by Cece Baker
“This event is so well coordinated,” commented Thea.
Caroline nodded and said, “Yes. They do such an amazing job every year.”
Thea found herself at Landen’s side being introduced to local celebrities, corporate tycoons and even a few professional athletes. She sipped her cocktail slowly so as not to get too tipsy. She did not plan to make a fool of herself and embarrass the Ellsworths, Caroline in particular.
Thankfully, cocktail hour drew to a close and they were escorted to the head table and the dinner service began. It was not the typical overcooked chicken dinner that Thea was used to when she’d attended conferences or large gatherings. No. They ate salmon with asparagus, a green salad, freshly baked popovers with maple butter and for dessert, blood orange sorbet. The wine had been paired perfectly and without even realizing it, Thea felt a little light-headed. Thankfully coffee was also being served.
Landen stood up and Thea looked up at him questioningly. “My speech,” he said softly, his blue eyes locked with hers. “Wish me luck, “ he winked and proceeded to the podium.
“I didn’t know Landen had to give a speech,” Thea said to Caroline.
“Yes. Since he is the new CEO at Ellsworth Construction he will now give a speech every year at this event.”
Thea was intrigued, and sat back in her chair, and although she preferred tea she brought her coffee cup to her lips and focused her attention on the devastatingly handsome man at the microphone.
“Welcome,” Landen began and immediately the room hushed. Landen spoke of his personal reasons for supporting this charity and what it was like growing up with a parent who had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He spoke of watching his mother slowly losing her independence, but not her strength of character, her physical limitations, how she never let those things limit her hope and conviction. He reminisced about the school report he wrote on the subject and how proud he was to have received an A on that paper. Landen also acknowledged his frustration that sometimes it felt like no strides had been made in fighting this debilitating disease, but how that wasn’t true. “Today there are so many more drugs that are available when one is first diagnosed than were available when my mother had received her diagnosis.” He emphasized the importance of research and drug trials, so that if even just one person could be saved from having to deal with this disease, it would be worth all the effort.
As he finished his speech the audience erupted in loud applause and people stood giving him a standing ovation. Thea had tears in her eyes and noticed that Caroline did too. Landen came back to their table and went directly to his mother and kissed her cheek, held her hands and bent down to look directly into her eyes. “Thanks for your inspiration, mom. You’re the strongest woman I know.”
More tears flowed and as Landen came back to his seat. Thea reached for his hand and squeezed it. “That was beautiful, Landen, and so well said. Great job.” Embarrassed, Landen looked down at the table and took a sip of his now cold coffee.
The band began playing shortly after Landen finished his speech. All the Ellsworths were on the dance floor except for William and Caroline. They sat next to each other holding hands and watching the crowd.
Landen held Thea closely on the dance floor. Her left arm wrapped around his shoulder and the fingers of her right hand entwined with those on his left hand. They moved slowly around the floor, eyes locked on each other. It was like they were the only people in the room.
Thea breathed in his cologne and sighed.
“Something wrong,” he inquired?
“No,” said Thea, “Nothing is wrong at all. In fact, everything is right.”
Landen dipped his head. His lips parted slightly and his breathing grew labored. Thea turned her head up to his, and with that motion their lips touched. The world was spinning out of control as she kissed him and she had to pull away because she was suddenly so dizzy.
“Thea?” Landen asked questioningly.
“I’m dizzy,” she said. With that Landen brought both of his arms around her middle and squeezed her tightly. Thea’s arms wound around Landen’s neck and they kissed again. This time the kiss was hungry and feverish. Their lips moved against each other and parted slightly so the tips of their tongues could touch each other. Thea was melting in his arms.
They broke apart, both breathing very heavily and clinging to each other for support. The music had changed to something more upbeat, but the two of them were still wrapped in their tight embrace.
“Oh,” Thea said noticing the change in music, “I guess we’re not doing the right dance.” Landen shook his head, kept his arms around her and they began to sway more quickly to match the beat of the song. Thea grinned up at him.
