One Special Moment - Brenda Jackson [65]
“You are a very beautiful woman. In fact you’re the most beautiful woman I know.”
His words surprised her. They also disappointed her because she knew he wasn’t being completely honest. She lowered her eyes and grasped for composure before letting her eyes meet his again. She raised her chin a notch. “Thanks for saying that, but it’s really not necessary.”
“What isn’t necessary?”
“For you to say I’m beautiful.”
Sterling lifted a brow and studied her, taking in the significance of her response. She evidently didn’t think he was being truthful. “You don’t think you’re a beautiful woman?”
She frowned. “I think I look okay, but beautiful would be stretching it a bit. I know you told me that earlier today and I thanked you for it because all brides look beautiful on their wedding day. But saying I’m the most beautiful woman you know is really going overboard,” she said. “Beautiful is women like Vanessa Williams, Tyra Banks and—” she nervously stroked the ring she now wore on the third finger of her left hand “—someone like Diamond Swain.”
Sterling’s dark eyes were hooded as he watched her face. He reached out and lifted her chin so their eyes could meet. “Beautiful is also Colby Wingate Hamilton.”
She lifted a shoulder in a self-conscious little shrug. “If you say so.”
Sterling shook his head. Other than Kimara Garwood and Diamond Swain, most of the women he knew were shallow and thought too much of themselves at times. Colby, he had discovered long ago, was just the opposite. Although she didn’t lack any self-esteem, she didn’t have a clue of just how beautiful he thought her to be. Feeling the need to kiss her again he leaned forward, opening his mouth over hers with drugging urgency. Although incredibly tender and painstakingly seductive, his tongue pledged promises of more things to come.
He gave up all control as her mouth moved under his with a passion so ravenous he thought he would not survive its fire. And when she pressed her body deeper against his, he released a groan from low within his gut. He tuned out everything around him as he again explored and tasted her mouth. Cupping her bottom, he brought her even closer to him, pulling her hard against his hips, kneading her backside and grinding against her, letting her feel the hard length of his arousal. He felt her squirming against him, trying to get even closer to him. Without realizing it, her body was instinctively seeking out that part of him that was more than ready for her.
It was that part of him that was hungry for her. It was starving for her.
“Sterling.”
He heard his name escape her lips in a passionate, agonizing plea. Slowly, he lifted his mouth from hers. His control shot to pieces.
She opened questioning eyes to him and the look of desire in them nearly took his breath away. For a moment, he wanted to believe they were the only two individuals on the island. He wanted to believe she was a temptation he could yield to, and that she could bring more joy to his life than pain. He regretted that tonight would be just a fantasy—an awesome fantasy the two of them would share.
Each time they came together would be for a purpose, but tonight, against his better judgment, he wanted more pleasure than purpose. Tonight he wanted their coming together to be one special moment. Just like she’d said it would be. And for her, tonight, he would make it so.
Unable to help himself, he slowly lowered his head to hers again at the same time he swept her off her feet and into his arms. He headed for the bedroom. Once there he placed her on her feet beside the bed.
“Tonight, Colby, we’re not going to remember the purpose we’re here together or the reason we got married in the first place. Tonight I need you in a way I’ve never needed any woman. I don’t understand it, and I don’t want to question it. At least not now. All I know is that you’re an ache inside of me and have been from the moment I saw you on that video.”
Colby tipped her head to him. “What video?”
“The one my investigator sent me of you. It was from watching that video that I made my decision