“I’m not planning to faint again.”
“Was this time planned?”
“Argh! Gavin, you’re driving me crazy! Now I’m stressed, and the doctor said it wasn’t good for me.”
Brooke cleared her throat. “How about if I move in with you until you have the baby? That way you’ll have me hovering over you instead of a stranger.”
“That’s a great idea,” Gavin said. “But we’re still getting a medical professional who will be there just in case.” He raised a hand to forestall Amandine’s protest. “One who can stay in some other part of the house.” He thought for a moment. “With a call-button.”
Amandine sighed. “I don’t want this to turn into a twenty-four seven job for you,” she said to Brooke.
“Don’t worry. I’m happy to help out.”
“I can take over when I get home at night,” he said, glancing at his watch. “Okay, I need to go. Brooke, can you drive her home? Bring what you need from your place if you have time. If not, get Josephine to take care of it.” He leaned down and kissed Amandine. “I’ll see you tonight. Do what Brooke tells you.” He left.
“Did he just say…Josephine?” Brooke said, her eyes wide and semi-glazed.
“Yeah.”
“He’s insane. Josephine thinks anything that costs less than a month’s rent isn’t fit to be within a two-mile radius of her clients.” Brooke shook her head. “Anyway, let’s get you out of here and settled at home. Then I’ll grab my things before dinner. Are you going to be okay?”
“Yes, mother. I’m sure I can manage not to collapse for a few hours.”
MODIFIED BED REST WASN’T AS DREADFUL as Amandine had expected. Having Brooke take one of the guest bedrooms helped, since she was great at keeping Amandine occupied with TV shows, movies, gossip and so on. When they ran out of things to watch after a couple of weeks, she brought in a laptop so they could shop online. Though Josephine usually did the honors, Amandine was bored, and it was fun to buy baby things from various Internet sites.
“Another blue onesy? What are you going to do if it’s a girl?” Brooke asked.
Flowers and bees dotted the garment in a random pattern. All purpose uni-sex.
“There’s no rule that says a girl can’t wear blue. It’s the men who can’t wear pink.”
Brooke chortled. “True. We girls have the advantage.”
Gavin was extremely busy at work. In addition to his regular tasks, he had to help his brother Ethan set things right at The Lloyds Development. It couldn’t be easy. His forte was selling companies that didn’t perform, not saving them. But he couldn’t very well get rid of his own family’s business.
However, he always made the effort to get home before her bedtime to say hello and see how she was doing. And every night she found herself waiting for the sound of the Bentley pulling up to the mansion.
One night during the second week, he came home before eight.
“Wow, he’s early,” Brooke said, looking outside. “I’m going to make myself scarce. See you tomorrow.”
“See you,” Amandine said, then went to the foyer.
She thought he looked a bit tired as he walked in the door. There were hints of wear lines around his mouth and eyes. When he noticed her they vanished, and a bright smile lit his face.
Her heart squeezed. “Have you eaten?”
“Not yet.”
“I wish you’d called. I would’ve waited,” she said.
“No, no. You should eat at your regular time.”
“I sent Luna home early, but I can heat some leftovers if you want.”
“Don’t trouble yourself. I’m not completely helpless in the kitchen.”
He went and made himself a roast-beef and cheese sandwich and poured a glass of Cabernet. He ate at the counter, while Amandine sat with him and nursed a decaf green tea.
“How are you feeling?” Gavin asked.
“Fine. Brooke’s been great at helping me relax.”
“Excellent. I’ve arranged to have a couple of masseuses come in tomorrow afternoon after your nap. I thought you and Brooke would like it.”
“That’d be great.” She beamed at the unexpectedly thoughtful gesture. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He took a long sip of Cabernet, then met and held her eyes. “We have a little over a month left.”
“I know.”
“Having you on bed rest and TLD on the brink of bankruptcy were not things I expected when I made my proposal.” His voice was neutral.
She looked at him. “Are you asking for more time?”
“I’m wondering where things stand so far.”
