by T. K. Leigh
“The way my body is starved for yours…” I ran my fingers down the contours of my frame, pushing the sundress off my body. My eyes fluttered closed as I imagined my hands were Dante’s. And as much as I wanted them to be, I wanted this more. The seduction. The torture. The heat in his eyes as I returned my gaze to his, the animalistic craving unmatched.
“It’s my turn,” I finished, my voice almost a growl as I sauntered toward him clad only in pink lace panties and matching bra. “I’m in charge now.” I raised myself onto my toes, running my tongue along his neck before pulling back and meeting his stare. “And if I say it’s time for you to lose the clothes, that means it’s time to lose the clothes.”
I had difficulty reading him, unsure whether he liked this role reversal between us. I had no idea what had come over me. I’d never been this confident or bold in the bedroom before. Then again, I’d never been with a partner who allowed me to be free to explore and experiment, who wouldn’t make me feel ashamed for my wants and needs. I’d never felt so comfortable with somebody before. And I wanted to give Dante everything he’d given me in the short time we’d known each other.
“God, that’s hot.” He gripped my hips, yanking me against him. His need for me was unmistakeable.
I quickly freed myself from his grasp, shaking my head. “Tsk. Tsk. Tsk,” I pouted. “No touching unless I say so.”
“You should know, Eleanor…” He advanced toward me. “I’ve never been good at following direction.” Before I could react, he crushed my body to his, his mouth covering mine, his kiss greedy, insatiable, voracious. Despite wanting to play hard to get, I couldn’t resist the feel of this man devouring me. I moaned into him, sparks igniting as his hands roamed my body.
Panting, I pulled out of the kiss, nibbling on his bottom lip. “Bad boy,” I teased.
“What can I say? I like breaking the rules.” He lowered his mouth back to mine, leaving me with a simple kiss. “If you want to be in charge, you’re in charge.” He stepped away. “I’m yours to do with as you desire.”
Butterflies flitted in my stomach at the thought. While I knew I had a lot to learn in the bedroom, that didn’t matter to me. I was with someone who would never judge me, who would guide me, help me figure out what I liked. And as much as I loved when Dante was in control, a part of me was alive with the notion of being the one calling the shots.
Straightening my spine, I sauntered toward where he stood by the bed. I pushed his jacket off his broad shoulders, then loosened his tie, tossing it to the floor. My eyes glued to his impassioned gaze, I slowly unbuttoned his dark dress shirt. With each button, his breathing increased, my fingers subtly grazing against the taut flesh of his chest. This man was the epitome of perfection, at least for me. Olive-toned skin. Chiseled physique. Sculpted abs that ended in a V, which disappeared into his pants.
I lowered myself down his body, relishing in the taste and feel of his warm skin on my lips. When I got to his waist, I knelt and unbuckled his belt. Unzipping his pants, I palmed his erection through his boxer briefs.
“Eleanor,” he moaned, his eyes glued to mine as I freed him, stroking him. My lips parted, my tongue darting out as I gradually took him into my mouth, tasting the bit of pre-cum that had settled on his tip.
“Do you like that?” I asked, feeling emboldened.
He reached down, wrapping my hair around his fist. “You have no fucking idea, baby.” He moved his hips with the rhythm I set, his grip on my hair tightening as his breathing grew heavier. “God, Eleanor.” Groaning, his eyelids fluttered closed as a look of ecstasy built on his face. “Don’t leave me,” he begged, his firm voice softening. “Don’t ever leave me.”
“Never,” I breathed. I gradually increased my motions, then pulled back, repeating the same torturous rhythm over and over.
“Touch yourself,” Dante ordered, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “Please,” he added, remembering I was the one in control.
Unable to deny him anything, I trailed one hand down my body, his eyes glued to me as I continued fucking him with my mouth. I spread my legs, my hand disappearing into my panties, moaning when I ran my fingers against my wetness. I’d never been so turned on in my life, afraid so much as a whisper of a touch against my center would make me fall apart.
