| Brian’s kiss left her breathless. Colby clung to him as her heart took over and all logical thought was swept away. Her pulse raced and her body ached for him. Brian pulled back. “I love you.” Her head nodded automatically at his words. She closed her eyes leaning in for him to kiss her again. “I mean it Colby. This isn’t just some flirtation.” She opened her eyes. His face, shrouded in shadows, was serious. “I want you in my life.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I want to love you forever.” His lips gently caressed hers. He brought her back against his body as his hand ran down her back to rest just below her waist. Colby was so aware of his desire as her body rested against his. He sucked gently on her bottom lip, his tongue teasing her. Colby moaned as Brian slipped his tongue in her mouth, seeking out every corner. She moaned at the sensations caused by his sultry kiss. In one quick motion Brian gathered her in his arms and took her to the bed and placing one knee on the bed he lowered Colby down in the middle. He came and laid next to her casually draping one leg over hers. “Brian…” His name came out in a hush. “Shh. No more words. Let me love you.” His thumb brushed along her cheek. His lips followed the path of his fingers and worked along her collarbone. It had been so long and Colby could feel her body awaken to his soft touch. His fingers slipped under the straps of her gown and he let them fall down her arms. Her dropped light feather like kisses on her shoulders. She squirmed as his mouth sent shivers through her body. Colby grabbed his head urging him on as she wound her fingers in his curls. Brian worked his way to the swell of her breasts, his hands easing her gown down further. Colby felt his hot breath on her and she arched into him. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered as his mouth sucked at her taunt peaks. She felt a warmth gather between her legs as he continued to nip and suck her. “Briiian,” she whimpered as she pulled his head up and kissed him. Brian lifted the hem of her gown slowly sliding his hand along her leg. As he reached her thigh Colby grabbed his hand. Her eyes shot open and she pushed him away as she sat up. “Colby, what’s wrong?” She just stared. Her eyes were large and glazed over. Her breasts were partially bare and she pulled the top of her gown up to cover them. The gesture apprised Brian of the situation. It was still too soon. “You’re not ready.” He went to slip the straps of her gown on her shoulders when she came out of her daze and shook her head. “No.” She took his hand and kissed it. “That’s not it.” The moon offered the only light as it cut a swath across the room. Brian was sitting in its path. Colby could see the concern on his face along with his strong shoulders and firm torso. The sight of him sent a surge of desire through her. “The last time that I…” She stopped. Her eyes began to fill and she suppressed the tears. “Rob?” Brian asked as he moved closer to her. “Yes.” Colby wiped her cheek as a lone tear escaped. “Colby we don’t have to.” “You don’t understand. I want you more than anything, Brian. It’s just that,” she paused, battling within herself. “There’s been no one but Rob. Not before nor since. He’s the only man I’ve ever been with. And even then it wasn’t until the night he proposed to me that we finally made love.” She lowered her eyes. It seemed so long ago. “We came close so many times but somehow Rob knew I wasn’t ready. But that night, my fear was gone and I never looked back.” She looked up waiting for Brian’s reaction. “That’s nothing to be ashamed of Colby. Sharing the love two people have for each other in the most intimate and personal way they can is something that should not be taken lightly.” His fingers brushed her cheek and Colby leaned in to the caress. “I guess what I’m saying is I may be older but my experience is limited. I knew what to do when Rob and I…” Her words were muffled. “I’m a bit scared, Brian.” She lowered her eyes letting the tears fall. Brian lifted her chin. “Just let yourself feel, Colby. I love you. I want to show you how much.” He kissed her gently. Her hands held his shoulders as he deepened the kiss. He felt her shudder and he pulled her close. “Just relax baby.” His words were so soft and tender and Colby felt herself falling under his spell. He dropped light kisses along her cheek to her ear. “I want to make love to you Colby.” Her head moved slowly as his warm breath stirred all those dormant feelings deep within her. Once again he lifted the hem of her gown and this time Colby raised her arms as he slid it over her head. Brian sucked in his breath at the sight of her. He eased her back down on the pillow. Her eyes held his as he removed his boxers and as he came to lie next to her, he could see the rise and fall of her chest. He touched her cheek. And as he kissed her he slowly worked his way down to her breasts picking up where he had left off earlier. Colby moaned as he taunted her letting his mouth suck her tenderly. As he continued to kiss her he moved his hand down between her legs brushing her inner thigh. He felt her body shudder and he came up and kissed her lips. “Do you want me to stop?” “No.” She pulled him closer and his mouth devoured hers. Colby ran her hands down his back feeling the muscles play under her fingers. His hand moved down her body and brushed the outer folds of her entry. Her hips moved against his hand and Brian gently eased his fingers