The end of the evening came quickly after having danced more with Landen as well as with both of his brothers. Drake just wanted to dirty dance with her and Westin was a perfect gentleman, but she always came back to Landen who had a little bit of both traits in him.
Earlier in the evening Caroline told Thea to take the next day off. Thea protested, but Caroline insisted, so she agreed. They said their goodbyes to everyone still around, including Landen’s brothers and their dates.
Chapter 6
It had been a fun evening and Thea had thoroughly enjoyed herself. She told Landen, “I’m so glad I agreed to join you tonight.”
He grinned and replied, “The feeling is mutual.” With an arm around her waist Landen led her to the waiting town car. As soon as the chauffeur had closed their doors Landen pulled her to him and kissed her. It was not soft and gentle like the one on the dance floor had been, but rather it was hard and needy and wanting. His tongue licked along her bottom lip and she opened her mouth to him. Their tongues met in a sensual dance, giving and taking. Breathless, Thea pulled away. Landen reached up and unfastened his bow tie and the top two buttons of his shirt.
Thea stared at the skin of his chest now bared to her. “More comfortable?” she asked.
Landen gave a low “Yes,” reached his hand out and guided her mouth back to his. His kiss was urgent and wet and set Thea’s pulse racing. As it deepened, her hands rose to feel his chest. The muscles under the cotton of his shirt were hard and well-defined. Her hands rubbed up and down his chest and wound around his neck as he pulled her closer to him.
Gasping, Thea pulled back to catch her breath. Landen brushed her hair away from her face and positioned his hand on her neck. He touched his forehead to hers and said softly, “Stay with me tonight.”
Before she could consider the consequences, Thea answered with a breathy, “Yes,” and leaned in to kiss him. This time the kiss was gentler, almost as if they knew they didn’t need to force anything because they’d have the whole night to devour each other. Their lips parted and Thea rested her head on Landen’s broad chest. They sat peacefully together his arms around her middle. Neither said another word.
Within minutes the driver pulled the car up to the curb outside Landen’s building. They rode the ancient elevator up to the top floor in silence, but their eyes were locked on each other. The minute the elevator arrived at its destination, Landen lifted the old metal gate and they exited the car. They were in a foyer that led to Landen’s door, the only one on this floor. “Do you live on this whole floor?” Thea asked incredulously.
“I do,” confirmed Landen. “Come on in and see for yourself.”
Thea smiled and entered the airy apartment. The ceilings were at least 20 feet high. She gazed up at the exposed pipes on the ceiling painted in muted colors. Then her eyes were drawn to the floor-to-ceiling windows with a spectacular view of the Mississippi River, a pedestrian bridge and the lights from downtown reflecting on the water. Walking toward the view she sighed, “It’s beautiful,” with longing in her voice.
Landen came up behind her and pulled her hair to one side and kissed her neck softly. “Did I tell you how gorgeous you looked tonight?”
“You did,” Thea replied with a smile, her head turning to see his face.
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Landen took the opportunity to kiss her mouth hungrily.
Thea turned, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. She pulled back and with a little hesitancy she looked Landen in the eye and said, “Just so you know, I’m on the pill and I’m clean. I haven’t been with anyone since my boyfriend and I broke up two years ago.”
With a serious gaze Landen replied, “Thank you for being so straightforward. Just so you know, I always use a condom.”
Thea was pleased with his response. Satisfied that they were both on the same page, she kissed him again. With that Landen took both of her hands and led her to his bedroom.
In the middle of the room there was a massive king-size bed covered in luxurious bedding, the color of a stormy grey sky. The wall opposite the bed was composed completely of windows. The dresser and end tables were constructed of a dark ebony wood, all contemporary in design. A monotone rug covered most of the wood floor. Off to the right was a door to the master suite bathroom and from where Thea stood she could see a huge walk-in shower with multiple shower heads aimed in all directions. It could have been part of a photo shoot, it was so over the top. The tile was a creamy white—or was that marble? Against the far wall was the largest bathtub she’d ever seen and on the wall was a curtain of water running constantly, illuminated with a deep purple light. Breathtaking.
