when she did begin to show? When her flat stomach began to go round…when her breasts grew even bigger…? What would happen to that overwhelming lust he felt for her, which was the one and only thing that kept him going?
It was just one more thought to pile on all the other thoughts that were buzzing around in her head like a swarm of bees.
For the moment…
What if this was the last time she had him—really had him? Because she would break the news to him in the morning and then leave, giving him time to digest the indigestible.
From that point on what they had would officially be over. Which would make right now her last chance to have him make love to her, to have him touch her and feel her and want her…
If she was a coward to be snatching it with both hands then so be it.
She followed him, kicking off her high shoes, and then stood at the side of the bed, with his deep, dark eyes on her, and performed the striptease he had asked her to do.
Sexy, erotic, sensuous… In the dark so that their bodies were shadows and angles…
She was wet for him by the time she slid under the covers. Their bodies seemed perfectly matched. She had felt comfortable with him even that very first time, and she felt so much more comfortable now.
His hands knew just where to touch, what turned her on. He nuzzled her breasts and took her nipples into his mouth in a way that sent delicious sensations zapping through her. He licked her and played with her and toyed with her…taking her to the edge before bringing her back…until her whole body was on fire.
They moved together as one, in perfect unison. He enjoyed it when she straddled him, so that her breasts hung teasingly by his mouth. When she did that she was bombarded by the dual sensations of having him suckle on her breast while he teased her below with his fingers. When she took him in her mouth she knew just how to angle her body so that he could simultaneously take her in his, suck and lick her until her clitoris could take no more, and only then, when they had enjoyed one another to the max, would he don a condom and complete her fully.
This time she didn’t want their lovemaking to end. She didn’t want to close her eyes and fall asleep, knowing that the morning light would bring all sorts of problems to their horizon.
‘So…’ Sergio nuzzled her ear.
He had long since given up his habit of abandoning the woman in his bed in favour of his computer. And he had broken with tradition by allowing her to sleep over, because his mornings were always so much more satisfying when he could wake up and make love to her.
‘So…?’
‘So you didn’t paint the full, unexpurgated picture of your background because your high-achieving family make you feel insecure…’
‘Where did that come from?’ She rolled over onto her back and stared up at the ceiling.
‘I’m a problem-solver. I like it when things add up.’
‘And I’m something that needs adding up?’
‘Your father told me that they pleaded with you to use their apartment in Kensington but you wouldn’t. Why not?’
‘Because I’m not a kid. I can stand on my own two feet.’
Even though it meant living in a cramped, disgusting hovel. He could only admire her tenacity.
‘You might think that you sister has it all, but she envies you…did you know that?’
Susie swung to look at him, although in the darkness she could barely make out his expression. ‘Did she tell you that?’
‘She didn’t have to. I could decipher it from the way she described you…free-spirited…taking each day as it comes…’
‘Alex enjoys her life. She’s so clever you wouldn’t believe it.’
‘She’s also the eldest. There’s a lot riding on her shoulders.’
‘I never thought about it from that point of view. Maybe you’re right.’ She sighed. ‘Who cares anyway?’
‘You do.’
‘I’m tired.’ She made herself yawn. ‘It’s been a big day. I’d quite like to get some sleep now.’
Sergio cupped her breast, liking the feel of its heaviness in the palm of his big hand. He rubbed her nipple with the abrasive pad of his thumb and felt it stiffen.
‘You wanted to tell me something,’ he murmured. ‘What was it?’
Susie stilled. This was not the right time. When she detonated that bomb she knew that she would have to take cover.
‘In the morning,’ she mumbled. ‘I’m way too tired to string a sentence together now…’
‘Too tired to touch me?’ He guided her hand to his erection and felt her whole body soften and yearn towards him.
They made love slowly, like two people dancing underwater. When she came it was a long, deep climax, and she fell asleep almost immediately, her body curled into his.
Light was streaming through the windows when she next woke, and the bed was empty. She surfaced groggily and for the first five seconds was blissfully forgetful of the daunting task that lay ahead.
Her peace of mind didn’t last long and she sat up, rubbed her eyes and spotted him at the desk, working.
‘What time is it?’
‘After ten.’
Susie yelped and flung herself out of bed. Shower. Get cleaned up. Put her dress back on—which was going to look ridiculous at ten in the morning. And of course she had no make-up with her…not even a hairbrush.
She couldn’t face having this talk until she was fully dressed. Being naked and in his bed made her vulnerable.
She locked the bathroom door. For the first time. No sexy, steamy shared shower. No touching. She wasn’t even sure she would be able to look him squarely in the face, never mind having his hands on her, exploring her body, turning her brain to mush.
‘Why the big rush?’
He looked at her as she emerged fully clothed from the bathroom. As jumpy as a cat on a hot tin roof. Suddenly that vague feeling was back with him—the feeling that something wasn’t quite right. And yet…they had spent another incredible night together. What could be wrong? She had recovered from her little fit of pique at the thought that he had gatecrashed the wedding so that he could see for himself where she came from.
He shot her a slow, deliberate smile and it took all the will power in her repertoire not to fold.
‘I’m going to call a taxi to…er…take me back to London.’
She stuck out her chin and looked at him challengingly and Sergio frowned.
‘Why? Stanley’s waiting. My very lucky chauffeur was treated to a night in one of the finest hotels in the county so that he could be on standby for when I was ready to leave.’ He relaxed back in the chair, folded his arms on his chest and gazed at her.
‘I’m going to have to detour via the bed and breakfast I was booked into…get the stuff that I left in the room…change clothes…that sort of thing…’
Sergio didn’t say anything and silence filled the room, as heavy as a lead weight.
‘This is beginning to get on my nerves, Susie. What exactly is it that you want to say? If it’s a little speech about our future, then I’ll spare you the trauma of initiating the subject. You know how I feel on the matter.’
Sudden tension lent his voice a sharp edge that made her flinch back, as if she had been struck.
‘Of course I know!’ she snapped tensely. ‘You’ve made it perfectly clear