She stared at me with wide eyes for a long moment, and I could see her mind racing as she came to a decision. I held my breath, but I knew what her answer would be as soon as she relaxed against me.
“I want you, Ben.”
With a harsh groan, I bent my head to kiss her with all the passion I’d been holding inside. Her mouth soon softened under the onslaught of my lips against hers. I threaded my fingers through her brown locks and anchored her against me, not willing to risk the possibility of either one of us coming to our senses. Instead, I seduced her with long kisses and slow strokes of my other hand up and down the side of her body until I was certain she couldn’t think at all, let alone think about changing her mind.
I slid my hand under the hem of her sweater to explore the tender skin underneath. My fingers brushed her soft flesh, and she moaned as she writhed against me. Her mouth never left mine as my fingers managed to slip inside, moving slowly down her belly. When I stroked her pussy through her panties she moaned as she kissed me.
With a growl, I broke the kiss, wanting to see her expression as I fingered her. “Has anyone ever touched you like this?”
Lindsay shook her head, her eyes closed as she threw back her head. It left a tempting expanse of neck bared to me, and I couldn’t resist the urge to suck and nibble on her throat as my finger moved down her wet slit, gliding easily over the panties. I was certain she’d have a hickey in the morning, but I didn’t stop sucking her neck. I wanted her to wear my mark, to have proof that she was mine.
That made me pull away. It was a dangerous thought, and I couldn’t risk it. She was mine tonight, but that’s all it could be.
She opened her eyes as my fingers hesitated. Seeing confusion starting to appear, I shoved aside my doubts and slipped my finger under the side of her panties. She was warm and wet, and from that point all I could think about was sinking my cock inside her wet slit.
Her gaze didn’t leave mine as I stroked her with gradually increasing pressure. She bucked against my hand and grasped the walls of the elevator when I slid a second finger inside her. Lindsay pressed against the wall and splayed her legs, opening for me, and I murmured sounds of encouragement for her as my cock jumped and strained against my pants.
She was so tight and wet that I could barely slip two fingers inside her now, and I did so cautiously. I didn’t want to hurt her. Just get her ready for my cock. The cries she made would have told anyone outside the car what was going on, but I didn’t care. I’d pressed the “close door” button, but had never bothered to select a floor. We were playing with fire, and any of the tenants could call for the elevator at any time, but we certainly wouldn’t be the first couple who’d been fucking in this elevator. I sometimes thought the guy who’d designed Imperial had put in this elevator for this exact purpose.
She started to tremble and pitched forward. I caught her, supporting her weight in my arms as her spasming pussy clenched around my fingers. Lindsay was breathing harshly and shaking, and her cream coated my fingers. I held her as the pleasure shook her before helping her to her feet. I replaced her sweater on that creamy shoulder and made sure she was watching me when I brought my fingers to my mouth to lick off her essence. “Shall we go to my room now?”
She just nodded, leaning weakly against the elevator as I pressed the button to whisk us to the sixty-sixth floor. My cock was so hard I didn’t think it would take more than a couple of strokes inside her to come, and I took advantage of the break to regain some control. The last thing I wanted was to rush things. I wanted to savor my first—and only—night with the woman in front of me.
Chapter 10
Lindsay
I followed Ben into his apartment, not meeting Margot’s eyes as she spoke to him quietly. It would be weird to linger and wait for him, so I climbed the stairs to check on Elle. She was deeply asleep as I’d expected, and with no sign of the nightmares that sometimes woke her. She would sleep through until morning, most likely.
Which meant I had the whole night with Ben. Did I want that? A pulse in my pussy so strong it almost knocked me over said I did, but I was still afraid to completely give in. I was shocked that he wanted me as much as I wanted him, but not dumb enough to think he’d be risking his heart when he took me to bed. That problem was all mine, and I’d be better off avoiding it.
I should do the right thing and go straight to bed. He likely wouldn’t follow me, and it would send a clear message that I didn’t want to go further. That I regretted what we’d already done.
Except I didn’t.
I had no remorse. I wanted to be with him. I’d probably feel differently after the evening was over, and maybe I’d wish I hadn’t slept with him, but I was sure if I didn’t go to him now I’d regret it even more.
When he opened Elle’s door a few minutes later, I’d made up my mind. “She’s out like a light.”
“No nightmares?”
I shook my head. “I doubt she’ll wake up at all tonight.”
His slow, sensual smile spoke volumes. “That’s good, because I plan to be up all night.”
I didn’t have to ask doing what, and I took his hand when he extended it. “Me too.”
Ben led me down the hall to his room, and the bed was just as huge as he’d promised. I got a brief glimpse of the luxurious décor of taupe and silver, but my attention quickly went from the room to him when he removed his suit jacket. Watching him undress sent a shiver down my spine, and I balled my hands to keep from reaching out to help him. I wanted to watch everything.
He cocked a brow at me. “Do you plan to wear that all night?”
I shook my head, slowly reaching for the hem of my dress. I pulled it over my head. as quickly as possible, not wanting to miss a moment. He was soon bare to the waist, and as I slid my tights down my legs and stepped out of them, I kept my eyes on his body.
