Stop that Wedding!
Chapter 3
Zenith arrived at the board meeting with a fragile hope that this day would go much
smoother than the day before. Which shouldn’t be that hard, she reasoned. After all, how
many days could even come close to the disaster that day had been?
Poor Chadwick. She’d gone with him to the emergency room, to help him discover why his
lips were blue. The doctors decided that it must be the result of some additive in the
appetizers he’d eaten, or perhaps a strange chemical reaction. They told him, a bit
impatiently after he ranted for several minutes, that the color would fade over time. They
just couldn’t tell him how much time it would take. It did fade after they flushed the skin with
water, but later he called to tell her that after he ate a snack the lips were bright blue again.
The condom in her purse remained a mystery as well. She felt positive that Chadwick
hadn’t placed it there, but who did? And why?
And her hair! When she’d washed it that morning, it had once more turned a deep
cornflower blue, disappearing again as it dried. She never wanted to hear the phrase
‘chemical reaction’ again.
All of it was nerve-wracking: the hair, the condom in her purse and the bouquet she’d
forgotten to discuss with Chadwick. She still intended to bring it up to him, despite his
note. But after their argument and everything else that happened, she’d totally forgotten
about the disgusting ‘floral’ arrangement.
She pushed her chaotic personal life out of her mind as she entered the meeting room.
The dark woods and rich burgundy walls spoke of turn-of-the-century luxury, a feel that
this morning felt oppressive. Dressed in a dark blue business suit and short skirt with
matching spiked heels, Zenith felt prepared. The usual reports were encased neatly in a
file folder held in one hand. The other arm securely held a happily panting Buffy, who
accompanied all board meetings. She sat next to her brother, whom she rarely saw except
for events like this.
Taft afforded Zenith a baleful glance. Jaded and tired looking, Taft Somersbee lived for
three things: fast cars, fast women and strong drinks. Currently attending college, since a
degree would enlarge his salary from the company, Taft hadn’t found any purpose in life
yet. Physically a masculine version of his older sister, he got by on his looks and his
money. Little else mattered to him.
Aunt Lydia sat on Zenith’s other side, squeezing her hand fondly. Zenith smiled at her,
returning her affection. She glanced up as her mother entered, followed by her
grandfather. Her father trailed in, looking uncomfortable in a formal suit instead of his
usual polo shirts and slacks. The board consisted of Brad, Zenith, Lydia, Zenith’s parents,
Chauncy and Taft. As a family-owned business, Chauncy liked to keep it to only family,
although he had many advisors who usually attended this meeting. Today they were all
absent. She started to ask about that when Chauncy began to speak.
As he talked, everything else faded away. She forgot about Chadwick’s bizarre
behavior, about the hair, even about Brad’s strange behavior during the dress fitting.
What Chauncy did was horrifying, world-tilting, unforeseen.
After all these years, he expected her family to grow up.
He slapped a thick file on the dark table. “It has to stop!” he shouted, his voice echoing
n the walls. “I’m tired of watching all of you wasting your lives away and expecting
Somersbee’s to pick up the tab!”
A thunderous hush met him.
“As CEO and main trustee for all of your trust funds, I had a report drawn up of your
activities.” He flipped the file open. “Cecil, at age forty-five, you’ve spent all your trust
fund and are now living solely on your monthly salary from Somersbee’s.”
His son squirmed uncomfortably. “It’s very hard these days to raise a family on a fixed
income.”
Chauncy snorted. “Most families of four don’t earn as much in a year as you do in a
month.” He turned to another page. “Clothes, trips, two - ” his eyebrows shot up. “You
purchased two cars last month? One wasn’t enough?” Cecil’s mouth opened feebly,
snapping shut when his father held up his hand. “Never mind, I don’t want to hear it.”
Chauncy focussed his attention next on Taft. “We won’t even discuss what most of your
money went for. At the rate you’re going, your trust fund will be gone before you reach
thirty.”
Turning to another page, his angry gaze traveled to Camille Somersbee, Zenith’s
beautiful and vain mother. “Camille, you spent two thousand dollars on bubble bath last
month? Bubble bath?” The force of his ire caused her to blanch. “How does one body
use two thousand dollars worth of bubble bath?”
Her mouth twitched nervously as she attempted a reply. “Well, you see-“
“No!” He raged, his moustache bobbing at each word. “I don’t see! I don’t understand!”
He slammed his hands palm down onto the table. “And it will stop now!” His eyes branded
each guilty occupant of the room. “This company is not your gravy boat! It’s not supposed
to exist merely to fund your worthless pursuits! Bubble bath or fast cars aren’t worthwhile!
