A Delicious Mistake Read online

  A DELICIOUS MISTAKE

  By Roselyn Jewell

  If you love this book, check out my others at http://www.roselynjewell.com

  Copyright © 2014 by Roselyn Jewell

  All Rights Reserved

  All characters in all books are fictitious. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.

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  Table of Contents

  Chapter One: A Vivid Memory

  Chapter Two: Akin to a Brother

  Chapter Three: Grief and the Grievous

  Chapter Four: Ominous Times

  Chapter Five: Continental Crossing

  Chapter Six: Desire Has a Will of Its Own

  Chapter Seven: Journey to the Hills

  Chapter Eight: What the Wind Blows In

  Chapter Nine: Innocence versus Doubt

  Chapter Ten: A Life for a Life

  Chapter One: A Vivid Memory

  Darkness fell far too quickly on the Serengeti plains, Sarah thought. But she had missed this endless wildness, these vast grasslands, where anything seemed possible. Standing at her bedroom window, she stared out at the gathering night, at the stars splashed across the sky, her mind in a whirl. How late was it? It was Friday, she knew—a dark Friday night in Africa and a world away from her life in England. Try as she might to think of something else, anything…well, anyone… else. But one man filled her thoughts; one thrilling, dark, mysterious man.

  Benjamin Ndlovo.

  She had known him years ago as a lanky boy with a blazing smile. She hadn’t been prepared for the man he had become. He had dazzled her without effort, had distracted her, and had cast a spell on her. Now she could do nothing but berate herself for her total lack of self-control. She couldn’t trust him—she shouldn’t. Not without proof. But she wanted him. She had that much honesty. Ever since she had arrived back at her family’s game farm—hoping to surprise him—she’d been drawn to him. She wanted him so bad that her skin ached with her desire. The all-consuming power of her craving left her powerless over sultry needs she didn’t understand.

  Sarah huffed in frustration. Turning from the window, she picked up the pocket watch on the nightstand and scowled at the hands. It was 11:45. Almost midnight, and yet sleep eluded her. She put down the watch and paced across her, annoyed with herself and still bothered by that itch. She was no closer to resolving her mission then when she had first arrived in Tanzania a week ago. All because of Benjamin Ndlovo. Her sole purpose and reason for returning to Africa had been to find out what had really happened the night her brother had been killed. She’d wanted to confront Benjamin with his disgusting betrayal. Instead she’d only glimpsed him—and then he had made himself scarce. But she couldn’t stop thinking about him.

  One fleeting meeting, one hello and a reluctant handshake, and she had been consumed with an irresistible appetite for the man that she had no business having. Benjamin stood between her and the truth behind her brother’s brutal murder. How could she even begin to bear the thought of him touching her? How could she indulge in reckless fantasies of him claiming her, and unleashing the raw, fiery passion she thought she had glimpsed in his eyes? A shiver ran down the length of her spine. She shook her head and pressed cool fingers to her temples.

  This was madness. She simply could not think about him—not in that way at least. She should focus solely on seeing to it that justice was served. So far Benjamin had managed to fool everyone, but not her, never her. Any ties he might have had with her family in the past—and indeed he’d had profound bonds that were now too painful to think of— no longer mattered. She must think of Benjamin Ndlovo as the enemy. And the last thing she should be doing was to let the enemy’s undeniable sex appeal distract her.

  Still, that was easier said than done. All she had to do was close her eyes and she would find herself trying to imagine what he looked like under his ranger uniform, which he habitually wore. She could visualize his formidable muscles—hinted at beneath his clothes. Her mouth dried as she thought of unbuttoning that shirt to reveal chocolate-colored skin that she might taste, touch, and explore.

  I must be insane, Sarah thought, impatiently running her fingers through her hair. Wasn’t that the phrase—mad with grief? She bunched it in a fist and pulled the length over her shoulder, sweeping it off of her damp neck. Ten minutes with a man who may have killed Luke and I’m a wreck.

