Pieces of Me (Midnight Steel Trilogy Book 1)

by Lori J. Nelson

  She settled on an oversized black t-shirt with an outline of a moose on the front in white. Kelsey had given that to her a few years ago as a joke after she narrowly missed hitting one of the large animals on her way to town one day. It was certainly better than looking like an old lady wearing the flannels she normally did at this time of year.

  Corie opened her door so that Alek could come in without knocking. His door was still practically closed, so she popped into the bathroom to brush her hair first, then her teeth. She was patting her mouth dry with a towel when she heard him call her name.

  She walked out into her bedroom and saw him standing there looking so handsome that she almost couldn’t speak. His sweatpants hung low on his lean hips. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, so she got her first really good view of his long, lean torso and broad shoulders. There was a light covering of hair on his chest that disappeared under the waistband of the soft sweats. The tattoos he had scattered over his chest and arms did nothing to detract from the fact that he was a gorgeous man. If anything, they gave him more of a bad-boy edge that made her heart skip a beat.

  When she met his eyes, they were smiling at her. With the new haircut he now had, he was the best looking guy she had ever seen. She had been strongly attracted to him before when it was much longer, but now just looking at him and knowing he was here to spend the night with her had her wanting to be with him more than ever. More than she ever thought possible.

  Suddenly, she lost any bit of nervousness that she had left. This incredible man wanted her, and that was all that she needed.

  Corie walked over to him and placed both hands on his bare chest. She smiled up into his surprised blue eyes as she stood on her tiptoes to kiss his waiting lips. Alek pulled her against him and deepened the kiss by encouraging her to open her mouth for him. Corie eagerly did that at the same time she wrapped her arms around his neck. He felt so good…so right.

  Their lips didn’t part when he scooped her up in his arms and carried her over to the bed. Alek laid her down gently on her back. Only then did he pull back from her, breaking the kiss. The bed dipped as he sat down next to her never losing eye contact with her. Corie then scooted over so that they could lie in the center of her king-size bed.

  Alek lay down on his side, and Corie turned over to face him. They were face to face and hip to hip. She felt his fingers lightly touch her cheek, and even though he was smiling at her, she could see the hunger in his eyes. Corie could feel his desire against her hip. He was hard and ready for her.

  “I get the feeling you no longer are nervous. Right?” he asked as the pad of his thumb continued to stroke her cheek.

  Corie shyly looked away for a second, her eyes landing briefly on his Hard As Steel tattoo on his chest. “He certainly is,” ran through her head.

  When she looked back up into his expressive eyes, knowing he wanted her as much as she wanted him, was all that she needed to know. “No, I’m not nervous anymore,” she replied softly.

  The last thing he said to her before crushing his lips to hers was, “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known.” If Corie hadn’t already fallen for him, she would now. He made her feel wanted and beautiful. What woman didn’t want to feel desirable and especially by a handsome man like him?

  Now their kiss was more than a kiss. It was the beginning of what they could become. Even if this night were the only one she had with Alek, she would treasure it forever. Corie knew that she had to giver herself to him tonight, or spend the rest of her life wondering what it would have been like. Maybe they could figure out a way to make this work.

  That’s what she was betting on.

  Corie let her body just melt into his as his kiss changed. This wasn’t the kisses of the last few days, this was a kiss from a man to a woman letting her know what he wanted, what he needed…her and only her. She returned the kiss just as passionately by opening her mouth to his and exploring his just as much as he was hers. Alek’s taste and touch were driving her wild. She was feeling emotions and sensations that she had suppressed for far too long.

  She felt Alek’s lips leave hers, but the loss she felt was quickly gone as he explored her face with his kisses and hands. Corie arched her neck as he nipped his way from her sensitive ear and down the side of her neck. Her hand ran up and down his bare back as his mouth sent sparks throughout her body.

