A Brush With Obsession

by Theresa Papa

  “Almost done, beautiful.”

  Chapter 30

  Samantha Marconi

  The blow dryer is warm and relaxing when Nico blow-dries and styles my dark tresses into silky waves over my shoulders. A haircut always gets rid of the split ends and makes my hair look and feel so much healthier. He sets the blow dryer in its holder, removes the cape from my shoulders, and turns the chair around to face him. His pupils dilate and his lips part as he runs those magic fingertips through my hair, styling it loosely. Then both hands cup my cheeks as his mouth descends on mine with a heart-melting, scorching kiss that silently promises many things to come. Slowly, he pulls away, and I pause before I open my eyelids to prolong the feeling just a little longer.

  When I open them, he’s looking down at me seductively, and says, “You are so exquisitely stunning. You take my breath away.”

  My eyes find my shoes, and I smile before I respond. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

  He laughs and takes my hands, pulling me out of the chair and against his chiseled chest. “Are you hungry? How about we get prime rib for dinner?” he murmurs in my ear.

  “Well, I usually like my meat a little more well-done.”

  “Don’t worry, I know just how to order it for you. Do you trust me?”

  “Of course, I trust you.” I kiss him on the cheek and smile.

  Twenty minutes later, we head toward Ontario Street to the famous Chicago restaurant that specializes in prime rib. My dad and mom always come here for their anniversary, but I’ve never been. Nico is greeted as if he’s a regular, and we’re seated immediately. The waiter brings our drinks, and I allow him to order for me. As I take everything in, I’m fascinated by all the details of the 1890s McCormick Mansion that the restaurant occupies. There are sparkling silver heated carts that roam the floor serving all cuts of prime rib tableside. Our waiter expertly sidles up to our booth and sets a tray with a bowl of salad on another bowl filled with ice. He begins to spin the salad bowl while he pours the dressing from high above, mixing the salad and exclaiming, “Our famous spinning salad!”

  I giggle, and Nico smiles at me as the waiter then transfers the salad into individual bowls for each of us and serves them to us. As we eat, I begin the conversation.

  “Tell me about Elizabeth. You already told me about defending her in the murder case. What led up to such a horrific outcome?”

  “It’s not a pleasant topic to speak of, so I’ll just say that my uncle and his friend engaged in the sexual abuse of minors. Unfortunately, Elizabeth was a victim at a young age. When she got older, she just went looking for answers and found herself pushed into impossible circumstances.”

  I press my lips together and take a moment to digest this information.

  “Did your aunt know what was going on?”

  “During the trial, testimony showed that Irene knew about her husband’s wrongdoing and never tried to stop him. All her wealthy friends quickly shunned her. Consequently, she left the country and blamed Elizabeth for her downfall.”

  “Poor girl never had a chance with getting two horrible parents.” I take a sip of water.

  “That was another problem because my aunt suffers from mental illness and never took any interest in caring for Elizabeth from the moment she was born. My mother saw how my aunt shut down after she had her, so she took care of Elizabeth most of the time until she was five years old.”

  He looks down at his plate and takes a deep breath.

  “What happened after Elizabeth turned five?”

  “That was when my mom died.”

  I reach across the table to squeeze his hand.

  “I’m so sorry, I had no idea you lost your mother.”

  “Thanks. It’s difficult to lose such a genuine, loving, and amazing person so young. Especially when hateful evil people go on living and getting away with despicable things.”

  “Whom are you saying is hateful and evil?”

  He dabs his mouth with his napkin and answers on a deep sigh.

  “They have never been able to catch the bastard that my uncle conspired with during Elizabeth’s childhood. He just disappeared. His daughter, Amanda, who also is a victim, has been in touch with Jaxson over the years because they were close as children.” He looks thoughtful for a second, and then he continues. “If I’m lucky enough to be blessed with a daughter one day, I know that I will do everything in my power to always keep her safe and never let scum like Richard Harrington near her.”

  “Richard Harrington was your uncle’s friend?”

  “Yes.”

