Smiling with a sense of a life renewed, Cynthia stretched across the bed. She sat up suddenly finding herself alone. Did she dream it—again? No, his scent was still in the room. Her dreams were good, but not that good. The sun was just rising covering the room with the early morning light. Looking around, she saw her robe lying across the chair by the door. She promptly put it on and went in search of the man that rocked her world for eight straight hours. As soon as the door opened Rusty stood wagging his tail. “Hey boy,” she patted him. She was about to ask where was Samuel, when she heard the shower in the guest bedroom running. She walked into the bathroom and leaned against the doorway leading to the shower stall. For a moment she wanted to laugh, he was almost too tall for the shower-head. But with his back to her, watching the water cascade over his muscled toned body stirred other thoughts. She dropped her robe and stepped inside.
“Did you enjoy the scenery?” he asked as she ran her hands from his shoulders down his back to his firm behind.
She placed a kiss between his shoulder blades, “Immensely.” Her tongue trailed the center of his back until he turned, took her arms and pulled her to his lips. They were inches away from touching as the water cascade over both of them. He brushed the now soaked curls from her face and took her mouth with a hunger only she could fill. All she wanted to do at that moment was to show him just how much she wanted him. Pulling away, on tiptoes she kissed his neck, his shoulder, his nipples—that generated a moan and she smiled as she continued to follow the same path on the front that she did on his back. She ran her tongue between each of the indents from his six pack abs. Then she did something she had done for no other man, she took him between her lips and saluted his tip with her tongue. That was about all she could do, for there was no way she could take even a third of him in.
His knees buckled when her mouth closed around the tip of his manhood. The warmth of the enclosure, the texture of her tongue on him was sending him into overdrive. He pulled her up by her arms and placed her back against the shower wall and entered her with such a force he thought he may have hurt her. He froze to bring his emotions under control, but she wasn’t having it.
Wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around her neck, she brought him in deeper, she wanted to feel every inch of him inside her. With his body bracing her against the wall he held her face between his hands. “Open your eyes Cynthia Antoinette,” he commanded in a husky voice. When she complied he could see the contentment in her eyes. But it was his job to protect her in all things. “You are not protected,” he said not wanting to, but willing to withdraw from her.
It took a moment for her to clear her mind enough to comprehend what he was trying to tell her. Didn’t he realize he robbed her of all sense of thinking the moment he entered her. She did not understand until he began to withdraw from her. She immediately clinched her thigh muscles tighter around him while simultaneously clinching her inner muscles to keep him right where he was. “I understand,” she whispered against his lips.
He was doing all he could to keep from moving inside her, for he was sure he would explode any minute. “My father gave my mother twelve children, before he came up for breath.” He stated while staring into her eyes.
She stared back still holding him tight. “Twelve?”
He nodded, “Hum hum, twelve,” grinning at the look of wonder in her eyes.
“The bar has been set. I suggest you get to work, Samuel.” She kissed against his lips.
He pushed up wards. “Say it again.”
“Samuel,” she repeated and kissed him again. He pushed up again, and she called his name again, and again and again, until they exploded together. Squeezing her inner muscles as tight as she could, the thought of capturing his seed and carrying his child thrilled her as he called out her name.
♡♡♡
Leaving Cynthia in the shower, Samuel stepped out to get dress. He knew if he stayed any longer, they would not make it out of the house today. The doorbell rung as he reached the kitchen. He looked out the window and saw the limo parked out front. He checked the clock and it was barely eight in the morning. Why would Blake be there this early? Disarming the alarm, he pushed the button to open the front door. Standing over the railing in the kitchen he watched as Blake climbed the steps and then noticed Sofia was behind him.
“Good morning Samuel,” he stated while giving a friendly shake.
“Morning Blake, Mrs. Thornton,” Samuel replied.
“Where’s Cynthia,” Sofia asked without speaking.
When Samuel did not reply, Blake grinned and shook his head. His mother had finally met her match. “It’s customary to say good morning especially when someone else speaks first.” Samuel stated, looking down at the woman.
