Love is Only a Whisper (Whisper Series) (5 page)

“I’ve always listened to you, whether you’re talking or
laughing,” he said. “I like it.”

Taken by surprise, she asked, “What?”

“To hear the musical notes in your voice.”

She did laugh then. “I don’t sing.”

He stared for such a long time, heat warmed her face and she
shifted from foot to the other.

“Yes, you do,” he spoke softly. “Your voice chimes its own
symphony.”

Lost for words, she thought she must be dreaming or needed a
Q-Tip to clean the wax from her ears. Ashton,
a romantic? The night had been a little strange but it was getting stranger by
the minute.

“You knew that your parents loved you. That’s all that
matters. Cherish the memories. It’s something no one can ever take from you.”

Now he’d switched in the middle of the conversation. From
telling her that her voice was musical now back to the brooding, unsmiling
person he was known to be. The man was an enigma.

“There was nothing you could’ve done to stop the crash.
You’re not afraid to fly, are you?”

She shook her head.

“Good. It’s still the safest mode of transportation.”

“Brent said the same thing.”

“I don’t want to talk about him.”

“What’s your problem with Brent?”

The man was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde tonight. One minute he’s
being poetic and half decent and then he turned back to being his contrary
self.

“I don’t need to hear what Brent said to you or what he was to
you,” Ashton grated out and then his tone softened. “Tonight, it’s only you and
me. No Brent is allowed. Besides I want to continue to talk about you.”

He must be bi-polar because he was one moody man with a bad
habit of changing a conversation before the other one had been completed. She
shook her head. Definitely strange.

“I’m ordinary. There’s nothing special about me,” she said.

“I beg to differ. You were in the top five percent of your journalism
graduating class and you secured an internship at a family-owned newspaper in Grand Prairie. That’s a long way from Dallas,” he said.

“I was number three in my class.”

“I stand corrected.”

“Anyway, Grand Prairie is less than an hour away. I’m
surprised you know about my internship.”

“You would be
surprised
at the things I know about
you.”

“I see,” she said slowly. “What else do you know?”

“You’re loyal to a fault. Your two best friends, since junior high school, are Danielle Evans and Sarah Beaumont, whom everyone calls Sally. Danielle is now a supermodel but grew up in a foster home until she was ten and then taken in by an elderly widow. Out of the three of you, Danielle’s the only one who didn’t come from money. But it never diminished the bond you had. To hear Brent tell it, you ladies are tighter than an entwined rope.”

“I’m impressed,” she snipped.

“Oh, and you’re slow to anger, except when it comes to me.”

“You feed my temper with your arrogance and ultra-conservative
views.”

He ignored her comment. “You’re also off to tour Europe, this summer, with Sarah Lawrence Beaumont before you start your job.”

Nicole snickered. “Sally would be excited that you know her
full name.”

A dark brow lifted. “I don’t know why. All the Beaumont’s have Lawrence as their middle name. It’s something that has been passed down
through generations.”

“I know. But she’s always oohing and aahing over you. Sally
thinks you’re a hunk— intimidating, but nevertheless a gorgeous one.”

He moved in closer and tilted
his head, his laser blue gaze holding her immobile.

“And what do you think, Nicole?”

Air caught in her throat
at his caressing voice. Breathing became difficult, with hers coming out in
jerky sounds. “About…what?”

“Do you agree with
Sally’s assessment?”

“No…I …You’re a gorgeous
hunk…I didn’t mean…Ah…”

Ashton chuckled. Amazed
at the sound, she didn’t move.

“You’re embarrassed, Nicole. He ran his thumb down her cheek.
“Your skin is warm, that means you’re blushing. I like it.”

She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. She felt strange.
Was she having an out of body experience? It sure felt like it. “You should do
it more often.”

He stroked her arm. “Do what?”

“Laugh. It makes you look even more handso… Look, I don’t need
to feed your ego. I’m sure you know you’re gorgeous. But you’re also aloof.
However, women don’t seem to care.” She squinted. “You draw them like flies. If
you would just smile sometimes, people would find you more approachable and not
a bad a person.”

