by Savanna Grey
Tori felt the need building inside her.
Drue broke the kiss and stepped back, but his hands rested atop her shoulders steadying her. He looked her body over from head to toe, his eyes coming back up to meet hers.
“Victoria, are you sure about this?” he asked seriously. “There’s no going back, so if you have any doubt speak up now while I still have a semblance of sanity left.”
Touching his check she said “I’ve never been surer of anything than I am right this moment with you.”
That was all the acceptance he needed. He scooped Tori into his arms and carried her the short distance to the bed. He lay her gently down and sat next to her to remove his boots.
Unbuttoning his shirt and pants he stood to remove them and laid them on the chest at the end of the bed. His boxers were all that remained to reveal him to her completely.
“Boxers, huh?” Tori commented. “I would have taken you more for a briefs man.” she teased but all joking left her as he slowly pulled down his briefs and stood fully erect in front of her.
She stared shamelessly. He was an Adonis, his legs muscular from working hard on the farm, his abdomen toned by the endless hours of labor.
He came to her then sliding up the length of the bed. Raining kisses up her legs, the inside of her thigh, across her stomach.
Tension built inside of Tori. She withered beneath him unconsciously communicating her need for him.
His attentions turned to her breasts his tongue teasing her nipples while cupping her. Sensations she had never felt before shot to her core.
He traveled further up her body nuzzling her neck and then her mouth once again.
“Your skin is like satin and your scent is intoxicating like being in a field of wildflowers.” he groaned.
He rose up on his elbow to look into her passion-flushed face.
Still unsure but knowing it would be the most difficult thing he’d ever done besides walking away from her six years ago, he asked again.
“Honey, I want you more than anything, but are you certain you’re ready for this?”
“Drue” she almost whispered “love me. Please just love me.”
He kissed her passionately their tongues dancing in and out of each other’s mouths. He reached for a foil packet he had placed on the nightstand taken from his wallet.
Tori reached for his hand to stop him as he went to tear it open.
“I don’t want anything between us. I want to feel you when you make me yours for the first time. My first time.” She said quietly. “I’m protected.”
Drue felt a thrill slide through him. Her first time? She was still a virgin? He knew Victoria didn’t date a lot of different men and had never really seemed to be serious about anyone yet, but she had been at university. He just assumed…the thought that he was truly making her his caused such a protective and possessive feeling to come over him that he stilled.
He looked into her wide eyes, seeing her uncertainty along with her desire for him, but he also saw the love shining from her eyes.
Placing the packet back on the table he turned back to her.
This woman was a gift he had been offered a second chance to be with. He was still in awe that she was here with him.
“Love me Drue.” she said again as she wrapped her legs around his waist feeling his length against her.
“I intend to, honey. Forever.” he said as he slowly entered her. He felt her resistance as he broke through. He hated the thought of hurting her and held her tightly.
He felt her tense beneath him.
Tori felt the sharp pain shoot through he,r but it wasn’t unbearable. He was so large inside her. He completely filled her as if they were now one - two halves of a whole joining together.
“Breathe, sweetheart. It won’t hurt like that again.” he kissed her softly wishing he could take away her pain.
He moved slightly pulling back and entering her again. As he did pleasure coursed through Tori. She lifted her hips to him wanting him completely.
As he took her breast into his mouth her pleasure intensified. Pressure built inside her. His strokes increased causing the crescendo of pleasure to grow. Then her world exploded around her, rocking her to her core and Drue followed her over the cliff of passionate release.
Their breathing labored and their bodies flushed with beads of sweat, Drue shifted to one side and slid her against him.
He was caressing her hair as he asked “Are you alright?”
She smiled as she thought how to answer that. Feeling drugged with pleasure, she turned her face to him.
“I never imagined…well of course I’ve imagined, but the reality of being loved by you far surpasses what my imagination had created. You are an amazing man, Drue Morgan.” she whispered and kissed his cheek.
The vice twisting his gut had guilt seeping in, placing a shadow over what he had just done.
She read the emotions crossing his face and sat up on one elbow.
“Please tell me it isn’t guilt that I see flashing across your face.”
“I should not have…”
She interrupted him. “You shouldn’t have what? Loved me? Because that’s what you just did, or at least that’s how it felt to me.”
Sitting up and pulling the sheet with her to cover herself, she continued.
“Or was this a get it out of your system, now we can move on incident that - ”
He shot to a sitting position anger reddening his complexion.
“Hell no it wasn’t, and you know it.”
She smiled knowingly at him then and placed her hand on his cheek.
“I know that. I just wanted to make sure you admitted it to yourself as well. What we have is very special. Don’t ruin this moment by bringing regret into it.”
She wrapped the sheet around her as she stood.
“Now I’m going to take a quick shower. Then after that I’ll fix us a snack while you jump in the shower, okay?”
She left him lying on the bed with a slight frown puckering his forehead.
