Arousal

by A. C. Rose

  “I reserved a private area, outside the office,” he told the maître de. He looked over at me and winked. I remembered the way he leaned over me in that office and took me out on this terrace to discuss his crazy family prophecy six days earlier. It seemed a lifetime ago.

  “Of course, Mr. Petre, follow me.” We moved on the familiar path we’d walked before, on the night we met.

  We were led out to the little area of terrace where he first told me he wanted to marry me. And here we were, on the day that would decide it all. He was setting things up so it would be hard for me to walk away, but I had to be firm in my decision. I braced myself for saying good-bye. My heart was heavy, like lead, and I could barely breathe.

  He pulled out my chair and sat across from me, and then, taking my hand, he kissed it. Once again I saw that look in his eye. The one that was meant for me, only. A look he would never share with Sheila, or Aisha, or anyone. He held my gaze for some time before he finally spoke.

  “I love you,” he said, squeezing my hand. “And with everything that’s happened in the past twenty-four hours, I have come to a big decision … that I would be willing to step down from the ‘family business’ if it meant I could have your love.”

  My mouth dropped open. This stunned me as much as his first declaration of our fated love on the night we met. “What about your promise to your grandmother? How could you betray her wishes?”

  After Vlad’s accusations last night, I didn’t know what to believe any more about the legitimacy of the ‘prophecy,’ but still, Nicolai adored his grandmother.

  “Because they are her wishes for continuing a legacy,” he said with a sigh. “My wish is to be with you no matter what. Even if it means forgetting about this tradition I have been bred to carry out. If I were to bail, I could stop pressuring you to marry me, unless you want to, of course. If I knew you would at least love me and stand by my side as my partner, I could leave the rest.”

  He lifted the water glass from the table and took a big sip, looking at me over the rim. Then he set it down and awaited my response. He seemed dead serious.

  “But you’re the count, and you have a destiny,” I said, panic rising in my chest. “I could never interfere with your life like that.” The idea of Nicolai not fulfilling his calling, after knowing how important it was to him, did not make sense.

  “Believe me, if I lose you, it will interfere with my life,” he said, his fingers now caressing mine. Tears rimmed his eyes. “If you run from me and are so scared of this life that it makes you not want me, then I will not be in much shape for my so-called destiny. You are my destiny. I am clear about that one hundred percent. The fact that you even engaged me on this journey speaks volumes about who you are, my love.”

  We looked at each other for a long time. It all flooded back to me. And the emotions felt deeper, stronger, and more solid than anything else in my life.

  “But you can’t not be who you are,” I said, tears welling. “Not for me. You can’t do this for me.”

  “Allison, I will still be who I am, but without the baggage.” He let go of my hand and brought both his hands to his chin, fingers in a prayer-like pose. “Let’s face the facts. You have disdained everything I have presented to you this week—fate, marriage, prophecy, legacy, leaving your company to work with me, becoming my countess, my offer of financial support—everything. And I realized I bought into a belief that you would want these things if you wanted me.”

  My throat constricted. I was on the edge of sobbing. He finally seemed to understand how overwhelming it had all been for me.

  “I’m sorry,” he continued. I could tell he was trying to hold back his emotions, but the tears in his eyes broke my heart. “I was wrong to try to sell you on this, and to try to change you into thinking you wanted these things.” He dropped his hands in front of him and sighed. “But I don’t think I was wrong about one thing. I believe you truly care for me. And that’s really what I wanted from you today, to just care for me. And even if nothing happens with us, I will carry that in my heart.”

  He reached across the table and I placed both my hands in his and felt the warmth between us. He looked at me through tear-rimmed eyes and all I saw was love. I realized all I felt in that moment was love for him as well. My heart was suddenly so open. And it was beating so fast that my chest tingled. A rush of awareness spilled into me so quickly and powerfully that it tickled the top of my head. I almost couldn’t speak. I removed one of my hands from his grip and placed it to my chest to calm myself as I searched for the words. I observed him and his warm expression.

