Chapter Four

Gabriel

"Where are we?" Lily asks, looking around. Her magical hazel eyes are lit up with a childlike wonder, making her seem younger than her twenty-one years.

Somehow whenever I'm with her, I forget that I'm older.

"My house," I say, in response to her question.

She looks at me then, her eyes slightly opening in surprise. "W-why did you bring me here?"

"I figured you might not be comfortable being seen in public with me just yet," I reply, searching her face for a reaction.

"That's thoughtful," she mutters, avoiding my eyes. She looks around once more, her eyes lighting up with awe all over again. "You have a really beautiful house."

My chest swells with pride at her words. I've gotten tons of compliments over my house from guests over the years, but they were most pretentious words aimed at pleasing me. But there's a simple honesty about Lily that makes her words much more impactful.

"This way," I say, leading her toward the open kitchen. I pull out one of the high stools and gesture for her to sit. "I'll make dinner."

"You cook?"

I look up to see her gaping at me with such unabashed shock that I can't help but chuckle. "Nothing grand. I figured we could get to know more about each other over some pasta and wine."

"There's nothing much about me anyway," she murmurs, dropping her eyes. Her words are accompanied by a deep sadness that breaks my heart. I know there's a reason she agreed to this charade, but it's one she isn't ready to tell me. Not yet.

"Have some wine, wifey," I say, sliding a glass over to her with a smirk that's sure to ruffle her feathers.

She wrinkles her nose. "Don't call me that."

I chuckle. "You're the only one that gets to take such an impudent tone with me, you know."

She ducks her head to hide the rosy hues on her cheeks. "I'm sorry…"

Damn. She's too adorable for her own good.

The rest of dinner goes more perfectly than anticipated. I make a simple pasta dish and try to keep a simple conversation going. Although she doesn't say much about herself, she looks more relaxed twenty minutes into dinner than when we arrived. Somehow, her flaming red hair has escaped its messy bun, cascading down to her shoulders like molten fire. The soft glow of the kitchen light highlights the gorgeous features of her face: enchanting hazel eyes, a button-like nose, high cheekbones, and those lips... Plump and just begging to be kissed.

Right now, she's laughing at some lame joke I made seconds ago, and I'm finding it increasingly difficult to repress the urge to kiss her.

"Dance with me," I say, surprising even myself.

The laughter dies on her lips and she blinks at me in surprise. "D-dance? But there's no music…"

I stand up and hold my hands out to her. A brief hesitation crosses her eyes, but then she stands up and places her hands gingerly on mine, ducking her head to avoid my eyes.

"We'll dance to the rhythm of nature," I mutter, gently guiding her hands to my shoulders. Her scent, a heady mixture of lavender and jasmine, pervades my senses as her body molds perfectly into mine.

We start to move together in perfect synchrony to the harmonious beat of our thudding hearts. She fits so naturally in my arms, like it's where she always belonged.

"You haven't told me why you need a fake wife," Lily says, her soft voice breaking the charged silence that's settled between us.

"It's for work," I reply, trying to concentrate on my words rather than the softness of her body against mine.

"Work? Why would you need a fake wife at work?"

"I'm looking to partner with a Chinese company on an important project. The CEO is a traditional man whose company values are based on commitment and family-oriented principles. I need a fake wife – or fiancée – to enhance my chances of securing a partnership."

"Oh," she mouths, nodding. "That makes sense, I guess."

I tighten my hand around her waist, pressing her body closer to mine. A soft gasp escapes her lips as I bury my head in the curve of her neck, trailing my lips over her soft, velvety skin.

"W-what are you doing?" she whispers breathlessly.

"Giving in," I mutter against her skin. "I can't resist you any longer, Lilly."

Her breath hitches, but she doesn't try to pull away. That makes me happy. I drop my forehead to hers, searching her eyes for any sign of hesitation. She's breathing fast, and her pupils are dilated with an unexploited desire that makes my pants tighten impossibly.

God, she's indeed my weakness.

I lower my mouth to hers, gently nipping at her lower lip. "I want to kiss you so badly, Lily."

"You said we didn't have to do anything."

"Not if you don't want to," I reply, praying to whatever god is listening that she wants this too. "You can stop me at any point."

She melts into me, a soft sigh escaping her lips, and that's the last straw. I press my lips to hers. Hot and hard.

She doesn't fight it. Instead, she wraps her arms around my neck, angling her head to grant me deeper access. Her body, flush against mine, feels like heaven. I can feel my cock thrumming impatiently in my pants, ready to plunge into her warmth.

But I must take things slowly with her. Even if it kills me.

