Proposition (16 page)

He seemed to regard her intently for a moment, before he threw the covers aside, got out of the bed quickly, and pulled her with him.

Soon she stood naked, in front of the full-length mirror, he behind her.

“Look,” he ordered, pointing with his eyes to her breasts, waiting till her eyes followed his. “Aren’t they pretty?” he asked more gently.

Amy forced her eyes to stay on her breasts, and she took a good look at them, for the first time in her life. And he was right, they were pretty. Perhaps not very big, but high, and nicely rounded with pink wide nipples.

This time, Amy turned around in his arms, pushed him on the bed, and followed him. She wanted to stay on top for a while, and amuse herself for a longer moment in this position, but he quickly wrestled her onto her back, and pinned her under him. He began kissing and suckling at her breasts, quickly and roughly, and then reached between her legs rubbing her there not so gently and lightly like before but with barely leashed aggression. He seemed impatient and Amy liked it. It made her feel desired and added to her excitement. Her heart melted because he wanted her badly, yet he took his time to make her ready for him. Wanting to show him that she wanted it too, and that she was ready, she reached between their bodies and started stroking him.

“Amy, sweetie, leave it or I will come in a few seconds,” he gasped.

Grinning, she ignored his request, pulled at him again and they shared a deep kiss, as he groaned into her mouth. Obviously, he took her boldness for encouragement because he reached for the paper bag with condoms.

Moving the covers completely aside, he kneeled beside her and tore one small shiny packet open between his teeth. Having retrieved the condom, he started rolling it onto his fully erect penis. Amy’s eyes widened involuntarily. It was the first time she ever saw any man do this. That afternoon in her dorm years ago, Michael turned away from her when putting on a condom so she couldn’t see it.

Soon Jake completed the task and opening her legs gently, settled between them. It took him a while to find a comfortable position for himself. Amy sensed he had her comfort in mind, not wanting to crush her. At last he supported himself on his arm at her side, his lips seeking hers, his other hand again reaching between their bodies to stroke her.

The kiss relaxed her, but she couldn’t help opening her eyes when she felt the tip of his penis poking at her labia.

She looked down, between their bodies and stiffened involuntarily.

“Something’s wrong?” he asked at once.

She shook her head, her gaze still glued to his penis.

“I’ll do my best not to hurt you,” Jake whispered. “We’ll go slowly.”

“I know...” she hesitated, glancing down a bit nervously. “It’s just...” she swallowed. “It looks so big.” She ran her finger lightly up and down his length.

Jake produced a big, proud smile. “You sure know how to stroke a man’s ego.”

Amy shook her head, biting her lower lip. “No, I’m sort of afraid it will hurt, when you go all the way inside me.”

He went almost somber the moment she said the words and stilled.

“Amy, is it your first time?” he asked suspiciously.

She glanced away. “Not exactly.”

“Are you a virgin?” he persisted, a sharp edge to his voice.

Her eyelashes fluttered. “Well... technically speaking... yes.”

He rolled onto his back heavily, running his hand over his face. “Good God.”

“You don’t want me now,” she squeaked miserably.

“Don’t talk nonsense!” he retorted. “This is the kind of thing that a man should know before. You want to give me a heart attack or what?”

Shyly, she snuggled up to him. “What now?”

He gathered her to him a bit roughly. “Now, my wife, we need to talk.”

“All right,” she conceded quietly, reaching down to draw the covers over her, feeling suddenly chilly and shy.

Propping himself on his elbow, he looked down at her and asked without preamble, “You said you are technically a virgin, which means what exactly?”

Her eyes widened. “You expect me to tell you what happened before I married you?”

“Yes, Amy. I need to know,” he insisted, his voice gentle but firm.

Having taken a deep breath, Amy started speaking, her small finger drawing patterns on his stomach all the time.

“There was only one guy that I went so far, and well...” she cleared her throat. “ But when he tried to... you know, to actually put it in, he couldn’t really. He said I’m too tight and that he couldn’t push it inside,” she murmured. “And it was very uncomfortable and even a bit painful when he tried to insert more than the tip. I may not know much about sizes, but he was definitely smaller than you. He sort of suggested that I should see the doctor because I might not be fully developed down there, not like a grown woman should be. I got frightened and scheduled an appointment with my gynecologist. At my appointment, I mentioned this to him, and he said that everything was fine with me, but perhaps I required some more foreplay to relax next time. But there wasn’t a next time, because we stopped seeing each other.”

