Chapter 8
Placing her against the pillows, he moved down to her feet so he could take off her boots and socks. Her legs were slender and well-toned, indicating that she enjoyed her workout. Her toes were painted a dazzling combination of blue and silver.
"What?"
His eyes drifted to her face. "I was just thinking that your toes as sexy as hell and I would like to suck on them." His hands moved up her thighs, his gaze becoming transfixed at the thin lace covering her sex. The material was so transparent, he could see the triangle of curls there.
"Why bother?" He whispered, touching the lace.
"Protective covering?" She wanted to feel him against her so much, she was practically salivating. His large hands were doing wonders to her body and making her yearn. His fingers were not soft, the tips callused and creating friction on her flesh.
"Not much of one." Reluctantly, letting go of her, he stood so that he could get rid of his clothing. She watched unabashedly as he tugged off his sweater and then his undershirt.
Her breath hissed out as she stared at the wide expanse of his chest with the dense dark hairs forming a vee that went all the way down to the waistband of his jeans.
Keeping his eyes on her, he toed off his boots and unhooked the clasp of his jeans. The sound the zipper made as he pulled it down was unnaturally high in the otherwise quiet room and had her gaze transfixed.
She had no idea she was holding her breath until he started to take off his black boxers. His sex was full and thick, the tip of it red and smooth. Her eyes flew to his face as she released her breath slowly, her body tingling.
Her heart was racing rapidly. He joined her, the side of the bed depressing as soon as his large frame settled next to her.
"I did not plan this." He rasped, turning her to face him. He was fascinated with her skin, the perfection and flawless quality of it. Her mouth was of particular interest to him. He knew the taste and the texture.
Her bottom lip was full and incredibly alluring. For the first time since the breakup, he was not thinking of the woman who had betrayed him. He was consumed by the one on the bed next to him.
Her perfume filled his nostrils, and he could still taste her mouth. Wanting to taste more, he dipped his head and brushed his lips against hers. He wanted to extend the time and was trying valiantly to control the need to sink himself deep inside her.
Her lips parted and with a deep groan, he explored her full bottom lip, taking little bites and nibbles until he was driving them both crazy. The tip of his tongue entered her mouth and touched her tongue. He had no choice but to deepen the kiss. Her arms were around his neck, pulling him down, forcing him to hurry things along.
Her mouth tasted like honey, and he found himself drowning in liquid pleasure. He could simply spend hours just exploring the sweetness of her lips, which was how completely addictive it was.
Managing to drag his mouth from hers, he kissed her cheek, before taking advantage of the side of her neck. Her slender body arched, bringing him into contact with her flesh and sending jolts of electricity throughout his entire being. Pulling away from her, he tried to quiet his rampaging passion.
Taking a moment to drag much needed air into his lungs that were laboring to keep up, he pressed her back against the pillows so that he could straddle her. Ellie felt a shiver when the tip of his penis rubbed against her thigh.
His amber eyes had the intensity of freshly minted gold, the green flecks almost indiscernible as he stared at her. Her breasts captured his attention and with a hoarse groan, he bent his head to her chest.
He nuzzled the skin at first as if inhaling her exotic perfume. Cupping the flesh in his palms, he lifted the one nearest to his mouth and used just the tip of his tongue to taste the tight bud.
Ellie sprang up in surprised pleasure, fingers digging into his pecs. Swirling his tongue around the rigid flesh, he felt his body going taut as she expressed her pleasure vocally. Her husky moans were driving him to insanity.
Pulling the bud into his mouth, he suckled hungrily, his body reacting violently to the pleasure of pleasuring her. It had to be now, he thought dazedly. There was no way he could hold out any longer.
Going to the next nipple, he gave it the same thorough treatment before scooting down so that he could get rid of the scrap of lace barely covering her sex.
"I don't have anything." The thought of having to stop because of lack of protection was not sitting well with him. He had always been careful; had had to be because of who he was.
Never in his dealings with the opposite sex, had he ever forgotten that, not even when he was piss poor and struggling. Back then, he had been terrified of knocking someone up and becoming like his old man.
So, he had always been prepared. When poverty was no longer an issue, there had been the awareness that women would try to trap him with an unwanted child. But for the first time, he was not thinking straight. He had to have her. And withdrawing was going to be a problem.
He had a feeling that as soon as he entered her, it would be all over for him as far as control goes.
"I am safe." She whispered, fingers dragging him down.
"Are you…"
"Yes." She was crawling out of her skin with need for him. "I am."
With a grunt and a swear, he decided to take her word for it. Sinking down, he guided his throbbing cock into her entrance and stayed there for a few pulsing seconds before plunging into her.
A gasp escaped her as her body arched to meet his. Axel could not move. Her tightness was gripping him and pulling him in until he felt as if he was touching her womb.
A shudder seized his body. Bending his head, he stared at her, eyes flickering over her face and settling on her parted lips. With a hoarse groan, he took what she was offering, his lips mashing against hers in a rapacious kiss that had her clinging to him.
