Forbidden Desire

Lady Takersangel's Domain | home

*story used with permission from Lady Kai*

Cheryl Bradford climbed out of the car and waited nervously for the Tall man to come around to meet her.

"Do you think he'll like me, Tony?" she asked the red-haired man.

Anthony Callaway slipped a reassuring arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. "Of course he'll like you. What's not to like?"

She smiled anxiously as he led her up the wide front steps to a magnificent two story white mansion. Tony rang the bell, murmuring to Cheryl, trying to calm her for her first meeting with his older brother Mark.

Cheryl had met Anthony at a party given by her father for his business associates 6 months ago. Tony had been a guest of one of her father's lesser partners in his law firm. He'd been taken with her upon sight and vowed to meet her. She had been charmed by his boyish good looks and humorous outgoing nature. They had begun dating and soon were inseparable. The first time they made love was a tender, romantic joining that left a warm glow of happiness in both of them. He'd asked her to marry him just last week and were now, for the first time, meeting his brother Mark Callaway, the head of the Callaway family. Tony always differed to him when it came to big decisions, respecting his opinion and more times than not, taking his advice on matters of business and personal affairs.

Cheryl was extremely apprehensive, afraid that Mark would not like her and forbid Anthony to marry her, even though Tony was 28 years old, the same age as herself. Tony had explained to her that he had told his brother about her and was looking forward to meeting her, but she was still worried.

The door opened and a uniformed butler escorted them into the study, where a large mahogany desk dominated a book-lined room. Behind the desk was a tall-backed, plush leather chair facing the bank of bay windows that looked out on lush green lawns and tall pine trees.

The butler announced their presence and the chair swiveled around to face them. A tall man--taller even than Tony, who was 6 foot 6--stood up.

Cheryl's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected Tony's brother to be so ... so big! He was at least 6 foot 10 and approximately 320 pounds of hard-packed lean muscle. He was very handsome, too, with high cheekbones, strong jaw and full, sculpted, sensual lips. But it was his eyes that captured her attention. They were the color of green crystal and twice as fathomless. They were now focused on her.

"Mark, how are you?" Tony asked, striding over and gripping his brother's hand in obvious affection.

"I'm fine, Tony," Mark answered, his eyes never leaving Cheryl. "And I believe this must be your lovely fiance?"

Tony grinned and turned to Cheryl, gesturing her to come forward. She took a tentative step and held out her hand to Mark, feeling it being swallowed up in his huge palm.

"I'm very pleased to finally meet you, Mr. Callaway," she said, a tremor of nervousness in her voice.

Mark enclosed her hand in both of his. "I'm Mark, and I've heard a lot about you." His voice was like rough velvet, deep and resonant. It sent a delicious shiver through her insides.

She glanced at Tony uncertainly, then back at Mark. "I hope it was good."

Tony laughed. "Of course, sweetheart."

"Yes, you have nothing to worry about," Mark agreed, his face not betraying any of his thoughts.

She felt a little uncomfortable under his intent gaze and averted her eyes to their hands. His were big but long-fingered and graceful. Sensitive hands. Strong hands. She gave a slight tug, wanting to break the contact of their skin, not liking the little tingles that radiated from them. He let go instantly, coming around the desk.

"Why don't we go into the living room where we can be more comfortable."

Tony slipped an arm around Cheryl and guided her to the door. "That's a great idea. Do you still have that great music collection?"

Mark nodded. "I've added a few more things to it that you might be interested in." They entered the elegant but cozy living room, Tony going directly to the entertainment center to browse through the CD collection. Mark gestured toward the couch and Cheryl sat primly on the edge.

"Would you two like something to drink?"

"I'll have a gin and tonic," Tony answered distractedly.

Cheryl glanced at Mark, then away. "I'll have a little brandy, please."

He went to the bar on the other side of the room and poured the drinks, handing Tony his, then walking over and, leaning down, gave Cheryl hers before turning to sink down in his plush chair, stretching his long legs out and crossing his ankles. She sneaked a peek at him, unable to stop herself from studying his physique and comparing it to Tony's. Tony like to work out in a gym, honing his body with sports like polo, tennis and boating, giving him a tall, elegant slenderness.

Mark, on the other hand, had a lean, hard body borne of hard work and sweat. She let her eyes travel over him, unaware of how she scrutinized every inch of him--that was until her eyes met his and he raised a brow in inquiry. She flushed and looked away in embarrassment, shocked and ashamed of her blatant curiosity. What was wrong with her? She was engaged to a wonderful, warm, sweet gentle man and here she was perusing his brother almost hungrily! She vowed that she wouldn't look at him again unless absolutely necessary. And definitely she wouldn't look into his eyes-eyes that seemed to pierce into her soul.