He watched her walk into the bathroom, her beautiful dark hair trailing down her back.
He sat back on the pillows and scrubbed his hand down his face.
The strangest feeling had come over him. Underneath the trepidation and guilt of taking Tori, he felt different. He wasn’t sure how to describe it to himself. It was like something had clicked into place that had been missing; that he didn’t even know had been missing. He felt…complete.
He loved this woman and had no intention of letting her go. The question was how did he convince her to stay?
The shower cooled Tori’s heated skin. Her head leaned against the side of the shower wall as her mind raced. Her body still tingled from the sensations still lingering.
Not only was he a strong, generous and caring man, but he was protective, possessive and she could now add amazing lover to the list.
She had given herself freely and without regret. She had waited twenty-four years for this moment, and it had been worth the wait. No matter what the future held, her heart belonged to him.
Coming out of the bathroom she stood in a t-shirt and cotton shorts. “Bathroom is all yours. Towels are in the cabinet on the right.”
She brushed a quick kiss to his lips and jumped back when he started to pull her close.
“I’ll see you downstairs.” she said as she walked out the bedroom door.
Chapter Seventeen
As Drue came down the stairs he heard Tori in the kitchen humming to the radio. Lady A streamed through the airwaves as she busied herself at the stove.
Her long grey t-shirt with the UofA printed on the front came down to just above her knees, hiding her shorts. It gave the false impression that was all she had on.
He was always struck by her natural beauty and how she seemed so unaware of it.
Walking up behind her, he brushed her hair from her neck, gently placing a kiss just below her ear.
“Hi.” was all she said
as she leaned back against him.
“Something smells good.” he said, peeking over her shoulder at the pan on the stove.
“I was hungrier than I thought, so I threw together an omelet. Ham, cheese, onions and peppers okay with you?”
“Have you ever known me to turn down food of any kind?” he teased.
“Hand me two plates from the cabinet on your left.”
He retrieved the plates and watched as she served up the omelets.
Her hair was still damp and wavy from her shower, and her scent still drove him crazy.
His hormones were reacting like a randy teenager, but he didn’t care. Now that he had her, he wouldn’t let her go. He would never get enough of her.
Placing their plates on the kitchen table, she went back to the cabinet to collect two coffee mugs.
“Straight up for you?” she asked as placed the mug under the coffeepot dispenser.
She was surprised when she felt him behind her again. He placed his arms around her waist and nibbled her ear.
“Yes, I think I could take you straight up, Victoria.” he said against her ear.
“Do you have any idea how intoxicating you are?” he growled.
She turned in his arms as his mouth covered hers. His tongue invaded and dueled with hers. His hands cupped her bottom, lifting her to the countertop. Her legs wrapped around his waist as he continued to plunder her mouth.
Breaking away to catch a breath, Tori chuckled.
With her forehead against his she asked “What is it with us and kitchens?”
Drue’s laughter joined hers just as the backdoor opened and Kevin walked in.
“Knock! Knock!” he hollered and came to an abrupt stop as he saw Tori sitting on the counter wrapped around Drue with his brother’s arms locking her in an embrace.
“Oh, hey! Didn’t mean to interrupt…” he started.
A blush crept up Tori’s neck and spread all the way to her ears.
She untangled herself from Drue and he stepped back, helping her down from the countertop.
“Then why are you here?” asked Drue annoyed.
“Mom sent me over to see if you guys needed any help with boxing things up for the Salvation Army, but it looks like you got sidetracked.” he teased them.
Tori felt like Kevin could see right through her as if she was wearing a flashing sign that said “Your brother and I just did the nasty” as they used to call it when they were in high school.
She could assure him there was nothing nasty about it. That thought made her giggle.
Kevin looked at her knowingly.
“So what have you two been up to?” he asked watching his brother’s face convey his agitation.
“None of your da-’’ Drue started to reply until Tori cut in.
“We were just sitting down to have a late snack. Would you like to join us?” Tori asked.
“Hey, when have I ever turned down food?” Kevin said eagerly.
“Never.” Tori said laughingly. “Guess the apples don’t fall far from the tree.” she said smiling at Drue.
Tori retrieved another plate from the cabinet and served up an omelet for Kevin.
Placing the plate in front of him at the kitchen table she asked “Coffee?”
“Absolutely.”
She didn’t have to ask him how he drank his. She already knew he took his black. He didn’t agree with her tastes in “frilly” coffees as he put it.
Drue watched Kevin and Tori as they interacted. It struck him again how easy and comfortable they were together. Not like the tension that existed between he and Victoria. Maybe now that they had taken the next step in their relationship some of that tension would diminish.
Who was he kidding? Just being near her made him feel as tightly strung as a guitar string.
Tori felt Drue’s tension from across the table. She looked at him questioningly, but he gave nothing away.
