Twisted Pursuits (18 page)

Anna seemed taken aback by this but, thank goodness made no comment. Instead she changed the subject, commenting on Lauren’s beautiful dress, which happened to be one of the many they had purchased when they had gone shopping about a month ago. As always with Anna there was never a dull moment and soon she had Lauren laughing and sharing jokes along with her.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

LAUREN TOSSED AND TURNED
in bed that same evening, trying to find a comfortable position. She glanced at the clock on her nightstand; eight o’clock on the dot. She had been napping for three hours and she still felt bone weary. No wonder, she thought irritably, as it seemed impossible for her to lie still for more than fifteen minutes at a time.

Sighing resignedly she sat up in bed and rested her head on the headboard, careful to take the coverlet with her as she was stark naked below it. It was the peak of summer and the heat was simply dreadful and after Anna’s visit she had been extremely hot despite the air conditioning so she had resolved to remove her clothing and lay beneath the bed coverings. She had already informed Ms. Clarke that she would not be coming down to dinner as she was not feeling well so she expected no disturbance for the remainder of the night.

The room was cool now, chilly actually, and she really should go take a shower and put on her pajamas but she was so tired that she could not find the strength to move to it. There was a knock at the door and she was about to tell whomever it was to hold on so she could get dressed when the door opened. She blinked in shock as Jordan entered the room balancing a tray in both hands. She yanked the coverlet to her chin, her heart hammering in her chest as she took in his barefoot and jeans and t-shirt.

“Ms. Clarke told me you did not come down for dinner so I thought I might bring you a     nightcap”, he said placing the tray on the edge of the bed beside her.

“Thank you”, she murmured noting that it was burgers and fries and a glass of milk. Ever since that night he had caught her sneaking out of the house to get the meal he had made it his duty to ensure that she got it and when he could not bring it himself, he would send Daniel.

Her mouth watered at the tasty delight and she forgot all else, including the fact that she was naked beneath the blanket and delved in. She was hardly aware of Jordan sitting on the side of the bed watching her as she savored every last drop of the meal.

“Hmm”, she moaned in contentment and fell back against the headboard; it seemed she could never have enough of the stuff.

“Do you want some more”, Jordan asked, “I could go and get it for you”.

“No that’s OK”, she shifted uncomfortably waiting for him to leave but he did not.

Jordan searched her face, observing the lines of fatigue and the slump of her shoulders. He felt guilty that she had to bear all the discomfort alone along with all her other complications. He felt bad that she had no one to rub her feet at nights or fetch a glass of water if she was thirsty in the middle of the night. No matter what she had done she deserved a little comfort, he told himself. After all she was not the only one who would benefit from her ordeal, the least he could do was offer his support.

He recalled his parents’ reaction to the news of his marriage and impending fatherhood. While they had been none too happy that they had not gotten a chance to attend his wedding, they were more than elated that they were going to be grandparents; especially his mother whom it appeared had been dying to see the day.  He wondered what they would say if they knew he was shirking his responsibilities.

He had accused her of being selfish but now he realized that she was not the only one. They were his kids as well as hers so it was only fair that he shared in the pressure of bringing them safely into the world. Something else also caught his attention; she was not wearing any top. He wondered if she was wearing anything at all besides the bedcover, his body going rigid at the thought.

“I was going to take a shower”, she said in a bid to get rid of him.

“You can go ahead. I’ll just wait here until you’re finished”, he was not ready to leave just yet.

“Ok”, she replied too tired to argue, closing her eyes for a second in an effort to gather her strength before she dragged herself slowly to the edge of the bed while struggling to keep the coverlet in place. Once there she paused again agonizing over the task of having to turn on the tap and wait for her bath water to run as she did not think she had the strength to endure the standing shower at the moment.

Jordan’s heart softened as he realized the effort it took her to do such a mundane task. He rose quickly to his feet, “wait here, I’ll run your bath”, he placed a staying hand on her arm when she made to stand then rushed to start the tap before she could protest and returned to the room.

“What are you doing?” she asked frowning as he gently pushed her into the pillows.

“Don’t move”, he instructed, “I’ll be right back”.

A few seconds later he returned clutching two bottles in his hand, “this is a bath oil and this is massage oil. They’ll both help you to relax”, he said holding them out on display for her to see.

He placed the massage oil on her nightstand and disappeared into the bathroom with the bath oil
returning a short while later.

“What are you doing?” she asked incredulously as he bent to lift her from the bed.

“I’m going to help you shower”, he responded as if it was something he did every day.

“No!” she said resolutely, her face reddening as she scooted away from him.

“Why not”, he seemed shocked, “you obviously need help and I’m here…”

She hugged the blanket closer to her, something akin to fear clouding her eyes.