A week and a half had passed since Tony had brought Cheryl to meet his brother and she was becoming impatient for the visit to be over. Even though she was enjoying the great Texas weather and down home cooking, she was becoming increasingly uneasy around Mark. Every time she encountered him, he always found some way to brush her hand or shoulder. He seemed to find it necessary to guide her through doorways by putting his hand on the small of her back, or brushing a stray lock of hair from her cheek. She knew he was probably just a very demonstrative man and didn't mean anything sexual at all. But it was her reaction to his touch that disturbed her. She just wanted the rest of the week to pass quickly so they could go back to California and resume their normal lives.

Mark leaned back in his chair and contemplated the picture of a hunting scene on his wall. He cast his thoughts back to that morning when he'd sat his younger brother down and commenced to talk him into staying another month. He didn't have to push too hard, knowing that Tony enjoyed his visits and was always wishing he could stay longer.

"Good, then it's settled," Mark pronounced satisfied. "I'm sure Cheryl will enjoy doing a little more shopping in our great Central Mall."

Tony grinned. "Have you ever known a woman not like shopping?"

Mark's lips had twitched in amusement at his brother's comment. He glanced at his watch and figured that Tony wouldn't be back from town for at least another 2 hours or so and decided to take advantage of his absence to see Cheryl.

He loved his brother with a fierce loyalty and would die or kill for him, but for the first time in his life, he wanted something his brother had--Cheryl. He had wanted her the first time he'd laid eyes on her and he knew that there was something there for her, too.

He walked around the house, expecting to see her either in the living room or solarium, two places she seemed to prefer. She wasn't in either. He stopped one of the servants.

"Where's Miss Bradford?"

The servant pointed to the pool area and said, "She's sunbathing out there, sir."

He went to the sliding glass doors and stood for a long moment, drinking in her tanned, lithe body. He decided that he needed a swim.

Cheryl lay, totally relaxed and warmed to the bone. She'd never felt so lazy in her life and loved every minute of it.

"You know, you really shouldn't fall asleep in our Texas sun. You could get heat stroke."

Cheryl bolted upright at his voice, staring up at the tall, looming figure.

"Mark! You startled me. I wasn't asleep. I was just resting my eyes."

He looked down at her impassively. "I came out for a swim. Would you care to join me?"

She debated whether to accept or decline, then decided that it wouldn't hurt.

"Sure." She hopped to her feet and made for the cool blue water, throwing a parting shot over her shoulder. "Last one in's a rotten eggplant!"

She was just about to dive in when she caught a glimpse of pale skin as it flashed by her and dove cleanly into the pool with barely a ripple. She was amazed at his quickness, reminding her of a cat ... a big cat.

She entered the water more cautiously, easing herself in before swimming a few laps. They swam without speaking or even acknowledging each other's presence, content to just move in their own little orbit of water.

After a while, she stopped, feeling pleasantly weary. She hung onto the wall as she watched Mark move back and forth, propelling himself along with seeming effortlessness.

Finally, he came to a halt beside her. He stood, his height allowing him to do so in water that would be above her head. They stared at each other for a long moment, neither of them moving, their eyes locked. Cheryl finally looked away, face flushing with hot color.

Mark's hand shot out and caught her wrist, halting her attempt to climb out. Her golden eyes widened in surprise as he gave a hard tug that pulled her up against him. She gasped, shocked and shaken by the heat that radiated from him. She tried to wrench herself away, to no avail. His grip was unbreakable, though not painful.

"Mark, please let me go," she whispered, her voice lacking strength.

Mark's free hand tilted her chin up so she was looking directly into his eyes. He trailed his fingers down her throat, stroking over the rapid pulse beating in the hollow.

She felt herself drowning in his green gaze, her resistance slowly but inexorably fading. She tried one last ploy to free herself from his drugging nearness.

"Don't do this to Tony--your own brother."

His fingers stilled for a second, then resumed their gentle exploration of her throat.

"What would he say if he knew that you tried to seduce his fiance?" she said softly, hoping to prick his conscience.

"Unless you intend to tell him, he never has to know," he replied calmly, cutting off any further protests with the swift assault of his mouth.

