Her Real-Life Hero

by Vicki Ballante

  Kirsty smiled. “My husband is being too abstract. He means you’re not going to be happy and at peace with your life until Joanie and you are one. The magic of the bureau and chest of drawers knew that. They were designed by a matchmaker in the late nineteenth century. The man had an uncanny ability to match couples. He used his furniture business to draw them together.”

  Theo shivered. “Do you think his ghost somehow still lives inside the furniture? Could other furniture he designed still be floating around, playing its magic on people’s lives?”

  Darren shrugged. “It is creepy, I admit. As soon as I stopped worrying about the magic and concentrated on how I could win Kirsty, things came together. Don’t lose focus. Don’t let the magic concept distract you.”

  “How did you discover the powers in the furniture?” Theo had itched to ask the question for some time.

  Kirsty shrugged. “We felt it. Strange things happened. We did research on the items, and when we discovered that Martinus Schroeder had designed the furniture, we were suspicious.”

  “Why did you sell the units?”

  “To pass on the magic to someone else in need.”

  Nice. Creepy but kind in a strange way. “How come the lady at the antique shop didn’t tell us about it before we bought the furniture?”

  “We told her not to. We knew the units would find the right people.”

  Goose bumps prickled his arms, and he rubbed them.

  “You can’t quit.” Darren’s smile disappeared—he seemed so serious, almost pained. “Yours and Joanie’s happiness depend on you sticking it out. No matter what.”

  “I can try, but I can’t force myself on a person who doesn’t want me. How do I win her heart?” He swallowed at how vulnerable he sounded.

  Kirsty stood and poured another cup of tea for Darren as if she knew he would want a second one. “Get inside her head. Find her deepest fears and soothe them.”

  “How?” He sounded so lame, so helpless. Desperate. Joanie had brought that out of him.

  As he peered at the couple before him, he knew he could never lose her. Images of their food fight in the kitchen and time in the shower making love seared his being. No other woman had stirred him so much. His brain, body, and heart could never thrive without her. He would do everything in his power to keep her as his wife, his shameless begging for answers from complete strangers, proof of how far he’d go. As crazy as it seemed to his logical mind, he loved her.

  Darren shook his head. “I don’t know.”

  Kirsty came to her husband, pressed her fingers into his shoulders erotically then kissed him on the cheek. “You were such a gentleman, so patient with me. So forgiving. That’s how you did it. And he still hasn’t stopped.” She blushed then pitter-pattered out of the room.

  Theo stood and shook Darren’s hand. “Great meeting you. Thanks for your time.”

  Darren showed him out.

  At the door, Theo paused. “Thanks for passing on the magic. As crazy as it may sound, I appreciate my life being turned upside down because Joanie’s in it. It’s pure exhilaration with her.”

  The guy smiled, walking him to the car. They chatted about their jobs then Theo drove off. During the long drive home along the highways and through several suburbs of Durban, he brainstormed how to reach Joanie. First thing…get back to the sex play. Withdrawing from her wasn’t doing them any good. Since he was certain he wanted her and her alone, he could give his heart. Also, he’d been overwhelmed with the emotions their contact brought. Sex with her went way deeper than just an act, and it blew him away. The Sunday away from her had enabled him to process the intensity of his feelings.

  Maybe he’d buy her a bunch of flowers and some chocolates. Even get her some takeout. She’d worked all day like him. She deserved a break. Deserved to be spoiled.

  ***

  Joanie soaked in a eucalyptus and aloe bubble bath, the minty fragrances wafting into her senses and easing her muscles. Her life had returned to normal. She’d come home to an empty house. Theo’s belongings were still around, she couldn’t escape that, but it wouldn’t be for long. She’d signed the papers and gleaned a more thorough, step-by-step plan from Leonora on how to get the no-contest divorce papers processed. Theo had been all for it, and as soon as he got home, she would get him to fill in his side. According to the research she’d done online earlier, it could take as little as four weeks to come through.

