Love is Only a Whisper (Whisper Series) (24 page)

He was a willing captive.

Wordlessly, a slight space was created so that the boxers
and towel felled to the floor in unison. Both completely nude, he scooped her
into his arms and laid her gently on the bed.

The only sound in the room that could be heard was their
choppy breathing. With eyes boldly observing and elbows reclined, her legs
opened. Waiting.

Every inch of her body was subjected to his glaze. The puffy lips beckoned him to drink and the softness of supple thighs brought back memories of their wedding clasped tightly around his waist. The scream of released she uttered that night resonated through his brain. Tonight would even be better.

Nicole reached and pulled him forward. No resistance was
offered.

She arched forward offering her breasts to his mouth. He
paid homage to one and then the other, finally blowing over the stiff points.

He was hard as a rock and fought not to explode before the
chance to enter into her warmth.

“Take me out of my misery,” she hissed in his ear. “Don’t
make me beg.”

He wanted to be tender and show without words how much he
loved her. But they had gone too far. The animal was unleashed.

“I’m going to make love to you.” He kissed each breast again
and then moved to the stomach, paying honor to what they had created together. 
He took his time, moving slowly to the inner thighs. He feasted on her and she
moaned. A climax was fast approaching so he continued to lick and drink, pushed
her to the edge. She exploded.

“Ashton…”

He grunted, leaned in and pushed his engorged penis through
her opening. The throb around his girth was intensified more so when she
squeezed his member. He almost released but counted backwards to gain control.

Every time they made love, he lost a piece of himself. He
plunged, chanting her name and whispering words of love. “Oh, sweetheart. I
can’t get enough of you.” He grabbed her legs and brought them closer to his
chest, taking care of her stomach, but continued to stroke deep and slow.

He rolled and placed her on top. She was now straddled
across his thighs. “Ride me.”

She rotated her hips but he clenched her hips to control the
movements as she moved up and down.

“Faster, Ashton,” she said. Eyes closed, she threw back her
head, and gripped his thighs for support.

“No.”

“Yes.” She slapped his hands and took over, riding him hard.

“Damn.” He’d lost control. She stiffened and uttered a
small scream as a climax hit her. He followed close behind, spewing his semen
deep into the walls of her womb.

It took him a while to gain enough strength to breathe normal. “Are you okay?” he asked, caressing her hair that was now spread over his stomach.

She kissed his navel and lifted her head, smiling. “I’m
fine. And you?”

“I’m very good.”

He scooped her into his arms and headed for the master
bath. He turned on the water, adjusted the temperature and they stepped in. He
washed her but hesitated when it came to her stomach. She met his gaze. “You
can’t hurt the baby, Ashton.”

“I know.” He shifted the angle of his head away from her,
uncomfortable that she could read him so well.

“You’re supposed to be tough as nails. The baby is snug and
tight.”

“When are you going to make an appointment with the doctor?”

“Stop worrying. I made an appointment before we left San Francisco. It’s on Wednesday.”

He frowned.
“Wednesday? That’s three days from now. Why couldn’t it be sooner?” “Stop being
bull-headed. They gave me the earliest date possible.”

“I don’t like waiting.”

“Too bad.” She patted his cheek. “Waiting is good for you.”

After bathing, they dried each other and returned to the bedroom. She slipped on a short silk nightgown but Ashton, slid into the bed naked. Seeing her in the short nightgown only made him want to make love again. But the cool sheets helped to bring his flesh under control.

He settled her in his arms. “I don’t know why you have on a
gown when you know it’ll be off before morning.”

She snuggled closer and laid her head on his chest. “I don’t
want to make it easy for you,” she mumbled.

He chuckled. “Do you ever?”

A few weeks later, Nicole dozed by the pool with a copy of her
favorite author’s latest thriller sprawled across her midriff. Dressed in a
pair shorts and tank top, she smiled while rubbing the hard bump at her stomach.

Thoughts of the OB-GYN visit surfaced. Ashton had quizzed
the doctor to the point of embarrassment. He definitely was going an overprotective
father. His interest made her realize how important this pregnancy was to him.

