Without Saying a Word by Amanda Ward

at her lips, before delving deeper with his tongue. Laura’s mind went blank, and she reveled in the feel of his strong lips on hers.
    “That’s better. I know how to stop you from worrying now,” he said with satisfaction. He settled back against the sofa and turned his attention back to his laptop.
    Laura managed to get up off Rhean’s lap and strolled around the room straightening up magazines, picking up remote controls and poking the fire.
    “Don’t you ever.... you know?” Laura asked him off the top of her head. She’d thought about what he told her that weekend. Rhean looked over his laptop screen at her with an infectious grin.
    “What? You mean do I feel that I’ve missed out on a big part of life by not having had sex yet? Interesting question, Laura. What brought that up?”
    “Well, yes. It’s just that from what I know, men have needs. You must either not have a sex drive or just have very strong willpower. And when you said you were a virgin, does that mean you don’t…?” Laura was embarrassed at the path her questioning had taken. How on earth was she to ask if he was relieving himself in an intimate manner?
    “Try morals,ʼ” Rhean said in a dry tone. “Having a brother like Percy made me realize that being intimate with a woman is not meant for a casual relationship,” he stated in a flat voice. “He’s put it about so much and caught goodness knows how many infections through being careless. It’s the women he’s used that I feel sorry for.” Rhean stood and started pacing the room.
    “I see how my mum and dad are together. They are so much in love with each other, even after forty years—Dad’s eyes light up when she comes into the room, and the romantic gestures he makes toward her. He teases her, which is great, and can make her blush with a whisper in her ear. I could go on and on. That is what true intimacy is and why I am saving myself for that.” He stopped and looked at Laura, honesty exposed on his face.
    “Being naked and sharing each others secrets is true intimacy and should only be shared with the person you love and want to be with. That’s how I feel. It’s always been that way for me, but that’s not the real reason. I will tell you when the time is right. Oh, I know what you are having trouble asking me. I have no hang-ups about that. A relationship is only going to work if you are honest with each other, as well as best friends. Which we are already,” Rhean told her in a kind tone, trying to put Laura’s fears at bay.
    “Look at me Laura, look at me really. Can you honestly not see my feelings for you?” He was intent on making her realize just how much he loved her and how much he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
    “You can’t care for me, I’m damaged goods,” she replied sadly. “I’ve had one failed marriage and I’ve three children. You can’t possibly want a woman like me.”
    Rhean put the laptop on the sofa. He stood up walked over and knelt next to Laura in front of the fire, putting his hands on her shoulders in a possessive gesture.
    “Where the hell did that come from? For heaven’s sake Laura, I’ve been in love with you since you were here on that holiday. I love the kids too. You aren’t damaged goods to me. You are everything I have ever wanted in a woman. Feel what you do to me. I get the feeling that there are parts of your marriage that you find hard to talk about. I am not going anywhere Laura. I will never hurt you. Please, give us a chance.”
    He took her hand and pressed it against his wide chest. His heart beat fast. Then he pulled her closer so she could feel his arousal. “Only you do that to me,” he whispered. “You are the only woman I will ever love and want.” Then he kissed her as he had longed to do for so long.
    As his mouth covered hers hungrily, Laura was overwhelmed by the passion that flowed through him, their tongues entwined, dancing and stroking each other. She relished the feel of