Smokescreen

by Ahren Sanders

  “Are you mad?” She bites her lip.

  “Mad at myself for not knowing. It’s important to me to know everything about you. I overlooked that while trying to convince you to give me a chance. But I have to question how were you expecting to get out of here on Sunday and me not know?”

  “I figured dinner with the parents was too soon for you.”

  “Really? You met practically my whole family.”

  “Yeah, but I figured that was different. I don’t know why, but I was nervous.”

  “Babe, don’t be. I’m excited about meeting your parents and sister. Hell, I even have to meet the Barnes family.”

  “I’m sorry about that. They’re really awesome people. I promise.”

  “I don’t care if they’re not. By the end of the night, no one will doubt how I feel about you. Now you better go, before I change my mind about you leaving.”

  “What about my kiss?”

  I wrap my hands around her waist and pull her close. Her breath hitches against my lips and I lick, delicately outlining her mouth. Vanilla fills my senses and I press closer. Her taste is exhilarating and it takes extreme self-control to pull away, but I have a plan tonight and it includes her out of the house.

  I kiss along her lips, savoring her flavor and open my eyes to her starry gaze. Pure lust. I mentally give myself a pat on the back.

  “Fucking vanilla kisses. I’ll never get tired of them.”

  “In that case, I’ll never change my lip gloss.”

  “Bella, be careful tonight. Call me if you need me.”

  “Okay,” she whispers breathlessly.

  After I hear the door close and the car drive away, I go on a mission. It’s breaking every fucking cardinal rule about snooping, but I don’t give a shit. I’ll spend the next fifty years apologizing, but my woman’s going to have the most memorable birthday ever.

  Several hours later, I’m in a limo with the best champagne money can buy. I’ve stopped by three stores and am satisfied with my purchases. The guy I hired to watch Stella tonight has been keeping me updated with texts and videos. When I saw her dirty dancing with a couple of drag queens on stage, it was time to take matters into my own hands.

  Dressed in torn jeans and a baggy shirt, I pull the ball cap over my head when we arrive at the nightclub.

  The scene in front of me is nothing compared to my beautiful Bella, on stage dancing with a diva of sorts. I stop moving when I spot Laci and Landon on the side dancing with an enormous man. Landon is wearing leopard print leggings pants that hit above the knee. My eyes burn at the sight. Both are swaying off-beat to the music.

  Shit, is everyone drunk?

  Looking at Stella on stage makes my decision. I want to dance with this woman. Nodding my head to the security guard I hired, he disappears in the back and the room goes silent as the music stops. Stella kisses the man she’s dancing with on the cheek and heads down to the bar. I watch from a distance and think of all the ways I can punish her, but then she smiles at a lady next to her and my heart melts.

  I make my way behind her quietly. Once my arms are braced on the bar around her I lean into her ear. “You’re the hottest piece of ass in this room, and you’re coming home with me. Don’t say my name, just nod.”

  She chokes on her drink a bit and then turns into me. “Andrew! You made it!” she calls me by my middle name and then her mouth connects with mine.

  “I want to dance, and then take you home. There’s a limo waiting.”

  Her eyes melt to the color of pure honey and she sinks into me. I lead her away from the bar and onto the dance floor. The music starts thumping again and I position my hands on her hips swaying in rhythm to the base. Our bodies are plastered together and the heat of our skin seeps through the fabric of our clothes. I turn my hat backwards so I can press my head against hers. We stare into each other, communicating without words.

  I move my hands down and dig my fingers into her ass, massaging roughly. Her eyes roll and she throws her head back, moaning. With perfect access to her neck, I suck and nip lightly. She grinds against me, panting slightly. As one song ends and another begins, we continue to rock against each other. Sexual tension hangs in the air and people are watching us closely. No doubt waiting for a show. Threading my fingers through her hair, I pull her face back to mine.

  “Home?” I question.

  “Yes,” she moans, grinding against me harder.

  Spinning her around to hide my bulging dick, I guide us off the dance floor and straight to the exit. The haze lifts and she stops, looking around for Landon and Laci.

