Part 9 (1/2)
”Why wouldn't he? You've been in California three days already and no doubt those reporters will release information indicating the two of us stayed together at this hotel. People will speculate about how we spent our time here. We know we haven't been intimate but others won't.”
”James will if I tell him so. He knows me. He knows I have all intentions of remaining a...” Colby stopped talking midsentence and decided not to finish what she was about to say.
Unfortunately for her, Sterling had no intention of not letting her finish it. ”Remaining a what?” he asked, quietly, intently.
She shrugged. ”Nothing.”
”What were you about to say, Colby?”
”It's not important.”
Sterling stared at her. ”If it's what I think it is, it's very important. Is it?”
She didn't reply immediately, she just shrugged her shoulders again. ”I have no idea what you think it is.”
Sterling was silent for a moment as he looked at her. The red dress she wore molded itself to her body with such allure, it gave an image of her being a seductress and temptress-unmistakably so. But deep down he had a gut feeling that image was false and far from the truth.
”I think you've never slept with a man and that you had all intentions of saving yourself for marriage,” he finally said.
She met his unwavered gaze. ”I still plan to save myself for marriage.”
Sterling controlled a smile at the determination in her tone of voice. ”I can give you a good reason why you shouldn't, but I'm sure you've heard a number of them from other men.”
”Yes,” Colby answered. Her eyes suddenly shone with silent laughter as she recalled a few of them. ”I've heard that the longer I put if off, the more it will hurt when I do try it. I've heard men no longer want virgins for wives, they prefer more experienced women in their beds. And I've heard that men will appreciate you even more if you let them try you out first.”
She looked up at him with amused fascination. ”I even had one guy tell me my mother had been wrong and that a man will still buy a cow after getting the milk free.”
Sterling grinned. He adored this side of her, her gentle camaraderie, her subtle wit. ”I'm sure you had a good reply for all those reasons you were given.”
”Yes, especially the one about the cow. I asked him would the cow be just as valuable to him after he had used it.”
”What did he say?”
”Of course, he said yes, but I knew he was lying. He worked as a new car salesman and I knew right away his words couldn't be trusted. Besides, he was the one who had sold me my first new car, and as part of his sales pitch he'd given me a number of reasons why a new car was better than a used one. He kept saying that a new car would hold its value longer than a used one. Can you believe that?”
Sterling threw his head back and let out a great peal of laughter at the seriousness in Colby's voice and the expression on her face. For whatever her reasons, he was glad she hadn't allowed a man take to advantage of her. He knew he could probably thank James Wingate for that. Evidently the man had schooled his sister on handling the players out there.
”So, Sterling, what reason do you want to tell me as to why I shouldn't wait?”
His expression suddenly became serious, determined. He took a few steps that brought him closer to her. Reaching out, he lightly traced his finger softly up her shoulder. Her skin tingled from the contact.
His words were soft when he spoke, and his soft breath felt warm and moist against her face. ”I could tell you how our bodies will connect in mindless pa.s.sion and ecstasy as I make you a part of me and me a part of you. And that when I make love to you, I will give you a glimpse of heaven. Our coming together will be one special moment, and we don't need a marriage license to enjoy such a spiraling experience.”
Colby trembled under Sterling's words and touch. For a while she wasn't capable of speech. Her insides jangled with an unwelcome surge of excitement. But somehow and from somewhere, she found the strength to deny what she was feeling.
She managed to pull herself together to say. ”Not bad. In fact, that line was better than most. However, my response to that is for you to think of just how much more special the moment will be knowing you'll be doing all those things to your wife and not just another woman. You'll be making me yours in the most intimate way. And I won't just get a glimpse of heaven, I'll become a part of it, with you. That in itself will make the experience even more special.”
Sterling's lips parted in an astonished smile. She had thoroughly and completely turned the tables on him. Her eyes, so serious and calm, dared him to refute her words. And he knew he couldn't.
”Not a bad comeback,” he said.
She smiled. ”I'm usually quicker with my responses.”
He shook his head and an amused grin touched his lips. ”Yeah, I bet you are.”
He wondered now that he knew the truth about her, how in the world was he going to keep his hands off her until after they were married. It wasn't going to be easy. He was a man used to getting what he wanted whenever he wanted it. But that would not be the case with Colby.
”Now getting back to our discussion regarding me taking you home Friday,” he said, not wanting to dwell on his dilemma anymore.
”All right, Sterling, I'll call James tonight and tell him. And I'll agree to let you take me home. But why wait 'til Friday? Why can't we leave tomorrow? Once I tell James about us, he'll want me to return home to talk to him immediately.”
”I'm sure he will, but I have an important business meeting scheduled tomorrow, and I want to check on our progress with Morton Industries.”
Colby nodded. She had almost completely forgotten about Morton Industries and the real reason behind her marriage to Sterling.
Sterling walked back over to the table to get his coffee but knew it had gotten cold. He took a sip anyway and studied Colby over the rim of his cup. She was moving around the room, unnecessarily tidying up. He could tell from her movements she was tired. They had spent most of the morning sight-seeing and then over dinner she had told him of her shopping adventure.
He set his cup down when he saw her smother a yawn. Walking over to her, he pulled her to him. ”I think it's bedtime.”
She pushed herself out of his arms. ”Look, Sterling, evidently you didn't understand-”
He placed his fingers to her lips to silence her. ”Lighten up. I didn't mean it the way you took it. What I meant is that it's bedtime for you.”
She tinted, embarra.s.sed she had jumped to conclusions. ”I need to call James first.”
”Then I'll leave so you can do that. It's getting late and there's a three-hour time difference between here and the East Coast.”
”Yes, I know.”
A faint smile touched his lips. ”It's my guess reporters will be camped out front in the morning, but the sooner we can leave here and go to my home in Malibu, the better. Things are more secure and private there. We won't be hounded by any reporters.”
”All right.”
”Good night, Colby.”
”Good night, Sterling.”
Unhesitantly, Sterling lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers. He wanted to do more but didn't. Instead he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Colby walked over to the table and picked up the telephone. Taking a deep breath she began dialing numbers.
”h.e.l.lo,” a deep masculine voice answered sleepily.
”h.e.l.lo, James, it's me.”
She could hear his soft, sleep-filled chuckle. ”How are you doing, 'me'?”
She grinned. ”I'm fine.” A lump then formed in her throat. ”I'm sorry to call so late but I have something very important to tell you.”
”Oh? What?”