Lia smiled at her. “This is all Travis’ doing. He invited all of them.”
“Yeah, I gathered,” Maggie said, squeezing Lia’s hand. Her eyes gleamed with excitement. “I think this is a turning point for us.”
“I agree.” Lia hugged her friend. At that moment, the bell sounded again, signalling the start of the second act. Maggie said goodbye and trotted back to her blogger friend who was discretely trying to take pictures of the crowd with her phone. Lia saw her point the phone in her and Travis’ direction.
Lia turned to Travis. “Maybe we should go back.”
“Excellent idea,” he murmured. They said their goodbyes to Travis’ friends and walked back to their box. Travis closed the door behind them with a thud. “Now, where were we?” He eyed Lia hungrily. She felt desire and happiness blossom in her core as he took a step closer to her.
There was a knock on the door. Travis groaned in frustration before he turned around and opened the door to a crack.
One of his friends, the man in the yellow jacket stuck his head through the opening. “Hi, Travis. Sorry to disturb you, I just have a quick question before I have to get back to my seat. You remember this thing I told you about, it was…”
Lia tuned him out. She was really frustrated at being interrupted and wanted Travis’ friend to leave. Based on his gruff and monosyllabic replies, Travis wasn’t very happy with his friend’s timing either.
But then the lights dimmed and the curtain went up. “Oops, it seems like I can’t go back to my seat anymore,” the uninvited guest remarked cheerfully. “You’re stuck with me.” He grinned at Travis and Lia and sat down on an empty seat.
Travis and Lia exchanged a glance. Lia groaned inwardly. The empty space on her skin where Travis’ hand should have been by now ached.
Travis sank into his seat next to her. His hand found hers. “I’m sorry,” he whispered as the second part of the performance began.
“So am I,” Lia said. “Do you have an idea how you could make up for your friend’s behavior?”
Travis gave her a cocky grin. “I have a few. I could show you how deeply sorry I am… in my apartment.”
“Hm. That sounds like a plan.” Lia’s heart beat a little faster and a smile warmed her face.
Travis’ thumb kept caressing Lia’s fingers throughout the show. Luckily, the performance was excellent and it kept their attention on the stage, mostly. Lia kept stealing glances at Travis, wondering what it was he had in store for her. Once the curtain fell, the audience burst into thunderous applause.
“Let’s get out of here,” Travis murmured into Lia’s ear, pulling her to her feet. She complied, grabbing her cape on their way out.
“Bye, Dave,” Travis said to his friend and they were out the door before he even had a chance to reply.
Lia stifled a giggle as they half-walked, half-ran through the empty lobby of Pages, the echo of their footsteps bouncing off the walls. The applause of the audience was faintly audible in the lobby, accompanying them on their way out. Lia let herself bask in the joy of their success.
“So, what did you think? Of the show, I mean?” she asked Travis once they were outside. The night was chilly; a cool wind was tearing through the air, lifting Lia’s ponytail and twirling it around. Lia shuddered in the sudden cold and instinctively leaned closer to Travis. He put his arm over her shoulder, pulling her close.
He turned to her, smiling. “Well, I can’t say I’m happy that my inconsiderate buddy forced his company on us. But since he did, I had nothing better to do than to watch the show, and I have to say it was excellent.”
“Really? You liked it?” Lia was happy to hear this.
“I loved it. I think your approach was both classic and revolutionary at the same time, forcing the audience to rethink everything we thought we knew about Othello. And betrayal, trust and honesty.”
Lia stared at him, impressed.
“What?” Travis asked. “You didn’t think I had a brain?”
“I know you have a brain. I just didn’t think you liked using it.”
Travis grinned. “Well, since I couldn’t use any other part of my body…”
Lia laughed.
“But no, seriously,” Travis said. “Whenever I watched Othello previously, I kept screaming at him, why don’t you just ask her? I mean, the whole thing could be prevented if he just asked her if what he heard was true, right? But your performance explained why he didn’t ask. I liked that you took this into account.”