He moved then, slowly at first and then increasing the pace as she lifted her slender legs to wrap them around his trim waist. The feeling was incredibly sensual… She was wrapped around him like a glove, her moistness massaging his flesh and sending him into a frenzy of passion.
Sensations raced through his body, engulfing him, pulling him in until all he could think about – all he could feel was her. Nothing else mattered at the moment.
Her nipples wet from his avid attention, rubbed against the hairs on his chest, creating an incredible friction that further intensified the emotions swamping them.
Ellie felt the rush, the tightness in her lower body, the heat flooding her being and could not hold back. The climax was explosive and had her bucking against him, fingers making groves on his flesh. Axel did not feel it. It was as if he was in a world where feelings were heightened, pleasure was excruciating.
The fleeting thought entered his mind that now was the time to withdraw – but it dissolved completely and all he could feel was a pleasure so exquisite that he was overwhelmed by it. His climax swept through his body like a tidal wave, slamming into him until he felt as if he was falling off the edge of a cliff with no safety net in sight.
He flooded her with his seed, his large body shuddering on top of her. When it was all over, he sagged on top of her, his breathing labored, body slick with sweat.
Her arms were wrapped around him, preventing him from moving an inch. They remained that way for a few minutes, the silence profound.
Finding the strength, he rolled off her and flopped down on the pillows, his eyes trained on the slats of wood that made up the ceiling. His heart was still thumping inside his chest and his body felt hot as if he was suffering from a debilitating fever.
He dared not look at her, not yet. His composure was shattered for the first time in his life, and he could not for the life of him recover it. He needed time – a drink – a cigar, anything – something to do with his hands and to occupy his thoughts.
When he felt her stirring next to him, he turned his head to look at her.
"I suppose we are going to read about this in the article you are writing."
Ellie felt herself descending from the incredible high. She could still feel him buried deep inside her, still felt his large, muscled body imprinted on hers, but his words had doused the pleasure they had just indulged in.
"Go to hell!" Pushing herself up, she started to swing her legs off the bed.
Hissing through his teeth, he manacled her upper arm and pulled her back. Rolling on top of her, he imprisoned her body and withstood her glaring eyes.
"Get off me."
"I suppose I should apologize." He muttered gruffly.
"Let me guess- that would be beneath you." Her tone was frigid, and she was doing her best to ignore the press of his body on hers. The man was exhaustingly unpredictable. She did not expect avowals of love, but his sarcastic comment had gotten under her skin. And that was not the only thing.
"I apologize." Bowing his head, he placed his forehead on hers and took a deep breath. "This was unexpected." Lifting his head, he stared at her, something he had been trying to avoid. Her lips were parted and moist from his kisses. Her eyes were wide, her face exquisitely beautiful from the passion that overtaken them with the force of a whirlwind.
He did not believe in love of course. It only lasted until one or both individuals found someone of more interest. His old man had ditched them as soon as the going got tough and the woman he had placed so much stock in had cheated on him. He would never make the same mistake again.
But this was unexpected and unexplainable. And it troubled him that he was feeling so much.
"And you don't like the unexpected."
"Something like that."
"Are you afraid I am going to demand a commitment from you?" He was holding her captive, his body imprisoning hers and only her hands were free – hands that she had started to push at him in order to escape. Her fingers were now curled into the dense chest hairs.
"I cannot give one," he told her bluntly.
"And I never said I am looking for one." Ignoring the ache inside her heart, she angled her chin and gave him a haughty look that hid the hopelessness. "I am a big girl, and I assure you right now that I am not going to cry and create a scene when this is all over. We are both consulting adults, Axel, and I can take care of myself.
What I cannot and will not tolerate are your insults. I am not in the habit of banging the men I interview. This is my first time, and I did not do it because I desperately wanted a story. I am attracted to you and that's the only reason. When this is over, I will be gracious and accepting and be on my way. Is that clear?"
He studied her mutinous expression for a few seconds as he assimilated her words. For some unknown reason, they made him angry.
Her dark brown eyes were flashing with anger and her face animated. He had no idea what to do about this, but he knew it would not be a one-time thing. Right now, his senses were already stirring, and he knew he wanted more.
"Understood." A smile curved his sensuous lips as he continued to stare at her. "I believe I have been properly put in my place." His expression sobered as his eyes wandered over each individual feature. Lowering his head, he kissed the tiny frown between her brows, before tracing the shape of her eyes and going to her cheek.
After the initial non-response, Ellie sighed in capitulation when his lips touched the sides of her mouth. Wrapping her hands around his neck, she gave into the sensual pull of his kisses and opened her mouth so that he could deepen the kiss.
*****
He was gone the next morning. Something woke her up and had her turn around to find the place next to her empty. By tacit agreement, he had spent the night where they had indulged in several hours of frenzied lovemaking that had left her limp with exhaustion. Her body felt as if she had been running a marathon nonstop.
