Stud by Cheryl Brooks Read Free Book Online Page B

but this one was pure torture. She’d made several blunders but couldn’t explain that she’d been a brainless klutz because all she could think about was seeing Tarq again. Her disappointment that he hadn’t come in for a meal was profound, but she understood why he hadn’t.
    Jublansk wasn’t blind, however, and noticed her eager glances toward the door anytime a customer arrived. “Haven’t seen him today, have we?”
    Lucy blushed. “Have I been that obvious?”
    Jublansk nodded. “You’re about as subtle as a Twilanan’s tusk. Don’t blame you for looking, of course. He’s a mighty fine man. But you might want to consider doing more than just mooning over him.”
    “I’m not mooning!” Lucy knew her protest was feeble, and Jublansk’s skeptical expression proved it.
    “Seems like a golden opportunity for you to have a little fun,” Jublansk said briskly. “I’d certainly never tell.”
    “You’ve been giving this some thought.”
    “I have,” she said with a nod. “And I think you’d have fun and be doing a good deed in the process. Plus, the kids would be adorable.”
    Lucy couldn’t believe her ears. “So you’re saying I should call him?”
    Jublansk waved her floury hands in protest. “I’m not saying anything of the kind, but if I were you and didn’t call him, I’d be kicking myself in the ass for the rest of my life.”
    Since this was in complete accord with Lucy’s own thoughts on the subject, she started to nod, but shook her head instead. No. There should be no clues, no inkling, no hints. She didn’t want Jublansk to get into any trouble over this—perhaps even losing her job if her father was angry enough. The less she knew the better. “I’d be too chicken. He’s too much… man for me.”
    Jublansk rolled her eyes. “That’s like saying the ocean is too big for this planet, or the sun isn’t the right size for the solar system.” She shook her head. “No, Lucy. He is what he is and you are what you are. Don’t sell yourself short.”
    “Yeah, right,” Lucy grumbled. “Whatever that means.”
    At long last, she was home for the night. Closing her bedroom door and locking it, she took a deep breath, shivering with anticipation, but couldn’t help bowing her head in sadness as she whispered a fervent prayer. If only she could have had Tarq for real—in broad daylight and with full knowledge of everyone—not clandestine meetings in a locked room after dark. She wanted her fertile period to come quickly so that he could move on and she could forget him—forget the way he made her feel, the things he made her want…
    Quickly changing into her nightgown, she doused the light and opened the window. It might have made her feel better to know that Tarq was already waiting for her, but his prompt entry was such a welcome event that she never gave it a thought; she only felt intense relief at the sight of him.
    He swept her up in his arms in a manner that spoke of his own impatience, but the tears in Lucy’s eyes kept her from seeing it. She only felt the heat of his body, the soft warmth of his kisses, and the security of his embrace. As he lay her on the bed, he whispered words she didn’t understand, which made her feel even more fulfilled, for she was free to imagine that he was telling her how he’d missed her, that he’d counted the seconds until they could be together again, and that the day had been every bit as interminable for him as it had been for her.
    She should have known how anxious he was when he didn’t bother to remove her gown, nor did he disrobe completely—only exposing his sex enough to penetrate her with it—but all she felt was relief that they were finally together again. She did her best to keep from begging him to stay with her forever, but the words crashed through her mind over and over until she had to bite her tongue to keep from saying them aloud.
    Even when her orgasms began, she ignored the feelings, wanting only to feel him