CHAPTER NINE
Todd entered the kitchen with a surprised look. “Wow. You cooked? I didn’t think I had anything in the house that smelled this good.”
Clarice turned around and her breath caught in her throat. She’d never met a man that could wear clothes the way he could. The way they hung on his lean body should be against the law.
His taupe linen trousers were fashionably baggy with a draw string tie, as was the cream colored silk T-shirt. He was barefoot, and his long hair was wet, and combed straight back from his face. He looked exotic and dangerous, and sexy as hell.
She breathed in his cologne deeply. God, he always smelled so good. “You had some eggs, and cheese, so I made us omelets. I hope that’s okay?”
“Absolutely. I’m starving.” He gazed at her intently. “You know, don’t feel like you have to cook for me Clarice,” he remarked with a slight smile. He pulled out a chair and eased himself into it. His tiger-eyes tracked her every move as she nervously dished up two plates and set them on the table.
He stood up and pulled out her chair for her. Clarice sank down swallowing hard. A long, damp strand of his incredible hair brushed against her cheek. Her appetite fled as butterflies the size of fighter jets zoomed around her stomach. Having him this close to her in the silent house was intoxicating. He sat down and stared at her enigmatically. “I don’t feel that way. It…it was my pleasure. I enjoyed it,” she stammered.
He shrugged a little. “Okay.”
He picked up a fork and began eating. He ate quickly, and in a matter of minutes his plate was scraped clean. She watched in amazement. She barely took two bites, and he was already patting his mouth with the napkin, and dropping it next to his plate.
He looked at her. “Aren’t you going to eat?”
“Yes! I… are you still hungry?”
He thought about it for a minute. “No.”
He continued to stare at her. It was extremely unnerving. He had his forefinger underneath his chin and was rubbing his goatee absently. Clarice set her fork down. “I guess I wasn’t as hungry as I thought,” she murmured. She set her hands on her lap and twisted them together.
The silence stretched on unbearably. The tension was turned up another couple of notches. He looked like a coiled spring. Why did she get the feeling he’d jump out of his chair if she made a sudden move? His amber gaze was steady and unwavering, like he was trying to puzzle something out in his head.
She jumped slightly at the sound of his voice. “I’m going into the living room. I’m beat,” he said abruptly. “Leave the dishes, I’ll take care of them later. The food was delicious.” He scraped his chair back and left the room without a backward glance.
Her breath left her body in one sudden whoosh. He was so complicated. Would she ever be able to figure him out? She automatically began clearing the dishes. What else was she going to do? She was apprehensive, scared, and excited at the same time. The mere thought of him set her heart racing. God, she wanted him so badly. Should she make the first move? What if he thought she was easy? The only thing she did know was that there was no way she could spend any specific amount of time with him, without putting her hands on him. She was hot-blooded and passionate. Her heart beat rapidly.
Tonight.
Tonight she’d make a move.
She quietly walked into the living room. A fire was blazing in the fireplace, casting a golden glow over the room. Heavy, black rain clouds now obscured the sun, which briefly was out. She heard thunder growl in the distance. A storm was coming.
Todd was stretched out on the sofa, apparently asleep. She carefully removed her shoes and tiptoed over to him.
She knelt down and looked at him. His face was so beautiful in repose. The silky fans of his lashes brushed his against his cheeks innocently. His full mouth was softened and slightly apart. God, she thought in wonder. His chestnut hair was shimmering with golden highlights from the fire. It was spread out like the most beautiful of gossamer. She lightly ran her knuckle down the brown silk, trembling with desire.
It was too much. She gently and ever so delicately leaned down. She held her breath as she lightly kissed his lips, then his scar, running her tongue lovingly over it. Breathing softly over his face as she rained kisses over his lips, cheeks, eyebrows, and lids.
Pete was awake and alert. He knew the second she entered the room. He had his eyes closed and was laying perfectly still, thrilling at every kiss, the softness of her sweet tongue. It took every ounce of self-control that he had, not to pick her up and carry her to his bed, and make love to her all night long.
