I rushed to her side at once, finding her huddled against the headboard with wide eyes staring at me. It took her a moment for realization to set in and her nerves to calm, more so when her dog’s barking caught her attention. Then, she launched herself out of the bed and ran to Meera, taking her pet back while thanking her.
“You got him for me,” she said, voice low and grateful. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“My pleasure, Miss Moore.”
“It’s Gabriella...” her eyes went from Meera to Tero and then to mine, so many questions in her jeweled orbs “... and how did you get him? Where was he?”
“He was being held at a local vet’s office that attends to the precinct’s dogs.”
“Christ.” Gabriella kisses the furballs head, and he licks her cheek. The smile on her face is enough to bring a dead heart back to life, but then it drops and her brows furrow. “I’m sorry, but who are you? I know them, but we’ve never...”
“Never apologize, Gabriella. You’ve done nothing wrong.” Stepping forward, she holds a hand out toward my girl, which Gabriella takes after shifting her hold on the dog. “My name is Meera, and I’m Tero’s wife. I’m also the gallery’s event coordinator, and we were bound to meet very soon as I need your input for the show.”
“No can do, sweetheart. You’re kind of stuck with me for a while.” Today. Tomorrow. Until the end of time. “Does that bother you?”
“Would you believe me if I said yes?”
“Not when you’re smiling like that. No.” Tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear, I lean across the center console and lay a small kiss to the corner of her mouth. “Now, let’s get down. There’s something I want you to see.”
“Maybe another time? I really need to head home and check on—”
“Humor me.” Another small kiss, this time to the tip of her nose. “Please.”
“You get one hour.”
“Sure.” I’ll let her think that, but she’s not going home yet. If ever.
I’m not letting her go.
“Why is it that I don’t believe you?”
“No clue.” Not giving her a chance to further question me, I turn the car off and get out, rushing to her side. I open her door and hold a hand up—pausing her exit—while quickly opening my glove compartment. She’s looking at me funny, a small smile on her lips, but more than that, there’s curiosity when I don’t show her what I’ve grabbed.
For now, I tuck it into my pocket and then pull her out, leading us toward the main entrance. It’s a little after five now and I had the place closed for us, hoping she’ll enjoy the trip more with it being just the two of us.
And I’m right when she gasps after I usher us inside.
“Theo,” my name on her lips is a beautiful sigh—so sweet. “When did this go up? Has there been some interest?”
“Before I left for L.A., and yes. A lot, in fact.” With my hand on the small of her back, I move us deeper into the reception area where an announcement of the upcoming show has been set up. Her name is the largest of the three artists showing over the next six months, and I’m proud of her. She earned this. Everything good coming her way. “We’ve already started to build your set as no one else will be using that floor this year.”
“No one?”
“No. It’s yours.” Stepping closer, I use the tips of two fingers to turn her head in my direction. “I’ve had a special prop delivered for you, too. Meera brought it here today to test its placement.”
“What is it?”
“All I can show you is where it’ll go?”
“Why?”
“It’s a surprise meant for later.”
“Okay.” And there’s the sparkle I’ve missed over the last few days. This genuine excitement that glows—moves you when she smiles. A real one. When she’s content and feels at ease, there’s nothing more beautiful to me.
“Then let me show you.” I slip my hand into hers and pull her gently behind me toward the elevator, pressing the number three once the doors close. Her fingers play with mine while we wait to reach the top, gently squeezing the tips. However, the moment we reach our floor, I pull her back before the doors open. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes.” No hesitation. No doubt. So perfect.
“Good girl.” Eyes still on hers, I press the hold button so the elevator doesn’t leave our floor and then turn her around, pulling the blindfold from my pocket. “Just remember I won’t let you fall.”
“What are you...oh!” She giggles, shaking her head after I put the blindfold in place and checking that she can’t peek through. “You came prepared for everything.”