  There were no regrets when Corie felt his hand slip under the shirt she had on and run it all over her soft skin. He started on her back, but slowly made his way to the curve of her breast. Alek’s lips found hers again, while at the same time Corie felt him move from the side of her breast to completely cover it with his hand. She groaned into his mouth as he squeezed it before rubbing his thumb over her taut nipple a few times.

  Together they removed the t-shirt she had on leaving her only in her dark blue panties. Alek pulled her tight to him, so they were skin to skin. Her breasts were crushed up against his hard chest as she pressed her lower body against his very obvious erection. She needed him to know she wanted him just as bad.

  Corie ran her hand down Alek’s back and slipped her hand under the waistband of his sweatpants. She found he was naked under the sweats as she touched the bare skin of his butt. He did the same to her letting his fingers caress their way down her side and under her panties until he cupped the curve of her buttocks too. They both knew that the rest of their clothes had to come off. Their lips separated as they slightly pulled apart to catch their breath for a quick moment before taking off the remainder of their clothes.

  Alek took a long, sensuous look at Corie’s naked body. First, she felt slightly self-conscious until she heard him murmur “Unbelievable. You are so fucking unbelievably perfect.” Well, if he thought she was perfect then that’s all that mattered. She already knew he was.

  Wet, hot kisses were trailed over Corie’s body as she lay back savoring the feel of his mouth on her. His hand found her breast and Corie lightly groaned her approval as he massaged it once again. It was when his mouth took control of her pert nipple did a single “Oh God,” slip out from her lips. Then one turned into many as his hand roamed her naked body as his mouth teased her breast. She was in heaven.

  And her body was on fire.

  Alek loved how she made him feel. It wasn’t sheer lust that had him this worked up, it was her. It was Corie not only being the incredibly wonderful and hot woman she was, but that she wanted Alek. She didn’t want Laz or his money or his fame. She wanted just Alek. After tonight, he’d have to break down and tell her who he really was. He’d get on his knees and beg her forgiveness if he had to, but he knew it was time to tell her. But for now, it was all about making love to her.

  He had come into her room tonight fully prepared to do nothing but hold her while they slept. That she wanted to change their relationship was enough for him right now. He wasn’t going to push and rush everything just to have sex. She meant much more to him than that. However, he was surprised when he saw the change in her eyes when she looked at him. That she was no longer nervous about them being together, turned their night from one of just sleeping next to each other to one that included the merging of their bodies and expressing their love. Yeah, Alek knew he was falling in love with her. Something he vowed never to do again but had found it when he least expected it.

  And right now the woman he was falling for was naked with him in bed. Alek loved everything about her body. He couldn’t get enough of her mouth and kissed her over and over again. Now, he had moved to her breast…her perfect plump firm breasts. They filled his hand and then a little bit more, but they tasted even better.

  And right now his teeth had her pert nipple between them. The little tugs he was doing had her lightly moaning. His hand that had been caressing her bare skin, now traveled lower until he found the wetness between her legs. Gently he explored her as she welcomed him by parting her legs giving him better access to her body.

  Alek groaned when he felt her hands wrap around his erection.
He was rock hard for her the second he realized that she wanted them to have sex tonight. Now, with her magical fingers stroking him, they were each bringing the other further towards the climax that they were chasing.

  Suddenly, the urge to be inside of her was overwhelming. Alek removed his fingers that had been teasing her unmercifully and moved so that his body was now covering hers. He felt Corie drop him from her hand as his shaft teased her opening. He leaned down to taste her lips before entering her.

  Corie spread her legs wider and whispered against his mouth, “I want you.” That was all it took for Alek to adjust his hips and push inside of her just a little. Then he kept moving in and out of her in until he was completing sheathed inside her. For just a moment they stayed that way staring into each other’s eyes while joined together.