“The reason you’re board members is so that you can contribute to this company. That
is why you receive a raise with further education. That is why you are sent quarterly
reports. It’s not just a silly formality so you can receive your monthly checks!” Cecil,
Camille and Taft had the decency to appear uncomfortable. That was exactly how they’d
treated their roles in the company.
Chauncy’s face turned red with anger; his eyes danced furiously. “I’m through with
allowing this family to suck the life out of Somersbee’s. I’m changing the charter, so that
only active members of this board receive a salary. I’m defining ‘active’ as spending at
least thirty hours a week working at the company.” His eyes barreled into the room’s
occupants.
Stunned faces stared back at him as silence filled the room. Zenith’s eyes scanned her
family. Taft looked on the verge of fainting. Her father was hyperventilating; her mother’s
face became so pale that Zenith feared for her. Lydia’s face filled with sympathy; her
salary was safe, since she worked diligently at her boutiques. Brad’s visage stayed
neutral. He earned his salary as president of Somersbee’s.
Zenith, her breath burning her chest, struggled with the consequences of her
grandfather’s words. She rarely used her income from the company, investing it instead.
Most of her expenses were easily covered by the generous trust fund provided her when
she turned eighteen. Her family, apparently, wasn’t so frugal. Her heart ached for her
parents as she watched them struggling to understand what just happened.
Camille was the first to react. “I can’t live off of air!” she cried. “The money from this
company is all we have to live on! You can’t just cut us off-“
“I can and I will!” Chauncy roared. “This is a business, not a charity! You either earn
your keep, or you get nothing!” Camille shrank at his words; her mouth opened and
closed as her eyes flitted first to her husband, then to her eldest daughter.
Zenith didn’t know what to do. She stared at her grandfather, recognizing that his
legendary iron will was vividly in force. It would be impossible to change his mind. But
perhaps she could bend it a bit.
“Grandfather,” she began. The hesitation in her voice irked her; she tried again.
“Grandfather.” Her tones grew stronger and firmer as she continued. “The company is
running extremely well without our participation; I studied the report last night and saw that
our profits jumped five percent last quarter. Do you really think that having someone
inexperienced will be a bonus to the business?”
“I think that members of this board will show an interest in this company and aid in its
success. I expect someone from your branch of the family to show pride in their heritage
and exhibit some desire for said heritage to continue. I expect that everyone will earn what
Somersbee’s gives them.” He sucked in a shuddering breath. “But you’re right in one
thing – someone untrained won’t be an asset. Therefore, you’ll all take the same training
that Brad did.”
Zenith’s heart froze in her chest. No, she moaned silently. That was too hard and too
harsh on her parents. Cecil looked confused; Camille, who apparently recalled how Brad
earned his title, began to cry.
Setting Buffy down, Zenith surged to her feet. She couldn’t let this happen to her family.
Hands shaking, she stood on her slender stiletto heels and faced the piercing green gaze
of her grandfather.
“Grandfather, that could take years! Would we earn our salary while we get all this
experience you feel we need?”
“I’m not heartless, Zenith. I’ll give each of you a year to work your way up through the
ranks.”
A year? Despair pelted her. Brad had taken several years mastering many of the jobs
and functions represented by the various facets of Somersbee’s. She couldn’t learn that
vast amount of knowledge in such a short time.
“Do all of us need to be so well-trained?” she countered. “Brad needs that background
as president. Can’t the rest of us do with just an overview of the company so that we can
make educated decisions?”
Chauncy’s eyes darkened. “Zenith, if that was all it took, then sending each of you the
quarterly reports and the proposed agenda of the meetings should have been enough.
Yet time after time, meeting after meeting, I’ve listened to Lydia, Brad and myself discuss
the company with little input from any of you!”
“That’s not true!” Zenith protested. “I always come prepared; I always read the reports,
and I try to give intelligent opinions to the discussions.”
Rocking back on his heels, Chauncy studied his granddaughter. “You’re right, child. You
do try to contribute and pull your weight, don’t you? And I must admit there have been
many occasions that you’ve made me proud. But there’ve been just as many occasions
that I’ve found your opinions naive and uninformed.” His eyes narrowed as he took in the
determined set of her chin. “However, you have been the only one to show an interest in
the goings on here. So I‘ll leave the fate of your family in your hands. If you learn the
business from the ground up in one year, I’ll do as you suggested and allow the others to
learn an overview of the company.”
