by Lia Lee
Her hands left my head and lowered to her center. With both hands, she spread herself open for me, and I took a quick break to press damp kisses to both her hands before doubling down on the sensitive nub between her thighs.
Her whole body jolted and jerked, trembling violently as I shoved her headlong toward orgasm. Her sharp little whimpers filled my ears, her scent filled every breath, the taste of her like honey on my tongue; I reveled in her.
“Vlad,” she whimpered.
I could feel her freezing up, feel her legs trying to close on me, and I knew she was there. With a growl, I held her tightly and close and continued working her until her whole body began to shiver. I could feel the pulsing of her, and the rush of her honey filled my mouth.
I pressed a little kiss on her damp flesh and reared up on my knees. The glazed look in her eyes and the vulnerable position of her only enflamed me more. Freeing myself, I pressed to her entrance. Sliding home in her, I groaned as her wet heat welcomed me and beckoned me deeper. Her thighs gripped my hips, and her back arched up as I filled her.
“Vlad!” Her stunned whisper blazed into my brain and bounced around.
Overhead, I heard the sound of rain beginning to come down before an all-out torrential downpour began pounding the roof. The thick scent of rain swirled around us, and her eyes lit up. Backing off, I plunged home in her again, picking up a punishing pace and enjoying the way her full breasts bounced. Her puffy, rose-colored nipples matched the naturel hue of her lips, and I wanted to grab her, touch her, feel her, kiss her… I wanted to do everything to her.
As if reading my mind, she focused on me. “Right here, right now,” she whispered, her voice almost drowned out by the rain.
My thumb found her clit and began to work the same patterns my tongue had. Her eyes widened, and her hips bucked. I’d never been the best lover. I’d been selfish. But I planned to make up for that. For every one I had, I would give her two or three. Perhaps I could make up for the nights I’d left her without.
“Come,” I growled.
Her eyes locked on mine again.
“You look amazing like this.” My voice was so rough I doubted she could understand me. Her full breasts still bounced sexily. My eyes traced down the straight line of her ribs, followed the tucked in curve of her waist, trailed along the flare of her hips.
Her heat pulled me in over and over as I withdrew and plunged home in her, sliding on her juices. The wet sounds of sex filled my ears, assaulting my ability to reason and the fragile thread of my self-control.
Still pressuring her clit with my thumb, I bit back my own orgasm, needing to feel hers on me. I could feel her walls closing tightly around me, compressing my cock as I continued to move with that punishing rhythm I’d set.
“I’m…” she said before gasping.
Her whole body bore down on me so hard white hot stars burst before my eyes. The ripples deep within her felt like they were milking me, and I groaned as my body spilled into her. When it was over, still holding onto her, I leaned in, scooped a hand behind her shoulders, and repositioned her so we could both lie curled together on the couch.
She snuggled into me as I pulled a blanket over both of us, trapping our heat right against our bodies as the chilly air stung our faces.
With the rain slamming the roof, I could feel the world begin to fuzz out as her breathing started to deepen.
Chapter Ten
Aurora
I could feel his eyes on me while I worked, and I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at the corners of my lips. We hadn’t talked about that day, but it had been at the forefront of my thoughts ever since, and he was still starring in my dirty dreams.
Those dreams, though, had gotten out of control. The needing a shower every morning kind of out of control. I woke up every morning sweaty and hot, humming between the hips and squeezing my thighs together as images of him doing things to my body circled my mind.
I glanced over at him, noticing the heat in his blue eyes and the imposing posture of his stance. While Paul continued talking with him, he stayed focused on me, only dragging his attention away when he absolutely had to.
I turned back to my work, unaware I’d been holding my breath until I began to feel a bit lightheaded. Letting out the breath, I stared at the computer, not seeing a single word on the screen.
It was hard to believe it had only been three days. It had taken one encounter to remind my body how much it craved him, how much I’d missed his touch, and how starved I was for physical attention.
I peeked at him again, noticing how tall and handsome he looked, how at ease he seemed to be. While I watched, he leaned back on the railing, still talking with Paul. While his attention focused on the man before him, I studied him up and down, loving the more casual look today. He had on navy slacks and a slate colored button down shirt, no tie.
My cheeks stung as I thought about that narrow black tie and how it had felt around my eyes. I’d never been into kinky things, but if being blindfolded counted as kinky, sign me right up.
His eyes met mine again, and a shiver tickled down my spine and a tingling hum started up low in my core. Squeezing my thighs together like I could relieve the ache, I turned back to my work and stared at the screen, instantly forgetting what I was supposed to be doing.
Troubling thoughts boiled right back up to bother me again.
If only I could figure out how to tell him the truth. This terrible secret was weighing on me. I still hadn’t felt like I’d had a good moment to tell him. Exactly when was the right time to blindside someone? Oh, yeah, by the way, you have an eight-year-old daughter.
That wasn’t a conversation that could just be whipped out anywhere, anytime. And in all honesty, I already felt like I’d waited far too long. I should have told him on day one. I was stupid, stupid, stupid. I hadn’t meant for it to happen this way. I’d never meant to not tell him, I just kept waiting and waiting for the right time.