  She soaked in the solitude, easing her heart rate and crazy thoughts. No more uncontrollable sexual urges, no more confusion as to why Theo reached out to her one minute and withdrew the next—the very reason she’d decided to postpone any relationship until she’d enjoyed peace of mind for at least five years. Being alone was heaven. Solitude fed her soul.

  The door of the bathroom creaked open. Who’s that? Her heart raced.

  Theo stepped in. “Sorry,” he mumbled and moved away. “I didn’t know you were home. I didn’t see your handbag in the kitchen.”

  So, why is he using my bathroom? My space? He has the general bathroom.

  “What are you doing here?” Good thing the bubbles are covering most of my naked body. But they seemed to pop away faster than before.

  “I wanted to use your bath.”

  “It’s my bath. You have a shower.”

  He walked to the edge of the tub and peered down at her. She squirmed under his penetrating gaze. “You offered for me to sleep in your bed. I want to take you up on that.”

  She groaned and popped out of the water. “The offer no longer exists.”

  His gaze dropped to her breasts and then to the fluff of blonde pubic hair below. She turned her back to him, giving him a front-row view of her derriere. She fumbled for the towel to her left but couldn’t find it. She’d have to turn around to get it. Gritting her teeth, she spun to face him.

  “Need this?” He held it open for her to step into.

  “Thanks.” Once covered, she could think more clearly, but the heat in his gaze sent spirals of arousal whooshing through her. His ready lips and the lump in his pants drew her focus. She had that effect on him. What did it matter? Any woman would have that effect on a healthy, virile man.

  “I-I got the divorce papers today. You just have to sign, and we’re almost done. Well, it could take about four weeks. Which isn’t that bad.”

  His left eyebrow flickered. Other than that, he didn’t move, say anything, or show any emotion.

  “Well, let me get dressed then I can sit down with you and show you what to do.”

  Hurrying to her bedroom, she slammed the door shut behind her to make sure he didn’t follow and leer at her with those hungry eyes.

  Her mouth filled with saliva again, her core pressed tight with arousal, and her hands shook as she dressed. Why did her sexual need have to take precedence over everything else when he was around? Surely, her body understood that space and freedom would do it more good in the long run.

  The crotch on her pants pressed into her slit, and moisture sprinkled in her panties. She groaned with frustration. Maybe they could have a quickie, get it over with then she could concentrate on the papers. Later, she’d give him the writing she’d accomplished the night before to glance over. Maybe he’d even go through it with her step-by-step.

  Once dressed, she set out to find Theo, expecting him to be in the dining room working on his model. Instead, he lounged on the living room sofa. A large bouquet of mixed flowers, with a dusty-pink protea in the center, graced the table next to a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates, and a DVD from the local video-rental store.

  What the…?

  He looked at her and gave a lazy smile.

  So much for her plans for a night of progress and ticking off her tasks. Theo wanted romance. Ew!

  “Come here, babe.”

  “Do not call me that. What’s going on?” She waved her hands at the sickly-sweet display. “I thought we were signing the papers, not having—”

  “Have you forgotten the magic? We
have to play along with it.”

  “For how long?” She set her hands on her hips. “Can’t we get it all over with? Try to get the divorce going in the meantime?”

  She towered above him, sensing the heat streaming from him. The tips of her fingers tingled. He was shirtless with a pair of boxers on. The bulge in his pants spoke of his manhood.

  “We’ll get to that later.” He reached for her.

  “Okay.” Her voice came out meek as he took her hand to pull her down on him. The papers can wait. My body can’t.

  They kissed, and she pressed on his boxers, feeling the shape underneath. Her breathing increased, her whole body flushed and shivering, she gave way to the sensation of skin on skin, wetness on her mouth. He dotted kisses down her neck to her breasts.

  “Oh, Theo.” The words came out as he rubbed his fingers over her wet panties. “That’s wonderful. More.”

  “Take them off. Now.” He winked at her, and warmth seeped into her at his endearing imitation of her words from Saturday.

