Judas (4 page)

             
“It's amazing! Did you do all this yourself?” she asked, pointing to the intricately carved molding that surrounded the enormous living room.

“No, Leanna chose that. One of the few things I didn't change,” he told her. This was his favorite room and not only because of the massive stone brick fireplace, but also because it was surrounded in floor length book shelves that were piled high with every type of hardcover book imaginable. It was cozy, despite it's size and he spent more time in here than anywhere else.

              A small office joined the living room and through a set of french doors, was the kitchen. Adessa wandered through every room and he explained that some of the décor had been heirlooms but most of it was new, including the expensive art that hung on nearly every wall. He didn't show her his... their bedroom because he wanted to save that for last, but he did give her a tour of the grounds. They walked the small path around all five acres of manicured grass, and she was impressed with how well kept the place was. All the hard work had been born of either boredom, or severe depression, but he didn't tell her that.

             
“Feel free to make changes if you'd like,” he said, referring to the décor throughout the house. “I know neutral tones are kind of bland. Fuck, make it all pink for all I give a shit. As long as you're happy here, I won't complain.” He meant that too.

She gasped at the thought, “Judas, no! I wouldn't even know where to begin. It's all so lovely! Not that I don't think you'd look sexy surrounded in pink, but I wouldn't shame our home that way,” she laughed.

“I wouldn't call it shaming,” he chuckled, pulling her close. It was getting dark now and the soft glow of the sunset was beginning to fade. He couldn't help but lean in and kiss her, long and slow. She cupped his face in her tiny hands and it was all he could do to finally pull away.

             
They made their way back inside just in time for their dinner. They took their containers of Chinese food outside and he made a fire in the outdoor fireplace. They sat on the small wicker sofa and ate and talked until nearly bedtime. The later it got, the more he was becoming impatient with waiting for what would happen next. He had it all planned in his mind and he was certain she wouldn't protest.

CHAPTER four

He brought the water to the perfect temperature and laid a small loofa and a razor with some liquid soap on the small table by an antique claw foot tub. The master bath was a decent size and everything in it seemed to be made of  marble or brass. The walls were painted gray, with thin black stripes that suited him and the decor perfectly. This was definitely the bathroom of a man. An important one. She began to undress, dropping her white cotton dress in a loose pile beside the wicker hamper. Piece by piece, she discarded her undergarments, surprised that he didn't leave the room. Instead, he took a seat on a small wooden chair that sat at the foot of the luxurious bath.

              He didn't watch her undress, or even climb into the tub, purposely avoiding her gaze. When he heard her sit in the steamy water, he finally turned to catch a glimpse. She had pulled the silken red strands into a loose knot above her head and though a few had already escaped, she was the most exquisite woman he had ever laid eyes on.

Settling lazily into the small chair, he sat in silence, as she glided the lather over her slickened form, leaving suds to trace the swell of her small perfect breasts. Her nipples hardened against the cool air, causing his jaw to clench. Graceful, fluid movements created a sensual display, teasing him as he watched. He kept his breathing tempered, focusing on each breath as he shifted slightly in his chair.

              She picked up the razor and stroked the smooth blade over each leg, taking care to not leave any stubble behind. His eyes were on her, but instead of being nervous, she felt sexy and desired in a way she couldn't explain. Their eyes connected, causing her breath to quicken, as she traced over her leg, never stopping the movement of the razor. Even as he stood and walked toward her, she didn't fear whatever it was he would do. He rolled up his sleeves and reached for her hand to help her. “Stand up, doll,” he said in a deep, seductive tone. She instantly obeyed. Guiding her to sit on the edge of the tub, he lowered himself onto one knee and spread her legs.

             
Her pulse raced as she allowed him to position her, the desire for him growing with each second. He picked up the razor without a word and reached for the bottle of lotion on the table. He didn't bother to warm it before he began to pour a steady stream against her mound. Replacing the bottle on the table, he took the razor from her hand and started to shave her in soft, deliberate strokes.  He dipped the razor into the water and gave it a loose shake to clean it for another slow stroke against her mound before moving lower.

