Carefully, quietly, she slipped out of bed and removed her dress. Thought briefly about pulling on a negligee, decided against it. The black lace panties and matching bra she wore were about as sexy as it was possible for her to get. The stretch marks on her breasts and belly gave her a moment of panic. The scar from her hysterectomy stood out, ugly against her pale skin. He’d notice, want an explanation. A sure passion-killer.
Tonight was not the time to tell him about that. A smear of make-up might help and she could turn the light off as soon as they were in bed.
Moments later she tiptoed across the room and knelt between Marshall’s legs, her breath catching in her throat as she marvelled at his toned body. Even covered with a shirt and trousers, there was no denying the strength of his body or the very male bump shaping the front of his trousers. So close she only had to lean slightly one way or the other and she’d be touching him.
Her fingers were trembling as she reached for the buckle of his belt. She didn’t want him to wake up immediately, would prefer to gradually undress him and enjoy each little exposure. Slowly, slowly she fed the end of the belt out of the buckle. Then started inching the zip down, one notch at a time over that bump. Her heart rate shot through the roof. Her fingers jerked the zip down the final centimetres. Desire raced along her veins, heating her rapidly all over, pooling at her centre.
She hadn’t known this need, this feeling of urgency since Honolulu. Since this man had taken her to bed and taught her more about sex and loving than she’d believed possible. He’d woken her up in many ways, ruined her for any other man.
A sudden movement and her hand was pinned down. Marshall’s hand gripped hers, his fingers splayed as he pressed his growing erection into her palm. His other hand grasped the back of her head and began to draw her close.
‘Stop,’ she croaked. And when he still pulled her closer she said loudly, ‘Stop, Marshall.’
The hand on her head dropped away. The other didn’t. He tried to sit up but she was impeding him. Good. This was her show. They’d do things her way.
Looking up, she caught him watching her, eyes wide with lust, tongue tracking those full lips she loved to kiss. When he made to move again she shook her head and pushed him back into the chair. ‘Wait.’
Returning her hands to his trousers, she finished unzipping them, all caution gone. She spread the opening wide and scooped into his boxers and lifted his weight into her palm, surrounded his hard length with her other hand. The throbbing erection felt like silk against her sliding fingers.
‘Charlie. Oh, God.’
Leaning close, her mouth found him, her tongue licked and stroked, and the desire in her body ramped higher and higher until she shook with the need for him inside her.
His fingers wove through her hair, gripping as he held her head. His body strained in the chair, pushing up at her. His breathing was fast and hot, his thighs tense as he tightened them against her.
Then he reached for her shoulders and lifted her up. ‘No, Charlie, you first.’ The words were hoarse with need.
Scrambling to her feet, she tore her panties off and straddled him. As she hovered above him, her sex throbbing with need, she shook her head. ‘No, Marshall. Together.’
He caught her waist. ‘Condom. In my trouser pocket. Right side.’
So he had been hoping for this. She grinned and pushed into the pocket to find the small foil pack. Not that she’d get pregnant. He’d taught her to put one on with alacrity and finesse, and the moves came back in an instant. His passionate groan told her she’d got it right.
His hand found her wet centre, his fingers touched and caressed. She gritted her teeth, felt her neck cord as she fought to keep control, and reached for him again. This was their night. They had to share, to come at the same time. And then it was too late. She lost the battle as wave after wave of liquid need rocked through her, tightening her muscles and thrumming each and every nerve ending in her body.
She almost screamed. ‘Marshall.’
His mouth quickly covered hers, took the next scream. His tongue danced with hers. Those lips held hers. And still she rocked with the power of her orgasm.
Slowly, slowly it dissipated and her heart rate returned to something resembling normal as she laid her head against his chest. ‘You cheated,’ she whispered.
‘Lady, I never go first.’ Then he pushed up against her, his penis finding her opening immediately.
Lowering herself onto him, Charlie met his thrusts as they became more urgent. Her hands gripped his shoulders as she rode him equally hard and fast. And his name filled the room as she came again. Their world closed around them as they found release, and then they were slumped together, their bodies melding into one another.