  It felt so good, so perfect to feel her wet walls surrounding him. It was the only place he ever wanted to be. Alek started to slowly thrust into her as together they easily found their rhythm. When Corie started to lightly whimper he knew she was getting close, so he picked up his pace. He knew he wasn’t going to last much longer, but he was trying to wait for her. It took every ounce of willpower he had to hold off, but when she cried out under him as her body started to shake from her climax, he let go too and followed her over the edge as they crashed into their orgasms together.

  When his body was finished, Alek collapsed on top of Corie. He rested his forehead on her shoulder as he struggled to catch his breath. Finally, he kissed her cheek before rolling off her and onto his back bringing her with him, so she was cradled next to him. But after a few minutes, she excused herself to go to the bathroom. When she slid back next to him, Alek pulled the covers up over their bodies as they snuggled together.

  That’s when he realized that he hadn’t used a condom. He always used one. He never trusted the woman he was with when she said it was okay. He was always careful, but tonight. It hadn’t even occurred to him. Not once.

  “Ah, shit,” he said under his breath.

  Corie’s satisfied smile faded to a look of concern. “What’s wrong, Alek?”

  When he turned his head to look at her, he saw that she was looking scared. “We didn’t use a condom. I always do, and it didn’t even cross my mind to grab one.”

  “Oh, is that all,” Corie replied, relief in her voice.

  “Is that all?” Alek said, being short with her. “We could have just created a baby, and you’re not worried?” He sat up bringing his knees to his chest. He was fucked.

  “Alek?” When he didn’t respond. Corie got up off the bed and went into her bathroom. She returned in seconds and handed him a packet of pills. He looked down at them and then at her. “These are my birth control pills that I take to regulate my period. I never miss a dose, so we are okay. And if you are worried about diseases, I was several times tested after my last relationship ended and I am clean. I didn’t trust the cheater, and there’s been no one since. Just you.”

  He let out the breath he didn’t realize he had been holding. Alek reached over and took Corie’s hand in his. “I’m sorry I reacted that way. I was more pissed at myself than anything else. I always use a condom. Always. Because I never trusted anyone enough to believe it when they said it was okay. They were good enough for that night, but not a lifetime. That’s not you, Corie. I don’t want you just for tonight, as this is just the start for us. But we need to see where this can go before we even think about anything long term. Right?”

  “You are absolutely, right. Being irresponsible isn’t the way to start us off. I didn’t even think to have you use one either. I guess we were too caught up to think straight, but we’re lucky I’m on the pill.”

  Alek handed the packet of pills back to Corie. “You know I trust you. I appreciate you bringing these to me, but I would have believed you anyway.” He lay back down on the bed and encouraged her to join him. “So…” he started to say, “If you think we’re alright, then we could do this again without a condom?”

  There was no way he could miss the big smile that came across her face. “And again and again and again.”

  “Then, how about we start again right now,” he growled as he pulled her on top of him.

  “I definitely like that idea,” she purred as she kissed her way across his chest.

  The rest of their night was spent learning about each other during multiple bouts of making love with brief naps in between. They found that they were a perfect fit and just couldn’t get enough of each other until, with dawn on the horizon, they fell into an exhausted sleep still in wrapped in each other’s arms.

  Chapter 13

  Corie was sitting in her kitchen sipping from a mug of Earl Grey tea while staring out the big picture window. She didn’t see the snow melting into puddles or the bright blue sky beyond the bare tree branches. Her mind was replaying last night with Alek over and over again. She had a big smile on her face since waking up just a little while ago. It had been beyond perfect. Nobody had ever made her feel the way he did.

  It wasn’t as simple as her just wanting him. It was more. He made her feel so much more than anyone ever had. He didn’t feel like a new lover. It was like she’s known him all her life. Their bodies fit together perfectly and responded exactly the same. Alek made her come alive like no one ever had. They must have had sex at least four times before they finally collapsed out of exhaustion.

