4. Brielle

Iyawn for the fiftieth time this morning, then groan when I look at my computer and see I’ve only officially been on the clock for twenty minutes. My eyelids feel like they’re made of iron, and it’s taking all of my energy just to keep them cracked open.

I glance at my schedule, noticing someone canceled their appointment this morning, which means I have enough free time for a coffee run. The coffee here is… well, let’s just say I don’t hate myself enough to subject my stomach lining to that kind of acidity.

Grabbing my purse, I head out of my office, only to run straight into someone.

“Oh!” I exclaim, taking a step back.

“Brielle,” comes the familiar, deep, gravelly voice that follows me into sleep at night.

“Elliot?” I take another step back, accidentally pushing my office door open with my wide hips. “Uh, what are you doing here?”

I try closing the door before he can see inside, but it’s too late. Elliot looks over my shoulder, his eyes scanning over my office, which includes a pillow and blanket on the couch, as well as an overnight bag.

He frowns, those heavy eyebrows of his angling down while he presses his lips together. ”You slept here?” he asks. I can tell he”s trying not to come off as angry, which I appreciate. Still, this is embarrassing and I don”t like him seeing any more into my personal life than he already has.

“Uh…”

“Do you do this often?”

Elliot focuses back on me with an intensity I don’t know how to handle. I shake my head no, but he’s not going to let me get away with that. I tip my head toward the open hallway behind him, indicating I’d rather not discuss it out here in public. I was hoping he’d take the hint and leave, but instead, he pushes my office door the rest of the way open and ushers me inside.

“I know this looks bad,” I start, keeping my eyes on the floor so I don’t do something stupid like spill all of my secrets. “I’ve never slept here before, I just…” My voice fades as I think about last night.

Elliot’s warm hand wraps around mine, the same way he did yesterday. I stop my anxious fidgeting and take a full breath for the first time all day. Elliot tugs on my hand lightly, pulling me closer to him. I have no choice but to look up, those captivating green eyes peering down into the most tender part of my soul.

The usually gruff man surprises me again when he lifts his free hand to my face, tucking a few strands of hair behind my ear. I lean into his touch, loving his rough skin against my cheek. Elliot brushes his thumb under my eye, where I’m sure I have dark circles from a lack of sleep.

He takes a deep breath, encouraging me to do the same. I do. We breathe together while he cradles my face. Elliot doesn’t have to say anything. I know he understands. This man has had many sleepless nights.

“What happened, sunshine?” he murmurs. I lift my eyebrows at his pet name for me, surprised at how easily it rolled off his tongue. Has he been thinking of me as his sunshine? I want more than anything for that to be true, but that’s crazy. We don’t really know each other.

Even as I think that I know it”s not true. Elliot and I have connected on another level, a deeper level than I”ve ever shared with anyone. I don”t know his favorite color, but I know he probably thinks things like favorite colors are silly and a waste of words.

“Brielle, are you hurt? Did your mom do something?” I blink up at Elliot, still not sure why he showed up here in the first place. Was he here to see me? To ask me something? To check up on me? “Talk to me, honey. I never thought I’d be the one begging for conversation, but you have to give me something.”

Honey.Another pet name. I’m on the verge of tears, so damn exhausted, and not just from last night. It’s been an exhausting six years since my dad left. Even before then, it’s not like I could please anyone.

“I’m not hurt,” I tell him before he jumps in his truck and hunts down my mother.

“Good. That’s good,” he soothes. “Come on, let’s sit. I can’t help if I don’t know what’s wrong. Let me in, Brielle. Just a little.”

I appreciate the irony of our flipped positions. Yesterday, I was asking him the same thing. I nod, knowing I need to talk to someone. After what happened between my mother and me, I’m done. I can’t go back and support her lifestyle. But what does that even look like?

”Start at the beginning,” Elliot murmurs, drawing my attention back to him. He sits on the couch, pulling me down with him, and then he wraps an arm around my waist and tucks me into his side. The world doesn”t seem quite as scary and overwhelming when I”m all wrapped up in Elliot. ”I dropped you off last night, your mother was clearly intoxicated. What happened when you went inside?”

I take a deep breath and let it all out, ready to pour out my soul to the only man who has ever asked.

“My mom was in a terrible mood,” I start. “And yes, very drunk. She started drinking back when… Well, anyway. I won’t bore you with all those details,” I mumble. When I get flustered, my thoughts scatter in a million directions.

