Heavenstone 02 - Secret Whispers

was right. I’m not upset about it. I understand. If the roles had been reversed, I probably would have behaved the same way.”
    “Actually, it only made things worse. I was terrified of writing or calling you afterward. I never expected you would forgive me. I did behave like a horse’s ass those last days, especially in the motel.”
    “I’m not so sure I would have behaved any differently had I been in your shoes and had such a story sprung on me like that.”
    “You’re so good, Semantha, so forgiving.”
    He leaned forward to replace his fingers on my shoulder with a kiss instead. I closed my eyes to drink in and hold the wonderful electric pleasure it sent through my body, and then I felt him kiss my neck. I didn’t open my eyes until I felt him slip the towel down and off my breasts. He cupped them, and I turned to bring my lips to his. He lifted me gently under my arms, and the towel fell off completely. Wekissed again. He whispered my name, and then we heard voices. Lucille was on the stairway and was calling down some orders to Mrs. Dobson. I quickly picked up the towel and wrapped it around me.
    “They’re back,” I said. “I’d better hurry.”
    “I should sneak back to my room,” he said, and started for the door, but before he got to it, there was a knock, and without my saying anything, Lucille opened it and stepped in, stopping instantly when she saw Ethan. I held my breath, but instead of looking shocked, she smiled.
    “Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt anything. I just wanted to let you know we were back and see where you were in your preparations for dinner. Your father had to make an important phone call. Naturally.”
    Ethan turned to me like someone sinking in quicksand hoping to be rescued.
    “This is Ethan Hunter, Lucille. We were just getting ready ourselves.”
    “Yes,” she said. “I assumed that’s who you were. I’m very happy to meet you,” she said, extending her hand to Ethan. I hadn’t realized until then that whenever Lucille held her hand out to someone, she turned her palm down as if she expected him or her to kiss her ring. Ethan gently and quickly shook her hand.
    “Me, too. I mean, happy to meet you. I’m sorry for my dumbfounded look. I guess I’m still quite taken with the Heaven-stone estate. It’s all so . . .”
    “Overwhelming?” she offered, shifting her eyes toward me wrapped in my towel.
    “Yes, exactly.”
    “Don’t feel embarrassed. I can’t imagine anyone who comes here for the first time being anything but overwhelmed. Did you have a good trip?”
    “Terrific. Everything was on time.” He turned to me. “I’ll just return to my room and wait for you, Semantha,” he said, fumbling for a smooth exit.
    “Don’t be silly,” Lucille said, reaching out to seize his left arm. “Go right down to Mr. Heaven-stone’s office and introduce yourself to Semantha’s father. He should be finished with his phone call by now. You men need time together without us flitting about you like moths drawn to candles,” she said, giving him one of her deepest, warmest smiles.
    He looked to me for a reaction.
    “Yes, that’s a good idea, Ethan. I need another ten minutes or so.”
    “Okay,” Ethan said. “See you soon.” He paused at the door to nod at Lucille. She remained behind, watching him leave, and then turned to me.
    “I didn’t mean to burst in on you two. I guess I have to wait to hear you say ‘enter.’ Sorry.”
    “It’s all right, Lucille.”
    “You didn’t tell me how handsome he was. And what a manly, firm demeanor. He handled what could have been an embarrassing situation very well. I’ve met enough so-called sophisticated young men these days to know he’s something special. I’m happy for you, Semantha. Congratulations on your conquest.”
    Her unexpected burst of compliments stirred mixed feelings. Of course, I was happy to hear her instant approval, but even from the short time I had known Lucille, I sensed this was quiteuncharacteristic. From what I had seen of the way she reacted to people, especially people she met for the first time, whether they were salesladies in department stores or waiters in restaurants, there was always a layer of cynicism for them to crack first before she would have a kind word or get off her pedestal. In her philosophy, people, no matter who they were, were to be suspected and doubted first. She had even muttered that she believed respect should be the final gift