The Cinderella Obsession (16 page)

"Vanessa."

Racing over a bridge.

"Nick, I want … I want…."

Engine full of smoke … puffing.

"Yes, Vanessa. Yes."

Flying off the edge.

"Oh, Nick," she wailed.

Airborne.

Vanessa lay in the warmth of his arms, listening to the gentle beat of his heart against her ear. So much had happened so fast. When they’d started out, she’d believed they had no future together, that their relationship would last a few weeks at best. Nick wanted a woman so different from her. They came from different backgrounds and lived different lives. At least, that’s what she’d thought--but after tonight the differences seemed superficial. What they wanted out of life was really the same.

She was surprised at what she’d learned about Nick. That he preferred jeans to tuxedos. That a simple hand-knit sweater meant more to him than an expensive store-bought garment. That a quiet evening at home won out against the lure of fancy evenings and glamorous dates. That what he really wanted from life was a woman he could have a lifetime commitment with--and children.

In reality, the two of them couldn’t be more alike.

And he’d admitted that he wanted to be with her. He liked her for herself, he admired her talents.

And the attraction between them was cataclysmic.

The stereo played softly in the background and she heard the strains of Celine Dion singing "When I Fall in Love".

When I give my heart

Maybe they had a chance together after all.

It will be completely.

Vanessa hoped so, because she realized that the feeling growing within her had twined around her heart, blooming into full-blown love.

Or I’ll never give my heart.

She loved Nick.

And he wanted Vanessa for herself. Not because she was some fantasy woman. When she’d first met him as his secretary, he’d been so hung up on finding his mystery woman from the masquerade that she knew he would never have fallen in love with her--even though she was the same woman he sought. To him, Cinderella represented mystery, intrigue, glamour. Vanessa was none of those things. Thank heavens he’d forgotten all about
her
.

Propping herself up on one elbow, she stared at him. His fine features serene in sleep, he looked more relaxed than she’d ever seen him. She traced the line of his nose with her index finger, dragged it across his cheekbone, and spiraled around his ear.

"Mmm." His arm slid over her thigh to catch her around the waist.

She blew in his ear, then nuzzled his neck.

"Come here, you," he commanded, his voice sleep-roughened. He still hadn’t opened his eyes as he pulled her against him and stroked her hair. "You know, I had the most wonderful dream … of a beautiful mystery woman who made my every fantasy come true."

She stopped herself from pulling back, kept her body pliant against his. "Nick, are you awake?"

He didn’t answer, just mumbled on in his sleep-ridden voice. "But I know it wasn’t a dream. It was you." He nuzzled her temple, her hair wisping in gentle waves from his soft breath. "My sweet Cinderella," he whispered. "I’m so glad I finally found you."

Her breathing stopped. She couldn’t find a way to inhale. Pushing herself gently from him she sat up, shock slowly permeating every part of her body.

"Where you going?" he asked sleepily.

"Bathroom. Go back to sleep."

"Mmm. Don’t be long."

She stumbled to her feet and scooped up her clothes, being careful not to make too much noise. As she clutched the bundle to her chest, she stared at the dwindling fire, mesmerized by its dying light.

When I fall in love it will be forever

Or I’ll never fall in love.

Had she been fooling herself? Did he still wish for his fantasy woman?

In a restless world like this is,

Love is ended before it’s begun,

If that were true, then maybe Vanessa would never be able to completely satisfy him.

And too many moonlight kisses

Even if he decided he loved her--which he never said he did--he might always wish for that intangible magic she could never provide.

Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun.

Maybe he could never accept just plain, ordinary Vanessa.

When I give my heart it will be completely,

Or I’ll never give my heart.

The line in the song clutched at her. Too late.

"Vanessa, where are you going?" Nick’s arms encircled her waist and he pulled her around to face him. His mouth descended on hers in a smoky, smoldering kiss.

