Her exclamation of ecstasy as her flesh pulsed around him was the last push. His climax overtook him with the force of a typhoon, drawing him under, taking her with him. He was aware of his own guttural cry mixing with her keening moan as they exploded together.
CHAPTER 20
Estherawoke,stillfloatingin the haze of satisfaction their lovemaking had created. It must be early morning, because the light that filtered through her closed eyelids was still dim. Without opening her eyes, she reached for Kai, seeking his warmth, the comfort of his embrace. Only to find emptiness and cool sheets. It was enough to make her open her eyes and scan the room.
Kai was nowhere to be found. Did the man have to be so blasted disciplined? Couldn’t he have slept in today? After the activities of the previous night, she thought they well deserved to sleep in. He had been insatiable last night. Even waking in the middle of the night to slowly arouse her until she was begging for him, and then curling around her, taking her from behind, stroking slowly, lazily, until their desire overflowed and spilled like water gurgling from a spring.
With a groan of exhaustion, she rolled over, intending to get up and go in search of her insatiable lover. The door to thebedroom opened, and the man who had filled her fantasies and her body all night long walked in. Fresh from a bath and casually dressed in his trousers and shirt, carrying a tray with tea.
“Good morning,” he said with a small smile. “I’ve brought you some tea.”
She returned his smile with a wide grin. “Good morning, Kai. Tea sounds lovely.”
He came over and deposited the tea tray on the small table by the bed. She reached out to him for a hug and a kiss when he drew near, but even though his arms wrapped around her and his mouth gave her a peck, there was a faint but distinct coolness in his demeanor.
She shook her head. No doubt she was imagining things. After the heat of last night, everything would feel cooler in comparison. He was just being his usual reserved self. But she tucked the sheet around her naked body, feeling unaccountably shy.
She took a sip of tea, noting that he had prepared it exactly how she liked it, not overly sweet and with a splash of milk. She savored the bracing hot drink.
“We need to talk, Esther.”
Cold dread licked down her spine, lodging in her stomach in a ball of ice that not even the heat of the tea could melt. At that moment she knew with certainty that something had shifted since last night, like a chilly wind frosting early spring flowers to their death. She swallowed another sip of tea, not daring to respond. Maybe if she ignored his overture, he would not pursue this topic.
No such mercy.
“You have completely recovered now. I think it’s time to return to England.”
Her heart did a little flip at the mention of England.
“Oh, of course.” She was eager to return. To see her daughter again. But still, something didn’t feel right. “How soon can you leave? Do you have to give notice at the hospital or—”
“I won’t be going.”
Her contentment vanished in a cloud of smoke. The inkling of cold dread turned into a solid certainty.
“Wh-why? I mean… I know you have your home and your work here. But I thought…”
What had she thought? That he would leave everything for her? He had never said he would. Had never made any promises beyond what they shared. They had never even defined what they felt.
“Esther.” His voice was as calm and reasonable as ever. It commanded her scattering thoughts, but she didn’t want to listen to him being rational.
She shook her head, lifting out a hand, palm out, as if she could shield herself from his words.
“I’m sorry.” He didn’t sound so calm now. He was sitting on the chair by the bed, head down, his elbows on his knees, hands clasping each other as if to provide support or comfort. “Don’t think this is easy for me. But it’s for the best. You and I simply don’t belong to the same worlds.”
“Why?” she said again, even though she realized the futility of questioning reality. “Why can’t we be together? Surely, there must be a way.”
His gaze lifted and froze her with the torment she saw there. “You don’t need me to explain why. You must know that society will condemn our relationship. People will gossip about you. Your reputation will be sullied. Your standing in society affected.”
“Well, if we continue as we are, yes. But if we marry, the scandal will eventually die out.”
A teasing smile broke upon his face. “Esther, are you proposing to me?”
Oh, good God, she was so foolish. And completely out of line. He had never mentioned loving her, or wanting to marry her, or even wanting anything permanent. Violent embarrassment flooded her face.
“I’m sorry. You are right. I’m being presumptuous.” She tightened the sheet around her, attempting to slip out of bed decently covered. Suddenly, her nakedness had become too vulnerable.
He was on her instantly. His arms gathered her to his chest, holding her so tightly the beating of his heart reverberated through her body.
