Love is Only a Whisper (Whisper Series) (19 page)

“Too late for that,” his voice was rough and raspy. “Before we leave this house for good, I’m going to make love to you in each room, chair, table and countertop.”

Hearing those words, an onslaught of an orgasm started slow and built to a rushing crescendo in her lower body.

“Not yet, baby,” he said, likely pinching the folds of her clit together to stop the release. He then inserted two fingers and worked them through the tightness. She threw back her head at the sensation, struggling not to climax.

“Ash…”

“Shh,” he whispered, pulling his long fingers out. The naked
raw heat of his penis touched the lips her entrance but he made no move to
enter all the way. Heat clawed through veins, wanting him to end the torture. 
But he clearly was in no rush.

“Ashton. Now. Please.”

“You want me, baby?”

“Yes.”

“Then you,” he said on a groan, “will have me.”

He thrust deep, one swift stroke that had her releasing his shoulders and placing both hands of the edge of the counter backing up from the power of his entrance. But he wouldn’t have it. He grabbed her ass cheeks and pulled her closer, her mound touching the hairs around his cock. The connection had her writhing with pleasure. He rocked his hips in circular motions, which created a moan at the sensation of being filled to the brim. He plundered her vagina over and over again, pushing her higher, racing with her toward a finish just out of their reach.

All Nicole cared about was what Ashton was doing to her. His
body pressed into hers, his body claiming hers, and his dark eyes clouded with
passion, he leaned over her, sweat pouring down his face, whispering erotic and
wicked suggestions as he laid claim to her body with hot, hard thrusts.

She bit her lip hard to keep from screaming his name as a
wave pleasure rippled through her body. A powerful orgasm overtook her but not
before he tensed and uttered a loud groan a moment later, emptying his release into
her.

Lifeless, his arm tightened, giving her a cushion while her
head dropped on his shoulder.

Somewhere through a haze, Ashton asked, “Are you okay?”

She offered a tired smile. “Wonderful.”

Nicole thanked the flight attendant for the drink, took a sip and set it down. The private jet was one of many Sinclair luxuries. Ashton who sat across from her conducting business on the phone but his eyes remained on her. She offered a smile and looked through the window of the plane. It was a lovely day with the clouds shaped like small pillows.

Three days ago, she and Ashton
were married and he’d wasted no time arranging the nuptials. Within a few
hours, he had pushed through the red tape, gotten a small church and a local minister
to perform a religious ceremony all within twenty-four hours.

Before the wedding, a beautiful
A-line eggshell gown, along with a stylist, arrived at her little house with
all the trimmings, from the shoes, garter, and jewelry, which were diamond
combs, for her hair. His thoughtfulness had brought tears to eyes. He’d left
the house telling her there was some business he needed to attend to. When a
car arrived to take her to the church, a little apprehensive at how fast things
were moving she quelled the panic that threatened to overtake her.

Nicole had been surprised when she saw the quaint edifice decorated with her favorite pastel colors. She’d cried overwhelmed with all that was accomplished in such a short amount of time to make the day special and memorable. It would be remembered for the rest of her life. Beautiful roses of red, pink and yellow had aligned the altar. He’d thought of everything, even the large white orchids that made up her bouquet.

He had stood at the altar in a dark Armani suit with a pale yellow boutonniere in his lapel. A photographer and videographer were hired to record the entire service. The only thing missing had been their family and best friends. But other than that, the day had been perfect.

They spent their wedding night at the famous Fairmont Hotel. His lovemaking had gentle, but still shattering. They connected on a different level. She’d felt it and knew he did also. Nicole could tell by the way he held her afterwards. She never felt more cherished and worshipped. He’d continued to reach for her throughout the night. Finally, around dawn, they fell into a tired but satisfied sleep.

She glanced over at him. Although
the phone conversation was tensed, his tone never changed.

They were now returning to Dallas as married couple. Ashton had called his parents and best friend on their wedding day to give them the news. Saying his parents were surprised was an understatement. Shocked, maybe a little upset, would be more appropriate. A message was left with the steward on her aunt’s cruise ship but she’d been on a week excursion and wouldn’t catch up with the ship until later. It was times like this she wished her aunt owned a cell phone but Marjorie Travis Ledbetter wouldn’t even allow her assistant to carry one. Eccentric and bohemian were good descriptions for her.

