by Lisa DeBells
“Eden, I want you so badly that I don’t think I can be gentle.” That was putting it mildly, because I wanted to pound into her sweet juices like a fucking beast, she had me all kinds of riled up. I sucked her bottom lip into my mouth and bit it teasingly as she moaned her sexy little sounds. I kissed her like she was my air, and fuck me but even ounce of my flesh knew that she was already mine. Her whimpers and the way she held my face as I draw back to look down at her, how the hell did I get so lucky.
“Mitch, take me.”
That was all I needed to hear. I thrust deeply inside her in one quick motion and pulled out just as quickly. A small screech escaped her lips and I waited to make sure she was OK.
“Please don’t stop,” she whispered.
And I didn’t, not until Eden came all around me, squeezing my dick with her orgasm, coaxing me to give into my own mind-blowing orgasm. The last thing I heard was Eden’s whispered, “Stay,” as she nuzzled sweetly in the crook of my neck. I never stayed, but with Eden all bets were off.
I closed my eyes and let sleep drown out the uneasy feeling that Eden was changing a small part of me, I hoped that it was just lack of sleep making me feel this and tomorrow I would be back to the egotistical punk that didn’t need love and light to feel whole.
Chapter Eleven
Eden
It came about in the most peculiar way, but having Mitchell sleeping in my bed was enough to have my ovaries in a tizzy. The early sunrise lightened the room enough to make out several tattoos, something I had wanted to explore last night, but never had the chance. Mitchell had other plans that had lasted until all I wanted to do was slump onto my pillow in exhaustion. That boy has stamina.
The sheet pooled at his waist, his muscled abdominals relaxed, but still every bit as impressive, nonetheless. I flicked my gaze to his face to make sure he was still asleep. His breathing was even and heavy, his eyelashes dark against his cheeks. So serene while he slept, unlike the demanding lover he’d been last night. My cheeks heated just thinking about the, how do I label it, the best mind-blowing sex ever. I shook the images from my head before I woke him up, and begged for the whole scenario to begin again.
Maybe he sensed me next to him, because he raised an arm above his head, mumbling incoherently. I stifled a giggle. I could almost imagine him as a child, messy blonde hair and a face so innocent that butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.
I ran my gaze down his chest, resisting the urge to follow with my fingers over the dragon that started at his hip bone, coursed up his oblique muscle, disappearing behind his back until the dragon’s spiked head rested on the curved pectoral muscle of his chest. All of this was in black ink, which only added to his disobedient devil-may-care persona.
Another tattoo spanned the same side of his body encompassing his massive shoulder all the way to just past his elbow. A myriad of different flowers graced his skin, all in color, bright and beautiful, and so realistic. I wondered why he would have flowers? From a dragon, villainous and mediaeval to the wonderfully bursting blooms: a blue-green lotus, the perfect petals of a pink rose, a myriad of red cherry-blossoms that twinkled in various places over his bicep. Black swirling shades surrounded by blue waves separated the flowers and brought the whole piece together. He really was a perfect canvas. On closer perusal, three Japanese symbols were etched on the inside of his arm. I made a mental note to ask him about those later.
Would there be a later?
Are you crazy? Does he look like the wine you, date and dine you, kind of guy? My smart-mouthed subconscious lifted her brow while crossing her arms and tapping her foot. Well, she was a bitch. Correct, but still a bitch.
I rolled out of bed. How could he be sleeping, and yet still overpower my whole bedroom?
I wanted to stay in bed, but it was Monday and I was back to my weekly routine. I pulled on my gym tights, full support gym bra—I needed the extra support to hold these puppies firm—and threw my singlet, socks and shoes on.
After washing my face, I pulled my hair back into a high ponytail. I turned my neck to make sure I had all the hair up, and there was a small love-bite. Round and pink, shit, it was a distinct hickey. Jeez, was I in grade school? I hadn’t had one since then, and although they were in bad taste I felt the delicious clench of muscles in my lower abdomen just thinking of how I got it. I rolled my eyes at myself in the mirror, and walked out of the bathroom. Slut! My inner devil managed a shout out and applause to boot. She got off on this shit.
