CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

 

Merrick’s slow grin spread across his face when Willa opened the door. He took in her appearance. She was wearing crop pants and cross trainers.

“I warn you, Merrick,” she said, “I run faster than I used to.”

He chuckled. “So do I.”

When he escorted her to his truck, Blondie greeted her from the back seat.

Willa wrinkled her small nose. “I hate to be the one to tell you, but your dog smells.”

“She smells like a dog,” Merrick protested.

“She smells like a dog who hasn’t been bathed in a long time. Open a window.”

He drove her to Galveston where his sailboat was berthed and led her onto the pier where she was tied up.

“This is your boat?” Willa asked. “It’s big.”

“Thirty-six feet isn’t exactly huge.” Merrick handed her on board. Blondie jumped on behind her. “But she’s fast. I’m pretty competitive in this boat.”

“You race?”

“I race.” He held a life jacket for her and zipped it when she’d slipped it on. He set about adjusting Blondie’s jacket and finally, his own.

“You’re into this safety thing, aren’t you?” She watched intently as he cast off and carefully motored out of the slip.

“I’d never take a chance where your safety is concerned.”

“I’ll have you know that I’m an excellent swimmer. My mother has all my medals from camp.”

“Even careful people can have accidents. Besides, I always try to take good care of whatever belongs to me.”

“And I belong to you?” She turned her face up to him.

“Tonight, you do.” He caught the glimmer of a smile before she turned away.

When he was clear of the other boats he raised the main sail and let Willa help him raise the jib. She asked intelligent questions and followed his directions.

The breeze was light but he caught it, the sails billowing white in the bright moonlight. As they sailed further from the lights of Galveston, they could see the white froth kicked up as waves washed in toward shore.

“This is beautiful,” she said. “I’m glad you brought me here.”

“It’s one of my favorite places,” he said. “Right up there with the reptile house.”

The breeze ruffled her hair as she gazed at the starry sky. “The moon is gorgeous.”

“So are you,” he said, a catch in his throat as he gazed at her.

She smiled, her engaging expression capturing him. “I’m glad you think so.”

“Are you getting hungry?”

She stretched her arms overhead and turned around. “I want to drive the boat.”

Merrick laughed, then sobered. “You’re serious?”

“Yes. It looks easy enough.”

“That’s because I make it look easy.” He looked down at her face, eager and interested. “I don’t let just anyone put their hands on my helm. It will cost you a kiss.”

She stepped closer and he tucked her between him and the wheel. Her arms slid around his neck and he was momentarily lost in the pleasure of her kiss.

He turned her around and placed her hands on the wheel, letting her feel the motion of the water and wind.

She was grinning as they sliced through the dark water. Little sounds escaped from her throat like when they had made love.

Merrick kissed the side of her neck and released the wheel. He sank down on the canvas cushion behind her and leaned back, alternately watching her ass and the phosphorous kicking up in the boats wake.

A few minutes later the fullness of the sails slackened and the boat slowed. Merrick showed her how to keep the wind in the sails.

“See those little ribbons on the sails? Those are called tell-tales. If they’re fluttering you’re not using the wind to full advantage. Keep them blowing straight back and we’ll go faster.”

“Is that all?”

“No, this is your first lesson. There are a million things you need to know.” Merrick was surprised at her interest. He’d thought she would either like sailing or hate it. He’d been prepared to hold her while she threw up over the side. He hadn’t been prepared for her all out enthusiasm. “Do you want to learn to sail, Willa?”

“Do you want to teach me?”

“I’ll teach you, but we can’t do it all in one night. We should have dinner now.” He showed her how to bring the boat to a stop, letting the sails go slack.

“Are we supposed to drop anchor, or something?” she asked.

“Not necessary for a short stop. I’ll just drop the sails and we can drift a little. I brought chicken and French bread and other stuff.” He spread the repast on the bench between them and uncorked a bottle of white wine. He faced her, sitting sideways with his leg along the back of the cushion.

“I like this kind of dining,” she said, gesturing with her fork. When they’d eaten, he refilled her wine.