The day after the wedding, she’d called Sally and Danielle to give them the news. Sally squealed with delight but Danielle had been quiet, only asking if I was sure about the marriage. She’d assured her friends she was very happy.

“Would you like something else to
drink before we land?”

So lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t realized he’d finished his call and now stood in front of her.

She pointed to the glass on the
table beside her. “No, I’m fine with the club soda.”

“You didn’t tell me that you did
the interview with
Celebrity Insight.”

She lifted her brow. “It was a
preliminary phone interview. Nothing has been finalized.”

“The transcript was sent to the
office.”

“Really? That was quick. I only
did it a couple of days ago.”

“My assistant read it to me over
the phone. There was practically nothing personal in it.”

“You know that it will eventually
have some personal details, don’t you? It’s the way of journalism. The readers
look for it.” She tilted her head. “I won’t say anything that would make you
uncomfortable.”

“The rag wants an exclusive.”

“And they will get it.”

“Why?”

“No one knows about our marriage.
Once I reveal it everything will go viral. Your exclusiveness will no longer
exist.”

“Damn. I guess it was bound to
happen. But I trust your judgment to do what is best.”

“Wow. The great Ashton Sinclair
relinquishes control. I’m impressed.”

Ashton didn’t answer but sat
beside her and leaned back against the cushioned seat. He absently sipped his
drink and then set the tumbler on the table unfinished. She’d kicked off her
sandals and tucked her feet under her thighs.

His eyes lingered on the exposed
thighs. Ashton’s hands slipped under her shorts and traveled further up her leg.

She inhaled sharply. “No, Ashton.”

“No, what?” he asked, moving his
fingers in soothing circular motions.

“We’re about to land.”

“In twenty minutes.”

“I don’t want to be caught with my
shorts down.”

“You won’t.”

“You’re insatiable.”

He placed his mouth on hers. “Only
with you. But I won’t embarrass you.”

She gently pushed at his
shoulders. “I’m not embarrassed.”

“You are. I like it.”

She frowned. “You mean me being
naïve?”

He used his finger to smooth out the
frown.

“Don’t ever be ashamed of anything that happens between us. Besides, you’re my wife and carrying my child—that makes you very experienced.”

He stood, pulled her gently from the seat, and brought one of her hands to his lips.

“I like us like this,” he said.

She smiled. “You do? Why?”

“It’s the closeness. It feels
good.”

He surprised her with that.

“Yes, it’s really nice.”

“It’s more than nice,” he said as
he took her mouth in a deep and thorough kiss.

###

They stepped off the plane into heat
so suffocating that Nicole stumbled and swallowed the sudden nausea that rolled
in her throat.

Ashton stopped. “Sweetheart, are you okay?” He examined her face with anxious eyes.

“Yeah. It’s just the heat. Being
in San Francisco where the weather was much cooler made me forget how brutal Dallas summers can be.”

Ashton swept
her up his arms and moved toward the waiting limo.

She shrieked.
“Ashton, please put me down. I can walk.”

He nodded to
the driver as he opened the door for them.

“I’m fine.” The blast of cold air hit her as soon as she settled back on the seat. She felt better immediately.

“Nicole, humor me, For my peace of mind I need to know you’re okay. I’m taking you home.”

“No, you are not. We promised your parents we would be there
after we landed.”

“I’m calling to cancel.”

She touched his arm. “Please don’t. I’m really okay. I want
to go.”

“I’m not going to jeopardize you or the baby.”

“Ashton.” Her voice was stern. “We’re going to your parents’
house.”

He pinched the edge of his nose and sighed deeply. “You know
that you’re stubborn, don’t you?”

She lifted her eyes upward.

“Alright. But if I see you’re getting tired, we are done.
You understand?”

She smiled and kissed him. “Yes, I do, husband.”

“Okay, wife,” he retorted.

