Without Saying a Word

by Amanda Ward

  Rhean put down the covered dish and put his arms on Laura’s shoulders.

  “This is not my home, Laura, it’s our home. If you feel awkward, look on it as a rented villa.” She could tell Rhean tried hard to make her feel comfortable. A slight smile touched her lips. Hugging her tightly, Rhean kissed her on the top of her head. Laura leaned into his embrace, loving the feel of her husband’s body against hers

  After they’d eaten, they sat outside snuggled up together on one of the loungers beside the pool. Rhean let out a sound of satisfaction.

  “Great food, great company and sunshine. What more could a man want?” he asked.

  “Cup of tea?” Laura quipped, snuggling against his wide, furred chest. She felt him laugh beneath her ear.

  “Was that a hint?” he asked.

  Laura shook her head. “Just teasing,” she replied. “I cannot believe we are here in the sun and the warm, while back home it’s snowing. Thank you.” Laura turned ʼround in Rhean’s arms.

  “What for?” he asked, drawing her closer. Laura’s lips were so close, Rhean ached to touch them.

  “Bringing me here,” she replied softly. “Rhean?”

  “Mmhmm?”

  “You said that you would tell me the reason for your virginity,” she reminded him.

  ****

  Rhean’s head shot up. His gaze came to rest on her questioning eyes. He knew that one day he would have to tell her, and it appeared that today was the day.

  After pouring himself a drink, Rhean swallowed the contents down, needing Dutch courage.

  “I did, didn’t I? Well, here goes.” His faint smile held a hint of sadness. “You know my younger brother Percy?” Seeing Laura nod her head, Rhean continued. “Well, my brother has several children, all with different women.” Rhean raked his hands through his damp hair, then sat down, spreading his knees and resting his arms on them. “Anyway, when I was sixteen, there was a rumor going around the village that Percy had gotten a local girl pregnant. It was true, and because Percy hadn’t been careful, he contracted syphilis and gave it not only to his girlfriend, but to the baby as well. He was fifteen, for Christ’s sake.” Rhean’s voice broke off, and he raised his face towards the sky, his eyes glimmering with tears.

  “When the girl went into the hospital for routine blood tests, they rang my parents to get Percy in and be tested. A few weeks later, we found out about the syphilis. Both Percy and his girlfriend were treated. It was too late for the baby, though. At a routine scan, they found she had died. It was then that I made a vow to myself that I would save myself for marriage.”

  “Bloody hell!” Laura gasped. “Did Percy’s girlfriend recover?”

  “In a way. My parents sorted out a new life for them abroad. Unfortunately, it didn’t stop Percy ´Pants-down,ʼ” Rhean said bitterly. “He boasted that the ladies loved his blond hair and azure eyes, and the pleasure he brought to their bodies. The little twat couldn’t even keep his dick zipped in his pants when I brought a girl home from Uni. He had to have her too.” Rhean sighed in despair. He needed to hold Laura, to know that she was real. He gathered her into his arms. “So now you know the awful truth,” he whispered against her soft fragrant hair.

  “Where’s Percy now?”

  “Australia, and he’s up to his bollocks in trouble by getting caught having a fling with a prominent member of the Australian hierarchy. Stupid little arse will never learn,” Rhean finished resignedly. Tilting Laura’s face towards his, he covered her mouth. Seeking comfort and reassurance, his lips and tongue moved purposefully over hers, rousing her passion as his grew stronger, losing himself in her taste and heady scent until Laura broke away yawning.

  “I am so sorry,” she said, sounding mortified.

  Rhean cuddled her close. “That’s okay honey; it’s been a long day for you.”

  Laura nodded.

  “Why don’t you go and have a doze for a while? I’ll wake you before it gets too late,” Rhean told her. “There’s a daybed in the living room or you can use our bed.”

  Laura stood up and yawned again, stretching her arms high above her.

  “That sounds like a great idea,” she said and walked into the villa.

  ****

  Laura went into their bedroom, and sat down on the huge bed. It was so soft and comforting, she lay down and despite the warmth in the air, pulled Rhean’s quilt over her. Tired from all the traveling, Laura fell deep asleep.

