Brides of Penhally Bay - Vol 3 (57 page)

‘Please,’ she demanded, uncaring that she was begging.

‘All in good time.’

‘Now!’

Gabe chuckled at her plea, sending another stimulating huff of warm air across her taut nipple. ‘There’s no hurry.’

‘There is,’ she whimpered, part of her craving release at
once, part of her never wanting the delicious torture to end. ‘Gabe, I can’t.’

‘Trust me, you can…and you will.’

‘Wait until it’s your turn,’ she threatened, making him chuckle again, the throaty, seductive sound tightening everything feminine inside her.

‘I’m looking forward to it,
chérie
. Now be still and let me enjoy you.’

No way could she be still! Her body arched and bowed and writhed to his intensely sensual and skilful caresses as he journeyed slowly down to settle between her thighs and use his mouth to take her to paradise. She was the instrument and he was the virtuoso musician and conductor, orchestrating her downfall, playing her to a shattering orgasmic crescendo. Gabriel unleashed a depth of passion and sexuality from within her that she’d had no idea was there. She had enjoyed making love in the past, but she had never experienced this all-consuming, out-of-control explosion of earthy desire and searing need before.

She had barely re-established a tentative grip on reality when he eased two fingers inside her, setting up a rhythmic stroking that threatened to turn the aftershocks still rippling through her into an earthquake of unprecedented proportions. Her heart pounded, her lungs burned, and every nerve ending zinged with sensation. She couldn’t bear it. It was incredible, terrible, wonderful. Far too much and yet nowhere near enough. Shaken by her total abandonment, she tried to rein in the litany of cries and moans and whimpers clamouring for escape. She’d never been noisy before. Now, on the point of another explosive climax, she pressed a hand to her mouth to bank down the uncharacteristic scream rising inside her.

‘No. Let it go,
ma belle
,’ Gabriel demanded huskily against her ear, his tongue teasing her before he sucked on her lobe.

Her hand dropped away as he encouraged her, pushing her to shed any remaining inhibitions. ‘Gabe!’

‘I want to hear your pleasure.’ His fingers intensified their erotic torment, joined by his thumb that circled her clitoris, sending her shooting back into orbit, his rough, accented voice urging her for more. ‘That’s it. Again. Come for me.’

Gabriel relentlessly took her from peak to impossible peak. Just as she was sure she was totally spent and satisfied, he protected them with a condom, then his hands found hers, their fingers linking, grasping, holding on tightly as he finally united his body with hers. Any remaining breath she had struggled to maintain was stolen as she cried out at the blissful reality of his slow, deep, total penetration.

Lauren couldn’t look away from him, trapped by the searing heat in his eyes. She had never felt so taken, so possessed, so complete. Had never shared such intense intimacy—laid bare, as if he could see into her soul. For endless moments he remained still and she savoured his delicious invasion. But she didn’t want him to wait. He
had
to move.
Now.
Her hips lifted and rotated in encouragement, demanding a response, and he needed no further invitation. As he slowly withdrew, only to return with more urgency, laying claim to her in a way she had never experienced before, her grip tightened on his hands. His fingers returned the pressure of hers and they anchored each other, swept along on an unstoppable tide.

Lauren surrendered herself totally to Gabriel and the unparalleled joy of making love with him. The friction and pressure were exquisite, the sense of fullness unbelievable. She drew her legs higher, wrapping them around him, taking all of him, drawing him deeper still. He groaned, his control slipping as his movements intensified, harder, heavier, faster.

‘Yes, yes.’ She sobbed, matching his rhythm, losing all sense of reality as the unimaginable pleasure built wave after wave, threatening to swamp her. ‘Please, Gabe. More.’

He gave everything, took everything, demanded everything. She did the same. Together they drove each other higher
and further, caught in a raging firestorm of passion that engulfed them and carried them over the edge, consumed by the flames, surrendering to the ecstasy, tumbling into oblivion.

They collapsed together, fighting for breath, their hearts thundering in unison. As Gabriel released her hands and wrapped his arms around her, Lauren clung to him, shaking, shattered, rapturous, scared to let go in case she never found her way back to earth again. An aeon later Gabriel eased his weight from her. She protested, not wanting him to go, but he drew her with him, pulling her even closer and burying his face in her neck. Lauren tightened her hold, inhaling his scent, stunned by the incredible experience they had shared.

