Essence of Desire (10 page)

“You thought of everything,” Robert said, pulling Roxie deeper into his arms, as his body spooned hers while they lay together on an air mattress.

She smiled. “I tried to.”

Once they had regained their strength after making love in the master bathroom, she had taken his hand and led him to a guest room whose door had been locked. When she used a key to open it and he stepped inside, he’d discovered an air mattress on the floor covered in silken sheets and a bottle of wine in a bucket of ice, as well as a CD player that had provided soft, stimulating music.

With quick use of her cell phone, dinner had been delivered from a Chinese restaurant nearby. After filling their stomachs and drinking wine they had stripped off their clothes again, stretched out on the air mattress to indulge in lovemaking. Now they were glowing in the aftermath, holding each other close. Their breathing eased out in slow spells as they tried rebuilding their energy, contemplating going yet another round.

“It’s gotten dark outside,” Robert noted, glancing out the window.

Roxie chuckled. “Your nosey neighbors are probably wondering what’s happening over here; especially after dinner was delivered. We’ve been locked up in here for hours.”

Robert shifted on the mattress. “Let them wonder. We’re adults and don’t have to answer to anyone but each other.”

Satisfied with his answer, Roxie tried pressing herself as close to Robert as she could get and he automatically tightened his hold on her. For the first time in years her body was satisfied and she knew Robert deserved all the credit. She had set out to bring the old Robert back, but in doing so he had helped her to admit something within herself that she hadn’t been able to until now.

She was in love with him. Had been for some time but had conveniently pushed it to the back of her mind, but as she’d recently discovered, not out of her heart. Seeing him again two weeks ago had made her realize that in a way nothing had changed. Although he was here with her now, it was only because of strategic planning on her part and not because seducing her had been his idea.

“You’ve gotten quiet on me,” Robert whispered in her ear.

She met his gaze and decided to be honest with him…up to a point. “I was thinking how good we are together.”

He leaned down and rubbed his cheek against hers and she felt him smile against her face. “Yes, we are good together. Who would have thought?”

She had, she wanted to say but reframed from doing so.

“You’re a very passionate woman, Roxie,” he said, taking the tip of his finger and tracing the flatness of her belly. “Especially here,” he said, letting his fingers travel lower to the area between her legs.

Her entire body tensed in anticipation as to what he would do next. Over the past few hours he had been free with his fingers, mouth and tongue. What she’d told him earlier was true. They were good together. And she knew he was once again about to show her just how much.

He took his time to stroke her until she was moaning words she’d never even heard of, never known existed, and when he shifted positions and eased his body over hers, she automatically opened her legs to him. But he didn’t take what she offered until she looked up at him.

He gazed deep into her eyes and that moment in addition to feeling desired, she felt totally in sync with him. And she felt so much love. This is what being here with him had been about. Sad, he would never, ever know it.

Capturing her hands in his, he raised them above her head, and continued to hold her gaze as he sank deep inside of her. Instinctively, she wrapped her legs around him. Pure feminine satisfaction consumed her and then he began moving, establishing a rhythm that had her purring. She knew if she never made love to another man in her life, this was it. The ultimate in sexual pleasure.

And when another orgasm hit, setting off a mass of vibrations deep inside her womb, she clenched her muscles tight on him. He responded, following her over the edge, holding her as explosions ripped through his own body. She clung to him, tightened her legs around him and dug her fingers deep into his shoulders.

And moments later when they tumbled back down to earth, Roxie felt a contentment she hadn’t felt in a long time, if ever. And as hard as she wanted to fight it, she knew she was falling deeper and deeper in love.

***

Robert stirred awake. It was time for him to leave. He had to get back to Orlando for a meeting tomorrow. Usually, he didn’t have Saturday meetings but the person he was doing business with was arriving in the morning.

He leaned on his elbow and glanced down at Roxie. She was sleeping like a baby and he hated waking her but knew that he had to sooner or later. He glanced at his watch glad he didn’t have to wake her at that moment. There was a little time left so he shifted on his back and looked up at the ceiling, playing over and over in his mind what had passed between them.

He had no regrets and hoped when all was said and done she didn’t have any either. And he wasn’t experiencing any moments of guilt by assuming what they’d done would compromise his relationship with Colt. Like him, Colt had accepted that their sisters weren’t little girls that needed to be protected anymore. They were grown women with their own minds to do as they please, and they had the ability to handle their own business. Besides, Colt knew he would never, ever do anything to hurt Roxie. She meant too much to him.

A sense of wonderment at just how much she meant to him had his heart pounding in his chest. There was a sudden shifting of his mindset that seemed to bring a few things into focus. More than ever before he was aware of a woman as a woman, and not just a supplier of male gratification. For years, as far back as the time he’d reached puberty, he had a curious spirit, and when it came to the opposite sex his inquisitive mind had begun snooping, probing into a subject he’d found intriguing. Luckily for him, Colt had shared the same inquiring propensity.

Since the both of them had been born blessed with good looks, females had made things easy for them. In a way, too easy. From the time they’d been fifteen, they’d had one illicit encounter after another, most with girls a lot older than they were, definitely more experienced. If only every man could have been as fortunate to have undergone the extensive and private hands on training they’d received. To have your primitive desires taken care of without a worry or hassle had been astounding.

