Bella's Choice (22 page)

“Maybe, but you are worth the effort. I love you, and want to do this the right way. I want to show you the pleasures of the pure bond between a man and a woman.” Aldrich had to admit that saying the words hadn’t come easy. His body reacted to hers fervently. He wanted her more than he could think, but he wanted her to experience life without any complications. To bring sex into the picture now would just create problems. He would rather take it slow, even if it killed him. His body was demanding release within her, wanted to enjoy what she was offering. She was enticing, and vibrant with a passion that matched his.

There was nothing to stop him from having her right there, right then, but he made a silent vow that he would take it slow. He had to show her what it meant to love someone in a wholesome way. She had to learn the difference. It didn’t stop him from enjoying her, and he did enjoy her. He grinned when he saw the pout on her lips, and kissed her once again.

“You are an amazing woman.” He followed his words with yet more kisses on her eyes, which he trailed to her lips.

She smiled ruefully when he moved away.

“I brought dessert,” he said huskily, his voice betraying his inner struggle to hold it together.

She ginned teasingly. “Let me guess, strawberries and cream?”

Aldrich chuckled wholeheartedly, sitting up straight. He had to put some distance between them. She looked positively ravished just by his kisses alone. His body was painfully aware of her proximity, but he wanted their first time to be perfect and unique for her. He wanted her to cherish it for the rest of her life.

“What are your plans for tomorrow?” he asked as he took out the dessert, and searching for the spoons he handed her one once he found them.

“Mother is holding a welcoming celebration for me.” She took in huge breaths of air, ashamed of her parents’ reactions toward Aldrich. She looked down as she sat up straight, avoiding his eyes.

Ever since her mother had told her about it that morning, she had her doubts. She wished she could invite Aldrich. It would give her the courage to go through with it. Then common sense had filtered through, and she knew she didn’t want him there. Their behavior made her edgy. Her mother had talked to her about it, demanding she attend, because many people were expecting her. Anabella had originally refused. Even her father had come to the kitchen, speaking in an authoritive tone for the first time, giving her no leeway.

After that confrontation, when she had been in her room,
Roy’s visit startled her, because until now she hadn’t understood the meaning behind his weary words. He had warned her to be careful, but had given no indication as what he meant exactly. However, she couldn’t ignore the seriousness in his entire posture. When she questioned him about it, he had said, “Be careful.” And then left. She tried not to think about it too much, but it did scare her. Just like the letter she received. She didn’t want to mention it tonight, fearful that it would destroy the peaceful evening.

She’d been separated from Aldrich for three months, and it had almost killed her. If he left her, it would destroy her. She needed this time with him. She didn’t want to think of the negative things which tried to separate them. She knew he would be upset, but what could he do? He couldn’t protect her while she was at her house. He wasn’t welcomed.

She took the spoon from him and watched him. He was relaxed, enjoying this time just as much as she was. The moonlight accentuated the square, masculine jaw, which was highlighted with stubble. Bathed in silver, it gave him a serene expression.

Although she couldn’t tell him how she felt about her parents, she wondered about the note. She’d read it again before meeting him tonight. It had been on her mind the entire day. She narrowed it down to one conclusion. It had to be a woman, but who? If she were honest with herself after hearing his confession last night, she was jealous. This woman liked him and wasn’t hiding her feelings for him, either. He’d gone out with her a couple of times during the period she’d been away. Could he, in all honesty, say that he felt nothing for her? Could this woman be the one?
Maybe she should go ahead and ask him, see what he had to say, watch how he acted. There was only one way to find out the truth.

“Aldrich, is there anything I must be aware of?” she queried, taking a bite of a strawberry dipped in sweetened cream to hide her discomfort.

He looked at her, astonished at first, swallowing as confusion set in, which became apparent in his expressive eyes. “What do you mean?”

“Girlfriends. I need to know about your previous girlfriends, the ones you aren’t telling me about,” she clarified, carefully watching him, as she took another bite of the sweetness.

Surprise played over his face, and a hard line edged his jaw. “I am not quite sure where this is leading.” His gaze hovered over her

She swallowed, meeting his dark gaze. “I received a warning letter, stating that I must stay away from you.”

He gasped out loud, his breath blowing over her as he exhaled. “From who?” He placed the bowl on the blanket and shifted to look at her directly.

“I don’t know, there was no name on it,” she said softly, seeing the shock displayed on his face. She knew he was being honest with her. The realization helped her to relax, but she had to see it through.

“I want to see this letter,” he said as he wrapped her in his arms, asking, “Are you okay?”

“Yes, I am, but I was stunned. Who could it be?” She relaxed into him, her dessert forgotten.

I was silly to think that there was someone else,
she thought.
He is just as shocked as I was. How could I have ever doubted him?
She pressed herself more firmly against him, seeking his warmth. Lifting her head, she met his gaze. “I will give it to you when I see you again.”

“Maybe it is nothing,” he said, his mind racing, sifting through all the women he had known over the years. Since Pauline’s death, he’d never had any relationships. Occasionally, he had ventured out, but had kept it platonic, never given any woman any indication that he was interested in her. Then a thought struck him, could it be Giselle? She’d clung to him, hadn’t accepted no for an answer, and she had made it clear that she wanted him. If it was her, he would have to nip it in the bud and make it perfectly clear that he wasn’t interested in her. To send Anabella a warning letter. The mere thought of it angered him as he held her tighter. The bloody nerve of the woman!