Cheryl gasped in shock at the hot, wet contact of his lips. She was even more stunned at her response. Her lips parted involuntarily and he pounced on the unconscious invitation. His tongue invaded the moist heat of her mouth, sweeping the slick surfaces with hungry force. He buried a hand in her hair, angling her head to the side for a more intimate exploration. He could feel her beginning to tremble, her hands clutching him for balance, he being her anchor in a rapidly shifting world. He wrapped an arm around her waist and turned her so that her back was pressed against the wall. He tilted his hips so she could feel his hardness against her soft belly, gratified to hear her moan, slipping her arms around his neck. He lifted his head, both of them dragging in gulps of air. He lowered his head again, this time to her jaw, then the tender spot just below her ear, then down to the soft vulnerability of her throat.

She moaned again as his hands moved down to cup her buttocks, lifting her higher, grinding his hips into her. She whimpered as white hot flames burst inside her, pooling between her legs, throbbing unbearably. She panted his name as he grasped the tie to her bikini top with his teeth and tugged it loose, baring a full, firm breast. She gave a soft cry of delight as his mouth closed over a hardened nipple. She arched as his hot tongue flicked over the peak, swirling around it in maddening circles before drawing it deep into his mouth and sucking with voracious appetite. She held his head, pushing her breast more firmly against him, wanting to disappear into him. He lifted his head and moved to the other one, repeating the torture. She was almost delirious with desire, gasping his name and writhing, trying to get closer to him.

Mark slipped a hand into the waistband of her bottoms and caressed the slick tangle between her thighs before dipping his finger between her lips and, finding what he sought, began to stroke her clitoris.

She cried out, her hips bucking with shocked delight. Her head fell back as the waves of pleasure washed over her. She was dimly aware of him spreading her legs wider as he continued to stroke and tease her mercilessly. She could hear his ragged breathing in her ear as his strokes became more exploratory. Abruptly, he pressed hard on the extra sensitive nub and Cheryl screamed as wave after wave of glorious spasms pulsed through her, leaving her shuddering and gasping, clutching his shoulders weakly.

Mark watched her face, caressing the nub until the spasms faded. He withdrew his hand, retying her top and placing her arm on the wall for support. He then pushed off from it and swam away.

She stared after him in surprise as he climbed out, grabbing his robe and disappearing into the house without a backward glance. What had happened? she asked herself. Then, with a deep flush of shame and guilt, she answered her own question. "She'd just been unfaithful to her fiance with his own brother.

She quickly swam to the steps and exited the pool, sweeping up her things and running inside, not stopping until she reached her room, where she threw herself on the bed and sobbed with despair.

That evening, she reluctantly dressed for dinner and went downstairs, dreading having to face Tony after what had happened between her and Mark. And Mark ... Tony noticed her and jumped to his feet, coming to her and kissing her lips lightly. "Sweetheart, I thought you weren't ever coming down."

Cheryl gave him what she hoped was a bright smile. "Tony, how was your trip? Was it successful?"

He made a dismissing gesture. "Oh, I don't want to talk about business now. Come and tell me what you did today."

She shot a quick glance at Mark, who was leaning back on the couch, legs stretched out, face impassive as he watched them both return to the couch. Tony pulled her down beside him, reaching for a third glass that sat on the coffee table.

"Here's some brandy for you, my dear," he said, handing her the glass and slipping an arm round her shoulders. "So what did you do today?"

Cheryl's throat closed on a swallow of brandy and she began to splutter, her eyes watering as the liquor burned down her throat. Tony patted her back and murmured his concern. "No, no, I'm all right. I just swallowed too fast." After she was able to breathe properly, she said, "I just sunbathed and swam for a while, than took a nap."

Mark stood and went to the fireplace, holding his hands out to the crackling fire. Though the days were almost scorchingly hot, the nights could be chilly. He listened to Cheryl and his brother chat amiably and he gritted his teeth, wishing he could be the one to be able to touch her without constraint. He tossed off the rest of his drink and turned, relieved to see the butler coming to announce dinner.

They all moved to the dining room and sat, Mark at the head of the table, Tony on his left and Cheryl on his right. He could see that she was very uncomfortable around him and was mildly pleased. He remembered the way she'd completely surrendered to him, the way she'd moaned his name when he'd touched her ... the way she'd arched against him when she'd come. It had taken all his strength and willpower to just leave her, but he wanted to build up the anticipation. Now that she'd been fully awakened to her passion for him, he wanted to savor each time they had before he finally took her completely ... and he would have her, despite his brother. He wasn't even concerned that Tony would find out. Well, not too concerned at least. He meant to make sure he didn't.

