My Forbidden Mentor (36 page)

He meant to keep his promise, she could count on that. Leaning forward, Melissa softened him by placing a surrendering kiss on his lips. “I promise,” she whispered as her lips came down on his. The kiss was a soft and tender touching of lips but intent on becoming eager, so Melissa immediately lifted away. You were going to have him beg and plead, remember?

She lifted their entwined hands to place them on the supple rise of her belly, trying to divert his attention away from any sinful thoughts she had provoked and hoping it wasn’t too late as she could feel him harden against her.

He became aware of her diversion but she’d already stirred his conquering manhood and nothing could distract him now. His eyes were glossy, heated, while his clasped hands followed her circular motions over her belly. He became so absorbed in their joint intimacy toward their unborn child that he barely heard the question she asked as his mind was focused on more delicious thoughts. He concentrated on pulling down the blankets, releasing his ardent erection, and penetrating deep inside the hot passage that awaited him. His fingers were beginning to reach for the ties of her robe when he remembered that she had asked him something. His smoky eyes lifted to hers. “What did you ask me?”

Her fingers gripped around his, holding his position at the ties of her robe. “I asked if there was anyone in your family that needed to know about the babe right away?” she asked again, perceptive to his changing mood.

John thought about it. “No, no one I can think of right now.” His passionate state had been altered, as just when his thoughts were determined not to be deterred, a mental image of his father intruded. His eyes drifted down to their holding hands.

“John, what about your father?” Melissa inquired, hoping she wouldn’t anger John by pushing the issue he seemed to be avoiding.

The heated glaze in his eyes turned cold when they found hers again and his jaw tightened. He hadn’t wished to be in this mood, especially with Melissa. “What about him?”

Hearing strain persist in his tone, he obviously held back an explosion that could erupt at any time, and although it seemed dangerous to pursue, Melissa truly believed it needed to be discussed. His father would be their child’s grandfather, regardless if he and John were getting along. Wondering if there could be any kind of peace made, she responded with hope. “John I completely understand your hatred toward your father, but he will be our child’s grandfather. Can there be any peace at all for the child’s sake?” After hearing her curious words the turbulence of his anger came forth like a tidal wave she was willing to ride if she could endure its whipping force.

Peace? Why in the world would she even imagine peace between us, he thought. As far as he was concerned his father would have to earn his way back into his life, much less have any relations with his grandchild. “Melissa I don’t believe you have even a minute inkling of the hatred I feel for my father. He is as hard and cold as they come. He will never make a good role model for our child.” His distant eyes veered away, knowing he needed to face the fact that one day he and his father would come to heavy blows regarding the same matter he and Melissa were discussing at the present moment. Once his father heard about his marriage he would come storming around, for John hadn’t planned on inviting him to their wedding. He wasn’t about to be humiliated at his own wedding with the presence of his father escorting his newest whore on his arm.

When his focus returned to her softness appeared. “He was never there for me Melissa. What makes you think he’ll be there for our child? It’s better to leave him out of our lives. So no, there can never be peace between us.”

Melissa was taken aback by his harsh words. All she had meant to do was try to make some kind of amends for the child’s sake. It quickly became clear to her that after all these years peace between John and his father seemed lost. John’s mind had been made up so further deliberating would be a waste of time. Like moving mountains with her bare hands, it would never happen. Assuming this chapter of their lives was closed she concentrated on making peace again with her perturbed future husband. “You’re right, my love. I will never bring the subject up again. You know better than anyone how cruel your father can be.” She gave him a smile. “I didn’t mean to push, except that since my father has passed on your father is the only grandparent that lives,” she trailed off, remembering her ever so recent promise of not mentioning his father again, but her feelings had come out of their own free will.

Seeing her eyes glass over was like stabbing a dagger in his gut. Here his father lived and he couldn’t stand him, and her father had passed on and was adored and respected. Such was the irony of their situation. John would have gladly traded their fathers’ positions. Now he felt that he needed to comfort his future wife for he hadn’t fully understood her reasoning to push him about his father until now. “Forgive me, sweetheart.” His free hand came up to brush loose golden strands behind her ear. “I didn’t mean to seem insensitive toward you. I can’t explain in detail the rage my father makes me feel, but I vow to never be the kind of father he was to me. My child will know that I care. I will be there for our child always. I will have to be father and grandfather I suppose.”

“You’re only one person John. Just be a father. Besides, we will have Robert for an uncle, and hopefully Rose as an aunt, and we can’t forget my auntie as a great aunt.”

She was a strong person, stronger than he. On the outside he appeared tough and in control, but on the inside turmoil roared. Emotions from childhood were left unresolved and when they festered, they seemed radical. But where Melissa appeared vulnerable on the outside, John knew deep down there was true strength in her, true faith, true love. He admired her spirit. That was one thing he loved most about her. The second, and most delicious, had him stirring once again. “That reminds me, you haven’t met Rose yet. You two will get along famously. You’re a lot alike, except for the obvious.” His first smile in some time was shining through now and he had her playing along with his bantering of words.

“I assume you’re referring to her line of work?” Melissa asked.

“Yes.”

“Would you object if I decided on that line of work for myself?”

John’s head tipped back in laughter, thinking her crazy for even thinking about it. “You won’t work as you won’t have to now. You will have a husband to take care of you.”

He’s so sure of himself, she thought. Let’s bring him down a notch or two. “Yes, but what if I really wanted to?” she teased as her fingertips glided along the outline of his lips.

His smile started to fade. She’s baiting me, he told himself. “Why would you?”

“Well, you specified financially you would take care me, but.” She couldn’t finish because he cut into her words so fast she forgot what she was about to say. Her fingers flew off his lips.

