Harkett's Haven (4 page)

The small voice came back, ‘Yes.’
Barely more than a whisper.

‘You can come and visit me anytime...if it’s OK with Dad of course. I live just a couple of miles up the coast.’ Rachel cast a glance at Eric who was watching them closely.

Eric stood up.

‘Rachel. Please stay a little longer. You saved my daughter but I.....
we  hardly know anything about you.’

Rachel hesitated. ‘I have to...’

Eric placed his finger on her lips.

‘Please.’

‘Please Rachel?’ begged Esme.

Struggling to think of a reason strong enough to walk out
the door and concerned about Esme’s reaction to her departure, she said,

‘I guess another coffee wouldn’t hurt.’

Esme jumped up and hugged her. Rachel hugged her back and then the girl skipped off to the sofas and the living room area, calling Jack to follow her. As soon as Rachel said she was going to stay, Esme’s fear of seeing her leave had evaporated like a puddle of water on a hot day.

‘I meant what I said Eric.
Esme’s more than welcome to visit any time.’

‘
I know she’d love that.....she’s taken a real shine to you.’ He lifted the percolator and refilled her mug.

‘I’m sure it has everything to do with the way we met yesterday. I think her feelings of ......attachment will pass in a few days.’

‘Possibly....so tell me a bit more abont bit morut you Rachel. I don’t even know your full name.’

She smiled at him, heart beating
fast, wondering how much to tell.

‘Well there’s n
ot much to say really. My name’s Rachel Somerville and I live a couple of miles down the coast.’

‘Are you married?’

Wooa, she thought That was right in there.

‘No.
.....no I’m not,’ she kept her eyes lowered, unable to meet his steady gaze.

‘Anyone else in your life?’

‘You’re very direct Eric.’ She met his gaze this time challenging his questioning.

‘I’
ve found that as I’ve got older....and especially since my wife died....that I see little point in too much small talk.’

‘Makes a refreshing change I guess.’ She shrugged and smiled at him.

‘So anyone else in your life?’

‘No!’ She gave a small sigh of exasperation.

‘I’m very attracted to you Rachel. I’d like to see you again....’

Rac
hel couldn’t help laugh.

‘What’s so funny?’ He smiled at her.

‘I feel bad even admitting this but when Claire came round and I went upstairs with Esme, I had to go to the loo.’

Eric covered his eyes with his hands and then rubbed his temples, a pained expression on his face.

‘You heard then.’

‘Sorry, I couldn’t help
but hear your conversation.....’

He paused for a moment, composing is words.

‘Rachel, I lost my wife just over two years ago..and well... Esme and I went through a lot leading up to her death. It was after that that I....that I slept with a few women. It was a release for me. Nothing more. And I never once lead these women up the garden path. I always told them that I wasn’t ready for anything more than a physical relationship. Claire read more into it than she should’ve and I had to tell her straight. It’s the only way to get through to her. I know it might have sounded cruel ........’

‘I’m really sorry about your wife Eric but I’m not ready to be
the next in line of your ‘just physical’ relationships if that’s what you’re getting at..... I have my own battle scars to deal with and sex isn’t what I’m looking for.’

Standing
, she turned from Eric and watched Esme, who had now settled on the sofa, Jack in her arms, watching a cartoon on the television.

‘I have to go now.’

‘You’re running from something.’

His words were like ice poured down her back.

She turned to face him, fear written over her face.

‘You know nothing
about me,’ she whispered.

‘Your reaction says it all.’ He crossed to stand in front of her and took her in his arms. She tried to push him from her but he held her tight.

‘It’s OK Rachel. You’re safe with me....with us.’

His warmth and strength broke a damn of deep emotion within her and she started to sob quietly and then tried to swipe the tears from her face, glancing in
Esme’s direction, not wanting to alarm the girl. Since she had left Tom she hadn’t spoken to anyone about what had happened. She found it unnerving that she should feel the emotional barriers break down with this handsome stranger.

Noting her concern about
Esme, he released his hold on her and took her hand, leading her to the stairs.

‘Come upstairs.
Esme’s fine just now. We can talk in peace.’

Feeling fragile, wanting to confide in someone, she followed him up the stairs, glancing back at
Esme to make sure she was still settled.

He led her into his
bedroom, a large airy room with the same floor to ceiling windows that graced all the rooms at the front of the house. The floors were dark wood, but everything else was white. Crisp white cotton sheets on the mahogany sleigh bed, cream rugs, white chaise. It was beautiful but there was nothing personal about it; no pictures, no ties or clothes on show.

She let go of
his hand and went to the window. The sun was almost too bright, reflecting off every surface of the room.

The sea was
sparking and jewel like.

She jumped w
hen she felt his arms around her and then started to sob again.

‘What did he do to you Rachel?’

His intuition was so sharp it was almost eerie.

