Delicious Desires (21 page)

Caroline stared about the hallway.

“That has got to be the biggest understatement in the history of the world. But you can’t give anything like this to me. It’s too fantastic. And I don‘t have anything to give you back.” She stammered at him, her heart beating fast as he lowered his head to her.

“I can give you whatever I want to and it’s too late anyway, it’s already
done. The paperwork was finalized yesterday. As to what you can give me, well you already have.” He glanced down at Toby and then kissed her tenderly. “Happy wedding day Mrs. Cavendish.” He smiled at her shocked expression.

She was staring around at the spectacular furnishings, trying to get her head back together.

“Adam it’s so beautiful. I don’t know what to say, it’s too much. Thank you.” She looked up at him with shining eyes.

Adam grunted.

“I’m very glad you like it, but you haven’t seen the best part yet. I’m saving that for tomorrow. I want you all to myself tonight.” He growled down at her, sending little shivers through her whole body.

She smiled up at him as his eyes darkened. Sensing a change in the atmosphere, Toby suddenly gave out a great yell.

“Attention seeker.” Adam muttered. “It’s absolutely uncanny how he knows when I might like to keep you to myself.”

Caroline laughed and propped herself up on one arm.

“That’s babies for you. Well I guess this changes our plans for tonight.” She rubbed Toby’s cheek and he turned into her finger, his little mouth opening and trying to find his milk.

Adam chuckled.

“Not a chance. I’ve got this little chap’s number and I’ve made some special arrangements. Jean-Paul has already offered his wife’s babysitting services.”

He stopped and tried to read Caroline’s expression just as Jean-Paul returned with a silver tray with iced water and crystal glasses. She sipped the deliciously cold liquid and shook her head dispelling the last of the faintness.

She placed the glass back on the tray.

“So are you going to show me around my new palace?” She asked.

Adam raised his eyebrows.

“I would, if I knew it very well myself, but to my shame I can’t say that I do. I bought the place several years ago, but I’ve only been over for the odd weekend. This will be fun. We can discover everything about it together.” He turned to Jean-Paul. “Can you ask Joseph to do dinner for us in about an hour? I think we’d like to get changed into something a little more comfortable before we eat.” He
turned to Caroline.

Jean-Paul looked back to Caroline’s still wilting
posture and then spoke in his charmingly accented English.

“Why don
’t the two of you relax for an ‘our, let Mrs. Cavendish come round a little more.” Caroline could have sworn she saw the Frenchman wink at Adam. “Yvette and I would love to look after Toby for a while. You can see ‘im at the dinner table later.”

Caroline looked warily at Adam, but he smiled up at Jean-Paul and without any hesitation, passed Toby to him. The Frenchman was in raptures
again as he cooed over the baby, congratulating them and kissing them both extravagantly once more, he walked off through a door calling to his wife and as he went.

Caroline looked at Adam.

“Will he be okay? I mean, do Jean-Paul and his wife know how to look after babies?” She sounded concerned as she watched the man’s back disappearing out of sight.

Adam nodded and Caroline relaxed. She knew Adam would never do anything that he thought would harm his precious son.

“He should do, he’s got six children of his own somewhere about here. I expect they’ll all give a hand. That’s the only proviso of you owning this place. You can’t get rid of any of the staff that live here. I’ve employed them for years and I can’t just throw them out.”

Caroline nodded.

“Not a chance, I’m going to need them to keep this place up and running. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

Adam turned back to Caroline and suddenly picked her up in his arms again and started towards the huge stone staircase.

“I’m okay now. I can walk by myself.” She tried to escape his iron embrace but it was impossible. He held her even more firmly against his huge chest and took the steps two at a time.

“There’s one place I remember how to get to. I know where my bedroom is and as we only have an hour before dinner, and before Joseph starts to throw an almighty tantrum about us spoiling his latest culinary creation, be still and do as you’re told Mrs. Cavendish. I want to make love to my wife for the first time.” His eyes scorched into hers and she felt her heart flip over as he made his meaning quite clear.

Adam didn’t put her down until they were inside the door of the huge bedroom. He was tearing off his white shirt a few seconds later, but before he could do anything else, Caroline caught hold of his broad tanned shoulders and pushed him towards the four-poster bed. She was kissing him hotly as she began wriggling out of her own clothes.

“Hey, Mr. Cavendish
.Sto
p
trying to throw your weight around. It’s time you let your wife do some of the work.” She began to unbutton her blouse slowly as he slid his linen trousers from his hips. They dropped away from his muscled thighs and he reached out to grab her again. She pushed him gently until the back of his knees hit the huge bed.