  The waiter takes our empty salad bowls, and the carver comes with the gleaming cart of beef. The aroma makes my mouth water as Nico orders me an end cut medium-well and a king cut medium-rare for himself. Fluffy Yorkshire pudding and creamed spinach accompany the meat. We both dig in, and I moan at the taste of the delicious prime rib.

  Nico looks up from his plate, and asks, “Did I get it right?”

  “You got it perfect! It melts in my mouth. Mmm, so good.” His dimpled smile appears at having pleased me so much. But the way he’s looking at me indicates his desires. I’m feeling like I’m on the menu for dessert. And I don’t mind one bit!

  As we drive back to Nico’s, we enjoy a comfortable silence while listening to music until he pulls into his parking place in the garage. He turns the car off and reaches for me, bringing my face close enough to his where his eyes can only look into one of my eyes at a time. The rhythmic movement hypnotizes me as I sigh inwardly at how totally crazy I am about this guy. Like in the movies when lovers are especially intimate in scenes, I have the feeling I know what he’s going to ask. I should be nervous, but I’m not. I have never felt so wanted and adored by a man before. Everything he says and does makes me feel special, like I’m his top priority and cherished. Through his words and the way he touches me, he has established self-confidence within me. I’ve never felt more feminine and sexy as I do when I’m in his presence. This is how a woman should feel before she allows a man to make love to her. My confidence will help me to be free to enjoy our lovemaking without self-doubt or deprecations. I can let go of all my worries about being too curvy or embarrassed and concentrate on the very handsome man that obviously desires me just the way I am. YES!

  “Even though we assume she’s fine, we still have to go see Joe in the morning about Jen. Stay here with me tonight, Sam?”

  My eyes take in his azure orbs alternately as I answer him softly, “I would love to.”

  He smiles, and then kisses me gently before we exit the sleek automobile.

  Chapter 31

  Samantha Marconi

  The elevator opens, and I’m once again brought back into his world of opulence and beauty. The atmosphere of his home comforts me in such a way that I could have designed it myself. That is if I had an unlimited budget too. He goes into the kitchen to pour some wine. I’m warm so I remove my pink sweater that I wore over my halter-top. As I wander around the room, I spot a photograph I would like to see on a high shelf next to the fireplace. I reach up for it, and just as I lift the frame, his superpower fingertips tickle softly against my bare skin to make a gasp escape my lips.

  He feathers them up and down my ribs alongside my breasts as he whispers in my ear, “Keep your hands above your head. It reminds me of the other night when I was lucky enough to touch you for the first time.”

  I moan and lean back into his heated body. I realize that the best decision I made today was to wear this halter top. Nico slides his fingers farther inside my top to palm my breasts; his thumbs graze my nipples, sending red-hot volts of electricity to my lady bits. My spine arches, and I can feel his arousal against my ass. As he nips and kisses his way along the back of my neck, I can’t suppress my desire to touch him anymore. So I bring my hands behind his head to pull him closer to my neck. I tilt my head to grant his mouth access to my hot spot right below my ear. Lost in the moment, his whisper makes me jump.
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  “I need to ask. Is this moving too fast? If you want to stop, now is the time to tell me. We will drink our wine, and I’ll sleep in the guest room again. I refuse to push you before you’re ready.”

  His warm breath on my skin causes all my nerve endings to fire with an electrical-like current. I’ve never been more ready for a man in my life. Nico is the ultimate aphrodisiac; his body, voice, gentle nature, and so many other things about him turn me on. I want this man now.

  “Oh Nico, please don’t stop. I need you. Ever since you confirmed it was you at the club, I’ve wanted this, fantasized and dreamed about this, about you. No man has ever given me such ecstasy.”

  In a heartbeat, he picks me up right off my feet, making me squeal. My arms are around his neck, and air floats up my skirt, but I don’t care. My feet hit the floor on the side of his enormous bed. He presses up against me. His broad chest pushing hard into my breasts as his lips find mine, claiming them. I open my mouth fully to him and lose myself in the sensations of his kiss. He’s full of intensity, he conveys feelings that nothing in my life have prepared me for. The realization shakes me to my core, and then just as suddenly as it arrives, it engulfs me in a warm, loving embrace. He ends the kiss slowly, reverently, and graces me with his tender blue gaze.

