Defenseless

by Adrianne Byrd

  “Thank you. May I pay you the same compliment?”

  “Well, I was impressed,” Sharon teased.

  “Is that yours?” Bridget asked, pointing to Sonya’s gold coin around her neck.

  “Yes, it is. My sister gave it to me on my last birthday. Do you want to see it?”

  Bridget nodded and walked closer to get a better view. “It’s gorgeous. Where did she get it?”

  “She didn’t tell me. She knows that I love coins, so she got this for me.”

  “You do? I love collecting!” Bridget said, clutching her arm. Sonya laughed at her excitement. “Do you want to see my collection?”

  “I’d love to—”

  “After dinner,” Sharon interrupted. Bridget frowned but proceeded to finish setting the table.

  Sonya helped but kept noticing the worried look on Dwayne’s face. A couple of times, it seemed as though he wanted to say something but decided against it.

  After dinner, Sharon called a taxi to go to the airport. She had turned down Dwayne’s offer to drive, claiming she wanted him to rest. When Bridget offered to drive, she claimed that his heart couldn’t endure her driving.

  For the next hour, Sonya enjoyed looking through Bridget’s vast coin collection. “I can’t believe you actually love coin collecting,” Bridget said, handing Sonya another Aztec coin.

  “I don’t collect them. I just find them intriguing. This one’s pretty,” Sonya said, picking up one of her coins.

  “Oh, my boyfriend got me that one.”

  “Boyfriend?” Sonya asked teasingly.

  “Well, he’s kinda my boyfriend, but don’t tell Daddy.”

  “Your father doesn’t approve of him?”

  Bridget leaned back on her bed. “My father believes I’m too young to have a boyfriend.”

  “And what do you think?”

  Bridget shrugged her shoulders. “All my friends date.”

  Sonya shook her head. “That’s not what I asked you. What do you think about having a boyfriend at your age? Don’t think about what your friends are doing. They’re probably going along with the crowd, too.”

  “I don’t think that I’m too young. Women in earlier times were getting married at thirteen.”

  “Ah, you like history.”

  Bridget nodded her head as if she hadn’t realized she enjoyed the subject.

  “But that still doesn’t answer the question. Women in those times didn’t have a choice. You do.”

  Bridget looked at Sonya strangely. “I like boys.”

  “More than yourself?”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Tell me—what do you want out of life?”

  Bridget sighed. “I don’t think I’m up for another ‘What do you want to be?’ speech.”

  “Do you want to talk about it after you’re grown and wondering where you went wrong?” Sonya covered Bridget’s hand with hers. “Just remember, when you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

  Bridget was silent for a moment. “I want to do something dealing with coins.”

  “Have you gone to the library to see what career options there are in that field?” When Bridget shook her head, Sonya said, “Then I suggest we do that first thing Monday.”

  Bridget smiled. “You don’t think that it’s a stupid career choice?”

  “It doesn’t matter what I think. You have to find gratification within yourself. Worry about men and marriage later—I’m sure it will come in time.”

  Dwayne smiled beside his daughter’s closed door. He was grateful Sonya could do what he couldn’t. He had tried to explain self-love to Bridget. Maybe what Bridget needed was another woman to talk to. He also saw a change in Sonya. She seemed more relaxed around Bridget.

  He recalled her singing along with him in the kitchen and laughed quietly to himself. There was a playful side to her. That was the side he wished to see more of. He left the women alone and went back downstairs. Sonya and Bridget returned and washed the dishes together. That was an amazing feat. Bridget didn’t like doing chores, but around Sonya, he noticed, she didn’t seem to mind.

  Dwayne turned down the lights and played his favorite jazz station. He wanted to relax, and jazz had a way of doing that for him. He pulled the small plastic bag from his pocket and stared at it. What was he going to do now?

  “Daddy?” Bridget appeared from around the corner.

  “Oh, come on in, Bridget.”

  Bridget walked in slowly. “I want to ask a favor.”

  “I can tell. What can I do for my favorite daughter?”

  “I’m your only daughter,” Bridget said simply.