When the doctor handed them the sonogram, Ashton sat immobilized staring hard at the picture to the point she wondered if he was okay.

Dallas was extremely hot today. Perspiration beaded on her.
Nicole yawned and wiped at her eyes. A little nap sounded nice right about now.
 It mid-afternoon but she wanted to crawl into bed and sleep for a couple of
hours. She yawned again. It was Ashton’s fault, no it was hers. Since the pregnancy,
the hormones had kicked into overdrive. Horny didn’t compare to what she was
feeling. Sex was always foremost on her mind and Ashton didn’t seem to mind a
bit. Theirs was still fulfilling but now it had slowed to a gentle flow. She
wasn’t porcelain and this morning she had shocked him. She’d taken his cock in
her mouth before he became fully wake. When he finally realized what was
happening, the look on his face had been priceless. It hadn’t taken him long to
gain control of the situation and her. Her husband left for work a very happy
man.

While Ashton was in the shower, she’d surprised him with
breakfast. Since she never told him she could cook, the shock was evident on
his face when he walked into the kitchen and saw the spread on the table.

She was getting to know
Ashton but he was still possessive and overprotective, which was irritating.

Once, when she was eighteen, during a pool party at his
parents’ house, one of Brent’s male friends had jokingly pushed her into the water.
She had caught a cramp and couldn’t come back to the surface. Large, masculine
hands had lifted her out of the pool. It had been Ashton.

The anger he’d displayed at the young man became almost explosive. It got to the point where Brent had to intervene and stop Ashton from throwing blows.

He loved hard and deep. The Sinclair family was a testament to it, but outsiders weren’t allowed. Although, he didn’t love her, she felt he did care deeply for her. She didn’t believe Ashton had ever been in love. Too many women had passed through this life to cement the fact. She would never ask him for anything he wasn’t willing to give. She loved him. That had to be enough. Honor was the code he lived by and she believed he would remain faithful in the marriage. Sadness touched her for a moment but then it was gone. The marriage would work. It just had to.

“Nicole Travis!” Nicole glanced to the doors saw Sally moving
toward her with a big frown.

“Sally!” When did you get back?” Nicole stood and wrapped
her arms around her for a long hug.

“Never mind that. As soon as I landed at the airport my phone rang. My mother wanted to know why I didn’t tell her about the marriage between you and Ashton Sinclair. Imagine my surprise, because I didn’t know. Of course, I had to pretend I did so she would continue and I could get the full scoop. The last time we spoke I don’t remember the word marriage being mentioned.”

“I forgot your mom was at Alexa’s impromptu lunch party.” Nicole put her arm through her friend’s. “Come have a seat and I’ll tell you
about it.”

Fanning, she made a face. “It’s too hot out here. I saw the
housekeeper coming this way with a cool drink and sandwiches. I asked her if we
could eat inside.”

Nicole laughed. “No problem. I forgot about your fair skin.”

Mrs. James appeared in the doorway waiting for
instructions.

Nicole smiled at her. “Could you please put everything in
the den? Sally and I will serve ourselves.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She turned and walked away.

An assortment of bite-size sandwiches, fruit and fresh squeezed lemonade sat on the table. Sally ferociously attacked a couple of the small sandwiches before Nicole had finished with the first one.

“I don’t understand why people can’t just give you a regular
sandwich,” she said and retrieved a third one. “I never get full from things.”

“You can eat as many as you want.”

Sally took a long swallow of the cool drink, wiped her
mouth, and leaned back in the chair.

Nicole grinned. “Had enough?”

“Ha. Ha. Funny. Are you going to hold me in suspense?”

Nicole chewed slowly and swallowed. “You didn’t ask me
anything.”

“In our last phone conversation, you told me you needed more
time alone. What happened?”

“Ashton happened.”

“Elaborate, please.” Sally picked up her glass again and drained
the remaining liquid.

“He showed up on my birthday, found out I was pregnant—”

Sally started choking. Concerned Nicole got up from her
chair. Sally held up her hand and came to her feet.

“You’re pregnant?” Bewilderment showed in her eyes and
voice. “I’m going to be an aunt! Oh, my goodness. I’m too young to be an aunt.”

