Moran propped his head on his hand and settled deeper into the mattress. “You are getting a bit ahead of yourself.”
“No, I am not.” I pushed his shoulder, intent on getting him to move. “You want to get married. She’s not married. You like her. She needs someone to help provide for her sisters. You like children. She has children in abundance.” I went through every reason I could think of. If she had been lying about her virginity, then it had to be for a good reason. “Plus, you like her.”
Stubborn chin lifted, he shook his head. “My like or dislike of her is irrelevant. She works for me.”
“You just bedded her.” And perhaps took her virginity. I skimmed my finger along the frown lines, perplexed by him at times. One minute, he said he wanted all that I listed but balked when given the opportunity. “I think the time for formalities is over. What are you waiting for?”
“I don’t know. I can’t explain it.” He exhaled a long breath and rolled onto his back. “I more than like her, and that is the problem.”
“Are you in love with her?” I was thrilled if that were the case. A bit jealous but thrilled.
“I am not like you. I don’t want to fall in love.” Moran dragged his hand through his hair, gripping the strands in his fist. The muscles of his arms flexed, drawing my eye to his long frame and the tempting picture he presented.
“Why not? Even though Suzette spurned me, I would still do it all over again. It is the best feeling in the world.” I wanted a chance at love, and he had it at his fingertips, but was too afraid to reach out and take it.
“I am not in love with her.” He lowered his arm and met my inquiring gaze. “I like her very much, and I lust after her. It is difficult to differentiate between the two.”
“Regardless, you have the opportunity to spend some more time with her outside the office and in a more intimate setting.” I shook my head at his reluctance, determined to get him to see my point of view. “You have a very luscious, cheeky, intriguing woman inyourbathtub soaking inyourbath salts, and you’re debating lust versus love? I would suggest, my friend, that you live in the moment. Now, you must go because tonight has given me an idea, and I have to write.”
If Moran understood anything, it was the creative process. When he didn’t immediately move, I shoved his shoulder. “Don’t forget the condom,” I said.
“I don’t need a condom for a bath,” he said on a yawn.
Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I reached into the box I had set on the bedside table and grabbed a rubber. Twisting, I shoved it into his hand. “Go. Now.”
With a heavy sigh, he complied. “You sure are a bossy prat.”
“And you are a stubborn wanker. Now hurry, or you will miss all the hot water.”
I grabbed a robe from his wardrobe and slipped it on before entering the main room. One glance outside showed the snow falling in relentless waves. A desk was situated near the icebox and I pulled out pen and paper. The muse hit me at the oddest times, and tonight was no different. I wanted to capture what happened between us,, forever immortalizing this night in my mind and on paper.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The Right Honorable Bernice Natham
Heaven. I was in pure heaven and I didn’t wish to move from the frothy hot water. The bathroom was covered with white tiles and smelled of bath salts. What had started out as a stressful introduction culminated in the best experience of my life. The door creaked open, and Moran entered. He wore a navy robe that covered his lean body. I itched to touch him again.
“Do you mind if I join you?” Moran asked in a husky rasp that further incited my dormant passions. He looked a bit uncomfortable, which pricked my curiosity. We had just exchanged intimacies and his discomfort seemed out of place, given all the things we had done to each other.
“No.” Earlier he had joined his body with mine. The feel of him inside me had been different but very appealing. The slight pain I experienced had faded, and the pleasure had taken over. No matter what happened after this, I would never forget him, nor how he made me feel.
Moran lifted his brow in question, an amused lift to his mouth. “Is that a no you don’t mind, or no you don’t want me to join you?”
I slid my hand through the bubbles, my nipples responding to his avid regard. The luxury of a bath was something I hadn’t experienced since living on Mount Street. It seemed forever ago,and I’d learned to make do with tepid water in a pitcher in my room. This was a luxury I hadn’t realized I missed as much as I did.
