These Arms of Mine Read online

  He couldn’t believe this was happening. Alesha was initiating intimacy between them. He had longed for this moment for what seemed like forever. He knew tonight was going to be special beyond compare.

  “Will you undo my necklace?” Her question was posed softly.

  His lips captured hers briefly, promising a much more satisfying union, before he walked behind her. She raised her hair out of the way as his fingers quickly unclasped her necklace. He kissed her neck, and she reached her gloved hand up behind her to caress the side of his face before moving to his nape, holding him closer. Then she turned around in his arms. He unclasped the bracelet on her wrist. Her hand still held his face—she reluctantly released him to remove one glove and then the other, before placing her hands on his chest.

  “Unzip my dress.”

  He smiled at her words, and readily did as she gently commanded, sliding his hands beneath the material at her back, pulling her closer as the dress fell to the floor. Their lips played with each other’s, nipping, caressing briefly and moving away, his fingers unclasped her hair, freeing the silky tresses, running his fingers slowly through it.

  “You’ve wanted to do that all night, haven’t you?” she asked.

  He returned her smile tenderly before admitting, “Yes. Just as I’ve wanted to do this.” His lips attacked hers with such ferocity she felt as if she were being eaten alive. The passionate mating of their lips caused an answering response in their bodies as they pressed closer.

  Her hands clutched at his shoulders, arching against his hard, unbending frame. His hands roamed down her bare back to her hips, pressing her tighter against him as he greedily took what she so freely offered. Soon, however, they knew this was not enough—they needed more, much more.

  “Derrick, make love to me. I need you. How I want you.”

  She was going for broke tonight—she was tired of hiding her feelings. One way or another, she would find out what she meant to him and she would tell him what he meant to her.

  He bent and scooped her up in his arms. Walking over to the bed, he laid her down on it before following her with his own body. They kissed passionately as her hands trailed down his flat, hard stomach to his belt buckle, urgently undoing it before unzipping his pants. She touched his skin, softly at first and then more fervently. He was on fire and becoming more inflamed with her every caress.

  She watched the expressions race across his face at her ardent manipulations. She squeezed him intimately until his hand covered hers, ending her sweet torture. She tried unsuccessfully to elude his grasp and when he refused to release her, she turned questioning eyes to the fiery depths of his.

  “Don’t you want me to touch you?” She bit his chin softly.

  He closed his eyes shortly before opening them again and hissing, “Yes!”

  “Then why are you stopping me?” Her lips traced his jawline, her hand escaping from his, continuing her tantalizing exploration.

  “Because if you don’t stop, I’m going to go insane.” His promise was growled as his lips ardently nipped at hers.

  “Good.” She sighed between caresses. “I don’t want you to be in control. I want you to lose yourself in me as I am in you.”

  His eyes grew dark at her words as his hands slid down her throat to her smooth shoulders. His lips replaced his hands, trailing across her satiny skin, igniting a fire within that she knew would soon consume them both.

  “Make me yours, Derrick. Travel with me to that special place in the universe only we two can occupy together.”

  She didn’t need to ask twice. His mouth devastated hers and she participated eagerly in their passionate, all-consuming kisses. When his lips lifted from hers, their now-naked limbs pressed closely together.

  He rasped, “I will. Right now.”

  “I want you so much that it hurts,” she groaned without hesitation.

  “Alesha!” He nearly exploded as her wandering hand enfolded and caressed him.

  “Do you want me?”

  “Yes, more than you know.”

  “Then take me, darling. Make me yours forever.” She arched against his hard body.

  His fingers caressed her hair, roughly pulling her lips back to his. She was here in his arms, saying things he had longed to hear her say, responding to him unashamedly, feeling free to touch him.

  His hands descended her sides to her hips, pressing her closer as he joined his body to hers without further hesitation. They melted together perfectly—proof that they had been made for each other. She shivered uncontrollably against his throbbing body. She had said she wanted no control and she received none. He claimed her body and heart and she willingly gave him everything she had, and received all in return.

  His lips left hers and she bit into his strong shoulder, simultaneously raking her nails down his torso. His body continued to scorch hers. They belonged to each other—nothing was held back by either of them. Their bodies made rapturous music, and after several long, passion-filled hours, the unique love song they had created neared its inevitable, unforgettable conclusion.

  They soared higher on wings of pure, unselfish love. He moaned hoarsely and she groaned in ecstasy as waves of intense pleasure cascaded through their souls. It was a total union of hearts and souls—this time, they truly did break the barrier of their bodies as they combined themselves into one life force. He loved her, and she loved him totally without reserve. All pretense of anything else was stripped away. They both knew nothing had ever been, or would ever be, so right again.

  Much later, she was nearly sleeping, head resting on Derrick’s chest. Her fingers were entwined with his. She sighed in contentment—everything was perfect. Finally, she knew she had all she would ever need—right here in Derrick’s arms.

