Velvet Exhale

by Beth Mikell

  "Turn around," he whispered from behind me.

  I gasped as his arm threaded around my waist, turning me. "Noah..." Oh God, he smelled divine as he bent close to my ear, nuzzling my neck.

  "Do you know how many times I thought of this moment?" He pulled me close, hugging me tight against his body. "Holding you...wanting you...Reyna..."

  I couldn't even take a good look at him before he tipped my head back, claiming me. Hot wetness swirled through our meshed lips and tongues emptying the last few days as if a forgotten memory. Noah tasted rich and soothing, and I needed him, ached for him down to my cellular level. He jimmied the lock of my soul, igniting a forest fire and scorching my body within seconds of his taste over my mouth. I groaned under the pressure. His hands gripped me deeper into his body, folding me into the rigid contours of his firm muscles and all I could do was hold on.

  I was falling...falling inside a powerful violence called my emotions until flayed apart by sizzling degrees. I needed his hands and mouth on my body, his heavy length in me, possessing me. I pulled back from the dark cloud, eyeing him through drugged-swollen desire, my breath heaving, "Noah..."

  His eyes popped open, feral and stormy. "Shh, I'm right here, baby," he whispered, pushing me back up against the wall of Claire's bedroom. "I've fucking missed you. I haven't been good for shit, but with you...I'm restored." His hand caressed down my body, flipping up under the hem of my dress, traveling upwards.

  He looked positively sinful, dressed in all white over his lithe, scrumptious body, his dark, tousled hair every bit the image of impossible handsomeness. His shard-like blue eyes bled possession straight through to yours truly, and I craved more--more of him. Had my super-hottie grown more gorgeous in the past days?

  I'm a trembling mess as heat parted my oversensitive nerves, seared by his warm fingers sweeping northbound without hesitation, his mouth brushing over my cheek to my ear. "I entertained Satan these last few days, but within the space of one second, heaven opened," he breathed against my ear, biting down gently on my earlobe as he skimmed my panties aside and sank a finger deep inside.

  I gasped hard, ready to fly apart by his velvet voice and wicked touch--he knew me. He worked me fast, worked me expertly, moving over my hypersensitive flesh as only he could.

  "You're so fucking beautiful, Reyna...." He said almost reverently, flicking my clitoris, sending me over the edge within the space of a heartbeat and I cried out from the intensity of my climax. "That's it baby, come for me. I need that, God how I need you."

  His hand continued to light my way as his tongue delved deep into my mouth, his stiff erection digging into my hip.

