Resignation (6 page)

“So…that’s doggy style, isn’t it?”

He stood panting for a second, watching her face for any
sign of amusement, but her eyes remained closed. He bit back a laugh at her
question.

She isn’t sure?

“Uh, yeah. Did you like it?”

“Mmhmm. I’ve never tried it before, but now I wish I had.”

He tried to keep the frown off his face at the thought of
her trying new positions with anyone other than him, but she wasn’t watching as
he slowly stepped away. He discarded the condom in the kitchen trash then
returned to gently lift her from the table. She sighed as she lazily draped her
arms around his neck and he kissed the top of her head.

“What other positions are you curious about?” he asked.

She opened her eyes and looked up at him, but he couldn’t
read the expression on her face. She shrugged and closed her eyes again, and he
thought she wouldn’t answer.

“All of them I guess. I’ve never really experimented
before.”

Her response was muffled by her face being buried in his
chest, but he heard her hesitation well enough.

“Grab those condoms and I’ll see what I can do to change
that.”

She glanced up at him with uncertainty on her face, but she
quickly looked away and grabbed the box of condoms. He decided not to make her
feel any more uneasy by talking about it and instead took her into the bedroom
for an afternoon of pleasure and exploration.

I want to show you everything.

* * * * *

Sunday passed in a blur as Sol taught Darina more about her
body than she’d ever thought possible. He quickly learned her likes and
dislikes and used his knowledge mercilessly, making her come over and over
until she lay exhausted in her tangled sheets. That evening, he carried her to
the bathtub, washed her body from head to toe, and then dried her gently while
she lay in satiated bliss. She watched as he dried his own body, standing at
the foot of her bed. He kept his back to her, but she certainly couldn’t
complain about the view.

The man is yummy from any angle.

“Will you be going in at your usual time tomorrow?”

She started at the unexpected sound of his voice and
realized she’d begun to doze off. She cleared her throat to answer.

“Most likely. I don’t have anything until nine, but I
usually try to get an early start on Mondays.”

He still faced away, so she couldn’t read his expression.
Dread filled her as she realized the inevitable conversation was officially
underway. She’d hoped for at least a full week of fantasy before the reality of
life intruded. This would be a short week for her since her week-long vacation
started on Friday. Originally, she would’ve married Marc on Saturday and headed
to their honeymoon in Jamaica. She’d decided not to change her vacation,
knowing she’d be depressed on that date anyway.

“Don’t you go on vacation this week?” he asked, finally
turning to face her.

For a moment she was distracted by his body. He remained
still as her eyes traveled down his torso, and she unconsciously licked her
lips before remembering his question. When she looked up, the desire in his
eyes was unmistakable and her body reacted in the next heartbeat. Her nipples
hardened and moisture pooled between her thighs. All thoughts of conversation
fled.

“What?”

He chuckled, a deep masculine sound that made her whimper.
He climbed onto the bed and crawled toward her, his beautiful cock swinging
heavily between his strong thighs. She licked her lips again and he growled.

“Kitten, I’m trying to have a conversation here. But if you
keep licking those perfect lips, I’m going to devour them and we won’t be able
to speak again until morning.”

She sighed and welcomed him into her open arms.

I don’t want to talk about this.

He lay on top of the covers while she remained beneath them.
Even through the cloth she could feel his hardness pressing between her thighs.
He rested his elbows on either side of her head, looking down into her eyes as
he threaded his fingers through her damp hair. She decided to get the
conversation over with.

“Yes, my vacation begins on Friday. How did you know?”

“You told me a couple of weeks ago. Don’t you remember?”

A twinge of embarrassment shot through her. “I’m sorry, I
guess I forgot.”

She tried to turn her face away but he captured it between
his hands.

“What, kitten? What’s wrong?”

She looked into his eyes and tried to think of what to say.
What wouldn’t reveal too much to this man who was virtually a stranger?

“Nothing. It’s just…I was thinking I should’ve rescheduled.”