“It’s also customary for hired help to be downstairs. Why are you up here?”
“Mother!” Cynthia chided as she walked into the room. “Don’t speak to Samuel that way.”
Blake took a seat at the breakfast bar and sighed as he watched the scene unfold. “Good morning Blake,” she said as she continued into the kitchen. Samuel handed her the glass of juice he had prepared for her. “Thank you,” she smiled looking up into his eyes.”
“Morning sis,” he replied to her. “See mother that’s how it’s done. Someone say good morning to you, and then you say good morning to them—or something.”
Sofia frowned at her son as she continued to study this man that had her daughter smiling up at him.
“What are you two doing here?” Cynthia asked as she sat next to her brother and Samuel simply leaned back against the counter.
“Hate to have to tell you this, but I’ve been called back to the studio.”
“How soon do you have to leave?”
“The studio sent their plane; I’m on my way to the airport as we speak.”
Sadden by his news Cynthia closed her eyes. “I was hoping we could have a normal Thanksgiving meal this year, since everyone was home.”
“We could still do that, with LaVere’ at our home.” Sofia stated, still watching the interaction between Cynthia and Samuel.
“LaVere’ is out of the country.”
“When is he going to return?” Sofia asked, now concentrating solely on her daughter.
“I don’t know. I didn’t know he was gone until Jamal told me last night.”
“That would have been great, but from what Shannon is saying they will need me from now until next Friday.” He hesitated, hearing the disappointment in her voice.
Cynthia stood there shaking her head in disbelief. Her family was abandoning her yet again. “I don’t believe this. You’re leaving now? Whatever happened to being here to make sure I don’t make a mess of my life again?”
“I never said you made a mess of your life.” Blake stated. “I came to make sure you were alright after your accident. And I stayed long enough to know you are in good hands with LaVere’.” He said while glancing knowingly at Samuel
“See that’s just it, I’m not sure I’m in good hands with LaVere’. He’s not even here.”
“Sis, I’m sorry, but I have to go. Think about flying out with mom and dad. I would love to have that family dinner you’re talking about.”
“I may not be flying out after all.” Sofia stated. “I think I’ll stay here with you for a while Cynthia Antoinette.”
Somehow, her full name coming from her mother did not have the same effect as it did coming from Samuel. “No, I’m fine here. You and dad can leave with Blake.”
“I wouldn’t dream of leaving you here alone,” Sofia said to Cynthia, but stared directly at Samuel.
“What’s the difference from any other holiday?” Cynthia stated. She kissed Blake on the cheek. “Have a safe trip,” she said then turned to Samuel. “I’ll be ready to leave for the hotel in a few minutes.” Then she walked out of the room.
“Hotel?” Sofia questioned as Cynthia continued up the stairs.
Blake turned to Samuel. “I know she is in good hands with you around.”
“It’s not the same as having her family,” Samuel said as he poured the remaining coffee into the sink. “I realize this is business for you. Try to get back in time for the holidays if you can. She’ll be okay.”
Blake shook his hand. “Let’s go mother.”
“You go on to the car. I want to have a word with Cynthia before we leave.” Sofia waited until Blake was outside then turned to Samuel. “What are you doing to my daughter?”
“Loving her Mrs. Thornton. What are you doing?”
“You do not have the means to love someone like my Cynthia. My child is destined for more than you will ever have in your life time. Don’t think for a moment I will stand by and allow you to disrupt the life waiting for her with Prince LaVere’.”
Samuel stared down at the woman that barely reached his chest. “Don’t think for a moment that that’s a decision for you to make.”
