Chapter 10

The enclosed balcony was charming, making up for the fact that he had not invited her to a public restaurant. When he had issued the invitation to go out to dinner, she had been excited, thinking that he was acknowledging a relationship between them.

He had interpreted the look on her face and shook his head. "River Glades is a tiny town as you know, and people will jump to a hell of a lot of conclusions if we are seen together. I prefer to keep my personal life as private as possible."

She had taken that to mean he did not want people to jump to the wrong conclusion. It pained her, but she had pretended otherwise, telling herself that he had progressed to the point where he invited her to dinner.

He had also given her a tour of the place and even though it was unfinished, it had the markings of being grand. He had imported pillars from Italy and most if not all of the furnishings were of solid oak antiques.

The balcony was wrapped all the way around the house and the cobbled stone which was the floor was scattered with charming, mismatched furniture. There were plushy love seats with bright yellow and green cushions, his mother's contribution, he told her.

And sofas so comfortable, they molded to one's body.

"Your mother has very good taste." Ellie commented as she accepted the wine, he handed her. They had finished the tour and were sitting around the largest fire pit she had ever seen and certainly the most unique in design. He told her he had seen it in an antique store in Rome and had it shipped here.

He had also surprised her by cooking the meal. The grilled steaks and vegetables sent up an enticing aroma that completed the wonderful picture. She had dressed for the occasion in a slinky sweater dress the color of ripe plums and was wearing ankle length boots with stockings.

When he had opened the door to admit her, she had been caught by how handsome he was.

She was accustomed to seeing him in jeans and sweater – but he had made the effort and was wearing black dress pants and a thin black cashmere sweater that clung to his wide shoulders and wide chest. His coffee brown hair was brushed back from his face, and he looked relaxed and comfortable.

"She is." He responded to her comment. "When I bought the house for her and Cathy, she was determined to have a say in the design of it. She had ideas she wanted to implement." He grinned suddenly and she felt her breath catching at the transformation.

His white teeth gleamed against the tanned complexion and his eyes were glowing. "I hired the team I used whenever I bought a new place, and they had specific ideas of what they wanted to do. Small town meant antique furnishings with a touch of the modern, or so they told me."

"I wanted nothing to do with that conversation and besides it was my mother's and Cathy's decisions, and I told them exactly that. But mom had specifications and would not budge.

The head designer complained to me about mom's obstinate stance, and I told her that it was mom's show and not to involve me in their arguments or disagreements.

What mom wanted, she would get and there was no compromise." Leaning back against the cushions, he stretched his long legs out and stared off at the flowering oleanders in front of the balcony. He had barely touched her since she arrived, and she was aching to be held by him. To feel his mouth on hers.

But it was not her place to be spontaneous where he was concerned and that was making her miserable. He was her lover, and they shared intimacies she had never shared with another man, yet she could not claim him as hers.

He was aloof and unattainable. "She studied everything on interior designs and almost completely took over the project." Putting his wineglass away, he went to check on the meal.

"Ready to eat?"

She nodded.

"What can I help with?"

"Nothing." He had set the small table, and everything was in place.

"I had no idea you cooked."

He sent her a sardonic look as he dumped grilled vegetables into a bowl. "Of course you do. I was not born with a gold spoon in my mouth and for a very long time, I had to fend for myself.

I don't get a chance to do so, because I have a personal chef and whenever I am here, mom does not give me a chance, but I can get by." He placed everything in the center of the table. "I haven't done this in ages."

"Then I should feel special," she teased.

He took her seriously, his eyes wandering over her face and lingering on her lips. "You should." He murmured a little hoarsely.

For a few seconds, she was caught by the look on his handsome face. A look that said he was not immune after all. Taking a deep breath, she fought to control her reactions to his potency, by concentrating on the aroma from the meal.

"It smells divine."

"Hope it tastes that way." Pulling out the chair across from her, Axel unfolded his napkin as he too fought to recover his composure. He had deliberately stayed away from her when she came in. He was trying to prove to himself that he could, but the more time he spent with her, the more he realized that he was fighting a losing battle.

Her elusive and alluring perfume, the way the dress clung to every seductive curve of her body, her sexy lips highlighted by the exact shade of her dress was enough to drive him insane. He wanted to rip the dress off her and use his mouth all over her body.

He intended to later, but the fact that he couldn't control his reaction where she was concerned was giving him hell. Not to mention that Serena had called earlier today, begging him for a second chance.

"I made a mistake- a foolish and costly one and I want to talk Axel. We love each other…"

"You cheated on me with another man." He reminded her, hating to rehash what had happened and his own gullibility.

"It was a moment of weakness – it did not mean anything."

"It meant enough for you to have sex with him. I don't want to discuss this any further."

"Please, I just want to talk."

"There is nothing to talk about." He had ended the conversation by hanging up and silencing his phone. When he checked later, it was to discover that he had several missed calls from her, ones he had not returned. She had hurt him dreadfully and he was never going to give anyone that opportunity again.

That phone call had reminded him why he should not be doing this. Why he should end things with the exquisite woman seated across from him. It was too soon, he had trust issues, and he was not ready to have another relationship.

