She closed her eyes as he sang into her ear. She imagined the words were his to tell, and for the first time, he wanted to let his past go and learn to live for himself. For her. For them.
His warm lips kissed her neck in slow pecks to her bare shoulder. Her body temperature soared from hot to boiling. She reached back to grip his jeans for fear she’d lose her balance. She turned to face him, and his hooded gaze captured hers.
His knuckles stroked her cheeks. In lustful anguish, he asked, “What are you doing to me?”
“Kiss me,” she whispered.
He moved closer until she could feel the spark of his lips hovering over hers, his labored breath on her skin, and the noticeable thread of control leaving him. His lips grazed hers. She opened, and her body rose for more. He sank into his kiss, becoming urgent as each swipe of his tongue found hers.
The two of them continued their embrace through the ebb and flow of the music. The final set of lyrics hit a little too close to home. Divided by the truth and her emotions, could she stay with him or should she leave?
The cab stopped in the front of Gavin’s brownstone. It had been a quiet ride from the venue as Shane contemplated telling him she knew about his deceit. His hand came to rest on her thigh.
Her hand fell naturally to lace their fingers. She met his penetrating gaze. His expression seemed to be searching for reassurance. Was he nervous?
“Do you want to come in?” he asked.
He issued an invitation, didn’t demand her company. She smiled, tickled by his question.
“Yes.”
“Good,” he breathed out and paid the cabbie. Climbing out of the car, he linked his hand in hers and helped her to the sidewalk, then led her to the front door.
Once inside, he removed their coats and hung them in the closet. She followed him upstairs and into his bedroom. He made his way to the restored fireplace and turned it on.
Gavin had dissimilar tastes when it came to his bedroom versus the room at The Resort. This space held a quiet confidence. Distressed hardwood floors ran the length of the bedroom with the furniture a dark cherry shade. Rich, earthy colors of chocolate and deep greens swept the room. Hints of copper accents from the mantle and the side lamps resting on the nightstands twinkled with the reflected light of the burning fire. The terracotta accent wall behind the bed brought out the robust virile feel to his sanctuary.
A massive timber headboard had been mounted to the bed. It anchored the room, giving the space a commanding focal point. The wood appeared flawed, exuding a warrior image. Her hand covered her mouth. This was him.
He stood from his crouched position, his blue eyes fierce and large body tight as he approached her. She rested her hand on his chest, and his strong heartbeat raced.
They searched each other. Two people strangely linked through their unspoken deceptions. She found herself shy and hesitant, unlike before. No masks. No hiding. Both embarking on a singular moment meant to change their relationship forever.
He licked her parted lips and drove his tongue into her mouth, fisting her hair at the roots. The pleasure radiated as her hands reflexively pulsed around his waist. He peppered kisses down her neck, and her heart pounded in her ears. A raging want throbbed between her legs.
He inhaled against her neck. “Fucking wildflowers. Drives me crazy.” He gritted through his teeth as his steel-like erection pushed against her. Her breathing hitched, weakening her patience.
“Just fuck me,” she said eagerly.
His lips unexpectedly stopped at her neck. Anxiety overcame her anticipation. Isn’t this what he wanted? He lifted his head, eyes narrowing as the corners of his etched lips curved.
“No.” His fingers teased the skin along the curve of her neck. “Tonight, you deserve tenderness...” He kissed her lips. “…and romance...” His tongue seared the hollow in her throat as he licked the perspiration forming there. “…a slow seduction. Tonight, I take my time. Tomorrow, we fuck.”
And with a wicked promise for more, she shivered even though the fire heated the room.
“I want to ravish every inch of your skin, Shane.” He inserted a finger into her mouth and pulled out slowly. She sucked as his hooded eyes dilated with desire. “We have all night,” he purred.
Lifting her shirt over her head, he walked her backward until her legs hit the oversized chair in the corner of the room. His lips danced along the tops of her breasts, which spilled over the edges of a blue lace corset. He nuzzled her cleavage and licked leisurely, wrapping his arms around her middle and taking time to savor each section of her body.
