Free Unknown by Unknown

lower lip, teasingly erotic, and she gave it a playful nip. His eyes flashed fire. 'Two can play this game,' they warned her and he clasped her lip between his teeth so that she opened her mouth in surprise. He was ready, plunging inside until she felt as if she would burst with pent-up passion.
    While he continued to play love games with her mouth, she slid her hands down his shirt, opening the buttons as she went, then spread her hands across his hard mid-section. She heard his sharp intake of breath. 'Dear God, Keri.'
    He wanted her, she was well aware by now. And, by all the saints, she wanted him. No amount of reason could outweigh that knowledge. When he urged her backwards on to the couch, she offered no resistance.
    Like a sleepwalker, she saw him shrug off the shirt she had opened to the waist! Next, he slid his jeans off. Soon her housecoat was the only barrier between them and she helped him undo it so it fell open, exposing her to his heavy-lidded gaze. 'My beautiful Keri,' he said, devouring every inch of her with his eyes. 'You should have made me go.'
    Speaking was an effort. 'Would you have gone?'
    'Probably not. But it would have been better for both of us.'
    Better because this was all he was offering her, she thought wildly? Yes, but no matter, she answered herself. For too long, she had denied herself this because it would lead to more pain. Yet nothing could hurt as much as sending him away.
    Suddenly, all reason was drowned in a torrent of sensation as he joined her and began a leisurely exploration of her body which drove her almost wild. When she could stand it no longer, she clasped her hands along his backbone and pulled him against her in an unspoken gesture of surrender.
    'Soon, my love, soon,' he murmured into her ear. Soon felt like forever and a moan escaped her throat. At the animal sound, he raised himself on one elbow and looked down at her. She marvelled at his control. 'Now, please,' she urged, sounding almost prim, as if she had said 'pass the salt'.
    'Patience is a virtue,' he reminded her. But there was nothing virtuous in the kiss he pressed on to her parted lips. One knee was between her thighs and she clasped it, feeling his teeth grind against hers as a jarring response shook his whole body.
    How could she have lived without Ben for so long, she asked herself. Coming back hadn't proved her resistance to him, but showed her lack of it, she acknowledged now. At least, that was how it was turning out.
    Dimly, she became aware of the telephone ringing but she ignored it as she trailed kisses across Ben's stubbly chin. He seemed content to ignore it too, until they both said at the same moment, 'It could be the hospital.'
    She gave a groan of frustration. They were supposed to call and arrange for her to collect Robyn, but why did it have to be now? 'I'll get it,' she said resignedly.
    He pressed a finger to her lips. 'No, I will. Don't move until I get back.'
    His weight shifting off her felt like a betrayal and she watched him with hungry eyes as he followed the ringing sound and disappeared into her study. The ringing stopped and she heard him speaking. The mere sound of his voice sent a shiver down her spine. Hurry back, she implored silently.
    'Was it the hospital?' she asked when he came back into the room.
    'Yes. You're to collect Robyn at noon. Everything is fine.'
    But it didn't sound fine, she realised with a shock. His voice had lost its caressing tone. He sounded almost cold. She struggled upright and pulled her housecoat over herself. 'What's the matter? Is something wrong?'
    'Not with Robyn.'
    'Then what? Ben, what is it?'
    In hurt bewilderment, she watched as he pulled his trousers on. Then he handed her a piece of paper. 'This was on your desk, beside the phone.'
    Confused, she stared at the paper. It was a cheque for a large sum of money, drawn on the Champion Holdings Account. It carried Ben's printed signature and was countersigned by Rick with yesterday's date. And it