Echo laughed nervously as Henry stared at her, waiting for her answer.
“It’s not important,” she lied.
“Has anyone ever told you that you shouldn’t keep things locked up inside? Plus, I’ve been told I’m a great listener.” He waited and looked genuinely interested in what was on her mind. She must be crazy.
“Okay, well.” She hesitated as she shifted herself on the couch, tucking her feet under her bum. “I’ve been searching through the house. I’ve never been in here and I decided it was time to face my demons.”
As he sipped his wine, he nodded for her to continue. She took a big gulp to steady her nerves.
Chapter Ten
“The house was bought for me by–by someone special and…he died. It’s been five years and I’ve stayed away because I couldn’t imagine coming here without him. I put it on the market because that way it wasn’t really mine. It was just a property that I owned and was trying to sell. I hired a cleaning and landscaping service and Paige monitors them to make sure it’s kept exactly as he left it.”
“I see. So, has that changed? Now that you’re here, does it feel like your home?”
“It’s starting to,” she admitted. “It’s still hard. I can see why he chose this house though. It’s a home and we would have been happy here.”
Henry swirled the deep-red liquid around inside his glass. His movements were so fluid yet calculated like he planned everything he did and executed them flawlessly. It was a little unsettling, but it was also oddly familiar and she was comforted by it.
“Hmm.” He took in a slow drawn-out sip. “Were you married?”
“Oh, uh no, but we’d talked about it. We’d been together for years and I figured he was going to ask when he brought me here, but…”
Echo tried her hardest not to talk about the accident. It was the most painful piece of the puzzle, the very moment when her life began to spin out of control and she lost herself.
“Can I ask what happened?”
She choked back her tears and shook her head.
“It was an accident, but…I really can’t talk about it.” She finished the wine in her glass and sat in silence.
Without a word, Henry took the glass to refill it, his cool fingers brushing against hers. She didn’t dare look up at him. Henry ignited curious emotions in her, and as the alcohol pulsed through her, she didn’t quite trust herself.
“It’s okay, you know, to mourn those we’ve lost.” He held the glass out for her and with trembling fingers, she took it. “I’ve lost someone close to me. Not a lover, but my brother. It was devastating and it still hurts. I don’t think the pain ever goes away, I just think that as time goes by we become more capable of handling it.”
There was sadness in his voice and Echo risked meeting his eyes. They glistened as he fought back tears and she found it impossible to stop from touching him. She placed her hand on his arm and gently squeezed.
“I’m sorry, Henry.”
“Me, too.” He placed his hand over hers. His touch was gentle and cool, yet it warmed her heart. This was why she didn’t trust herself. She tried to pull her hand away, but as she did Henry shifted his hold and laced his fingers with hers, his locked gaze not once breaking. She was alarmed at how right it felt and could feel her emotions flush into her face. “Echo, do you believe that people come into your life when you most need them?”
She couldn’t speak as she stared into his baby blues, and she pulled her bottom lips in between her teeth while nodding her agreement.
In his fluid and calculated movement, Henry placed his glass onto the table and then took hers and set it beside his. His hand now free he reached out and tucked a strand of stray hair back behind her ear, his fingers gently brushing along her cheek as he did. She felt her breath catch and she struggled to keep her wits about her.
“When was the last time someone told you how breathtaking you are?”
Henry’s whisper set her on fire. Need suddenly pulsed all the way down to her toes. Was this really happening? This gorgeous man who had caused her nothing but irritation from the moment she’d heard his name now sat in her living room, inches from her, desire now coursing through her veins. Heat flushed her and she tried to swallow back the dryness in her mouth.
“It’s been a while,” she admitted, barely audible and surprised that he’d heard her.
He moved closer, his face now barely an inch from hers, his mouth hovering over her lips and his cool breath brushing across her skin.
“That’s a shame.”