  They both stood to remove the barriers between them. He lay down onto the sofa, and she lay on top of him again, drinking in his warm gaze from above. Hell, he was handsome. She loved the way his gaze seeped kindness mingled with pure lust.

  He teased her nipples with his tongue but didn’t plunge into her yet. She took longer to reach the heights of intense pleasure this time. Maybe the flowers distracted her, drew out questions about what he wanted from her. Frustrated, she sat up to peer down at him. She ran her hands along his chest, exploring his male shape, teasing his nipples. He closed his eyes, his expression pure bliss. How delightful to have that power over such a hot man.

  She moved to sink down between his legs, bending her head down to put her mouth by his cock. Sucking in her breath, she tentatively licked his shaft—a new experience to her—but she wanted to pleasure him. As she grew more adventurous, running her tongue along his length, his hardening in response sent shivers of delight to her core.

  After a few minutes, he set his palm on her head. “My turn.”

  “Okay.”

  He’d started to pleasure her with his tongue in the kitchen the other day, and part of her had been disappointed nothing came of it. Excitement built in her as they swapped places. Lifting her knees, she opened herself for him to press his head in between her thighs.

  This time, he touched her clit with his tongue. She gripped the sofa cushions, unsure of the sharpness of the sensation. Then he stroked her nub, sweet, wet softness sliding against the most sensitive spot in her body. He pressed two fingers into her pussy, and the fullness made her groan. Thrusting back and forth, he caused whimpers to emanate from her lips. Oh my! The man knows how to make a woman happy. Withdrawing his fingers, he ran them toward her anal opening. He pummeled her cheeks and alternated with fingers inside her then fingers running in a sweet stream down her crack. Her nerve endings went into overdrive.

  Could anything get better? Waves of pleasure soaked over her, rippling from her core, and swirling in her head, sending her into a drunken stupor.

  “Play with your nipples.”

  She obeyed, pleased to cooperate with this man who was a master at pleasuring her body.

  A little shy at first, she rolled her nipples between her fingers until pleasure shot through her. Then she rubbed her palms over them while he sank his wet tongue into her saturated pussy. Hunger alternated with pure satisfaction like a roller coaster. Arching her pelvis toward him, she tried not to crush his head between her thighs as her orgasm sent her on the best thrill ride of her life.

  He pulled away, licking his lips. “I want you now, babe.”

  After placing a condom on his hard cock, he climbed on top of her, pressing some of his weight on her, and eased his dick into her pussy. She was wet for him, moist, open and oh, so ready. So, this is it? The real thing?

  He thrust into her, kissed her, held her, and she rocked into him, feeling the whole of Theo, enjoying every movement he made against her. As his pumping grew more deliberate, more powerful, she panted then cried out. He sucked her breasts while she tilted her pelvis, meeting his pressure with everything she had. Moving up to her mouth, he nipped then pulled on her bottom lip, following with several long plunges. Spasms shot through her, making her cry out and squirm.

  He groaned, pushing deep into her, his eyes glazed over. “Joanie!”

  Panting, he lay on her chest, grasped her around the head, and tucked her against his shoulder with firmness. His heartbeat raced.

  He rolled off, grabbed his jeans from the floor, and pulled a handkerchief from the pocket, handing the soft cloth to her to clean herself while he disposed of the condom and its foil wrapper. She wiped her still-throbbing pussy and passed him the hanky to clean.

  She wanted to feel him without the frantic need from before. She stroked his arms, his chest, his abdomen, and his genitals, relishing the texture of the rough hairs and planes of his body. Every part of him is delish. Why does he have to be so yummy? And the sex should keep me happy for a long time. So, why do I always want more?

  Snuggling next to him, she ignored the slight painful throb in her pussy and the thought that another round soon wouldn’t harm. Her head crooked into the valley of his neck, and she closed her eyes, letting peace infuse her—a deep, almost surreal contentment.

  He stroked her hair and twiddled her thumb playfully between his fingers. The simple actions made her want to stay there forever.