  “Nicolai,” I finally said, my face scrunching with tears. “I think … I’m in love with you.”

  I bent my head, lost in a swirl of emotion. I heard him get out of his chair and walk around the table. He got down on his knees in front of me and lifted my chin. His other hand went to my cheek and softly caressed it. His eyes were changing colors in the sun, but they held my gaze in a loving embrace. We stayed in that moment for what seemed like a long time. Then he put his forehead against mine. The tears finally stopped.

  He took a huge breath and let it out on a sigh, “Da, my Ves’tacha, I love you, too.”

  Our private revelry was interrupted when two waitresses delivered an onslaught of food to the table. Nicolai lifted himself up from his position leaning into me on his knees and kissed me on the forehead before returning to his seat. When he sat, he folded his hands in front of him and looked at me. He didn’t quite seem to know what to do next.

  “Food!” I exclaimed, louder than I intended. I suddenly felt excited, as if a weight had been lifted. And relieved that this did not turn out to be a break up meal. I didn’t remember even putting an order in—he must have made it in advance—but the classic Sunday brunch of omelets, goat cheese, toast, assorted baked goods, and coffee all smelled good. “I guess we should eat something.”

  “I think we have earned the calories today,” he said, unrolling a napkin and placing it on his lap. He ate a few bites but did not seem that interested in the food. He still could not take his eyes off me, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him, either. But my gaze caught the coconut milk on the table. He remembered to order it for me. It got me every time he remembered little things that were important to me.

  “Nicolai,” I said pouring my special milk and stirring. “There is something I want.”

  “Anything.” He put down his fork. “Let me know, and it will be yours. Do you want me to order you something different to eat?”

  “No, this is delicious.” I dug into my omelet and savored the taste. Then I tried the cheese and a fresh-baked muffin. I suddenly felt like we had options before us and not just in the medley of food. “I want to you to ask me on a date.”

  “A date?” He shot me a roguish smile. “One that I do not have to carry you off to caveman-style?”

  “Exactly. I want to turn back the hands of time, and start out with something normal,” I said, taking one last bite. “As if we had a new start.”

  “Okay, Ms. Monroe,” he said, leaning closer onto the table. “Will you go out with me?”

  “Yes,” I said, smiling coyly. “I would love to.”

  “Where can I take you?” he asked, eyes aglow. “Anywhere you want. Have you been to Paris? Or how about the Swiss Alps for a ski date? Or we can be on a beach in the Caribbean by lunchtime.”

  “That’s sweet.” I had no interest in travel, or even dinner and a movie. I wanted a sex date. “But I want you to take me home. That’s where I want our date to be.”

  “Of course.” He raised one eyebrow. “And, what did you have in mind?”

  “I want to make love.” It was the first time I said those words and felt as if they may actually come true.

  “I think I can handle that.” He hailed the waiter for the check. “I don’t even need to finish eating. I’d rather feast on you.”

  “Good.” I started to gather my things. “And here’s the deal: you have to deliver on
your promise to give me everything I need and want.”

  “Fair enough. And, what if in the course of the experience we decide that the Earth moves and our destiny is sealed?” he teased, or pretended to be playful at any rate.

  “I have no idea.” I shook my head and bit my lip. “I just want your body for now.”

  “You drive a hard bargain.” He winked playfully. “I surrender to your wishes.”

  My mind was in my bedroom where I wanted to be free and naked with Nicolai but when the check came I was a little surprised he signed but remained seated.

  “Are we leaving any time soon?” I tapped two fingers on the table as if it would get us out of there faster. “You don’t want me to change my mind, do you?”

  “God no,” he said, checking his phone, “just waiting to hear from my team … and here’s the text.” He read it out loud. “All is secure.”

  He grabbed my hand, and rushed me to the elevator. This time, he kissed me, hard, for seventy-seven floors.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  The limo ride, entering my building, and opening my front door—they were a haze of events. The next thing I knew, we were inside my apartment with soft romantic music playing and champagne chilling in the kitchenette.