Jake seemed to listen to her very carefully until she finished. “Amy, your doctor was right,” he said evenly when she finished. “Everything about you is absolutely all right. The guy you were with was likely impotent. It was his fault not yours,” he announced firmly. “To make you feel guilty because of his own...inadequacy,” he said, his expression tightening. “Fucking bastard,” he added angrily.

“But...” she started but he interrupted her decidedly.

“Amy, the man has to be hard enough to actually push into a woman’s vagina,” Jake said bluntly. “I suspect as well that he didn’t prepare you well enough, didn’t make you feel safe, relaxed and comfortable, and that was the main reason he hurt you.”

“He didn’t hurt me,” she protested, bringing even a deeper scowl on Jake’s face. “I’m not sure why it didn’t work back then,” she continued uneasily not knowing how to explain it to him without going too much into detail. “It was all so embarrassing when he and I... so awkward.” She swallowed. “It’s so different with you. He and I never talked about those things.”

Jake pulled her close and cradled her to him, his hand stroking her bare back under the sheets. “Amy, baby, did I hurt you when I put my finger into you before?” he asked softly.

“No, it felt nice.”

“You see,” he murmured. “You were tight, but also sopping wet and nicely swollen, that’s why it didn’t hurt. But you might feel discomfort when we go all the way.” He frowned with concern, drawing away from her to look at her, so she did understand him well. “I’m not sure how much discomfort you will feel. I’ve never been with a virgin before. Besides, every woman is different, and you’re small.” His hand moved down her body to the triangle of curls between her legs. “All of you,” he whispered, making her flush bright pink straight to her delicate breasts.

“I’m sorry for all of this...” she started but he placed a finger on her lips.

“Don’t.” He kissed her.

“Let’s try once again,” she whispered.

“You’re sure?” he asked.

Amy thought that he tried to appear relaxed about it, but she knew he wanted it very much.

“Yes,” she said, pulling him decidedly between her open legs.

They kissed for a few long sweet moments, caressed each other lazily, until she tingled with anticipation again. His penis brushed against her inner thigh and grew as hard as before.

“Just go easy,” she whispered, when he positioned himself over her, her hands on his buttocks.

Amy felt him probing her gently for a moment, before he pushed slowly into her. She felt stretched. The sensation was alien and strange. However, when he surged further, she cried softy at the unexpected sharp pain.

He stilled clearly afraid to make the slightest move not to hurt her more. Amy cursed herself for her unguarded reaction, knowing that she’d frightened him. She forced herself to calm, relax, and even smile at him, her hands stroking his strained arms, supporting him over her.

“Perhaps we should stop,” he suggested half-heartedly.

“No, it’s better now.” Her fingers smoothed over his back, and she moved her bottom experimentally under him. “I think I’m ok.”

Letting out a breath he retreated only to push again gently a moment later. He kept a steady pace and his thrusts were well measured. Amy remembered what she’d seen in the movies and read in books, and lifted her bottom up half his way, to welcome his invasion.

He must have like it, as a low growl escaped him, and his palm contracted on her hip, helping her to catch the rhythm.

Suddenly he surged deeply into her and stopped, and Amy caught her breath. He pushed her into the bed with his weight, his face buried in the crook of her neck. He stopped moving.

“Jake?” She touched his shoulder blade lightly. They were wet from sweat. “You’re ok?”

“Yeah, just give me a second,” he snapped.

“Is it the end?” she asked, half jokingly.

“No, but I got too excited,” he murmured, his breath tickling the tender skin on her neck. “I had to stop, otherwise I couldn’t last enough for you to... you know.”

She actually rolled her eyes. “Come on.” She did her best to wriggle under him. “Let it go,” she patted his bottom soundly.

Jake lifted over her. “You’re sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure, I’m sure,” she moved her pelvis again, doing her best to encourage him.

The next few minutes she watched transfixed, as he was moving frantically against her. She loved it all, his growls and law grunts, and the vulnerability and helplessness in his expression. His hands clasped on her body frantically as if he couldn’t stop touching her for one single moment.

There were a few more short pushes, followed by a low, deep growl, he trembled and dropped on her, exhausted.

