Cross My Heart

by Celeste O. Norfleet

  He came to her, hovering and looking down at this perfect woman. She was exquisite in every way—her body, her mind and her spirit. This was going to happen and he wanted it to be the most unforgettable experience for her. He knew right then that once with her would never be enough. She grasped the elastic waistband on her panties, but he stopped her. “Not yet, close your eyes,” he instructed softly.

  She nodded and complied, closing her eyes and waiting. He moved her hands above her head, then she felt his mouth on her body again, starting on her shoulders, kissing and licking down to her toes, then back up. When he got to her panties, he encircled the band, then slowly eased them down. Tiny silky hairs barely covered the treasure he sought. He spread her legs, placing one over his shoulder, then he lowered his head and blew. Seconds later he touched the tiny nub, stroking her needful wetness. She gasped, her legs shook and she writhed, knowing his intent.

  She arched her back off the bed. He leaned up. His mouth covered her breasts and his fingers entered her. She was tight, yet the intense pleasure she felt was pure rapture as he continued to probe and stretch her body to fit his. “Now, David, now.” The dam of restraint was shattering, but he continued to stretch her body. Then he moved above her, and entered halfway in one smooth motion. She shrieked, nearly screaming. Her body tensed. She felt as if she were on fire. She held her breath and dug her nails into his shoulders.

  David froze, struggling to retain the last remnant of restraint. She was tight, far tighter than he expected. “Did I hurt you?” he rasped with effort. She didn’t reply. Her eyes were closed and he could see that she held her breath. “Natalia, breathe. Listen to me. Look at me.” She opened her eyes. “Are you in pain?”

  She smiled. “It’ll pass.” Before she got the last word out she arched her hips upward, forcing her body to wholly engulf him. The exquisite pain of being completely filled by him was intense. She began rocking her hips, rubbing against him. He moved with her, slowly at first, then they increased the rhythm.

  They thrust with fierce intensity, each stroke increased in speed and depth. In and out, they met power for power. Surging stronger, the swell of pleasure overtook her. She came and tensed, panting the rapture of her climax.

  Seconds later she realized that he was still hard inside her. This time his movements were slow and purposeful. Weak and drained, she lay there as he toyed with her body, drawing a second, third and fourth climax. Then he moved faster, joining their bodies again and again, pushing in and pulling out, seeming to test the limits of her sanity. Finding her strength, she pounded up into him. Faster, fuller, in simultaneous consumption, they came together. Their bodies went stiff as each spasm took them and his body drained every ounce of essence into her.

  Moments later he rolled over, lay back on the bed and looked up at the ceiling. He closed his eyes, feeling the last remnants of their lovemaking still with him. Being inside of her was wonderful, being with her tonight was breathtaking. She was everything he wanted in a woman and the fact that she already had his sons only increased his feelings. He opened his eyes and looked over to Natalia. She hadn’t moved. He reached over and gathered her in his embrace. He needed her close.

  Natalia moaned and sighed as her skin prickled. Her body was still reeling from their lovemaking. He pulled her close and she complied willingly; being wrapped in his arms felt utterly right. The only problem was that she knew it wouldn’t last. Fantasies never did. Still, she closed her eyes and held on tight. She didn’t know what kind of ride she was in for. But she intended to enjoy it for as long as it lasted.

  “You okay over there?” he asked softly, beginning to stroke her back gently.

  “Absolutely, blissfully wonderful,” she replied.

  “I like the sound of that.”

  She sighed again. “I don’t know how I’m gonna wrap my head around the real world after this,” she murmured to herself.

  “What do you mean?” he asked.

  “I mean that I know this isn’t real,” she said as she rolled up to sit beside him. She looked down into his eyes. “You aren’t real and I need to always keep that in mind.”

  He sat up and kissed her tenderly. “I’m very real, Natalia. And this—you and I here, right now—is as real as it gets.”

  “For you, yes, but not for me. I’m a down-to-earth person, David. This is a dream, and pretty soon I’m going to have to wake up, whether I want to or not. I can’t allow myself the luxury of…” She paused.

  “…feeling anything for me?” he asked. “Or falling in love with me?”

  “Either. Both.”

  They were silent, just looking into each other’s eyes. He picked up her hand and kissed it. “Natalia, I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow or the next day or the day after that. I do know that I want to be in your life for as long as you’ll have me. Is that okay?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, that’s okay.”

  “Good. Now how about something to nibble on.”

  “You, sir, are spoiling me,” she moaned.

  “And this is only the beginning. What would you like?”

  “You,” she said seductively.

  “Sounds good to me. Your wish is my command.” He held her tight as they kissed. This time the kiss was long and lazy as they savored the pleasure they’d just experienced. He reached for and grabbed another condom. She smiled, nodding slowly. She had a few more wishes for him to grant.

  Chapter 10

  Being on the phone while walking quickly through a hotel lobby is a classic Hollywood celebrity trick to ensure minimal public interruption. Few fans would make a spectacle of themselves by running after and disturbing a seemingly preoccupied celebrity for a photo or autograph. But this morning David didn’t do it out of the necessity for privacy. He did it because of Natalia. He’d just dropped her off at her home and already he was feeling the pangs of wanting to be with her again.

