Will's face split into a wide grin before pushing himself up to a sitting position, lifting her up with him and tucking her into his arm. "Now let's continue our conversation. So, Victor is gay."
Clarise laughed. "Yes, honey, for the umpteenth time, he is gay."
"I like it when you call me 'honey'."
"And I like it when you call me 'baby'." She reached up and captured his mouth for another kiss.
Will softly moaned as he responded but broke the kiss quickly. "Behave," he said throatily. "We have a conversation to finish."
"Okay," Clarise acquiesced as she settled back in his embrace.
"So, this is what I don't understand. I could have sworn you two acted like girlfriend-boyfriend at Rick and Megan's party."
Clarise felt her cheeks heat up. "Well, we pretended to be a couple at the party because I was trying to avoid Megan's matchmaking plans," she said in a small voice.
For the second time in their conversation, Will stared at her, not instantly comprehending what she just said. Then he laughed out loud, threw his head back and shook his head in disbelief.
"So you were the single girl I was supposed to get introduced to."
"Yes."
"Did you know I was the single guy in their matchmaking plan?"
"Not until we were already at the party. I only guessed it was you when Mark and Bella talked about why you were there and not your other partnered friends."
"And what about those other times when you made me believe you and Victor were an item? Like during our first meeting in your office, and when you turned up in my office in place of Jessa."
Clarise bit her bottom lip, hiding her somewhat embarrassed smile. "They were done on purpose. That time in my office was so you'd know I was available, and that time at your office was so you'd want to go out with me again."
"And earlier today? When you invited him here?"
"I'd forgotten that I haven't told you he was gay - that we were never an item. In fact it was Victor that reminded me of that. He was here because I needed a distraction from thoughts of you." Clarise's lovely features reflected her remembered anguish. "I thought you wanted to break up with me."
"Oh, baby." Will's eyes showed remorse. "I'm sorry I made you feel that way. It was just a bit difficult for me to adjust to us being together. But I'll get there." He cradled her head in his hands and kissed her fervently, imploringly, wanting to erase the memories of hurt he caused her.
Clarise answered his kiss with equal fervour, eager to show him wordlessly how much she loved him.
"Clarise, I need you," Will rasped as he lifted her top over her head and flung it to the floor. Her bra quickly followed. Clarise found herself on her back again on the couch. Then Will's mouth was on her, trailing searing kisses on her neck as his hands cupped her breasts that have grown full and heavy with desire.
"Ohhh!" Clarise moaned out loud as Will took a nipple in his mouth, tugging it and laving it with his avid tongue as he thumbed the other.
Will's erection grew bigger and harder from hearing Clarise's libidinous response. Hurriedly, he discarded his shirt and stood up to take off his pants.
Clarise's desire-fogged mind registered they hadn't finished talking yet. Reluctantly, she sat up and put her hands on his to stop him from undressing.
"Wait." She was flushed and panting. "We haven't finished our conversation yet."
Will regarded her with surprise and consternation. She looked utterly beautiful and irresistible but he forced himself to sit back down on the couch. He couldn't help but ogle her with unbridled lust, mouth slightly open, his breathing ragged. He ran his tongue against his upper teeth, itching to continue kissing her delectable body. But he made no move to touch her.
Clarise gaped at him. Her body tingled from the look he was giving her, making her want to think of nothing else but his hungry mouth and tongue on her body - on her nipples, on her mouth, on her sex...
"Baby, if you want to finish our conversation, don't look at me like that." His voice was hoarse and low and, oh, so sexy. He leaned down and picked up her top from the floor. "And put this back on so I don't get distracted by your beautiful breasts."
Clarise felt heady at the effect she had on him and took a second to respond to his order. Reluctantly, she got dressed as she watched him put his shirt back on. She dragged her mind back to the other topic she wanted to discuss with him. She contemplated for a moment if it was still an issue considering his reaction to Victor. And was this the right time to talk about it?
Yes, I still need to say it and I still need to know. Now. Before all my self-control vanishes.
"Okay," she started with a sigh. "Will, I realised I don't want just a casual relationship. I want us to be exclusive and commit to not seeing other people while we're together. And while I don't intend to make unreasonable demands on your time, I also don't want to be someone you ignore when you're busy, and only turn to when you're, err, horny. I would like to have more importance in your life than just being a casual sex partner." Clarise's face was in flames but she looked at him straight in the eye, gauging his reaction.
Will had the grace to flush. Did he really give her that impression? That he only came to her when he felt horny?
He looked away, frowning, as he gathered his thoughts.
Yes, he could see why she would think that. He didn't really give her any reason to believe otherwise. And he thought she was okay with that arrangement.
But clearly, now, she wanted commitment. Well, frankly, he was very glad she did. Realising he was in love with her, he didn't want anything less. He wasn't quite ready to tell her exactly how he felt yet - it was all too new for him. Still, he wanted to give her some certainty and comfort.
