When she left the room, Rohan looked around. It was a feminine but friendly room, book-lined with an old oak desk and an even older oak chaise longue with colourful cushions under the window. A huge framed Gordon Rossiter painting showed a purple sunset over what had to be the mountain range he could see in the distance, and he stood up to have a closer look. Clive growled and the dog’s hackles rose.
Rohan wasn’t a dog person. ‘It’s OK, Clive. I’m just going to look at the painting.’ When he took another step away from the chair, Clive bared his teeth and leaned with even more menace towards Rohan, as if daring him to move again.
‘What’s your problem, mutt?’ Rohan tried a placatory smile but Clive remained unimpressed. His mistress had said, ‘Sit.’ He growled until Rohan edged back to his seat. Satisfied, Clive folded himself back to wait in front of the fire and continued his sentry duty on the intruder.
When Abbey came back into the room, Rohan stood up and so did Clive with a snarl. Abbey frowned at the dog and put her tray down. ‘I see you two have been getting acquainted. Play nice, boys.’
Rohan reached across slowly and started to unfasten the foil on the champagne. ‘Your dog seems to think I’m not to be trusted.’
Abbey smiled blandly. ‘German shepherds are supposed to be a very intelligent breed.’ When he didn’t rise to the bait, she went on, ‘So, what brings you here tonight, Rohan?’
Rohan started carefully. ‘In regard to our discussion earlier today, I think I may have a solution to your problem.’
Abbey raised her eyebrows. ‘I would have said it was more harassment than a discussion, but go on if you really have to. I’m intrigued what problem you seem to think I have.’ She spoke softly but there was an edge of warning to her voice.
Rohan poured two glasses of champagne, popped a strawberry in each and then handed her a glass. ‘Perhaps we should drink a toast first.’
Still sceptical, Abbey raised her glass. ‘Need a hit of alcohol under my belt first, do I?’
He pretended to ignore her comment and went straight to diversion. ‘To Sophia Abigail and her house full of aunts.’
Abbey blinked. ‘I’ll drink to that.’ He could see she was trying to work out where he was going with this and he bit back a smile. She took a sip and started to put the glass down, but he forestalled her with his hand.
‘And to young Rohan and his house full of aunts.’
Abbey sipped again and he could tell she found the taste a little more pleasant this time. Perfect. He may just live to finish this conversation.
Rohan continued, ‘To Doris, who is the most interesting car I have ever driven—and the slowest.’
Abbey had to smile at that and she obediently sipped.
Rohan sipped as well to hide his satisfaction. ‘And Aunt Sophie, who is the most determined old lady I’ve met in a long while.’ Abbey sipped.
‘And last of all to Abbey Wilson, who is my new friend and a warm and generous person who doesn’t trust me an inch but for whom I have a proposition.’
The glass stilled against Abbey’s lips. ‘What proposition?’
There was a challenge in his eyes as he said, ‘You have to drink to that before I tell you.’
She drained the glass and set it firmly on the table. ‘I’m listening…’ Abbey raised her own eyebrows in a return challenge. ‘And so is Clive.’
Rohan couldn’t prevent a quick glance at the dog whose ears had pricked up at the mention of his name. Yellow eyes met black and neither blinked.
Rohan shrugged and accepted the challenge. He set his glass down and smiled at Abbey. ‘I have a solution to help you gain a little experience with a man.’
‘I don’t want experience with a man,’ she said flatly. The words were stark and shone as if in neon lights in front of her, and he knew he had to be careful.
‘I’m not talking about seduction here, I’m just talking about the lead-up. A little light-hearted practice to take away the awkwardness.’ Rohan had known this would be hard to explain and Abbey looked ready to set her dog on him. He approached it from a different angle.
‘Look, Abbey, I believe you’re a warm and sensual woman who’s had a bad experience. You say you’re not a real woman and that you’re cold as far as sex is concerned. That’s absolute garbage. Let me help you so that when the man comes along, the one who can promise you the stars, you’ll be ready for him.’
