Chapter Nineteen

"Darling, are you alright you look ill?" Rella snapped out of her thoughts at the feel of Stefan's warm calloused hand on hers as she pulled away from the car window. She blinked at the endearment not quite believing Stefan just called her darling. 

  "I'm fine." She said finally.

  "It's not me is it? I didn't do anything to upset you did I?" 

  "No I'm just so overwhelmed with all of these." She replied honestly. " It feels really weird, the two of us… "

  "I don't see anything weird about it we're a couple and couples do things with each other. Oh and that reminds me we still haven't discussed our first night yet."

  Stefan took her right hand and pressed his lips to the back of it.

  "F-first night?" Rella stammered.

  "First night. You scared?" Stellan said huskily as he trailed moist kisses up her arm and she shivered in reaction.

  Rella swallowed nervously, it felt like dejá Vu,  she didn't want to think of the possibility of something happening between them and she wondered what excuse she might make up. She felt Goosebumps all over her skin and she fought the urge to let out a soft moan at the sudden feel of his lips on her neck, his breath hot and enticing against her ear and she let her head fall back to give him more access.

  Then suddenly he pulled back and she gaze up at him dazed and confused but without looking at her he announced, "We're here." A self satisfied smile playing on his lips.

  Stefan had doubts before but her response to him cleared it all up. His wife was as attracted to him as he was to her albeit there was still some reluctance on her part Stefan was confident he could change that in no time at all. 

  Rella huffed in frustration partly because for a moment there she had wanted him to kiss her. She hadn't realised he'd gotten out until the door was pulled open and a strong hand was offered to her. 

  She placed her hand in his as they both walked towards the huge double doors because it really would've made no difference even if she tried to free her hand because he had such a firm grip on it that it felt like he had anticipated her intentions. But the gesture didn't feel awkward at all; it was like they were made for each other. 

  Her mind wandered just then as she wondered what it would've been like if he had kissed her. What would his lips taste like? 

  Rella wanted to feel his arms around her again pulling her towards him, her body pressed up against him as he kissed her thoroughly until she forget to breathe…

As if he read her mind, Stefan pulled her towards him his palms framing her face, angling her towards him and his eyes searched hers as if asking her permission. He must've seen how eager she was because his mouth descended on hers with such ferocity one would think she was his oxygen. She hadn't even realised they were at the foot of the stairs.

Stefan pinned her against the wall, his hands caressing her soft curves. When he finally pulled away, they were both breathless, her eyes were glazed over with passion, her lips thoroughly kissed, the sensation so wonderful she wished he hadn't stopped.

  Stefan ran his thumb over her swollen pink bottom lip, with a dazzling smile sneaking up on his face.

  "I love this smouldering, glazed over look you have in your eyes I should've kissed you sooner. I think I might have to kiss you more often." He whispered huskily. She could easily see the effect she had on him as his cobalt blue eyes darken with desire. "And I love it when you go up in flames at my slightest touch. God you're so beautiful you have no idea what you do to me." Her breath hitched when his thumb left her lips and trailed her collar bone down to her arm leaving goose bumps in its wake. The whole time she couldn't breathe and when she finally exhaled, it came out in a tremulous whoosh. 

  His gaze locked with hers as he hooked his thumb on the strap of her dress and let it slide down one shoulder.  "I don't think…" she began to protest in alarm but he silenced her by placing a finger on her lips.

  "Don't worry, I'm not such a barbarian that I'd take my wife against the wall of my living room. I like to take my time, so I'd make a list of the things I'm going to do to you." His sultry promise only made her melt beneath his touch, just wondering what he'd do to her... "And if you're worried about the staff I doubt they give a damn." He said it with such confidence that she's almost sure he'd done something reckless like this and somehow thinking about him with another woman left a bitter taste in her mouth. 

  When he kissed her again every other thought flew out the window and all she could do was feel. The kiss was tender, like he was taking his time exploring, savouring every second. It was a slow seduction that took over her entire being turning her legs to jelly. Her reaction to him was instantaneous as he pulled her tightly against him and her fingers snaked up into his silky hair and his hand ran up and down her length, she wanted more of him and as that slow fire that started in her gradually became an inferno Rella knew she'd be consumed by it sooner rather than later.

  He finally pulled back, his face set in a hard, almost pained expression and it was taking everything in him to stop his ministrations. Their gazes locked and held in an intense passion filled moment their breaths came out in short ragged pants. Rella suddenly felt mad at herself for not stopping him in the first place and equally mortified that she was more than willing to be in his arms again and that if he hadn't stopped when he did then heaven knows how tonight would've ended. "I wish I could hold you and kiss you again and again but I can't."

  "Why can't you?" Rella almost cut her tongue off as that question flew out of her mouth and she had no idea what had prompted her to say it. But Stefan smiled lazily and tucked a strand of her silky hair behind her ear hardly able to keep his hand to himself.

  "I'll be flying to London in about half an hour, I have an important deal to close it might take a couple of days." He explained but instead of feeling relieved, elated even, Rella found herself enveloped in an immense feeling of disappointment. "I'm truly sorry about this love." Rella couldn't help it and went rigid at that. How could she forget the reason she was here with Stefan in his house, married to him?

He placed an open mouth kiss on her knuckles then with a smile he said, "Henry will take good care of you my sweet."

  As soon as he left, Rella swayed a little. She held onto the edge of the stairs as the guilt that was eating away at her very soul made her suddenly sick. 

  Rella sighed, shutting her eyes and groaning in frustration. How could she like his touch so much that the anticipation of being in his arms was killing her? She shouldn't like his kisses or caresses but her traitorous body had a mind of its own and it took with it her common sense and rationality.