Amy felt giddy all inside, her toes curling in happiness. Combing his hair from his forehead, she kissed it repeatedly. She hadn’t expected that intimacy with a man could be so satisfying on so many different levels. She felt wonderful, even though she obviously hadn’t climaxed. But it didn’t matter, she felt loved, taken care of and appreciated. This—what she had with Jake, couldn’t be compared to what she’d had with Michael. Then, she’d felt somehow guilty and now she knew, used.

When Jake didn’t say anything for a few more moments she thought that he perhaps fell asleep. But soon he lifted on his forearms, smiled, kissed her nose, and slipped from her carefully, being still half hard.

“Stay here.” He padded to the bathroom giving her the enticing view of his dangling semi erect penis and very pinchable bottom, only to return a moment later with a wet towel.

Coaxing her legs open again, he patted her gently between her thighs.

“There’s some blood,” he frowned with concern. “But not that much. Hurt you much?”

“Not really. It was just uncomfortable at first,” she assured but when he looked unconvinced, she grabbed his hand squeezing it. “Honest.”

Amy frowned when he dropped the stained towel on the nearest chair instead of returning it to the bathroom. She remained silent, not wanting to spoil the moment. She snuggled happily into his arms, while he drew the covers over both of them.

He kissed her shoulder. “You’re very sore?”

“Could you please stop that?” She rolled her eyes. “I’m fine. Just a little...” she smiled wickedly, “stretched.”

He sighed.

“If we had a candle you could blow it out with that sigh,” she noted laughing quietly, nuzzling her nose playfully against his chest.

His arms contracted around her. “I love you,” he whispered.

Amy stiffened immediately and the room went suddenly silent. “Jake... I...” she managed at last.

“Hush. It’s all right.” He hugged her to him, kissing her hair. “Close your eyes, we’re going to have some rest now,” he added a bit brusquely, “It’s been one hell of an exhausting day.”

Chapter Fifteen

“You look absolutely lovely.” Jake stood behind Amy and wound his arms around her.

“I’m not sure about this dress.” Amy glanced critically at her own reflection in the floor length mirror in her bedroom.

“It’s the same one you wore when we had dinner with your father and Claire, right?” He bent his head to kiss the spot just below her ear.

“Yes, the same one.” Amy freed herself gently from his embrace. She turned sideways to see how the dress looked from the back.

“You could put on the dress I bought for you,” he suggested.

“Hardly,” she protested. “It’s way too revealing.”

“You’re right,” he agreed quickly. “I don’t want to see other men ogling you the entire evening,” he murmured, drawing her back into his arms.

Amy let him hold her for a moment, though she really wasn’t in the mood for cuddling now. She was too nervous about the party they were to attend this evening. Jake had been invited by one of his business partners to his house. It was to be their first social occasion of this kind to attend as a married couple. She wanted to make a good impression.

She tilted her head to allow Jake better access to her neck. Since they’d made love for the first time Jake had turned even mushier if it was possible. Sometimes she felt impatient, and grew tired of him wanting to kiss and keep her close to him all the time. She appreciated his attentions—most of the time. Her heart melted when he reached for her every night, every time with the quiet question in his eyes, asking her if she wanted to make love. And when he was inside her, he held her as if she was the most precious thing in the entire world.

But sometimes she wanted to slap his hands away and tell him to go watch TV, and leave her alone for a moment. Like yesterday, when he’d gotten in an amorous mood just as she’d started cleaning the inside of the oven.

It amazed her how much more vulnerable he seemed to be now when they began to have sex like a normal couple. He behaved as if he literally couldn’t stand losing physical contact with her. Despite appearances, he was one hell of a sensitive guy. She didn’t want to be cruel, and she made sure not to show her occasional displeasure at his attentions, no matter how exasperating he could be sometimes. She only hoped that this cuddling mood of his would pass in time or perhaps that she would adjust to it somehow.

She pushed away from him gently. “I like it but perhaps it’s too simple for the occasion? What do you think?”

Jake stared down at her uncomprehendingly for a moment. “I don’t know. It’s a very nice dress.”

Amy let out an exasperated sound. “You’ve been to such parties many times so you must have noticed how women dress.”

He shrugged. “Not really.”

Amy rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on. You had to see the wives of your business partners.” she insisted.

“Most of men I do business with have children in college.” He tried to kiss her, but she averted her face and his lips ended up touching her cheek. “Their wives don’t look like you at all.”

“Don’t.” She squirmed out of his embrace when he attempted another kiss. “You’ll ruin my make-up. It took me twenty minutes to apply it properly.”

