Page 44 of Sensing Selma
“Hello, Mother,” I dutifully said as I came to them. “Susan.”
My sister nodded but said nothing.
“I’ve hardly seen you these past days,” Mother said. “Where have you been?”
“I’ve been working, Mother. Remember, I’m not just here on holiday. I have work to do. I’ve been in Ayra’s music room virtually every morning. She suggested I walk the grounds to find inspiration and that’s precisely what I did.”
“Oh, right. I do tend to forget, dear.You’re singing in this movie. I’m so happy for you.”
Susan eyed me, a hint of disapproval in her gaze, and a touch of sadness on her lips.
I had no time for her questions or criticism and no inclination to have my mood brought down by her cynical brooding. Whatever had passed between her, and Brad was done. It was time she moved on.
“Well,” I said after a tense moment. “I’m going for a walk. Perhaps I’ll see you for dinner.”
“That would be nice, dear,” Mother said.
I left them and found Damen waiting by the edge of the forest.
“For a moment I thought you’d forgotten about me,” he said.
“Never,” I said with a laugh. “How could I ever forget you?”
He grabbed my hand and led me into the forest. His grip was forceful and determined, as was the glint in his eyes.
“I greatly enjoy my time with you, Holly,” he said as he stopped on the edge of the creek. “Since that day, at the pond, I...” He looked down into the top of my shirt. “I hadn’t wanted to mention it then – you were in such a sorrowful state – but, seeing you, your clothes all damp and clinging to your every curve. Every gorgeous, sensual curve.”
I smiled, happy to see that I pleased him.
“I have to tell you, I’ve never worked so hard to remain a gentleman.” He chuckled. “Indeed. The last thing I wanted to do at that moment was to remain a gentleman. But now...”
He turned to face me and inspected my face. His gaze travelled from my eyes to my nose to my chin and up to my forehead where he brought his fingers to gently push aside a few stray strands of my hair.
“Such a lovely face,” he whispered. His thumb trailed down the side of my face, over my cheek and came to pass over my lips.
I couldn’t hide my adoration for him. I longed for him and wanted him closer. These past days, talking with him, walking with him and getting to know him...none of my relationships with the boys in Bath came close to what had blossomed with Damen.
He leaned in to kiss me. Contrary to the few kisses of the past, this one was hard and demanding. His hands moved over my body as his breathing took on a sense of urgency.
“I want you, Holly,” he whispered into my ear. “These past days with you...I can’t help but want to get closer, to make you mine.”
“I am yours, Damen.” I leaned back to look at him. More than anything, I wanted him to know that I was all his, forever.
He pushed me up against a tree and I gasped as he pressed his body into mine. I could tell he wanted me. My body heated up, prepared for whatever he had to offer.
“Do you mind if I don’t exactly act the gentleman at this very moment.”
“Oh, Damen.” I ran my fingers through his hair, reveling in the softness of his curls. “Damen. Be whatever you need to be.”
He leaned in to kiss my neck as he pulled my skirt up. My eyes suddenly popped wide open.
Oh!Wait a minute. Here? Now? Like this?
“I want you,” he whispered.
I wanted him too, but the logistics of it left me uncertain.
“I want to make love to you.”