Landen kissed the back of her head and his hands moved to the top of the zipper on the back of her dress. Slowly he pulled it down and was treated to the sight of her alabaster skin emerging as the dress inched lower. At her hips he helped push the dress all the way down to the floor. He was stunned silent when he realized that Thea was completely naked under her dress. Bare. Naked. “Thea,” he gasped, “You’re…naked.” How did she know this was exactly what he’d fantasized about? He was truly the luckiest man on the planet.
“I know,” Thea replied. “I couldn’t very well wear my sports bra and undies under this dress. My bra would have been seen and the panties would have shown panty lines. Both are a definite no-no when wearing a ball gown.” She grinned up at Landen.
“I know I told you how beautiful you looked tonight at the ball, but when I look at you now, you take my breath away. You’re magnificent,” Landen confessed softly.
Thea turned to him and began unbuttoning his shirt. She blushed as she looked into his eyes and ran her hands over his pecs and through the light smattering of hair covering his chest. “Mmmmm…,” she murmured. “And you are so sexy, Mr. Ellsworth.”
With that comment, Landen couldn’t speak. He took ahold of her hips and walked her backwards, laying her down gently as they made it to the bed. Entwining his fingers through hers he stretched her arms up over her head, trapping them. He kissed her with such hunger that Thea couldn’t breathe. When they broke apart, Thea gasped, “Oh, god, Landen.”
He continued kissing her, over her cheek to her earlobe, taking a playful bite. He continued down her neck to one shoulder and then to the valley between her breasts. Finally he caught one nipple in his teeth and bit down softly. Thea moaned. Landen’s looked up at Thea’s face and saw that her eyes were open, taking in all his ministrations. He moved over to her other nipple, sucking it into his mouth deeply and moving his tongue back and forth over the tip.
“Yes,” Thea moaned. Landen continued to kiss and lick and bite at her breasts while he unlaced his fingers from hers, commanded her to keep her hands above her head, and then kneaded the mounds of her tits gently. He licked the underside of each breast hungrily. Then with his tongue he drew a path to her belly button. As his kisses moved lower across her soft belly Thea tensed.
“What’s wrong?” Landen asked.
“My stomach. I mean I’m so out of shape and….” Thea was cut off by Landen’s commanding voice.
“You’re perfect just the way you are. I don’t want to hear another word out of your mouth unless you’re moaning my name. Got it?” Landen demanded sternly.
Quietly, Thea replied with a soft, “Okay.”
“Now, where was I?” said Landen. “I think I was somewhere about here,” he said as his mouth kissed just below her belly button. His hands held her hips as his lips moved even lower. Landen was intoxicated by her scent. She was musky and citrusy and feminine. He couldn’t get enough. Soon his hands were parting her thighs and his face disappeared between her legs.
Thea gasped and shouted his name, “Landen!”
From between her thighs he glanced upward, caught her eyes and grinned. A second later he went back to tasting and teasing her center. “Your pussy smells so good. And I love how you taste,” he said in a muffled voice. “God, you’re so sexy,” he went on. His mouth moved to bite the inside of her thighs.
Thea writhed on the bed, her hands gripping Landen’s head between her legs. The feeling was exquisite. Her hips rose automatically as the feeling within her body surged to a crescendo. Landen wouldn’t let up! He kept nuzzling and sucking and tasting and licking. Then he inserted a finger inside her pussy and moved it in and out. Thea groaned in ecstasy. Then he added a second finger and continued pleasuring her. As her breathing grew faster and louder, he began to move his head quickly back and forth, side-to-side, not stopping until finally she cried out as she climaxed.
“Landen. Oh, god, I’m coming. I’m coming. Yes!” Thea cried out as the muscles in her sex contracted around his fingers.
After Thea came down from her climax, Landen stood to remove his shoes and socks, unzip his pants and slip them down, removing them along with his boxers. Next she heard the tearing of a condom packet. Landen rolled it over his protruding member and crawled on top of Thea, his hard dick pressing into her stomach.
