Beyond His Control

by Aliyah Burke

Watching her move with the music, he could imagine her actually partaking in the piece. Eyes shut, her head moved with precise actions, as did the rest of her. Her hair, free of the scrunchie it had been in, partially obscured her face as it floated in time with her movements. The determined concentration on her face, accompanied by something akin to pleasure. All of it combined to give her a bit of reprieve from the demons that plagued her.

  After that one faded away and another begin, he cleared his throat. Her jump was slight yet noticeable to him. She blushed slightly but never dropped her gaze from his. He shoved his hands into the deep pockets of his pants. Fingers dug into his palm as he strove not to throw her back on the mattress and have his way with her.

  “Why…” he swallowed and tried again, keeping his tone level this attempt. “Why did you think it didn’t matter?”

  She never blinked. “Why would I think it would?”

  A low rumble rose in his chest. “Damn it, Kami, I’m not in the mood to play games.”

  “You didn’t see me home.” She shifted on the bed, putting her feet flat on the floor. Music continued to provide a backdrop of calmness and serenity. “You never even called to see how I was doing.”

  “I couldn’t.”

  Her expression dubious she shrugged. “Fine. I’m sorry to have bothered you. Thank you for taking the time to see me.”

  He scowled and moved to wedge himself between her legs. With one hand, he skimmed his head. “Listen to me, Kami. I couldn’t get in touch with you.”

  She tilted her head back. Her eyes shimmered with tears threatening to spill over and he licked his lips before dropping to his knees before her so they were eye to eye.

  “Ahh hell, baby, don’t cry.”

  Her lower lip quivered. “I’m not,” she uttered defiantly, closing her eyes.

  “Look at me, Kami.” Those thickly curled lashes rose with uncounted slowness. “I thought it was best.”

  “I don’t understand,” she said holding his gaze.

  He swallowed and sank back on his heels. “I didn’t…don’t want to be a reminder to you of what you went through. I would rather not see you than to have you look at me with revulsion.”

  “I thought you were disgusted by me. And what I went through. You never asked if…if they…” she trailed off.

  His jaw almost dropped. “No baby. Never that. Jesus Kami, you know I want you. And it wasn’t my place to ask you that.”

  “Then why won’t you take what I offer?”

  He groaned. “Kami you deserve a man who…” Damn, it was not easy to tell her to find someone else, it made him positively livid, “…who is good for you.”

  She blinked a few times before touching his jaw. Her fingers created a whirlpool of havoc in him. He stiffened completely and took a long shuddering breath. Such innocence.

  “I need you.”

  He caved with a growl of pure resignation. He needed her too, more than she could know. His hands sank into her hair the sides of her face and drew her close until their faces were millimeters apart.

  “Do your parents know you’re here?”

  “No.”

  His eyes traveled over her face, pleased beyond words her face had healed. He massaged her scalp and held her gaze. With the utmost care, he covered her mouth with his own. Light, teasing, kisses were given as he glided along her soft lips, allowing himself the indulgence of her taste once again.

  A flavor he’d never get enough of. And one he’d never forget as long as he lived. Cherries and plums.

  Her moan did him in and he knew there was no going back. He pulled her tighter to him, her legs widening to circumvent his body. One hand stayed deep in her hair, keeping their mouths close. His other slid down over her Capri covered thigh and past her knee until his palm encountered her silken smooth calf.

  Kami wove her arms around his neck and sucked his exploring tongue. Each draw sent a shot of electricity through to his already aching cock. Flexing his fingers on her calf muscle, he used the grip on her hair to move her head back. Her dark brown eyes smoldered with desire. And trust. Holding her gaze, he placed his hands on the hem of her shirt and slowly lifted it off. Dropping it to the side, he roved his gaze over her. She wore a black strapless bra, her breasts pushed up, tempting him. Her stomach was flat and thankfully healed of all the bruises it had bore before.

  “Kami,” he rasped.

  She was so beautiful it hurt. He reached out and undid the button on her pants. The zipper seemed to echo in the room, their breathing a harsh accompaniment.