             
He used the fingertips of his free hand to pull the glazed skin taught, allowing him to make a pass down the side between her thigh and her sensual fold. Two more strokes moved rhythmically down the same pass, until the skin was smooth as silk. He moved to the other side, repeating the motions, leaving her deliciously slick and soft. He glanced up, giving a heated stare as he began to rinse the area with a wet cloth.

             
She had never trusted any man to do such a thing and though she blushed deeply, she was not afraid. She wanted this. She wanted him. When he was finished, he helped her stand and wrapped her in a towel, before scooping her up and carrying her to his bed. He stripped naked without hesitation and settled himself against the thick blankets. Then he reached for her.

              He could tell by the way she looked at him that she wanted him to make love to her, but he knew he needed to take his time, and they had forever. It had only been four days and he refused to treat her like any other woman he had been with. She was his wife and he would respect her body. He pulled her close and began to remove the towel as if unwrapping a fragile gift.

             
He maintained the smooth control, as he took her hands in his own, kissing each of her fingers before guiding them to his chest and down along his torso, encouraging her to explore him. He stroked her hair and her cheeks as he watched her tiny, quivering hands wander over his chest and then down along his sides and even lower to his thighs. He was hard. And soft. His entire lean form was a contradiction. She absently licked her lips as she moved her hands over each ripple of his torso.

             
She sensed his desire for her as she cautiously began to kiss the entire trail of her fingers, causing his breath to quicken against her touch. He swallowed roughly as she even placed a soft kiss to the tip of his manhood and then began to make the journey back up until she was again lying flat against him, her small breasts pressed against his chest as she nuzzled his neck, nipping softly. She lifted her head and looked directly into his eyes, as if searching his soul. He was swollen and ready, yet he made not a move, so she continued on her journey.

             
A soft fingertip outlined his entire face, tracing his jaw bone and brushing over his brow until finally dipping to lightly circle his lips. A thousand years of blissful torture passed before she finally lowered her head to his chest and closed her eyes. He wrapped his arms around her, cradling her against him until they both drifted off. Somewhere in the night, he must have caught a chill, because when she woke, the thick blanket covered them both like a soft cocoon. She closed her eyes and went back to sleep. 

             
The next day was hectic. He spent nearly all of it trying to juggle clients and hearings. He had even been late home from work. The evening went by too fast and when bedtime came around, she was already nestled comfortably against him, yawning. Last night, he was a gentleman but tonight, he would be her husband. He undressed himself and climbed in bed, and when she came out of the shower, he was surprised that she had left the towel behind. He watched her cross the room and slip between the covers with him.

             
"I think we both know what happens next," he said softly, his eyes locked onto hers.

She nodded, "Yeah."

"Are you nervous, doll?" he asked softly, reaching out to stroke her arm.

She shook her head, smiling softly. "No, not nervous. Well, maybe a little," she admitted.

He pulled her against him and began to play steady, even strokes against her skin, moving up and down her spine. "Tell me what makes you nervous."

             
"I guess maybe because it's been a while for me and well, my past experiences were not what they should have been," she told him.

"Explain that."

She cleared her throat. "He only cared for his needs. I.. I've never had an orgasm from sex."

He drew in a deep breath as he absorbed her words. "I see. I can promise you, the experience will not be the same. I am not so selfish and I would prefer you to climax than myself."

              He didn't add that it was because he would just go elsewhere, should he need a release of his own. He couldn't imagine that happening with her anyway. He was already aching to take her and they hadn't even discussed the important matters yet. "Adessa, are you on the pill?" he asked bluntly, catching her off guard.

She blinked at the question and wondered how it had never come up before now. "No, I'm not. Never had a need for it," she responded.

He nodded, wanting to kick himself for asking. It was obviously a stupid question.               "I'm going to be up front. I am really not ready to begin a family just yet but I would like to see that be an option in our future, so now is the time to discuss our method." Well this was  pleasant. Not. He'd rather skip the quiz and bury his face between her thighs. "I'll admit I'm not a fan of the pill and I would rather go bareback," he announced, opening the discussion. That was an understatement. He hated the pill and had always wondered if it had something to do with why Leanna couldn't conceive. Ten years and only two pregnancies and both of them had been lost. He wasn't about to allow her to take it but he didn't want to scare her off either.