Stunned, Zenith stared at her grandfather. She felt eyes boring into her: her father’s,
her mother’s, her brother’s. She didn’t want this burden; she didn’t deserve this.
She caught Brad’s amused smile. He didn’t think she could do it, did he? He thought she’
d fail! All this drama was just a source of entertainment to him!
Her anger bubbled over and buried all her protests. After all, how hard could it be?
She would answer some phones, file some papers, deliver some mail; then, once her
grandfather calmed down, she could stop all this foolishness and everything would be back
to normal.
She met Brad’s challenge with a confident half-smile. “All right, Grandfather. I’ll do it.
Right after the honeymoon.” That would be two months from now. Surely that would leave
her enough time. Besides, by then Grandfather will have reconsidered all of this. She
thought with misgivings about Chadwick’s reaction. It wouldn’t be good, she knew. He
wouldn’t take this well. He didn’t understand the efforts she currently made.
“No, Zenith. Now. Or never. Your choice.” Old Chauncy shrugged his indifference.
She frowned fiercely at him, but he seemed unmoved. He was bluffing, she felt certain.
But could she risk her parents’ future on a hunch? Her defeat was bitter.
“Fine.” She swallowed her anger. “When do I start?”
For the first time that day, Chauncy smiled. “Give Brad your resume first thing tomorrow,
and he’ll assign you some work.”
Without thought, she blurted, “Brad? Oh, no, I don’t want to work with-“
Simultaneously, Brad protested, “Uncle, I don’t have time-“
Chauncy glared at both of them sternly, but addressed his remarks to his
granddaughter. “He is the president of this company, and if you’re going to learn all there
is to know about Somersbee’s, you’ll have to work closely with him.” His gaze flicked back
and forth between her and Brad. “Your resume, Zenith. First thing in the morning.” His
glittering gaze traveled around the room. “As for the rest of you, you’ll spend at least two
mornings every week getting up to speed on how this company works.” Satisfied with the
chaos he’d created, he nodded and left the room.
Zenith stifled a groan of despair that pelted her. She didn’t want to work with Brad. She
could vividly recall all the pranks he pulled on her after her return from Europe, starting
with the ice he’d slipped in her handbag before a play she’d attended. He’d happily
confessed later, much later, after it had melted and dripped all over her new gown.
Feeling a soft scratching at her ankle, Zenith reached down and retrieved Buffy, then
buried her face in the soft fur. Her eyes fluttered closed; sucking in a shaky breath, she
thought of the ashes her carefully planned life had transformed into, thanks to one angry,
determined old man.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
“Grandpapa? How did it go?”
Resting one hand on the back of his head, Chauncy leaned back in the chair of his
corporate office, the phone pinned between his ear and shoulder. “Luna, it was perfect! I
fought so hard not to laugh that I’m sure my face turned red!” He chortled with delight. “I
thought your father was going to have a stroke, and your mother – well, for the first time,
including childbirth, she lost her cool.”
“I can’t believe you pulled this off. Oh, poor Zenith! They all probably believe it’s real.”
Her laughter died, and she asked, with a hint of anxiety, “You are bluffing, aren’t you?”
“Probably, except for the part about them working two mornings a week. It will be good
for them. Since I’ve been grousing about their laziness for so long, they bought it. And
your sister – oh, she was magnificent! Just as I knew she would be! The fire’s still there,
girl. We just need to bring it out. Give her a chance to remember what it’s like to have
purpose coursing through her veins, instead of designer water.”
Luna giggled. “Oh, Grandpapa, this is so much fun! Operation Free Zenith is going to
work. And she’ll really be better off without Chadwick. So what do we do next?”
“Next? I do have a few more ideas. However, we might want to shift our focus. Aim at
more subtle things. And no more condoms in purses. That was a bit too much, I think.”
“I promise to give them more thought from now on. You have to admit that the condom
thing really unnerved her.” She laughed with delight. “And this work thing. Grandpapa,
you are truly evil.” Her tones held no censure, only deep affection. “At least now I know
where I get it from.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A small package leaned against Zenith’s door as she trudged home. She stared at it
with trepidation. Heavens, she was becoming jaded if she viewed every delivery as a
threat! Sighing, she unlocked the door, then picked it up. Juggling both Buffy and the
bundle, she entered the apartment.
Tossing her purse onto the entry table, she retrieved the letter opener she kept there
and crossed to the leather couch. The bright sunlight streaming through the opaque white
curtains did nothing to lighten her mood.
