by Dahlia Rose
“You look simply ravishing!” Adrian swooped her up in his arms and kissed her.
She squealed and laughed when he lifted his head. He could see he’d messed up some of her makeup with his kiss, and she wiped it away from his face.
“There you go ruining my makeup,” Sasha teased.
Adrian feigned disappointment. “Does that mean you weren’t missing me all day?”
Sasha walked away with a flirtatious sway of her hips. “Maybe.”
He caught her around the waist and pulled her to him. He nipped the lobe of her ear and whispered, “Only maybe?”
He was rewarded when her body shivered. “Probably more than that.”
“Good to know. I like being wanted.” He kissed her neck. “Care to show me how much?”
This time Sasha turned and swatted his chest. “I’m working here, buddy boy.”
“You’re playing a ghost sitting on a balcony,” he reminded her. “Do you even get paid for this?”
“Sometimes I do, and sometimes I don’t. I like it regardless,” she answered. “Everything in the world isn’t about money. It’s fun.”
“Fun doesn’t help when the rent has to be paid. I learned that early on.”
Sasha looked at him. “Don’t worry about my rent. I pay it just fine.”
Adrian didn’t like the turn the conversation took. He came here to be with her, and now it felt a tad uncomfortable. He certainly didn’t mean to make it seem as if she was doing everything wrong. He turned the subject in hopes of recovering his footing before she had him out the door on his ass.
“How was the thesis writing today?” The dark look on her face made him wince. Ouch, another sore subject. He changed tactics. “So this Mary Windsor had a lover. Maybe I can help.”
“You would do that?” A smile pulled at the corners of her lips.
Bingo. Adrian walked up to her and pulled her back into his arms. “Anything for you, a thaisce.”
“You say things with that voice, and I just want to melt.” She kissed him gently. “Ok, let’s get you costumed and made up.”
“You keep period style costumes for men in your place? Should I be jealous?” Adrian asked.
“Only if you think old Mrs. Moore from the family theatre house is a threat.” Sasha laughed as she led him to her bedroom. “She gave me a bunch of stuff when it closed down, and I felt kinda bad letting it go out in the trash, so I keep it all here, and it comes in handy sometimes.”
Adrian looked around. Her bedroom was decorated in rich burgundies, royal blue, and cream. “So after we do this, where do you want to go?”
Sasha gave him a sexy smile. “Right here. I’ll make you dinner, and then we’ll find something to keep us occupied.”
He had no doubt she would be able to do just that. For the rest of the night, he played the dead lover of Mary Windsor, and boy did they give tourists a show. By eleven they were wrapping up, and she kept to her promise and made him a late dinner. She found more than one interesting way to keep him occupied, and Adrian liked every minute of it. He fell asleep with her in his arms again, and no thought of his problems had a chance to filter in.
Chapter Three
Sasha typed furiously at her laptop. She looked at the piles of different structural plans in front of her and her notes and wrote as her ideas came to life in her head. She could see all her buildings each and every idea on the paper was etched in her mind’s eye. She pictured the buildings she wanted to create. Her problem was sitting in one place writing a one hundred page thesis on her goals and how it would work in Savannah for her doctorate. Instead she wanted to be at a drawing board with pencils and rulers drawing what she saw in her mind’s eye. But she knew no one would give her a second thought until she had that masters in her hand and a first creation under her belt. She sighed in frustration and took her glasses off to pinch the bridge of her nose. Of course she should sit there and work and get it over with. But the restlessness inside her made her want to run out in the sunshine. Her father always said how could one girl with so much smarts have her head high in the clouds?
Sasha felt the pressure of her family on her back like a weight. They wanted her to succeed, and she knew she could. In her own way and her own time. Their expectance of her to be just like her sisters made her want to leave it all the more. On an impulse she picked up her cell phone and dialed Adrian’s number. He was probably the only thing she looked forward to of late. Being with him, lying in his arms and the way he made her body feel. His crooked grin flashed in her mind, and his voice was always like the caress of honey on her skin. The man made her feel things she never thought possible. He answered on the first ring, and a flash of pleasure filtered through her body just from hearing his voice.
