Love Takes Time

by Adrianne Byrd

  When Alyssa entered the study, she realized that it, like his bedroom, most closely reflected Sterling’s personality. It was warm and inviting, yet erudite—just like its owner. Slowly she moved about and absorbed every detail, but it was the floor-to-ceiling bookcases that drew her like a magnet. Sure, there were a large number of law and economics books, but there was also a wide array of literary and popular fiction crowding the shelves.

  She ran her finger along the hardback spines, seeking something she could delve into. She stopped at Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, her father’s favorite book. Alyssa smiled and pulled it off the shelf. When she cracked open the cover, she noticed the inscription:

  To Sterling,

  May this wonderful story enrich your life as much as it has enriched mine.

  Your faithful friend,

  Alfred.

  Alyssa’s eyes misted as she closed the cover and pressed the book up against her bosom.

  In one corner, two huge leather chairs sat on opposite ends of a large walnut table with a beautiful marble chessboard in the center. Clearly he was in the middle of a game with someone. One quick glance at the pieces told her that the black king was just three moves from a checkmate.

  She eased into one of the leather chairs to get ready for a long night’s read.

  Then there was a loud thump.

  Her heart stopped. “Sterling?”

  She strained to hear, but there was nothing. She uncurled out of the chair and set down her book to go and investigate. The moment Alyssa stepped out into the hallway, she heard it again.

  Thump.

  Concerned, she rushed down the long hallway and made it back to the master bedroom. There, sitting on the edge of the bed sat Sterling. Head low, shoulders hunched.

  “Is everything all right?” She rushed over to him. “What are you doing out of bed?”

  He frowned up at her. There was no sign of recognition. “Cold. Needed to turn up the heat.”

  Was he kidding? It was like an oven in this room. “I’ll take care of it for you,” she assured him. “Now you get back into bed.” Alyssa pulled back the blankets and directed him to return there.

  Lacking the strength to argue, Sterling slowly rolled back, and she quickly pulled the covers over him.

  “Thermostat. Thermostat,” she mumbled as she roamed back through the house. It was like going on a scavenger hunt. She finally found it at the other end of the hallway. After fumbling with the digital controls, she returned to the bedroom. “The heat should kick in soon,” she told him.

  “Fire,” he moaned.

  Alyssa frowned and then glanced around. She eyed the fireplace across the room. She quickly opened the grate, and in a few seconds had a nice little fire going. Of course at this rate, they were going to be boiled alive.

  “All right. I’ll have you all fixed up here now.” She returned to the bed and felt his forehead. He still had a fever, but he shivered beneath the blankets.

  “I-it’s cold,” he complained.

  He looked so childlike that her heart broke for him. Without a second thought, Alyssa kicked off her shoes and slid underneath the blankets.

  Who knows? Maybe a little body heat was just what he needed.

  Chapter 19

  Sterling went from being cold to being warm all over. The drastic temperature change made him sigh in contentment while easing on a satisfied smile. The good feeling didn’t stop there. Parts of his body began to tingle as if something was brushing against his chest, eyes, nose and even lips. Other parts of his body began to harden.

  He snuggled up against this soft pillow in his arms. Plus this pillow smelled incredible. He drew in a deep breath and swore that he smelled a sultry blend of citrus, roses and even a hint of vanilla. Surely, he was imagining that.

  Right?

  Sterling nuzzled the pillow again and the persistent fragrance triggered his imagination or maybe it was a memory.

  Maybe both.

  In an instant he traveled back in time. He was walking across his parents’ estate, heading to the solarium…where Alyssa Jansen waited. The music was clear as the air, while a sliver of moonlight cast the flowers and plants in a romantic glow.

  “Quentin?” Alyssa’s soft voice drifted from behind a tall plant. When she stepped out into view, it was like a star stepping out into the spotlight.

  Sterling sucked in a small gasp. Her beauty seemed to grow every time he laid eyes on her. How was that possible?

  “Oh, Sterling.” She smiled awkwardly. “I thought you were someone else.”