His shoes came off next, and I was sure he was purposely teasing me as he took his time with them. It gave me an excellent opportunity to check out his body. He was perfect. His muscles were taut and well defined, not an ounce of fat. This was no dad-bod.
My gaze went straight to the bulge that stretched the front of his boxer briefs, and I swallowed. It was bigger than I’d expected, though I shouldn’t be surprised to find he was gifted. He seemed blessed in every other physical department. Still, the size was a little frightening, and I looked up at him uncertainly.
He was grinning. “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine, Lindsay. We just need to make sure you’re really wet and ready for me.”
“Oh. How do we do that?”
Ben grinned. “A few orgasms should do the trick.”
He stalked me. That was the only word for it. There was a predatory gleam in his eyes, and it sent my fight-or-flight instincts surging. I didn’t give in to either impulse and somehow remained standing still as he approached. When his hands touched me, I was his. There was no escape—not that I wanted to be anywhere else.
He lifted me into his arms like I weighed nothing, and carried me to the bed, just like a hero in an old movie. I loved romantic movies, but hadn’t expected to ever feel like I was in one. I didn’t want to fool myself into believing this was the path to true love and happily-ever-after.
It was only as he laid me down and started kissing me that I started thinking about happy-ever-afters. His kisses were sweetly tantalizing, each one hotter than the next. With a moan, I tried to blot out thoughts of romance, not wanting to indulge in dangerous fantasies that could break my heart. I just wanted to be there, in that moment, with Ben. It felt so good; couldn’t that be enough?
He was determined to learn every inch of me with his lips. Starting with my eyelids, he pressed light kisses all over my face before moving to my neck, and then my chest. I groaned as he tugged lightly on the nipple, somehow making it grow even harder with his touch.
“Oh, God,” I gasped when his mouth moved to my breast to graze his lips and teeth over my rosy nipple before drawing it into his mouth. I hadn
’t lied when I’d told him I was innocent. I’d never gotten past kissing and light petting with other boyfriends. This was all new to me, and in the past, if I’m honest, it wasn’t usually so great. Ben made every new touch amazing.
It was even more exciting when his tongue traced a path down my belly. My stomach quivered visibly as he moved over it, and I tensed with anticipation. I’d left my panties on—I’d been too shy to remove them. He simply tore them away in a quick motion that shocked me, but certainly didn’t hurt. “You ripped them,” I gasped.
He lifted his head, poised over me like a massive beast, and there was wildness in his eyes that let me know he wasn’t as in control as he seemed. “They were in the way. I have to taste you.”
I spread my thighs and tangled my hands into his thick hair, as he moved his path of kisses to my thighs and then my furrow. I closed my eyes as his lips teased lightly over my lips. A gush of wetness accompanied the light flick of his tongue against my clit, and I arched to meet his mouth as he pressed it into my hot flesh.
Breathless new sounds of wonder and pleasure escaped as he licked my pussy, lapping at my nectar. I clutched the duvet in my hands and did my best just to survive the sensations. I didn’t know how to process this kind of mind-blowing pleasure. “Ben,” I managed to say in a gasp as my second orgasm ever—the first from his expert tongue—built and ripped through me.
I was still saying his name two intense orgasms later, but with a hint of pleading. “Please…I can’t take it anymore.”
He groaned as he tore himself away, but then he stood up. His cock was hard and straight, the head a bright purple that looked almost angry. It swayed and bobbed as he moved to the nightstand before coming back to me.
When he lay down between my legs again, I saw the condom wrappers he’d dropped nearby. “Six? You’re optimistic.”
He laughed, looking a touch self-conscious. “I just grabbed a handful. We don’t have to use them all tonight.”
“I’m just thinking I’d like to be able to walk tomorrow.”
“Walking’s overrated when you could just stay in bed and get fucked.”
The words made me tremble, but not with fear. “I want you so bad, Ben. I just wanted to make sure you know that. For sure.”
He stopped to press a tender kiss to my mouth. “I know it. I want you too.”
I closed my eyes again, listening to him open the foil packet. I couldn’t hear the condom actually sliding on his cock, but I felt the head nudge against my opening a moment later. I took a deep breath and struggled not to stiffen as he slid inside me.
I whimpered at a flash of pain that was gone almost as quickly as it came. I opened my eyes wide, and his eyes were tender.
“Just relax. It might hurt for a bit, but I promise it will feel good soon.”
I nodded, biting my lip. I guess I expected him to just plunge inside, but he still moved in a slow, controlled, way. When he was in, tears came to my eyes, but his mouth was there to lick them away before they could travel very far down my cheeks.
He pressed until he was fully inside me. “Is it okay, Lindsay?”
“It’s fine, thanks.” I giggled since I sounded so polite, even though I was filled with strange new sensations. “And you?”
“Jesus Christ, you feel fantastic. Let me know when you think I can move, because holding still in your tight, wet pussy is about the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
He wasn’t just saying that because he thought I’d want pretty words. He was genuinely having a hard time not fucking the shit out of me right then and there. “You can move.” I wasn’t sure how ready I had to be, but I was ready to try.