  “Lift up.”

  She did and he pulled them past her hips. He moved back to get them off her the rest of the way. She wore plain black bikini panties and yet it hit him harder than if he stared at a lingerie model.

  He was at a loss for words. Hungrily he dragged his gaze over her until their eyes met. Caleb got to his feet and whipped his shirt off his head, simultaneously removing his shoes. She stood and placed her hands on his chest.

  His fingers fumbled on the button on his jeans as her palms skimmed along his torso. So warm, her touch. He shuddered. He shrugged out of his jeans and kicked them aside. His lids fluttered a bit when she trailed her hands over his boxer briefs. He gulped when one hand cupped his stiff length.

  Wrapping one hand in her hair, he tugged her head back. Kiss swollen lips were parted and her killer eyes hazy with lust. With his free hand, he undid the clasp of her bra. The black material fell soundlessly to the floor, leaving him facing her bared breasts. Only this time, he didn’t have to bind them.

  “Lie back,” he said in a graveled voice.

  Silent, she did as he ordered. Her large dark brown eyes watched him with complete trust. He swallowed hard before joining her on the bed. The mattress dipped beneath his added weight. Stretching out beside her, he dragged his fingers up her silken skin beginning at one ankle. He moved up her ankle, over the inside of her calf, before dipping into the bend behind her knee. Continuing on, he touched the smooth skin of her thigh and moved higher. It took a lot to ignore the slim item of clothing cover her. He did and kept going. Her stomach muscles quivered against the pads of his fingers.

  He was surrounded by a light scent, cherries and plums—Kami’s scent, and a spicier one. Lowering his head to hers, he nuzzled her chin and peppered her with kisses.

  “Caleb,” she whispered. Her body shifted on the blankets.

  He laved his way down her sternum and over to one breast before sucking the pebbled tip into his waiting mouth. She gasped, back arching up, pressing her further into him. With his hand, he teased the other nipple. Her moans grew as he alternated between both breasts until she babbled.

  “Caleb…please…I…”

  Ignoring the pounding demands of his libido, he kept up his slow assault. By the time he removed her panties they were unable to hide the proof of her readiness. Cupping her core, he slid two fingers through the clipped hair and into her wet slit.

  Velvet heat gripped him as she mewled and bucked against his hand. He just about came from the feel of her.

  Caleb watched her fall apart around his thrusting fingers. Her plump lower lip caught in her teeth, her eyes were hazy with lids partially lowered, and the sexiest moan heard passed from her mouth to his ears.

  He pulled out and made sure she watched him clean her cream from his fingers. Then he removed his final item of clothing. His cock, hard and ready, jutted forward. Kami’s eyes zoomed in on it and she licked her lips. His shaft jumped in response.

  Lowering himself back over her, Caleb rubbed the head of his cock along her pussy. His control deteriorated with each tic of time. She shifted, legs widening in invitation.

  “Caleb.”

  Eyes locked on hers, he slid home. Slowly. One continuous long slide until he was completely embedded within her molten heat.

  “Shit,” he uttered.

  Nothing could have prepared him for this moment. She was tight, so blessed tight. He held still, scrambling to not lose it so q
uickly. Her body felt like it had been made just for him. She moved again and he bit the inside of his cheek as a bolt of lightning jagged through him.

  “Move, Caleb.”

  He did. Long strokes. Even strokes. Back and forth. In and out. Beneath him, Kami worked with him, undulating and rolling her hips.

  “More,” she said, her nails digging into his back.

  He picked up his speed. Her legs hooked high around his waist allowing deeper penetration.

  * * *

  Kami would die a happy woman if it was now her time to go. Caleb was an amazing lover. His thick cock filled and stretched her unlike any of her previous lovers. She moved with him, doing her best to keep the moans contained.

  Above her, Caleb continued to piston within her. Thrust after powerful thrust. She teetered on the edge of bliss but he wouldn’t let her fall over. So close only to back off and begin to build the burn all over again.

  “Caleb,” she grunted as he slowed again.

