Authors: Patricia Isabel
Shane looked at his watch and realized the time, ‘Shit! She’ll be here in 10 minutes’. He quickly scanned the area and was content at how it looked. ‘Perfect’, he said to himself, ‘now to wait and see if she shows up’. He sat by the window and waited. When he saw the taxi come up the drive, he didn’t realize he was holding his breath. ‘I can’t believe I’m nervous! Get a grip, man!’ he said to himself as the car pulled up to the door. Standing aside so as not to be seen, he waited for her to get out. He was anxious; he will admit that but only to himself. Hoping beyond hope that the pictures she had sent him were really her and not some woman from a magazine or some office co-worker. “Please let her be who she said she is”, he mumbled, “It would really suck if it wasn’t”. As he peeked around to look outside, he was mesmerized. He couldn’t believe his eyes when she got out of the car, she was
beautiful
. Every photo that he saw of her was true, there was no denying that. He noticed that she seemed hesitant also and he prayed that she wouldn’t run because if she did, he would run after her. Shane suddenly realized at what he thought and it shook him down to his stomach… he never ran after a woman before. ‘Well’, he said, ‘there’s a first time for everything’. Smiling to himself, he made his way to the door.
CHAPTER 3
Penny hadn’t realized she was holding her breath as the door opened. “
Please let him not be a troll
” she thought to herself. The last thing she wanted was to be completely disappointed and have to turn around for another four hour flight after she just got off one. She looked back to make sure her taxi was still there where she left it and when she turned back around to face the man she had so diligently conversed with for so many weeks, it certainly wasn’t a troll that was standing in the doorway, only a God. He was so amazing to look at that Penny realized she was staring. How could she not! At six feet with blonde hair, green eyes and a
very
healthy looking body, he was something to behold. Even his feet looked amazing! His pictures certainly did not do him justice. For there he was, standing in the doorway, barefoot, arms crossed at the chest and smiling. Penny was about to walk up the stairs when she remembered the taxi. There was definitely no reason for him to stay. As she started to turn around, she heard a voice that she could recognize anywhere. “How was the flight? Wasn’t too rough, I hope?” That voice was getting closer and as she turned around, he was right in front of her. Smiling. All she could do was nod. “Is everything alright? Did you forget something in the cab?” He looked towards the taxi then looked at her, those gorgeous green eyes seemed to say ‘
don’t leave’
. Penny finally got her wits back, gave him her brightest smile and said “No. Not at all. I just wanted to give him a tip and thank him. He wanted to wait to be sure someone was home” wasn’t a big lie, only a little white one. “Driver’s like him are hard to come by” she said laughing. When she reached the taxi, she gave him a large tip and thanked him. As she walked back towards the house, Shane stood there holding her bags and gave a slight bow. “Ladies first” he said and she preceded him towards the door.
When Shane opened the door and saw her standing there, he felt like the wind was knocked out of him. Trying to remain calm and casual, he stood there for about a minute just soaking her all in. “
She is beautiful
” he thought to himself. She certainly looked like her pictures and more. When he noticed she was hesitating and looked back towards the cab, a surge of panic came over him. He moved with lightning speed to span the distance before she bolted. When he reached her, he noticed how small and delicate she was. At five feet six inches, with chocolate brown hair and red highlights that shone in the sun like beacons at night and the deepest, bluest pair of eyes that the oceans would be jealous for…a linebacker she certainly wasn’t. Calm and smiling, he asked her how her flight was and if she had forgotten anything but he knew, his eyes said what he was feeling. She assured him she only wanted to tip the man but deep down, he knew it was something else. As he watched her walk away, he picked up her bags and waited. He noticed how she walked, with a lilt and sway of her hips. He was getting hard just thinking about those hips and what they would do…”
Hold on there buddy, one step atta time
” he thought and fought to gain control over his growing libido. He watched her bend over to talk to the driver and he inwardly groaned. He knew if he didn’t get control over himself, he was going to take her right here on the steps so he began to recite the chorus of Henry the VIII and envision the king in a thong. That helped. By the time Penny reached him, he was once again calm, cool and collected and ready for anything. He let her take the lead and followed her up the stairs, knowing that this was the beginning of something wonderful.