She shoved him
one more time and then he was lying back, naked, on top of the luxurious golden covers. She leaned over him and he reached around her back to unclasp her bra. She straddled his huge body and bent forwards to cover his mouth with hers. She lifted her hips and moaned with passion as she lowered herself gently over his fabulously hard but silky length, taking her time and making him groan in undisguised pleasure as she took him fully and began to make love to him…

Half an hour later Adam was laying on his ba
ck, his eyes glazed as he stared up at the canopy of the bed, completely enraptured. It was a few minutes before he was once again in control of his breathing and he eventually propped himself up on one elbow as he looked at Caroline, curled at his side, with love in his dark grey eyes.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get over how amazing you make me feel.” He whispered as he traced the li
ne of her lips with his finger.

Caroline opened her mouth and sucked his finger gently.

“Hmm?” She let him slide his finger in and out of her mouth. “Don’t think I won’t put that to the test later, but shouldn’t we be getting changed for dinner? We said we’d be an hour and I don’t want everyone talking about us.” She sat up and tried to make sense of her tumbling, tangled hair.

Adam growled deep down in his chest, his grey eyes darkening
even more as he watched her reach up to her head, her breasts trembling temptingly in front of him as she twisted her hair away from her shoulders.

He leaned forwards and took her nipple into his mouth, sucking gently as it hardened beneath his tongue. He
licked the tip gently and then moved his lips to the sensuous valley between her breasts.

“I couldn’t care less about dinner or who talks about us right at this moment.” His voice was husky as he gently brushed her hands away from her head. He caug
ht up her hair and twisted it out of the way before he ran his finger down her spine, sending tingles running through to her very soul. She turned slightly trying to see his face but his head was dipped as he touched his lips to the soft skin at the side of her neck. 

He slid his body across the bed and pressed himself against her. Caroline gave a barely suppressed moan of longing as his arousal pressed against her thigh and his hands moved round her body in a soft caress.

They were very late for dinner.

Chapter Twenty-six

“I don’t know if I’ll ever want to go home.” Caroline looked up at Adam as they walked round the gardens with Toby in Adam’s arms. The rest of the household had gone to the local market and Caroline and Adam were enjoying their time alone with Toby.

Adam smiled down at her. His face was relaxed and he breathed the clean air in deeply.

“I know what you mean. Since I met you I don’t have the same urge for the commercial work as I used to. I think I might give it up entirely and go back to just designing. I don’t need to be on site all the time. I already have people in who can oversee things. I could be designing from here and go to the U.K. when necessary. It wouldn’t have to be very often.” Adam was thoughtful as he put the end of his little finger to Toby’s mouth. He smiled indulgently as the baby sucked on it, hard. “Hmm, hungry again Toby?”

Caroline was almost shocked at his confession.

“But won’t you miss all those high powere meetings and the hands on approach?

Adam frowned down at her and then gave a huge grin and waggled his eyebrows.

“I don’t think so. There’s only one form of ‘hands on’ that I want to be dealing with from now on.” He ignored her playful slap on his arm and carried on. “I never wanted to be in that side of things in the first place, but that damned ball I told you about began rolling and I couldn’t stop it. I don’t want that anymore.” He sighed deeply. “Being apart didn’t suit either of us Caroline. We were both so miserable. Before Daniel came and told me you were having my baby,” he glanced lovingly at Toby, “I was in a very bad state of mind. I actually wanted to die, if I couldn’t have you back. Those are very dark thoughts and I never want to have them again.” He was speaking very softly. “I once said to you that I didn’t think you’d be able to save me from anything, now I think that you’ve saved me from myself. I will never be without you again Caroline. You are part of me now. I love you completely.”  

Caroline caught hold of his arm and then turned to admire the view of the Chateau from this side of the garden. She could see Jean-Paul’s arms waving wildly as Joseph, their temperamental French chef, shouted some words in French and gesticulated wildly back.

“What’s going on over there?” 

Adam looked up.

“Ah! They are back. And it seems like you are late for the second part of your wedding gift. You had better leave Toby with me and go and wash up. Joseph was a little put out with us last night. He said his sautéed clams and the Chateau Briand were completely ruined last night. If you don’t hurry up he’s going to completely lose it.”

Caroline raised her eyebrows as she remembered the
delicate shellfish beautifully fried with garlic and white wine and the perfectly cooked fillet steak finished with a delicious cream sauce and crisp fresh vegetables that they had eventually eaten some two hours later than intended. What with the splendid array of cheeses and the rich chocolate mousse, Caroline had thought it the most perfect dinner she had ever tasted.

“Why
is he going to lose it? What am I supposed to be doing with him?”

Adam grinned at her.

“This is your first day of working your way around this part of Europe and learning how to make exquisite French patisserie! Off you go, I’m expecting some fabulous creation for my dessert later.” He began pushing her towards a now glowering Joseph. “And don’t worry about the chef. All that shouting and waving, it’s all hot air. He’s actually dying to begin teaching you.”

Caroline couldn’t believe her ears.

“Joseph is going to teach me? This is fantastic! Oh Adam, you have made my dream come true.” She was almost over whelmed.

Adam snorted.