‘Mon Dieu.’
Gabriel’s voice was throaty and raw. He sounded as overwhelmed as she felt. Slumberous dark eyes looked into hers, his fingers shaking as he brushed damp tendrils of hair back from her cheek. ‘Are you all right?’

Lauren licked lips still plump and tingly from his deliciously erotic kisses. ‘I don’t know. You?’

‘Not sure.’

‘That was…’ Still dazed, she searched for the right word. ‘It was…’

‘Wow,’ Gabriel volunteered huskily, cradling her against him.

That pretty much covered it in any language, Lauren decided. ‘Exactly.’

She was never going to get enough of this man. He did things to her she had never imagined, made her feel things she had never thought possible and took her to places she had never been before. She had no idea what the future held in store for them beyond his stay in Penhally, but she wanted Gabriel to be part of her days…and her nights…for as long as possible.

T
HE
weeks leading up to Christmas sped by and Gabriel had never felt so content…settled both at work and in his private life. Being with Lauren was the most amazing thing that had ever happened to him. A smile curved his mouth just thinking about her. The first patient for his Saturday morning surgery having cancelled, he had a few moments before the next person arrived, so he leaned back in his chair, his hands linked behind his head, and thought back to that first night he and Lauren had spent together.

He had known from the moment that they had met that there was an inexplicable and special connection between them, one that transcended the undeniable physical attraction. The first time they had made love had proved him right. He’d never experienced anything like it before. Incredibly, it had just got better and better since…not only in the intensity of their passion but in the deepening of their close bond and instinctive trust. In bed they matched each other in adventurousness, pushing each other to explore the boundaries of their desire and sensuality. Their rapport and innate friendship meant they were perfect companions personally and fully supportive and complementary colleagues professionally.

The only subjects that remained taboo were their family histories—his in particular—and Lauren’s sight. A frown
creased his brow. After lingeringly making love a second time that first night, they had fallen into an exhausted sleep, only for him to wake in the early hours when Lauren had slipped out of bed. Unknown to her, he had watched as she had tried to find her way to the bathroom through the unfamiliar room, one hand extended out in front of her, feeling her way in the dark, taking cautious, baby steps, bumping into things. He’d waited until she had been in the
en suite
before switching the bedside lamps back on, noting the way she hesitated when she came out, looking uncertain. Not wanting to spoil things or to confront her about the issues with her vision, he had smiled and pulled back the duvet.

‘I missed you,
chérie
.’

More sure of her footing with the lamps casting a glow in the room, she had hurried back to bed and he had given himself up to the blissful magic of her mouth and her hands on his body. But the incident had convinced him that Lauren was exhibiting night blindness. There had been several more moments over the weeks, little things he had noticed but which Lauren had brushed aside, and he had not found the right moment to talk to her about it. In truth he was scared of saying or doing anything to spoil what they had, so he kept putting it off, telling himself he would wait until something happened that could not be ignored. But Lauren’s problem nagged at him. Had she always been lost in the dark? Was there some simple cause? Or was her night blindness a symptom of something more serious?

His fears had been compounded following a conversation with Chloe last week. Worried about Diane Bailey, one of her mums-to-be, Chloe had asked for a doctor to accompany her to the woman’s home and, with Oliver unavailable, Gabriel had been happy to help. Having had a terrible time delivering her first baby, the young mother had been understandably terrified at facing the birth of her second child. She was determined
to have a home birth, refusing to go to St Piran’s for the delivery in case she suffered as she had at another hospital whose overstretched staff had failed to give her proper care and consideration. Between them, he and Chloe—the best midwife he had ever worked with—had allayed many of the woman’s fears and promised to work together as a team to give her the safest birth possible and ensuring her their constant support.

On the way back to the surgery Chloe had surprised him by pulling over to the side of the road. ‘Gabriel, can I talk to you for a moment?’

‘Yes, of course.’ Concerned, he’d turned to study her. ‘Is something wrong?’

‘Lauren saved my life,’ she had told him softly after a long pause.

Gabriel had listened in horror as Chloe confided in him about her past with her abusive father, her green eyes shadowed with remembered pain as she had told him of the last beating and how Lauren had rescued her and helped her escape. ‘
Mon Dieu
, Chloe. I am so sorry. I had no idea.’

‘No one but Lauren and Oliver know the full story. And now you.’

‘Your secret is safe with me,’ he’d assured her.

