Free Wicked Forest by V.C. Andrews Page A

to the mundane, the ordinary details and chores. Days, weeks, even months could pass before something so wonderful and true, something so memorable and unique would happen to us. Some memories did sparkle like diamonds in the darkness, restoring our hopes and dreams, but mostly telling us we were capable of love and being loved.
    I turned and we kissed.
    Passion rose in waves mimicking the sea,
    undulating up my legs, climbing with every touch, with every breath we took. He swept his arm under me and scooped me up, gently placing me on the bed.
    He gazed down at me so intently, my heart began to pound like a Caribbean steel drum. I reached up for him and he knelt beside the bed and slowly began to undress me, first removing my shoes, then unzipping the back of my dress and peeling it away. He took off my panty hose, then undid my bra and lowered my panties. Bare naked and spread before him. I felt my heart skip beats, my breathing grow so fast and furious I had to close my eyes to keep the room from spinning.
    I expected him to be beside me in moments, naked and loving. but when I opened my eyes, he was still gazing down at me and he was still dressed.
    "Thatcher," I moaned. "What are you doing?"
    "I want to capture the vision of you forever and ever, just like this, delicious, waiting."

    "That's unfair," I complained, and he laughed.
    To continue the exquisite torment, he brought his lips to mine, but kept his hands away. I could feel every part of me tingling with anticipation, crying out for his touch, his lips, but he held back, restrained, controlled, prolonging the preamble to our lovemaking, until I could bear it no longer and cried out with desperation.
    He laughed, then brought his lips to my breasts and followed down my body until he had me demanding him. He undressed as quickly as he could and crawled beside me.
    "We're safe," I said. "I'm on the pill."
    "Oh," he teased. "And how did you know we would be doing this?"
    "I knew. Besides, a girl has to be prepared for a thunderbolt of love."
    "I hope not with just anyone." he said. "You know not with just anyone. You do, don't you?" I asked when he didn't respond quickly enough.
    "Yes," he said, after teasing me again with that moment of pretended doubt. "I know who you are, and I love you far that."
    This kiss was longer. We kept Our lips pressed against each other's as he moved to put himself in me.

    "Scream all you want," he told me when I muffled a cry of ecstasy. "No one can hear us but the seagulls, and they couldn't care less."
    I did scream and cry and hold him until we were both panting with wonderful exhaustion, lying side by side, not speaking but saying volumes with our breath, our trembling bodies, and our entwined fingers. Outside, the sea continued to play its lullaby.
    I actually closed my eyes and drifted off with its soft, rhythmic murmur echoing in my ears.
    When I opened my eyes again. Thatcher was up and getting dressed.
    "What's happening?" I asked. "Did I fall asleep?"
    "For a little while. I didn't want to disturb you, but we've got to get you back to your car. Are you all right?" he asked.
    I felt like someone emerging from a dream.
    "What? Oh, yes, right," I said, and began to fumble for my clothing.
    "I just want to check out a few things in the house. I'll be in the living roam." he said, and left me.
    I was tired, but it was a pleasant sort of fatigue.
    It actually made me feel a little silly, and I couldn't help giggling when I gazed at myself in the mirror.

    Whoever owned the house had a collection of elaborate Mardi Gras masks displayed on a wall. I took one off its hook and put it on before I left the bedroom to search for Thatcher.
    I could hear him speaking very low on the telephone. "I'll be there." I heard him say. "Stop worrying about it."
    I stepped into the doorway of the kitchen. He had his back to me.
    "Of course I care about you." he said. "What a stupid question. I've got to go. Later. We'll talk about it later." He