“So you think I’m…bad and gorgeous. Men don’t like being
called gorgeous. It’s a little feminine but I’ll accept it from you.”

She sucked her teeth. “Oh, please put a sock in it.”

He threw back his head and offered a deep rousing laugh. She
was amazed at the change in his entire appearance. Fascinated, she couldn’t
stop staring in awe of how beautiful he really was at that moment.

“You’re really something else, Nicole. I don’t think
anyone’s ever told me to shut up so sweetly.”

“This is the first conversation without it being a debate.”

“You like debating with me,” he said matter-of-factly. “And I like it also.”

She ignored his husky tone. “You’re always putting off the
vibe that you’re emotionless. I’ve seen how you are with your parents and
siblings.”

“My family is important.” He grunted. “But I don’t give a
damn about what other people think.”

“I don’t believe that.”

A scowl now darkened his face.

“Well, you should care… a little at least,” she uttered. “It’s not normal not too.”

“I don’t care about being normal. I am who I am. Take it or
leave it. The only person I care about, outside of my immediate family, is you,” he stated seriously with a hard glint.

Her mouth felled open wide. “Me?

“Yes, you,” he said softly.

She blinked rapidly, not comprehending his meaning. She felt
as if she was in a wind tunnel, being tossed backward and forward.

“You’re beautiful, especially when you’re telling me off.” His voice warm and sexy washed over her. It held something she couldn’t detect.

Her breathing grew shallow. Excitement cascaded through her veins and she shivered from its impact. His lips descended toward hers and her eyes automatically closed while she waited for the inevitable. Her mind screamed no while her heart sang yes. His tongue grazed across her lips more gently than she would have expected. He released his hold and she felt lost.

“What are you doing?” she whispered and ran her tongue over
her lips, searching for something she couldn’t decipher, but craved.

“Something I should’ve done a long time ago.”

His lips captured hers again and searched for an opening. Her mouth relaxed, giving him access. The kiss deepened. The bold flavor of the red wine that he had with dinner was fused along with a smokiness that mated with the taste on her tongue, causing a fever pitch. She was drowning. She shouldn’t allow it but she couldn’t stop from wanting it. Emotions and feelings she never experienced before swarmed through her body and submerged her into a sea of warmth.

Boldly, her tongue connected with his and sucked gently, needing
to capture the elusive high that was dangling out of her reach. Arms of smooth
steel tightened around her. His low grumble of pleasure was lost as he took
control.

Then he pulled back. “You have no idea how much I want you.” His eyes blazed with an emotion that touched the core of her soul. She moaned
from its fierceness but welcomed it. He swept her up into his arms, strolled
from the library and she didn’t resist.

Her heart beating wildly, she surrendered her head into the curve of his shoulder, not knowing or caring why it felt so right. Fire nipped through her veins and she didn’t want to put it out.

He climbed the stairs to the bedroom as if she weighed nothing. Amazed at the strength of his arms and how carefully he held her to his chest, she felt dizzy and reckless.

The double doors to the room were slightly open, beckoning
them to enter. He used his foot to kick the door wider, walked to the
king-size bed and laid her upon it as if she was a precious commodity. He drew
back and straightened to his full height.

She sat up on her arms and returned his gaze. For a fleeting
second, doubt crossed her mind but it disappeared as quickly as it came. Time
only existed in the here and now. Her eyes drank him like spring water drawn
from a well.

His eyes never left her as he removed his outer garments, shirt,
tie and jacket and then hers and dropped them carelessly to the floor. With a
heart beating fast with anticipation and also apprehension, her eyes roamed his
muscled and toned body.

He leaned forward and placed a hand alongside her head and
used the other one to slide gently up and down her thigh in a sensuous, light
movement that made her feel boneless.

A small uneasiness crossed her mind that if her life depended on it she wouldn’t want him to stop. Was this a dream? She floated outside of her body in a wave of pleasure not caring about ramifications or what the night may bring.

In a rough almost unrecognizable tone, he said, “You need to
tell me now, Nicole, if you don’t want this. If not, we won’t go any further.”

She blinked at the strange sensation of wanting him. Nicole
waited for the panic come but when it didn’t, she resolved to experience what
her body was craving. She lifted a hand and tentatively laid it on his cheek.