‘She saved my life back then…now Oliver is teaching me to live it to the fullest. I’d do anything for her.’ She paused a moment, nibbling her lower lip in indecision. ‘Gabriel, have you noticed anything, I don’t know…
off
…about Lauren?’

He felt his own guard slipping into place. ‘What do you mean?’

‘I’m probably being silly.’

‘Go on,’ he encouraged when she hesitated.

‘Everybody has always teased Lauren because of her clumsiness, her habit of doing daft things and having minor accidents. She has terrible hand-eye co-ordination.’ Anxiety and
confusion had replaced her earlier indecision. ‘The incidents seem to be happening more often these days. When Oliver first came here in June, he didn’t know of Lauren’s reputation for mishaps and I had the feeling he believed there was more to what was happening than her just being clumsy. He wouldn’t say more and I’m scared to bring the subject up again. It’s just…’ Again Chloe paused, her worry for her friend evident.

‘Just what? Tell me.’

‘I don’t know how to explain.’ Sighing, she shook her head. ‘Spending more time with Lauren at Gatehouse Cottage because of the flood damage to my place in Fisherman’s Row, I’ve noticed little things I’d never been aware of before. Odd things. And then there’s her painting. She’s so talented and she loves her art. In the summer I bought a picture for Oliver’s birthday present and was looking around her studio—it was the first time I’d been there in a while. I noticed subtle differences in her newer works, less detail, more fuzziness, but Lauren denied it. Shortly after that she stopped painting altogether. I tried to ask her about it and she got defensive, made excuses.’

She looked away from him for a moment and took a deep breath before rushing on. ‘Plus she seems reluctant to go out at night. Not that we’ve had many opportunities lately with the other girls in our circle of friends busy with new babies and husbands, Vicky away and myself being with Oliver. But Lauren doesn’t even seem keen on going to the cinema now.’

‘Is that new? Has she been confident in the dark until recently?’ he probed, concerned that Lauren’s lack of night vision was not a long-standing issue after all.

‘I’ve never noticed that nervousness in the dark before. It’s like the way she used the chance to change her work hours so she does her home visits in the mornings. I sense something is wrong, Gabriel, but I don’t know what to do. I’m so delighted you and Lauren are together…’ she flashed him a
sweet smile ‘…but I wondered if you saw whatever Oliver did, what the rest of us who have known her for years have missed because it’s always been there or worsened slowly.’

‘Chloe, I—’ He broke off, unsure what to say.

She rested a hand on his arm. ‘I don’t want to put you in a difficult position. But I care about Lauren and I
am
worried. Can I just ask that if you have any doubts or concerns in future, you’ll talk to Oliver to see if you both think the same and if there is anything you can do to help her?’

‘I can promise you that, Chloe, yes.’

He would keep the promise he had made but not yet. Not until something more specific happened that gave him real evidence of a problem. Part of him was relieved to know he was not alone in noticing the odd, erratic and worrying things about Lauren’s poor night vision. But the rest of him was wary of invading her privacy, unsure how to get Lauren to talk about something she had so clearly not even acknowledged for herself. He
would
talk to Oliver—if and when the time came that he had to intervene.

In the meantime, scared about Lauren driving at night—even though the only time she took the car out after dark was for the short drive home from the surgery—he had managed to contrive a new routine. They now went home together, leaving her car at work where it was ready for her morning house calls. He wasn’t sure how long he could get away with it without arousing Lauren’s suspicions.

Since their first night together Lauren had virtually moved into the Manor House with him, leaving Oliver and Chloe at Gatehouse Cottage, although they got together often for meals and the occasional trip out when they were all off duty at the same time. At work he and Lauren were totally professional, keeping their private life separate from the surgery, but their relationship had never been a secret. Without exception, everyone had accepted them as a couple and were happy for
them, especially Oliver, Chloe and Kate. Even Hazel had warmed to him.

As the days and weeks went by, they had enjoyed time alone as well as taking part in community events. They had been to the local firework display on Guy Fawkes night, eating toffee-apples and cuddling up in front of the bonfire to keep warm. They had explored the local environment, walking with Foxy who was growing more confident all the time. They had jogged, listened to music, spent time with Oliver and Chloe, and had talked for hours about everything and anything but their taboo subjects. Most of all, they had made love…everywhere, every way and as frequently as possible. A smile replaced his frown. By rights he should be worn out! But he was energised, happier than he ever remembered being. Any doubts and worries about what was going to happen when his time in Penhally was over, he forcibly set from his mind.