As Penny walked into the foyer, she was greeted by the staircase which was made of a deep, dark wood that added to the charm and richness of the rest of the hall which had wainscoting all the way around. To the right she could see into the living room which held larger than ordinary pieces of furniture that, she was sure, if you were to sit on any piece it would suck you in. And to the left was the formal dining area where more of the dark wood and wainscoting could be seen which enhanced the twelve seating dining table and buffet. She was taken aback by how cozy a large place can be. It all looked so warm and inviting, Penny felt herself instantly relax. Even with the high ceilings, she didn’t feel like she was in a museum. It all seemed to come together to create a tranquil atmosphere. She felt Shane sidle up next to her and heard him put her bags down. “Would you like a glass of wine? I have red, white or rosé” he said as he began to make his way down the hall, she believed, towards the kitchen. She decided to follow him “White would be nice” and once again, she was pleasantly surprised. The kitchen was huge but not in a hollow way. He had herbs drying on an overhang above the peninsula, plants tucked in corners, stainless steel appliances, granite counter-tops, hanging pot rack, French doors opening up towards a backyard and a little nook where a table and chairs were. All the cabinets were of the deep, dark wood like the rest of the house. Like the living space, it was….cozy. “Wow. This is an amazing kitchen. If you tell me you can cook as amazing as this kitchen is, we are getting married” she laughed as she reached for the wine Shane handed to her. “Well, start writing your vows and prepare for a feast” Shane responded and took a sip while giving her his best smile. “Ready for a tour or do you just want to relax for a bit? The house is going nowhere so it’s up to you” All Shane wanted to do was take her straight up to the bedroom and amaze her there. “I would like to see the backyard you so feverishly discussed with me. I have it under good authority it’s the highlight of the place” He was just so comfortable, she thought, or it’s the wine. Either way, Penny was already enjoying herself and she hadn’t left the kitchen. Shane began to walk towards the French doors with Penny in his wake, he turned his head and said with a grin “Feverishly, huh? Was I that boorish?” Penny began to laugh. ‘
What a sweet laugh’
, he thought. He can so get used to hearing that sound. As they reached the doors, Shane stood aside once he opened them and ushered her through. Penny took in a site beyond sites, he wasn’t kidding when he said this was his
pièce de rèsistance
. He had the right to be boorish, that’s for sure. “It’s absolutely beautiful. I have never seen anyplace so wondrous, it’s amazing” Penny was just floored by how pleasing it all was. The foliage, the trees, the waterfall, it was like an oasis tucked away in a magical land. “It’s my favorite part of the whole house” he said as he began walking towards the falls “I wanted a place to escape without being encumbered by today’s technology unless otherwise invited. The waterfall drowns out any ringing or knocking but it’s not so loud that you can’t carry a conversation close by. I patted myself on the back when it was finally done” Shane offered Penny one of the chairs he had pulled out and sat down next to her. “Well, you have certainly outdone yourself, Mr. Somers. This place is magnificent!” She looked around the yard and tried to take it all in. He had
Blue Junipers, Light Green Boxwoods, Burgundy Barberrys, Hosta Empresses and Crimson Burning Bushes just to name a few.
She turned to Shane and smiled “I may just have to throw myself upon your good graces and beg never to leave”. As she took a sip of wine, she began to wonder ‘
what the hell am I saying?!
He must think I’m insane or something!
’ When she heard him laugh, she eased up on herself. “I’m sorry” she said “I didn’t mean for it to sound the way it did. It’s just so beautiful” Penny was going to continue with her apology but Shane interrupted her “No worries. I know what effect this place has. I had to haul my landscaper out because he didn’t want to leave. He’s a big man, you know. Almost threw my back out trying to get him out the door” Shane had a pained expression on his face and Penny had to laugh. He looked so much in discomfort that she just couldn’t help it. “Laughing at my pained misery, are we? Well, no more wine for you then. That should teach you to enjoy another’s discomfort at having to toss out a large, overweight man” Shane reached for Penny’s glass at the same time she lunged for it. They were both laughing as they met in the middle, each with a hand on the glass. As they looked into each other’s eyes, their laughing turned into small chuckling which turned into labored breathing and before Penny knew what was happening, his lips were on hers.