  Exhaustion shrouded her. The last few days had been very draining. The divorce papers and the editing could wait. Her brain had been struggling to focus the last few hours. Maybe a movie and some pampering would give her the energy to face everything the next day.

  “I’m going to wash.” Rising naked, she went to the closest bathroom—the general one. His belongings lay folded in the corner of the utility cabinet. She took a quick peek at them. They were nothing special, but somehow his personal things like shaver, shaving cream, deodorant, soap, and facecloth drew her. She ran her fingers over his stuff then picked up the deodorant and took a sniff, followed by a smell of the soap. Yes, the two combined smelled of Theo—a heady combination that stirred her need. Arousal rose in her.

  Argh, not again. She was a little bruised down there, not being used to such frequent passionate lovemaking. Despite the slight ache, the new warm, satisfied feeling afterward made it all worth it. She ran the basin with hot water and found a guest facecloth in the linen closet to wash herself. He’d used a condom again, kept them in his pockets. Was he always ready for sex? With other women? She had no idea how many partners Theo had slept with before her.

  Something streaked through her—wild and angry. Did he enjoy them as much as her? Were they beautiful?

  Am I jealous?

  Theo came in behind her. She hurried to grab the guest towel to wrap the tiny piece of terrycloth around her.

  He laughed. “I’ve seen it all.”

  “I know.” Her cheeks pumped heat. “I….”

  He caressed her shoulders, ran fingers down her arms then touched her stomach. “You’re beautiful, Joanie.”

  She stopped him with her hand. “More beautiful than the other women you’ve slept with?”

  “What other women?”

  “You’re successful, good-looking, a lady’s man. I’m sure you’ve had many others.”

  Theo scratched his chin, seeming embarrassed.

  She looked at the tiled floor. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.”

  “I’ve dated. I…. To be honest, there have only been a few.”

  Relief surged through her then her insides clenched. “Who?”

  He waved away her words. “No one special.”

  She lifted her gaze. “So, why did you sleep with them?”

  “High school and college experimentation. No serious relationships.” He gestured toward the sink. “May I use that water? And the facecloth?”

  “Sure.” Her voice came out all scratchy. “I’ll go co
ok some supper. I’m starved.”

  “There are burgers and chips in the warmer drawer.”

  “There are?” She flung her arms around his neck. “You’re such a honey. Oh.” She backed away, aware of how gushy she’d become. Did good sex do that?

  “Don’t go yet.” He dunked the cloth then wrung it. “We’ll go together.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You make it sound like a road trip. I’m just going to the kitchen.” Her usual, tough voice had returned.

  He faced her. “I didn’t love any of them, Joanie. I don’t sleep around. I…always wanted to wait for my wife one day. I know it sounds silly. I’m kind of old-fashioned in my ideas.”

  Something warm and squishy squeezed her insides. “How sweet.”

  She tried to sound sarcastic, but it came out all awe-like, so she spun around and walked out of the room, unable to understand her own reactions. He meets one of the things on my list? She didn’t think anyone met that criterion anymore.

  She’d written a list about five years ago on her twenty-first birthday—a list of what she wanted in her future husband. The second requirement was he didn’t have a long, complicated relationship history—he should be a one-woman type of guy. Maybe because she was a bit like that. Well, until her fling with Theo. Somehow, he’d brought out the hidden slut side of her.

  She went to the kitchen and dished their food onto plates, trying to act normal and curb the unwanted excitement and warm ripples of emotion circling through her.

  He came through to help her, pouring a glass of wine each. “I’m sure you enjoy romance movies. I rented a romance tonight. Get us in the mood.”

  She screwed up her mouth yet stopped herself from commenting. Instead, she scrounged in her cabinets for mango chutney to heap on her hamburger. Not right that a romance writer should be ashamed to enjoy romance. Could it be the way I react to the movies?

  He set the wine glasses down and eased his hands over her shoulders in a mini massage. Shrugging him off, she took the food through to the lounge.

  “I know a single woman doesn’t enjoy romance movies so much, but you’re not single anymore. And you do write them.”