             
Her face flushed at the boldness of his words. "Doesn't leave us many options then. Not short of surgery. You know the rhythm method isn't exactly accurate, right?" she asked.

He nodded, "You didn't tell me what your thoughts are on starting a family. How soon do you want to try?" He was contemplating now.

She shrugged, "I would be happy at any time. I guess we keep track and leave it to fate."

"I like the way you think," he said, smiling.

              They changed the subject then and she finally worked up the nerve to kiss him. He sensed her hesitation and wrapped his arms around her, holding her to him, allowing her to control the pace until she breathlessly pulled away. "That was hot, doll," he told her.

She flushed deep crimson. "I'm sorry. I just, wanted that," she said quietly.

He chuckled and reached out to push a stray tendril from her face. "You're welcome to do that any time."

             
She had no way of knowing what that bold move had done to him. It took all this strength not to take her then and there but he knew he had to go slow. Women were all about building a connection and it took them longer to relax. If he had any shot at bringing her pleasure, he would have to wait until she was ready for him. Burning. Throbbing. Aching. Fuck.

             
"Judas, can I ask you something?" she asked softly, after several moments.

"Sure, doll," he said, not sure what this was leading to.

She took a quick breath, "Why not last night?"

"Because you weren't ready," he told her without hesitation.

"How do you know? I mean, I felt ready. I wanted you," she explained.

He shifted against the covers, bringing himself to lay face to face against the pillows.  "When you're ready, we will both know. There's more to sex than lust. You wanted me, but you didn't need me," he told her.

She nodded in understanding. "I guess that makes sense. But, what about now?"

"Right now, I'm going to make you mine."

With that, he shushed her by tracing her lips with his fingertips and then leaning in to kiss her like never before. This time with all the passion and hunger that he had carefully concealed since the night they met. He finally allowed himself to touch her, covering every curve in gentle exploration with his hands and his lips and teeth.

She was spread beneath him in a seductive display, when he knelt between her legs and brought his mouth to her sex. He tilted his head and kissed her deeply as if he were kissing her lips and she gasped in response as his tongue slipped between her folds.

             
He took his time to taste her, covering every inch of her glistening pleated sex with his mouth as he expertly stroked her from end to end. His breath quickened as slender fingers tangled through his hair, guiding and urging as he slowly worked his way up to the sensual button, nestled against her pelvic bone. She began to writhe in abandon, rocking against his mouth as he suckled her. The moans of pleasure spilled from her lips as he kept the slow and deliberate pace, raking his tongue gently over her again and again.

             
He finally released her, leaving her trembling and broken against the white silk sheets. He stole a glance into her smoldering eyes as he leaned in to kiss her. His tongue slipped past her teeth, offering her a taste of herself and she eagerly accepted him into her mouth. Positioning himself at her opening, he began to rock against her, pushing himself deeper inside with each smooth thrust until he was held perfectly snug between her slick walls.

             
Her entire frame trembled as he claimed her. Each agonizing stroke pushed further into her depths, heating her to her core as he rained passionate kisses over her face and throat. She wrapped her silken legs around his hips, pulling him to her as she rose to each thrust. He took her slowly, barely containing the passion and need to possess her until he heard the frantic plea. “Judas,” she whimpered, as  perfectly manicured nails bit into the flesh of his back. He abandoned all control, allowing the release to wash over him, even as her walls gripped him with their own urgency in rhythmic spasms of bliss until they both lay breathless. Still inside of her, he shifted the weight of his massive form, keeping her against him as he drifted off to sleep.

             
She felt him slip away from her some time later. Her eye peeked open. She watched him walk down the hall and she couldn't help but follow. She was several steps behind as he descended the huge wooden staircase that led down to the living room. He was already crossing into the kitchen before she was half way down the stairs and though she wasn't trying to sneak, he wasn't aware of her behind him. Something told her not to follow.