Without Saying a Word

by Amanda Ward

  Rhean stared at Laura in amazement.

  “You mean like Tom Cruise in ‘Risky Business’?” His deep voice rumbled with laughter

  Laura nodded, and they burst out laughing.

  “Sir?” A cold wind encompassed the couple making them shiver, as Graham strode in through the front door.

  “The troops have been rallied and are in the car.”

  “Thank you Graham. I’ll ring next week and let you know when we are back.” They walked out to the car.

  “Oh Master Rhean,” Graham called as they walked past him.

  “I wear slippers as well,” he said with a deadpan expression on his face. “The floors are dreadfully cold on the feet during the winter.”

  Laura looked at Rhean, and saw him burst into laughter at the same time she did.

  Chapter Three

  Laura’s nerves were at the breaking point. The telephone calls came more frequently and while her children were at school, Laura screened them. Her stomach in knots, and her appetite all over the place, she would immerse herself in mundane chores while her mind played vicious scenarios over and over again. Eventually reaching the point where she desperately needed to talk to someone about the calls, she picked up the telephone to ring her parents or Rhean, but had second thoughts, not wanting to burden them with her problems. Instead, she kept herself busy with preparations for the fayre and ball. She felt like a clown most days. Smiling on the outside, when inside her heart tore apart with worry.

  “Rhean, does it bother you about the rumors flying around?” Laura asked Tuesday evening. The children had gone to their bedrooms, leaving the couple alone. Rhean had his head buried in his laptop, and his fingers flew on the keyboard.

  “And?” He sounded totally unconcerned and more than a little distracted.

  “What about your reputation?” At that comment, he looked up and laughed a deep booming sound.

  Laura really couldn’t figure out why he found it funny.

  “My reputation? What reputation?” he asked. “You aren’t worried about everyone thinking that you are seducing a younger man, are you? Pillar of society, heir to a considerable fortune?” His eyebrows waggled at her mischievously.

  He’s teasing me, the rat, Laura thought to herself.

  “You aren’t that much younger than me. It’s not as though you are still in nappies Rhean, or is there something you aren’t telling me? But you really don’t care, or do you?” Laura asked, and chuckled at her own joke, while she rolled her eyes at his pathetic dramatics.

  “Not at all, they’ll have to get used to us being together. The same as you will,” he stated, and then before she had a chance to respond, he kissed her thoroughly into silence. After Laura got her breath back, she asked him what had been on her mind for a while.

  “Why now Rhean? Why start something with me that may not work out?” As usual her brain decided not to engage before she opened her mouth. Laura looked at Rhean, totally at home in her cottage. He put his arms to the back of his head and leaned back.

  “Why not?” Rhean countered smoothly. “And who’s to say it may not work out?” He closed his eyes.

  “You’ve not answered the question at all. You’ve just turned it ʼround.” God, the man could be frustrating at times. She moved to get up, but Rhean pulled her down on his lap and into his arms. He kissed her softly, sipping at her lips, before delving deeper with his tongue. Laura’s mind went blank, and she reveled in the feel of his strong lips on hers.

  “That’s better. I know how to stop you from worrying now,” he said with satisfaction. He settled back against the sofa and turned his attention back to his laptop.

  Laura managed to get up off Rhean’s lap and strolled around the room straightening up magazines, picking up remote controls and poking the fire.

  “Don’t you ever.... you know?” Laura asked him off the top of her head. She’d thought about what he told her that weekend. Rhean looked over his laptop screen at her with an infectious grin.

  “What? You mean do I feel that I’ve missed out on a big part of life by not having had sex yet? Interesting question, Laura. What brought that up?”

  “Well, yes. It’s just that from what I know, men have needs. You must either not have a sex drive or just have very strong willpower. And when you said you were a virgin, does that mean you don’t…?” Laura was embarrassed at the path her questioning had taken. How on earth was she to ask if he was relieving himself in an intimate manner?