  “Kami,” he murmured by her ear. One of his strong hands threaded into her hair and tightened. “I know what you want, Kami.”

  “Give it to me.”

  “Stop hiding your screams,” he replied, teeth tugging on her earlobe.

  “No.”

  His responding chuckle was rich and decadent. He stopped moving and kept just the head of his large cock inside her. She squirmed in frustration and tried to pull him back deeper. He resisted her attempts. All of them.

  “I want you to scream my name,” he growled. “You will scream my name.”

  Her smartass comment vanished from thought when he slammed forward. Hard. Sensations exploded throughout her and she whimpered. He did it again and she bit back her cry of his name.

  “More,” she begged shamelessly.

  He shifted and began powering into her. Overwhelmed by her body’s reaction, she no longer fought the need, just gave in. Blood and skin felt like they were on fire.

  “Oh…I…Caleb…please…”

  His face drawn tight, sweat ran down his face. “Fuck, Kami. You…” He trailed off and moved a hand between them. At the first flick of his fingers over her hypersensitive clit, she came apart.

  “Caleb!” she screamed, back bowing as stars exploded before her eyes.

  She felt him drive home two more times before her sex was filled by his release. A shout of his own accompanied the pulses of his seed that flooded her.

  For a moment, he lay on her, not crushing her but a wonderful sense of safety. Then he rolled them, so he was on the bottom. Their bodies still joined, he ran a hand along her face, moving the sweat dampened strands back.

  He watched her with his amazing eyes and she looked away, pressing her face against his sweaty neck.

  “Kami?”

  “Don’t say anything, Caleb. Please. Let me just have the moment.” She didn’t want to hear him say it shouldn’t have happened, didn’t believe she could take those words from him.

  “We have to—”

  “Please Caleb. Not now. Hold me.”

  A blanket covered her to the small of her back, then his arms tightened around her. Closing her eyes, Kami settled a hand over his heart and allowed the powerful beats to lead her into slumber, as she remained joined with him the most intimate of ways.

  Twice more, Caleb woke her to make love and each time she responded eagerly. Yet, when she felt him roll out of bed around four in the morning, she feigned sleep. She could feel him standing over her. Watching her.

  “I’ll be back, Kami,” he spoke softly as he ran a finger down her face. “Then we really have to talk.”

  She almost held her breath yet somehow managed to remain as if merely asleep. Hurt overwhelmed her. His voice sounded so full of regret it tore her apart. Even after the door closed, she remained lying there.

  Tears gathered and she just allowed them to fall. After a while, she made herself get up to shower and dress. Her mp3 player and speakers were on the floor, swept there during their interludes on the bed.

  “What were you thinking?” she asked the empty room. “He would forget your mothers are best friends? That you were any good in bed?”

  She swiped angrily at the tears, grabbed her bag, and began shoving her things in it.

  “It was a mistake. A huge mistake, my coming here.” She chewed on her thumbnail and paced.

  With a deep breath, she grabbed the bag, her purse, and keys. After putting the duffel in her rental, she walked to the front office to return the key. She partook in the continental breakfast, eating leisurely.

  As she meandered back to her car, she tried to figure out what to do. She didn’t want to go home, too much smothering from her mother and too many memories.

  “Russia. I could go to Russia.” Her Uncle Nik and Aunt Cleo had ample room and would welcome her with open arms. A sense of peace filled her when she reached that decision. A chance to get away. No facing people who wanted to know what happened in Taiwan. No way to be tempted by Caleb. Plus there would be no reason for them to “talk” if she were gone.

  She reached into her pocket and pulled out the car keys. Now I just have to tell mom. Yeah, that would go over real well. Not. It wasn’t a confrontation she looked forward to.

  “Wondered how long it would take you to run.”

  Kami jumped heart up in her throat, at the sound of Caleb’s voice. She jerked her head up and spied him leaning nonchalantly against the side of her white vehicle. His relaxed posture didn’t fool her in the least. He had his arms crossed and ankles hooked. All which amplified the strength in his body. He wore dark pants and a gray shirt with a bag at his feet. His expression while blank was full of displeasure. She could see it.