An hour later they arrived at the sprawling Sinclair estate
nestled over five hundred acres of prime Texas land. The mansion was massive
with over thirty-five rooms. There were several guest cottages on the property
along with a stable that housed prized Appaloosas. Two large outdoor pools
surrounded the huge back yard with a large swim-up bar. She’d been coming to
the estate since she was fifteen and spent many days swimming in their pools.

But the most famous thing on the estate was Ashton’s mother’s prize winning roses. She had won first place several years in a row at the state flower show, which was held in Austin.

Nicole was nervous. She was entering the great house as
Ashton’s wife and not the niece of a very close friend.

Ashton leaned over and kissed her temple. The Sinclair’s
long time butler stood erect in the door watching them. “Mr. Ashton.” He
stepped aside so that they may enter the foyer. He nodded to Nicole. “Ms.
Travis.”

Ashton frowned. “Nicole and I are married.”

A flush crept up his cheeks, causing the otherwise
straitlaced butler’s eyes to widen with regret. “I’m sorry, sir. I stand
corrected.” He bowed. “Mrs. Sinclair.”

Nicole rolled her eyes at Ashton and he lifted an arrogant brow.
He could be brusque in his manners and needed to be taught diplomacy. Easing
the tension, she smiled at the elderly gentlemen. “It’s good to see you, Cairns but please call me Nicole. Mrs. Sinclair is reserved for Ashton’s mother.”

“I’ll call you Mrs. Ashton,” he said, ignoring her request.

The butler was old-fashioned
and formal in his beliefs. She wasn’t going to rock tradition. “That’s fine.
How is your daughter, Mary?”

His stern face relaxed but not much. “Good, miss.”

“Please tell her I asked about her.”

“Yes, ma’am, I will.”

He looked at Ashton. “Sir, Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair are
waiting for you in the great room.”

“Thanks, Cairns. We’ll go through. You don’t need to escort us.”

He inclined his head. “Certainly,” he said, and walked away.

Nicole whispered, “You scared the poor man.”

Ashton slipped her hand into his. “Nothing or no one scares Cairns.”

Nicole gasped and he stiffened when they saw a large group
of the Sinclair’s close friends and family scattered throughout the room. It
seemed to be about fifty people or more. Ashton’s mother was sitting with a
group of ladies near the patio doors. His father was leaning on the fireplace
talking to one his of golfing partners.

She whispered. “I didn’t know all these people were going to be here.”

“Neither did I,” His voice rough with anger.

At that moment, Alexa Sinclair glanced up and hurried toward
them.

“Darling, I’m glad you finally arrived. According to the
pilot you arrived an hour ago. It doesn’t take that long from the airstrip to
the house,” she chided. Her smile politely encompassed Nicole as she wrapped
her arm through Ashton’s and produced a cheek for a kiss.

“Mother.” Ashton bestowed the customary kiss to his mother’s
cheek, although his tone reflected irritation.

She mother ignored his tone. “You’ve been bad, getting
married without telling your mother first.”

The product of an aristocratic Greek father and an Italian
heiress she was an extremely beautiful woman. She was thin and regal with a
pedigree that dated back to the first monarch of Greece, King Otto.

Her dark hair was trimmed in a curly bob around her head.
Her piercing light blue eyes that came from her British grandmother were cool
and unyielding at the moment. Nicole almost retreated from the look. Ashton’s
mother wasn’t happy about them but she covered it well.

Nicole tried not to fidget but Alexa’s unsettling stare was
making it difficult.

“What’s this, Mother?” Ashton nodded to the people in the
room.

“Just a small gathering
to welcome Nicole to the family,” she said with a tight smile on her face.
“Since you took away the chance for me to plan a real wedding, we’ll give you a
huge reception in a few weeks.”

“Mother—”

“Stop being a party pooper. You’re always so staid and
rigid. Come on. It’s just a small group. You won’t believe how much energy and
manipulating I had to do to get your father off the golf course.” She looked
over at her husband and waved him over.

Ashton Campbell Sinclair II—better known as Camp—with a
trace of wry amusement sparling in his eyes, greeted his son with a slap to the
shoulder and a handshake. “Congratulations, son.”

“Thanks.”