‘Oh, Helen,’ he groaned, ‘you utterly def
eat me.’
His thumbs gently parted her lips as his mouth descended hungrily to hers. It was a gentle exploratory kiss, a kiss that pleaded for a response, a response she was only too eager to give. As Leon sensed her capitulation he deepened the kiss into searing passion, his mouth moving on hers with a demand she willingly met.
It was if they kissed for the first time, and Helen offered no resistance as Leon’s hands roamed freely over her roused pointed breasts, their bodies moulded together. She could feel his desire for her and her own desire matched his.
But now her fear was of a different kind, a fear that he would realise she loved him in return. And she couldn’t let him know that, daren’t let him know.
But for the moment she wanted his kisses and caresses, trembling with pleasure as his hands moved beneath her jumper, deftly disposing of the front fastening of her bra to caress her bare breasts. His hands cupped her breasts, his thumbs running tantalisingly over her hardened nipples, sending tingling sensations through her entire body.
His lips left hers to travel down her throat, probing the sensitive hollows to be found there. Helen could sense the danger now, could sense how close Leon was to losing complete control, and although she didn’t want to she knew she had to stop him.
It took great effort of will to move out of his arms, because whatever had gone before she was no longer afraid of what Leon could make her feel physically. She longed to give herself to him, to become one with him, but if she did that he would think she had agreed to marry him.
‘No, Leon!’ She pulled away, straightening her clothing.
‘No? His breathing was ragged.
She shook her head. ‘And I mean no, I won’t marry you.’
’Why?’ he groaned. ‘You don’t love anyone else, do you?’
’You know I don’t,’ she dismissed impatiently.
‘But you don’t love me either, is that it?’ he demanded.
‘That’s it,’ she lied, hating the pain she could see in his eyes.
‘Is that the truth?’
‘Why should you doubt it?’ she challenged, not answering his question. ‘Have I ever given you the impression that I do?’ Oh God, she hoped not! If he should ever suspect her real feelings for him he would never let her quietly fade out of his life.
Leon scowled. ‘You know damn well you haven’t. And does the fact that I love you mean nothing to you?’
If only he knew! Knowing he felt the same way she did only made it more difficult for her to say goodbye to him, although it also made it more of a necessity. ‘It’s a lovely compliment for any woman, but—’
’Compliment?’ he snapped. ‘My God, Helen, you really know how to hurt me. Don’t you care what pain you cause?’
‘I don’t mean to hurt you, Leon. I just—’
‘Then you’re doing a damn good job of it without even trying. God help me if you ever deliberately set out to hurt me!’
‘I would never do that,’ she denied chokingly.
‘Why won’t you marry me, Helen? Is it because of the press? Are you frightened of the publicity?’ He looked at her hopefully. ‘If that’s what it is I can assure you that as your husband I would protect you from any unpleasantness.’
‘Or you may just start to believe the things they have to say,’ she said with a sigh. ‘They tell a very convincing story.’
‘Oh, I know that, they rip me to shreds from time to time.’
‘That sort of publicity could ruin your career.’
‘I’d rather have you than my career any day. Monetarily I don’t need to work now, and I have other business interests that would keep me happy. But I think you’re exaggerating the situation anyway. Things that shocked and made news a couple of years ago hardly cause a ripple nowadays.’
Helen gave a bitter laugh. ‘Thanks! Emotionally they tore me apart two years ago.’
‘More so than normal because you lost the baby too,’ Leon said gently. ‘That can’t have been an easy experience to go through.’