“You realize,” he said, “I’ve known you most of my life.”

She took a sip of wine, watching him over the rim of her plastic glass with an amused expression. “When did you first discover you were in love with me?”

Under her scrutiny, he hesitated. Merrick felt a deep yawning abyss beckoning him. He grinned and reached for her, drawing her into the curve of his body. He kissed her slowly, savoring the taste and feel of her lips.

“I was about fifteen. I noticed you were growing a fine set of boobs.” He kissed her again. “And you had a cute rear that swished back and forth when you walked.” Merrick kissed her, letting his tongue explore her mouth. “Not to mention you had long, perfect legs.”

“Perfect legs?”

“Feet on one end and heaven on the other.”

“Beast!” Willa laughed as he held her, throwing her head back.

Merrick kissed her neck and collarbone, reluctantly releasing her. “I hope you enjoyed your meal. You’ll need to keep up your strength.”

“Am I going to need it?”

“Oh, yeah.”

He wanted to make love to her on deck under the stars. He pulled the bench cushions down for a bed. He waggled his fingers at her, indicating that she was supposed to join him.

She looked doubtful. “Right out here in the open?”

“Just you, me and the occasional helicopter equipped with night vision.” He released her from her life jacket but kept it close by.

She knelt on the improvised bed, an impish grin playing with her sexy mouth. He loved that she had such a sense of play. Somehow, playing with Willa had become his favorite pastime.

How did this happen? He felt the grin rise up from his chest and spread across his face. “Come here, you.”

Willa melted into his arms. Her softness joined with him. Ignited a flame deep in his gut that spiraled into his chest. Exploded when her lips touched his.

He eased her back onto the cushion and relieved her of her clothing before he slid out of his. He grazed his mouth over her skin, taking time with her breasts. Yes, I’m a breast man. . .and a leg man and a butt man. He took time to appreciate every part in turn.

“Merrick?”

“Don’t worry,” he said. “I invested in a whole box of condoms.”

She laughed. “Good to know.” She reached to caress his cheek.

He kissed her palm and then her lips.

Willa drew her legs up around him. “I think you better open that box about now.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” He made short work of applying a condom and easing his appropriately clad member into her. This act was precious to him and he hoped she felt the same way.

She grinned up at him, and arched to touch his chest with her breasts. He leaned into a kiss and pressed himself into her. She responded with a sensuous undulation of her hips.

I’m in love with you. The words screamed in his head, but he couldn’t say them aloud. He wanted their love making to be important to her but he sensed that if he said anything it would spoil the moment. He exhaled before applying himself to the delicious task of bringing her to the peak of ecstasy. Her face was bathed in moonlight, washing her usually bright features to a glowing paleness. She cried out, gripping his shoulders as she ground herself against him. C’mon, baby. Ride me down.

Luscious spasms rippled through her. He worked to prolong her pleasure and heighten his. Let’s go for another.

He brushed her lips with a kiss and resumed his rhythm. When they were both spent, he released his passions to meet hers. Her breath rasped close to his ear, providing counterpoint to his thunderous heartbeats. They clung together, drenched and pulsating as their breathing returned to normal.

The light breeze cooled their overheated skin. He heard her breathing slow, felt it soft against his neck. He examined her face in the moonlight. She was lit with a soft glow, her mouth curved up into a satisfied smile.

Merrick regarded her solemnly. He felt the pull of the abyss close at hand. He would fall willingly, sinking to the depths as long as he kept a tight grip on this woman who was shaking up his world.

~*~

Jon’s gone.

Max felt completely and desperately alone. Merrick and Willa were occupied. Sherman was working. She didn’t have a pet. Her studio, normally her haven, screamed her isolation from every hard surface.

Gathering Jon’s drawings, she carried them with her behind her new glass wall. She climbed, fully clothed into her bathtub and leaned back to rest her head against the cool porcelain.

Her lavender scented candle cast thousands of tiny reflections in the wavy pattern of the glass. She compared the reality with Jon’s vision for her environment.

Not bad, Jon. She liked the way he saw her, wrapped in pretty things. He didn’t know her, but it was nice that he thought of her this way.

