A Stormy Spring
Page 15
‘Plenty of others in his situation are happy to waste their lives on wine, women and song. Not Lucas. He set up that company and worked like a dog to do it. Of course, his father was not pleased in the beginning, but he’s fit to burst with pride in him now.’
Moira stood as she began to clear the table and gave Becca a piercing look.
‘You might think it’s none of my business what Lucas does with his life or who he brings into it. But I love that boy and I like you, Becca. You’re good for him. It’s obvious to anyone with a pair of eyes in their head that you’ve been to hell and back.’ She loaded the dishwasher, slanted her a look before continuing. ‘You’re feeling guilty about having feelings for Lucas? If your husband truly loved you he would never have wanted you to be alone living with nothing but dust and memories. You don’t honour him by not moving forward and taking love when it’s offered freely and without conditions.’
Becca heard what she was saying, the woman deserved the truth and she opened her heart.
‘I don’t know if what I can offer will be enough. I don’t want to hurt him, Moira.’
‘You need to focus on what you can do. It’s not just about you, Becca. There are two babies to consider and I’d have thought that their needs and securing their future must come first.
‘I know my boy and he’ll do everything within his power to be a good husband and father. Whether or not you decide to be a good wife to him is up to you. He deserves the best. But if you find you cannot love him, then let him down gently because you already hold his heart in your hands.’
Becca didn’t want to think about holding his heart in her hands. Perhaps Moira was being overprotective of Lucas?
But she took the rest of the lecture on the chin. The woman was right.
‘I miss him terribly.’
Now Moira’s eyes went gentle and kind. ‘I know you do. I have eyes in my head do I not? After you’ve replied to his messages, have a bath and a wee lie down. If Lucas comes home and you’re a wreck we’ll all be in trouble.’
Upstairs in her bedroom Becca booted up the laptop on her dressing table, drumming her fingernails as it loaded.
She’d happily ignored the machine for almost two days.
With her tongue gripped firmly between her teeth she typed in her password, clicked the mouse over enter and waited for the WiFi connection. She clicked on her email link, typed in her password and clicked on her inbox. There were three emails from Lucas so she clicked on the first one received over thirty-six hours ago.
To: Becca Wainwright
Subject: Arrived safely/cell phone
08:30 EST
From: Lucas Del Garda
Becca,
Am wondering why you have not responded to my texts/telephone calls? Is your phone switched on? Have you charged it? Are you sick?
Lucas Del Garda
CEO Del Garda Enterprises
Still chewing her lip, she opened the next message.
To: Becca Wainwright
Subject: Are you okay?
12:30pm EST
From: Lucas Del Garda
Becca,
I am beginning to worry. If you have not switched on your phone in the next half an hour, I will telephone the house.
This is driving me crazy. You are driving me crazy. At this rate I am going to send Margo to see you.
Lucas Del Garda
Stressed out CEO Del Garda Enterprises
Oh dear, he’d obviously phoned the house and spoken to Moira. With trepidation, she opened the third message.
To: Becca Wainwright
Subject: Stubborn Luddite Woman
20:30 EST
From: Lucas Del Garda
Becca,
This has been the worst twelve hours of my life. I have a business to run. I cannot concentrate. Have you spoken to Moira? You have not opened your laptop. You have not turned on your phone. Are you well? You are killing me.
Lucas Del Garda
Demented CEO Del Garda Enterprises
Oops. She bit down hard on her bottom lip and clicked reply. With two fingers she picked out the letters.
To: Lucas Del Garda
Subject: Stubborn Luddite Woman Is Very Sorry.
09:30 GMT
From: Becca Wainwright
Lucas,
Why didn’t you use the landline?
You know I hate this thing and I don’t have a clue how to switch on the bloody bastard of a phone because the keypad is locked never mind text or reply to an email on it. I’ve gone through the *%$%*!! instruction book twice and can’t find out how to unlock it. It doesn’t matter which button I press the thing won’t turn on.
I’m not sleeping and that is your fault because I’m missing you. The house is too quiet and big and lonely and I keep dreaming about you.
Does that sound needy? Because I’d hate to come across as needy and clingy. There’s nothing worse.
Hope your meetings are going well and that the work hassle has been sorted.
Be a good boy.
A very sorry Becca.
She checked the message for spelling mistakes, debated whether to take out the personal stuff but in the end decided to press send.
Feeling pretty pleased with herself, she sat back mulling over if she should play with Google for a while just to get the hang of it. And nearly leapt out of her skin when a reply pinged into her inbox.
To: Becca Wainwright
Subject: Smacked Bottom
03:30 EST
From: Lucas Del Garda
Becca,
My hand is itching to paddle your bottom. Of course I would never spank a pregnant woman. But one day you will be put over my knee for the anxiety I have suffered - my memory is long. And my staff have threatened to resign because I have been an absolute bastard (their words). My Vice President, Tobin Gillespie, wants to meet you because he has never met a woman who can drive me nuts the way you do.
Am DELIGHTED you are missing me even if you are not sleeping. What sort of dreams? Erotic? Why not have a nap? And no, you are not needy or clingy.
Will be home soon.