Dexterous fingers found each clasp until the corset fell to the floor. He massaged her breasts gently as he continued the erotic assault on her mouth. She ran her fingers through his dark hair to share in the tantalizing touches.
He dipped her back. Sucking sounds and sweet torment to her nipple with his mouth had her writhing against his leg for relief as his large frame hovered over her. Her head fell back as his tongue circled her nipple, nibbling lightly.
Sharp pangs of pleasure rippled down to her neglected clit. She needed him. He gently placed her into the chair, leaving a trail of kisses down her abdomen, dipping his tongue in her belly button. Such sweet seduction raised goosebumps on her scorching skin. His eyes flickered like blue flames when he unzipped each boot and set them aside.
“When we first met, I wanted you like this.” He caressed each foot and ran a thumbnail over the arches; a thrill of pleasure zipped her spine.
“What?” she gasped, taken by his touch and trying to formulate a thought. “When?”
He slipped the denim and panties from her hips. “I will never forget my first day at Omega. The way you commanded the boardroom. The way you demanded answers from your employees without a care to their feelings.”
The jeans slipped off her heels, and she lay bared to him. His scorching gaze inspected each inch. He licked his bottom lip as if preparing his mouth for a meal. He coaxed her hips to the end of the chair.
“I wanted my cock buried inside you. This.” He leaned over her mound and inhaled. “You.” He spread her open and licked her thigh, teasing toward her sex. The delicious friction from his stubble grazed the inside of her thigh as he ascended. “Fucking divine.”
“Oh, god…but you hated me.” The words were a breathless whisper and a feeble attempt at understanding his reasoning.
He lifted each leg over the armrests to spread her open.
“Not hate, Shane. I wanted to teach you a lesson. Your smart mouth…” He teased her entrance with a finger, and her core clenched. “…left me wondering if you had ever been dominated. Had you ever served? It became my goal.” He inserted a finger, and her pussy squeezed at the invasion. To dominate me…
“Wet and greedy, baby.”
“Is this what you’re doing? Dominating…god...” Her body soared as he pushed in. “…me?”
“Yes.” He licked her opening and rimmed her clit, melting her core to oblivion. “You’re as stunning and desirable as a diamond, Shane. Everyone is drawn to you, and seeing you this way, under my control…God, you’re beautiful when you let go.”
Her body shook uncontrollably with his declarations, his touch.
“Do you like that?”
“Yes, very much,” she whispered.
He hummed. “But you are a diamond encased in glass. You keep people at bay.” His lips closed around her pulsing clit and sucked.
A deep “ah” escaped her lips. “That’s what you think?” She rolled her eyes back as he leisurely licked her nub.
“You fear letting someone in. Even me. Understandably so. Open for me, baby. Let me see you.” He thrust to his knuckle, rubbing the walls meticulously until her muscles gave her no choice. Her core melted and spasmed.
“I want to know each magnificent facet of your diamond. I want to touch parts no one ever has.” When he inserted another finger, she gripped the cushion of the chair. “Yes, Shane. Let go for me.” She writhed on his hand, wetness
spilling from her opening. “So beautiful.”
A million sparkles of light crossed her vision, cracking the façade she used as her disguise. She was scared. Frightened another person could take her heart and not return it in one piece. Like Jacob…only worse.
“You’re meant to be loved, Shane.” He removed his fingers and spread her legs wider, licking and sucking. “Loved and cherished. You taste so fucking sweet.” She groaned through the spikes of pleasure. Of truth.
She wanted nothing more than to be loved. Is this what he was doing? Loving her? Her hands grasped his hair and urged him forward as she undulated on his tongue. Her boldness and unabashed nature carried her into the clouds. “Gavin...”