  He had never felt as close to anyone as he did now. He belonged to her with every fiber of his being, with all that he possessed. God, he adored her. He finally admitted to himself what he had long felt. How could he possibly deny it?

  “You know, Cam has told me on more than one occasion that we should try to make our marriage work.” His fingers trailed up and down the satiny skin of her back.

  “He told me the same thing tonight.” She lifted her head to stare at him lovingly.

  “What did you tell him?”

  “Nothing, you interrupted us.” She smiled.

  “Do you want our marriage to work?” He held his breath as he waited for her answer—the most important answer he would ever receive in his life.

  “Our marriage does work.” She kissed his chest before raising her eyes to meet his again. “We work. I’m your wife and you’re my husband. There’s nothing false about that, or the fact that I love you more than I thought I could ever love anyone.” She finally admitted what had been in her heart for a long time.

  He smiled at her as tenderly as she had ever seen and let out a breath that she realized he had been holding expectantly. “I love you, too, very much.”

  “Really?” She kissed his lips lightly.

  “Yes. Didn’t you know?” He ran fingers through her tousled hair.

  “I hoped.”

  “So did I.” He pulled her head down to his to engage in a passionate, loving kiss. “Alesha…” he whispered against her lips.

  “Hmm?” She tried to bring his mouth back to hers, but when he resisted, she opened dreamy eyes to stare into the serious depths of his. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m sorry.” His solemn words startled her.

  “For what?” She traced his furrowed brow with her fingers.

  “For forcing you into this marriage.” He painfully articulated the guilt that had plagued him for months.

  “Derrick, you didn’t force me—I always had a choice.”

  “Yes, but I took advantage…�
�� Her fingers on his lips forestalled his words.

  “Shh. I’m where I want to be—I don’t care how I got here. I only care that I did get here—that we got here together, finally.”

  “Really?” He searched her eyes.

  “Really.” She nodded, allowing every ounce of love she felt for him to shine in her eyes, for him to see. “Why didn’t you tell me you loved me sooner?”

  He smiled sheepishly. “I was waiting for you to say it.”

  “Oh, yeah.” She laughed softly. “Well, I guess I can’t blame you for that.”

  “I love you so much.” He made up for lost time. “I have from the first moment I saw you.”

  “I love you, too. With all my heart.”

  Loving fingers caressed her face. His mouth captured hers, ending any response she had been about to make. She wiggled on top of him and stretched her soft body out the length of his. Their legs entangled intimately.

  After reluctantly releasing her lips, he groaned, “You have sapped all my energy, but I want you again and again.”

  “Then take me, darling, as many times as you want me. I’m yours.”

  “Mine?” His hands roamed down her bare back.

  “Completely.” She smiled. “Forever.”

  Their mouths fused together, sealing their promise of eternal love with an endless kiss.

  A week later, they were at her mother’s, enjoying the unseasonably warm weather with an impromptu backyard barbecue.

  “Hey, you guys, is it done yet?”

  “In a minute.” Derrick laughed at his wife. “You sure have been eating a lot lately.”

  “Love does wonders for my appetite.”

  “Mine, too.” He bobbed his eyes at her.

  “Derrick!”

  He and Robert laughed before turning back to the grill. In Barbara’s honor, they were having a heart-healthy meal consisting of grilled salmon and vegetables.

  Barbara glanced toward the two men. “I’m so glad Robert is warming up to Derrick.”

  Alesha smiled. “So am I.”

  “He was having trouble letting his little sister go, but now he knows you’re in good hands.”

  “I definitely am.”

  “You’re happy,” her mother responded.

  “Deliriously.” She reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “Can something so wonderful possibly last?”

  “It did with your father and me until the day he died.”

  “That’s what I want with Derrick.”

  “Then that’s what you’ll have,” Barbara promised. “You two are perfect together.”

  Robert and Derrick laughed as they fought back flames and quickly removed food from the grill.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Alesha happier and I have you to thank for that.”

  Derrick smiled. “I should be thanking you.”

  “Why?”

  “You brought us back together again and I will forever be in your debt. I know what my life was without her and I never want to experience that pain again.”

  “You love her.” Robert nodded in approval.

  “With all my heart.”

  “I’m happy for you both, Derrick.”

  “Thanks, Robert. That means a lot coming from you.”

  “Just keep her happy.”

  “Always.”

  “Derrick,” he slowly began. “I’m sorry I embezzled from your campaign. I’ll pay you back.”

  “No.” He shook his head. “Thank you for your apology, but I don’t want your money.”

  Robert frowned. “Why not?”

  “Alesha told me why you took it. I’m a part of this family now and I love Barbara, too.”

  “Thanks.” Robert smiled. “Welcome to the family.”

  Derrick returned his smile. “Thank you.”

  They were laughing when they carried the food over to the table. Derrick bent down and kissed his wife briefly before sitting down next to Barbara.

