Page 39 of Conail (Members From Money Season 2, #150)

It took three weeks in total for them to get together intimately. An emergency came up with an important shipment that had been waylaid on its way from China, and he had to go and sort it out personally.

"I'm not leaving you here alone." The frustration was evident in his voice as he prowled the length of his home office. "Perhaps there's a way out of this--"

"I can stay at the farm or at your mother's house. She's dying to get her grandson in her care. And the place is filled with staff."

He raked restless fingers through his hair and considered it.

"Alright." Crossing to her, he held his hands out for his son, cradling the head carefully. "I feel as if I'm missing out. It might take a week for me to return."

"And we'll be here," she reminded him softly.

He looked over at her, his expression softening. "You look radiant."

She laughed, her heart jumping. "I smell of breast milk and spittle. Your son brought up some of his meal, right on my chest."

"You're beautiful," he murmured. His eyes went to the baby cradled in his arms and he felt the love overflowing. Placing a kiss on the soft forehead, he walked back to put him in the cot.

"Let me place a call to mother."

*****

Eleanor smiled indulgently as mother and son frolicked in the brilliant blue water of the freshly treated pool.

"Are you sure it's not too cold for him?

" she called out from the comfort of her chaise lounge.

The sun was high in the sky and the slight breeze wafting through the shrubberies and her prized begonias, azaleas and roses perfumed the air.

Summer was just around the corner. It had been three days since her daughter-in-law and grandson were staying with her and she loved every minute of their company.

"It's perfect." Yasmine cradled the baby in her arms and dunked him slowly, laughing as he gasped. "I think he's getting used to it."

"Darling, he's probably cold. Let me take him." Rising gracefully, with her silk robe billowing behind her, Eleanor walked to the edge. Stooping, she reached for the baby, wrapping a towel around him.

"Here you go darling," she crooned, kissing the soft forehead and gazing into the swirl of greenish golden eyes. "Mommy is silly to have you in the water when it's not even summer yet."

Pushing back, Yasmine floated on her back, her eyes closed. She had a plan that was going to take a lot of engineering and had brought Eleanor into the planning to seduce her husband.

Flipping over, she waded her way back and eased over the edge. Grabbing a towel, she dried herself before going over to peep at her son.

"He's getting so big," Eleanor whispered as she dried him carefully and put some dry clothes on.

"He eats like a cow." Yasmine tickled his chin and could swear that he smiled at her. Her mother and everyone else said it was gas, but she knew better. "Ready for your meal sweetie?"

"Why don't you eat something. Florence brought out refreshments."

"Good idea. I'm famished."

*****

He had a surprise for her and could hardly wait to show her.

It had been a long and very frustrating week with one thing after another going wrong.

But it was finally sorted out now and he was home.

The flight had been interminable, with just a few bouts of turbulence to have him feeling impatient and jet lagged.

But he was not going to let that spoil his homecoming.

She had told him she had left their son at his mother's and the baby would be staying the night.

"Eleanor insisted and I think it's time we spent some time alone with each other."

Even though he wanted to see his son, he needed his wife even more. A chuckle escaped him as he wondered if he was going to be able to prevent himself from crawling all over her as soon as he saw her.

Taking the bag from the driver, he dismissed him for the rest of the evening.

First things first. They would spend some much-needed alone time together and tomorrow being Saturday, they were going to take a drive along the countryside where the surprise was waiting.

It's time, he decided. He had spent the nights in the solitude of his luxurious hotel room, wrestling with the decision.

And had shed the last shackles of his past.

Anticipation at seeing her, hastened his steps and within minutes, he was inside the foyer and taking off his jacket. The place was uncommonly silent, but he knew she was here, because she had called him as soon as she arrived.

He found her exactly where he thought she would be. Curled up on the comfortable sleep chair in the nursery, her arms wrapped around his little pillow.

"We could always go and pick him up."

She jolted at the sound of his voice and smiled sheepishly. "I did not hear the alarm."

He crossed to her and tugged the pillow and put it aside, so he could wrap his arms around her. "Hi." Tilting her chin up, he brushed her lips lightly with his.