Lucas Del Garda
Relieved CEO Del Garda Enterprises
(sent by a Blackberry device)
She laughed as she wondered if she should send him a sexy email. Smacked bottom indeed. Him and what army?
With a grin and a nudge from her internal devil she clicked on reply.
To: Lucas Del Garda
Subject: Erotic dreams with Leopold
09:50 GMT
From: Becca Wainwright
Lucas,
Violence in a relationship is a deal breaker. One strike and you’re out.
I have indeed had erotic dreams while you’ve been away. Leopold has been keeping me busy in that department dealing with my pelvic floor. The exercises keep my core muscles in tip top condition.
He’s a hard taskmaster, a Pilates Guru. Just think how much you’ll benefit from his expertise!
Do you miss me? Did you dream about me? You didn’t mention it.
Becca :)
With her tongue firmly tucked in her cheek and terribly excited, she pressed send. She sat back and waited. And laughed out loud when her email pinged.
To: Becca Wainwright
Subject: Leopold (is that his real name?) will never father children by the time I have finished with him
04:00 EST
From: Lucas Del Garda
Funny girl,
I look forward to testing your core muscles.
I miss you, querida. And I dream of doing many things to you. At the moment it involves bending you over the arm of the couch in my bedroom and a very red bottom. Knowing you, you would enjoy it.
Go and have a nap.
I will see you soon.
Hugs
Lucas Del Garda
Aroused CEO Del Garda Enterprises
(Sent by a Blackberry device)
Later, up to her neck in warm water, her nipples playing peek-a
-boo with soft bubbles, Becca hummed the tune Addicted to Love. She didn’t know about that, but she was certainly addicted to Lucas Del Garda.
She’d never been so turned on by a man in her life. The male body never held any mysteries for her since understanding the human form and how it worked had been part of her training. She was certainly used to spectacular men, but Lucas could make her quiver just by looking at him. That warrior’s body, so strong and toned, made her melt by thinking about it. Her nipples pebbled and ached with a rhythm that matched the hot pulse throbbing between her legs.
For forty-four hours and counting she’d been poised on the knife-edge of a heightened stated of arousal and if she didn’t do something to alleviate the ache she’d be a puddle of lust by the time Lucas returned. Biting down hard on her bottom lip, she closed her eyes. Her fingers gently touching her breasts and she went to a happy place imagining his mouth suckling, tugging, licking and rolling her nipple around his tongue.
Mortification scorched her cheeks as her searching fingers slid down over her belly and dipped under the bubbles to rest between her legs. One, two, three slick strokes and her low moan of completion echoed too loud in the cavernous bathroom.
Taking a shaky breath, Becca dried herself taking care with screaming nipples and wondered what on earth was happening to her. She’d read of women who were terribly turned-on during pregnancy. The issue hadn’t come up last time since Rick was busy building up the business. So why was this time so different? Perhaps it had something to do with having twins? Perhaps it was twice the hormones?
She padded into the bedroom to find Moira had closed the curtains and turned down the bed. On the pillow was a clean T-shirt in white cotton that belonged to Lucas. Picking it up Becca inhaled and found a whisper of his scent. Tugging it over her head, she crawled into bed and buried herself in the soft duvet. She’d forgotten panties but was too tired to get up again. With a deep moan she permitted her fingers to wantonly slide between her legs in another attempt to release the taught wire of arousal.
Oh Lucas, what have you done to me?
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Lucas had pushed the team to work through the night in New York.
They’d raised their eyebrows but received the message loud and clear that he wanted results and wanted them fast.
Tobin sat in his office, his eyes huge. ‘Twins? Christ, Lucas.’
‘She can’t travel. High blood pressure,’ Lucas informed him with his hand in his pocket. His fingers rubbing the silk of her panties that he carried with him everywhere. To be totally honest it felt a little bit pervy, but he couldn’t help it. It made her feel closer to him. He couldn’t believe how much he missed her. The scent of her hair, her skin and the feel of her under him meant he wasn’t sleeping properly without her. ‘I have asked her to marry me.’
Tobin blew out a long whistle. ‘By the tone and the lack of a joyful dance I assume she’s thinking about it or said no?’
‘She is thinking about it. She is part of the Justin Cope & Rebecca Wainwright choreography team. She has been shortlisted for a Tony this year.’
‘Wow. Who represents them?’
‘No one, yet. I am working on it.’
‘Aren’t they working on Burt’s movie?’
‘Si.’ Fingers still rubbing the silky fabric in his pocket, Lucas’s mind grappled with another dilemma. ‘I have a problem with Justin Cope.’
Tobin’s eyes went serious now.
He sat forward. ‘What sort of problem?’
‘He is over protective and possessive with Becca.’
Tobin frowned. ‘I thought he was gay.’
‘It has nothing to do with whether or not he is gay. It is about control and I appear to worry him. Speak to the producers of the movie. Find out who he hangs with.’
‘No problem.’
‘He is hurting her, Tobin.’
‘I hear you, pal. I’ll get right onto it.’
In the company jet on his way home Lucas was still irritated that Becca hadn’t even turned on her phone or her laptop, but the emails he’d just exchanged more than made up for it.