Lia smiled. “Yeah, I specifically said that we should address this problem. I had the same issue with Othello, you see.”
“It’s irritating, right? When there’s an easy solution and the characters keep ignoring it.”
They arrived at Travis’ car. He held the door open for her and Lia slid inside, happy to get out of the wind. She combed her fingers through her ponytail, trying to get the tangles out. Travis got into the driver’s seat, closing his door with a soft thud.
“Wait, let me help,” he said. He reached out and took a few strands of Lia’s hair in his hand, pulling his fingers through the shiny strands. “Your hair is gorgeous,” he whispered. “May I ask you a favor?”
“Sure.”
“Could you please let your hair down for me? I’d love to see it.”
Lia gave him an embarrassed smile. “Now?”
“Now. In fact, may I do it?”
Lia nodded, her heartbeat picking up. She couldn’t explain why, but Travis’ request seemed really personal and erotic. She turned away from him to give him access to her hairband. He put his hand on the back of her head and gently eased the band out of her ponytail. Her hair fell heavily down her back. She shook her head a little and the strands came apart, covering her back like a cape.
“Beautiful,” Travis murmured, running his fingers through the strands. Lia felt a pleasant prickling sensation in her scalp. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back. She felt his hot breath on her ears.
“We should get going before I lose it right here,” he whispered straight into her ear, sending shivers of arousal down her spine. She felt herself get wet.
“I hope you live close by,” Lia breathed, her eyes still closed.
Travis started the engine and swerved onto the street, tires screeching. “Let’s see if I can make it there even faster than usual.”
Lia giggled, warmth spreading in her chest. “Hurry, cowboy.”
They tore through the streets. Travis’ right hand found its way onto Lia’s thigh again, alternately caressing and squeezing it. Lia opened her legs wider, the dull ache of desire burning in her crotch. Her panties were soaked through. But this time, he made sure not to touch her where she craved his touch the most. He teased her and gently dipped a finger in and around her soft folds. “Not yet, baby,” he said in a husky voice. “All in good time.” She wanted to feel his mouth on her and his tongue lashing at her bud.
All of her senses focused on his touch, Lia barely paid attention to where they were going. She was vaguely aware that they were somewhere uptown. The car came to a halt in front of a towering condo building. Travis pressed a button and the door to the garage opened. He maneuvered his Porsche inside and parked the car in a spot right next to the elevator.
“Come on.” He got out and opened Lia’s door for her, pulling her to her feet. He guided her to the elevator. While they were waiting, he placed his palm on her buttocks. “I usually show my guests around the apartment first, but I don’t think I have the patience tonight. So what if I show you the bedroom first?” He gave her a cheeky grin.
Lia grinned back. “What makes you think I want to see your bedroom at all? Maybe we won’t make it that far.”
“This,” Travis breathed, reaching between her legs, stroking her clit through her moist panties.
Lia gave a soft moan. “OK. You win. I’ll go wherever you want.”
“Finally. It was high time you admitted it.” Travis pulled his hand out and the sudden loss of contac
t made Lia cringe.
The elevator finally arrived. They got in. Travis pressed the top button. He suddenly felt very self-conscious about his apartment. Would Lia like it? What will she think? The doors closed and the elevator shot up. Travis pulled Lia close and she buried her face in his neck, breathing in his scent. She kissed his neck, caressing the sensitive skin with her lips. He gave a low sigh and stroked her buttocks gently. “God, you’re so hot,” he whispered.
The elevator came to a halt, announcing its presence with the cheerful ringing of a bell. The doors opened and Lia found herself in the middle of the biggest living room she’d ever seen. Her mouth fell open as she took in the high ceiling, the classy, minimalist design, and the floor-to-ceiling windows that gave a breathtaking view of the city.
“I think I told you we’ll do the tour later,” Travis said in a husky whisper. He helped Lia out of her coat and hung it in a closet. Then he took her hand and started pulling her through the spacious room. Lia giggled, anticipation rising like butterflies in her stomach.