I guide her towards the closet wall and press her back against it, splaying my hand over her neck as I run my lips over her jaw. I nip at her bottom lip, eliciting a soft, hungry moan from her.

"Damn, you're driving me crazy," I say, cupping her left breast through her shirt. I squeeze gently, loving the soft firmness and how she fits perfectly in my palm. "I could kiss you all day, sugar, and I'd never get tired."

"Me too…" Her voice is a breathless murmur, one that makes me want to do wicked, wicked things to her.

I pinch her nipple between my thumb and forefinger just as I thrust my tongue into the heat of her mouth, robbing us both of our breath. I suck hungrily at her lip, running my hands all over her body, desperate for all of her.

I lift her in my arms without breaking the kiss and she instantly wraps her legs around me, burying her fingers in my hair with a soft moan that almost sends me over the edge. I make my way to my bedroom, which suddenly feels miles away.

Once inside, I set her on the bed and reluctantly pull my lips away from hers. We're both breathing hard, and it's taking every bit of my control not to swoop in again.

"I want to see all of you, Lily."

"N-now?" she asks, blushing furiously.

"I'll go first."

Without taking my eyes off her, I strip, slowly removing every item of clothing until I'm completely naked. She roams her eyes over my body, her coppery green orbs darkening with a growing desire that makes me even harder.

"If you keep looking at me like that, I won't be responsible for what I do next."

Lily blushes even harder and averts her gaze. She lifts her shirt over her head and I almost keel over right there. She isn't wearing a bra.

"Oh, fuck," I mutter, growing impossibly harder at the sight of her full and perky tits. Then she pulls down her pants and stands before me in all her naked glory.

"My God, you're perfect," I mutter, unable to take my eyes off her.

In the past few days since we met, I've tried to imagine what she'd look like beneath those humble skirts and baggy shirts, but nothing prepared me for this perfection. Her flawless skin shimmers prettily in the dim lighting of the room, calling attention to the graceful curves of her slender body.

I let my eyes linger on the light patch of hair nestled in the crook of her legs before traveling up the flat expanse of her stomach to the sexy mounds of her full breasts. I finally meet her eyes and my breath hitches in my throat. She's staring at my cock, her eyes filled with curiosity and a hesitant hunger that only serves to add fuel to the fire in me.

Damn. This woman is going to be the death of me.

"I warned you not to look at me like that, angel."

My voice comes out harder than I intended, but I'm past the point of caution.

She swallows nervously, a deep crimson spreading rapidly across her face. "I…" She trails off, nervously licking her lips. "You just look so… magnificent."

My chest swells with pride at her words, and my lips stretch in an unconscious smile. "Do you want to touch it?" I ask, searching her eyes to gauge her reaction.

She blushes even harder but nods, a shy jerky movement of her head. I chuckle lightly in amusement, fascinated and excited by her sweet naivety. The women I've been with in the past were experienced; they knew exactly what they were doing and what to expect. But with Lily, it's all new. Her shy, yet unfiltered, response to my touch... Her curious caresses... Her tentative kisses… Everything feels so invigorating.

To think I'm her first for everything…

I'm determined to be her last. The only one that gets to elicit those little erotic moans and drive her crazy with pleasure. I'll teach her all she needs to know and then some.

"Come here," I say, gesturing to her as I lower myself to the edge of the bed. "Kneel between my knees."

She obeys without hesitation, kneeling between my legs. She glances up at me as if to ask for permission, and I give her an encouraging nod. She reaches out and gingerly strokes her hand along my length. I let out a hiss at the burst of sensation that tightens my very core.

"Oh, fuck!"

She quickly withdraws, her expression stricken with guilt. "I'm sorry."

I blink at her in shock. "What? Why?"

"You... you looked pained."

"Oh, no, angel," I mutter, taking her hand and placing it back on my twitching dick. With my hand over hers, I start to guide her up and down my length, gritting my teeth against the immense pleasure coursing through my nerves. "Your touch feels so damn good."

"Really?" she asks, her eyes lighting up with an emotion akin to awe.

I let go and watch as she continues to worship me with her palm until it feels like I'm going to combust in her face.

She licks her lips and that's as much as I can take.

"Fuck, I can't take this anymore," I mutter, roughly jerking her up against my body.

"What do you...?"

I seal my mouth over hers, savagely thrusting my tongue into the mouth. The kiss is aggressive, a testament to the lust running in my veins. I kiss her until we're both out of breath, then trail my lips down her jaw to her neck, nibbling lightly on a pulsing vein above her shoulder blade.