"Hi. How was the trip?"

"Eventful." His eyes scanned her face. "It's your first time being away from him. It's natural for you to feel degrees of separation."

She nodded. "I expressed enough milk to feed him for a week.

" She nestled her head on his shoulder and breathed in his scent.

She had planned to take a long hot bath in anticipation of his return.

The candles were already lit in the bedroom and the mood set.

But she had slipped away to take a look inside the nursery and had just managed to stop herself from calling her mother-in-law again.

She was determined to seduce her husband. It had been too long since she felt him against her.

"How many times since you got here, have you called?"

She shrugged and tried to be blasé. "I have enough self-control--" She peeked into his face and laughed. "Three. I was just wrestling with myself not to make it a fourth just before you came."

He kissed the top of her thick dark curls. "Why don't I call?"

"He's probably sleeping," she protested.

"Just checking in. Besides, mother would be waiting to hear from me."

"Just don't let on that I suggested that you called." Tugging her up, he grinned.

"I won't say a word."

Framing her face between his hands, he kissed her again, this time letting his lips linger.

"Or we could call her later," he murmured huskily. "Much later. Or even wait until the morning."

"Make the call." She laid trembling hands on his chest and struggled for control. "I need a few minutes."

"I need you," he warned. "And I cannot wait."

"Neither can I."

He resisted the urge to drag her back in his arms and devour her lips.

Waiting until she left the room, he walked over to the cot and rubbed his hand over the blankets that were neatly folded to one side.

A smile touched his lips. His wife's doing, no doubt.

The scent of baby powder and slightly sweet oil had him feeling nostalgic.

He had spent a week away from them -- it was much too long.

Next time, they were travelling with him, he vowed.

Stepping back, he took out his phone and made the call.

*****

When he stepped into the room a few minutes later, the lights from dozens of candles had him stopping just inside the doorway.

"You took your time."

His wife was propped up on the bed wearing nothing but a wide smile. One hand was draped over her head, the other resting on her stomach. She had started exercising like a fiend to get rid of the 'baby fat'.

"Mother would not stop talking." He trailed inside the room and felt his breathing getting constricted.

"Is our son sleeping?"

He had to swallow in order to respond. "Just about."

"Was he fussy?"

"No." He cleared his throat. "No. He's fine."

"Good." Lifting a hand, she reached for him. "Are you going to take a shower?"

"God, no. I took one on the plane. Let me--" He started to tug his hand from hers; she held on. Sitting up, she took over the task of unbuttoning his shirt and sliding it off.

"It's been a long time." He was finding it incredibly difficult to just stand still while she undressed him.

"Too long." She skimmed her fingers over his chest and felt a dart of flame shimmering through her body when his muscles clenched. Trailing her fingers down his flat stomach, she unhooked his belt and eased the zipper down.

"My shoes." He toed them off quickly and sent them flying. He got rid of the trousers the same way and started to reach for her.

"No." She shook her head, eyes dancing merrily.

"Damn it Yasmine, I need you."

"I need you too." Taking his hand, she tugged him down on the bed and immediately straddled him.

"What--"

"Shh." She started with his face, trailing her fingers over the hair roughened skin of his jaw.

"You have bristles," she murmured.

"I never got the chance to shave. I want to touch you." His gaze latched onto the round breasts, filled with milk for his son. His loins throbbed madly, and he could feel his blood thickening.

"Soon," she promised. Her voice was hypnotizing him, and her body was sending him to the brink of insanity.

Bending, she brushed her lips over his, back and forth, the way he had taught her.

His heartbeat quickened and he hardened even more.

Opening his mouth, he almost growled in frustration when she moved down to his chin and then his throat.

Sliding down, she went for his nipples and turned them into stones.

"Sweetheart--" He could not believe it was his voice.

He sounded as if something had lodged inside his throat.

He gripped her hips when she used tongue and teeth to drive him up and over.

He was breathing too hard; he thought in panic.

The need for her was clawing at him, the animal begging to be released.

His fingers made craters in her skin as he fought for control. When she slid further down and made open mouthed kisses on his stomach, he quivered and felt himself going blind.