“Just feel. Let me bring you pleasure. I want you to know what you do to me. I want to show how you’ve changed me. I want you to love me.” His tongue swirled as she tipped over the edge, screaming his name. Heat suffused her body, and her breath ceased from the impact of her orgasm, sending her into free fall. Love him…
The electric current from her sex as it met his mouth brought her back as she crested. He lapped her juices, the tender flesh swelling with each pass. She sank into the chair, unable to move. He kissed up her body until he reached her mouth.
“You’re so beautiful when you come.” She tasted her essence on his tongue. The musky scent of sex surrounded them before he picked her up and carried her to the bed.
He shed his shirt and remaining clothing. Her eyes widened. She lost her breath at the sight of his body. His well-defined broad shoulders and biceps flowed to his chest all the way to his abs. Following the lines to his cock, her need spiked so high, the atmosphere in the room altered. Hadn’t he blown her mind a moment ago? Her gaze became fixated at his right shoulder and down his chest. A tattoo in tribal designs marked his skin, blending into one focal point.
“Gavin.” She sat upright and held out a hand to touch the word inked on his pectoral. Nicolette. His daughter. The name was nestled in the arms of a fallen angel expressing sadness.
He held her hand flat on Nicolette’s name. He grimaced slightly but allowed her to feel his soul.
“Lie back,” he said gently.
The questions could be saved for later. He rolled a condom over his thick cock. He leaned his fists on the bed, one on each side of her.
She cupped his face. “It’s okay. It’s just me.”
“I know. And it scares me.”
“Me too,” she admitted. All of it was insane yet undeniable.
His arms wrapped under hers, and he curved his fingers over her shoulders. The crown of his penis notched at her slick opening.
“Could you love someone like me, Shane?”
Her heart sank. Had he ever been loved before? She never thought tonight would open a world of possibilities and deep-seated fears. Her heart pounded in her throat, wanting to confess everything.
“Yes, I could.”
His back muscles tightened against her hand. “But what if there are things you may not be able to live with? Things I’ve done?” Exhaustion appeared to coat his irises from the turmoil brewing inside.
She wrinkled her brow. How could she when she didn’t know anything about him? Especially with what he did. It was unexplainable. “And what if I can live with them? I want to understand you, Gavin. I want to know everything, even the things you don’t want to say. Trust me to understand.”
“I do trust you.” He bent down to kiss her. Gently at first. Then he slid his cock into her with delicate strength until fully seated. “Yes, Shane. Feels so fucking good,” he breathed out.
His hot breath against her lips made her seal her promise in a kiss. Long licks and tongues tangled. Hips meeting in desire. Over and over as her orgasm built gradually with each penetration, giving everything they had in a sensual dance. Taking them both over the edge together.
“I need this, Shane. Always.”
19
Shane blinked. Had she been asleep long? She stretched her muscles, smiling at what had transpired. She shivered in delight under the duvet and rolled over to find the bed empty and cold.
“Gavin?” she whispered. She sat up, her eyes adjusting to the darkness.
Something shifted in the chair by the fireplace, making her jolt. She squinted. “Oh, Gavin. You scared me.”
His bare chest lifted and fell. Arms curved over the contours of the armrests and his face remained hidden by shadows.
“Hey.” A chill layered her naked skin as she got up and went to him. “Are you okay?”
“Fine, Shane.”
She knelt between his legs. He tensed when she settled her hands on his thighs.
“You sure? You look upset.” Uneasiness settled in the pit of her stomach when he shifted his hand up, rubbing the inside of his palm with his thumb.
The coarse hairs tickled her palms as her hands smoothed the length of his thighs. His jaw tightened as stone cold blue irises flickered over her face, any desire from before extinguished. Even his most intense dominant stare at the club could bring on arousal. This was anything but. It was frigid and distant.
“It’s time to go.”
“What?” Her hands halted at the hem of his boxer briefs.
“You heard me.” The calmness in his tone set off an alarm.
“Yeah, I heard you.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I’m trying…Did something happen?” She replayed the last thing she remembered. He’d held her as the fire burned. She’d fallen asleep. Did she say something while dreaming?
“No. Nothing happened.” He shoved her hands away.