After dinner, Cheryl quickly excused herself, telling Tony that she had a headache and wanted to get some sleep. Tony walked her to her door and kissed her good-night. She slipped inside and sighed with relief as she leaned against the closed door.

When she was in bed, she found she couldn't sleep. She kept seeing and feeling what Mark had done to her earlier that day. How could she have responded so readily to him? Tony's own brother! A man she'd hardly known for a week.

She tossed and turned, unable to settle down. She finally decided that she needed to distract herself. Maybe some reading would help. She got up and put on her robe and went down to the library. She was relieved to see that no one was up and the room was dark. She turned on the light and went to the tall stack of shelves and began her hunt for good reading material.

Mark had just turned off the light to the living room and was walking down the hall when he saw the light on in the library. His brows drew together as he moved closer on soundless feet, his body alert to all the sounds inside the room. He peered around the edge of the door and saw Cheryl with her back to him, reaching high above her, trying to pull a book from off the shelf. He heard her curse as her fingers just brushed the binding. She looked around for something to stand on and pulled over a delicately wrought chair and stood on it, reaching for the book again.

He could see that the chair was unsteady and was about to topple over from her weight and he swiftly moved across the room and grasped her waist, lifting her and setting her down on solid ground.

Cheryl gave a muffled squeak of fright and as soon as she was released she whirled to see Mark setting the chair aside and easily pulling the book she had selected from the shelf, turning to her with it. She quickly took a step back, not wanting to be near him.

"What-" she cleared her throat and tried again- "what are you doing here?"

His eyebrow rose mockingly. "I live here, as you might recall."

She glared at him impatiently. "You know what I mean. What are you doing up so late?"

Mark glanced at his watch pointedly. "I didn't think that 1 am was considered late. I usually don't go to bed until 2 or so." He glanced down at the book in his hand, then back up at her. "I see you couldn't sleep yourself."

She tried not to tremble under his gaze, recalling the way he'd touched her, kissed her, made her feel. "I thought I might read awhile."

His lips quirked, his head tilting slightly. "Having a little trouble sleeping? Must have something on your mind."

Her eyes narrowed, sensing him toying with her. "No, nothing's on my mind. I just think your harsh Texas sun got to me a little, that's all."

Mark's amused expression abruptly changed. "What do you mean 'got to you'? Are you feeling heated? Nauseated? Dizzy?"

Cheryl was surprised at his sudden change of demeanor. He almost seemed ... concerned. She was quick to assure him. "No. I'm fine. I just felt a little restless and thought a good book would help distract me." She knew it was a mistake to admit her reason for not being able to sleep as soon as it left her mouth. She saw his expression become very intent, his eyes dropping to her lips, then down her body, burning through her clothes. She felt stripped naked and shivered with apprehension.

"If you need a distraction, I think I can help you," He said, his voice low and husky. He dropped the book on the chair and stepped toward her.

She jumped back, not wanting him anywhere near her, but she'd forgotten the big, soft, leather sofa behind her and the back of her thighs hit the armrest and she lost her balance, falling backward and sprawling in a heap into the deep cushions.

Mark moved to the side of the couch watching amusedly as she struggled to sit up. When she would have bounced off the sofa, he threw a leg over her, effectively stilling her struggles as he straddled her hips.

She couldn't believe he would have the gall to actually hold her down like this! She tried to twist out from under him, but his weight and strength was too much for her and she finally subsided, gasping. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" she hissed angrily. "Get off me."

He studied her, catching her wrists when she began to beat on his hard-packed thighs, trying to get him to move. He thought her efforts rather amusing, and he played with her fingers, which had balled themselves into tight fists. he patiently forced her fingers open, splaying them on his upper thighs, holding them there when she would have snatched them away.

She glared at him futilely. unable to move, thanks to his superior strength. "I suppose you get a big kick out of dominating a woman with your brute strength," she sneered.

He didn't take offense, knowing she was trying to prick his ego. He deftly opened her robe and cupped her full breasts. He was pleased to hear her gasp in surprise, grasping his hands and pulling, attempting to remove them, but to no avail. As she had said, he had brute strength.

"Damn you, Mark," she hissed again. "don't you have any shame? any conscience? Your brother is just upstairs. What if he were to come down here and see you mauling his fiance?"

His brows drew together in thoughtful contemplation. "you know you're right." He saw a look of relief on her face as he climbed off her. But instead of leaving, he swept her up into his arms and strode from the room, taking the stairs three at a time.

She angrily protested, keeping her voice low so as not to alert anyone of what was going on. "Where are you taking me? Put me down!"