I put the coffee machine on so when I got back from the gym I would have a steaming cup to gulp down before heading to the office. Seriously how did people function without it? Did Mitchell drink coffee? I’m sure he would. He looked the type to have lots of vices.
Would he be here when I got back? Could I handle that? Was it wrong for me to want to save the embarrassment and hope he was gone within the next hour so I didn’t have to face him? It would be so much easier that way. I grabbed my notepad and sucked on the end of my pen while deciding what to write.
A long drawn-out explanation, and he would think I had head problems. A thanks, but can you leave by seven a.m. so it doesn’t have to be awkward . . . well, that’s just rude. Argh fuck! I settled with, Gone to gym. Coffee is on, and signed my name.
I left the note under his cell phone, and made my way outside. The early morning temperature was fresh. I inhaled the scent of pink blooms bursting from the rows of trees that lined my wide street. Spring was my second favorite time of year. Summer was always the best.
I blasted the latest Maroon 5 album through my iPod, and fell into a steady jog on the pavement. Adam Levine was singing in a sexy voice that dripped honey. “Love Somebody”; it seemed fitting for the old me. I was over the notion that love would happen and I was sick of putting my heart on the line, no matter how much Adam Levine implored me. I was happy to live carefree and in the moment, looking after my business, growing it into success. My aim was to have White Organics in one out of two households across America. It had already been picked up by the UK, Japan, and Australia. A chuffed smile crossed my face. I had proudly achieved that goal in the first two years of trading.
Joggers and walkers dodged each other like little ants. I tipped my head to the usual exercise enthusiasts that I saw every morning. We all had the same purpose, so why not be scantly friendly? I looked up at the huge building with the words Stone Fit emblazoned across the front entrance, and immediately felt dwarfed. Usually when I walked through these doors I was effervescent and keen for my workout, but finding out that Mitchell owned this place? That thought was surreal. I half-expected him to swagger in at any second, but he was probably still asleep . . . in my bed. . . in my home. Fuck!
Was it too early for wine? It was five p.m. somewhere in the world. I really needed my best friend’s take on all of this. But first, she would have to get over the fact that I’d slept with him; actually, it was more like had pure unadultered earth shattering sex. I would probably get a lecture about the perils of casual sex, Ariel thought of herself as the expert in that field. Maybe it was smarter to keep this close to my chest for now, just until I spoke to Mitchell. Or not. Argh talk about confusing.
I walked over to the weights section and started with the bench press. I blocked out any other thoughts that were clouding my mind, work: friends, Mitchell, decisions that I had to make for the day, meetings. I let all of the tension out in fierce pumping of the barbell. I hammered out three sets of twelve, even upping my usual weight by five kilograms. After that, I felt like a boss and conquered the rest of my routine with the same gusto. I was so fired up that when I walked out the glass revolving doors fifty minutes later I didn’t notice the tall, muscled, figure eyeballing me whilst walking toward me.
The outline of Mitchell’s strong physique, broad shoulders that tapered into a narrow waist, literally made my mouth water and caused a stir of passion between my thighs. My gaze fell to his half-tucked in T-shirt, as if he was rushed and stuffed it in quickly. I didn�
�t have much time to explore his appearance as my eyes honed onto the waistband of his jeans, I could envision the sexy V that tapered down to his delicious length. Oh Hell I was in major trouble thinking one night with him would be enough.
We reached each other. I stopped and drank in the smell of fresh cotton and sexual masculinity. It was a reminder of how good he tasted on my lips the night before.
Mitchell stood tall, head slightly cocked to one side while his eyes tore into me. Why did I become a pool of mush when he looked at me? I bet this was just the affect he had on women. Well, not this little chicky. It was just the eyes that undid me; so deep, they looked at me as if he knew what I felt. What caused me to shy away from any male company, but more than anything Mitchell had the uncanny ability to look past that and into the tiny window of my soul that creaked open the day I met him.
