He held her gaze, searching hers, and stopped breathing for a small moment, his heart pounding fast under her fingertips.
“They are beautiful,” she whispered to him. “Like the rest of you.” She burned with a fierce desire to wipe the doubt from his features. She squeezed his balls. “They, like you, are mine!” With a smile, she opened the foil condom wrapper with her teeth and pressed the ring of latex to his cock head, rolling it down over the length of him.
He sucked in a sharp breath, eyes rolling back at the sensation of the sudden coolness against his hard, pre-cum-slick crown. Her slow rolling of the latex down the solid length made his hips surge forward into the circle of her fingers as she squeezed the base of his cock.
The hand against his chest slid up his shoulder to his back where her fingers trailed the tawny feathers barred with gold and cream. “Just a little something extra to hold on to,” she purred, wrapping her fingers around the wing spar close to his shoulder to demonstrate.
He smiled with a dazzling joy as relief filled his dark gaze. “Yes, Mistress.” He bowed forward, nuzzling into her neck, kissing up to her jaw.
Rolling her hips toward him, she stroked his condom-wrapped cock with her other hand. His crown felt swollen against her clit as she rubbed his cock against her. Their shared moan of pleasure filled the car’s interior. He flexed his hips forward, rubbing his hardness against her while she guided him up and down between the swollen lips.
“I need you so bad!” she growled into his chest.
His arms encircled her, and he slid one hand down to her ass to lift her toward him. “You sure?” he purred into her ear, licking her earlobe with a slow curl of his tongue. It set her on fire. Her pussy clutched so hard she thought she might pass out if she didn’t have him. She could hear his need, though it was braced and restrained.
“Yes!” Her voice broke with quavering need. She didn’t care, she would die if he teased her more. “Fuck me so hard!”
His hand squeezed her ass as he snarled in answer and drew his hips back so she could help guide him to her opening. For a heartbeat, their eyes met and then his mouth found hers and as his cock slid into her, his tongue parted her lips. He took her. Slow and steady, the steel of his thick dick slid into her, spreading her, filling her creamy depths, making the ache spread until her toes curled and she cried into his mouth. She came against his cock before his balls were even pressed against her ass.
The sound of his satisfaction growled into her mouth and down her throat and he pressed her into the seat while her orgasm thundered through her. Then he fucked her.
He drove her hard into the plush leather seats of that obscenely luxurious car. It was different than it had been at the party. It was real! She felt the fierce joy in him as he tightened his arms around her and claimed her. He was so deep inside her, his strokes long and swift. When he drove all the way in and their cries of pleasure mingled in the kiss, she could feel a deeper, sweeter connection to him.
Unlike the party, he was much less controlled. He growled his lust into their union of writhing tongues and panting breaths. With another deep plunge, his body shuddered, muscles tightening with the delightful spasm through her pussy. The swelling of his cock, shoved balls deep into her, and the force of the orgasm throbbing through him, pulsed like his heartbeat and her own.
As he came, she devoured his cries of pleasure, her climax joining his as his cock jerked and throbbed deep inside her. Releasing the base of his wing, she raked her fingers down his back and stroked the glorious feathers and tight muscles of his shoulders. She felt powerful and unstoppable as he melted into her.
The kiss broke and she nuzzled his throat, while feeling his heart slamming against his chest in tandem with hers. A tangle of limbs, sweaty bodies still one in the cramped space of the backseat, she held as tightly to him as she could, never wanting the moment to end.
“Now you’ve marked the car,” he whispered into her hair. “Feel better?” The dazzling smile he fixed on her melted her heart. She had made a mess of the backseat with her lust before the toe-curling orgasm. He looked down at her, brushing hair from her cheek as their eyes met and she could see he felt the connection too.
Knowing all that cum could be cleaned up made her feel better. Or maybe the faint scent of sex lingering in the interior soothed her. Either way, it was the first hurdle crossed.
The race had only begun and it was an obstacle course for endurance and required a fearless heart.
* * * *
Though the memory provided reassurance, her confidence wavered. She waited as he stowed the bag in the trunk and eased into the driver’s seat. Silence. She just stretched her legs toward the warm air that blew out when he turned the car on.
