Authors: Pamela Yaye
From a distance she heard the moan, not knowing if it came from her or Adam. Their bodies twined together, each fighting for the brass ring, identical need grasping for the golden key. Finally, Teddy heard her own voice as her climax began and ended in a scream of release.
Chapter 5
A
dam rolled on his back, breathing hard. He pulled Teddy into his side and held her there, his legs entwined with hers. He didn't want to let her go. What had just happened to him? They hadn't taken the time to pull the covers down, but the bed still looked as if a war had taken place. The cover was bunched under him, although most of it had spilled to the floor. Blood throbbed in his head, yet he felt euphoric. He'd never made love like he and Teddy had just done. It was as if he was another person with her. He wanted to please her more than he ever wanted to please anyone. His own satisfaction wasn't as important to him as hers was. That had never happened before.
And he hadn't wanted to stop. He'd have gone on and on if he could, if they could. Adam ran his hand over her naked shoulder and arm. She was warm and smooth and she felt so right in his arms. The room had that electric smell of love. Adam took a deep breath, filling his lungs with their comingled scent, wishing he could capture it and save it, be able to take it out and relive this moment.
“What are you thinking?” Teddy asked. Her voice was deeper than usual, sexy in the dark, filled with satisfaction and something he couldn't define.
Adam turned to her and pushed her hair off her forehead. He kissed her lightly there, then worked his way to her lips, each kiss a thank-you for what she'd given him. Even if she was unaware of what she'd done, he thanked her.
“I was thinking that I've never felt anything like I did tonight.” It was an unguarded comment. He'd never have said it in the past, but for some reason he wanted to tell her the unvarnished truth. They had been truthful with each other from the first. From the moment they met on the blind date, both had said exactly what was on their minds. Adam liked that about her.
“I felt the same way,” Teddy whispered. She snugged against him. His body was cooling and he could feel the air. Teddy must be getting cold, too. Adam reached for the part of the comforter that lay on the floor and pulled it over the two of them. Like curling in a rug, they had to get closer to each other. Teddy's arm went around his waist and her body touched his from breast to his knee. Without volition he began to respond. His erection grew hard again. He wanted her again. And he wanted her now.
Pushing her back into the mattress, Adam kissed her hard. His legs covered hers and his hands trailed up and down her body, touching her skin, learning her curves, learning the zones that gave her pleasure. Because he wanted to give her pleasure. He wanted her to feel good. He wanted that more than he wanted his own gratification.
He mounted her, his body joining smoothly with hers as if they had been lovers all their lives. Adam couldn't stop the movements that seemed to come from somewhere deep inside him. Every brush of their legs together caused friction that ignited him more. He wanted to take it slower this time, but it felt like the first time. He couldn't stop the momentum that had him filling Teddy to the hilt time and again.
He heard her female sounds, listened for the pleasurable noises she made. Those sounds drove him, forced him to push harder, faster, but not over the limit. Adam waited. He needed her to join him, be with him in the frenzy of movements that would satisfy them both.
He felt it as Teddy moved. Together they convulsed, joining and separating, taking on the rhythm of their own, giving, taking, moving, writhing, learning each other. Taking the greatest pleasure on earth.
Then it happened. Adam couldn't hold back any longer. He felt Teddy climbing with him, the two of them entering that singular place that was theirs alone, the place where they burst through time and where everything was suspended. A place where their rapture had substance and the world was theirs.
Adam held her there for as long as he could. Eons passed as his body was racked with wrenching excitement. A shocking torrent of emotion thundered through him until he thought he'd explode. Then he dropped back to earth, landing on a soft cloud. For the second time tonight, his breath came in ragged gulps. He was weak like a toddler spent from a full day of playing in the sun and sand.
And he never felt better in his life.
* * *
An insistent buzz woke Teddy. She ignored it, hoping it would stop. It came again and again. Groaning, she opened one eye. Hair obscured her view. Pushing it out of her face, she groped for her cell phone. On her first attempt, she missed, pushing the device farther away.
