Chapter Fifty Two

"You are kinda freaking me out" said Christina. "But I'm glad that I came too. I was sitting at home and I was thinking that I should be here with you. I know that I have been very horrible to you lately and honestly I was getting worried that you would soon be fed up with me and leave. I'm sorry... I know that I still have a lot to work on but I'm willing to try and I want you to be there with me.... Just as you have always been. You were right too, I think the only person worried about people talking about me and the baby was just me"

"Forget about that right now. I'm not leaving you.... Ever" Evan assured her. "And while you are here, what do you say we forget about everything else and enjoy the party"

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"So you are leaving....tomorrow" said Chloe as Timothy walked her to her car after the party. She tried to sound casual, like she wasn't affected by the news in any way, but she wasn't sure she did a good job at hiding how she felt, so she kept her eyes on the road, refusing to look at him.

"Yup," Timothy replied. "time to get back home... Get back to work, you know..."

Chloe nodded. She knew. But what was that tone in his voice, she wondered. Hurt? Regret? Or was that just what she wanted to hear. . "Yeah" she said. "I have a lot to do at the office. Gonna be a while before I see you again…

Timothy smiled as they stopped by her car. "Yes, that's true. Unless you want to do something about it" he said, resting one arm on the roof of her car.

Chloe narrowed her eyes, "Do something like what?"

Timothy chuckled slightly, then he lifted his other hand to cup her cheek. He leaned towards her. “You know already.” he whispered, "But you already gave me your reasons why you can't be with me. I think that they are not enough... I think you're simply scared... But I understand that.... So I won't try to push you"

Chloe shut her eyes tightly. She hoped he wouldn't go away without kissing her. Her body responded to his nearness in a way that had somehow become familiar. Her pulse speeded up and her breathing with it. A mysterious heat hummed through her flesh while her skin became sensitive to the slightest touch. Now she didn't even fight to subdue those sensations. She was curious to discover where they might lead. The best she could manage at the moment was to gaze up at him through the fringe of her lashes and whisper, “You make it sound so easy, indeed. But it's not”

Then she held herself as still as possible, not wanting to make any move that might discourage him.

It worked.

He left the car and bent a little lower, tilted his head and slowly approached until his lips came to rest against hers. Their touch was so mild, Chloe wondered if he was as worried as she was about making the wrong move. She savored the smooth, restrained warmth of his kiss, trying to be content with it when part of her was greedy for more.

Her patience was soon rewarded when Timothy raised his hands to caress her shoulders. The deft strength of his touch encouraged her to part her lips and invite his kiss deeper. The hot, slick caress of his tongue carried the taste of the wine they'd had at the party. It fed a different kind of hunger that had gnawed at her for days.

Dizzy with desire, she raised her hands to grip his shoulders. Their broad strength helped steady her. Then one of his hands strayed upwards to her hair. The other skimmed down to fondle her breast. His thumb rubbed over the nipple, making it harden and push out against her bra. Every stroke sent ripples of delight lapping through her. A soft purr of pleasure rolled in the back of her throat as she clasped Timothy around the neck and melted against him. People were leaving the party, and though she knew that there was a chance that someone could see them, she didn't care. She didn't care about anything else but him at this moment. Nothing else mattered.

Then suddenly he wrenched his lips away from hers and pushed her away.

“I'm sorry, Chloe! I promised I would control myself and not do anything to frighten you or make you think that I am trying to make you do something you don't want to do.”

Her hands dropped to his waist. Frighten her? What sort of timid mouse did he think she was to be frightened of a kiss? Chloe thought. And what things was he talking about? Had the heat of passion addled his wits?

Before she could master her voice to ask, he continued, “I want you so much I got carried away. But I swear I will never press my intentions upon you against your will. I only want to bring you pleasure. Your previous experiences with me may make you doubt that. I don't blame you but I assure you it is. I do want you to be happy... Always.... Even if it's not with me”

“It’s all right," Chloe replied. "You didn’t frighten me. I.... I wanted you to kiss me. I... I like the way you kiss.” She gave a nervous thrill of laughter, hoping he wouldn’t think her next suggestion too forward. “In fact, I wouldn’t mind going on from where we just left off.”

In the long, uneasy silence that followed, she wondered if Timothy disapproved of her brazen offer…

“I can't deny the fact that I am sorely tempted.” A shudder ran through him. “But I don't trust myself at the moment. I don't think I will be able to stop at just kissing you. So I think it will be better for us to just... You know... Stop.”

But Chloe was past that. She didn't care any more. If he was going to leave, then why not throw caution to the wind and have one night together? Because the truth was that this was what she wanted, and she did not want to look back and regret not letting him know that he wasn't alone in this. That she wanted him too... Just as much as he wanted her.