Chapter 83: Chapter 83

As she was plunged into darkness, she cried out not realising that she was calling for Bryan who was there within the second. And as he pulled back the shower curtain, the light came on again with sudden startling brightness.

'The lights...', she stammered feeling very foolish.

'The electricity supply here can be pretty erratic', he explained as his eyes met hers.

Oh...I...' She couldn't think of any other thing to say, freezing into immobility as she read the expression burning in his face.

'You are alright? You didn't fall?' He sounded concerned as she felt her heart glowing until she remembered that it was probably the baby he was worried about and not her.

'No. I'm fine, thank you', her voice was sharp with disappointment.

Bryan smiled, reading her mind. His glittering eyes moving down over her wet naked body in slow intimate proposal.

Those eyes were hypnotic, possessive and to her shame, she could feel herself responding as though he were physically touching her.

Her breasts ached, her nipples hardening, the muscles in her stomach becoming taut. The water from the shower still washed over her, making her skin gleam like pearl. Bryan's unhurried gaze finally returned to her flushed face.

'You are beautiful', he said huskily, the curve of his mouth fiercely sensual. Sharon stared at him, unable to utter a word. He picked up one of the thick towels that lay over the side of the bath and held it out for her. With shaky fingers, she turned off the water and stepped out, allowing him to wrap the towel around her, sarong - like. He turned her to face him, his arms still holding her. She smiled I to his smoky black eyes, aware of her bare shoulders still gleaming with water, her auburn hair curling damply around her white throat and heard the harsh intake of his breath. A sweet sensual awareness buzzed between them, almost a tangible force. They stared into each other's eyes and she felt his slight hesitation.

'Don't treat me like a child', she said in a low voice, not thinking with her head but obeying the pure emotion that was spiraling inside her.

Bryan didn't answer, but lifted her into his strong arms until her face was on a level with his, her feet not touching the floor.

She gazed at the firm, beautifully moulded line of his mouth, waiting for it's touch with impatient longing. He did not move and obeying her instincts, she leaned forward and kissed him tentatively, touching his mouth with her lips. She felt his body tensing, his muscles tightening and realised when she looked into his eyes that this was the first time she had kissed him since their parting. It had always been he who had made the first move.

She kissed him again, brushing his mouth with gentle delicacy. He didn't respond for a second. Then with a groan that seemed to come from his very soul, his mouth possessed hers, forcing her to kiss him deeply, parting her lips, showing her the need he could no longer conceal.

The towel fell unnoticed to the marble floor. Bryan's hands slid gently over her her wet skin. He caressed her slowly, stroking, exploring her body with the sure possessive touch of a lover, his strong fingers, familiar with every curve, every hollow, knowing how to give her pleasure.Nd still he kissed her, deeper and deeper with more demand, drugging her with his passion and with a mindless burning sweetness that made her tremble against him.

Then he lifted her into his arms as though she was no lighter than feather, carrying her easily to the velvet covered bed and gently laying her down. He arched over her, their mouths fusing again.

Sharon fused with the buttons of his shirt, until the hard warmth of his chest lay between her shaky fingers. She caressed the hair - toughened skin, the smooth power of his shoulders, delighting in his responsive shudder.

He was beautiful, she thought achingly, his body hard and pure and powerfully masculine. Beneath her gentle hands, she could feel the heavy pounding if his heart, proof if she needed any, that he wanted her just as desperately as she wanted him. It was a sweet power to hold. She could arouse him with a touch, a kiss, a caress. She let her mouth drift tenderly over his chest, breathing in the clean erotic scent of his skin. He groaned, his body unbearably tense, filmed with perspiration. He reached for her framing her face between his hands, searching her eyes. 'Sharon'. Her name came unevenly from his lips. 'Oh God, Sharon'.

The words seem to break the spell, bringing her to her senses, finally penetrating the desire that had blinded coherent thought.

What was she doing? Allowing him to make love to her like this? She had encouraged him, even begged for his touch. What would he think? That anytime he wanted her, she would be more than willing?

She stiffened in his arms. She wouldn't let him use her. He didn't believe in fidelity and she had no intention of allowing him hurt her again. If they became lovers, she would only be one of many and she couldn't bear the thought.

She had to hold part of herself from him for her own protection.

'No'. She turned her head away in sudden anguish, struggling against his hands.

He let her go easily.His dark brows drawn together in a frown. Sharon felt herself shivering, tears filling her eyes, her emotions at fever pitch. She had made a fool of herself and probably given herself away. Did he know that she loved him? The thought was unendurable.

All desire was gone, doused with humiliation. She felt cold and stiff and vulnerable. How could she offer everything she had, so freely to a man who didn't love her? Was she really that eager to become just another woman in the long line of women wIlling to satisfy his needs? She lay sobbing, curled up with her back to him. She recalled her cousins advice for her to use his weakness for her to draw him in to her but she just could not do it. She did not have that confidence nor the will power to go through that.

'Sharon, what is it?' His voice was gentler and concerned, still husky with passion. He reached out and touched her bare shoulder when she didn't answer and she flinched away.

'Let me go', she muttered tearfully. 'Don't touch me'

'That's quite a change', he said coolly. He didn't release her but used his strength to turn her so that she faced him.

'Leave me alone!' She refused to lift her head, wrapping her arms around her naked body, shivering.

He stared down at her with unfathomable eyes. 'Why are you crying?' he asked quietly, then seeing that she was shivering, handed her a thick towel robe from the end of the bed. 'Here, put this on for God's sake'.

Sharon got off the bed and gratefully slipped it on. She tried to pull herself together, swallowing her tears, wiping her face.