  “So you are. What can I do for you?”

  “I know that this is your homecoming, and that I’m on restriction, but I was hoping that I could go over to Sylvia’s house. She leaves tomorrow to go to her grandparents’ house in Tennessee for the summer.”

  Dwayne smiled. “Okay, I’ll let you go this time.”

  Bridget threw her arms around her father and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “Thank you, Daddy.”

  Dwayne shook his head as he watched his daughter race out of the living room. Within minutes, she had a small bag packed.

  “I’ll be back first thing in the morning. Sylvia’s flight is at eight o’clock.”

  Dwayne nodded his head and waved to his daughter. He felt good for giving in to her this time.

  “Dwayne?” Sonya asked, peering around the corner. “There you are. Mind if I join you?”

  Dwayne grinned. “Of course I don’t mind. Please have a seat.” He watched her move slowly to the recliner chair across from him.

  “I wanted to thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For everything. I can’t begin to tell you how guilty I feel about everything that I’ve put you through. I mean, putting your sister in danger, and then your car accident. And still you invite me into your house. You have a beautiful home and a wonderful daughter.”

  “Thank you. She seems to like you.”

  “I like her.”

  “You mustn’t feel guilty for anything. It’s not your fault that any of this happened. You’re as much a victim as the rest of us.”

  Sonya wiped away a stray tear. “I can’t stay here forever, Dwayne. Eventually I’ll have to come out of hiding and get on with my life.”

  Dwayne squeezed the plastic bag tighter. Should I tell her who may be responsible for this? “Will you give me the chance to find out who’s doing all of this?”

  She shook her head. “You’re a lawyer, not a superhero, remember?”

  “So you heard that, did you?”

  “Who didn’t? You could hear her halfway down the hallway.” Sonya’s face grew serious. “Are you involved with Carmen?”

  Dwayne lifted a startled brow. “Do I dare hope there’s jealousy in your voice?” Sonya squared her shoulders, and Dwayne held up his hands in surrender. “No.”

  “Oh,” was her soft response.

  “You sound disappointed.”

  “Does she know that?”

  “Know what?” he looked at her, confused.

  “Nothing. I don’t know why I brought it up.” She stood to leave, but Dwayne stood also.

  “Don’t leave,” his voice pleaded.

  Sonya felt her legs tremble beneath her. She didn’t know why she cared whether or not this man slept with his secretary. When she turned back to him, she felt a deep longing stir within her. He had a way of looking at her that made her feel as if she were the most beautiful woman in the world. She couldn’t turn away now if she wanted to.

  She watched, hypnotized, as Dwayne walked closer to her. He closed the distance between them. “I’m glad you brought it up.” His hand reached out to stroke her cheek tenderly.

  His touch was doing wondrous things to her body as she moved closer. His breath caressed her face. Her head felt dizzy as he leaned closer. His hands laced through her loose curls as he cradled her head closer. His lips touched hers softly at first,
in a tantalizing butterfly kiss. If there was a token of resistance, it faded beneath his gentle persuasion. She felt herself losing all sense of reality, yet her senses seemed infinitely sharper. Sparks ignited within her causing her to return the kiss with as much fever and passion as he gave.

  “I waited so long for this,” Dwayne whispered against her ear. A wave of pleasure rippled across her skin. She wanted to get closer. She tugged at the tiny buttons of his shirt but sent most of them sprawling across the floor.

  His lips brushed across her earlobe, turning her passion into an inferno. Her hands glided across the hard contours of his chest, enjoying the feel of his firm muscles. When her hand paused above his heart, she felt it beating as fast as her own.

  Sonya’s breath locked in her throat as his mouth skimmed hot and open along her neck. She tilted her head higher, allowing him to rain kisses across her throat. She trembled and moaned in irrepressible hunger. She couldn’t think and wasn’t sure that she wanted to. She didn’t want to stop the blissful rapture that threatened to leave her paralyzed.

  The sensual assault of his lips made her feel wanton, made her skin tingle with the hot flush of desire. She closed her eyes helplessly, her body trembling. Dwayne’s fiery lips caused her to whisper his name repeatedly until his mouth silenced her words.

