Keeping Faith by Cindy Bradford (serial 39)
Chapter 15 Part IV
Cindy Bradford
The drive home Patrick had planned was to be a slow, leisurely one through the backroads and out of the way places, exploring antique shops and hidden harbors not discovered by tourists. But it quickly became obvious to him that Carol’s heart was no longer into lighthouses, heirlooms or fishing villages. She talked nonstop about the wedding, rarely glancing at the scenery or taking the opportunity to stop at a roadside flea market.
Finally, Patrick laughed and said, “Let’s find a bed and breakfast in Camden tonight and then we’ll head home.
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It would have been an absolutely beautiful and bright summer day had Carol not awakened in a foul mood. Patrick’s enigmatic moods after they made love were driving her crazy. They had fought about it again last night and he had stormed out of the house without saying goodnight.
She didn’t know what she had done wrong. In the height of passion she had called him Paddy and he had stopped their love making and moved away from her, cold and reticent. When she looked in his eyes, she was almost afraid of him until she saw what she thought was a tear. Why was it that she always loved someone who couldn’t give himself completely to her? She had been through this before and she didn’t need to get hurt again.
She was still in bed when Patrick knocked at the back door. She could see him from her room, those damn eyes, she thought. She started not to respond, but he continued to knock.
“Please, Carol, I’m sorry. Just let me in so we can talk.”
Naked, she climbed out of bed, slipped into her robe and slowly walked through the tiny porch to the door.
Contrite, he asked, “Can I come in?”
Without answering, Carol opened the door, shrugging her shoulders.
“I’m sorry, Carol. I rarely lose my temper. I was wrong. It won’t happen again. I love you.” His voice sounding as pained as the look in his eyes.
“Do you, Patrick? Sometimes I’m not sure.”
Her robe was slightly askew and Patrick couldn’t take his eyes off her sensuous curves. He pulled her to him, crushing her against him, and lifting her chin, he forced her to look in his eyes.
“Please believe me when I tell you.” Pausing, he asked, “Can we go into the bedroom and talk?”
“Talk, that’s all, Patrick,” moving his hand away from her skin.
Wanting him, she willed herself to pull away and sit on the edge of the bed. For an awkward moment Patrick stood before her and then he did something so out of character that it caught Carol off guard. He stripped off his clothes and stood in front of her. Reaching down, he took her hand and lifted her up to meet his eyes again. In half protest and half acceptance, she let him remove her robe.
“I’ll show you how much I love you,” he said, gently pushing her down on the covers.
Blushing slightly, she said, “It’s not the sex, Patrick,” touching his hair and outlining his face with her fingers. “It’s afterwards. It’s what you become…”
He pulled her closer, savoring her softness…”Just love me, Carol. Teach me how you want me to love.”
“We have to talk.”
“There is nothing to say. I acted badly and I’m sorry.” He buried his head against her breasts and began kissing her skin.
She wanted to turn away until she felt his hard, warm body. The distance between them melted away. She knew she should stop him, but as always she could not resist him.