“You and me, it’s foreign. This shouldn’t be happening.”

He lifted away from her.

She stopped him. “No, don’t.”

“I want you to be sure. There’ll be no turning back for us.”

She waited a moment not understanding what he meant but decided not to examine it.. She looked directly into his eyes. “I won’t regret this. I’m not afraid. I don’t know why and I don’t care but I know that at this moment I want you.”

He planted a soft kiss in the palm of her hand. “There’ll be
no shadows or doubts between us tonight. I’ll never intentionally hurt you. When
morning comes, there will be no regrets.”

She offered a tiny smile. “Morning? Will it take that long?”

“That and then some. It’ll be good for you…for both of us. I’ll make damn sure of it.”

She shook her head silently communicating she knew this thing that was happening between them was only for the moment, for tonight. She didn’t want his promises. “I’m not that naive. The first time is not enjoyable. I know it’s just sex.”

His cool blue gaze held hers. “I would never have just sex
with you, Nicole. This is so much more…so much.” He gathered her in his arms
and proceeded to show her just how much more it was. His kiss was gentle, then
hard and fierce and she met him with every bit of intensity. Fireworks exploded
along her skin with fast precision creating an avalanche of a fierce burn that
threatened to consume her.

He lifted her; slowly insert a finger in her core. She
groaned at the sensation and locked her arms around his neck, pulling him
closer. She blindly sought his mouth. He groaned and let her take control of
the kiss.

Nicole moaned. “Ashton…please…” she uttered, not knowing
what exactly she was asking for but knowing only he could give it to her.

“We have all night, spitfire.” She gasped when he inserted a
couple more fingers and began to circle and arouse the tender lips. She groaned
to keep from screaming out her pleasure while he whispered gravelly words of
encouragement. His urgent tone registered more than his words.

Finally he brought his mouth back to hers. Raw desire
clawed her insides and she couldn’t hold back the whimper, but succumbed to the
pleasure.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes. Please don’t stop.”

“I don’t plan to, baby.” He pulled his fingers from her
heat and lifted her ass at an angle. She clutched his shoulders.

His thigh nudged her legs apart and she pressed against his
neck, teeth suckling the smooth skin as raw pleasure scaled her skin.

Color flooded her face when he reached into the nightstand,
retrieved a condom, tore it open and sheathed himself. She’d been so lost in
the pleasure, she hadn’t thought about protection.

When his tongue slid through the entrance of her core, she
forgot all about doubts, fears, and the ramifications of her actions.

He lifted his head and pressed
her further into the mattress while shifting his weight. “I want all of you…” he
whispered. She arched; her hips moved upward, her legs settling into the flank
of his back, and felt the head of penis at her entrance. She gasped at the stimulating
sensation, wanting more.

“Look at me, Nicole.”

Her eyes heavy, she lifted them
to his. He slowly pushed into her, thickly, slowly, until his penis caused
every nerve throb to life.  Inch by inch he penetrated the folds that widened
to receive his girth.

“I can’t take anymore. It won’t
fit,” she said, nervously.

“Relax,” he uttered softly and continued
the slow journey. “You were made for me, sweetheart.

He broke through the barrier and
she bit back a scream.

“You’re a virgin,” he said
matter-of-factly and stopped moving. “Easy, baby.” His hand rubbed her lower stomach.

Tears swelled in her
eyes. “Please…” She tried to escape from him.

He groaned, took a deep
breath and held himself still. Sweat beaded on his brow. “Give it a moment,
sweetheart.” He reached between them and rubbed her mound gently in a circular
motion. “I promise the pain will go away.”

She felt him throbbing, embedded deep within her. His hand continued
soothing away the pain. A warm sensation built and rapidly moved through her
body.

Her breathing came in short gasps as she gave into the
feeling. He pushed deeper. She gasped at each stroke. Pleasure and pain
combined themselves. His movement was deep but continued slowly in and out,
giving her time to adjust. Her body arched into his, her breasts crushed
against his chest. Intense exhilaration pounded through her suddenly, catching
her by surprise. The roaring in her ears echoed like a fast waterfall, smooth
but powerful.