  “Try morals,ʼ” Rhean said in a dry tone. “Having a brother like Percy made me realize that being intimate with a woman is not meant for a casual relationship,” he stated in a flat voice. “He’s put it about so much and caught goodness knows how many infections through being careless. It’s the women he’s used that I feel sorry for.” Rhean stood and started pacing the room.

  “I see how my mum and dad are together. They are so much in love with each other, even after forty years—Dad’s eyes light up when she comes into the room, and the romantic gestures he makes toward her. He teases her, which is great, and can make her blush with a whisper in her ear. I could go on and on. That is what true intimacy is and why I am saving myself for that.” He stopped and looked at Laura, honesty exposed on his face.

  “Being naked and sharing each others secrets is true intimacy and should only be shared with the person you love and want to be with. That’s how I feel. It’s always been that way for me, but that’s not the real reason. I will tell you when the time is right. Oh, I know what you are having trouble asking me. I have no hang-ups about that. A relationship is only going to work if you are honest with each other, as well as best friends. Which we are already,” Rhean told her in a kind tone, trying to put Laura’s fears at bay.

  “Look at me Laura, look at me really. Can you honestly not see my feelings for you?” He was intent on making her realize just how much he loved her and how much he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

  “You can’t care for me, I’m damaged goods,” she replied sadly. “I’ve had one failed marriage and I’ve three children. You can’t possibly want a woman like me.”

  Rhean put the laptop on the sofa. He stood up walked over and knelt next to Laura in front of the fire, putting his hands on her shoulders in a possessive gesture.

  “Where the hell did that come from? For heaven’s sake Laura, I’ve been in love with you since you were here on that holiday. I love the kids too. You aren’t damaged goods to me. You are everything I have ever wanted in a woman. Feel what you do to me. I get the feeling that there are parts of your marriage that you find hard to talk about. I am not going anywhere Laura. I will never hurt you. Please, give us a chance.”

  He took her hand and pressed it against his wide chest. His heart beat fast. Then he pulled her closer so she could feel his arousal. “Only you do that to me,” he whispered. “You are the only woman I will ever love and want.” Then he kissed her as he had longed to do for so long.

  As his mouth covered hers hungrily, Laura was overwhelmed by the passion that flowed through him, their tongues entwined, dancing and stroking each other. She relished the feel of him taking command of her, taking her to new heights of pleasure she had never experienced, and for a novice, he was an Olympic athlete. His kisses really were gold medal material. As Laura pressed closer into his body, her fingernails instinctively raked over his chest and she squeezed one of Rhean’s hard nipples gently.

  Rhean gasped out loud. He pulled away from her, leaving her momentarily disorientated and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. His warm smile, as intimate as the kiss they had just shared filled Laura with desire. It was all she could do not to pull him back into her arms again.

  “I think I’d better go before I forget I’m a gentleman and drag you upstairs,” he said in a rueful manner, as he gathered up his things in a rush and walked to the door.

  “I know it’s all a bit soon for you Laura, but I hope that you will come to love me as much as I do you.”
Rhean’s voice was tender, almost a murmur as he left, walking outside into the cold night air.

  Laura knelt down next to the fire, her hands absorbing its heat, trying desperately to warm her chilled body. To Laura’s disappointment, this was nothing compared to the raging fire that had Rhean lit inside her.

  ****

  In his cottage, frustrated and most definitely aroused, Rhean poured himself a drink and flopped down on his sumptuously soft leather couch. The fiery liquid burned the back of his throat with an intensity that he welcomed. He thought about what Theo told him earlier; about the increase in phone calls, how jumpy Laura had been recently and that she made every excuse not to leave the house. Rhean’s thought about how he could help Laura through it. He was disappointed that Laura hadn’t confided in him about the calls. He’d thought that after their conversation on Saturday, she would have been able to tell him anything. An idea came to his mind, and after glancing at his watch, he reached for his mobile phone.