As Landen moved upward to lie on top of Thea she saw that his face was wet with her juices. He kissed Thea hard on the mouth and she tasted herself in the kiss. He rolled them both over so she was on top of him and rasped, “Ride me, Thea. Stick my dick in your cunt and ride me. I want to see your pretty tits bouncing as you ride up and down on my cock.”
Thea complied with his demand, took hold of his dick and guided the raging hard-on to her opening. He was so long and thick that she was a little nervous.
“You’re so big, Landen,” Thea moaned as she took him inch by thick inch into her pussy. The feeling was heavenly. She threw her head back, grabbed her breasts in her hands to fondle them and began moving up and down on his cock. Her hips quickly increased their speed and soon the slap of skin against skin could be heard. The sound heightened her arousal. She flexed her pelvis forward, which elicited a loud moan from Landen.
“Yeah, baby, that’s it. Ride my cock,” Landen cried out, and Thea moved faster.
The wetness from her vagina coated his cock, which made the thrusting that much easier and faster. Thea raised her arms out to the side as she rode him and closed her eyes to soak in the pleasure. Then she felt his chest against hers, his arms around her middle and his mouth on her left breast. Instantly Landen flipped Thea onto her back, lifted her legs around his torso and began to pump in double time.
Thea’s moans and sounds of pleasure filled the bedroom and Landen’s breathing increased exponentially. “Yes. Yes. Yes. That’s it. Take my cock, Thea. Take it all.”
“Oh, god, Oh god, Yes. That’s how I like it. Take me. Take me. Oh god, yes.” Thea bellowed.
“Say my name, Thea. Say it. Say my name,” Landen demanded.
“Oh God, yes, Landen. Keep fucking me. Landen. Landen. Landen.”
“That’s right, Thea. Whose cock is inside you?”
“Yours, Landen. Your cock is in me.”
“You feel so good, Thea. Your pussy is so tight. Tell me when you’re coming. I want to know,” Landen said breathlessly.
“Yes. Landen. I’m almost there. Keep going. I want to get there. I want to get there with you!” responded Thea in gasps.
“We will baby. We’ll get there together. Stay with me a little longer,” shuddered Landen. His hips kept pumping in and out of her pussy. As much
as he wanted to come, he also didn’t want this feeling to end. He turned her so she was on her hands and knees, sunk his cock back into her pussy from behind and kept on pumping. At that angle Thea could look out the window at the river with the lights reflecting on the water. She imagined people across the river walking and looking up and being able to see them fucking. Secretly, she hoped they could be seen.
“Oh, yeah, Landen. You’re fucking me so good. I think I’m going to come!” Thea burst out. A few seconds later she brought it home, her pussy contracting around his dick buried deep inside her body.
Landen groaned loudly upon feeling the contractions. “Yes, oh god. Thea, your pussy feels so good. I’m almost there. Stay with me, baby.” He was still thrusting when at last he let out a loud groan and his body bowed back and he released his come into the condom.
Breathing heavily Landen fell forward, his torso atop hers. He put his hands around her middle and brought them both down flat to lie on the bed and rest. After several minutes their breathing normalized and Landen rolled off Thea, but pulled her body in close, her back to his front. Landen whispered in her ear, “That was fucking amazing, Thea. Thank you for that.”
Thea turned her head so she could see his face. With a huge grin she replied, “Yeah, that was pretty amazing, wasn’t it?”
Landen kissed the side of her head and squeezed her body tightly. “Come on, babe. Let’s get under the covers and get comfortable.” Thea complied and they both stood, threw back the downy comforter and climbed in between the cool, soft sheets. Thea laid her head on the pillow her gaze fixed on the windows. Landen crawled in behind her spooning himself next to her body.
“You know what I was fantasizing about when you were taking me on my hands and knees?” Thea said blushing, moving her hands to cover her face in embarrassment.
“What babe? Don’t be embarrassed. I think it’s pretty hot that you’re willing to talk about your fantasies. Come on. Tell me.” Landen nudged her urging her to speak.