  “Here you are.” Robert placed a platter of grilled corn on the cob next to the salmon.

  “Mmm…” Alesha’s eyes sparkled. “It smells and looks wonderful!”

  Barbara eyed the healthy feast cautiously. “It does look good, but what I wouldn’t give for a plate of ribs!”

  “When you taste this, you’ll forget all about greasy ribs,” Derrick promised, kissing her cheek.

  “If you say so, dear.” She patted his hand.

  “Momma, behave yourself,” Alesha chided.

  “Mom, you know how bossy she is,” Robert said sympathetically.

  “She’s perfect,” Derrick said, coming to his wife’s defense.

  “Thank you, darling.” She blew him a kiss. “I love you.”

  “And I love you.”

  Barbara smiled approvingly. “Aren’t they cute, Robert?”

  He chuckled. “Adorable.”

  “Just you wait—your turn will come.” Alesha wagged her finger at him.

  “Let’s eat.” Robert wisely avoided responding to her prediction.

  Everyone laughed and all set about filling their plates. Above the laughter and good-natured banter, Derrick and Alesha’s eyes met and held. They smiled at each other secretively. There was no need for words. She loved and needed him—how wonderful to know that he felt the same way about her. All her life, she had searched for this and now it was finally hers. She was so glad to know that her mother was right—they were perfect for each other.

  Epilogue

  It was the middle of November and Derrick and Alesha would be celebrating their one-year anniversary in two weeks. She reclined against the soft back of the sofa, remote in her hand as she again proudly watched her husband giving his senatorial victory speech. A fire crackled comfortingly as Derrick sat beside her, his ear and hands pressed to her huge stomach, anticipating some sign of activity from their unborn child.

  “Sweetheart,” he said, leaning against her stomach. “Aren’t you tired of watching this?”

  “No, and you’re not, either.”

  “I can’t believe a year has passed. I’m a senator and you’re about to give birth to our first child.” He repositioned his ear on her stomach.

  “I know what you mean.” She smiled down at him.

  He lifted his head to stare at her adoringly. He looked just like a kid on Christmas Day. She laughed out loud at the anxious expression in his eyes.

  “What?”

  “You look so cute!” Her smile widened at his scowl.

  He sat up, hands still placed gingerly on her huge stomach and indignantly replied, “Cute? I am not cute.”

  “Oh, yes, you are, darling.” She laughed, kissing his nose softly. “Did you feel that?” She beamed as the baby kicked.

  “Yes, yes, I did.”

  He moved his fingers around to see if he could capture that amazing evidence of life growing within her. Her hands covered his as both waited, and another and yet another kick came.

  “Our son or daughter is certainly active tonight.”

  “Yes, he or she is.” His fingers lightly caressed her swollen stomach. “Are you in any pain?”

  “No.”

  “Do you think we should get going to the hospital?” He sat up and watched her anxiously.

  “No, sweetheart. I haven’t had a contraction for a while. I think we still have time.” She tried unsuccessfully to soothe his frayed nerves.

  “I think we should go now—just in case.”

  “Derrick, I’ll know when it’s time to go.” She stroked his furrowed brow.

  “Well, if you’re sure…”

  “I am.” Trying to get his mind
off her impending labor, she replied, “Life is so funny.”

  “In what way?”

  “Well, look at us—two people who were sworn enemies a short time ago, who are now totally in love with each other and anticipating the birth of our child.”

  “I never considered you an enemy.” His hands still wandered over her huge stomach.

  “But, darling, I considered you mine.” She smiled.

  “Really?”

  She laughed. “Well, maybe for all of a second.”

  “I am crushed!”

  “No, you’re not.” Her hand caressed his jaw.

  “No, I’m not.” He moved closer to her. “But I’m not your adversary anymore, am I?” His lips gravitated to within mere inches of hers.

  “Of course not. You’re my best friend, the love of my life. In fact, I love you more than life itself.” She sighed before his lips closed over hers in a warm kiss. “I’m so happy.”

  “I’m going to make sure you stay that way.” He kissed her again, lingering on her lips this time.

  “I will as long as I have you.” She snuggled contentedly, placing his head in the crook of her neck.

  “You have me forever.” They were silent for a while before he spoke again. “Sweetheart, do you ever think of returning to nursing?”

  “No. Why?” She wondered where that question had come from.

  “I just want you to be content, and I know how much your career means to you.” He turned his head to stare at her profile intensely.

  “Meant to me,” she quickly corrected. “I have all I want and need right here in this room.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Definitely, but I love you for asking.” She smiled.

  “I’d do anything to make you happy.”

  “You have and you do.”

  He repositioned his head in her neck, taking love bites out of her soft flesh. “Gimme a kiss.”

  “My pleasure.” She turned her head ever so lightly, bringing her lips into contact with his. Before their kiss could deepen, though, she winced in pain. “Ouch!”