“Fuck,” Dante hissed, increasing his motions. When his chest began heaving, I knew he was on the brink of coming undone. I lightly bared my teeth as I slid a finger inside me, my brain a slave to the erotic and addicting pleasure flowing through me.
“I’m going to come,” he muttered, biting his lip.
“Me, too.” I ran my tongue across his length before taking him into my mouth once more.
He moved against me with even more urgency. I matched him with frantic and erratic motions. He gripped my head, thrusting into me, his entire body tightening before he released into my mouth, my own body quivering as an orgasm unlike any I’d ever given myself consumed me.
Suddenly, Dante yanked me to my feet. His tongue plunged into my mouth before I even had a chance to catch my balance, momentarily stealing the breath from me. Every one of his kisses seemed to consume me, body and soul. This kiss was no different. But with each kiss, I knew I’d have one less. One less sweep of his tongue. One less brush of his hand. One less flutter of my heart.
I tore away, licking my lips. Then I brought my hand up to his mouth. “Suck,” I ordered.
Without breaking his gaze from mine, he took two fingers into his mouth, swirling his tongue around them, the feel of him lighting me on fire once more. I ripped my fingers away before he made me come by that alone. It sounded impossible, but with Dante, I’d learned anything was possible.
“You taste delicious,” his voice broke through. He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me to him, his growing erection twitching against me. He ran his tongue along my jawline. “I want to bury my cock in you, baby.”
Pulling away, I gave him a coquettish look. “Ready so soon?” I teased.
“I’m always ready for you. Do you have any idea how difficult tonight was?” He moved toward me, reaching around me to unfasten my bra. “All I wanted to do was haul you into one of the bedrooms upstairs and make you scream…” He hooked his fingers into my panties, yanking them down. “And I wouldn’t have given a fuck who heard you.”
Stepping out of my underwear, I placed my hand on his chest, pushing him onto the mattress. I climbed on top of him as he pulled himself to the head of the bed. “Then make me scream now.” I grabbed his now hard arousal and lowered myself onto him, pausing to get acclimated to his size, my motions slow.
“Come on, baby.” Dante grabbed my hips, moving me up and down on him. “Ride me like I know you want to.”
“Fuck,” I breathed as I dug my nails into his skin, moving against him with more fervor, more want, more exhilaration. I didn’t think I’d ever tire of hearing the things that came out of this man’s mouth. I doubted I’d ever meet anyone again who could make me fall apart from his words alone.
“That’s right.” His eyes seared me, our gaze unwavering as I climbed higher and higher, my pulse increasing. Before I met Dante, I didn’t think having an orgasm during sex without any help was possible. Now I knew I was simply with the wrong person…in more ways than one. With each second that passed, each shiver down my spine, each toe-curling sensation filling me with warmth, I had difficulty imagining my life without this man in it.
“Are you close?” he asked when he noticed my breathing grow labored.
“Yes,” I exhaled. My chest heaved as the fire spread through me. I raked my hands down his body, his flesh reddening under my harsh touch.
“Try to hold on, baby. I want to come with you.”
Biting my lower lip, I nodded, struggling against my orgasm as Dante tightened his hold on my hips, forcing me against him with an unparalleled need. I closed my eyes, unsure how much longer I’d be able to reel in the pleasure wanting to be set free.
“Look at me, Ele
anor.”
I peered into his fiery eyes. He cupped my face in his hands, bringing my head closer to his.
“I want you to see me,” he panted.
“I do see you,” I answered with a slight quiver. He was all I saw. Nothing else. Not my past. Not my future. Just Dante. Just this moment. Just this feeling. “Only you.”
“Only you,” he repeated. His stare became carnal, animalistic, wanton, his lips parting. I felt his body tighten below me and I knew he was on the brink of unraveling. I lowered my mouth, hovering over his, our breath intermingling. “Let go, Eleanor.”
I increased my rhythm, an explosion of light blinding me as I screamed out his name. Grabbing the back of my neck, he plunged his tongue into my mouth, his body jerking and shaking in time with mine.