  “I almost lost control for a minute, but I remember what is important for our first time. There will be other times for lustful crazy wild lovemaking. But our first time should be gentle and romantic, so I can please you. Nothing satisfies me more than to give you pleasure.”

  I don’t respond with words because none as eloquent as his proclamation. Holding his gaze, I reach around and untie my halter, letting it fall to my feet. Then I unzip my skirt and gravity takes over, causing it to join my top. I now stand there in just my little navy blue lace and satin panties and my strappy high sandals. Nico is such a gentleman; he pays attention to my face as his gaze becomes more and more luminous, and I swear his pupils glow like some otherworldly creature.

  Once again, he picks me up off my feet and lays me carefully on his soft white duvet. Only then does he admire my body. I cover my eyes with my palms and giggle. Nico takes my foot into his hand, unbuckles my left shoe and then my right, and removes them slowly methodically. Using the pads of his thumbs, he massages my arch on each foot, causing me to moan out loud.

  “You definitely know all the spots on a woman.”

  “I’m just getting started, beautiful.”

  He then stands and diligently studies my reaction as he removes his clothes. The sight of his perfectly sculpted body makes my mouth water. I think about licking this man so often that it’s time he became my favorite food group. It’s almost as if the slow and sexy movements are to build up anticipation and cause a blaze deep within my core, accompanied by an ache to feel him inside me.

  As I lie on the bed in admiration of his perfect form from head to toe and (OH, BOY!) head, length and width, he leans forward to curl his fingers slowly around the crotch of my panties. He pulls them down to my ankles and off in one languid motion. His hands send chills as they travel up my legs from my feet to part my thighs, and I bend my knees to open myself up for his hungry gaze. He growls in appreciation as his tongue slides between my folds. I succumb to my urges when he so masterfully brings me to climax with his fingers and his sexy mouth. I still shake beneath him as he slowly starts to move up my body. Little, soft nibbles on his way up my stomach while he rolls my nipples between his thumb and forefinger. His tongue follows, giving each breast equal attention. He worships at my altar like my body is a rare piece of fine art.

  I weave my fingers through his hair to pull him closer, never wanting to have a shred of distance between us. He picks up his head to look me in the eyes, almost as if he desires that connection most. I delve into his gaze and lose myself in the depths of his azure blue precious stones. They look back at me with profound emotion.

  “Sam, you’re so wet, so ready. Tell me you want me.”

  “You're all I want, everything I could ever want.”

  With that, he reaches over for a packet and swiftly dons a condom. I groan in abandon, arching in desire as he cradles me in his strong arms. His mouth takes mine in a deep, searing kiss while he places his manhood at my entrance and fills me up to the depth of my soul. I grip him tight and explode around him, squeezing him while we cry out in unison. Nothing else exists in the world we join together. We are perfectly in sync, rising and falling with the tide in the ocean, the sun and the moon in the universe. We are complete.

  Chapter 32

  Nico Pope

  As I awaken from the best night of lovemaking I have ever experienced, the warmth of Sam’s body tangled up with mine makes me want to start all over again. Her dark, silky waves fan out over my pillow with matching eyelashes feathered against her pink cheeks. She sighs in her sleep. Her lips are full, the color of ripe cherries swollen from our passionate kisses. My body heats as the sheet slips below her alluring breasts to allow me to worship their natural beauty. I don’t know how much time passes as I watch her sleep. I’m so lucky to have found this woman. I’ve never known a woman so free and uninhibited with her body. She’s perfection for me with intelligence, ambition, honesty, and beauty. I have a strong instinct to keep her safe, have her beside me, and never let her go.

  Samantha’s gorgeous eyes open, and she catches me. A blush rises in her cheeks, but she doesn’t try to cover herself. Instead, a big smile spreads across her face, and she throws her leg over to straddle me with her hands splayed on my chest. Her voice is still sleepy but low and sexy.

