The Thrill of You

by Celeste O. Norfleet

  “So do you. Come back to bed,” she said softly.

  “I’ll be there shortly,” he promised. “You go back.”

  She nodded silently, then gently ran her hand up his arm, over his shoulder and slowly down the center of his back. The strong powerful muscles beneath her hands made her fingers itch and her juices flow. The sheer power of his body was exhilarating. His skin was hot, and that made her insides melt like molten lava. This man had a body designed for fantasies, and every time they made love he proved it.

  As a lover he was unequal. He was giving, gentle and tender, but she also knew a different Mikhail. One whose power was all-consuming. One who moved her body to mindless extremes of sexual pleasure.

  Their first time together had been different than any other time they’d made love. There had been no holding back, no timidity and no reluctance, and right now that’s the man she wanted, not the one with the slight hesitation.

  “Do you want to hear a secret?” she said playfully.

  “Sure, tell me a secret.”

  “I love touching you,” she whispered mischievously as she ran her hand over his back and down to his waist. She spread her fingers wide, touching as much of his body as she could. “It excites me,” she said as she continued her lustful perusal. Then she wrapped her arms around him and rested her face on his back. She closed her eyes and kissed him tenderly. Suddenly every decadent, lustful sexual fantasy she’d ever had came to her. Her heart thundered.

  “Every inch of your body makes me weak. Did you know that?” she offered softly as she raked her nails down his back, ending by biting her nails into his rear. His body tensed at feeling the pleasurable pain. She did it again, but this time she kissed his arm as she loosened her robe’s tie. “I have fantasies about you and me.” She inched closer, rubbing her breasts up and down on his back. Her nipples hardened.

  He looked to the side. “Fantasies,” he repeated.

  “Mmm-hmm,” she hummed, kissing across his back as she rubbed and massaged his rear. “Oh yes, lots and lots of fantasies,” she said as she wrapped her hands around his chest to teasingly tweak and pinch his nipples. He inhaled quickly. She smiled, enjoying the sounds of his strained desire. “Yep, ever since our first night a long time ago. Do you remember the first time we were together?”

  “Yes,” he muttered as hot, steamy memories surfaced.

  “I remember,” she whispered over his shoulder. “It was the most powerful and intense night of my life. I know neither of us expected it to happen, but when it did, it was a sexual explosion. We were on the sofa,” she said, teasing his nipples. “On the floor—” she pinched them “—on our knees.” She scratched down his chest, then went lower. “Against the wall, kissing, grabbing, pushing, pulling, pounding in and out over and over again and then...”

  His tight, muscled abs tensed and clenched. She nibbled and bit gingerly into his back, licking and kissing away the sting. He groaned loudly as his heavy breathing quickened again. She paused briefly, enjoying the sound of her handiwork. “You were on top of me,” she began as she clawed her nails across his chest and down the front of him. “I was on top of you, then we were side by side and you were behind me and finally you were inside of me.” She scratched down his back again.

  “Now I have all kinds of fantasies of us together.” Her hands traveled around his waist to the front of him again. She pressed her body close, molding to his back and feeling the waft of curls surrounding his manhood. It excited her boldness even more. She moved to stand in front of him. She looked down. He stood straight out—thick, long and hard as a black slate. She licked her lips, satisfied with her seduction. “Let’s do it again.”

  “Cyanna,” he groaned.

  His guttural voice was lower and deeper than she’d ever heard before. It was husky and foreign. She knew she had excited him, but he was still holding back. She wanted all of his power inside of her. She smiled as she opened the robe and let it fall to the ground. She stood naked and watched as he stared down the length of her body. She turned around slowly, giving him a better view. Then she peeked over her shoulder at his expression. She could see he was close to exploding. She could almost feel the tremor of need surging though him.

  She turned back and gripped him tight, pulling out the full length of his manhood. A deep throaty groan rolled through his chest. The solely masculine sound excited her. She moved closer, filling her hands with his hardened need and once more pulling playfully in long, slow strokes of pleasure. Then she rubbed her body against his, leaned in and licked his hardened nipples. She looked up to him. Their eyes connected, and the power she sought ruptured.

  She stepped into the rain and began walking away backward. “You want me?” she taunted. The cool water poured all over her glistening body. “Come and get me,” she tossed over her shoulder. Mikhail took one step forward and before he even realized it, he was standing right behind her.

  She’d intended to continue walking but didn’t take a step. Mikhail was there; she felt him and didn’t move. “Cyanna, I can’t stop,” he groaned. “The curve of your neck.” He leaned down and ravaged her neck while frantically wrapping his arms around her body. “The fullness of your breasts.” He squeezed her breast, she moaned at his exquisite grip. “The depth of your body.” He delved down between her legs, bending her forward. She could feel his body trembling in need. Her legs weakened. She nearly passed out, but he held her tight.

  “Don’t stop,” she muttered quickly.

  “I couldn’t stop even if I wanted to,” he whispered ardently.

  “Don’t stop,” she repeated.

  “I can’t stop loving you.”