“Hey. I want all of the details eventually,” Elliot says. “But for now, just one step at a time, right?”

I nod, falling right into those forest-green eyes. ”It”s been just us for a few years now. The drinking has gotten worse, and at some point, it turned into pills. I didn”t know for sure if she was using drugs until I met her dealer last night.”

Every muscle in Elliot’s body stiffens, and a low, beastly growl rumbles up from his chest. He doesn’t say anything, however, so I take that as my cue to go on.

“They were, um… Oh, god, how do I even say it?” I shut my eyes, which makes me feel a little less vulnerable. “I woke up to the sounds of them, uh, having sex,” I whisper. “I didn’t even know he was in the house or that my mom was seeing anyone. I tried ignoring it by going down to the basement to watch a movie on the big screen, and it worked for a little bit. Then, halfway through the movie, he was just… there. Right next to me.”

“What the fuck?” Elliot roars. I put my hand on his chest to calm him down. He rests his hand over mine, squeezing it and silently thanking me. “Did he… did he touch you? God help me if he laid a finger on you–”

”No,” I”m quick to say. ”He scared the shit out of me, but he didn”t touch me. He never introduced himself, he just said that my mom has been a loyal client of his for a while now. He usually sells Vicodin for ten dollars a pill, but he”d be willing to give me the same discount as my mom.”

I shiver as I remember our conversation. It took a second for his meaning to sink in, but once I understood what my mom was giving him instead of money, I knew I had to get out of there.

“Jesus Christ,” Elliot curses. “I’m so sorry, sunshine. So goddamn sorry I wasn’t there.”

A second later, his arms are around me, pulling me into his lap. I don’t realize I’m crying until he wipes my tears away with his thumb. I sniffle, feeling pathetic and so damn tired. Elliot holds me through it all, tucking my head under his chin as he strokes his fingers up and down my spine.

“I’m here,” he repeats softly, infusing his strength into me with each word.

“Your leg!” I exclaim, suddenly remembering that I’m on his lap.

“I’m fine, woman,” he grunts, getting me settled back into his arms. “Let me hold you.”

I smile against the side of his neck, loving that even when he’s sweet, he’s still a little grumpy. We stay wrapped up like that for long moments. I soak up his leather and spice scent and nuzzle into his beard, loving everything about being folded up in his embrace.

“You can’t stay here, and you can’t go back home. You know that, right?” Elliot asks after a bit.

“Sounds like the start of a bad country song,” I joke.

Elliot doesn’t even flinch. “I’m serious. Stay with me.”

“Uh, what? Me? You? No. I mean, what?” That’s insane. But what other choices do I have right now?

“It’s the best option,” he says confidently, nodding to himself.

“Have you forgotten about my car that won’t start? I was miraculously able to find an Uber driver to pick me up and take me here last night, but in a town this size, I can’t exactly count on being driven to work every day.”

“I’ll drive you.”

“Don’t you live way up in the wilderness so you can practice being a loner?”

This finally earns me a slight smirk. “Yes, I live way up in the wilderness, but I’m not just practicing being a loner. You’ll see for yourself that I’ve pretty much perfected it.”

A wave of lightness, passion, and lust flows through me, sizzling the tips of my nerves. The glint in his deep green eyes, the way he’s looking down at me, how he held me close and wiped my tears away… I can’t stop myself.

I close the distance between us and kiss the incredible man in front of me, because how could I not? Elliot parts his lips, allowing me to slide my tongue inside his mouth. I whimper softly as I pour out every unnamed emotion, drinking his down as well.

This is all new to me, not just relationships, but… all of it. Kissing, touching, being with someone like this. I’m not sure I’m doing it right, but when Elliot deepens the kiss and adjusts me so I’m straddling him, I know I must not be too terrible.

His hands are everywhere, sliding under the dress I”m wearing, caressing my back, my hips, and my thighs. His large, calloused fingers roam over my skin in the lightest of touches and then dig into my flesh, rocking me against his hardening cock.

“Fuck,” he grunts into the side of my neck before kissing me there. “You’re so soft,” he groans, trailing more kisses down my neck and shoulder.

Elliot stands up abruptly, keeping me in his arms as he turns and sets me down on my desk. “Your leg–” I start to protest, but Elliot captures the sound in his mouth, sucking all the air out of my lungs in a punishing, devastating kiss.

“I have a great physical therapist who taught me some stretches that have really helped,” he rasps into the shell of my ear when we break apart.

I’m panting and a little lightheaded from the intensity of it all, but I love every second. I’ve never felt more alive.

