by Hailey Smoke
“I’m speechless. Honestly speechless. I have had an excellent year and I worked hard to get here. I’m just happy all the time spent practicing, going through my time trials, improving, it all paid off.”
“In the pre-race interview, you dedicated your race to Annie-Girl. Incidentally, that’s also the name of your car. Do you think your Annie-girl is proud of you right now?”
“The car or the girl?”
The crowd roared with laughter and I smiled.
“My car is one in a million. Without her, I wouldn’t be standing here right now.”
“And what about the girl?”
I held my head down and smiled ruefully. “The jury is still out on that one but…” I paused as I saw Lucy waving to me frantically. She seemed to be pulling or pushing something…or someone. My mouth fell open as I saw a sheet of dark hair tossed back and a familiar face come into view. The reporter was still talking but he was forgotten. The roar of the crowd faded. I had that time standing still experience again as I slowly walked to the family box. Was she real? I reached out and cupped her cheek. I felt the warmth of her hand as she gripped my wrist. I saw the glistening of the tears rolling down her cheeks. I reached out a thumb to wipe them away and then I leaned in to claim her lips. There was a roar as the crowd erupted. I pulled back and lifted her over the rail to pull her into my arms completely. The cameras had caught up with us and I turned to the camera with Serena in my arms.
“Meet my Annie-Girl.”
15
Serena
The key had barely been turned in the lock before we stumbled into the condominium Connor had been living in. His hands were all over me and I welcomed them. It was the first time we were able to be truly alone since the end of the race. Everything had seemed to be one big blur as he had done interview after interview. There were also photoshoots with various presentations. Then there had been the victory party afterwards.
I had been hugged and kissed on the cheek countless times by his team-mates. The party had wrapped up just a few minutes after ten and we had hightailed it out of there. There was no possibility of even contemplating going all the way back to Brixton tonight. I had no overnight bag but then again, I doubt I was going to need one.
I turned in his arms and fumbled impatiently with the buttons on the suit jacket he had put on when he had showered and changed for the after party. He captured my mouth and I groaned hungrily. It had been so long since we had been together! I could hardly wait! I giggled as he pulled my blouse out of my jeans and swiftly unbuttoned it.
“Let’s see who can strip the other fastest.” I laughed against his lips.
He raised his head and pouted. “No fair. You have on too many clothes with hooks and buttons. Let’s just call it a draw.” He captured my lips yet again, pulling me flush against his body.
I moaned as I felt the hard length of him against my thigh. At this rate I didn’t see us getting to the bedroom any time soon.
Urgently I pushed his jacket off and started on his shirt. When both our torsos were bared we pressed into each other. Our skin ignited as we touched. My hand groped at him through his trousers and I felt him tremble in my embrace. He tore his mouth from mine as I squeezed him gently.
“Oh fuck, Serena! If you keep that up I may not get these pants off. I need to be inside you baby. We can get upstairs later.” He bent his head to mine again as our hands bent urgently to the task of buttons and zippers. We barely wanted to be apart but had to get out of the restrictive garments. When at last we were completely and gloriously naked I sank into the couch, taking him with me. I took his straining body and pulled him to me. I arched up to meet his entrance. With one thrust he slid deep. I cried out as my body felt the fullness of his length. His hands gripped my thighs as he snapped his hips back before thrusting deep again.
“Ugh! Connor I’ve missed you so much! Right there baby! Right there! Just like that baby! Make me come!” I shocked myself with the speed of my climax. I was soon writhing in his grasp as I arched my body up to meet every downward thrust. My legs gripped his thighs tight as I felt a silent scream lodge in my throat. I pulled his head down to mine and attacked his lips as my release pulsed and flowed around him. I took deep gulping breaths as my heart threatened to beat out of my chest. I felt him tremble and his body grow harder than ever. I gripped him tighter and held him close as he went over the edge with a long loud groan. He buried his face in my neck as his body pulsed and spewed deep inside mine.