  She could have woken Alek up this morning like they did during the night, but Corie wanted this little bit of time for herself. She needed to reflect on what happened between them. That wasn’t your run-of-the-mill ordinary sex that she was used to. This was two perfect partners finally finding each other. Corie knew that she had done what she was afraid of…she had fallen head over heels in love with Alek. Her life had completely changed in the two weeks since she met him. He turned her world upside down, but in such a good way. It still scared her. No matter how right it felt, inside, she was afraid that he would leave her at some point. But, she was pushing that as far back as she could so she could enjoy their time together.

  Alek was hers. That hot hunk of a Brit in her bed was hers. Corie giggled to herself as now she completely understood what it meant to “burn up the sheets.” That was the most amount of sex in one night she had ever had. And she still wanted more.

  “What are you laughing about?” Alek asked her walking into the kitchen. He came up behind Corie and wrapped his arms around her as he popped a kiss on the top of her head.

  “Good morning,” she said to him, ignoring his question. She put a hand on his arms that were across her chest. He still felt absolutely perfect the day after. And she wanted him again as bad as she did last night.

  “Good morning to you too, Luv. Why did you get up and not wake me? It was lonely waking up without you,” he told her as he nuzzled her neck. “We could have had more fun in bed, you know.”

  Corie certainly wanted to have him make love to her again, but she also knew her body needed a break. Not to mention the meeting she had this morning with her publisher. She slipped out of Alek’s arms as she stood up and placed her hands on his chest. “While I would have loved to have more fun with you this morning, my body is sore. It’s been a long time since I had sex and we had a lot of it last night. I just need a little time to recover and maybe take a bath.”

  “Then let’s take a bath together,” Alek suggested with a wicked gleam in his eye.

  She couldn’t help but laugh at his persistence. It made her feel beautiful that he still wanted her this badly. “Later, big guy. I have a video chat meeting with my publisher in fifteen minutes that I can’t miss. Make yourself some coffee, and I can make us a late breakfast when I am done. Okay?”

  He pulled her close against his chest. “I’d rather have you for breakfast,” he growled lightly before pressing his hungry lips to hers. Corie let herself sink into the kiss. The touch of his lips on hers had Corie instantly forgetting about her online conference call. In fact, she forgot about anything
else except Alek. He had her pushed up against the counter with her back to him. Both of his hands had sneaked under her shirt and were cupping her breasts through her lacy bra. Just as one of his hands was popping a breast free, she heard a sound that broke through her daze. Corie was snapped back to reality once she realized it was her phone ringing nonstop.

  “Damn, I forgot about DeeDee! I bet that’s her calling me.” Corie wriggled away from Alek’s wandering hands, and she ran to grab the phone before her voicemail picked up. She quickly apologized to DeeDee and promised to be ready in three minutes. After hanging up, she turned to Alek. “You can’t do that when I have a meeting.”

  “Do what?” he asked innocently as he pulled the coffee out of the freezer.

  “Do what?” Corie laughed, rolling her eyes. “You can’t make me forget everything when I have responsibilities. You need to keep those hands off me…at least until I finish this meeting. It’s about my next book.”

  “Sorry, Luv. I’ll behave, well at least I will try. Now go do your meeting before I change my mind.”

  The sexy smirk and wink he gave her had Corie seriously considering canceling with DeeDee, but she knew this was too important to even try. Her publisher was looking for an update on the novel she was supposed to be writing. Little did she know that Corie had switched to writing an entirely different one that she wanted to get done first. She had been able to write three solid chapters to show DeeDee. This was her Alek-inspired story, and it was flowing faster than any other book she had ever written. Now she just had to convince her friend and publisher that this was the story she needed to write.

  The call lasted far longer than Corie had anticipated. DeeDee was not happy that she wanted to change to an entirely different storyline this far into her writing, but after a lot of convincing and DeeDee reading the chapters while they were still on the call, did the publisher give her the approval to go ahead with it. Usually what Corie wrote was up to her, but with the advance she received and signed contracts that applied to the other book, it was more complicated than a simple change of direction.