With April, he found himself feeling something entirely different. Something that might have been the twinges of remorse.

It was a new experience for him.

“Sex isn’t bad.”

“That’s a funny thing to say.” She tapped her finger against her juice glass. “You’ve taught me sex is very, very good. I love it and I love being with you.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“I was taught to wait. And I didn’t.”

Simon turned back to the stove, at a loss as to what to say. For a moment, he continued cooking breakfast, then turned off the burner and put the pan aside.

He wiped his hands on the seat of his boxer shorts and walked over to her.

“You were taught to wait because your parents didn’t want some ass**le taking advantage of you.”

“Simon.” Her tone was scolding. “Don’t cuss.”

“Sorry. Your parents were trying to protect you.”

“It isn’t just my parents. It’s my church.”

“Well, they were trying to protect you, too. And that’s a good thing. But our situation is different.”

She lifted her head. “Is it?”

“Yes.” He put his arms around her.

“How is it different?” She sounded cautious. “Tell me.”

“I’m not just having fun here. I like having sex with you, but I also enjoy your company. I can let my guard down when I’m with you. I don’t have to be Senator Talbot’s son. I can just be myself.” He smiled somewhat hesitantly.

“That’s how I feel, too.” She snuggled into his chest. “But every time you leave, I feel bad.”

“That’s because we care about each other.”

“I wish we could stay like this forever,” she whispered, her arms tightening around his waist.

“Me, too,” he admitted. He was stunned to discover that his words were true. That even in the short time he’d known her, he’d come to care for her, deeply. Their relationship was easy and good and he couldn’t imagine ending it.

“I love you, Simon.”

Simon felt his heart jump into his throat.

He was not a stupid man. He knew what he had in his arms—a beautiful, gentle, amazing young woman. She didn’t have the baggage that he carried. She wasn’t jaded and intent on social climbing, like Natalie. And she wasn’t fearful and self-righteous, like Julia. Julia had always made him feel as if he were an animal, something unworthy to touch her.

April probably woke up that morning, decided she loved him, and simply told him. No deliberation, no head games, no social climbing through sexual means.

Without warning, Simon found his lips moving.

“I love you, too.”

April hugged him as tightly as she could, almost bouncing on the balls of her feet.

“This is great!” she shrieked. “I’m so happy.”

“So am I.” He smiled down at her youthful, uninhibited exuberance and kissed her.

Chapter Fifty-three

Cambridge, Massachusetts

As October came to an end, the date Gabriel was waiting for drew near. He’d been fantasizing about what he was going to do to Julianne once their required celibacy ended, planning their activities meticulously.

The afternoon before the date, Julia stood in the kitchen of their home and called him. The phone rang only twice before he answered.

“Hello, gorgeous.”

She flushed. It never ceased to amaze her how, with a word or two, he could increase her heart rate and cause her skin to heat.

“Hello, handsome. Where are you?”

“Just picking up a few things. Where are you?”

“At home.”

Gabriel paused, and Julia could hear the sound of a car door slam. “You’re home early. I wasn’t expecting you until six.”

“Professor Marinelli canceled her seminar because she has laryngitis. I think I’m going to go upstairs and have a shower. Then I might take a nap until you get home. I was up really early this morning.”

The sound of the Range Rover roaring to life filled Julia’s ears.

“You do that. I’ll be home soon. See you then.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Julia heard what sounded like a chuckle before Gabriel disconnected. She wondered what he found so funny.

She poked around in the kitchen for a few minutes, noticing that Rebecca hadn’t prepared anything for dinner. She wondered why.

Perplexed, she climbed the stairs to the second floor. She didn’t bother to hang up her clothes but simply dropped them in the bedroom before entering the shower.

A hot shower would revitalize her after an exhausting day.

She’d almost finished her shower when she heard the shower door open.

“Why, hello there.”

Gabriel stood in front of her, naked and smiling. He leaned forward to kiss her.

“Did you need a shower too?” she asked, trying not to ogle him and failing miserably.

“No. I just wanted to be where you are.”

She kissed him again. “Thanks.”

She ran an appreciative hand down the center of his chest to the deep V that bracketed his hips. Then she switched off the shower, squeezing the water out of her hair.

Gabriel retrieved a towel and handed it to her.

That was when she noticed the way his eyes were alit in anticipation, his smile growing wider.

“What?”

“Did you forget what day it is?” He trailed a finger down her arm.

“No. Our special day is tomorrow.”

“We’re starting early.”

“Do you think that’s wise?”

“I don’t give a damn. I’ve waited long enough. A man can only stand so much.”

“Oh, really?” She cocked her head to one side.

“So prepare to be pleasured, my dear.”

She quickly ran the towel over her body, drying herself, then wound it over her hair.

Gabriel picked up a glass jar and held it out to her.

“Chocolate Body Paint,” she read. She glanced up at him. “Now?”

“Now.” He wiggled a small paintbrush under her nose. “You said that you enjoyed our foray into body painting while we were in Selinsgrove. I decided we should try it again.”

“But I thought you’d want to do other things. You’ve been doing things for me for three weeks. I’ve been able to do very little for you.”

“Foreplay is for me as well as you,” he whispered, his eyes darkening. “And I have plans for both of us.”




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