Sleeping Love (16 page)

Sabrina grimaced at her words and bit her lip with regret. He was making her sound like a silly, jealous and petulant schoolgirl who couldn’t get her own way. There were no words of reply, only the key turning in the lock and the creaking of the old door as it opened.

She stood her ground as he advanced. He was sexy when he was angry, she decided. He was dark and dangerous, his look showed her there would be no mercy. It fired her blood and warmed the most intimate depths of her body. There were memories of arguments and disagreements past, of how they ended. She wanted this one to end the same way even after all that had passed between them. He banged the door closed making her jump.

‘Why did you leave the room without telling me?’ he demanded.

‘You’ve been so preoccupied all night, I didn’t think you would mind. Anyway I wasn’t aware that I had to report all of my movements to you,’ she snapped.

‘I expect you to stay by my side and not disappear, Sabrina. We discussed this . . .’

‘Who the hell do you think you are? My jailer?’

‘I was worried. I told you I need to make sure you are safe at all times. Your attacker could be anyone of the men in this house.’

‘So who do you think it is?’ she demanded

He caught her arm and began to lead her to the door.

‘I don’t know. I am suspicious of everyone at the moment.’ He was evading her eyes. ‘I would prefer it if you came back downstairs, but if you are tired, I will take you to our room and we can stay there.’

She shook off his hold.

‘Wait one minute. I am not going anywhere with you, let alone sleep in the same bed. Tell me is it true you only wanted me back so you could prove to the police and your precious social world that you didn’t kill me? How long has your affair with Cressida been going on? Did I find out? Did I get angry? Threaten to take all of your money and expose you for what you were? Maybe ruin your business? Did you have to shut me up?’

She almost spat the words with contempt, a futile attempt to squash the need she had for him, her encounter with Cressida and Luc playing over and over again in her mind. But she regretted the last sentence instantly by the intensity of the heavy unforgiving dark clouds brimming in his narrowed eyes. There was no doubt in her mind that she had pushed him too far and she could have sworn he was going to hit her. Sabrina grimaced, expecting the worse. Instead he caught her wrist and began leading her to the door again.

‘I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that, Sabrina, for your sake and mine.’

Sabrina pulled against his grip, digging her heels into the floor.

‘I want answers, Raoul. I have a right to know the truth about our life together. Cressida informs me that you and her were having an affair for years and you’ve wanted to get married. You needed me back to prove you hadn’t killed me and to get a divorce. What am I supposed to think? Did it all go wrong, Raoul?’

His reaction was swift. He took hold of both of her arms and sharply pulled her to him in one jerked moment. He pulled her up until she was forced onto her tiptoes. His face almost touched her own, their lips inches away from each other. The air tensed around them both until it sparked, threatening an electrical storm.

‘Are you afraid of me, Sabrina? You used to like being a little afraid of me. You should be afraid for the way I am going to make you take back those words.’

An excited tremor shook Sabrina’s body from inside, making every fibre pulse with anticipation, but she maintained a defiant posture. He pulled her even closer, a smile slowly spreading sexily across his lips. She couldn’t hide anything from him, he’d seen her desire shining like a beacon in her eyes.

‘Do you want me to make love to you, Sabrina?’ he whispered as he caressed her neck with his mouth, holding her arms tight as she tried to pull away. ‘Or do you still wish me to keep my distance until you are ready?’

He looked up at her gently grazing her bottom lip with his teeth, searching her eyes for an answer. He still held her arms in restraint but let go as he read her answer in her eyes. He bent to slide his hands up under the silk dress and smoothed his palms over her hips and thighs. He held her hips possessively and tugged her closer, penetrating her mouth deeply, entering her with deep fast thrusts that demanded her submission.

‘Give yourself to me, Sabrina. I won’t hurt you. Trust me.’

The cold distrust inside her melted away. Her mind ruled her body no longer. It wouldn’t seem to listen to her fierce direction to walk away. Like the fool she took herself for she gave in and surrendered.

Raoul laughed gently against her lips. She felt him tug at her underwear.

‘Why do you wear these things?’

He took hold of the ends of the lace briefs protecting the tantalising arch at the top of her thighs and snapped them. Her body jumped. He undid the covered zip at the back of her dress and pulled it down, watching it fall from her hips to the floor around her feet. He moulded her to him until she could feel his arousal pressing against her stomach, urging her taking.

‘You looked beautiful, breath taking in that dress. I chose well. Every man in the room couldn’t take his eyes from you, nor could the women.’

He held her hands and guided her to step out of the dress then kicked it across the room as though it were merely a rag, unworthy of his attention. He moved fast, undoing the catch on her strapless bra, tossing it away. Then he curved his hands around her bare breasts gently squeezing and pulling, lifting her up on her toes. He groaned with pleasure.

‘I’m not sure I want elaborate foreplay. I don’t think I can wait to be inside you, Sabrina.’

