Velvet Exhale

by Beth Mikell

  "I know what I don't like...kissing-interruptus." I worked hard to look displeased, but he's so heart-stopping-panty-dropping gorgeous, my mock displeasure flew south.

  "Greedy little thing are you not? I approve." He shifted on the bed, pulling me up astride his legs, while tossing the sheet and towel aside so that we were both naked against each other. I felt absolutely no self-consciousness. "Please...continue your assessment." His voice slipped over my ears and his eyes darkened, smoldering as he watched me.

  Oh my. His beauty was jamming my eyesight and the connection to my own lost voice. "Where to start?"

  Noah's eyes widened in surprise, and his sexy grin appeared. "That good, huh?"

  I nodded, biting my lip.

  "It's just a pretty package, baby. I'm not that lovely on the inside. Believe me." His happiness faded, and his shard-like eyes lost their playful gleam.

  I shook my head. "Not true," I offered reaching out to touch his stomach and his muscles clenched under my hands.

  Without breaking eye contact, I smoothed my hands up over his chest and his hardness rippled under my fingers, while his obvious erection brushed against my belly. It's all I can do to focus on my words. "I may not know much in such a short time, but I get the feeling there's more behind you than you allow anyone to see. You may keep the truth trapped behind your eyes, but there is so much more to you than you give yourself credit for."

  He drew a sharp breath. "Like what?"

  "Successful, sexy and how you care about others’ suffering. You admitted caring about humanitarian causes...if you were heartless you wouldn't even bother."

  Noah captured my hands in his, linking our fingers together, flexing his hips in a sensual way, I gasped. "What else?" The words tore out his mouth in a hard whisper.

  I swallowed hard, desire smacking the air with an ardent high-five. "I think your big-bad Dom persona is just an act--a front for a hurting man. You care about what I think of you--so much you make me a little nervous. You are so worried I'll run--that I'll be disgusted by some deep, dark secret you have. I think there is more you haven't said, but you have to trust me, Noah." He regarded me impassively, almost as if he's afraid to breathe.

  In a rush he sat up, turned me around and sank me down over him...I'm lost within a pant and pouring cry of heaven.

  Oh God...

  His hands crisscrossed over me, holding me tightly and pinned me so I couldn't move. I'm filled with him, exposed, and at his utter mercy.

  His mouth caressed against my ear. "You're so beautiful, Reyna. You drive me...wild. Your sweetness blows me the fuck away! I want to consume you. Hard," he whispered, his teeth biting down on my earlobe as he bucked his hips upward, and he drove me harder down on him.

  "Ah..." The sound was forced out my lips and I threw my head back against his shoulder, eyes closed relishing the heady fire blazing between us--through us.

  "I'm too dark for you, baby, but I don't care. I want you. Do you understand?" His hand released my arms, cupping my breast, and thumbed my nipples with expert strokes. Shards of pleasure shoot out into my veins, splintering hot. "Move against me."

  I used my knees, setting a rhythm as he continued to thrum one nipple, while his other hand skimmed lower, parting my intimate flesh. He took me prisoner...skirting my clitoris and pinpointing my pleasure, coiling me. My blood roared up into my ears, my breathing sawed in and out--I'm panting--helpless--shattered and wanting more.

  "My sweet girl..." he growled.

  "Yes!" I cried out, feeling the buildup within seconds--I wanted to savor it--but I can't. Noah orchestrated me, pulling me deep. My body stiffened, shuddering hard.

  "Come over me, baby!"

  I did. I rode pulsating waves of pleasure, seized by a rush of molten sensation so intense I believe my body separated from my spirit and Noah followed me, soaring over the edge.

  "Reyna!" he blazoned, surging up inside with a hard thrust.

  I completely shattered over him.

  After a minute, Noah moved me, gathering me in his arms and held me close with his face buried in my neck, breathing hard. "Oh my sweet girl. You're everything I want, but nothing I deserve."

  My name bled out his lips with such pain, tears stung my eyes, but I choked them back, gulping fast. Fear settled within my heart, so afraid that whatever junk he's carrying inside will destroy the perfect harmony we found together. I used a mental mind block, pushing the torturous thoughts from my mind, hugging him close. I'm determined. Whatever it was...we'll work it out. We just need time. Right?