  I wasn't good for much...and held on tight as pleasure consumed me.

  ~~~

  Noah's lips brushed mine one last time before he straightened my clothes and stepped back, linking his hand in mine. His eyes smoldered, but a haunted look passed over his face, his expression twisted in a deep kind of pain that made me worry.

  "What is it?"

  He shook his head. "Do you know how many times I've thought of you this way, my sweet girl? Your beauty, your scent, you…open and ready--and all mine--all for me," he whispered hotly, closing his eyes before pinning me with a deep, meaningful stare. "I'll never be able to tell you enough or show you sufficiently, Reyna. I'll never be able to tell you how you shredded my past stupidity and gutted my heart into perfect balance."

  I inhaled sharply, tears stung my eyes as he gathered me tight, burying his face in my throat--his torture obvious. "Noah, what happened? Please tell me." I'm worried now. What the hell happened in New York?

  He ran his nose down my neck, breathing deep. "Promise me you'll never run--that you'll trust me no matter what, even if Hell rains dynamite and fucks me over," he said huskily, biting my skin gently, only to rub his tongue over the sensual injury. "If you run, I'll...fall apart."

  Sure, he ignored my question, but I didn't care, his pain overshadowed my desire to understand. "I promise." God, I wanted to tell him I loved him, but my lips hesitated over the words, yet my heart took over, turning me inside out. "I love you, Noah."

  Crap-shit, between his audible gasp and my transfixed stare, I'm not sure who was more shocked, him, or me. Fucking-A, why did I admit that? Word filter so needed by far! What a smooth-stupid way to welcome him home, I thought.

  "Reyna."

  I pushed out of Noah's arms, striding a couple feet away, distance needed. I turned back, my heart on my sleeve. "Wait, don't say anything yet, Noah. I know it's only been a week and the odds are completely against us, but I don't care. I know myself. I also know what I feel is deeper than a meaningless screw and that means you need to trust me with whatever is bothering you. You continually ask me not to run--to trust you, but what about you? I'm not saying this to provoke a confession, but complete honesty because you want to share it with me--because you care. After my last relationship, I'm not looking for more pain on a silver platter. I need to know we are at least moving in the same direction--with the same destination in mind."

  Noah took a step forward and I stepped back. "Reyna. You must know we are moving together, baby."

  I shook my head. "No, I don't, not really. I learned long ago nothing is certain, not even love, but I can't control this feeling in me." I placed a hand over my stomach for emphasis. "It's too powerful and I'm...afraid you'll break my heart, eventually."

  He took another step my direction, his gaze blazing with pure emotion etched over his handsome face and his jumpy cheek action in place. "Let me touch you. Let me reaffirm my feeling. I'd rather die than break you. You're the only purity in my empty life, Reyna."

  He edged closer, his scent amping my renewed arousal. Oh, the things he did to my body within a dire nanosecond, lit on fire anticipating the burn.

  My heart throbbed in my throat and I shook my head. "Purity isn't trust--isn't love."

  "I do trust you...with my life and your love is my purity, more than I deserve. I have nothing if not for your smile on your lovely lips and your happiness--never doubt your worth to me--it's too painful. And I'll take your love, thank you very much--it means everything to me." He moved so close, only a wisp of air between our bodies, his body heat radiated straight through the core of my tingling skin. "I promise I'll tell you everything, soon. Just please trust me a little longer until the fuck-storm clears, otherwise I'll die miserable and welcome hell."

  I gasped. "Noah..." Now, I knew something bad was incoming, but I didn't know what and relied solely on my no bounds man's trustful timing in sharing it--whenever that was!

  He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close as his scent and breath mingled with mine. "Tell me again. Say it."

  Perfect heaven described his closeness and I didn't pretend to misunderstand his command, though I cringed inwardly for my untimely confession. He wasn't a man so easily swayed by such an admission of love from a woman, but he outwardly clamored for three simple words with enticing vigor and I was powerless but to comply. "I love you."

  "Tell me often," he said visibly swallowing hard. "Tell me, even if you don't want too--every time I ask. Promise me, Reyna. It's my reassurance, my safety line." Noah smoothed the back of his hand down my cheek, thumbing my bottom lip with sweet ease.

  "I promise, Noah. I promise often and always." I trembled as his lips brushed hot over mine, but he stepped back ending our sensual connection in a flash.

  "Ready to go?" His familiar smirk touched his lips, his playfulness, and boyish charm bled through his expression.

  God, he looked edible.

  I blinked a couple of times, fighting a pound of emotion, his question registering and I cleared my throat of a heavy load of desire. "Yes, let me get my bag." I grabbed my small, white clutch off the end of the bed and met him at the door as his shard-like gaze bore hard into mine, unflinchingly.

  "Tell me," he stated thick with feeling.

  "I love you."

  He brought my hand up to his lips, brushing his mouth ov
er my knuckles. "Let's go baby."

  With my heart still hammering, I followed him out.

  ~~~

  Waiting in the black limousine were three new faces of shocking surprise, two men and one very beautiful woman.

  "Christ, Noah, what the freak were you doing in there? Tom and I only have the babysitter until eleven. Let's go." The woman commanded, smoothing an elegant hand over her dark hair, her blue eyes flashing with irritation, but she stuck out her hand to me. "Hi, I'm Madeline Reynolds, older sister to mega mogul," she said, thumbing her hand in Noah's direction. "I'm old enough to kick all kinds of major ass if need be, but please call me Maddie, everyone does."