  He smiled. “I kind of gathered that.” He stepped forward, hating more than ever that he was the bearer of bad news. “I’m sorry to have disappointed you but, um…”

  “He’s not coming. Is he?”

  Sterling drew in a deep breath and then slowly shook his head. “I’m sorry.”

  “I see.”

  After a long silence Sterling felt the need to fill it. “Something, um…came up.”

  She nodded absently, but at the same time, she looked so small. Was she embarrassed?

  “He wanted me to send his apologies.”

  “Did he now? Or did your father send you?”

  Sterling didn’t know what to say. For a few seconds, the music just drifted between them.

  “What do you have there?” She straightened her shoulders and stiffened her spine.

  Sterling had forgotten about the champagne. “I, um, maybe we could share a drink.”

  Alyssa smiled. “You always were the nice one.”

  “And nice guys always finish last,” he joked.

  Her smile broadened with a hint of sympathy.

  “So how about it?” he asked. “Want to share a drink with an old friend?”

  “Are we?” Their gazes locked. “Friends?”

  “I always thought so.”

  “Really?” she asked dubiously. “You don’t look at me and see me as just a servant’s daughter?”

  “No.” But he had hesitated.

  Her smile faded. “I think I’ll have that drink now.” She reached for the bottle, and when her hand brushed his, there was this weird staticlike spark that caused his whole arm to tingle. Out of reflex, he stepped back.

  “I’ll open it,” he said, covering his reaction. He handed her the glasses while he worked the bottle’s cork.

  Maybe it was the music or even the moonlight, but Sterling was suddenly nervous being alone with his…friend.

  The cork popped and a small rush of champagne bubbled over the top.

  “Whoa.” He laughed.

  A smiling Alyssa held up their glasses while he filled them. He placed the bottle down on a stone ledge and took his glass.

  “So what should we drink to?” Alyssa asked. “My making a fool of myself?”

  “Of course not,” he admonished. “You’re being too hard on yourself.”

  Sterling stared at her. Her dark gaze seemed to shimmer beneath the moonlight. “Why don’t we drink to you?”

  “Me?” Her eyebrows arched.

  “Why not? I always make it a habit to drink to beautiful women.” He stepped closer. “And you’re by far the most beautiful woman here tonight.” He took his time letting his gaze roam over her face.

  Smiling, she clinked her glass against his. “Thank you.” She sipped her champagne while the orchestra played, “Isn’t It Romantic?”

  “Care to dance?” Sterling asked, holding out his hand.

  Alyssa giggled. “I never thought of you as much of a dancer.”

  “I’m not.” He shrugged. “But I can rock back and forth pretty good.”

  “All right.” She set her glass down and then glided into his open arms.

  Sterling led her in a slow two-step while he hummed in tune. God, she felt so good in his arms. She was hard and firm yet soft and pliable at the same time. And her scent, that wonderful smell of soft citrus, rose petals and a hint of vanilla. She was completely seducing his senses. He couldn’t stop himself fr
om nuzzling his face deeper into the crook of her neck. Before he knew it, he was peppering kisses along the column of her neck and pulling her firmly up against his chest.

  Alyssa sighed, her warm breath drifted across his ears, instantly giving him an erection. His lips then traveled across her collarbone and he could feel her quiver in his arms. “We shouldn’t be doing this,” he whispered.

  Her answer was a near-orgasmic moan. She didn’t stop him or push him away and that was all the encouragement he needed. His hands traveled down over her firm, round backside until he filled them greedily and squeezed.

  His reward was another sultry moan. “God, you’re beautiful.” He nibbled on her ear while he now hiked her dress up inch by inch. “Do you know what you do to me every time I see you? Mmm?”

  “N-No,” Alyssa panted.

  She sighed, pressing forward and jamming up against his erection, which he struggled to control. Every muscle in Sterling’s body strained and tightened as he needed more and more of her.