He entered his London home expecting to hear music, but the place was too quiet. Frowning he made his way to the kitchen to find a note from Moira to Becca telling her there was a selection of choices in the fridge when she woke.
Had Becca done as she was told for once and gone to bed?
Taking the stairs two at a time he slowed as he approached his bedroom and cautiously opened the door. Sure enough sleeping beauty was out for the count.
He stripped and slid into the bed careful not to wake her.
Turning to curl around her back, he grinned realising she was wearing one of his Tshirts. Aww, how cute was that?
Lucas slid gentle fingers down her hip and found to his delight no panties. His physical response jerked against her bare bottom. The fragrance of warm clean woman assailed his senses along with the faint scent of something delectable that had arousal straining at the leash.
Her hand was caught between her legs. His brows winged into his hairline. She had not done the self-service thing? He started to laugh. What a naughty, naughty girl.
Gently he replaced her fingers with his own and found her slick, hot and ready. Curling around her in the spoon position, he pulled her hips into his erection and entered her inch by slow aching inch. Becca’s low murmur fired his cock as he hissed out a breath. Christ, she was like a too tight, too hot silken fist.
Her hips circled as she moaned loud and long into the pillow.
‘Oh, Leopold, harder, harder.’
In punishment, even as his lips smiled, he nipped her earlobe making her squeal and his tongue soothed the tiny wound.
Her groan as he thrust with long slow strokes right to the hilt nearly sent him over the edge. Two days without her and he was like a seventeen year old barely able to contain himself.
‘Who has been a bad girl?’ he whispered.
He flipped her onto her back, lifted her hips and thrust into her, holding the position as he stared into those drowsy blue eyes.
Her hand lifted to stroke his hair. ‘I missed you.’
His head lowered, his mouth capturing hers in a long lingering kiss. Then very slowly he took them deeper, tasting, torturing them both by keeping his hips perfectly still. She tried to move but he pinned her to the bed happy to tease, tantalise and taunt her tongue as it tangled with his. He took her breath into his lungs and gave her his.
But passion could not be denied. It raced through his loins, rampaging through his system as he buried his hands in her hair and thrust long, hard strokes that made her cry out as her hands ran over his shoulders.
Becca pressed her palms against his chest feeling the strong, heavy thud of his heart. Her legs gripped his waist as she tilted her pelvis matching him thrust for thrust. God, he stretched her, he was so thick, so big and so hard. The heavy muscles running down his back clenched as she slid her hands down to his tight ass. Now he was muttering in rapid Spanish which she’d discovered meant that he was trying very hard not to lose control. She slapped him hard on the ass. The growl in his throat as every inch of his hot, bare skin touched hers made her burn with need as he shoved her thigh up, making more room for his hips as he pistoned harder and faster.
Her core was swollen, slick, and desperately hot and Lucas loved how she trembled under him, her release gathering as her back arched, her hands desperately fisting in the sheets to anchor her as he swept both of them flying over the edge.
Heart pounding like a jack hammer, Lucas collapsed on top of her then rolled to the side taking her with him.
‘You are wearing my T-shirt.’
Her teeth nibbled a tortuous path along his jaw.
‘So?’ She caught his bottom lip between her teeth before releasing it.
‘It appears I came home just in time before Leopold arrived. Who is Leopold?’
Big blue eyes twinkled into his. The inner muscles of her core clench
ed around him making his breath hitch.
‘Pilate’s instructor.’ Her tongue licked his bottom lip. ‘He has fabulous core strength.’
‘He pays house calls?’
‘Twice a day, three times on Sunday.’
‘Funny girl. I know you did the naughty.’
Her lashes batted in such a way it did something to him in the vicinity of his heart.
She was teasing him and he loved it.
‘Why, Lucas, I have no idea what you are talking about.’
‘You pleasured yourself.’
The hectic flush in her cheeks made him laugh.
Her eyes narrowed into his. ‘I bet you’ve done it plenty of times.’
‘I am a healthy male.’
‘And I’m a healthy female.’
He knew he sounded pathetic but couldn’t seem to help himself.
‘Are you telling me I do not satisfy you?’
Becca’s gentle fingertips smoothed his hair. ‘You do more than satisfy me when you’re here.’
‘Then perhaps it might be an idea for you to travel with me when you are better. I would hate to have you suffer in silence.’
‘Are you trying to tell me that you didn’t miss me?’
‘I more than missed you, querida.’ He flipped her on her back and loomed above her. ‘Let me show you how much.’
Later, since it was Moira’s night off, Lucas heated a chicken hotpot in the oven.
Becca set the table marvelling at how normal and domestic the situation felt.
Black hair clung damply to his head from the shower showcasing sharp cheekbones and a strong jaw that badly needed a shave. He wore his favourite jeans, faded to white at the seams and knees. They hung low on his hips and he’d added an ivory cotton sweater, the sleeves pulled up to his elbows. His strong arms had a light dusting of black hair and she couldn’t help but admire those long narrow fingers as they opened a bottle of wine.
He poured her a thimbleful and a full glass for himself.
‘Thank you, daddy,’ she said tasting the wine, grinning as he set a glass of fruit juice in front of her.