  “Trust me, they’re taken care of.” I motion to the bodyguard and he nods in understanding.

  When we get to the waiting limo, I gently sit her down and give the driver instructions to drive around awhile.

  “What’s all this?” She motions as I slide in.

  “The beginning of your birthday weekend.”

  I pour the champagne and pull her into my lap, nuzzling her neck.

  “You surprised me tonight, but it was a good surprise.”

  “I couldn’t stay away. You were too tempting dancing on that stage.”

  “Sweetie, how’d you know I was dancing on stage?” She pushes against my shoulders, forcing me to look at her.

  No reason to lie. “I had a guard on you. He kept me updated throughout the night.”

  “Max—”

  “I’m a possessive man when it comes to you, Stella. Don’t question it because I can’t explain it. I’ve never been in this position before. The feelings are foreign. It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s people around you. There’s a need in me to know you’re safe.”

  “Is there a reason to think I’m not safe?”

  “There’s no glaring threat, if that’s what you’re asking. It’s just a gut feeling I have to protect you.”

  The change in her expression surprises me. I expected her to argue, but instead she leans closer and moves to straddle my lap.

  “I’m sick of hiding, Max. No more.”

  Shock runs through me with her words. “No more?”

  “No, I’ve been shielding myself from getting hurt if we didn’t work out. A part of me still can’t figure out what you see in me.”

  I open my mouth to argue but she hushes me with a finger to my lips.

  “I’ve dated a few guys, Max, even got serious with one, but he violated my trust. He cheated on me repeatedly, not caring the humiliation I endured when he was exposed. He didn’t try to protect me from the hurt nor the shame. He taught me the type of man I should run from, and it’s not you. So if you feel better having me watched I’ll try to accept it. I’m telling you now, Maxwell McCoy, I’m ready for all of you.”

  The conversation from yesterday in her office floats through my head and her words ignite a fire in me. Fucking finally.

  “Jesus, you’re perfect. And mine.”

  “I guess I am, but please don’t go all caveman and stake claim like a Neanderthal. We can have an understanding. I’m me, Max. I make my own decisions, run my own business, and stand on my own two feet. You can complement me, but not control me.”

  “Bella, I’m crazy about you the way you are. If I thought I could control you, that wouldn’t be you.”

  We sit in silence for a few moments, staring. The dim runner lights allow just enough of a glow for us to see each other clearly. Sexual energy flows through the car and her thighs tighten around mine. Taking her glass and mine, I set them to the side and position her on my lap exactly the way I want her. The barely there dress slides up to her hips and I catch a glimpse of black satin covering her.

  “It’s my honor to take care of you, Bella. In every way possible. Emotionally, physically, sexually, I consider it my job.” I run my fingers lightly up the inside of her thighs feeling goose bumps as I inch higher. “It’s been torture for me, holding myself back, until I knew you were ready. But tonight, instead of punishing you, I’m going to please you.”

 
My fingers trace the edge of the satin on both sides until I reach the thin strings holding it together. With a tight pull, they snap and the fabric falls from her body, exposing her to me. There’s a hint of curiosity in her eyes that makes me grin.

  “I’m not going to fuck your beautiful body for the first time in the backseat of a limo, Stella, so quit looking at me like that. I am however, going to show you how good it will be.”

  Her breath clips slightly, which makes my throbbing dick strain against the rough fabric of my jeans. The scent of her arousal fills the air and I gently spread her legs a bit farther apart, exposing her even more to me. One hand holds her hip firmly, while the other slides between her legs. I cup her entire pussy and make a massaging motion. Finally one finger slips into her, which elicits an erotic moan.

  I circle my finger inside her heat then insert another. She’s so tight but I know when I hit her g- spot because she bucks against my hand. I quicken my strokes and watch her eyes roll back into her head. When she’s close, I stop.

  “Babe, untie your top and pull it down for me, slowly.”

  She does as I ask and when her tits are fully exposed, her pink nipples are hard, begging for me to suck them.

