20. Emily

Youre driving me crazy, Caeleb groans, his arms curled around my waist. Do you know how much I want you right now?

My guard is down, Im at my most vulnerable. Somehow, it doesnt matter. This is how I want it, him, tonight.

I do, but it doesnt hurt to hear you say the words, I tease him lightly, leaning my face upward to steal another kiss.

What is it? he asks, scanning my face. What are you thinking?

Im thinking Im glad to be here, I say simply. Its the truth, no frills attached.

Caelebs beautiful face lightens, clearing all of the storm clouds that had gathered earlier. He strokes a strand of hair away from my forehead and plants a soft kiss on the spot between my brows. I close my eyes and sway into the softness of his lips.

Hes such a good kisser, I think to myself.

His mouth descends, leaving blazing imprints on my cheeks, the bridge of my nose, and down to my jawline before dipping into the curve of my earlobe with the tip of his tongue.

I let out an involuntarily little moan and shiver with delight.

He replies with a throaty chuckle and continues kissing down the length of my neck and shoulders before kneeling in front of me. I only just realize how tall he is—because its only now that I can fully see every tiny detail of his face, make out the salt-and-pepper streaks in his hair, notice the lines on his forehead. Hes glorious.

Unbidden, a blush rises to my face.

Youre exquisite, he says hoarsely. I see his eyes darken, this time with need. The hunger in them has my nipples tightening in visceral response. Ive wanted you since the moment I laid eyes on you.

Right back at you, I reply shyly, Though I didnt think we would be doing this.

At the last word out of my mouth, he levels my head to his own, bringing me to the ground beside him. His mouth swoops in to capture mine, kissing me so deeply my head spins. This? He growls into my mouth.

His hands are on my knees, warm and large. He begins to pull my skirt upwards, letting the fabric bunch over my thighs. Or this?

He bends his head to plant a searing kiss on the tender, vulnerable inside of my knee. Or maybe this. His tongue flicks upward, making me release an involuntary cry of pleasure.

I shiver as his lips inch close to the valley between my legs and nudge them open to allow him access. I have moved past every sane thought, including how risky this is, doing this in the open night air, in a very public place.

Its impossible to think straight when Caeleb is driving me closer and closer to the precipice. I am faintly aware of him pulling my panties down, of his tongue reaching in, licking the long slit before settling on my clit, moving in concentric circles until Im a trembling, incoherent mess.

And then, he stops. I open my eyes, dismayed, to find him tugging at the folds of my skirt.

Take this damn thing off, he grates out, please.

Even as Im maddened with desire myself, I can tell the difference between a man whos taking without asking, and one who is pleading with me to give him what I already want to. My heart floods. I dont hesitate. I maneuver my body and help him pull my skirt down. The shirt follows, until I am naked in his arms, his eyes drinking me in.

So beautiful, he rasps. He lowers me to the ground, gently easing himself on me, bracing his weight on his upper arms as he threads his hands through my hair. His mouth, tongue, and teeth make love to my whole body.

I dont even have words left, just moans, just cries. He flicks his tongue over a taut nipple. I writhe. My fingers work of their own volition, unzipping him. Then, I feel the slick, wet head of his shaft run up and down my wet core.

I push back, wanting him inside me. He teases, just pushing the head in a little. I push back again but he holds my hips to control my movements. I feel hot precum on my clit right before he begins stroking me, going at it until he reduces me into a whimpering mess. My folds begin pulsing as he pushes his cock inside, deep and hard.

The night air is full of the sounds of crickets, the rustling of vines and leaves, and the sighs from the two of us. His cock slams into me as he holds my hips in place, fucking me as hard as he can. He fucks me so hard my toes curl in anticipatory pleasure.

The heat from his length melts and mingles into my own liquid core. I push upwards at him, needing, aching, craving more.

Emily. This time, he groans with pure agony. Youre killing me.

Am I? My eyes are half-closed, the night a blur beyond his form. What a wonderful way this must be to die, then.

He emits a choked laugh before thrusting in deeper. I moan and arch, my heart thudding so hard Im sure he can almost see it on my chest.

Another thrust, then another, and the floodgates open. My whole being is soaring, melting, diving. The world becomes an intense riot of colors. I cry out his name and clench against him, calling out for more, wishing this would never, ever stop.

Im faintly aware that this orgasm, somehow, threads into another. Ive never experienced this, never thought it was even possible. Caeleb takes me to the very ends of ecstasy and my own undoing, forcing me, again and again, to come to terms with the very ephemeral nature of my existence. I cling to him like a life raft as he drives into me, his grunts growing more and more pronounced as his cock goes so deliciously deep. I clench, I spasm, I beg for his mouth to kiss me as he fucks me into sheer oblivion.

Hes not one to give up too soon, keeping the sensation going on and on. His own shouts echo around mine as he delivers one last, hard thrust, erupting inside me, matching my own lust.

A noise shatters the intoxicating moment—a rustle in the bushes, too loud to be an animal. Panic shoots through me; my eyes fly open, the dreamy haze evaporating instantly. Then, it registers—the sharp click of a camera shutter. My stomach twists into a knot.

Did you hear that? I choke out the words, my voice barely above a whisper.

Caeleb curses under his breath before pulling out and leaping to his feet. He snatches up his discarded pants, fumbling with the fastenings, his focus honed in on the direction of the sound. Footsteps follow, rapid and retreating.

Wait! he bellows, his voice a thunderclap in the silent vineyard. Hes already sprinting, disappearing into the darkness between the vines like a hunter on the chase. My heart, traitorous thing, hammers against my ribs, each beat echoing in the sudden void of his absence. My mind spins, churning out chilling scenarios—paparazzi? A stalker? Or, more sinisterly, someone connected to Alec?

Oh, if word gets out …

I gulp down the misery rising in my throat like bile. I dont do well with public showdowns, I never have. I have no interest in making a spectacle out of my life, especially if the people Im involved with are best friends of my father, who is now … dead.

Dear God, why must this happen to me right now? A million absurd possibilities race through my mind. I slip into my clothes, cold dread slowing my movements. Time stretches, warped by fear. Each second without Caeleb feels like a lifetime, the weight of the unknown pressing down on me. Finally, he returns, his strong features etched with frustration.

Whoever it was, theyre gone, he says, his voice strained. He runs a hand through his hair, the gesture at odds with his usual composed demeanor. I lost them in the vines.

A fresh wave of terror washes over me, making it close to impossible to breathe. I stare at Caeleb, barely registering the words of comfort hes offering. Hes telling me itll be okay, they barely saw anything, hell call the others and find out who it was.

None of it changes what just happened. I know what happens to models who get their personal lives out in the open. They get ripped apart.

Emily? Caeleb asks me gently.

I shake my head. I need to go.

He looks hurt. I want to tell him this has nothing to do with him, that my life is just too complicated for me to bring more drama into it, but I cant find the words. Caeleb, please, can you go? I need to get some rest.

Before he can say anything else, Im heading back to the mansion, just a few feet from the vineyards. He doesnt call me back.

I know Ive hurt him, but my mind is playing like a broken record, repeating one thing over and again. We were seen, exposed. Nothing good can come out of this.