Jake hung his head down, making a puppy face.

“Oh, don’t do that,” Amy snorted impatiently at him. “And go dress yourself,” she added, looking pointedly at his jeans and old t-shirt he still wore. She pushed him towards the bathroom. “We really can’t be late.”

* * * *

“They’re just talking.” Matt Harding stood next to Jake.

“What?” Jake turned his head to look at the older man.

Harding was one of the wealthiest, if not the wealthiest man in town and Jake had done a few good deals with him in the last two years. The man wasn’t afraid to do business with a young entrepreneur. And he’d certainly made a good profit out of it.

Harding laughed and handed the younger man a glass with scotch. Jake took it, and gulped down a healthy portion, temporarily forgetting that he was the one driving this evening.

“I said that they’re just talking,” Harding repeated. “Relax.”

Jake’s eyes returned to Amy as if he hadn’t heard Harding’s words.

For the last twenty minutes, Amy had been talking with the younger brother of the lady of the house. He was a severely pimpled geek, currently working on his doctorate. He wrote a paper about some early nineteenth century English woman writer. It was the historical show based on her book that Amy watched so often. Now her expressive face was turned up to the skinny blond dude. Her eyes shone with interest as she hung on his every word.

“That was smart of you to fish her out when her father is financially pressed,” Harding noted casually, receiving an immediate angry stare from Jake. “Come on. You cannot deny it,” he added calmly.

“That’s no one’s business,” Jake murmured, perfectly aware that the older man was entirely correct.

Harding raised his glass. “No offense. I would have done exactly the same thing in your shoes,” he said, his pale blue eye rested on Amy. “She’s a sweetie, and such a hot little body. She must be a firecracker in bed. You’re one lucky bastard.”

Jake went red in the face, his jaw clenched, as he faced the older man ready to strangle him with his bare hands.

Harding only laughed. “Shit, you’re in deep with her, aren’t you?” He shook his bald head, and smiled broadly. “Don’t worry, I didn’t mean anything wrong. Wish you and your lovely wife all the best,” he said sincerely, patted the younger man’s back and walked away to the other end of the room.

It took Jake a moment to calm down after Harding walked away. Amy still kept listening to that smart ass. Her big pretty eyes focused on his face, following his every word.

He always feared that she would get interested in some academic type, one that could talk with her about books and poetry. Jake didn’t read. To be precise he did read, but his interests in literature were strictly limited to financial reports, the New York Times, and sports magazines. He didn’t feel the need to read anything more. He knew that his wife loved books, and devoured them daily. Almost every week there was a parcel with the new books she’d ordered. He respected her love for the written word, but personally thought it to be a waste of time to read stories about some fictional people. In his rare free time he much preferred to simply slumber on the couch in front of the TV, lately with Amy perched on his chest, of course, with a book in her hand.

She never questioned his total lack of interest in literature. She never tried to encourage him to read anything. He thought that perhaps she didn’t mind that he wasn’t the bookish type. But he wasn’t that sure of it now, when he could see her looking in admiration at this skinny dude, telling her some long tales about his so called studies. She looked very impressed now. She never seemed to be impressed with his achievements, like with the fact that he’d made his first million before he was thirty years old, barely out of nothing.

He gulped down the rest of his scotch, took another glass of it from the waiter who passed by, and marched decidedly to his wife and the bookish man obviously trying to impress her.

He wrapped his arm around Amy’s waist and drew her to him. She didn’t protest, but neither did she acknowledge his presence.

The man glanced at him uncertainly a few times, but kept talking and Amy still seemed to hang on his every single word.

“So you think that it’s possible Cassandra actually didn’t destroy her early love letters?” she asked breathlessly.

The man pushed his chicken chest up, with an expression of a tenured professor and not some surely underpaid postgraduate student and pursed his lips. “I’m positive of that. I want to prove that these letters were hidden somewhere by the family and the rumor was spread that she’d asked Cassandra to burn them. It’s obvious that they wanted to protect her reputation, and the fact that she was a much more liberated woman than society would have accepted in Regency England. I hope to find the final proof during my trip to England next month.”

“That’s so exciting,” Amy cried, her eyes shining, her entire face beaming. “If you managed to find those letters that would be really something, a breakthrough. You know that I actually visited her house last summer.”

“Really?” the dude inclined his head with interest.

She nodded. “Yes, but I was there just for one day.”