“Get a grip, Sally.”

“Nicole, what do I know about babies? I have never even held a baby. Ah, well, I did hold a baby calf when it was born. That counts, doesn’t it? My goodness. I have so much to do. I have to plan the shower. Decide on how many people to invite. Should I have one for friends and family or maybe two separate ones? I’ve got to call Danielle. We have to go shopping for—”

“Sally, stop.” Nicole smiled and patted her hand. “I’m the
one having the baby and you’re more nervous than I am. I’m almost in my fourth
month. We have plenty of time.”

“Whew. We do, don’t we? I just got so excited for a moment. Why didn’t you tell me before now? You must’ve known.”

“I was in shock. I needed to get used to the idea. While I
was trying to absorb it all, Ashton showed up.”

“It’s like a whirlwind.”

“I was confused for a while, Sally. For so long, I believed
I was in love with Brent. Although, I was secretly in awe of Ashton, I always
thought it was Brent that held my heart. Ashton scared me. He was everything
Brent wasn’t, arrogant, conceited—”

“Sexy, a hunk, a take charge kind of man.”

“Yes. But those aren’t the things that made me fall in love
with him.”

“Hallelujah! You finally realized it. Brent’s too predictable and tame. He’s like a big brother always protecting you but not letting you grow. Honey, you needed a man that makes you burn, sizzle and want to rip his clothes off. Someone who can light a fire in you with just a look. Ashton is that man.”

“We do argue.”

“That’s what I’m talking about. Ashton wouldn’t want a woman
who couldn’t stand up to him.”

“We’ve always fight about something.”

“That’s good.”

“We need to find a common ground.”

“Opposites attract.”

“He’s
so
different from Brent.”

Sally rolled her eyes. “That’s because you’ve never dated
anyone else but Brent.”

“You’re right. I never gave another guy a chance not in school or college.”

“Just go with your gut.”

Nicole took a deep breath. “Our relationship was fast. I
look back and wonder how I got here so quickly.” She was silent for a moment.
“I’m in love with him, Sally and it scares the hell out of me. I’m consumed by
the feelings. It’s frightening.”

“He loves you, Nicole.”

Her laugh was curt. “I’m not foolish enough to believe that.
He desires me and he wants the baby. But love…you know Ashton’s reputation.”

“He made you his wife. That means a great deal to a man like Ashton. I have known him all my life. I saw a difference when he came to the house to inquire about you. Did you tell him that you loved him?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“The timing isn’t right.”

Sally sucked her teeth. “This is ridiculous. What’s going on
with you?”

“Brent came to the house to see me.”

“Oh, boy. Don’t tell me you’re still encouraging him?”

Nicole squinted. “We have a history together. He’s my friend
but right now he’s feeling betrayed.

“So what? He has a wife, Nicole.”

Her eyes widened, confused. “I know that. What does that have
to do with anything?”

“How would you like if Ashton had a close friendship…relationship
with another woman?”

“I’m sure he does.”

“Better yet, how do you think Melissa feels?”

“She knows Brent and I are close. Our friendship doesn’t
touch her marriage.”

“Come on, Nicole. You don’t believe that any more than I do.
Do you still have unresolved romantic feelings for Brent?”

She glared at her friend. “He’s my friend and brother-in-law.
That’s all
.”

“Less than four months ago, you claimed to be in love him and now it’s all changed. Don’t get me wrong. I believe you love Ashton but I also believe you want to hold on to Brent because he’s familiar. You can’t do it. It’s going to cause friction.”

“It already has.”

“Duh. Trouble is knocking
hard
at the door.”

“Everything will work itself out,” she said with more
confidence than she felt.

“Nicole Travis Sinclair. Problems can’t be resolved on their own. You’ve got to work through it until you get the answer. You better figure out Brent’s place in your life quickly or believe me there will be a great explosion.”

“A friend…He’s a friend, Sally, and nothing else,” she repeated
firmly.

Sally peered at her. “It’s not me you need to convince.” Sally
poured more drink, drained the contents, set the glass down, and stood. “Well,
I better get going. I need to run some errands before I go home.” At the door
she gave Nicole a hug. “I’ll call you later.”