Abbey shook her head in disbelief. ‘I can’t believe you’re saying this. You have an ego the size of a house. That has to be the sleaziest con line to get a woman to bed that I have heard in my life.’
Rohan sat forward on the chair towards her and his eyes were earnest as he tried to will her to consider his words. ‘Not to bed, Abbey. Just to the bedroom door. You say you haven’t had experience with men and you’ve let that creep stunt you for ten years. If I thought I could convince you, just by telling you that’s how it is, I would. But that’s not going to work. You’ve taken his words in too deep.’
His voice became a little self-mocking. ‘I have some experience with women.’ Abbey grimaced in distaste and he shook his head. ‘Think about it as similar to what you do for Vivie and Kayla. You take them away from a bad experience and you nurture them until they can learn to face the world, expecting to be treated right. Knowing they are worthwhile people who deserve respect.
‘Let me accustom you to someone wanting to nurture you until you can see you’re an incredibly warm and sensual woman who any man would be privileged to take to bed. I’m leaving in a week or so and you’ll never have to see me again.’
Abbey couldn’t believe what she was hearing, and he was still talking. Each word was like a knife, stabbing her in her belly, because if he’d known she was attracted to him he’d never have said any of this.
Oblivious, Rohan went on. ‘We don’t have long but that works for good and bad. Practise on me. I can teach you to be comfortable with your own sensuality. No strings. No future embarrassment. Think about it.’
No strings, Abbey thought painfully and picked up her refilled glass to hide the glimmer of tears in her eyes. What about the strings you’ve woven around my heart already and you’ve only been here a week? What about the emptiness that I’ll be left with when you leave? What about after you’ve taught me how much I really do need to feel a man’s arms around me? Think about it, he says. Ha!
The scariest part of this whole conversation was the tiny part of her that was screaming out for her to say yes. The wanton part of Abbey ached to feel Rohan’s arms around her and his lips against hers. Who else in the world would she like to discover the delights of physical closeness with than Rohan?
Abbey shook her head vehemently. ‘I did think about it and you’re mad. You’d better leave before I ask Clive to show you out.’
‘Let’s go back a step.’ Rohan was at his most persuasive. ‘We do enjoy each other’s company.’ He met her eyes. ‘Don’t we?’
She thought of that magical day at South West Rocks and the conversations they’d had. She thought of the tingling anticipation she couldn’t help in the morning as she waited for him to start his round and the verbal sparring they engaged in after he arrived. Yes, she enjoyed his company, and it wasn’t as if she could contemplate ‘practising’ with someone she didn’t enjoy being with. But since when had she considered practising anyway?
She narrowed her eyes at him and finally nodded agreement with his last sentence. ‘I enjoy your company—but that doesn’t mean I would enjoy becoming more intimate with you!’ She just hoped her nose hadn’t grown like Pinocchio’s with that last whopper.
She saw some of the tension ease from his shoulders and realised that he’d at least been nervous about asking her. It made her feel a little better that the discomfort wasn’t all on her side.
He continued, ‘I respect you, Abbey, and I don’t want to do anything to endanger our working relationship or our friendship.’
‘So you say.’ She conceded that reluctantly.
<
br /> He smiled and she had no defence against his smile. She could feel the beginnings of her resistance soften and melt like a candle in the sun.
He took her hand and she didn’t pull away. ‘All I ask is that you relax when you’re around me, and if I show some affection you can return it and not lose any sleep over it.’
She shook her head but she knew he could tell she was almost considering the idea despite her initial reluctance.
How was she supposed to cope with this conversation? Her voice was uncharacteristically melancholy. ‘I realise you feel sorry for me but what made you think I’d agree to this?’
His eyes softened. ‘I’m not offering this out of pity. I’m offering it in friendship.’ He squeezed her hand and she felt the heat travel up her arm.
‘And I’m not suggesting we do anything you don’t want me to. But, Abbey, ten years is a long time to hold the wrong idea about yourself. You don’t have to prove anything to me—I’m proving it to you. We’ll have fun.’