“No. No is the answer, as if you didn’t already know that. Believe me, I will take care of all your needs, especially what you’re referring to.” His smile had completely vanished now, taking the situation very seriously.

Melissa was enjoying the payback and wasn’t about to end it anytime soon. It was time for him to beg and plead.

She placed a light kiss on his tightened lips then straightened in her position astride him. “John, what if you can’t keep up with my wanton needs?” Her pretty pout began to set into place.

Immediately he sat up straight. They were face to face with her thighs straddled along his lean hips. His rising motion caused his blatant erection to nudge violently at her heated opening and she almost lost control for she could readily feel the swelled tip of him piercing between her soft folds. If it weren’t for the barrier of the blankets she would have yielded by now. His face was so close that the heat from his heavy breaths burned her lips. His eyes captured hers as he spoke in a sultry whisper. “Be my whore, my wife, my innocent lover, and the mother of my children. That’s how I want you.”

She placed her hands upon his as they rested on her linen-covered thighs, trying to conceal the shivers he just inflicted. Her teasing became relentless, like he had taught her. “In that order?” she asked, the lust in her hazel depths matching his.

“Whatever order is in need at the time, sweetheart.”

“And what need are you finding in me right now?”

His hands left hers as they dipped beneath the opening of her robe. His fingers slid along her smooth thighs, reaching her shapely waist to finally settle against her buttocks.

Scorching heat penetrated her skin where his strong hands were cupping her. She decided now was the time to leave his heated embrace if she wished to contain herself.

Then he returned an answer. “I believe you know what I’m in need of. You have a special talent for sensing my necessities like no one else,” he murmured as he squeezed her firm flesh. His eyes closed while his mouth reached for hers but he never found her lips, instead feeling movement from the mattress underneath him. His hands fell to his lap and his eyes flew open. She stood by the boudoir brushing her hair.

This is insane, she told herself, taking long strokes with the brush. He has me so hot right now I hope I can go through with this. All this to prove a ridiculous point.

“What is this all about? You’re acting very peculiar, sweetheart. You know very well that I’m sitting here hard and ready for you, and yet you get up to brush your hair? I don’t see the concern with vanity at this moment when your lovely hair will be disheveled by the time we’re through.” He settled back down on the mattress and onto his side with his elbow bent and the palm of his hand taking the weight of his head, staring at her with flaring eyes that were confused by her actions.

Her head shifted to look over her shoulder at him. “Is that so?” she said, continuing to brush. “You didn’t specify what you were in need of, so how am I to know how to act accordingly?” She turned away from him because it became unbearable to look his way any longer. He was handsome and chiseled and pure male anatomy, and she would falter if she continued to gaze at him.

He watched her hand gripping the ivory brush, languidly sweeping gold streams of hair, and every shining stroke caressed him even more. “Damn it all, Melissa, you know what I meant by my words. I don’t need a whore, I need you.” What kind of game is she playing? Then it dawned on him as he remembered their earlier jesting and her threat to prove herself to him.

“Well, I’m glad you’re honest. I want us to be honest with each other,” she replied.

It didn’t matter, John thought, he was onto her game now. “Melissa.” He spoke her name in a sultry, fevered voice, making her shift his way with speedy promptness. Having gained her full attention he took advantage of the situation. “I have something for you, sweet.” The brush in her hand dropped to her lap while witnessing his fingers peeling back the lavender coverlet from his hips, exposing a part of him she longed to consume. John knew he had her by the dreamlike stare she demonstrated. Her eyes were fixed and glowing with rampant need, a familiar glow he was attuned to, and just to ensure her entrapment, John took his sensual display a step further. His fingers left the edge of the coverlet to lightly grasp himself. “I need to be inside you. Will you let me in?” Deliberately he posed a stroking motion in her direction.

He was sleek, dark, and knew all too well the effect he had on her, the predator enticing his weakening prey. He had her purring and dripping with desire. He knew she was hungry for him and he lay there with the means necessary to satisfy her hunger. She easily set the brush upon the boudoir without looking, her eyes mesmerized, her body rising from the chair as she stepped toward the languid god in heat. Their eyes fastened on one another and there was no doubt she had surrendered. “Let me take care of you my love.” Her tone became charged and silky. She began untying her robe, her eyes never leaving his.

He could not only see the heat in her eyes, he could feel it, and her being hot for him increased his own passionate state. “What about yourself? It’s quite obvious you’re in need as well, sweet,” he said in a low, somewhat shaky voice.

Her smile showed wicked but was betrayed by the innocent blushing of her cheeks. “I’ll be taken care of when I have you inside me.”

Her words sent tremors down his spine, only to be devastated further when her robe came open. The white robe, framing her womanly appendages, contrasted sharply against her golden skin before slipping to the hardwood floor. “Oh Lord, you’re beautiful,” John told her on an intake of breath. He scooted over to make room on the bed. “Lie down on your stomach,” he commanded.

Once settled she turned her face to the side, exposing a honeyed cheek. “John a massage would be nice but that’s not what I want right now,” she said, assuming that was his intention.

But he had a different kind of massage in mind. “Not even a massage I offer you with this?” he asked, intentionally covering her backside with the front of his body, sliding his hardened arousal along the delicate crease of her buttocks. He began feather light stroking motions, coaxing her and preparing her to be taken before sliding off to his side. Leaning on one elbow for balance, his opposite hand leisurely trailed down an arching back, reaching a behind that poised high in invitation. His fingers glided in slow-moving circular motions along the soft rounded surface of her behind. Her eyes shut at his enticing caresses while small whimpering sounds escaped her lips. Knowing her climbing fever would soon have to be sated, and his as well, he strived for her consent to keep going. “You’re not protesting. Does that mean you do not object?” he asked, his warm breath hovering above her ear, while at the same time two fingers found her moist and accommodating.