  Chapter Four

  Thursday evening, Laura curled up on the couch, relaxed for the first time in weeks. There had been no telephone calls, she had caught up on her workload, bills were paid and her children were in their rooms. Listening to the smooth tone of Ronan playing softly in the background, she jumped at a tap on the window. She sat up and pulling the curtains aside, saw Rhean motioning to the door. Laura went to the door and opened it, letting Rhean in, along with a blast of frigid air.

  “Brrrrrrrrrr.” Rhean shivered. “Tis a tad nippy out there.” Laura took a frank and admiring look at him as he took off his coat and hung it up.

  “Come in why don’t you?” she told him, as Rhean dropped a kiss on her open lips. He smiled at her, and went into the living room, crouching down in front of the roaring fire. Laura closed the door to keep the warmth in.

  “You can’t be that cold, just coming from next door,” she admonished. Rhean shook his head, rubbing his hands together.

  “I haven’t been home yet; there was a PTA meeting at the school,” he told her. “Unfortunately it went on longer than any of us thought.” He sighed wearily. Laura thought for a moment and then realized that he probably hadn’t eaten.

  “Are you hungry? I think there’s some leftover beef casserole from tonight,” she offered. Rhean turned and smiled at her. His face lit up with what appeared to be pleasure.

  “That would be wonderful, but only if it’s not too much trouble,” he told her wistfully.

  “It’s not. Make yourself at home. I’ll be back in a moment.” Laura left Rhean sitting in front of the fire stroking Tubs while she went into the kitchen to get his meal.

  They sat on the couch together while Laura sipped her hot chocolate and Rhean ate the casserole with dumplings.

  “I knew you were a good cook Laura, but that was amazing,” Rhean told her patting his stomach contentedly. His bowl was clean and he drank the rest of the hot chocolate Laura gave him.

  She smiled at him.”Comfy?” she asked.

  “Mmm,” Rhean murmured. He took his tray out to the kitchen. Sitting back down, he took one of Laura’s hands, lacing their fingers together. He brought them to his lips and kissed hers gently.

  Laura rolled her eyes at the romantic gesture; she felt comfortable with the way his fingers interlaced with hers. Strong, protective and so masculine. “Rhean, as much as I love your company, why you here?” she asked. “It’s late.” Rhean turned and had the audacity to look amazed.

  “You don’t like my company?” he asked and sounded shell-shocked. Laura raised her eyes to him in disbelief. He chuckled softly. “Relax Laura, I’m teasing.”

  She smiled back.”I know.”

  “And as for why I’m here, apart from not wanting to go home without seeing you, I wanted to ask you out on a date,” Rhean told her, not releasing her hand.

  “A date?”

  “Yes, a date. Man and woman go out of house. Watch film, eat dinner. Kiss lots,” he said mock-caveman style. Laura’s heart leaped into her throat. She was suddenly nervous and tried to pull her hand away from his. But Rhean tightened his hold.

  “Saturday night?” he asked.

  Emotions tumbled through Laura’s mind. She wanted to be with him so much, but she was afraid of taking the first step.

  “Laura, its dinner, just the two of us,” he pressed. Taking a deep breath and going on what her heart told her, she looked him in the eyes.

  “Yes, Rhean, I’d love to,” she told him shakily. Rhean leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek.

  “See you Saturday night then.” He got up and left the house.

  ****

  As he left Laura’s house, the breath Rhean held left his body in a “Yes.” Looking up to the sky, he saw the stars twinkle brightly. “Thanks,” he whispered, crossed the gardens and let himself into his own quiet, lonely cottage, eager for Saturday.

  ****

  Saturday came all too soon for Laura. The main issue was that her darling offspring dropped more than helpful hints ever since she’d told them. After giving her home a damned good cleaning, trying to take her whirling mind off the evening in front of her, Laura felt wiped out—but at least the house was clean. She figured after a glass or two of wine, she would be relaxed enough to enjoy her date. For some reason, Maisie became her shadow that day, helping and talking so much that when the time came for Laura to get bathed and dressed, she more than welcomed the peace and tranquility of her bathroom.