“Damn,” she cursed. Whoever it was should call back, she thought. Glancing at the clock, it was only six o'clock. Who would be calling her this early?
Then she remembered Adam. Quickly turning over, her hand slapped the phone to the floor. The phone continued its persistence, and she expected to find Adam lying next to her. The bed was empty.
The buzz stopped.
Teddy ran a hand through her hair, sighing heavily. Disappointment flowed through her. The pillow and sheets were rumpled; he'd straightened them because their bedroom gymnastics had worked them off the bed. The night had been indescribable. But this was morning. A new day. Fantasy over. Time to return to reality.
The phone buzzed again. Teddy groaned, more at Adam being gone than the phone.
Maybe it was him, she thought and picked up the device.
“You are there,” her mother said. “I thought you might have your phone off.”
“Mother?” Teddy questioned, as if she didn't recognize her mother's voice.
“Of course, dear. Did I wake you?”
Teddy's mother was very active. She played tennis three mornings a week at seven o'clock. The other two mornings she swam laps in the pool at the local health club. She could swim in the university pool where she worked as an economics professor. They could also afford to have a pool in their yard, but Gemma Granville was a socializer and she met more people if she left the house than if she stayed in it.
“You were asleep. I'm sorry I woke you. I wanted to know how it went with Adam last night.”
Teddy's entire blood supply bubbled to the surface, turning her red with embarrassment. She couldn't answer that question, at least not with the truth.
“What do you mean?” She stalled.
“You two were very close-headed when you left the restaurant.”
“Close-headed?” Teddy didn't know what that meant.
“Close together, speaking softly, secretively, holding hands, acting like you wanted to be alone.”
She was fishing for information. “We're fine, Mother. He drove me home, saw me safely into the house and...”
“And?”
Teddy heard the anticipation in her mother's voice.
“And we agreed to see each other again.”
“Wonderful! I knew you two would hit it off.” Gemma Granville was probably jumping up and down. “So I was right,” she said.
“Right about what?”
“About Adam. He's The One.”
“Mother,” Teddy warned. “Don't go jumping to conclusions.”
“I'm not.”
“Sure you're not. You'll probably be looking at wedding gowns as soon as the stores open.”
“I wouldn't look at gowns. I assume you'll design your own. After all, you
are
a designer.”
Teddy rolled her eyes. “We only agreed to go on a date. Let's see how things work out?”
“But you do like him?”
Her mother was determined to get a commitment out of her. The truth was, Adam was gone. They hadn't set a date for anything else, although after last night, she was sure they would.
“Yes, Mother. I like him.”
“Good.”
“I have to go now, Mother. My other phone is ringing.” There was no phone ringing.
“Teddy, you are coming to your dad's lecture today, right?”
“I wouldn't miss it.”
“You can bring Adam.”
“I'm not sure. Adam has overseas contacts and he may not be available.”
“Give him a call and see. We'd love to see him again before we go back home.”
“I'll see. Gotta go now.” Teddy hung up, not giving her mother time to stop her.
Pushing the cover aside and untangling her legs from the bedding, she swung her legs to the floor and stood up.
She was naked.
Adam had covered her with his body and kept her warm during the night. But without the cocoon of heat the two generated, she felt the chilliness of the room.
It didn't take her long to shower and dress. Pulling on gray wool slacks and a bulky sweater, Teddy headed for the kitchen and her first cup of coffee for the day. On the counter sat a note propped against a mug with a single red rose in it. Teddy smiled. She lifted the note and read.
Sorry to leave without waking you, but you looked so adorable with your hair spread across the pillow.
It was signed, “Adam.” There was a P.S. that read, “You smile in your sleep.” Teddy's hand went to her hair and she pushed it through with a smile. She picked up the cup and smelled the rose. Where could Adam find a rose at this early hour or at whatever hour of the night he left?
Minutes later Teddy poured herself a cup of coffee and carried it to the table. Her phone buzzed as she sat down.