The bedroom was at the back of the apartment. Lia barely had time to register the elegant, cream-colored living room furniture before Travis pulled her into the bedroom. The door closed behind them with a thud.
“Finally I have you all to myself,” he said hungrily. He stepped aside and surveyed her for a moment, like a predator would watch its prey before striking. Every inch of Lia’s body ached for his touch.
He stepped closer and took her into his arms, his eyes never leaving hers. Lia’s heart was fluttering in her chest. He leaned in and kissed her gently, lazily, like all the time in the world was theirs. His hands were caressing her back, drawing her even closer. Lia melted into his embrace, returning his kiss and craving more. She grinded against him, pressing her hips into his. She could feel his erection growing through the double layers of their clothes.
Without breaking their kiss, her hands found the front of his shirt and she started to undo the buttons. She opened the shirt and ran her hands onto his bare chest. He was strong and muscular, and Lia felt a primal need to be held and protected by him. He moaned into her mouth as her warm, gentle fingers stroked his chest, drawing little circles around his nipples.
His hands reached her buttocks and he eased her dress upwards. The thin fabric slid easily up her body and she raised her arms, breaking the kiss for a second to allow the dress to come off. She was wearing nothing now except for her panties and a black strapless bra.
He shrugged off his shirt completely and regarded her with a wolfish expression. “You’re gorgeous,” he breathed. He bent his head and kissed her neck, grazing it gently with his teeth. She moaned loudly, throwing her head back to give him full access. His hands found the clasp of her bra and with a quick expert move of his fingers, he undid it. Her bra fell to the floor.
He cupped her breasts, kneading her firm, round flesh with slow, circular strokes. “I’ve wanted to touch them ever since you arrived at our first date not wearing a bra,” he panted. She sighed softly as he ran his fingertips lightly across her nipples.
He kissed her again, this time more hungrily than ever. He wanted to possess her; body, heart and soul. Her hands roamed his bare back, finding his buttocks and squeezing them forcefully. She pushed his crotch into hers, his erection rubbing against her clitoris. The sudden contact made them both irresistibly hungry for more.
He pushed her onto the bed and undid his belt quickly. His pants rolled to the floor. His boxers were no match for his erect cock, and she marvelled at the sight. It was bigger and more beautiful than she’d imagined. She shrugged off her panties.
He started to pull off his boxers but she sat up on the bed. “Wait,” she said. “Let me.”
Lia admired his powerful body. She grabbed his waist and eased the boxers down his legs. His erection sprang free. She ran her fingers up his thighs and stroked his muscled legs lightly. Her hands met at his crotch and cupped his balls. He groaned softly. Her fingers traveled further upwards, grazing his shaft teasingly. She felt proud of what her touch could do to him.
“Come on, baby,” he panted. “I can’t take it any longer. Grab me.”
She complied, squeezing his cock gently with one hand while the other returned to his balls. He moaned loudly. She placed a light kiss on the tip of his cock and ran her tongue along the side of its head. He inhaled sharply. She licked the length of his shaft before she took him fully into her mouth. His legs buckled and he cried out as she started giving him a proper blowjob.
“That’s right, baby, yeah,” Travis groaned. “I love your hot little mouth.” His hand rested on her head, guiding her motions.
She gave his cock one last kiss before she turned her head upwards and looked him deep in the eye. “I want to feel you inside me.”
Travis gave her a predatory smile. “Your wish is my command.” He grabbed a condom from the nightstand and slipped it onto his shaft before pushing her back onto the bed and climbing on top of her. She opened her legs wide, exposing her naked pussy. It glistened with moisture.
“God, you’re so wet for me,” Travis whispered. He positioned himself between her legs and touched the tip of his cock to her clitoris. She moaned loudly.
“Tell me what you want,” Travis teased.
“I want your cock inside me.”