I don’t know how long we lay on the couch. I was content to stroke his damp brow while he plays with a tendril of my hair. When at last he gave a deep sigh and stirred I reluctantly allowed my legs to slip from around him. He raised his head to look down at me. He placed is forehead against mine.
“I’ve missed you so much, baby. So much. I’ve been such a fool.”
I put my fingers to his lips. “I was the fool, my love. You reached out, remember? I chose not to take your calls.”
“I shouldn’t have walked out on you. I should have blown my top right there. Then afterwards we would have sorted through it. We’ve wasted so much time. I’m so sorry.”
“I’m the one that’s sorry, Connor. I said some things I shouldn’t have. I shouldn’t have told you that I would have kept my past from you. You are a significant part of my life and deserve to know everything that has gone on in my life, is going on and will ever go on in my life.”
“We both have some time to catch up and some making up to do.”
Slowly he rolled off me and sat up. He stood and bent to lift me into his arms. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders as he made his way upstairs. He walked straight into the shower.
The hot spray felt good on my skin. Connor reached from behind me for a bar of soap. I quickly rolled my hair into a bun on top of my head. Gently he soaped my skin. I leaned back into his embrace and closed my eyes. I breathed deeply as he nuzzled my neck while his hands roamed. I shivered even in the hot water as his fingers flicked my nard nipples.
“Like that, do you?”
Mmmh.” I nodded and raised my arms to his neck, giving his hands-free access. I moaned softly as his lips found the pulse throbbing in my neck. His hands cupped my breasts and his thumbs found my nipples once again. As he circled them slowly, I sighed breathlessly. He continued his massage as the water and soap ran down my body. One hand trailed down between my breasts and my stomach contracted in anticipation. He turned off the shower before continuing his exploration. I swallowed hard as he drew lazy circles around my navel. Somehow, he had discovered that as one of my hot spots. Those circles never ceased to set me on fire. I swayed restlessly in his embrace and he chuckled.
“Bastard.”
“Your bastard my love. Just relax. You know it will be worth the wait. Hmmm.”
I chuckled. He was right. He was always right. I trembled as one forearm beneath my breasts held me firmly against him. The other roamed freely. His hand slid easily on my wet skin, his fingers just dancing along the top of my mound. I moved my hips, urging him to go lower and he chuckled yet again.
“So impatient!”
“The couch was just the appetizer to take the edge off. I’ve been deprived for weeks now. Don’t play.”
“And whose fault was it that we were both deprived, hmmm.” He nibbled my earlobe and it felt like shards of electricity rocketed from the simple touch. He continued to nibble and the tiny flame that had been flickering between my thighs since we entered the shower started to rise higher. His hand that roamed free brushed the crease at the top of my labia and I jumped. I groaned in frustration as he moved back up to my belly.
“You’re enjoying this torture aren’t you.”
He pressed his hips forward and I felt the unmistakable evidence of his arousal press into my ass.
“I’m torturing myself as well my love.” He pulled back and slid his hand fully down my belly. Instinctively I parted my legs as his hand cupped me. His finger found me hot and slick with desire
. I trembled as his fingers pressed and stroked me. My clit was hard and throbbing and in need of his touch, but so far it had been ignored.
I moaned softly, “Baby, please…”
He took a deep breath. “Please what?”
“Please… touch my clit.” I groaned as his thumb grazed the little nub then moved away.
“There. I touched it. Satisfied?”
“You are so going to pay for teasing me like this.”
“I look forward to my punishment.”
His thumb crept up again to press my clit firmly and I bit my lips as a thunderbolt of desire exploded inside me. He continued circling my clit. I threw my head back against his shoulder fully. The hand beneath my breast slipped down to join its mate and mete out a double attack. As he kept up the pressure on my clit with one hand, the other pressed and stroked my hot, wet core. I sought out his lips. As our tongues met and slid hotly over each other his fingers picked up a rhythm. I rolled my hips to meet each stroke, moaning as I felt the tendrils of ecstasy take hold of me. My groans grew louder.