“Huh! Not entirely, but by the time we go to my other places in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Germany you might have fulfilled some of it. We can go international next year, though I’m not sure what sort of cakes they make on the ranch in America.”

Caroline felt her knees begin to wobble
as she realized exactly what he was saying.

“So
, in how many countries do you own property exactly? I mean am I ever going to get back to my work in England to show the others how to do it all?”

Adam laughed.

“We’ll have to draw up a proper schedule. I’ve places just about everywhere. I did warn you that I was a busy bloke and I wasn’t joking, but we can take everything slowly. I’m looking forward to seeing “Cakes of the Continents” take off. Do you think Cathy and the girls will be keen? They could all come and learn the skills with you.”

Caroline could barely take it all in.

“I’m sure they’ll be thrilled. But I think I’d better get moving. Joseph is turning a very odd colour as we speak.” She started off across the lawn, but Adam quickly caught up with her and caught hold of her arm. Caroline laughed as she saw Joseph throw up his arms in defeat and he stalked back into the Chateau.

Adam held her until he felt her body relax under his hand. The
n, moving the sleeping Toby slightly in his arm, he leaned down and covered her lips with his, sending tingling jolts of electricity through her. His lips began to move with more urgency and he groaned as his tongue found hers. His kiss was deep but gentle and Caroline could feel the passion growing through them.

At last he released her. She was breathing in soft gasps at his intensity.

“I love you Adam. I loved you from the very first time I saw you and you touched my face. I just didn’t recognize the signs. I will always want to be with you.” She reached back up and kissed him under his jaw, her hand running around his face and into his dark hair.

Adam glanced down at Toby.

“Do you think he’s out for an hour?” His hot breath made his intentions quite clear.

Caroline looked nervously back to the Chateau.

“What about Joseph and your dessert?”

“They can wait. I can’t.”

She heard a deep groan of longing inside his huge chest as he immediately turned them back towards the chateau and set off across the lawn at a near jog. Caroline laughed as she tried to keep up with his enormous stride.

“Hey Mister!” She panted, as they sped along the gravel drive to the front door. “I thought you said that you’d changed. I thought you didn’t feel the need to rush about so much.”

“Silly woman.” He laughed down at her, dragging her through the door, his superiority abundantly clear. “There are some things about me that will never change. Now, just do as you’re told and get upstairs while I put Toby in his crib. He pushed her gently towards the stairs as she hesitated and raised her eyebrows at his words. “I’m asserting my authority over you, just for a little while anyway.” He grinned wickedly.

Caroline smiled back at him and then hardened her look until she looked positively furious.

“Okay Mr. Muscles. I’ll give in just this once, but don’t try to make a habit of ordering me about. I may get annoyed.” She raged at him and then laughed as she couldn’t keep up the charade. His face was delighted.

“Even better. You know I love it when you’re angry.” He growled at her and winked as she frowned deliberately at him
before she laughed again. He turned towards the nursery, his broad shoulder shoving through the door as he took his son for a nap.

Caroline ran up the stairs, slipping out of her clothes as she reached their bedroom. She lay naked on the big bed, waiting for him, thinking about the months they had wasted over a stupid misunderstanding.
What fools they had been!
That would never happen again. She could hear Adam’s feet pounding up the stairs on his way to find her.

He charged through the door and stopped dead as he saw her, gazing at her naked body adoringly.

He couldn’t believe how lucky he was. A perfect wife and a perfect son. It was as though he had won the lottery. He started to undo the buttons on his shirt, never taking his eyes off her for a second. He pulled the belt from his trousers and quickly removed the rest of his clothes. She watched him, taking in all of his glorious body, breathing deeply as he lay on the bed with her. He wrapped his huge arms right around her gorgeously soft body and pulled her as close to him as possible.

“You are one beautiful lady, Caroline. And you’re all mine.” He whispered to her as she

snuggled into his smooth, warm chest. “I feel as though all my lucky numbers have come up at once.”

She reached up, put her lips to his ear and spoke gently to the man she loved so deeply.

“Maybe they have.” She whispered back to him. “Maybe you won the jackpot.” She pushed his dark hair from over his face and looked deeply into his beautiful charcoal grey eyes before he leaned his head on her shoulder.

“I’m not sure about jackpots, but I c
ertainly feel as though I’ve had my cake and I’m eating it.” He was nibbling her neck as he spoke.

Caroline moaned as a delicious desire swept over every part of her body.

“Well if that’s the case, you had best make sure that it’s all to your taste.” She moved her head back, kissed him tenderly on his hard jaw and lifted his hand to her breast, offering herself to him.

She was impossible to resist and he growled with pleasure as he massaged her warm skin beneath his hand, breathing deeply as he stared into her green eyes.

He slid his hand gently down her beautiful curving body, leaving her panting with desire as he breathed in her ear.

“Every single thing about you is to my taste Caroline, but having you here loving me and wanting to be with me is more than I could ever have imagined just a few weeks ago. It’s the icing on the cake.”

THE END