Her eyes clouded. ‘I hope the cure isn’t worse than the disease.’
‘I stop any time you say.’ He let her go and raised his glass and Abbey realised he’d refilled her glass, too. ‘To educating Abbey.’
She sipped slowly and her smile was wary. ‘We’ll see. But you have to learn as well. You can come to dinner tomorrow night and see why I enjoy my time with the people I live with. Are you willing to try that?’
What did he have in Scott’s empty house that was better than the opportunity to spend more time with Abbey, even with others present? It was an unequal battle. ‘I think I can manage that.’
Clive had gone to sleep. Abbey stood up and Clive opened one eye before he returned to his snoring. ‘I need to think about this strange proposition of yours, and I certainly don’t need any more bubbles.’ She could feel the glow in her cheeks and admitted to herself she might not have responded as calmly to his proposition if she hadn’t had the wine to dull her reservations. ‘I’ll put a stopper in this bottle and we can finish it tomorrow after tea.’
Rohan stood as well. ‘You’re the boss.’
Abbey tilted her head sceptically. ‘Why does that not ring true?’
‘Oh, ye of little faith.’ He smiled and the mischief that she had no defence against was in his voice. ‘Walk me to the door, sweet Abbey.’
When he stood on the step and the darkness was behind him, Abbey laid her hand over her stomach protectively to still the flutter of nerves.
She knew he was going to kiss her and her fear of disappointing him warred with nervous anticipation to feel his lips on hers again. Maybe she was normal because she certainly didn’t feel repulsed like she’d been every time Clayton had tried to kiss her.
Rohan put his hands on each side of her cheeks and turned her face towards his. ‘Goodnight, Abbey,’ he whispered as his lips descended on hers, and Abbey forced herself to relax between his hands.
Firmly yet with aching tenderness his mouth touched hers, and she could taste the tang of champagne and smell the sweetness of strawberries. He brushed her lips with his own until heat trailed across her skin, leaving delicious sensations that didn’t make her want him to stop. Funny, that.
Warm fingertips stroked her cheeks, then behind her ears and finally they slid with purpose until he held the back of her head in his strong hands. All the while Rohan brushed her lips with his until Abbey tilted her face to catch him as she searched in return for something she didn’t recognise. She felt him smile with delight against her and she smiled, too, in wordless agreement.
Then his mouth settled on hers more firmly and all laughter was gone as he leaned into her and she loved the feel of his strength against her. His hands came down to capture her hips and pull her against him. Abbey stiffened and his hands soothed her until she could feel the rightness of the sensations he was generating. There was no doubt that he was also enjoying the first lesson.
Finally, with gentle persuasion, he parted her lips and ever so slightly touched her tongue with his own. Abbey felt the jolt right down to her toes as if suddenly her whole body was coated in heat. He deepened the kiss until she was drowning in the sensations that Rohan generated just by the warmth of his breath and the barest sensation of his tongue against hers. Slowly he circled and stroked and stirred coals of desire that frightened her with vibrant intensity. When she didn’t repulse him he stroked deeper and suddenly it was as if Abbey had always waited to dance this dance.
She couldn’t be passive any more and her first electric movement drew a groan from Rohan that sent spears of primitive satisfaction through Abbey and drove her to be bolder. The dance became a heated tango and the eroticism of it ignited fires in her breasts and low down in her stomach as she swayed backwards and forwards against his chest. His hips dug into hers with a rightness that was frightening yet exhilarating.
Before she could quite grasp the feelings he’d generated, he receded until only their lips touched. His lower lip brushed up and down over hers and their breath mingled and the great ache grew in the region of Abbey’s heart. It was beautiful and tragic and addictive and all the things she’d been scared it would be. They stood together and he gently kissed her face until his strong arms gathered her close and she buried her head in his shoulder to hide the tumultuous emotions he’d so easily aroused.
They stood quietly for several minutes like that. It seemed that neither of them wanted to break the spell, and Abbey could hear his heart thumping and the raggedness of her own breath wasn’t that far from the unevenness of his. Finally he stepped back and stared into her eyes.