The ringing of the telephone brought an end to his reverie and he leaned forward, reaching for the receiver. ‘Yes, Sue?’ he asked of the head receptionist.

‘Adrian Westcott is here, Gabriel,’ the friendly, efficient woman informed him. ‘He’s a few minutes early but I thought you would like to know—it isn’t every day we’re ahead of schedule.’

Gabriel chuckled. ‘Indeed not. Thanks, Sue. Please, send him through.’

After hanging up, he pulled the notes out of the tray and had a quick glance at them before rising to greet his patient. In his early forties, with thinning blond hair and pale blue eyes, the man looked tired and dejected.

‘Hello, Adrian,’ he said, shaking the man’s hand. ‘Please, take a seat.’ He waited a moment as Adrian made himself comfortable. ‘What can I do for you today?’

‘It’s about my tinnitus, Doctor. It’s worsening all the time,
as is my hearing, and affecting my work. Things are really getting me down.’

‘What work do you do?’

‘I’m a teacher at the secondary school.’ Adrian grimaced and shook his head. ‘I love my job but it’s harder to cope with the noise levels or several people talking at once, not to mention making sure I’m hearing my students properly.’

Gabriel glanced again at the notes to see what history and previous advice had been recorded. ‘You saw a specialist ten years ago and you were told you had otosclerosis?’

‘That’s right. I lived in the north of England then. I moved here for the job with my family eight years ago. No one really explained what it meant to have otosclerosis, just that I had to live with the tinnitus, that there was nothing much to be done.’

‘Tinnitus is a symptom that has many causes and is experienced in different ways. For most types there isn’t a cure. Otosclerosis means that the bones in the middle ear harden and this affects the hearing as it prevents the bones vibrating. It can lead to deafness. What kind of noises do you hear with your tinnitus?’ he asked, making notes as his patient explained.

‘It’s a whooshing noise but throbs and thumps like my pulse, as if I’m hearing my heartbeat all the time. I’ve had it for fifteen years or more. For a while I tried to follow the advice to cover up the sounds, but it’s progressively got worse, to the point I can’t ignore it. And my hearing is diminishing.’ Adrian paused, a deep sigh escaping. ‘One on one with people I’m not too bad, I’m learning to lipread, but in a gathering or with other noises, it’s becoming impossible. My wife encouraged me to come, to try again, even though I doubt there is much you can do.’

Gabriel considered the options, feeling for the man and his situation. ‘What you describe is pulsatile tinnitus. It’s many years since you saw the specialist and things may have changed since then, so I’d like to refer you to a consultant
at the audiology department at St Piran’s. He’ll do a thorough reassessment.’ He paused a moment, not wanting to give any false hope. ‘There is an operation that works for some sufferers of otosclerosis that involves removing the stapes and replacing it with an artificial plastic bone. It’s high risk and carries a chance of deafness during the operation, but if successful it gives improved hearing and a reduction in the tinnitus. They do the worst ear first. But all this is dependent on what the surgeon has to say when he sees you—and on what risk you want to take.’

‘I certainly want to find out about it,’ Adrian enthused, looking much happier than he had when he’d arrived.

‘I can’t promise that you will qualify, or that it would work.’

The man nodded at the warning. ‘I understand. But it’s worth exploring…better than doing nothing and just going on as I am. You live with something for so long and the changes creep up on you slowly, so you learn to live with it. Often it’s only when something unusual or big happens that you realise just how bad things have become and how much you have deteriorated,’ he added and Gabriel frowned, thinking of Lauren and what could be a similar pattern with her sight.

‘I’ll write to the consultant and arrange for him to see you,’ Gabriel reassured him, focusing back on his patient. ‘I’m not sure what the waiting time is but we’ll get things moving as quickly as we can in the new year.’

As Gabriel rose to show Adrian out a few moments later, the man turned at the door and shook his hand. ‘Whatever happens, I can’t tell you what a difference it makes to have someone understand and take me seriously. Thank you so much, Dr Devereux.’

‘No problem. Call me any time if you need anything explained or have any problems.’

His appointments continued smoothly for the rest of the morning and, after tackling some of the mountain of paper
work, he was able to leave and meet up with Oliver for a pub lunch. Lauren had gone out with Chloe for the day to do some last-minute Christmas shopping. He couldn’t wait for her to come home.