“Princess…” he began while the car edged through traffic. His onyx eyes stayed on the road ahead, curls styled and respectable like the rest of him, down to the last expensive thread of his suit. He waited with the timeless patience of a stone, though they were in city traffic on a Friday.
“Yes, my prince?” she asked, not looking at him, she kept her gaze fixed on the road ahead of her.
“Have you thought about my suggestion?”
Her heart did a nose dive and splashed into her stomach while she squirmed deeper into her seat. “N-no,” she stammered the lie and balled her hands into fists, willing the confidence back into her voice. Since he’d tossed the offer to the table almost a week ago she’d thought of little else.
“I know it’s a lot to process in a short time, but it feels…right. Doesn’t it?”
She felt the word rattle around behind her teeth—d-d-d-d-does it? Closing her eyes, she drew in a breath and reached for calm and strength. It really did feel right. So right. Terrifyingly right! A sunrise over castles right! Hot air balloons filled with rainbows, kittens and unicorns right! Which meant it most certainly had to be wrong.
“We have only b-been seeing each other a month,” she said, pleased to only stumble a few times.
Nineteen days, her eager inner voice argued, as though this were somehow better.
“As I said, a short time.” He flashed a coy look, as though he’d also done the math of days, hours and heartbeats. Precious, each of them. “It is very difficult for me. Knowing you are in that…” he paused a moment before continuing, “part of town.” It came out practiced, his gaze locked on the traffic.
“You could perch on my rooftop and guard me.”
He didn’t respond and she felt an odd tickling in the back of her throat at the sense that he might very well have done just that. He’d tell her if she asked, but she wouldn’t. The silence answered loud enough.
“If I have to sit in traffic anyway, I would rather have lovely company,” he said, reaching for her hand. Reflexively she threaded her fingers through his.
“I d-do enjoy the ride to work,” she answered and her mouth felt dry and her pulse unsteady. The last time she’d tried to explain and ended up stuttering so badly she had reduced herself to tears of frustration, furious at her inability to explain what she wanted. It shouldn’t be that hard.
“So, does that mean you will accept my offer? Put me out of my misery so I can have a full night’s sleep soon?” He smiled warmly, and glanced at her from the side of his eye.
“It’s not that I-I don’t want to be with you,” she said as carefully as she could, breathing between the words. God, she wanted to be with him every moment. “I am a…bookstore clerk.”
“And a very fine one, princess. What does that matter?”
You live in the Oakland hills! her inner voice wailed and she opened her mouth to say it and ended up hissing out through her teeth instead, “I don’t need your ch-ch-charity.” She ducked her head. She didn’t mean that. She knew he wasn’t being charitable, but she needed to stop her heart from hammering holes in her chest.
In typical Leo fashion, he brushed off her would-be insult with a hand wave over the steering wheel. “I have a house with extra rooms. I want to spend mo
re time with you and it’s not like you wouldn’t have your own space. Pay rent to me if it will make you feel more comfortable.”
She’d refused every offer to come to his house, fearing she would fall for it as she had for him. What if she fucked this up? Better to make sure she wasn’t going to bungle things with her inexperience first. The very last thing she wanted was for him or anyone to think she was with him for some financial gain. The thought made her stomach twist as she sat silently in her seat.
He didn’t say anything more until they arrived at the bookstore. “I know I’m pressing this, but you don’t have to—”
She held up her hand to stop him, turning in her seat. “I don’t need to be saved.” The words came out with a quaver rather than a stutter. “Do I need my safe word here? Stop. You refuse to answer any of my questions about your—”
“I’m not going to have that discussion here.” The sharpening of his tone was an unexpected slap.
“But you are fine applying force to me? Because you know what’s best for me? You won’t even answer my questions. I-I—”
“Ursa,” cutting her off, his voice stayed firm and he looked from her to the clock and back to her with a pained expression. “We don’t have time for this right now.”
“Right, but you have plenty of time to corner me into an answer. You realize, I don’t even know what you do or where you work.” She gave a shake of her head and pulled her hand away from his warm grip and drew it back.