Setting Buffy on the couch, she plopped down beside her. She cut the tape open easily.
Baring the contents to her curious gaze, she found a thin red book. She flipped it over to
read the title.
Secret Ways to Heat Up Your Man. She dropped it like a hot potato. A white corner
peeked out from between the pages. Snatching it, she flipped the card over. A typewritten
message jumped out at her:
I hope you’ve been thinking about me. I thought this might get you started. I especially
like pages 36 and 103.
It was signed, Chadwick, in his familiar distinctive script.
With maudlin curiosity, Zenith opened the book to the pages Chadwick’s note
mentioned. The first was a rather graphic description of various uses of fruit. Her upper
lip curled in disgust. No way, Buster, she thought fatally.
The second caused her to shudder, then laugh in disbelief. Did he really expect her to-?
The thought of the little packets of lubricant, now consigned to the outside dumpster, told
her that yes, indeed, he did expect her to.
Well, this was not what she’d planned for her marriage. The very idea repulsed her.
Standing up, she marched determinedly toward the front door, anger propelling her swiftly.
Buffy followed her eagerly, her tiny pink tongue lolling in excitement. “Sorry, sweetums, but
not this time. I’m going to remove some skin, and it won’t be pretty.” Buffy stopped in
confusion; in a wave of resolve, Zenith swept out the door.
^^^^^^^^^
Chadwick opened his door to find an angry fianceé glaring at him. Ignoring his futile
attempt to cover the stain on his lips, Zenith shoved the little red book into his chest.
Storming past him into the apartment, she stopped in the middle of the pure white carpet.
Her eyes darkening to deep emerald, she vented all her fury and frustration onto him.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into you, and why suddenly you are unhappy with the way
things are between us, but this has to stop! That book-“ her finger jabbed at it – “is going
way too far! Do you actually think-” and she spat the last word with vehemence, “that I’d
be interested in something like that?”
Chadwick flipped the book over, his eyes bulging as he read the cover. “You actually
think,” he gagged, “that I would send you this...trash?” He opened the cover, and his face
paled, causing the faint blue tint on his lips to stand out. “Do people read this garbage?”
He flipped through the pages, his eyes widening in shock.
“Of course you did!” She slapped the gift card onto his chest. “That’s your signature,
isn’t it?”
Grasping the card, he studied the signature. “It looks like mine, but I tell you I didn’t send
this!”
Hands on hips, she glared at him. “And I suppose that you didn’t send that disgusting
condom display?”
Chadwick’s features twisted into total dismay. “How could you think I would even do such
a thing? Zenith, I respect you too much to do that!” He dropped the book and the card on
the floor, then closed the distance between them.
Sadly, she believed him. “I don’t turn you on at all?”
She and Chadwick were childhood friends. From their first meeting, their families
expected them to someday marry. To fend off unwanted male attention, she’d using
Chadwick as a barrier, a situation he happily went along with. They’d discovered they
enjoyed the other’s company immensely. Who better to marry than your best friend?
“I didn’t say that!” His eyes shifted away from her. “Of course I find you attractive. I’m
going to marry you, right?” He reached for her hands, and she let him grasp her cold
fingers. “Baby, I think you’re beautiful. I’m just waiting for our wedding night, that’s all.” He
leaned forward and planted his lips on hers.
She tried to enjoy his kiss, but her mind was distracted. She couldn’t get Brad’s steamy
look out of her mind. What did it mean? Could he have....
“That’s it! It has to be him!”
“Excuse me?” Chadwick stared at her, affronted, but she didn’t notice his pained look.
“It has to be Brad, don’t you see? That explains the look he gave me. Oh, he’s just
trying to play with me!” She twisted away, hunting for the card that Chadwick had dropped.
“What has to be Bradley?” He tried to grab her hand, but intent on her search, she
scooted away from him.
“There it is!” She spotted the card by the couch, the book nearby. She snatched up
both objects, placing the card inside the book. “It has to be Brad who sent these, don’t
you see? He gave me the strangest look, and I thought he wanted me, but he was
probably just laughing at me-“ She gave Chadwick a distracted kiss on the cheek and
rushed towards the door. In her mind she was already clashing with Brad; he would never
know what hit him.
“Bradley wants you? He wants to have sex with you?”
“What?” Stunned, she turned back towards her fiancé. “Why would you say such a
thing?”
“I didn’t! You just told me that!”
Her eyes widened in denial. “No, I didn’t!” She tried to remember what she’d said, but
the words eluded her. “Did I?”