He was going to end it. She did not know it, but this was goodbye.

Shaking himself from the dismal thoughts, he concentrated on the meal.

"Why modeling?"

She had been so busy enjoying the steak that she hadn't noticed he was watching her. Lifting her head, she met his gaze. "I was deliberately trying to chart my own path." Putting her utensils down, she reached for her wineglass.

"Mother wanted me to follow in her footsteps and become an actress, but I was determined to be different. A scout approached me while I was in the mall with friends and handed me his card. That was when I was in high school." She smiled whimsically.

"I had reunited with my dad, and he was adamant that I should go to college. ‘Get a degree and if you still want to model when you are finished then, I have no objections.'" She shook her head. "I ended up compromising. I modeled right after I left high school and during college."

"I bet you were quite a distraction to the entire college community." He murmured, picturing a very young Ellie Logan touting around books and being the object of male eyes while she took her courses. The idea of it was stirring up a jealousy in him that was surprising and very uncomfortable.

"Strangely enough, I wasn't treated any differently – well, some of the females hated me and others gravitated towards me. It was mostly because they knew who my mother was."

"You underestimate your appeal." His voice was more than a little cynical, causing her to stare at him puzzled. "You are a very beautiful woman. I have seen photos of you from your modeling days and have to say you had more sex appeal than most models I encountered." He lifted his glass in a mock toast. "You had it going on."

The way he said it, left her in no doubt that he was complimenting her.

"I never place a great deal of stock on my looks." She told hm stiffly, feeling the magic of the evening dissolving.

"And yet you became a model. Isn't that particular career about looks?"

"Not entirely. It was also about making money and I liked making tons of it. I was very good at what I did, and I capitalized on it. The same way you have done."

"I could hardly compare building a business to you parading practically naked on platforms and magazines all over the world. I kept my clothes on, you took yours off." He pointed out.

Putting her glass down, she rose.

"Where are you going?"

"Home or rather back to the cottage. I don't know what your problem is, but I don't have time for this."

"Sit down."

"Go to hell!"

"I am already there." He lunged to his feet and before she could move, he was standing next to her. "You get under my skin." He gritted. "And I don't like it."

"Let me pass."

Clamping his hands on her shoulders, he turned her to face him, fingers biting through the material. "I was jealous."

She started, a frown touching her forehead as she stared at him. "What?"

"Don't make me repeat it." He muttered, feeling like a fool. "I pictured you striding on stage and men ogling you and I…," he shook his head, his expression harsh. "Damn."

Ellie felt hope bursting inside her chest. The man was infuriating, and he made her furious than anyone had the capability of doing. But she had fallen in love with him and there was nothing she could do about it. She was hooked. And she was praying and hoping that he would feel the same.

"Why?"

He rubbed his hands up and down her arms, eyes sizzling.

"Hell, if I know." He shook his head. "The idea of men ogling you is offensive to me." He admitted.

She knew what it took to make him say that and the hope spread inside her chest.

"There is no need." Moving closer, she spread her fingers over his chest, thrilled at the play of muscles when he reacted to her touch.

"Are you full?"

"What?"

He indicated by jerking his head towards the unfinished meal.

"I am."

"Good. I don't think I can eat another morsel. I need you." He muttered.

"Then have me." She whispered achingly.

With a muttered curse, he scooped her into his arms and left the balcony. Curving her hands around his neck, she buried her face into the wide expanse of his chest and breathed in his scent. She lifted her head when he pushed open the doors that led into a suite of rooms that were completely finished and purely masculine.

Striding across the pale gold carpet, he went straight to the king-sized bed in a room that could fit hers in one corner. A massive fireplace took up an entire section of the room and a closet larger than her bedroom and bathroom combined was thrown open. Teal blue wallpaper made a stunning combination with the carpet.

Setting her on the edge of the bed, he bent to remove her boots. His head was lowered, allowing her to see the thick hairs curling on the crown of his head. The desire to plunge her fingers into the coffee brown richness could not be ignored. When he felt her fingers toying with his hair, he lifted his head, an expressionless mask on his face.

"I intend to take my time." He rasped.

"I would like that very much."

She gasped slightly when he slid his hands up her stockinged feet until her dress was bunched up around her hips. A hoarse laugh escaped him when he saw the garters. "Sexy as hell."

"I am glad you like it." She bit her lip when he continued to caress her thighs through the sheer stockings.

"As much as that is the case, I prefer to see what's under it." He unhooked the garter and rolled the stockings off her legs, dropping them onto the carpeted floor. "Much better."

Standing on his knees, he pulled the dress over her head, a groan stifled inside his throat as she stared at the vision in front of him. The set of underwear was what he would call, flesh colored and the cups of her bra dipped low enough and just covered nipples that were already pebble hard.

"Christ!" he whispered reverently. "You are so beautiful."

Unhooking the clasp, he took the scrap of material off her and tossed it aside. He was going to have to make room in his trousers. He was so hard, his cock was pressing against his underwear and rubbing.

Sitting back on his heels, he lifted one long, shapely leg and placed it on his shoulder. Leaning back on her elbows, Ellie closed her eyes, breath escaping between her parted lips. When she felt his mouth on her toes, her breath quickened.

