Without Saying a Word (18 page)

Laura’s lifted her legs around Rhean’s middle. His erection probed at her entrance. She tried to put him inside her, but Rhean shook his head.

“Not yet,” he whispered and plundered her mouth again. Moving in sync, they floated back toward the steps. Her buttocks settled against a step as her thighs splayed open exposing her secrets to his heated gaze. After kissing her deeply, Rhean moved down her body, lapping the water from it. He settled between her legs and Laura cried out his name, as his mouth covered her. He touched her clitoris with his tongue, and nibbled gently with his teeth, his fingers combing through the honey-colored curls just above the quivering button. Laura’s fingers clenched in the wet curls on his head. Rhean’s tongue moved slowly down the wet slit, moving in and out, then going back to her clitoris and suckling on it. Over and over again his tongue moved, loving the sweet honeyed taste of her on his lips, drowning himself in her pleasure. He felt Laura undulate wildly under his tongue, encouraging him to move faster and deeper inside her body. About to explode, Rhean moved up Laura’s body and forcibly thrust his tongue inside her mouth, letting her taste her own juices.

“Turn around,” Rhean whispered, wanting to try their loving a new way. Laura’s bottom brushed his shaft as she leaned over, exposing herself fully to his heated gaze. Her breasts bobbed up and down as the pool water moved around her. Rhean could not wait any longer. His body screamed for fulfillment and he needed to be deep inside his wife, be one with her.

Rhean moved over and inside her. Feeling her tight, warm, moist channel envelop him he groaned out loud with pleasure as her body tightened around him. Reaching over he touched her clitoris gently and they rocked together as the water lapped around them. Laura pressed harder against his hard thighs taking more of his length deep inside. Rhean’s body needed release. His scrotum tightened underneath and he started thrusting deeply and purposefully, slowly at first, and then faster. His beloved wife meeting each one and loving the way he felt inside her. The water lapped around them faster. Rhean stroked her clitoris again and he could feel the contractions around him squeezing him tight as she reached orgasm. Crying out in pleasure, Laura called his name and as she did so, it triggered Rhean’s. His orgasm hit him, and he released himself deep inside her groaning her name out loud. Their breathing slowed, as she turned around holding Rhean close. The water cooled their heated bodies. Releasing a breath she kissed Rhean gently on the lips

“Well, hmm. I think the tea might be cold by now,” she giggled as he gathered her close to him.

“In that case,” Rhean said on a whisper, “why don’t we have it in bed?” Scooping her up into his strong muscular arms, the water streaming off her, Rhean carried her into the bedroom.

The next two weeks sped by as Rhean and Laura loved, ate and swam. They explored the island in the car, visited small churches and tiny villages. In Valletta, Laura drank in the beauty of Titan’s
Beheading of John the Baptist
in the stunning and ethereal Co Cathedral of St. John. Later on they went on a boat trip around the bay followed by a visit to a spa. They arrived back in England refreshed, relaxed and tanned. Laura’s panic attacks had not made an emergence since she married Rhean, and she hoped that they had gone for good.

Chapter Sixteen

Christmas and New Year’s were spent for in a haze of newly-wedded bliss. Laura was busy with the children and Rhean spent extra time catching up with issues at the school. They spent the holiday with both sets of parents at the grange, and plans were drawn up for the imminent move to Park House on the estate.

The move went smoothly. It helped to have Maire work with her to ensure the transition. The children loved their new rooms. Tubs took up permanent residence on a seat in a window that caught the early morning light to perfection. Park House really was perfect for the family. It was spacious yet cozy. The double-fronted house had six bedrooms, a large living room and a huge kitchen. There was also a formal reception area and two smaller rooms. Rhean and Laura turned them into an office for them and a homework room for the children. The separate dining room was the icing on the cake, as far as Laura was concerned. She insisted on having dinner together as a family, so they could talk and eat without interruptions. Putting the house together the way Laura wanted it tired her, and by late January the last of the boxes was finally thrown away. Looking outside at the long expanse of lawn, Laura gave a sigh of relief.

She’d felt rather out of sorts for the past week or so. Her moods had been up and down and she was snappy with the children. She needed to make an appointment to see the doctor about her anxiety attacks, and was just about to make the call, when a rush of sickness racked her body. She just about made it to the toilet before emptying the contents of her stomach. After rinsing her mouth out, Laura winced at the dreadful metallic taste.

Ah crap, not this,
Laura thought with fearful clarity. She recognized the symptoms, and, after swearing to herself, she sat on the toilet and waited for her stomach to settle down. She was pregnant. It wasn’t that she didn’t want the baby—she did. It was just that, Laura knew from experience, that the first three months were rough. Of all the symptoms, the taste in her mouth was the worst. Her hand went immediately to her abdomen as if to cradle the new life there. Laura rang the surgery and was able to get an appointment for that afternoon.