Shit. This kind of thinking was not good. I needed distance, and fast.
“Mitchell, I see you found your way out of my apartment,” I said, pretending I was more confident than ever. I twirled my ponytail around my hand, albeit a little nervously.
Would he talk or was he just going to stare at me on the sidewalk? The street had filled with businessmen, dressed in power suits and dominant women, wearing tailored svelte skirts and practical heels. Taxis and cars blended into the background, and the only thing that filled my every sense was Mitchell, larger than life even out in the open.
“I would have preferred to find you next to me.” His mouth pouted when he spoke, giving his lips a softness while his sultry scan of my body brought back memories of all the places he’d kissed.
“I have to get to work, it was . . . great.” Great? Ugh! I mentally schlepped my palm to my forehead. Was that all I had? Even with a college education. “I . . . uh, I gotta go.” I took a few steps to pass him. I didn’t have time to sidestep away from Mitchell’s hand that reached out and hooked around my waist, his fingers splayed at my hip.
“You’re giving me the brush off?” His brows knit together as he exhaled. His arm tightened and pulled me closer. I wanted to fall into him, I really did. It would be the easiest thing in the world. I fought with my hands to keep them at my sides with my body slightly turned away. The intensity of Mitchell’s eyes searched mine. Was he waiting for me to submit? That wouldn’t happen.
I knew his walls were down. Gone was the enigmatic ladies man used to getting exactly what he wanted; instead I saw excitement, the thrill of the chase. He didn’t hear no often was my guess. It didn’t matter how attracted I was to Mitchell, I broke it down to what it needed to be which was a thrilling night of excellent sex with a beguiling man, who I wanted more of but I’m just not willing to give in to my desires . . . yet.
“Let it go Mitchell.” I looked past him, afraid my eyes would relay what I really meant. “I can’t do this . . . with you. Please, just let it go.” And this time I looked up at him. The sun was behind him peeking out from the tall tops of the building, casting a halo of light around Mitchell’s face.
And I was fucked.
“I will let you go . . . for now. But know that I’m not a patient man, Eden.” He leaned his face to mine, and spoke ever so softly. “And when I want something I don’t stop until it’s mine.” He was close enough to kiss me, but instead planted a peck on my forehead.
“Good bye Mitch.”
He squeezed my waist, acknowledging my words before taking his hands away.
“Anytime you need me Eden,” he said, “you got my number.” Then he turned and walked toward the gym.
“Don’t count on me calling you Stone.”
I was left feeling remarkably chuffed with myself. I ran all the way home, like a black panther was on my tail. I needed to get on with my day, pretend like the man of my dreams and this weekend never happened.
Chapter Twelve
I walked toward the double-glazed revolving doors of the building that housed my beauty salon. The familiar excitement rushed my belly when I strode in. It never got old. I was constantly pinching myself. This was all of my dreams come true, with cream and a cherry on top.
Nadia was always the first to arrive, and today was no different. She pulled on her white coat with the royal-blue embroidered, 'White Organics Spa', on the breast. Nadia was from Russia; she was tall and shapely with gorgeous big brown eyes. She always wore her dark hair slicked back into a low bun, reminding me of one of the women in a Robert Palmer’s “Simply Irresistible” video clip. Her dark hair was as sleek and stylish as were her long tanned legs that today were showcased in a mid-thigh length skirt.
"Hi, Nadia. How was your weekend, sweetie?" I made general conversation. I only asked to distract me from the last few days. They had left me feeling uncertain of how I wanted things to go with Mitchell Stone.
"Hello, Eden." Her red-painted lips moved around a strong Russian accent. She lifted a well-plucked eyebrow at me. "I did the management course, remember?"
"Oh yes, excellent." I’d forgotten. Mitchell was still clouding my thoughts, I needed to switch my business brain on. Nadia had the highest work ethic, so I was training her for a senior management position, which was basically my job. In the last few months, business had taken off, and I just couldn’t stretch myself any further.