Was he berating himself for what happened earlier? Did he regret their lovemaking? She prayed that he didn’t. Knowing Drue, he was feeling like he’d taken advantage of her and that went completely against his grain. She knew he’d wanted to make love to her, but that wouldn’t deter him from feeling guilty.
Just then he looked up at her from his coffee and caught her staring at him.
A slow smile crossed his face as he stared back, both looking at each other as if they could crawl inside. The thought sent delicious shivers down her spine.
Drue noticed. His smile widened.
“Don’t you have somewhere other than here to be, little brother?” Drue questioned Kevin.
Kevin had just laid his fork down and finished his coffee.
“Not really. I could go for…” he hesitated as he saw the look of irritation directed at him from his brother.
It was a get lost kind of look.
“Uh, actually I do have some things I need to do at the house after all.”
He stood and took his plate and cup to the dishwasher.
Tori stood with him.
He gave her a hug and a kiss to her cheek.
“Thanks for the grub. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” he said.
As he headed for the back door he turned to Drue grinning.
“See ya later, bro. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” and he shot out the door before Drue could come after him.
Drue helped Tori clean up, and they moved to the living room.
“Stay for a movie?” Tori asked.
The clock on the mantle showed that it was just nine o’clock. He should probably head home, but he wasn’t ready to leave her.
They still needed to discuss what had happened upstairs earlier.
“I’ll stay, but I think we should talk first, Victoria.”
She sat down on the sofa facing him, one leg drawn up underneath her.
“What do you want to talk about?”
“Don’t you think we should talk about what happened earlier between us?”
She sighed. “What is there to talk about? We made love. It was beautiful. End of story.”
Grasping his hands in hers, she looked him straight in the eyes. “Don’t over-analyze this. This doesn’t change anything.”
When he started to interrupt her, she continued.
“Well, if anything I feel closer to you now more than ever. Don’t put the wall back up between us.”
He leaned in closer to her as he said “I don’t want anything between us.”
Closing the distance she met him halfway as their lips locked.
“Your kisses are just like potato chips. You can’t have just one.” She teased as she came back for another.
He chuckled as his mouth sank into hers again.
“Okay, movie time. You start a fire; I’ll set up the DVD.”
As the slapstick comedy began to play, Tori cuddled up to Drue on the sofa, covering them with a soft fleece blanket.
The room was cozy, the only light coming from the television and the flickering of the fire. They both stretched out on the sofa.
Warmth seeped through Tori as she snuggled against Drue. His arms cradled her and their legs entwined, they both fell fast asleep.
Chapter Eighteen
Her pillow felt so comfortable, Tori thought as she stirred, coming slowly awake. She stretched and felt something move against her.
“Good Morning, Sleeping Beauty.”
Tori’s eyes shot open. Drue. Her soft pillow was his chest. She sat up quickly giving herself a head rush. Soft light filtered through the curtains, but it was not yet fully daylight.
“We fell asleep.” she said groggily. Drue was still stretched out on her sofa, his head resting on his arm.
He had watched Tori peacefully sleeping for the past hour and then regretfully awaken in his arms. She had snuggled so sweetly to his side. Her nearness had felt so comfortable, so right. He hated for the moment to end.
She took in a sharp breathe. “Oh my gosh! What are your parents going to say?”
&nb
sp; Drue couldn’t help but laugh. He pushed himself upward and sat beside her.
“I’m fairly certain they have realized I’m not at home, since it is half past six. I am usually the first one down for coffee at six o’clock.”
“What in the world are you going to say to them?”
“Good Morning is usually a good place to start.” He teased.
“How can you joke at a time like this?” she asked mortified. “How am I going to look your parents in the eye? You know what they will be thinking!” she exclaimed.
“What they will be thinking will be true whether I had spent the night on your couch or not.” he said matter-of-factly.
She buried her face in her hand, her elbows propped on her knees.
“This will be like the walk of shame home. Doesn’t that bother you?” she grumbled.
“No, it won’t.” he said smiling. “I drove over here last night.”
She groaned even louder at his statement.
“You do realize that anyone that has passed by my house this morning will have seen your truck in my driveway. It will be on the front page of the newspaper that you spent the night.”
He took Tori’s face in his hands and turned her so they were looking directly at one another.
“I would not change one minute of what happened last night. Would you?”
Her insides went completely soft at his words. She leaned into him and placed her head on his shoulder.
“No, you know I wouldn’t either.” she answered softly.
“Then no more nonsense about what everyone else will be thinking. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
He drew back and looked at her still sleep-softened face. Pressing a light but meaningful kiss to her lips, he whispered against them “I’ve got to go. The crew will be waiting.”
“I’ll see you tonight for the festival meeting at your house.” She replied.
“That will make for a long day without being able to do this.”
He drew in a deeper kiss, his tongue running along her lower lip.
She loved the tingles that coursed through her body at his touch. She shivered.
“Isn’t absence supposed to make the heart grow fonder?” she teased.