She turned to the next rendering, the expanded kitchen. She let out a guffaw. He really didn’t know her at all. He’d drawn in appliances. At least the new refrigerator wasn’t harvest gold.

She flipped to the next scene. It was her favorite. She stared at the swan bed with its flowing draperies. She imagined reclining atop its high mattress with pale colored linens. It was truly fit for a princess.

That’s what Jon deserved; a real princess and Max was only a pretender. If he was trying to make a silk purse out of her it would be futile. She wasn’t silk purse material.

It was ridiculous to encourage him because, in the end, he’d be disappointed. In the end he’d be angry and she’d be broken-hearted. In the end...

For a time, she stared at the moon spilling into the loft through the skylight, clutching the renderings to her chest. The scent of lavender grew cloying and she blew out the candle.

Resolutely, Max climbed out of the tub and changed to a pair of jeans and slid into her Birks. She stuck her toothbrush in one pocket and some cash in the other. She called a taxi from the lobby and ordered the driver to take her to Jon’s high-rise.

On the way over, she was filled with doubt. What if Jon wasn’t there? What if he was there with someone else? The driver pulled up to the structure and she paid him. Standing on the sidewalk, she hesitated, and then entered the building.

Jon had taken her in through the parking entrance and it had been much less daunting. The lobby was very shiny. Everything was made of polished granite, steel and mahogany. She rang for the elevator and paced as she waited for its arrival. The doors opened so silently, she didn’t hear. She jumped when she turned and saw them yawn open for her.

She stepped in and pushed the button for the top level. Max had little time for panic as she was delivered to the penthouse floor in what seemed like a heartbeat.

She stood outside his door for a full five minutes, debating her rash action. Finally, she rang the bell and waited.

Max heaved a sigh. He’s not home.

She felt both relief and disappointment. As she turned to leave, the door opened.

“Millie?” Jon looked confused. He was probably entertaining someone.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I shouldn’t have come. It’s late.”

He grabbed her hand and drew her roughly into his arms. His lips found hers as he lifted her off her feet and inside his apartment.

“You’re here,” he whispered, setting her down. “I can’t believe it. I was aching for you and here you are.”

“Here I am,” she said. “I wanted you to know that I’m positive that I’m not the right woman for you, but I do love you.” Her insides quaked but she hoped she appeared to be rational.

“I love you too and that’s all that matters.”

“It’s not,” she said. “There are so many things going on and I know I’m all wrong for you.”

He stopped her with his finger to her lips.

“I’m the one who gets to decide if you’re the right woman for me and I think you’re a perfect fit.”

She grinned as he picked her up and whirled around with her. “And they say love is blind.” She squeezed down a pang of remorse, thinking the look of joy on his face would be gone when he discovered what a liar she was. Would he ever believe anything else she said?

“No, I’m looking right at you and I think you’re my perfect mate.”

“For tonight, I’ll concede that point,” she said as he lowered her to the floor. “And that’s my butt.”

“Yeah, but what’s this?” he asked, fingering the lump in her pocket.

“I brought my own toothbrush.” She removed it from her pocket and held it aloft.

“I have just the place for it.” Jon took the toothbrush and led her to his bathroom. He placed it in the holder beside his toothbrush. “I guess this officially means you’re spending the night.”

A feeling of panic rose from the depths of her stomach. “I am.”

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

“No.” Max kicked off her Birkenstocks.

“Would you like something to drink?”

“Nope.” She removed her tee shirt and let it fall to the bathroom floor.

“So, you came here to...” Jon tried to control his grin but it got away from him, lighting his eyes with a warm flame of desire.

“Yes,” she said. “I came to be with the man I love.”

Jon pulled her into his arms, lowering his mouth to hers. His kisses always made her feel unstable, as though on a boat in the middle of a tack, lifted by waves.

They drew apart. Max stroked her fingertips over his chest lightly before applying them to the task of unbuttoning his shirt. She pushed it off his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor, all the while aware that this was not the kind of shirt that you threw on the floor.

He stuck his fingers in the waistband of her jeans and popped the snap.