“Is my baby going to come for me?” He moved his lips back to my ear and crooned. I felt my legs tremble as he stroked me harder and faster.
“Ohhh… Connorrrrrrrrrrrrrr… Oh fuck!!! Just like that baby… right… therrrrrrrrrrrrre…” My legs became a mass of jelly as I lost all sense of myself. I dropped a hand to join his, pressing his fingers urgently against me.
“Oh fuck! Oh fuck! Oh fuck!” I bucked and jerked in his grip as my body exploded. I felt lightheaded instantly and sagged back against his body. My chest heaved as I tried to catch my breath. He stroked my stomach gently as he nuzzled my cheek with his.
“Lean forward baby.”
I took a deep shuddering breath and did as instructed. I braced my hands against the wall of the shower as he parted my legs. I closed my eyes and arched my back as I felt him nudge at my entrance. I spread my feet until they were braced against the side of the stall and bent over even further. He gripped my hips as he thrust forward.
“Oh fuck, Serena.” He ground out between gritted teeth. “You were made just for me, you know that? Just for me baby. All mine.”
I pushed my hips back to meet his forward thrust and we soon picked up a rhythm. I enjoyed the freedom with which my breasts swayed as the force of his thrusts made them bounce back and forth. Before I knew it I was again heading down the path of no return. My body clenched and shuddered.
“Ahhh!!!” I couldn’t hold back my screams as he continued to thrust through my climax. When I started to sag in the aftermath he pulled out and scooped me into his arms. He walked quickly to the bedroom and lay me down. He did not hesitate to follow me down. I opened my legs wide for him as he thrust deep inside once more. I wrapped my legs around him tightly, just the way he liked it. He levered up on his arms so he could look me in the face. He unwound my hair and spread it around like a halo. He looked deep into my eyes as he thrust his hips into mine. I gripped his shoulders and held his gaze. There was something in his eyes that kept me spellbound. I was powerless to break free. It felt as if we were in a world of our own and nothing else outside of this time and place and moment mattered. Our bodies moved in tandem as our souls fused. And as we raced towards our peak our spirits rose and met. And as our bodies clenched and spasmed in mutual satisfaction we embraced our oneness. Out of nowhere my tears came. As he leaned in to kiss me his dripped to meet mine.
When at last our bodies sagged and relaxed, he rolled to the side and pulled me into his embrace. We faced each other as our heads rested on a single pillow. I took a deep breath and smiled. He smiled back and stroked my hair.
“So now that the Grand Prix is behind me, I have all the time in the world to look at houses. I’m sure you’ve come across quite a few in your listing that would suit me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Do you think I’ve had you and your house hunt on my mind all this time? I have other more decisive clients to think about you know. These are clients who are looking for a house and stick to their specifications. They weren’t just trying to get into my knickers.”
“But my ploy worked didn’t it. But I am serious, Serena. I want, no, need a house, a home, somewhere to call my own.”
I used my forefinger to trace the line of his brow and down his nose. He smiled as I outlined his lips and I felt my heart tremble with the love I had for him. I opened my lips. The words hovered on the tip of my tongue. They were yearning to be free, but I swallowed them and closed my mouth. My finger danced around his lips and back up his nose to his brow yet again.
“What is it baby?” His hand drew me closer still.
I smiled and shook my head. “Nothing. I’m just thinking of the perfect house that I know you can make a home. I showed it to a finicky client some months ago. He’s a racecar driver but can’t seem to make up his damned mind about what he wants in a home. He drove me bananas I tell you. I couldn’t get him off my case until I slept with him. That calmed him down a bit. I think the house I showed him would be perfect for you.”
He pretended to be outraged. “Which driver is this? I’m going to have to have a word or two with him about staying away from my woman. I’m the only one you sleep with from now on.”