Her head swam as his aroma flooded her senses and the anticipation of feeling his lips pressed to hers paralyzed her. Everything felt like it moved in slow motion. Her heart pounded in her head, her breath quickened, and everything else melted away. All she could see were Henry’s lust-filled eyes as he moved in.
Gentle at first, his lips barely brushed hers, and like everything else about him, they were cool and smooth yet flamed her need. She fought the urge to pull him into her and rip his clothes off. It had been too long since she felt a man’s touch and it shocked her at how easily she responded.
As his lips moved across hers Henry slid his fingers up into the tangled mess of her hair, taking a firm hold.
Echo heard herself moan against his kiss and when she did he responded with intensity. His mouth now firmly pressed to hers he pushed his tongue between her lips and filled her. He tasted of red wine and a spicy substance like cinnamon or nutmeg. He was delicious and Echo intertwined her tongue with his as she brought both of her hands up to his face.
His free hand slid up her cami and cupped her breast as his fingers pulled at the fabric of her bra, revealing her perked nipple. He brushed his finger across the firm nub before rolling it between his fingers and Echo thought she might come right then it felt so amazing.
With frantic need, Henry severed their kiss and pulled off her cami. His eyes burned with a carnal desire and he licked his lips as he stared at her flesh.
“You’re so beautiful.” His voice was husky and shaken. He reached around and released the hook of her bra and ripped it from her body, revealing her firm breasts. The way he looked at her, his hunger as he licked his lips sent shivers along her flesh and a tingle straight down to her clit.
With eager lust he leaned in and ran his tongue along each of her nipples before he pulled the left one into his mouth. She expected his mouth to be hot with desire, but the chilled cavern turned her arousal up a notch and she cried out as he sucked hard, his tongue flicking across the nub. He gripped her right breast in his hand and kneaded her fleshy mound, rolling her nipple between his fingers. Her head lolled back and she rolled her eyes back as she savored his touch. Fuck it had been too long.
She trailed her fingers up in his hair and tightened her hold, pressing his face as firmly into her breast as she could, her body convulsing as she felt her orgasm building.
Suddenly with fluid swiftness, he pulled away and stopped, staring at her, his breathing heavy and labored.
“Do you want me to stop?.” He sounded like he was pleading, begging for her to stop him, and although there was still an alarm sounding in her head, she chose to ignore it. She’d never wanted anyone this much in her entire life. Nothing else mattered and even though there was something terribly wrong about it, she needed him.
Trusting her trembling limbs, she stood and slid the yoga pants down over her hips until they were a puddle of fabric at her feet, revealing that she wore no panties. She stepped out of the pants and closer to Henry and took his hand in hers, guiding it to the space between her legs. Her pussy lips were slick with her juices and she pushed his fingers between the folds.
“No,” she breathed. “I don’t want you to stop..
Henry dragged a finger up the length of her slit and brought the slicked digit up to his lips. He breathed in her aroma before he slid it into his mouth and sucked it dry.
“Damn, sweetheart, you taste good enough to eat.”
&nbs
p; Henry pulled her to the couch and pushed her onto her back as he bent her knees and pressed them to her stomach, opening up her dripping pussy. Before he buried his face between her legs, he looked into her eyes. He was so beautiful and tempting, but also dangerous. She had no control around him, and even though a brief moment of fear slammed into her, it was quickly replaced with unbridled desire. Henry eagerly dove into her pussy. His tongue slid up the length of her slit, finding her pulsing nub. He swirled her clit, flooding her with a need so dangerous that she could feel herself becoming lost in it. As he sucked her clit into his mouth and flicked his tongue along the overly sensitive tip she cried out and bucked her hips against him.
As he ravaged her pussy, Henry dug his fingers deep into the back of her thighs and her orgasm hovered on the surface, ready to break through. She felt his thick tongue slide down and slip between the folds, pushing his way into her body. He darted his tongue in and out, deeper with each entry, as he slid his hand down her thigh until his thumb found her clit. He rubbed circles along the nub as he aggressively fucked her pussy with his tongue and Echo and felt the burst of her release.