  She paced back across the room, her restlessness increasing and the emotions that warred within her impossible to subdue. She glanced at her watch again and suddenly something snapped. She’d had enough. Things had been going Benjamin’s way for far too long. She’d be damned if she’d let him think he could keep on calling the shots.

  She had tried to confront him a few days ago, but he pulled a disappearing act on her, vanishing before sundown. He was not to be seen on the property for days after that. Now he’d come back. She’d thought to wait until morning, but now she couldn’t stand idle a moment longer. She knew exactly where to find him. Quickly she changed from her nightgown into shorts and a tank top. She pulled on her boots and grabbed a light sweater—nights could be chilly. At the last minute, she grabbed the watch from her nightstand—the watch that had been Luke’s. Striding out of her room, she headed out of the main house. Her boots clomped on the wide veranda. As if controlled by an unknown force, she made her way to the quarters at the edge of the main grounds. She made for Benjamin’s hut. Whether he was ready to be challenged no longer concerned her—only her fury mattered to her. Her fury, and Luke. She curled a fist around the watch that had once belonged to her beloved brother.

  At the front of the hut, Sarah pushed open the door. The instant she marched in, she realized her mistake. Benjamin might or might not be prepared, but she most definitely was not ready for this. She’d thought she could do this. But now, staring at him, heart pounding and light headed, she could only stare at what she had found. When the door swung open, Benjamin looked up from where he crouched on the mud-packed floor, stoking the open fire. He wore nothing but a burnt-orange kikoi tied around his waist. The flames cast an eerie light on the angles of his face, which made him look all the more breathtakingly beautiful. When he saw her, his face lit up. “Sarah,” he said in a welcoming tone.

  That deep voice of his sent hot tingles all over Sarah’s skin. She hadn’t prepared herself for his staggering beauty or the effect it had on her. He stood to his full height, and she barely suppressed a gasp of admiration. Nothing but that precariously low-slung wrap shielded him.

  Oh, shit.

  She thought about looking away but that might seem cowardly. She focused her eyes on that all too magnificent chest. Desire left her dizzy. She couldn’t catch her breath and found herself left wordless and awestruck by all that glorious, ebony skin. His untamed masculinity stirred needs within her that shamed her…and left her longing.

  “You…you…how dare you!” She spat out the words, picking them randomly from a long list of complaints. She needed to end this irrational lust for the man, and the only way she could do that was by launching straight into action, any action.

  Benjamin blinked. Now was not the time to notice his beautiful dark brown eyes, but she did. He tilted his head and asked, “How dare I do what?”

  “Disappear!” Sarah shook her head. It should have been obvious. And it really should, shouldn’t it? “I’d barely come—” She bit off the word. This was n
o longer home. It hadn’t been since her father had had his stroke and they’d gone back to England. But Luke had returned to Africa—and to his death. She had to focus on Luke and remember she was here to uncover what had happened. “Our conversation was anything but over, and you up and left for five days.”

  Benjamin frowned. “I had work to do. I’m sure you’ve heard by now, we’re having poaching issues—”

  She cut him off. “Spare me.” Taking one step forward, she put all her anger into her words. “How...dare...you?” But the treacherous thought echoed in her head that what she was really saying was “How dare you make me want you so badly when I should hate you instead?”

  She never said it aloud, but Benjamin seemed to sense something of the emotion behind her words. She knew her body language must have given her away—she knew it by how his dark eyes flashed with what looked like the very same desire burning her from the inside out. His gaze felt scorching. He stared straight at her and seemed to see past her incoherent accusations. Mouth dry, she thought this must be what it felt like to be one stray, imprudent gazelle that was being contemplated by a lion. A very large lion.

  She knew then that there would be no escaping him. There was simply no way for her to keep fighting her deepest cravings. Her insides had all but gone liquid. An answering surge of electric desire flash across Benjamin’s handsome features.

  Before she could utter one more word, he crossed the distance between them. In two strides he stood in front of her and seized her by the shoulders. His heat washed over her and he silenced her with a hot, deep, mesmerizing kiss.