I’m still in love…but I don’t know if you are
. Her mouth dried, and she took a quick sip of the tea before asking, “Why do you want to save our marriage?”
“There are many reasons,” he began. “Our baby, your complicated pregnancy, my…my feelings for you.”
“What are they?”
He toyed with a pickle spear then finally said, “Affection. This need to care and provide for you and our child.”
Something inside her withered. She’d made a mistake by marrying him without making sure he loved her. She’d hoped love would blossom as they spent more time together, but she wasn’t sure anymore. After all these years, affection was a poor substitute for love.
“Well?” he asked.
“Right now, the answer is still a no.”
His throat worked. “It’s crazy for you to leave me. You’re going to need—”
“So convince me.”
Tell me you love me
.
His mouth set in a hard flat line. She ran her finger over it. She hated the grimness in his face, hated it more that she put it there.
“You have over a month left,” she whispered, then leaned closer and kissed him gently.
Her hands rested on his chest, then traveled along the strong muscles on his torso to his wide shoulders. She gripped him there and deepened the contact, willing him to understand what she felt for him—what she wanted from him.
His mouth softened under hers. He didn’t grow aggressive or take control the way he usually did. When she moved over and settled on his lap, she felt his cock hardening against the confines of his pants. Her sex clenched. He’d never been able to hide his body’s hunger for her.
“Let’s just go to bed,” she whispered into his ear.
“Jesus.” His voice was harsh with suppressed desire. “You’re on bed rest.”
“
Modified
bed rest,” she said. “Dr. Silverman said we can still fool around, just no intercourse.”
“You sure?”
She rocked against him. “Very.”
It was more than enough encouragement. She felt him grow harder and thicker through the layers of clothes between them. He scooped her up in his arms and climbed the stairs to the second floor. She buried her face in his neck, loving the effortless way he carried her, how delicate and desirable he made her feel. All male and clean, he smelled amazing. She only needed a whiff of his hot scent to be ready.
He placed her on the bed and studied her with his eyes dark and glittering. The light in the room was on low and romantic, and he looked like he wanted to fall on her and take her hard.
“Fuck.” He ran a hand over his mouth. “I don’t know if I can be gentle. It’s been so long.”
“It’s been just as long for me. If you don’t hurry, I might have to pounce on you.”
That made him chuckle, and some of his tension dissipated. Incredible how she always seemed to know how to calm him.
Slowly he pulled the thin silk sundress off her body. She shimmied to help him get it off. His nostrils flared when her black-trimmed pink lacy undergarments were revealed. With unsteady hands, he unhooked her bra and let the cups fall to either side. Her breasts rose and fell steadily, only because she was trying hard to modulate her breathing. He skimmed his hands along the plump curves, then along the side of her still small waist, triggering electric pleasure on her skin, and tugged her panties down.
Panting softly, she watched him, her body bared except for the bra straps hanging from her arms. He was still fully clothed, his navy suit exquisite on his lean frame. He spread her legs as widely as possible, his hands hot on her thighs. His gaze lingered between her legs, and she grew even wetter and hotter.
“Come to me,” she whispered, her arms stretched.
“Not yet.” He pressed his lips against her inner thighs. His breath fanned against the sensitive flesh.
A tremor went through her body. “Gavin…”
“All I have to do is look at you and kiss you, and you’re already so wet for me.”
She panted softly. His words deepened her need for the pleasure only he could give.
“I’m glad the doc said we could still do this. I’m going to make you come until you can’t remember your own name,” he vowed.
She quivered and spread her legs even wider for him.
* * *
Gavin couldn’t believe how slick she was. He didn’t even have to touch her there. He could feel it.
He nibbled along her trembling inner thighs. Her breathing hitched, then shuddered out.
A soft sigh here, another there.
How could she even think of leaving when she responded to him like this? What other man could love her the way he did?
She was glistening with need, her body tight and waiting. He blew gently on her clit. The moment he tongued it, Amandine made a soft wanton sound.
Ah my lovely wife
.