He slowly slid inside her. They both moaned as his cock filled her vagina. “You’re so tight,” he groaned. He leaned forward and took her nipple in his mouth, gently sucking on it as he started sliding in and out of her. She arched her hip forwards, meeting every thrust eagerly. Her fingers dug into his back. The exquisite pain intensifying his pleasure, he grazed her nipple with his teeth. She cried out, clamping her legs onto his hips, forcing him to slide even deeper into her. Travis gazed into her eyes. For a moment, they were completely silent and motionless. It felt almost spiritual, as if their souls were touching.
“You fill me completely,” she whispered. She slid a hand between their bodies and started caressing her clit.
“That’s it, baby,” Travis grunted. “Come for me. I want to watch you come.” He sped up his thrusts to match the rhythm of Lia’s finger pleasuring herself. The multiple sensations quickly pushed her over the edge and she came with full force, spasming around him. She cried out as she came, her pelvic muscles grabbing Travis’ cock even harder.
“I’m coming,” he groaned and arched his back as the orgasm overwhelmed him. Her legs still held him tight, and he collapsed on top of her. They lay there for a while, their bodies intertwined as they slowly came down from their shared high.
“That was amazing,” he whispered. He rolled over onto his back and pulled her to his chest. She snuggled up to him, relishing the power and security his closeness provided.
“Yes,” she replied. “I think it was worth the agonizing hour we spent in the company of your yellow jacketed friend.”
Travis chuckled, playing with a strand of her hair. “Yeah, I think I’m going to forgive him.”
Lia let her eyes flutter closed and she dozed off for a few minutes, listening to his heartbeat. Travis stroked her cheek. “Would you like a drink?”
“Yes, that would be lovely.”
Travis got up and pulled his boxers on. “The bathroom is down the hall on the left, if you’d like to freshen up. I’ll be in the living room.”
Lia sat up and climbed off the bed. She found the bathroom and cleaned herself, splashing cool water onto her face. She pulled on her panties, and draped Travis’ shirt around herself. She smiled as she inhaled his scent.
She found him in the living room, staring out the window. Soft jazz music filled the air. He held out a glass to her and smiled. “It looks a lot better on you,” he said, gesturing towards his shirt.
She joined him at the window, taking a sip of her drink. It was sweet and fiery. “Hm, Cosmopolitan,” she remarked. “How fitting.”
The drink warming her stomach pleasantly, she looked out the window. The view was breathtaking: tiny
lights burned in every window near and far, giving off the impression that the sky had fallen right to their feet. The city was gorgeous in its night illumination.
“This is the perfect place for parties,” Lia said, admiring the spacious living room, complete with bar and comfortable looking sofas.
Travis chuckled. “And it has seen a few of those.”
“I imagine,” Lia replied. Something in his expression caught her attention. He seemed contemplative, probably even a bit sad. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
Travis shook his head. “Nothing. It has just occurred to me that throwing and attending parties can get really boring after a while.”
She looked at him inquisitively. The soft mood lighting of the living room left his face in shadow and she couldn’t determine if he really meant what he said.
He downed his drink and turned to her with a half-serious expression. “I’d really like another drink, but then I can’t drive you home.”
The thought of leaving Travis, saddened Lia, but she was never one to overstay her welcome. “That’s OK, I can call a taxi.”
Sensing her disappointment, Travis shook his head and said, “No, I mean, would you mind spending the night here?”
A tiny prick of excitement hit Lia in the stomach. Spending the night? She thought about Travis’ body lying next to her, his strong arms encircling her as they slept. She took a step toward him and her body said yes before her mind even had a chance to offer an opinion.
“Make me another, as well,” she said huskily.
He took her hand and pulled her close. “That’s what I wanted to hear.” He gave her a long, deep kiss before he padded to the bar.
Lia turned back to looking out over the city from above. Travis joined her soon with fresh cocktails in hand. They took a moment to admire the view together in silence. “Come on, let’s take a seat,” Travis said as he took Lia’s hand and drew her toward the spot next to him on the sofa. Lia’s drink splashed on her leg as she lowered herself to the sofa.
The Auction: The Billionaire Wins a Date Page 9