“Henry!” She screamed his name as her orgasm pulsed her body. As she came his tongue hungrily lapped up her juices and her body quivered with the intensity of the release. He licked and sucked until there was nothing left, and as her body relaxed from the tension of her orgasm, Henry released her leg and pulled his face back, revealing his juice-slicked lips. He dragged the back of his hand across his mouth and Echo cringed when she saw what she thought was instant regret.
She stood, her legs still weak from her release, and frantically pulled her yoga pants back on, scrambling for her bra and cami. “Oh my God, Henry, I’m so embarrassed! I’m sorry. I—you need to leave. Now.”
He grabbed her hand and stopped her as she fisted the cami in one hand while her other shielded her breasts from his eyes.
“Why are you embarrassed?”
Echo could feel her face flush as Henry’s eyes burned into her.
“I’m not easy.” She stumbled. “I mean, I don’t do one-night stands and I definitely didn’t mean to appear to be so desperate.”
He smiled in an attempt to soothe her nerves, but all it did was make her feel worse, like he was patronizing her because she obviously was easy.
“Desires don’t make you easy, Echo. They make you human.”
He released his hold on her arm. She quickly turned her back and slipped on her bra and cami, still reeling with embarrassment that he had just seen her at her most vulnerable. Before turning back to face him, she took a deep cleansing breath. She startled when she felt his hands gently touch her shoulders. He pulled her back into his body, his face pressing into the soft strands of her hair, his lips brushing up against her ear.
“I can be patient,” he whispered. “Though I hope you won’t make me wait too long. I’ve truly enjoyed the preview.”
Her heartbeat quickened. Was he serious? She turned to face him and her breath caught as she stared up into his eyes, the smile that curled at the corners of his lips genuine and enticing. Without hesitation or approval Henry leaned down and pressed his lips gently to hers. The kiss was sweet and sensual and although Echo wanted to grab him and finish what they had started, she chose to savor the innocence instead. It had been a long time since she had been kissed like that.
Henry pulled back first, brushed her hair from her face, and winked at her.
“Shall we watch the movie?”
Breathless, Echo nodded, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth, savoring the leftover flavor of Henry in her mouth. She dared not speak knowing that she would most likely say the wrong thing and chose instead to just let the rest of the night play out.
With exception of Charlie, Echo was not great when it came to interacting with the opposite sex. That’s one reason why she had chosen to remain single after Charlie’s death. Her big mouth and her sharp opinions often came out as platter of coldhearted emotion with a lack of empathy on the side. She’d hurt many feelings by simply speaking things as she saw them and ruined even more potential relationships that way. Knowing this about herself made it easier to manage the few men she kept on call for when her desires became too much to handle alone.
Echo hadn’t lied when she said she didn’t do one-night stands, although Henry may view her booty-call practices as such, but those details weren’t really important for him to know. She had no intention of sleeping with him, at least for now, even though she struggled to keep her mind off of the growing bulge that had appeared beneath his trousers.
As Henry prepped the big screen for whatever movie he had chosen for the night’s entertainment Echo slid onto the couch and settled herself firmly into the corner, using the arm as a support and tucking her legs beneath her bum. The corner was the safest spot on the couch and she hoped he would take the hint and sit a comfortable distance away from her.
She wasn’t that lucky. He hovered above her, a knowing smile on his lips, and held out his hand to her.
“How are we supposed to enjoy the movie if you’re all balled up in the corner? Come on now. I made sure to rent a scary one so that it would give me an excuse to protectively wrap my arms around you.” His eyes twinkled as he spoke and Echo could feel her icy exterior melt a little.
Red flags continued to wave in her mind, frantically so, but Echo fervently ignored them. There was something about Henry, something familiar and comforting, and even though he had a knack for irritating the shit out of her she still found a nagging desire to let him in. She shifted her body making room for him in the corner and when he settled in and held his arm open for her, Echo leaned into him.