  She was stunning beneath her elegantly painted red lips and megawatt smile, wearing a black, skintight, sleeveless sheath dress with a wide, white panel running down the right side to her knees and black stilettos.

  Noah snorted. "Jesus, Maddie, what the hell kind of intro was that? You're going to scare her off."

  He dropped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close, his brand of safety kicked in and I internally sighed with pleasure.

  Maddie rolled her eyes. "Spare me," she told Noah before looking at me. "Sorry if I'm a bit abrupt or abrasive, but this is the first time I've been out with my husband in three months since my twin boys were born and I'm anxious to get my groove on. Delays make me remarkably cranky."

  The younger man beside her leaned forward. "Outstandingly more like. Hi, I'm Jacob Alexander, less abrasive and more talented in the art of conversation than my big sister of ten years. She needs to work on her people skills." I could see the family resemblance; he was gorgeous in a power executive kind of way and held the same shard-like, blue eyes, same dark hair, but thicker in build with fuller lips, wearing all black inside a youthful appearance.

  Maddie scoffed. "Ten years! It's only five, moron. Watch it or I'm nailing you with the up side of my hand followed up with my knee planted in your groin."

  The other man leaned forward, clearing his throat. "Children, manners please," he breathed softly, turning to me, his dark brown eyes easy and kind. "I'm Tom Reynolds, husband to abrasive and brother-in-law to mega mogul and the math genius. Please overlook the playful banter between the siblings, I always do," he chuckled inside suave sophistication screaming from every pore of his black suited body, light brown hair to the smile faint over his firm lips and elegant handsomeness.

  Noah leaned closer, his mouth caressing over my ear. "And that's my family. No other introduction needed from me. They can make asses out of themselves without my interference."

  I smiled, exhaling slowly through my lips to stifle my laughter. "It's a pleasure to meet you all."

  I found I wasn't the least bit nervous meeting Noah's family, more like happy. For the first time, something tangible and real from his life greeted me without hesitation and I embraced it. While I enjoyed the honesty of the moment, I also reveled in the sweet revelation that I was experiencing something Noah couldn't control. I loved it.

  Jacob shrugged. "It's not all of us. We have a younger sister, Erisa, who's eighteen and wants to be a runway model, but happily can't convince the Alexander men she's worthy of such a degrading profession."

  "Degrading?" Maddie snorted, sitting up straighter with anger firming up her lush lips. "That blows. Our baby sister is stunning and should be allowed to pursue her dreams. Damn dominant men and their protective world domination of subsequent women they hold in their death grips! I'm outraged," she fumed hotly.

  "Sweetheart," Tom whispered, taking up her hand and squeezed lightly. "We should save this discussion for another time."