  She had discovered the taste of heaven. The devastating effect of his embrace was like nothing she had ever experienced. Her entire body tingled with anticipation, her skin sizzled from his touch. His fragrance wrapped itself around her senses, and she lost herself to the feel and taste of him. She laced her slender arms around his neck and brought his head even closer.

  Dwayne slid both straps of her dress down her shoulders, then bent lower to trail kisses along her shoulder, setting fires that nearly consumed her.

  Dwayne’s hands glided up the middle of her back, pressing her even tighter against the hard, muscled length of him. Her skin felt like satin between his fingers. Her lips tasted like fine wine, and he was drunk from their potency. Her lips teased his earlobe, and a rush of warmth raged within him. Her hand roamed down his back and proceeded to travel even lower. This time it was he who moaned in undeniable pleasure. His shirt slid soundlessly to the floor. Unable to bear this sweet torture, he swept her light form into his arms and proceeded to carry her up the stairs.

  Chapter 17

  Dwayne laid Sonya against the firm mattress. He pulled his lips away to gaze into her passion-filled eyes. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. When his lips returned, he heard a weak moan tumble from Sonya’s lips. With skillful hands, he peeled Sonya’s dress from her body.

  Sonya’s hands fumbled with Dwayne’s pants.

  “Here, let me,” he offered. In a flash, he stripped off the rest of his clothes. “Your turn,” he said seductively.

  Sonya reached behind her and unfastened her bra. Dwayne drew in an audible gasp as he stared at her beautiful breasts. Sonya slid off the rest of her clothes and gazed at him.

  Passion ate at Dwayne’s soul when his eyes traced the curves of satin flesh that reminded him of a forbidden goddess. His hands moved to inspect what his gaze so hungrily devoured. The exquisite feel of her chipped at his sanity, making him want her more.

  Sonya felt branded by a fire that burned from within. Another path of fire scalded her flesh as his caress roamed over her abdomen and descended lower. She felt dizzy from the sensations that pulsated through her as he aroused each sensitive point on her body. It seemed he had more than two hands as his fingertips kneaded her breast and strayed to her hips. She pressed closer to meet his ardent caresses. The sensations were indescribable as an ache of desire caused her to whimper.

  Sonya gently twisted away, yearning to touch him as familiarly as he touched her. She wanted to satisfy her own curiosity of her Adonis. She combed her hands through the short crop of his hair, then brushed over the broad expanse of his chest to feel the beat of his heart beneath his palms.

  Her eyes followed her curious touch, memorizing every inch of his sleek, muscular body, claiming it as her own. Dwayne sucked in his breath at the wondrous feelings he was experiencing. When their lips touched, Sonya felt certain she had surrendered her soul as she melted against him.

  Dwayne heard the echo of his own sigh as she whispered his name against his ear. He moved above her, his body trembling with a fierce passion. He wanted to devour her and appease the tormenting craving her touch had stirred.

  Sonya curled her arms over his shoulders and, unashamed, peered into his smoldering gray eyes. She saw a reflection of her own chaotic emotions.

  “Sonya…” Her name tumbled from his lips as he pressed boldly against her. His mouth moved on hers in a silent request to lose herself to him. His arms tightened around her.

  Sonya drifted along clouds of ecstasy as she surrendered to the feelings he stirred within her. It took her a moment to realize that they were not perched on lofty clouds, but were swaying to the rhythm of their own heartbeats.

  His hand captured a firm breast, then his lips abandoned hers to circle the tanned peak. A quiet moan tumbled free as a blistering heat wave swept across her flesh. Her own caresses grew bold as she lowered her hand below his abdomen.

  Dwayne gasped. “God, woman, you are driving me mad,” he whispered.

  Sonya discovered every inch of his body, teasing and taunting him until he groaned in torment. Her lips flicked his hard nipple and then descended across his belly. Her inquiring hands fanned across his chest and then followed in the wake of her kisses until she had touched and tasted all of him.