“I don’t want you to see me like this”, she turned her face away from him, “fat and ugly…”

He would have laughed at the untruth of such a statement or simply ignore it if she did not seem to genuinely believe it. He lifted her chin with his fingers, his eyes probing hers, her plump lips were so inviting that he wanted to kiss her but he restrained himself.

“Don’t ever let me hear you say such nonsense again. Do you hear me?” he said firmly and she frowned and nodded reluctantly, “you are beautiful and soft and full…” he stopped himself, “and now I shall bathe you”, he finished forcefully.

He pried her fingers from the coverlet as she stared at him as if entranced, inhaling sharply as her body, ripe with the fruit of his children; unveiled inch by delectable inch. He had to force himself to concentrate against the singeing in his blood as he lifted her gently into his arms and carried her to the bath and carefully placed her inside.

She was heavier in most places; her breast, her buttocks and of course her stomach was huge but she was so lovely he ached with need. He washed her body with careful, deliberate strokes; ensuring that he did not chafe her delicate skin with the washcloth. He was lathering the mound of her stomach when he felt a firm thrust beneath his hand. He jerked his had away and Lauren exclaimed softly touching the spot where his hand had been earlier.

“Are you alright”, he asked anxiously.

She laughed softly, “Yes, I’m fine. It seems they are quite happy to see you, or hear you”, she added with a smile.

He smiled himself, replacing his hand and the movements continued. He was awestruck, lost in the magic of the moment. All along he had known that he would become a father but at the moment he knew he was a father already. They were living, moving beings; they just needed a bit more sustenance until they could survive on their own. The feelings coursing through him were so overwhelming that he had to propel himself to finish his task.

He towel dried her and carried her back to bed in much the same way he had done before. He then poured a small amount of massage oil into his palms and gently rubbed it into her body in solid, even strokes.

She moaned in pleasure and he gritted his teeth against the desire building inside him. “This is heavenly”, she murmured as he kneaded the tension from her shoulders and neck; giving special attention to her lower back and her tummy. The feel of the babies kicking
underneath his palms was quickly becoming addictive.

Reluctantly he left her side to rummage through her clothes chest for a nightshirt and undergarments. He glanced away from the heat in her soft brown eyes; afraid he might give in and accept the bliss he knew he would find in her arms, as he skimmed the garments unto her body. He released a breath he did not even realize he had been holding when she fell against the pillows fully clothed, or partially depending on the way he looked at it he thought as he took her feet into his lap where he was in plain view of her shapely calves.

“Your feet are swollen”, Jordan muttered in an effort to curb his wayward thoughts, “you should keep them elevated and rest more”, he encouraged.

“Yes…” she murmured almost inaudible, a sigh of contentment escaping her lips as her eyes drifted closed under his skillful ministrations. He massaged one foot then the other until he heard her even breathing and knew she was asleep. He rose stiffly from the bed and hurriedly placed the coverlet over her and practically ran from the room; pausing only for a brief moment to caress her stomach one last time.

He breathed a sigh of relief as he got to his own room; thank goodness he had not yielded to the temptation. Making love to her would only create a complication he could not handle at the moment or ever again he thought bitterly. Unfortunately he would have to endure the discomfort as he intended to start honoring his responsibility to her and his unborn children.

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

LAUREN AWOKE THE FOLLOWING
morning feeling well rested and rejuvenated; much more than she could say for as long as she could remember. She blushed at the memory of Jordan’s hands on her naked body; even now her body pulsed with need. She wanted him so badly she ached. It was still early in the morning so perhaps if she hurried she could get a glimpse of him before he left for the office, she told herself, hurrying out of bed.

Half an hour later, showered and dressed, she emerged downstairs feeling as if a butterfly was trapped inside her stomach. Would he be as hostile as he had been these past weeks, she asked herself? Would he even be there?

“Good morning Mrs. Myles”, Ms. Clarke greeted as she entered the hallway towards the living room.

“Good morning to you too Ms. Clarke”, Lauren said, smiling, “have you seen my husband this morning?”

“Yes, he’s in the dining room”.

“Ok. Thank you”, Lauren said moving towards the dining room.

Jordan rose as soon as she entered, his face creasing into a warm smile as he pulled out a chair for her next to him. “You look beautiful this morning”, he commented.

She blushed. “Thank you. You look magnificent yourself”, she said smiling.

His smile broadened. “Dried toast?” he asked indicating to a pile in the centre of the table.

She nodded and he placed two slices unto a plate and placed it in front of her.

“You’re having toast as well”, she remarked unnecessarily as he prepared a plate for himself.

“I thought anything else might upset your stomach”, he shrugged as if it was no big deal.

She bowed her head so he would not see the tears in her eyes, “that was very thoughtful of you”, she said softly.

“Nonsense”, he said sternly, “it’s the least I can do considering that you have to carry our babies”, he said, chuckling. The sound was so rare these days that she paused for a moment to appreciate the rich timbre before she joined in.

