulled his head closer, her fingers tangled in his hair, her mouth near his ear. ‘I do quite like being spanked, though.’
The soft whisper travelled down his spine and he felt his balls tighten. ‘I’ve got a horrible feeling you’re going to wear me out, Cat.’
‘I sincerely hope so.’ She dropped back off her toes.
‘Will an ice cream in the park do for now?’
‘Well, I never thought I’d hear you say that. Unless it’s a euphemism that’s beyond me?’
‘No euphemism.’ He linked her hand through his arm. ‘I just want to be with you.’
Cat flicked a pebble into the water, watched it sink right down with hardly a ripple. The smallest things could send out ripples that reached so far, that echoed over time, and yet other far bigger things could fall right where they needed to go. No disturbance. Just to the root. As long as there was nothing to block their way.
‘Ready to go home?’ Brent squeezed her waist with his warm hand. ‘There’s something I need to tell you.’
Chapter Twelve
‘Thanks for this afternoon.’ Brent pulled her close against him, taking her hand and lifted it to his mouth.
‘No probs.’ Her body drifted closer to his. ‘What is it? What do you need to tell me?’
‘Shh, patience.’ He ran his lips over her knuckles, taking in the heady smell that was all her, closing his eyes to let her ebb into his senses, her soft moan filling his ears. For a moment he held her face, cupped in both hands, so he could study the familiar features, the pliant lips that turned him on so much.
He ran his fingers over those lips, lips that parted at his touch, her thick, dark lashes lifted from her cheeks so he could see right into the tawny depths. Her eyes seemed to widen and darken with a shadow of desire as he watched. Her breath had quickened and he felt her tongue against his thumb; damp, tempting. She swayed slightly beneath his touch, her hands pressed lightly against his chest. Gently he brushed her lips with his, barely touching, his heart quickening in response to the warmth that came from her mouth. His tongue traced a path along her lower lip and he felt a soft sigh escape her.
The smoothness of her skin tantalised his senses as his mouth slowly traced a path along her jawbone, feeling a tremor, a gasp as she swayed under his touch. His mouth found that softest, warmest spot nestling where neck met shoulder, a spot which sent a shudder through her that sizzled straight to his groin. He nibbled the silky flesh, feeling her nipples harden through her dress, pressing impatiently against his chest, seeing the fine hairs on her arms respond.
Slowly he unzipped her dress, watched it fall from her shoulders to pool at her bare feet. Their hands met as she stepped out, the spark of skin on skin sending a shudder of need through his body. She watched him as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt, her steady gaze roving his body, making his own nipples perk, clutching at a stomach that was already hungry with desire. He dropped his trousers, wanting them to both be naked, to be equal. Her eyes fastened on his erection, knew he was already throbbing with desire, knew he could wait.
Cat felt the heat surge through her as he removed his clothes, each movement of his hand unveiling another part of himself in slow motion. He pulled her against him so that she could feel his hard cock throbbing against her, feel his skin against hers, but there was no urgency in the way he moved. Just a need to touch, a need to feel.
His hands were roaming over her back, sensitising every inch of her, over her bum in smooth sweeps, then back up to her hair, tangling his fingers into it. Her hands mimicked his, moving over his body, feeling each muscle, each dip and curve of a body that she felt she had hardly known before, and with each step of her exploration s
he could feel him tense, respond with fresh awareness.
He led her barefoot to the sun-drenched bedroom, laid her on the large bed. She closed her eyes as he took her foot in his hands, massaging firmly until she felt she was purring like a cat as ripples of satisfaction flooded her body. His warm mouth took her toe, sucking gently, persistently, sending a new tingle of need that made her gasp. He moved onto the other foot, his tongue running up her insole until she shuddered with pleasure, the caress teetering between torment and delight as his warm, wet mouth enveloped her.
Slowly his mouth moved up her calf, licking, nipping, kissing her into a place of soft, undulating pleasure. Shock ran through her as he reached her inner thigh, sending sensations up her stomach until she rocked with the need he was building. Her breasts filled, hot, heavy, a warm blush spreading across her chest as her uneven breath filled her ears.
When he reached the top of one thigh he blew gently on her warm pussy before turning to the other leg, agonisingly teasing each centimetre of flesh as she rocked her hips. He blew again up the length of her slit, his warm breath sending shock waves that left her thighs trembling, heating her up as he moved closer, his skilful tongue slowly running up the length of her. She knew she had opened for him, knew her swollen lips were ready, drew a sharp breath as he ran the tip of his tongue between them, firmly seeking out her waiting clit. He flicked at her nub, then ran his tongue more strongly, more firmly along her wet flesh again, slightly deeper, enough to make her rock herself against him, enough to make her whimper.
Her knees buckled and she was shuddering as gently he circled her swollen bud with a tongue that was ever harder, more persistent, flicking, pushing until finally he was sucking, her thighs dropping wide apart, opening herself willingly as she sank down towards him. He held her hips firmly, the feeling of his fingers digging deep sending new waves of moisture as she shuddered into his mouth, then he was lapping, sucking, taking all of her as she cried out, the shudders overtaking her body and turning her moans to cries.
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