  “You were stunning this morning,” he said quietly as he quickly strolled into the hotel and headed to the private elevator near the front desk.

  “Where are you?” Natalia asked.

  “Walking through the hotel lobby headed toward the private elevator. Why? Feel like a little phone sex this morning?” he joked.

  Natalia laughed. “You’re incorrigible. Thanks, but no thanks. I’m sitting in my home office doing the paperwork I was supposed to complete Friday evening.”

  “Regrets?”

  “Hardly. I had a wonderful time. You know I had a wonderful time. I still can’t believe the past two days,” Natalia said. “Which part?”

  “How about all of it?” she said, chuckling softly. “But I’d have to admit that waking up Saturday morning docked in the Bahamas was definitely the topper.”

  “I’m glad you weren’t upset about my little detour.”

  “Upset, no. A bit stunned, definitely. It was quite a surprise to wake up hearing steel drums playing in the background.”

  “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”

  “I did. Thank you. Now as for the clothes you bought me…”

  “We’re not going over that again, are we?”

  “We are, because I intend to pay you back.”

  “The trip was impromptu. Understandably, you weren’t prepared. I had my staff pick a few things up when we arrived in port. You were still asleep. Problem solved. The idea of having you naked and in bed with me all day was definitely tempting, but I eventually decided to share you with the rest of the world.”

  “A few things would constitute a sundress, panties and flip-flops, not five complete outfits, including bathing suits, a straw hat and a thong.”

  “Okay, granted, the thong was definitely my idea and I do most sincerely appreciate you trying it on for me,” he said, grinning at the memory of her standing in the cabin’s dressing-room doorway with just the thong and stilettos on. His body hardened instantly—then and now. Her breasts were firm and round and her nipples were hard as diamonds. Her narrow waist was trim and slid graci
ously into the scant piece of elastic lace. It was white—purity came to mind. But seeing her standing there, purity had nothing to do with what he wanted to do to her body.

  “I’d never worn one before,” she said, laughing.

  “Well let me be the first and only one to say that you wear it very, very well.” He stopped just short of requesting that she wear a thong for no one else but him from now on. “As a matter of fact, I think I’m going to have to pick up a few more for you, not that you had that one on for very long.”

  She laughed again at the image of him dashing across the cabin to get to her. “True. It took me longer to put it on than for you to take it off. I’m still surprised at how fast you moved.”

  “Desire is a great motivator and to get to you in just a thong…” He paused, closed his eyes, bowed his head and leaned back against the elevator wall. The image of her standing there, posed, arms over her head, legs spread apart hit him again. “I would have moved heaven and earth…” He licked his lips, tasting the last of her kiss on his mouth. He shuddered. He wanted her all over again. “Then when you turned around with your back to me…” He paused again, taking a slow deep breath. But it didn’t help.

  The memory was crystal clear. As soon as he got to her, he’d dropped down on his knees with his face at two perfectly rounded cheeks. He rubbed his hands over her behind, down her thighs, then between her legs and up to her hardened nipples and breasts. Her knees buckled as he pulled at and removed the thong. She stepped out of it and he grabbed her leg to put over his shoulder. With her arms still braced above her head, she held tight to the door frame as he feasted, kissing, sucking, nibbling frantically. She came almost instantly. Afterwards, they made love on the carpet right there in the doorway. It was fast and furious. He barely had time to grab a condom and put it on. He’d never experienced such mind-blowing, explosive intensity before. His body shuddered repeatedly. Even now, with the erotic memory irrevocably and firmly in place, he tensed. “You know, I was joking before about the phone sex, but to tell you the truth…”

  “Sorry, babe. We’re off Fantasy Island. It’s back to reality now,” she said sadly.

  “Woman, you’re killing me over here,” he whispered huskily.

  “Not my intention, I assure you. But if it makes you feel any better, man, you’re killing me over here, too.” Her voice dropped down an octave and slowed seductively.

  “It does, but not much. I want you so bad right now.”

  “I know. Me, too. But you know that we can’t get too carried away with this. I can’t get too carried away,” she clarified. “I can’t just think about myself.”

  “I know, and that makes you even more desirable.” He took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. “Okay, we either need to change the subject or you’d better pull out that thong, ’cause I’m hungry and I’m headed back to your house.”

  “The last thing I want to be responsible for is you getting a speeding ticket trying to get over here, so I guess we’d better change the subject,” she said. “So what’s on your schedule today?”

  “Nothing that can’t wait. Why? What do you have in mind?”

  “I thought we were changing the subject.”

  “You’re right. So have you spoken to your sons yet?” he asked, hoping to defuse his need for her. It didn’t work. He suspected nothing ever would.

  “No, not this morning. They were still asleep when I called a few minutes ago. Mia’s going to call me back as soon as they wake up. It’s so odd,” she said, looking around. “The house is so quiet and empty without them here with me. I forgot what it was like living alone.”