  For long moments, we continued to hold each other, relishing our closeness. Finally, Noah shifted, rolling up on one elbow. He reached up to tease a finger over my lips and I snaked my teeth out and gently bit down.

  "Hungry baby?" He smirked...he's adorable with his sexy bed-head, disheveled beyond repair.

  My Adonis. My dark angel...even darker chocolate on the verge of sinful.

  "Mmmm," my throat managed, I nodded. "I'm starved actually, but you taste good." I murmured smiling shyly and I eyed him with heavy eyes, torn between wanting to know more about him vs. contemplating my own feelings. But, I just couldn't seem to make myself flex upon the heavy. Instead, I opted for lighter.

  "I found another thing I like about you, Mr. Alexander," I purred with a teasing lit to my voice.

  He snorted with a half-smile forming on his divine lips. "If you tell me...I'm sure we won't leave the bed any time soon. Your likes...affect me. But, just for the sake of insanity...what is it?" I reached up to caress his face with my fingers, his eyes closed and he pushed his face deeper into my touch.

  "Tell me."

  "Hmmm...I love how you say the word...fuck, especially with your sexy, velvet voice. It does...things to me."

  His eyes popped open and narrowed with thermonuclear lust dead center. "Then prepare yourself, Ms. Lourde--I'm about to fuck you again." His lips descended, his body covered mine...and I'm completely undone.

  It's nearly noon before we finally peeled ourselves out of bed--blissfully so.

  Chapter 13

  Without discipline, there's no life at all. ~ Katherine Hepburn

  "You look thoroughly fucked, Ms. Lourde," Noah murmured with a playful wink and sloppy grin, inserting the key into the ignition of his Porsche, revving to life with a sweet purr. After showering, Noah suggested lunch at The Bijou Café for some excellent burgers and quite honestly, I'm more than starved from our Olympic weekend of feasting on each other. Strains of "Incomplete" by the Backstreet Boys filled the small confines of the space, choking me.

  I smiled for him and the emotional song filling between us was darkly emotional. "I feel thoroughly fucked and I have you to thank for that Mr. Alexander!"

  Noah gave a sexy shout of laughter, moving the car forward and out of the driveway to take us into Sarasota. "Keep up that naughty language, my sweet girl, and I'll drag you right back into the house by your hair and do it again!"

  "Oh...so caveman! I'm shocked, Mr. Alexander. It does...things to me."

  "Behave," he warned with another playful wink inside his beautiful face and tousled black hair. He looked hot. He wore black jeans; another one of his long sleeved, fitted t-shirts in black with converse, and was drool worthy by every account. I'm back in my Capri pants and top freshly laundered by the ever-elusive housekeeper I have yet seen.

  The Bijou Café was elegant with white covered tablecloths, crystal and china settings with smooth lavender painted walls adorned with black and white framed photos. Noah was in his element surrounded by everything he deemed the best, but I wondered how he'd fair at a hole-in-the-wall joint eating outside among the natives with the sunshine beating down on his beautiful face, gorgeous I'm sure. Inner sigh, the man turned me inside out, but in a good way. We are seated at a corner table and our server arrived to take our order, while Noah and I sneaked peeks at each other like loved starved teens.

  "A thousand dollars for your thoughts," he said, leaning next to me. "But, I can su
rmise from your face, Ms. Lourde, where your thoughts lie. Stop tempting me to riot your virtue--again."

  Startled, I met his shard-like blue eyes and blushed. A small chuckle escaped my lips. "Really, Mr. Alexander? Riot my virtue? I think it's safe to say you ravaged, looted, and pillaged my virtue quite satisfactory," I teased with a smile.

  His eyes widened in surprise. "Goddammit Reyna! You are the cheekiest woman on the planet and I'm...a lucky bastard!" he exclaimed with a grin. "Now, behave--I'm mean it. We both need to refuel before...re-pillaging."

  I giggled, batting my eyelashes. "Yes Sir."

  Noah grabbed my hand and kissed my knuckles. "Oh my sweet girl, you make me forget any troubles of life." Briefly, his eyes closed only to open again with a hollow emptiness reflected in his amazing colored eyes.

  As quick as that, the mood plummeted and instantly, I'm worried. "What is it?"