But how? When he realised the depths of his feelings for her, it hit him like a ton of bricks. He really hadn't had the chance to figure out how he would manage his priorities and schedule now that he was in a committed relationship with her. She had clearly implied she wanted to be one of his priorities so how would he realistically and practically manage that?
This was his biggest confusion and problem. He loved Clarise. He wanted to be with her and make her happy. But how could he do that and still meet the extraordinary demands of his business?
Clarise waited for Will to say something. Her earlier confidence that everything will turn out fine was fading away fast. She was hoping for a quick 'yes, Clarise, that's what I want, too' answer but it wasn't what she got. He looked perturbed and he'd been quiet for a while. What are you thinking? Lump formed in her throat and she felt weepy.
Finally, he cast his eyes back at her. He saw the troubled look in her eyes and, sighing softly, he took both her hands and placed a soft kiss on each palm.
"Clarise, I want to be in a committed relationship with you, too. But the truth is I haven't thought about how I'm going to keep up with my tight schedule and still spend the amount of time I want to spend with you." He sighed again before continuing, eyes serious. "I already know there'll be times when I'll disappoint you. I don't intend to give up on my current business goals, but I sure as hell don't want to lose you, either. Would you be patient with me while I work it all out?"
His honest entreaty touched Clarise's heart powerfully. She didn't want him to give up on his dreams, either. She threw her arms around his neck and smiled. "Yes. We'll work it out," she promised. Relief flooded them both.
Clarise lifted her lips to meet his. As they kissed, their desire flared again in an instant, burning hotter, fuelled by their confessions and compounded by their week-long separation. This time it could not be contained. It was consuming them, making them frantic.
"We're done talking, right?" Will asked hopefully as he swiftly lifted Clarise's top over her head again for the second time tonight, kissing her feverishly as he did so.
"Yes, for now," she answered breathlessly as she lifted her arms to help Will with her top. When she was free of that piece of clothing, she grabbed his head between her hands and zoned in on h
is mouth. Ravenously, she took everything he offered.
"Too many clothes," Will whispered urgently as he reached for Clarise's jeans. With her help, he undressed her with indecent haste.
"You!" Clarise demanded as she reached out to unbutton his jeans while he removed his shirt.
Now naked, Will knelt in front of Clarise, in between her legs, as she sat on the couch. With a look of a starving man, he devoured her mouth as he cupped her breasts and flicked her nipples with his thumbs. Clarise moaned and arched her breasts closer to him. Her response heightened Will's arousal. "God, baby, you turn me on so much," he said as his mouth started travelling down south.
Clarise burned with want and panted hard as Will sucked and licked her nipples, first one, then the other. Little whimpers of pleasure came out of her. The he pushed her legs further apart as his mouth explored further down. He stroked her upper thighs as his lips got closer and closer to her hot, wet centre. Then his tongue was on her clit, licking and flicking enthusiastically and, oh, so expertly.
"Ahhh!" She cried as her body lifted from the couch at the sheer sensation invoked by his wicked tongue. Will's hand crept up to tease and tweak her nipple as his mouth and tongue continued to pleasure her swollen nub and lap her wet sex. Oh, God, it's so good...so good...
Abruptly, Will stopped. What? No! She watched impatiently as he grabbed his pants to pull out a condom which he hurriedly put on.
"I can't wait any longer, baby," he said breathlessly as he sat back on the couch and reached for her. "Sit on my cock," he ordered.
Eagerly, Clarise straddled him and gingerly guided him inside her. They both moaned in ecstasy as he filled her with his exquisite hardness. Clarise moved up and down...up and down...as Will lifted his pelvis in sync with her movements. It wasn't long before she felt herself come close to tumbling over the edge. She tried to hang on by slowing her movements, wanting to prolong their lovemaking. But when Will closed his mouth over her nipple and flick it with his tongue as he thrusted hot and hard inside her, she lost control. Her pace quickened uncontrollably and soon her muscles tensed. She came loudly, crying out his name, as she felt herself contract repeatedly all around his shaft.
"Ahhh, Clarise," Will groaned through gritted teeth as he bucked into her twice more before spilling himself in her.
They sat entwined for minutes, sated and catching their breaths on the couch with Clarise still straddling Will.
"I don't want to move," Will said against Clarise's hair.
"Then don't move," she said pleadingly and tightened her arms around him to keep him where he was. I love you, she wanted to say out loud.
"I've got to get rid of the condom," he said, scrunching his face in annoyance.
"Oh." Then, she said speculatively, more to herself than to him, "maybe I can go on the pill."
"Really?" Will tilted her head up to his, his expression hopeful and eager.
Clarise laughed. "You really want me to, don't you?"
"If you don't mind," he said as he kissed her nose. "I trust you and I can assure you, you can trust me too. I'm prepared to prove it if you want. I really prefer to feel you skin on skin."
Clarise's cheeks heated. "Okay." She wanted that, too.