  David considered for an instant what his house would be like with the joyous noise of his children around. It would probably drive him crazy, he assured himself. He was too used to peace and quiet and the sanity of life on his own. There was no way he could tolerate having his world disrupted with the job and responsibility of parenthood. Still, there was a small nagging voice that questioned the thought. “I was sitting here trying to remember what I did before I had them,” she continued. “I can’t even remember what life was like before. I do know that it was empty.”

  “Why did you do it?” he asked plainly, unexpectedly.

  “Do what? Have Brice and Jayden?”

  “Yeah,” he said, realizing that the question hung over everything between them. It was the reason why he was there and it was the reason why he was feeling what he was feeling all of a sudden.

  “It’s hard to explain because there are so many reasons. I wanted to bring life into the world. I wanted to take care of someone. But I guess the main reason is that I have a lot of love to give and because I wanted—no, I needed—to have a child. With Brice and Jayden, love is unconditional. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to make them happy.”

  “Why not get married first and have children? Why go to a sperm bank?” She went silent. “You there?” he asked.

  “Yes. You do ask tough questions, don’t you?”

  “It was intrusive. You don’t have to answer,” he said.

  “No, I want to. Finding a man and getting married isn’t as easy as it sounds. I dated, of course. I was even engaged before, but it wasn’t love; it was familiarity. It was expected. It was a mistake. Ultimately, I didn’t want to bring my child into a relationship that wasn’t complete. Finding a man is easy. Finding love is the hard part. There was no guarantee on how long finding love would take or if in fact I ever would, so I decided to have children on my own.”

  “It sounds a lot like you’ve completely given up on love.”

  “No, I wouldn’t say that I’ve completely given up on love and I would rather not resign myself to a life alone. I think I’m just very selective now. I have my sons to consider. Every decision I made affects their happiness, too.”

  “Then I guess I should be honored that you even agreed to go to dinner with me, let alone spend the weekend with me.”

  “If I seem overly cautious when I’m out with you, it’s because I’ve gotten my heart broken a few times and you are just way too dangerous.”

  “Dangerous? What do you mean? Are you talking about the fans and the paparazzi?”

  “No. Thankfully, I’m not significant enough for anyone to notice me. When we were out at the clubs in Miami, all eyes were on you. The women, the men—they adore you. I was just happy to step back and enjoy the spectacle.”

  “You’re right. It’s all a spectacle, a fantasy. They don’t really know me. So it’s not the press or the fans. So what’s the dangerous part about me?”

  “It’s you. You’re dangerous. You’re the perfect guy—alpha male, the quintessential hero. Television, stage, movies, fame—you’re who women fantasize about. You’re a superhero, literally, if what I hear rumored on the entertainment channel is correct.”

  “Yes, I’ve been cast in that role, but it’s all a mask, a part I play. I’m not really that guy. I hope you know that by now.”

  “Yes, of course I do. But it doesn’t change the fact that you’re still dangerous to the heart—to my heart.”

  He didn’t agree, but he understood what she meant. “So are you still looking for Mr. Right?”

  “I’m not looking for Mr. Right. I’m looking for Mr. Love Me for Me—as I am.”

  “I see,” he said, considering her reply.

  “What about you? Marriage, children—are you looking for Ms. Right?” she asked. “Possibly.”

  “That’s surprising.”

  “Why surprising?” he asked.

  “I guess I never expected that you’d be looking for the ‘Happily Ever After’ thing. You seem more like the ‘bachelor for life’ type.”

  “If you’d asked me a few months ago, I would have said no. My life was perfect at that point. I was happy, my career was steady and my biggest dilemma was which script to read first. Now so many things have changed.”

  “Either way, it must be really hard for you.”

  “What do you mean?” he asked.r />
  “Finding someone when you’re so famous. How do you know if the woman you’re interested in is drawn to you for your money and what you have? Or for who you are or what you can do for her career? You’re a movie star. I imagine you must be bombarded with propositions.”

  “It’s not as difficult as you would think. There are the obvious gold diggers, of course, and then the more subtle ones, but ultimately they all make a very telling mistake. After you’ve been in the business a while, you learn to see through them instantly and weed them out automatically.”

  “And the ones you don’t see through instantly?” she asked.

  “You make mistakes and get your heart broken, just like everybody else.”

  “Well, just to set your mind at ease, I don’t care about the money and fame. I’m only with you for your body.”

  He chuckled. “I like that answer,” he said happily. “So what are your plans today?” he asked, changing the subject again.

  “Well, after I finish this paperwork, I’ll be hanging out in your neck of the woods. Niki and I have an appointment at the day spa in the hotel.”

  “Sounds like fun,” he said.

  “It will be. We always have a great time together and when my other sister, Tatiana, is in town we have a blast. So, yeah, I’m looking forward to it,” she said.

  “Natalia, Nikita and Tatiana—interesting names,” he remarked.

  “I have four siblings all together. Dominik and Mikhail are my brothers and as I’m sure you gathered, our parents really like Russian names.”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, I kinda got that. Have they ever been to Russia?”

  “Yes. Years ago, my father was in the State Department and did a lot of traveling.”