“You could say that.” With my hand on the small of her back, I walk us into the large open space that will host her exhibit, making sure that the lights are dimmed before stopping at the center of the room. From where I stand, she will be able to see across the room and the covered display. “Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
“Welcome to a night in the jungle of sin.”
“Jungle of sin,” she repeats as I pull the blindfold off. I watch as she takes everything in—the dark walls and the greenery being brought in to mimic the Amazon jungle and its foliage. We’ve put up vines and lighting only in areas meant to host her pieces. Even the flowers brought in to stage the area for her approval add a layer of beauty to the debauchery that will be the final result.
“What do you think?”
“It’s stunning.” Her eyes are lit up in a way I haven’t seen in a while. So much happiness. Excitement. “This is going to look amazing, Theodore.”
“Theo.”
“I’m sorry?” she asks, and the way her brows scrunch up is quite adorable.
“I’m always just Theo to you, unless you have a sexy nickname for me? Those are always acceptable.”
Her blush is instant. “Not yet.”
“So there might be in the future?” I hedge, stepping closer. Invading her personal space, I grip the back of her neck while bending low enough that I can press my forehead to hers. “You want there to be one?”
“That’s not what I said.” Her sweet breath fans across my lips, and it takes everything in me not to kiss her. To taste her. “You’re putting words in my mouth.”
“I agree, taking your mouth is a tempting offer.”
“Theodore Astor!”
“Yes?”
“You’re doing a fabulous job at cheering me up,” Gabriella whispers suddenly and then presses those beautiful lips to mine in the sweetest kiss. It’s short and soft and the literal definition of perfection, but I want more. To own her. To devour. “Now, what’s under the large covering?”
“Another surprise.”
“Show me.” The demanding tone she uses, how she enunciates each word, is sexy and makes my cock throb. The hard son of bitch presses against the zipper of my pants, digging into the teeth in search of a relief we can’t have yet. She’s not ready for me, for the demonic need only she can incite.
“Not yet.” My expression is neutral, while inside I’m a ball of aching fire. Needing. Hungry.
“Why not?” she pouts, and I want to bite her bottom lip.
“One, she’s my surprise for another time. And two, because it’s feeding time, and someone will be here shortly to do so.” I can see the questions brewing at my words, but I shake my head. “Trust me, sweetheart. You’ll be meeting her soon enough.”
“She?”
“Yes, she.” Turning us around, I catch the moment Tero comes in with a box with the animal’s meal inside. We pass by each other, him smiling at Gabriella and my little painter curious as ever is trying to look around me, but I don’t pause until we’re inside the elevator shaft and the door is closed. “I know you have questions and I promise to answer them soon, but that back there is very important. It’s more than an opening night surprise. She’s my special gift to you.”
“That sounds insane.”
“Sometimes a little insanity is a blessing,
Gabriella. Just like I never expected you, but you’ve knocked me down and have overtaken my world. Something I will never regret.”
29
Gabriella
I can’t get his words out of my head.
Their meaning and the heavy conviction that leads to one word: love.
It’s been brewing, growing—consuming my world since we met outside of the cafe a few weeks ago, and while it makes no sense, I’m unable to deny it. To myself. To him. Because there’s this undeniable pull that both throws me off my feet while helping me find an inner balance I’ve been missing.
And all because of him. Theodore Astor.
Being with him—just standing in his presence makes me feel at home, a warmth I’ve never felt before. Not once. Not with anyone. There’s just something about Theo that pulls me in, and I don’t fight it—him—the tight binds that both tethers and scares me.
It’s also why I’m currently arguing with the man, holding my ground. Arms crossed over my chest; I’m meeting his hard stare with one of my own while his jaw ticks. “Yes.”
“No.”
“Not up for debate, Mr. Astor.”
You’re right.” He steps into my personal space, crowding me against the front door of my home. He thinks I’m here to pick up clothes, while I’m here to stay. To get back to work, because I have a show to prepare for and a life that needs to carry on.
