“I…” She swallowed. What should she say? The question wasn’t if she wanted him – there was no doubt in her mind about that – but would he want her? How would he react when she told him she was, at almost the grand old age of thirty, still a virgin?
“I…” She tried again, but no words came. For a woman who was used to being in control it was as if she’d lost the power of speech. The sad thing was, when it came to sex she was out of her depth.
“It’s okay,” Stone whispered. “If you’re not ready I can wait. I want this to be your decision.”
A wave of embarrassment washed over Indie. She ducked her face and pressed it against his shoulder. Oh God, this was awful. Should she tell him and risk being laughed at or should she remain silent and leave him thinking she was being a tease?
She gritted her teeth and reached out to cling to him. Then she drew in a deep breath and took the plunge. “I’ve never done this before. This would be my…first time.”
Stone went still. Even his breathing stopped. Then he reached up and loosened her fingers which still clutched his shoulders. He pulled back and looked into her face. “Your first time?”
She dropped her gaze, her heart aching at the incredulity she’d seen on his face. She nodded then waited for the anger. Or the ridicule.
But none came. Instead, she was shocked when he pulled her into his arms and gave her a sweet, gentle kiss on the forehead. “Thank you,” he said softly as he held her close.
Indie frowned. Of all the things he could have said she was not expecting a thank you. She pulled back and peered up at him. “For what?”
He reached up a hand to stroke the strands of disheveled hair away from her face. “Thank you for telling me.” He smiled. “Your first time…it has to be special. And it will be, but not tonight. I will wait till the time is right.”
At his words Indie closed her eyes and laid her head on his chest. She’d waited so long to share that special moment with the man of her heart. Now that she’d found him how much longer would she wait? When the time was right, he’d said. She prayed it would be sometime soon.
CHAPTER EIGHT
It was now nineteen days to Indie’s deadline and although her relationship with Stone had progressed, with him checking up on her at least twice a day, she was still nervous. A lot could happen in nineteen days. And on the other hand, nothing could happen. Had she come this far only to fail?
But who was she kidding? Where on God’s green earth did two people meet, fall in love, and get married in thirty days? Not counting Las Vegas. Maybe she should have gone to Vegas to do her manhunt.
But seriously, was this a lost cause? She looked again at the calendar on the wall, at the big red X’s marking off the days, and she heaved a sigh. Somehow she had to find a way to speed things up…without Stone noticing, of course.
Ever since he’d found out she was a virgin he’d backed off. It wasn’t that he was ignoring her. He came by the school every day and greeted her with a warmth she should have no complaints about. Except that it wasn’t warmth that she wanted. It was passion, craving and even…love. But was she destined to ever find that elusive prize, particularly within the next two and a half weeks?
She set her lips in a determined pout and got up from behind the desk. If anything was going to happen she would have to make it happen. She’d always believed in creating her own destiny and she wasn’t going to stop now. She marched out of the cottage, intent on finding Stone. She had no idea what she would do when she saw him but whatever it was, it was going to take her a whole lot closer to getting married than where she was now.
But when she went to Stone’s cottage he was nowhere to be found. She went in search of Jenna.
“I’m sorry, Indie. He was called suddenly to the HBC office in Johannesburg. He wanted to tell you before leaving but you weren’t in your office or at the school.” Jenna gave her an apologetic look. “He asked me to tell you but I was swamped this morning. I didn’t get a chance to come find you.”
“No, that’s okay,” Indie said, her thoughts scattered. “I understand. I know you’re busy getting ready for the baby.” She bit her lip. She would just have to be patient. Stone would be back soon enough. Johannesburg was only two and a half hour's drive away. She turned back to Jenna. “Did he say what time he’d be back?”
“He said he’d be gone three, maybe four days.”
Three or four days. In Indie's world that was a lifetime. She was already down to the wire and then to lose that many days? Her heart sank. So near to her goal and yet so far. There was nothing she could do but wait.
But Indie did not have to wait long before excitement hit the compound. The following day she was in the classroom with the ninth graders when Kirk rushed up to the door.
“My truck won’t start. Where’s the driver?” He was breathing hard as if he’d run all the way from his house.
“Fenyang is away on holiday. He went back to his township but Dominic should be around here somewhere.” Then, seeing desperation leap into his eyes, Indie got up from her chair and hurried to him. “What’s wrong? Is it Jenna?”
“Yes, and the truck won’t start and…and…I just have to find the driver.” Kirk looked just about ready to pull out his hair.
“Boys,” Indie yelled over her shoulder, “I’ll be right back.” She grabbed Kirk’s arm. “Come on. I’ll find Dominic. You go back and stay with Jenna. Don’t leave her alone.”
Kirk ran off across the yard and Indie headed straight for the kitchen. There were not that many places on the compound where a young man could hang out and the kitchen was a likely place to start.
And there he was, resting in the back while Cook and his assistants chopped carrots on the counter.
As soon as Indie explained the situation Dominic dashed off to get his Jeep and then he was off to Kirk and Jenna’s place. Minutes later the van roared through the gate of the compound to the cheers of the ninth grade boys who had sneaked out of their classroom.