You are one lucky woman, Allegra told herself later that week. It had been only a few days since she'd started her affair, or whatever this was, with Bryce, but she was already much happier than she'd been in quite some time. She found herself thinking about him at the oddest times throughout the day....Like now. She was indulging herself in a bubble bath in her Jacuzzi tub, drinking a glass of Fat Bastard Shiraz and enjoying the flicker of the candlelight across the tiled walls.
Allegra firmly believed that you had to spoil yourself, because it was a matter of fact that no one else was going to. Hence she had several bottles of bubble bath on hand, along with more than a few chocolates. Not that she needed them, she reminded herself sternly. She was a big, beautiful woman, no two ways about it. She'd always been slightly self-conscious, although with Bryce she hadn't given her appearance more than a moment's thought. He made her feel beautiful, and that made all the difference.
With a sigh she rose from the tub and toweled herself dry. Unfortunately, Bryce had said he'd be out of town for the next few days. She wasn't sure how she'd manage. She'd gotten used to seeing him every night, among other things. Even now the thought of what they'd done teased a smile from her, and she stood a moment in front of the full-length mirror on the back of the bathroom door, studying herself critically.
Her shoulders were strong; her arms toned. She had a damn fine rack. Despite her 40DD size, her chest was firm. No doubt about it, she chuckled to herself. It was usually the first thing men noticed about her. She also had large, shell pink nipples that were easily the size of half dollars. She skimmed her gaze down the gentle curve of her stomach. Her hips flared out from her waist, soft and rounded. Her legs were one of her best features. Long and shapely, they were many a man's wet dream. But it was her face that Allegra found captivating. Her eyes were almond shaped; framed by arched auburn brows. Her nose wasn't too big or too small, and her lips were full and lush; a lovely shade of mauve. High cheekbones added to her allure. At the moment her skin was flushed from the heat of the steam in the air, but the dewiness coating her skin served to entice rather than repel.
Allegra moved into the bedroom, satisfied with her perusal. She was content with who she was both emotionally and physically, and she'd be damned if anyone else's opinion mattered. With a sigh she slipped into her sapphire blue silk robe and belted the sash. She quickly braided her hair and set it over her shoulder. She refilled her glass of wine and settled into an armchair with it and a good book, content to spend the evening just so.
She found her eyes slipping further shut with each page. It could have been that the hour was late, but it was far more likely that the four glasses of wine she'd had had done her in.
She woke disoriented to the sound of her doorbell pealing. She shook the cobwebs from her eyes and padded down the stairs, glancing at the clock. Who could possibly be ringing her bell at such an hour? It was nearly midnight for Christ's sake. Growing angrier with each step, she reached the door and threw it open, ready to give her late-night visitor a piece of her mind. But she was stunned into silence when she found Bryce standing on her stoop looking rather tired, a luggage set beside him.
Allegra threw herself into his arms. "What are you doing here?" she asked. "I thought you were in Florida!"
Bryce gave her a world-weary grin. "My meeting was cancelled. I saw your light on and decided to stop in on my way home," he said. It was a blatant lie. Her house wasn't on his way home, and they both knew it. Just the sight of her had given him more energy than he'd thought he had left. He was happy to see her; happier than he'd thought he'd be. That, he reminded himself, was all that mattered. Not, he thought with a wry grin, that this was turning into much more than a simple affair.
"Come on in," Allegra said, throwing the door open wide and dragging both him and his luggage into the foyer. She threw his suitcases down on the tiles and put her arms around him, cuddling into his chest. "You're dead on your feet," she scolded, taking his hand and leading him up the stairs. "Come to bed."
Bryce couldn't help himself. He yawned lazily as she led him up the stairs. He was past exhausted, after spending damn near all day in the airport. They came into her bedroom and she pushed him onto the bed. He watched her flit around the room, turning off the lamp and blowing out the candles she'd had going. He noticed a half-empty glass of wine on the table beside her chair and he grinned. Sighing, he stripped down to his boxers and climbed into bed, passing out cold before Allegra slipped in beside him.
Allegra looked down at the man sleeping in her bed and smiled tenderly. He looked right there, and the thought crossed her mind that she wouldn't mind keeping him there. She shook her head. She had no business thinking thoughts like that. This was just a simple affair, and if she were smart she wouldn't forget that. She slipped off her robe, letting it fall to the floor where it settled with a soft sound. She climbed into bed, snuggling under his arm. He curled it around her and she settled into him with a low moan, content to fall asleep wrapped in his arms.
Bryce woke the next morning alone. He looked around and saw a note lying on the table beside the bed. Gone to the paper, she'd written in a barely legible scrawl. Be back soon. She'd signed it with a kiss. He grinned and stretched lazily. He couldn't remember the last time he'd slept through the night. He'd been so exhausted he hadn't even woken up when Allegra left, which was odd. Usually he was a light sleeper.