“How are you today, Aurora?” The deep, rich voice of the man already at the center of my thoughts reverberated through my being.
Trying to smile up at him, I hoped my expression didn’t look pained at least. “Quite well. And you?” I asked as politely as I could.
He leaned in so close I could feel my heart quiver in my chest. The spicy scent of his cologne filled my nose, and the unique scent that was all him lingered in every inhale. Staring up at him like a mouse might stare at a snake, I gulped back the nervousness creeping up my throat.
“Did you…did you need something?” I managed to say as his eyes narrowed on mine. The spasm of his pupils mesmerized me as he moved so close I could feel his warm breath on my chin.
“Yes, Aurora,” he whispered. My heart began to thunder in my chest. “I need something.” His eyes were locked on mine, and I could feel my heart slamming at the base of my throat.
My phone trilled, breaking us both out of the moment. He backed off with a soft comment about how he’d let me have my privacy, and I watched him walk away, stunned. I glanced down at my phone, seeing an unknown number and deciding to let it go to voicemail. Everyone I needed to hear from had my number and I had theirs. No reason to answer a number I didn’t recognize.
Glancing up from my phone, I stared after Vlad.
The amount of change this man had undergone since I’d known him was astounding. I hadn’t seen an ounce of rage, or a bit of that calculating, cold attitude that had so scared me back then. Sure, he was still distant, but there was a new warmth to him I hadn’t seen before.
Even while I was thrilled with the changes he’d made, I still remembered the man he’d been. The man that had raged and walked out on me after arguments. The man that had asked me to give up my dream to be with him. The man that had broken my heart and walked out on me that same night I’d decided to go back home and leave him for good.
Of course, I’d decided to leave him for good before I’d found out I was pregnant. It was only after I’d left and safely made it hom
e and realized I was a few days late that I’d begun to worry. It was only four days after I’d gotten home that I’d taken a test in secret, trembling in terror. I’d been alone when those two stripes had showed up and changed my life forever.
I should have called him.
I should have told him.
I should have reached out.
But I’d been so mad, so scared, so hurt I just couldn’t do it. I’d known it was the wrong thing to do. But I hadn’t known what else to do.
“Are you okay?”
I glanced up into Francis’ kind eyes and blinked back my tears. “Yeah. Just allergies,” I lied, the words tumbling quickly out of my mouth.
She didn’t seem convinced, but moved right along as I stared after her thinking about my daughter. Ashley had asked me last night when she’d meet her dad. She asked if she’d already met him and didn’t know it. She asked me why her daddy and I weren’t married.
When I’d asked her where she’d gotten such strange questions, she’d told me, “Kenzie’s mom and daddy are married. They love each other very much.”
It broke my heart. I’d never even considered how friendship or her exposure to other kids at school might make her desperate to know more about her father. Of course, it made perfect sense that she’d have questions; I just kept thinking I’d have more time before having to answer.
It made my whole chest ache, though, the thought of her going to Kenzie’s house and seeing a functioning, two parent household filled with love and joy and having to come home to me as a flustered, often stressed, chaotic single parent. She deserved better.
With the weight of the world crushing down on my shoulders, I got back to work.
Chapter Eleven
Vladmir
“For me?” Her stunned expression as she stared at the flowers told me I’d done the right thing ordering them for her. Of course, I hadn’t gone with something so generic as a dozen red roses. No, I’d ordered her a four foot tall teddy bear made entirely of roses in varying shades from white to deep red.
The delivery guys headed off toward the door as Paul arched an eyebrow at her from where he and Francis stood talking.
I’d made sure I was out of sight, but could still see her and everything else going on. Her hand found the card, and I watched as she pulled it free and opened it.
I’d made sure there was nothing there to incriminate me. No need to make us the talk of the office—but I knew a smart girl like her would figure it out even if no one else did. As if hearing my thoughts, she glanced up and scanned the place, no doubt looking for me.
The gift was one in a series. I’d been sending things to her daily for the last few days in hopes of bridging a bit of the distance between us. Since we’d slept together, there’d been a rift between us. And while I wasn’t willing to demand anything from her, I wanted her to know I’d been thinking about her.
So I’d sent candy, little gifts, hell, I’d even embarrassed her with a singing telegram. Francis had confided in me that the woman seemed to have a secret admirer. I’d told her I didn’t give a damn so long as Aurora was getting her work done.
That cold, calculating response had gotten me the desired exhale of disgust from Francis, who hadn’t spoken to me about it since.
I studied the smile on Aurora’s face, that sly little curve that betrayed her pure joy as she pressed the card to her heart and dropped into her office chair.
There was still a small part of me that wanted to demand things of her. To barge right in on her and ask why she’d been avoiding me. I’d be lying if I tried to say the distance wasn’t driving me crazy. There wasn’t a damn thing I wanted more than her.
But I wanted to do it right this time. I’d lost her for years. If I lost her again, I wouldn’t get another chance—I was sure of it. So this time, I wasn’t going to take any chances. I wasn’t going to screw this up. I was going to wait and let her come to me when she was ready.
And whatever was driving this wedge between us…we’d conquer it together.