He ignored her protests and continued on until he reached his room, shouldering the door closed behind him and dropping her in the middle of the king-sized bed. He quickly retraced his steps and locked the door, slipping the key into his pants pocket.

Cheryl sat up just in time to see him dispose of the key in a most frustrating move. There was no way she'd be able to get that key from him without reaching into his pocket, and there was just no way she would do that! She made a sound of frustration and tried to slip off the bed, to put it between them, but he was much faster, damn him! He launched himself from the bottom of the bed and landed atop her, knocking the wind from her. He wasted no time in divesting her of her clothes, using her incapacitation to great advantage. He caught her wrists and tied them to the headboard with the belt of her robe, effectively immobilizing her arms. He was well pleased by his efforts.

She gasped, seeing the black spots leave her vision as air began to fill her lungs again. When she realized what he'd done, she spat curses at him, surprising both him and herself at the foul oaths she spewed. She hadn't even known she'd known those words and was quite gratified saying them.

Mark lay listening to her epithets, impressed and admiring of her creativity, but finally he stopped her flow of words with a soul-searing kiss that left her gasping. His tongue thrust deep, exploring the depths of her mouth, stroking and gliding over the slick surfaces until Cheryl moaned in reluctant pleasure. He angled his head, deepening the invasion, his hands roaming over her body, cupping and squeezing her breasts, delicately plucking the sensitive nipples until they were hard and erect. He lifted his head and lowered it again, capturing a straining peak, rolling his tongue around and around it before drawing it deep into the hot wet depths of his mouth. He sucked and sucked, enjoying the taste of her, the texture of her satiny smooth skin, the sounds she made in her throat. He repeated his torment on her other breast, liking the way she arched her body into him. He moved lower, scattering nipping kisses down her torso, dipping his tongue into her navel ... lower to kiss the inside of her silky thigh.

Cheryl didn't know what to think. Her body was on fire from Mark's assault and she wasn't feeling any guilt or shame--at least not at the moment. She wanted Mark to make love to her and Tony never entered her mind. She gasped and arched off the bed when Mark's mouth fastened on her clitoris, stroking and sucking, teasing and gently nipping until she was begging him to end her torment. When he thrust his tongue deep inside her, curling against the upper wall of her tunnel, she came suddenly, her body convulsing around him.

He tasted her climax, felt the rush of her release and drank it all in, working her until every spasm faded. He then proceeded to arouse her again, coaxing and stroking, sucking and licking until she was writhing with need again. He brought her to the brink, then pulled back. He rose and swiftly threw off his clothes, covering her body with his and taking her mouth in an almost brutally fierce kiss. He loosened the belt and she pulled her hands free, wrapping them around his shoulders. He spread her legs wide and eased into her, grasping her buttocks and lifting her. He abruptly drove deep, fully sheathing himself, groaning at the tightness and wetness of her.

She sank her teeth into his shoulder to keep herself from crying out at the intense pleasure of his entry. He was so big that he filled her completely. She tightened her legs around him, locking her ankles in the small of his back, urging him deeper. Mark had wanted--had planned--to take things easy, to make love to her slowly and exquisitely, driving her out of her mind with desire, controlling his own pleasure until she'd achieved hers. But he hadn't expected the pleasure to be this powerful. He began to move, withdrawing and thrusting in long, gliding plunges, but her moans and writhing served to make him lose his control. When she began to whisper in his ear, urging him to be rough, to go fast and hard, he snapped.

Cheryl cried out softly as Mark began to pound into her, slamming himself in and out in an ever-increasing pace, pumping hard and fast, his hips snapping back and forth like a piston. She heard his growls of pleasure and knew he was close to the edge. She eagerly met his driving thrusts, letting all of herself strive for that ultimate ecstasy. She opened her mouth and screamed as her body bucked off the bed in her release.

Mark felt her orgasm and covered her mouth with his, swallowing her screams as he felt her spasms clenching around him like a hot slick fist, sending him over the edge. His back bowed, and he let out a loud groaning growl, exploding in a powerful rush, the throbbing spurts almost agonizing in their intensity. He stayed rigid for a few long moments before collapsing atop her, shuddering in reaction. He moaned again, feeling her insides contracting and relaxing rhythmically, pulling and milking every drop from him. He turned his face into her neck and sighed, completely spent and sated.

Cheryl threaded her fingers in his damp hair, feeling lazy and satisfied, her legs still locked around him, he still inside her. When he tried to move off of her, she made a sound of protest and tightened her limbs, and he settled back, chuckling softly at her possessive gesture. They fell asleep soon after and didn't notice when the morning came.