  The light was waning when Laura awoke. She stretched, feeling the kinks and aches of the past few days leave her body. Looking at the time, she winced when the clock said half past seven.

  “Eeek,” she thought. Laura rose and walked into the bathroom. After washing her face and hands, she walked through the villa, enjoying the quietness. She had a peek in the other bedrooms which were smaller. They were none the less beautifully decorated and furnished. Each bed had a bright quilt on it. She looked in the study hoping to see Rhean. It was empty. Laura decided to make a drink and find her husband, wondering if he’d left a note.

  In the kitchen, Laura put the kettle on and hunted around for mugs and tea bags. Eventually finding them, she put some biscuits on a tray. After making the tea she took the tray into the living room and placed it on the large table between the sofas. That’s when she heard a slap, slap, slap sound outside. A cool breeze blew across Laura’s face as she walked towards the poolside. When she saw movements in the water, her breath caught in her throat at the sight that greeted her.

  ****

  Rhean was swimming laps in the pool. He loved the feel of the water against his skin and the exercise helped burn off excess energy. The villa was the one place where he could relax and recharge his batteries. It also took his mind off his wife sleeping in their bedroom. As he turned in the water to make another lap, he felt eyes on him. Stopping, he trod water and saw his wife, still dressed in the swimsuit and sarong, her heated gaze on him. Rhean smiled, swum over to the steps and stood up.

  ****

  Laura saw Poseidon in the flesh as Rhean stood up and let the water stream off his muscled body. Droplets clung to his chest hair and nipples. He was nude and gloriously erect, his hardness pointed toward her, beckoning Laura, enticing her, tempting her. Rhean held out a hand toward her and taking courage in both hands, she looked at him. Her green eyes sparkled with passion, and she slowly drew off her swimming costume, leaving herself bare to his midnight blue gaze. The hungry look he gave her spoke volumes and made her nipples peak in anticipation.

  She stepped into the water, taking hold of Rhean’s hand and steadied herself as the warmth flowed around her feet. Never taking her eyes away from her husband’s, Laura reached out and touched his chest. She loved the way the hair felt under her fingers and she curled her fingers around it and pulled gently.

  ****

  The caress was Rhean’s undoing. He speared his fingers in Laura’s hair, pulling her mouth up to his. He plundered her mouth with all the pent-up passion he felt for her. Thrilled with her response to him, he stroked her tongue with his. Laura moaned out loud as Rhean’s hand moved upward to her breast, gently pinching the hardened nipple. Flooded with desire for her, Rhean’s mouth and hands moved over and around her naked body, squeezing her buttocks and pulling her onto his hard shaft, impatient to be inside her warmth once again. She tilted her head back, exposing her throat. Rhean’s mouth settled there, nibbling, as he drew Laura deeper into the water, her breasts undulating in time to the ripples. Her nipples begged to be kissed and suckled. Rhean’s mouth moved lower, pulling one deep inside. He licked and suckled gently, creating a suction that pulled at the hard tip. The water surrounding them heightened their intimacy.

  Laura’s lifted her legs around Rhean’s middle. His erection probed at her entrance. She tried to put him inside her, but Rhean shook his head.

  “Not yet,” he whispered and plundered her mouth again. Moving in sync, they floated back toward the steps. Her buttocks settled against a step as her thighs splayed
open exposing her secrets to his heated gaze. After kissing her deeply, Rhean moved down her body, lapping the water from it. He settled between her legs and Laura cried out his name, as his mouth covered her. He touched her clitoris with his tongue, and nibbled gently with his teeth, his fingers combing through the honey-colored curls just above the quivering button. Laura’s fingers clenched in the wet curls on his head. Rhean’s tongue moved slowly down the wet slit, moving in and out, then going back to her clitoris and suckling on it. Over and over again his tongue moved, loving the sweet honeyed taste of her on his lips, drowning himself in her pleasure. He felt Laura undulate wildly under his tongue, encouraging him to move faster and deeper inside her body. About to explode, Rhean moved up Laura’s body and forcibly thrust his tongue inside her mouth, letting her taste her own juices.