When he opened his mouth to speak, she pointed a finger at him. “Obviously, we both have to get to work.” She opened the door, feeling the angry tears sting her eyes.
“I’m sorry.” He leaned over into her vacated passenger seat, head cocked at her, dark eyes filled with worry. “I’ll see you tonight. Be ready for the drive?”
His expression made her chest feel too tight and with a brush at her eyes, she nodded and leaned in to kiss his lips. “Drive tonight,” she growled against his mouth. “I’m going to pay you back so hard for pressuring me.”
And with all the dignity her five-foot-nothing-in-heels provided, she offered him a view of her apple-shaped bottom in her new, tight jeans before shoving the door closed with one round hip. That would give him something to chew over. She let her fingers caress the silver, flying-B mascot on the car’s hood with a last look over her shoulder before focusing forward and entering the store.
She didn’t want to leave him after their first dust-up, but he was right, they both had to work. She thought her day had started out bad, but little did she know it would only go downhill from there.
Chapter 2
Green-eyed Monsters
Vans was already in, regarding her with the amused smirk that seemed fastened to her lips whenever she looked at Ursa these days. “You think you look trendy in your Bentley? Gunna be a snob and never act friendly?” she singsonged.
“You are way too young to be that old school,” Ursa said, trying to sound amused. Her mood after the argument with Leo left her feeling nauseated.
“I’m not that young, we’re both twenty-one! Speaking of old—how is Daddy Warbucks? How old is he anyway?” There was something venomous about the way Vans phrased the question.
“Could we please not do this right now? Please?” The truth was, she didn’t know the answer. Or his birthday. It matched all the other unknowns. That was her fault for not pressing, but he had a mysterious way of turning the conversation around when they were together. They always ended up talking about her. Ursa’s life, her dreams and aspirations, which inevitably led to mind-blowing sex in the back of his car. She wasn’t sure if it was the sound of her voice, or her answers, or maybe just the timing.
She wanted his conversation reversal skill to use on Vans right now. The woman was hunting and would not stop. “He is way too old for you. Thirty maybe? He’s been picking you up from work and dropping you off. What’s in it for him? You’re not—you know, doing one of those Craigslist things are you?”
The question poked the hot spot left over from Leo’s persistence and kindled Ursa’s anger, making her eyes sting. “Craigslist thing? What do you mean by that?”
“Prostitution, Ursa. That’s what I mean.”
“N-no!” She felt punched in the gut and put a hand over her already turbulent stomach. “Why would you even ask such a thing? You know me. We’ve been friends for years, Vans.”
Vans gaze swept down her nose at Ursa. “I don’t know you right now. This person in new clothes, high heels and even a new goddamn hairdo and makeup is not you. No! Ursa, that man is way out of your league in everything! Style, education, social circles and financially.” The way her eyes narrowed and her lips slanted silently said, Race. Vans spoke with the firm dedication that she knew all the facts and her judgment was the only, absolute and unquestionable authority.
The hits just kept coming as Vans’s edgy tone sliced through Ursa. “Listen. I am your friend. Haven’t I been trying to connect you with a good guy for a year or so now?”
Oh yes, Vans certainly had, it was always the same type of guy, as interesting and deep as a thimble of flat cola. They were the friends of the guy Vans dated and they resented being wingmen for the fat chick.
“I only want to help you so some predator like him doesn’t take advantage of you. It’s not worth your dignity and pride to be someone’s plaything for some pretty clothes.” She sniffed indelicately. “This isn’t you, Ursa.”
Why had Vans decided to bring out the nukes today? If it had happened the day before, when she still felt the buzz of the crop in her hand, she would have had a completely different response. This morning her splintered confidence floundered. She felt the stutter waiting and gritted her teeth.
The silence gave Vans more running room for her mouth. “How did you even manage to hook up with him anyway? Did that rich, ice-queen bitch who’s always in here set you two up?” The clerk’s voice shook with passion.