inside. She was so ready and warm. As his fingers pumped in and out he could feel her walls begin to contract and soft noises coming from deep in the back of Colby’s throat. He poised himself over her and she nodded her head as he slid his length inside her. “Oh God, Brian,” she gasped as her silken walls enveloped him and he filled her completely. Brian pulled himself up and slowly moved within her. She rotated her hips keeping pace with him. Each thrust sent him deeper into her core. His eyes never left hers as he dropped light kisses on her mouth and her face reflected the pleasure she felt. She felt so good as she moved under him drawing him deeper and deeper into her body. “I love you baby,” Brian murmured as her walls clamped around him. He let out a groan as the beginnings of his release began to rise. He picked up speed his thrusts harder and deeper and Colby grabbed him pulling him closer wanting to feel as much of him as possible as she continued to keep the rhythm going. It was slow, wave like as Colby’s climax began to surge through her body. Brian’s movements sent shock waves through her as her walls began to contract. “Brian,” she panted. “Oh God, Briiiiaaan!” It hit her hard. Her body arched up as her release rocked her, wave after wave. Her body flushed as he brought her to the peak. And as her spasms continued to pulse through her, Brian pumped in and out in a frenzied pace as his own release erupted and his warm seed streamed deep within her. As their breathing returned to normal Brian brushed her cheek. Tears slid down her face and he kissed them away. “You okay,” he asked as he brushed his lips on hers. “Yes.” She pulled him close not wanting to let the feeling end. Her muscles squeezed around him and she could feel him grow harder. “I never thought I would feel like that again. Thank you.” She leaned up and kissed him. Brian pulled up as he felt his need for her again. He slowly rotated his hips as a grin played across his face. She saw the smirk and smiled. “What?” “Want to try again?” She laughed softly and he kissed her as he began to make love to her all over again. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Colby slipped on her gown and silently left the room. When she got to the door she turned to look at the sleeping form. There was a look of such contentment on his face, totally relaxed and peaceful. The blanket rested at his waist revealing his bare chest. The sun streamed through the French door windows sending ribbons of light across his body bathing him in its warmth. The sight of him lying there caused her breath to catch in her throat. She stretched out her hand as if to touch him and feel the warmth of his body under her hand as she ran it along his firm torso. She slowly pulled her hand to her side. Let him sleep she thought as she went down the stairs and out the back door. Colby walked down to the shoreline. The sand was cool as the tide pulled away. She wrapped the quilt around her shoulders to ward off the morning chill and stared out across the water. The sun sparkled on the surf as it lapped against the shore. For nearly November the weather continued to be warm, unseasonably so. Her time here had been wonderful. It had healed her body and her soul. Yet this morning she felt strange, but in a good way. There had been no haunting dreams in her sleep to wake her. She felt refreshed and whole for the first time in months. Colby knew why. It had to do with the man sleeping upstairs. Her heart soared when she thought back to only hours before as he had made love to her. Her pulse began to race again as she remembered his tender touch and warm mouth on hers. Her body had responded to his in every way. Yet no words were spoken from her lips. His profession of love had spilled so easily yet hers didn’t. She felt it, desired it and wanted to tell him, but the words would not come. The water swirled around her ankles soaking the hem of her gown. Her thoughts had been like the tide where Brian was concerned. They were pushed and pulled inside her for months. Wanting to let go but holding back because of Rob, the baby, family and even the gossip her activities had provoked. She had caused so much pain to him and to herself. A chapter had closed in her life last night and new one started. Colby knew there were problems they would face, but she loved him and needed to tell him. The water receded and Colby inhaled deeply of the salt air. “You do realize that the salt water has probably ruined this gown.” His words startled her as he took her around the waist and pulled her back against him. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Brian woke to an empty bed and his heart sank. He quickly donned his boxers and jeans and seeing Colby’s room empty he ran down the stairs and found her standing at the water’s edge. He slowly walked down the beach hoping against hope that he wouldn’t find her crying and regretting the intimacy they had shared during the night. At the sight of her, he felt his loins swell. He wanted to love her all over again. Colby relaxed against his chest and laid her hands over his. His body was still warm from slumber and she felt his desire for her against her body. “Why did you leave?” He nuzzled against her neck as he spoke sending chills down her spine. “I woke up and you were sleeping so peacefully I didn’t want to disturb you.” She turned in his arms. There was no distress on her face and her eyes were clear. “Colby, I…” She put her fingers to his