The first few thrusts hurt a tiny bit, but less and less with each. By the time he’d set a pace, deep pleasure was building again. The pain was a memory, and with every thrust I was enjoying it more. I moved my hips with his, and he smiled at me before letting out a deep moan.
Everything disappeared as we moved together, and when the first twinges started deep in my core and spread outward, I quivered in his arms . As my sheath contracted around him over and over, he groaned. I threaded my fingers through his hair as my other hand pulled him deeper. His cock jerked and twitched inside me, and as I came, warmth filled my insides. If there hadn’t been a condom, his essence would have been inside me.
He collapsed on top of me, his warm weight comforting before he eventually rolled away, the tips of his fingers touching mine for a second before he got out of bed. I slipped almost immediately into sleep after that, barely able to keep my eyes open. Feeling the bed dip briefly, I murmured his name. I thought I felt his arms around me as I surrendered to sleep.
* * *
Thinking I’d fallen asleep in his arms made it all the more disorienting when I woke alone in my own bed the next morning. He must have carried me in here, but when? Had it been as soon as I’d passed out, or had he held me for a little while first? Not knowing was going to bother me, but I couldn’t imagine having the nerve to ask. I didn’t know if he had another outing planned for today, since it was Saturday, but I cringed imagining having that conversation somewhere like the zoo.
“So, um, Ben, did you fuck me and then dump me off in my room right away, or did you give me a little pity cuddling first?”
I so didn’t want to hear his answer if it was the first, and even the second wouldn’t do anything to take away the feeling of sadness. I’d known it was a one-time thing, and I thought I’d been prepared for that, but as I sat up and rolled out of bed, I knew I’d lied to myself.
The telltale ache between my thighs made me wince. Bending over to cup my tender bits for support, I saw a piece of paper on the floor. My heart fluttered wildly as I lifted it, expecting it to be a note that had fallen off the bed. It was, but it wasn’t from Ben.
Panic forming a lump in my throat, I ran from my room, not even caring I was stark naked. “Ben!” I shouted his name, and he emerged from his room a moment later, wearing a look of concern. And some pants, which I hadn’t thought to grab.
He frowned at my nakedness before rushing forward. “What’s the matter, Lindsay? Are you hurt? If there’s a little blood, that’s normal...”
I waved the note at him. “It’s nothing like that. Elle ran away.”
Chapter 11
Ben
For just a moment, I stared at Lindsay in shock, unable to comprehend the meaning of her words. She couldn’t actually be saying what she had just said. “Elle ran away.”
There was sadness in her eyes, but it was her sense of urgency as she thrust the note toward me that finally forced my synapses to fire again. I took it and read the brief words and my heart dropped into my stomach, followed by a wave of nausea rolling up toward the back of my throat. “Fuck. Why would she do this?”
Lindsay, still naked, seemed as bewildered as me. “I don’t know. I thought things were getting better for her. It makes no sense.”
I nodded as I clutched the piece of paper in my hand. “Why don’t you go get dressed, and I’ll call in some people to help find her.” I turned away from Lindsay, who was scurrying back to her room as though she suddenly realized she was standing naked in the hallway, and hurried to my office down the hall. Once inside, I immediately dialed Eric’s number. As soon as he answered, I said, “Elle ran away, and I need you to find her. Bring everybody you have. Recruit people if necessary, but we have to get her back as soon as possible.”
“Of course, sir.” He sounded at the ready, which was as comforting as anything could be. “Should we check your ex-wife’s house?”
I grimaced. “Oh God. I can’t imagine she went there, but if she did, I’d have to bring her back myself. For now, I’d like to keep Ashe out of this.”
“I understand. Should I have someone drive by her house to see if there’s any sign of Elle?”
I shook my head before realizing he couldn’t see me. I was too distraught to think straight. “No, Ashe might recognize you, and she’s probably paranoid enough to
be watching for cars if she does have our daughter. I can only send someone she won’t expect.”
“I’ll get right on it.”
After hanging up, I ran a hand through my hair as a heavy sigh racked me. I had to pull my tattered thoughts together.
Elle’s disappearance was completely unexpected, and I didn’t know how to proceed. I’m always in control. I usually had a plan, and what’s more I rarely deviated from it. Being helpless and uncertain had left me feeling lost.
All I knew was I had to bring Elle home, and she had to be kept safe. There was no other option I could accept. I also had to keep Ashe out of it, in case she decided to try to sue for custody again. While I didn’t think she had a chance of winning, and I really didn’t think she even wanted Elle, she knew another drawn-out battle would hurt me. She didn’t care what kind of damage a fight would do to our daughter.
I looked up as my office door opened and Lindsay crept in. She was dressed now, and she looked as lost as I felt. She came toward me, hesitating a few feet away. “What are we going to do?”
I liked how she said “we,” as though we were in this together. We most certainly were, at least when it came to Elle.
As she hovered nearby, looking uncertain, I realized she was waiting for me to reach out to embrace her. I didn’t know if I could. Giving in to that kind of impulse, no matter if I shared it, risked starting something real between us. The last thing I had time to worry about was my love life at the moment, but I couldn’t deny the fact that I needed comfort too.
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