"Axel." His name was like a prayer as he continued to trail kisses on the inside of her leg until he was kissing the sensitive area of her thigh. "Please."

Ignoring her shattered plea, he made his way towards the crease of her thigh where he hesitated before peeling off her panties.

Her musky scent poleaxed him and had him reeling slightly. With a hoarse groan and a swear word, he kissed the springy hairs of her sex, his open mouth getting to the skin underneath and sending heat plunging through her body.

Gripping the blanket, she arched her hips upwards as his mouth moved to the kernel of sensitive flesh. With fingers digging into the soft material covering the bed, Ellie felt as if she was going to burst into flames!

His teeth and tongue tormented her until she was certain she was going to die. When he plunged his tongue inside her, she came, violently, her body erupting off the bed, his name on her lips.

"Oh God! Oh my God!"

Stumbling to his feet, he ripped off his clothes with undue haste and joined her. Hauling her upwards until she was nestled on the mound of pillows, he turned sideways so he could look at her. With breasts quivering in the aftermath of the climax, her lips parted, eyes shadowed with passion, she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.

"Axel." Her voice was whisper soft, her body trembling.

"I know." Turning her slightly, he palmed her breasts, head dipping to suckle on the one closest to his mouth.

Ellie fought back tears. She was emotionally drained and disoriented. She had just managed to stop herself from declaring her love for him but was certain he already suspected. She was not adept at hiding her feelings the way he was and more importantly, she did not want to.

When he had reduced her to a trembling mass, he climbed on top of her. Using just the smooth tip of his penis, he rubbed it against the opening of her vagina. His hands were balanced at either side of her head, his intense stare taking in the passion on her face.

"Please." She gasped.

"Not yet. I don't want to come too quickly." He was exercising rigid control. He could still taste the musky scent of her in his mouth and did not want to lose that. Wrapping her hands around his neck, she desperately sought his mouth.

With a fevered groan, he crushed her lips with his and finally lowered himself until he was sheathed – her moist tightness wrapped around him like a glove.

Reaching between them, he touched the already sensitive kernel of flesh and pressed down until she was flying again. Her fingers raced over his shoulders and back before latching into the thick hairs at the nape of his neck. She was delirious, her body feeling as if it was being pommeled from the inside out.

He came then, his seed shooting out from the tip of him, deep inside her until he felt as if he was pouring his entire life inside her. His body shuddered on top of hers, made weak by the intensity of a passion that was indescribable.

It took several minutes of breathing heavily for him to compose himself enough to roll off her and even when he did, he could not control the thundering of his heart or the shudders wracking his body.

He did not move, not even when she crawled into his arms and nestled there. His arms came around her body automatically. His mind was in chaos, his body coated with a fine sheen of sweat. He did not know what to say and even if he did, he doubted he would have voiced what was going through his head.

He jerked slightly when she slid one shapely leg over his, her knee dangerously close to his cock.

"You should get some sleep."

"I am not tired." Her voice was silky soft, her fingers toying with his chest hairs.

"You should be."

"I am not." He was not prepared to have her draping herself on top of him. Her fingers pushed away the lock of hair that had fallen over his forehead. He stared at her – an impassive expression on his face.

He examined each feature, committing to memory, the large dark brown eyes, the uptilted nose, the shape of her lips, knowing this was going to be the last time he would see her.

He would make the most of tonight, because unbeknown to her, he would be leaving tomorrow. The thought of that pained him, but he was not prepared to be in a relationship. He had had his fill and was never going back there.

His hands settled on her waist, before curving towards the small of her back. Not surprisingly, he was getting hard again. Using one hand to cup her cheek, he brought her head down so that he could nuzzle her lips and then her throat and her neck.

He nibbled on the soft flesh and smiled at her moan of pleasure. Lifting her up, he planted her firmly on his half ready cock, feeling when it burgeoned into fullness as soon as she was wrapped around it.

They took it slow, their hips undulating and meeting each other in a timely manner. His lips moved up to settle on hers. The kiss was also slow and evocative. His hands framed her face, his tongue exploring her mouth thoroughly.

He captured her moans, tasted her sweetness, reveled in it, ate it up as he timed his thrusts inside her. Easing out until the tip of his penis was barely touching her, he plunged in slowly, withdrawing again until he was driving them both to insanity.

Reaching between them, he toyed with the kernel of sensitive flesh until she is climaxing, her slender body shivering, fingers digging into his chest. He didn't feel the pain, he felt nothing except the acute and exquisite pleasure being inside her was emitting.

He came right behind her, his body shuddering from the force of the orgasm, his heart almost bursting inside his chest. She collapsed on his chest, burying her face in the crease of his neck as soon as he released her mouth.

His arms came around her possessively, his hold tight as he stared at the floor to ceiling window, his brow furrowed and an ache inside his chest.

Her breath tickled his skin, her breasts mashed against the hairs on his chest were as erotic as hell. If only he had met her before Serena, then this would have had a chance, then he could have trusted her enough to make it blossom into something meaningful.