“Hey, what are you up to?” Sasha asked.
“Sasha?” He sounded preoccupied. “Um nothing much, just doing the usual pub things.”
“I was thinking about coming over. We could relax at the pub, and you can finally show me your place,” Sasha said.
“Here?” he said and hesitated before speaking. “My place is a bit of a mess, and we’re trying to avert a crisis here at the pub, a beer keg spill.”
“Need any help? I’m pretty good with a mop,” Sasha teased.
“No, its ok.” His voice didn’t even hold a note of humor.
“Okayyy, well a couple of my friends usually end up at the Boars Head Tavern. I more than likely will be there if you want to come in and maybe meet the gang. They’re a mix of weird and funny crazy.” She hoped to make him smile.
“I don’t know if I can make it, hectic here,” Adrian replied. “Should you be going out? Are you trying to avoid your thesis?”
Sasha got irritated instantly. “I wanted to talk to the man I’m kinda dating. But obviously you are busy, and I’m sorry to disturb you. By the way I’m not avoiding anything. Don’t try to deflect the conversation by throwing up my paper. I’m not a child. If you don’t want to see me today just say so.”
Adrian sighed and his tone softened. “Hey, I’m sorry. It’s been a helluva day here. I’ll see you later tonight at your place. It might be late though.”
“Who says I want to see you?” Sasha felt the fire of her temper simmering, and usually by that time she couldn’t bite her tongue. “I’m not your late night booty call, and trust me there are plenty more people who might enjoy my company tonight. Enjoy your day.”
With those words she mashed the button on her blackberry to disconnect him even though she could hear him still trying to talk . Oh I am not the one! she fumed to herself. She didn’t need a man to be on her ass about her thesis or anything in her life. She was absolutely sick of everyone thinking she was some kind of screw up because she didn’t finish her thesis. I should’ve gone on that trip to Tibet. She sighed, disappointed that the conversation with Adrian went wrong and feeling alone because no one really understood her, it seemed not even the man she had such a connection with. Instead of falling into the doldrums she got dressed and headed out into the Savannah sunshine. She would go read and play with the kids in the hospital pediatric unit or enjoy a snow cone while riding on the steamboat, maybe even both. She didn’t need anyone to entertain her, Sasha was accustomed to making herself happy, and it was not about to change.
By the end of the day Sasha was completely satisfied with how the day turned out. It was after midnight, and she was on her way home walking with one of her friends. Corey always made sure she got home safely when she went out with the group. They were casually strolling up the street, and as she approached her building she saw a figure sitting on the steps. Corey seemed to notice it too and instantly became tense beside her. He grabbed her hand and moved her behind him as they got closer. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it was Adrian as they walked up. His face was like stone as he looked Corey over. Her friend was at least two inches taller than Adrian whose muscles flexed as if he was gearing up for a fight.
“You sure didn’t waste any time findin
g someone else to entertain you.” Adrian’s voice was controlled and held retrained anger.
She was not about to be put on the spot by him, and her own anger sparked to life again. “You had no time, if I recall. Did you expect me to sit in my apartment and twiddle my thumbs until you deemed it worthy to see me?”
Corey looked at them both. “Am I missing something here?”
“No, its fine. This is just…a friend.” Sasha made sure to emphasize the last two words.
“Yeah, she’s mine. That’s what you’re interrupting.” Adrian kept his eyes on her face. “A friend?”
“I said it, and I didn’t stutter did I?” Sasha lifted her head in defiance. “Since when did you lay claim to me? I don’t know how they do it in leprechaun land, but unless the last time you were here you stamped a barcode on my ass, I belong to me.”
“Do I need to leave or…..” Corey asked looking from one to the other.
“Stay!”
“Leave!”
They spoke in unison, and Corey rolled his eyes.
“Listen ummm hell what’s your name?” Corey asked.
“Adrian Faraday. Not nice to meet you,” Adrian bit out.