  “Turn around,” Rhean whispered, wanting to try their loving a new way. Laura’s bottom brushed his shaft as she leaned over, exposing herself fully to his heated gaze. Her breasts bobbed up and down as the pool water moved around her. Rhean could not wait any longer. His body screamed for fulfillment and he needed to be deep inside his wife, be one with her.

  Rhean moved over and inside her. Feeling her tight, warm, moist channel envelop him he groaned out loud with pleasure as her body tightened around him. Reaching over he touched her clitoris gently and they rocked together as the water lapped around them. Laura pressed harder against his hard thighs taking more of his length deep inside. Rhean’s body needed release. His scrotum tightened underneath and he started thrusting deeply and purposefully, slowly at first, and then faster. His beloved wife meeting each one and loving the way he felt inside her. The water lapped around them faster. Rhean stroked her clitoris again and he could feel the contractions around him squeezing him tight as she reached orgasm. Crying out in pleasure, Laura called his name and as she did so, it triggered Rhean’s. His orgasm hit him, and he released himself deep inside her groaning her name out loud. Their breathing slowed, as she turned around holding Rhean close. The water cooled their heated bodies. Releasing a breath she kissed Rhean gently on the lips

  “Well, hmm. I think the tea might be cold by now,” she giggled as he gathered her close to him.

  “In that case,” Rhean said on a whisper, “why don’t we have it in bed?” Scooping her up into his strong muscular arms, the water streaming off her, Rhean carried her into the bedroom.

  The next two weeks sped by as Rhean and Laura loved, ate and swam. They explored the island in the car, visited small churches and tiny villages. In Valletta, Laura drank in the beauty of Titan’s Beheading of John the Baptist in the stunning and ethereal Co Cathedral of St. John. Later on they went on a boat trip around the bay followed by a visit to a spa. They arrived back in England refreshed, relaxed and tanned. Laura’s panic attacks had not made an emergence since she married Rhean, and she hoped that they had gone for good.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Christmas and New Year’s were spent for in a haze of newly-wedded bliss. Laura was busy with the children and Rhean spent extra time catching up with issues at the school. They spent the holiday with both sets of parents at the grange, and plans were drawn up for the imminent move to Park House on the estate.

  The move went smoothly. It helped to have Maire work with her to ensure the transition. The children loved their new rooms. Tubs took up permanent residence on a seat in a window that caught the early morning light to perfection. Park House really was perfect for the family. It was spacious yet cozy. The double-fronted house had six bedrooms, a large living room and a huge kitchen. There was also a formal reception area and two smaller rooms. Rhean and Laura turned them into an office for them and a homework room for the children. The separate dining room was the icing on the cake, as far as Laura was concerned. She insisted on having dinner together as a family, so they could talk and eat without interruptions. Putting the house together the way Laura wanted it tired her, and by late January the last of the boxes was finally thrown away. Looking outside at the long expanse of lawn, Laura gave a sigh of relief.

  She’d felt rather out of sorts for the past week or so. Her moods had been up and down and she was snappy with the children. She needed to make an appointment to see the doctor about her anxiety attacks, and was just about to make the call, when a rush of sickness racked her body. She just about made it to the toilet before emptying the contents of her stomach. After rinsing her mouth out, Laura winced at the dreadful metallic taste.

  Ah crap, not this, Laura thought with fearful clarity. She recognized the symptoms, and, after swearing to herself, she sat on the toilet and waited for her stomach to settle down. She was pregnant. It wasn’t that she didn’t want the baby—she did. It was just that, Laura knew from experience, that the first three months were rough. Of all the symptoms, the taste in her mouth was the worst. Her hand went immediately to her abdomen as if to cradle the new life there. Laura rang the surgery and was able to get an appointment for that afternoon.

  ****

  At the school, Rhean was in his office when his intercom buzzed.

  “Rhean, your father’s here to see you,” Julie, his secretary informed him.

  Wondering what could prompt a visit from his dad, Rhean asked Julie to send him in.

  He stood up and waited to greet him. Hugo strode purposefully into the office. He wore cords, a thick cream jumper and heavy walking boots. Holding his coat over his arm, Hugo hugged Rhean warmly. They sat down next to each other in front of the large mahogany desk.