“I’m going to head out early, okay?”
I glanced up at Aurora. That intoxicating little smile still clung to her kissable lips, and I wanted to stand up and drag her into my arms and kiss her until neither of us could stop what would happen next.
“Of course. Have a good evening,” I said instead before getting back to the ordering list in front of me.
She took a step as if to leave, then hesitated. “Thank you,” she said softly.
I glanced back up at her again.
When I said nothing, her smile widened a tiny bit. “You know why.” With that, she left my office, her chin held high. And I watched after her, feeling one step closer.
“You going to go after her?”
I glanced at Francis. “No,” I said, putting my pen down and stretching back in my chair.
“You crazy? You’ve got the door open, all you gotta do is walk through it.” She chuckled.
I shook my head. “You’ve got this all wrong,” I said, sitting back up and grabbing my pen again.
“If you say so,” she said, moving out of my office.
Francis had it all wrong. The door wasn’t open but an inch—not nearly enough to squeeze through. I knew Aurora. I was going to let Aurora open the door all the way. Last time, I’d tried breaking it down and bad things had happened. Some things couldn’t be forced.
“She’ll come around,” I said to the empty room, staring after Aurora.
***
The drive home was exhausting me. Traffic had been tied up for blocks and blocks, and a tension headache nagged at the back of my neck as I sat waiting. Finally, I pulled into an empty lot and parked, needing a moment to clear my head and roll my shoulders.
With I looked up, I sat, stunned for a few moments. Across the lot on a wall still covered with graffiti, a fresh mural took up a majority of the wall. As my eyes took in the painting bit by bit, I felt…moved. The abstract colors and depth tickled something in the back of my mind. Like there was more to the image than I was seeing.
Still stunned, I opened the car door and moved toward the painting like a man in a dream. Reaching a hand out, I felt the dry paint and traced over the scene. The surreal haze reminded me of the depths of space, yet felt warm and welcoming and somehow…incomplete.
My fingers moved toward what my brain wanted to call a planet—but the blob was out of focus, blurred to be almost impossible to place.
That nagging feeling in the back of my mind grew, and I stepped back, taking in the image as a whole. The blurring shapes reminded me of...something. Something familiar, more familiar than the image of space I was certain this was portraying.
Something like…
A thought clicked, and I unfocused my eyes, remembering the crazy, wavy images I’d seen in books as a child. And all of a sudden a whole new image burst forth from the wall—planets, galaxies of stars, the warmth of the sun touching every surface as the whole thing seemed to take on a 3D feel that left my whole being filled with wonder.
Focusing my eyes again, I saw the odd, waving images like a reflection on the surface of rippling water. And I unfocused them again, and the image came to life once more.
Sighing with pure pleasure, I stepped in closer and ran my hands over the wall, over the tiny blue marble that represented Earth. The effect was so true that it broke my brain to feel the flat image that my mind was so certain was a sphere.
Focusing my eyes again, I searched the corner of the mural for a signature, though I could tell it wasn’t finished yet. Noticing that none of the graffiti was over the mural, I wondered if the kids that had tagged this place had seen the mural’s power and decided not to ruin it. Art like this could bring people together, I knew that. The power of this one painting could affect everyone that saw it.
The talent, pure, true, raw talent shone through in every brushstroke and ignited something in my brain.
I knew I’d have to come back. I’d have to find out who the artist w
as. And I’d do everything in my power to help them. To give them every advantage to succeed in this business like I had.
Pulling out my phone, I backed up enough to snap a couple of pictures of the mural.
Chapter Twelve
Aurora
“So when do I get to see your new office?”
I winced at Ashley’s question. At Shape, I’d taken her in once a week or so, wanting to both expose her to the art and make sure she was a big part of my life in every way.
I glanced at her. “I’m not sure, honey.” I hated this, hated lying to her. Her eyes met mine in the rearview mirror, then skipped away to peer out her window.
“Are you excited to finish up the painting?” I asked, needing to change the subject. For the last week, she’d been working on this mural and had told me yesterday she’d be finishing it up today.
She didn’t respond, and I peeked at her in the rearview mirror again. She noticed me and shook her head a bit. I could see the sparkle of tears in her eyes as I pulled into the lot. With a heavy heart, I parked and got out. I pulled open her door and opened my arms.
“What’s wrong, honey?” I asked as she unbuckled and threw herself into my arms.
“I’m sad,” she said softly with a sniffle.
My heart ached for her. “Why are you sad?” I asked, squeezing her tightly.
“I…don’t know.” She pulled back and smiled through her tears.
But I understood completely. Squatting down to get on her level, I took both her shoulders in my hands and looked her in the eyes. “You know, every time I’d finish a sculpture that took me weeks or even months sometimes, I’d get close to done and not want to finish it.”
She stared at me, enraptured as I spoke.
“Finishing was always the hardest part. And it took me many years to figure out why,” I continued, brushing a dried smudge of paint off her shoulder where her smock hadn’t protected her.
I hesitated, giving her a chance to ask me.
“Why?” she asked softly, her eyes still locked on my face. Her trusting little face made my heart swell, and I wanted to plant a kiss on her forehead.