  Theo and James acted all ‘manly’ and told her to be careful. She winced when, through the bathroom door, the boys asked her if she had protection. Great, her teens were more comfortable about sex than her. Covered in bubbles, it was all she could do not to sink under them and pretend they’d swallowed her whole.

  This would be Laura’s first date since she divorced Max. Anticipation of an evening spent with Rhean built up inside her. She was excited, nervous, and scared in case she made a fool out of herself. Eventually, after the long soak in the lavender-scented bath to make herself calm down, Laura padded into her bedroom to find all her clothes on the bed, enough make-up to make up the cast of a costume drama, and Maisie rifling through drawers as though she were her mother’s own personal stylist. Oh this is going to be a fun evening, Laura thought to herself wryly.

  “There Mum, my work here is finished,” Maisie said proudly. Laura turned ’round to study her daughter, and wondered just when she grew up. While she slept, no doubt. At the loud bang at the door, Laura jumped while Maisie giggled.

  “Theo or James will get it. Look Mum, look!” Maisie urged her.

  As Laura regarded herself in the mirror, she saw a strange woman. Her highlighted hair fell loose and carelessly tumbled, styled as though a pair of hands ran through it. Maisie brushed her eyelids with smoke gray eye shadow. Green eyeliner and the sparkling mascara helped her eyes look larger and luminous. Her cheeks had a faint rose blush and her lips were a nude color that gave them a fuller, kissable look, and the sparkly lip gloss, added luster. The cobalt jersey dress suited her perfectly. Combined with a long black beaded necklace and matching earrings, she felt younger than her forty years and hoped that Rhean wouldn’t think her overdressed. Thick black tights and low stiletto heeled shoes completed the outfit. She took a deep breath and opened her bedroom door, prepared to take her first step into a new world.

  ****

  Rhean was in the living room feeling as though he was under a microscope. He shuffled from one foot to another, hoping Laura wouldn’t be too much longer. Unfortunately her kids seemed to enjoy this a little bit too much—even the cat glared at him as if he was some new species of catnip. He ran his finger around his collar and loosened his tie slightly. He held a bunch of lilac and cream roses and a box of chocolates. He had also brought over a pile of DVD s and console games for later on. James and Theo stared at him while Graham fixed dinner in the kitchen.

  “Cut it out you lot,” Rhean pleaded. “I’m nervous enough as it is.”

  Theo and James look
ed at each other then winked at him.

  “We know,” James said with a mischievous grin, “we’re just messing with you.” He sniffed the air and announced, “Something smells good,” as he loped into the kitchen. Maisie sat on the couch with her feet curled under her, trying to look casual as she flicked through a magazine with the pretense of reading. Theo stood up, put his arm around his headmaster and attempted a serious”man of the house” expression.

  “Sir—” he started, but Rhean cut in.

  “Call me Rhean,” he told Theo and groaned inwardly in dread of what Theo would say to him.

  “Okay, Rhean, this is Mum’s first date in like, ever. Just remember to get her home by midnight, and no funny business!” he warned with a glint in his eye. “Oh, and just one other thing—” Theo put his hand in his pocket and passed him a small foil packet.

  Rhean looked, incredulous at the condom and could not believe a fifteen-year-old boy gave it to him.

  ″’Safety first,’“ Theo quoted from his health class, then left the room.

  Rhean blushed and quickly put his hand in his pocket. He heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs. Then his breath caught in his throat at the sight of the woman who stood in front of him.

  “Will I do?” Laura asked shyly as she turned around in a circle.

  “You look fabulous, Mum. Look after her,” Maisie told Rhean. He inclined his head. It was all he could do not to get down on both knees and beg her to run away to Gretna Green with him there and then. Rhean had never seen anyone more beautiful than Laura was at that moment. He smiled, walked toward her, and put down the flowers and chocolates. He raised both her hands and kissed them gently.

  “My lady,” he acknowledged reverently. His Irish accent sounded stronger with the emotion in his heart.