“Something did, so tell me what the hell’s going on.”
He narrowed his gaze. “We fucked. You slept. Now, you leave.”
A wave of nausea and suffocation threatened her as he sucked the wind from her euphoric sails. “You can’t be serious.”
“Your clothes are on the nightstand. And there’s the door.” He gestured to the doorway with his chin. He was evading her. Avoiding what happened between them.
“I’m sorry. Did I miss—”
“It was a great time, and now it’s over.”
Tears welled behind her eyes. The burn approached rapidly as her throat constricted. Keep it together.
“Okay, I witnessed someone totally different earlier, and here you are”—she rose to her knees—“acting as though I’m some chick you banged in a bar who’s worn out her welcome.”
“I have better taste,” he said sharply.
“What the fuck has gotten into you? You asked me if I could love you.”
He tilted his head, and a wry smile appeared. “It was a game, Shane.”
Yeah, a fucking game. A game I set out to win for us both. The bitterness and triumph in his voice echoed in her ears. Had he been playing with her the entire time? Or was he changing course?
“What was? Screwing me and explaining how you want to know the facets of me, of a goddammed diamond?” She pointed a finger. “You meant every word.”
She’d seen the expression in his eyes. The clarity before he pushed her over the edge. She’d seen it at the club when he reached vulnerability and peace. The inevitable tears escaped to their destination, dripping one by one down her cheeks and onto the floor.
Unfazed, he leaned forward. “It’s like this, Shane. I tell you what you want to hear, I get what I want. You want romance? I give it. In return, I use your body.”
She slapped him, a sting reverberating on her palm. Her sticky throat caught. “You’re a liar. You care.”
“You need to go.”
He started to stand but she pushed him down. The chair skidded. “Fuck you, Gavin.”
The heels of her hands met the steel of his chest. He swiped them, restraining her against him. Rapid heartbeats thumped against her cheek. He felt something. His heart was screaming with nerves, not the calmness he tried to convey.
“You’re only delaying the inevitable,” he said between clenched teeth.
&nbs
p; “Where you break my heart and yours too?”
His grip tightened for an instant until he stood. “No, where you leave after you lose control. Look at you.” A flick of his wrist and a face full of disgust, rippled shame from head to toe. Empty and debased.
“There’s nothing you can say to get me to leave. You care about me.”
He shook his head. “You’re wrong.”
The bitterness in his words cut through her. She rose up. Chest out, dropping her hands to the side. Showing herself. Proof she wasn’t running. Any artillery of malicious intent he threw wouldn’t chase her away.
“You’re bluffing.”
He smirked, and in a low, venomous tone, he said, “I fucked you at The Resort. Knew it was you.” Her chin trembled when her lips parted. Why would he admit it? She swallowed as her heart cracked open. “And I did it to take your job.”
“Screw you!”
“It’s true. And let me say, you’re a good fuck. To your credit, it was one of the best I’ve had.”
A bolt of energy burned from her shoulders to her hands. They shot forward to push him square in the chest. He remained unmoved. She sat back on her feet and cried into her hands. Why was he being this way?
The hurt flooded her soul. She was confused. As she tried to think clearly, he stood. What was her plan? Her eyes followed him. Dilated pupils. Hard jaw. Rigid muscles. Clenched fists. A bulge evident in his boxers. He was turned on seeing her humiliated and weak. Then it hit her.
Submit.
The tears stopped, and she fell into a place of power. She cast her eyes to the floor and spread her kneeling thighs as she straightened her back. She placed her hands on parted legs, palms to the ceiling. An eerie calm soothed her.
“Thank you, Sir.”
His toes in her view apparently rooted to the floor. “What did you say?”
“Thank you, Sir. I’m happy I pleased you.” She’d certifiably lost her mind but had to test her theories. This version of Gavin didn’t add up. The Gavin she knew, the one beyond the mask, existed. She needed to draw him out. Let him take her body and control every facet he desired.
Beyond the Masks (Beyond Love Series Book 1) Page 19