“Rude ass man,” Sasha snapped.
“Well maybe you will change your mind when you hear I have no designs on Sasha.” Corey smiled. “I’ve got a nice girlfriend waiting for me back at Boar’s Head who happens to be a very good friend of lil scrappy here. Secondly, if you can guarantee me that you mean her no harm, I’ll leave you two to sort this out.”
“I would never harm her. She is my treasure.” Adrian said it so reverently that she believed it and felt her anger waning.
“That’s a good thing because if you did, you’d have a fight on your hands, from me and my lady who swings a mean frying pan, and I mean the heavy kind.” Corey grinned. “So now that’s settled and I know your face, I’m leaving. Just a fair warning, if she tells you leave, do so.” Corey bent and kissed her cheek, and Adrian made a sound of anger in his throat. “Save it, buddy.”
“Bye, Corey,” Sasha said. “Be careful walking back.”
He gave her a friendly wave and walked away. She watched him leave and then turned to go past Adrian who put his hand out to block her path.
“Excuse me,” she said with fake politeness.
“Don’t you think we should talk about this?” he asked.
“I don’t think so,” she said.
“Jesus, Sasha, cut me a break will you? There’s a lot going on in my life.”
“So that gives you the right to talk to me however?” she asked with amazement in her voice. “I could listen to your day and maybe a shoulder to lean on. Like I said I don’t know how they do it where you come from….”
He held up a finger and cut her off. “Actually you called Ireland leprechaun land.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever, the point being is that you want some submissive woman who is going to sit and wait for you. Sweetie, I’m not the one. I have a life.”
Adrian pulled her to him and took her lips in a kiss that melted her from the inside out. When he lifted his head even her bones felt liquid from the onslaught of his powerful kiss. His eyes met hers, and along with his kiss he took her breath away.
“There’s so much I want to say to you, to tell you what’s going on in my life.” His voice was husky when he spoke.
She lifted her hand and pressed it against his cheek. “Share the load. I’ve got wide shoulders. Talk to me, Adrian.”
He shook his head and swallowed. “I can’t.”
She dropped her hand away. “And then that’s the issue. I can’t give you all of me, if you’re not willing to do the same.” She turned in his arms and went to her door. “Goodnight, Adrian.”
“Wait…”
She closed the door on his words and walked up the stairs, suddenly tired. Who knew actually liking a guy was going to become complicated. In all actuality she knew that it was more than liking. She was falling for him because it all felt so different and intense. Her emotions were involved, and that scared her more than anything. Whatever will be will be. It was her mantra, and Sasha kept repeating it while she took her shower. If they didn’t work out, she would be ok, at least she hoped. By the time she walked into her bedroom fifteen minutes later she was feeling a tiny bit better. Maybe she was fooling herself. It had only been a few days since she met Adrian. Would the intensity of it fade over time? She wrapped her hair up to keep its style for the next day. She was about to get into bed when she heard a low voice singing outside. Her bedroom balcony faced the garden backyard, but it was gated so no one should be out there.
Sasha took her phone from its charging cradle and opened the French doors that led to the balcony. She stepped outside on to the cool tiles and could feel the etched patterns under her feet. The sight of the yard with tea lights hanging from the trees and the fountain under the gazebo always relaxed her. This time she was expecting some drunken tourist to have broken into the yard and instead found Adrian standing under her gazebo singing. He looked up at her and in his hand he held a piece of paper with the words ‘I’m sorry’ written on it. The words of the song she couldn’t understand. He sang in Gaelic. It certainly didn’t matter because in his smooth baritone voice, it was like warm Irish whiskey washing over her skin. He finished the song, and she was well and truly charmed into not being mad at him anymore.
“Am I forgiven?” he called up.
“Yes, I suppose,” Sasha replied. “I’ll buzz you in.”
Adrian groaned. “I’m not climbing that fence again. Wait one second.”
She watched with interest as he looked around. She knew there was no ladder out there. A laugh escaped her when he swung up to the low branch of one of the trees in and climbed nimbly over to the branches closest to her balcony.