Jake decided it was high time to recapture his wife’s attention. “Amy, Mrs. Harding mentioned to me she wanted to talk with you about your possible participation in the committee she runs,” he reminded her gently of her obligations to him.

Amy replied, “Yes, of course. I’ll go talk with her right away.” She turned to the scholarly man once again. “I would enjoy hearing more from you about your research.”

The dude bowed his head like some fucking hero from a period movie. “I’ll be happy to inform you about my next discoveries.” He sounded nonchalant. “Just give me your email and the phone number.”

“Sure.” Amy opened her tiny purse, clearly looking for something with which to write, but couldn’t find anything.

“Amy, dear,” Jake leaned to her, “I’ll take care of that.” He smiled at her warmly. “I see that Mrs. Harding is looking in our direction.”

Amy smiled at him gratefully. “Thank you. You’re sweet.” She turned to the dude one last time. “Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon,” she said eagerly then hastily walked away.

Jake could see how the other man’s eyes rested on her ass when she made her way through the crowded place.

“Your wife is very intelligent and possesses an inquisitive mind,” the dude murmured, his eyes still glued to his wife’s behind.

“I know.” Jake grabbed the man’s shoulder and maneuvered them together into a quiet corner.

“Look, I’m going to say it only once,” he started calmly, when he was sure that no one heard them. “Leave my wife alone. I don’t want you calling emailing, talking to her or contacting her in any way. Is that clear?”

Dude laughed. “You must be kidding. She’s not your possession.”

Jake sipped some of his scotch and raised his brow. “I’m serious.”

The younger man appraised him for a moment. “Your wife and I have a lot in common. We share an intellectual bond, something that you obviously cannot understand. And for your information, money may not be enough to keep a woman like Amy around for long. She needs something more.”

Jake finished his drink and smiled. “I think we should talk outside about this,” he proposed calmly.

Instantly the man’s satisfied expression disappeared from his pimpled countenance. After a moment’s hesitation, he mumbled, “No, that’s not necessary.”

“Are you sure?” Jake asked pleasantly.

Dude swallowed. “Perfectly sure.”

“Good.” Jake put the empty glass on the smooth surface of the small table beside him. “And don’t even try to bond in any way with my wife in the future,” he added, before walking away without a second glance in his direction.

Soon he found Amy, engrossed in conversation with Ben Harding’s wife.

“Jake!” Beth Harding exclaimed when he saw him approaching. “Your wife is simply charming. Why have you kept her hidden from us for such a long time?”

He smiled as he wrapped his arms leisurely around Amy’s petite frame. “I just wanted to have her all to myself for a couple of weeks.”

“Oh, you sly thing,” Beth laughed at him coquettishly. “But now you will not take her away from us. She agreed to help me in my charity work.”

Amy looked up at him and they exchanged amused glances.

“Well, I’m afraid I have to run now. I must check on dinner.” Beth touched Amy’s hand. “I’ll phone you Monday so we can make the arrangements.”

Amy smiled her sweetest smile at the woman. “Of course, Mrs. Harding.”

“Beth, please,” the other woman chided her gently.

“Beth,” Amy relented.

They watched as the hostess walked hastily away.

Jake smiled down at Amy. “And you were so afraid of this evening,” he whispered, drawing her closer to him. He wanted to pull her even closer but he had to remember that they were in a room full of people. “You charmed everyone.”

Some even more than he would like to see, he added quietly in his thoughts.

Amy frowned, rose up onto her toes, sniffed him, and frowned. “You were drinking,” she whispered in accusation.

“Just one glass of scotch,” he said,

Her frown deepened. He knew she was displeased. She didn’t like him to drink. If she smelled liquor on his breath, she wouldn’t allow him to kiss her, even if he’d imbibed only one beer.

He felt her stiffen. “You’re driving,” she pointed out.

“You’ll drive the way back.”

She sighed. “Just don’t drink more.”

“I won’t, I won’t,” he assured her quickly.

Soon dinner was announced, and Jake escorted Amy to the table. His chest swelled with pride as he listened to her interacting with other guests. She was kind and charming, and had a ready intelligent reply to any question addressed to her. It would have been a perfect dinner, if not for the fact that the skinny dude had been seated on the other side of Amy. Jake supposed that Beth Harding had thought that Amy, as a librarian, was the only person among the guests who shared her brother’s interests, so she sat them together.