The Deception by Marina Martindale Read Free Book Online Page A

her response.
    "Whole. That would be the word. I'm becoming whole. Last fall, when my ex first dumped me, I felt like I was broken and I didn't think I could ever be fixed. Now that some time has passed, and I'm learning how to live my life on my own terms, I'm beginning to feel whole, like I'm becoming a whole new person. So, what about you, Scott? What one word would you use to describe yourself?"
    "Adventurous." He reached over to grasp her hand. "Safe and predictable bores me. I much prefer to live on the edge, in the spur of the moment, in the here and now."
    He turned to face her, and as he looked into her eyes, he leaned forward and kissed her. It was a soft gentle kiss. When it was over, he began to slowly run his fingers through her hair.
    "Carrie, I'm not going to make any promises about the two of us living happily ever after someday, but I want you to know something. I think you're an amazing woman. I also want you to know that I'm willing to take things as far as I can, for as long as I can. The only thing is, with my crazy workload, I just don't know how often I'll be able to see you. Please understand that most of the time it will be just like today. We'll have to do things at the last minute, and on the spur of the moment. But I can promise you this--it'll always be an adventure."
    "I understand, Scott. Like I said before, I'm not ready for any kind of a commitment, from you or from anyone else. So let's just enjoy the here and now."
    He kissed her again. This time his tongue went into her mouth as he slowly inched his hand down toward her breasts.
    "Carrie, I'm not going to make love to you tonight, but I need to know something. Are you using any kind of birth control?"
    "Yes, I use the rings."
    He kissed her again. This time he reached down and began gently stroking her breasts. He could feel her body tensing up. He stopped and began caressing her face.
    "It's been a long time since a man's touched you, hasn't it?"
    She knew she was allowing herself to get too involved with him too quickly. Then she recalled Louise's comment about the first one after a break up never being a keeper.
    "Yes." She looked into his eyes. "It's been a very long time since a man has touched me."
    "That's what I thought. You know, you're much too beautiful of a woman to be all alone in the world. You need someone who'll appreciate you. I'd like to be that someone, if you'll have me."
    As he began kissing her again, he started to unbutton her blouse. Once again, Carrie began to tense up.
    "I don't know about this, Scott."
    "It's okay. I know you're still getting over your last relationship, but it will be all right, I promise. I'm not going to do anything to hurt you."
    He began to kiss her again. The next thing she knew her blouse was completely unbuttoned and his hands were reaching inside her bra.
    "You've been without a man for far too long," he whispered as his fingers gently caressed her nipple. "Just relax and let me touch you." He kissed her again as he reached back and unhooked her bra. He pushed it away and began licking and sucking her breasts. It was all happening much too fast. "You're beautiful, Carrie, so incredibly beautiful."
    He kept kissing her and stroking her. She liked the feeling of being desired and her resistance waned. Against her better judgment, she allowed him to take off her blouse and bra. Topless, Scott began to kiss and stroke her even more passionately. Soon he was unzipping her jeans and reaching inside her panties.
    "I still don't know about this, Scott."
    "It's all right, Carrie. Like I said, I'm not going to make love to you tonight, but I would enjoy giving you a massage. Just relax and enjoy it."
    He reached over and pulled the lever to recline her seat. Seatback down, he began kissing her again as gently caressed her legs and slowly pulled her jeans and panties off. She closed her eyes as he viewed her naked body.
    "Those photos don't do you justice. You're even more incredible in person."
    She