  “Good morning, handsome. Coffee, tea, or me?” She giggles as she leans down, gliding her breasts up and down my chest. I pull her mouth down to mine, and before I kiss her senseless, I answer.

  “Always you over anything else.”

  She moves her hips to manipulate my erection against her cleft. She’s already so wet. The friction between us stimulates her sensitive nerves, and I can tell her climax is already within reach. We both pant heavily as we rub deeper and harder against each other. She reaches for a condom, and no sooner does she roll it on me than I’m sheathed deeply inside her warmth. I groan in ecstasy at the hot, tight velvet surrounding me. She pauses before moving carefully to accommodate the depth of penetration. Her head falls back, eyelids closed, her hair falling over her round perfect breasts. I’m transported to another world, and she’s all my fantasies come to light. Her uninhibited, unrestrained passion for me is evident in her eyes and her actions. The sight takes possession of my very soul.

  Time gets away from us, and we unfortunately have to shower quickly and get over to Joe’s office. I wish we could have showered together, but we would never have made it on time. My plans for a hot, sexy shower will have to wait for another day.

  ~~~

  When we make a quick stop at Sam’s condo for a fresh change of clothes, I take the opportunity to look around her apartment. The familiar scent of jasmine and coconut infuses the air. I breathe it in and remember that first night when she sat next to me at my piano. Pictures of her family and friends are displayed throughout her cozy place. I admire the décor; it’s tasteful and elegant without being pretentious. Her arms come around my waist from behind to see what picture I have.

  I ask her softly, “These are your parents?”

  The picture is of Sam with her mom and dad at graduation.

  “Yes, they are very proud of me. There’s a picture just like it upstairs in Jen’s place. Her parents were already gone, so my parents kind of stand in as hers when she needs it.”

  I turn in her arms, and she looks up at me with watery eyes and says, “I have to go home today for Sunday family dinner. Should I tell my parents about Jennifer? It has been more than forty-eight hours, and I’ve only gotten one text and no answer otherwise in that time. They deserve to know, even if she just ran away. They’ll be very upset I didn’t call them as soon as I suspected anything might be wrong.”<
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  I wrap my arms tightly around her with my response soothing in her ear.

  “After we see Joe, I’ll go with you to tell them.”

  She looks up at me with her eyebrows high in disbelief.

  “You want to come to meet my parents so soon? Most guys put that as far off as possible, indefinitely maybe. My ex only met them by accident when they came down here to take me to dinner, and he bumped into them. It was awkward, to say the least. Not on my parents’ part—because you will see that anyone I love, they accept with open arms—but my ex kind of just bumbled through the whole introduction and the short conversation. It was just another clue that he was NOT the one for me.”

  I give her my biggest smile and reassure her. “Well, guess what, there’s no reason to put it off. Here’s a clue. I AM the one for you, so there will be no awkward introductions, and it will all go very smoothly. Your parents being the perceptive people I know they are will take one look at me and know how I feel about you.”

  Now the tears flow freely, and she hugs me tightly around my waist.

  “What’s wrong? Beautiful, please don’t cry.”

  “You are just the sweetest man I have ever met. Please don’t let me wake up from this dream.”

  “This is no dream. We’ve found each other, and I’m never letting you go.”

  With that, I kiss away her tears and contain my lusty thoughts for another time so we could get over to Joe’s office since he’s there on a Sunday morning waiting for us.

  Sam’s clothing selection for the day is much more conservative than yesterday at the salon. She has on dark jeans with a white blouse over a navy T-shirt with thin straps. Her blouse is buttoned up and only shows a small hint of the tee underneath. It really doesn’t matter what she has on, though. She’s such a captivating voluptuous woman; any man would appreciate her. And as soon as we walk in, Joe certainly does. Of course, Sam is blissfully unaware of his appraisal. She just sits straight with her hands in her lap and acts professionally. I take a cue from her and do the same for now. Sam and I already talked about being exclusive. We both agreed that we have no interest in dating other people, so that fact diminishes my jealousy.