Elliot grips my inner thighs and spreads my legs so he can get closer to my aching core. He grinds his thick dick against me and tangles his fingers in my hair, tilting my head up and nipping at my jaw.

A shiver runs through me when he covers the little bite with a sweet kiss. He’s dominant, demanding, and territorial, while also being tender and caring. It’s addictive, the way he handles me.

“Need to taste more of you, sunshine.”

I’m so lost in the way his cock is rubbing against my throbbing clit, I hardly register his words. I nod my head, knowing I’ll like whatever Elliot does next. It’s all new to me, but I can’t wait for him to own me, body and soul.

And then I remember where we are.

“W-wait,” I manage to squeak out. Elliot freezes and drops his hands, and I can tell he’s about to apologize for going too far. “The door,” I finish, nodding to my office door. “Lock it.”

A wicked grin spreads across his face, making the dull, throbbing ache in my core sharpen to a point. He flips the lock on my door, ensuring no one can walk in on us. Am I really letting this sexy beast of a man have his way with me in my office? A client, no less?

“Are you sure?” Elliot asks as he steps between my thighs again.

I nod, and he gives me a look, letting me know he needs my words. “I’m sure,” I tell him. “I, uh, I guess you should know I’ve never done… well, any of this.” I wave a hand between us, gesturing vaguely and hoping he understands.

“Any of…?” He furrows his brow and tilts his head to the side, assessing me with those deep green eyes of his. I see the moment my words hit. Elliot’s eyes grow wide, his nostrils flaring as he looks me up and down as if seeing me for the first time.

Elliot groans, the sound painful. I worry for a moment he hurt his leg, but then he leans over me, resting his forehead on mine. We share the same breath, both of us trembling with desire.

“Are you telling me you’re a virgin, sunshine?” he murmurs against the shell of my ear, his voice shaking. I nod, pulling out another tortured groan from my growly mountain man. “You deserve better than this,” he says after a moment of silence.

I whine in frustration. “But–”

“I’ll take care of you, honey. Don’t you worry about that.” Oh, lordy, his eyes darken with lust, and I squeeze my thighs together to try and get some relief. Elliot chuckles, the sound rough and deep, sending chills up and down my spine.

Is it possible to come from someone’s voice alone?

“Just relax, Brielle. Let me show you how much pleasure your curvy little body can handle.”

Elliot trails kisses down my neck, slipping the straps of my dress over my shoulders and pulling the top down. I gasp when he strokes my bare stomach, then moan as Elliot undoes the front clasp of my bra. He stares at me for a moment, taking in what I’ve never shown another man.

”Gorgeous. Perfect,” Elliot grunts before diving in and sucking on one nipple. I throw my head back at the sensation of his hot, wet tongue against my sensitive peaks. Elliot licks the other nipple and then closes his lips around it and sucks. Hard.

I squeeze my thighs around his hips and lean back on my hands, giving him more access. His hands and mouth cover every inch of my breasts and torso with kisses, bites, pinches, and soothing strokes.

I’ve always been a bigger girl, as my mother never fails to point out, but I’ve never been more aware of every stretch mark, every roll, every imperfection on my body. Especially when I’m in the presence of a freaking ripped god of a man. But Elliot doesn’t leave any space for self-doubt. It’s clear he likes what he sees. What he feels. What he tastes.

Elliot nips at the tops of my breasts then lavishes them with kisses and kneels in front of me. He scrunches the skirt of my dress up so the material is bunched around my stomach, shouldering my knees apart so he”s staring right at my panty-covered pussy. I know he sees how shamefully wet I am. How wet he”s made me. Elliot leans forward and covers the wet spot with his mouth, sucking on the fabric and making me gasp in surprise. He grunts into my pussy and breathes in deep. Holy hell, this man is fucking hot. Everything he does.

Elliot hooks his thumbs into the side of my panties and slowly drags them down my legs until I”m bare before him. For a few seconds, he just stares at me. It”s unnerving. No one has ever seen me like this. Touched me like this. Ruined me like this.

He peppers kisses up the insides of my thighs, first one, and then the other. Then he parts my lips with his thumbs and lets out a strangled moan.

“Jesus Christ, you’re dripping for me. I need it. Need to taste it. Need to.” He sounds like a man possessed. I love it. How am I the one doing this to him? Why me?