"How do you feel when I kiss you like this, baby?" I ask, running my tongue over the tip of her ear.

She shivers in response, arching into my touch. "I feel… good."

I toss her back on the bed and crawl over her, supporting my weight with my elbow.

"Just good?" I tease, kissing the spot above her breast.

She gasps softly, her muscles bunching in anticipation beneath my mouth.

"More than that… Oh God!" She gasps when my teeth graze her hardened nipple. "I… I feel… God, don't stop."

I chuckle lightly, lifting my mouth to hers. "Now, I like the sound of that."

I kiss her again, this time taking my time. I run my tongue over her lips before sliding into her mouth, slowly savoring the taste of her. I let my palm slide up her stomach to her breast, grazing her rock-hard nipple with my thumb.

She moans into my mouth, arching her back to press further into my palm. I guide her to the bed and make her lie down, then spread her legs and start to trail light kisses up her thighs. The scent of her instantly fills my nose, teasing the hell out of my senses.

I can feel her quivering beneath me, the sheets bunched tightly in her fingers. Gently, I slide a finger into her and she gasps loudly, unconsciously lifting her hip to meet my thrust.

Damn, she's dripping. Ready for me.

"Does it hurt?" I ask, searching her face for any sign of discomfort.

"N-no," she replies, shaking her head. "No, just a little strange."

I pull out slowly and slide in again, this time, brushing my thumb over her clitoris. She lets out a muffled cry, her eyes snapping shut.

"What about now?" I ask, still pumping my finger in and out of her. "Do you want me to stop?"

"No," she musters, running her tongue over her upper lip. "No, don't stop, please."

Oh, there's no stopping me now.

Unable to resist the temptation any longer, I place my mouth over her clit and suck lightly while my finger continues to move within her.

This time she grabs my hair as she convulses violently beneath my mouth. "Gabriel!"

I continue fucking her with my hand and mouth until her body becomes weak with pleasure. Then, I slide up and seize her mouth in a sizzling kiss that leaves us both breathless.

I lift my head to smile into her dazzling, gold-freckled eyes. "This will hurt a little, honey."

She nods and returns my smile as if to let me know that she trusts me. My heart tightens with an indecipherable emotion at that moment.

I reach into my bedside drawer for a pack of condoms and take one out. She places her hand to stop me just as I'm about to tear the sachet. I glanced at her face in time to see an indecipherable emotion cross her eyes.

"What's wrong, hun?"

"I, uh, started on the pill last month, so you don't need…" She trails off, averting her gaze as a deep blush spreads across her face.

The implication of her words dawn on me and I suddenly felt like a jerk.

"Oh, no, hun… That's not it. I would gladly plant my seed in you and take delight in watching it grow."

She blushes harder and I lean forward to kiss the tip of her nose. "My God, Lily, you're so adorable. I just wanted you to feel safe, being your first time and all…"

"I do feel safe," she says in a small voice. "With you."

My heart skips a beat in response to her words, and everything in my world seemed to align perfectly at that moment. Right there and then, I realize I'm going to cherish this woman forever.

"I'm going in now," I mutter, leaning forward to kiss her forehead. She nods, her lips stretching into a soft smile as she looks into my eyes.

I've never experienced such total surrender… such trust.

Carefully, I arrange myself against her folds and gently slide into her. She tenses, clenching sporadically around my length. I stay still, not daring to move. I lean forward to kiss her forehead, cupping her angelic face in my palms.

"I'm sorry, beautiful…"

"I'm fine," she says, leaning into my kiss. "It doesn't hurt."

I start to move inside her again – slowly at first, then faster. Harder. Deeper. Until the world around us faded into nothingness with our breath intertwined, ragged and lustful.

She feels so good. Too good. All mine.

Deftly, I flip her over on all fours, then rise on my knees behind her and plunge into her wetness. She arches her back, pulling me in deeper, rocking her hips in tune with my strokes. The sight of her jiggling ass around my dick excites me even more, propelling me to go harder. Faster.

I slap my palm over her ass, watching the sumptuous cheeks jiggle deliciously. A guttural groan escapes my throat as I throw my head back and give into the animalistic urge to fuck until we're both blind with pleasure.

Suddenly, she cries my name, clenching hard around me before spiraling into a bout of frenzied spasms. I pull her up by her hair and seize her mouth in a hard, almost violent kiss as I continue to fuck her, riding the waves of her orgasm. I keep going until I can't anymore…

Then I let go, dropping my head into the curve of her neck with a voracious groan as I submit to the overwhelming wave of my climax.

I've never felt so raw… so vulnerable.