“Eden, are you OK?” Nadia paused, her hands on the buttons of her coat, as she peered at me concerned. “You don’t look so good.” Her mouth moved but my brain wasn’t attending to the conversation.
“Yes, I’m good. Thank you, Nadia.” I walked into my office with her muffled footsteps following behind. “Now, what do we have on today?” I perused the booking system on the computer. My office was small but displayed all of the precious momentos from the beginning of my career; framed newspaper clippings, beauty articles that showcased me and Eden White Organics. Whenever I was in this room with every small framed victory or plaque on the wall, it reminded me that my success existed.
We had a steady day ahead of us; nothing my girls weren’t used to. Over the two years since we’d opened, I had panned through a slew of employees, from twenty to sixty year-olds, and I’d finally ended up with a masterful crew that supported and complimented one another. Sure there was the odd bitchy time of the month, inevitable with seven females together every day, but I knew I could rely on this bunch and I hoped they thought I was a fair and understating boss.
I thumbed through the latest issue of Instyle. Countless gorgeous faces beamed from its pages; bright pinks and yellow blocks of color looked like the next fashion fad. Accented studs on shoulders, hand bags, and shoes, gave everything an urban edgy look that any age could pull off. I loved this style, and spotted a pair of black leather booties with a little peep toe. The heel was spiked with gold studs, and the overall menacing look appealed to me. I had to own them.
I didn’t shop much, but when something caught my eye, I didn’t hesitate to make it my own. These boots would look kickass-hot on my next night out. Jeez. Me out on the town again was not a smart idea. I wasn’t over the last weekend yet. But I couldn’t help the pang of excitement buzzing in my core at the idea of seeing Mitchell again. It had me imagining all the perverted things I wanted to lavish on his rock-hard body.
A persistent knock on my door broke my fantasy. It wasn’t even ten o’clock yet
“Yep, come in.”
In waltzed Kat with an I’m-so-pumped-for-work-it’s-Monday look. Her bright-blue eyes blinked expectantly. We always had a pre-week meeting before opening, to talk out any issues, and a general courteous catch up.
“Hey boss, you ready for us?” She was so pumped that her eyes blinked a hundred times to my one. No one should be that excited about work. Kat was definitely the Energizer Bunny around here. This girl reminded me of my passion for my job and what it requires to evolve it. I couldn’t help the broad smile I gave her.
I made a mental note to have a sit down with her. I needed another spokesperson to accompany me on my presentations and Kat knew my products inside out. She lived and breathe
d them, plus her cuteness wouldn’t hurt either.
“Hey, Kat. Yes, I’m almost ready.” I flipped the magazine at her. “I’m quite partial to these boots. I think I need to buy them. What do you think?” I giggled, but genuinely wanted her take. I would łbuy them anyway.
Her mouth formed an O and her eyes lit. “Love. Them.” She nodded as her perfect blonde curls bobbed at her shoulders. “There’s a new club opening this weekend. Let me know if you need me to break them in for you.”
I winked at her with a smile. “You, my dear, will be first in line.”
We both walked into the lobby, and so my week began. We were fully booked weeks in advance as this was the awards season. Any young up-and-coming celebrity, actress, singer, and the like wanted to be plucked and primed within an inch of their Brazilian.
Let the madness begin.
********
The days passed by in one big haze of activity. I felt like I was getting lost in the cracks of my calendar as I was constantly looking to the next appointment with a client or a potential associate that wanted to stock my products.
I had to break my day up into the most important, which is what I got done, at the least, like a feature article on me in the latest women’s health and fitness magazine. I was all for empowering women, but fuck me, there was only so many places I could be at once. I sent Kat to represent me along with six boxes of product as an apology for not making it to the initial product over view. A photo shoot was scheduled for the following month, gah, excitement much.
I just got off the phone with the magazine’s PR person, Michael, who thanked me for my gifts. He offered a two-page product spread in their first three issues, which I snapped up. Michael couldn’t stop gushing about how thorough Kat was, and I wondered if he was crushing on her. That girl had done me proud.