His body was firm and muscled, and a little cooler than hers, but she found comfort in his arm and allowed herself to relax.
“That a girl.” He pressed his cheek to the top of her head. “See, I won’t bite…unless you want me to.”
Sudden fear pulsed through her at his words, but Echo quickly pushed them away. It was time to stop seeing the evil in everyone, allowing paranoia to rule. She sank into his embrace, inhaled his sweet aroma, and prepared to allow Henry to protect her from whatever evils may come from the movie screen.
Chapter Eleven
As the sunlight leaked in through the curtains, Echo slowly opened her eyes, her head pounding. She could hardly focus past the blur and it felt like the sunlight was assaulting her rather than gently nudging her awake. With great care she sat up and found that she was not in her bed, but rather on the couch in the living room.
“What the hell?” Her voice was scratchy and her throat burned with the need for water.
Beside her on the table was a tall glass waiting for her, beads of sweat dripping down the sides. Confused, she looked around. She slowly picked up the glass and smelled it to make sure it was only water. Her thirst winning out over her curiosity, she gulped down the whole glass, only coming up for air once. It barely dented her thirst, and as she set the glass back onto the table, she saw a folded piece of paper with her name on it. It was a script she did not recognize and anxiousness seized her heart as she was suddenly flooded with memories of Henry.
With trembling fingers she picked up the paper and unfolded it.
My Sweet Echo,
Thank you for allowing me into your home and for letting me prove to you that I’m really not an ass. I hope we can see each other again soon. Please text me when you wake. I’ll be waiting.
Yours, Henry
A smile turned up on her lips as she recalled their night, though she intentionally blocked out the before-the-movie moment. Henry had been good on his word and had remained a complete gentleman. His arm kept her close throughout the movie and he only laughed a few times at her girlish squeals of fright, although she knew he enjoyed it. Whenever she covered her eyes and planted her face against his chest he dragged his hand gently up and down her arm, easing her fear until the next round. When the movie ended he was prompt in leaving, but not before he
stole a kiss goodnight. He was gentle and sweet and his lips lingered long enough to leave Echo with an ache for more.
Fond memories of Henry aside, the pounding in her head triggered a wave of nausea and she stood, unsure whether or not she was about to be sick all over her floor or if she could make it to the bathroom. Damn hangovers. She made it as far as the kitchen when she saw another note and a coffee mug with an unused tea bag in it. Piled in the bottom of the mug was a small mountain of the herbal medicine her aunt had given her. Drink this. It will help with your headache.
As if on cue, her coffee pot beeped and she noticed that the carafe was filled with water. When she stepped up to it, she gingerly touched the side to feel the temperature, and sure enough, it was nice and hot. Knowing that the note was right she retrieved the mug and poured the hot water over the tea bag, the water stirring in the powder as she did, a cloud of white spreading out within the liquid before it dissolved into the brew.
Hot or not, she drank it as quickly as she could, eager for the pounding to ease so that she could focus.
As the hot liquid ran down the back of her throat, she took a deep cleansing breath, filling her nostrils with the aromatic scent of the tea. Thoughts of Henry played out in her mind and she wondered how it was possible for things between them to have changed so quickly. Not days prior he had been on her ass about buying the house and now he just wanted to be on her ass. Or at least she hoped he did. There was no use in lying to herself. Henry was not only breathtakingly gorgeous, but he touched a part of her heart that she had kept safely tucked away—that part of her heart that had only been handled before by Charlie. It was strange really. She barely knew Henry, but she could not fight the desire to know him and to let him know her. It was a feeling she had not had in years and she welcomed it.
Sitting quietly she sipped more of the tea, the pounding in her head slowly lifting with each drink.
The counter under her arms began to vibrate. Careful not to move too quickly for fear that the pounding would come back in full force she stepped around to the other side of the island and found her phone sitting next to the fruit bowl.
Echo in the Night [Echo's Song] (Siren Publishing Allure) Page 8