He lifted her up until her legs were around him, the damp triangle between her thighs pressing over his shaft. The tight hard peaks of her breasts pressed painfully against his tuxedo. He tipped her back on top of the bed making the satin sheets rumple against her skin and caress the smooth curves of her body. He crawled across the bed between her legs loosening his bow tie, pulling at his clothes until they lay discarded on the wooden floor. Her hands traced the contours of muscle, feeling its strength and power, feeling the broadness of his shoulders as his body came to rest over her. His mouth took her own hungrily and then travelled down her body, exploring every tingling facet.

His hand brought the peak of her breast to his mouth. She cried out as his teeth nibbled and suckled so hard she thought he might draw milk. She couldn’t help acknowledge the closeness of pain and ecstasy. His mouth left her swollen breasts and travelled down her stomach to probe the delicate moist flesh between her thighs. She moved restlessly on the bed feeling his fingers sink into the skin covering her hips to hold her still, unsure if she was at the edge of torment or pleasure.

Sabrina was helplessly weak, her body languid and buttery as the tip of his tongue caressed and probed the soft creamy wetness within her. Ripple after ripple of intense rhythmic pleasure built into an inconsolable wave, rising from deep inside. He continued to build it until he knew she could take little more and then entered her with one sharp deep thrust that left her crying out.

His power and strength settled down on top of her. It was then that she heard herself whimper, protest. Her hands pushed against his chest as her legs twisted and turned underneath him in an attempt to move him away from her body. She couldn’t stop the images of her attack, the feeling of suffocation, yet she wanted him. She needed Raoul to banish the ghost. But his eyes showed comprehension.

He kissed her once more and then took her by surprise. He slipped his arm under her body and brought her up to sitting with him. She clung to him moving her body up and down to meet him as he drove himself upwards inside her. His hand caught her hair and gently pulled, directing her mouth to his with primal need. Her breasts pushed against the muscle of his chest. The simple action causing another intense flush of pleasure. Her own hands weaved through dark silk strands of his hair. She couldn’t get enough of him.

Sabrina whimpered unable to speak when his hands splayed across her buttocks and pulled her even closer. His fingers dipped between the tight crease and pressed against her entrance and held her firmly in place.

‘I can’t wait any longer. I want you now,’ he told her firmly increasing the push of his thrusts. ‘I want you to come now,’ he demanded hungrily devouring the side of her neck. The very way he told her to come made her moisten all the more.

Tiny, intense shivers shock waved around Sabrina’s body when his fingers pressed tightly into the small entrance between her buttocks, leaving her with the sensation that she was being taken by him in every possible way. His rhythmic thrusts intensified, and Sabrina felt her body explode and shudder with release. He gave a low animal roar that growled against her ear and exploded with her, making her his once again.

‘Well, it was wonderful, and although I can’t remember everything, I am beginning to remember the incredible sex we used to have.’

He looked at her with surprise.

‘Really?’

‘Oh yes, boy are we dangerous together. I keep getting flashes of what we used to get up to. I can’t believe it was so often and the places. Well, I’m not getting into that,’ she giggled.

He cupped the melting softness between her thighs, pressing his palm down in a possessive gesture that left her writhing against him.

‘I have you back, Sabrina, and I won’t let anyone take you away from me again. Now let me remind you of who you belong to once more.’

* * *

After their third session of love-making Raoul allowed her to rest. He tenderly wrapped the silk sheets around her making sure she was warm, cradled in his arms.

‘Why, did you keep away from me when I told you what happened to me? Did you feel as though I had been unfaithful with him?’ there were tears in her voice as she spoke.

Raoul sighed and circled her shoulder with his thumb.

‘No, no Sabrina. Shhh. I was ashamed that I hadn’t been there to protect you. I felt as though I’d really let you down. It seemed easier to deal with when it was merely written down on paper. I was just so concerned to see you, to get you back. But when you started to describe what happened, your helplessness and fear, I realised just how much I’d failed you. All I wanted to do was to hold you, but I also wanted to make sure I did everything right for you.’

Sabrina curved her slender hand around the firm line of his jaw.

‘You couldn’t have stopped it, Raoul. If there is one thing I remember most about you, it’s how protective and bossy you are with me. But you were always there when I needed you. You never let me down.’

‘So I’m right, you are beginning to remember.’

‘I get flashes, feelings. They are all becoming stronger and vivid with every day I’m here, especially when I am around you. I am beginning to realise how much I care about you. I just wish I could believe your story about wedded bliss.’

Raoul frowned and stopped his caress of her shoulder.

‘If you are talking about Cressida, I’m innocent. She just sees me as a better meal ticket than the last poor fool she married. Forget her, she loves causing trouble. I am not having an affair with her and never have. The only thing I want from her is her professional expertise as an architect. Unfortunately, she is the best. But if she is causing trouble, I will contract someone else.’

‘You don’t have to do that, I can handle it.’

‘No, you have enough to deal with. Tomorrow morning I’ll make sure she leaves. The weather is supposed to be clear. Michel will be able to fly her out.’