  Instead of unzipping the dress, Sterling quickly whipped it over her head and then gasped in surprise at the sight of her luscious curves in an exotic, red-laced bra and matching panties. The moonlight danced off her warm complexion, making her look more like an angel than any mere mortal.

  Sterling pulled her back into his arms with a groan. “I want to make love to you,” he rasped. “I need to make love to you. I’ll go crazy if I don’t.”

  Even in this fantasy, it was important to Sterling that Alyssa was a willing participant. It was as if there was some small voice in his head trying to tell him what they were doing was wrong, despite the fact Alyssa was a grown woman and despite that he’d known her for most of her young life.

  “Tell me you want this,” he panted. “Tell me you want me.”

  Alyssa was hot, bothered and confused. When she’d climbed into bed to offer Sterling her own body heat, she never thought—or even suspected the wild emotions that would come into play. The moment she’d huddled against him, she was instantly seduced by his quiet strength.

  It should have felt weird lying in bed with him like this, but instead it felt like the most natural thing in the world. It was like she truly belonged locked against him. Then she began playing with fire, taking advantage of the fact that he was knocked out in NyQuil slumber. She thought it was harmless to run her hand across the wide span of his chest. Who would it hurt if she ran her finger along the outline of his closed eyelids, nose and lips?

  She’d always known him to be handsome—all the Hinton men were, but there was a quiet beauty about Sterling, too.

  However, Alyssa forgot that for every action there’s a reaction.

  Her sleeping giant stirred and pulled her close as if she was his favorite pillow. Then he started nuzzling and caressing her. And it felt good. She figured if she lay still, neither stopping nor encouraging him, he would stop and fall back to sleep.

  But then came the kisses.

  His soft full lips against her neck and collarbone detonated unbelievable heat waves of pleasure that had her melting from the inside out.

  “Do you know what you do to me every time I see you? Mmm?”

  “N-No,” Alyssa panted. Was this real? Was all this really happening? Maybe she was the one that was dreaming. If so I don’t ever want to wake up.

  “I want to make love to you,” he rasped. “I need to make love you. I’ll go crazy if I don’t.”

  Hell, she was feeling the same way. She was so hot and wet that she wasn’t about to stop whatever was about to happen.

  Sterling pulled her top and she helped out by whipping it and her pants off, so that now she lay beneath him in only her red bra and panties.

  “Tell me you want this,” he panted. “Tell me you want me.”

  She did want this—more than she could remember wanting anything. Her senses went haywire.

  “Tell me,” he insisted.

  “Yes,” she whimpered. “I want you, Sterling.”

  His lips rubbed against hers with a groan. He was like a starving man diving into a banquet. Her head spun like it was caught up in a tornado, while her nipples tightened and ached.

  She rubbed the bands of his muscles as he shifted to hover above her. Giving in to her own frenzy, she tugged and pulled off his clothes. Naked, she drank in the sheer size and beauty of him. The moonlight made him look like an ebony god sent to her just for her seduction.

  “I want you, Sterling,” she repeated, trembling from the truth of her words.

  A kind smile splayed at his lips before his head descended. This time the kiss was more tender and sweet, but just as dizzying. At the same time, Sterling glided a hand in between her legs. One finger slid easily into her warm, slick passage. She sighed and arched against his gentle invasion. It was no surprise the fierce beating of her hard clit matched that of her racing heart.

  When he started stroking her, she whimpered and writhed beneath him. He slid in a second finger and then a third, spreading her wider and plunging deeper. Soon their kiss ended, but Sterling paid homage to her body as he inched over in the bed. Seconds later, his tongue danced around a puckered nipple. He teased its hardness and then gave it small bites that absolutely drove her wild.

  But that was nothing compared to when he spread her wide and dove his tongue so deep that she came instantly. She bucked and hit her head on the headboard. That didn’t matter. Before she could finish riding out her explosive orgasm, his tongue stroked and wiggled at the very heart of her core. A second and third orgasm left her gasping for air.

  It was all too much. Too intense.

