Part 13 (1/2)

Thunder rumbled overhead and with the turbulent sound, Colby's control returned. She had allowed Sterling's kiss and fondling to render her mindless, and knew she had to put a stop to what they were doing. Things were getting out of hand. She had a will of her own and was determined to use it. She had given him liberties she'd never given another man because she loved him, but she had to remind herself he didn't love her. And at that moment when he whispered in her ear just what he wanted to do to her tonight in his huge bed, it reinforced her resolve.

She broke off their kiss and moved out of his arms. ”I'm sorry, Sterling. Please don't think I'm a tease. I never meant for things to go this far, but you make me lose myself,” she said truthfully. ”We can't continue to do this any longer. It's not-”

”Proper,” Sterling muttered, finis.h.i.+ng the statement for her. Frustration clearly lined his features and was evident in his voice.

”Yes,” she said, nodding and putting her robe back on. ”I'm glad you agree.”

”I don't agree with anything, Colby.” The set of his jaw was firm and the darkness in his eyes was intense. ”Do me a favor and go to bed.”

She cast a glance at him and saw his frustrated features. ”We have enough to deal with in our relations.h.i.+p without the complications of s.e.x before our marriage, don't you think?”

Sterling looked at her like she had completely lost her mind. ”No. I don't think that way at all,” he snapped.

There was a gentle quietness in her voice when she replied, ”Then it's a good thing I'm thinking clearly for the both of us. Good night.”

Sterling watched as she quickly walked away toward the house. When she was no longer in sight he removed his shorts and raced off toward the beach. For once he was in dire need of the cold ocean waters.

Kyle was right, he was in way too deep.

Chapter 12.

”Sterling, promise me you'll try to get along with James.”

Sterling sat leaning back in the seat of his private jet with his eyes closed. Colby's words, which had been whispered softly in his ears, made him c.o.c.k one eye open and look at her. The gaze that met his was so serious he couldn't help but open both eyes.

”Colby, your brother is the least of my problems right now,” he replied truthfully, in an irritated tone. He was tempted to tell her his main problem was having endured a sleepless night, and he wasn't in a good mood because of it. His late-night swim in the ocean had done little to quench his desire for her. The wanting he felt was strong, urgent and needy. It was like a deep ache straining against the zipper of his pants. And it wasn't helping matters sitting this close to her tempting body.

”If anything he better try to get along with me,” he added in an agitated voice.

Thinking he had ended all conversation between them for the time being, Sterling closed his eyes again. However, he discovered that wasn't the case when she said, ”I take it you're still upset about last night.”

Without opening his eyes he answered. ”I really don't want to talk about last night.”

”All right, but one day you'll thank me.”

He felt the chronic ache against his zipper and said, ”I doubt it, and I'm curious as to why you would think so.” He s.h.i.+fted in his seat. Her scent was nearly driving him insane.

To his dismay, she leaned closer to him and said, ”Well, the way I see it, I did you a favor by not letting things go too far. I'm not on any type of birth control so there would've been a strong possibility of something happening.”

Sterling opened both eyes and arched one brow at her, ”Something happening like what?”

She leaned even closer and whispered. ”An untimely pregnancy.”

He rolled his eyes heavenward, wondering where she came up with her logic at times. As far as he was concerned, she looked at things too seriously, too maturely. She had the ability to think things through too much to suit him. The women he usually was involved with just rolled with the flow. They agreed with whatever he thought and didn't make waves. Unfortunately for him, Colby didn't agree with whatever he thought, and as for making waves, she was right up there with Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. Heat waves were becoming a specialty of hers. Even now he wanted to drown in the lush hotness of her body.

”Why would you concern yourself with an untimely pregnancy? You're going to have my baby eventually,” he pointed out to her, relaxing in his seat once more. ”Timing would not have to be an issue.”

”Yes, it would. If I get pregnant before our marriage the terms of the contract won't apply. It clearly states the terms apply to a child conceived during during our marriage.” our marriage.”

”Is that so?” Sterling asked, thinking about that slight technicality. He studied Colby with curious intensity. As usual, she looked beautiful and the outfit she had on, a printed skirt and matching blouse, looked good on her. Her hair was pulled back away from her face and the style openly displayed all her flawless facial features.

”Yes, that's so.”

”Then thanks for bringing it to my attention. I'll try real hard not to knock you up before the wedding.”

He then leaned over and whispered in her ear. ”But I can guarantee you this, Colby, having you in my bed will be the number one thing on my mind after the wedding, so I hope you're up to it, because I plan on keeping you there for days and days and days.”

Sterling leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes, satisfied for the time being that his frank and true statement had rendered Colby totally speechless.

”What's taking them so long in there, and why wasn't I included?” Colby asked Cynthia as she nervously paced the living room floor. Sterling and James had been closed up in the study for well over an hour.

”Just relax, Colby, everything's going to be fine. You know James, he needs to know that Sterling's intentions are honorable,” Cynthia said as she went about setting the table. It was evident she was in hog heaven because Sterling had consented to stay for dinner.

”Why would James think otherwise? He's marrying me, isn't he?”

”Well, yes, but you know James. He has to know every little detail when it concerns you.”

Colby nodded as she nervously gnawed her bottom lip. Knowing about James's inquisitiveness was what really had her nervous. Her brother rarely took things at face value. She had been able to talk him out of meeting them at the airport by telling him Sterling had made prior arrangements for a rental car to be waiting for them. But they hadn't counted on half the city being there for their arrival. Everyone, including many of her coworkers, had shown up to welcome her back to town. She knew the media's leak that Sterling would be returning with her had a lot to do with the reception she got. The California reporters had been mild compared to the mob of reporters that met them at the airport and began firing one question after another. Although she could tell Sterling was annoyed by it all, he had taken it in stride and had played the part of the loving husband-to-be.

”Colby, please sit down and relax. They'll be out in a minute,” Cynthia said.

No sooner had the words left Cynthia's mouth than the study door opened and both men walked out. Colby couldn't help but notice that James and Sterling equaled one another in size and height. They were also equally handsome. ”Is everything all right?” she asked immediately.

Sterling raised a brow. ”Of course. James and I just had to reach an understanding.”

Colby tossed a questioning glance at them. Neither of their expressions revealed anything. ”What sort of an understanding?”

The two men glanced at each other before glancing back at her. It was James who spoke. ”An understanding regarding you.”

”What about me?”

This time it was Sterling who spoke. ”James thought we should wait for at least six months to marry, to get to know each other better, and I told him that was out of the question. The wedding will take place in three weeks. I prefer getting married next week, however, since you prefer waiting until this school term ends, I'll agree to three weeks.”

Colby's cheeks became warm when she remembered what Sterling had whispered to her earlier that day about just what he intended to do once they were married.

”James also felt that until the wedding took place, you were his responsibility,” Sterling continued. ”I convinced him since your life will be turned upside down because of our engagement, I had every right to share in that responsibility. And after much discussion, we both agreed.”

”Agreed on what?”

”That we're both responsible for you.”

Colby slanted a very readable look at both men. ”Excuse me, but I'm old enough to be responsible for myself.”