  He shook his head. "Nothing for you to worry about."

  Anger threaded lightly through me as I remembered something he said earlier. "Noah, if this is going to work between us, we have to be honest. I'm not asking you to part the Red Sea, but trust me enough to understand what is bothering you. Please."

  He sighed heavily and our food arrived interrupting the moment, but he gave me a soft, empty smile after our server departed. "Don't misunderstand my reluctance to share my problems, Reyna. There are things I'm dealing with that even I don't fully comprehend and I'm working double time to solve. Being with you reminds me that a future with you is worth every stress and I will do whatever it takes to solve it."

  A future? With me? Holy hell. It had only been three days and I'm not even sure what we are except exclusive sex Olympians. What if his problems were too serious? Was it business related or personal? God, I wished I knew--I wished he'd tell me so I wouldn't be so nervous. I finally found someone that made my heart actually catch a breath, but the uncertainty of our relationship hung on the wings of some dire secret. I just prayed it wasn't bad.

  He kissed my hand again, interrupting my internal reverie. "Please don't worry, Reyna. I'm leaving for New York tomorrow for a couple of days to put an end to the issue complicating my life. I'll be back on Friday to take you to the Black and White party and everything will be fine. I promise," he offered with a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. He must not be convinced either. "Eat before it gets cold."

  I looked down at my plate…suddenly nauseous. For not only the deep unknown but also that, Noah was leaving. I missed him already. He affected me so strongly, more than anyone I’ve ever met did. He was smart, accomplished, sexy and everything no other man has ever aspired too. It's also refreshing to know he had faults, recognized them, yet didn't try to act above his humanity. He cared. He was real and almost mine...or was according to him. Sure, it was just a few days, but...I'm being a total idiot, I know.

  "Reyna please..." he hissed. "I can deal with anything but your sadness, baby. Please trust me," he whispered.

  I met his concerned gaze. He looked lost, wary and out of his depth, running scared even. I summoned the most reassuring smile I could find within myself. I didn't want my super hottie nervous; he was too beautiful for stress lines. "Let's eat, shall we?"