  But Sterling just continued to work her body as if he had a secret copy of the owner’s manual. After his tongue finished stroking her so intimately, he put a finishing coat of polish on her pulsing clit and set off yet another orgasm.

  However, there was no rest for the limp and weary. Sterling climbed back up and shared her body’s sweet taste with another soul-stirring kiss. The best part was when he slowly but deliciously slid his thick, long shaft in her wet, tight body.

  She gasped against his lips when it sank deeper and deeper. Good God. How big is he?

  Alyssa started to crawl up the bed, but his hands locked on to her hips and held her in place. Ecstasy jolted up her spine when Sterling was fully planted. She instantly curled her legs around his waist and her arms around his shoulders.

  “Jesus, you’re so tight,” he panted.

  “And you feel so good.”

  His hips moved.

  Her body quaked.

  The large bed thumped.

  Alyssa had never felt anything so exquisite. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes. For his every thrust, she concentrated on squeezing her inner muscles and rotating her hips in a small circle. She loved the sound of his groaning and moaning while he continued to kiss her senseless.

  Another orgasm began to build. Alyssa wondered if she would be able to survive its intensity. She could sense changes in Sterling’s body. His muscles flexed and tightened. She suspected that they were on the verge of coming at the same time.

  “Don’t stop…” she urged. “I’m…” She gasped and sparks blasted behind her closed lids as she convulsed with another orgasm.

  Sterling clenched his jaw. Her slick heat squeezed and milked him like a vise. His low growl morphed into a mighty roar as his own orgasm hit with such force that his entire body shook—and for a long time.

  Completely spent, he slumped over to the side and crashed against a pillow. “My God. You were wonderful.”

  “So were you,” she said, panting.

  For a few minutes, they sounded like two athletes who’d just completed a marathon. Sterling’s arms wrapped back around her. He even nuzzled another kiss against her neck before he drifted back to sleep.

  Sighing with unbelievable contentment, Alyssa followed him back to dreamland.

  Chapter 20

  For the first time in days, Sterling woke up finally feeling like his old sel
f. Clear head, clear chest and miracle of miracles—no coughing. Drawing in a deep breath, he uncurled his tall frame and stretched as far as his muscles would allow him.

  That is until he bumped into something—or rather someone. He jerked up and snatched back the top blanket. At first all he saw was arms and hair.

  A woman? What was a woman doing in his bed?

  He tried to replay the events of last night, but for the longest time, he was just drawing a blank. Since the woman’s back was to him, he leaned forward, trying to get a good look at her face.

  What he saw shocked the hell out of him.

  Oh-My-God!

  Sterling quickly scrambled backward out of the bed, so fast that he fell over the edge. He smacked the floor, but bounced back up to see if he’d awakened her.

  What the hell was Alyssa Jansen doing in his bed? And why was she curled up so snug under him? He glanced down and saw that he was naked. “Oh sweet Jesus.”

  Think, Sterling. Think.

  But he couldn’t. He was still drawing a blank. Relax. Calm down, he said to himself over and over. A few deep breaths later, he did remember her dropping by—what, yesterday? He had gotten sick again and she demanded that he get in bed. Lots of medicine and…what? She jumped in bed with him? That didn’t make a lick of sense.

  I didn’t do it. I didn’t do it. I couldn’t have done it. I wouldn’t have done it. Would I?

  Dangling from one of the bedposts was a lacy bra, and suddenly he remembered last night’s dream. But it wasn’t a dream.

  Sterling’s heart raced. He had screwed up.

  A door slammed somewhere in the house and Quentin shouted out his name.

  “Oh, hell,” he whispered fiercely. What was Quentin doing here? “Of all the days for him to remember the security gate code.”

  The whole situation had the making of a bad Three’s Company episode.

  The usually unflappable Sterling Hinton raced around his bedroom like a chicken with its head cut off. He didn’t know which way to go or what to do. How in the hell could he possibly explain this situation after the grief he’d given his little brother about his trying to pursue Alyssa in the first place?