He pulled the small nub into his mouth. She tasted oh so delicious—salt and honey. Her hips jerked upward, desperate for more. He sucked on her clit strongly, using his tongue to strum it. He could feel the pleasure coiling in her, and knew she was close.
“Yes, yes. Just like that,” she panted.
When she was about to come, he lessened the suction and teased the opening of her hot little sex. She moaned. “More,” she begged.
He kept on teasing her, taking her to the brink of pleasure again and again with his tongue and mouth and hands until she was making animalistic sounds of need. His cock pulsed, throbbing with an insistent need to bury itself inside her.
No
.
No
.
Can’t do that
.
He unbuckled his pants and freed his cock. It sprang out, its head wet. He pressed his face between her legs and pumped into his tight fist. Amandine flung her legs over his shoulders, and he savored the desperation with which her heels dug into his back.
He pulled back a little. “I want you to come for me. Fall apart for me.”
She lifted her head to look at him. Her eyes were dark with need. “Yes. Anything for you, Gavin.”
Her answer fueled him and he licked and sucked hard while thrusting into his fist. It didn’t take that long to push her over the edge. Her back arching off the bed, she screamed. She was stunning in her pleasure, her response unguarded, her taste sharper and deeper with the orgasm.
A hot climax rushed toward him. He thrust one final time and came. Pleasure seared all his nerve endings. He wouldn’t have noticed if the world burned down around them.
When his breathing became more even, he shed his clothes and joined her in bed, pulling her body close to his. Her eyelids drooped, her face flushed and soft with satisfaction. She put an arm around his chest and buried her head in the crook of his neck.
“That was unbelievable.”
“You good?” he asked.
“Better than good.” She sighed as her body melted into sleep.
Gavin hugged her. A small anxiety gnawed at him as he recalled their conversation in the kitchen. He thought his answer had been honest and true, but apparently, it wasn’t exactly what she’d been looking for.
Or had it been some kind of test? If she’d been truly dissatisfied, would she have kissed him and seduced him?
Some women fucked casually, without commitment, but Amandine wasn’t one of them. She wouldn’t have opened up to him like that if she hadn’t felt something for him, for their marriage.
He kissed the crown of her head. If he stayed and gave her endless orgasms for their remaining time, would she change her answer?
He didn’t want to leave, and the damned situation with TLD annoyed him no end, but he had to go see his mother tomorrow. He’d already set up the funds. His family members would have everything they needed…except for a few people who seemed uninterested in accepting help—like his bull-headed sister Meredith. His mother was the only one who could get the family to do what he and Ethan wanted, so a short visit to Maryland was in order.
Once his mother took over the matter, Gavin could cut back and focus more of his attention on Amandine. He still had more than four weeks left. A lot could happen during that time.
STELLA LLOYD’S SINGLE-FAMILY HOME in southern Maryland was modest by every Lloyd brother’s standards. She used to live in Houston, but had decided to move back to her hometown after her husband’s death.
Her garden was vivid green and healthy. Everyone in the family always made mental notes to look for things to compliment—it was her pride and joy. They also used it to gauge her overall mood. As he walked up to the house, Gavin noticed a small yellow rosebush on one side and frowned. His mother had once had several in the garden, but had ripped them out when Jacob and Catherine announced their engagement.
Stella waved through the living room window and gestured for him to come in. He walked into the house. Its hardwood floor gleamed with a fresh coat of wax. One of the ceiling fans was spinning, creating a soft breeze, and three well-worn couches and love seats surrounded an oak coffee table.
She came out of the kitchen with two tall glasses of iced tea. A little more gray glinted in her long dark hair, which was twisted into a simple updo. She wore a pair of pretty gold earrings and a turquoise necklace that matched her simple shin-length dress.
They sat down, and she handed him a glass. “Extra sweet, just for you.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Coffee was best taken black, but he preferred his tea almost syrupy with sugar.
“So how are things? Is it true you’re divorcing Amandine?”
He choked and coughed to clear the tea from the wrong tract. “What?”
“It’s on Facebook.”
How in the world…?
“Facebook? You barely know how to operate your TV.”