Will grinned and kissed her softly on her lips. "Thank you."
They held each other again.
"Can I stay here tonight?" he whispered as he languidly stroked her smooth back with his fingertips.
Clarise lifted her head from his shoulder, beaming. "Yes."
"But I have to wake up really early tomorrow. I have a 7am phone meeting with someone in the US and I have to be in the office for that."
"Okay. I guess we better have an early night then."
"Yes, bed. But no sleeping yet," he murmured seductively as he nuzzled her neck. "We're not done for the night."
~~
A strange, beeping sound woke up Clarise. What the hell is that? She groaned, still far too sleepy to open her eyes. She felt movement next to her and, mercifully, the annoying noise stopped.
"Good morning, beautiful," a drowsy, heart-warmingly familiar voice said as a masculine arm snaked around her waist and soft lips grazed her cheek.
A lazy grin appeared on Clarise's face and she shifted to her side, facing the owner of that beloved voice. She opened her eyes and could just make out the pair of captivating hazel eyes staring back at her in the dark. The sun wasn't up yet.
"Hi." She caressed his jaw and felt his day-old stubbles tickle her palm. Will gave her a sweet, gentle kiss on the lips. "What time is it?" she asked.
"It's only 5:30. Sorry the alarm woke you up so early. You should go back to sleep."
"Are you getting up already?"
"Uh-huh. Remember I have a 7am phone meeting? I have to go home first, have a shower and get ready for work." He kissed her again as he lightly caressed her hip.
"Mmm," she responded sleepily. "Do you want coffee before you go?"
"No, baby. I'll have it in the office. I'm getting dressed then I'm leaving."
"Okay," she said, but she didn't want him to leave yet. She snuggled closer to his body, wrapping an arm and a leg around him. It felt good waking up next to him.
He chuckled softly as he copied her actions, gathering her close. "Hmmm. You feel good, sweetheart." He planted feathery kisses on her eyes, nose, cheek, the corner of her mouth. Clarise angled her face so he could kiss her fully on the mouth. Will's lips tugged her bottom lip and gently nibbled on it. Clarise moaned faintly and captured his upper lip between hers and sucked lightly.
Will groaned and pulled back. "Baby, what are you doing to me?"
"Kissing you?" she said huskily.
"You know what I mean," he growled. "I have to get up and you're making it very difficult."
"If I recall correctly, I didn't start the kissing, you did."
"Well, you're irresistible. But I really have to get up." He gave her a quick kiss and got out of bed.
No more than ten minutes later, Will was ready to go. Clarise was falling asleep again when she felt Will sit on the bed and, leaning over, kissed her softly. "Bye, baby. I'll talk to you later," he murmured.
Clarise forced her eyes open. "When will I see you again?" She felt odd asking him that question after their blissful night/early morning. But the truth is she really didn't know when he will have the time. They haven't quite resolved how she would fit in his super-busy schedule yet.
Will sighed deeply, pursing his lips. "I have a ton of work that I have to finalise this week. I'll have to work long hours to get them done. But I should be okay on..." He tapped his lips with his forefinger as he stared into space, obviously thinking. "Wednesday night," he said.
Will was scheduled to see his parents on Wednesday night. But that was his only free weeknight and he knew he didn't want to wait until the weekend to see Clarise again. He wouldn't last. So he made the sudden decision to take her with him to his parents. And then he could sleep over at her place again that night.
Clarise smiled. "Okay."
"And I'll call you later today," he promised. "Go back to sleep, baby. I'll let myself out."
~~
Clarise was still very tired, but she found it hard to fall back to sleep. Her mind was replaying their lovemaking last night and early this morning. After they left the couch, they went to bed and Will worked his magic on her body again. It was hot. Very hot. And heavenly. Then, in the middle of the night, she awoke from Will gently fondling her breasts and subtly nudging his hard-on on her hip. Oh, she didn't mind being woken up. Not at all. They made slow, sweet love in the dark.
Clarise groaned frustratedly, aroused from her erotic memories and knowing she won't see Will again until Wednesday night. She forced herself to think of the work she had to do that day. It would be a long, tiring day after only a few hours of sleep. But it worked. Soon enough, she was dozing again.
~~
"How are you going, darling?" Victor asked her concernedly as he followed Clarise into her o
ffice. She was ten minutes late for work which was very unusual. Ordinarily, she got to work at least fifteen minutes before the official start time.
She smiled at Victor brightly. "I'm good, thanks, darling. And you?"
"I'm good," Victor answered distractedly. He watched Clarise put her handbag in her drawer and her laptop on her desk. There was something different about her today. She looked...radiant.
"So I take it everything went well with your conversation with Mr. William Matthews," he drawled.
Clarise gave him a small frown but wasn't able to suppress her smile. "How do you know?"
Victor laughed. "It's written all over your face, Clarise. You look like the cat that ate the canary."
Clarise's cheeks turned pink and her grin said it all.
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