Chadwick stared at her, looking stunned and confused. “I think you did. Didn’t you?
And why was he staring at you with lust in his eyes?”
“Now I know I didn’t say anything about lust!” she protested. “He just looked at me oddly,
that’s all. Like the sight of me in my wedding gown somehow –“
“Wait!” Chadwick tossed up his hands. “Did I hear you right? Brad Pearce went to your
fitting with you? You wouldn’t let me go, but you took him?” His blue eyes cut her with
anger.
“No, of course not! He was there to see his mother. Oh,” she wailed, dragging her
fingers through her ponytail in dejection, “how did this entire conversation get so out of
hand? All I wanted to say was that I don’t want sex with you, and somehow Brad Pearce
got dragged into it-“
“Stop!”
Zenith jumped, stunned at the sight and sound of Chadwick shouting. She’d never even
heard him raise his voice in anger, and now he was yelling. At her. “Did you just tell me
you don’t want to have sex with me? Zenith, we’re getting married in less than a month,
and suddenly you’ve decided you don’t want sex with me? I know that ours isn’t a love
match, but I never expected you to say-“”
“I didn’t say that!” she protested. At his stern look, her eyes widened. “Did I?” He
nodded at her, his entire body showing his displeasure. Her hand covered her mouth as
she realized her slip.
“Oh, gosh! I can’t understand why I would say that! Especially since we’re getting
married. Oh, that reminds me!” She paused, wondering how to give him her news, then
decided that just saying it would be best.
“We have to postpone the honeymoon.”
Chadwick’s brow furrowed, and Zenith decided absently that it was very unattractive.
“And why is that?” His voice seemed calm, but she wasn’t so sure that was how he really
felt.
“Grandfather decided that he wants me to learn the business from the bottom up. Oh,”
she exclaimed, her fingers fluttering in the air, “it’s a long story, and I don’t really want to
go over it again. I want to go find out from Brad why he’s doing all this.” She kissed
Chadwick again on the cheek, then rushed out in a flurry of long blond ponytail and
clicking heels.
“Zenith, wait. We need to discuss this sex thing.”
But the door shut behind her. Chadwick stared at it for several moments, wondering what
the hell just happened. Trying to figure out why she seemed so different just now. And
more alive than ever before.
^^^^^^
As she drove to Somersbee’s headquarters, Zenith wondered why her feelings for
Chadwick were suddenly under question. After all, she’d known him for most of her life.
They were perfect for each other, really, she thought as she absently removed the ponytail
holder that was pulling at her scalp. They were comfortable together, their tastes were
similar, and neither made excessive demands on the other. She wasn’t passionately in
love with him, or he with her, but she didn’t want that. Such depth of feelings would be
unpleasant, she was certain. Like the crush she’d nursed for Brad as a teenager.
That crush had wielded such power over her, she recalled. It was why she’d agreed to
go to England without a fuss. Because one summer afternoon, she’d seen the man of her
dreams kissing another girl. A perfectly poised, elegant member of high society that Zenith
felt certain didn’t know the difference between oven cleaner and car wax. But if that was
what Brad wanted, that was what Zenith would become. That hot summer afternoon
changed her life forever.
All that effort, all the torment she’d endured at her new school, the lessons she’d taken
to heart, were for nothing. Because when she’d come home the next summer, as polished
as any other socialite, Brad Pearce looked down his handsome nose at her, calling her a
pampered princess. She could still hear that mocking tone. At that moment, her heart
splintered into a thousand pieces and he’d become her enemy. The sight of him with yet
another girl later that evening was the final blow.
She came out of her reverie to find her fingers clenched tightly around the steering
wheel. With effort she relaxed her hands. This time, she told herself, Brad Pearce had
gone too far. She’d put him in his place once and for all.
^^^^^^^
The first Brad knew of the impending invasion was Ms. Reynolds’ raised voice. “You can’
t go in there!” she ordered, her voice holding a rare sound of desperation. Then his office
door flew open, and he looked up to see Zenith standing there.
Except this wasn’t Zenith. Not quite. Her eyes flashed with anger, and her hair wasn’t in
its usual neat bun or ponytail. It was hanging loosely about her shoulders, the glorious
pale color a perfect foil to her flushed cheeks.
No, this didn’t resemble the spoiled princess at all. This a wild firebrand boiled his
blood. Her anger radiated on her beautiful features. The Zenith he’d known the last few
years kept everything locked up; her obvious goal was to never show emotion beyond a
polite smile or slight frown. She’d never slam into a man’s office, eyes blazing, itching for a
fight. She’d never excite him the way this woman did.