He didn’t want to spoil this for her. Or embarrass her in any way. He prayed she wouldn’t notice his erection. It was agony, and he never wanted it to end.
Never.
He came to a shocking realization. He was completely and utterly in love. For the very first time in his life. He loved her and would die for her in an instant. All he’d ever known in his life was rage and hatred. He knew the horrible things he had done. He raped, lied, stole, and destroyed.
But, now the hate he carried around was shrinking, and in its place was an all-consuming love for this woman. He made a vow right then and there. He would protect her to the end. No one, not Manning. Not anyone would ever hurt her. Or they’d have him to deal with.
Clarice sat back against her heels. She gently laid her head on his chest with her hand low on his stomach. She curled her legs under her and closed her eyes.
Pete barley breathed and waited until she was sleeping. Her smiled softly and ran his hands through her hair, resting his long fingers against the delicate flesh of her neck. “I love you,” he whispered passionately. Tears slid down his face and collected in his ears with a soft plop.
Todd slowly fell into a deep sleep and for the first time in years he had no nightmares.
Outside it began to rain violently. Peter Manning stared at the beautiful house with hatred and evil coursing through him like a poisonous virus. He was putting his plan into motion. Let them have tonight. It would make it all the better. Because, tomorrow he was going to destroy Todd right down to his soul.
And kill his ladylove.
CHAPTER TEN
The rain pelted against the window relentlessly, and ran in sheets down the glass. Faint flashes of thunder illuminated the darkened room like a strobe. Todd awakened with a jerk. He glanced at his watch. It was after six in the evening. He was totally amazed. He’d slept a solid nine hours! He could not remember when he slept so long and peacefully. He felt unfamiliar warmth on his chest. He looked down and smiled softly. Clarice had her head snuggled against him. Her hand was resting innocently on his lower belly. He basked in the intimacy of it.
Christ, she was lovely. He smoothed her hair back from her forehead with infinite care. He wanted to look his fill. He ran his fingers over her eyelashes, grinning when she made a tiny wrinkle with her nose. Her traced the shape of her lips, gently placing his finger between them.
She fluttered her eyes and slowly came awake. Her body stretched and she looked up at him groggily. She smiled sweetly and sighed his name. “Thomas.”
His heart skipped a couple of beats. She was gazing at him like he was the only man on earth for her. “Hi,” he whispered. He looked at her as she rotated her neck. “Come here,” he commanded with gentle concern. He made room for her on the couch. “Your poor neck, does it hurt?” He asked softly.
Clarice gratefully slid down next to him. It was warm from his body heat. She resisted the urge to squirm and burrow her body into the soft leather. She had her back to him. “Yes, a little,” she said breathlessly. “I guess I fell asleep on it wrong.”
He swept her hair from her neck and began rubbing it with slow circular motions. “That feel better, baby?” He whispered in her ear.
She began to tremble. A low vibration that radiated from the inside out. She couldn’t even speak. She nodded her head as a little moan escaped her.
Todd continued to rub her neck, more relaxed and content than he’d ever been in his life. This was it, he thought. This was the real thing.
Love.
He felt no fear, no apprehension, and no self-loathing. There wasn’t any worries of how he’d measure up as a man.
Of how he’d measure up as a lover.
She was trembling with longing. He knew it, he could feel it. I am making her feel this way, he thought in wonder. He wanted this to be the most beautiful experience of her life.
He knew with a certainty that she was his future. Whatever happened, this time there was no way he’d ever let love go. He’d been given a second chance at life and would spend the rest of their lives making her happy.
Pete turned her around so that they were face to face. “I want you, Clarice,” he breathed soulfully. “I’m not good with words, I never was. But please, please, let me show you how desirable I think you are.” He lowered his head to kiss the side of her neck, sucking lightly where her pulse beat like a small drum. He lifted his head and looked at her intensely. His eyes were golden and mesmerizing. “Of how erotic and sexy you are to me. And how you excite me.” He was breathing rapidly. Slow… slow it down. Don’t scare her.