‘I
left him the day before were to be married.’ She sobbed again and this time was glad to bury her head in his chest, the care of a stranger welcome, shockingly so. He stroked her long hair soothingly and kissed the top of her head. Feeling his growing hardness against her, she stepped back from him in shock, glancing down at him.

‘God Rachel, I’m so sorry. I ....I feel like a teenager when I’m around you....
It’s totally inappropriate I know.’

The embarrassment written all over his face made her smile and she wiped away the tears with her sleeve.

He bent his head to kiss her and although taken aback, she responded to him returning his soft kiss.

Pulling her close to him, he slipped his hand up the inside of her t-shirt
, spreading his hands over the soft skin of her back. His breathing quickened.

She let him kiss down the side of her neck, loving the gentle but firm feel of his hands and lips on her skin.

He lifted her t-shirt, making her raise her hands over her head. He used the t-shirt to trap her arms and hold them behind her back.

‘Rachel
..’ he whispered.

He caught her nipple in his mouth, sucking hard at
her, making her catch her breath.

‘
Esme?’ she whispered urgently. This was happening so fast but it felt so right. She was drawn to him like a moth to light.

Eric left her, went to the
door and turned the lock. As he returned to her, his eyes devoured her breasts, his face intense, his whole being focussed on her.

He be
nt his head to her breasts, pushing them together, sucking forcefully at her.

She held his head, running her fingers through his hair.

She felt guilty but exhilarated. She hadn’t wanted to get involved with anyone after she left Tom but she was certain that with Eric their lovemaking would be without ties; she had heard Eric’s conversation with Claire and even Eric had admitted that he was only seeking sex. For now, sex was the release that Rachel needed. Her body screamed for the intimacy of a man’s touch. It had been so long.

His back was muscled and defined and she ran her fingers from his head down over his shoulders. Two long scars ran over his right shoulder blade and she traced the raised skin.

Eric groaned his desire and then startled her by picking her up and taking her to his bed. He pulled her shorts from her swiftly, urgently and ran his hands up the inside of her thighs, pushing her legs apart.

He stood up above her, his eyes fixed on her sex. He dropped his trousers quickly to reveal his huge penis, erect and powerful.

Bending his head he opened the soft petals of her sex and placed his lips to the small nub of her clitoris and lapped gently.  His tongue was knowing and skilled and Rachel moaned and tried to wriggle from him, the intensity of her excitement building too fast. She wanted to climax with him inside her, to feel the turgid heat of him filling her entirely. He held her thighs over his shoulders not letting her move, his mouth wet from her, his eyes closed and a trance-like expression on his face.

‘Please Eric, please .....’ she moaned, not sure how long she could hold back her climax.

Sensing her desperation, he stopped licking her, knelt in front of her and inserted a finger into her, then two. Withdrawing his wet fingers, he rubbed his cock with her juices and inserted himself slowly into her. She propped herself up on her elbow and watched him push into her inch by inch. She moaned, his size forcing her apart uncomfortably to begin with.

She wriggled again and he started to move slowly in her and the
initial pain was replaced by the fire of his size, filling her completely. He put his finger in his mouth, licked them and fingered her clitoris as he moved slowly in her.

Rachel threw back her head and gasped. He was a considerate lover, determined to bring her to orgasm, skilled and adept at his lovemaking.

Unable to contain her climax any longer, she callonter, sheed his name softly and shuddered, rippling around him.

He moved on to her, spurting into her, stopping his movements as she climaxed, waiting for her surg
e to subside before finishing himself off by moving slowly in her.

He remained in her and held her close, kissing her, pressing her close to him, joined as one.

‘I’m sorry that was rushed Rachel..... I would’ve liked to have taken my time,’ He smiled at her and kissed her jawline, placing his hand over her breast.

‘
I needed that Eric.....you can’t know how much I needed that,’ Rachel sighed contentedly and rolled over to kiss him, ‘but I have to go now.’

‘Stay.’

‘I can’t Eric. I’ve stayed here far longer than I should’ve......Could I borrow a pair of joggers or something please?’ She pulled the sheet over her body and stood up, emphasizing her intention to leave.

‘Only if yo
u promise to see me again.’ He smiled his charming smile and Rachel was almost tempted to say OK.

‘I’m sorry
Eric. This was a......a..... moment of weakness....I’m sorry....... and as great as it was, it was a one-off. For a whole lot of reasons, I can’t see you again.’ She turned from him.

He sat on the edge of the bed and took a deep breath, staring
determinedly out the window.

‘What if I said I can’t leave this....
you.?’

‘I’ve gone as far as I want to go Eric. This was.... wonderful for me but I don’t want anything more
.’  She found herself disturbed by the brittleness in her voice. ‘Look please Eric. I have to get home. Please can I borrow some clothes?’

He didn’t say a word but stood up and crossed to the bank of built in wardrobes on the wall opposite, opened up a door and pulled a pair of joggers and a t-shirt for her from the shelves. He put
them on the bed, took a robe, put it on and left the room.