I don’t have time to overthink it before his tongue is sliding through my folds. I gasp and moan, falling backward onto the desk. Elliot licks me up and down, humming into my pussy like it’s the best thing he’s ever tasted. I swear I feel his wet, hot tongue deep in my core, the liquid heat pooling inside me and filling my veins with burning ecstasy.

Elliot leans back slightly, and I whimper at the loss of him. Then he swipes two fingers up my slit, pulling my pussy lips open and forming a cage around my clit with his fingers. My eyes slam shut as his tongue makes contact with my isolated bundle of nerves.

The whole world zooms down to just Elliot and me. He sucks down on me fiercely and my body winds up fast and hard. When I”m about to come, he backs away and pushes his tongue inside of me, lapping at my throbbing channel. One finger finds my clit and he brushes it softly, never letting me go over the edge but making sure I”m still right there.

“Please, please…” I whine, squirming beneath him and trying to get him where I need him most. I’m still somewhat aware of our surroundings, so I’m trying to keep my obnoxious noises down. I’m not sure if I can contain myself for much longer, though. I never thought I’d be in this position, but right now, I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be.

Elliot continues to torture my swollen, sensitive cunt with his tongue. His finger circles my entrance, over and over, then dips inside. I moan, feeling my tight channel stretch around his large digit. God, I can’t even imagine what his cock is going to feel like. I don’t know if I’ll survive, but I sure as hell want to try.

He slowly works his finger in and out of me with gentle thrusts, then he curls it up. Holy. Fucking. Shit. My body spasms violently, causing my thighs to close around his head and my back to bow off the desk.

“Feel good?” he asks, his voice low and gravelly, sending another shiver up my spine.

“So… good…” I gasp. He curls his finger up again and rubs that spot, then taps it over and over. “Elliot! Elliot… I…”

He fingerfucks me hard and sucks on my clit, growling into my pussy. My muscles lock up tight, each thrust and rough lick sending me higher, higher, higher…

And then I shatter.

I whimper his name and claw at the desk as my orgasm ravishes me. Elliot slides his hands underneath my ass and pulls me closer, burying his face into my pulsing cunt and drinking down all of my release. I squeeze my eyes shut and fall into pleasure so intense I think I might pass out.

“You’re okay, honey. I’ve got you.”

I open my eyes, noticing I’m on the couch, curled up in Elliot’s lap. “I... What?”

He chuckles softly, the hearty sound traveling through my body, warming up my bones. I’ve never heard him laugh like this.

“I lost you there for a minute. I take it, you were pleased?” He’s smirking at me, which is another first that I absolutely adore.

“I am very pleased,” I grin back at him.

“So, you’ll stay with me, then?”

I blink at Elliot, not sure where that came from. “I didn’t say that…”

“But you trust me, right? You trusted me with your body just now. You trusted me with a little piece of your story earlier. So trust me now. Trust that I want to take care of you.”

Tears sting my eyes, but I don’t let them fall. Elliot’s dark green eyes peer into mine, begging me to say yes, to stay with him. I don’t know why he suddenly wants to protect me, but I’m in no position to turn down help. Especially from the gruff, sexy, surprisingly sweet mountain man. I can’t let him think he’s won that easily, however.

”Let”s make a deal,” I tell him, straightening up in his lap. ”I”ll stay with you if you wake me up like that every morning.” I was mostly teasing, but the hungry look in his eyes lets me know he”s very much on board with that plan.

“Done,” he growls.

I laugh at his eagerness, then kiss his cheek. My grumpy, vulnerable, and somehow adorable Elliot. I think I’m half in love with him already. I just hope he doesn’t break my heart.

“Unfortunately, I do have a job to get back to. One that requires clothing and a modicum of professionalism.”

“Rude,” he deadpans, making me giggle. I love that he jokes with me in his own way. “But I understand.” Elliot helps me get dressed, though he refuses to give me my panties back. “I need them more than you do,” he insists.

I glare at him playfully, and he sticks his bottom lip out in a pout. This man. “Fine. I suppose I don’t want to put on dirty underwear anyway.” Elliot grins victoriously, making me laugh and roll my eyes.

He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me into his chest before kissing the top of my head. “Thank you for letting me in, sunshine. I’ll have my friend look at your car today and then I’ll be here to pick you up when you get off work. When does your last appointment end?”

“Four,” I tell him, relaxing into his embrace.

“Four it is.” Elliot gives me one last lingering kiss, then unlocks the door and steps out into the hallway, leaving me breathless and slumped against my desk.

I can’t believe that just happened. And I already can’t wait to do it again.