  “Put your hands on the ceiling and don’t move them. Do you understand?”

  She nods hesitantly but braces her hands against the roof. I lean up slightly and lick around her nipple before sucking it into my mouth. My fingers start to pump into her again and her muscles squeeze. My cock begs to feel her heat around it, but I don’t succumb to my own desires. This is about Stella.

  My hand moves from her hip to her other breast, which draws another moan from her. She’s actively riding my hand now and the sound of her heavy breathing tells me she’s ready. I want to draw this out longer, but all I can think about is getting her into the house.

  I sit back slightly watching her beautiful body arched into me begging for release. Moving my thumb to her clit, I flick gently which sends her over the edge. She throws her head back and yells my name. Her body rocks against me and I suck one nipple into my mouth, which sets off another round of convulsions. I slowly remove my hand and lower her arms around my shoulders where I hold onto her until the trembling stops.

  “You ready for me, Stella? This was only a preview how good we’re going to be together. Soon, very soon, I’m going to claim you and there will never be a question of who you belong to.”

  She doesn’t answer but nods. Her breathing starts to shallow against my chest as she falls asleep. I text the driver to take us home and get her dressed again.

  When I strip her and place her under the covers, I mentally congratulate myself. Even with all the bullshit and mistakes I’ve made in the last few years, fate has given me a gift and that gift is Stella.

  Morning light streams through the blinds making my eyelids shutter. Strong arms surround me and Max’s body heat soaks into my skin. It makes me smile when I realize he finally went back to sleeping nude. Memories of last night flood my mind and I cringe remembering falling asleep against him in the limo. What an idiot, I finally admit to him I’m ready for all he has to offer and then pass out after one—maybe two—shattering orgasms.

  Gently, I try to move his arms to get up but he squeezes tighter. “Where you going?”

  “Bathroom.”

  “Hurry back.” He lets me go and I get out of bed, cautiously trying not to move him too much.

  When I turn to pull the sheet back up, the sight of his body causes my breath to skip. His form truly is magnificent. His large erection lies against his groin, begging for attention. I’ve always heard the term blue balls before, but his are more purple. I imagine how aggravated he must be for me falling asleep last night, but when our eyes meet, they’re full of pure lust.

  He glances down and back up to me, not bothering to cover himself. “Yeah, it may take a while to go back to its normal color, but I have a feeling I’ll enjoy every minute of it.”

  Heat fills my face, realizing he is talking about finally releasing the sexual energy.

  “Babe, bathroom?” he questions, reaching for me and I hurry away.

  When I get to the bathroom, I screech. My hair is wild and my eye make-up from last night is smudged everywhere. There are two small bite marks on my left breast. I can’t believe Max saw me like this! Throwing my hair in a ponytail, I turn on the shower and grab my toothbrush. As soon as I step under the warm spray, I scrub my teeth and face at the same time. The door opens and Max comes in, partially dressed in pajama bottoms and stands in front of the shower doors.

  He looks like he might join me, but then shakes his head and walks out. I finish in a hurry and grab for my robe, which is missing. Wrapping a towel around my body, I open the door and see a beautifully wrapped box on the bed with a huge silver bow.

  Without making a sound, Max slides behind me and wraps his hands around my waist.

  “Open it.”

  I tear into the package and gasp at the sapphire blue nightie with matching robe. It’s not the actual set that shocks me, it’s the brand name, Agent Provocateur.

  “Max! You didn’t! I mean—you can’t! This is too much! It had to cost over a thousand dollars!” Surely even a man like Max knows this is too much for a girl you’ve only been dating a little while. “And how did you even know my size?”

  He gives me a lopsided grin and his eyes dance. “Let’s break it down. Yes, I did. No, it’s not too much, and don’t you ever worry about the price. As far as your size, I snooped.”

  “You snooped?”

  “Sure did. Now get dressed. I’ve got a few more surprises for you before we crawl back in bed. Meet me in the kitchen in five minutes.” He kisses my neck and goes to the bathroom.