Finally, maybe hours later but most likely minutes, they both moved. Charlie lifted herself off Marshall. He caught her hand, tugged her back. His mouth covered hers with a kiss. A kiss that deepened until she thought she’d explode with need. Shaking, she pulled away. This time she tugged his hand and headed for her bed.
‘Lady, any time you want to wake me up, feel free to go about it that exact same way.’ Marshall climbed into bed and wrapped her in his arms.
‘Any time, huh?’ She grinned and reached to switch off the light.
He caught her hand, effectively stopping her. ‘I want to look at you. It’s been so long and my memories need a recharge.’
Huddling her shoulders, she snatched her hand back and tucked her arms under her breasts. Biting down on the flare of panic again clawing its way through her, she told him, ‘I’ve got stretch marks now. I’d prefer you to remember me without those.’ How lame could she get? He knew she didn’t have hang-ups about her looks or body. But that had been then, this was now.
Beside her he leaned back against the headboard. ‘Okay, Charlie. What’s going on?’ His tone was light and caring but there was steel running through it. There’d be no fobbing him off this time. ‘Why do you always go to bed almost before the sun sets? Why did you all but fall asleep at the restaurant? Why don’t you want me to see your beautiful body? I remember the Charlie who danced naked for me in my apartment.’
Here it was. The moment of truth. ‘I…’ Her mouth closed. She took a big breath and shuffled around so that she could see his face. She wanted to know exactly what he thought the moment he learned what had happened. She needed to know if he’d be around for Aimee. Now.
‘I’ve had a hysterectomy.’ His eyes widened. She held up her hand before he could say anything. ‘I won’t be having any more babies. Like you and I, Aimee’s an only child.’
‘Nothing wrong in that. I’ve managed without siblings. So have you.’ His eyes bored into her. ‘So why the operation? Something to do with Aimee’s birth?’
If only. ‘Eight weeks after Aimee was born I went for a routine check-up with my obstetrician and she discovered a growth on my womb. It was malignant.’
‘Hell, Charlie.’ Shock slammed into him, his face tightening, his eyes popping. ‘Tell me you’re okay now. Please.’
‘As far as anyone can say, yes, my prognosis is good.’ She shuddered. ‘But sometimes I fear for the future. It’s a black cloud hovering over me.’
‘It must’ve been hell. Are you sure you’re okay? You’re not hiding anything from me?’
‘I can show you the medical reports if that’ll help.’ But those hadn’t taken all her fears away so she understood Marshall’s need for reassurance.
‘Oh, babe, I wish I’d known. I really do. You shouldn’t have had to go through that on your own.’ He reached for her, wrapped those strong arms around her and held on. ‘I know Brendon was there, but…’ His chin touched the top of her head. ‘I don’t know what I’d have done but I’d have been here for you.’
‘I know you would’ve. That’s why I kept looking for you.’ She could stay tucked up in his arms for ever, feeling his strength, his tenderness, but they’d started this conversation. She wanted it finished.
L
eaning back in his arms to see his face, she continued, ‘My mum died of cervical cancer when I was seven. I was lucky. I have the greatest dad on the planet. He was always there for me as I grew up, and though I missed my mother I never felt lost or lonely. I’m sure I’ve disappointed him at times. When I came home pregnant he took that in his stride. My cancer was a huge shock for him, a rerun of when Mum got ill, but he’s never once let me down.’
‘In the short time I’ve been here I’ve seen how good he is, how strong his love is for you and Aimee.’ Marshall straightened against the headboard, his eyes locking with hers. ‘This is why you spent so much time trying to find me. If something goes wrong, you want the same for Aimee as you’ve had from Brendon.’
He saw straight to the truth every time. She didn’t have to hit him over the head to make him understand. This was one of the things she loved about him. He could be brutally honest but he always got it. ‘Yes. If anything happens to me, Aimee would need you in her life. She has to have one parent at least. Like I did. I need to know you’ll look out for her.’
A cloud formed in his gaze. Setting her aside, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and dropped his head in his hands. For a long time he said nothing, and she sat still, watching and waiting, knowing whatever he said wasn’t going to be what she hoped for.
Finally he lifted his head and turned desperate eyes on her. ‘I hear you. I even understand you. But, Charlie, I’m nothing like Brendon. It’s not in my make-up.’