“I guess this means you're awake,” Adam said.
“My mother woke me, but I got your note and your rose. Thank you.”
She heard the smile in his voice. “I'd have left you a bouquet if I could have found one.”
That would be romantic,
Teddy thought.
“But I'm calling for a different reason.”
Teddy listened, waiting for him to continue.
“My mother called this morning, too,” Adam said.
“What did she want?”
“She invited us to Thanksgiving dinner.”
“We knew we were going to have to be somewhere for the holiday. Although I thought that would be when our parents met. Ah, too late. We've already done that.” Teddy lightened the moment she felt was getting heavy. “I guess we can split the dayâdo the meal with one family and dessert with the other.”
“It's at least a two-hour drive to Bentonburgh and my mother had another suggestion.”
Teddy set the coffee cup down and bit her bottom lip. “What is it?”
“Joint families. She'd like to invite you and your family, sisters, brothers, spouses, significant othersâeveryoneâto Thanksgiving dinner.”
“Does she know how many people she's talking about?”
“I told her you had a brother and two sisters and they may have dates. She's okay with that.”
Teddy sighed.
“Are you all right?” Adam asked.
Teddy ignored his question. “I suppose she's already contacted my mother?”
“She didn't say that, but I had the feeling the deal was already done. We're the only two wild cards in the mix.”
Teddy laughed. “I guess we'll be having dinner with your parents.” Even though they were on the phone, Teddy thought she heard relief in his voice.
“I'll let her know.”
“One more thing,” she said.
“What's that?”
“My father's lecture today. My mother asked me if you would come with me. I told her you had duties at work.”
“What time's the lecture?”
“Three o'clock.”
“I'll pick you up at two.”
“Are you sure? I mean, youâ”
“Will you be ready?” he cut her off.
“Sure.” This deception hadn't set well with her in the beginning. Now they were acting as if it was
real
. Combined families for Thanksgiving, joint invitations. Complications were setting in. These were minor. She couldn't imagine what was in store for them as the holidays approached.
“Teddy?” Adam said.
“I'm still here.”
“I agree with you.”
“About what?” she asked.
“You aren't just good in bed. You're great.”
* * *
Plans were made and often they changed. Teddy knew this from her business. Working with brides, she knew that the beginning plan was not the final plan.
So when Adam called and asked if she could meet him at his condo instead of him picking her up, Teddy agreed. She wanted to see where he lived and going to his condo would give her the chance. He'd been to her house more than once, had eaten breakfast in her kitchen and spent the night in her bed. This would be her first visit to his house.
Adam lived in one of the new condo units built on the outskirts of the township. The buildings resembled town houses, but they were sold as condos. His was near the back of the complex, close to the trees that lined the property and gave the area a parklike setting.
The weather yesterday had been mild, but had turned much colder overnight. Today it was windy and bone-chilling. She thought it was ushering in November and reminding them that winter was on its way. Teddy pulled into a parking space near the front door. Shutting down the car's engine, she got out. Her booted heels clicked on the concrete. She still wore the gray slacks and sweater, but had added the pant boots, earrings and took care with her makeup.
Adam opened the door as soon as she rang the bell. He smiled when he saw her, and took her hand to draw her inside.
“Oops,” she said, facing him. “I forgot to get you a gift.”
“Gift?”
“My mother says the first time you go to visit someone, you should bring them a gift. I don't have one.” She spread her hands, showing their emptiness.
“I'll take this instead.”
He leaned forward and kissed her. It was short and only intended to be a friendly kiss. But when he pulled away, the two looked at each other and in the next moment, she was in his arms for a full never-let-me-go lip-lock. It went on for several seconds, before he raised his head.
“That will take the chill off the weather outside,” Teddy said to cover the fact that if they didn't have to go to her father's lecture, she'd push him to the floor and make love to him right here. She needed to control herself around him. This was a deception for their parents, but she was having trouble separating fact from fiction.