Rejection Runs Deep (The Canleigh Series, book 1: A chilling psychological family drama) by Carole Williams (uplifting novels TXT) 📕

possible to prise them away from that woman.  Bah!  Men were so easily taken in by a pretty face and sweet manner and couldn’t see the wood for the trees … and they all assumed Vicky’s Barrie was a gold digger!  There was no doubt that he was but even though Delia didn’t like him much, she did fancy him like crazy and wondered idly how much effort it would take to entice him to her bed.  She was badly missing the rampant sex she and Philip had enjoyed for so long and, God, she needed a man.

Reaching the stables, Delia handed Demon to Perkins, who was reasonably happy to handle the horse once Delia had calmed him with exercise.  She strode back to the house, her temper on the wane.  She had to calm down somehow, relax and unwind, and mentally prepare herself for tackling Father and Richard after dinner tonight, and persuade them that she was the best person to run the estate.  She had to get her foot in the door as quickly as possible just in case Richard decided to marry, return to Canleigh with a wife and scupper everything.

The entrance hall was empty when Delia entered and pulling off her boots by the front door, she padded up the stairs in her socks, surprised to see Barrie on his way down.

“Had a good ride?” he asked with a dazzling smile.  The question was perfectly ordinary but his evocative grin sent Delia dizzy with desire.  She found it hard to answer, having only just moments before wondered how to get him alone.  And here he was.  She just knew he was hers for the taking.  He had one hand on the banister and Delia stepped up so their eyes were level and placed her hand on his, fluttering her long black eyelashes and grinning wickedly.  The top buttons of his pale green short sleeve shirt were undone and Delia playfully touched the gold medallion round his neck with her other hand.  She needed to ease her tension and Barrie could be the answer to her prayers.

“No, as a matter of fact.  I could do with a drink.  Would you join me or are you going somewhere with Vicky?”

“Vicky’s in Leeds.  Shopping.  A detestable occupation in my opinion.  I was going for a walk but I’m sure your company would be far more entertaining,” he said quietly, his eyes roaming over her body.  Even in riding clothes, she looked fabulous with more meat on her than Vicky … and those breasts.  He liked women with something to grab hold of.  Vicky’s were little more than buttons in her chest.  His eyes twinkled back at Delia.  They both knew where they were heading.

Without another word Delia brushed past him, leading the way to her room, knowing exactly what she was doing and not caring a bit.  If Vicky was crazy enough to leave this dish alone, it was her own fault and she would have to learn the hard way, as Delia had, allowing Philip go to that blasted party by himself.

Barrie shut the door behind them and Delia pointed to a number of decanters on the table in the corner of the room.  “Help yourself.  I’ll just take a quick shower.”

She was five minutes.  Barrie had read her well and was stretched out in bed, sipping out of a brandy goblet, his naked torso with a broad fuzzy chest a delight to behold.  Delia sauntered to a chair next to the bed, wrapped only in a fluffy white towel.  She calmly pulled it off and slowly ran her fingers through her damp hair, giving Barrie ample opportunity to examine her naked body at leisure.  Just to watch him watching her made her want to rush towards the delights she knew awaited but provocatively prolonged the growing excitement.  She had been without sex for a few days now and wanted this moment to last.  With her arms stretched high and head thrown back, her well-developed breasts were pushed forward teasingly towards the man on the bed and then she picked up a bottle of body lotion from the dressing table.

“My skin needs moisturising.  Would you?” she asked thickly.

Barrie didn’t answer, just threw the sheet covering him and held out his hand for the bottle.  Delia lay face down beside him and moaned softly as his hands touched her back, massaging the lotion deep into her skin which tingled all over.  He took his time working down to her toes, soft licks and kisses following on from the firm hand strokes.

As he turned her over their patience evaporated, mouth and tongues clashed passionately and bodies became instantly entwined as they slide down into an avalanche of ecstasy.  Their young, healthy bodies moved together, again and again, Delia having no intention of letting this man out of her room until she had enjoyed him to the full.  Sex had been wonderful with Philip because they loved each other but this was different, more exciting because it was illicit and they had to be quiet in case anyone heard them.  Barrie was highly accomplished and knew exactly what to do to make a woman feel sex with him was the most mind-blowing experience of her life.  By the time he had finished with her, Delia was in seventh heaven, purring like a kitten and feeling well and truly ravished.  It was just what she had needed.  The stress and tension endured during the past few days were released.  She still hurt and ached badly for Philip but this dalliance had proved to be a worthwhile pastime.  She actually envied Vicky.  No wonder her sister was bouncing around happily.  Sex with Barrie was certainly pretty incredible.

The bubble burst.  They hadn’t noticed the time.  Immersed in satisfying each other’s needs for nearly three hours, Barrie realised with a jolt that Vicky would soon be home, if she wasn’t already. He sat