Melanie had kissed him passionately and led the way slowly as if understanding his slight unease and soon he was simply responding to her caresses and touch. An initially slow magical exploration of each other’s bodies had quickly developed into an urgent and hungry desire, driven by the need to celebrate a snatched moment of normality in the midst of two lives turned upside down.
The only problem Tom realized after, was that he was hurtling into a relationship, which was almost certain to end in his getting badly hurt. His feelings for Melanie were growing stronger by the hour and he had no doubt that sanity would at some point return to her life and then it would only be a matter of time before she crushed his heart.
Tom was worried about Melanie’s safety but she had waved away his support for Miller’s suggestion she would be better off back home and it was evident he wasn’t going to be able to change her mind. Therefore he intended to stay as close to her as possible. Melanie had never been to Brighton and she wanted to get out and visit, not stay holed up in the hotel, despite Miller’s warning. Tom agreed to show her some of the sights, such as the Pavilion and the temporary outdoor ice rink. He was a reasonable skater and as she said she wasn’t very good, he would enjoy helping her round the rink.
He suggested that afterwards she must allow him to take her to dinner at one of his favourite Thai restaurants, in the centre of town. He didn’t say it but he was looking forward to being able to pay for dinner, as he was becoming uncomfortable with Melanie always paying for everything. She had readily agreed to his suggestion of Thai, which was also one of her favourites but pointed out that she hadn’t been to the gym for almost a week and desperately needed some exercise.
Despite the bad weather, she intended going next morning for a run, a regular habit back home it turned out, but her suggestion he should accompany her was met with very little enthusiasm. He had offered to help exercise her all night if it would avoid having to go for a run. She had smiled and emphasized it would really have to be all night in that case.
When she appeared in the hotel reception ready for her sightseeing expedition, Tom barely recognized her. The long coat, hat, scarf and gloves left little in the way of distinguishing features on view. The cold weather would make it easy for her to move around town without attracting her normal level of attention.
She had expressed an interest in seeing his betting shop and he probably would pay a quick visit just to give his regulars something to talk about for years to come. But first it would be the Pavilion and a slice of culture. Then perhaps a walk on the pier. He doubted they had a pier in Malibu!
In the end Sam had taken the initiative and when Eduardo came out the shower wearing just a towel wrapped around his waist, she was waiting for him wearing the expensive underwear she had bought at Heathrow, while waiting for his plane to arrive. That and her best smile caused a noticeable movement under the towel.
She had knelt before him, removed the towel and been pleased with what she found. He was larger than average and as always it pleased her to see the effect she could have on a man. She teased him slowly with flicks of her tongue and was pleased he made no attempt to force the pace. So many younger men she had experienced would just thrust themselves into her mouth, desperate for a climax instead of savouring every moment. Eduardo lived up to her expectations and after her second orgasm she lay in his arms truly satisfied and deep in thought.
“What are you thinking about,” Eduardo asked in an accent that revealed his South American roots. “Was everything okay?”
“God no,” she replied. “That wasn’t okay, that was fantastic.”
She had been a little worried that after her experience with Connor she might find it difficult to respond to Eduardo’s touch but that hadn’t been the case. She had reasoned with herself beforehand it was like riding a bike. Even if you fell off and hurt yourself, the quicker you got back on the better. She wasn’t going to let one bad experience ruin her life. The sex with Eduardo had been as good as with Danny the night before she came to England and he had raised the bar very high.
Eduardo smiled broadly. “I thought it was great too, especially for our first time.”
“First and second time,” Sam laughed. “I can’t believe I kept turning you down all this time!”
“It was worth waiting for. Now tell me what you have been up to since we spoke on the phone.”
Sam recounted the events of the last twenty four hours but hesitated when she reached the point in the story where she was raped by Connor. She was worried he would see her differently, somehow spoiled and dirty. However, she also knew that it was the surest way to gain his help.
Eduardo listened without interruption to her concise description of Connor’s assault. His eyes fixed on her and he spoke in measured tones. “I know this man, Connor. I have met him a few times. He is well regarded by the Chief. My business interests do not allow