He leaned back in his chair, waiting for her to tear into him. Which was her goal, he felt
certain.
He wasn’t disappointed.
He waved reassuringly at Ms. Reynolds, who stood in the outer office, her mouth gaping
open. Zenith’s glare intensified. She didn’t take her eyes away from his; reaching behind
her with her foot, she slammed the door shut.
“I don’t know what game you’re playing, and why you’ve picked now to play it, but it’s
going to stop! You’ve pulled stunts on me before, but this is uncalled for! I don’t know
what your goal is – to drive me crazy, to break Chadwick and me up, or just to humiliate me
– but you’ve failed, Brad! I figured it out, and-“
Brad held his hands up. “Whoa, whoa! Zenith, I have no clue what you’re talking about.
Could you fill me in?”
She waved a slim red book at him. “You don’t know anything about this?”
He couldn’t catch the title as she bandied it about. “Could you hold it still?” Standing up,
he crossed to her. Ignoring her searing glower, he took the book and studied the title.
Brad laughed hysterically. “You think I had something to do with this?” He flipped open
the cover. Spying the card, he picked it up and read it. His chuckle deepened. “What do
you think I did? Gave Chadwick sex tips so he could pass them on to you?”
Her cheeks flushed prettily, and Brad could see the indecision in her eyes. “Oh, don’t go
all innocent on me! Who else would play such a dirty underhanded trick like this?”
His smile bordered on a smirk. “The card says Chadwick did.”
“I asked him, and he denies that he ever sent them.”
Brad’s eyebrows rose. “Them? There was more than one book?”
Her face turned redder, her eyes avoiding his. “Um...no.” At her discomfort his grin
widened. “Only one book arrived.”
A chortle escaped him. “But something else arrived? What was it, Zee? A vibrator?
Edible underwear?” He barked a laugh as her hands covered her face in
embarrassment. Reaching out, he caressed her bare arms. “Zee?” He loved that
she was so innocent, belying the cool, confident air she hid behind. And he loved that she’
d lost all control around him, showing him a rare vision of the fire and passion deep inside
her.
“Oh,” she half moaned. “You didn’t send them, did you?’
“No, he replied softly. “No, Princess, I didn’t. If I were going to do something to break
you and Chadwick up, I would do this.” He pulled her hands away from her face. Sea-
green eyes pulled him in as he smiled softly at her.
“I’d do this,” he repeated, dipping his mouth towards hers.
The first touch of their lips was explosive. It was like making contact with a live wire.
Desire flamed up in him, yet he resisted, holding her gently in his arms, indulging in her
sweetness.
Her mouth trembled beneath his, and he limited himself to tenderly tasting her lips,
breathing in her floral scent, and feeling her response grow stronger. Only a few kisses,
he promised himself. He’d indulge himself for a moment, then he could spend the rest of
this life remembering....
Then her arms wrapped around his neck, her mouth pressed strongly against his as a
moan vibrated against his lips, and all his resolve blew away like useless dust. His arms
tightened about her slender form, and his lips devoured hers, exploring the explosion of
need that vibrated through him.
He wanted to melt into her, become one with her as she blended with him, molded
against him. His groin tightened, hardened, telegraphing his hunger for her soft flesh, her
female aroma, her passion for him. He cupped her bottom, pulling her tighter against his
arousal, forgetting, or perhaps overlooking, the innocence of her response to him.
He felt her stiffen. With a shudder of control, his kiss softened, became tender. His mouth
traveled over her cheek to each fluttering eyelid. He found the delicate curve of her ear;
he refrained from tasting it, sucking it, sending her towards the edge. Instead, he nipped
the tender edge, nibbling the succulent skin until a small moan of desire escaped her
swollen lips.
“No,” he whispered softly, “I’d do something like this. Something,” he pressed his lips
against her forehead as he indulged in the scent of her hair, “that’s going to keep me up
all night tonight, dreaming of you, just like this.”
He felt the tremble in her limbs. His eyes closed at the strength of his craving for her.
“But you’re promised to someone else.” Regret deepened his voice. “I have to honor
that, even if I don’t understand it.” He stepped back from her, devouring her passion-
tinged features.
Her eyes were suspiciously bright as she backed away from him. “Brad,” she murmured
quietly, her voice shaky. “I don’t understand....” But he didn’t have any answers. He
stood silently as she opened the door and slipped silently away from him.
Leaving him with nothing but the overwhelming impression that he shouldn’t let her go.