  Dwayne’s heart thundered furiously, and his lungs seemed inoperable. He couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t think, he could only respond to the rapturous hunger spurting through his body.

  Rapture that defied reason gripped him as she continued to explore the sensitive points of his body. He shuddered and felt ready to explode if he couldn’t bury himself in her soon. He was oblivious to everything but the maddening urge to end this wild torture by plunging into the blaze.

  Sonya cried out as he lunged into her. Pain ripped through her, and she gasped for breath. She had forgotten there would be pain.

  “Oh God!” Dwayne pulled away.

  Sonya’s eyes glazed with unshed tears as she gently pulled his head back to meet her hungry kiss. She wanted, needed, for him to continue. “Please,” she whispered, urging him on.

  This time, he entered slowly. Her arms slid around his back as she dug her fingernails into his skin. He thrust toward her and then withdrew, letting her adjust to the experience of accepting a man. It was with deliberate effort that Dwayne kept from ravishing her. He would not hurt her, he told himself repeatedly. But soon he found himself driving toward her, clutching her closer as a wild, budding pleasure gripped him.

  She drew him to her as her nails dug deeper into the taut muscles of his back. And then she was soaring, reveling in the rapturous feeling that took her higher and higher. They were one, body and soul.

  Forgetting his vow to be gentle, his muscles flexed as he raised her from the bed to meet his hard, driving thrusts. He was blind with passion and trembling with desire.

  Sonya felt her soul draining from her body as he moved within her, claiming her as more than just his possession. She was shaky, breathless, seeking some distant, compulsive sensation that waited just beyond her grasp. She strained against him to appease this unfamiliar craving that left her trembling.

  A strange, satisfying wave seemed to blossom somewhere in the dark depths of her soul, vibrating through her entire body until she was consumed by its magical, splendorous pleasure. Ecstasy ran through her veins, leaving her oblivious to all except this overwhelming sense of fulfillment.

  Tears of pleasure rolled down her cheeks as he buried his head against her shoulder. He groaned as his passion spilled into her, leaving him drained of strength. His soul had abandoned him, leaving nothing more than an empty shell that was devoid of all emotion. Just as he thought this wondrous world
had ended, she placed a tender kiss on his forehead, restoring much of his strength.

  Dwayne propped his forearms on either side of her and held her head in his hands, keeping her face tilted toward him. “Mine,” he whispered, capturing her lips. Sonya snuggled against him and felt his claim to be true. She had no memory of what followed next as sleep quickly descended upon her.

  Sonya woke to the rich smell of coffee brewing from downstairs. She stretched lazily against Dwayne while smiling her contentment. “Morning, sleepyhead,” Dwayne’s seductive voice greeted her.

  She turned over to face him and smiled. “Good morning.”

  “Now that’s how a woman is supposed to greet a man in the morning, not with flying fists,” Dwayne teased.

  Sonya laughed. “Okay, I deserved that.”

  “You deserved a lot more than that.” Dwayne bent his head and kissed her passionately. When he pulled away, he saw her eyes sparkled with mischief.

  “Now that’s how a man is supposed to greet a woman in the morning, not with useless talk.”

  Dwayne laughed and hugged her closer to him. “Maybe we should join Bridget downstairs. I smell her famous coffee brewing. She must have made it home already.”

  Sonya pulled away from his embrace. “Do you think she knows?”

  “Not much gets past Bridget, I’m sorry to say. I have to figure out the best way to handle this sticky situation,” Dwayne reflected, shaking his head. “After that recent talk we had, I feel like a hypocrite. Are you uncomfortable with this?”

  Sonya’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. Things were happening too fast. She went from not wanting to depend on any man to wanting to please this man. Is this how most women felt? Is this where many women went wrong?

  “Don’t do this, Sonya,” Dwayne warned, interrupting her thoughts.

  “Don’t do what?” She pretended innocence.

  “Don’t put up that wall. I feel you doing it.”

  “I don’t know how I feel about anything anymore. Almost overnight my world has changed. I don’t know how I feel about Bridget knowing about us. I don’t even know how I feel about it. It’s all so new to me.”