  “Unexpected pleasure Dad,” Rhean said, surprised to see him.

  Hugo sat up straight in his chair.

  “Not really a pleasure visit Rhean,” Hugo told him. “I’ve got some news about that ex-husband of Laura’s and her sister,” he said gravely.

  “What about them?” Rhean asked, concerned.

  “I had a phone call from Laura’s dad the other day. Apparently Max has been in contact asking if they’ve heard from Nicki.” Hugo shook his head. “In a nutshell, Nicki lost the baby and she’s had a breakdown. Then, just after the New Year, she disappeared.”

  Rhean ran his hands down his face.”Shit,” he swore under his breath. “So what’s being done to find her?”

  “They think she may be here, in the village. Apparently, Max contacted Paul and Sophia since she left. He’s worried about her state of mind.”

  “Yeah right,” Rhea growled.

  Hugo looked at him.

  “Rhean, is there something you aren’t telling me?” he asked in a steely voice.

  “Oh come on, Dad. You know what Max is like. He couldn’t look after a wife if someone paid him. He broke Laura’s ribs, and abused her mentally.” Rhean stood up. He was scared for his family. Looking at his dad, he could see Hugo wasn’t shocked by what he said. Then it twigged. “You knew about all this didn’t you?” he asked.

  Hugo nodded. “Of course. Remember the research you asked me to do before the wedding?” Rhean nodded. “Well it was all in the court order I read. But Rhean, there is something you should try and understand—Max served his time. He got help, and from what I found out, he’s been keeping his nose clean ever since,” Hugo explained.

  “So, what’s the situation as it stands now, Dad?″ he asked, upset and angry.

  “Well first, you offer me a cup of coffee and then we talk about all this without you flying off the handle.” Hugo’s words reproached him.

  Rhean asked Julie to bring coffee through for himself and his father. When Julie brought the drinks in, he asked her if he had any appointments for the next hour.

  “Not as far as I can see. I think you were supposed to write a few financial reports and sort out a couple of maternity leave documents. I think that’s all,” his secretary told him.

  “Thanks, Julie,” Rhean said. He and his dad sat at the conference table in the corner of his office. After a sip of coffee, Rhean swallowed slowly as the hot liquid slid down his throat.

  “Okay, Dad. What do we do?” Rhean
asked, needing his dad’s legal expertise.

  “Right. First thing to do is to find Nicki. I spoke to Sophia earlier. She has it in her mind that Nicki is determined to have her sister’s children, and will stoop to any means possible,” Hugo said. “At the end of the day though, she has no legal right to them and hasn’t got a leg to stand on. Any attempt to gain access to the children via the courts will be a no-brainer. Any documents, if they get filed, will be thrown out.”

  “Okay and Max?” Rhean asked. “Do you know what his stand is on all this?”

  Hugo shook his head. “No I don’t. Sophia told me that Max left to find Nicki. I would hazard a guess and say they are headed here. The good news is that the town is small enough for any stranger to be noticeable.” Hugo drained his cup and stood up.

  “I’ll keep an eye on things at the grange, and also ask around.” Hugo smiled. “Being Earl of the town does have its advantages around here,” he told his son with a wry grin.

  Rhean stood up and hugged his dad. “Do you think Nicki will harm them at all?” he asked.

  “No, her way is to try and manipulate them. I don’t think she would hurt them. I’m doing all I can, Rhean, so you need to keep a cool head, please, son,” Hugo instructed, “Oh and by the way, if you have any news for us about a new addition to the family, your mother would be over the moon.”

  “Dad?” Rhean asked, rather befuddled by his father’s statement.

  “The pool at the villa sure is a romantic spot,” Hugo said with a smile. “Where do you think all of you were conceived?” He laughed at the expression on his son’s face.

  “Oh Dad, that’s just not….” Rhean was shocked at the news his father implied. “Anyway, you will be the first to know if Laura is pregnant—after me of course,” he said with a chuckle. “What do you know that I don’t?” he asked, wondering what made his dad say it.

  “You know your mother. She mentioned that Laura had been moody and tetchy lately, and that she recognizes the signs,” Hugo told his son as he sat down.