  “Mikhail, I...” she began, but in the quick madness of a microsecond, Mikhail turned her around and pulled her into his arms. She gasped as his quick movement snatched her breath away. He held her tight, looking into her wanton eyes. She couldn’t move. “Mikhail,” she whispered again before his mouth fused with hers.

  The kiss—a tangled, frenzied dance of twisting, turning tongues—was volatile. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her up. Her legs encircled his waist, and she felt the solid hardness of his erection press against her. He shifted her body, gripping her rear. While standing, in one quick powerful surge, he entered her. She tensed, throwing her head back. He leaned in, grabbing her breast and sucking hard. She dug her nails into his back and shoulders as her legs trembled wildly. This was what she wanted—the power and force of all of him. He surged into her, filling her over and over again. An instant later a bolt of rapture shot through her like blinding-white lightning. In her rapturous climax, she screamed his name. But he was nowhere near done with her.

  She felt the steel of his strong muscles tighten, still holding her in place as he laid them down on the wet grass. Then her wild, relentless ride began again. He was fierce and feral in his pursuit of pleasure, and she met his abandoned intensity with equal fervor and zeal. He delved deeply into her; his pace quickened, sending her excitement raging as she anticipated the ultimate prize once more. Her breasts bounced in a joyous fury of climactic pursuit as he surged into her with relentless pleasure over and over and over again.

  He brought her close, but just on the brink he slowed to a teasing, torturing pace, drawing each stroke in and out with deliberate languishing ease. She dug her nails into his shoulders as she held on, begging for the relief that only he could give her. He gave in, and in abandoned ecstasy she snatched her second orgasm of the night.

  Then, just as she came, he thrust his hips into her one last time. He grabbed her rear in an iron-vice grip and exploded in a rage of intense pleasure. His body rocked and quaked in repeated climactic ripples.

  Breathless and exhausted, he rolled over, and she immediately climbed on top of him. He was still hard enough for what she had in mind. He smiled at her as she slowly impaled herself. She sat straigh
t up, letting the now-drizzling rain pour down the front of their glistening bodies. She rounded her hips to grind deeper as he cupped her breast and held her waist. Everything about this was methodical and sensual. She slowly rode him all the way to the brink of dawn.

  Chapter 11

  “Good morning.”

  Cyanna stirred and rolled over slowly. “Morning,” she muttered sleepily as she opened her eyes. Mikhail walked over to the bed with two cups in his hands. He sat the cups down on the nightstand and then opened the drapes. Bright sunshine washed through the room instantly. Cyanna moaned.

  “Rise and shine, sleepyhead.”

  “Uh, go away. It’s Saturday. No one rises and shines on Saturday morning,” she said as she pulled the sheet over her head.

  “I have tea.”

  Cyanna peeked out from under the sheet and smiled at the cup in his hand. She dragged herself to sit up. He handed her a cup, and she took a timid sip. “Mmm, good tea,” she said.

  He sat down on the side of the bed and thoroughly examined her face. “Are you okay? How are you feeling?”

  “I’m a little tired but, other than that, I’m fine.”

  “About what happened outside in the yard,” he began. A myriad of memories from their early-morning love fest came to her. Mikhail had given her exactly what she’d asked for and she’d loved it. The last thing she remembered was lying on top of him, listening to his heartbeat. She presumed he had carried her up to bed. “You were different, and I was...” He paused.

  “You were exhilarating, you were powerful and you were incredible,” she finished for him.

  “Actually, I was going to say overly aggressive.”

  “I liked it,” she said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

  “You liked it?” he asked, surprised and curious.

  She nodded and smiled as naughty thoughts slipped into her mind. “A lot. A little overly aggressive intensity now and then adds spice. So, don’t hold back for me. I can take it. Okay?”

  He smiled and nodded. “A little spice once in a while, okay.”

  “Good, so I guess you’re not going to work today. Great idea, let’s play hooky.”

  “Actually, I went. I’m back,” he said, sipping his cup of tea.

  She sat up in bed straighter. “You’re back? What time is it?”

  “It’s still early,” he said. “Are you hungry?”

  “Actually I’m starved. What’s for breakfast?”

  “I thought we’d do something different.”

  “Like what?”

  “We’re going on a little trip.”

  “A trip where.”

  “To Cutter Island.”

  “Cutter Island, I never heard of it. Where is it?”

  “It’s a few miles off the coast.”

  “What’s it like, crowded with vacationers?” she asked.

  “No, not at all. It’s a private island.”

  “Oh, a private island sounds interesting.”

  “It is. There’s a large tree house in the center of the island with six master bedrooms, each with a private bath and balcony. The island has water, food, electricity and anything else you might possibly want and need.”

  “Hmm, so we can just go there and live forever.”

  He nodded. “Yes, we can, very easily.”

  “Sounds like I’m gonna like Cutter Island,” she said, sipping her tea again. “Wait a minute. Is it a private island like the Midnight Madness Festival private island with clothing optional and hundreds of strangers there?”

  He chuckled. “No, Cutter Island is very private and secluded. And for future reference, clothing is definitely optional when you and I are there alone together. But this trip we’ll be there with other people.”

  “Other people like who?”