  I eyed Nicolai suspiciously as he closed and locked the door behind us, and I popped into the bedroom to make sure there wasn’t a maid fluffing the pillows. I found the curtains drawn and brand new linens and blankets on my bed. Apparently, his team did more than secure the premises. They set up for the sixth date.

  When I returned to the kitchen area, he’d poured us both a glass of cold water. Apparently he was saving the champagne for later. I picked up my glass and took a sip, looking over my glass at him. Placing it back on the counter, I walked slowly to where he stood, in the walkway area that connected the kitchen and living room in my smallish, one-bedroom apartment.

  “You must have been pretty sure we’d end up back here,” I said, loosening his tie and slipping him out of his jacket. I kept my eyes on his, pretending to be miffed, but smiled as I unbuttoned his shirt. I decided not to make a fuss about the sexing up of my apartment and to instead enjoy the sensual energy percolating in my home, and inside of me.

  I helped him out of his shirt and tossed it on the floor. That body. I could not resist the urge to let my hands roam over his chest and abs and to feel the V-shaped lines on the side of his body. Oh my God, his flesh and muscles—so sexy and smooth to the touch.

  “So here we are,” he said, taking me into his arms and pulling me in close enough to feel his erection through his pants. “Just you and me.”

  “Yes.” I melted into the warmth of his naked upper body and reveled in the way he held me. My heart was beating fast, excited to finally have this moment. “Two consenting adults, fresh from six days of drama and foreplay.”

  “Maybe it would be nice to make this a completely naked date, no?”

  I nodded. A part of me was surprised we didn’t just rip each other’s clothes off upon entering the apartment. The idea of all of our clothes off, at the same time, in the same room, excited me.

  He lifted off my shirt over my head and looked at me, studying my breasts and face. He reached out and touched the skin on my arm with the backs of his fingers. A look came over his face. He was wild-eyed and his smooth chest heaved. Stepping closer, he pressed my body against the wall. Then he leaned against me with his erection, as he used both hands to take hold of my face and pull my lips to his for a kiss. He plunged his tongue in and out of my mouth as his hips took on a sexual rhythm of their own. His motions urged me to move with him to the beat of a primal dance of love. I got lost in the erotic tension that was building inside me.

  When he slowed his kiss and withdrew, my lips were sore—in a sexy, hot kiss kind of way. Hunger for him tingled in every part of me.

  “Do you want me to love you today?” he whispered it in my ear, still holding my face in his hands. His breath on my flesh made my body tremble. He slid his hands over my neck and shoulders, then down my arms, and caressed my exposed upper body. “Tell me I have your permission to make love to you.”

  He could have easily thrown me down on the couch and fucked me until I couldn’t remember my own name, and that would have been hot. I was ready, but his polite approach was even hotter.

  “Yes, you do,” I agreed, squirming and pressing my legs together as he removed my bra and took hold of my breast. His hands roamed over my flesh as he focused his mouth on my nipple. It registered like a full-body kiss. I felt it between my legs.

  “So many things I want to do with this body,” he said, moving his lips to my other breast and kissing every spot of sensitive skin he could find. “Would that be okay?” He unzipped my skirt, sensually moved it over my hips, and let it fall to the floor. He held me as I stepped out of it.

  “That would be very nice,” I panted, unbuckling his belt. “As long as it works both ways.” I yanked the belt from the loops and let it fall to the floor.

  “Then any pleasure I see fit to bestow upon this beautiful body,” he said, lifting my leg alongside of his hip and grinding into me, “is fine with you?”

  “Absolutely,” I said, reveling in the feel of him against my soaked panties. “As long as that goes the same for your body? Anything I want?”

  “Of course, “he said, sucking my lower lip into his mouth. “This is an equal opportunity date. Both sides have full erotic power.”

  “Good,” I murmured, unzipping his pants and slipping my hands over his underwear. “Because I want this particular appendage, the one you’ve been teasing me with all week.” I grabbed his cock. “And I want it right now.”