She felt desire radiating through her from the point where his fingers made contact with her skin.

Jon knelt before her, kissed her stomach and slowly drew the jeans down her thighs. His fingers invaded the space under the elastic stretching across her hips. Her bikini panties slid to her ankles as his tongue continued to explore her most private parts.

She gasped, leaning against the cool tiles, a sharp contrast to the flames devouring her nether regions. She twined her fingers in his hair, as his assault grew stronger. “Oh, no! Don’t!” She moaned.

Jon glanced up at her, grinning.

“I mean, don’t stop.” She kicked her jeans and panties aside. Jon carried her to the bed and didn’t stop. He covered every inch of her body with kisses. She felt warm. Too warm, as waves of passion roiled up from her belly. She held onto his shoulder, enjoying the play of his musculature under her fingers. “Jon,” she whispered.

He leaned close to her to respond. “What’s the matter, my precious?”

My precious? A wide grin spread across her face. No one had ever called her precious. Is he blind? Is he crazy? Is this what love does to you?

He grinned in return. “What’s on your mind?”

“I just wanted to tell you that you don’t have to work so hard. I am deeply, passionately and completely in love with you.”

The dimples at the corners of his mouth flashed. “That’s exactly why I have to work so hard. I want to keep you that way.”

She drew in a breath. “No problem.”

His gaze held her while he lowered his mouth to take possession of her lips.
Holding her, kissing her, Max felt like she was floating, far out to sea. Uncharted waters that she knew might drown her. For now, she gave herself over to the process of being loved.

And love her, he did. He made sure she was totally sated before he was done. Max was caught up in the swirling eddy of the physical, spiritual and emotional personification of the word love. The joining of their bodies took her beyond any experience she had previously known. She thrilled with each deepening thrust, gasping out in pleasure. After the last rapturous crest was reached she slid down into the comfort of Jon’s arms. He brushed her hair back from her face and kissed her lips softly.

“This was wonderful,” she whispered.

“This is the rest of our lives.” He kissed her brow.

Her stomach tightened up as she fought against the desire to bare her soul; to tell him her terrible hurtful secrets. She heard Willa’s voice in her head, cautioning her to keep it together, at least until after the show. She settled into his embrace to preclude any response.

Later, as he slept, Max lay with her head on his shoulder listening to his steady heartbeat and rhythmic breathing. As much as she loved the way he made love to her, she also loved the way he held her, as though she was something precious he didn’t want to lose.

Above all else, Max didn’t want to be lost.

~*~

Willa and Merrick gazed up at the stars. They lay naked on their backs, her head resting on his arm. She tried to contain her smile, with little success.

The boat rocked gently as waves lapped at her sides, producing a wet splashing sound.

Merrick’s love-making seemed to go on and on. Every time she thought he was done with her, she’d found she was mistaken. He was able to re-ignite her passions with a kiss, a look or a stroke of his fingers on her bare skin.

She stretched and turned toward him, grazing his side with various parts of her body. She planted her chin on his chest.

“We should be heading to shore soon.”

“Soon.” He turned toward her, embracing her with his free arm. He caressed her hair, ran his fingertips over her shoulder and down her back.

“Don’t tell me you’re ready to go again,” she said.

“I’m just touching you.” He kissed her temple.

“That’s how it starts.”

“I’m learning how it starts with you.” He kissed her shoulder.

“Stop! I have to go home.”

“Why? We could stay here tonight. I have a bed in the cabin if you’re cold.”

“I’m not cold,” she said. “You’ve definitely kept me warm. But I have to be at Max’s place by nine. The truck is coming to transport her paintings. I have to be there.”

“I understand. I’ll take you home.” He rolled over on top of her, cradling her head. He balanced his weight on his forearms as he kissed her.

Willa stroked down his back with her fingertips, letting her nails drag over his skin on the way back up.

He kissed down her body, paying particular attention to her breasts.

She drew in her breath and arched her back as he circled her nipple with his tongue. “It doesn’t feel like you’re taking me home.”

“Funny,” he said, his voice husky with desire. “That’s exactly what I’m doing.”