Bryan watched her in silence as Sharon tried to pull herself together and dry her tears. He could guess why she had frozen on his arms. She still couldn't trust him. She looked frail and vulnerable in the white robe and so beautiful, she tore at his heart. His body ached for the satisfaction only she could give him but he knew that he would have to be patient. He could arouse her, he was fully aware of that. He could take her now, if he reached for her. But if he did that, he would lose her, perhaps forever and he couldn't take that chance.
Three years had been long enough -- too damn long! This time, there would be no compromise, no mistakes She wasn't a child anymore and he wanted her more than he had ever wanted a woman in his life.
He couldn't let her go yet again. He pushed a hand through his hair and realised how tense he was. He forced his body to relax. Sexual satisfaction wasn't enough. He wanted everything and that meant he would have to go slowly.
Sharon glancing at him from beneath her lashes could read no expression at all in his face. He seemed calm and controlled as always. As though desire has not touched him, as though the events of the last half hour had not happened.
She pushed back her tousled hair. I must look an utter mess, she thought miserably. The white robe was far too big. Her eyes were red and swollen and her mouth bruised. She couldn't imagine Devin looking such a mess.... Disturbed by her thoughts, she started moving, intending to wash her face in the bathroom.
Bryan's voice halted her. 'Where are you going?'
She didn't look at him. 'I am going to dress up for dinner', she said dully.
'Not until we've talked', he said moving silently towards her, suddenly in front of her, blocking her way.
His shirt still hung open, revealing the hard lines of his chest, evidence of the desire that flared between then still unsatisfied.
She looked into his black eyes and saw that the desire still lingered. She knew that her own eyes told him the same thing. He was not as controlled as he seemed which made her feel a little better.
'Why were you crying?' he asked again.
She swallowed painfully. ' I was ashamed'.
'Ashamed?' he frowned. 'Of what? Of wanting me?'
'I didn't want you', she retorted stung. 'I will never want you'.
He smiled. 'You are such a beautiful little liar', he said softly, amused by her childish denial.
'Why should I be?' Knowing that she wasn't fooling him for a moment. 'You judge everybody by your own low standards.
I've never lied to you', he said, his shoulders becoming tense. 'Never!'
She tried to move away but he still blocked her path to the sanctuary of the bathroom. It would be too easy to believe him, she thought with wonder. She wanted to believe him. The only thing that stood in the way was the evidence of her own eyes and she couldn't deny that.
'You agreed that this ridiculous marriage would be in name only', she reminded him, her green eyes flashing defiance.
'And so it is', he mocked, his voice amused.
'No-- yes--- you tried to---'.
'It was a mutual thing', Bryan cut in. 'I can't deny that I want you'. His black eyes held hers and she felt like she was drowning. With a great effort of will, she dragged her eyes away from his.
'Please let me pass', she said woodenly. 'We shall be late for dinner or Deborah may come in and hear us arguing. It is a wonder she is not here yet'.
Swearing under his breath, Bryan took her chin between his fingers, searching her pale face, seeing her defeat, her intense weariness.
'You will have to face it sometime', he said harshly. She shrugged, not answering and his hands dropped, allowing her to walk away.
They were able to get ready for dinner on time though the couple they visited understood that they may have needed a few hours to themselves, new couple that they were. That was why they had kept Deborah occupied till the last minute but they were all on the table eating.
The food was delicious, served by the staff with silent efficiency. For the sake of her hosts, Sharon tried to do justice to the food but she hardly tasted a mouthful but she was glad to see her daughter had a great appetite. When it came to the desert, Sharon was able to resist it with the excuse that she was already replete and settled for coffee, strong, black and bitter.
The conversation buzzed around her. Bryan and Fernando seemed to have alot to catch up on and against her will, she found herself watching Bryan. He was cool, witty and charming. She watched him smiling at what Concepcion said and her heart lurched. In the candlelight, he looked dark and powerful and devastatingly attractive. She couldn't stop looking at him, her love shinning in her face.
He moved his head and their eyes met. His went suddenly very dark and very serious. He raised his glass to her in mock salute and she felt herself flushing hotly.
Silent communication flashed between them and she looked away, denying it, asking a smiling Concepcion an irrelevant question about the ingredients of the dessert.
The party broke up early. Concepcion and Fernando we're leaving before dawn the following morning and like Concepcion explained, she still had to supervise the packing of their bags.
Sharon was tired, pregnancy exhausted her. Thank goodness this pregnancy was not like the first that came with persistent flu. Each pregnancy had its peculiarities as her doctor had already told her. Each child with their individual indiosyncrasies, she realised as she allowed Bryan to lead them to their rooms, she and her daughter. He walked beside her without touching her but she was aware of him with every nerve in her body and by the time they got to their room, her heart was pounding like a drum. She stood aside trembling as he opened the door, then proceeded him into the room.
The lamps were lit throwing pools of light into the darkness.
Deborah had been feeling sleepy right from the dinner table. Bryan carriedher to the bed in her room and tucked her in.
'Goodnight, dad', she said barely opening her eyes.
'Good night love', he replied feeling love for his daughter tugging at his heart. He was advised to keep her in London and that she would be well looked after and cared for but he would not hear of it. The child he had just got to know about. He could not stay away from her. Only the thought if her would have ruined the holiday a d he would have had to rush back home.
He kissed her and stood watching her for a while before going into the room he was supposed to share with Sharon, his stubborn wife, as he thought of her that way, he smiled. She was really very stubborn.
He found out what Sharon had already noticed that the bed had been re - made in their absence. The velvet cover turned down. Sharon turned to Bryan and found him watching her with dark blank eyes.
'I'm tired', she said sharply.
'Go to bed', he suggested with a faint smile.
'I can't ----' Her eyes flashed anger at him in frustration.
'Don't be ridiculous', he said and moved across the room, looking out of the window.