Prohibition

Chapter 45

"You sure you're ready for bed?" Raymond teased when Evelyn emerged nearly thirty minutes later. "You are going to sleep after all—are you sure you're prepared?"

Evelyn blushed. "That took longer than I thought it would," she admitted. "It's harder, doing things by myself."

Raymond grinned. "I was joking. Take as long as you need." His eyes swept over her body, appraising her, and Evelyn suddenly became aware of how thin and translucent her nightgown was. Under Raymond's intense gaze, she felt as though the garment had been stripped away, leaving her naked before him. Her blush intensifying, she looked away.

"You look lovely," Raymond said softly. His eyes met hers, noting the doubt that lurked in them. "I mean it; you're gorgeous."

"You really think so?" Evelyn asked shyly as she slid into bed beside him.

"I do." Raymond looked curiously at her. "Why so uncertain all of a sudden? You know I think you're beautiful."

"Yes, but..." Evelyn gestured to herself. "With no makeup, and my hair like this... Charlie always refused to see me this way. I always had to be wearing makeup, my hair all done up..." her voice trailed off.

"Even during...?"

"Especially then." Evelyn shivered. "It was as if he only wanted what he thought my body should be for him, not what it truly was. He could never have stood to see me pregnant and fat..." she shivered again. "He had this garish diamond necklace he would make me wear whenever he...took me, like I was some sort of trophy." Her voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "I threw that necklace away the moment I split with him, but sometimes, I think I'm still wearing it...that I'm still just an object."

"You're not an object." Raymond's hand slid up to Evelyn's face, caressing her cheek. "Yes, you are beautiful, but you're so much more than that. You're kind and clever and resourceful and loyal and strong—and I love you."

Evelyn smiled. "I know—I really do." And she meant it. Love was an action, not a feeling, and Raymond had showed, through his actions, how much he cared about her. His words were not hollow, for his actions backed them up—so very unlike Charlie.

"I love you with makeup," Raymond continued earnestly, as if desperate to make sure she understood. "I love you without makeup, with your hair done up, or down like it is now." His hand slid down to her side, coming to rest on her stomach. "And I would love you no matter how pregnant and fat you were. No, I would love you more, for you, in your beautiful body, would be carrying my child. I don't love your body," he concluded. "I love your heart—as I always will. Besides," a smile flitted across his face, "I would much rather kiss you than your lipstick."

"You're such a good man," Evelyn whispered, gazing at Raymond. "I hope you know that."

"I have my doubts." Raymond grinned. "You could do better, you know."

"No, I couldn't." Evelyn reached for Raymond's hand, lacing their fingers together. "And, even if I could, I don't want to. You're the one for me."

"You mean that?" Raymond stared at her, such hope filling his eyes, it brought a lump to Evelyn's throat.

"Yes." Evelyn's free hand reached for Raymond's free hand, lacing their fingers together and pulling him on top of her. "Now kiss me."

Raymond's first kiss was slow and heated, his lips hovering over hers for several seconds before finally pressing down on them. Long before Evelyn had had enough of his kisses, of his taste on her tongue, he pulled away, moving down the length of her throat. Their hands, fingers tangled together, pressed into the pillow, anchoring her, keeping her from washing away in the sea of sensations. His tongue stroked across hers as he returned to her mouth, searching her, exploring her, delving deep into who she truly was.