Gradually slowing my motions, I moaned into him, overwhelmed with ecstasy, euphoria…happiness. I ran my hands through his hair, kissing him slower, deeper, more fully as I rolled onto my back, bringing him with me, our lips never parting.
Nothing in my life ever seemed right. Nothing in my life ever made sense. Nothing in my life ever brought me true joy. I’d grown complacent, content to simply do what was expected of me instead of following my own ambitions. Until Dante. He’d opened my eyes and heart to what I’d been missing. To how life should be. To what happiness felt like. How could I possibly go back to my old life after this?
Chapter Nine
A breeze tickled my skin and my eyes fluttered open, my gaze settling on a pair of sheer curtains waving in front of the open French doors. Sunlight bathed the room, everything about this place and time making me feel as if I were in a dream.
I glanced to the opposite side of the bed, heat radiating from my chest when my eyes fell on Dante’s slumbering form. His lips were curled up slightly in the corners, a peaceful air about him. I couldn’t help but smile. For a moment, I lowered my defenses and allowed myself to consider how perfect it would be to wake up by his side every day, to feel his perpetual five o’clock shadow tickle my skin, to savor his lips murmuring “good morning” to me. Last night, I’d told him I would give him a chance. Why was it so hard for me to break from my plan and consider the possibility that there was a reason Dante had entered my life?
Too soon, my bladder throbbed in discomfort, tearing me away from my fantasy world. Gingerly getting out of bed so I didn’t disturb Dante, I quietly padded across the large bedroom and into the en-suite bathroom, which was nearly as big as the bedroom. A beautiful claw-foot tub sat at the far end in front of tempered glass windows, the view of the acres and acres of vineyards surrounding us evoking a sense of calm.
After going about my business and freshening up a bit, I returned to the bedroom. Seeing my suitcase, I retrieved a silk kimono robe and pulled it on, securing the sash around my waist. Then I stepped out onto the balcony. I briefly closed my eyes, relishing in the feeling of the sun on my face. There was a slight chill in the air as the sun continued to rise. An early-morning dew shimmered on the grass and vines, the beauty that lay before me unlike anything I’d ever seen in my life. I’d done a fair bit of traveling, mostly in the States, but nothing compared to the peacefulness I felt here.
I leaned my arms on the stone railing, wanting to remember everything about this place. The way the breeze wrapped around me. The way the birds sang. The way the air smelled of sweetness mixed with a bit of spice. Even the air smelled like Dante.
I lost track of time as I stood admiring my surroundings, imagining how perfect life would be if this were the view that greeted me each morning. Suddenly, a pair of arms enclosed me in the familiar warm embrace that was beginning to feel more and more like home.
“Buongiorno, amore mio,” he crooned into the crook of my neck, his voice raspy from sleep.
I melted into him, the timbre of his words like a beautiful song I could listen to over and over again. “Buongiorno, amore mio,” I offered in response, although my Italian left a lot to be desired.
“How did you sleep?” he asked, keeping his arms around me, the scruff of his unshaven jawline tickling my skin.
“Great. One of the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a while.” I turned to face him. “For once, there wasn’t some fiend waking me up every few hours to put his cock in me.” I winked.
He studied me for a moment, as if there were a question on the tip of his tongue. Then he leaned toward me, his lips grazing mine.
“It wasn’t because I didn’t want to. You had a long day yesterday. I wanted you to get some sleep.” His expression showed a hint of worry before he recovered, placing a chaste kiss on my lips. “But tonight, my beautiful Eleanor, is an entirely different story.” He shot me a mischievous grin. “And let me just say that last night was…” He bit his lower lip, his lustful stare scorching my skin.
“Yes?” I raised a brow.
“It was fucking hot. We’re doing that again.” He covered my mouth with his, greedily kissing me, then released me from his hold. “Coffee?”
Struggling to catch my breath, I simply nodded.
“I’ll return shortly.” He led me toward a small bistro set to the right of the French doors, helping me into one of the chairs. As he strode inside, I admired his chiseled backside, thinking I’d never tire of seeing him clad only in a pair of boxer briefs.