“I can give you his number and you and him can duel for my hand.” I laughed and kissed him before snuggling deeper into his embrace. He stroked my shoulder with a wandering finger.
“Is that house still available?”
I didn’t need to ask to know which house he spoke of. “Yes, it is.”
“Can we go look at it again?”
“We sure can.” I sighed happily and snuggled into his arms. As my eyes drifted shut, I fell asleep to the soothing stroke of his hand on my hair.
16
Epilogue
I straightened the framed photograph of the Observer front page when I had won the Grand Prix. It fit perfectly on the mantelpiece. I looked around the living space and smiled in satisfaction. From the moment I had laid my eyes on this house I had known. It had, as Serena always said, spoken to me. I had known I was deliberately dragging my feet all this time, but it had paid off in the end. And so, a mere four and half months after I had first viewed it this slice of paradise was mine.
I had closed escrow just two weeks ago and moved in two days ago. Furnishing was a simple matter of transferring from my apartment to the house as well as getting the rest of my things out of storage. I lifted my head at the sound of someone knocking. I pulled the door open and there stood my real estate agent.
“Well good afternoon, Mr. King. I’m glad to see that you’ve moved in okay. May I come in?” Serena’s eyes twinkled mischievously.
I stepped aside and bowed. “Certainly, madam.”
“There are just a few more documents for you to sign and then I can officially hand over the title.” She pulled a sheaf of papers out of her bag and handed me a pen. I signed where she had initialed and handed them back to her. “Would you like a quick tour to see how I’ve decorated the space so far?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
“Ignore the moving boxes all over. I will get to them eventually. But there is one room that is completely unpacked. My girlfriend needs somewhere for us to frolic when she comes over so I figured it would be wise to get the bed up and running. She was not happy about not being able to find the sheets the first night I moved in. The towels were a bit rough on her as she said.”
Serena rubbed her bottom. “It still has some tender spots you know.”
I wiggled my brows suggestively. “Well the sheets are now on if you’d care to give them a try.”
It was another hour before she left, albeit with her skirt askew and her pantyhose in her bag, and I got back down to the business of unpacking. I would have my private housewarming with just family on Friday and I needed at least the ground floor to be organized. There was so much to get done.
Before I knew it Friday afternoon rolled around. I had not seen Serena since Monday but I
knew she had every intention of being there that afternoon. I had already picked up the small meal from the caterers as it would be just my parents, Matt, Lucy, Joel and Serena. There were two other guests that were my own surprise. The nearer the clock moved to six o’clock the more nervous and agitated I became. I took a deep breath as my stomach felt as if it was tied in knots. I paced back and forth behind the big picture window in the living room. As soon as I saw an unfamiliar vehicle turn into the driveway I ran out and beckoned them to drive into the garage. I hugged them briefly as I introduced myself officially and hustled them into the house. I had barely hidden them in one of the rooms downstairs before a second vehicle pulled in. I took a deep relaxing breath and greeted my parents with a bright smile.
In ten minutes, all the other guests had arrived. I wasted no time in pouring out the champagne. I gathered everyone in front of the mantelpiece. To my left stood my parents and on the right Lucy, Matt and Joel. Serena stood directly in front of me with her back to the rooms on the main floor. Perfect. I smiled around the circle and took a deep breath.
“Where do begin?”
“At the beginning, dear.” My mother chipped in. The light laughter broke the nervous tension I felt.
“And indeed, I shall. It was a night made for lovers the night I was conceived.”
“Not that far back! There are children here!” Lucy covered Joel’s ears as everyone roared with laughter.
“Okay. Let’s get serious now. The beginning is relative. Would it be the beginning of my career? The beginning of my passion for what I now do? The beginning of my life in this house? Or the beginning of relationships with people who have a significant role to play in my life?” I looked directly at Serena then. Beyond her a door opened. Everyone except her saw two persons emerge. At first my family looked puzzled then they looked at me and comprehension dawned. I saw my mother reach for her handbag to find tissues and I knew the waterworks were about to begin.