He grinned but there was no real humor in his expression.

“Liar. We might barely know each other but I can still read
your face. Tell me what you’re thinking. You don’t have to be wary of me.”

Though his words were spoken gently, for a moment anger
surged through her and she considered pushing him away.

She tried to feed the anger his words initially sparked, but
it died a quick death. Not only was he absolutely right, he deserved better
from her. He’d just given her a weekend of the best sex of her life and taken
such good care of her. The least she could do in return was tell him the truth.
She took a deep breath and felt unexpected tears sting her eyes. She tried to
turn away again and this time he let her. She closed her eyes as he began to
nibble on her ear.

“I’m going to be alone for a week,” she whispered.

It seemed so much easier to say it with her eyes closed,
hiding in the false darkness. He stilled for a moment before his lips moved
down to her jaw. He kissed the corner of her mouth, using his lips to encourage
her to face him again.

“You don’t have to be,” he whispered against her skin.

She opened her eyes slowly, the tears breaking free and
sliding down her face. He kissed one side then the other, over the trail of her
tears.

“What are you saying?”

“I can take my vacation anytime I wish. We’re almost
overstaffed and I have two weeks to get rid of, with no plans for them as of
yet.”

“You would take your vacation to be with me?”

Her heart sped up as a ridiculous surge of fear gripped her.
Sol tightened his hold on her head.

“Hey, it’s just one option. If you don’t want me to I won’t.
I’m not going to become your stalker.”

The relaxed expression on his face added merit to the truth
of his words. She took his grin at face value and slowly smiled back. Besides,
there were much worse ways of spending her vacation than having sex. She
thought it over for a moment.

“You’re certain you can give such short notice?”

“Positive. Of course once you’ve spent an entire week with
me, you might become addicted. I can be quite alluring.”

He wiggled his eyebrows and she laughed breathlessly under
his weight.

“So long as you don’t get sick of me.”

She tried to make it sound like a joke but feared she
couldn’t hide the doubt from her eyes. They might not be a couple, but she
really wanted to spend time with him. Maybe then he would decide to stick
around for more than just great sex. She mentally shook her head at the
thought.

It’s still too soon for another relationship.

She didn’t want this to be a rebound thing between them.
That would ensure failure even if it didn’t happen right away. Sol deserved
better than that. Everything he’d shown her so far told her he was a good man.

“I promise no one will care if I take vacation next week and
there’s no way in hell I could get sick of you. It took ten months to get you
right where I want you.”

She laughed and shook her head, then sighed contentedly as
the amusement in his eyes turned to something deeper and more intimate. He
pushed his lower body against hers and his hardness rubbed enticingly. His
kisses gentled her while he rubbed his fingers along the sides of her face.

“I can go in late tomorrow. Do you mind if I stay the night
again?” he asked against her lips.

“Please do.”

Sol groaned as he fought to go slow in his latest seduction.
He expected her to be sore after the past forty-eight hours. He certainly was,
but even being at death’s door wouldn’t keep him from pleasing her as often as
she allowed. His heart felt full to bursting knowing he would be spending the
next week with her. He had the perfect trip in mind and already planned on
spending his lunch break finalizing it.

I don’t think one week will be enough to get my fill.

He stood long enough to peel the covers back and then lay
down beside her. He took his time and savored the taste of her skin as he
worshipped her body. He pressed small kisses into the path traversed by his
massaging fingers. She moaned beneath him, wiggling as he tickled her belly
with his heated breath. He nipped at her skin until she tugged on his hair,
pulling him back to her mouth.

“You taste so good. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough.”

She stilled and he cursed himself silently for saying that.

Keep it light and temporary, dumbass. You don’t get to
keep her.

Rather than saying anything else to make her cringe, he
showed her with his body exactly how much he wanted her. When they were both
sated and exhausted, he curled around her warm body and rubbed his hand over
her belly until she fell asleep. He couldn’t quiet his mind enough to follow
her, as he tried to think of a way out of this mess. How could he show her how
much he wanted to keep her?