The delicious lassitude completely took over her body and she had fallen into a dreamless sleep early this morning, with his arms thrown across her waist.
Now he was gone. Sitting up in bed, she shoved her fingers through the untidiness of her hair and looked around the room made bright by the sun streaming through the curtains. He could be in the kitchen, nursing a cup of coffee, but she doubted that was the case.
They had not exchanged any words other than the ones he had spoken while in the throes of passion and those had been swearing words from him and pleas from her begging him not to stop. Cries from her that had echoed through the room as he took her to unparalleled heights of passion.
Drawing her knees up to her chin, she wrapped her arms around them and stared at the rose silk wallpaper on the wall. She had told him that she did not expect anything else from him but what he was prepared to offer. And she meant it. She knew he was coming out of a relationship that had gone bad.
She did not know the details, only what she had read in the society rags. But the woman was high profile and according to rumors, they had been on the verge of making it permanent. Serena Livingstone was a beauty and very high profile. An actress of a very popular sitcom.
Rumors had further gone on to say that she had cheated on him with some co-star. Ellie had no idea if that was the truth. She only knew that if he had gone so far as to want to take things to another level, he must have been in love with her.
She had no hang ups about her looks, she was aware that she was beautiful and had never been jealous of another woman - well because she had no need for that, and she strongly believed that jealousy was self-destructive and a waste of time.
But for the first time in her life, she found herself wondering what quality he had seen in the woman to make him care so much.
Last night and this morning had made a definite stamp on her. She had been involved with a few guys, not enough to make her an expert, but enough to make her realize that what they had experienced together had been something out of the ordinary.
She had also been careless. She had told him she was safe, but she wasn't certain. They had spent hours making love without using anything and that was not something she would normally do. She would never want to have him accusing her of trapping him.
She would eventually want children of course, but that would be when she met someone she was in love with, and they had mutual respect. Being with her mother had taught her that not being all the way in whenever one was having a child was problematic.
Her dad had been forced to leave them and her mother had spent the time poisoning her mind against him. Those years of her childhood had been bitter and consumed with hatred for a man who had done nothing but love them both.
She would not do that to a child. Pushing away the dismal thoughts, she swung her legs off the bed and grabbed the robe. There was no scent of coffee brewing and when she stepped into the kitchen, she was not surprised to find it empty.
Wrapping the robe around her, she stood there at the counter staring at the coffee pot for a few minutes before stirring herself to get ready for the day.
He had not indicated that he wanted to see her again and she had too much pride to ask. It was up to him if he wanted them to continue. Picking up the pot, she went to the sink, determined to put him on the backburner for the time being.
*****
Taking the second cup of coffee with him, he went out onto the front porch and leaned against the railing. Ignoring the biting wind, he stood there gazing out sightlessly at the familiar scenery, a frown touching his brow.
He had crept out this morning at the crack of dawn after getting only two hours sleep. And creeping out was exactly the term for it, no matter how he spun it.
His mental clock had him opening his eyes to find that he was snuggled against her naked body, one arm thrown around her waist and it had felt so good, he had wanted to stay. That thought had him panicking and had influenced him to get the hell out and never look back.
He had been careful not to wake her. Moving his body away first and then his arm, he had made it off the bed and got dressed in the partial darkness with only the light from the moon to guide him.
Then he had spent a few precious minutes staring at her before pulling the sheets to cover her nakedness. He had then left the room in a hurry and made his way out the front door, pulling it close behind him.
He had ridden with her from his mother's place, which left him with the task of hoofing it back to his. The journey was only a mile or two away and at that time of morning, there was no one around to wonder what the hell he was doing out and about and where he was coming from.
After changing into sweats, he had punished himself by running several miles, before limping his way back home. After taking a shower, he felt restored enough to make a pot of coffee. He should probably get something to eat.
After a night and morning of strenuous sexual activities, not to mention the five and a half miles of exercise, his body needed sustenance – at least, something more than just caffeine.
But he was not hungry. At least not for food. There were scratch marks on his chest and bruises on his back left there by her blunt nails.
And he had left a few marks on her as well. Like when he was sucking on her nipple – he had been too hungry, too eager and had bitten the top of her breast. Then when the climax had claimed him, he had sunk his teeth into the side of her neck and tugged the skin into his mouth.
He had also left a mark on her smooth stomach. Lifting the cup to his lips, he drank too fast and swore ripely when the liquid burned his tongue and almost had him choking. He did not want to think about how foolish he had been last night. He had made love to her without using anything.
An unwanted pregnancy was the last thing he wanted to contend with. Not to mention the fact that he was going to have to face her again. He had told her that he did not want a relationship.
But he could not deny what he was feeling – what he had felt last night and this morning when he made love to her. Something had been torn loose inside him and he was unwilling to identify what the hell it was.
Frowning at a squirrel chasing its tail in the middle of the yard, he took another sip of coffee and tried to quiet the urgent beating of his heart. He had work to do and really did not have time to analyze his feelings. Emptying the cup, he went back inside to try and get some work done.