He brushed one cheek with his fingertip. ‘Goodnight, sweet Abbey,’ he said again, and she watched him walk down the path without looking back.
When she shut the door her hand was shaking against the latch. This was a bad idea.
* * *
Rohan drew a deep lungful of cool air as he walked back to Scott’s house. His heart still pounded from the sensation of Abbey’s body against him and he couldn’t believe the emotions that consumed him. This wasn’t lust or a two-week stand.
He’d fallen in love with Abbey Wilson.
One decent kiss was all it had taken and he knew it wasn’t just sex—because he’d walked away.
Walked when all he’d wanted to do was claim her as his, spend all night kissing and loving her. And when the sun came up and he could see the light in her eyes, he would take her again, slowly, gently, and make her infinitely his.
His?
Who was he to heal the wounds left by that other man when he wasn’t much better?
How long could he stay in one town, with one woman, and not feel trapped by the tendrils of responsibility that came with the territory? And of all women, he’d fallen for one who would expect the same generosity of spirit that was such an integral part of her.
Not only expect it but deserve it, and he wasn’t of her calibre.
He didn’t want the whole commitment and more. His idea of utopia didn’t include the demands of children, extended family, lawn-mowing on Sundays and constantly supporting those less fortunate. He knew what it was like to come second to other people’s needs and long ago he’d accepted he didn’t have enough moral fibre to cope with the feelings of resentment he’d relive with a life partner.
So he’d done the sensible thing. Decided against marriage. He especially wouldn’t let Abbey down like that.
And he should never have offered to show her the road to her own sensuality because now that he knew that he loved her that path was strewn with danger for both of them. He needed to rescind that offer. What he needed to do was stop kissing her.
* * *
The next day, Rohan was quiet at the ward round in the morning and Abbey pondered the unexpected development as she drove home.
Once she’d got over the shock of the passion Rohan had stirred in her, she’d actually begun to believe that Rohan must be right. She had felt fabulous and even powerful towards the end of their time out on the s
tep, and maybe it hadn’t been her fault that sex with Clayton had been so unpleasant.
When she thought about it, the true Clayton had proved very disagreeable, so the sex couldn’t have got any better.
She couldn’t believe how liberated she felt just thinking about sex. She’d missed the young adult fumblings and practice that she assumed most girls managed to acquire before they settled down to marriage. After Clayton had belittled her, she’d refused to even think about her own worth sexually.
Abbey felt the warmth in her cheeks and she stifled a grin. Of course the eye-poppingly erotic dream she’d had last night had helped as well. Rohan would have been anything but quiet if he’d known what he’d done to her last night in her bed, and everywhere else for that matter.
She couldn’t believe she’d subconsciously acquired such explicit sexual knowledge. She felt like the weight of a hundred years had dropped off her and she would always be grateful to Rohan for that.
‘You look like the cat that ate the cream.’ Sophie hobbled out of the kitchen and poked a bony finger at Abbey.
‘I had a good day at work.’ Abbey peered around Sophie into the kitchen where Vivie and Kayla were working. ‘What’s going on in there?’
‘They’re making a cake for your Dr Roberts. Is he still coming for dinner?’
Abbey nodded. ‘He said he was. I think I’ll go have a shower.’
Sophie laid her hand on Abbey’s arm. ‘There’s more news. Bella’s coming home, tonight or tomorrow. She said if she gets too tired driving, she’ll stop at a motel for the night.’ Abbey’s delight was infectious and Sophie smiled with her.
‘Fabulous,’ Abbey said. ‘I can’t wait to see her. Did she mention how long she was staying?’
Sophie shook her head sagely. ‘She didn’t say much but I wouldn’t be surprised if she was home for a while.’
Abbey frowned at the note of concern in Sophie’s voice but she just nodded and climbed the stairs to her room. Bella’s on-off relationship with an obstetrician in Sydney hadn’t been smooth, but she would tell Abbey when she was ready.
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