“Yes,” she sighed. Her breath sounded like a breeze.
In one smooth move he rose from the couch, then bent down to lift her effortlessly. “I want you in my bed,” he said roughly.
He walked into his bedroom and slowly released her. Their bodies touched as she slid down him. He laced his fingers through her hair and kissed her. It was a deep, soul kiss. He slid his tongue lightly against hers and drew it in, softly sucking. He bit gently on her lower lip and pulled it through his teeth. His heart was racing in his chest. He released her. Pete turned and sat down on a chair in the bedroom.
“Take your clothes off for me, Clarice. I want the privilege of watching you undress. Will you do that?” He asked in soft, sexy whisper.
Clarice felt all the blood rush to her head in one fell swoop. This was, without a doubt, the single most erotic experience of her life. She was suddenly shy and nervous. She bit her trembling lip. "I want to,” she breathed. “I… I… just don’t want to disappoint you.” She laughed slightly as a tear slipped down her face.
He shook his head. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are to me? You won’t disappoint me, I promise you that.” He said it like an oath.
He leaned back with his hands stacked behind his head and gazed at her with such sexuality that Clarice blushed from her head down to her toes. His legs were spread apart, beautifully and arrogantly male. “I’m waiting,” he purred.
Grasping her courage she began. She slowly unbuttoned her sweater, exposing soft white skin little by little. She pulled it off her shoulders and let it fall to the ground. She went to remove her bra but he forestalled her.
“Not yet, baby. Take your jeans off,” he commanded in a sultry voice. His eyes shimmered with gold and green lights.
She swallowed. She was so close to orgasm she didn’t know how she could control herself. She unsnapped her jeans and slowly tugged the zipper down. The metallic sound was the only thing heard in the silent room. She slipped them off her feet and stood, clad only in her white silk panties and lacy bra. Todd’s eyes burned into hers. With feline grace, he rose walked to her. He kissed the hollow of her throat with his open mouth. “Now, the privilege will be all mine.”
He turned her around so that her back was to him. From this vantage point, Clarice could see the both of them in the full-length mirror across the room. Her eyes connected with his in the reflection.
Pete smiled, understanding her unspoken question. “Yes. I want you to watch me,” he whispered in a low, hoarse voice.
Clarice shuddered delicately with desire.
He unhooked the front of the bra slowly and let it fall to the floor. He lightly brushed the tips of his fingers over breasts until her nipples were hard, tight buds. She moaned a little and leaned her body into his.
He kept the light contact going until she was shaking violently. “Shh… it’s okay, angel. Be patient…”
He glided his palms down her stomach and brushed them across the front panel of her panties. Brushed her once, then again with his long, sensitive fingers. She arched her throat. “Please…” she begged.
Pete hooked his thumbs inside the elastic and pulled them off. He didn’t know how much longer he could stand this sweet agony. He turned her around and simply gazed at her loveliness. “Clarice,” he breathed in awe.
He didn’t deserve her. She was beyond anything he could have hoped or wished for. From this point on, he was going to do everything in his power to be the kind of man worthy of her. He slowly knelt in front her. He ran his hands up her legs and around her bottom. He leaned forward and kissed her. He looked up and smiled. “Just like I imagined,” he breathed.
He opened his mouth and softly and wetly slid his tongue over her pelvis and up her belly.
Clarice was barely able to stand. “Thomas, ohh…please,” she moaned. He rose slowly and swung her up in his arms kissing her deeply. He gently deposited her on his bed. Without taking his eyes off her, Todd rapidly took his clothes off. He slid the pants down his legs, and kicked them off. He yanked the silk shirt over his head. He stood over her in nothing but a pair black cotton briefs. His chest was rising and falling rapidly. Every woman he ever had a sexual experience with, flashed before him. None of them ever turned out the way he wanted. It seemed like they all had ulterior motives. Always wanting something from him, except his love. In school it was his popularity. In recent years it was his money and power. The hurt, anger and betrayal cut so deep. So deep, that he couldn’t trust or love or feel.