And the moment that you feel that

you feel that way too

As passion swirled around her, hazing her brain, she realized that the insecurities driving her to distraction were just that … insecurities. They had nothing to do with Nick and what he felt for her.

Is when I fall in love

With you.

* * * *

She awoke the second time to the feel of Nick kissing the back of her neck. His hand stroked her short hair behind her ear as he kissed around the side, then nuzzled the hollow of her collar bone.

"Are you awake?" he whispered in her ear.

She giggled. "I am now." Sometime during the night they’d moved into the bedroom. The feel of smooth Egyptian cotton caressed her skin as she turned in his arms and looped her hands around his neck. Nipping his lower lip, she smiled. "So I wonder what you want for breakfast?" Her voice lilted in a provocative manner. From the feel of his body pressed against her, they both knew exactly what he wanted.

"You, sunny side up," he growled, flipping her on her back and prowling over her. She found herself trapped beneath a fully aroused male--and loving every minute of it.

The thought of breakfast gave her an idea she simply couldn’t resist. "Hold that thought." She eased him back with the light pressure of her hand against his chest.

She climbed out of bed and scooted into the kitchen, returning minutes later with a small bowl of syrup. Leaning against the door, she grinned at him. "I thought of a way to make breakfast a little sweeter."

She walked toward him, adding a slight sway to her hips. As she perched on the edge of the bed, she dipped her finger in the bowl and dribbled thick, sticky droplets on her breasts, then slowly licked her finger with a long stroke of her tongue. His eyes gleaming with sensuous hunger, Nick took her hand and drew her finger into his mouth while his gaze trailed a sticky droplet around the curve of her breast. The feel of his hot, moist flesh surrounding her sent chills through the rest of her body. She lay down on the bed, wanting his mouth to warm all of her. He leaned over and lapped the syrup from her breasts with slow, steady strokes. His tongue swirled around her nipple and he drew it into his mouth, alternately licking and suckling. He cleaned the other breast in the same deliberate manner.

"Mmm. Sweet." He kissed her and she could taste the syrup on his tongue.

"Your turn." She pushed him flat on the bed and gave his nipples the same treatment. Tasting the maple sweetness under her tongue as his flesh pebbled to life was sinfully pleasurable. A melting hot moistness flowed within her.

Remembering how Nick had pleased her last night, she dipped in the bowl again, this time smearing the amber syrup onto his hard male flesh, swirling it with her finger then following with her tongue.

"Sweetheart, I’m more ready than I’ve ever been," he warned.

"Me, too."

She proved it, joining their bodies in one swift movement. Pleasure filled her as he gasped in agonized appreciation. She squeezed him, then started a steady rhythmic motion that brought them both to climax with the suddenness of a champagne bottle bursting open. Effervescent, exciting, explosive.

Later, as they showered together, Vanessa mused that the heated steam matched the heat of their earlier passion. After drying each other off with meticulous care, they dressed, then fixed breakfast, sharing the task with an easy camaraderie
. I could get used to this
, Vanessa thought, watching Nick flip pancakes in a frying pan. The thought of doing everyday things with Nick all the time held an appeal too strong to resist.

As Vanessa poured syrup over her pancakes, she was caught for a moment in amber images of their sticky-sweet lovemaking. She’d never again be able to eat pancakes without picturing Nick covered with syrup. Knowing they had to get to work, she tried to keep her mind off arousing thoughts by engaging Nick in mundane conversation.

Sunshine poured in the kitchen’s huge picture window, and the ravine outside glistened with dew-drop crystals. The light reflected brightly off the oak hardwood floors, which looked recently refinished, and off the brass pans hanging from the ceiling over a very modern centre island. She wondered if Nick had made renovations in other parts of the house since her stepmother had lived here.

"When did you buy this place, Nick?"

"It’s been in my family for generations."

She paused, a forkful of food halfway to her lips.

"But… I thought a family named Devon owned it about fifty years ago." Could Nick be related to her stepmother? The sweet maple syrup became cloying in her mouth.