  Some part of her tensed to fight him and resist—but what would be the point? She wanted this—had wanted this from the first instant she had seen him again.

  Pleasure cut through her system like a razor-sharp blade. Benjamin’s lips were as firm and giving as she had imagined. His mouth, sensuous and perfect, fit against hers as if their lips were matching pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. He held her, his arms encircling her waist, his hands on her lower back and kissed her like no other had. He was raw and yet tender, sweet and yet piercing. She went limp and helpless in the strong embrace of this breathtaking African man.

  A little voice in her head told her she should pull away, but any words of protest promptly died on her lips when Benjamin tugged gently at the bows that held up her tank top. The straps unraveled effortlessly from her shoulders and allowed the oversized tank top to slide down to the mud-compacted floor. Her shorts quickly followed, peeled from her skin, along with the last ounce of resistance. She stood naked and trembling, her alabaster skin in sharp, potent contrast to Benjamin’s dark mahogany muscles. Benjamin pulled her close and pressed her against his hard length.

  She could feel his sizzling gaze and it left her knees weak to realize just how much he wanted her. The depth of his desire wasn’t visible in just his darkened eyes, but pressed against her in a hot, prominent erection. Without thinking, Sarah reached out and swept the kikoi away. For long moments, she stared in awe at the sheer size and perfection of his manhood.

  She found herself suddenly fearing what was clearly about to take place just as much as she exalted in it. Nothing like this had ever happened to her before. She had never felt such insurgent desires pushing so fiercely against every bit of common sense. She ached. She craved. Benjamin had barely even touched her, and yet she was already wet with need for him. She knew she should run. She should flee as far from her carnal needs as she could. But she could do nothing but grant the wishes of that overpowering part of herself that begged to stay and experience everything with this man.

  Once again he kissed her, as gently and sweetly as before. This time a tinge of fire enticed her. She felt herself being led somewhere and she followed. He swept her up and lowered her to the modest, spare bed that stood close to the fire. Soon enough, she lay on her back underneath him. She moaned when his skin touched hers.

  Hot. So hot.

  His body felt like black fire against hers. She moaned and dug her fingertips into his powerful shoulder blades. She wiggled her hips, rubbing her slickness against him. His firm muscles felt like corded steel beneath her hand, and she felt wonderfully vulnerable beneath his dominant maleness. She had never been with such a man before, ever. She had never been with any man, but she had dreamed about someone who would be this powerful and gentle and almost too virile to be real. Those erotic fantasies, images she had conjured up whenever she pleasured herself, faded against the onslaught of the reality of Benjamin. She had never dreamed someone like him actually existed.

  Yet, here he was. He was very, very real. He seemed to take great care not to hurt her. In fact, Benjamin showed a kind of rare gentleness made even more striking by the sharp contrast to his large, powerful frame. His hands roamed over her body, the touch of his long, callused fingers surprisingly delicate, as he caressed every inch of her skin. When he cupped her breasts, Sarah could not hold back a gasp. There was just something incredibly erotic about feeling his rough fingertips on her.

  Benjamin leaned down and sucked the sensitive skin on the side of her neck into his mouth. He bit down and Sarah let out a moan. His traced a path down the length of her throat, over her collarbones, and then along the outskirts of her right breast, and then closed his lips around one pale pink nipple. Sarah dug her nails into his skin. He expertly teased her already hardening nipple until it tightened and peaked. Lifting up, he gently plucked the hard peak with one last, lingering sucking motion, before shifting his attention to its needy twin.

  Sarah whimpered and gasped, “Benjamin…” She heard herself moan.

  His warm breath on her breast was almost enough to drive her wild. He made her writhe with sheer ecstasy as he kissed and suckled her breasts. His hands worshipped her body.

  Benjamin set the pace for a dance of sensual harmony, and Sarah gave in, more than ready to do anything with him. She had never dreamed pleasure could feel this good.