  “Wh…what are you doing here?” she asked.

  “Why are you trying to run away?”

  “I’m not…I…didn’t…think you…” Damn it all, now all she could do was bumble like a kid.

  He sighed. “Come here, Kamden.”

  She flicked her tongue nervously over her lower lip even as she followed his order. Caleb positioned her between his thighs, his hands skimmed up and down her bare arms.

  “I figured it out once I made it back to base. You were waiting for me to leave so you could sneak away without a word.”

  She lowered her head. It was true, she had. Why did he sound disappointed in her and why did it bother her so much?

  “Look at me,” he ordered gently lifting her chin so their eyes could meet.

  Caleb cupped her face and lowered his mouth to hers. He nibbled along her lips before seeking entrance. She sighed and opened beneath him, submitting to his touch. But he ended it as opposed to deepening the kiss.

  “Cherries and plums,” he muttered before giving a sharp shake of his head. “Come on.”

  She ran her tongue over her lips, capturing all she could of his taste. “Where?”

  He plucked the keys from her hand and guided her to the passenger door. Before she could protest and say he couldn’t drive, he’d climbed in, buckled up, and started the engine. Kami opted to remain silent aware he’d tell her where they were going when he wanted to. Or if.

  Caleb captured her hand and began to rub his thumb along the back of it in a hypnotic and soothing motion. She had just begun to doze when he pulled into a driveway of a nice house. He parked before the garage and shut off the car. Still without a word, he got out and she followed. She saw him come around with both bags in his hand and walk to the front.

  “Caleb? What are you doing?”

  “Going inside.”

  He has a house? I thought he lived on base.

  The second she stepped through, she found a very nice, warm, welcoming place. Caleb shut the door with his foot and disengaged the alarm. She stayed on the inlaid stone tile entryway.

  “Come in, Kami,” he called to her.

  Hesitantly, she progressed until she found him. He stood in the kitchen, looking entirely at home. Caleb nodded at one of the chairs shoved under the bar.

  �
�Sit.”

  “I’m not a dog, Caleb. No need to bark orders like I am.”

  His blue eyes pinned her. “Please sit.” He forced the sentence from behind clenched teeth.

  She didn’t make him say it again. Settled in the oak chair she hooked her feet on the rail and rested her elbows on the emerald green countertop.

  “What is going on, Kami?”

  His question was straightforward and direct. Like his gaze. She allowed herself to look her fill of him. How didn’t I recognize him at the bar in Florida? It still baffled her. She didn’t ever believe she would not know him. Definitely wouldn’t happen now.

  “Kami!” He snapped his fingers in front of her face, jolting her from her thoughts.

  “What do you mean, what’s going on?”

  He glowered. “Don’t play stupid. Why did you come and why were you trying to leave before I got back? We both know you were awake so you heard me say I would be coming back.”

  Unease grew in her belly. “I…I came because I wanted to see you.”

  One black brow rose as he crossed his arms. “Then why the attempt at the disappearing act?”

  She shifted on the cushion. “When you left this morning, I heard so much regret in your voice. I…well, I didn’t want to hear you tell me how much of a mistake this was and how it shouldn’t have happened.” She shrugged. “Still don’t, if it’s all the same to you. You’ve already turned me down once.”

  “Is that how you feel?”

  I don’t want to do this. “No. But this wasn’t about me.” She fidgeted with the bracelet on her wrist. The one which had brought Caleb to her.”

  “So, you’re making my decisions for me?” he questioned. “Don’t think you have that right. We’re not married…yet.”

  Married. Her foot slipped off the rung at that. Caleb pressed against the counter and placed his hands upon the top. She stared at those fingers with short square nails. His touch could—and did—bring her so much pleasure.

  “Focus, Kami.”

  Tearing her gaze from his hands, she met his amused look. “What?”

  “I’ve never seen you so distracted before. What’s going on?” he waved off his question. “Never mind. We’ll deal with it later. Listen to me and listen well, Kami. There was regret in my voice because I had to leave you. Not because of what we’d done.”