“Marcie is not a bitch, Vans, and he is no predator.” Her fury bullied its way over the stutter as tears burned her eyes. Why couldn’t her rage be dry, rather than a flood?
“You sure she’s not just pimping you out to him? Some rich woman like that takes a shine to you and you don’t even question it?” Vans rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry, Ursa. I know this has to hurt.” Vans continued, mistaking the tears for sorrow rather than wrath. Sympathy twisted Vans’s lovely features finally, satisfied that her words were getting through. “It’ll be all right, Ursa. You’ll find someone who really appreciates you for who you are, instead of making you into something you’re not. And certainly not someone who wants you to be a whore.”
The one-two punch.
Ursa shrank back from Vans, both her hands over her stomach. She shouldered past the other woman, running for the restroom. In part to prevent herself from slapping the other woman, but she also knew she would be sick.
Vans couldn’t know how many times she had refused the shopping trips Leo begged to take her on. He inspired her improved wardrobe, but she purchased all her own clothing. Her hairstyle wasn’t new, the gold and amber highlights were all natural and she felt guilty for flaunting the exposed luster. As for the makeup—now she actually wore some. It made her brown eyes warm and open, rather than small and timid. For the first time in nineteen days, she felt meek again.
Ursa didn’t deserve Leo.
She knew that and had no illusions that it was only a matter of time before he came to his senses.
Vans had only pointed out the painfully obvious. Leo would realize the mistake he was making soon. If Vans, her friend, had assumed she’d sold herself out for product, everyone else would believe it if she moved in with him.
She remained kneeling on the tile floor, curled against the door after being sick. Sadness replaced the fury, and acid and adrenaline sloshed in her empty belly. They planned to go out of town for the monthly play party in Tahoe, but for the first time since she’d agreed to go, she felt the cold of uncertainty crawl around her
queasy stomach.
Pulling herself to her feet, she fixed the tear-messed makeup and forced herself to get to work. She threw herself into her tasks, letting the morning routine block out her troubled thoughts. She did her best to avoid Vans into the afternoon. It was easy as she did the many menial tasks Vans avoided. Eventually she regained her composure if not her confidence, until Marcie arrived around noon.
Vans didn’t say anything, but her sharpened gaze on Marcie was enough. The clerk didn’t conceal her disapproval as Ursa met the woman at their usual spot near the human-sexuality section. Marcie was dressed as impeccably as ever, as if she had stepped out of a fashion shoot for Burberry or maybe Versace? Ursa was only fashion aware enough to know the clothing looked deliciously stylish and several tax brackets above her own. There was something classic about the heavy golden jewelry and navy skirt suit. Marcie looked both feminine and powerful.
Marcie’s expression was thoughtful as she watched Vans. “She is an interesting one. Do you think she might enjoy the party? Now that I actually look at her, she does put off a seriously subby vibe,” she said speculatively before sliding her sunglasses down her nose to fix bottomless indigo eyes on Ursa. “My goodness, is everything all right, darling?”
“I’m fine. Vans subby? I honestly don’t know. She’s not been acting herself lately. Before, I would have said she’d be up for any fun party but…” Ursa felt the tension of the morning curl tighter inside her. Vans at a party? Would that be a good idea? “Why do you ask?”
“A little birdie told me he had an interest,” Marcie said and smiled mysteriously.
“Someone you sent to the store?”
Marcie gave a small tip of her head to indicate yes without saying it. For a moment Ursa considered telling Marcie about Vans’s nasty comments but the other woman changed subjects to the next bombshell of the day.
“I’m afraid I’m not here for our usual lunch. I’m leaving to get a head start on traffic and get things started for you wild animals to arrive.” As Marcie spoke, she reached out and placed her long fingers on Ursa’s shoulder, concern darkening her eyes. “I hate to offer additional trying news when you are having a challenging day already but I need to give you a heads-up. I sent out these invitations long ago, you understand, back when Leo was taking a break from my parties. Now it appears the ex is going to be at the Tahoe house for the weekend. She reached out to me this morning to say she was going to be there. I know you won’t have any problems but I didn’t want you to have some unfortunate run-in.”
Snow Mistress Page 2