  I shimmy the silk over my body, enjoying the feeling of the luxury as it touches my skin.

  Dozens of flower arrangements cover my every surface from my living room to my kitchen. Pastries from Joe’s are on the counter along with a gallon of coffee. Another box is on the table, smaller with a black ribbon.

  I reach for two mugs as large hands cover mine and stop me. “Bella, it’s your birthday weekend. I’ll take care of you.”

  His voice is smooth and sends shivers down my body. He fixes our coffee and hands me my favorite Danish, gesturing for me to sit.

  “How’d you do all this?”

  “I had the flowers delivered last night and then my driver picked up Joe’s this morning and left it at the door. The presents were bought last night.”

  “That was pretty brave of you coming into a gay bar last night. If anyone recognized you, it’ll be a hit to your bachelor status.”

  “I was under the assumption my bachelor status already took a hit. Or did you forget your declaration last night in the limo?” He cocks an eye at me.

  “I didn’t forget, Max, I meant every word,” I whisper. In the light of day, what we did in the back of the car last night was extremely out of character for me. Heat rushes to my head and I look away.

  “Hey, look at me. What are you thinking?”

  “That I was a complete wanton for the first time in my life last night. I almost begged you to have sex with me in the back of a moving vehicle!”

  “Babe, that was the point. I told you before, don’t ever be embarrassed with me. I’ll take care of you. At some point in our lives, I’m sure we will have sex in a moving vehicle, but last night wasn’t the night. I plan on savoring every inch of you today.

  “There was one last thing standing in my way but it’s taken care of. Why don’t you open the box?” He pushes it towards me and I rip into it.

  The only thing in the box is a packet of papers. The top page reads “Lease Agreement.”

  “Erica’s out. I signed an agreement and have the movers at my place this morning. She can fight them all she wants, but they’ve been instructed to get it out. The locks are being changed on Monday. If she refuses to leave with her furniture, then I’ll have her arrested. I’m done, babe. She’s gone, no
thing else standing between us.”

  Tear of happiness fall down my cheeks and I jump into his arms, squealing. “This is the best birthday ever!”

  “It’s only beginning, babe. I’ve got plans for every minute from now until we meet everyone tomorrow night. You done with your coffee?”

  I nod and smile widely.

  Picking me up, he walks us back towards my bedroom. The room is nothing like I left it. The blackout shades are down and candles are lit on the nightstands and dresser. He’s made my bed partially, and put another present on the pillow. When I reach for it, he moves it to the side.

  “Later.” He lays me down and slides next to me.

  The air in the room stills and we communicate without words. His hand lazily draws circles on the skin of my thigh, moving higher. I loosen the knot on my robe and allow it to fall open. His eyes gleam and he lifts my back so I can slide it off my shoulders. When I’m lying in just the nightie, he takes the time to roam over my body. The passion in his look ignites my own internal need and I run my hand up his bare torso until I reach his neck. Gently lifting his chin, I shift slightly to kiss him. I go slowly at first, savoring the taste of him. The faint hint of coffee and cinnamon fill my taste buds.

  My fingers move to grip the short hair of his scalp and I pull him in, craving his closeness. My body is drowning in need for this man with a hunger I’ve never felt before. Our kiss turns deep and we both move to our sides to devour each other. He pulls away panting and the deep blue irises staring back at me are full of passion.

  He sits us up and moves me to straddle him in one swift motion. My nightie is gone in an instant and I sit astride him, naked and panting. He rolls us back as I push the pajama bottoms down past his hips and see his aching cock straining.

  He stops my hand when I reach for it and brings it back to his face, palming his cheek.

  “Bella,” is all he says as his eyes travel the length of my body and back up until our eyes lock.

  I quiver at the intensity of his stare.

  He starts kissing my collarbone and presses his lips to every inch of exposed skin until he licks both my hipbones. He sucks lightly, marking me. I’m on fire, my body screaming for him. The stimulation he has already created has me so wet and turned on I know I won’t last long. When he finally lowers himself over my aching core, moisture coats my thighs.