  “The island is owned by my family. And, as a matter of fact, a few members of my family are already there for the weekend. They asked us to join them. I said we’d stop by.”

  She smiled brightly. Mikhail was taking her to meet his family. “And exactly how are you going to introduce me to your family, as your baby mama?”

  He laughed. “No, actually I thought I’d just use your name.”

  She smiled. “Okay, sounds like a plan. I’d love to go to Cutter Island with you. So, I guess I should get out of bed and get dressed.” She tossed the sheet back. Mikhail gave her that look. She knew they wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon.

  An hour and a half later, Mikhail left to take care of a problem at the marina and run a few last-minute errands before they left. Cyanna stayed to pack and get ready for their overnight trip. Needing an overnight case, she found her smaller carry-on suitcase in one of the other bedrooms. She brought it back to the master bedroom, opened it and pulled out some clothes she’d put away since shopping. She also took out a small plastic bag she’d gotten from the pharmacy a month ago. She opened it and pulled out three at-home pregnancy tests. She read the package and directions on each. She decided she’d try one just in case.

  She went into the bathroom, took the test and prepared to wait five minutes. Refusing to stay and stare at the plastic stick, she went back to the bedroom and began packing an overnight bag. She sorted through her clothes and pulled out a sarong and folded it up to take. Just as she grabbed for the matching bikini, her cell phone rang. Since few people called her, she picked up without looking at the caller ID.

  “Hello,” she said happily, expecting the caller to be Donna.

  “Hello, Ms. Dupres?”

  “Yes, who’s this?” she asked, continuing to go through the clothes in the closet.

  “Ms. Dupres, this is Gil Upton from Upton Investigations.”

  Cyanna immediately stopped packing. The signal was weak, and his voice kept going in and out.

  “Yes, Mr. Upton, I can barely hear you. Can you speak up?”

  “I’m sorry this is a bad connection. I’m on a flight into South America.”

  “What can I do for you?”

  “You asked me to keep you informed of anything I might hear regarding your brother’s body.”

  “Yes, I did. I had a memorial service, but I’d like to properly lay him to rest.” She took a deep breath and slowly released it. “Have you found his body?”

  “Actually, I believe I’ve found him.”

  Cyanna’s stomach jumped and her head spun quickly as she staggered to sit down. “What, what do you mean you found him? Derek, he’s dead.”

  “Ms. Dupres, I’m not sure, but I believe your brother, Derek Dupres, might still be alive.”

  “What?”

  “I got a lead on another investigation I was following up on here in South America. A client’s husband was kidnapped and held hostage for a time. It’s possible the same thing might have befallen your brother.”

  “Hostage? I’ve never gotten a ransom note from anyone. Why didn’t they contact me? Oh my God, all this time—it’s been months.”

  “Ms. Dupres, I don’t want you to get ahead of this. I still need to check this out thoroughly. I don’t want to get your hopes up, but I needed to inform you of my findings.”

  “Yes, yes, I understand. So how did this happen?”

  “As I said, I was investigating for another client when I came across a man I believe fits your brother’s description.”

  “Then we need to get him out of there, now,” she insisted.

  “It may not be that simple. I retrieved my client’s husband and our recon photos showed another man being held. I’d like to send you a photo. If—”

  “Yes, yes, please send me the photo,” she interrupted.

  “If you can identify the man, then perhaps we can resolve your case, as well. I’ll have to negotiate.”

  “Yes, yes, whate
ver the ransom is, I’ll pay.”

  “It could get expensive.”

  Her cell beeped; she had a text message. “Mr. Upton, hold on, I think the picture just came.” She opened the file and downloaded the picture. She covered her mouth, part from joy and part from shock. It was Derek. Tears flowed instantly. How could this be happening after all these months?

  “Ms. Dupres, are you there?” Gil said.

  “Mr. Upton, yes, yes, it’s him. Please do whatever it is you need to do to get my brother home to me now. I don’t care how much it costs—just do it,” she demanded in no uncertain terms.

  “I understand. I’ll contact you as soon as my flight lands in Bogotá.”

  “Bogotá, Colombia. I’ll meet you there.”

  “No, let me call you when I have more information,” he said.

  “Okay, and thank you, Mr. Upton.” She disconnected the call while still staring at the photo of her brother. He looked thin and weak. Tears rolled down her face and fell onto her phone’s screen. She put it down and went into the bathroom to grab a tissue, and she noticed the pregnancy test still sitting on the counter. She picked it up. Seeing the results, she sighed. Just then her cell phone rang again.

  She ran back to it and answered anxiously, “Yes, hello.”

  “Cyanna.”

  “Donna.”

  “Hey, how’s it going? Are you okay? You sound stressed.”

  “I don’t know yet. Tell me, do you think Ammar’s offer to perform in Qatar is still possible?”

  “Are you actually considering it?” Donna asked.

  “Yes, I need money fast, lots of money fast,” Cyanna said.

  “Are you kidding, of course it is. When I told him what you said after he doubled the offer, he doubled that offer. I was stunned. As a matter of fact, I was going to call and tell you so you can formally turn it down again. But can you believe it? That’s quadruple the usual rate. The man is seriously jonesing.”