I have so little to offer, should I even try?

* * * * *

The week passed in a blur as Darina kept busy as far away
from Marc as possible. Every evening she worked late enough to follow Sol home.
He would make a delicious dinner then pleasure her long into the night. It was
easy enough for her to rise early and stop home for a quick shower before
making her way in to work. Sol protested the first night, wanting to sleep at
her place, but she’d insisted.

Thursday evening finally arrived and she rode the elevator
to the lobby alone, having decided to get some work done as she waited for Sol.
She smiled to herself as she remembered Monday morning. He lay in her bed,
watching her dress for work and giving his opinion on every article of clothing
she donned from her panties to her shoes. It was the most intimate moment they
had shared yet, even after having tasted and touched every inch of each other’s
skin.

I’m becoming addicted to him.

The memory made her blush and she pressed her hands to her
heated cheeks as the doors opened to allow someone on from the third floor. She
kept her eyes downcast as she fought to control her thoughts.

“Darina? Sweetheart, are you all right?”

Her breath caught in her throat as the familiar voice washed
over her. Months had passed since he’d spoken such an endearment, but she knew
Marc’s voice as well as her own. It wasn’t a deep, sexy timbre like Sol’s, but
it held a hint of concern that threw her off guard. She dropped her hands and
looked up to find Marc studying her. She cleared her throat and straightened
her shoulders.

“I’m fine, Marc.”

“You don’t look fine. What’s wrong, sweetheart? You know you
can still tell me anything.”

You’ve got to be kidding me.

She looked at him and hoped her face conveyed her
astonishment at that ridiculous statement. She’d successfully avoided him all
week. Were a few more minutes too much to ask?

“I said I’m fine, Marc. And even if I’m not, my state of
being is no longer any of your concern.”

He looked surprised by the venom in her voice and even took
a step back.

“I’m sorry. I can’t help it if I haven’t forgotten our two years
together. I still care about you.”

She snorted and crossed her arms over her chest.
Right.

“Funny how you show it. Humiliating me in front of all our
coworkers and parading around with the boss’s daughter. Tell me something, did
you already have her ring picked out while you were still whispering promises
in my ear?”

He blushed a deep crimson and telltale signs of anger crept
over his normally calm façade. His fists balled at his sides and he moved as if
to take a step in her direction. Suddenly a hand slapped down on his shoulder,
pinning him in place.

“Mr. Powell, Miss Wellington is looking for you. She’s been
waiting in the foyer for nearly fifteen minutes.”

Marc froze and Darina watched his anger turn into annoyance.
She couldn’t believe Sol had actually put his hands on Marc. He had to know
what a chance he was taking with his job. Sol dropped his hand but didn’t back
away until Marc turned around. She couldn’t see their faces, but it took a
moment for both men to step off the elevator. She walked out briskly and headed
straight for the security desk to turn in her temporary badge, somehow making
it despite her trembling knees. Heather stood there watching the scene unfold
with a frown on her face. It was obvious Darina and Marc had vacated the same elevator.
Darina wondered how long the doors had stood open as she remained distracted by
Marc’s misplaced concern. She hadn’t even felt it move from the third floor.

“Marc? Marc, darling, is everything all right?”

Darina ignored Heather as best she could while signing out
on the security log. A warm presence at her back and Sol’s masculine scent
calmed her racing pulse.

“Are you okay? Did he touch you?”

The anger in his question sent chills down her spine.
Luckily his voice was low enough to reach no farther than her ears. She
suppressed the urge to shiver as she turned to face him.

“No, he didn’t. I’m fine,” she whispered.

From the corner of her eye she noticed Heather fussing at
Marc, her anger still coming across despite her hushed voice. Marc looked over
at Darina and Heather grabbed his arm. Sol took a step closer, blocking her
view of them.