“You’re going to break your neck!” Sasha’s voice held worry. “Jeez, Adrian!”
“Anything for you, sweetheart.” He flashed her a grin before he swung toward her and grabbed the wrought iron easily.
Long legs swung over the edge, and he instantly grabbed her to him and kissed her senseless.
He raised his head and said huskily, “I was planning to sing all night if I had to.”
Sasha took his hand and led him into her bedroom. “There are a few better ways I can think of to use your lips. Wanna see?”
“Hell yeah” He murmured and went along with her willingly.
Sasha pulled her nightie over her head and let it drop to the floor. With one smooth motion she sent her lacy panties down her legs and kicked them away. Adrian’s eyes became dark with desire while he watched her. His fingers worked the buttons of his shirt, and he threw it aside. His jeans and boxers came off together, and his hard cock sprung free of its confines. Adrian lifted her, and Sasha bent her head to his and kissed him. Their tongues mated and played from one mouth to the next. He laid her on the bed, and she scooted up until she felt the headboard at her back. He reached out and cupped her full breasts, watching the peaks harden as he rolled them between his thumbs and forefingers.
“I’ve been thinking about tasting you all over.” Adrian’s voice was rough with desire.
“Don’t let me stop you. I’m quite willing to lie here quietly and let you do what needs to be done.” Sasha’s smiled was sultry.
“Oh, sweetheart, if you lay still, I’m not doing my job right.”
Adrian braced himself on his arms about her. He started from her neck and kissed his way downward. She shifted beneath him from the sensations his mouth was caused while he sucked her nipple into this mouth. He gave the second breast the same attention until she gasped and held his head to her. He slipped from her grasp easily and kissed his way down her torso. She giggled when he burrowed his tongue into her navel. The laugh turned to a moan when he kissed the top of her mound.
“I love that you are shaved.” He licked the outer lips of her snatch while she panted, wanting more pleasure from his mouth.
&n
bsp; His tongue delved between the folds of her pussy. Sasha arched, and the long slow lick sent her to the brink of an orgasm. With a muffled groan he pressed his mouth against her, and she was engulfed with desire as he used his mouth to tease her. Adrian spread the lips of her pussy. He penetrated her with his tongue, tasting the secrets her body held until she came, and it flowed easily onto his tongue. Her cries filled the room, but he wasn’t done. She felt his fingers pressed inside her deep and slow until she arched off the bed. She didn’t know if she could handle everything she was feeling in one major assault.
“I don’t think I can handle…it’s so much!” she cried out.
He looked at her from his place between her legs. “I won’t stop. Let it take you away. I want to see you fall apart in my arms.”
He fucked her with his fingers using more pressure and entering her deeper each time. Sasha’s head fell back, and her hips lifted to match the rhythm of his fingers. She could feel her orgasm building inside her to reach the peak. She heard feminine sounds and then almost animalistic and vaguely recognized that it was coming from her own lips.
Adrian found her clit with his mouth and sucked on the tender bud. That coupled along with the insistent penetration of his digits into her moist core sent her over the edge with a scream of his name. Sasha leaned back against the pillow weakly trying to catch her breath. She’d had orgasms before but never anything like this. She opened her eyes to see Adrian on his knees. His body was built—sculpted abdomen, arms that were muscled and meant for holding tight. The muscles in his hard thighs flexed, and his rod jutted from between his legs thick and erect ready to fuck her.
He called her over with a crook of his finger. “Take me in your mouth.”
Sasha tucked her knees under her and with a sleek move she was close to him and eye level to his cock. She licked the tip and heard him groan in response. He leaned back on his hands to give her better access, and Sasha wrapped the base of his shaft in her grasp. She took each inch of him into her mouth, tasting the pre-come at the tip and the flavor of his skin. He moaned her name and sank his fingers in her hair. With each movement of her tongue and lips she felt his cock throb in her mouth. Sasha cupped his balls and found them heavy and tight as she sucked him.