But not this time.
She was lovely and trusting, and pure of heart. And he wanted her. He slowly pulled down the briefs, until he was naked before her.
He stood tall and proud, flexing his arms slightly. He stared down at her clear-eyed. “I just want you to know Clarice, I’ll never be able to let you go. Do you understand that?”
She gazed up at him. He was exquisite. Lean, tall, and muscled. Beautifully sculpted and proportioned. His sex was heavy, and full, and ohh…. So desirable.
She loved him, for always and forever. “Yes,” she whispered like a vow.
He smiled and ran his hands through his hair. Pete lowered himself down next to her, and ran his hand lightly down her body. He began the dance again, kissing her deeply and passionately. He leaned down and ran his tongue over her pale, pink nipples then, drawing the whole bud in his mouth, began gently sucking. He glided his other hand down past her stomach and in between her thighs. He gently parted her and began to slowly, rhythmically circle that tiny sensitive hood of flesh. He ran his tongue over her nipple, matching the same delicious cadence.
Clarice arched and sighed his name softly. She, never in her life, had a lover as passionate as he. He was in total control of her, and was guiding her body to higher and higher levels of physical fulfillment. She didn’t know how much more she could take. She began making sexy little noises in the back of her throat. She was so close…. So close.
Todd looked up and smiled at her. “It’s okay baby, you’ve been so sweet, so patient, you’ll get there, I promise,” he whispered. He blazed a trail of moist open-mouthed kisses down the middle of her stomach. He blew gently on the silky, lush delta between her legs. He dipped his tongue into her and began the same erotic, maddeningly slow little circles.
Clarice clutched the pillow. She was about to explode into a thousand glittering pieces. She moaned frantically. “Ohhh, please, Thomas, please.” She arched her hips up helplessly.
Pete smiled slightly. She was ready. He stretched out on top of her until they were laying heartbeat to heartbeat. He stared deep into her eyes. “I want you to say the words to me,” he rasped passionately.
Clarice had tears in her eyes. “I want you inside me Thomas,” she breathed erotically.
Pete shut his eyes tightly and pressed his forehead into hers. How he loved her. He parted her legs with his knee and poised above her, staring intensely at her beautiful face as he entered her with one smooth thrust. With a trembling intake of breath he sighed. “Ohhh, sweetheart. You feel so good …so good. Please… don’t let it stop…don’t let it ever stop.”
Clarice wrapped her legs around him and kissed him with all the love and passion she had in her. They fell into the rhythm as old as Adam and Eve. Each of them complimenting the other. She ran her hands through his lovely hair, glorying in the feel of its silky texture. She pressed her mouth on the hollow of his throat and kissed him. Her breathing was out of control as she felt the pressure build and start to spill over.
“Yes, baby,” Todd, chanted erotically. “Come. I want to watch you come.” He held her head steady. He watched in wonder, she was so incredibly lovely. He bit his lip and forced himself to stay still inside her, but it was too much, he began moving and he moaned deeply. He came in a series of long shuddering spasms.
He rolled over so that she was on top of him. They gazed at each other spellbound. Each of them touching the other’s face in childlike wonder. Pete softly nipped at her finger as she traced his mouth. “Clarice, I want you to know that it’s never been like this with any other woman, ever.”
Her hands gently smoothed the hair away from his face. “Oh Thomas, I…it’s…I’ll never forget this night, not for as long as I live,” she whispered with tears in her eyes.
“As far as I’m concerned, this is the first time, here with you. I love you. I always will.”
Todd reached up and kissed her soulfully, that kiss told her in action, what he still could not yet say.
She smiled and said a little wickedly. “Now my beautiful one,” she paused to delicately lick the cinnamon colored disk of his nipple. She ran her tongue down the glossy line of hair on his flat stomach, and on down to the most tantalizing part of him. “I intend to repay you kiss for kiss, lick for lick….” And so the dance began again…..