  Maddie met her husband's gaze and melted from kickass diva into a mushy pile of softness before turning to me. Her composure instantly restored with a sweet smile in place, "So, Reyna, we have an hour or less to kill on the ride to Tampa, tell us all about yourself."

  ~~~

  After the five of us grabbed a nice dinner at a gourmet restaurant, the car pulled up in front of a posh, beachside resort complete with thumping music and tons of swirling lights. The lineup of black and white limousines blazoned an elegant trail of rich money and swank-clad bodies in an air of party excitement. Tom, Maddie and Jacob exited the car in a flurry of jubilation and I was about to follow as Noah placed his hand on my arm, preventing me.

  "Wait, I need to tell you something." He shut the door and asked Shem to circle the neighboring streets as he turned to face me. Noah took both my hands in his, eyeing me with an odd, deep look. "Before we go in...I want to be sure you understand something about me."

  A sudden fear tripped my heart. Confession time? Now? Not good. "What is it?"

  He drew in a heavy breath, looking green around the gills. "You know what I've mentioned about...other women--my past." He blinked several times waiting for my affirmation and I could only nod, suddenly sick as my lobster dinner threatened to reappear. "I never know who's invited to these things, Reyna, and...I...fuck..." he trailed off looking pale, his jumpy cheek action back with his blue gaze disturbed, frightened even.

  Oh. Now, I see. We may run into one of his...ahem...women-of-service from his past and he was worried how I'd take that if things got explicit. "I think I understand. I can't say, I'm ecstatic about the possibility, but I get it," I reassured him, squeezing his hands with mine. "I'll protect you." I winked to drive home my point. "I'm the lady for the job, Mr. Alexander."

  Noah inhaled sharply. "Reyna...I...God, where've you been all my life?"

  Before I could blink, respond or retort, his mouth was on mine and I'm literally swelling with a thousand pounds of pleasure-pressure, savory and lush. His taste blasted far as I gave his tongue chase, pursuing the primal feeling we both hurled through without the slightest hesitation. Noah groaned hard, the vibration jagged on the verge of primal as it rattled up through my mouth with his desire, want, and need for me.

  He jerked back hard, his eyes wildly hungry. "I want to fuck you now, Ms. Lourde."

  Chapter 18

  Thou art to me a delicious torment. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

  Every molecule of my body clenched down with hot, vibrant need, flaming actually and Noah never looked more beautiful with such raw lust bleeding out through every fiber of his body. In the dim light of the car, his dark tousled hair and intense eyes hammered me with famished longing as his craving trembled desperately into me. I wanted him and it didn't matter where or how, just now!

  I nodded. "Take me. Be my lover, re-pillage--"

  My words were lost as his mouth covered mine, pushing me roughly down upon the limousine seat. Tender urgency wound through his tongue, crowding the limits of heat, spice and his own brand of essence. I couldn't swallow him down fast enough. I couldn't catch my breath, inhaling through my nose, and spinning entirely out of control without a lick of sensibilities. One of his hands entwined in my hair, tugging me deeper into his incinerating mouth, while his fingertips sought my nipple, rolling it with perfect perfection. I whimpered deep in my throat as Noah shimmied me through his sensual storm, ready to combust in lightning speed within seconds.

  We were both starved for the physical contact we missed over the drought of several days and our hands roamed, our heartbeats merged and our breaths mingled until I couldn't be more on fire, near close to a living flame as I could get. I pressed my hips upward, brushing against his erection, dying for the release I'd find within his touch. Oh, how I ached for my super-hottie as he taunted me with his dominant burn.

  His hand skimmed up my leg, reaching my panties as I mentally sat on the edge, a perfect aphrodisiac to my dire anticipation of his next caress. "Are you wet for me, my sweet girl?" He breathed hot against my ear, and I moaned my affirmation.

  Before he could test, Shem came over the internal car speaker, "Excuse me, sir. Mrs. Reynolds is on the line and requests your immediate attention."

  Noah cursed under his breath, sat up, and snatched the console phone up in his hand, plowing roughly through his hair with the other. "Maddie
?"

  It amazed me his voice didn't shake with the obvious desire shivering his body or the outline of his stiff erection through the white fabric of his pants. He looked magnificent as if a demigod in total control, and made my mouth water. Oh, how I loved him, but not just for his physical hunkiness, though that was part of it, no, for his blatant management of every situation. He knew his shit and strength besides. He made me love him the very first moment I saw him on the parking deck and our first meeting in Avalon. He'd sensed me, wanted me...and then took exactly what he saw with true dominance according to his masterful nature. I should be scared, running the other direction for the sake of sanity, but I couldn't. He was my drug, my addiction. Mine.

  Though Noah was powered by a darker force than I could understand, his innate nature shouldered massive amounts of sensual captivity, genius intellect with the most incredible mouth given to a man. I was whipped and I knew it, but I didn't care. I couldn't discount the dangerous quality under his powerful, stern demeanor or his unknown secrets, yet I knew without a doubt he cared for me more than he cared for anyone since his wife, of that I was positive. That gave me hope where the undiscovered hung suspended over us.

  He replaced the receiver and gave me a dark, smoldering glance. "Maddie received a call from her babysitter--one of the twins is running a fever. We have to go back so Shem can take them home."

  I sat up and righted my clothing, smoothing my hair back into place, while my lips throbbed. "It's understandable."