Cynthia packed the things she needed to change into for the ball. More than likely she would not have a chance to return home to dress, so she was taking everything with her. She sat on the bed for a moment. When she woke this morning there was not one sad thought in her mind. Now it was flooded with them. What made her think this holiday would be any different than the rest? It looks as if she will be the extra wheel at the Harrison household again. She loved Martha Harrison like a mother. There was never a time that she did not feel welcomed in her home. It’s just this year should not be like this. She should not have to depend on the open arms of her friends to get through the holiday. This year she is supposed to have a man. Not a married man, not a man that is living with someone else, her own man. Apparently, her man loved his country more than he loved her. Or does he love me. She walked over to the window and looked out. It was just beginning to snow. Leaning against the window sill she sighed. What was she thinking? LaVere’ does not love her. He was very clear on what he needed from her. Why was she settling for something less than a man with a committed heart? “Hum,” she sighed. She knew exactly why. The fear of being alone; growing old alone. Refusing to feel sorry for herself, she stepped away from the window and stumbled when she did. Samuel came to mind and she smiled. Butterflies began churning in her stomach as she thought about last night and this morning. The attraction between the two of them was sexual, that’s all, she reminded herself. The past with Gavin taught her that was not the way to find true love. Then she thought more, sexual attraction never caused her to fall all over herself or to lose all sense of thought and time before. Samuel Lassiter touched her in a different way, in a deeper way. Then something her friend Tracy said on her wedding day came to mind, “Once someone touches your heart; you’ll know.” Samuel had touched her heart. She smiled, and then began to giggle. The sound startled her and she stopped. “What is wrong with me, I don’t giggle.” Was she falling in love with Samuel, a man as dangerous to her mind as he was to her body? Lord knows he was dangerous to her body, for just sitting here thinking about him made her long for another eight hour marathon.
Gathering her things with a smile, she was walking down the stairs as she heard her mother talking to Samuel. “LaVere’ can give her a life filled with beautiful things, Samuel. What can you give her?” She hesitated then continued. “If you care for her, and I don’t question that you do, wouldn’t you want the best for her. Can you honestly think that you can give her the life LaVere’ can? I don’t think so.”
“Everything you mentioned has only monetary value. What about that one simple thing that every person needs in their life—love? Do you even know what that means? It means accepting her for the beautiful person she is and not wanting to change one thing about her. See that’s where I’m at with her”
“And what about her? Do you honestly believe she could be happy living with you and pushing out baby after baby like your mother did to your father, trapping him into a life of no possibilities,” she snapped angrily.
“Don’t,” the deadly warning escaped before he could think.
Hearing the threat in his voice Cynthia called out, “Samuel could I get a hand with these bags?” She wasn’t sure what the conversation entailed but it was enough to know it was about her.
Samuel held Sofia’s gaze. “You should be gone when we come back downstairs.”
Sofia returned the stare, “I will fight for the life my daughter deserves,” she said then turned and walked out of the door.
Samuel walked up the first landing of the stairs where he met Cynthia. She could see the anger in his face. “I’m sorry my mother upset you.”
“I’m not upset.”
“Did you tell that to your jaw that’s clinched tighter than my thighs were this morning?”
A slow smiled formed on his face from the memory. “That tight huh?”
She took a step down to him. “Yes,” she kissed his temple. “I know I have a lot to sort out. But please know this. I don’t regret nor would I change anything that happened last night.”
He wondered if she knew that he was in love with her, that at that moment the one thing he wanted to do was to return to where they were last night. “Any chance of talking you into returning to that place and not leaving for a few days?”
She smiled and walked by him down the stairs. “No, I have the ball and I have to get ready for the day after Thanksgiving” She continued down to the lower level of the house. “That’s the busiest day of the year for us. We have over fifty homes to decorate for the Christmas holiday on that weekend alone.” She patted Rusty’s head as she continued to chatter while walking into the garage. She waited for Samuel to set the alarm and placed the items inside her car. Before she got inside he pulled her close and kissed her. “Have Thanksgiving dinner with me and my family.”
Her eyes grew as large as a saucer. “Samuel, you know I have to talk to LaVere’. I just can’t not tell him what’s going on.”
“I understand. I still want you to meet my family.”
“The whole family?”
He grinned, “The whole family.”
“Hum.”