  I pushed the deep end of the pool back out into the ocean to rest. It was obvious we had much to work through and much to learn about one another, but Noah was more than I could ever have dreamed up. I just hoped whatever troubled him wasn't breakup worthy. Of that, I know I'll never be able to withstand.

  ~~~

  After a drive-by Best Buy run for some phone peripherals (a phone dock and hands free), Noah insisted I needed while he was away in New York. Why? Because the man had no bounds! By using his new boyfriend status, he bought exactly what he wanted, ignoring my protests, and damn it was sweet to be a little pampered without having to run to pay-for-my-own-roses kind of thing.

  We arrived at my apartment by around three to find Nick Brenner, Trey's brother pounding on my door screaming for Tess at the top of the stairs. Our neighbors gawked with interest and abhorrence, while I felt Noah tense beside me. Craptastic! For me, this situation was normal, but for my super hottie, leaving for New York with stress issues...it was the worst moment I could think of.

  I gave Noah an embarrassed smile. "I'm sorry about this, Nick and Tess are an on again-off again couple. He does something stupid, Tess runs here to hide...well that was until Nick figured out her hiding place. Let me call Gemma and have her send Trey over, he can usually diffuse his brother pretty quickly." I dug out my phone and ventured a glance up at Noah...he's gone quite still. "What is it?"

  He's watching Nick pound on the door, not meeting my gaze. "How often does this happen?"

  "Once or twice a month," I shrugged. "Sometimes more if Nick drinks too much. He's a bit of a ladies man and tends to incite Tess's jealousy, though I know he loves her, he's just easily led astray by a pretty face." I called Gemma fast and she said she'd send Trey over ASAP! Thank God too, if judging by the dark look, which crossed Noah's face.

  "Excuse me a moment. I need to make a phone call," he said, stepping towards the door and when I think he wanted privacy, he took my hand and pulled me outside with him, keeping his arm about my waist.

  Within two seconds, he's speaking to none other than the blonde from Avalon. "Mari, I need Jude Reiner's personal number now. Yes, I know it's a holiday, but I have a situation. I'll hold." Noah doesn't look at me, but he's still tense. "Uh-huh...right. Thanks."

  Within a second, he dialed his phone again. "Jude? It's Noah Alexander, how are you? Yes, well, golfing with you is always life affirming. Listen, I'm sorry to catch you on a holiday, but I need a favor. My girlfriend lives in one of your apartment properties and I'd like to install proper security in and around her building."

  What the hell? He called my landlord? Holy crap! Out of bounds much!

  He continued. "No, I'll take care of that and thanks Jude. I owe you one." Noah didn't wait another second and he made another call. "Shem, I want full security installed at Ms. Lourde's apartment building. No, not the works, but roughly level four and thread the cameras into our CCTV feed. How long will that take? See you in thirty."

  He hung up and I pounced. "What are you doing? Security? I think that's going a bit too far, Noah."

  His eyes cut to mine, cool and impassive. "I will never fight fair where you are concerned, Ms. Lourde. I'm about to leave the state for three days and I don't want this shit memory riding my thoughts while I'm away." He caressed my cheek. "You're too important for me."

  Dammit, I'm sinking into Mr. Out-of-Bounds' clutches wrapped in warmth and safety. He was too much, yet part of me couldn't help the cherished feeling bubbling me up in a cocoon. I'm addicted to him! "But, it's just Nick and Tess. Their harmless," I protested, but his expression didn't change. "This kind of reaction may hurt them."

  His jumpy cheek action was back. Shit! "Hurt feelings are mendable, Reyna, but my girlfriend's safety ranks higher. It's either this or I kidnap you. And believe me, you keep up the protest, I will. But, as tempting as that is, you'll distract me and I need to focus on the shit deal I've been handed. So, if you don't mind, please let me do this--so I know you're okay."

  He was railroading me, I knew, but my addiction to my super hottie was greater than protesting, fool that I am. I'm more interested in figuring out his dark secrets and gaining his trust rather than squabbling over a few cameras and security.

  "Will it be Fort Knox or will I still be able to get through the front door?" I asked wryly.

  Noah's eyes crinkled with amusement, smirk in place. "It will be accessible, baby--just safer. Do you accept?"

  "Do I have a choice?"

  He shook his head with a panty-dropping grin. He's adorable, damn him. "No, not really." Noah gathered me in his arms, pulling me close. He ran his nose down mine, "You're more important for me than I can say, Reyna. I know this is all too much too fast, but trust me--that's all I ask. Of course, you could always stay at my house unti
l I get back. That would appease me."

  Move in with him? Out of bounds with a no limit chaser. I shook my head, "I'll go with Defcon 4 for now. No sense puttering around your house alone, without you. At least Claire is here to keep me company," I said and noticed his eyes change, hardening. "What? What's wrong with Claire?"

  He shrugged, his eyes moving past glacial and his jumpy cheek action revving up. "I'm not fond of the company she keeps. Call me territorial, but I don't mess around with what's mine."

  I snorted. "You territorial? Surely, you jest, Mr. Alexander! Besides, Claire is a submissive and likes having a Dom," I whispered. "I can't change that. I've never had any problems with any of her former partners. The most I've ever seen of any of them is pickup and drop off at the front door. We've barely even said hello. She keeps her lifestyle out of our apartment."

  He raised an eyebrow. "Good to hear that, but now they can do pick up and drop offs by the outer door and not so close to what's mine. End of story."

  I rolled my eyes. "Dictator much..." I muttered under my breath and Noah squeezed me closer, his breath nuzzling my ear.

  "You have no idea..." He whispered, caressing his tongue over my ear and my blood heated.

  Mmmm, my heart thudded with the faint beat of Olympic dreams imagining him doing wicked things to me. As wonderful and erotic as the thought was, Trey, Gemma and Noah's security team arrived, stifling any sensual thoughts of another sexual feast.

  Trey managed to take Nick off the premises for cool off time, swiftly avoiding police interference and nosy neighbors. The lovely sounds of several power drills intermixed with Tess's tears was almost more than I could take, but she called her sister to come pick her up. Thankfully, Noah busied himself with Shem and the security team, overseeing Defcon 4 installation on my apartment. I ducked into the kitchen for a few minutes reprieve putting together some lemonade and a few finger sandwiches. My solitude was short lived as Gemma came up behind me.