College hadn’t been too much different. The women had flocked to him and Colt. They’d had their pick and life had been good. However there had never been a doubt in either of their minds that one day they would eventually settle down and their overactive testosterone would level off. He’d known, just as Colt had, that there was a special woman out there, one they would pledge their lives to; create a family with, and grow old together with.

Colt had found Cinnamon and he had found Noble Technology. His company had been as demanding as any wife could be, but still, he had been able to juggle a work life and sex life and thought he had found the perfect mix until that little fiasco with Mariah. It had been sheer luck that he hadn’t been interested enough to invite her to his bed. What he’d thought was lousy timing had turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

“Robert?”

The softness in her voice had him shifting up and leaning on his elbow to look down at her. She was awake; her features had that sexy, drowsy look. “Yes?”

“Are you staying in Summerlin for the weekend?”

Regretfully, he shook his head. “No, the plane is waiting for me to fly back to Orlando tonight. I should have left hours ago. I hadn’t expected this.”

He hadn’t expected it nor had he been able to walk away from it. He had called his pilot earlier while waiting for their food to arrive to let him know there would be a delay.

“Complaining?” she asked.

“No, not one iota.” He paused for a second and then asked. “How would you like to come to Orlando next weekend? Do you think you can get away?”

She gazed up at him from between long lashes and she had a coy look on her face when she said. “Umm, I don’t know. What’s for me in Orlando?”

A laugh sounded from deep in his chest. “Mickey, Minnie and Donald, for starters. Then there’s Snow White and those Seven Dwarfs.”

She grinned. “Interesting. Anything else?”

His smile deepened. “There’s that set of tools I own that you seem fascinated with.”

Her eyes appeared to brighten. “Do I get to work with them again?”

“As often as you like.”

She inched closer to him. “Sounds like fun.”

“I’ll make sure that it is. I’ll send the plane for you next Friday evening and return you home Sunday night. What do you think?”

She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I think I’m convinced your makeover is beginning to show good results. Definite progress.”

She then pulled his mouth down to hers.

The following Friday evening Robert waited at the Orlando airport for his jet to arrive. Due to a very important business meeting, he wasn’t able to be on the jet to Summerlin like he’d hoped, but nothing was going to keep him from being here when the flight returned.

It had been a busy week and he’d found himself reminiscing periodically about what he and Roxie had shared last Friday night. Even now sensuous shudders ran through his body just thinking about it. It had been past midnight by the time they had left his house. After they had put away any proof of their trysts so workers returning on Monday morning wouldn’t figure anything out, he had followed her home to make sure she got into her house safely. He had thought about staying but had fought the temptation.

They had talked several times on the phone and both were looking forward to this weekend. The makeover to his home was going along great but the makeover that was uppermost in his mind was the one she’d done on him. He truly felt different. Even now anticipation for a woman was almost driving him loony.

He heard his cell phone ring and he pulled it out of his pocket. “Hello?”

“Cinnamon said you called earlier. What’s up?”

Robert wished he hadn’t asked him that; specifically not now. Especially when he’d been practically aroused all week just thinking about this weekend with Roxie. “Nothing much. Just checking in to see what’s going on with you.”

At the time he’d called earlier, he had made up his mind to tell Colt that Roxie was flying in for the weekend and let his best friend draw his own conclusions. But now he wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do before discussing it with Roxie first. So, he decided not to say anything for now.

He and Colt talked for a few moments longer when he got a signal he was receiving another call. “Got to run, Colt. Another call is coming in. Give Cinnamon and CJ hugs and kisses for me.”

After ending the call with Colt, he quickly clicked over. It was his pilot. “We’re about to land, Mr. Noble.”

A smile touched Robert’s lips. “Thanks, Jim. I’m here waiting.”

***

Roxie saw Robert the moment she began descending the plane. He was standing on the runway next to a sports car. And he looked so handsome it almost took her breath away. Gone was the suit, white dress shirt and tie. His ruggedly built body was encased in a pair of jeans and a blue pullover shirt. In the light from the fading sun his dark skin seemed to smolder with strength and vitality. A wanton shudder slid down her spine.

If she thought she loved him before, she definitely knew it now. There was gentleness in the eyes staring at her. Gentleness and desire. And it was desire she felt all the way to the toes peeking from her sandals.

He moved away from the car and was there at the bottom step when her feet touched ground. And as if it was the most natural thing to do, he said hello with a kiss. Not a peck on the cheek, but a tongue kiss that to her way of thinking ended too quickly. But she understood. She also knew there was plenty more where that came from.

He proved her right the moment he whisked her away from the airport and stopped at the first traffic light they came to. His finger beckoned her to come closer and when they met over the console separating the bucket seats, he cupped her chin and gave her another torching kiss.

“I can’t wait to get you to my house,” he whispered against moist lips.

“And I can’t wait to get there,” she responded, meaning every word. This was a new experience for her, one she found both adventurous and exciting. She’d never engaged in an illicit weekend with a man. Even when she and Darrin had dated, he hadn’t spent the night over at her place, hadn’t even pushed to do so. He had preferred quickies. That should have told her something then. It would have had she not been so convinced he was the key to her happiness.

To pass the time she began telling Robert all the things that had gone on with the house this week. It was information she had already relayed to Hazel but wanted him to know anyway.

“You’re going to love your new kitchen cabinets. And the floors in the upstairs bedrooms are almost completed.”

“You’re good at what you do,” he said, smiling over at her.

“Thanks. Makeovers are becoming my specialties.” And from the look in his eyes, she could tell that he believed her.