CHAPTER 4
‘She tastes like wine’
, he plunged in deeper to taste more. His tongue twisting with hers like a long awaited dance it knew so well. He placed both hands on her cheeks and deepened the kiss, wanting all that she had to offer. He felt her slide her hands around his neck and that was his cue to pull her closer. Slowly, he slid them both to the ground where he was able to feel more of her body. As he brought his lips to her neck, kissing her, licking her, his hands began to explore on their own. She let out a small groan which nearly undid him as he touched her small, firm breasts. He can feel her nipples harden as he brushed his thumb over the fabric of her shirt and the need to taste them became urgent. He pulled up her shirt to expose the sweetness her breasts were promising and suckled at them, letting his tongue feel his way around the mounds of flesh. He could feel her fingers entangling themselves in his hair, holding him, encouraging him and, needing more, he placed himself above her and she gave a cry of delight.
Penny was dumbfounded. This was the last thing she had expected so soon but boy was she happy it happened. As they were sitting and talking, her eyes kept wandering to his lips and she started to wonder what they would feel like, what they tasted like. Well, she didn’t have to wait much longer. When she noticed he was going for her glass, she lunged after it and the next thing she knew, he was kissing her. Soft and sweet, his tongue brushing her lips with slight caresses. Then the assault began and it was hard and demanding and absolutely luscious. She slid her hands around his neck so as to get a better hold and the kiss deepened. Suddenly, she was on the ground, being kissed like she had never been kissed before. Feeling his hands on her body, his lips
feathered down towards her neck and his hands caressing her breasts. Penny let out a small groan, needing to feel more, wanting more. As Shane pulled up her shirt to have better access to her breasts, Penny felt like she was floating on a cloud which kept going higher and higher until she became dizzy. Once she felt his mouth on her breasts, all Penny could do was bring her hand to his head and encourage him to stay there. The feel of his tongue, his lips, made her core want to explode with such intensity she thought she would lose her mind. Once he placed himself above her, she let out a small cry and she wrapped her arms around him, feeling his hard back and, wanting more, she pulled his shirt off. As he balanced himself on his arms, Penny looked as his chest. Chiselled with muscle, she slowly traced each line with her finger, from torso to stomach. Shane shivered at her touch and it pleased her to know that she can do just as much to him as he is doing to her. Shane leaned down and kissed her with an urgency that needed to be remedied instantly. Penny obliged him with as much urgency to match his own. She felt his hardness against her, pushing and thrusting to gain entrance where it couldn’t and that is when it hit her. “To soon” she whispered “Wait, Shane. It’s too soon. We need to stop”. Shane couldn’t hear her words; he was so into it that he believed she was whispering words of encouragement. When he felt her hands on his chest trying to lift him, he didn’t know what was happening. He didn’t want to stop, he needed her, and he was hurting real bad for her. “What’s wrong? Am I hurting you?” he asked as he looked into her eyes. Shane rolled off of her but kept his arm around her midsection lest she try to get away. “It’s too soon” she said “we just literally met an hour ago. We need to take this slow. I’m here for a week, is there really a need to do ‘this’ now?” Shane felt like he just got punched in the stomach and he let out a slow breath. He wanted her real bad and he knew she wanted him, but she was right. The look on Penny’s face told him it was going to be a slow, agonizing week. “No. We don’t need to do this now. You’re right. We have all the time to get to this.”
I’ll probably be dead by then
“Let’s just call this a practice run” he said with a smile and laid a light kiss on her lips before getting up “At least the awkwardness of wondering is out of the way” he said as he looked down at her. She looked flustered and ravaged and Shane couldn’t help feel a bit proud that it was him that made her look like that. Penny looked up at him and gave him her brightest smile “You’re not angry, are you?” Shane gave her a hand up and held her tightly to him, kissed her on the forehead and smiled “No, not angry. Frustrated? Yes. Blue balled? Definitely. But certainly not angry. It’ll happen when the time is right, not before” Penny felt a wave of relief, she did want him in a bad way but she needed to be sure. “How about something to eat? You must be hungry” He had to find something to keep him busy or else he’ll be busy undoing her pants. “What did you have in mind?” Penny tried to keep her mind on other things aside from undressing him and tossing him to the ground, food was a good place to start. “How does chicken sound? Can have it on the table in a half hour” The last thing Shane wanted was chicken, it only reminded him of breasts, her breasts. “Sounds good. If you don’t mind though, I would love a shower. Get a bit of the travelling grime off of me” She needed a cold shower, a really cold shower to cool her down. “No problem, I’ll show you to your room. It has an en suite so make it as your own” Shane really didn’t want her sleeping in another room any more than he wanted to become a eunuch but, under the circumstances, it was the gentlemanly thing to do. ‘
Sometimes being a gentleman really sucks
’ and he led the way.