****

At the school, Rhean was in his office when his intercom buzzed.

“Rhean, your father’s here to see you,” Julie, his secretary informed him.

Wondering what could prompt a visit from his dad, Rhean asked Julie to send him in.

He stood up and waited to greet him. Hugo strode purposefully into the office. He wore cords, a thick cream jumper and heavy walking boots. Holding his coat over his arm, Hugo hugged Rhean warmly. They sat down next to each other in front of the large mahogany desk.

“Unexpected pleasure Dad,” Rhean said, surprised to see him.

Hugo sat up straight in his chair.

“Not really a pleasure visit Rhean,” Hugo told him. “I’ve got some news about that ex-husband of Laura’s and her sister,” he said gravely.

“What about them?” Rhean asked, concerned.

“I had a phone call from Laura’s dad the other day. Apparently Max has been in contact asking if they’ve heard from Nicki.” Hugo shook his head. “In a nutshell, Nicki lost the baby and she’s had a breakdown. Then, just after the New Year, she disappeared.”

Rhean ran his hands down his face.”Shit,” he swore under his breath. “So what’s being done to find her?”

“They think she may be here, in the village. Apparently, Max contacted Paul and Sophia since she left. He’s worried about her state of mind.”

“Yeah right,” Rhea growled.

Hugo looked at him.

“Rhean, is there something you aren’t telling me?” he asked in a steely voice.

“Oh come on, Dad. You know what Max is like. He couldn’t look after a wife if someone paid him. He broke Laura’s ribs, and abused her mentally.” Rhean stood up. He was scared for his family. Looking at his dad, he could see Hugo wasn’t shocked by what he said. Then it twigged. “You knew about all this didn’t you?” he asked.

Hugo nodded. “Of course. Remember the research you asked me to do before the wedding?” Rhean nodded. “Well it was all in the court order I read. But Rhean, there is something you should try and understand—Max served his time. He got help, and from what I found out, he’s been keeping his nose clean ever since,” Hugo explained.

“So, what’s the situation as it stands now, Dad?″ he asked, upset and angry.

“Well first, you offer me a cup of coffee and then we talk about all this without you flying off the handle.” Hugo’s words reproached him.

Rhean asked Julie to bring coffee through for himself and his father. When Julie brought the drinks in, he asked her if he had any appointments for the next hour.

“Not as far as I can see. I think you were supposed to write a few financial reports and sort out a couple of maternity leave documents. I think that’s all,” his secretary told him.

“Thanks, Julie,” Rhean said. He and his dad sat at the conference table in the corner of his office. After a sip of coffee, Rhean swallowed slowly as the hot liquid slid down his throat.

“Okay, Dad. What do we do?” Rhean asked, needing his dad’s legal expertise.

“Right. First thing to do is to find Nicki. I spoke to Sophia earlier. She has it in her mind that Nicki is determined to have her sister’s children, and will stoop to any means possible,” Hugo said. “At the end of the day though, she has no legal right to them and hasn’t got a leg to stand on. Any attempt to gain access to the children via the courts will be a no-brainer. Any documents, if they get filed, will be thrown out.”

“Okay and Max?” Rhean asked. “Do you know what his stand is on all this?”

Hugo shook his head. “No I don’t. Sophia told me that Max left to find Nicki. I would hazard a guess and say they are headed here. The good news is that the town is small enough for any stranger to be noticeable.” Hugo drained his cup and stood up.

“I’ll keep an eye on things at the grange, and also ask around.” Hugo smiled. “Being Earl of the town does have its advantages around here,” he told his son with a wry grin.

Rhean stood up and hugged his dad. “Do you think Nicki will harm them at all?” he asked.

“No, her way is to try and manipulate them. I don’t think she would hurt them. I’m doing all I can, Rhean, so you need to keep a cool head, please, son,” Hugo instructed, “Oh and by the way, if you have any news for us about a new addition to the family, your mother would be over the moon.”

“Dad?” Rhean asked, rather befuddled by his father’s statement.

“The pool at the villa sure is a romantic spot,” Hugo said with a smile. “Where do you think all of you were conceived?” He laughed at the expression on his son’s face.

“Oh Dad, that’s just not….” Rhean was shocked at the news his father implied. “Anyway, you will be the first to know if Laura is pregnant—after me of course,” he said with a chuckle. “What do you know that I don’t?” he asked, wondering what made his dad say it.

“You know your mother. She mentioned that Laura had been moody and tetchy lately, and that she recognizes the signs,” Hugo told his son as he sat down.

Rhean’s face drained of color. “Mum’s usually right, of course. I won’t pester Laura.  She’s had enough to cope with lately, what with the wedding and the move. She could be stressed out, Dad.”

“Rhean, stress doesn’t end up giving birth,” Hugo said, “but as soon as you find out...”