Aldrich kept his thoughts to himself. He could sense Anabella’s hesitation, but also her willingness to believe him as she relaxed against him. Something he was grateful for.

“Maybe you’re right, but I was scared.”

“I know, sweetheart, and I am sorry. You don’t need this on top of everything else.” He kissed her forehead tenderly. “Let’s forget about that for now, all right?” he said, lifting her chin and smiling at her. “This is our night, and I won’t allow anyone to spoil it.”

“Okay,” was the last word she said, before he claimed her lips.

“Is everything still going according to plan for tomorrow afternoon?” André asked, out of breath after their marathon. He held Sandra in his arms, watching Jason still buried within the new girl.

Jason had met her at a party they attended four weeks ago, immediately mesmerized by the young woman’s beauty and energy. That very night, he had his first taste of her, bringing her home afterward. They had shared her that night. She’d shown no hesitation when Sandra joined in, eagerly accommodating her. Her willingness to share and discover with them had held their attention since then. Jason could not get enough of her. She had been in their bed almost every night, even André found her bubbliness enticing, and she managed to keep up with his demands, which impressed him. Her young body was pliable to every act they introduced, willing to learn all the tricks they knew.

What Sandra loved the most was watching her husband enjoying himself. His passion for the feminine body had never dwindled since she met him. He had been an excellent lover since then, a friend and a confidant whom she loved dearly. He had never slowed down due to his age, and in fact their lovemaking had intensified with each day. He would never miss an opportunity to have sex wherever or whenever with her. Women loved him, and he in turn loved women. Every part of them had to be explored. He was a modern Marco Polo of the feminine body. Over the years, there had been several who stuck around for a time until they found someone new. Still, this hadn’t prevented them from coming back on several occasions just for the thrill. By now she was used to it and shared his love for the body, any body. Their openness in marriage was the reason they were still married.

“Yes, of course. She insisted on bringing a friend, but we put a stop to that notion quickly,” she added, carefully.

He raised a brow; irritation laced his tone as he asked, “Who is this friend?”

“We have never met him, but I understand from the boys that she loves him very much.”

Abruptly he sat up looking at her with annoyance, his sudden movement made Jason stop and look at him quizzically. “No, this has to stop! How can she love someone else? I forbid it!” His voice was laced with anger as he swung his legs from the bed.

Sandra looked at him in disbelief. “André, she doesn’t know about you, yet.”

“It does not matter, she is mine.” He walked to the bathroom, his gait rigid.

She watched him with a mixture of foreboding and enjoyment. He was the ideal man for Anabella, but this friend could be a problem. If he was not willing to join in their lifestyle, he could take Anabella away. They could not afford to aggravate André Herbst. He was a powerful client, one that could make life very unpleasant for them.

Jason’s brow furrowed, sensing her unease. “What is up, love?”

The young woman tried to get his attention back by turning his face, but he shrugged her hand away, kissing the fingertips as he gave her a bright smile.

Sandra grinned at the woman’s displeasure, her body glowing all over; she was in the throws of an orgasm.

“André is angry about Anabella.”

“Why?” He kissed the young woman to silence her whimpering.

“Anabella’s friend.”

“So what is the problem?”

“He does not want to share her.” She gave an ugly snort.
Roy had told her about the young lawyer who was madly in love with Anabella. They’d confronted her about it. That was where she was this evening, with him. Sandra knew she had to do something to stop it. She had plans for her daughter, plans that involved André, not this lawyer. After tomorrow night, she would make sure the man wouldn’t be interested in her any longer.

“André doesn’t like it at all. You know how he is. When he wants something, nothing will stop him, and he wants Anabella.”

“Tomorrow night we will make sure she not only likes André, but is willing to share that perfect body of hers,” Jason concluded, bowing his head to kiss the woman in his arms. He knew several of his friends who would love to have her. He had watched his daughter grow up into a fine specimen, had shown her off often enough that men couldn’t help enquiring about her. His wife wasn’t the only one who had plans for her. He smiled crookedly down at the young woman sprawled open before him and whispered endearing words in her ear when she captured him between her legs, forcing him to enter her, grinning as he hit home. Her eagerness was intoxicating.

Sandra watched as her husband impaled the blond’s aroused body, reveling in the sounds that they both made. She crawled from the bed to where the two had been in the throes of the lustful act and kissed her husband on his soft spot
―on the collarbone, where bone and flesh met. He groaned with pleasure, knowing the effect it would have on him, which caused the young woman to squeal with delight.

“Have you decided to join me?” he uttered between grunts.

All she did was smile as she continued to enjoy him.

Jason had been a sex addict from the age of sixteen, when a much older woman had introduced him to sex. She had been the mother of a school friend and had taught him how to please a woman expertly. Since that introduction, it became his favorite playtime. He loved a woman in his arms and the pleasure of bringing her to orgasm as she opened to him. The thrill and excitement that coursed through him was like a drug to his system, he couldn’t get enough. He had married Sandra, because she loved and shared this passion with him. Jason had been her first lover, and still after twenty-six years of marriage, he couldn’t get enough of her, or any other woman.