  He took his time, but it wasn’t very long before she melted into pliant, burning desire. She knew she was ready for him to claim her. Rising up over her, his arms framing and trapping her, she locked gazes with him. The look in his smoldering eyes left her breathless. He rocked back. Ever so gently, he trailed his hands in a feather-light path down her body, following the curves of ribs and hips and stomach until they reached that part of her to which Sarah had never granted access to anyone. His fingertips found her clitoris and began to tease in such a tantalizing way that soon enough she wasn’t quite sure where was up and where was down anymore. Head thrown back, she moaned and her hips bucked up into his hands, begging for more.

  She had been raised like a lady, an English one at that, but even ladies have needs and she had been exploring those ever since she hit puberty. She had grown skilled at pleasuring herself, but never had she felt anything even remotely like this. Like him. Benjamin ran his fingers in circles and swirls, teasing her clitoris and lips in a way that drove her mad. She thought it couldn’t get any better—until he inserted two fingers inside of her. He seemed to know exactly what to do to drive her to the brink of orgasm. Every time she teetered on that edge, he pulled back, leaving her mewing and begging with small touches against his hard chest for more. It was a merciless kind of teasing and she found herself already madly addicted to it. She ached for him, and longed for him to fill her with the erection that brushed against her thigh, teasing her with small drops of leaking cum.

  Bending over her, he kissed her lips passionately, pushing his tongue deep into her mouth. He pulled back, eyes gleaming and once again locked stares with her. Gently he parted her pale, slender thighs. He pushed his erection into the wet slit between her legs and let out a moan as he entered her. .

  Suddenly he stilled and his eyes widened in surprise. “You’re a virgin?”

  Sarah’s face heated. “Um…yes?” She wet her lips, insecurity and even more heat washing over her.

  He smiled and leaned down to kiss her once. “It’s all right.” He p
ushed back errant strands of hair from her face. His fingers tangled and she stared at the play of red in her hair against the faint red in his dark, dark skin. “I’ll be delicate.”

  Sarah returned his smile, thankful he didn’t think of her as a freak for being a virgin at twenty-four. “I know you will.”

  Benjamin held himself still.

  “It may hurt a little, but after that, it’s all good. I’ll make it good.”

  Sarah nodded. Her heart pounded. She pulled in a startled breath. She had never done anything like this—and this wasn’t what she had come here for. But how could she not trust Benjamin? She had longed to do so for days. She had wanted him to tell her the truth—and convince her that he still was the boy she had known so long ago. But was this really her sorrow leaking out in a crazy way—in any way that would let her feel something again? She didn’t know, and she wasn’t quite sure what to expect from what would happen next. Her friends back in England had told her horror stories and fairy tales of first times, and not knowing which it would be for her suddenly left her trembling. Benjamin eased in and finally thrust in deep. It hurt, but she felt a pop inside. She cried out, surprised at the sharpness of the pain. But Benjamin soothed her face and whispered to her and kissed her. Soon the pain receded, leaving room for the ecstasy and for Benjamin. He filled her. He pressed into her and stretched her and she’d never felt anything so amazing.

  She had tried to imagine this moment a million times before. It turned out to be everything she had imagined and yet so much more. Nothing could have prepared her for this. Not her wildest fantasies or a thousand of her friends’ stories. Her heart beat wildly and loud in her chest, so much so that it was hard to breathe. Impossibly excited, she could feel her juices spewing copiously, wetting that delicate passage within her as Benjamin plunged into her.

  Sarah responded to his movements at first filled with shy uncertainty, but soon enough she learned the rhythm. Closing her eyes, she allowed her hips to match his thrusts. He pushed deeper into her, taking her, making her his own. She lost herself in the persistent drumbeat of their naked bodies, in the overwhelming sensation of skin pulsating on skin, and in every fluttering note played by the flute of Benjamin’s passion. They moved in unison as they rhythmically met one another in the silken glide of rippling flesh upon flesh. It felt to Sarah as if her hips were truly dancing. Moaning, she knew she had fallen under some sort of spell where every part of her body became supple and seductive without her even needing to try. Her body knew what to do—her body knew how to please.