Their encounter continued on the same route; pleasant and light hearted and she was sad when he said he had to leave or he would be late for an appointment but at least they were being civil to one another she told herself.

EVERYTHING SEEMED TO CHANGE
from that moment on and the most baffling of all was Jordan. After that first night he came to her room every night to bathe and stroke her body with his massage oils. His touch was so warm and gentle and although his caresses were neutral, they never failed to ignite an unbridled passion within her.

She had been too tired that first night to do much but fall asleep under the light pressure of his skillful hands but on their second night he had left her hot with need. It appeared that he had no intention of making love to her so on the third night she ensured that she showered before he came home. Not easily daunted, he insisted on what was quickly becoming his ritual and she had to admit that she had been sleeping better ever since he had started so she simply gave in to his wishes. Besides that, it warmed her heart to see him placing his face near to her stomach; talking and laughing with their babies as they kicked in response.

He drove her to her appointment with Doctor Hedley two days later, which was a surprise as she had expected Daniel to do the honors. She was even more surprised when he told her he was staying with her through the appointment. Doctor Hedley was all smiles and compliments throughout their visit, assuring her that the babies and herself were healthy. Lauren could sense the animosity between both men and she could not help feeling a little guilty as she suspected that it was because Doctor Hedley had not told Jordan about her pregnancy.

She later found that she had nothing to worry about as Doctor Hedley outlined the babies on the ultrasound monitor and Jordan fairly turned to mush. She herself was impressed as she got a glimpse of the babies’ faces in what Doctor Hedley called Triple Dimensional Ultrasound. In that instant she was certain that if she lived to be a hundred she would never forget the expression of adulation and love that was displayed on Jordan’s features. They were even more excited as Doctor Hedley announced that they were having a boy and a girl.

He took her to lunch after their visit with Doctor Hedley in an elegant restaurant on the outskirts of Ocho Rios. It felt so wonderful to be out with him that she relished every second, wishing the moment would never end. She sensed the same reluctance in him as they ended their meal and he took her to his office where Daniel was waiting to take her back to the estate. She thought for a moment that he might kiss her, her heart all but melting, as he came around and opened the car door for her but he just gave her a swift peck on the cheek and left.

That night as he came to her and worked his magic on her body she almost wept with need. She was so painfully aroused that she knew if he once touched her there, in that most secret place of her body, even fleetingly, she would catapult over the edge. His hand was on her right leg when he caught her stare and she held it as she drew closer, so close that she could feel his warm breath on her face, smell the tangy scent of his bath soap.

When their lips finally met, it was cataclysmic; urgent yet soft and sweet. The insistent need coursing through her veins was so intense that she was sure if not immediately sated it would shred her to bits. She moaned with pleasure as he deepened the kiss and slid her hands beneath his t-shirt, stroking the hard sinews of his abdomen and chest.

He growled low in his throat and she was emboldened; unbuttoning his jeans and slipping her fingers inside to the hard length of his arousal. He jerked away suddenly from her as if her touch burned.

“What…” she stammered, her brain muddled with passion.

“I can’t do this… I can’t”, he said and stood.

Hurt and rejection rose inside her as she realized what he was saying.

“You don’t want me”, she said her voice cracking as she pulled the coverlet over her nakedness, “just admit it, my body disgusts you”.

“Don’t say that”, he said through gritted teeth.

“Why then?” she could not help the silent tears that ran unchecked down her cheeks.

He turned his back to her, his spine rigid. “Good night”, he said dismissively and strode towards the door.

“Why the hell not!” she screamed in frustration, rising to her feet.

He froze in his tracks, the doorknob held firmly in his grasp.

“Answer me!” she screeched.

He turned to face her, his expression filled with rage and something else she could not decipher. “You are the mother of my children and nothing else”, he said coldly, “whatever happened between us is in the past and it will remain there; the sooner you acknowledge it, the better”, with that he marched from the room.

“You cruel brute”, she yelled, grasping the alarm clock from her nightstand and throwing  it after him but it merely connected with the back of the door and crashed to the ground and shattered
into a dozen pieces.

She sobbed dejectedly until her stomach lurched. She tried to calm herself in an attempt to stem the nausea but it was too late. She rushed to the bathroom where she lost her evening meal. Afterwards she sat on the carpeted floor and convulsed into sobs. It took a long while before she could haul herself back to bed and even then she did not sleep.

She had come to believe these past days that they were growing closer. How could she have been so wrong?   Hot tears seeped into her pillows. Would she continue to pay for the rest of her life for that one silly mistake she had made in a moment of weakness? How could she make him understand that she was sorry, that she did not mean to hurt him; that she would do anything to erase the hurt she had caused him?

She could do nothing she told herself. She could not change the past and she had no way of affecting the future. She had been too late the moment she had walked out of this very house and out of his life a few months ago.

It seemed too late would always be her cry, she thought as sleep claimed her.