lips. “I know Brian. But I need to tell you something.” His eyes sparkled in the morning light and his disheveled appearance only made her heart race more. “We don’t need words, Colby,” he leaned in and kissed her softly. “Yes we do. Well I do anyway. Last night you expressed your feelings to me in words and by sharing your body with mine, but I never said anything. I never told you how I really feel about you.” Brian pulled back, fear gripping him. “So much has happened. I’ve spent these weeks letting my thoughts run through my mind, sorting them all. Trying to make sense of everything; William and his underhandedness, Catherine and her revelations, Rob, the baby, you. There was so much and it came crashing down and I fell apart, mumbling in the nursery. I gave Catherine quite a scare.” She gave him a weak smile. “Laura helped me to see how I wasn’t to blame for the baby’s death. And I’m healing slowly. I’m not saying it still doesn’t hurt. It hurts like hell, but each day gets better and I know he’s with his daddy and I can feel good about that.” She stepped away taking a deep breath, putting some distance between them. A scowl slipped across Brian’s face at the separation. “Did you know William demanded a blood test. They drew blood from my child to satisfy his ego. And then he was upset with the results. It proved unequivocally that the baby was Rob’s but he wanted it otherwise. He wanted to blame…” “Me?” “Not just you, anyone other than his bloodline. I loved Rob, but William was so blinded by his own hate he just couldn’t see that I would never have betrayed his son.” “Did you say loved?” He stepped closer. She slowly nodded her head. “Yes. I loved him.” “And now?” His heart pounded in his chest. “I still love him,” she saw the disappointment on Brian’s face, “but in a different way.” He’s part of my past and he’ll always have a special place in my heart. He was my first true love and I will never forget all the wonderful years we had. But he’s gone and the memories are here.” She touched her chest. Brian felt like he was hanging by a thread. Last night he was so sure by her actions that she loved him, even though she never said the actual words. She couldn’t make love with him like she did if she didn’t love him. He knew her too well. Colby placed too high a regard on herself to just casually fall into bed. He couldn’t let her go. He would make her see. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans and studied the waterline as the tide came in and out. Colby touched his arm and he looked at her. His eyes, usually so alive, held no emotion. “I had come to a decision yesterday. I was scared but I was going to call you to tell you everything. Barbara kept telling me that you cared. No,” she shook her head in disagreement. “She said you loved me and that I had to admit my feelings too.” She dug her toes into the wet sand as the water receded. Brian watched her out of the corner of his eye. Colby fingered the edge of the quilt curling it around and around. It seemed they were both on edge but for different reasons. He tried to say something but she continued on. “Those weeks before the accident were the happiest I had in a long time. And it was because of you.” She cast a glance in his direction to see a bit of a spark return to his eyes. “But my grief and stubbornness kept me from acknowledging it. Whenever I was with you, you managed to cast my blues away. You made me laugh again and look at all the wonderful possibilities still there for me to explore. And through it all you never asked for any more than I could, or would give back. You never pressured me. I held you at arms length while I grappled with my family and my loss.” “I know Colby. It was okay.” Brian turned to face her. “I may have wanted more but I knew you weren’t ready.” “Not at the beginning, no I wasn’t, but those last few weeks I thought about you all the time. You invaded my dreams. I was falling in love with you but was afraid to accept it.” She looked up at Brian. He could see tears beginning to form. Colby sucked in her breath to keep from crying but the tears began to fall anyway. “I loved Rob and I can’t deny that I will love him and the baby always, but,” Colby stopped. The love reflected in Brian’s eyes gave her the courage to continue. “I’m in love with you, Brian and it scares me.” He pulled her into his arms as she cried. “I want you. God help me, I want you.” He lifted her face, wiping the tears with his thumbs. “I love you so much, Colby. My love won’t hurt you. I promise.” She barely nodded as he leaned down and caressed her lips with his. Colby laced her hands around his neck, letting her fingers tangle in the curls at the nape of his neck. Brian deepened the kiss as his tongue slipped between her lips, tasting every corner. Colby clung to him as the swell of his manhood pressed against her. His kiss seemed to go on forever and when Brian pulled away she felt dizzy and held onto him to keep her balance. “I love you, Brian.” She ran her hand along his face. “Can you stay with me today?” “As long as you want. I’m not going anywhere.” His smile lighting up his face. She smiled back. “Are you hungry?” She took his hand as they slowly walked back towards the house. “I’m starved.” As they reached the steps he pulled her into his arms again. “I’m hungry for you, Colby. I can’t get enough.” He gave her a devilish grin. “But for now some breakfast would be great. “ He gave her a quick kiss and they walked in the back door. |