  I had to taste him. I needed to take him into my mouth.

  I kneeled in front of him, reached into the fly opening of his briefs and set it free. His pants were undone and still hanging on his hips; there was no need to remove them yet. I loved the feel of his baby soft flesh, covering that massive hard-on. I brought him into my mouth and let my tongue explore. Then I took him in as deep as I could. He groaned and pressed in deeper, his hands instinctively on my head, but he let me find my own pace. My hunger for him would not extinguish. My desire was to give him pleasure, to make him explode in my mouth, but he stopped me.

  “I don’t want to lose control, not yet.” He sighed and ran his fingers through my hair, and twisted a strand in his fingers. I put my cheek against his length, and pulled him closer. I craved closeness with that part of him.

  Then he lowered himself to the ground and kneeled before me. He pulled my face to his and took me over with a kiss. Yet his lips and tongue were so familiar now. I felt it was my own mouth, a part of me.

  Slowly he moved us back into a standing position as his mouth stayed on mine. Then he leaned me against the wall and stepped away.

  “I have never taken a moment to just admire you, knowing I could have you,” he said, stepping out of his pants. “I want to soak in this moment.”

  And I wanted to soak in the sight of his beautiful body, too.

  Another time in my life, I would have been embarrassed to stand and gape at a man and let him look at me the way Nicolai did. I would have been too shy to allow his eyes to lay claim on my flesh. But I felt so close to him, I had no shame. In this moment, it was like a reward.

  I wanted to see the rest of my prize, so I stepped over and sneaked my hands into the band of his underwear. I slid them completely over his hips, along with his pants, and dropped his clothes to the floor. He leaned his hand on my shoulder as he stepped out of them.

  His gaze roamed my body and focused on my arousal soaked undies. “Can I set you free from the material that stands between us?”

  “Yes,” I whispered, my lower parts throbbing.

  He lowered me to the plush rug and parted my thighs ever so slightly with the back of his hands and kneeled before me. I expected him to remove them quickly, but instead he kissed me through my underwear, starting at my lower belly and working hi
s way down, until his lips found the drenched center of my panties. My knees trembled.

  He slid his hand under the elastic. He gently spread me and entered with one finger—going in an inch, then two, then more, until he was all the way inside. He plunged in and out of my wet inner flesh. It felt like all the blood in my body had flowed to the area between my thighs. I longed to be filled up by him.

  “So, so wet,” he said, inserting a second finger. He moved around in me, making wider strokes, going a bit deeper. “You’re still so aroused. All these days and you have stayed so wet for me.”

  “I have, Nicolai, all for you.” I pressed up against him.

  “Those words,” he said, smiling at me. “They are music to my ears.”

  He removed his fingers slowly, keeping his gaze on mine. I didn’t want him to leave that part of me but was excited when he moved his hands to my belly and softly stroked my heated flesh. He caressed his way to my hips and, sliding his hands inside my panties again, this time gingerly removing them.

  I lifted up slightly as he moved his hands over my ass and the tops of my thighs and helped me out of my last piece of clothing. Sliding the panties down to my ankles, he freed one leg and let it drop to the floor. Then, after dragging the panties over the other foot, he raised my leg and brought my toes to his mouth. Pleasure shot through me as he kissed my foot and slowly returned my leg to the floor.

  “Now there is nothing to come between us,” he said with a grin, but I suspected he was talking about more than my underwear.

  I smiled as I felt his fingertips traveling up my inner thighs, his soft touch tingling on my skin.

  “Stay open for me.” His command excited me. I spread my legs even farther apart. He bowed his head just above my pubic mound and kissed me there. He breathed me in. I gave myself over to the moment.

  “You are so beautiful,” he said, whispering into me, so close I could feel his breath on my lower parts. His mouth traveled downward and brushed lightly over my public hair. So close. But instead of visiting my aching center, he licked and kissed my inner thigh. He kept finding a new area of flesh with his mouth, closer to my center, but teased the place that ached for him most.