“You will be the first to know Dad.” Rhean’s stomach leaped at the thought of his wife full with their child. He wanted to smile, but was apprehensive in case his mother was wrong.

Picking up his coat, Hugo left Rhean to mull over their conversation after he’d clapped him soundly on the back.

Shoving his hands in his trouser pockets, Rhean began to pace his office, distracted by thoughts of Nicki and Max. The intercom buzzed again.

“Your father-in-law on line one for you,” Julie told him.

“Hi Paul, what can I do for you?” Rhean greeted his father-in-law.

“Rhean, I was wondering if your dad had spoken to you.” Paul’s gravelly voice was clear and deep.

“He’s just left,” Rhean told him

“So you know about Nicki then?”

“Yes I do. Dad’s trying to find Max now,” Rhean told him

“Ah. I think I can help you there,” Paul said.

“You know where he is?”  

“He rang a few minutes ago asking me if I had heard anything from Nicki. When he hung up, I dialed 1471. He’s at the Carrow. Do you know it?”

“I do indeed. You know what Paul? I think I could do with a walk,” Rhean said with a smile in his voice.

“Keep in touch, will you Rhean?” Paul asked.

“Will do. Speak to you soon.” Rhean hung up, and picking up his suit jacket and coat, left his office, After telling his secretary he would be out for a couple of hours, Rhean left the school and walked down the main road toward a crossroads. It was windy and rain threatened—just the way he felt inside. Leaves blew around and the wind tousled Rhean’s hair making it lift and fall against his crown. With a determined step, Rhean’s long legs ate up the yards as he strode purposefully towards The Carrow. The pub was set in the middle of a quiet lane. There were cars already in the car park as the public house was well-known for its food. Lunch times and evenings were always busy. Rhean hoped it wouldn’t be too crowded for him to find Max. Then a thought cropped up. He had never met Max, so how would he recognize him? Something Laura had told him recently about Theo came to mind. Of course. Theo was a younger version of his dad. Problem solved.

Rhean opened the heavy wooden door and entered the bar. A log fire blazed  with several old-age pensioners sitting in front, sipping their pints. Seeing the young lord, the men nodded their heads towards him as a mark of respect. He held up a hand to acknowledge them though he felt a tad embarrassed. Behind the bar, stood a young woman trying to stifle a yawn. She was dressed in a black shirt and jeans. Leaning against the bar, the redhead looked bored and fed up. Soft rock music playing from an electronic juke box added to the ambiance. The Carrow was a small pub, trying to keep to the tradition of decent beer, and a quiet atmosphere. Only to keep trade, had the owners started meal deals and offering a reasonable bed and breakfast. Around the side of the bar there were booths with solid tables and burgundy padded stools. At the back was a small restaurant. He saw a few couples in the booths talking quietly and enjoying a drink, but no one who looked like Theo.

As Rhean approached the bar, the young woman caught sight of him and stood up straight. She pushed out her bust, accenting its fullness and smiled in a ʻcome and get me
’
way. There was something familiar about the woman. Laughing, Rhean held up his left hand. The wide rose gold band glinted in the spotlights of the bar.

“Sorry miss, but I’m taken,” he told her. “But thanks for the compliment.”

“It’s always the gorgeous ones that are married or gay,” she complained in a sulky tone. “What can I get for you?” she asked

Laughing again, Rhean asked for a large coffee. “I can tell you I am definitely not gay, but very much married,” he said between chuckles.

“What is the point in coming to a pub just for a coffee?” she grumbled getting his drink. “It’s not as if you are a teacher….and oh my God it’s Mr. Tate!” The barmaid stopped what she was doing and turned round to face her former headmaster. Misha’s cheeks flushed bright red. Rhean smiled broadly as his ex-pupil flustered and apologized to him. He loved his job at times, and this was definitely one of them.

“It’s okay Misha, really.” Rhean was still chuckling when she handed him the large mug.  When he reached into his pocket to pay her, Misha shook her head.

“It’s on the house, sir. I am so sorry.” She put her face in her hands; her cheeks were still flaming red. “I cannot believe I came on to my old head. I think I may take my lunch break,” Misha told him hurriedly leaving the bar and calling out for a colleague.

Rhean stirred sugar into his coffee and sipped it. He turned and walked around on the pretense of looking for somewhere to sit. Then he saw Max. A much older, grayer version of Theo with a receding hairline and gunmetal glasses, there was a worried look on his face. Max sat in a booth next to a window, nursing a pint and looking out. Max’s face was unshaven, drawn and lined twisting his thin wedding ring around on his finger in an agitated manner.

“Do you mind if I sit here?” Rhean asked. Max looked up at the tall young man who held a steaming mug.

“Help yourself,” he replied in a flat tone. He drank some more of his beer.