I’m not going to hide. I’ve done nothing wrong.
The police themselves have been patrolling the nearby area the last few nights, and nothing. No snakes. No threats. No bodies. And with the extra officers surrounding the neighborhood, I doubt there will be.
I can’t allow myself to think otherwise.
“You’re giving in that easily?” He doesn’t move back when I give him my best bitch brow; instead, I’m given a smirk. His eyes alight with humor. “What’s the catch?”
“Then I’ll stay over.”
“You want to—”
“I’m going to, sweetheart. Not a question.”
“But what about...?” His lips against mine silence me, eradicate any question or concern. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s slept over or that we wake up in the same bed. And if I’m being honest, the idea of him being here just in case does make my heart flutter.
Theo cares.
Maybe as much as I do.
“Fine,” I say just as he nibbles on my bottom lip, dragging his teeth across the kiss-swollen flesh. “But—”
“But nothing, Miss Moore.” Another teasing bite. “Open the door for us.”
“Okay.” Shakily, I turn, rubbing myself against his muscled chest and abs. I don’t miss how the area I touch clenches, how he sucks in a hiss through his teeth. It takes me longer than it should to put the key in the lock and turn the handle, but I’m too busy enjoying the feel of him. His harsh breaths. His manly scent. Eventually, I do, though, and step inside with Theodore close behind. “Is there anything you want to do tonight? Have you eaten yet?”
“No and no.”
“Are you hungry?” I don’t know the fine details of his diet, but I’m sure adjusting won’t be hard. I’m not a picky eater. “Can I cook for us?”
“That’d be nice, but I’m perfectly fine with vegging out and ordering in, too.”
“Unacceptable, Mr. Astor.” He follows me to the staircase’s first landing where I turn to face him, using the added height to face him head on. I’m almost nose to nose. Almost. “Let me spoil you a bit. What would make your mouth water tonight?”
“You.” No hesitation. There’s no stopping nor hiding the way my nipples tighten and thighs clench, the way my chest rises and falls at a faster pace nor the way he takes in each change, his pupils dilating until there’s very little of the amber left. He’s a beautiful man, and I’m susceptible to his every charm as if God created him for me. “All I will ever want in this life is you.”
“I want you too.” My own truth.
“But you’re not ready yet.” Theo takes a step closer, his lips hovering just a mere inch from my own while his arms wrap around my back. I’m held against him, trapped chest to chest and a harsh shiver runs down my body and onto his. “I know you’re a virgin, sweetheart, and as much as I want to devour you, I’ll wait. We have our whole lives. What’s a little more time?”
“You want to wait?” I ask incredulously, because isn’t he supposed to jump at the chance to break my hymen? To make me his. There’s also no denying my disappointment at this, because while a part of me agrees to wait, that it’s the right thing until we get to know each other better, the other wants to spread her legs in offering like a whore.
“Why the surprised face?” he asks, tracing my top lip with his tongue before flicking the bottom one. “I don’t need to take the cherry between your legs to own you, because I already do.” Theo swallows hard and closes his eyes, nostrils flaring while pulling me impossibly closer. Holding me a little tighter. “No one, not even God himself can break us apart, Gabriella. We are meant to be.”
“How can you be so sure?” Even though I feel it too, I have to ask him. Because this has been sudden and my life has been insane lately, but more than that, I can’t stop thinking about him. Wanting him close to me or wondering if he thinks of me like I do him. “Why me?”
“Only time can explain those questions, but I’ll be next to you as we uncover each answer.” Nodding, I try to explain my views when he shakes his head and pecks my lips once. “Why don’t you go take a shower and I’ll take care of dinner? It’s getting late, and I’d rather relax with you for a bit before we head to bed.”
“I really wanted to cook for you.”
“And you’ll have plenty of time to do so, but for tonight I just want to hold you close.”
“Okay.”
“Good girl.” Another gentle sweep of his lips and then I’m settled back on the first step while he moves back. “I’ll be here when you finish.”