He disappeared from view and I turned my eyes back to the rolling hills in front of me, allowing the sights and smells of this tranquil slice of heaven to bathe me in comfort and ease. Yesterday was probably one of the most trying days I’d ever had, yet it didn’t worry me like it normally would have, like it would have worried the old Ellie. That seemed to be the effect Dante had on me. My troubles didn’t seem as bad when I was with him.
When the aroma of coffee invaded my senses, I turned my head, smiling as Dante placed a tray on the metal table. “I thought you were just bringing back coffee,” I teased as my eyes scanned the selection of pastries and fruit that accompanied two steaming cups of coffee. My stomach chose that precise moment to growl, and he lifted a brow, smirking.
“Sounds like it’s a good thing I brought some refreshments, too.” He reached for one of the cups, offering it to me. “Milk and one sweetener, correct?”
Smiling, I took the pristine white mug from him, relishing in the feel of the warmth between my hands. “You remembered,” I commented, thinking how Brock never brought me coffee the way I liked it. I doubted he even knew. We didn’t really talk to each other much, not about the little things, like how I took my coffee, what toppings I preferred on my pizza, whether I liked ketchup or mustard on my hot dog. The more I thought about it, the more I realized Brock was a complete stranger to me, despite the fact we’d shared a home and bed for the past several years.
“You’ve made a lasting impression on me, Eleanor.” Dante’s gaze met mine, pulling me out of my past, making me want to only look toward my future…a future that was becoming more and more difficult to imagine without this man in it.
I brought my coffee to my mouth, taking a sip. “Even the coffee tastes better here.” I leaned back into my chair. “This place is paradise. If I lived here, I’d never leave.” The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them.
“Then don’t,” he urged in a quiet voice, a longing building in his brilliant gaze.
“Dante…” I sighed, placing my mug on the table.
“I know.” He briefly closed his eyes, his expression falling. “I apologize. It’s not fair of me to keep bringing it up. I’m not naïve enough to take any promises made when emotions run high, like they did last night, as gospel.”
I pulled my lips between my mouth, hating the idea of crushing his hopes. The truth was, I couldn’t entirely rule out the idea of staying here with Dante. It didn’t sound nearly as crazy as I thought it had when he first brought it up.
Passing him a sly glance, I said, “If we’re meant to be together, fate will make sure we are.”
He took a sip. “I thought there was no such thing as fate.”
“Maybe you’ve changed my mind on that matter.” I reached across the table and grabbed his hand. “Maybe Lilly’s changed my mind on that matter, too.”
He floated his eyes to mine, an unreadable look on his face. Gratitude maybe? It didn’t change the fact that Dante made me rethink my opinion on fate. On hope. On returning home.
Withdrawing my hand from his, I cleared my throat. “So what are you going to do now?” I asked.
“What do you mean?” His eyebrows furrowed.
“About James,” I responded, fidgeting with my coffee mug. “About getting answers.” I looked at him, my voice even. “You need answers, Dante. You need to know the truth, no matter what that is. I don’t think you’ll ever move on if you don’t. I don’t think you can have a future…” I swallowed hard, “with me or anyone else, if you’re still clinging to the past.”
“I know,” he agreed, albeit reluctantly. “But now I’m back to square one. I really thought…” He shook his head, his shoulders slumping forward. I felt his frustration from across the table. I wished there were something I could do to dampen his pain, to ease the heartache that still consumed him, body and soul, whenever he spoke of Lilly.
“Not necessarily,” I offered, the wheels spinning.
He quickly raised his head, studying me with a probing gaze. “What do you—”
“You thought I may know something because I was about to marry his son.” I shrugged. “I can go back and tell Brock I’ve come to my senses. He’s pompous and self-centered enough to—”
“No!” Dante said forcefully, slamming a fist on the table, startling me. I shot my eyes toward his as he drew in a deep breath, struggling to regain his composure. “No,” he repeated, softer this time. “Absolutely not. I can’t put you in that position.”