"No, one of my great-grandfathers several generations back built it and it’s been owned by a Powers ever since. Who is this Devon family and why did you think they lived here?" he asked with mild curiosity.

She didn’t want to ruin her wonderful mood by talking about her stepmother, but she’d brought up the topic.

"Well, you see, a long time ago my stepmother told me she grew up in Erin Gate mansion. The first time I came here I was fascinated to finally see the inside of the house she had always raved about."

"Your stepmother? Here?" He watched her speculatively. His eyes narrowed. "Devon. You know, the name does sound familiar."

Vanessa shifted uncomfortably under his penetrating stare, even though she knew he was concentrating on where he’d heard the name, not on her.

He snapped his fingers. "I’ve got it. We used to have a housekeeper named Devon. She had a daughter called Elaine, I think."

"Elena," Vanessa corrected distractedly. A housekeeper? She fixed her gaze on his. "Are you saying that my stepmother was the daughter of a housekeeper who worked here?"

"It sounds like it." He placed his hand over Vanessa’s, concern carving tiny lines around his eyes and mouth. "Does this upset you, Vanessa? Have I disillusioned you about your stepmother?"

"Yes, you have." She leaned forward to place a tiny kiss on his nose. "And I thank you for it."

At his confused expression, she laughed. Relief and joy burst through her as she felt the long-binding chains of self-doubt fall away. Her stepmother had always made Vanessa feel worthless in comparison to herself because of her grand upbringing and yet she turned out to be simply a housekeeper’s daughter. Not a wealthy blue blood. Vanessa’s stepmother was a regular person, just like anyone else. Certainly no better than Vanessa.

"Do you want to let me in on your thoughts?" Nick asked and Vanessa realized he’d been watching the emotions fluttering across her face.

"My stepmother led me to believe she was a grand lady raised on a huge estate." Vanessa stared down at her entwined fingers, wondering if Nick would understand. "She used to rag at my father and me at every opportunity. My father worked so hard to make her happy, but nothing he did was good enough for her. I’m afraid growing up in that environment left me feeling a little inferior."

He took her hand, infusing her with reassuring warmth. "You shouldn’t feel that way, Vanessa. We’re all the same inside. Some of us simply start out with more material things than others. It doesn’t make us better."

"I realize my stepmother was probably compensating for her own feelings of inadequacy, but…."

"But it’s hard to forgive her for making your life miserable." He squeezed her hand. "It’s okay to be angry, Vanessa."

"You’re right, but you know what? My feelings for her aren’t strong enough now to include anger. All I really feel for her now is pity." Vanessa shook her head sadly. "She never learned to be happy. She could never accept herself for what she was." Vanessa entwined her fingers in Nick’s and she smiled at him. "I’m not going to make the same mistake."

"Good for you." He pulled her into his arms. "But, you know what? You have it much easier than she did."

She snuggled against him. "Why is that?"

"Because you are a very special person." He grinned. "And you’ve got someone like me to remind you of that."

An hour later, Nick dropped Vanessa off at her apartment to change and she insisted he go ahead to the office without her. She didn’t want anyone to see them come in together. When she arrived at the office, she settled her purse into the closet, hearing Nick’s voice. A quick glance told her he’d left his office door open. He must either be on the phone or have someone in the office with him.

She
settled in front of her computer and checked his appointments. H
e didn’t have anything until nine-thirty and she remembered he’d intended to go over the yearly reviews for his senior staff during this time. Someone must have come in unexpectedly. Checking to see if anyone was with him and to ask if he wanted her to bring coffee, she peered into the inner office through the doorway. The sight of Nick staring out the window as he sprawled back in his big, soft leather chair with his feet up on the desk made her heart melt. As he dragged his hand along the phone cord, she remembered the feel of that same hand stroking her body, heating her desire. She leaned on the edge of the door and smiled contentedly, drinking in the sight of him in profile, his aquiline features a perfect silhouette against the bright morning light.