“I’ll be back in a bit, then. Order whatever you’re in the mood for.” I turn to leave, and my right foot is on the second step, when his hand grips my elbow. It surprises me and I look back, scrunching up my face in a confusion that dies off the second our eyes meet again. The look he’s giving me is one of a painful hunger, but before I can ask, I’m yanked against his chest.
The contact is blissful and more so is the way he lifts me up with one arm beneath my butt, forcing my legs around his hips. Hips that thrust forward a second later and my eyes roll back, his cock flexing against my core. Right against my clit and a rush of electric heat settles on my bundle of nerves, pulsing, needing more.
“My apologies for leaving you wanting, sweetheart.” His voice is gravelly, fingertips digging in as he lowers us slowly onto the stairs. The wood is cold beneath me, a sharp contrast to my heated flesh. It feels good, but nothing can compare to his lips on my neck, littering the tender area with sharp nips and open-mouthed kisses. “You might not be ready for more, not all of me, but that doesn’t mean I can’t satisfy you. I’m always here to give you what you need.”
“Theo, I—”
“Let me take care of you...please.” His hands unbutton the pants Meera gave me, pulling them over my hips before tossing them somewhere behind us. Thank God they were a gift with the price tag attached because I’m not wearing panties, a sight that makes him growl—those amber eyes turn darker. I’m bare and slick and swollen. “You’ve been like this all day? Without underwear?”
“Yes.”
“Bad girl.” He runs the tips of his fingers from my ankles to knees and back down again. His touch is featherlight, so soft I think I’m imagining it, until the sensation travels to my inner thighs and then I’m arching, lifting my hips in offering. “And so fucking beautiful.”
“I need you to touch me.”
“No.”
“No?” I ask, his answer confusing me until I’m picked up once again while he switches our positions. He stands long enough to unbuckle his pants, pushing them down to hi
s ankles before sitting down while I stand above him. I’m waiting, anxious, but when that first flick of his tongue teases my clit, I moan. It’s loud inside my house and I’m thankful my dog stayed the night with Tero and Meera as they try out being dog parents for the day.
I don’t want to be interrupted or needed; this is my heaven. Nirvana. A pleasure I chase while undulating my hips over his mouth.
Each stroke gets me closer and closer, my tiny hole clenching each time he dips the tip of his tongue inside, but then I’m moving once again, unable to do anything but let him place me where he wants me and that’s straddling his hips with his cock nestled against my labia while the bulbous tip kisses my throbbing bundle of nerves.
“Just feel me, beautiful. Motherfuck, just like that.” Theo controls my movements, his strong hands forcing my hips to rub against his length while my juices coat us both. “God, you feel good. Can’t wait to fuck you like you deserve, like my goddess and whore.”
I clench at those words, not offended in the least.
Nothing this man does would, and I’m loving the filthy promise behind each word.
“So close. So good,” I whimper, my fingers finding purchase in his hair and I pull on the strands, needing an anchor when he picks up the pace. Harder. Each roll of my hips envelops his length and I’m dripping, and the sensation of his thickness where I need him most has me throbbing, trembling—teetering on the edge.
All I can do is close my eyes while biting my lip and give in.
I have no control. No say.
My body is wound tight while his groans below further push me toward the edge. In Theo’s hold I’m a rag doll for his pleasure, and it turns me on. The hissed curses beneath me bring me closer and closer, and just as I’m on the precipice, he bites my neck.
“Oh my God!” Every nerve ending in my body locks down, and it’s near painful to move as the first wave of pleasure washes over me. “Theo...I can’t...fuck!”
“My beautiful girl,” he grunts, thrusting harder, slicing through my lips at a faster pace as his come mixes with my own. Each spurt feels like a hot kiss to my clit, marking me as his. Strong hands pull me down so we’re chest to chest, his guttural groans reverberating through me and spreading, prolonging my release. “Always mine.”
Little Lies Page 19